St. Enda’s climbed to second place in Group 1 after this comprehensive win over St. Mary’s Rasharkin in Dreen on Saturday but now depend on slipups from Moneyglass or Sarsfields if they are to advance to the semi-finals.
The Glengormley side have played a game more than their competitors for a top 2 place with 5 points from 4 starts and they certainly left down a marker in this excellent win over a Rasharkin side who started well but faded.
Eamonn McNeill gave St. Mary’s the perfect start when he hit an excellent 2 pointer in the opening minute but Fionntan O’Connor collected and returned the ball over the bar after a great double save from Rasharkin keeper, Tiernan O’Boyle.
O’Connor levelled matters with a point in the 4th minute but an Oisin Casey pointed free and another from play by Thomas Hasson had the Dreen side 2 ahead again by the 10th minute.
Withg the elements in their favour it was imperative that Rasharkin build on that lead but Stephen O’Connor replied from a free for the Hightown men before O’Boyle pulled of another fine save as the visitors pressed again.
The home side appeared to be getting on top however when Caolan McGarrell and Brian Og O’Neill edged them three ahead by the 22nd minute but it was St. Enda’s who finished the half strongly and Stephen O’Connor, Fionntan O’Connor and Conor Eastwood had them back on terms at the halfway stage.
HT 0-6 TO 0-6
With the wind in their backs it was St. Enda’s who started the second half as they had finished the first and Conor Eastwood pointed and Stephen O’Connor added another from a free before Sean Murray punished a mix-up in the Rasharkin defence to finish to the net in the 9th minute.
Even at this stage it was hard to see the home side coming back as O’Connor added another pointed free in the 10th minute before Oisin Casey finally opened Rasharkin’s second half account from a pointed free in the 12th minute.
It failed to bring the necessary response from his colleagues however as St. Enda’s came back with four on the bounce from Stephen O’Connor (f), Sean McBride, Tomas Gilmore (f) and Stephen O’Connor (f) as a bit of frustration and indiscipline crept into the home side’s play.
It was all over with five minutes remaining as Stephen O’Connor punished another defensive mistake with his side’s second goal though, to their credit Rasharkin kept going to the end.
The home side kicked the final three points of the game through Oisin Casey, a great Cormac McMullan point from distance and a Brian Og O’Neill converted free but at this stage it was just an exercise in damage limitation.
A good win for St. Enda’s, who were the better team throughout and they put themselves in a strong position in the opening half when they matched Rasharkin score for score despite playing into the wind.
They must now await results of Patrick Sarsfields at home to Naomh Padraig, Lisburn and St. Ergnat’s away to Rasharkin and hope that one or both slip up at the final hurdle.
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OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Group 2 – Round 3
Saturday 30th August
Report by Niall Kelly from Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh
Gort Na Móna 1-13 Naomh Comhghall 2-13
St Comgall’s survived a resurgent second half performance from Gort Na Móna to give themselves a fighting chance of advancing to the knock-out stages of this year’s Intermediate Championship. A potent display in front of the posts in the first half ensured a handsome nine-point lead at the interval thanks to goals from Lewis Higgins and Tom Pratchett. However, a gallant come-back effort from the hosts fully tested the metal and character of Barry Burn’s charges who just scrambled over the finish line with enough to spare.
It was tit for tat in the opening exchanges as both teams had a spring in their step in their offensive pursuits with the two number fifteens, Tom Pratchett and Dessie McClean trading points. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of early possession, the Gorts lacked the potency that their counterparts had in front of the posts as their wide count began to grow. They were made to pay in ruthless fashion though as James McCabe’s bustling run off the left flank teed up Lewis Higgins who made no mistake with his finish to the onion bag on the tenth minute.
The visitor’s tails were up now and the dynamic runs of Dylan Murdock from half back were causing problems, opening up holes in the Gort Na Móna rearguard. A flowing move stemming from their trusty number five was again to result in a consecutive major as Tom Pratchett finished emphatically to the roof of the net to open up a six-point lead midway through the half. The Turflodge side responded in positive fashion though as they would hit the next three scores thanks to McClean, Manus McMullan and Sean Campbell who finished off a flowing move.
Just as it seemed the hosts were regaining a foothold in proceedings, Antrim took charge once again and were spearheaded by marksman in chief, Pratchett. The Comgall’s number fifteen hit two spectacular two pointed efforts, including an absolute peach with a free off the carpet from a very tight angle, which he curled to perfection. The visitors finished the half off in style with a fisted Pratchett effort and a fine score from centre forward Miles Devine to leave the scores 0-04 to 2-07 as the teams retreated for the interval
Whatever words of encouragement echoed around the home changing room; they certainly had a resounding effect as Niall Mulrine’s troops would battle right to the last in the second period. The home side hit the first two points through a familiar source with Dessie McClean on target for both, including a very impressive effort from an acute angle. However, the roving runs of Dylan Murdock caused problems again as the industrious number five replied with two of his own. The opposing number sevens, Padraig Cournane and Caolan O’Loan then traded scores midway through the half before James McCabe opened his account for the visitors. It was now or never for Gort Na Móna who rallied superbly and really took a stranglehold of affairs going into the last knockings. A two pointer from talisman Dessie McClean dented into the lead before goalkeeper Jack Ireland demonstrated his prowess from distance with a well-executed forty-five.
Sensing blood in the water, the men from the Móna bypass began to probe for an all-important goal which would really bring the game into the melting pot. Their wishes were granted on the fiftieth minute as Jack Thompson rose like a salmon to palm in Shane Scullion’s flighted ball inside to trigger an almighty roar from the home sideline. Substitute Padraig Mulvenna followed this up with a great score and suddenly there was a mere kick of the ball between them which had seemed so unlikely only minutes before.
Naomh Comhghall were certainly under the cosh now and desperately needed a score to settle the nerves. They were delighted to see Ruairi Griffin fire over a fine point to bolster their lead. However, Gort Na Móna were not to be discouraged and forward they came once more as Cournane doubled his tally before Caoimhin Beck announced his arrival with another white flag on the twenty ninth minute to narrow the gap to two. With Piaras McCaffery’s watch now into time added on, it was all to play for. The hosts launched an aerial barrage on the Antrim rearguard with Christopher Carson put inside to cause havoc. Unfortunately for the Gorts, despite their gallant efforts, it just wouldn’t stick as resolute and composed defending from their opponents extinguished their hopes of completing a remarkable comeback. Tom Pratchett hit the final score of the game thanks to a free from an infraction as the Antrim side held firm.
Antrim will now turn their intentions to their crucial clash at home to Glenavy. St Joseph’s have already sealed safe passage through and will be a stern test. The Dunsilly side will have a keen eye on tomorrow’s meeting between St Teresa’s and Davitts which will have ramifications for them. For Gort Na Móna, they will surely be crestfallen with the result. However, they can take solace from their second half performance. There is certainly potential amongst their youthful ranks.
Teams:
Gort Na Móna:
J Ireland (0-01;) D Cahill, C McCabe, C Donnelly; S Campbell (0-01,) M Savage, P Cournane (0-02;) C Magee, T Morton; B Burns, C Carson, M McMullan (0-01;) S Scullion, J Thompson (1-00) D McClean (0-06 – 0-04 & 1t.p.)
Substitute scorers:
P Mulvenna (0-01)
C Beck (0-01)
Naomh Comhghall:
M Emery; S Hinphey, S Óg Gribben, D O’Hara; D Murdock (0-02,) J McCabe (0-01,) C O’Loan (0-01;) J Henry, L Higgins (1-00;) R Griffin (0-01,) M Devine (0-01,) A McGraw; A McHugh, R Clark, T Pratchett (1-07 – 1-03 & 2t.p.)
Intermediate Football Championship – Group 1 – Round 3
Moneyglass 2-18 St Patrick’s Lisburn 1-16
Moneyglass had to come from seven points down early in the second half before getting the better of Naomh Padraig Lisburn in Friday evening’s Round 3 game in the Intermediate Football Championship at Loughbeg Road. When Naomh Padraig goalkeeper Ruadhan McKeena hit a 2pointer three mintues into the second half the Lisburn men were seven to the good. The team had a mountain to climb but Moneyglass corner forward Conor Boyd grabbed a goal to start the comeback and they turned things around in the second half to all but seal a semi-final spot.
Che Smyth got Lisburn off the mark on three minutes when he sent over a point but the home side came back with two in a row, the first from Colum Duffin on four minutes and the second a minute later from Tyler Cassidy to take the lead for the first time. However a goal from Adam Patterson, a 2pointer from Colm Burns and two single point from Oisin Gorman and Adam Patterson put the men from Kirwoods Park six clear after thirteen minutes.
Duffin and Cassidy pointed to cut the gap back to four but Lisburn were on top and Oisin Gorman and Colm Burns pushed the gap out to six again. Aidan McErlain and Tyrler Cassidy pulled two back for the home side but Lisburn replied through Mullan and Rafferty and it took an injury time point from Rafferty to get St Ergnat’s to within five by half time.
When Lisburn goalkeeper Ruadhan McKenna sent over a two pointer just after the restart to stretch the lead to seven the home team had a mountain to climb, but slowly but surely they started to edge their way back. A goal by corner forward Conor Boyd proved a big psychological lift for the St Ergnat’s men and though Lisburn replied with a point of their own the tide was starting to turn.
Two 2pointers from Burns and Gorman and a another point from Burns brought Moneyglass back on terms and though the visitors briefly restored their lead with a Rafferty 2pointer at the end of the third quarter they would only score once more for the remainder of the game. It took a further five minutes before Conor Boyd tied the scores once again and but once that happened it was all one way traffic during the last ten minutes as the home side made use of the breeze to hit six in a row, three of them from full forward Gorman.
McKeena came up from goals to point a free for Lisburn but Gorman had the final say when he slotted over another from a free to get his team home by five.
The next phase of the football championships is scheduled for this week-end Friday/Saturday/Sunday 29th/30th/31st August with all of the games fixed at neutral venues.
SFC Group 4 – Sat 30th August
Saturday Creggan (4.00pm)
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Paul’s
Having conceded their place in division One, St Mary’s Ahoghill opened their championship account with a win at Aghagallon in round one underlined the fighting qualities within the Cloney side.
They lost heavily to St Brigid’s in round 2 but a win here and victory for St. Brigid’s over Aghagallon could see the Ahoghill men finish second in the group and a place in the quarter-finals
St Paul’s are without a win to date in Group 4 but the Shaw’s road men are not to be discounted and they will hope to finish with a win as they travel to Creggan.
A close one is anticipated in this one but Eamonn Brady’s men will start as slight favourites and they may well gain the verdict.
SFC Group 4
Glenavy Saturday (4.00pm)
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Brigid’s
Having endured a less than positive league campaign, St Mary’s Aghagallon received another blow when they lost to St Mary’s Ahoghill in the opening round of Group 4 but they got their campaign up and running last day out with a win over St. Paul’s in round 2.
St. Brigid’s have been the form team in the group and have recorded big wins over St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s Ahoghill to date and while Aghagallon could provide a stiff challenge, St. Brigid’s look capable of overcoming that challenge.
Sat 30th August – SFC Group 1
Group 1
Kelly Park Saturday (6.30 pm)
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Erin’s Own Cargin
This one brings together the 2023 finalists when Cargin recorded a 2-10 to 0-11 win over Cuchullian’s and this pairing are certain to attract a big crowd to Kelly Park.
Ronan Devlins’s side are on a mission to gain a 4th senior title in succession and their seventh in the past eight years with near neighbours Kickham’s Creggan having halted the sequence when they proved successful with 1-12 to 0-07 win over St Mary’s Aghagallon in 2021.
Cuchullian’s have often been there or thereabouts on the championship trail over the years but more so in hurling and although they have been active on the football scene in recent years the Cuchullian’s last gained a senior title back in 1936.
Cargin have recorded wins over Tir na nOg and St John’s but this looks like their toughest test to date as they line out against a Dunloy side which has been in fine form in this campaign.
The Cuchullian’s really impressed in round one with an emphatic 2-30 to 1-11 first round victory over St. John’s but they got it much tighter in round two with a 4-15 to 5-08 win over Tir na nOg.
Cargin will start this one as favourites but if Dunloy can field at full strength then they could push the Toome side all the way.
SFC Group 1
Ballymena Saturday (6.30pm)
St John’s v Tir na nOg
After a poor league campaign and an opening day hammering to Dunloy in the championship, St. John’s did show improvement in Round 2 when Cargin visited Corrigan Park but still ended on the losing side.
The Toome men were installed as the firmest of favourites to gain the verdict in that one and finished 4-15 to 1-11 ahead but St. John’s showed some improvement from round 1 but a strong finish and a late goal blitz from the Toome men opened the door to victory.
St John’s hinted at improvement however and they will travel down to Ballymena to meet Tir na nOg feeling they can win this one.
Tir na nOg lost to both Dunloy and reigning champs Cargin in their opening two fixtures but performed much better than St. John’s against the same opponents.
They led their hosts Cargin in Toome in round one before a strong finish saw the home side finish ahead and were again competitive against Dunloy at Whitehill before losing by 418 to 5-08.
Neither side can now qualify for the quarter finals but both will be keen to avoid bottom spot in the group and a place in the dreaded relegation play-offs and this one could be mighty close with a tentative vote going to Tir na nOg based on their respective championship campaigns to date.
Sunday 1-00pm (St Enda’s)
SFC Group 3
All Saint’s Ballymena v Lamh Dhearg (1.00pm)
The contestants in this one have lost their opening two games in Group 3 and defeat for either would ensure a place in the relegation play-offs so while qualification is out of reach for both, there is still much at stake here.
Both Sunday’s opponents lost to Creggan and St. Gall’s in what was deemed the group of death with All Saints starting well in both their games but fading badly late in both their games.
Lamh Dhearg pushed both St. Gall’s and Creggan to the wire and their greater experience at this level will see them start this one as firm favourites and All Saints will need to be at their best for the full 60 plus minutes if they are to gain their first Group 3 win.
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Creggan Kickham’s v St Gall’s
SFC Group 3
(Dunsilly Pitch One) Sunday – (1.00pm)
This could be the game of the round as previously unbeaten Creggan and St. Gall’s cross swords at Dunsilly to decide who will top Group 3.
Both Sunday’s opponents have recorded victories over Lamh Dhearg and All Saints and both have impressed in the championship to date.
Both the contestants are considered as contenders in the race for the title and this could be a close one and should attract a good crowd to Dunsilly.
This one could go either way but Kickham’s will start as slight favourites and they may well finish in front.
Sunday 31st August
SFC Group 2 Sunday – (4.00pm)
(Toome)
O’ Donovan Rossa v Con Magee’s Glenravel
With one victory each in the championship, this meeting of Rossa and Con Magee’s in Toome is certain to be a close hard fought encounter with victory bringing the reward of a place in quarter-final to the victor.
Both sides lost to Group leaders, Casement’s, Portglenone but recorded wins over St. James Aldergrove with Rossa earning a 3-14 to 0-12 win away from home whilst Con Magees recorded a 3-14 to 2-11 victory at Fr. Maginn Park.
Rossa will start as slight favourites but this one could go either way and a draw cannot be ruled out
St James Aldergrove v Casement’s Portglenone
Sunday – Whitehill (4.00pm) SFC Group 2
Casement’s have recoded two victories to date and are going well at the moment and last year’s beaten finalists have been installed as favourites to go all the way by some observers.
The Portglenone men were not asked serious questions to date and have recorded convincing wins over the visiting Con Magees and away to Rossa.
St James have had a poor start in the championship, losing to both Rossa and Glenravel and although they will give this one their best shot another Casement’s win and a place at the top of Group 2 looks likely.
IFC Group 1
Moneyglass Friday – 6-45pm
St. Ergnat’s v Naomh Padraig Lisburn
St. Ergnat’s opened their IFC campaign with a good win over Sarsfields in Moneyglass but had to wait 17 days for their next game away to St. Enda’s.
They were pushed hard by the Glengormley side but earned a draw and a win here would put them in a strong position.
The Lisburn side performed well in Division 2 of the league but anything other than a St. Ergnat’s win looks unlikely and my vote goes to the home side
IFC Group 1
Rasharkin Saturday 6-00
Rasharkin v St. Enda’s
St. Mary’s Rasharkin have nothing but pride to play for in this one with relegation to division 3 already decided and defeats in both their opening championship game.
St. Enda’s could yet gate crash the qualification places in Group 1 should Moneyglass or Sarsfields slip up and that could be the carrot for the Hightown side who should win this one.
IFC Group 2
Enright Park Saturday 6-pm
Gort na Mona v Naomh Comhghall
St. Joseph’s Glenavy look to have tied up Group 2 with three wins from 3 and St. Teresa’s and Davitt’s look like contesting second place so Gort na Mona and St. Comgall’s look to be playing for pride in this one.
Both sides are capable of better than their results to date have shown but if Barry Burns’ side are at their best then Naomh Comhghall can edge this one.
IFC Group 2
Sunday 2pm Davitt’s
Davitt’s v St. Teresa’s
Second place in Group 2 is the prize for the winners of this one with St. Teresa’s on 3 points from 3 starts and Davitt’s on 2 from 2 starts.
A win for either would almost certainly earn them second place in the group and home advantage could play a part.
A lot will depend on just what St. Teresa’s side will turn up as they have mixed the good with the mediocre in the present campaign but I give a tentative vote to the Glen Road side.
GRAHAM TARMAC JFC Round up
Friday JFC Group 1
Friday 6-15 Fennell Park
Kickham’s Ardoyne got themselves back in contention of a qualification place in Group 1 with a big win over O’Donnell’s last day out and should have enough to beat St. Malachy’s in this one.
JFC Group 2
Eire Og v Pearses
Friday 7-30 pm at Eire Og
Eire Og have raised a few eyebrows with their performances in Group 2 when they hit 5 goals in their opening day win over Laochra Loch Lao and Wolfe Tonnes suffered the same fate as they hit another 5 on day two to top the group.
This one could be closer but the vote goes to goal scoring specialists, Eire Og.
JFC Group 1
O’Donnell’s v St. Agnes
MacRory Park Sunday 2-00
St. Agnes have been the outstanding performers in division 4 this year as they gained promotion to division 3 and they have carried that form into the JFC.
They recorded a big win over Ardoyne in round 1 with St. Malachy’s failing to field in round 2 and a win here would see them top the group and they should have enough to overcome the challenge of O’D’s.
Paul Duffin became the St. Ergnat’s hero when his point in the 61st minute earned his side a draw in this keenly contested IFC Group 1 encounter at Hightown on Sunday afternoon.
In a game of changing fortunes where both sides enjoyed periods of supremacy it was the home side who looked to have gained their second win in three outings when a Michael McKenna point edged them in front with time almost up.
The visitors won possession from the resulting kick-out and Duffin moved forward from his centre-half birth to guide the ball between the uprights much to the delight of the travelling support.
It was St. Enda’s who enjoyed the better of the opening stages with Stephen O’Connor leading the way and the big number 11 opened the scoring with a point after 30 seconds and he went on to hit 1-3 with only 6 minutes on the clock.
In between a Seanchan Duffin point was all that Moneyglass could manage but gradually they got up to the pace of the game, their first for nearly three weeks and Colm Duffin scored 0-3 on the bounce to close the gap to 2 by the 13th minute.
Corner back, Zac Kyle came forward to increase that lead to 4 and when Sean Murray and Conor Eastwood added two quick fire goals in the 15th and 18th minutes things had again swung decisively the way of the Glengormley side.
Once again St. Ergtnat’s picked themselves up of the canvas as Sean Boyd and Colm Duffin pointed and a Boyd goal in the 23d minute put his side right back into contention.
Sean Boyd and Callum Murray added late points as the St. Enda’s scores dried up and by half time the gap was down to 2 and we looked like we had a game on our hands.
The two Sean’s, Murray for St. Enda’s and Boyd for Moneyglass exchanged early second half points but a Mickey Morgan Point and a goal from a Stephen O’Connor penalty looked to have put Naomh Eanna back in a commanding position with only 8 minutes of the new half gone.
Colm Duffin pulled one back for the visitors but a Sean McBride point in the 12th minute restored the home side’s advantage and the visitors again looked in trouble.
They dug deep however as their renowned fighting spirit came to the fore with ace marksman, Colm Duffin getting them going again with a well struck 2 pointer.
This score appeared to galvanise those around him as Tyler Cassidy, Colm Duffin 0-2 and an Aiden McErlain 2 pointer saw them hit the front again by the 24th minute but this excellent contest was far from over.
Indeed, as the pendulum swung back in favour of St Enda’s it was Sean McBride, Stephen O’Connor and Michael McKenna, with a late point that looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
However the visitors staged one final rally and it was Paul Duffin who finished confidently to snatch the draw that keeps them firmly in the race for a place in the semi-finals.
St. Ergnat’s have 3 points from 2 starts, a point behind Sarsfield’s who have 4 points but have played a game more.
St. Enda’s have 3 points from three starts and will be hoping that the teams above them slip up in their final fixtures with Moneyglass at home to Naomh Padraig Lisburn and away to Rasharkin while Sarsfield’s travel to Naomh Padraig in their final game.
St. Enda’s final fixture is away to Rasharkin on the 30th August and if they win that one then they will have to wait until the 24th September when Sarsfield’s and St. Ergnat’s have completed their programmes to know their fate.
Stephen O’Connor, St. Enda’s and Colm Duffin, St. Ergnat’s with match referee, Cathal McDermott. Both players had massive influences on today’s draw at Hightown
