OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship, Group 1 

St Pat’s Lisburn 3-10-1-13 Rasharkin 

Kevin Herron reports from Kirkwoods Park 

ST PAT’S LISBURN  survived a late Rasharkin fightback as they bounced back from their narrow defeat to St Enda’s in midweek with a 3-10-1-13 victory over the Dreen at Kirkwoods Park on Saturday evening. 

The hosts knew there was little more margin for error following their 0-13-0-11 defeat at Hightown if they were to challenge for a top-two position come the group’s conclusion. 

Rasharkin came in fresh to proceedings after having a bye in midweek and they began brightly in Lisburn. 

Donagh Quigg robbed Eoin Dixon of possession, drove forward and steered over the opening score before Oran McMullan quickly doubled his side’s advantage. 

It took 11 minutes for the hosts to register through a fisted Brendan McGarr point, but they restored parity quickly as McGarr fed James Morgan to shoot the equaliser approaching the midway point in the first half. 

The sides would trade further points, Rasharkin edged ahead again through a converted Oisin Casey free, cancelled out at the other end by an outstanding Colm Burns score. 

St Pat’s forged ahead for the first time in the 22nd minute when Ben McMullan shot over from just inside the arc and 60-seconds later they extended their lead with the games opening goal following a surging Colm Burns run that concluded with him floating a shot to net to open up a 1-4-0-3 lead. 

On the stroke of half time, Oisin Casey kicked his second free of the half to ensure Burns’ goal was the difference at the interval. 

The hosts extended their lead within a minute of the restart when Jude Rafferty took a pass from Rudi Smyth and shot inside the posts, but Casey responded with a free from a tight angle. 

A fantastic Adam Patterson point stretched the lead to four again- though that deficit was halved as Casey kicked a two-pointed free after the ball was moved forward for dissent. 

It was a single point game by the 40th minute after Eamonn McNeill guided a curling shot inside the near post. 

Successive points at the other end halted Rasharkin’s momentum, Ben McMullan’s high shot dropped over and a close-range Rudi Smyth free had Lisburn 1-8-0-8 ahead. 

Again the sides cancelled each other out with McMullan fisting over his third point of the night in response to a marvellous Thomas Hasson point that had reduced arrears. 

A fifth Casey free of proceedings cut the gap again with little under a quarter of an hour remaining, but St Pat’s looked to have pulled away with two goals in a four minute spell. 

Luca Mulholland collected a popped pass and rocketed a shot into the top of the net and four minutes later Eoin Dixon took a pass from Colm Burns and clipped the ball over advancing keeper Tiernan O’Boyle to make it 3-9-0-10. 

Dixon added a point a few minutes after his goal and with 56 minutes on the clock the hosts appeared to be safe. 

However, to their credit Rashakin rallied in the closing stages, first when Eamonn McNeill steered over from outside the arc and then Casey added a free to half arrears by a third. 

Then two minutes into added time St Pat’s were unable to clear their lines under intense pressure and Oisin Casey sent a low shot past Ruadhan McKenna at his near post to set up a grandstand finish and make it 3-10-1-13. 

Their comeback failed to gather any further momentum though as the hosts hung on at the conclusion to bounce back from their midweek disappointment and give themselves hope of a top-two finish come the end of the group stage. 

ST PATRICK’S LISBURN: R McKenna, L Mulholland (1-0), T Burns, J McMullan, B McMullan (0-3), C Smyth, B McGarr (0-1), A Patterson (0-1), C Burns (1-1), C Ewing, J Morgan (0-1), J Rafferty (0-1), R Smyth (0-1f), E Dixon (1-1). SUBS: A Thompson for J Rafferty (50), C Doran for C Ewing (57). 

RASHARKIN: T O’Boyle, D McGurk, C Higgins, P McTauge, C Kennedy, F Quigg, T Hasson (0-1), C McMullan, J Quinn, D Quigg (0-1), O Casey (1-7, 1×0-2ptf, 0-5f), O McMullan (0-1), K O’Boyle, E McNeill (0-3, 1×0-2pt), C McGarrell. SUBS: L Quigg for C McGarrell (47). 

REFEREE: Sean Elliott (LÁMH DHEARG)

IFC Group 2

Gort na Mona 1-15 Glenavy 2-20

Goals from James Gallagher after 7 minutes and another from Fiontan O’Boyle, following a defensive mistake in the 23d minute saw Glenavy lead their hosts, Gort na Mona by 7 at half time in this IFC Group 2 opener at Enright Park on Wednesday night.

Gort na Mona had played second fiddle for the greater part of the opening half but were still in contention thanks to the long distance kicking of Shane Scullion and Tarlach Enright who both raised the orange flag.

Enright accounted for 7 of his sides total in the opening half with visitors Glenavy always in control and James Gallagher added 0-3 to his opening goal with their other goal scorer, Fiontan O’Boyle 0-2, Fergal Henry 0-3, Michael Johnston, Paddy Gallagher and Conor Hamill all raising white.

Gort na Mona needed a good start to the second half but instead it was the Chapel Hill side who exerted their authority again on the restart with James Gallagher 0-2, Fergal Henry 0-2 and Owen Gallagher adding 5 unanswered points by the 9^th minute.

Jack Thompson raised Gort na Mona’s first flag of the second half with 11 minutes gone but this was quickly negated by a Fergal Henry fisted point at the other end.

Manus McMullan hit a second point for the men from the Mona Bye-Pass but again St. Joseph’s responded through a Fiontan O’Boyle point and a Fergal Henry free and it looked all over with 9 minutes of normal time remaining.

A fisted goal by the towering Christopher Carson  after 23 minutes gave the home crowd something to cheer about and when Tarlach Enright pointed from distance to raise another orange they had closed the gap to eight with five minutes remaining.

It would be as close as they got however with Glenavy replying through a Fergal Henry free and a point from Owen Gallagher with Enright putting the gloss on a fine individual display with his third 2 pointer of the evening.

A great start for Glenavy who move top of Group 2 as St. Teresa’s and Naomh Comhghall played out a draw in their opening game on the Glen Road. Glenavy now meet St. Teresa’s at Chapel Hill on Saturday and a win there would put them in a strong position for qualification.

In the other game in the group, Naomh Comhghall entertain Davitt’s at Dunsilly and will feel they need a win after throwing away a four point lead with only minutes remaining against St. Teresa’s.

Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Michael Savage, 4 Sean Campbell, 5 Tiarnan Morton, 6 Ciaran Donnelly, 7 Padraig Mulvenna, 8 Caoimhin Magee, 9 Dessie McClean, 20 Jack Thompson, 11 Christopher Carson, 12 Brendan Burns, 13 Shane Scullion, 14 Matthew McConnell, 15 Tarlach Enright

St. Joseph’s: 1 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Timmy Honeyford, 3 Ryan Malley, 4 Johnny Phillips, 5 Pearse O’Neill, 6 Conor Hamill, 20 Ruairi Forester, 8 Ciaran Loney, 9 Michael Johnston, 10 Owen Gallagher, 11 Fiontan O’Boyle, 12 Patrick Gallagher, 13 Finn Shannon, 14 James Gallagher, 15 Fergal Henry

Referee: Richard Leahy

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Intermediate Football Championship (Group One) Round One

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 2-15 Patrick Sarsfield’s 0-12

Moneyglass opened their championship account on a positive mode recording a nine point win over the men from Sarsfield’s in a game which was most watchable in the opening period in a close fought affair that included finishing of quality with the home side led throughout by the excellence of Tyler Cassidy.

The Paddies had secured victory over St Ergnat’s on their last visit to Moneyglass to secure the league title and with a place secured in the top division next term probably arrived in a positive mode but there was to be no slip up in this one for the home side.

Moneyglass, no doubt well prepared for this one were quicker out of the start traps, with a Callum Duffin point earning early advantage and settling post game nerves. But the Paddies with Conor Moley leading by example in the centre were quick to settle and a couple of superbly struck two pointers from Brian Healey had them in front 0-05 to 0-04 just into the second quarter.

Mid-fielder Moley, having led the Sarsfields charge in the opening quarter, was forced out of action with a leg injury just into the second quarter, a bad blow for the Stewartstown Road men. His abscence was soon evident as the home side took control, standing firm in the defensive and with Aiden Mc Erlean adding a couple of two pointers and Tyler Cassidy, Tiernan Mc Cormick Colm Duffin, Paul Duffin, Colm Duffin raising white flags apiece  the home side enjoyed advantage 0-11 to 0-08 at the end of the opening period.

The first half, having seen a treble of ‘two pointers’ despatched, was still much in its infancy without the services of the stricken Conor Moley when Garry Lennon despatched a long range effort between the St Ergnats posts to reduce the deficit, but the home side were quick to make reply as Seanaghan Duffin, well served by precision based Tyler Cassidy, planted the leather in the visitors’ net to put the home side four clear on 1-11 to 0-10, and they looked in control.

A point from the hard grafting Colm Duffin saw the home side increase their advantage and minutes later the Paddies were to be reduced in number when their medfielder received a red card which left them with a mountain to climb.

With Moneyglass leading the way on 1-13 to 0-10 thing got even better when they increased their advantage further via points from Sean Boyd and Paul Duffin to move eight clear.

However the home side were not allowed to down tools and take it easy on route to the finish line as the Paddies kept battling, with the excellent Brian Healy seeking to inspire by example.

But the home side had the upper hand and a superb Tyler Cassidy delivery was finished to the back of the net neatly by a Sean Boyd finish to put the icing on the cake of a notable  performance and the perfect start to their championship campaign. The final whistle saw scenes of great celebration for the men in blue as they wrapped it all up on a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-11.

Sarsfields, having secured the league title with a victory secured at Moneyglass, now face an uphill struggle but as they have shown in their successful legue campaign they are more than capaple of turning things around. They face another tough task on Sunday next when they take on St Enda’s at the Bear Pit, a St Enda’s side who started their campaign with win against St Patrick’s Lisburn at Hightown last night.

Moneyglass having lost out in their battle to claim the league title have announce firm intention on travelling forward on the championship trail and impressed in this one with their youthful squad. They now have a two week lay-off before facing Naomh Eanna in Hightown on Sunday 17th August.

Referee – Conall Roberts

Moneyglass

Jimmy Mc Laughlin, Matthew Mullan, Zac Mc Caughan, James Mc Cormick, Tiernan Mc Cormick (0-02), Paul Duffin (0-02), Conleth Mc Cann, Kevin Mc Cann (0-01), Seanaghan (1-02) Duffin, Sean Boyd (1-03), Adam Mc Erlain (1 0 2*), Conor O’ Kane, Conor Boyd, Colm Duffin (0-02), Tyler Cassidy (0-02)

Subs

Callum Murray

Feargal Duffin

Callum Oisin Hamill

Sarsfields

Michael Brady, Liam Mitchell, Pearse Murray, Philip Mc Peake, Caolan Mc Donnell, Christopher Loughran, Conor Moley (0-01), Cormac Murray, Gerry Lennon (0-02)Thomas Skillen (0-02), Conor Laverty, Brian Healey (0- 7*) , Michael Brady, Caolan Mc Donnell, Pearse Murray 

OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship, Group 2 

St Teresa’s 2-13-1-16 St Comgall’s 

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚiDhoctairtigh

ST TERESA’S rallied in injury time to ensure they claimed a point in their 2-13-1-16 draw with St Comgall’s in the opening round of the OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship at Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚiDhoctairtigh on Wednesday evening. 

It was a clash that saw last season’s Intermediate runners-up host the winners of the Junior Championship with St Comgall’s hoping to make a mark on their return to the Intermediate scene. 

St Teresa’s made a lightning start with Anton Taylor claiming a two-pointer within the opening 60-seconds, he popped over the second score of the game and Eoghan Hamill perfectly lined up a further point for the hosts.

Miles Devine got St Comgalls off the score with a point from a tight angle and that was the catalyst for their first purple patch that saw them claim a further five scores unanswered. 

A converted free from Ryan Clarke followed and Ruairi Griffin then fisted over to reduce the deficit to the minimum. 

The Antrim town outfit levelled when Tom Patchett swivelled and shot over and after St Teresa’s were caught with a two-man infringement, Patchett kicked the resulting free to edge his side ahead. 

Devine doubled his tally in the aftermath to double Comgall’s advantage (0-6-0-04), however quickfire points from Niall McCann and Ryan Mallon drew the hosts level. 

St Comgalls regained the lead when Ruairi Griffin doubled his tally for the half and they would push the lead to three by the 20th minute following a sensational Michael McCabe attempt that curled over at the near post and a converted Ryan Clarke free. 

A much needed two-pointer from Sean Maguire narrowed the deficit and after Paul Johnston was felled John Mallon restored parity again. 

Both sides traded further points before the break with McCabe conjuring another angled point and Anton Taylor replying with the last kick of the half to ensure the sides were tied at 0-10 apiece. 

Like the opening half, St Teresa’s made a fast start and lead for the second time through a Pierce O’Rawe score from inside the arc, things got better when Sean Maguire played the ball to Taylor and he slipped a pass into the path of Eoghan Hamill to steer home the opening goal of the evening and make it 1-11-0-10. 

There was a sense of deja vu when St Comgalls capitalised on a malfunction from Mark Smalls 36th minute kick-out and Tom Patchett went for placement after being slipped through- finding the bottom corner. 

A two-pointed James McCabe free put his side back in the driving seat and McCabe then landed a 45’ after Small did well to divert Ryan Clarke’s low shot around the post. 

Midway through the half a fisted Griffin point stretched the lead and a second 45’ of the half from James McCabe had St Comgall’s well placed for victory by the 52nd minute. 

The hosts were in a spot of bother and without a score since Hamill’s early second half goal, but the ever reliable Anton Taylor ended a 20-minute scoreless period with his fourth score of the night. 

St Comgall’s re-established their four-point lead when McCabe fed Tom Patchett and he sold two dummies before popping the ball over to give his side a 1-16-1-12 lead with minutes remaining. 

It was an advantage they would hold until two minutes into added time when St Teresa’s set-up a grandstand finish. 

They won a free within distance of the posts and after St Comgall’s concentration lapsed, Niall McCann rocketed his first time free to the net to make it 1-16-2-12. 

St Teresa’s immediately sought a leveller at the very least and when Ryan Mallon picked out substitute Paul McGoldrick in space, McGoldrick opted for a fisted point to square the game up. 

Neither side were able to claim a winning score in the dying embers as they settled for a point apiece at the conclusion. 

ST TERESA’S: M Small, P Glennon, P Johnston, A Dugan, C O’Rawe, E Connolly, R Mallon (0-1), C McGoldrick, P O’Rawe (0-1), J Mallon (0-1f), S Maguire (1×0-2pt), D McCann, E Hamill (1-1), N McCann (1-1), A Taylor (0-5, 1×0-2pt). Subs: P McGoldrick (0-1) for P Glennon (24), P Maguire for E Hamill (57). 

ST COMGALL’S: M Emery, S Og Gribbon, E Lynott, S HInfey, D Murdock, J McCabe (0-4, 1×0-2ptf, 0-2 45’), M McCabe (0-2), L Higgins, J Henry, R Griffin (0-3), M Devine (0-2), A McGaw, T Patchett (1-03, 0-1f), L Phinn, R Clarke (0-2, 0-1f). Subs: L McAleer for D Murdock (51), A McHugh for A McGaw (57). 
REFEREE: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)

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Ulster Intermediate Football Intermediate Football Championship at Toome

Derrylaughan 3-21 All Saints 6-12 AET (Derrylaughan won 5-4 on penalties

It was penalty heartbreak for All Saints Ballymena on Saturday in Toome after they bowed out of Ulster at the hands of Tyrone champions Derrylaughan.

All Saints led both at the end of normal and extra time only for points from James Donnelly giving Kevin Niblock’s side a lifeline.

Conor Stewart looked to have won the game at the end of extra-time only for Tyrone star Brian Kennedy to win possession before setting up Donnelly for the equaliser.

In the shootout, it was Derrylaughan ‘keeper James Kennedy who denied Peter McReynolds with Ballymena’s second kick. After conceding five goals in normal time and one more in extra time Kennedy became the unlikely hero of the hour as he got down to his left to keep McReynolds well hit shot out

With both teams on target for the rest of the shoot-out, Brendan McDonnell nailed Ballymena’s pressure fifth kick before Com O’Hagan sent Derrylaughan through with the final kick of the afternoon.

It was cruel on the Ballymena men who worked themselves into a three point lead with a second goal from star man Paddy McAleer early in the second half.

Derrylaughan plonked Brian Kennedy at the edge of the square where he scored two goals to give them a lifeline back into the game.

It was a classic game and one that will be talked about in years to come. It was just a pity there had to be a loser.

The fact both sets of fans applauded the Ballymena players off at the end of the game spoke volumes for the level of respect at the end of a clean, sporting but high-octane game.

After all talk of playing rules, this is a game the Football Review Committee could take a lot from.

Derrylaughan had the wind in the opening moments but it was Ballymena who had the ball in the net. A direct ball to Sean McVeigh created havoc before McAleer punched to the net.

It was the perfect start but Ballymena struggled with their own kick-out as Derrylaughan settled with a point from James Donnelly.

Sean McVeigh repeated the dose with a second Ballymena goal for a 2-0 to 0-1 lead before Donnelly added a second.

After trailing by seven points against Termon in the preliminary round, Derrylaughan don’t make a habit of panicking and three points from Tomas Carney helped them back within a point after 23 minutes, 2-1 to 0-6.

When All Saints needed a response, it was McAleer who fired over to continue a fine performance. With Emmett Killough and Conor Stewart at midfield, it gave Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley the luxury of playing with McAleer and McVeigh in attack.

At the other end Peter McNicholl played as the sweeper to limit the Derrylaughan path to goal.

There was another boost for All Saints before half time when Ronan McKillop’s kick went all the way to the Derrylaughan net after being missed by everyone and the Antrim champions led 3-3 to 0-8 ahead at the break.

The Tyrone net was bulging again as early as 23 seconds of the second half. It was a direct move and involved three key All Saints players.

Stewart played the ball forward, McVeigh won it in the air and Paddy McAleer finished to the net to open a seven-point lead.

With nothing to lose, Derrylaughan moved the towering Brian Kennedy to the edge of the square.

When Shane Scullion’s diagonal ball was plucked by Kennedy, he turned to hammer to the back of the net. It was just what his side needed, cutting the cap to three points, 4-4 to 1-10.

Like they did all afternoon, there was a response from Ballymena with pacey wing back Patrick Ferris at the heart of the counter-attack before Stewart squeezed a low shot past Kennedy in the Derrylaughan net and into what appeared to be a commanding lead. However All Saints began to drop deep and it invited a green wave on to them.

When Kennedy’s low shot squirmed under goalkeeper Stewart there was one minute left to play and the sides were level, 5-4 to 2-13.

Connell Lemon and Liam Cushnahan exchanged points before Conor Stewart’s 62^nd minute score looked to have won the game. There was time for one more attack and when Derrylaughan were awarded a questionable free, Donnelly took the game to extra-time.

Within 10 seconds of the restart, Brian Kennedy had the ball over the bar but All-Saints response with their sixth goal. McAleer was involved and the move was finished by Brenndan McDonnell.

Home and hosed? Not yet. Ciaran Gervin hit 1-1 for Derrylaughan in as many minutes and the Tyrone champions led 3-17 to 6-7 half time into extra time.

There were no more goals but there was plenty of drama. When Michael McCarry’s free levelled matters, All Saints found another gear and three more points gave them a two-point lead.

Two Carney frees had the sides level again with penalties looming. But not yet. Conor Stewart looked like he had won the game before the final throw of the dice and a high ball tossed in on top of Kennedy. was held firm before playing James Donnelly in on his left foot and he saved the day for Derrylaughan.

Now it was down to penalties with goalkeeper Kennedy’s save from Peter McReynolds, it was the final action in an afternoon of inches, millimetres and drama.

What a game. Both sides deserve immense credit but it was Derrylaughan who advanced. All Saints players will play this game over and over again in their heads in the years to come. They were every bit as good as their opponents but cruelly pipped at the post.

 Derrylaughan: James Kennedy; Colm O’Hagan (0-1), Ciaran O’Hagan, Liam Cushnahan (0-1); Liam Gervin, Conor Kennedy, Sean Robinson; Brian Kennedy (2-1), Shane Scullion; Conor Hughes, Fergal McAliskey (0-2), Danny Ball; James Donnelly (0-5, 1f), Tomas Carney (0-9, 84, 1 45), Ciaran Quinn
Subs: Ciaran Gervin (1-1) for Quinn (38), Caoilean Hughes for Ball (43), Darragh Carney (0-1) for McAliskey (54), Mark Robinson for Cushnahan (60), McAliskey for C Carney (78)

All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Michael Read, Kavan Keenan (0-1), Cal O’Brien; Peter McNicholl; James McDonnell (0-1), Shaun O’Callaghan (0-1), Patrick Ferris; Conor Stewart (1-2), Emmett Killough; Connel Lemon (0-1), Ronan McKillop (1-0), Ciaran Campbell; Sean McVeigh (1-0), Paddy McAleer (2-4, 1f)
Subs: Brendan McDonnell (1-1) for Campbell (47), Michael McCarry (0-1f) for McKillop (53), Joe Rafferty for Ferris (60+2), Peter McReynolds for Killough (80+1)

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan (Monaghan)

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