Category / Intermediate Football Championship

by thesaffrongael

Late Biddies goal sinks the Faughs on a night of high emotions

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 1

Carey Faughs 0-15 St Brigid’s Cloughmills 1-13

An injury time goal gave Cloughmills victory over Carey on a highly emotional evening at Ballintoy on Wednesday, a result that puts the Biddies on track for a semi-final spot, while badly denting the home team’s chances of qualification.

Both clubs had suffered tragedies in the weeks leading up to the game with six year old Joe Heggarty, the Carey team mascot, and Cathair McKendry, brother of the Cloughmills centre forward Callum, losing their lives in tragic circumstances. Joe had worn the no 26 jersey around the Carey club during his short life and both team marked the occasion in a very dignified way. Joe’s sister Katie and two of her friends led out the Carey team, with team captain Shea Hunter carrying a photo of Joe. To make the occasion even more poignant Cloughmills captain for the night Callum McKendry presented a specially commissioned hurley, with Joe’s name on it, to Shea Hunter before the ball was thrown in.

Joe’s Heggarty’s sister Katie (centre) and her two cousins Annie and Mary who led out the Carey team
Cloughmills captain Callum McKendry presents a specially commissioned hurl with the details of game to his Carey counterpart Shea Hunter, who wore the no. 26 jersey on the night

With emotions running so high it was quite understandable that the game took a while to get going, and both teams missed a few chances before Conal McGlynn opened the scoring for the Faughs after seven minutes. However once it got going the scores began to flow, despite the very heavy underfoot conditions, and two great points from the Biddies full forward Conor Laverty (one direct from a sideline cut) were matched by two by James Black and Calum Kane. Entering first half injury time points from Liam Kearns and Eoin Dobbin brought the visitors level on seven points apiece, but two quick strikes in first half injury time from Conlith McKinley and Conor McBride gave Carey a 0-09 to 0-07 lead at the break.

Two quick points from Eoin Dobbin and Odhran McCurdy had the Biddies level just two minutes after the restart, but the home side hit back with three on the spin, two of them from top scorer Conor McBride, and one from Patrick Butler, to open up a three point lead after 40 minutes.

Eoin Dobbin and Callum McKendry closed the gap to just one and the teams were level again on 50 minutes as the tension grew. When Carey had top scorer McBride sent off with just eight minutes left to play they appeared to be in trouble. To their credit the Faughs turned the game back in their favour as ‘Rocket’ Black, Conal McGlynn and Conlith McKinley all picked off points to open a three point gap. When the home team still held that three point cushion a minute into injury time, they appeared to be on course for the win, but Eoin Dobbin reduced the gap to two and in the final attack the Biddies struck a telling blow as they scrambled the ball home from close range.

Speaking to some of the players after the game nobody would say for sure they had scored the telling goal. A photo of the incident appears to show Liam Kearns (15) sweeping the ball in, but there was nothing conclusive.

The win puts St Cloughmills joint top of Group 1 with Glenariffe, but with one game more played, but if they were to beat the Oisins in their final game on September 6th then they would appear to be nailed on for that semi-final spot. Carey travel to St Gall’s on the same evening and they will need to win, and hope that Cloughmills lose if the are to get back in the race.

CAREY

Stephen McGinn, Zach McCaughan, Sean McBride, Michael McVeigh, Eoin Hill, John McBride, Shea Hunter, Callum Cane, Caolan McCaughan, Patrick Gillan, James Black, Fiachra McVeigh, Conlith McKinley, Conor McBride, Conal McGlynn.

CLOUGHMILLS

Christopher McKernan, Rian Dobbin, Corey Blair, Sean McKendry, Geoffrey Og Laverty Ruairi Laverty, Johnny Duffy, Odhran McCurdy, Kevin O’Boyle, James Doherty, Callum McKendry, Eoin Dobbin, Stephen Smyth, Conor Laverty, Liam Kearns.

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by thesaffrongael

St Pat’s secure win to keep qualification hopes alive

IFC Group 1

Ardoyne 0-9 Naomh Padraig 2-13

St Patrick’s Lisburn kept their qualification hopes alive but will know that they made collecting their first points in this year’s IFC a more difficult assignment than need be. While they will take some encouragement from having 10 different players on the scoreboard, the number of wasted chances and poor shooting, particularly in the first half will be a source of concern.

Ardoyne will have other more serious issues to try to resolve as the first half saw them raise the white flag on only two occasions.

While Ardoyne were first to score, this was the only time in the game that Lisburn were behind. Francis McMeel opened the scoring for St Patrick’s followed shortly after by Paul Law.

McMeel looked to be through for a goal but was thwarted by Marley in the Ardoyne full back line with a great block just as McMeel pulled the trigger. This was a game that in truth should have been put to bed by St Patrick’s by half time only for wayward shooting and a great performance from O’Neill in the Ardoyne goal.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-02 St Pat’s Lisburn 1-07

The second half was a much more evenly contested affair, but Ardoyne never looked like pulling back St Pat’s half-time lead. Ardoyne led in scores by 5 points to 4 before Kennedy put an end to any hope of an Ardoyne revival with a shot fired to the back of the net.

Cormac Mullan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Ardoyne with 4 points from frees, but other than that Ardoyne lacked any substantial firepower.

Both teams will have a lot of thinking to do before their next game. While St Pat’s must fancy their chances of advancing to the next stage of the Championship, the month long break at this stage of the season before Ardoyne’s next game is certainly not going to do them any favours.

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Conor O’Neill Pearse Marley Conor Magee Oisin Hickey Eogan Corrigan Micheál McGreevy Odhran McKee Daniel Moore Finnén O’Brien Kealan McCallan Ethan Magill Aodhán Quigg Cormac Mullan Paul Baker Joe Gibson Tiernan Hughes

St Pat’s Lisburn: Ruadhan McKenna Conor Doran Thomas Burns Paul Law Jack McMullan Ben McMullan Che Smyth Colm Burns Eoin Dixon Rory Kennedy Josh McMullan Adam Patterson Rudi Smyth James Morgan Francis McMeel Peter O’Neill Owen Drayne Conor Ewing Jude McMullan Rory McFlynn Sean Burns Aaron Thompson Conor Dixon

FOR MORE OF BRIAN McKEE’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Second half goals swing the game Gorts way

Intermediate Football Championship – Round robin

Gort na Móna 3-12 Glenavy 2-10

Three second half goals from Gort na Móna saw the Turf Lodge side beat Glenavy in Sunday’s Intermediate Football Championship game at Enright Park. The Gorts went in at the break trailing by two points but a goal from substitute Sean Brown within a minute of the restart gave them a timely boost, and though Glenavy retook the lead with a goal of their own just a minute later it set up a very exciting second half. The home side’s second goal came from a Padraig McHugh penalty midway through the half and goal number thee came five minutes from time when a high hopeful ball from forty metres out dropped into a crowded goalmouth before ending up in the back of the Glenavy net.

Teenage corner forward Tarlach Enright proved one of the real stars of the game with his accurate free taking, accounting as he did for five of the his team’s first half points, McHugh getting the other as they trailed by a single point at the break. The Glenavy number 13 Fergal Henry was also a major contributor for his team, getting four of their first half points from frees as they went into the break a point to the good.

Glenavy’s top scorer Fergal Henry in action

Turning to play down the slope in the new half substitute Sean Brown made and instant impact when he cut in from the left wing and sent a well struck shot low to the keeper’s left side to put his team ahead. However the lead was short lived as Glenavy hit back inside a minute with midfielder Fiontan O’Boyle completing a great move with a clinical finish.

Both teams exchanged two points each before Gorts full forward McHugh blasted a penalty to the back of the visitors net and five minutes before time veteran substitute Darron ‘Diesel’ Boyd dropped a high ball into the low end goals which beat everyone and ended in the net.

Glenavy fought hard to save the game and Matthew Lawlor came close when he fired across the face of the goal with time almost up, but Gorts were well on top at this stage and ran down the clock with great possession play to get their championship campaign so badly needed, up and running.

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by thesaffrongael

Sarsfields make it three from three to top Group 2

OB Construction IFC Group 2

Sarsfield’s 1-12 All Saints, Ballymena 1-11

Sarsfield’s sit proudly at the top of Group 2 following this narrow win over a fancied All Saints as they grabbed a last gasp victory when Gary Lennon rose to get his fist to a Conor Moley dropping free to send over for the winning score.

Phillip McPeake’s goal in the 60th minute gave the Paddies the lead and although they were pegged back by a Michael McCarry free, Lennon, became the Sarsfield’s hero with virtually the last touch of the game.

Prior to that, it appeared Shaun O’Callaghan’s first-half goal for All Saints looked like the score that had swung it in favour of the division 1 side and the Ballymena men led virtually all the way but the late drama saw the points remain in the Bear Pit.

Conor Stewart gave the All Saints the lead after three minutes, but it would be another 19 minutes before they would add another score as Sarsfield’s took early control.

The home side levelled soon after through Conor Glenholmes with Sam Walsh edging them ahead after 9 minutes in an opening quarter where scores were proving hard to come-bye.

Sean McVeigh and Emmet Killough celebrate Sean O’Callaghan’s first half goal that gave the Ballymena side a 1-5 to 0-5 half-time lead

The visitors sat deep with men behind the ball and tried to break at pace but too often they were turned over or kicked promising looking possession away.

The Paddies extended their lead from a 16th-minute Garry Lennon free, but All Saints struck with an excellent goal in the 22nd minute when Sean McVeigh’s clever flick to an Emmet Killough delivery placed Shaun O’Callaghan to finish low to the net.

A Michael McCarry free followed as the game opened up a bit for All Saints and after Christopher Loughran replied for the hosts, Paddy McAleer and Cornell Lemon were on target to put that goal between them at the break.

Half Time: Sarsfields 0-5 All Saints 1-5.

Two Lennon converted frees on the restart cut the gap to the minimum but All Saints replied through O’Callaghan and McCarry soon after to go three ahead once more.

An Ethan Mervyn point narrowed the gap again before All Saints looked to have scored a second goal after 46 minutes when Sean McVeigh rose to palm home at the back post, but their celebrations were cut short after it was ruled out for a square ball.

Moley and McCarry traded with the former adding another to leave one in it again, while Lemon saw an effort crash off the bar and end up going wide. 

Still, All Saints always seemed to have a response with McCarry pointing a free and although Moley was on target again, Kavan Keenan drilled over to put two between the sides and might have had a goal.

Sarsfield’s were still very much in contention and struck with a vengeance in the 60th minute as a probing ball inside found McPeake who guided his shot into the far corner of the net.

Now the onus was on Ballymena to get back into it and they were level when McCarry converted a free.

There was still time for a winner and it was Sarsfield’s who refused to settle for the draw as Thomas Skillen was taken out by a sliding challenge by Lemon which saw him red-carded.

The resulting free was not easy as the rain was driving into the face of Moley whose shot was on target, but dropped short and Lennon climbed above the pack to get his fist to it and send it over the bar with the last act of the game to see Sarsfield’s snatch a huge win.

St. Joseph’s Glenavy can climb into second place if they defeat Gort na Mona at Enright Park on Sunday and All Saints may need to win their final two games, at home to Davitt’s and away to St. Joseph’s if they are to qualify for the semi’s

Sarsfield’s: M Brady; P Murray, C Laverty, M McPolin; E Mervyn (0-1), L Mitchell, C Loughran (0-1); C Moley (0-3, 1f), N McKenna; P McPeake (1-1), N McAlea, S Walsh (0-1); C Glenholmes (0-1), G Lennon (0-5, 4f), T Skillen.

Subs: J McNally for C Glenholmes (41), F Jemfrey for N McAlea (45), C Glenholmes for S Walsh (49).

All Saints: R Stewart; M Read, C O’Brien, J Gillan; K Keenan (01), S O’Callaghan (1-1), J Rafferty; P McAleer (0-2, 1m),  P McNicholl; C Lemon (0-1), M McCarry (0-5,3f), C Stewart (0-1); E Killough, S McVeigh, C Campbell. 

Subs: R Thom for J Gillan (17), B McDonnell for C Campbell (46), P Ferris for J Rafferty (57).

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tír na nÓg)

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by thesaffrongael

Glenavy withstand late rally to take the points

IFC Group 2

Davitt’s 2-5 Glenavy 0-12

St. Joseph’s Glenavy were forced to withstand a late rally from Michael Davitt’s to get their IFC Group 2 campaign up and running with a hard earned win at Davitt’s Park on Saturday evening.

The Chapel Hillside made a bright start in their opening game of the campaign as they raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 10th minute with Patrick Gallagher, Fergal Henry, James Gallagher and Liam Henry on target.

Anthony Rowntree finally got the home side off the mark with a point in the 14th minute but Fergal Henry replied immediately with a point at the other end to restore the visitors four point advantage.

The Gallagher brothers, Patrick and James were giving St. Joseph’s a strong platform at mid-field but Davitt’s were starting to get a foothold and Gerard Slane pointed a free before Nathan Maginn closed the gap to two with a point in the 23d minute.

Finn Shannon moved the Chapel Hill side three ahead with four minutes remaining to the break and they looked to be taking control again but right from the kick-out play was transferred to the other end and Gerard Slane finished to the Glenavy net to tie the contest.

The visitors would finish the half on the front foot however with Patrick Gallagher replying with a late point to leave it 0-7 to 1-3 at the break and all still to play for in the second half.

Glenavy introduced Ciaran Loney to the fray at the start of the second half and ace marksman Fergal Henry extended their lead to two with a point in the 7th minute before Davitt’s stand in keeper, Liam McGivern pulled off an excellent save as the visitors threatened to take control.

Henry again, substitute Dominic Gallagher and two more from the impressive Henry looked to have put the contest out of Davitt’s reach with 7 minutes of normal time remaining but there would be a few anxious moments to endure for the Glenavy faithful.

Despite losing a player to a Black card Davitt’s kept battling to the end with C J Sullivan replying immediately with a point and when Anthony Rowntree fired to the net, two minutes later the fat was back in the fire.

Gerard Slane pointed a 28th minute free to leave just one in it and the momentum was with the men from Davitt’s Park but that would be as close as they would get as Glenavy held on to get their first win in Group 2

Sarsfield’s lead the group with two wins from two starts and look the team to beat at this stage while Glenavy join All Saints on 2 points, both having played one game each.

All Saints travel to Sarsfields for their next game in two weeks-time while Glenavy look to have the easier finish to their campaign with both All Saints and Davitt’s travelling to Chapel Hill.

Davitt’s: 1 Liam McGivern, 2 Caoimhin Rainey, 3 Paul McKinney, 4 Conor Toner, 5 Jack Scally, 6 Anthony Hargan, 7 Odhran O’Kane, 8 Michael Connolly, 9 Niall McParland, 11 Gerard Slane, 13 Nathan Maginn, 14 Anthony Rowntree, 15 Jay Maguire, 17 Marcas Toner,

Subs: 19 Jason Parke, 10 CJ Sullivan

Glenavy: 1 Stephen Daly, 2 Liam Henry, 3 Timmy Honeyford, 4 Rian Phillips, 5 Patrick Fox, 6 Pearse O’Neill, 7 Matthew Lawlor, 8 James Gallagher, 9 Patrick Gallagher, 10 Se O’Neill, 11 Fergal Henry, 12 Malachy Doherty, 13 Finn Shannon, 14 Liam Henry,15 Conor Hamill,

Subs: Ciaran Loney, Dominic Gallagher.

Referee:

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