Graham Tarmac Antrim JFC, quarter-final

Éire Óg 4-12 Wolfe Tone’s 2-8

Eire Og advanced to the semi-final of the Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship following this 10 point win over Wolfe Tones in a feisty quarter final at Woodlands on Friday night.

The Tones didn’t help their cause when they lost two players to Red cards in the period leading up to half time though by that stage they were already in trouble.

Eire Og got off to a flying start and struck with two goals in the opening minutes to put themselves in a strong position. Conor Erskine was hauled down as he raced in on goal with the referee pointing to the spot.

James Toal stepped up to take the spot kick and Danny McIvor got down to deny him but Conor McKenna was first to the rebound and returned it to the Wolfe Tonne’s net.

Wolfe Tonnes looked rattled and from the resulting kick out Conor Erskine intercepted and raced clear for a second goal and suddenly the hill facing the Greencastle side had become much steeper.

James Toal, who was to have a major impact on proceedings, added three points, his third a great effort from out on the left and it was hard to see how the new boys of Antrim football were going to get back into the game even at this early juncture.

They finally got off the mark however with Jack Parke opening their account and when Aodhán Moloney fired low past Hamill in the Eire Og goal, things were looking more promising.

Unfortunately they were unable to build on this cameo moment and it was Eire Og who came back strongly and James Toal, Gavin Donnelly and Niall Ward added points before Donnelly set up Caomhin Dyke with a tantalising pass across goal and Daykin gratefully palmed home in the 21^st minute.

Tomas Austin and Conor Burrows replied with points for Wolfe Tone’s, but they received another severe blow when Gerard McDonnell, who was booked earlier, was shown a straight red and a minute later, Stephen McKee became the second Tone’s man to see Red.

As the second half got under way Eire Og sought to put matters to bed and James Toal kicked a couple of early points and Niall Ward followed with another to increase their lead.

Their opponents were still battling hard against the odds and Chris Dawson kicked an excellent point but Éire Óg responded in decisive fashion as Dermott Murray set up the lively Daykin who evade a couple of challenges before finishing to the net in the11th minute.  

It looked all over at this stage but to their credit, Wolfe Tonnes continued to fight against almost impossible odds and Dawson and Park converted frees at the other end.

The Greencastle side continued to press and Jason Parke gave them something to cheer about as he broke clear on the right to fire to the net.

It was too little, too late however as both sides exchanged scores in the closing stages and Conor McKenna finished with the games last score to give his side a healthy 10 point win.

Eire Og now face O’Donnell’s in their semi-final while St. Malachy’s, who defeated Laochra Loch Lao in the other quarter-final will face St. Mary’s Rasharkin.

Eire Og: M Hamill; K Ryan, A McKnight, J Devlin; C Rice, R Clarke, D Murray; C McKenna (1-1), C Daykin (2-0); G Donnelly (0-2), N Ward (0-2), C Erskine (1-0); S Erskine (0-1), J Toal (0-6, 3 frees), K Clarke.

Subs: E McNulty for K Ryan (HT), A McKenna for C Erskine (45), P Loughran for A McKnight (45), S McNamee for N Ward (53), O McMenamin for J Devlin (59).

Wolfe Tonnes: D McIvor; A McAllister, S McKee, N Brannagan; J Parke (1-4, 0-4 frees), D McGovern, C McDonnell; K Moloney, E McKee; M McCann, C Burrows (0-1), D Moloney; C Dawson (0-2, 1 free), A Moloney (1-0), T Austin (0-1).

Subs: P Walsh for N Brannigan (9), J Carberry for T Austin (54), M Smyth for E McKee (60)

Referee: Paddy Tumelty (Lámh Dhearg)

Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship Quarter final

Laochra Loch Lao 1-8 St Malachy’s 0-12

Two late points from Anthony Dobbin and man of the match Ciaran Vernon guided St Malachy’s to the semi-final of the Junior Football Championship at Caolaiste Feirste on Friday evening. For most of the game the Markets’ men appeared to be in control and when they went five clear ten minutes into the second half it looked like they were going to get home with a bit to spare. However Laochra Loch Lao worked their way back into the game and when they hit a goal and two points to go a point clear with just five minutes left to play, it looked like they were bound for the semi-final. However Dobbin and Vernon came to St Malachy’s rescue to tip the scales back in their favour in the run in in a thrilling finish.

Aidan Connor and Ciaran Veron gave St Mal’s an early lead and it was nine minutes for Laochra raised their first flag through Conor McGucken. Rian McShane brought them level on 14 minutes but St Malachy’s had the better of the second quarter and points from Stephen Carson, Anthony Dobbin and Ronan Maneely, in reply to just one from Laochra’s McGucken, saw the Markets men go in at the break with a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.

When Patrick Smyth, Shea Lynch and Aidan Connor added the first three points of the second half the Mal’s lead was out to 0-8 to 0-3 and they appeared to be in full control. However the excellent McGucken got his team going again with a point on forty minutes. Ciaran Vernon replied within a minute for St Malachy’s to restore his team’s five point advantage, but Caomhin O Daimhin and Tomas Toland there was just three between the sides entering the final quarter.

St Malachy’s Centre forward Shea Lynch put the gap out to four on 46 minutes, when Diarmaid Mac grabbed the only goal of the game Laochra Loch Lao were back in contention. The Laochra fans were in full cry when Aaron Strain brought them level, and when corner forward Oisin McCrabhagain edged the in front for the first time in the match in the 55^th minute the scene was set for a thrilling finale.

There pressure was well and truly on St Malachy’s at this stage, but they found an answer when it was really needed and Anthony Dobbin pointed to bring his side level. Extra time appeared to be on the cards, but Ciaran Vernon proved the hero of the hour when he sent over the winning score to book a semi-final place in two weeks time.

Graham Tarmac JFC Group 2

Rasarkin 3-15 St Malachys 0-05

Division 3 league winners Rasharkin remain on course for the double following this comprehensive victory over St. Malachy’s on Friday night. Rasharkin started brightly with Ryan Lynch raising the first point of the day after only a minute but St Malachy’s responded with a point of their own to level the game.

St. Mary’s began to settle and they struck in devastating fashion with a goal from Colm Kennedy and when Ruiri O’Boyle struck with a second in the12th minute they took control of the game.

 St. Malachy’s responded through two pointed frees but points from Ryan Lynch and Shane Hasson started to put daylight between he sides. The visitors were starting to turn on the style and the impressive Lynch added two more points to extend their lead.

It seemed only a matter of time until a third goal arrived and Rasharkin finished the half with a great team goal as Donagh Quigg fired high into the top corner of the net

Half time score: Rasharkin 3-06St Malachys 0-03

The second half started much the same as the first and Ryan Lynch pointed an early free to extend the St. Mary’s lead. Four further points would follow, 0-3 from the impressive Lynch and 1 from Fearghal Kennedy with St Malachy’s rallying with points in 43d and 50th minutes as Rasharkin emptied their bench.

Rasharkin finished the game strongly and added further points from Oran McMullan, Oisin Casey and top scorer Lynch to run out convincing winners.

Notable performers on the night for the men from Dreen were Ruairi O’Boyle, Colm Kennedy, Cormac McMullan, while Ryan Lynch was in impressive scoring form for the South West side and   Rasharkin now advance to the championship semi-final.

Despite this heavy defeat all is not yet lost for the men from the Markets as they qualify for the quarter-finals

Rasharkin team

1 Andrew Hasson

2 Pearse Kelly

3 Conor Hasson

4 Fergus Quigg

5 Fearghal Kennedy

6 Donagh Quigg

7 Cormac McMullan

8 Thomas McMullan

9 Ruairi O’Boyle

10 Shane Hasson

11 Oisin Casey

12 Oran McMullan

13 Colm Kennedy

14 Tiernan O’Boyle

15 Ryan Lynch

16 Conor Higgins

17 Pearse McTague

18 Cathal Mooney

19 Eamonn McNeill

20 Daniel Doherty

21 Ethan McAfee

22 Darach Duffin

23 Brian Og O’Neill

Rasharkin scorers

Ryan lynch 0-10 5f

Oran McMullan 0-02

Oisin casey 0-01

Colm kennedy 1-00

Donagh Quigg 1-00

Shane Hasson 0-01

Fearghal Kennedy 0-01

Ruairi O’Boyle 1-00

Rasharkin subs:

Cathal Mooney for Thomas Mc Mullan 26 mins

Pearse McTeague for Fearghal Kennedy 38 mins

Daniel Doherty for Tiernan O’Boyle 48 mins

Conor Higgins for Conor Hasson 48 mins

Referee: Paul Burns (St Comgalls)

Graham Tarmac Antrim Junior Football Championship Group 1

Eire Óg 2-11 Laochra Loch Lao 2-13

Paul McIntyre reports from The Woodlands

Photographs: Kevin Herron

Laochra Loch Lao showed great resolve to fight back from an eight-point deficit to claim a two-point win over Eire Óg at The Woodlands on Friday evening.

As the game approached half time, Eire Óg looked to be coasting to victory as Kevin Clarke’s second major of the evening put his side 2-9 to 1-4 ahead.

But the Óg’s failed to raise a flag of any colour for the next 26 minutes and the visitors took full advantage.

An unanswered 1-7 saw Paddy Murray’s side take a two-point lead in the third quarter, and despite having midfielder, Éanna Ó Ceallaigh dismissed on a straight red card in the 44^th minute, the Falls Road side did enough to hold on for a famous win.

Conor McGucken top scored for the winners with 0-8 and he also claimed a sublime assist for his side’s first goal in the 12^th minute after his inch perfect pass through the heart of the Óg’s defence picked out the run of Diarmurd McPhilis. McPhilis showed great composure to finish to the corner of Thomas Malone’s net.

The winners were also well served by the tenacious pair of Niall Ó hAodha and Oisín Mac Crabhagain in defence while in attack the piercing runs of Rian Mac Seáin caused the home defence trouble from first whistle.

James Toal and Kevin Clarke carried the scoring threat for Eire Óg. Conall Smyth, Caomhan Daykin and Conor McKenna gave the homeside the perfect platform to launch a continued assault on the visitor’s goal in the first half, with Smyth in particular combining his play making skills to his ball winning abilities to assist Toal and Clarke in the scoring department.

With O’Donnell’s already confirmed as section winners, the battle for second spot added spice to this derby clash. And both teams showed their intent from the off in what was largely, a very entertaining affair.

A free from McGucken opened the scoring in the 5^th minute, but it was Eire Óg who were asking all the questions.

Toal levelled the tie a minute later, and after kicking two wides from play, Kevin Clarke opened his account from a free.

Eire Óg took further control on the scoreboard through Toal and Smyth, but McPhilis’s goal in the 12^th minute levelled the tie.

But the sides were level for less than 60 seconds.

Daykin claimed a Mark from Malone’s kick-out and quickly picked out Adam McKenna. McKenna’s first-time flick put Stephen Erskine in the clear who unselfishly picked out Kevin Clarke who palmed the ball over Seán Ó Heachain to restore the Óg’s three-point advantage.

It was all Eire Óg now and further points from Ciaran Rice, Toal, Smyth and Ronan Donnelly pushed their lead out to seven-points as the clock ticked towards the break.

Eire Óg’s stranglehold on the game tightened in the 27^th minute. Loachra’s goalkeeper, Ó Heachain allowed Eanna McNulty’s effort to spill through his hands, and Kevin Clarke was on hand to turn the loose ball into the net.

It opened up an eight-point lead, but in the final minutes of the half, Loachra Loch Lao’s running game was rewarded with three frees, two of which were converted by McGucken, and one by Mac Crabhagain. And at the break, only five-points separated the sides with Eire Óg ahead, 2-9 to 1-4.

Loachra Loch Lao built on their strong finish to the first half as McGucken and Mac Seáin equally shared the first four points of the second half.

It cut the deficit to just one-point, but in the 42^nd minute came the game’s defining score.

Tomás Ó Tuathalain done well to win possession wide on the right and he picked out Caoimhin O Daimhin.

As O Daimhin drew the attention of two defenders, he spotted Mac Seáin in space and his powerful drive into the roof of the net gave the visitors the lead.

But all their hard work looked to set come undone just two-minutes later when Éanna Ó Ceallaigh was dismissed for a strike on his opposite number Conor McKenna.

Toal’s point in the 50^th minute was Eire Óg’s first score in 26 minutes. It cut the gap to just one-point, but they failed to make use of their numerical advantage.

Possession they had in abundance, but they failed to make any clear-cut scoring chances and the final act was left to Caoimhin O Daimhin to split the posts with a piercing drive in the fourth minute of additional time to seal a famous comeback win.

Teams & Scorers:

Eire Óg: Thomas Malone, Alex McKnight, Paddy Loughran, Ryan Clarke, Ciaran Rice (0-1), Ronan Donnelly (0-1), Daniel Campbell, Conor McKenna, Caomhan Daykin, Eanna McNulty, Adam McKenna, Conall Smyth (0-2), Stephen Erskine, James Toal (0-4), Kevin Clarke (2-3 3f).

Replacements: Conor Erskine for Loughran (38), Kevin Comber for S Erskine (38), Emmett Holmes for Donnelly (48), Gavin Donnelly for Campbell (56).

Laochra Loch Lao: Seán Ó Heachain, Niall Ó hAodha, Deaglan Macthom, Padai O Tiarnaigh, Conch ubhar Mac Gafraidh, Padraig Fryers, Liam Mac Thréinfhir, Éanna Ó Ceallaigh, Cathal O Ceallaigh, Conor McGucken (0-8 7f), Diarmurd McPhilis (1-0), Rian Mac Seáin (1-3), Caoimhin O Daimhin (0-1), Tomás Ó Tuathalain, Oisín Mac Crabhagain (0-1).

Replacements: Eamonn O Coinn for Macthom (HT), Aaron Ó Straitheain for Ó Tuathalain (52).

Referee: Mr Eamon Hamill (St Teresa’s).