Graham Tarmac Antrim Junior Football Championship, Quarter Final
Eire Og 0-12-0-10 O’Donnell’s
Kevin Herron reports from Woodlands
Pics by Bert Trowlen
Eire Og saw off the challenge of West Belfast rivals O’Donnells and advanced to the semi-final of the Graham Tarmac Antrim Junior Football Championship with a 0-12-0-10 at Woodlands on Friday evening.
The hosts had two scores on the board within the first two minutes, Lorcan McIlroy converted a free within the opening minute after he was bottled up in his attempt to land a score from play, then after a combination involving all the full forward line Kevin Clarke kicked a point.
It took almost 10-minutes for O’Donnell’s to reply, but it was a levelling score. Ciaran McKissock kept an Eire Og kick out in play and switched the ball to Darragh Walsh, he in turn popped the ball to Cailean Walsh to swing over from the edge of the arc.
Midway through the first half McIlroy doubled his account for the evening from play and Stephen Erskine then dropped over a further score to restore their sides two-point lead.
Scores were traded between Conor Walsh and Conor McKenna- though O’Donnell’s restored parity for the second time as Darragh Walsh flashed a shot over and then McKissock picked out Fionnbar McKernan to pop over on the turn and make it 0-5 apiece.
Eire Og would hold a slender lead at the interval through a converted McIlroy free, but in dying embers of the half O’Donnell’s were reduced to 14-men when Cailean Walsh was red carded for an off the ball incident and the Whiterock men would have to try their best to readjust things at the break.
Despite being a man light, O’Ds levelled things up for the third time early in the second half with Fionnbar McKernan converting a close range free.
It was from the same scenario that Eire Og nudged themselves back in front, Conor McKenna sent an angled free between the posts, Connall Smyth shot over 60-seconds later to double their advantage and McKenna kicked a further free to move their side 0-9-0-6 ahead.
Stephen Seawright looked to have eaten into the three-point deficit when his two-pointed effort was sailing over, though Jamie King got a hand to it and to half the score’s worth.
Substitute Padraig McKissock narrowed the margins further with a straight forward converted free midway through the second half.
The hosts looked to have kicked on in the aftermath when substitute Dermot Burns sent an angled shot over with almost his first involvement.
Talisman Lorcan McIlroy then added a further score to his personal tally following a long passing sequence until the opportunity presented itself and it did come through Conor McKenna’s pierced pass into his path.
McIlroy looked to have added an insurance point a minute shy of the hour mark, but O’Donnell’s didn’t go away quietly and two minutes into added time Padraig McKissock halved arrears with a two-pointed free.
There was enough time for O’Ds to claim a further two-pointer that would have forced extra time, but Eire Og saw the game out to advance to the last four and a meeting with Division 3 champions St Agnes’.
EIRE OG: J King, C Rice, E Sheehy, J Devlin, R Donnelly, C McKenna (0-3, 0-2f), K McKenna, P McNelis, C Erskine, G Donnelly, M Graham, S Erskine (0-1), C Smyth (0-1), K Clarke (0-1), L McIlroy (0-5, 0-2f). SUBS: D Burns (0-1) for S Erskine (45), B O’Malley for C McKenna (60), J Connell for G Donnelly (60+3).
O’DONNELLS: C Murphy, M Sloan, S Smiley, J McKenna, K Kennedy, S Seawright (0-1), G McKernan, C Carville, J Wilson, P Rice, D Walsh (0-1), C McKissock, Cailean Walsh (1×0-2pt), Conor Walsh (0-1), F McKenna (0-2, 0-1f). SUBS: P Moore for D Walsh (37), P McKissock (0-3, 1f, 1×0-2ptf) for P Rice (41), Connor Walsh for Conor Walsh (50), J Rafferty for C Carville (58).
REFEREE: Martin Quinn (NAOMH ÉANNA)
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St. Agnes cemented their place at the top of Group 1 of the GRAHAM TARMAC JFC when they recorded a hard earned win over an O’Donnell’s side who were battling for third place in the group and a place in the quarter-finals.
Naomh Una showed why they were top of Group 1 as they controlled the opening half despite being without a few regulars and with the wind in their favour they raced into a 1-9 to 0-3 half time lead.
After the break their hosts, O’Donnell’s stepped up their game considerably and a goal from Conor Walsh had it back to five with 8 minutes remaining but the ‘Aggies’ reacted with three quick points to ease the danger.
Despite a sustained effort by the O’D’s this was as close as the Whiterock Road side got with St. Agnes pushing on to win by 8 in the end and secure their place in the semi-finals.
Visitors to MacRory Park, St. Agnes raced into a 4 point lead by the 10th minute with Cormac McBride, Conall Turley 0-2 and Shay Madden the men on target as O’Donnell’s struggled to turn good possession into scores against the swirling breeze.
Fionnbar McKernan got them off the mark from a free in the 16th minute after the Aggies had breached the 3-up rule and Pearse Rice added another following a pull down offence.
It looked like the home side were finally getting to grip but St. Agnes raced up the field from the resulting kick-out and Shay Madden placed Conall Turley who fired to the net.
A couple of pointed frees from David McGaharan and points from Turley and James Campbell in response to one from a Fionnbar McKernan free for O’Donnell’s had the visitors 1-9 to 0-3 ahead at the short whistle and they looked in total control.
It was a much more motivated O’D’s who emerged for the second half and Gearoid McKernan pointed after 20 seconds but St. Agnes restored their nine point advantage through Cormac McBride with 4 minutes of the new half gone.
There was a greater urgency about the men in Maroon & Yellow however as Matthew Sloan kicked a good point and McKernan added another from a free with Shay Madden replying for Naomh Una with 9 minutes on the clock.
Joe Wilson for O’Donnell’s and the excellent Caoimhin O’Maoltuile for the Aggies exchanged further scores but O’Donnell’s were beginning to enjoy a bit of success and McKernan kicked three frees on the bounce to cut the deficit to five at the end of the third quarter.
St. Agnes looked under a bit of pressure for the first time in the game as the home support sensed a famous comeback but Conall Turley replied from a well struck free from distance into the wind and David McGaharan added another from play.
The momentum was still with O’Donnell’s however and Conor Walsh fielded a high dropping delivery and somehow squeezed his shot home in the 21st minute.
It was at this stage the ‘Aggies’ showed just why they were division 4 league champions this season as they responded with points from Cormac McBride 0-2 and James Campbell to ease the pressure.
Back came the MacRory Park side and Ciaran McKissock hit a great 2 pointer and it was down to five again but that would be as close as they got.
St. Agnes finished as they had started with the impressive Turley pointing from an acute angle and Shay Madden, David McGaharan and Dan Turley pointed with O’D’s sole reply coming from Fionnbar McKernan.
This win earns Naomh Una an automatic semi-final place and Ardoyne are through to the quarter-finals in second place but confusion reigns over the battle for third spot which also qualifies for a place in the quarter-finals.
O’Donnell’s only point to date came in a draw with St. Malachy’s who themselves have a single point but failed to field against St. Agnes on the 17th August so the matter will most likely have to be dealt with at committee level.
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Goal specialists, Eire Og were beaten for the first time in this year’s JFC when they lost by the minimum to Pearses at Woodlands on Friday night.
The Og’s had scored 5 goals in each of their opening group wins over Laochra Loch lao and Wolfe Tonnes but despite adding another three against the North Belfast side, they would finish on the wrong side of the result for the first time.
Pearse’s survived a late flurry from the home side but managed to keep Eire Og at bay despite a late Lorcan McIlroy penalty which reduced the deficit to just the minimum but it proved too late for his side as they pushed for the equaliser at Woodlands.
Eire Og started the game on the front foot and Conall Smyth struck a brace of points to open up an early lead.
At this stage the hosts were controlling matters and looked well on their way to a third straight win after Stephen and Conor Erskine managed to link up inside the forward line with the latter thumping an effort into the top right corner to open up a five point lead.
Pearse’s had been second best and off the pace up to this point but Liam Deegan began to assert his influence on the game as he struck consecutive points for his side before providing them with a much needed two-pointer mid-way through the first period.
Sean Moreland and Thomas McFarlane raised white flags before Piarais Donaghy burst through the Éire Óg backline with a strong solo and a fine finish which resulted in Pearse’s hitting the front on the 21st minute of play.
The men in green were now calling the shots and threatened to move further ahead but Aidan Bannon’s effort was tipped wide of the post by Jamie King between the Éire Óg sticks.
Liam Deegan influence on the game was increasing as he struck another two-pointer and he followed this score up with a great score from play to give Pearse’s a half-time lead of six points.
The second half began just as the first had ended with Liam Deegan hitting an early double to extend his sides lead and it wasn’t looking good for the previously unbeaten group leaders.
They responded however and with the breeze now favouring them they replied after a long scoreless period of almost 24 minutes and James Connell’s effort dipped over the head of Pearse’s net-minder, Piaras Toolan, and finished in the net.
Lorcan McIlroy would follow this up with a fantastic two-pointer and the momentum was now with Éire Óg and Ronan Donnelly’s point on the 40th minute had the deficit down to three and we looked to have a game on our hands.
Pearse’s replied through their talisman Deegan again as he struck two frees before Sean Moreland broke clear and he fired an unstoppable shot to the net and the visitors had reassumed control.
McIlroy’s two-pointer for Eire Og with ten remaining set up a thrilling end to a game which was not over competitive up to this stage.
Conall Smyth kicked consecutive points for Éire Óg to reduce the gap to four with as many minutes remaining as they fought hard to salvage something from the game.
Pearses Thomas McFarlane looked to have settled the nerves of his side after he finished off a move which he started himself at midfield and used his pace to break clear and finish from close range.
Smyth replied for the home side and in the dying minutes Lorcan McIlroy was bundled over in the box with the award a penalty.
Up-stepped McIlroy who placed his effort low and beyond the keeper to close the gap to the minimum but that would be as close as they got with the Pearses defence repelling all that came their way in the dying seconds.
Pearse’s, who had lost earlier to Laochra Loch Lao, have now earned themselves a place in the semi-finals while Eire Og and Laochra now must negotiate the longer route to success through the quarter-finals but it is all still to play for.
TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Éire Óg: J King; C Rice, J Devlin, B O’Malley; E Sheehy, C McKenna, K McKenna; C Erskine 1-0, P McNeils; S Erkine, R Donnelly 0-2, G Donnelly; C Smyth 0-6, L McIlroy 1-4 (1-0p, 2x2P), M Graham
Subs: A McKenna, C Carberry, J Connell 1-0, P Maxwell, J George, S McDonagh, M McClear
Pearse’s: P Toolan; D O’Neill, C O’Neill, A Bannon; L Gianetto, C Gillespie, A McCavana; R Bannon, T McFarlane 0-2; S Moreland 1-2, T Austin, P Murray; P Donaghy 0-1, L Deegan 0-14 (2x2p, 0-6f), C McCavana
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.
Ardoyne Kickhams got their Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship ambitions back on track with a comfortable 18-point win over city rivals O’Donnells at Davitt Park on Sunday.
The game was as good as over at the break with Ardoyne 4-7 to 0-2 to the good. The 20-plus degree heat took its toll after the restart and the scoring rate slowed considerably. O’Donnells added three of the last four points of the game but the result was well beyond doubt at that stage.
Ardoyne got off to a flier with Gary McKernan opening the scoring followed by a goal from Aodhan McNeill. Pádraig McGreevy then raised a second white flag before Aodhan McNeill finished a slick passing move to palm to the net on the 10-minute mark.
Cormac Mullan added a two-pointer before O’Donnells finally got off the mark on 17 minutes with a pointed free. Ardoyne’s third and fourth goals arrived minutes later, either side of an Eoghan Corrigan point. Cahal Keown fired to the net for his side’s third goal and Cormac Mullan latched onto a rebound after his penalty was saved to sidestep the O’Dee’s keeper and extend the Ardoyne lead.
Aodhan McNeill added point number six with Ciaran McNeill completing his side’s first half tally after a sublime through ball from McKernan. O’Donnells added their second free just before the short whistle.
The second half was a more subdued affair with Ardoyne adding five points over the 30 minutes, McKernan slotting over the game’s final score just before the final whistle. O’Donnells added their first score from play on 44 minutes, a reflection of Ardoyne’s dominance at the back.
The Whiterock Road men strung together three unanswered points but Ardoyne’s thoughts had already turned to the visit of St Malachy’s to Fennell Park on 29 August for the final Group 1 game.
Ardoyne team: Tiernan Hughes Cormac Curran Micheál McGreevy Aran Stewart Joe Gibson Piaras Marley Finnén W O’Brien Eoghan Corrigan Gary McKernan Kealan McCallan Aodhan McNeill Cormac Mullan Cahal Keown Ciarán McNeill Padraig McGreevy Subs Cormac Barnes for Padraig McGreevy Fiontan Lagan for Cahal Keown Michael Maguire for Aran Stewart Fiontann Campbell for Joe Gibson
