Graham Tarmac Antrim Junior Football Championship, Group 1

Laochra Loch Lao 2-12-0-13 Pearses

Kevin Herron reports from Colaiste Feirste

Laochra Loch Lao ended the game strongly despite being reduced to 14-men in the closing stages of their 2-12-0-13 victory over Pearses at Colaiste Feirste on Friday evening.

Pearses reduced arrears to set up a grandstand finish, but Laochra tagged on three-unanswered points to ensure they would join their Belfast rivals in the last eight after St Agnes’ accounted for St Malachy’s in the other Group game.

Without a win in their opening two games, Laochra knew that only victory would give them a chance of prolonging their Championship campaign against the 2022 winners.

It was Pearses who settled quickest and lead through a converted Fionn Grew free- although Kevin Devine restored parity from the hosts first attack at the other end.

Pearses regained the lead after Piaras Donaghy laid the ball off to Liam Deegan to drop a shot over and a quickfire double from Stephen Fitzsimons and Grew moved the North Belfast outfit 0-04-0-01 ahead.

Laochra finally got to grips with things and moved level by the midway point in the half. Sean Mac An Bheatha sent a high effort between the posts and Pearse McAuley blasted over following Rian McShane’s lay-off.

Full-forward Kevin Devine swept over his sides equaliser and doubled his personal tally in the process before his side moved ahead for the first time on the 19^th minute through Oisin Crawford’s angled effort.

Things would get better for Laochra as they hit the first goal of the game, Eamonn McKenna’s kick-out was intercepted by Devine and he unselfishly slipped a pass inside for Connor McGucken to blast to the net and make it 1-05-0-04.

Mac An Bheatha doubled his personal tally to make it 1-05 without reply and although Pearses would cut the deficit through a Darren O’Neill point from play and a converted mark from Liam Deegan, Laochra extended their lead in first half injury time.

The hosts worked an opening down the Pearses right hand side and Cathal O Ceadagh took a pop back from the by-line and guided a low shot into the corner of the net to give his side a 2-06-0-06 lead at the interval.

Like the opening half, it was Pearses that started brightly, and they halved the deficit with three unanswered points.

Fionn Grew kicked his second free of the evening, Stephen Fitzsimons pointed after combining with Liam Deegan and was on hand again moments later as the visitors had the early momentum.  

Devine settled Laochra for the half, dropping over a near-post point and Conor McGucken sent an angled shot over a few minutes later.

The sides traded scores between Fitzsimons and Devine, but Pearses would cut the deficit to just two with another three unanswered points.

A fisted Phil Murray score was followed by a converted free from Fitzsimons. On the 53^rd minute Pearses would gain a numerical advantage as referee Chris Brown spotted Deaglan McComb throw an elbow in an off-the-ball incident and produced a red card that ensured Laochra would see the game out with 14-men.

Stephen Fitzsimons conjured up his fifth of the half to reduce arrears to two with three minutes plus injury time remaining.

Laochra didn’t panic though, and the 14-men would see the game out on the front-foot. Connla O Coinn converted a close-range free and assisted in Kevin Devine floating over his fifth of the contest.

O Coinn set off on a solo run deep into injury time and finished the evenings scoring as Laochra joined Pearses on the two-points at the conclusion of the Group and join their Belfast counterparts in the last eight.

Laochra Loch Lao: S O hEachain, N Mac Aodha, T Mac Siacais, E O Ceallaigh, S Mac An Bheatha (0-02), O Crawford (0-01), C O Ceadagh (1-00), P McAuley (0-01), C O Coinn (0-02, 0-01f), R McShane, N McAreavey, D Mac Crabhagain, C McGucken (1-01), K Devine (0-05), D McComb. Subs: P O Tiarnaigh for T Mac Siacais (60+3).

Pearses: E McKenna, D O’Neill (0-01), J Collins, A Nugent, N Gorman, A Bannon, A McCavana, T McFarlane, J Smyth, P Murray (0-01), S Fitzsimons (0-06, 0-01f), P Donaghy, F Grew (0-03, 0-02f), L Deegan (0-02), S Moreland. Subs: M Kelly for A Nugent (36), R Bannon for J Smyth (43).

Referee: Chris Brown (St Pauls)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/9k9LkypJcEZEoT

Junior Football Championship Group 1 – Round 3

Friday 30^th August

Report by Niall Kelly 

Naomh Úna 0-16                 Cardinal O’Donnells 1-09   

St Agnes’ overcame the rigorous challenge of local rivals O’Donnells in an end to end, ding-dong encounter at a sun soaked Pairc Naomh Úna on Friday evening. Unconquered throughout their Championship campaign, not many Gaels across Antrim would’ve earmarked St Agnes’ as group winners. However, their swashbuckling style of play and newly instilled belief reaped rewards and they deservedly take passage straight to the final four.  Nevertheless, after Charlie Hemsworth’s final whistle, it was a case of contrasting fortunes as news began to filter through that Laochra had upset the odds and gained the verdict against Pearses in Group One’s corresponding fixture. This result condemned an injury ravaged ODs to exile and an early exit from this year’s Junior Championship. There can be little doubt that they will rue their collection of spurned chances from this one.

The game burst into life right from the off as the sizable contingent of spectators were treated to a real spectacle. The Aggies raced into an early two-point lead with as many minutes on the clock thanks to scores from Colin Clarke and Ronan Carroll. It was looking ominous for the Os as their hosts were capitalising on the huge spaces that they were afforded and were attacking with real purpose and gusto as talisman Conall Turley added another from the placed ball.  It could’ve been much worse for the visitors though as James Campbell’s effort looked destined for the net but was thwarted with a heroic block from Sean Lavery.

The travelling support were relieved when Marc McKenna gained them a foothold in proceedings, splitting the posts from range. The ODs number twelve then doubled his tally with a perfectly curled effort from the flank and suddenly it was the men in maroon and yellow who were purring. Their midfield engine room was proving to be the fulcrum of their attacks as John Rafferty and Conall Carville were having a real influence in proceedings. Quick hands and some delightful interchange of passing carved a host of scoring chances for O’Donnells but they were unable to apply the finishing touches with their wide count growing.

Aggies’ corner back Patrick Carroll then made ODs pay for their lack of composure in front of the posts as he managed to covertly advance up the field before fisting over to finish a well-orchestrated move. By this stage, it was end to end and anybody’s game as the visitors responded positively thanks to two superb points from the industrious John ‘Beef’ Rafferty who closed the gap to the minimum.

It was indeed the visitors now who were asking all the questions and they were desperately unlucky not to have the green flag raised. James Walsh’s drilled effort was so close to finding the net but ricocheted off the post before Jonny McKenna latched on to the rebound only to see his shot agonisingly kiss the other upright before going wide. Perhaps the perfect illustration and epitome of the luck they’ve had this season.

This near miss spurned Naomh Úna back to life as Colin Clarke doubled his tally before the ever-dangerous Cormac McBride split the posts after latching on to a cleverly disguised pass from Ronan Gilligan. With five minutes left of the half, James Campbell added another to increase the gap to four.

O’Donnells though were determined to dismantle the deficit as McKenna stroked over yet another delicately curled effort. Padraig McKissock then found his bearings moments later as he tapped over a close range free. Conall Turley responded with his second of the evening but it would be the visitors who would have the last laugh of the half as they grabbed the game’s only goal.

Jonny McKenna, determined to banish the demons of his earlier near miss, was ‘Jonny on the spot’ and latched on to Conall Carville’s saved effort before drilling to the net from close range to bring proceedings to a deadlock just in time for the interval with the scoreline 0-09 to 1-06.

The second period followed a similar script as the first as both teams went on the offensive. However, a strong final quarter proved the difference as the Aggies were much more potent and composed in front of the posts than their counterparts as they limited the Whiterock side to just three points.

The talismanic Conall Turley opened the second half scoring after commandeering possession straight from the throw in before gliding up the field and nonchalantly tapping over. Moments later, Cormac McBride doubled his tally as he put the gloss on a flowing move from the hosts. Padraig McKissock responded from the deck but Naomh Úna were on a mission and points from Ronan Carroll and McBride again further bolstered their lead with fifteen left to play.

To their credit, O’Donnells continued to search for penetrative avenues of attack but again they continued to spurn an array of scoring chances. McKissock managed to covert another effort from the deck with McKenna pitching in with another curler, but it would prove to be too little given the chances they had.

With the game approaching its climax, it was the hosts who finished the strongest as David McGarahan floated over an expertly executed 45 before Ronan Carroll doubled his tally. The impressive McBride, who was a constant thorn in the O’Donnell’s rearguard, slotted over his fourth for the evening to all but seal a fine evening’s work.

A disappointed end to the season for O’Donnells. However, with so many injuries and key men sidelined throughout their Championship campaign, manager Joe Herald can take many positives going forward particularly with the fact that he had the opportunity to blood a host of his younger options. No doubt this will stand well to them going forward. Congratulations to St Agnes’ who have really been the Championship’s surprise package. There is a real verve and swagger to their play and with safe passage secured straight to the semis, they will certainly dare to dream. Could this be their year?

Teams:

Naomh Úna:

C Carroll; R Reilly, K McCormick, P Carroll (0-01;) D McGaharan (0-01,) C Turley (0-04,) D Turley; R Carroll (0-03,) R Gilligan; C Flannery, C Clarke (0-02,) J Campbell 0-01;) B McLarnon, C McBride (0-04,) D Quigley

O’Donnells:

C Murphy; S Lavery, S Smylie, J Walsh;  J Wilson, C Walsh, G McKernan; C Carville, J Rafferty (0-02;) C McKissock, P Rice, M McKenna (0-04;) P McKissock (0-03,) J O’Donnell, J McKenna (1-00)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GREAT GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/eq9osB4xMrMBHb

JFC Group 2

Eire Og 3-9 Wolfe Tones 1-4

Eire Og put themselves back in the hunt for a play-off place in the Antrim Junior Football Championship with a good win over a battling Wolfe Tones at MacRory Park on Saturday evening.

The Doire Achaidh side were in control for much of the contest but were made to fight all the way by a Wolfe Tones side taking part in only their second year of championship football.

The opening exchanges were close enough as James McClory pointed Eire Og ahead before Martin Connor replied from a 6^th minute pointed free for the Greencastle side to level the contest.

With Niall Ward orchestrating matters from around mid-field Eire Og slowly got on top as Mark Graham and Peter James Toal moved them two in front by the 16^th minute and then Tones keeper, Danny McIvor pulled off a splendid save to deny Kevin Clarke from close range.

Toal added a point for the Og’s before Martin Connor replied from a second free for he Greencastle side and the goal that had been threatening duly arrived when Niall Ward fired home in the 22^nd minute.

Eire Og would push on to lead 1-6 to 0-2 at half time with further points from Kevin Clarke and Peter James Toal and Wolfe Tones looked to have plenty to do to get back into contention as the sides headed to the MacRory Park dressing rooms.

The Greencastle side’s best player got them off the mark for the second half with his third pointed free of the afternoon but Eire Og responded through Mark Graham and Daniel Campbell to move 8 ahead by the 10^th minute.

With Kevin Clarke moving out field and Mark Graham on the edge of the square the space was beginning to open up for the Doire Achaidh side and Daniel Campbell struck an excellent goal in the 13^th minute following a defence splitting build-up.

Eire Og then lost Gavin Donnelly to a Black card and Wolfe Tones were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty which Martin Connor confidently fired past Mark Hamill to give his side a glimmer of hope.

That hope was soon dashed however as a great move from deep in defence saw Eire Og move the ball with precision and Stephen Erskine struck a superb goal to put the contest beyond reach.

Gavin Donnelly fired over the final point of the game to see his side safely home and with St. Malachy’s falling heavily to Naomh Comhghall at Lamh Dhearg, Eire Og will have the opportunity to climb to second place if the can beat the men from the ‘Markets’ in their final game on the 30^th August.

Eire Og: 1 Mark Hamill, 2 Ryan Clarke, 3 Jarlath Devlin, 4 Ciaran Rice, 5 James McClory, 6 Conor McKenna, 7 Shane McEvoy, 8 Peter James Toal, 9 Ronan Donnelly, 10 Stephen Erskine, 11 Mark Graham, 12 Gavin Donnelly, 13 Daniel Campbell, 14 Kevin Clarke, 15 Niall Ward

Subs: Joseph Melarkey, Oran McMenamin

Wolfe Tones: 1 Danny McIvor, 2 Fergal Quinn, 22 Matt McCann, 4 Eamon O’Sullivan, 5 Chris Dawson, 6 Jack Parke, 7 Joseph Carmichael, 8 Kieran Maloney, 9 Martin Connor, 10 Jamie Carberry, 11 Aaron McAllister, 12 Aodhan Maloney, 13 Declan Madden, 14 Gerard McDonnell, 15 Declan O’Neill

Subs: 3 Phil Walsh

Referee: Seamus Shannon (Rossa)

https://myalbum.com/album/tVMVyCjgh7PmcH

Junior Football Championship – Round Robin 2

Pearses 2-11 O’Donnell’s 0-09

A totally dominant second half saw Pearses come from behind to beat O’Donnell’s in Friday evening’s Junior Football Championship Round 2 game at St Agnes. At the end of the opening quarter O’Dees appeared to be in a strong position when they led by three points, but two goals in as many minutes for Pearses turned the game on its head as Pearses pushed on to lead by 2-05 to 0-08 at half time.

After the change of ends the 2022 winners took full control conceding just one more point while adding six of their own to win by eight in the end, and move above O’Donnell’s in score difference in the group.

With a stiff breeze behind them in the first half O’Donnell’s went three ahead inside eight minutes with points from Pearse Rice, John Rafferty and Johnny O’Donnell, who fisted over from close range. Two points from Pearses centre forward Stephen Fitzsimons cut the gap back to a single point, but O’Dee’s responded well and points from Joe Rafferty and Pearse Rice stretched the gap out to three again at the end of the opening quarter.

The gap was still at three with eighteen minutes gone, but Pearses hit back with two goals and a point in quick succession, man of the match Fitzsimons getting the first goal and adding a point immediately afterwards, while corner forward Sean Moreland got the second goal a minute later.

Padraig McKissock and Johnny O’Donnell came back with two for O’Donnell’s but Fitzsimons and Moreland ended the half strongly for Pearses to give them a 2-5 to 0-08 lead at the interval.

Liam Deegan stretched the Pearses lead to four in the first minute of the second half, and though O’Donnell’s came back with one at the other end soon afterwards it was to be their last score of the game. With the wind behind them there was no stopping Pearses and with the excellent Fitzsimons adding four more points and Moreland and Pater Johnston also getting in on the score act, they pushed on to win with a bit to spare.

for more pics from this game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/JcXz2snUigDWM9