Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship – Group 2 – Round 2

Saturday 16^th August

Report by Niall Kelly from Pairc Naomh Úna

Laochra Loch Lao 3-14   Na Piarsaigh 1-10

Laochra banished the demons of their first-round defeat to Éire Óg with a resounding ten-point win over Pearses at a sun-kissed Pairc Naomh Úna on Saturday evening. A blistering first half performance injected with pace on the front foot would provide the foundation for a well-earned two points to get them up and running in Group Two. Padraig O’Préith catapulted his side ahead with proceedings barely sixty seconds old, and it would be a lead that they would refuse to relinquish for the remainder. First half majors from Tomás Ó’Tuathaláin and Dáire MacMeanman further bolstered their advantage and saw them hold a nine-point lead at the interval. Rian MacSeáin’s goal early in the second half really did sound the death knell for the men in green and yellow. Despite a concerted effort from Pearses in the middle of the second period to dent into the lead, the Gaeilge side were resolute in their defending and killed the game off with a late flurry of scores.

Laochra took an early two-point lead thanks to chief dangermen O’Préith and MacMeanman before Pearses’ talisman Liam Deegan notched his first off the evening with a fine score with four minutes on the clock. Laochra then began to find their rhythm and their quick hands and runners off the shoulder created gaps in the opposition rearguard. A fantastic field in the middle of the park by Padraig O’Préith paved the way for Rian MacSeáin to tap over the bar before moments later, O’Préith would be provider again as his clever pass was latched on to by Tomás Ó’Tuathaláin who drew the first green flag of the game with a clever finish to the net.

Padraig Ó Tiarnaigh and Dáire MacMeanman increased the gap to seven by the fifteenth minute and Pearses now had work to do. They did manage to strike back thanks to the industry of Fionn Grew who weaved this way and that before striking over from range and buoyed by this, they began to forage to put further damage on the scoreboard. However, Laochra would flex their muscles on the offence once again as O’Préith sent over two fine scores adding the gloss to some intricate approach play.

The men from North Belfast were then granted a lifeline as dangerman Deegan was brought down in the box only for Joe McCavana to signal for a penalty. Their trusty number fourteen was then on hand to despatch from the spot with a postage stamp finish into the top right corner via the underside of the crossbar.

Nevertheless, this only spurned the men in yellow on further as they finished the half the stronger. Points from MacSeáin, MacMeanman and an excellent effort from captain Caoimhin Ó’Daimhin cancelling out two pointed efforts from Deegan. Laochra then dealt a hammer blow to their opponent’s hopes of a revival as on the stroke of half time star man Dáire MacMeanman finished to the net with real composure to lead his side in at the break 2-10 to 1-04 to the good.

With their tails firmly up, Laochra began the second half as they had finished the first. Yet another score from MacMeanman cancelled out Aidan Bannon’s fine effort before a miscommunication in midfield was ruthlessly capitalised upon by Rian MacSeáin as he cantered through on goal and nonchalantly finish to the white curtain.

With a commanding twelve-point lead under their belts, it seemed as though the men in yellow and black would cruise home to the finish line. However, credit to Pearses as they refused to surrender just yet. In fact, they would hit the next five scores unanswered with Deegan once again demonstrating his predatory prowess in front of the posts with a trio of these and a double from the talented Sean Moreland to narrow the margin to seven by the fiftieth minute and perhaps it was game on again.

But again, Laochra would rediscover their groove as they dispelled any hopes of a Lazarus style comeback. An excellent score over the shoulder from Padraig O’Préith and two angled efforts from Padraig Ó Tiarnaigh closed out proceedings nicely to cap off an accomplished performance.

With both teams now on two points apiece, all eyes will be on their final group fixtures and both will be on the road yet again. Laochra will visit Wolfetones and will be hopeful of bolstering their momentum further with another victory whilst Pearses face a stern test away to Éire Óg as the hierarchy of the group is still all to play for.

Teams:

Laochra Loch Lao

S Ó’hEacháin; T MacSiacais, C Ó’Coinn, J MacÍomhair; C Ó’Daimhin (0-01,) D MacThom, G MacSeáin; C Ó’Ceallaigh, R MacSeáin (1-02;) D MacMeanman (1-04,) T Ó’Tuathaláin (1-00,) D MacCrabhagain; D MacPilib, P Ó’Preith (0-04,) P Ó’Tiarnaigh (0-03)

Na Piarsaigh:

E McKenna; A Nugent, A Bannon (0-01,) P Johnston; C Gillespe, C O’Neill, A McCavana; T McFarlane, R Bannon; S Moreland (0-02,) F Grew (0-01,) J Smyth; M McAllister, L Deegan (1-06,) P Murray

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JFC Group 1

Naomh Una 1-20 Ardoyne 0-13

A strong first half performance from Naomh Úna secured their win in the opening game of the JFC against Ciceam Ard Eoin. They took advantage of the strong wind to race into an eight point lead after the first 20 minutes. Turley was the driving force for Naomh Úna and slotted over five points in the opening half with three coming from open play.

At the half-time whistle it looked like game over for the Kickhams with a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-03 and seven different players on the scoreboard for Naomh Úna.

Half-time: Naomh Úna 1-13 Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-03

The opening 10 minutes of the second half looked like it was going to be much of the same with Turley and McBride putting over three points between them without reply, with one goal opportunity squandered.

The growing indiscipline in the Ardoyne side was knocked on the head and the final twenty minutes saw them dominate this game. The quality of football from the North-enders improved and Naomh Úna were put on to the back foot. Cormac Mullan was on fire for the Ardoyne side as he singly slotted over ten points in the second half, including two 2 pointers.

Naomh Úna did not panic but will have been thankful for the comfortable lead they had built up in the first half. Naomh Úna will be delighted to get their first two points on the board and will be encouraged that they had eight different players notching up the scores.

While disappointed with the final score, their second half display will hearten Ciceam Ard Eoin as they prepare for their next game against O’Donnell’s.

Final Score: Naomh Úna 1-20 Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-13

Referee:  Eamonn Hamill

Naomh Úna: 1 Colum Carroll 2 Patrick Carroll 3 Cormac Flannery (0-02) 4 Mark Caldwell 5 Killian McCormick 6 Ryan Reilly 7 Conor Gregory 8 Dan Turley (1-0) 9 Patrick Mulgrew (0-01)10 Colin Clarke 11 Conan Turley (0-06, 2f) 12 Kevin Floyd 13 David McGaharan (0-06, 1f) 14 Ronan Gilligan 15 Cormac McBride (0-05) 17 Briondan McLarnon 18 Chris McKee 19 Rory Compston 20 Peter McCullough 21 Conor Kennedy 22 David Quigley 23 Conor McLean 24 Barry McCrea 25 James Halleron 26 Conor Mulgrew

Ciceam Ard Eoin: 1. Tiarnan Hughes 2Cormac Curran 3 Micheál McGreevy 4 Conor Magee 5 Joe Gibson 6 Pearse Marley 7 Finna Wall O’Brien 8 Gary McKernan 9 Daniel Moore (0-01) 10 Odhran McKee 11 Kealan McCallan 12 Eoghan Corrigan 13 Patrick McGreevy (0-01) 14 Ciaran McNeill 15 Cormac Mullan (0-11, 6f) 17 Aodhan Quigg 18 Diarmuid Martin 19 Michael Maguire 20 Aran Stewart 21 Paul Baker 22 Joseph McNeill

Referee: Eamon Hamill

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JFC Group Group 1

St. Malachy’s 2-9 O’Donnell’s 2-9

St. Malachy’s and O’Donnell’s couldn’t be separated after 60 plus minutes of high intensity championship football at Cherryvale on Sunday. In a game where fortunes swung one way then another a draw was probably the right result in the end.

It was St. Malachy’s who struck first at Cherryvale with Anton McGreevey and Pearse Quinn firing them into an early two-point lead. O’Donnell’s took a time to settle but a Fionnbar McKernan free and a point from play by Ciaran McKissock had it all square with 14 minutes gone.

John Paul Lagan pointed at the other end immediately to restore the St. Malachy’s lead but O’Donnell’s were starting to get on top and Barra Corr finished to the Mal’s net in the 16^th minute to give them the lead for the first time.

This game was now being played with a lot of intensity as Ciaran Vernon and Fionnbar McKernan exchanged further points and that’s the way it continued to the break.

Daniel Quinn for St. Malachys and McKernan with another O’Donnell’s converted free kept the scoreboard ticking with the final score of the half falling the way of O’D’s Daniel Walsh whose point moved his side 1-5 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

The MacRory Park side looked to be taking control in the early stages of the second half as Nathan O’Neill pointed after 30 seconds and another sweetly struck free by Fionnbar McKernan moved them five ahead with five minutes of the new half gone.

Stephen Seawright added another as the O’Donnell’s early domination continued and when Fionnbar McKernan was on hand to return the ball to the net following a great save from Thomas Rice they looked to be in total control.

The men from the Markets are made of stern stuff however and they replied with their first score of the half in the 15^th minute, a Pearse Quinn point and when Michael Hegney followed almost immediately with a goal it was game-on again.

O’Donnell’s then lost a man to a straight Red card but St. Malachy’s had still a lot of work to do as they trailed by five but a John Paul Lagan goal in the 22^nd minute and a point from James McGivern put them right back into contention with 7 minutes remaining.

Fionnbar McKernan looked to have secured the win for the MacRory park side when he pointed a 26^th minute free but the momentum was now with St. Malachy’s and their outstanding player Pearse D Quinn hit two late points to earn them a share of the spoils.

Both sides have difficult away assignments in their next game in Group 1 on Sunday 17^th August with St. Malachy’s travelling to league winners, St. Agnes while O’Donnell face Ardoyne at Fennell Park.

TO VIEW BERTS PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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JFC Group 2

Laochra Loch Lao 0-15 Eire Og 5-5

They say points win prizes but goals win games and that was very much in evidence at Colaiste Feirste in the opening game of the Junior Football Championship, Group 2 on Friday night.

The Irish language team went into this one as favourites, having finished second in the league but had no answer to a slick moving and well marshalled Eire Og.

Eire Og were strong in defence with Laochra Loch Lao unable to break through for the goal that might well have turned this game in their favour while Eire Og gave a demonstration of fine finishing over the hour.

It was Laochra Loch Lao who opened brightly and they shot into an early 2 point lead thanks to Daire McMenamin and Rian McShane before their opponents replied with their opening goal of the evening through Patrick McNelis with only 4 minutes gone.

Ronan Donnelly added a second major for the Og’s in the 10^th minute and again their fast transition from defence to attack opened up the Laochra defence.

Rolbeard MacSlacals replied with a point for the hosts but this was quickly cancelled by a fine effort from Ronan Donnelly at the other end with 17 minutes on the clock.

MacSlacals was doing all in his power to get his side going as he pointed a free for his second of the evening but the visitors continued to look dangerous on the quick counter attack and Patrick McNelis struck for his second and his sides third with ten minutes remaining to the break.

Two well struck 2 pointer from the excellent MacSlacals and another single from the same player had it back to one as half time approached with Conall Smyth hitting a late score for Eire Og to leave them 2 ahead at the break.

Kevin Devine reduced the gap to one with a point on the restart and it seemed to be turning the way of Laochra Loch Lao when Sean O’Heachan got down well to save Conor McKenna’s penalty in the 3d minute.

They refused to heed the danger signs however as Mark Graham was left unmarked to gather a rebound of a Laochra upright and bury it in the net and move the visitors four ahead again.

Diarmaid MacPilib responded directly from a ‘45’ to close the gap to three again but Eire Og were playing some excellent football and Patrick McNelis fired over a fine point.

Eire Og continued to edge the exchanges as their opponents tried in vain to negate their goal threat and Conall Smyth got in for their fifth major with 9 minutes remaining and it looked as good as over.

Rian McShane from play and Diarmaid MacPilib with a 2 pointer free reduced the gap to four again but a Lorcan McIlroy converted free and another from play from the impressive Smyth ensured that there would be no way back for the Colaiste Feirste side.

They did hit the final point of the evening through Kevin Devine but it was too little-too late and it is Eire Og who are off to a flying start in this year’s championship.

TO VIEW MORE OF BERTS PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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Ulster Club JFC quarter-final

Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin 0-12 Naomh Comhghall 0-8

A strong second half comeback from St. Comgall’s Antrim fell just short as they lost by four points to a good Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin in the quarter-final of the Ulster Junior Football championship in Letterkenny on Saturday.

The Innishown side defeated  neighbours Carndonagh by ten points in the Donegal final and at one stage in the opening half they looked like running away with this one when they led 0-8 to 0-2 in the period leading up to half time.

Naomh Comhghall had missed a great goal opportunity to draw level after 20 minutes and in the end it would be that missed opportunity that would prove the difference in the final analysis.

Jonathan Toye gave Naomh Padraig the lead when he pointed a 40 meter free within 40 seconds but Naomh Comhghall replied with an excellent score from Ryan Clarke to draw level with two minutes gone.

Toye would prove a major influence for the Innishowen side over the hour and their team captain kicked their first from play to restore their lead but again the Antrim Town side found a response as Dylan Murdock got through for an equaliser with 12 minutes on the clock.

Slowly though Naomh Padraig began to get on top with Toye directing matters from centre-half and Cormac McColgan and Kevin Doherty prominent.

The Donegal champions hit three points on the bounce through Jonathan Toye 0-2 and Doherty as they began to exert control as they moved three clear by the 18^th minute.

Naomh Comhghall responded and should have been back on level terms when Dylan Murdock put James McCabe in the clear with an astute hand pass but his well struck shot was superbly parried by Oran McCauley in the Naomh Padraig goals.

It would prove costly as the Donegal men came back again with the fifth of the evening from captain Toye and when Cormac McColgan added two more there was six between the sides.

Significantly the Dunsilly side kicked the final point of the half through Ryan Clarke and when Tom Patchett added another on the restart it was looking better for the Antrim champions.

Kevin Doherty for Naomh Padraig and Dylan Murdock for Naomh Comhghall exchanged further points before Jonathan Toye eased the Innishowen side five in front again from a free in the 7^th minute as Eoin Lynott replaced Dannan O’Hara in the Naomh Comhghall side.

Slowly Barry Burns’ side began to get on top as they played some excellent football and Patchett struck a couple of superb frees to close the gap to three with 12 minutes remaining but there was a sense that they might need a goal if they were to overturn the Naomh Padraig lead.

Once again it was that man Toye who punished a misplaced kick-out to return between the posts and ease the increasing pressure that the Antrim town side were beginning to exert.

The Naomh Padraig defence was proving a difficult unit to break down however as they filed back in numbers to foil the increasing pressure and a Tom Patchett point from a mark was all that the Antrim champions could add.

Patchett’s point had it back to three again with two minutes remaining but despite a concerted effort it would be as close as they got with substitute Drew McKinney adding the insurance point for the Donegal men with virtually the last kick of the game.

A great fight-back from the Antrim champions who held a 100% record in league and championship going into this game but despite a massive second half effort it is the Donegal champions who go forward to contest the Ulster semi-final

Naomh Comhghall: Anthony Watson, Shane Og Gribbon, Cathal Donnelly, Caolan McKeown, Michael McCabe, James McCabe, Dannan O’Hara, Louis Higgins, Josh Henry, Joseph Webb, Patrick O’Connor, Dylan Murdock, Ryan Clarke, Miles Devine, Tom Patchett.

Subs: Eoin Lynott, Liam Phinn,

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