Report by Tony McCollum – Photos by John Curly McIlwaine
In a game where both teams were short a few regulars because of holidays and injuries a strong second half saw Kickhams finish their league campaign with a convincing win over Aldergrove in Creggan.
Shea McCann scored a second half hat-trick to sink the Aldergrove challenge
Ruairi McCann started the scoring with his first point in the second minute followed by a Conor Small two pointer. Aldergrove came back strongly with three points of their own from Eoin Gough, Seamus McGarry and Declan Gough, but further points from Shea McCann, Mathew Rodger’s and Dominic McAteer again gave Kickhams the lead. However Aldergrove came back with well taken points by Conor Browning and full forward Ronan Hanna to stay very much in touch.
With both teams happy to play open attacking football Kickhams scored three more points from Mathew McCann, Conor Small and Jamie McCann and only one point reply from Seamus McGarry.
On the 24th minute the very influential Conor McCann burst through the middle to score Creggan’s first goal, while Aldergrove’s last score of the half came in the 29th minute, but Kickhams hit a late scoring burst which saw a well taken Anton Martin point and another Mathew Rodgers score to finish the half off with his third point to leave the score at halftime Kickhams 1-12 to Aldergrove 0-08.
The game as a contest was over inside the first 10 minutes of the second half as Jamie McCann hit a two pointer in the second minute and his younger brother Shea scoring two well taken goals in the 34th & 35th minutes. Conor Small got in on the act with his fourth point in the five minutes later but Shea McCann continued his scoring tally with two more points and Rodgers adding another one. Ronan Hanna of Aldergrove scored his team’s first point of the second half on 44 minutes but Shea McCann wasn’t finished yet and he completed his hat-trick with another top class finish, while Mathew Rodgers, who led the full forward line well throughout the game, kicked his fourth point on the 21st minute. In fairness to Aldergrove they kept battling away and got two more points from Oisin Graham and Declan Gough, but again it was Kickhams who finished the scoring with points apiece from Ruairi and Dominic McAteer to leave the final score.
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Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr McGinn Park, Glenravel
Dunloy finished off their league campaign with an eight point win over the Con Magees on Wednesday evening. Under the late evening sunshine and the midges, the Cuchullains laid the foundations for this victory in the opening quarter of the first half where they scored two goals in the space of five minutes. The visitors dominated and went into an eight point lead that Glenravel rarely looked like overcoming.
The statistics make for tidy reading for Dunloy by the end of the hour with 11 different scorers and just three points of their final tally coming from placed ball. They did reach double figures in wides but this was a contest that they controlled for long periods.
Sean McKay top scored for the home side with three frees in his tally of five points while Conleth O’Loan was always a threat on the inside forward line. He would finish with 1-2, his goal coming towards the end of the first half while Colla Ward and Niall Swann also caught the eye. While they attacked with precision, they couldn’t curtail the Dunloy attacking unit who could have added to their overall tally.
It was the Con Magees who opened the scoring with Eamon Ward pointing in the second minute. Dunloy were dictating the early proceedings but were being held out with some disciplined and well organised Glenravel defending.
Dunloy’s first score came in the eighth minute through Ryan McGarry. Seaan Elliott had the ball 40 yards from goal and waited on the run from McGarry coming through the middle. The Dunloy defender would burst through and finish superbly to give Shaun O’Boyle little chance of stopping his effort.
Points followed from the impressive Keelan Molloy and Eoin McFerran in quick succession. It could have been their second major before McFerran’s point but McGarry’s punched effort came back off the post.
The second Dunloy goal came in the 13th minute with Conor Kinsella showing the Glenravel defence a clean pair of heals before an expert finish put his side into an eight point lead.
The home side would hit back to back points through O’Loan and Conrad McIlhatton and began to warm to the task posed to them. Dunloy added scores from Molloy (2) and Seaan Elliott with a solitary free from McKay the response for the home side but the Con Magees would finish the half strongly.
Points from the marauding Colla Ward and McKay (free) brought Glenravel to within six points before they would find the back of the Dunloy net in the 26th minute. A long ball was sent in to the Dunloy defence and O’Loan judged the flight perfectly with the bounce wrong footing the Cuchullains defenders, the Glenravel man stole in behind and beat Peter McQuillan with a low finish with his right foot.
Dunloy and Karl Fitzpatrick rounded off the scoring with a free in the last minute of the half to leave the half time score 2-7 to 1-6 in the Cuchullains favour.
Half time probably came at the wrong time for the home side as they looked to have Dunloy on the back foot and the visitors made the most of the break. They outscored Glenravel three points to two in the opening five minutes of the second half with points coming from substitute Charlie Cunning, Kinsella and Molloy with McKay and O’Loan the Glenravel response.
The Cuchullains third goal came in the 38th minute and came at the end of a brilliant counter attack. Padraig McGilligan claimed a high ball in the middle of the park and recycled superbly despite under pressure. Elliott surged through the middle and had options either side, passing to McQuillan on his left. The Dunloy forward elected to pass to McGarry at the back post and he palmed the ball to the back of the net for his second major of the evening and put daylight between the sides once again.
Eamon Ward and Jack Martin swapped points as the sides went toe to toe. They shared four points equally, O’Neill and McKay (free) for the home side with Kevin McQuillan and Molloy for Dunloy before Glenravel scored three points in barely two minutes to cut the Dunloy lead to five with less than 10 minutes remaining. Scores coming from McKay and substute Daragh Donaghy and while O’Neill added his second of the night, he had half a chance for goal before blazing over the bar.
Substitute Callum Scullion and Molloy fired over either side of a Joe Martin point for Glenravel before the home side were reduced to 14 men. Ronan McCormick getting a black card for dragging Eoin McFerran as Dunloy looked to cut through the Glenravel defence once more.
The Cuchullains rounded off the scoring with points from Fitzpatrick (free) and Elliott in the time that remained to run out comfortable winners.
Both sides were missing plenty of regulars from the starting 15 and with both their status virtually secured before the ball was throw in, there wasn’t much to play for in this other than game time. Both sides now have a four week break before the championship starts in the first weekend of August.
TEAMS
DUNLOY: Peter McQuillan; Michael Trainor, Aaron Crawford, Cathair McCloskey; Conor Kinsella, James Scally, Ryan McGarry; Eoin McFerran, Padraig McGilligan; Jack Martin, Seaan Elliott, Chrissy McMahon; Keelan Molloy, Kevin McQuillan, Karl Fitzpatrick
Subs: Charlie Cunning for C McMahon (HT); Callum Scullion for J Martin (44); Sean Og Blaney for A Crawford (44)
Scorers: K Molloy 0-7 (1f); R McGarry (2-00); C Kinsella 1-1; S Elliott 0-2; K Fitzpatrick 0-2 (2fs); E McFerran 0-1; J Martin 0-1; K McQuillan 0-1; C Cunning 0-1; C Scullion 0-1
GLENRAVEL: Shaun O’Boyle; Conor Carey, Eoin McCusker, Conrad McIlhatton; Colla Ward, Niall Swann, Ronan McCormick; David Higgins, Rian Lennon; Joe Martin, Sean McKay, Eamon Ward; Conleth O’Loan, Aiden O’Donnell, Sean Og O’Neill
Subs: Daragh Donaghy for E McCusker (49); Joe Leech for C McIlhatton (59)
Scorers: S McKay 0-5 (3fs); C O’Loan 1-2; S Og O’Neill 0-2; E Ward 0-2; J Martin 0-1; C McIlhatton 0-1; C Ward 0-1; D Donaghy 0-1
Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)
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Kevin Herron reports from Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh
Gort na Mona ended their league campaign on a winning note with a comfortable 1-20-0-09 victory over West Belfast neighbours Davitt’s on home soil on Tuesday evening.
Despite the hosts making most of the early runnings it didn’t reflect on the scoreboard with a point a piece a quarter of an hour into proceedings.
Michael Savage’s 5th minute point was cancelled out by Aaron Slane five minutes later, but Gort began to pull clear after Tarlach Enright was tripped outside the arc and he kicked the resulting two-pointed free.
Enright then clipped over a two-pointer from play after Ciaran Donnelly found Ciaran MacGiolla Cheera to lay-off into Enright’s path.
Davitt’s replied in the form a two-pointed free from Slane, but in the last ten minutes the hosts had racked up a nine-point lead.
Tarlach Enright kicked successive two-pointed frees from outside the arc and then landed a 45’.
Gort’s talisman kicked a further point in the aftermath of Michael Savage doubling his tally as their side were 0-12-0-03 ahead at the interval.
The hosts picked up where they left off and extended their lead after the break, Ciaran Donnelly shot over and after Matthew McConnell was fouled, Tarlach Enright kicked his fourth two-pointed free of the evening.
He followed that up with a fantastic angled score before Davitt’s opened their account for the half through a second Aaron Slane free.
Just before the midway point in the half, Slane kicked his second two-pointed free – but in reply Gort na Mona pulled clear with the games only goal.
Caoimhin Beck saw his shot blocked down, it was only a temporary reprieve for Davitts though as McConnell picked up the loose ball and floated it across for a Jack Thompson close range palmed finish to make it 1-16-0-06.
Successive Ciaran Donnelly efforts dropped over the bar in the aftermath with Davitt’s hitting three unanswered scores in their most productive period.
Slane increased his personal tally with a 45’, Anthony Rowntree then shot over after a one-two with Conor Maguire and Gerard Slane then shot over his sides final score of the evening.
It was Gort na Mona who finished stronger though with Donnelly turning provider for substitute Conal Keenan to join the the scoring ranks and there was still time to Tarlach Enright to bend a shot over the bar to seal a comfortable 1-20-0-09 victory for his side as the attention now turns to the Intermediate Championship for both sides at the end of the month.
GORT NA MONA: J Ireland, J McIlroy, C McCabe, S Campbell, B Burns, C Donnelly (0-3), P Cournane, M Savage (0-2), J Thompson (1-0), C MacGiolla Cheara, C Carson, P Mulvenna, C Beck, M McConnell. T Enright (0-14, 0-1 45’, 1x2pt, 4×0-2 ptf). SUBS: C Keenan (0-1) for P Cournane (HT), K Walsh for C MacGiolla Cheara (HT), C Clarke for P Mulvenna (46), D McKeown for M McConnell (50), J Reilly for J McIlroy (55).
DAVITTS: R McAuley, C Rainey, N Maginn, B Maguire, N McParland, A Hargan, J Lindsey, A Rowntree (0-1), C Slane, D Mooney, G Slane (0-1), CJ Sullivan, M Toner, R Park, A Slane (0-6, 0-1 45’, 1 x 0-1f, 2 x 0-2 ptf). SUBS: P Keeveny for M Toner (39), C Toner for N McParland (39), C Maguire (0-1) for R Park (45), M Toner for D Mooney (46).
The last round of the football league, Division One is scheduled for Wednesday 2nd July with the top four at conclusion to participate in semi-finals, and a final game to determine Division One league champions 2025 and the bottom four will complete in a similar play off.
Divisions Two and Three are almost finished as the respective winners of those divisions are decided but promotion and relegation remains to be decided.
Wed 2nd July
Division One (7.15 pm)
Kickham’s Creggan v St James Aldergrove
Kickham’s Creggan have enjoyed a very positive season and with 22 points to date have earned a place in the knock out competition in search of the division 1 title and they have gained the highest points difference on their travels.
Aldergrove have played well this term and this is reflected in their snug mid table berth with 14 points banked from their assignments.
Ground advantage will most certainly combine with current form to strongly suggest the Kickham’s men will start as firm favourites and they will most likely gain the day.
St John’s v St Paul’s
St John’s took a long time to get going in the league but recent improvement has moved the Corrigan residents onto 9 points but they need a win from this one to ensure they are not involved in the bottom four play-offs.
St Paul’s also took a time to get their act together on league matters but the Shaw’s road residents hit form in mid-season and such ensured a finishing total of 11 points and retention of division 1status.
Should Aghagallon, who are also on 9 points, beat All Saints in their final game then St.John’s would also need a win to avoid being involved in the play-offs and they should have enough to get the win.
Casement’s Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg
Portglenone have enjoyed another good season but they will finish out of the top four despite acquiring 19 points to finish 5th in the league tables.
Lamh Dhearg also enjoyed a good league campaign and although they have not gained a top four spot they have banked 15 points to date.
A good game is in prospect and although it may well be a close one ground advantage may nudge the verdict in favour of John McKeever’s men.
O’ Donovan Rossa v St Brigid’s
Having struggled for most of the season Rossa have only 6 points and are already condemned to a place in the bottom 4 play-offs.
St Brigid’s have enjoyed a good season and have already qualified for a top four play-off place but they will travel to Rossa intent on picking up another win.
Con Magees Glenravel v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Glenravel have enjoyed a good season to date and currently have 11 points and the Glensman are secure of status and a place in the top division in 2026 as they play hosts to Dunloy in their final game.
Dunloy have enjoyed a good season thus far and with a strong panel available the dual club will anticipate making their respective mark on both hurling and football championships this term.
This may well be another close one but again ground advantage may well prove as a decider with Glenravel given the nod.
Tir na nOg v Erin’s Own Cargin
Cargin, with just one defeat this season, when they lost to St Brigid’s will take their place in the play off to determine the ultimate winners of the league title and will travel to Whitehill to meet Tir na nOg with the home side set to compete in the play-offs to determine the relegation issue.
Lady Luck has turned her back on the Og’s this term and having finished in the top four last term they will be disappointed that their quest for points this season has only amounted to six.
Cargin with their place in the top four assured will have eyes firmly fixed on retention of championship and it remains to be seen if Ronan Devlin’s charges will field at full strength or if they decide to look to their extended panel.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Gall’s
Ahoghill looked to be on the road to recovery lately despite a poor return of points as the season neared conclusion when three good performances in sequence hinted strongly at recovery but the wheels came off the wagon in the last few rounds and they have just six points.
St. Mary’s meet St Gall’s and the Cloney side are more than capable of gaining the points against a St. Gall’s side who started the season well but have dipped in form recently.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v All Saint’s Ballymena
Aghagallon endured a poor enough season and have struggled without their county contingent and sit with St. John’s on nine points. They really need a win in this one as they entertain top four side, All Saints and even that may not be enough to avoid a playoff place for survival if St. John’s beat St. Paul’s.
All Saint’s Ballymena have enjoyed a good season and sit in third place in the league with 22 points and their greater need could see them edge this one if the Ballymena side are not at their best.
Aghagallon will hope to finish their league campaign on a positive note and if such is the case the St Mary’s men may well bank another couple of points and hope St. Paul’s can do them a favour at Corrigan.
ACFL Division 2 Round Up
Sarsfield’s entertain Naomh Padraig at the bear Pit in their final game with the league title already secured following their win over previous league leaders, Moneyglass in Moneyglass on the 22nd June.
St. Ergnat’s failed again in their final game to St. Joseph’s Glenavy but will finish in second place and that should earn them a place in the promotion-relegation deciders later in the year.
ACFL Division 3 Round Up
St. Agnes claimed the division 3 league title with a win over closest rivals, Laochra Loch Lao at Pairc Naomh Una so their final game away to Pearses is academic but the Aggies will want to finish on a high.
Laochra Loch Lao have proved worthy challengers and the Irish language side will finish second regardless of their final game result against St. Malachy’s but should gain the win.
Antrim Masters got their season back on track with a good performance against gritty Monaghan in Clones on Saturday. Playing into a slight breeze big midfielder Brendan Etherson got the scoreboard ticking with an excellent point in the third minute and classy Kieran Close added another a few minutes later to send the visitors into an early lead.
With Ryan Boyd and Brendan Etherson claiming plenty of possession around the middle and Michael Herron leading his defence from the front, once Michael McCann started to run his engine through the gears there was only going to one winner. Michael pointed in the seventh minute, his first of four points on a day when at times he looked on a different level.
Antrims Kieran Close was also in terrific form, his well-timed runs securing lots of possession, one of which he used to chalk up Antrim’s second point of the day.
Ciaran Close who was in fine scoring form against Monaghan
Monaghan were still competitive though, with full forward Noel Smith a particular handful, his three well taken points keeping the Farneymen level on the scoreboard along with a point from Peter Tuite.
A timely interception by Thomas Doherty set up a superb Antrim move which involved half a dozen Antrim men before Michael McCarry finished to the Monaghan net to put a little daylight between the teams as the new Clones scoreboard read minute seventeen. Peter Tuite would narrow the deficit once again for the hosts but in the closing minutes of the half, two superbly taken points from Darren Craig and Ryan Boyd steadied the ship, sending the Saffrons in four points to the good at half time.
A four point lead at half time didn’t realy do justice to Antrim’s dominance, a disallowed goal and hitting woodwork twice meant the scoreboard remained closer than it may have.
Monaghan centre half Stephen Fitzpatrick reduced that gap slightly with the opening score of the second half, but it would be almost fifteen minutes before Monaghan scored again. This third quarter saw Antrim playing with confidence and purpose as they began to assert themselves on the contest.
Kevin McAllister opened his account for the day before Michael McCann tagged on two super points from play, to put Antrim six points up. The next few minutes saw his fellow Cargin legend Kieran Close chip in with a goal and a point, and when the excellent Michael McCarry fired over immediately afterwards, all of a sudden the gap was out to ten points. Antrim Masters stalwart Liam Geezer Magee extended the lead out to eleven with a well taken score, introducing himself to the action.
As both teams ran their benches points from Monaghans excellent Noel Smith, as well as Eddie Lennon and Aidan McGarrel kept Monaghan in touch, without the result ever being in real doubt.
Mickey Donnelly concluded the scoring with a fine point for the Saffrons which would prove to be his side’s final score of a productive evening’s work.
Antrim will be relieved to get back to winning ways, and management will be pleased with some of the quality on offer, particularly during an excellent fifteen minute period when Antrim scored 1 – 04 without reply.
Michael Herron who was solid at the heart of the Antrim defence
Antrim’s defence was sound throughout, captain for the day Ryan Daly and Michael Herron always in control posted superb individual displays. The midfield duo of Ryan Boyd and Bredan Etherson both contributed enormously to the victory, winning a high percentage of kick outs and breaking ball which provided a vital platform for a forward line which worked hard all day and can be pleased with their own individual efforts.
Barry McMahon and Michael McCarry showed their worth to this squad, their fitness and assurance on the ball providing lots of attacking options, many which resulted in scores. Kieran Close looked much more like his classy self and his contribution of a goal and three points demonstrating his value to his team.
Fellow Cargin legend Michael McCann’s contribution was immense throughout, his participation with his county over 40s providing Antrim with a top quality player who many believe should still be playing with his county seniors.
Michael was the quality player on view, edging the man of the match conversation on the day which also involved tough competitors to the cause, Brendan Etherson and Michael Herron and Kieran Close who were also superb throughout.
Antrims next league match is a Round 5 league game at home to Louth on Saturday with a 2pm throw in, at Cargin GAC.
