All Saint’s held off a late Lámh Dhearg rally to claim a 1-15-1-14 win and make it four wins from their first five.
The hosts were off the mark inside the opening minute as Patrick Ferris guided a shot inside the large posts, but Niall McGarry hit back instantly.
Lámh Dhearg raced into a three-point lead as Ryan Murray converted a free and Declan Lynch and Terry McCrudden followed up with points from play.
McCrudden swept a shot inches wide of the post and the crossbar denied him a second time a moment later.
Instead, All Saints closed the gap through James McDonnell’s point and a high angled shot from Connell Lemon that sneaked inside the posts.
Ryan Murray opened his account from play and then dropped a superb two-pointer over the bar to give his side a 0-7-0-3 lead.
The hosts were guilty of lacking composure in the opening half but Sean McVeigh converted a free and McDonnell doubled his tally.
On the 25th minute the game’s opening goal arrived, Paddy McAleer carried the ball forward and cut in along the by-line before slipping the ball to Sean McVeigh for a simple palm to the net to give his side a 1-5-0-7 lead.
McAleer would extend his side’s lead from a converted free as All-Saints held a slender advantage at the interval.
Parity was restored inside the opening 60-seconds of the restart as Calum Fegan-Lappin landed a delightful two-pointed score.
Back-to-back Connell Lemon points had the Saint’s ahead again and James McDonnell kicked his third point of the evening in the aftermath.
Kavan Keenan then drove forward and unleashed a two-pointed shot that sailed over, with a further Ronan McKillop point opening up a 1-12-0-9 lead.
Lámh Dhearg steadied themselves with McCrudden kicking his second score of the evening, substitute Mark Finnegan converted a free and Evan Stanley swung over a magnificent point.
Three-unanswered scores in response saw All-Saints re-establish their six-point advantage going down the home straight.
Conor Stewart steered a shot over, Ronan McKillop angled a shot between the sticks and Paddy McAleer doubled his account from the placed ball to move the hosts into a commanding 1-15-0-12 lead.
Quickfire points from Mark Finnegan and Ben Rice gave the visitors renewed hope, but Calum Fegan-Lappin saw red in the closing stages and any potential comeback would need to be completed with a numerical disadvantage.
Deep into added time Colm McDonald awarded Lámh Dhearg a penalty that was initially kept out by Connor Brennan in the All-Saint’s goal, however Mark Finnegan’s rebounded goal was the last action of the evening as the hosts held out for a narrow win at Quinn Park.
All-Saints: C Brennan, M Downey, K Keenan (1×0-2), C O’Brien, P Ferris (0-1), S O’Callaghan, J McDonnell (0-3), E Killough, C Stewart (0-1), C Lemon (0-3), P McAleer (0-2f), B McDonnell, C Campbell, S McVeigh (1-1, 0-1f), R McKillop (0-2).
Lámh Dhearg: G Smyth, Ross Murray, P Mervyn, M McGarry, B Rice (0-1), D Lynch (0-1), D Martin, P Fitzsimons, M Jordan, C Fegan-Lappin (1×0-2), R Murray (0-4, 0-1f, 1×0-2), C Boyd, N McGarry (0-1), T McCrudden (0-2), A Murray. Subs: F Mervyn for M McGarry (28), E Stanley (0-1) for C Boyd (HT), M Finnegan (1-2, 0-1f) for P Fitzsimons (41), R Diamond for N McGarry (41), S McCarthy for A Murray (50). Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)
The mid-week setting for the Football leagues continues with another round of fixtures in all of the divisions scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Division One (6.45pm)
O’Donovan Rossa v St Mary’s Aghagallon
Having gained a win from their second outing this term with victory over the visiting Ahoghill Hugh McGettigan’s Rossa have lost to St Gall’s, Cargin and Con Magee’s.
Aghagallon have mixed the good with the bad with wins over Dunloy and Ahoghill but have lost to St. Brigid’s and St. Gall’s.
Both sides will see this one as an opportunity to get points on board and
this one could be close but ground advantage could well prove significant and a tentative vote is awarded to the home side and two points for Rossa
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Tir na nOg
With a couple of victories in their campaign to date, including a win over the visiting in-form Kickham’s, Dunloy were well beaten by Portglenone last day out.
Tir na nOg enjoyed a good league campaign last term but have only one point on board this term following a draw with St Paul’s and lost heavily to All Saints last Wednesday night.
This one could go either way and will depend very much on the availability of key players for both sides but a draw looks possible.
Con Magee’s Glenravel v Erin’s Own Cargin
Erin’s Own Cargin have enjoyed a good start to the season and remain unbeaten after four rounds of games.
Ronan Devlin’s charges proved far too strong for the visiting Aldergrove last time but this looks like a tougher assignment for the Toome men as they take the road to Glenravel.
The Glens men have started the season well with wins over Ahoghill and Rossa but lost to St. Brigid’s and St. Gall’s and Cargin should have too much for an improving Con Magee’s and are likely to extend their winning run to five.
St Brigid’s v Casement’s Portglenone
Casement’s had a good win over Dunloy last time out after losing to All Saints in their previous outing and they face another stiff challenge when they travel to the league champions.
St. Brigid’s lost at Creggan last time out and they will hope to get back to winning ways as John McKeever’s men visit.
This looks a hard one to call with a good game in prospect and although the home side will start as firm favourites Casement’s are capable of causing upset.
St Gall’s v Kickham’s Creggan
St Gall’s remain unbeaten to date and they will be more than keen to retain the winning habit in this one as Kickham’s Creggan visit Milltown.
The home side have looked good this season and recorded a good win over the Johnnies at Corrigan last week.
Kickham’s only defeat came at the hands of Dunloy and raised a few eyebrows but they returned to form with a home win over St. Brigid’s last day out and they will travel up to Milltown hoping to build on that win.
A close one looks in prospect between two in form sides and although ground advantage will ensure that Gall’s start as favourites, they may have to share the spoils as a draw looks possible.
St Paul’s v St James Aldergrove
St Paul’s have struggled in their first season back in division 1 for some time with only a single point on board following a draw with the visiting Tir na nOg.
The Shaw’s road side will see this one as an opportunity to get more points on board but St. James have been in good form this season and should collect the points.
All Saints Ballymena v Lamh Dhearg (7.30pm)
All Saint’s Ballymena have enjoyed a good season to date with their only defeat coming in round two when they lost at Creggan.
They have remained undefeated since that trip to Creggan and they will start as favourites as Lamh Dhearg visit Slemish Park.
The Hannastown side have recorded a couple of wins to date and they will travel to Ballymena in the positive following a big win over St Paul’s last time out but this looks a tough test for the visitors with the ‘Baker Boys’ awarded the vote.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St John’s (7.30pm)
Both sides are pointless going into this one so something has to give as St. John’s make the trip to Cloney to face St. Mary’s Ahoghill.
St. Mary’s came mighty close when they entertained Glenravel in their last home fixture while St. John’s pushed St. Gall’s hard at Corrigan last day out.
A win looks vital for both sides and this one should be close with ground advantage possibly aiding the St Mary’s men to victory.
Division Two (6.45pm)
Gort na Mona v St Enda’s
With one win each for Gort na Mona and St Enda’s this one looks hard to call.
Gort na Mona’s win came against Michael Davitt’s whilst former first division residents St Enda’s earned theirs with victory over the visiting Naomh Comhghall.
This may well be a close one with ground advantage possibly giving advantage to the Gorts.
St Comgall’s Antrim v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Comgall’s have only one win to date but that one came against Davitt’s at Dunsilly and Barry Burns’ side were impressive on that occasion.
St. Patrick’s Lisburn have been in good form this term with a good win over the visiting Glenavy last time out, having won at St. Enda’s on day one.
The Lisburn side seem in fine fettle this term and they may well add another couple of points to remain in touch at the top but Naomh |Comhghall have the ability to cause an upset.
St Teresa’s v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Moneyglass are the inform side in division 2 but face a stiff test when they travel to the Glen Road to meet St. Teresa’s.
Last year’s beaten Intermediate finalists lost last time out at the Bear Pit to Sarsfields but will be keen to get back to winning form and may provide St Ergnat’s with a stiff test but an away win looks probable.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v Patrick’s Sarsfield’s
This looks likely to be a close one as Glenavy play hosts to unbeaten Sarsfield’s with both having an eye on a return to the top grade.
The Paddies will probably start as favourites but the home side will not make it easy for their visitors and a share of the spoils and a draw looks possible.
St Mary’s Rasharkin v Michael Davitt’s
Rasharkin remain pointless to date as they play hosts to Michael Davitt’s at Dreen.
Davitt’s find themselves in a similar position and only score difference keeps them ahead of their hosts in the ratings and something has to give as both search for their opening points with ground advantage possibly aiding the home side to such reward.
Division Three (6.45)
Wolfe Tones v Patrick Pearses
Wolfe Tones recorded their first league win for some time last day out to join Pearses on two points apiece and this one could be close with the home side possibly recording another win.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
Ardoyne, with a couple of wins to date face a stiff test against the visiting O’Donnell’s but home advantage could swing it their way.
Laochra Loch Lao v St Agnes
St. Agnes defeated Wednesday night’s opponents in last year’s Junior Championship semi-final and will travel in confidence to Colaiste Feirste and might just shade this one
St Malachy’s v Eire Og
A tough one to call with both sides on one win from three starts and ground advantage could prove the difference with St. Malachy’s given the nod.
An inexperienced Antrim, missing a number of regulars fell to a more mature Monaghan in this Tier 2 Ulster U20 semi-final at Dunsilly on Monday night.
Most of the Antrim side are under age again next year and if they can be kept together then things will get better but there will be much that manger Colin Toal can take from Monday night’s performance.
Indeed it was Antrim who made the better start and a good move opened up the Monaghan defence with Lorcan Phillips firing over and the St. Paul’s youngster might well have had a goal.
It continued to look promising for the home side and a strong run from Paul Duffin set up Sean Boyd who pointed to put the Saffrons 0-2 to 0-0 ahead after five minutes
Monaghan opened their account through the accurate free taking of Matthew Finn, one of several soft awards the corner forward greatly accepted over the hour, before Killian Kearns brought the sides level with 8 minutes gone.
The visitors were beginning to get on top and Kearns was afforded acres of space as he soloed through for the game’s opening goal with the Antrim defence nowhere to be seen.
Matthew Finn added a point from play before converting his second free of the evening before Lorcan Phillips replied at the other end and then a strong run from Niall Hynds looked like producing a goal but Martin Quinn averted the danger.
The visitors replied again with Matthew Finn converting his third free of the evening and Killian Kearns hitting a fine 2 pointer and when Finn converted a ‘45’ it was starting to slip away from the young Saffrons.
Another Finn converted free moved Monaghan 8 ahead but a great long range 2 points free from Donnacha McGurk gave Antrim a glimmer of hope as the whistle sounded for half time.
HT Antrim 0-6 Monaghan1-9
The visitors extended their lead through another Finn free at the start of the second half but Antrim were still putting some promising moves together but unable to turn them into scores with Corey Walsh and Sean Boyd both off target.
They were made to pay the price as the excellent Sean O’Connell got through for Monaghan’s second goal in the 9th minute and when the same player followed up for a third after a good initial save from Jamie McLaughlin, it was over.
To their credit Antrim kept plugging away with Paul Duffin, Ronan Quinn and Niall Hynds to the fore and replied with points from Segdae MacAdhaim, Paul Duffin, Michael McKenna and Duffin again.
Sean O’Connell and Darragh McMahon replied for the Farney County but two more from Ronan Quinn and Eamon Ward put a better reflection on the final score line as Kearns concluded the scoring with a great 2 pointer for the visitors.
A disappointing campaign for Antrim with just one point to their credit from a draw with Fermanagh. It doesn’t tell the whole story however as Colin Toal and his management team have been without key players throughout their campaign.
They have shown in spells that they are capable of much better and some of their play tonight was good but bad choices or poor finishing let them down on several occasions.
They came up against a bigger and more physically imposing Monaghan on this occasion for whom Niall Mehan Matthew Carolan, Sean O’Connell and free taker, Matthew Finn were excellent.
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Antrim face Monaghan tonight (Monday) in the U20 Tier 2 semi-final at Dunsilly 7-30 and we call on Antrim Gaels to come out in numbers and give them your support. Antrim lost to All Ireland champions Tyrone and to a strong Donegal side in the league stages but drew with Fermanagh in the group stages and will be hoping for a first win tonight and we wish them all the best’
Moneyglass man, Paul Duffin has been strong in the Antrim defence
Despite an excellent second half Antrim lost to a Daithi O’Callaghan inspired Armagh in Crossmaglen on Saturday afternoon.
The young Saffrons will reflect on the number of wides they kicked in the opening half when they had the breeze at their backs as Ryan Dynes goal sent the Orchard to the dressing room leading 1-6 to 0-3 at the halfway stage.
Odhran Doherty was Antrim’s only first half scorer, the Portglenone lad converting three first half frees with Odhran Reel, Conal Wilson, Daithi O’Callaghan, Harry Fearon and a couple from Ronan Martin the Armagh first half point scorers.
It was obvious at the half way stage that Antrim would have to show marked improvement in the second half and despite facing the breeze, improve they did.
It was Ronan Reel who extended the Armagh lead with a point, early in the second half but points from Tom Duffin, Cillian Scullion and Odhran Doherty’s fourth pointed free of the evening had the Saffrons daring to believe.
Cormac Scullion added another to leave just two between the sides and the momentum was very much with the visitors before Daithi O’Callaghan grabbed the game by the scruff of the kneck to fire the Orchard back into control.
The mid-field dynamo hit an unanswered 1-2 to put his side in the driving and might have had a second goal but was off target from the penalty spot.
To their credit Antrim fought to the end and kicked the last two points through Joe Logan and a Torin Hodkinson 2 pointer to close the gap to five but that would be as close as they got.
It was a much improved second half from John O’Kane’s side but they will look back on their inaccuracy in the opening half and if they had scored a greater percentage of their opportunities then there would have been little in it in the end.
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