Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

What about Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin?

Report courtesy of ‘inish Live’

Donegal JFC Final

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin 2-12
Carndonagh 0-8

Division 2 side Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin have been promoted to the Donegal Intermediate championship for the first time in their history after securing the Junior title with a solid win over fellow Inishowen side Carndonagh in O’Donnell Park. 

It was a superb team effort from Daniel McCauley’s side with two first-half goals from Kevin Lynch and Caolan McColgan leading the way for the men in blue and gold in what was their first Donegal JFC final since 2016.

It was a dream start for the Naomh Padraig men with Kevin Lynch rattling the net in the opening two minutes of the match when Cormac McColgan floated in a super ball on top of the towering Lynch, who fetched with ease in the air resulting in a green flag being raised. 

The long ball game was so clearly the target for the Naomh Padraig men, with Caolan McColgan benefitting from a score off a long kick-in from Johnny Toye, after the centre-back fired over a point of his own moments earlier. 

By the 12th minute, Carndonagh had yet to come into the game as Naomh Padraig rattled off another three points, two from Lynch, who slotted over from two frees, while Oisin McIntyre hit the other leaving the score at 1-5 to no score, despite the Naomh Padraig side suffering a major blow when they lost their midfielder Eunan Mullan through injury.  

The game was only swinging one way by the end of the first quarter, and it was for the men in blue and gold, with Caolan McColgan increasing his side’s lead with perhaps the score of the game which he hit over off his right, 45-metres out and under serious pressure from corner-back Eoghan Kelly. 

The Carn men eventually hit their first point on the 19th minute when Conor O’Donnell led by example and split the posts to raise his side’s first white flag, but Cormac McColgan would follow suit for Naomh Padraig and hit another long-range point on an afternoon that was an example of long-range shooting at its finest. 

Despite Carn’s best efforts, Naomh Padraig manager Daniel McCauley can take great satisfaction in how well disciplined and organised his side was in defence forcing Carndonagh down blind alleys and forcing shots wide. 

Cian Doherty would find his side’s second point of the half, but half-forward Kevin Doherty replied for the Naomh Padraig men to keep his side well in front. 

And it only got harder for Carn when in injury time, Toye won a turnover, charged down the pitch and perfectly placed it to Caolan McColgan who gave the goalkeeper no chance as he blasted to the net for his side’s second goal, which was followed by a second long-range score from Cormac McColgan who brought the half to a close on a 2-9 to 0-3 point scoreline. 

The opening 10 minutes of the second-half would take a lull, with the only score coming from Carndonagh’s corner-back Daniel McDaid when hitting a fine score over from distance, but four wides inside the opening 10 minutes of the half, and seven in total, showed how far off they were from Naomh Padraig. 

It would take until the 43rd minute for Naomh Padraig to hit their first point of the match when Rory Hirrell joined the scoresheet with a fine point of his own and they wouldn’t get another until 13 minutes later when Dermot Keaveney and Hirrell fired over back-to-back points. 

But within that time Carndonagh didn’t do enough, with the men in green and red only hitting four more points with Anthony Doherty, Padraig Doherty with two, and James Monagle raising white flags, as Naomh Padraig celebrated a deserved win on an overcast day in O’Donnell Park. 

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin scorers: Caolan McColgan 1-2; Kevin Lynch 1-2, 2fs; Cormac McColgan and Rory Hirrell 0-2; Kevin Doherty, Oisin McIntyre, Dermot Keaveney, and Johnny Toye 0-1 each. 

O’Callaghan (both 39); Richie Cunningham for Feargal Doherty (45); Cathal Doherty for Cian Doherty (52); 

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin: Oran McCauley; Cormac Kelly, Caolan Harkin, Darragh McIntyre; Michael McCarron, Jonathan Toye, Jason McCallion; Eunan Mullan, Cormac McColgan; Oisin McIntyre, Kevin Doherty, Rory Hirrell; Joe McCauley, Kevin Lynch, Caolan McColgan. Subs: Drew McKinney for Mullan (13); Ronan Hoy for McCauley (41); Dermot Keaveney for Kevin Doherty (55); Andrew McCarron for Caolan McColgan (60). 

by thesaffrongael

Naomh Comhghall face difficult opener

Ulster Club JFC Quarter-Final

Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin v Naomh Comhghall Antrim

O’Donnell Park Letterkenny- Saturday 2-30pm

Antrim champions, Naomh Comhghall face a difficult opener when they travel to O’Donnell Park, Letterkeny on Saturday to face Donegal champions Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin in the quarter-final of the Ulster Junior Football club championship.

The Inishowen men were mighty impressive in their win over Inishowen neighbours, Carndonagh in the Donegal final at Saturday’s venue, running out 2-12 to 0-8 winners to claim their first Junior title since 2016.

The Antrim town side will travel to Letterkenny with confidence however having enjoyed their best season for some time where they recorded a division 3 league and Junior Championship double.

Naomh Comhghall appointed Barry Burns as manager at the start of the 2024 campaign and under the guidance of the St. Paul’s man they have went through their league campaign with maximum points and carried that 100% record through their championship winning campaign.

Naomh Comhghall finished 8 points clear of Laochra Loch Lao in division 3 of the ACFL and carried that fine form into the championship where they recorded resounding wins over Eire Og, St. Malachy’s and Wolfe Tones before going on to defeat Pearses by 8 points in the semi-final.

St. Agnes had been setting the pace in Group 2 of the qualifiers and had 8 points to spare in their semi-final win over St. Malachy’s and were expected to provide St. Comgall’s with a stiff challenge in the final.

Antrim champions, Naomh Comhghall will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run when they travel to Letterkenny to face Donegal Champions, Naomh Padraig

A prolonged hail shower created pools of water on the surface prior to throw-in at St. Enda’s and both sides were forced to try their upmost to adapt.

St Comgall’s dealt with the elements better and survived a late scare to lift the Antrim Junior Football Championship, defeating St Agnes 0-09-1-03 on a wintry Saturday afternoon in Hightown.

Pre-game favourites St Comgall’s hit the front after Tom Patchett’s free dropped short,  Miles Devine gathered and laid the ball to Patrick O’Connor to drop his shot over the bar.

St Agnes had one sole attempt on target in the opening half, though Ronan Carroll kicked his free wide.

It took Comgall’s until the 18th minute to double their advantage in the form of a Miles Devine point and he would double his individual tally moments later after exchanging passes with Ryan Clarke and bending his shot inside the posts.

Devine added a converted free before the break as his side were 0-04-0-00 ahead at the interval.

St Comgall’s extended their lead with three converted frees inside of the first six minutes of the second half.

Tom Patchett’s trusty left foot guided the first two over with Ryan Clarke kicking the other from close-range.

It took St. Agnes 47 minutes to register their first score but the Antrim Town men seemed to lose their way at this stage and had a man dismissed following a second yellow card

St Agnes’ took advantage of their numerical advantage from the resulting free that Colin Clarke floated into the rectangle and substitute Patrick Mulgrew’s fisted attempt saw the ball tail through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.

Naomh Comhghall held on to claim their first title in three years and will hope for a better surface on Saturday as they aim to get back to the form that has made them a formidable opponent this season.

Naomh Comhghall manager, Barry Burns

Barry Burns Interview

In the lead up to Saturday’s Ulster Junior Club championship meeting between St. Patrick’s of Donegal and Naomh Comhghall, Paddy McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael speaks to Naomh Comhghall manager, Barry Burns.

The St. Paul’s club man has transformed the Antrim town club since his appointment at the start of this year and Naomh Comhghall are unbeaten in League and championship as they recorded a famous League-Championship double this term.

Saffron Gael: Barry you have brought about a remarkable improvement in Naomh Comhghall this season culminating in a Division 3-JFC double. What do you put that improvement down to.

Barry Burns: The buy in from everyone, the players and people around the club too, the effort and commitment to train and develop was incredible from the start.

Saffron Gael: The last time Naomh Comhghall won the Junior Championship, they defeated Rasharkin in the final. I travelled to Clones on a Saturday night for the game against the Cavan Champions and was disappointed with the performance with Naomh Comhghall suffering a bad defeat. How confident are you that they can win Saturday’s game?

Barry: Hopefully they have learned a lot from that game but this is a different team from then with a different mind-set. We will give it everything and we hope that we can go and give a good performance, and if we play to our best you never know what can happen.

Saffron Gael: Who are the players within the Naomh Comhghall ranks who have been responsible for you success this season and can be leaders in Letterkenny on Saturday?

Barry: All of them, they have been pushing each other in every session. Some lads have come back after a few years away, and have performed like they have never been away.

Saffron Gael: What do you know about Saturday’s opponents and who are the players that you will have to keep an eye on if you are to overcome the challenge of the Donegal champions?

Barry: We have watched the county final and they are a serious team with a lot of talented players. We have good players too and we know what we need to do come Saturday, The boys just need to enjoy the game and play with no pressure and have fun doing it and see where that takes us.

Saffron Gael: Barry, tell me how the preparations have gone since the county final. Have you a clean bill of health.

Barry: Training is going well, the club have been very supportive in getting us the facilities to be ready. There is a good buzz about the club and town, and hopefully we’ll get a good support up with us in Letterkenny. Everyone is looking forward to the game and hopefully it goes our way.

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy book their place in the semi-final

U21 B Football Championship

 Sarsfields 0-7 Dunloy 2-14

Dunloy booked their place in the under 21B semi-final with an impressive win away to Sarsfields on Sunday afternoon. With both teams getting to grips with the conditions, the early stages were tight as they traded scores.

The decisive moment of the first half though came on 15 minutes when Ben O’Kane won a Sarsfield’s kick out and fed Oisin McCamphill who made no mistake finishing to the net. Following the goal Dunloy were able to gain a bit of momentum in attack and started to pick off some impressive scores. Sarsfields replied with two points of their own just before the half time whistle to leave it all to play for in the second half.

Half time score Sarsfields 0-4 Dunloy 1-6.

The second half started as the first half finished with Sarsfields fighting their way back into the game and scoring a point in their first attack. They pressed Dunloy in their own half however the Cuchullains defence stood strong and were able to eventually break out and score a point of their own.

They traded further scores but Sarsfields were unable to close the gap and with time against them it was starting to seem a difficult task. With 10 minutes remaining the result was put beyond doubt when Francis McMullan broke through the Sarsfields defence and finished emphatically to the net. Dunloy finished strongly to claim the victory in an entertaining game at the Bear Pit.

Dunloy will now travel to Whitehill next Sunday to face Tir na nog in the first of the U21 B semi-finals while Kickham’s |Creggan host Lamh Dhearg in the other semi-final.

In the U21A semi-finals St. John’s make the relatively short trip to Milltown Row where they will face St. Gall’s while Glenravel entertain Aghagallon in the other semi-final.

All games are scheduled for a 12-00 Noon throw-in.

by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg hold on to earn a place in the semis

Under-21 B Football Championship (Quarter final)

Tir na nOg 3-06 Casement’s 2-07 —at Whitehill

Tir na nOg defied miserable conditions and a late comeback from their visitors Casement’s to earn a place in the next phase of the under-21 B championship on a sodden Whitehill pitch on Sunday.

The home side looked on their merry way into the semi-finals at the break with a 2-05 to 1-02 advantage at the end of the opening period as they asked questions aplenty of their visitors.

Caolan Smith had found the net for the home side early in the game and the full forward over turned a short kick out in the latter stages of the opening period to return to the net to give his side a six point interval advantage.

Portglenone, faced a stern breeze in the first period but found the back of the home side’s net in the closing stages as Sean Burns finished soccer style on the greasy surface which paid dividends.

Casement’s having played second fiddle to their hosts for much of the opening period despite positive performances from Ryan Mc Allister, Ciaran McAleese, and Brian McKeever came back strongly with the breeze at their backs and Sean Byrne raised white in the opening phase with Ciaran McAleese adding another a few minutes later.

Casements continued to ask questions as the second half progressed but several chances were off target and when Caolan Smith was sent away by mid-fielder Pat Higgins to find the net the home side looked on the way to victory.

Casement’s were not about the accept what looked inevitable and continued to take the game to their opponents as they tested Tir na nOg’s net minder on a couple of occasions but Levi Thumann proved up to the task.

As the game moved into the final stages the visitors continued to press forward with wing half back Brian McKeever leading the charge.

The fame haired wing half back set up Conor McCann to deliver between the posts in the 59th minute to keep them within touching distance.

Questions were being asked of the home side and Portglenone’s James McAleese made a strong approach to finish stylishly to the back of the net at the eleventh hour to reduce the deficit to a couple of points but it was close as they got as the Whitehill side held on for victory and a place in the semi-final.

Tir na nOg: Levi Thumann, D Martin, B Devlin, O Loughran, S Gault, T Bonnes, P Higgins (0-01), Josh Higgins, C Mc Camphill, A O’ Donnell (0-02), C Mc Kenna (0-01), S Martin, C Smith (3-03), E Maguire

Casement’s: F O’ Connell, M Mc Garry, F Mc Cormick, C Mc Aleese, B Mc Keever, O Mc Auley, R Mc Allister, James Mc Aleese (1-00), Sean Burns (1-03), P Murray, C Mc Aleese (0-01), Ciaran Mc Aleese (0-03), C Mc Cann (0-01)

Referee: D Mc Keown (St Gall’s)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/pMHbco5A8WzoPr/?invite=3c5c51fb-e635-40f0-9c2c-f3b8ec49b6ab

by thesaffrongael

Gaels prevail in photo finish

Under 21 Football Championship – Quarter final

Con Magees Gaels 2-07 Cargin 0-11

Con Magees Gaels got over the line in this tough battle despite a final furlong flourish from rivals Cargin as they tagged on four unanswered points in the final five minutes to draw level but then yielded two scoreable frees in added time which the home team converted, much to the relief of the home support. Both teams defied the difficult playing conditions to deliver a fine brand of football with Glenravel just edging it in the end.

The Toome men opened through big full forward Eunan Quinn but that would prove to be the only time they led throughout the sixty minutes. A Shea O’Broin free followed by Cormac McKeown point  nudged the home team ahead only to be pegged back by a free from Cargin midfielder Odhrán Molloy to leave honours even after the first quarter. A superb move by the Glenravel men was finished to the net by Daire Higgins to put three between them but soon after Callum Cribbin reduced the deficit to two.  A lovely point from Fergus Donaghy extended the home team lead to three but the Toome men finished stronger with two points from Cian Scullion and Jack Harney to leave the minimum separating both teams at the break. 

Con Magee Gaels made a great start to the second half when a long speculative ball in was held by Cargin keeper Shea Laverty but the advancing posse of Glenravel players applied enough pressure and Eamon Ward got the final touch to play the ball over the line to open up a four point lead for the home team. Scores from Jack Harney and Odhrán Molloy were cancelled by Colla Ward and Daire Higgins to maintain the Glenravel four point lead with ten minutes remaining.  At this stage Cargin needed to go for broke and that started with a lovely point from keeper Shea Laverty who advanced upfield on numerous occasions aka Rory Beggan. That inspirational point spawned three further scores from Tom Shivers, Eunan Quinn and Odhran Molloy to level the game as we entered added time. But in the end Con Magee Gaels benefitted from indiscipline in the Cargin defence which gifted two scoring chances which Daire Higgins gladly accepted and converted to leave two between them when the final whistle blew. 

This was a hard fought game where both sides went at it but the skill and guile of the Glenravel men won out in the end and the now advance to the semi final stages. 

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/7qTheuyWnYgKoE/?invite=b582a78e-b0f6-4922-8ee3-f04124e4e8bd