Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Antrim fell short as Sligo came strong in their 2024 meeting

February 25th 2024

 Antrim take on Sligo this Sunday in Corrigan Park in a game that looks like a ‘must win’ for both sides. Games between the two are usually close and Sunday’s is likely to be the same.

The Saffrons travelled to Markievicz Park in February 2024 with Sligo winning comfortably in the end and today the Saffron Gael looks back at the report from that game

Allianz NFL Division 3

Sligo 1-20 Antrim 1-13

Following a winning start to the season, an inexperienced Antrim suffered their second successive defeat when they travelled to Markievicz Park on Sunday and lost to a good Sligo side, led by their captain, Niall Murphy.

The Sligo number 15 scored eight points as the men in black put in their best performance of 2024 to run out seven point’s winners against a Saffron side who had performed well in the opening half.

Inspired by their own sharp shooter, Paddy McBride, the visitors led 1-9 to 1-8 at the short whistle and might well have been further ahead but were hit by a goal on the break from Cian Lally in the 26th minute.

Antrim came back from this setback to hit 0-6 on the bounce with McBride leading the way and Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill and keeper Mick Byrne moving them two in front as half time approached.

An injury time point from Daragh Cummins for the Yates County left the home side trailing 1-9 to 1-8 to the break but Antrim must have felt fairly comfortable despite facing the breeze in the second half.

Antrim rattled the home side with a scrambled goal in the seventh minute when Ronan Boyle got the final touch after a Ruairi McCann delivery – a point attempt from a mark – dropped short.

A couple of minutes earlier Sligo keeper Aidan Devaney came smartly off his line to deny Marc Jordan with his legs as the big wing half back looked certain to find the net.

Sligo, though, gradually improved and they moved a point ahead, 0-5 to 1-1, with 23 minutes played following scores from Niall Murphy, Darragh Cummins and Sean Carrabine.

Good points from Dermot McAleese and Patrick McBride put Antrim back in front, 1-3 to 0-5 before Sligo replied with a goal from Lally in the 26th minute and followed with a point from Niall Murphy that looked to have put the Connacht County in control.

Antrim responded positively as they scored six points without reply, including four from the impressive Patrick McBride, who was landing some beautiful scores, to lead 1-09 to 1-08 in first-half stoppage time.

Sligo produced a much improved second half performance to secure their third win of the campaign with Murphy leading by example as they struck through Paul Kilcoyne and Sean Carabine to take the lead in the opening minute before Paddy McBride briefly levelled the contest with his sixth of the evening.

The visitors would only add two further points however through Colm McLarnon and Niall Burns as Sligo took control and slowly began to turn the screw.

The home side grew in confidence and stature with Niall Murphy leading the way and the Sligo captain would finish the contest with 0-8 to his credit as they out-scored their opponents 0-12 to 0-3 in a dominant second half display

The hosts and the visitors had identical records coming into this fixture – two wins and one loss apiece, with Sligo victorious over Limerick in the previous round and Antrim losing to promotion favourites Down.

These sides contested successive Allianz Football League finals back in 2009 and 2010, with Sligo winning those Division Four and Division Three deciders.

Recent meetings have been close encounters – a one-point win for Sligo in 2020 and a minimum margin victory for Antrim three years ago.

Murphy, substitute Luke Towey, Eddie McGuinness and Brian Cox impressed in a strong Sligo side and this win looks to have secured their place in division 3 for another campaign.

Antrim, for whom Patrick McBride was outstanding, finished with 14 players because of a late black card for Marc Jordan and will hope to get something from next week’s visit of Westmeath as they look anxiously over their shoulders at the chasing pack.

Sligo: Aidan Devaney, Paul McNamara, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons, Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins (0-3), Nathan Mullen, Patrick O’Connor (0-3), Paul Kilcoyne, Alan McLoughlin, Donal Conlon, Cian Lally (1-0), Pat Spillane (0-1), Sean Carrabine (0-2, 1f), Niall Murphy (c) (0-8, 4f, 2 ‘mark’)

Subs used: Lee Deignan (0-1) for Pat Spillane, h-t; Luke Towey (0-2) for Donal Conlon, 46; Eoghan Smith for Alan McLoughlin, 62; Mikey Gordon for Sean Carrabine, 68; David Quinn for Cian Lally, 68

Antrim: Michael Byrne (0-1, 1f), Ronan Boyle, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, Marc Jordan, Joseph Finnegan, Dermot McAleese (c) (0-1), Colm McLarnon (0-1), Patrick McAleer, Cormac McGettigan, Patrick McBride (0-6), Ruairi McCann (0-2, 1 ‘mark’, 1f), Declan Lynch (0-1), Niall Burns (0-1, 1f), Dominic McEnhill

Subs used: Eoghan McCabe for Kavan Keenan, 39; Eoin Hynes for Cormac McGettigan, 45; Conor Hand for Dominic McEnhill, 53; Ryan McQuillan for Patrick McAleer, 63; Jack Dowling for Colm McLarnon, 63

Referee: Margaret Farrelly (Cavan)

by thesaffrongael

All Saints get their division 1 campaign off to a winning start

ACFL Division 1

All Saints 4-13 St. John’s 0-14

All Saints got their division 1 campaign off to a winning start when they proved too good for St. John’s in an entertaining, high scoring thriller at Quinn Park on Wednesday night.

Both sides were missing key players for this, the opening game of the Antrim leagues with the Whiterock men the worst affected but perhaps All Saints involvement in the recent Ulster club league gave them the edge under the new rules which were being implemented for the first time in club football within the county.

The Ballymena side survived an early scare before taking the lead through the excellent Benny McDonnell with a goal in the third minute and Sean McVeigh followed with a point before Paddy McAleer followed with a second major with only seven minutes gone.

Odhran Quinn, who had an excellent game for St. Johns moves clear of Michael Read, All Saints

The home side were moving the ball at speed with Ciaran Campbell directing matters around mid-field and their strong running was causing major problems for the opposition who opened their account through the excellent Odhran Quinn with a point in the 9th minute.

Quinn’s point briefly interrupted the All Saints onslaught but they made an immediate response with Sean O’Callaghan finishing another defence splitting move to the net for goal number three.

The visitors looked in trouble but they slowly began to get their game together with Conal McGlade firing over a two pointer off the ground and Odhran Quinn adding a point from play before McGlade raised his second Orange flag of the evening.

The All Saints goals had dried up at this stage but they continued to rack up points with Sean O’Callaghan and Michael McCarry 0-3 (2 frees) bringing their total to 3-6 at the break and an improving St. John’s increasing their total to 0-7 with McGlade and Quinn leading the way.

McCarry increased the All Saints lead to 10 in the opening 8 minutes of the second half but St. John’s were beginning to enjoy a wee bit of success with Ronan Quinn and a couple from Odhran Quinn closing the gap to six by the 13th minute.

Quinn struck another excellent effort to leave just five between the sides and the Ballymena men looked in a bit of bother for the first time but they responded through Benny McDonnell and ‘Gooch’ McCarry before a long delivery from the lively McDonnell travelled all the way to the Johnnies net with 8 minutes remaining.

Michael McCarry fires over an All Saints point

Those scores settled the issue with McCarry and Connell Lemon 0-2 concluding the All Saints scoring and the superb Quinn and Odhran McAuley replying with consolation scores for the visitors.

Early days but Baker Bradley and his management team should be well pleased with their side’s performance and those earlier Ulster league outings certainly seemed to have helped their preparations for the new rules.

For an under strength St. John’s it was a case of learning on the job and they certainly improved as the game progressed and they will be happy with the performances of a number of their youngsters with Odhran Quinn one to watch in the season ahead.

Finally a word on referee, Colm McDonnell who did an excellent job in implementing the new rules and the St. Gall’s official took time to explain decisions when questions were asked.

All Saints:  Conor Brennan,  Michael Read,  Cal O’Brien,  James Gillan,  Charlie Metrustry,  Sean McDermott,  Rian Tom,  Peter McReynolds,  Peter McNicholl,  Connell Lemon,  Michael McCarry,  Brendan McDonnell,  Ciaran Campbell,  Sean McVeigh,  Paddy McAleer.

Subs: Sean McDermott for Sean O’Callaghan HT, Harry Connon for Brendan McDonnell

St. John’s:  Rua Lambert,  Michael Darragh,  Ronan Quinn,  Odhran McAuley,  Ross Hannigan,  Luke Peden,  Daire King,  Ronan Donnelly,  Ryan McNulty,  Conor McEvoy,  Conal McGlade,  Daragh McGuinness,  Conall Quinn,  Aaron Bradley,  Odhran Quinn

Subs: Fintan McKinney, Fionn Thompson, Diarmuid Brecknell, Odhran Carleton.

Referee: Colm McDonnell (St. Gall’s)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/7qHwjZaH5abYxx

by thesaffrongael

Football League gets underway on Wednesday night

 Fixtures and Previews (Wed 12th and Sat 15th March)

A new season on the way and the opening round is scheduled for Wednesday evening when All Saints will play hosts to the men from Corrigan when St Johns take the road down to the South West while the remainder of the opening phase is on Saturday afternoon 15th March

Wed 12TH March (8.00pm)

All Saint’s Ballymena v St John’s

The opening game in the league programme 2025 looks to be one to watch as Liam Bradley’s men welcome St John’s to Ballymena and this one is likely attract a good attendance to the Ballymena venue.

The Ballymena side have enjoyed a good run in the Ulster Club league, played over the winter period but are likely to be short quite a number for Wednesday night’s fixture.

All Saints have a strong panel and it is likely to be severely tested by the Whiterock side but ground advantage may well nudge the home side to victory.

Saturday 15th March (all games 4.00pm

St James Aldergrove v Casements Portglenone

Aldergrove struggled for results last term but they can be relied upon to get it together on their own Crumlin sward and they will look for such positivity as they play hosts to Portglenone in this opening day contest with John Morrison and Bill Geoghan installed in the management role.

Casement’s have mixed it with the best in the recent past and with John McKeever assisted by Tony Convery, Scotchy Hagen, and Tommy Hagen on the sideline and Glen star Emmett Bradley lending a hand in training they will hope to be in the mix for honours.

The home side will give it everything and although the Portglenone men will start as favourites they may well be asked questions by the Crumlin men.

Lamh Dhearg v Tir na nOg

Lamh Dhearg are never far away in the race for honours, especially at Hannahstown and they will start this opener as favourites as the Randalstown based Tir na nOg visit.

Tir na nOg retained the services of Aodhan Jackman as trainer and the former Fermanagh man has brought improvement within the ranks of the Whitehill side.

Lamh Dhearg will start as favourites and ground advantage may aid them to victory but Tir na nOg could ask questions to the home side.

St Paul’s v Kickham’s Creggan

It’s been a while since St Paul’s last played in the top grade after languishing in division 2 for a time and they will be hoping to retain their recently acquired division 1 status.

The Shaw’s Road club have reaped the rewards from their work in the juvenile ranks and this is a red letter day for them as they play hosts to Creggan in a top division affair.

Creggan have retained the services of Joe Cassidy and the Kickham’s men will be in the hunt for the big prizes again and they will travel up to the city in search of victory and although the home side will give it a lash, a win for the visitors looks likely.

St Brigid’s v Con Magee’s Glenravel

St Brigid’s collected theior first senior league title last term and they will be striving to retain it again this term with an eye also on the championship as they await the arrival of Con Magees for their first outing in league fare 2025.

The Con Magee’s have regained senior status in the recent past and will strive to retain it but this trip to Belfast looks like a tough assignment and although the South West men will most certainly give it everything, a home win looks the most likely return.

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Marys Aghagallon

Dunloy are back in the top grade and although the dual club will possibly find the going tough but they will give it their all with Aghagallon asking the questions in this opening fixture.

St Mary’s did prove a trifle unpredictable last term but they are certainly not lacking in man power or ability and they are more than capable of standing toe to toe with the best.

Dunloy are more than capable of mixing it with the best in the top grade and although their visitors in this one will ask questions the Cuchullian’s may well provide the answers.

St Mary’s Ahoghill v Erin’s Own Cargin

St Mary’s Ahoghill have appointed Eamon Brady in the management role this term after Chris McGlone decided to stand down and the new man in charge faces a tough ask in his first challenge as the reigning county champions visit Clooney in round one.

Cargin have retained the services of Ronan Devlin in the management role with Fabian Muldoon and Kevin Doyle making up the management team.

Cargin have already seen action in ‘friendlies’ and in O’ Cahan Cup with more than a few of their youngsters seeing action and some are certain to make debuts in the upcoming season.

A win for the visitors is probable in this one but Eamon Brady’s men will provide a test for the Toome men.

by thesaffrongael

Gaoth Dobhair prove too strong for under strength All Saints

Ulster League Semi-Final

All Saints 1-8 Ghaoth Dobhair 6-10

An understrength All Saints made the journey to County Donegal today for the semi-final of the Senior Ulster League, hoping to secure a spot in the final.

Despite the beautiful sunny conditions, it was a tough day on the field, as the team faced a formidable opponent and ultimately fell to a heavy defeat. From the outset, the opposition applied intense pressure, making it difficult for All Saints to find their rhythm.

The visitors did take the lead through an early Michael McCarry point into the stiff breeze and there were moments of promise and determination from the team but the opposition proved too strong, capitalizing on key opportunities to extend their lead.

All Saints Sean McVeigh gets out in front of Nease McBride of Gaoth Dobhair

Three goals in a six minute period killed the game as a contest with David McLaughlin, Steven McFadden from a rather soft penalty and Eoin De Burca applying the finish.

Benny McDonnell got the All Saints goal and he and Michael McCarry kicked the majority of the visitor’s points.

Although the result didn’t go the way of the visitors, the team showed resilience and commitment throughout. This experience will serve as valuable motivation going forward, as All Saints look to regroup and come back stronger for Wednesday night’s opening division 1 league meeting with St. John’s.

It has been a useful Ulster league campaign for the Ballymena side with four wins on the bounce leading up to today’s semi-final and it should stand them in good stead as they go into their forthcoming season in Antrim.

Gaoth Dobhair now go forward to meet Burren of Down in next Sunday’s final and the Ballymena side wish them all the best and thank them for the hospitality and warm welcome they received on therir first visit to this part of Donegal.

Ciaran Campbell who fought hard to get his side going in Donegal on Sunday

TO VIEW PADDY’S ALBUM FROM TODAY’S GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/e4njighzD4dPQp

by thesaffrongael

Cargin remain on the trail of the O’ Cahan Cup

O’Cahan Cup Qtr Final

Cargin 3-10 All Saints 1-07

Cargin remain on the trail of the O’ Cahan cup when the defied conditions on a slippery Toome sod to gain victory over the visiting All Saint’s at a damp and cold Toome venue on Friday evening.

Both sides with eyes firmly fixed on the start of the All County League to commence next week,fielded weakened teams but those on the field of play gave their all in combat with a quick getaway and a couple of early goals helping the Toome men to ultimate victory and a place in the next round.

The heavy rain which had fallen for a period before the ‘throw in’ had ceased as matters got underway but had left a wet slippery surface in its wake as match referee Richard Leahy launched the leather to get the show on the road.

The home side were first away in the contest with Patrick O’ Neill and Jack Harney, a couple of the youth in place in the Cargin squad had points apiece in the opening couple of minutes before Ben McLernon found the back of the net. A cute delivery from corner man PJ Quinn opened the door for the advancing wing back to finish in style and ensure a 1-02 to 0-00 advantage with only a few minutes on the clock.

All Saints did try to follow suit but although they were to grab a goal via full forward Ruairi McVeigh that major did not arrive until the 22nd minute after their hosts had increased advantage adding a goal from the impressive Jack O’ Neill who was outstanding throughout.

The minor star added a two pointer as well as the visitors proved wayward in their finishing and as the end of the first period drew near a point for the home side’s Jack Harney and the visitors Conon Mc Keown’s two pointer saw the home side enter the break with a 2-07 to 1-02 advantage.

The drizzle which had persisted in the opening period had moved away as the second period commenced and after both corner forwards Ciaran McQuillan and Michael Connolly raised whites apiece for the visitors a pin point delivery from Cargin’s Marty Kane sent Enda McGrogan in for a goal.

The Toome men had certainly gone well beyond recall at this point but the visitors kept battling and added a couple of white points in the latter stages with Fionn Connon and Archie Mc Greevey on target and Ruairi Mc Veigh following suit but late points by Shea Laverty (2) and Ryan O’ Neill saw the home side safely home and into the next round.

Cargin: Shea Laverty (2) Niall Quinn, Sean Og Quinn, Ben McLarnon (1-00), Jack 0’ Neill (1-01)’Jack Harney (1-02), Marty Kane, Cian Scullion, Fiontan O’ Donnell, Enda McGrogan (1-01), Patrick O’ Neill (0-02), PJ Quinn, Diarmuid Quinn, Ryan O’ Neill.

Subs

Patrick Graham, Tom McCann, Eamon Laverty

All Saints: Jason Givens, Matthew Walls, Ciaran O’Rawe, Archie Mc Greevey, Harry Connon (0-02), Joe Rafferty (1-00), Conon Mc Keown (0.02 ), Paul O’ Boyle, Ryan Laverty, Oisin Connelly, Matthew Downey, Michael Connolly (0-01), Rory Mv Veigh (1-02), Ciaran McQuillan |(0-01).

Referee R Leahy (St Comgall’s)

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