Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Cargin off to a winning start

ACFL Division One

St Mary’s Ahoghill 1-13 Erin’s Own Cargin 5-18

Reigning county senior champions, Cargin got their league programme off to a positive start when the travelled to Clooney on Saturday evening and returned with a win over St Mary’s Ahoghill.

Ahoghill, now under the guidance of Eamon Brady gave their hosts problems in the opening period and a Ronan Graham goal had closed the gap at one stage but with big Pat Shivers causing problems, the visitors had nipped away to a clear lead at the end of the first period.

The Toome men attacked from the start and a trio of whites raised by the impressive Shivers, Michael Mc Cann and his brother Tomas ensured a good getaway for the visitors.

Tomas Mc Cann nipped in to find the net following a fine Gerard McCann fetch in the 9th minute and Pat Shivers finished to the net after being placed by Michael Mc Cann.

The home side had four points on the board at this stage after both Ronan Graham and James 0’Connell had collected two pointers apiece from back to back free kicks.

Cargin led 2-08 to 0-04 after 21 minutes but when a lofted delivery was finished to the net by Ronan Graham the home side seemed to be getting to grips with their mid-fielder, Danny O’ Neill, and James O’ Connell working hard.

Cargin had other ideas and moving the ball at pace Conan Johnston and Jamie Gribbin combined to open the way for Tom Shivers to add another goal with Pat Shivers following with a point.

Cargin had regained control and Gerard McCann and Tomas McCann combined in stylish approach to open the way for the latter to find the back of the net and ensure a 4-10 to 1-09 interval advantage.

The visitor’s started the second half as they had finished the first with Tomas McCann and Jamie Gribbin raising early white flags.

The Toome men were well on top and Sean Og Quinn and Ronan Gribbin combined to set up Gerard McCann to point before creating the space for Tom Shivers to add a second major.

The visitors had grabbed a firm grip on proceedings as the second period progressed with Ronan Devlin’s men continuing to dominate as James Laverty and Harry O’ Donnell swapped points at either end.

The Gribbin brothers Jamie and Callum added points for the visitors in the latter stages with Neil O’ Connell having the last say with a late point with Cargin breasting the line, first league points secured at 5-18 to 1-13.

Ahoghill: Aodhan Graham, Shea Neeson, Past Dougan, Seamus Mc keever, Fionbar O’ Neill, Diarmuid Graham, Harry O’ Donnell (0-01), James Magee, Ronan Graham (1-04*), Colla Mc Donnell, James O’ Connell (0-04**), Danny O’ Neill (0-01), Neil O’ Connell (0-01), Conor Crossey

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin O’ Boyle, Conan Johnston (0-01), Ronan Gribbin, Benen Kelly (0-01), James Laverty (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Cann (0-02), John Carron, Tom Shivers (2-02), Jamie Gribbin (0-03), Tomas Mc Cann (1-04), Pat Shivers (1-05), Michael Mc Cann (0-01)

Subs

Callum Gribbin (0-02)

Charlie Mc Cann

Jack Harney

Referee Ray Matthews (Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Division 4 looms for Antrim next season

Allianz Football League Division Three

Antrim 1-15 Sligo 1-18

Barring a miracle Antrim will be playing their football in division 4 next season following defeat to Sligo in this ‘4 pointer’ at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

The Yeats county went into this game trailing Antrim by a point but knowing that a win would almost certainly guarantee them survival, with one game remaining it seems they have achieved what they came to Belfast for.

After a poor start to the season Sligo have found their form at the right time to claw themselves away from the drop zone and just need a draw at home to Leitrim next week.

The visitors dominated the opening half with Antrim badly of the pace and for long periods the Saffrons couldn’t get their hands on the ball while Sligo were excellent on the press and moved the ball at pace.

They looked to be coasting to victory when they led by 1-11 to 0-6 at the break but a couple of half time changes and a much more positive approach saw the home side stage a strong second half comeback.

Sligo opened the scoring as Alan Reilly finished a patient build-up and the Yeatsmen continued to control the early stages as Alan McLoughlin and Niall Murphy (free) added scores.

It took Antrim 9 minutes to get off the mark when goalkeeper Michael Byrne kicked the first of his three 45s in the opening half before Ryan McQuillan thumped over from play.

However, Sligo were dictating terms with five of the next six points including one a Niall Murphy free that came as a result of Antrim having just two players in the other half of the field.

Antrim were just not at the races as pass after pass went astray and this allowed Sligo to get on the front foot and as the half continued to tick along, the lead continued to increase with Alan McLoughlin and Reilly leading the way.

A fine score from Antrim’s Eunann Walsh who began the move in his own half hinted at better to come for the hosts, but the goal that seemed to be coming duly arrived with two minutes of the half remaining as the Antrim defence seemed to switch off, allowing Sligo all the time to work open a tap-in for Luke Towey.

Patrick O’Connor then saw a shot tipped over in added time as Sligo held a commanding 1-11 to 0-6 lead at the break and Antrim were probably relieved to get to the shelter of the dressing rooms and regroup.

Antrim made two changes for start of the second half with Ruairi McCann and Dominic McEnhill replacing Conor Stewart and Conor Johnston and it brought about an immediate improvement as they posted 1-4 without reply in the third quarter.

Half-time sub, Dominic McEnhill grabbed 1-1, his goal coming with 50 minutes played as he finished a flowing move that began with Conor Hand’s run at goal, while the Saffrons felt they could have had an earlier goal but Eunan Walsh was penalised for over carrying after a surging run saw him finish from close range.

Dominic McEnhill celebrates after scoring Antrim’s goal in the second half.

Just when it looked that things were now very much in the hands of Andy McEntee’s side, Sligo rattled off the next three points through Spillane, McLoughlin and Muphy before Ryan McQuillan pulled one back and the teams then swapped two-point frees through Murphy and Byrne.

A Ronan Boyle score left two in it again as the Saffron support started to find their voice, but that two-pointer from McLoughlin gave Sligo a cushion, before Eoghan McCabe pointed for the hosts to leave a goal in it.

Antrim were chasing that second major, but it wouldn’t come as Sligo held firm to leapfrog Antrim in the table ahead of next week’s final round where they host Leitrim and Antrim head to Kildare.

A point against Leitrim would be enough for Sligo, even if Antrim were to win in Newbridge but the Yeats men are likely to win that one comfortably to leave Antrim playing their football in division 4 next season.

Antrim scorers: M Byrne 0-6 (1x2pf, 3x45s, 1f), D McEnhill 1-1, R McQuillan 0-3, C Johnston 0-1, E Walsh 0-1, P McBride 0-1 (1f), R Boyle 0-1, E McCabe 0-1.

Sligo scorers: A McLoughlin 0-6 (1x2pf, 1f), N Murphy 0-5 (1x2pf, 2f),  A Reilly 0-3, L Towey 1-0, P Spillane 0-2, C Lally 0-1, P O’Connor 0-1

Antrim: M Byrne; E McCabe, E Walsh, K Keenan; J Finnegan, J Lenehan, D McAleese; C Stewart, E Quinn; P McBride, N Bu

Nagle; C Hand, C Johnston, R McQuillan. 

Subs: R Boyle for J Finnegan (23, head injury), D McEnhill for C Stewart  (HT), R McCann for C Johnston (HT), P Finnegan for P McBride (61), R Murray for E Quinn (66)

Sligo: D Lyons; E Lyons, E McGuinness, P McNamara; B Cox, D Cummins, L Towey; C Mulligan, P O’Connor; C Lally, D Quinn, A Reilly; A McLoughlin, N Murphy, P Spillane. 

Subs: R Doherty for A Reilly (38), N Mullen for L Towey (51), S Deignan for P Spillane (52), PKilcioyne for C Lally (68), M Gordon for P O’Connor (70+2)

Referee: N Mooney (Cavan)

Eunan Walsh raises his arm in celebration after firing the ball to the Sligo net. However the celebrations were short lived as the match rereree ruled out the score for overcarrying.

TO VIEW MORE PIS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW

CURLY’S PICS

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PADDY’S PICS

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by thesaffrongael

Lámhs edge to opening day victory 

O’Neills ACFL Division 1 

Lámh Dhearg 3-14-2-14 Tir na nÓg 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Lámh Dhearg got their league season off to a winning start with a 3-14-2-14 win over Tir na nÓg at Hannahstown on Saturday afternoon. 

The visitors got off to the perfect start and were ahead through a two-pointer from Alex O’Donnell, with Terry McCrudden replying from a forward mark. 

Tir na nÓog extended their advantage with Joshua Higgins and Darragh Fagan on hand to pop over scores. 

Midway through the half, Lámh Dhearg drew level when captain Terry McCrudden was played through after a neat exchange of passes and he slotted low to the net to level at 1-01-0-04. 

The Red hands led for the first time through a fine Donal Martin point and doubled it soon after through Conor Murray’s opening score of the afternoon. 

Parity was restored momentarily when Aaron McNeilly kicked his sides second two-pointer of the half, but Lámh Dhearg found the net for the second time in response. 

Eoin Matassa collected the resulting kick-out and opted for a long ball into the forward line and Ryan Diamond peeled into a dangerous position, took a short pass from Adam Murray and shot low into the corner of the net. 

McNeilly clipped over his second score of the half as Lámh Dhearg held a slender 2-03-0-07 lead at the midway point. 

Lámh Dhearg began the second half in the ascendancy with Adam Murray popping over and they found the net shortly after when Conor Murray forced a turnover and play was switched into the path of McCrudden to double his goal-tally for the afternoon and make it 3-04-0-07. 

Conor Murray shot over his second of the afternoon but Tir na nÓg were gifted a route back into the game after a foot-block was penalised by referee Collie Thompson and Darragh Fagan confidently slotted home from the spot. 

Points were traded in the aftermath by Adam Murray and McNeilly but Lámh Dhearg pulled clear when Murray and substitute Evan Stanley hit back-to-back scores, Murray then shot over from the edge of the arc to land his sides only two-pointer of proceedings and would shoot over his fifth of the game shortly afterwards to give his side a 3-11-1-08 lead.

Tir na nÓg weren’t deterred however and chipped away at the hosts. Aaron McNeilly landed his fourth score and midfielder Ciaran O’Neill guided a shot between the posts. 

Then on the 47th minute Darragh Fagan netted for the second time when he fisted a floated sideline ball to the net at the near post to make it 3-11–2-10. 

A third goal was almost forthcoming, though Ciaran O’Neill shot straight at John Finucane in the Lámhs goal and after defence turned to attack, Conor Murray eased some of the pressure with his third point of the afternoon. 

Darragh Fegan steered an angled shot between the posts but back-to-back converted Murray frees had the hosts 3-14-2-11 ahead going down the home straight. 

Aaron McNeilly kicked his sides third two-pointer and Fegan added another point to reduce arrears to three on the stroke of regulation time. 

The Lámhs saw the game out thereafter to make a winning start to the campaign ahead of a difficult trip to Toome next weekend, whilst Tir na nÓg will hope to get their first points on the board when they host Aldergrove. 

Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, R Murray, P Mervyn, M McGarry, D Smyth, D Lynch, E Matassa, C Boyd, P Fitsimons, D Murray, C Murray (0-5, 0-2f), R Diamond (1-0), D Martin (0-1), T McCrudden (2-1,0-1f), A Murray (0-6). Subs: N McGarry for R Diamond (40), E Stanley (0-1) for D Murray (40), S McCarthy for P Mervyn (52). 

Tir na nÓg: SP McAtamney, S McKeown, C McGrellis, D Mallon, P McCloskey, B McLarnon, C Logan, C O’Neill (0-1), R O’Neill, C McCamphill, J Higgins (0-1), A McNeilly (0-7), C Smith, D Fagan (2-3, 1-0p), A O’Donnell (0-2). Subs:  M Smith for C McCamphill (HT), D McLarnon for A O’Donnell (39), B Devlin for D Mallon (52). 

Referee: Collie Thompson (Naomh Eoin)

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half display sees St. Gall’s romp home

O’Neills ACFL Division 1

St Gall’s 1-18 O’Donovan Rossa 0-8

St. Gall’s proved too good for Rossa in this opening round ACFL Division 1 fixture thanks to a dominant second half display at Milltown Row on Saturday.

There wasn’t a lot between the sides in an evenly balanced opening half but St. Gall’s pulled away after the break with Barra McCaffrey and Daniel Quinn in top scoring form for the home side.

McCaffrey and Quinn kicked seven points apiece for Terry O’Neill’s side which led by two at the break but completely took over for the remainder as they got their year off to an excellent start.

Of course, a lot of the pre-match debate surrounded the new rules which most were getting to view in a club environment for the first time.

Played under the new rules, decisions came in for some debate but for the best part of the game referee got it right and the rules were adhered to in the right spirit and we were entertained to some fine passages of football.

It was St. Gall’s who were first on the score board and long ball contributed to the opening score as Niall O’Neill got up to fetch and thumped over. 

Corey Walsh hit back for Rossa as the game was played at a good pace with plenty of attacking intent, but without chances going a begging early on.

Conor Stinton restored the home side’s lead as Daniel Quinn kicked a free after nine minutes with Rossa’s Darren Grego sin-binned for a black card, while Barra McCaffrey added another free from the opposite side.

The visitors were coing well with the 14 men as Conall McDonald kicked the first two pointer of the evening and he followed from another two frees to help his side into the lead as Grego returned to the action.

St Gall’s replied through Quinn who t kicked a two-point free of his own, but McDonald responded from a free and play – the first a punishment for St Gall’s having just two players in the opposite half – but the hosts took a 0-9 to 0-7 lead into the half from a McCaffrey (free) and a late Michael Hopkins point

It was St. Gall’s who took control as the second half got under way. And they opened their account in a matter of seconds with McCaffrey on target and he added another two – one a free – before he was denied a goal by Noall Crossan and from Daniel Quinn’s rebound, Gavin McGrath did well to get back and clear his line.

St Gall’s were now controlling matters around the middle and just appeared to be quicker and sharper to the breaks as they remained on the front foot as Quinn kicked three of his own – two frees – with Rossa again down to 14 from the 40th minute as Adam Devlin saw black for a pull down.

Callum Walsh added a point before St Gall’s got the goal they had been threatening as Ruairi Wilson got up field and blasted past Niall Crossan with seven minutes remaining.
Rossa finally opened their second half account when Corey Walsh sending over, but it was their first and last as the impressive McCaffrey had the final say at the other end to cap an impressive win for St Gall’s.

St. Gall’s: N McCurdy; J McCaffrey, G Mac Adaimh, T Keenan; R Wilson (1-0), C McGirr, C McCabe; C Stinton (0-1), C Burke; M Hopkins, D Quinn (0-7, 3f, 1x2pf), D Mac Liam; B McCaffrey (0-7, 3f), N O’Neill (0-1), C Walsh (0-1).
Subs: A McDonagh for C Stinton (47), P Murray for N O’Neill (49), C Doherty for D Mac Liam (51), C Murray for M Hopkins (55), E McCurdy for C Burke (57).

Rossa: N Crossan; F McDonald, G McGrath, C Orchin; D Grego, P Moyes, A Devlin; M McEnhill, E McMenamin; J Morris, C McDonald (0-6, 3f, 1x2pf), S Beatty; R McDonagh, D Rogan, C Walsh (0-2).
Subs: C O’Neill for D Grego (26), L McEnhill for J Morris (46), J Aughey for R McDonagh (46), M McKiernan for F McDonald (53), L Carr for N Crossan (58).

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lámh Dhearg) 

TO VIEW BERT’S PIS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon take the points at Pearse Park

ACFL Division 1

Cuchullian’s Dunloy 1-7 St. Mary’s Aghagallon 0-13

St. Mary’s Aghagallon got their 2025 league campaign off to a winning start when they defeated newly promoted Cuchullian’s Dunloy to take the points at Pearse Park on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides started cagily, with each side probing for openings but it was Dunloy who were first to score through a Charlie Cunning point in the 3rd minute.

They went 2 in front when Barry McCloskey fired over on the 6-minute mark, before Aghagallon got on the scoreboard with a long-range point from Pauric Maginnis.

Dunloy were quickly to reply as Oisin McCamphill converted a two-pointer from a free before Aghagallon replied through Maginnis, Thomas Mallon, and Johnny Hannon to level matters at 0-4 to 0-4 after 25 minutes.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Aghagallon’s Johnny Hannon holds of the challenge of Declan Smith of Dunloy during the ACFL Division meeting at Pearse Park on Saturday

Barry McCloskey’s second point of the evening put Dunloy in front with three minutes remaining to half-time, but a long delivery from mid-field broke to Johnny Hannon who fired over the equaliser from close range to make it 0-5 apiece at the break.

The second half began with Aghagallon taking advantage of the wind in their favour, as they made the early running but Johnny Hannon hit three wides before finally finding the target and Luke Mulholland came forward from goals to convert a 45-meter free to put St. Mary’s two ahead.

The visitors were enjoying the better of the exchanges and Adam Loughran added another to increase that lead to three, and it was 22 minutes before Tom McFerran finally opened Dunloy’s second-half account with a point to leave two between the sides.

Aghagallon keeper Luke Mulholland stroked a 40-meter free between the sticks for the second two-pointer of the game to make it 0-10 to 0-6 before Barry McCloskey replied at the other end, but when Hannon and Mulholland, from another free, split the posts, it looked all over.

Goal scorer, Anton McGrath breaks clear of his marker

Cuchullian’s never gave up, and Anton McGrath finished a good move with a superb goal in the 33rd minute to close the gap to three again however, Adam Shanks had the final say  with a point at the other end to conclude the scoring.

A fiercely contested game with both defences on top and Christopher Brogan, Adrian Scullion, James Scally, Declan Smith, Barry McCloskey, Anton McGrath and Oisin McCamphill best for Dunloy, while Luke Mulholland, Aidan Mulholland, Ciaran Maginnis, Pauric Maginnis, Johnny Hannon, Adam Loughran, and Pat Brannigan were in excellent form for the winners. 

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)

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