Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Clinical St. Mary’s run out convincing winners

Featured image: Patrick Dougan, who’s first half double sent St. Mary’s to a comfortable victory over Gort Na Mona

ACFL Division 2

St. Mary’s 5-12 Gort Na Mona 3-3

A clinical St. Mary’s Ahoghill disposed of the challenge of Gort Na Mona in this ACFL Division 2 clash at Cloney on Sunday. The Ahoghill side were relegated from division 1 last year and were expected to make a quick return to the higher grade but came unstuck on day one at Davitt’s.

A point separated them and their opponents on that occasion and Gort Na Mona were expected to provide another stiff challenge but in truth it never materialised as St. Mary’s put them to the sword.

Fielding the majority of the side that made the drop at the end of last season, Ahoghill set about business in a wind assisted opening half with goals from Patrick Dougan in the 2nd and 12th minutes and a 2 pointer from Ronan Graham.

Colla McDonnell (13) who scored 2 second half goals for St. Mary’s celebrates

They didn’t get it all their own way during the opening half with the Turf Lodge side hitting back with two goals of their own from Matthew McConnell and Daire Keenan at the end of the first quarter, both the result of excellent approach play.

We looked to be in for a contest but in truth that was as good as it got for the visitors and it seemed to act as a wakeup call for the home side as they began to find their range.

James O’Connell, making his return to action after a lengthy absence, replied with a point and Noel Crossey (2pt) and Donal Graham followed with a double from range before O’Connell struck his second point of the contest to leave his side 2-11 to 2-00 ahead at the break.

Given the strength of the wind the visitors would have been expected to stage a second half comeback but it never materialised as St. Mary’s put together a display of clinical possession football that continued to produce an end product.

Colla McDonnell, who had been quiet in the opening half, came to life with an opening point and the same player finished to the net in the 7th minute and followed immediately with another as the flood gates opened.

tthew mcConnell who top scored for Gort Nas Mona

The home side then put another excellent move together which culminated in Noel Crossey finishing to the net from close range with 17 minutes gone and it was as good as over.

St. Mary’s were content to hold onto the ball after that but, to their credit a youthful Gort Na Mona didn’t give up and were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot from Matthew McConnell with four minutes remaining.

The visitors finished with a point from Padraig Cournane to conclude the evening’s scoring but never really looked like mounting a serious challenge to a very gifted Ahoghill side.

The winners had fine performers in James Magee, Diarmaid Graham, Fionnbar O’Neill, Parick Dougan, Patrick Graham, Ronan Graham, Dan O’Connell, Colla McDonnell and Noel Crossey and will be delighted to have James O’Connell back in action.

Gort Na Mona were best served by Ciaran Donnelly, Padraig Cournane, Michael Savage, Ruairi O’Scollain, Matthew McConnell and Daire Keenan but on the day never really got going and are capable of much better.

Noel Crossey, scorer of Ahoghill’s 5th goal

St. Mary’s Ahoghill: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Shea Neeson, 5 Diarmaid Graham, 6 Fionnbar O’Neill, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Ronan Graham, 9 Patrick Graham, 10 Dan O’Neill, 11 Donal Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 James O’Connell

Subs: Ryan martin for Colla McDonnell, Ben Friel for James O’Connell

Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Ciaran Donnelly, 4 Padraig Cournane, 5 Sean Campbell, 6 Michael Savage, 7 Brendan Burns, 8 Conchuir Clarke, 9 Tiarnan Morton, 10 Padraic Mulvenna, 11 Ruairi O’Scollain, 12 Caoimhin Beck, 13 David McKeown, 14 Matthew McConnell, 15 Daire Keenan.

Subs: Dessie McClean, Manus McMullan, Anton Farrelly, Joseph Austin.

Referee: Eamonn McAuley (Erin’s Own)

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM TODAY’S GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/C6sXovRKBu8gpg

by thesaffrongael

St Pauls withstand Con Magee’s pressure to continue solid start 

ACFL Division 1 

St Pauls 3-13-1-14 Con Magees 

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Pól 

ST PAUL’s made it two wins from their first three league games with a hard fought 3-13-1-14 victory over 14-man Con Magee’s in an entertaining Easter Sunday clash on the Shaws Road. 

Playing a strong breeze that was blowing towards the Shaws Road the hosts made the breakthrough through Lorcan Philips two-pointed shot from range after Niall McKenna’s lay-off. 

Con Magee;s got off the mark following Rian Lennon’s free that dropped short and was helped over the bar by Sean Og O’Neill. 

Midway through the half the visitors hit the front with the games opening goal, Harry Fyfe floated a pass across the face of goal to the back post where Fergus Donaghy was primed and palmed the ball to the net. 

Their lead lasted a mere 60-seconds though as St Pauls replied with a goal of their own. Conleth O’Loan’s kick-out failed to lift in the breeze and was gobbled up by Ciaran Ó Dufaigh who in turn slipped in Caoimhin Duffy to round O’Loan and slot to the net making it 1-2-1-1. 

An angled Aidan O’Donnell free restored parity briefly before Shea Burns clipped over to restore his side’s lead and Ó Dufaigh doubled his tally from a close range free. 

The hosts made the use of their wind advantage and surged ahead with successive two-pointed scores from play courtesy of Ciaran Ó Dufaigh. 

Con Magee’s were dealt a huge blow when they were reduced to 14-men, Declan McAuley seeing the line for two bookable offences in quick succession. 

They did see the half out with a two-pointed free converted by Rian Lennon to ensure they trailed 1-8-1-4 at the interval, despite being a man down they did have the wind advantage to look forward to after the break. 

It didn’t take the visitors long to force their first two-pointed score courtesy of the breeze as an angled O’Donnell shot from outside the arc was pushed over the bar. 

St Pauls looked to have taken a huge grip on proceedings with two-goals inside of 60-seconds in the early stages of the half. 

In the 34th minute Shea Burns popped the ball across and Ciaran Ó Dufaigh touched the ball home, then James Farrell slammed home a second goal shortly afterwards to make it 3-8-1-6. 

Rian Lennon converted his second free of the afternoon and a quickfire point from Harry Fyfe was the perfect response from the visitors who would narrow the deficit further through a two-pointed Aidan O’Donnell free. 

O’Donnell added another conversion- this time a free from within the arc- nonetheless they moved to within three-points of St Pauls. 

With little under a quarter of an hour remaining O’Donnell landed his third two-pointed score of the half and second from the placed ball to ensure the bare minimum separated the sides (3-8-1-13). 

Without a score since their 35th minute strike through James Farrell, the Shaws Road side eventually conjured a much needed score through Mark Munce and a further two points followed through Caoimhin Duffy and Ó Dufaigh with a second close range free of the afternoon that gave them a four-point cushion heading into injury time. 

There was plenty of time for further drama in time added on, Con Magee’s substitute Sean Paul McKenna was denied a goal with a great block at the near post by St Pauls keeper Jack McAufield. 

McKenna fisted over to reduce arrears but back-to-back points from Lorcan Philips in the closing stages ensured his side would see the game out as St Pauls made it two wins from their first three league encounters. 

ST PAULS: J McAufield, A Kavanagh, E McGreevy, M Duffy, C Burke, C Trainor, N McKenna, J Farrell (1-0), M Munce (0-1), C Killyleagh, Conall Duffy, L Philips (0-4, 1×0-2pt), Caoimhin Duffy (1-1), S Burns (0-1), C Ó Dufaigh (1-7, 2×0-2pt, 0-2f). SUBS: C Finnegan for C Burke (330, B McMorrow for S Burns (36), C Hughes for Conall Duffy (43), D Quinn for N McKenna (56), N McStravick for C Killyleagh (56). 

CON MAGEES: C O’Loan, N Dickson, S Higgins, E McCusker, D McAuley, N Swann, R Lennon (0-3f, 1×0-2ptf), D McQuillan, C McQuillan, J Martin, A O’Donnell (0-7, 0-5f, 2×0-2pft), F Donaghy (1-0), S Og O’Neill (0-1), H Fyfe (0-1), D Higgins. SUBS: SP McKenna (0-1) for F Donaghy (51), L McQuillan for J Martin (58). 

REFEREE: Ritchie Leahy (ST ERGNAT’S, MONEYGLASS)

More photos can be found at https://myalbum.com/album/37BMbU7SYSBBCY

by thesaffrongael

Saints and Rossa can’t be separated

ACFL DIVISION 1

All Saints 1-14 Rossa 1-14

All Saints and Rossa couldn’t be separated after a titanic struggle in horrendous conditions at Slemish Park on Saturday evening.

The Ballymena side will feel that this is one that got away from them however as they led by three playing into the gale force wind in the second half but not for the first time this season, the place kicking of Mick Byrne rescued the Shaw’s Road outfit.

Playing in difficult conditions in the driving rain and with the wind at their backs it was All Saints who made the early running with Brendan McDonnell, Ciaran Campbell and McDonnell again firing them into a three point lead by the 9th minute.

Mick Byrne stepped forward to convert a 2 point free into the breeze and close the gap to one at the end of the opening quarter but further points from Matty Downey and three from full-forward McDonnell, including a 2 point free had the home side in a strong position.

Keeper Mick Byrne who converted four 2 point frees for Rossa

Eoghan McMenamin had brought the visitors total to 0-3 after 14 minutes and disaster struck for the home side leading up to the break when Padraig Moyes poked the ball home from close range after keeper, Stewart lost its flight in the swirling wind.

Brendan McDonnell replied with the last point of the half in injury time to move All Saints 0-8 to 1-3 ahead but given the strength of the breeze, it didn’t look enough for the home side as they headed to the shelter of the dressing rooms.

If anything the wind increased as the second half got underway and it looked like being a long 30 plus minutes from the men in black but they were quite magnificent into the breeze with an exhibition of strong running and precise passing.

Brendan McDonnell increased their lead to three with a point in the opening minute before Byrne replied with his second 2 point free for the visitors to leave just one in it with only a couple of minutes gone.

A point from the elusive Corey Walsh had it all square but All Saints edged ahead once more through Matty Downey before Byrne edged the visitors ahead for the first time as he raised his third orange flag of the evening.

Matty Downey fires over an All Saints point

The visitors would have been expected to push on after this, given the conditions in their favour but All Saints were battling for every ball and producing some great running football and points from McDonnell and Ciaran Campbell saw them hit the front again by the 8th minute.

A good point from Colm Fleming had the visitors back on terms and momentum seemed to be swinging in their favour but All Saints were still battling hard with Conall Lemon and Patrick Ferris producing lung bursting runs from deep in their own half.

It paid dividends when Ciaran Campbell finally found a way past the excellent Mick Byrne in the Rossa goals to put the Ballymena side ahead once more but Stephen Beatty converted from distance at the other end to keep the visitors very much in contention.

Emmet Killough responded again for the Slemish Park side to move them 2 ahead nearing the end of the third quarter and Matty Downey increased that lead to three with 11 minutes of normal time remaining.

Rossa were now pressing hard and when Byrne made the journey from deep to convert his 4th 2 pointer of the evening it was down to one and the momentum looked to have switched in favour of Sean Fleming’s side.

The home side looked to have held on for a hard earned win but substitute Thomas Morgan sent over the equaliser deep into injury time to give his side a share of the spoils and bring proceedings to a halt.

An entertaining game of football with both sides deserving the greatest credit for the football they produced in the most difficult of conditions.

Cal O’Brien climbs to claim a high ball

Not for the first time this season Mick Byrne was the Rossa hero and contributed 0-8 from placed balls while Padraig Moyes, Stephen Beatty, Cory Walsh and Eoghan McMenamin were others to catch the eye.

All Saints will see this as one that they could have won but their management can be well satisfied by the efforts of their side with Conall Lemon, Patrick Ferris, Matty Downey, Emmet Killough, Peter McNicholl, Benny McDonnell and Ciaran Campbell their best on view.

All Saints: 1 Ryan Stewart, 2 Oliver O’Rawe, 3 Michael Read, 4 Sean McDermott, 5 Patrick Ferris, 6 Conall Lemon, 7 Matty Downey 8 Emmet Killough, 9 Peter McNicholl, 10 Sean O’Brien, 11 Cal O’Brien, 12 Charlie Metrustry, 13 Darach Bradley, 14 Brendan McDonnell, 15 Ciaran Campbell

Rossa: 1 Mick Byrne, 2 Niall Crossan, 3 Padraig Moyes, 4 Fiachra McDonald, 5 Peter Byrne, 6 Stephen Beatty, 7 Rory Grant, 8 Eoin Fleming, 9 Oisin McVicker, 10 Conal McDonald, 11 Colm Fleming, 12 Diarmaid Rogan, 13 Corey Walsh, 14 Eoghan McMenamin, 15 Dara Rocks.

Subs: Thomas Morgan, Christopher Robb

Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/aZYDwgxQEeBnnH

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons bounce back to overpower Westmeath in Tier 2 opener

Above – Charlie McAuley who scored a goal and 2 point from midfield

Fulfil Leinster U20 Hurling Championship – Tier 2

Antrim 3-22 | Westmeath 1-12

Venue: St Lomans, Mullingar (4G Pitch)

The Saffrons put their recent disappointments firmly in the rearview mirror on Saturday, delivering a commanding 3-22 to 1-12 victory over Westmeath on the 4G pitch at St Loman’s, Mullingar.

Following a frustrating outing against Meath in the Tier 1 qualifying section—where the squad knew they had fallen well short of their best—Antrim needed a performance to rescue their season. They found exactly that, racing out of the blocks to set up a vital win that sends them into Wednesday’s clash with Down full of confidence.

Ronan Fitzgerald

Antrim start well

Antrim were clearly eager to make a statement, establishing a three-point lead before Westmeath’s Kian Loughlin opened the hosts’ account with a free in the fourth minute. The Saffrons’ response was instantaneous: straight from the resulting puck-out, the sliotar was worked upfield for Connor Donnelly to rattle the Westmeath net.

Westmeath refused to roll over early on, hitting back with an eighth-minute goal from Neale Pierson and a point from play by Ryan Williams. However, the visitors absorbed the blow effortlessly. Charlie McAuley floated over a beautiful long-distance score, and Liam McEnhill added to his growing tally, leaving Antrim with a 1-10 to 1-5 advantage at the end of an action-packed first quarter.

The second quarter saw Antrim pull away completely. Cadhan Crawford struck for their second goal shortly after the restart, opening the floodgates for a flurry of points from Oisín McCallin, Orrín O’Connor, Rian Fitzgerald, and McAuley. Westmeath could only muster two pointed frees from Loughlin in reply, leaving Antrim with a massive 2-17 to 1-7 lead at the break.

Callum McIlwaine who scored 0-02 from centre back

Defence Shuts the Door

With the breeze at their backs for the second half, Westmeath might have hoped for a revival, but Antrim delivered a hammer blow right from the throw-in. Within the first minute, Charlie McAuley found the back of the net for Antrim’s third goal, effectively killing the game as a contest. Oisín McCallin quickly compounded Westmeath’s misery with a pair of frees.

The Antrim defence was absolute in its dominance. It took until the 41st minute for Westmeath to register their first score of the half—Loughlin’s seventh point of the day. McCallin instantly canceled it out with two rapid-fire points (one from play, one free).

Despite a pair of late consolation points from Westmeath substitute Finn Higgins, Antrim cruised to the finish line. Liam McEnhill capped off a highly comfortable afternoon with the final score, securing a crucial victory for the Ulster champions.

Oisin McCallin who scored 0-06 to the Antrim total

Looking Ahead

With their season firmly back on track, Antrim now look forward to a repeat of the provincial final. They travel to the Dub on Wednesday evening to face Down in Round 2 of the round-robin series, aiming to replicate the victory they claimed over the Ards men at the same venue earlier this year.

Antrim

S. óg McLaren; Cathair Donnelly, L. Glackin (capt.), R. Cunning; N. Magee, C. McIlwaine (0-2), C. McCann; C. McAuley (1-2), C. Mooney; L. McEnhill (0-4), O. O’Connor (0-3), R. Fitzgerald (0-1); C. Crawford (1-1), Connor Donnelly (1-3), O. McCallin (0-6).

  • Substitutes Used: Roan McGarry for R. Fitzgerald, Oisín McCamphill for C. McAuley, Canice McIntosh for Cathair Donnelly, Jay McAlonan for O. McCallin, James McDonnell for Connor Donnelly.

Westmeath

N. Brady; C. Daly, J. Murtagh, A. Flanagan; D. Kenny, S. Hayes, D. Smith; C. Ward, C. Leech; N. Pearson (1-0), K. Loughlin (0-8), B. McNamee; R. Williams (0-1), P. Casey, C. McKeogh.

  • Substitutes Used: D. Corrigan (0-1) for P. Casey, L. Meyler for C. Leech, O. McCauley for S. Hayes, C. óg Fagan for N. Brady, F. Higgins (0-2) for C. McKeogh.
by thesaffrongael

St Galls emerge victorious from clash of unbeaten Belfast duo 

ACFL Division 1 

St Brigids 0-9-0-13 St Galls 

Kevin Herron reports from Musgrave Park 

ST GALLS maintained their winning start to their Division 1 campaign with a 0-13-0-9 victory over St Brigid’s at Musgrave Park on Saturday afternoon. 

It was a clash of two sides with unbeaten records to date and it was an even contest for the majority of proceedings. 

The hosts were first off the mark after Patrick Finnegan swung a pass to Paul Bradley- who popped over and they extended their lead when Brian McGurk rose high to claim a mark, the play was switched well and Dara Quinn played a one-two with Michael Cummings before side-footing over at the near post. 

St Galls registered their first point following a stray arm bringing Martin Murray to ground and Daniel Quinn converted the resulting free. 

Parity was restored through a fine Callum Walsh point after Padraig O’Muirigh collected a pass from Murray in the build-up. 

Points were exchanged between Niall Duffy and Daniek Quinn either side of the halfway point in the half. 

St Brigid’s stole a march and hit three unanswered points in the space of two minutes. They should have had a goal when Niall Duffy’s shot was parried by Chris Kerr and Conan McNicholl threw himself at the follow up, which Kerr somehow clawed over at the expense of a point rather than the goal that looked to be coming. 

Back-to-back points from Paul Bradley moved the hosts 0-6-0-3 ahead, but in reply Padraig O’Muirigh swung over and a close range Quinn free ensured the minimum separated the sides at the interval. 

St Galls had the opportunity to hit the front within three minutes of the restart  after referee Colly Thompson spotted holding in the area and signalled for a penalty. 

The opportunity passed the visitors by though as Daniel Quinn’s low spot kick was pushed away low to the keepers right by Declan Heery. 

Quinn atoned for his miss by levelling from his third free of the afternoon and then edged his side in front for the first time from a further placed ball. 

A fine Callum Walsh point doubled his tally and his sides lead prior to a slight delay for referee Thompson to dish out a few yellow cards for a coming together. 

With little under a quarter of an hour remaining talisman Quinn notched up a further free to move St Galls 0-9-0-6 to the good. 

It took St Brigid’s until the 17th minute of the second period to get up and running, substitute Conor O’Connell’s attempt clipped the large post and fell to Paul Bradley, he was unable to find a pocket of space for a goal shot and instead opted for a fisted point. 

A converted Bradley free had reduced arrears to a single point by the 53rd minute, but Liam Lynn fisted over a point at the other end in reply. 

Bradley again narrowed the margin with a placed ball on the 60th minute, though they were unable to pull level and instead St Galls finished strongly. 

Daniel Quinn kicked his sixth and seventh free of the contest and in between times Padraig O’Muirigh took a lay-off from substitute Niall Fallon and swept over his second to ensure that St Galls ran out winners at the conclusion and top the table after three rounds in the league. 

ST BRIGIDS: D Heery, A McNicholl, C KIng, J Mellon, J Toner, P Finnegan, R Carleton, M Cummings, C Conway, O Downey, P Bradley (0-6, 0-2f), B McGurk, D Quinn (0-1), C McNicholl (0-1), N Duffy (0-1). SUBS:C O’Connell for J Mellon (17), D Oglesby for C Conway (HT), J McCarney for A McNicholl (60+2). 

ST GALLS: C Kerr, C Hale, A McDonagh, E McCurdy, J McCaffrey, L Lynn (0-1), G O’Neill, M McCrossan, A Gallagher, A Mackel, D Quinn (0-8, 0-7f), M Murray, C Walsh (0-2), P O’Muirigh (0-2), E Walsh. SUBS: D Ball for L Lynn (40-48 blood sub), N Fallon for C Walsh (55). 

REFEREE: Colly Thompson (ST JOHNS)

More photos of the game are posted below

https://myalbum.com/album/yFsWBwR4NEXBTM