Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

10-point swing sees Ports make it two from two 

ACFL Division One 

Lámh Dhearg 1-14-1-15 Portglenone 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Despite trailing 1-12-1-3 less than 10-minutes into the second half, Portglenone battled back and claimed a dramatic 1-15-1-14 victory over a shell-shocked Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Sunday afternoon. 

Jack Davitt’s goal gave the hosts a deserved lead after a largely dominant opening 40-minutes, but the Ports utilised their shooting from range and landed five two-pointers scores in the remainder of the game, the last two coming in added time to seal a fantastic comeback win and make it back-to-back victories. 

Lámh Dhearg hit the front when Ryan Murray launched a free direct and into the path of brother Conor to steer the ball over. 

Murray doubled his account from a converted free and made it three from three attempts after Niall McGarry fed him, and the former Antrim forward jinked into a shooting position and popped over. 

The Hannahstown side extended their advantage when Terry McCrudden took a lay-off from Adam Murray and swung over. 

Portglenone showed their attacking threat and could count themselves unfortunate when a fiercely struck shot from Sean Byrne crashed off the underside of the crossbar and out. 

Just before the midway point in the opening half Michael Kelly clipped a high shot over the bar to get his side up and running. 

A high angled attempt from Terry McCrudden dropped over at the near post and Jack Davitt burst forward and popped over as Lámh Dhearg opened up a 0-6-0-1 lead. 

Aidan McAleese grabbed his sides second score from a free and just over 60-seconds later the reduced arrears to the bare minimum with the games opening goal. 

After the resulting kick out from McAleese’s score was broken and won by Conor McGhee the visitors streamed forward with patience until the ball was slipped into the path of Paddy Graffin to slam home, 

In response, Mark Finnegan converted a straight forward free, Conor Murray swept over his fourth of the half and fourth from play, and on the stroke of the break – Adam Murray kicked a 45’ over the bar as the hosts held a 0-9-1-2 lead at halfway. 

Early in the second half a Mark Finnegan two-pointed free attempt dropped short and was partially parried by Kevin Mullan, with Conor Murray on hand to hook the ball over. 

At the other end Ronan Kelly got his side up and running from a converted free, but it was Lámh Dhearg who continued to show their efficiency. 

Jack Davitt doubled his account for the afternoon with a high shot that bounced over, Ryan Murray then carried the ball forward and shot over and when Kevin Mullan’s resulting kick-out was gathered by Terry McCrudden- he strode forward and slipped a simple pass to Jack Davitt to steer home and make it 1-12-1-3. 

Points were traded through Ronan Kelly and Ryan Murray (free) before the opening two-pointed score arrived courtesy of the boot of Ronan Kelly to give his side a much needed boost with little under a quarter of an hour remaining. 

Just over 60-seconds later Michael Hagan guided a high shot over the bar and suddenly the Lámhs advantage had reduced by a third. 

A second point of the game from Lámhs goalscorer Davitt had briefly halted the Ports momentum, though the visitors regained it and successive two-pointed frees from Aidan McAleese within a three-minute period saw their deficit half further (1-14-1-11). 

It was a backs to the wall job for the Lámhs, they continued to hold their three-point advantage until injury time when the pressure finally told, 

A third two-pointer from Aidan McAleese and his first from play ensured just a point separated the sides and when they turned over the resulting kick out the intention was clear to get another which arrived through Ronan Kelly to cap a stunning turnaround, having been 1-12-1-3 down on the 38th minute. 

There was still time for Lámh Dhearg to respond but Portglenone stood firm and saw out the remaining time to take the two-points and victory from the jaws of defeat. 

LÁMH DHEARG: J Finucane, N McGarry, D Smyth, R Diamond, B Rice, D Lynch, D Martin, P FItzsimons, C Boyd, R Murray (0-2, 0-1f), T McCrudden (0-2), M Finnegan (0-1), A Murray, C Murray (0-5, 0-1f), J Davitt (1-3). SUBS: J Quinn for M Finnegan (30), D Mulholland for R Diamond (54). 

PORTGLENONE: K Mullan, R Delargy, D McNicholl, R Convery, C McGhee, M Kelly (0-1), K O’Kane, A McAleese (0-7, 1×0-2pt, 2×0-2ptf,0-1f), S Kelly, D McAleese, P Graffin (1-0), R Kelly (0-4, 1×0-2pt, 0-1f), M Hagan, (0-1), S Byrne. SUBS: R Hagan for K O’Kane (19), R Moore for D McNicholl (47), 
REFEREE: Collie Thompson (St JOHNS)

by thesaffrongael

St Galls make it back to back wins with hard fought derby victory 

ACFL Division One 

St Galls 1-13-0-15 Sarsfields 

Kevin Herron reports from Milltown 

St Galls made it two wins from two with a hard fought 1-13-0-15 win over a determined Sarsfields side at Milltown on Sunday morning. 

The Paddies were first off the mark through a Daniel Smyth free after the hosts were penalised for an overcarrying offence within the first two minutes. 

Manus McCrossan restored parity from Barra McCaffrey’s lay-off and the sides continued to trade scores until the half concluded. 

Sarsfields lead was restored when Kevin Barry McArdle burst forward and popped over, though a close range Daniel Quinn free levelled things. 

Smyth doubled his account after Jay Maguire was felled and Maguire would extend his side’s lead after Cormac Murray claimed a mark from Chris Kerr’s kick-out and played a direct pass into Maguire to swing over. 

In response St Galls notched up three unanswered points to lead for the first time. Gerard O’Neill charged forward from defence, played a one-two and dropped over an angled point. 

O’Neill then turned provider, winning a loose ball in midfield and switching the play to Quinn to score his second of the half, and Quinn added to his tally after Caolan McKernan conceded a free that was moved forward for dissent. 

A fine Garry Lennon score had the sides level for the fourth time and a minute shy of the interval Daniel Smyth converted his third free of the half to ensure his side held a slender 0-6-0-5 advantage at the midway point in proceedings. 

Sarsfields made a lightning start to the second half with points from Philip McPeake and Cormac Mulligan giving them a three-point cushion. 

At the other end a goal opportunity presented itself when Dubhaltach Wilson popped the ball across and Niall Fallon could only palm the ball over the bar rather than to the net, nonetheless the hosts were up and running for the second period. 

A high Tomas Skillen shot dropped over after good work in the build-up by Philip McPeake and Conor Glenholmes. 

St Galls had the opportunity to net the opening goal in the 37th minute when Callum Walsh was brought to ground by Conor Laverty and referee Brendan Toland signalled for a penalty. 

Walsh himself took the penalty, but despite sending Michael Brady the wrong way, he rolled his penalty wide of the post. 

Successive scores from Manus McCrossan and Daniel Quinn (free) closed arrears to the bare minimum, before Garry Lennon tapped over a close-range free that was awarded for a breach. 

Points were traded between Conall Murray and Tomas Skillen as the game entered the final quarter with a nine-minute purple patch ultimately deciding the game. 

Ten minutes after Walsh’s penalty miss, St Galls found the net and led for just the second time. 

Niall Fallon threaded a pass into the path of Daniel Quinn and he swept the ball beyond Brady into the corner to make it 1-9-0-11. 

Almost instantly Dubhaltach Wilson popped over and converted Quinn free was his side’s third score in the space of two minutes. 

Substitute Tomas Skillen landed his third point since his introduction to briefly halt the hosts momentum, though Callum Walsh swung over and the lively Gerard O’Neill doubled his tally for the afternoon to open up a 1-13-0-12 lead. 

Sarsfields didn’t go down quietly as talisman Daniel Smyth clipped over a free and then sent over an angled two-pointer to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum again. 

The visitors were unable to find an equaliser in the closing minutes however as St Galls held on to secure back-to-back league victories. 

ST GALLS: C Kerr, G O’Neill (0-2), A McDonagh, E McCurdy, C Murray (0-1), D Wilson (0-1), L Lynn, M McCrossan (0-2), A Gallagher, M Murray, D Quinn (1-5, 0-4f), O Delaney, B McCaffrey, C Walsh (0-1), N Fallon (0-1). SUBS: J McCaffrey for O Delaney (HT), M Shannon for E McCurdy (52). 

SARSFIELDS: M Brady, M McPolin, C Laverty, KB McArdle (0-1), P McPeake (0-1), C McKernan, J Ward, E Mervyn, C Murray, D Smyth (0-6, 0-4f, 1×0-2pt), C Glenholmes, J Maguire (0-1), C McMahon, P Murray, G Lennon (0-2, 0-1f). SUBS: C Mulligan (0-1) for P Murray (HT), T Skillen (0-3) for C McMahon (HT), S Walsh for E Mervyn (38), D Coleman for S Walsh (57). 

REFEREE: Brendan Toland (LÁMH DHEARG)

https://myalbum.com/album/MaWj6dAkiDcf2X
by thesaffrongael

5 Star Creggan set the early pace

ACFL Division 1

Moneyglass 0-11 Creggan 5-19

Kickham’s Creggan continue to set the early pace in the ACFL Division 1 and after an opening day win in Cargin they lowered the flag of another neighbour, St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass in Moneyglass on Sunday.

The visitors opened strongly and were 1-2 to 0-0 ahead after 10 minutes with their points coming from Conor Small before Liam Quinn fired home the game’s opening goal.

Aidan McErlain finally got the hosts off the mark with a point in the 13th minute but Creggan replied through Shea McCann 0-2 and Liam Quinn before Ruairi McCann fired home their second goal with 19 minutes gone.

It was all Creggan at this point as Joe McAteer 0-2, Conor Johnston, Dominic McAteer and Ruairi McCann added points but St. St. Ergnat’s showed some response on the lead up to half time.

Seanchan Duffin, Aidan McErlain 0-3 and Sean Boyd weighed in with points but they looked to have a lot to do if they were going to get back into contention in the second half.

Despite leading by 10 points, there would be no let up from Creggan on the restart as they struck with a third goal through Kealan McCann after five minutes to add to points from Conor Johnston and Dominic McAteer.

St. Ergnat’s opened the half better themselves and recorded points from Tyler Cassidy and Aidan McErlain and an impressive 2 pointer from Conor O’Kane but even at this early juncture it looked like an exercise in damage limitation.

The Kickham’s were in rampant mood with Conor Small and Ruairi McCann adding further goals and a flurry of points coming from Conor Johnston 0-2, Shea McCann 0-2, Sean Duffin and Fintan Kelly.

To their credit Moneyglass fought hard to the end but could only add two further points from Tyler Cassidy and their best player on the day, Aidan McErlain.

This was a solid performance from the Division 1 league holders and while it’s early days they could well be in the running to retain that title come seasons end.

Newly promoted Moneyglass have found the going tough in their opening few games but when they get all their players back on board things will improve as they look forward to the visit of St. Mary’s Aghagallon on Saturday the 4th April.

Moneyglass: 1 James McLaughlin, 2 Bobby Kennedy, 3 Zach McCaughan, 4 Matthew Mullan, 5 Connor O’Hare, 6 Paul Duffin, 7 Eunan McErlain, 8 Seanchan Duffin, 9 Conleth McCann, 10 Callum Murray, 11 Colum Duffin, 12 Sean Boyd, 13 Tyler Cassidy, 14 Aidan McErlain, 15 Caolan Boyd

Creggan: 1 Hoisin Kerr, 2 Sam Maguire, 3 Eunan Cater, 4 Aidan Maguire, 5 Anton Martin, 6 Ethan Carey-Small, 7 Dominic McAteer, 8 Jamie McCann, 9 Kealan McCann, 10 Shea McCann, 11 Liam Quinn, 12 Ruairi McCann, 13 Joe McAteer, 14 Conor Small, 15 Conor Johnston, 20 Aidan McKeown

TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE KELLY’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/cdRfQKcABNBnRD

by thesaffrongael

Hannon magic not enough as Ballymena edge out Aghagallon in thriller

ACFL Division 1 League

All Saints Ballymena 1-13 St. Mary’s Aghagallon 0-14

Report and photos by Brian Hamill.

St. Mary’s Aghagallon fell to a narrow two-point defeat away to All Saints Ballymena in this enthralling ACFL Division 1 League encounter on Sunday, losing out by 1-13 to 0-14 in a game that could have gone either way right to the final whistle.

The Ballymena men were boosted by the return of Cal O’Brien and Matty Downey from long term injuries and both played their part in what will be a welcome win for Bakker Bradley’s side.
For long stretches of this contest, Aghagallon looked to have enough about them to take the points. Jonny Hannon was once again in irresistible form at left corner-forward, tormenting the Ballymena rear-guard from the first minute, finishing with a remarkable personal tally of 0-8 and a 2 pointer.

Matty Downey, who made his return to the All Saints side gets out in front of his marker to win possession

It’s a contribution that on any other day might have been enough to win a match outright, but St. Mary’s will rue a wasteful afternoon in front of the posts, with a number of wides from promising positions.
Aghagallon came flying out of the traps, with Hannon slotting two points from play inside the opening three minutes to put the visitors in the driving seat from the off. Hannon’s directness and pace caused problems from the first whistle and Ballymena struggled initially to contain him. A third point followed in the tenth minute as Aghagallon looked to stamp their authority on proceedings.
However, Ballymena gradually found their footing. Full-forward Brendan McDonnell, carrying the home scoring burden with distinction throughout, got his side off the mark with a point from play in the ninth minute before adding a converted free shortly after. In the 22nd minute McDonnell split the posts for a two-pointer from a free, a score that swung the momentum in the home side’s favour and briefly had Ballymena ahead.
Aghagallon responded positively. A composed point from left half-forward Enda McCartan and a Hannon two-pointer from a free kept the visitors competitive. Cal O’Brien, operating at midfield for the home side, then produced a stunning two-pointer from play to leave the team’s level heading into the closing stages of the first half. A further Hannon point from play and one from a free edged Aghagallon back in front, and they led by a single point at the break.
The second half began in similar fashion, with Jack Lenehan and Hannon combining to push Aghagallon’s advantage out to four points by the 34th minute, leaving St. Mary’s looking well placed to claim a valuable away victory.

Johnny Hannon, who top scored for St. Mary’s gets his shot away despite the attention of the Ballymena defence.
Then came the defining moment of the contest. In the 39th minute, Ballymena midfielder Emmet Killough got a hand to a high ball into the Aghagallon defence and flicked it to the net for a goal that completely transformed the complexion of the game, cutting the gap to just one point.

Cal O’Brien added a second two-pointer from play and McDonnell followed with another two-pointer and a converted free to push Ballymena into a commanding lead.
Aghagallon, to their credit, refused to capitulate. The introduction of Adam Loughran injected some fresh impetus into the St. Mary’s attack, and the substitute rewarded his side’s persistence by coolly slotting a free to reduce the deficit. A black card for Aghagallon’s influential forward Jonny Hannon and a red for substitute Pat Brannigan made it slightly easier for Ballymena as the game approached the final whistle and there was to be no dramatic late equaliser as the home side held firm to run out deserving two-point winners on a final scoreline of 1-13 to 0-14.
For Aghagallon, the performance of Hannon who finished with a personal tally worth 12 points in old money will be of some consolation, and the defensive solidity will give the management plenty to work with going forward, but it is the wides count and a failure to convert pressure into scores during key periods that will occupy the post-match dressing room conversation.

For Ballymena, McDonnell’s accuracy from placed balls and the power of O’Brien and Killough through the middle proved the decisive factors, and their supporters will take enormous satisfaction from seeing off a strong Aghagallon side in what was a dogged Division 1 encounter.

TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN HAMILL’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/ocbbe6FcAQE9YA

by thesaffrongael

Slane’s injury time point secures opening day win for Davitt’s

ACFL Division 2

Davitt’s 3-13 Ahoghill 3-12

A pointed free from Aaron Slane in the 63d minute gave Davitt’s victory over St. Mary’s Ahoghill in this keenly contested division 2 opener on the Lower Falls on Sunday afternoon.

Dan ‘Neill looked to have given the visitors a share of the spoils when he split the posts, two minutes earlier but the home side launched one last attack and keeper Slane kept his cool when he converted from close range.

It was the Davitt’s net-minder who got the action underway from a 2pt free in the second minute and after Ronan Graham and Brady Maguire had exchanged points, Dan O’Neill fired home the game’s opening goal to give the former division 1 side the lead.

St. Mary’s went on to edge the opening half with Ronan Graham, Diarmaid Graham, Donal Graham, Noel Crossey and Dan O’Neill all on target by the 29th minute and Sean Og O’Neill, Paul McLaughlin replying for the hosts to leave it 1-6 to 0-5 in favour of the Cloney men at the break.  

Aaron Slane whoes injury time point gave Davitt’s victory over St. Mary’s Ahoghill

Patrick Graham extended the Ahoghill lead to 5 on the restart but Anthony Rowntree put Davitt’s right back into contention when he fired past Aiden Graham, three minutes into the new half.

Things were livening up and Noel Crossey replied with a St. Mary’s point but points from Rowntree and Gerard Slane brought the sides level before Donal Graham briefly extended the visitors lead.

The home side were beginning to gain some momentum however with the elements now in their favour and Michael Connolly found the net for their second goal in the 40th minute with Sean Og Smyth adding a quick point.

The visitors looked in a bit of trouble but they responded in the best possible way and Noel Crossey fired past Aaron Slane for their second goal of the contest at the three quarter mark but Davitt’s once again found a response.

Cola McDonnell who found the net for St. Mary’s Ahoghill

Gerard Slane got through for their third goal and Conor John Sullivan and Caoimhin Slane added points as the hosts seemed to be getting on top but the visitors replied through a Cola McDonnell goal and a point from Ronan Graham to move one ahead by the 58th minute.

As the pace and excitement grew at Davitt’s Park Ahoghill looked like  holding on for an opening day victory but the home side were far from finished and a couple of points from the industrious Gerard Slane saw them edge ahead once more.

Dan O’Neill looked to have earned the visitors a share of the spoils with that injury time point but it was Aaron Slane who would raise the loudest cheer of the evening with that late pointed free to ensure the points would remain on the Lower Falls.

An entertaining game of football with both sides deserving credit for the level of scoring skills they provided as last year’s relegated side, St. Mary’s found that life will be difficult in division 2.

Davitt’s, if they can find some consistency, can be challengers in the division this year while St. Mary’s showed enough to suggest that they too will be in the running for honours come the end of the season.

Davitt’s: 1 Aaron Slane, 2 Caoimhin Rainey, 3 Nathan Maginn, 4 Jack Scally, 5 Sean Og O’Neill, 6 Anthony Hargan, 7 James Lindsay, 8 Anthony Rowntree, 9 Deevy Persson, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 11 Michael Connolly, 12 Brady Maguire, 13 Conor John Sullivan, 14 Deaglan Mooney, 15 Caomhan Slane’ Subs – 20 Gerard Slane, 17 Sean Og Smyth

St. Mary’s: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Seamus McKeever, 3 Martin Graham, 4 Shea Neeson, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Patrick Dougan, 10 Donal Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Ryan McPeake, 13 Cola McDonnell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 Dan O’Neill

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)