Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

St. Brigid’s produce ten minute burst to destroy Kickham’s

O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Football League Division One 

St Brigid’s 1-14 Creggan 0-8

St. Brigid’s came strong in the second half to maintain their unbeaten record and spoil that good opening to the season of Creggan at Musgrave Park on Wednesday night.

The home side produced a blistering ten minute spell where they hit 9 points on the bounce and put the game out of sight of a Creggan side who had been giving as good as they got up to this juncture in proceedings.

St. Brigid’s led from first whistle, but Creggan were right on their shoulder for 42 minutes when the hosts went into overdrive to put real daylight between the teams on what was a sunny evening in the city.

Both sides went into this game on maximum points so something had to give and it was the home side who found their shooting boots when it mattered after a fairly balanced opening half where both sides missed chances.

Creggan’s Joe McAteer had a shot drop onto the top of the crossbar, then bounce up onto the post and back into play and this was perhaps a sign of things to come for Kickham’s.

Eventually, James Smyth opened the scoring with a point after five minutes and while Conor Small responded with the first of his six points of the evening from a mark, Smyth would then burst through on 11 minutes and finish past Oisin Kerr.

This gave the home side a lead they would never again relinquish, but they failed to build on their early success as chances went astray and the visitors were still well in contention at the halfway stage.

McAteer was impressing for the Staffordstown Road side and he placed Keelan McCann for a fine Creggan score, while Conan McNicholl hit back with a free for the Biddies to leave that goal between them after 14 minutes.

 It took another 13 minutes before the next score arrived as Conor Small placed Tiernan McLarnon to fire over and Small kicked an injury-time free to narrow the gap to one at the halfway stage with St Brigid’s leading 1-2 to 0-4.

It took a while for the second half to spring into action but eventually this game came to life with Oran Downey finishing two fine moves to leave a goal between them and although Small replied with a pair of frees to leave the minimum in it once more, it was the hosts who found another gear.

They would hit nine points without reply to put themselves in a commanding position with the impressive James Smyth fisting over to spark them into life. Conor McAleer then converted a free before half-time substitute Peter Lundy split the posts and then set up Ronan Boyle and suddenly there was five between them.

Creggan were finding it difficult to find a man from their kick-outs as St. Brigid’s pushed up and were winning nearly everything that was thrown at them and after Michael Cummings added another to put six between them, it would get worse for the visitors on 49 minutes as Tiernan McLarnon was shown black for a drag down.

McAleer kicked the free but there was no let-up from St Brigid’s as Niall Duffy got in on the act. McAleer added another free and Smyth brought his tally for the evening to 1-3 as the gap was now out to 10 in a period where the home side were totally dominant.

The game was over now and although Small kicked frees either side of a McAleer point for the home side, they were mere consolation scores with Joseph Finnegan close to putting a real gloss on it for the hosts late, but his shot canoned off the bar.

It wouldn’t matter as the points were long since secured by St Brigid’s who maintained their winning start to the season.

St. Brigid’s: D Heery; F McKernan, P King, J McCarney; R Carleton, J Finnegan, S Campnell; R Boyle (0-1), M Cummings (0-1); J Logue, O Downey (0-2), J Smyth (1-3); N Duffy (0-1), C McNicholl (0-1f), C McAleer (0-4, 3f).
Subs: P Lundy (0-1) for J Logue (HT), J Toner for J McCarney (54), R McErlean for C McNicholl (54), S Boyle for M Cummings (58), B McGurk for P King (58).

Creggan: O Kerr; C McCann, E Carey-Small, Jake McAteer; A Maguire, R McCann, O Hampsey; K McCann (0-1), D McGuckin; S Duffin, Joe McAleer, T McLarnon (0-1); D McAteer, A McKeown, C Small (0-6, 5f, 1m).
Subs: P Coey for A McKeown (HT), D McCann for D McGuckin (53), S McAuley for O Hampsey (57).

Referee: R Matthews (Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Fixtures and Previews (Wed 17th April)

Another round of fixtures in the football leagues are scheduled for the incoming week. This is the 4th round of games as the Committee in charge look to the ‘evening’ games and some will suggest at such an early stage of the season the help of Lady Luck is needed to ensure games will all progress as scheduled.

Division One (all games at 6.30pm)

St James Aldergrove v Erin’s Own Cargin

Aldergrove are new residents this term in the top division and although they will lack for nothing in effort this does look a tough assignment as the reigning senior champions visit Crumlin.

Aldergrove drew with Lamh Dhearg up at Hannahstown last time out and they will return to their own abode for this tough looking assignment with morale lifted.

Cargin have remained undefeated to date and although they will face keen opposition on the Crumlin turf anything other than an away win is not anticipated.

O’ Donovan Rossa v Con Magees Glenravel

Rossa have as yet to gain victory in their games to date and back on home soil they will look to open account this time as Glenravel visit Shaw’s Road. Their away game against Cargin in round three was postponed last week and Hugh McGettigan’s men will be hoping to get a first win.

Con Magees have taken a time to adjust in their return to the top grade but they did earn a point last time sharing the spoils with the visiting Clooney men and they will travel in search of more.

Rossa are never easily defeated on their own Shaw’s road terrain and although they will have to work for it they may well gain a full return in this one.

St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Mary’s Aghagallon

Chris Mc Glone’s Ahoghill have fared well to date with just a single reversal endured. They did gain a good win over the visiting Rossa in their opening game and they will look for a similar positive showing again in this one from the visit of Aghagallon.

Aghagallon, have struggled to date but the St Mary’s men have been short a number of players, and with a stronger panel they may fancy their chances of a first as they take the long road down to Ahoghill.

This looks a close one if the visitors travel in strength but failure to do so will likely ensure the points will remain at home.

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Lamh Dhearg

Moneyglass have yet to register this term but will be hoping to get some points on board when Lamh Dheart visit Marion Hill.

The Hannahstown men have struggled to date but in the current circumstances an away win is a likely outcome.

St Gall’s v St John’s

Milltown based St Gall’s have impressed in their games to date and remain undefeated and they will hope to continue in such positivity as St John’s visit Milltown.

The Corrigan residents have not enjoyed a great start to the season and indeed they remain pointless as they travel to meet their city rivals.

Games between these two are usually hard tough encounters and this latest addition may well follow in the same tradition.

Ground advantage may well intervene to ensure a positive return for St.Gall’s but the Johnnies may earn a share of the spoils with a draw possible.

St Brigid’s v Kickham’s Creggan

St Brigid’s have nipped out of the start traps quickly this season and the Musgrave Park side remain unbeaten to date. They gained a win at Corrigan over the Johnnies last time and will look to extend their tally here as Creggan visit.

Kickham’s Creggan have also opened the present season in a positive mode and have recorded three victories from their games to date. They enjoyed a good win over the in-form St Enda’s last time and will travel in a positive mode.

This does look a close one between a couple of in-form rivals and a draw does look possible.

St Enda’s Glengormley v Casement’s Portglenone

Reigning division 1 league champions Casements seem course to retain their hard earned trophy as their programme to date strongly suggests. They have remained unbeaten so far and have emerged for the season looking good.

St Enda’s struggled to get it together last term but they have shown improvement this term in the early stages of the season.

St Enda’s will give this one a real lash but John McKeever’s men will start as firm favourites and should collect the points.

All Saints Ballymena v Tir na nOg Randalstown

This all South west affair brings together close rivals as All Saint’s play hosts to Tir na nOg.

Tir nanOg have been in form in the early part of the season and a good win over Moneyglass last time underlined current well being.

All Saint’s lost to Portglenone last time but they will hope to learn from that and back on home terrain they may well return to winning ways but a close one is in prospect.

Division Two

Gort na Mona v St Pauls

After a couple of outings apiece nothing separates this duo on ratings with one victory apiece.

The Gorts opened with a win over the visiting Ardoyne whilst St Paul’s returned from Rasharkin points secured.

Both failed to add to their tally in round two, enduring defeats to St Teresa’s and St Patricks respectively and will each look for better in this one.

St Patrick’s Lisburn v Michael Davitt’s

Having gained victory away to St Pauls last time, St Patricks welcome Michael Davitts to their Lisburn abode.

St Patrick’s will look to add another positive result but having impressed last time with a good win at Rasharkin Davitt’s may well add another couple of points.

Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Teresa’s

St Teresa’s have made a positive start to the season and remain undefeated after back to back wins over Gort na Mona and St Patricks and they will seek to keep the winning show on the road here as they visit Sarsfield’s.

The Paddies opened account last time with a win at Ardoyne following an opening day defeat at the hands of the visiting Glenavy.

A close game is in prospect with a tentative vote awarded to the Bear Pit residents.

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Mary’s Rasharkin

Dunloy lost out to the inform Glenavy last time after an opening day win over Davitt’s and are back on home soil this time as the play host to Rasharkin.

Dunloy will start as firm favourites and they should collect the points

St Joseph’s Glenavy v Kickham’s Ardoyne

St Josephs Glenavy have really hit the turf running in the present season and the Chapel Hill residents remain unbeaten in their games to date.

North Belfast based Ardoyne have also started the present season well but they may find this as a step too far with a home win anticipated.

Division Three

Patrick Pearses v Wolfe Tones

Pearses will start this one as favourites and although their visitors are not without hope ground advantage may well swing it Pearses’ way.

Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v St Malachy’s

MacRory Park residents Cardinal O’ Donnell’s have left the start traps this term in a very positive mode and should retain their undefeated record in this one as St. Malachy’s visit the Whiterock.

Laochra Loch Lao v St Agnes

Laochra Loch Lao remain unbeaten in their outings to date and they should earn another couple of points from this one as they cross swords with St. Agnes.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim GAA for All up and running for 2024

Today was the day we’d all been waiting on as training started again for Antrim GAA FOR ALL. A great panel of young players coming from Sarsfields, Cargin, Davitts, St Galls, Tir na nog, Ballymena, Aghagallon and Kickhams displayed their many skills on the day but also had great craic together as our County team.

With training on every Saturday at 2.30 new members are always welcome. The All Stars would also like to thank Stephen and Simon from BOURKE sports for sponsoring the footballs for the year ahead and WEEV car chargers for sponsoring the team with new water bottles.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s search for a win continues despite battling performance

Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final: 

Down 0-13 Antrim 0-9

Antrim’s search for a win in the Ulster Senior Football Championship goes on after losing out to Down in Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday evening. The Saffrons gave their all, despite being short a host of players, but in the end came up four points short of a Down team, who looked but a shadow of the team who beat Antrim in the league at Corrigan Park a few weeks ago.

Trailing by 3 at half time Antrim looked to be in real bother coming out to face the stiff breeze in the second half, but they battled for everything in that second period and were unlucky to lose the second period by a single point. They missed a succession of chance and appeared to be very unlucky when Conor Hand was bearing down on goal and somehow put the ball to the wrong the side of the post with a goal looking certain.

Marc Jordan drives forward for Antrim with Declan |Lynch in support as Ceilum Doherty moves in

Down started positively and went two clear with points from Ryan McEvoy and Pat Havern as Antrim struggled to get to the pace of the game. However the Saffrons began to settle and two points, one of them a real beauty from Ryan McQuillan brought them level, though Down kicked on again with points from Rooney and Murdock as they went on to lead by 0-6 to 0-3 at the end of a disjointed first half.   

With wind advantage in the second period Down increased their lead to four soon after the restart and again you began to feel the game was getting away from Antrim. However they stuck to their guns and two quick points from Marc Jordan and Eoghan McCabe kept them very much in touch. However each time they were within touching distance again Down were able to pick off a score and keep them at bay. An exchange of points by Antrim’s Marc Jordan and Down’s Liam Walsh keeps the gap at four.

When Antrim intercepted a Down attack Ruairi McCann broke away and when the Creggan man set up Eoghan McCabe the chance of a goal was on, but McCabe just sent it a few inches too high and the chance of goal was gone.

Antrim’s Eoin McCabe breaks clear of Down’s Pierce Laverty

A bad injury to Antrim defender Eunan Walsh after a collision with his own man saw and extra nine minutes added the play, but the stoppage appeared to have killed the Antrim momentum and Down held out to win by four and seal a place in the next round against either Armagh or Fermanagh.

Down: J O’Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy 0-1, C Doherty 0-1; M Rooney 0-1, P Laverty, D Guinness 0-2; C McCrickard, O Murdock 0-1; S Johnston, L Kerr 0-1, R Johnston 0-1 (0-1m); B O’Hagan, P Havern 0-1 (0-1f), D Magill.

Subs: O Savage 0-3 (0-2fs, 0-1m) for Havern (23), E Brown for McCrickard (47), S Annett (0-1) for O’Hagan (52), R Magill for S Johnston (61), R Mason for Magill (74).

Antrim: M Byrne 0-1 (0-1 45); R Boyle, E Walsh, K Keenan; D Lynch, J Finnegan, D McAleese; C Hynds, M Jordan 0-1; C Hand 0-1, P McBride 0-1 (0-1f), E McCabe 0-1; R McQuillan 0-3 (0-2fs), R McCann 0-1 (0-1f), D McEnhill.

Subs: N Burns for McEnhill (HT) P McAleer for Boyle (52), E Hynds for Walsh (67), P Shivers for McQuillan (76).

Referee: B Cassidy (Derry).

Antrim who lost to Down at Pairc Esler in the quarter-final of the Ulster Championship