Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

                                                                                                                                                                      13 man Cargin bow out with their heads held high

Ulster Club Senior Football Championship quarter-final

Glen Maghera (holders) 0-11 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-07

Antrim champions Cargin bowed out to the defending Champions, Glen Maghera at Celtic Park before a good attendance on Sunday.

The Toome men finished four points in arrears of the Derry champions but not before they asked questions despite having their ace forward Tomas Mc Cann side-lined in what most observers felt was a harsh red card in the 22nd minute. Sean Og O’Neill followed after being issued black with nine minutes remaining with the Antrim champions finishing with 13 men.

Cargin’s Mick McCann takes a tumble as hs is challenged by Glen centre back Ciaran McFaul

The Antrim champions faced a tough assignment as they travelled to Celtic Park to take on last year’s Ulster champions and beaten All Ireland finalists Glen and most observers gave Cargin little hope  but in the event the Erin’s Own men gave it a real lash.

A slight breeze blew towards the town end of Celtic Park as Conor Dourneen got matters on their way and the Cavan based official would gain few friends amongst the Antrim contingent as the game Proceeded.  Cargin had the breeze in their favour in the opening period but it was Glen who were to prove quicker out of the start traps with a couple of points in the early minutes.

Jack Doherty raised the first white flag just seconds into proceedings after Emmett Bradley claimed the opening throw in and when Danny Tallon added a point from a 30 metre free a couple of minutes later, the strong favourites looked on course for victory.

Pat Shivers punished an indiscretion on Tomas McCann with a 6th minute point from a free to open the Cargin account but Tallon replied with his second of the day at the other end before Paul Mc Cann came forward to split the posts following interchange with net minder John McNabb to leave only a point separating the sides at 0-03 to 0-02.

Glen’s Ethan Doherty cuts in off the left wing to set up a chance during the second half

Watty Graham’s increased their advantage again in the 16th minute via another Danny Tallon conversion following a foul on the advancing Eunan Mulholland but Cargin were quick to respond when Pat Shivers punished another foul on the advancing Tomas McCann, a couple of minutes later.

McCann was causing the panic button to be pressed each time he moved forward in the direct route to posts but disaster struck when he was issued a somewhat harsh red following a coming together with a Glen defender.

Mc Cann’s challenge on Conor Convery didn’t look too harsh to most observers, but the man who mattered most had a different view and the centre forward was shown his first ever red card.

Cargin’s Tomas Cann challenges Glen’s Eunan Mulholland in the incident that led to McCann’s red card

The dismissal of the talismanic centre forward left the Toome men with a mountain to climb and a late Jack Doherty point insured a two point advantage of 0-05 to 0-03 for the reigning champs as the shrill blast signalled half time and a short rest period for the protagonists.

Glen started the second half with the breeze in their favour but despite owning possession the dogged attention of the Cargin rear guard insured approach to the target was not easy with Glen off target a couple of times before centre forward Ciaran McFaul extended their lead with an excellent 43rd minute point to increase their advantage to three.

A superb Emmett Bradley strike from 50 metres, which yielded a point in the 47th minute, extended the Glen lead, but Cargin were quick to return fire and back to back points from Pat Shivers and Michael Mc Cann saw the gap reduced to two as the travelling Cargin support roared their approval.

McCann’s score from a close free followed a heavy foul on Conhuir Johnston which was punished by the production of a yellow card which looked lenient in the extreme in light of earlier decisions.

Cargin’s Justin Crozier is challenged by Glen’s Eunan Mulholland as he wins possession.

Having looked vulnerable for a time Glen soon recovered to regain control and they kicked three unanswered points through Michael Warnock, and Emmett Bradley (2) to move 0-10 to 0-05 ahead.

In the interim the Antrim champions were dealt another blow as Sean O’ Neill was shown a black card to end his involvement in proceedings.

Cargin looked to be in trouble as they were reduced to thirteen, but to their credit the Erin’s Own men battled hard to the end as replacement Kieran Close and Michael McCann replied with points, However the goal they needed just wouldn’t come and a late Danny Tallon point eased the Derry representatives over the finish line and into the semi-finals on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-07.

Glen’s midfielder Conor Glass rises high to win a dropping ball.

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Justin Crozier, Kevin Mc Shane, Kevin O’ Boyle, James Laverty, Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Sean O’Neill, Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron, Mark Kelly, Tomas Mc Cann, Ronan Gribbin, Pat Shivers (0-03), Michael McCann (0-02), Conhuir Johnston

Subs

Benen Kelly for G Mc Cann

David Johnston for M Kelly

Cahir Donnelly for P Mc Cann

Paudie Mc Laughlin for J Crozier

Kieran Close (0-01) for P Shivers

Glen: Conleth Bradley, Michael Warnock (0-01, Ryan Dougan, Connor Carville, Eunan Mulholland, Ciaran Mc Faul (0-01), Cathal Mulholland, Conor Glass, Emmett Bradley (0-03), Ethan Doherty, Jack Doherty (0-02), Conor Convery, Alex Doherty, Donal Tallin (0-04), Danny Mc Dermott

Subs:

Tiernan Flanagan for C Mulholland

Alex Doherty for C Convery

Tiernan Higgins for J Doherty

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)

Paddy’s Pics

Cargin v Glen

by thesaffrongael

South West U23 Cup reaches conclusion

S.W. U23 Football Final

Dunsilly 12-00pm Sunday

Tir na nOg v All Saints

The South West U23 Cup final this Sunday brings together familiar foes when Tir na nOg take on All Saints at Dunsilly in what promises to be a tight encounter.

The development competition was introduced this year to give football to players who have been on the fringe of their senior sides but have not seen a lot of action but both of Sunday’s finalists will field sides backboned by senior players.

Aaron McNeilly, Tir na nOg
Sean O’Callaghan, All Saints

The sides met in the group stages earlier in the year at Whitehill with All Saints coming from behind to pip the Randalstown side by two points but that victory came at a price with the Ballymena side losing Shea O’Brien to a broken wrist.

Despite that loss Tir na nOg qualified for the semi-finals as runners up and last Sunday they travelled to Crumlin and overcame group B winners, St. James Aldergrove in a tight game that required extra time to decide.

Aaron McNeilly was their star performer on the day and it was his late scoring salvo that saw the Whitehill side through but he is just one of a number of established division 1 players who will backbone a strong Tir na nOg side.

Eamon Og McAllister, Ciaran O’Neill and Daryl Fagan have performed at the highest level this year and played their part in keeping their side in division 1 while Oliver McAtamney and Emmet Murray are others who have seen plenty of action in the top grade.

Eamon Og McAllister
James McDonnell

All Saints have been going well in the U23 Cup and have embraced the competition from the start with a number of players who saw little action during the league returning to their ranks.

They were unbeaten in the group stages and proved too strong for St. Enda’s in their semi-final in Ballymena last Sunday and have a number of senior regulars in their side including Patrick Ferris, Sean O’Callaghan, James McDonnell, Ciaran Campbell and Ronan McKillop, who scored 1-4 against the Hightown side.

There might not be too much between these sides on Sunday but despite that defeat at Whitehill the Randalstown side will start as slight favourites but this one could go either way,

by thesaffrongael

Colleagues in opposition as Glenravel face Glenullin

Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship quarter-final

Glenullin (Derry) v Con Magee’s (Antrim) 12-45 Celtic Park

PortadownFC team mates, Eoin Bradley and Eamon Fyfe will find themselves in opposition this weekend when their respective Gaelic clubs, Glenullin and Glenravel meet on Sunday at Celtic Park, Derry, in the quarter-final of the Ulster Intermediate club football championship.

Bradley has had an illustrious career in both codes and represented his county, Derry with distinction before trying his hand at soccer where he has been equally successful.

He played for Coleraine in the Irish League before moving to Glenavon and later returned to the Coleraine show-grounds where he was joined recently by Glenravel’s star forward Eamon Fyfe.

Portadown FC colleagues Eamon Fyfe and Eoin Bradley – Pics by Pacemaker Press

They then moved to Portadown and have been receiving rave reviews, Fyfe scoring the winning goal against Crusaders mid week in the League Cup.

The friendship between the two will be put on hold this Sunday at Celtic Park as Glenullin and Glenravel go head to head in the Ulster club championship.

Glenravel beat close rivals All Saints Ballymena, a team managed by Bradley’s father, Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley, in this year’s OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship final at Kelly Park Portglenone to cap a fantastic season, having already won the Division 2 league title earlier in the year.

Last year’s beaten finalists put last year’s loss to Dunloy behind them as they defeated Sarsfield’s in a repeat of last year’s semi-final in Toome before overcoming the challenge of the Ballymena side in the decider.

Pics by Dylan McIlwaine

They are a strong side, backboned by the Hynds brothers, Cathal and Eoin with Cathal making his Antrim debut this year and establishing himself as a regular at mid-field for the county as the season came to a conclusion.

Jonathan Fyfe is an excellent keeper and in front of him Sean Higgins, Ryan Lennon and Niall Swann back-bone a strong defence who give little away.

The Hynds brother featured at mid-field in the Antrim final and are likely to start there again on Sunday while Cormac McKeown, team captain David Higgins, Ryan McQuillan and Eamon Fyfe are all potential match winners in attack.

Under the guidance of former Bellaghy and Derry player, Joe Cassidy the Con Magee’s have become a formidable outfit, winning 13 of their 16 league starts to claim the division 2 title and avenging those defeats away to Aldergrove and Glenavy in the corresponding return fixture.

What of Glenullin?

Glenullin come into Sunday’s showdown with Glenravel as back to back winners in Derry.  

They trailed by five points in the Derry decider against Banagher but came back with two late points from Eoin Bradley before a late Neil McNicholl goal forced the game into extra time.

They went on to win the game in extra time to claim their first ever back to back titles and set up another tilt at Ulster.

Pic by Mark Doherty

They have a habit of pulling results from the fire. It was a late, late Daniel O’Kane point that saw them win the intermediate title last year after Drumsurn had dominated for long periods.  

Manager Paddy Bradley, a former Derry legend, is a brother of Eoin ‘Skinner’ Bradley and son of All Saints manager Liam, has a strong squad at his disposal. Ryan McNicholl is back after injury with Diarmuid McNicholl – son of 1985 winning captain Dermot – in the defence.  

From a Glenullin point of view, they’ll be hoping their midfield duo of Neil McNicholl and Tarlach Bradley can win the battle in that sector and that could go some way in deciding the eventual winners.  

Eoin Bradley, Fearghal Close and Ryan McNicholl will take some watching in attack if Glenravel are to advance and there might not be too much in it in the end but Glenullin will start as favourites.

Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

Pic by Mark Doherty

by thesaffrongael

Glen start as odds on favourites but should dismiss Cargin at their peril

AIB Ulster Cub Championship quarter-final

Sunday-Celtic Park 2-00pm

Glen Maghera (Derry) v Erin’s Own (Antrim)

Erin’s Own Cargin travel to Celtic Park on Sunday to cross swords with Derry champions Glen Maghera in the first round of the Ulster club championship.

The Antrim champions go into this game as rank outsiders and have been quoted at 8/1 in some quarters but Ronan Devlin’s side will not be travelling to the Maiden City just to make up the numbers.

Glen are the reigning Provincial champions and they came mighty close to a national title in 2022 before losing to Leinster Champions Kilmacud Crokes in the decider after extra time.

Glen made it a hat-trick of Derry senior football titles thanks to a dominant second half display against Magherafelt in front of 5,360 fans in Celtic Park in this year’s Derry final. Malachy O’Rourke’s side never looked back with a Cathal Mulholland goal two minutes into the second period, easing them away from Magherafelt to come home with plenty to spare in the end.

The Derry champions are a strong side as they proved last year when they went on to beat an excellent Kilcoo in the Ulster final and on the way to that decider they overcame the challenge of Sunday’s opponents in a semi-final where they certainly didn’t get it all their own way.

In a side littered with county panellists Ryan Dougan, Ciaran McFaul, Cathal Mulholland, Conor Glass, Emmet Bradley, Ethan Doherty and Danny Tallon are household names and bring a wealth of experience to Sunday’s encounter with the Antrim champions.

Cargin’s Cathal McShane and Glen’s Conor Glass battle for possession during last year’s Senior Club Football semi-final in Omagh. Pic by Bert Trowlen

Erin’s Own will not travel as no hopers however and will take confidence from last year when they gave the Maghera men a run for their money and the underdogs tag will certainly suit them. Another meeting with the Derry champions was the aim from the outset this term and they will travel on Sunday fully focused on an upset.

A late penalty saw Glen Maghera advance to last year’s final but they were forced to battle for their win against a determined Cargin in Omagh. Indeed the Derry champions were hanging onto a two point lead with the clock ticking down when they were awarded a penalty after keeper, John McNabb was adjudged to have fouled substitute Stevie O’Hara and Danny Tallon tucked away the spot kick to put a rather flattering look on the final scoreline.

Cargin head in to Sunday’s encounter with another county title tucked under their belt. They have a strong panel with experience aplenty combined with a strong youth panel and have won this year’s reserve championship and an under-19 title to add to that senior success.

Ronan Devlin’s side started this year’s Antrim senior championship as firm favourites and defeated Rossa, St. John’s and Tir na nOg to top the table in their qualifying group. St. Mary’s Aghagallon pushed them all the way in the quarter-final but they went on to beat St. Brigid’s in the semi-final before defeating surprise finalist Dunloy in the decider.

Cargin’s mid-fielder, Gerard McCann gets away from Ciaran McFaul in Omagh

John McNabb, Kevin O’ Boyle, Justin Crozier, James Laverty, Paul McCann and Kevin McShane are strong and experienced campaigners and will vie for a starting place in a defence which could include youngsters Sean Og O’Neill and Ronan Gribbin.

Gerard McCann Mark Kelly and John Carron are likely contenders for a mid-field berth while Tomas McCann, Jamie Gribbin, Pat Shivers, Eunan Quinn and David Johnston could feature in an attack that is likely to include Mick McCann if fully fit.

Glen were not at their best in the early stages of their domestic competitions and they were pushed all the way in their championship semi-final win over fierce rivals Slaughtneil. They led that one 0-03 to 0-02 after a less than entertaining opening half but a Danny Tallon goal, early in the second half saw them push on to win 1-05 to 0-06 in the end despite not scoring in the final quarter.

They looked much more like themselves in the final where they defeated Magherafelt with Danny Tallon again the goal scorer and he is just one of a number of talented forwards that will require close attention if Cargin are to advance.

Glen will start this one, as firm favourites but Cargin will take confidence from their win over Naomh Conaill in the opening round of Ulster last year and a strong semi-final performance against Watty Graham’s in the semi-final and it would be a foolish man who would dismiss them as also ran’s.

John McNabb comes out to clear his lines as Justin Crozier and Gerard McCann look on
by thesaffrongael

Dates and Fixtures for St. Paul’s Tournament confirmed

The dates and fixtures for the St. Paul’s-FonaCab Ulster Minor Football tournament have been confirmed with Antrim champions and host club, St. Paul’s getting the ball rolling when they take on the Tyrone champions at Shaw’s Road in a preliminary round on the 10th December at 1-00pm.

Three of the quarter-finals are fixed for Sportlann, Colaiste Feirste, with the fourth featuring the winners of the Preliminary round against Mayobridge at Shaw’s Road on the 16th December at Shaw’s Road.

The first semi-final will be played the following day (17th December) at the same venue with the second semi-final is scheduled for 26th December at Shaw’s Road.

The final will be played at Shaw’s Road on New Year’s Day and has traditionally attracted a bumper crowd to the Belfast venue and we at the Saffron Gael will bring you coverage throughout the tournament.

fonaCAB-UMFT-Confirmed-Draw-dates-and-venues-2023