Allianz Cumann namBunscoil indoor 5-a-side football
Holders St Mary’s have retained their Allianz Ireland South West Antrim Cumann na bunscoil indoor 5 a side crown. After a day of packed full of action, fun and skill the Portglenone lads emerged as the victors for the second year in a row.
As usual a large number of local school’s took part in the event and the quality of football on show was of a very high standard throughout the day.
In Group A Creggan emerged as group winners having defeated the eventual winners along the way, joining those schools in the cup competition were St Brigid’s Ballymena, who recorded an impressive three wins in the group stage. This left Millquarter, St Paul’s Ahoghill and Mary Queen of Peace Glenravel in the shield competition.
Group B was a tight affair with goals scored being counted and a play-off required. St Joseph’s Crumlin topped the group with Mount St Michael’s Randalstown and St Patrick’s Rasharkin qualifying for the cup competition. St Oliver Plunkett’s Toome, St Colmcille’s Ballymena and St Comgall’s Antrim were the remaining teams to enter the shield.
The play-offs saw not only the standard of football remain brilliantly high but also the intensity increase. Battling through to the final were St Mary’s Portglenone and St Joseph’s Crumlin, with St Colmcille’s and St Comgall’s making the shield final.
The shield final was a keenly contested match with both sides showing great grit and determination, St Comgall’s Antrim emerged victorious.
The cup final saw Portglenone overcome a St Joseph’s side who kept fighting back and took the match right up to the final whistle.
Congratulations not only to the winners of silverware but to every participating school who contributed to a memorable day’s football.
A strong second half saw Tir na nOg defeat All Saints in the inaugural Under 23 South West Winter Development Cup Final at Dunsilly on Sunday afternoon.
In a competitive fixture, Tir na nOg ran out 7-point winners though the final scoreline doesn’t reflect the balance of play. Tir na nOg, backboned by 9 of their senior Championship side were considered slight favourites coming into the game despite All Saints winning the earlier group stage fixture at Whitehill. Nevertheless, a competitive game was expected and it didn’t disappoint.
All Saints started off brightly and played some good football in the 1st half taking an early lead with a good point from Ciaran Campbell before Tir Na Og responded with a free from the reliable Aaron McNeilly.
The Ballymena side dominated the early exchanges and went into a 0.3 to 0.1 lead with points from play by Shaun O’ Callaghan and Ronan McKillop. Tir na nOg struggled to get their game going and relied on frees from McNeilly (0.2) to keep in touch but Cal O Brien then scored an excellent point to leave All Saints leading 0.4 to 0.3 mid-way through the opening half.
In the 2nd quarter, All Saints registered 3 more scores, with a McKillop free followed by 2 from play by O Callaghan before the Randalstown side responded in the 28th minute with their 1st from play through Ciaran O’Neill to leave All Saints lead at break, 0.7 to 0.3 and at this stage they looked the better side.
Playing with the breeze in 2nd half, Tir na nOg began to dominate the All Saints kick out and registered the first 3 scores with good points coming from play by Joe McCormack followed by frees from Aaron McNeilly and Conor Hastings to level the game at 0.7 apiece.
The game was nip and tuck throughout the half though All Saints were struggling to register on the scoreboard with momentum shifting in favour of the Whitehill men. In the 18th minute, with the sides still level, All Saints lost possession in the opposition half and a long ball found Eamon Og McAllister and showing great pace, he raced forward and finished an excellent goal to the corner of the net.
This opened up a 3-point gap and gave Tir Na Og the lead for 1st time. Despite quite a stop start 2nd half, All Saints continued to probe and closed the gap to two in the 20th minute with a well taken free by McKillop again, which proved to be their final score of the game.
The Slemish Park side then lost McKillop to a black card for the final 10 minutes of normal time. As the game approached the end of normal time and Tir Na Og leading by 2 points, Conor Hastings took advantage of a mistake in the All Saints defence and calmly slotted the ball to the net to open up a 5 point gap.
As the game approached the end of 5 minutes of injury time, things got a bit heated and All Saints lost 2 men to straight red cards and conceded a another late goal, finished to the net by Emmet Murray.
This proved to be the last action of the game, Tir na nOg winning on a final scoreline of 3-7 to 0-8. A deserved victory based on their 2nd half performance and they just had a little bit more senior experience on show which told in the end.
A competitive and at times feisty encounter but both clubs will be happy with their U23 campaigns as a developmental competition.
Teams and Scorers:
Tir Na Og: Sean Og McAtamney, Ryan Crilly, Brandon McLarnon, Peter Cullen, Paul McCloskey, Ciaran O Neill (0.1), Ethan Higgins, Cormac Devlin, Oliver McAtamney, Aaron McNeilly (0.4 4F), Eamon Og McAllister (1.0), Joe McCormack (0.1), Emmett Murray (1.0), Conor Hastings (1.1), Sean McKeown
All Saints
Ryan Stewart, Ryan Thom, Conall Killough, Michael Read, Matthew Downey, Patrick Ferris, Ronan Laverty, Cal O Brien (0.1), Cormac Lemon, Shaun O Callaghan (0.3), Darach Bradley, Jake White, Ciaran Campbell (0.1), Ronan McKillop (0.3 2F), Charlie Metrustry
Subs used: Brendan McDonnell, Oliver O Rawe, Conlin Neill, Kevin Brady
Glenravel were totally outclassed in this Ulster GAA Intermediate Championship quarter final but having said that, the scoreline flatters Glenullin who finished strongly adding 2-02 in the closing minutes. Ahead by three points at half time the Derry side goaled in the opening minute of the second period and when they followed up with a point two minutes later the seven point gap they opened was enough to throttle any comeback hopes their opponents may have had. Indeed Glenravel will look back on some wayward shooting in the first half having squandered five scoreable attempts in the opening period which enabled Glenullin to go in ahead at half time.
Glenravel’s Eoin Hynds wins this race for possession
However the second half ended up one way traffic in a game unimpacted by the elements. The Antrim champions can only really reflect on what went wrong with their own game as an Eoin ‘Skinner’ Bradly inspired Glenullin piled on relentless pressure on the Con Magees side who just never got going on the day. Approaching his 40th birthday the Glenullin wizaard shows no sign of slowing up. Over the hour he scored a goal and seven points, 1-3 of that from play, the goal palmed to the net after a good flowing move by his team. Bradley and his Glenravel opponent Eamon Fyfe had both scored for Portadown FC the day before in the N.I. Championship league win over Dergview, and he carried on his rich vein of form on Sunday at Celtic Park.
Eoin ‘Skinner’ Bradley gives his team mate the thumbs up after scoring one of his team’s three goals in Sunday’s win over Con Magees.
The lively Cormac Hasson put Glenullin in front on three minutes and that was added to by Glenullin’s main threats of Eoin Bradley and Neil McNicholl so Glenullin found themselves three up after ten minutes. Glenravel had squandered some early chances but finally put some scores on the board from Eamon Fyfe and Ryan McQuillan, astride of a fourth point for Glenullin from Eoin Bradley, to retain their three point lead. Cormac McKeown and Eamon Fyfe added for the Antrim men but McNicholl and Bradley responded to leave three in it at half time. In reality there was little to separate the sides in that opening period and had Con Magees been a little more clinical in front of goal it could well have been them leading at the short whistle.
Ryan McQuillan lands an early Con Magees point
The game was turned upside down in the opening minutes of the second half when Glenullin goaled through captain Traglach Bradley and when Donal O’Kane followed with a point one minute later the dark clouds overhead in Celtic Park seems so much blacker for Glenravel. Cormac McKeown settled their nerves a little later but a brace of points from Neill McNicholl put Glenullin into a 1–10 to 0-05 lead with twenty minutes to play. Callum Higgins and Eamon Fyfe brought Glenravel back into the game and with ten minutes remaining they trailed 0-07 to 1-11 so needed a strong finish. Again the Antrim men squandered a few chances that could have closed that gap and the disappointment of that, combined with a goal from from Bradley from close range effectively sealed the game in Glenullin’s favour with just five minutes remaining. With their tails up, Glenullin went on to add gloss to the scoreline with a further 1-02 to close out convincing victors on a scoreline of 3-13 to 0-07.
Eamon Fyfe sends over a Glenravel point
Over time Glenravel will look back on 2023 as a very positive season with wins in both League and Championship but on Sunday the game ran away from them in the second half. But no doubt this young side will have learnt a lot that should help them on their journey in the year ahead.
Glenullin: Niall O’Kane; Daniel O’Kane, Eunan O’Kane, Diarmuid McNicholl; Cormac Hasson (0-1), John O’Kane, Conor Rafferty; Traglach Bradley (1-0), Neil McNicholl (0-2); Cathal Hasson. Ryan McNicholl, Donal O’Kane (0-3); Eunan Boylan, Eoin Bradley (1-7, 4f), Fearghal Close Subs: Dermot O’Kane for F Close (INJ 12), Rónán Close for Cathal Hasson (41), Eamonn Hasson for E Boylan (57), Christopher Dempsey for C Rafferty (59), Eoin McIlvar (1-0) for Donal O’Kane (61),
Glenravel: Jonathan Fyfe; Charlie Henry, Connor McNeill, Conor Carey; Rian Lennon, Niall Swann, Declan Traynor; Callum Higgins (0-1). Cathal Hynds; Conor McKeown (0-2), Eoin Hynds, Ryan McQuillan (0-1f); Aidan O’Donnell, David Higgins, Eamon Fyfe (0-3, 1f) Subs: Conleth O’Loan for A O’Donnell (38), Daniel McQuillan for C McNeill (40), Sean McKay for D for Traynor (50), Eoin McCusker for A O’Donnell (56),
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)
Con Magees Cormac McKeown who scored two points from playPaddy’s Pics
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
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 nOgSean 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 McAllisterJames 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,
