Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship Quarter final
Laochra Loch Lao 1-8 St Malachy’s 0-12
Two late points from Anthony Dobbin and man of the match Ciaran Vernon guided St Malachy’s to the semi-final of the Junior Football Championship at Caolaiste Feirste on Friday evening. For most of the game the Markets’ men appeared to be in control and when they went five clear ten minutes into the second half it looked like they were going to get home with a bit to spare. However Laochra Loch Lao worked their way back into the game and when they hit a goal and two points to go a point clear with just five minutes left to play, it looked like they were bound for the semi-final. However Dobbin and Vernon came to St Malachy’s rescue to tip the scales back in their favour in the run in in a thrilling finish.
Aidan Connor and Ciaran Veron gave St Mal’s an early lead and it was nine minutes for Laochra raised their first flag through Conor McGucken. Rian McShane brought them level on 14 minutes but St Malachy’s had the better of the second quarter and points from Stephen Carson, Anthony Dobbin and Ronan Maneely, in reply to just one from Laochra’s McGucken, saw the Markets men go in at the break with a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.
When Patrick Smyth, Shea Lynch and Aidan Connor added the first three points of the second half the Mal’s lead was out to 0-8 to 0-3 and they appeared to be in full control. However the excellent McGucken got his team going again with a point on forty minutes. Ciaran Vernon replied within a minute for St Malachy’s to restore his team’s five point advantage, but Caomhin O Daimhin and Tomas Toland there was just three between the sides entering the final quarter.
St Malachy’s Centre forward Shea Lynch put the gap out to four on 46 minutes, when Diarmaid Mac grabbed the only goal of the game Laochra Loch Lao were back in contention. The Laochra fans were in full cry when Aaron Strain brought them level, and when corner forward Oisin McCrabhagain edged the in front for the first time in the match in the 55th minute the scene was set for a thrilling finale.
There pressure was well and truly on St Malachy’s at this stage, but they found an answer when it was really needed and Anthony Dobbin pointed to bring his side level. Extra time appeared to be on the cards, but Ciaran Vernon proved the hero of the hour when he sent over the winning score to book a semi-final place in two weeks time.
Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship Quarter-final
Lámh Dhearg 3-12-2-18 Dunloy (AET)
Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly
Dunloy extended their Senior Championship run with an epic 2-18-3-12 win over Lámh Dhearg in Friday evenings Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Championship quarter-final at Dunsilly.
Renowned for their superb hurling history, the Cuchullain’s have proved their football pedigree with minor and U-21 successes in the last decade and earlier in the week claimed the Reserve Shield with victory over Con Magee’s.
Keelan Molloy had to retire injured in the first few minutes of the game after going over on his ankle
A Championship victory over St Gall’s earlier in the Group stage and Friday evenings victory over Lámh Dhearg is testament to the North-Antrim outfit – who are riding the crest of a wave and aren’t prepared to see their journey come to an end as they advance to the last four.
Having topped Group 2 of the Championship with victories over Ahoghill and Portglenone, Lámh Dhearg began as the bookies favourites- though were without Paddy Mervyn [injury] and Declan Lynch [suspension], while Dunloy also had to make do without the services of Ryan McGarry [suspension].
Dunloy hit the front inside of five minutes on a sun-soaked evening in Antrim town through a smart Seaan Elliott point, though Marc Jordan dropped over an equaliser almost immediately.
Further points were traded between Conal Cunning and Conor Murray and Dunloy continued to press ahead with Kevin McQuillan converting his sides first placed ball of the evening from an advanced mark.
They then doubled their lead courtesy of a converted 45’ from Elliott and ten minutes before the break went 1-04-0-02 ahead when their talisman pulled the trigger from Conor Kinsella’s slipped pass and found the bottom right-hand corner.
That sparked a response from the Hannahstown side with Owen McKeown swinging over his sides initial reply and Eoin Matassa then steering a shot between the posts.
Deaglan Smyth opened his account for the evening to move his side four to the good, but a quickfire double had Lámh Dhearg ahead at the interval.
Owen McKeown used his pace and found the overlapping run of Marc Jordan- who cut inside and directed his high shot into the top corner to bring things back to a single point (1-05-1-04).
Marc Jordan (9) sends the ball high into the Dunloy net
A matter of minutes later the Hannahstown side forged ahead when Declan Smith continued his run at the by-line and did enough to poke a low shot past Sean Doherty to give his side a 2-04-1-05 lead.
A free from Elliott in response ensured that just the bare minimum separated the sides at the end of an absorbing half of football.
Lámh Dhearg extended their lead three times within the opening ten minutes of the restart. Declan Dunne kicked successive placed balls, the second of which was from a difficult angle close to the side-line but dropped over regardless.
Conal Cunning shot back on each occasion and despite Decky Smith making it a two-point game again, Dunloy weren’t backing down with namesake Deaglan Smyth landing a fine effort from play.
Midway through the second period Dunloy restored parity through a close-range Cunning free, but Lámhs substitute Paddy Cunningham would kick his first score since his introduction.
Cunningham’s attempt at doubling his tally would inadvertently lead to his side scoring their third of the evening on the 52nd minute.
The 39-year-old lined up a shot that dropped into a ruck and Declan Smith was on hand to rifle home his second of the evening and make it 3-08-1-10.
Smith’s strike looked to have been decisive as his side aimed to close the game out and claim their spot in the last four.
However late drama was about to unfold as Dunloy forced a turnover and quickly turned defence to attack with Cobi Cunning sending the ball across to the back post where substitute Mickey Smyth was waiting to palm home to the net to set up a grandstand finish.
The Lámhs sought an insurance score in the form of a fourth goal, but after seeing a potential opening extinguished, Conor Murray popped the ball over and gave them a two-point lead with almost six minutes of added time up.
Murray’s point was cancelled out almost instantly by substitute Eoghan McGrath and with time elapsing Dunloy earned themselves a chance of forcing extra time when they were awarded a free that Darren McKeown then moved forward for dissent and that allowed Conal Cunning the chance to stroke over- which he duly did to tie things up at 3-09-2-12 as extra time was required under the Dunsilly lights.
Extra-time:
Dunloy drew first blood at the beginning of extra-time with McGrath doubling his tally. Although the Cuchullain’s were forced to play out virtually the whole of first period a man light when Oran Quinn was shown a black card by referee McKeown.
Conor Murray levelled things up after firing over just seconds after seeing his close rage effort blocked on the line after Sean Doherty had spilled the ball at his feet.
Conal Cunning nudged his back in front, only for Marc Jordan to restore parity with the last kick of the first period.
Lámh Dhearg were quikcest out of the blocks at the beginning of the second period of extra-time and an excellent angled point from the boot of Adam Murray had his side 3-12-2-14 ahead.
Parity was restored for the final time in the contest with Seaan Elliott converted his second 45’ of the evening.
Dunloy then seized the initiative and a fisted Nigel Elliott point had them in front. Conor Murray somehow blazed wide at the other end and it was an opportunity the Lámhs would rue.
Conal Cunning doubled his sides lead from a converted free and then contributed to a one-two that saw Seaan Elliott drop over the score to seal victory for Cuchullain’s and a win that sees them advance to the semi-final of the Senior Football Championship.
Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, R Murray, B Rice, A McAufield, O McKeown (0-01), M McGarry, M Hynds, P Fitzsimons, M Jordan (1-02), D Smith (2-01), S McManus, E Matassa (0-01), T McCrudden, D Dunne (0-02f), C Murray (0-03). Subs: P Cunningham (0-01f) for A McAufield (42), F Mervyn for M Hynds (52), C Maxwell for E Matassa (57), A Murray (0-01) for S McManus (60). Subs in ET: M Hynds for C Maxwell (61’), P Larkin for B Rice (69), J Quinn for D Dunne (76), E Matassa for T McCrudden (80+1).
Dunloy: S Doherty, C Kinsella, E McFerran, K O’Kane, C McMahon, D Smyth (0-02), O Quinn, C McQuillan, K Molloy, N Elliott (0-01), C Cunning (0-07,0-06f) E O’Neill, K Fitzpatrick, K McQuillan (0-01m), S Elliott (1-05, 0-02 45’, 0-01f). Subs: T McFerran for K Molloy (7), A McGarry for C McQuillan (46), E McGrath (0-02) for K Fitzpatrick (53),M Smyth (1-00) for K McQuillan (56).ET: S McAleese for E O’Neill (69).
Featured image: Connell Lemon (7) turns away in celebration after scoring his second goal for All Saints
OB CONSTRUCTION
Intermediate Football Championship quarter-final
All Saints 3-13 Ardoyne 2-10
Two excellent second half goals from the superb Connell Lemon proved the difference in the end as All Saints recovered from a slow start to overcome the challenge of Kickham’s Ardoyne in this OB Construction IFC quarter-final at Quinn Park on Friday night.
All Saints had six points to spare in the end but it doesn’t tell the whole story and Ardoyne will regret two gilt edged goal chances early in the game that would surely have made a difference in the end.
They finally found a way past Ryan Stewart in the All Saints goals when Ciaran McNeill fired home from close range in the 14th minute to put them 1-3 to 0-2 ahead and at this stage they were dominating proceedings.
Ardoyne’s Kevin McLaughlin’s shot sails wide of Ryan Stewart’s post
The home side started to get it together however and significantly hit 1-5 without reply to lead 1-7 to 1-4 at half time and Lemon’s second half double and some excellent free taking by Ronan McKillop enabled them to keep their noses in front.
Two early points from Aidan McNeill and one each in reply from Ronan McKillop and Emmet Killough had it all square by the 9th minute but the visitors could have been well ahead at this stage but were guilty of a couple of glaring misses.
Declan McCormack kicked a fine point from a 40 meter free after the ball had been moved forward for dissent and Ciaran McNeill finally found a way past Ryan Stewart and a porous All Saints defence to put the visitors four in front.
Aidan McNeill then dragged his shot wide of an empty goal as Stewart and his defence went walkabouts and it seemed to act as a wakeup call for Baker Bradley’s side.
Ronan McKillop who kicked 0-6 on the night as All Saints defeated Ardoyne at Quinn Park
They would hit 1-5 on the bounce with Benny McDonnell, Matty Downey, Ronan McKillop (f), Ciaran McGarry and Sean O’Callaghan splitting the posts and then a swift counter attack saw McGarry fire to the net.
The visitors looked shocked but they steadied to kick the last point of the half with Declan McCormack converting a free in injury time to leave just three in it at the break.
All Saints looked to be in for a second goal on the restart but a lose hand pass let Ardoyne off the hook but Ronan McKillop converted his third free of the evening and Sean McVeigh hit a fine point from play to move the Ballymena side five in front after only nine minutes.
The visitors replied through another McCormack free and a good point from play by Conor Mclaughlin and they were handed another boost when All Saints lost Joe Rafferty to a ‘Black’ card in the 12th minute.
The home side introduced Kavan Keenan and Patrick Ferris at this stage for Matthew Downey and James Gillan and two minutes later, Connell Lemon raced clear of the pack to fire past Tiernan Hughes in the Ardoyne goals.
Ardoyne’s Joe McNeill comes under pressure from Luke O’Rawe
Joe McNeill pulled one back for the Kickham’s from a good long range point but Lemon punished a visitors defence, who had been giving him a hard time, when his pace and finishing power moved his side eight in front by the 19th minute.
Ardoyne were not about to give up the chase however as they started to play their way back into the game with an Oisin McVicker shot coming back of an upright as they went looking for the goal they needed to get them back into contention.
They goal was not long in arriving however as a fluent build up saw Aidan McNeill’s shot deflect off the hands of a defender and into the net in the 20th minute and the same player added a point a minute later to close the gap to four.
Ronan McKillop eased the pressure as he pointed another free as Joe Rafferty returned from the sin bin to bolster the All Saints cause and another from Emmet Killough put further daylight between the sides.
The visitors kept fighting to the end however with Keelan McCallan and Aidan McNeill added late points in response to McKillop’s sixth of the evening to ease the Quinn Park side over the line and into the semi-finals.
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Eoin Walsh, James McDonnell, Cal O’Brien, James Gillan, Sean O’Callaghan, Connell Lemon, Sean McVeigh, Emmet Killough, Matthew Downey, Ronan McKillop, Joe Rafferty, Brendan McDonnell, Luke O’Rawe, Ciaran McGarry.
Thursday evening’s U15B Football Championship meeting of Sarsfield’s and Cargin at the Bear Pit came to an abrupt halt following an injury to a young Cargin spectator which require urgent medical attention.
Charlie McLaughlin, an avid Cargin fan, who can be seen pitch side at nearly every Cargin game, whether it be under 7 or Senior, took his usual place at pitch-side but it didn’t turn out to be the night Charlie had hoped for.
After falling on the Sarsfield’s terracing, and due to the severity of the injury at the sideline, the referee had no choice but to “abandon” the fixture due to health and safety concerns.
Cargin U13 coach Cormac McGuckin, of which Charlie is a key part of his panel, tells me that Charlie burst onto the scene only recently and has since made himself an integral part of the club and gets involved in all things Cargin!
Cormac having witnessed the accident told me that Charlie took it in his stride and showed immense bravery and courage throughout but this came as no surprise to McGuckin telling me “Charlie has faced many challenges in the past and always comes through with flying colours, this time will be no different. I hope to see him on the sidelines again very soon”.
McGuckin praised he Sarsfield’s club for their concern and assistance in dealing with the incident and after hospital attention the injury has not turned out to be as bad as was first feared.
Charlie has asked us to pass on his thanks to all who attended him at pitch side and later at hospital and we at the Saffron Gael and all at both Patrick Sarsfield’s and the Erin’s Own Cargin wish Charlie a speedy recovery.
Seamus McMullan presents the Senior Reserve Shield to Dunloy captain Kevin McAllister after his team’s win over Con Magees
We’re officially into Autumn but you’d struggle to believe it as Dunloy won the Reserve Football Shield final in balmy conditions well into late evening under floodlights at the magnificent Kelly Park, Portglenone on Wednesday evening. These two clubs competed in last year’s Intermediate Football final and unfortunately for the Con Magees it was deja vu as they lost out once more to the pacey, direct attacking football of a very agile Dunloy team. Goals in the opening minutes of each half gave Dunloy a fantastic platform to work from but their dominance in the second quarter is what really sealed the deal on the night. They had nine different scorers on the night against Glenravel’s five and up front Dunloy had the mercurial pairing of Michael and Anthony Smith who acted as target men for the surging counter attacking runs through the middle.
Michael had notched up 1-01 in the opening five minutes and added three more from placed balls most of which he won as Glenravel struggled to contain him at the full forward berth. Sean McKay got Con Magees opening point on six minutes and then we were treated to a seven minute spell when Dunloy went on the onslaught and only superb defending pivoted off Chris Laverty and Jude Scullion in nets kept the scoreboard quiet. Rory Smyth did manage a point but Daragh Donaghy, who provided a real threat up front all evening, got one back for Glenravel. One minute later, Sean McKay goaled to level the game at the end of the first quarter and Glenravel felt like they had weathered the green and gold storm.
However Dunloy dominated that second quarter and would add four unanswered points from Kevin McAllister (0-02), Karl Fitzpatrick from a forty five and Anthony Smith. Conleth O’Loan reduced the gap to three points from a free but Fitzpatrick drew the half to a close with another well taken free to leave his side ahead 1-07 to 1-03 at the break.
Sean McKay fires in Glenravel’s opening goal
Despite the excellent luminosity of the Kelly Park floodlights, as darkness intensified it was proving difficult as a spectator to differentiate the two teams due to a jersey colour clash – perhaps something the authorities or indeed either side could have considered going into the game. At half time Glenravel took the unusual but very helpful step of reversing their jerseys. It didn’t phase their opponents who goaled in the opening minute of the second half through Barry McCloskey and suddenly it started to look ominous for the Glensmen and things got worse when McCloskey added a point one minute later. Dunloy were now ahead 2-08 to 1-03 and surely beyond the reach of their opponents. To their credit though Glenravel battled hard right to the end. A piercing run from Conleth O’Loan followed by a pin point pass found Sean Pól McKenna on the edge of the square and soon the umpire was reaching for a green flag. A few minutes later Conleth O’Loan pointed and we were back to a four point game. At this stage Glenravel were dominating and had a couple of real goal chances foiled by last ditch defending from Dunloy. Life is a game of if’s and maybe’s; had Glenravel converted those chances the momentum swing would have made for a very interesting final quarter.
Michael Smith fires in Dunloy’s opening goal
It was not to be however. Michael Smith and Eoghan McGrath stretched Dunloy’s lead. Conleth O’Loan pulled one back for Glenravel after another good solo run and one minute later Sean McKay burst through and his rasper grazed the top side of the crossbar on its way over. A few inches lower and the keeper would have had no chance. But we were back to a four point game with Dunloy leading 2-10 to 2-06 setting up a very interesting final quarter. Once again though Dunloy would dominate that quarter and two close in frees for Michael Smith stretched the lead. Glenravel’s only score in the final quarter came from a free by Shea O’Broin and Dunloy’s Barry Scott got the final score of the game to seal victory for them on a 2-14 to 2-07 scoreline.
