We are delighted to announce that Breedon are becoming a club partner. They have generously sponsored a new set of jerseys for our Senior LGFA team. Pat Gilroy, Managing Director of Ireland, commented: “Supporting local communities is very important to Breedon and we’re a natural partner, given that Lamh Dhearg is nestled between our sites on the edge of West Belfast, and we’re delighted to become sponsors of the Women’s Senior Football team. It has been a special time to come on board as the main sponsor for the team as the women have just achieved promotion to Division 1 of the Antrim LGFA League. We would encourage all our members if the opportunity arises to support Breedon or many of our other generous partners who are vital to us in facilitating our games.
The last phase of the football championship’s Group games, senior, Intermediate, and Junior are scheduled for this week-end with ties taking place over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
This will complete the group stages with the top teams proceeding into the first knock out stages.
Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship
Friday 15th August
Group One (7.00pm)
Erin’s Own Cargin v St John’s (Toome)
Cargin play host to St John’s in Toome in a game which is certain to attract a good attendance.
Cargin have impressed in their opening two games with an excellent victory over Rossa and followed with a second win over Tir na nOg at Kelly Park, Portglenone in round two.
St John’s have enjoyed mixed fortunes to date and after an opening day win over the visiting Tir na nOg they fared less well when losing out to their keen rivals Rossa at Hannahstown.
The Whiterock Road side are undoubtedly capable of better and will hope to produce it in Toome as anything less than a win would see them bow out of this year’s senior championship.
Cargin will start this one as firm favourites and ground advantage should see the champions maintain their unbeaten run in this year’s competition.
Tir na nOg Randalstown v O’ Donovan Rossa (Whitehill)
The final game in group one sees Tir na nOg play hosts to O’ Donovan Rossa at Whitehill.
Tir na nOg lost to St. John’s in round one and stayed close to Cargin in the second round before the champions grabbed a firm grip on proceedings in the second half.
That was another promising performance from the Whitehill men and they will hope to carry it into this one as they play hosts to Rossa.
Rossa lost to Cargin in round one at Shaw’s Road but recorded a good win over the Johnnies at Lamh Dhearg, finishing 2-08 to 0-09 winners and they will travel to Whitehill looking to replicate that result.
A close encounter is anticipated but experience may well come to the fore in this one and Rossa may gain the win.
Sat 26th August
Group Two (7.00pm)
Lamh Dhearg v St Enda’s Glengormley (Hannahstown)
Lamh Dhearg lead the way in group two with back to back victories down in the South West.
They came from way off the pace to finish six points ahead of Ahoghill in Clooney in round one before a convincing victory over the division one league champions Casement’s before a big attendance in Toome in round 2.
They beat Casement’s by five points and will play hosts to St Enda’s in this final group two game.
St Enda’s started their league campaign on a positive note with victories over Cargin and Casements in the early stages but the loss of several players to injury and transfers saw the Hightown men lose traction in the second part of the season and culminated in relegation.
A win over Ahoghill in the championship is certain to have raised spirits as they contemplate a trip to Hannahstown to meet the inform Lamh Dhearg in a game they must win if they are to remain in the championship.
Lamh Dhearg will start this one as firm favourites but Carl McCabe’s men may well give them a run for their money.
Casement’s Portglenone v St Mary’s Ahoghill (Kelly Pk)
This local derby sees League champions Casement’s welcome their near neighbours and fiercest rivals St Mary’s Ahoghill to Portglenone in a game which is certain to attract a big audience.
Casement’s started their championship campaign with a good win over St Enda’s at Hightown in the first round but failed to cope with the challenge of Lamh Dhearg in Toome in round 2.
The Portglenone side will return to the familiarity of Kelly Park for their final group game for the visit of Ahoghill and form would suggest that John Mc Keever’s men will start as favourites.
In any event this is certain to be a fully contested championship encounter and although the Bannsider’s should win it, Ahoghill may well give the home side a run for their money.
Sunday 27th August
Group Three 5.00pm
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Kickham’s Creggan (Dunloy)
A terrible league campaign and relegation from division 2 followed for the Cuchullian’s and most observers forecast nothing less than a wasted journey for Dunloy as they travelled to St Gall’s in their opening game in the senior championship at Milltown.
In the event last year’s Intermediate Champions, Cuchullian’s were to leave those experts with red faces when they returned from the home of the former Ulster and All Ireland club champions with a hard fought and well-earned 2-11 to 2-10 victory.
The Cuchullian’s have home advantage in this one but face another tough challenge as they play hosts to the 2021 senior championship winners, Kickham’s Creggan.
Creggan started their championship campaign with a win over the visiting St Gall’s, 1-12 to 1-10 and they will travel to Dunloy fancied to gain a place in the last eight.
Dunloy confidence will have been enhanced by that win at Milltown and this looks like a tough one for the visitors but if they are at their best they might just shade it but it could be close.
Group Four (5.00pm)
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Mary’s Aghagallon (Moneyglass)
Last year’s beaten finalists St Mary’s Aghagallon lost to the visiting St Brigid’s in the opening round of this year’s competition and they will travel to Moneyglass in the knowledge that anything less than a draw will see them out of this year’s campaign.
St Brigid’s have already gained a place in the last eight with wins over Aghagallon and Moneyglass and a home win for St. Ergnat’s is a must in this one.
Moneyglass have struggled in the league following a bright start but they are never easily beaten at Marian Hill.
Aghagallon will start as favourites and they may well prevail but Moneyglass will not go down without a fight.
OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship
Sunday 27th August
Group One (2.00pm)
Michael Davitt’s v St Paul’s (Davitt Pk)
The winners in this one will join Con Magee’s in the quarter-final as Davitt’s play hosts to St Paul’s with both sides with one win from two starts.
Sunday’s opponents both recorded victories over Pearses and on a head to head basis a draw would be enough to give St. Paul’s a place in the quarter-final.
Davitt’s are favoured by ground advantage and they may start as favourites but St Paul’s should have enough to at least gain the draw they need and are given a tentative nod.
Patrick Pearses v Con Magees Glenravel (Cliftonville)
Glenravel have already gained promotion to division 1 and with back to back wins have qualified for a quarter final berth in the championship and the South West side will travel to Cliftonville as firm favourites to add another couple of points.
Pearses have enjoyed a good division 3 league campaign and they may well give their guests a run for their money but another win for the Glensmen does look likely.
Group Two (2.00pm)
St Patrick’s Lisburn v St Teresa’s (Kirkwood Pk)
St Patrick’s have struggled to make impact in division two and they will find life a lot easier next term as they return to the lower division.
St Teresa’s have opened their championship account with a win over Ardoyne and this looks a further opportunity to add another victory and ensure a place in the quarter finals for the Glen road residents.
Group Three Sunday (4.00pm)
All Saint’s Ballymena v St Comgall’s Antrim (Quinn Pk)
All Saint’s finished level with the Aldergrove in Crumlin and they will be hoping to go one better as they play hosts to St Comgall’s in Ballymena.
Aldergrove top the group after recording a 16 point win over St. Congall’s in day one and should finish top of the group and only a win by more than that a 16 point margin would see All Saints go top.
A win for the All Saint’s will earn them a place in the last eight and a home win looks likely but they may have to settle for second place in the group.
Saturday 26th August
Group Four (5.00pm)
Gort na Mona v St Joseph’s Glenavy (Enright Park)
Sarsfield’s have secured a place in the last eight with a couple of wins and the race for second place rests between this duo as Gort na Mona play hosts to St Joseph’s Glenavy at Enright Park.
This looks like a close one but home advantage may swing it Gort na Mona’s way.
Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship
Group One Friday (7.00pm)
Eire Og v Laochra Loch Lao (Eire Og)
Eire Og play hosts to Laochra Loch Lao with both sides on two points from two starts.
Eire Og gave the inform O’ Donnell’s a run for their money before losing by three points while the O’D’s had 14 to spare over Laochra Loch Lao and a draw would be enough to see Eire Og through. Laochra Loch Lao are more than capable of causing an upset but if Eire Og can produce their best then they shold shade it.
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v St Agnes (Mc Crory Pk)
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s have impressed in the league where they finished second to Rasharkin and opened their championship account in style with wins over Laochra and Eire Og and should finish their campaign with a win over St. Agnes.
Group Two
St Malachy’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin (St Malachy’s)
With the division three league title already in the bag St Mary’s Rasharkin are intent on making it a double.
They top the table with four points to date and the Dreen men, with a place in the last eight secured, should add another win as they visit St Malachy’s.
St Gall’s booked their place in the Reserve Football final when they travelled to Rossa and beat the Shaw’s Road side by 2-17 to 2-12 on Wednesday evening. The sides were level at half time but a goal three minutes into the second half from Michael Pollock gave the Milltown Row men the boost they needed and they pushed on to seal a final meeting with Cargin in two weeks’ time.
With another one of the 2010 All Ireland winning side, Aodhan Gallagher, joining the ranks St Gall’s were quick out of the traps as Michael Pollock, Terry O’Neill, Daniel O’Muirigh and Anto Healy fired over points to give them a good cushion, but all changed in the ninth minute when Rossa corner forward Conor Flavin rose to meet a high ball in around the St Gall’s ‘square’ and fisted it to the net.
O’Muirigh and Healy came back with points for St Gall’s in the 11th and 18th minutes to put a three between the side again, Rossa centre forward Michael McEnhill pointed to close the gap to two, before full back John Morrow got up along with his forwards and fired home a goal which put his side ahead for the first time. Michael Hopkins pointed to bring St Gall’s back on terms and though Diarmuid Rogan briefly restored the Rossa lead five minutes from half time, Pollock sent over the equaliser just before half time. (2-2 to 0-8)
Three minutes after the restart Pollock showed his class again when he lobbed the Rossa keeper for his team’s first goal and though Rossa came back with a point from half back Rory Grant, three quick points from Pollock, Healy and O’Muirigh put five between the sides. Rossa kept in touch as Colm Fleming sent over a point from a free and Pearse Shortt added one from play, but a goal from Kevin Niblock on 48 minutes put seven between the sides.
Rossa closed the gap with points from half backs Daire Cunningham and Rory Grant but that was as close as the would get and despite not scoring for the last twelve minutes St Gall’s held on to secure a final place against Cargin.
ROSSA
Padraig Shortt, Jack McGurk, Jack Morris, Mattie McKiernan, Dara Cunningham, Patrick Moyes, Rory Grant, Pearse Shortt, Diarmuid Rogan, Colm Fleming, Michael McEnhill, Darren Grego, Liam Carr, Conor O’Neill, Conor Flavin.
SUBS – Paul Close
ST GALL’S
Ciaran Og O’Mullan, Michael Hopkins, Colin Brady, Oisin Kelly, Anthony Healy, Andrew McClean, Mark Kelly, Aodhan Gallagher, John McCullough, Niall Fallon, Terry O’Neill, Daniel O’Muirigh, Sean Kelly, Kevin Niblock, Kieran McGourty.
St Johns moved a step closer to securing the Division Two title in the U-17 Football League after seeing off challengers Na Gaeil Óga 2-13-2-09 at the Bear Pit on Wednesday evening.
it was a meeting of the top-two in the league and the hosts were in need of a win to keep their hopes alive against the Johnnies- who remain unbeaten.
It was Na Gaeil Óga who were first off the mark after Calum Fegan smartly picked out the run of Fionn Jemfrey to kick a magnificent point.
Padraig Graham converted a free to bring St Johns level and on eight minutes the visitors hit the front with the games opening goal.
Enda McGurk tried to weave his way in at the by-line and opted to pop across to Odhran Quinn whose effort was palmed against the bar, but Graham reacted quickest and his acrobatic scissor-kick shot flew into the net to give his side a 1-01-0-01 lead.
The hosts responded after Jemfrey found Conlai Mervyn to kick an outstanding point and Jemfrey then swung over his second of the half.
St Johns would restore their goal advantage thanks to a converted free from Odhran Quinn and a smart point from Odhran McAuley after playing a one-two and steering over at the near post.
Darragh McLaughlin and Quinn traded points and Quinn’s third of the evening stretched the Johnnies lead.
A converted Calum Fegan free reduced arrears before the sides traded goals within less than sixty seconds.
Odhran Quinn withstood heavy pressure and laid the ball off to Padraig Graham to rile home his second of the evening and make it 2-05-0-05.
Fegan came up with an immediate reply, weaving his way forward and letting fly with a blistering strike from distance and nestled in the bottom corner.
The sides continued to trade scores approaching the break with Quinn and Jemfrey on target and free takers Fegan and Graham then landed placed balls.
Na Gaeil Óga reduced the deficit with the last score of the half, Jemfrey kicking a fine point to bring his tally to four and ensure his side trailed 2-07-1-08 at the break.
St Johns found scores easier to come by after the break and hit four unanswered frees before Na Gaeil Óga would eventually reply.
Odhran Quinn and Padraig Graham hit the first two with Quinn adding another two in the aftermath. the hosts were struggling from the placed ball with Fegan and Jemfrey unable to take advantage of chances to reduce arrears.
Eventually Jemfrey got his side off the mark for the half as they trailed 2-11-1-09 with less than ten minutes to go.
Odhran Quinn dropped over his first from play in the second period and a fine Ronan Donnelly score had opened up a seven-point lead for the Whiterock outfit.
Na Gaeil Óga talisman Jemfrey would net his sides second goal three minutes into added time, but it was scant consolation in the grand scheme of things as St Johns ran out 2-13-2-09 winners at the conclusion to leave themselves on the verge of clinching League honours.
A Benen Kelly goal, ten minutes into the second half sealed the deal and ensured Cargin a place in the final of the Reserve Cup at the expense of their near neighbours and close rivals Kickham’s Creggan on Wednesday evening.
The Toome men made the better start and with Kieran Close sharp in front of the posts and the dominance of Charlie McCann and Odhran Molloy in the middle were quickly into their stride.
Benen Kelly opened their account with an early point with the visitors quick to post response as centre back Liam McCann replied at the other end but Cargin went on to dominate and led 0-5 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter.
Benen Kelly, who’s goal early in the second half sent Cargin to a convincing win over Creggan in Toome on Wednesday night
The Creggan net minder Leon Bonnes made a splendid save to deny Enda McGrogan in the 6th minute with an upright coming to Creggan’s rescue but Kieran Close raised three white flags in succession and Feargal Johnston added another and the home side were 0-06 to O-01 ahead.
Kickham’s improved in the second quarter with Sean Donnelly and Liam Mc Cann leading the way. A foul on the centre forward was punished when Mark Dougan despatched the resultant free firmly between the posts in the 18th minute but Kieran Close replied at the other end after Paudie McLaughlin was fouled.
A superbly taken Jake McAteer point hinted at a positive finish by the Kickham’s men but it failed to materialise and further points from Feargal Johnston and Benen Kelly saw the Toome men take respite with a 0-09 to 0-03 advantage.
Both sides took a time to get going as the second half got under way but Creggan had their net minder Leon Bonnes to thank as he denied half time substitute John McNabb in the opening exchanges.
Mark Mulholland, Creggan and Tom Shivers, Cargin battle for possession
The home side were confident in their approach and opened their second half account when Fergal Johnston split the posts in the 37th minute after good approach work by Sean Og Quinn and Paudie McLoughlin.
Creggan replied with an impressive Liam Mc Cann point from an acute left sided angle but the home side were quick to make reply through back to back points from Tom Shivers and John McNabb.
The visitors struggled for scores and opted for the lofted delivery but the home defence stood firm with Conan Johnston, Sean Og Quinn, and Hugh O’ Donnell making timely interventions.
Erin’s Own launched a decisive counter involving several players with John McNabb’s cross palmed to the net by the excellent Benen Kelly and Cargin were 1-12 to 0-04 ahead and in total control.
Creggan were badly in need of scores but Liam McCann’s blasted effort crashed off the crossbar and over for a point when a goal was badly needed. Aiden Mc Keown followed with another point a few minutes later but that was to be their final score.
Cargin laid siege to the Creggan posts in the latter stages as Tom Shivers and John McNabb, added points and Benen Kelly added another to conclude the scoring to send Cargin through to the final where they will meet St. Gall’s.
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Sean og Quinn, Conan Johnston, Hugh O’ Donnell, Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01),Benen Kelly (1-03), Ronan Devlin, Odhran Molloy, Charlie Mc Cann, Fergal Johnston (0-03), Brendan Laverty, Kieran Close (0-04), Enda Mc Grogan, Tom Shivers (0-04),
Subs
John Mc Nabb (0-03)
PJ Quinn
C Scullion
Kyle Johnston
Diarmuid Quinn
Creggan: Leon Bonnes ,Mark Mulholland, Sean Mc Auley, Pearce Mc Guckian, Jake Mc Ateer (0-01), Odhran Hampsey, Aiden Mc Keown (0-01), Sean Donnelly (0-02), Dermot Mulholland, David Mc Guckin (0-01), Tiernan Mc Larnon, Brian Mc Ateer, Mark Dougan (0-01), Leigh Johnston.
