Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Glenavy sink Glenravel in the lough shore sunshine

Antrim Football League – Division 2

Glenavy 1-12 Glenravel 0-09

Con Magees will look back on a game of too many missed chances. They only converted nine scores from twenty three attempts and that effectively is the story of the game. Combined with too many frees conceded by the visitors when the opposition’s sharp shooting freetaker Fergal Henry was in fine form gave Con Magees a mountain to climb – a mountain that proved just too much on the day. This defeat seriously dents the Glenravel men’s promotion hopes, and as the league nears the half way stage they fall further behind both All Saints and Aldergrove, both of whom had good wins today.

Glenravel opened well with a brace of points from Eoin Hynds but Fergal Henry was running riot up front for the men in Orange and he would score five on the trot in an impressive ten minute spell to nudge his side ahead by three. However Glenravel would then take back control with a run of points from Daniel McQuillan (3) and Eoin Hynds to leave the half time score 0-06 to 0-05 in favour of Glenravel.

Glenavy started very strongly in the second half with three consecutive frees from Fergal Henry (2) and Malachi Doherty to put the home side two in front ten minutes into the second half. Two minutes later we saw the pivotal moment of the game when Glenavy keeper Stephen Daly made a great point blank save from Charlie Henry denying him a goal and twenty seconds later Glenavy had a goal of their own when Fergal Henry converted from short range, effectively opening a five point lead for the home side, when they could have been a point in arrears had it not been for the agility of Daly. Both teams would trade scores to the end of the game but Glenravel couldn’t make inroads on the deficit and ultimately declared six points short. They will look back despairingly on their poor return from twenty three efforts – albeit three of them came off the woodwork and were cleared.

by thesaffrongael

Late Johnston point earns Cargin a share of the spoils

ACFL Division 1

St John’s 2-09 Erin’s Own Cargin 2-09

A 59th minute point by their hard grafting centre forward David Johnston earned Cargin a share of the spoils with their hosts St John’s in a close fought encounter at Corrigan Park on Saturday.

A close game from start to finish kept the good attendance well entertained throughout, and in the end the sides could not be separated with Johnston’s late finish tying matters at the final whistle.

The penultimate games in the first phase of the league competition saw St John’s play hosts to their country cousins from Cargin on Saturday morning and the good crowd in attendance were to be treated to an entertaining game.

Cargin took the game to the opposition right from the start but spurned a couple of gilt edged opportunities and it was the home side’s Loughlan McCurdy who made no such error, grabbing a goal in his side’s first attack.

The home side’s keeper Stephen Mc Guinness made a smart save to deny David Johnston in the 3rd minute but the Toome men were on par shortly thereafter as Justin Crozier’s precise lay off opened the way for Tom Shivers to find the net.

Conor Adams pointed a free to restore the home side’s lead but it was the visitors who responded and points from James Laverty and Pat Shivers saw them take an early 1-2 to 1-1 lead.

Back came the Johnnies at the end of the opening quarter and a strong run by mid fielder Conor Hand concluded with a precision based finish to the Cargin net and the home side were back in front.

The Johnnies lead didn’t last long however as their visitors gained supremacy in the vital central zone through Gerard McCann and John Carron and Carron sent Pat Shivers in to raise white before adding a point himself.

The restored their lead when Michael McCann placed Kevin Mc Shane to raise white but it was the home side who were to finish the half on as the accurate Conor Adams despatched back to back frees between the posts to see the Corrigan side 2-03 to 1-04 ahead at the break.

St. John’s started the second half as they had finished the first and back to back pointed frees from the impressive Conor Adams moved the four ahead but Cargin were quick to reply and points from Michael McCann and  Pat Shivers (2) saw them on back on level terms.

The Toome men were flexing their proverbial muscles as the second half progressed and a positive approach opened the way for Mark Kelly to fire to the back of the net to put them three ahead.

Cargin looked to be taking control as the game moved into the final quarter when replacement Conan Johnston fired between the posts to negate another fine point by Conor Adams.

The Whiterock side were far from finished however and a three unanswered points from Conor Adams, Ciaran Garland and Conall Mc Glade ensured parity 2-08 apiece as full time approached.

The visitors regained the lead when Justin Crozier, found Tom Shivers in space with the youngster firing straight and true between the posts.

A 56th minute Conaill Mc Glade point followed but the last score was to belong to the Toome men as David Johnston split the posts to earn his side a share of the spoils.

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St Johns: Stephen McGuinness, Ciaran Garland (0-01), Padraig Nugent, Conor Dyson, Conaill Mc Glade (0-02), Conor Johnston, Luke Peden, Conor Hand (1-00), Simon Mc Donagh, Sean Wilson, Andy Mc Gowan, Loughlin Mc Curdy (1-00), Conor Adams (0-06) Stephen Tierney

Subs

Conall Quinn

Ronan Quinn

Darragh Mc Callan

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane (0-01), Paudie Mc Laughlin, Justin Crozier (0-01), James Laverty (0-01), Ronan Grbbin, Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron, Mark Kelly (1-00), David Johnston (0-01),Pat Shivers (0-03), Tom Shivers (1-01), Michael Mc Cann (0-01), Ciaran Bradley

Subs: Conan Johnston (0-01)

Gerard Mc Corley

Referee: B Toland (L Dhearg)

by thesaffrongael

McCann the man as Antrim defeat Wexford

Tailteann Cup Round 2

Chadwicks Weford Park

Wexford 0-14 Antrim 2-15

Pics by Noel Reddy

Wexford must be sick of the sight of Antrim’s Ruairi McCann. If they’re not they should be as the big Aghagallon full-forward added two goals to his recent haul against the Leinster men.

In 2020 he hit two against today’s opponents in a NFL Division 4 game in Glenavy and in 2019 he rattled the net in Wexford Park in the same competition and he continued that impressive form today as Antrim came from behind to move top of the group and have qualified for the quarter-finals with one round remaining

Antrim centre forward Adam Loughran steps inside the challenge of Wexford’s Conor Carty during Saturday’s Tailteann Cup game at Chadwick’s Wexford Park. Pic by Noel Reddy

McCann struck with two second half goals within two minutes to inspire Antrim to an eventual comfortable seven point victory but it didn’t appear to be heading that way for much of the opening half.

Wexford had shown enough through the opening period, with some splendid flowing football, to suggest they were capable of backing up their draw with Fermanagh, but they were total eclipsed through the second period by a now dominant Antrim outfit, who restricted the home side to just three second half points.

Wexford had been the better of the two sides through the opening twenty minutes at the end of which they led by five points, 0-9 to 0-4, but it was Antrim who finished the half strongest with some well taken scores, giving them the confidence to go on and dominate the second period.

Liam Coleman and Paraic Hughes gave the home side the ideal start with two points inside the opening three minutes. They went on to add further points through Hughes, Mark Rossiter and Kevin O’Grady, while Antrim managed two points in between from Marc Jordan and Dominic McEnhill to remain in touch.

Antrim’s Cathal Hynds in action during the Tailteann Cup win over Wexford. Pic by Noel Reddy

Wexford then had a dominant spell with Michael Furlong, Rossiter and O’Grady adding further points and by the twentieth minute they had stretched into a 0-9 to 0-4 lead.

Antrim began to assert themselves at Mid-field with Conor Stewart dominating and finished the half with points from a Michael Byrne ‘45’ and a free from the Antrim keeper. Patrick Finnegan added another and two from McEnhill reduced the deficit to two at the half way stage.

The visitors carried that momentum into a second half which they dominated and they struck with the game’s opening goal in the 7th minute when Patrick Finnegan sent a searching delivery towards the Wexford goal which was fielded by full-forward Ruairi McCann who rifled a tremendous shot to the net from twelve metres.

Before Wexford had a chance to recover the Aghagallon man struck with a second as he got on the end of a delightful move to beat keeper Darragh Brooks with a well-placed shot to the corner of the net, giving his side a 2-9 to 0-11 lead.

Antrim shut up shop in defence after this and Wexford had to wait until the forty-seventh minute for their opening second half score, a Ben Brosnan point, but it was evident they faced a real struggle to haul themselves back into contention.

Odhran Eastwood in action against Wexford’s Kevin O’Grady. Pic by Noel Reddy

The pressure continued from the visitors and it was only excellent saves from keeper Brooks that denied them further goals, but in the end they have managed to put back to back victories together and have qualified for the quarter finals with one game remaining.

That game is against Fermanagh, who beat Leitrim in Carrick on Shannon and will be played at a neutral venue.

Wexford: D Brooks (1f, 1, 45), M Furlong, P Hughes, K O’Grady, B Brownan (1f), M Rossiter 0-2 each; L Coleman, M Rossitger 0-1 each.

Antrim: R McCann 2-0; D McEnhill (5f) 0-8; M Byrne (2f, 2, 45s) 0-4; P Finnegan 0-2; M Jordan 0-1.

Wexford: D Brooks, B Molloy, P Hughes, M Furlong; E Porer, G Malone, C Walsh; L Coleman, N Hughes; C Carty, E Nolan, K O’Grady; R Brooks, M Rossiter, B Brosnan. Subs: R Waters for P Hughes (inj. 11); J Tubritt for R Brooks (49), C Kinbsella for Brosnan (49), D Lyons for Walsh (54), S Nolan for Waters (61).

Antrim: M Byrne; R Boyle, P Healy, P McCormick; P McBride, J Finnegan, D McAleese; C Hynds, C Stewart; P Finnegan, A Loughran, R McCann; M Jordan, R McCann (St. Mary’s), D McEnhill. Subs: D Lynch for Healy (58), O Eastwood for Loughran (65), O Doherty for Finnegan (66), C Higgins for Jordan (69).

Referee: D Marnane (Cork)

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by thesaffrongael

Football Fixtures (Previews) Sunday 21st May

Another full round of fixtures as the end of the first phase of the competition, and the ‘split’ draws near.

At completion of this round the top six teams will proceed on a single round basis to determine league champions to claim the league title while the remaining teams will proceed on the same basis to determine the relegation issue.

Sunday 21st May

Division One

All games at 2-00pm

St Brigid’s v St Gall’s

South Belfast based St Brigid’s have endured a poor return for their efforts thus far and they will travel to Milltown to meet St Gall’s in need of a win.

They are in a spot of trouble following a latest defeat at the hands of Tir na nOg and are marooned at the bottom of the table.

St. Gall’s have been going fairly well this year and unless their visitors can find the improvement required a home win does look likely.

O’ Donavan Rossa v Tir na nOg

Tir na nOg have mixed the good with the bad this year but they picked up two useful points last time out with a win over St. Brigid’s.

The Whitehill side have six points to date but remain close to the relegation zone and they will travel in search of a much needed victory.

Rossa sit one place below their visitors with six points from 9 starts but

with home advantage will start as favourites and although the South West side will ask questions a Rossa victory looks on.

St Enda’s v Kickham’s Creggan

Creggan recovered from a run of poor results to beat Moneyglass last time out but still sit too close to the bottom of the table for comfort.

The Kickham’s had only 2 wins for their efforts prior to than win over St Ergnat’s and they will travel up to Hightown in search of  another couple of points to aid progress to a top six finishing place.

St Enda’s also remain with a chance of a top six spot but they need the addition of points from their remaining fixtures to aid their cause.

Points are at a premium in this one and a close encounter is anticipated with the Kickham’s just given the nod.

St Mary’s Aghagallon v Lamh Dhearg

St Mary’s Aghagallon with fifteen points  on board as the ‘split’ approaches are certain to be involved in the top six contest as they welcome the inform  Lamh Dhearg.

The Hannahstown men have really gained in stride of late and they will travel to the Soldiers Town Road venue in a positive mood.

This could be close but ground advantage will ensure the Aghagallon men will start as favourites and they may well claim victory.

Division Two

All games at 2.00 pm

Gort na Mona v St James Aldergrove

Gort na Mona lost their first division status last term and after a strong start in division 2 have faltered recently but a good away win at Sarsfields last time out has kept them in touch with the top six.

They face a tough opponent on Sunday when they take on an Aldergrove side who are unbeaten to date but dropped their first point to league leaders, All Saints on Wednesday night.

St. James’ have enjoyed a positive league campaign to date and they will travel to Enright Park hoping to maintain their unbeaten run with another close one in prospect and a share of the spoils not to be ruled out.

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Michael Davitt’s

Cuchullian’s Dunloy have struggled this season and with only a single point to date they look certain to face a fight for survival in the second division.

The dual club are running out of games to earn points and they will play hosts to Davitt’s in what is their penultimate game certain in the knowledge that they will reside in the bottom six of the division.

Davitt’s, started the season well but have faltered recently and will travel in search of a morale boosting victory and they may well be rewarded unless the reigning Intermediate football champions can find their mojo.

Patrick’s Sarsfield’s v Kickham’s Ardoyne

Both sides remain in touch of a top six place with Ardoyne beating Davitt’s on Wednesday night while Sarsfields gave Glenravel a run for their money last time only losing out by a point.

Kickham’s will travel to the Bear Pit looking to maintain that good form but

with ground advantage likely to aid the Paddies to a win.

St Joseph’s Glenavy v Con Magee’s Glenravel

Glenravel currently sit second in the division and a place in the top six looks certain for Joe Cassidy’s charges.

They edged out Sarsfields at Fr. Maginn Park on Wednesday night and will take the road to Glenavy in search of another positive return.

Glenavy have enjoyed a fairly good season to date and they will play hosts to the Glensmen with a full return of the points required to ensure a place in the top six.

The Chapel Hill side face a tough challenge in this one but a win is not beyond them and their greater need may see them take the points but it could go either way.

All Saint’s Ballymena v St Patrick’s Lisburn

All Saint’s Ballymena have enjoyed an excellent season to date and top the division 2 table at present as they face St. Patrick’s Lisburn in their final fixture of the opening faze.

They remain unbeaten to date but have drawn three of their ten fixtures and will be hoping to finish with a win in their last game before the split.

St Patricks have struggled after gaining promotion from division 3 last season and they are unlikely to get anything from their trip to Ballymena.

Division Three

All games at 2.00 pm

Wolfe Tones v Patrick Pearses

This one involves sides from the North side of the city and although Wolfe Tones will give their all, another win for the high flying Pearses looks probable

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St Mary’s Rasharkin top of the table with ten straight wins in the league and are likely to increase that run further from the v sit of St. Agnes.

St Malachy’s v Laochra Loch Lao

Laochra Loch Lao have lost their last two games to Naomh Comhghall and Rasharkin but should return to winning ways from the visit of St. Malachy’s.

Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Eire Og

Mc Crory Park residents O’ Donnell’s remain in close touch with goings on at the top of the division and they may well add another couple of points as prize for victory here as South Belfast side Eire Og pay a visit to their abode on the Whiterock road.

St Mary’s Rasharkin top of the table with ten straight wins in the league and are likely to increase that run further from the v sit of St. Agnes.

St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Agnes

St Mary’s Rasharkin top of the table with ten straight wins in the league and are likely to increase that run further from the v sit of St. Agnes.

St Malachy’s v Laochra Loch Lao

Laochra Loch Lao have lost their last two games to Naomh Comhghall and Rasharkin but should return to winning ways from the visit of St. Malachy’s.

Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Eire Og

Mc Crory Park residents O’ Donnell’s remain in close touch with goings on at the top of the division and they may well add another couple of points as prize for victory here as South Belfast side Eire Og pay a visit to their abode on the Whiterock road.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim face difficult away trip in Tailteann Cup

Wexford v Antrim

Chadwicks Wexford Park 5-30 Saturday

Antrim travel to Wexford on Saturday for what looks like a difficult fixture in the Tailteann Cup round 2 having performed well last week in their opening game of the competition against Leitrim at Corrigan Park.

Antrim recovered from conceding an early goal to the Connaught minnows to rack up a convincing 3-18 to 2-12 win and produced periods of exhilarating attacking football which got an appreciative response from the good crowd that attended.

Adam Loughran was Antrim’s outstanding performer and finished the game with 2-3 with the other goal coming from his Aghagallon clubmate, Ruairi McCann.

Paddy McBride has made a successful return to the Antrim side after injury

Loughran was an outstanding performer for Antrim a couple of years back when they reached the semi-final of the Ulster U20 championship and with Pat Shivers, Ryan Stewart and Cormac McGettigan he has now progressed to the senior side.

This wasn’t his senior debut of course but previous outings have been dogged with injuries but if he can stay injury free then he will surely be a major player for the Saffrons in the coming years.

Ronan Boyle was another who came into the side at right back and the St. Brigid’s man looks like another with a bright future while Dominic McEnhill had his best game in an Antrim shirt and can only get better with more game time.

Marc Jordan was once again outstanding for Antrim and his driving runs from deep opened up the Leitrim defence time and again while Paddy McBride looks like he is getting back to his best after a lengthy injury.

Peter Healey has been another inspirational player for the Saffrons this year and Dermot McAleese made his return following a lengthyt injury while Joseph Finnegan was the latest to have been tried in the problem full-back position and could again line out there at Wexford Park.

Injuries deprived Andy McEntee of the services of Ryan Murray and Kevin Small with Murray likely to miss the rest of the season while long term injuries to Paddy McAleer and Jimmy Gribbin have a way to go before their return to action.

Manager Andy McEntee will be hoping for another sterling performance from Marc Jordan (Right) and the rest of his side at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday
Adam Loughran was Man of the Match against Leitrim and Andy McEntee will be hoping for another big performance from the Aghagallon man in Wexford on Saturday evening

What of Wexford?

While Antrim were turning on the style at Corrigan Park, Saturday’s opponents Wexford were staging a fine second half come-back against Fermanagh at Brewster Park.

Fermanagh had appeared to be in control of the contest as they led 1-10 to 0-7 with 20 minutes remaining before Wexford battled back.

The away side were awarded a penalty which resulted in Fermanagh goalkeeper Sean McNally picking up a black card and although replacement goalkeeper Jack Kelly saved Ben Brosnan’s spot kick, Brosnan made no mistake at the second time of asking to fire to the net.

This really lifted Wexford and in added on time Brosnan knocked over a free to level things at 1-12 apiece.

Still Fermanagh looked to be in the driving seat as the game reached the 50 minute mark but then came Brosnan’s goal to get Wexford back in the tie. Lyons and Cathal Walsh traded points although another Lyons free following a foul on Quigley put two in it in added on time.

Points from Conor Kinsella and a Brosnan free then levelled it up before Fermanagh thought they had won it as Quigley swung over.

But there was to be one final twist as Brooks drilled over the ’45 as it finished 1-13 to 1-13.

The Leinster men will surely have been elated by this result and it should put them in a confident frame of mind as they welcome Antrim to Wexford Park.

Antrim defeated Wexford in the NFL Division 4 in Glenavy in 2020 with Ruairi McCann getting two goals that day and the big Aghagallon man will be hoping to bring his recent good form into Saturday’s encounter.

A year earlier the same sides met at Wexford Park in the league and Wexford were the victors on that occasion, ending Antrim’s promotion chances.

The Saffrons have mixed the good with the bad this season on their travels with a good win away to Tipperary in the league followed by a heavy defeat in Mullingar to Westmeath.

At their best they look capable of beating anyone in the group however and they will need to be at their best on Saturday and if they are, then they are capable of gaining a second Tailteann Cup win.

Antrim v Leitrim: Michael Byrne (0-02, 1f, 1 45); Ronan Boyle (0-01), Peter Healy (0-01), James McAuley; Paddy McBride, Joseph Finnegan, Dermott McAleese; Jack Dowling, Conor Stewart (0-01); Patrick Finnegan, Adam Loughran (2-03), Ruairi McCann (0-01); Marc Jordan, Ruairi McCann (1-02), Dominic McEnhill (0-06, 5f)

Subs: Patrick McCormick (0-01) for J McAuley (27), Cathal Hynds for J Dowling (47), Pat Shivers for R McCann (Aghagallon, 66), Odhran Eastwood for P Finnegan (66), Cormac McGettigan for M Jordan (70+2)

Wexford v Fermanagh: D Brooks (0-2, 1f, 1 45); C Carty P Hughes (0-1), M Furlong; L Coleman, E Porter, C Walsh (0-1); G Malone (0-1), N Hughes (0-1,mark); R Brooks, E Nolan (0-2), K O’Grady (0-1); R Waters, M Rossiter, B Brosnan (1-3, 3f).

Subs: A Tobin for Waters (h/t), B Molloy for Hughes (50), B Cushe for Furlong (57), J Turbitt for R Brooks (60), C Kinsella (0-1) for Roissiter (67).