St. Mary’s Ahoghill will reflect on a first half that they mostly controlled but didn’t convert enough chances as the reason for their demise in this close encounter in the ACFL Division 1 at Shaw’s Road today.
Ahoghill played with the breeze in a first half where they were well on top but only scored 0-5 and Rossa’s goal from Colm Fleming in the 18th minute was the score that ultimately decided the game in the end.
The home side only managed two scores themselves during the opening 30 minutes but added 1-4 in the second half and a second goal from Fleming from the penalty spot was enough to see Hugh McGettigan’s men over the line.
Patrick Graham and Eamonn Brady kicked the visitors into a two point lead after only four minutes as St. Mary’s made the early running but they failed to build on that early lead and Colm Fleming finally got Rossa off the mark from a free in the 13th minute.
Diarmaid Graham and Brady again replied for the Clooney side but they were caught again by a Rossa counter attack and Fleming fired home the game’s opening goal with 18 minutes on the clock.
St. Mary’s were enjoying plenty of possession but were having difficulties in turning good approach work into scores but moved ahead again through a Ronan Graham point in the 24th minute but it would prove to be the final score of the half.
The visitors looked to have a tough task on hand as they turned into the breeze for the second half but James O’Connell gave them renewed hope when he extended their lead to two with a good point from play in the opening minute.
They received a setback however when Noel Crossey was penalised for a foot block a minute later with the referee pointing to the penalty spot and Fleming converted the resulting award to give his side back the lead.
Fleming pointed a free to extend the Rossa lead and Mick Byrne came forward to add another as Rossa experienced their best period in the game before Bernard Graham replied with a point for the visitors in the 17th minute.
The momentum was with Hugh McGettigan’s side however and points from Thomas Morgan and Eoghan McMenaman moved them four ahead with seven minutes remaining and they seemed to be home and safe but Ahoghill were not yet finished.
They came back strongly in the closing stages with Diarmaid Graham, Ronan Graham and Tom McGlone hitting late points to close the gap to the minimum but that was as close as they got with Rossa holding on for their first win of the campaign.
Rossa: 1 Mick Byrne, 2 Connor McGowan, 3 Ciaran Orchin, 4 Matthew Mallon, 5 Padraig Moyes, 6 Richard Gowdy, 7 Conal McDonald, 8 Eoghan McMenaman, 9 Jack Morris, 10 Darren Grego, 11 Niall Crossan, 12 Thomas Morgan, 13 Colm Fleming, 14 Ben McCauley, 15 Darra Rocks.
Ahoghill: 1 Noel Crossey, 2 Seamus McKeever, 3 James Magee, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Eamonn Brady, 7 Diarmaid Graham, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Thomas McGlone, 12 Bernard Graham, 13 Conor Paul Crossey, 14 Ronan Graham, 15 James O’Connell, 17 Donal Graham, 18 Gerard Graham, 20 Daniel O’Neill, 22 Colla McDonnell, 24 Ryan McPeake, 25 Conor McGarry,
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-05 St Gall’s 1-04 (abandoned due to injury)
An accidental injury to young wing half forward Marcus Donnelly just a few minutes into the second half caused the Cargin v St Gall’s division one league game in Toome on Sunday to be abandoned.
The home side led by the bare minimum when the injury occurred but as the teams waited for the arrival of an ambulance the match official called a halt to proceedings.
St. Gall’s were first to give employment to the score board attendant when the ill-fated Marcus Donnelly made ground out on the right hand side to collect a clearance from Thomas Bunting and fire to the back of the Cargin net.
Cargin’s John Carron
The Milltown men increased their advantage a few minutes later when a foul on Niall O’Neill opened the door for Sean Burns to plant the resultant award firmly between the posts to give the visitors a good start.
After a sluggish start to proceedings the home side began to get a foothold with Sean Og Quinn and Ronan Gribbin taking control in defence and net-minder John McNabb came forward to send a lofted delivery which ended in the net before Paudie Mc Laughlin added a point to bring the sides level.
St Gall’s regained the lead at the start of the second quarter through another Sean Burns pointed free but John Carron was quick to reply with a superb score before a foul on the advancing Eunan Quinn was punished by Tom Shivers to put the home side in front 1-04 to 1-02.
St Gall’s reduced the deficit to the minimum when Sean Burns added a 27th minute point but the home side had the final say of the half when a late Tom Shivers point gave them a 1-05 to 1-03 interval advantage.
St Gall’s Sean Burns
St Gall’s opened the second half with an early point from Niall O’ Neill following a Cormac Flannery clearance but that was to end the action as wing forward Marcus Donnelly fell awkwardly in pursuit of a loose ball to suffer what looked like a serious leg injury, forcing referee Karol Doherty to abandon the game.
The stricken Marcus Donnelly was taken to hospital by ambulance after an early halt was called to proceedings and the Saffron Gael and Erin’s Own Cargin wish a speedy recovery to the young St Gall’s man and look forward to his return to the ranks of the Milltown Blues in the near future.
Match referee Karol Doherty
Cargin: John McNabb (1-00), Sean Og Quinn, Cahir Donnelly, Gerard Mc Corley, Justin Crozier, Ronan Gribbin, Brendan Laverty, Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron (0-01), Ciaran Bradley, Sean Og O’ Neill, Eunan Quinn, Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-02), Kieran Close (0-1)
St Gall’s: Niall McCurdy, Tiarnan Keenan, Cormac Flannery, Eoghan Mc Curdy, Gaireach Mac Adaimh, Thomas Bunting, Jack Hopkins, Ryan Irvine, Manus McCrossan Marcus Donnelly (1-00), Sean Burns (0-03), Ruairi Wilson, Conn Doherty, Niall O’ Neill (0-01), Brendan Bradley.
A goal from Benny McDonnell as the game moved into injury time clinched both points for All Saints over an Ardoyne side who can count themselves unfortunate not to take anything away from an evenly balanced contest at Slemish Park today.
The Kickham’s had controlled possession during the final quarter and drew level through an Aidan McNeill free in the 27th minute and were pushing hard for a winner. An interception from excellent cornerback James Gillan instigated a swift counter attack however and McDonnell got the final touch to a sweeping move that split the opposition wide open.
It was Aidan McNeill who opened the scoring from an 8th minute free for the visitors with Patrick Ferris replying for All Saints after 10 minutes of a very cagey first half with both side pulling players behind the ball and denying the opposition space.
All Saints Sean McVeigh breaks clear of the challenge of Ardoyne’s Cormac Mullan
Slowly though Ardoyne began to get on top as they hit three great points on the trot through Cormac Mullan, Michael McGreevey and Oisin McVicker to lead 0-4 to 0-1 with 17 minutes gone.
At the other end the home side’s best efforts were being thwarted by some resolute defending or careless passing but Brendan McDonnell finally settled them with a good point from distance in the 18th minute and two more from Emmet Killough and a Michael McCarry free had the sides level.
Joe McNeill edged Ardoyne back in front with a point in the 22nd minute but another excellent effort from Brendan McDonnell and another from Ronan McKillop saw the home side hit the front for the first time with three minutes remaining to the break.
The final score of the first half fell to Ardoyne’s Gary McKernan as the sides went to the dressing rooms tied at 0-6 apiece but with the wind at their backs for the second half Liam Bradley’s side must have fancied their chances of pushing on in the second half.
It was the North Belfast side who were first on the mark when play resumed however as Aidan McNeill pointed from a Mark in the opening minute and for the next 10 minutes they frustrated the life out of the opposition with a very efficient possession game.
Oisin McVicker fires over an Ardoyne point
When the home side did get their hands on the ball they got turned over time and again as a superbly organised Ardoyne defence denied them time and space but Luke O’Rawe finally opened their account with a good point to draw level after 13 minutes.
This score seemed to settle Liam Bradley’s side and Benny McDonnell finished off a good move to restore their lead and further points from a Michael McCarry free and Ronan McKillop from play saw them move three in front with ten minutes remaining.
It looked as good as over at this stage but Ardoyne had other ideas and came back strongly with points from Cormac Mullan, Cathal Keown and a well struck free from Aidan McNeill off the ground to leave it tied after 27 minutes.
The momentum was now very much with the Kickham’s as they went looking for the winner but they were caught on the counter attack as James Gillan made a timely interception and a swift and incisive exchange saw Michael McCarry place Ronan McKillop in the clear and McDonnell applied the coup de grace.
Ronan McKillop embraces Benny McDonnell after he had scored the winning goal to give All Saints their first win of the season at Slemish Park today
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Matthew Downey, James McDonnell, James Gillan, Patrick Ferris, Emmet Killough, Ciaran McGarry, Luke O’Rawe, Sean McVeigh, Shea O’Brien, Michael McCarry, Connell Lemon, Ronan McKillop, Benny McDonnell, Conor Brennan Subs: Rhys O’Mullan for Sean McVeigh, Darrach Bradley for Luke O’Rawe,
Portglenone’s Niall Kelly and his St. Joseph’s Donnaghmore side are just one step away from All Ireland glory. Standing in their way are Abbey CBS, Tipperary when the sides meet at the Downs in Westmeath on Saturday.
There is a strong Antrim representation on the coaching staff at St. Joseph’s with Niall Kelly assisted by Paul Quinn, a former player with Casement’s Portgtlenone and Sean Turner, a coach with O’Donovan Rossa in Belfast.
The Saffron Gael have had the privilege of covering a number of St. Joseph’s game on their way to a first McLarnon Cup success this year and have been massively impressed by the football the Tyrone college have served up on their way to McLarnon success.
Unfortunately it has been Antrim schools who have felt the brunt of Niall Kelly’s side’s excellent attacking football in the knockout stages and the big man who played his football with Casement’s, Portglenone has his charges in great shape as they prepare to negotiate the final hurdle in what has been a ground breaking season.
Donnaghmore overcame the challenge of St. Mary’s CBGS, Belfast in this year’s McLarnon quarter-final and it was another Antrim school, St. Louis Ballymena who felt the full force of their attacking flair in the semi-final in Slaughtneil.
Rathmore Grammar from Belfast briefly threated to spoil the party for the Tyrone side in the McLarnon final at the ‘Dub’ when they led through an early goal but St. Joseph’s recovered from a slow start to draw level at half time before pulling away to win comfortably in the second half.
The Saffron Gael caught up with Niall Kelly this week and asked him about how he had come to be teaching in St. Joseph’s Donnaghmore, about his route to this weekend’s final and his thoughts on the team and his expectations.
Niall Kelly on duty with St. Joseph’s DonnaghmoreNiall Kelly in his coaching role at Casement’s Portglenone
Niall was actually a student at St. Louis, Ballymena, one of the sides that St. Joseph’s beat on their way to McLarnon success.
He told me “I attended St. Louis Grammar, Ballymena before continuing my studies in St Mary’s University College, Belfast. I qualified as a Business Studies Teacher in 2016. My parents own a Mace Shop in Dunloy, where I work most Saturdays, however, with the recent success in school football, I could be close to being replaced. I was involved in coaching the U20’s with our club last year and this year, I am assisting with the U15 team”
I asked Niall about his own playing career and what honours he had won with Portglenone.
“To be honest Paddy I didn’t have the playing career I would have liked. I played with Casements at underage before merging with Stinsons where we won a number of leagues and championships; the highlight was winning the Feile in 2007. With Casements, we won the U21 Championship in 2013 and luckily, I made it back from injury for the Ulster Campaign in Creggan, where we were edged out by a formidable Truagh Gaels. I went on to win several reserve leagues and championships. I was lucky to play with close friends Dermot McAleese and Niall Delargy who are the backbone of our club team. I played for Long Island in New York and Westmeath New York before returning home to complete my teaching degree. After completing the degree, I played in Sydney, Australia for the Cormac McAnallen team, where my time was cut short due to a significant knee injury. Despite numerous physio visits and rehab programmes I was advised there was too much damage done and had to retire from football at 28.
Action from the McLarnon semi-final between St. Joseph’s Donnaghmore and St. Louis Ballymena, Niall McKeever’s former school
I then asked Niall “How long have you taught at St. Joseph’s Donnaghmore. Had you any previousappointments”?
“When I returned home from Australia in 2018, I took up a teaching post in St Joseph’s Grammar School, Donaghmore and I have been there ever since. The school, also known as ‘The Convent’ overlooks the village and is a fantastic place to work. I currently am Head of Year 10 and I teach Business Studies along with Key Stage 3 PE. The convent was formally an all-girls school, and the first admission of boys was 20 years ago, in 2003. The current Senior Team, who will represent the school on Saturday started in D College football and have won their first ever B College title in the McLarnon Cup a few weeks ago.I am not the only local man on the teaching staff – Paul Quinn is a former Casements player and Sean Turner is an underage coach from Rossa GAA Belfast”.
We went on to talk about the team’s journey to the final. The teams they played and how those games went?
“I suppose the Journey really started last year when we won our first McLarnon Cup Group game and went on to reach the semi-final where we were beaten by the eventual winners, Carrickamacross. We kept most of the panel this year and we could tweak our game plan and use the hurt of coming up short last year to get over the line this year. We started in the group with a difficult away fixture in Bessbrook, then Abbey VS Donegal and St. Pius Magherafelt. There was very little in these games which stood us in good stead for the knockouts. We then faced St Mary’s CBS, St Louis Ballymena and Rathmore Grammar in the final. The final was played in the Dub under lights; there was a fantastic atmosphere and for the first half Rathmore were strong, well drilled and were every bit as good as us. We were fortunate with a few goals, but it must be noted the score line did not reflect the game at all. Finally, we faced the Leinster Champions Ardee CS in Iniskeen on 25th February. They had eased their way through a Leinster Campaign and proved difficult opposition but luckily, we got the goals and the right time and came through on the winning side”
I continued by asking Niall what he knew about Saturday’s opponents, Abbey CBS Tipperary
“Well, Abbey CBS reached the final of this competition in 2016 and have won three of the last four Munster B titles. Their principal is none other than John Kiely, the Limerick Hurling Manager and coached by Tipperary Star, Conor Sweeney. Their team is littered with Tipperary and Limerick minors and U20’s. We would expect a physically strong, aggressive, and battle-hardened Tipperary Team who don’t know when they are beat, winning all of their games in the last quarter”
We then went on to talk about the St. Joseph’s Donnaghmore side.
Niall Kelly said “We are lucky to have a great bunch of feeder clubs including Donaghmore, Galbally, Carrickmore, Eglish and Dungannon to name but a few. Our Full Back Ben Hughes is with the Tyrone U20’s and Electric Minor All-Star, Joey Clarke and Noah Grimes have been key parts of the Tyrone Minors and Queen’s Future All Stars.
“Who were the players and the people who inspired you when you were growing up”
“First and foremost, my Father Seamus inspired me and my brother to take up football. He would follow all our games and even has ventured to the Donaghmore games recently.
From a playing perspective I was inspired by our club senior team following great club men like Damian O Hagan (Scotchy), Tony Convery, Marty McCarry and Owen Doherty.
From a coaching perspective many of the men above helped in that capacity too, along with Gerard McAleese and Ciaran Doherty who took us around the country. We are very fortunate in Portglenone as we have countless volunteers and underage coaches in our club and It is going from strength to strength. Regardless of the result on Saturday, I will be out helping with the U15’s come Monday evening”
I think I would speak for all Saffron Gael readers in wishing Niall Kelly and his colleague on the St. Joseph’s Donnaghmore coaching staff all the best on Saturday and from what I have seen of them this year I would expect St. Joseph’s to take the Paddy Drummond back home from Westmeath on Saturday evening.
The Second round of the football league is scheduled for Sunday (12th) and this will provide a ‘wake up’ call for the clubs involved.
The senior club games are set to get under way at 10.00 am and this early start could provide problems for the travelling clubs.
The inclement weather forecast for the next few days could play havoc with the scheduled fixtures with the fixtures secretary hoping for improvement by Sunday.
Division One
(All games at 10.00 am)
St Brigid’s v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
St Brigid’s suffered defeat in their opening game down at Clooney when they lost to Ahoghill.
The South Belfast men started that one as firm favourites but found the James O’ Connell inspired St Mary’s men too hot to handle and they will look for better this time as they welcome Moneyglass to Musgrave Park.
Moneyglass lost their opening game in the top grade last week when a Eunan Walsh goal sowed the seeds of victory for the 2022 beaten county championship finalists, Aghagallon and they will travel to the City hoping for a first win but St. Brigid’s may just shade it.
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Gall’s
Cargin opened their league campaign on a positive note when they gained the points with victory at Whitehill over Tir na nOg and they return to Toome for visit of St. Gall’s.
St Gall’s lost to Casement’s in their opening game and Paddy Mc Shane’s charges will travel down to Toome seeking a better return in this early morning fixture.
Cargin will start as firm favourites on their own sod and may well collect the points.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Enda’s Glengormley
St Mary’s opened their league campaign last week with a win over Moneyglass at Marian Hill and they will enjoy home advantage for round two as St Enda’s visit.
The Hightown side sat had no game last week but they will travel out to the home of last season’s beaten county senior finalists with a degree of confidence.
Aghagallon with the legend that is Pete Mc Grath holding the reins may well have one eye on the championship this year but ground advantage may well tip the balance in their favour.
Casement’s Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg
Casement’s opened their league account with a win up at Milltown and John Mc Keever’s charges will return to home base for this one as they play hosts to the Hannahstown men at Kelly Park.
Lamh Dearg lost to the visiting St John’s in their opening game with the Whiterock road men gaining the points at Hannastown.
Portglenone began their league campaign with an away win in round one and they will start as favourites to continue on the winning trail in this one with a home victory envisaged.
O’ Donovan Rossa v St Mary’s Ahoghill
Ahoghill got off to a great start last week with a home win over St. Brigid’s and will travel with some confidence for this one.
Rossa lost away to Creggan by the minimum in round one with a late Tiernan Mc Ateer point proving the difference and ensuring a win for the home side in a close encounter.
Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men underlined current wellbeing in that first round encounter and if that is maintained or possibly built upon they may well gain the verdict on home soil.
Division Two
Michael Davitt’s v St Teresa’s
Davitt’s opened their account for 2023 with a narrow win over Sarsfields at the Bear Pit, a venue on which the Paddies are never easily overturned.
Davitt’s will return to the familiar terrain of Davitt’s Park this time as they welcome Glen Road side, St Teresa’s.
Liam Mc Goldrick is still in charge of Teresa’s and with a 4-12 to 0-08 win over Dunloy on day one, they will travel up the road with wind in their proverbial sails.
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St James Aldergrove
Dunloy started the season as the Intermediate football champions but with a weakened side they failed to cope with the experienced St Teresa’s on the Glen road.
The Cuchullian’s are back on their own ground for this one and they may well struggle to cope with the challenge offered by the visiting Crumlin men.
St Paul’s v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Patrick’s gave a good account in their opening game before losing out to the visiting Gort na Mona with only a handful of points in it at conclusion.
The Gorts claiming a 2-10 to 1-08 win.
The Lisburn side are on the road this time as they travel to Shaw’s Road to play St. Paul’s
The home side lost to Aldergrove on day one but they will should get a first win in this one but it could be close.
Gort na Mona v Con Magees Glenravel
Joe Cassidy’s Glenravel made it all the way to the Intermediate final last year and they started this season’s league campaign with a draw against All Saint’s at Fr Maginn Park.
The South West side are on the road this time as they travel to West Belfast for a meeting with Gort na Mona at Enright Park.
Gort na Mona won at Lisburn last time and they will line out for this second round encounter with confidence high and with home advantage may gain the points but it could be close.
All Saint’s Ballymena v Kickham’s Ardoyne
Marty Kane’s Kickham’s side collected a valuable point with a share of the spoils from a visit to Chapel Hill last time and they will travel with confidence to Ballymena to play All Saint’s.
Liam Bradley’s All Saint’s had a similar result at Glenravel last time and they will return to Quinn Park hoping for a home win but with quite a number of players still unavailable they could be pushed all they way.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v Patrick Sarsfield’s
Sarsfield’s lost to Davitt’s last time out and will hope for improvement this time as they travel to Glenavy to take on St Joseph’s.
Glenavy earned a share of the points in round one when they drew with Ardoyne at Chapel Hill and they will hope to go one better in this one but it could go either way.
Division Three
Eire Og v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
Eire Og opened their account in round one with a good win over St Malachy’s but this does look a more difficult assignment as they meet up with O’ Donnell’s.
Patrick Pearses v Wolfe Tones
Reigning Junior champions Padraig Pearses opened their league account with a 5-07 to 1-11 victory over St. Comgall’s in Antrim and they look likely to add another couple of points from this meeting with Wolfe Tones.
Laochra Loch Lao v St Malachy’s
Laochra Loch Lao were well beaten at Dreen by St Mary’s Rasharkin on day one and they will hope for better this time as they play hosts to Malachys.
Mc Quillan’s Ballycastle v St Comgall’s Antrim
McQuillan’s didn’t field on day one and didn’t compete in the league last year but did play in the Junior Championship. Naomh Comhghall should have rtoo much for the Ballycastle side however if the fixture goes ahaead.
Under-17 Division One
All Games 12.00 noon
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Paul’s
St Paul’s opened their account last week with an impressive win over the visiting Aghagallon and the Shaw’s Road side will hope to continue in winning ways again as they visit Dunloy.
St Enda’s v Kickham’s Creggan
Neither side played last day out so it is difficult to predict a result
St Brigid’s v Erin’s Own Cargin
Cargin open their account in round one with a win over Glenravel but this looks a more difficult assignment as they travel up to Belfast and meet the strong challenge of St Brigid’s who just lost out to St Gall’s on day one.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Gall’s
The Milltown side looked good in their opening victory over a much fancied St Brigid’s side and if they continue in such mode another win looks probable.
