The nominations for the Devinish Antrim Club All Stars football team have been announced with the winners and runners-up in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior championships featuring strongly as expected
Antrim Football Club All Star nomination
Category / Football
Rasharkin resurgence continues
U17C Football Championship semi-final
Ardoyne 2-08
Rasharkin 3-06
The hard work being put in by the mentors of St. Mary’s Rasharkin continues to pay dividends and that resurgence in fortunes was again evident on Sunday when they travelled to Fennell Park and defeated a good Kickham’s Ardoyne side in the semi-final of the U17C Minor Football Championship.
Victory looked unlikely during the early exchanges as Rasharkin fell behind early in the 1st half, conceding 2 quick goals, leaving them 7 points down after 20 minutes and the South West side looked badly in need of inspiration.
That inspiration arrived as Rasharkin clicked into gear and started the comeback with goals from Joseph McNeill and Daniel Doherty and points from Oisin Casey and Daniel Doherty to leave Rasharkin leading by 1 point, 2-04 to 2-03 as the half time whistle sounded.
The momentum appeared now to be very much with the visitors as the second half got under way and an early second half goal from Oisin Casey moved them four ahead.
Ardoyne, who had defeated Naomh Padraig, Lisburn in the quarter-final, came back strongly to level the contest and at this stage the Kickham’s looked favourites to push on for victory. Points were exchanged from either team in an exciting finale with the Rasharkin point coming from Cormac McMullan. The loudest cheer of the day came from the Rasharkin faithful who had made the journey to Fennell Park as Daniel Doherty, the coolest man on the field slotted over the winning point from a free and ended a very sporting contest.
In the other semi-final of the U17C championship Tir na nOg recorded a resounding victory over St. Brigid’s B in Creggan, running out 5-9 to 0-7 winners over the Musgrave Park second string.
Rasharkin now meet South West rivals, Tir na nOg, Randalstown in the U17C final in Ballymena on Sunday morning (16th October) at 11-00am
Rasharkin scorers:
Oisin Casey 1-03
Daniel Doherty 1-02
Joseph McNeill 1-00
Cormac McMullan 0-01
Early Higgin’s strike crucial as St Brigid’s claim a final berth
Antrim Under-17A Football Championship (semi-final)
Erin’s Own Cargin 0-05 St Brigid’s 1-04
A 10th minute goal by impressive full forward JJ Higgins was to prove crucial as St Brigid’s gained a place in the under-17 football championship at the expense of a fancied Erin’s Own side in a blustery rain lashed Toome on Sunday last.
The full forward was first to a Technan McGarvey delivery just after a Conhuir Johnston’s point at the other end had seen the home side get off in front. Higgins was first to his wing man’s delivery to punch to net to give the South Belfast side the lead.
The full forward added a point a couple of minutes later and in the unfriendly conditions with the onlookers looking for shelter, the 1-01 to 0-01 lead looked a useful advantage.
Cargin’s Conhuir Johnston was being carefully shadowed and the home side were finding the target difficult to navigate as several promising openings were spurned as the wide ball tally increased.
It was Johnston who was to make the next mark when he fired between the posts from long range after an illegal tackle on himself.
As the home side proceeded to have difficulty in finding the target Cahir O’ Boyle came forward to punish a further indiscretion on the hard grafting Jack O’ Neill in the 29th minute which was to complete the tally in the opening period and the visitors took respite from the conditions holding a 1-02 to 0-03 advantage.
Conditions deteriorated as the second half got under way and after Rory McErlaine came forward to send a 30 metre free between the posts to increase the St Brigid’s lead, another foul on Conhuir Johnston at the other end was punished when Cahir O’ Boyle sent the award between the posts.
Scores were proving increasingly difficult to come by in the difficult conditions but a couple from the accurate boot of centre forward Rory McErlaine from the left hand side ensured a 1-04 to 0-04 advantage for the visitors as the game entered the final stages.
The home side needed to find the net in the last minutes but the St Brigid’s defence stood firm as the clock ticked onwards towards completion.
Conhuir Johnston, who had been closely marked throughout, added a point after taking a pass from the impressive Jack Harney but in the event it was not enough as St Brigid’s stood firm to go forward to the final.
St Brigid’s will meet Con Magees Glenravel in next week’s decider after the South West side travelled up to Milltown on the same day returning with an impressive semi-final victory over St Gall’s.
Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Eoin Scullion, Hugh O’ Donnell, Patryk Matchyk, Ciaran Mc Peake, Ben Mc Larnon, Cahir O’ Boyle (0-02), Cian Scullion, Charlie Mc Cann, Jack Harney, Conhuir Johnston (0-03) Patrick O’ Neill, Jack O’ Neill, Diarmuid Quinn, Callum Gribbin
St Brigid’s: Luke Logue, Conor 0’ Connell, Conor Logue, Darra O’ Grady, Thomas McKenna, Sonny Doyle, Mark Goodman, Thomas Lloyd, Donnach McGurk, Techal McGarvey, Rory Mc Erlean (0-03), Dara Quinn, Conor Gilecce, JJ Higgins, James Mallon.
Subs
Fiontan Hardy for P O’ Neill
Referee: M O’ Neill (Armoy)
Glenravel cling on to reach final
U17A Football Semi Final
Naomh Gall 1-07 Con Magee’s Glenravel 1-11
With conditions far from ideal, a resilient Glenravel side managed to hold off the second-half challenge of a tenacious St Gall’s at Milltown on Sunday. It turned out to be a game of two halves in what was a rerun of last year’s U17B Semi-Final with Glenravel the brighter side in the first and St Gall’s springing into life in the second. It was an absorbing and dramatic tussle with a tempestuous atmosphere at the climax with a few unsavoury scenes spilling over after the full-time whistle.
Oisin Kelly’s superb fisted effort to the net into added time ensured there was only a point in it going into the last minute. However, seconds later, when Glenravel broke on the counter attack, Daire Higgins ruthlessly despatched his effort to the net to seal his side’s progression to the final where they will meet St Brigid’s.
Glenravel raced into an early four-point lead in the opening quarter with Peader McDonnell (2) on target and Shea O’Broin converting from the placed ball (2.) Glenravel were moving the ball fluidly and their industry in the middle third was reaping rewards. St Gall’s too played some quick, silky stuff but had difficulty in converting scores. Manus McCrossan was a constant threat for the hosts driving forward and his battle with Niall Hynds proved to be a pivotal battle.
Naomh Gall got the scoreboard ticking on the 15th minute When McCrossan split the posts from the dead ball but Daire Higgins responded minutes later with a curled effort from the left flank.
The hosts were searching for penetrative avenues for scores but struggled with Glenravel’s tigerish defending. They did however double their tally through the trusty right boot of Padraig Ó’Muirigh as he popped over from a free.
This only seemed to stir Glenravel back into life as they finished the half strongly. Eamon Ward’s searching runs from centre back were a thorn in the side of the Milltown men’s defence and he struck over a fine point before full-forward McDonnell added another to his tally to leave the score 0-02 to 0-07 in at Paul Burn’s short whistle.
St Gall’s emerged a much more potent threat in the second and began to find their range. Despite two quick points from Eamon Ward widening the gap, they responded well, and the introduction of Conor McVeigh seemed to swing momentum back in their favour. McVeigh announced his arrival emphatically with a beautiful point after selling a dummy or two in the build-up.
St Gall’s now had their opponents camped in their own half and Glenravel couldn’t seem to find an outlet to relieve the pressure. The hosts’ rejuvenated approach play was causing headaches for the Con Magee’s. Ciaran Óg Mullan fired over from a tight angle before Aaron Mackle opened his account with a caressed effort from the left flank. Padraig Ó’Muirigh then cut the deficit to only two points on the fiftieth minute as the hosts continued to rally, backed by their home support.
With full time approaching, Glenravel were in desperate need of a score to settle them and Shea O’Broin held his nerve as he converted from a testing free with great composure. The ever-dangerous Cormac McKeown then gave his side that all-important comfort score after he broke from defence with blistering pace to fire over.
Tempers were simmering as Paul Burns brandished a flurry of yellow cards to either side with St Gall’s searching for a crucial goal. Their prayers were answered late in added time when towering midfielder Oisin Kelly rose highest to fist to the net from a high ball in as route one paid off. With a single score now separating the sides, the hosts were buoyant as they searched for that elusive equaliser.
But agonisingly for them it failed to materialise and Daire Higgins sealed the win with a last gap goal on the counter-attack. His rasping effort rippled the net emphatically to trigger a roar from the travelling fans.
Credit to both sides for a hard-fought and entertaining affair. St Gall’s will rue their slow start as they looked a far better side in the second half. Glenravel will be delighted with the resilience and mentality they demonstrated to get over the line. It promises to be an intriguing final against a talented St Brigid’s side.
Teams:
Naomh Gall
L Burns; C Parker, O Maskey, L Walsh; S MacAdhaimh, L Lynn, C Hale; J McCullagh, O Kelly (1-00;) A Mackle (0-01,) M McCrossan (0-01,) D Crawford; C Óg Mullan (0-02,) P Ó’Muirigh (0-02,) A Pierce
Substitute scorer
C McVeigh (0-01)
Con Magee’s Glenravel
D Carey; C Laverty, N Dickson, J Leech; C Mooney, E Ward (0-03,) O McClintock; C Duffin, N Hynds; C Ward, S O’Broin (0-03,) P Ward; C McKeown (0-01,) P McDonell (0-03,) D Higgins (1-01)
Clever Cargin finish strong to reclaim McNamee Cup
Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Final
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-18– 3-09 St. Mary’s Aghagallon AET
Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park
Cargin came from eight points behind in the second half and finished strongly in the second period of extra-time to clinch their fourth Antrim Senior Football Championship in five years with a 1-18-3-09 win over Aghagallon at a wet and windy Corrigan Park this afternoon.
Two goals in the space of four first half minutes from Adam Loughran and Ruairi McCann stunned the pre-game favourites and a further McCann goal after the restart left Ronan Devlin’s men with a mountain to climb.
But they didn’t panic and clawed their way back into contention with Michael McCann’s 51st minute strike a real hammer blow to Aghagallon- who needed to force extra-time despite leading for the majority of proceedings.
Extra-time was cautious until Cargin stepped things up and landed four scores on the trot to down the brave resistance of Aghagallon and ensure the Padraig McNamee trophy will reside in familiar surroundings for the next 12-months.
Cargin went into the game as favourites to reclaim the trophy that they relinquished with defeat to eventual winners Creggan 12-months ago.
While Aghagallon were hoping that they would be able to put the disappointment of last year behind them and try to clinch the trophy in their second ever outing in the senior decider.
Aghagallon were first off the mark on a soggy afternoon on the Whiterock Road, Jamie Lamont fed a perfect pass to Ruairi McCann- who claimed a mark and subsequently converted.
Eunan Walsh was denied doubling his sides lead by a terrific diving block by John Carron and Cargin levelled at the other end through a steady Pat Shivers point; after Jamie Gribbin slipped him a nice ball inside.
The underdogs restored their lead after Justin Crozier was penalised for holding inside and Gareth Magee converted.
Magee doubled his tally after Ruairi McCann held the ball up and laid it off to sweep between the posts.
Cargin were back on terms before the midway point in the half, Paul Mulholland halted the direct run of Ciaran Bradley and Tomas McCann was on hand to convert and Pat Shivers then swung over from James Laverty’s lay-off to level at 0-03 apiece.
The Toome men had a border-line penalty appeal turned down when Pat Brannigan halted the run of Sean O’Neill, but referee Conall Roberts was happy for play to continue, and O’Neill would later depart after sustaining a knock.
O’Neill’s replacement Benan Kelly made an instant impact and had his side in front for the first time with an excellent score.
On 20 minutes the opening goal of the final arrived, Jack Lenahan dropped a side-line ball on top of Eunan Walsh- who gathered and fired low past John McNabb to edge his side 1-03-0-04 in front.
Gareth Magee converted his second free of the half in the aftermath and his side were in dream land on 24 minutes when they hit their second major in the space of four-minutes.
A high ball into the square by Eunan Walsh picked out Ruairi McCann and the full-forward fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-04-0-04.
Magee finished his sides scoring for the half with his third free – though back-to-back frees from Tomas McCann and Shivers would cut the deficit at the break as Aghagallon went in at the interval with a 2-05-0-06 lead.
Cargin would have been hoping for a positive beginning to the second period but found themselves further behind within three minutes of the restart.
Eunan Walsh slipped the ball off to Ciaran Magennis and with the Cargin defence stretched he picked out Ruairi McCann to steer home his second goal of the afternoon.
Tomas McCann kicked his third free of the afternoon in response and brother Paul then fisted another point in quick succession.
The Toome outfit were on the comeback trail as Jamie Gribbin’s excellent score from range was followed by a converted 45’ by John McNabb to half the margin that McCann’s goal had exerted.
A further free from McCann brought them closer, though Aghagallon found a much-needed score- their first in 16 minutes.
Eunan Walsh drove towards goal and popped the ball off to Ruairi McCann, he In turn slipped a pass to Gareth Magee to shoot between the sticks.
With little under ten minutes remaining Cargin reduced arrears to the bare minimum with their only goal of the contest.
Tomas McCann sent a high pass in the direction of brother Michael on the edge of the square and he did enough to bring it down and send a low shot to the corner of the net to make it 3-06-1-11.
Parity was restored for the first time since the 17th minute when John McNabb kicked his second placed ball of the afternoon.
Three minutes were added on at the end of the half and a minute in Cargin edged in front for just the second time through a magnificent, angled effort from James Laverty that dropped over the bar.
Aghagallon suddenly found themselves in an unfamiliar position of having to chase a leveller, having worked hard to hang onto their lead and their persistence paid off when Jack Lenahan picked out brother Oisin to swing over the leveller at the near post and force extra-time after a 3-07-1-13 draw at the conclusion.
Extra-time:
Extra-time saw both sides adapt a huge degree of caution, and it took six minutes of the first period for the opening score to arrive.
Eunan Walsh fed substitute Pauric Magennis- who has felled, and Gareth Magee kicked his third free of the contest.
Cargin would draw level with the last kick of the first period after Jamie Gribbin fed Pat Shivers to drop a high shot onto the roof of the net.
Aghagallon hit the front 60-seconds into the second period after Pauric Maginnis charged forward and lashed a shot high over the bar. But it would prove to be their final score of the contest and Cargin would finish strongly.
Tomas McCann converted his fifth placed ball to level again and after claiming the subsequent kick-out; Cargin hit the front through an excellent angled shot from Pat Shivers.
The Aghagallon defence were stretched as they chased an immediate response and Benan Kelly added to his first half point with a fisted finish over the bar- when a goal was a possibility.
Two-points remained the difference going into added time and Cargin eventually found their insurance point, having re-entered proceedings and shaken off a first half injury- Sean O’Neill nipped and won possession and dropped a shot between the posts to seal the deal and a fourth Championship win in five seasons for his side.
The final whistle sounded shortly after, and a familiar green invasion hit the Corrigan turf to celebrate with their heroes.
James Laverty would eventually join Antrim Chairman Ciaran McCavana to accept the Padraig McNamee trophy and the celebrations could begin for the Toome men who take their familiar position at the summit of Antrim football and will begin preparations for the Ulster Championship in the coming weeks.
Erin’s Own Cargin: J McNabb (0-02 45’), K O’Boyle, J Crozier, C Donnelly, J Carron, J Laverty (0-01), S O’Neill, R Gribbin, G McCann, C Bradley, J Gribbin (0-01), P McCann (0-01), P Shivers (0-05, 0-01f), M McCann (1-00), T McCann (0-05f). Subs: B Kelly (0-02) for S O’Neill (17), S O’Neill (0-01) for R Gribbin (37), M Kelly for M McCann (60+2). Extra-time: B Laverty for C Donnelly (68), K McShane for M Kelly (73), D Johnston for B Kelly (76), G McCorley for J Laverty (79).
St. Mary’s Aghagallon: D O’Hagan, D Donnelly, J Lamont, P Mulholland, C Magennis, P Branigan, D McAlernon, O Lenahan (0-01), J Lenahan, E Walsh, A Loughran (1-00), M McAfee, G Magee (0-06, 0-04f), R McCann (2-01, 0-01m), J Hannon. Subs: P Gowdy for J Hannon (blood sub 12-17), P Gowdy for J Hannon (HT), E McCartan for P Gowdy (42), P Maginnis for M McAfee (50). Extra-time: S Devlin for P Mulholland (77), N McShane for P Brannigan (80+2).
Referee: Conall Roberts
