A County Minor Football league (Div one)

                                                All Saint’s Ballymena 1-03 Erin’s Own Cargin 3-10

The introduction of both Hugh O’ Donnell and Conhuir Johnston in the second period ensured a win for Cargin in their meeting with All Saints at Quinn Park on Sunday. Only a single point separated the sides following a low key first half in which the posts at either end proved an elusive target.

A fine goal by Diarmuid Quinn in the early minutes the product of an inch perfect delivery by Cian Scullion saw the visitors nip smartly away from the start blocks after a Louis White point at the other end

The Toome side added a couple more points shortly after via Ryan O’ Neill and Cahir O’ Boyle to suggest that the visitors were on their way to success, but in the event further scores were to be hard to come by in the latter stages of the period.

All Saint’s having took a time to settle after that early Louis White point but they regained composure in front of posts again at the end of the opening quarter as Louis Devlin’s strong approach, and a cute lay off saw Gareth Bradley fire to the back of the net.

This scorer settled the home side and only the crossbar prevented Ciaran Mc Quillan adding a second major, but the wing half forward gained some consolation shortly after when he clipped a 25 metre free between the posts when he was fouled himself.

Cargin having lost their way somewhat following a smart opening replied in the latter minutes and a late Diarmuid Quinn pointed free ensured a slim 1-03 to 1-02 advantage at the break.

Cargin introduced both Hugh O’ Donnell and Conhuir Johnston, both of whom having been on Antrim duty the previous evening and those introductions were to prove productive in the extreme.

Replacement Conhuir Johnston opened his account with a trio of points within the opening few minutes of the second period and after Ryan O’ Neill followed suit the visitors looked comfortable.

The home side kept battling with Louis Devlin and Pearce Martin to the fore but the visitors were now on top and All Saint’s net minder Keelan Clarke did make a splendid save to deny the ever dangerous Conhuir Johnston but he was unable to prevent the substitute adding a further two points in the 44^th and 46^th minutes to extend advantage.

The home side had their backs against the wall as the second half progressed and a fine interception at the back by Hugh O’ Donnell opened the way for Ryan O’Neill to send Conhuir Johnston in to find the net. The same player created another opening for his fellow second period substitute Niall Quinn minutes later and the result was the same.

Cargin finished the game well on top as the final whistle approached with a late score by the home sides Darach Bradley very much a consolation with Cargin breasting the line at 3-10 to 1-03.

All Saint’s: Keelan Clarke, Coary Mc Killop, Owen O’ Rawe, Ciaran Logan, Archie Mc Greevey, Ryan Thom, Louis White (0-01), Pearce Martin, Louis Devlin, Dan Kelly, Ciaran Mc Quillan, Gareth Bradley (0-02), Caolan Neill (1-00), Fiontan Brady, Fiontan Bradley Subs) Luke Walsh, Carter Reid, Euan Anderson, Orran Mayo.

Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Patrick Matchyck, Ben Mc Larnon, Eoin Scullion, Jack O’ Neill, Ciaran Mc Peake, Cahir O’ Boyle (0-02), Cian Scullion, Charlie Mc Cann, Ryan O’ Neill (0-02), Jack Harney, Tom Mc Cann, Carl  Mc Cann, Diarmuid Quinn (1-01).

Subs

Hugh O’ Donnell for T Mc Cann

Conhuir Johnston (2-05) for Carl Mc Cann

Niall Quinn for J O’ Neill

Fiontan O’ Donnell

Conleth Hamill for D Quinn

Referee K Doherty (Rasharkin)

ACFL Division 1 Reserve

Erin’s Own Cargin 2-11 Kickham’s Creggan 0-07

Cargin claimed the bragging rights following their meeting with near neighbours, and close rivals Creggan when a quick getaway and an early Michael Clarke goal aided them to success in the Division One Reserve encounter at Toome on Friday evening.

The home side looked in control when Clarke aided by a fine Kevin Mc Shane fetch opened their account with a goal in the opening seconds and when John Mc Nabb added a couple of back to back points they led by  1-03 to 0-00.

The Kickham’s lads were having none of that however and with Aiden Mc Keown and Odhran Johnston gaining foothold in the central area they took the game right back to their hosts and back to back points by Tiernan Mc Larnon and David McGuckin saw them of the mark.

The Cargin responded and David Johnston and Enda McGrogan opened the way for PJ Quinn to make reply with a fine 15^th minute point.

The home side did look back in business again but Kickham’s soon returned again to the offensive and a trio of unanswered points by impressive middle man Aiden Mc Keown (2), and David Mc Guckin from a 30 metre free kick following a foul on the pace laden Joe McAteer ensured only a couple of points separated the sides, 1-04 to 0-05 after 25^th minutes.

Cargin had last say in the closing stages when a superb approach and a finish to match saw Benen Kelly conclude a 50 metre approach with a fine 29^th minute point to ensure a 1-05 to 0-05 interval lead for the Toome side.

Having nipped away to a smart getaway in the opening half, Cargin were to follow suit in the second with Benen Kelly who had raised the last flag in the first period returned to action to add another within a minute of the restart.

A smart score by the youngster, and when he was fouled in approach a minute later John Mc Nabb despatched the resultant award firmly between the posts despite the 50 metres distance.

 The wing half forward was involved a few minutes later when he claimed the ball in the central zone to combine with Michael Clarke who finished to the net in conclusion ensuring an advantage of 2-06 to 0-05.

Creggan made quick reply via Aiden Mc Keown, who despatched a 40 metre free between the posts a few minutes later, but Cargin soon regained control with young full back Cahir Donnelly combining with goal scorer Michael Clarke to see the wing forward adding a point.

A foul on the advancing Kevin Mc Shane opened the door for John Mc Nabb to split the posts again from long range in the 46^th minute and ensure the Cargin show was back on the road leading 2-08 to 0-06.

Despite the odds being very much stacked against them the Kickham’s kept battling and Joe McAteer pointed to raise their hopes but but this score was promptly answered to as Tom Shivers added back to back points at the other end.

Creggan wasted a few opportunities to add to their tally in the closing stages and Cahir Donnelly, Mark Keegan, Conan Johnston and Tom Shivers combined to send Michael Clarke to raise the last white flag to usher Cargin over the line points secured at 2-11 to 0-07.

Cargin: Leah Laverty, Gerard Mc Corley, Cahir Donnelly, Mark Keegan, Conan Johnston, Brian og Devlin, David Johnston, Kevin Mc Shane, Eunan Quinn, Benen Kelly (0-01), Enda Mc Grogan , Enda Mc Grogan, Michael Clarke (2-02), PJ Quinn (0-01), John Mc Nabb (0-05), Tom Shivers (0-02).

Sean Mc Auley for PJ Quinn

Odhran Molloy for E Quinn

Sean Og Quinn for D Johnston

Creggan: Leon Bonnes, Rory Mc Veigh, Jake Mc Ateer, Declan Mc Cann, Liam Mc Cann, Niall Mc Auley, Odhran Mc Cann, Aiden Mc Keown (0-04), Dermot Mulholland, Leigh Johnston, Joe Mc Ateer, Tiernan Mc Lernon (0-01), David Mc Guckin (0-02),Brian Mc Ateer.

Subs

Conor Graffin for N Mc Auley

Oisin Mc Ateer for O Mc Cann

 Referee A Emerson (Rossa)

Tyrone joint managers Fergal Logan and Brian Doohar were the chief guests at Friday’s Saffron Business Forum Sports lunch at the Crown Plazza Belfast. The two men who guided Tyrone to last year’s All Ireland Senior Football title suffered a bit of friendly banter about last Sunday’s Ulster Championship defeat to Derry but they took it all in thier stride and gave a few ‘digs’ themselves as they were interviewed by Antrim’s dynamic duo Paul McErlane and Shane Elliott. There were a good few laughs, as you would expect, given the two men on the mics, but when it came to the serious stuff both Logan and Dooher were excellent interviewees, who received warm rounds of applause from the 600 guest who attended.

Overall the day was another raging success, which raised funds for the Saffron Business Forum for their support of GAA in the county. On a personal note we at the Saffron Gael would like to thank SBF for their continued support and for the cheque for £1000 which Paul McErlane presented to our editor John ‘Curly’ McIlwaine

Paul also presented £1000 to Robbie from Foodstock, the West Belfast Food Bank.

The next round of the under-17 leagues continues on Sunday with the usual mid-day start time for all of the games in the three divisions.

Sunday 8^th May

Under 17 League

Division One (All games at 12 noon)

St Gall’s v St Brigid’s

The league leaders St Brigid’s who have remained unbeaten since flag fall play hosts to a St Gall’s side which has only a single win to their credit thus far and unless radical improvement is forthcoming from the Milltown lads a home win looks likely.

St Paul’s v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass

A close one in prospect here as Moneyglass take the Belfast route to meet up with St Paul’s and although a close one in prospect suggested by their respective programmes to date the St Ergnat’s lads may well gain a narrow verdict.

All Saint’s Ballymena v Erin’s Own Cargin

Having lost their opening game with Glenravel Cargin have continued on the winning trail since that one and they will visit Ballymena in this one with the possibility of continuing in winning ways a real prospect for the Toome lads although the Saint’s will give them a game.

Con Magees Glenravel v St Mary’s Aghagallon

Having started their 2022 campaign on a positive note and a win at Toome the Con Magee’s lads have not retained that winning feeling in their games thereafter but they may look at this one as a chance to regain the positive as Aghagallon visit.

Division Two

St James Aldergrove v Casement’s Portglenone

Aldergrove with a single positive return gained to date will look for another couple of points in this one as Casement’s who have gained a couple of wins come a calling, and although this may well be a close one the Portglenone lads are given the nod.

Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Enda’s

The Paddies have struggled to make any impact thus far in the league and they will seek better in this one as the Glengormley based St Enda’s come a calling with the possibility of a drawn game and a share of the spoils possible.

Corpus Christi Gaels v O’ Donovan Rossa

The amalgamation that is Corpus Christi Gaels have proceeded through their assignments to date without dropping a point and they will play hosts to the Shaw’s road based Rossa looking to extend their positive trail a step further.

Lamh Dhearg v Kickham’s Creggan

Lamh Dhearg have been faring well in their games to date and the Hannahstown lads remain close to the top only a couple of points behind the front running Dunloy and they will look to add another couple of points in this one as Creggan visit their Hannahstown base.

St Joseph’s Glenavy v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s

Despite sterling efforts made Mc Crory park residents O’ Donnell’s remain without reward in points gained and they will travel out to Glenavy with positive intention but the Chapel Hill lads will start this one as firm favourites.

Division Three

Tir na Nog v St Patricks Lisburn

The Whitehill boys in close attendance to events at the top of that table, and the Div Three feile winners will start this one as firm favourites as St Patrick’s pay a visit.

St Comgall’s v Kickham’s Ardoyne

St Comgall’s top the table at this time but they need to be at their best in this one as the similarly in form Ardoyne’s visit.

St Brigid’s (b) v St Paul’s (b)

This looks likely to be a close one as St Brigid’s second string play hosts to the St Paul’s second fifteen with ground advantage possibly tipping the balance in favour of the South Belfast lads.

St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Teresa’s 

Rasharkin with just a single defeat endured to date will start this one as firm favourites as St Teresa’s visit with the points at stake likely to remain at Dreen.