Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Rossa get over the fence in U21B win over Sarsfields

Featured Image: Corey Walsh, who had an outstanding game for Rossa in their win over sarsfields

U21B Football Championship semi-final

Rossa 0-13 Sarsfields 0-9

Only a fence separates these neighbouring clubs and there wasn’t all that much between them in this U21B Football Championship semi-final on the Shaw’s Road but hosts, Rossa always held the upper hand in a competitive encounter on Sunday afternoon.

It was O’Donovan Rossa who made the brighter start against Sarsfield’s in this U21B semi-final at Rossa Park with Diarmaid Rogan pointing them ahead in the 3d minute and James Aughey making it 2-0 as he punished a breech by the opposition.

Corey Walsh struck an excellent point to put Rossa 0-3 to 0-0 up after 5 minutes as they enjoyed the aid of a crisp breeze before Jack McLaughlin finally got the visitors off the mark with a good point after a measured build up.

Sarsfield’s Brian Healey comes under severe pressure

Two minutes later Corey Walsh set up Diarmaid Rogan to restore Rossa’s three point advantage and James Aughey and Rogan again added further points to move their side 0-6 to 0-1 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.

The home side were playing with a lot of confidence as keeper, Ruairi McDonagh came forward to send a 40 meter free between the uprights but Sarsfields served notice that they were still there when Daniel Smyth finished a fine move with a point in the 25th minute.

This score seemed to give the men from the Bear Pit some encouragement and Declan Barr steered a fine left footed effort just inside the posts to leave his side trailing by five at the break but with the wind to favour them in the second half.

Sarsfields needed a good start to the second half if they were to close the gap on their neighbours but instead it was Rossa who began the half as they did the first with Liam McEnhill collecting a Ruairi McDonagh free that dropped short to fire over.

The impressive Diarmaid Rogan added another to move the home side 0-10 to 0-3 in front by the 6th minute before a well contained, Brian Healey pointed a 10th minute free to get his side up and running.

The men in green were now enjoying a lot more possession but were having difficulty breaking down a well organised Rossa defence where Setanta McDonald, Conall Short and Joseph Mulholland were outstanding.

Diarmaid Rogan impressed in the Rossa attack

The scores dried up at either end for a time but Rossa were handed the opportunity to put the game out of sight when they were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute but Sean Clarke got down to save Corey Walsh’s spot kick.

A well struck 2 point free by Brian Healey with five minutes of normal time remaining to close the gap to four should have breathed new life into the ‘Paddies’ but it failed to inspire his side.

Instead it was Diarmaid Rogan who replied from a similar effort at the other end to restore his side’s six point advantage but Sarsfields did battle to the end with some success.

Jake Ward and Healey with another 2 pointer had it back to three as the game edged into time added on but that would be as good as it got with Diarmaid Rogan converting a late free to see Rossa safely over the line.

Rossa will now meet Gort na Mona, who defeated Tir na nOg in the other semi-final and it promises to be an exciting decider with both A and B Championships set to go to the city this year.

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM TODAYS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/3tri8uC8vnbzh5

by thesaffrongael

Under-21 Football Championship semi-finals

Sunday 9th November

The semi-finals of the under-21A football championship scheduled for Sunday brings together teams from the South and South West as Kickham’s travel to Milltown to meet St Gall’s while Aghagallon play hosts to St Brigid’s at Pairc Na Gael.

St Gall’s v Kickham’s Creggan (12.00)

St Gall’s have impressed on their way to this semi-final with wins over St John’s in their opening game at Corrigan Park and last week’s win over St. Paul’s in the quarter-final. St. Gall’s had home advantage for the St. Paul’s game and recorded a very impressive 2-21 to 0-07 win over the Shaw’s Road side.

Paul Austin was prominent in that win, kicking nine points over the hour and with Manus Smith and Niall Fallon busy in front of the opposition posts Galls were good value for their 20 point victory and served notice they were ambitious of securing their title.

Kickham’s have also impressed in their way to Sunday’s semi-final with Shea McCann in top form and Conor Johnston, Fintan Close and Fintan Kelly all hoping to make their mark on proceedings.

Creggan travelled to All Saints in their opening game and were good value for their 3-7 to 0-7 win but were regarded as outsiders when they entertained Dunloy in the quarter-finals on Monday night.

St Gall’s with ground advantage, will start this one as firm favourites but Kickham’s have shown great fighting spirit and a lot of ability in their two games to date.

Despite a slow start against Dunloy where they trailed for much of the opening half despite having the brisk breeze behind them, they struck with two late goals to lead at the break.

A couple of early points seemed to have put Dunloy back in control but Creggan were not to lose heart with Conor Johnston and Shea McCann leading the way and it was the latter’s late point which saw them run out winners by five points.

The Kickham’s will travel as outsiders but Fintan Close, Shea McCann and Fintan Kelly have the ability to swing it in favour of the South West side but St. Gall’s look favourites to progress.

St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Brigid’s

St Brigid’s enjoyed a clear path to the quarter final stage as Moneyglass withdrew from the competition due to their Ulster Intermediate game against Glenullin.

The South Antrim side faced a difficult draw in the quarter-finals when they were drawn away to Erins Own Cargin and looked in trouble when they trailed 3-05 to 0-04 at the short whistle, despite playing with the wind in the first half.

They came strong in the second half however as the home side failed to replicate their excellent first period performance to run out impressive 4-9 to 3-8 and this win will give them a lot of confidence as they make the trip to Aghagallon.

Niall Duffy with a couple of goals and another from Ruairi McErlean saw them nip ahead and as the home side struggled to regain confidence a penalty conversion by Issac Robinson in the last minute proved decisive.

St Mary’s did not enjoy a great 2025 season at senior level but the performance of their under-21 team at Kelly Park and Hightown suggests better times ahead.

They recorded an excellent 5-21 to 0-0-16 win over Casement’s and followed that up with win over a lively St Enda’s side to earn their place in the last four of the competition.

Aghagallon face what looks like3 their stiffest test to as St Brigid’s visit Pairc na Gael but it is a test they look capable of overcoming and although St Brigid’s will start this one as favourites the St Mary’s side may well gain the day.

U21B Semi-Finals

In the U21B semi-finals Tir na nOg travel to Enright Park to take on Gort na Mona while Rossa entertain neighbours Sarsfields.

The Gorts had a good win over Glenavy in their quarter-final at Sunday’s venue while Tir na nOg recorded a facile victory over visitors Ardoyne.

This one could be much closer but home advantage could swing it Gort na Mona’s way.

Sarsfield’s defeated St. Mary’s Rasharkin in Dreen in an entertaining quarter-final while Rossa recorded a ‘walk-over’ against Lamh Dhearg so they are an unknown quantity.

That run out last week at Dreen will have benefited Sarsfields and they get a tentative nod to advance to the final.

by thesaffrongael

Tough task ahead for Con Magees

Ulster Junior Hurling Championship semi-final

Con Magees Glenravel v Burt at Celtic Park, Derry

Throw-in 1-30

Con Magees Glenravel face a stern task when they travel to Celtic Park on Sunday to take on Donegal champions Burt in the semi-final of the Ulster Junior Hurling Championship.

While the Con Magees were struggling last weekend against Monaghan champions Truagh Gaels in Cushendall, the Donegal men were romping to a seventeen point win over Down champions Castlewellan.

In last weekend’s quarter final the Down men made a good start and were 0-05 to 0-03 ahead but when an attempted point by Kyron McColgan deceived the Castlewellan goalkeeper and dropped into the net things took a dramatic turn. From then on the Donegal champions were never threatened as they pushed on to lead by 1-12 to 0-8 at the interval, despite having faced a strong breeze.

With the breeze behind them in the second half the Donegal champions pushed on. Playing some great hurling they ran up a big score as two goals from full forward Stephen Gillespie really got them going.

With wind advantage in that second period Burt stepped it up a notch as Liam Óg McKinney (2) and Ronan McDermott stretched the lead before Stephen Gillespie struck for the first of two goals, fielding a long ball into the square and slamming it home.

That knocked the stuffing out of Down men, and the only thing in question at this stage was the size of the winning margin.

The Burt team who beat Castlewellan were –  Paul Burns; James Donaghey, Ciaran Bradley, Kevin Curran; Oisin Kelly, Dara Grant, Aidan McKinney; Stephen Gillespie, Kyron McColgan; Eoin McDaid, Ciaran Porter, Conor Gartland; Christopher McDermott, Ronan McDermott, Liam Óg McKinney.

The Con Magees management team are well aware of the challenge facing their Glenravel team in Celtic Park. Neill McCann told the Saffron Gael that they have watched the Donegal side on video and are well aware of the task they face. “Burt are a very good side and a big step up from anything we have faced so far. We were short of our best last week against Truagh Gaels but we are heading into Sunday in high spirits. We have trained well all week and everyone is fit and raring to go. There were a few tired bodies after our battle with Truagh but the boys are fit and well now. We have seen Bert on video and they are a real good side. Looks like it will be a real step up from last week but we are heading into it with our spirits high and confidence up. Burt have been the leading lights in Donegal hurling over the years and have 40 titles overall, the most recent coming just last year in 2024 when they beat this year’s holders Setanta in the final. They won 16 in a row between 1991 and 2006 and have more titles that all the other clubs in the county put together.

Caolan Lennon
Conleth O’Loan
Cormac McKeown

A mammoth task for the Glenravel men. Last Sunday they were well short of their best against Truagh, a game they could easily have lost. However they could not be faulted for lack of effort and despite very little going for them they never gave up the challenge and that is what got them home in the end. They know that they can perform much better than they showed last week so this is the chance to show what they can do.

 

by thesaffrongael

Brídíní Óga must quell McGonigle’s scoring power

AIB & Armagh City Hotel Ulster Junior Championship final

Brídíní Óga, Glenravel (Antrim) v Dungiven (Derry)

O’Cathan Park, Portglenone – Throw-in 1pm

Antrim Junior A Camogie champions Brídíní Óga face a tough task when they take on high scoring Derry champions Dungiven in Saturday’s Ulster final at Portglenone.

The Glenravel girls have had to work very hard to get to the provincial decider and their toughtest game probably came in the Antrim semi-final when they took on Cushendall in Ballycastle. The Dall appeared to be in the driving seat when they held a two point lead going into injury time but a goal from a twenty metre free by team captain Tori Edgar edged them ahead with time almost up before sending over a point from a free to book a final slot against Loughgiel Shamrocks.

Brídíní Óga captain Tori Edgar

In that final the Glenravel girls held the upper hand for most of the game against Loughgiel with Orlaith Gould, Molly Woulahan, Leona Gillan, Erin Coulter and Bronagh Laverty all showing well. The decisive score coming seven minutes after the change of ends. It started when Leona Gillan won the sliotar in a ruck at midfield and released Erin Coulter whose shot at the end of a strong solo run was short. Molly Woulahan though was first on to the breaking ball and she kicked to the net to open up a decisive six point gap. (1-8 to 0-05)

They had home advantage in the semi-final two weeks ago against Down champions Ballyholland and won convincingly. Once again Tori Edgar was unerring from frees and after Kirsty Laverty and Sarah Fyfe got early points, Edgar hit the first of her personal tally of 0-09. Molly Woulahan got in for the goal and by half time they were 1-09 to 0-05 to the good. That seven point lead was doubled during the second thirty minutes as they secured a place in Saturday’s final with a bit to spare.

 Dungiven hit three goals in the first half of their semi-final win over Castledawson in the semi-final of the Derry championship and looked set to romp home but they lost their way in the second period, but held on to set up a final meeting with Ballinderry.

In that final the Dungiven girls again appeared to be in trouble but star forward Aideen McGonigle dug them out with a personal tally of 3-06 and it is clear she is a special player.

In the Ulster semi-final against she surpassed that score, running up an incredible 3-10 and it is clear that Glenravel manager Chris Dornan and his backroom team will have to works out a plan to stem the danger she brings.

This promised to be a great occasion with the pristine sod of Portglenone the ideal surface for a provincial decider. Glenravel have the players to get over the line, but McGonigle will take a lot of watching.

by thesaffrongael

McCallin’s late scoring burst gets holders CPC over the line

Danske Bank Mageean Cup quarter-final:

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 3-20 St Mary’s CBGS Belfast 3-18 (A.E.T.)

Cross & Passion College booked a Danske Bank Mageean Cup semi-final meeting with St Louis in two weeks’ time when the edged out St Mary’s CBGS in Thursday’s quarter final at Quinn Park Ballymena. In a great game the Ballycastle school needed a late scoring burst from centre-forward Oisins McCallin to get them over the line in the second period of extra time.

Sean Og McLaren had a great game for St Mary’s

The side ended level at the end of normal time, after a great equalising point from man of the match Sean Og McLaren as both teams matched each other score for score down the finishing straight. The Ballycastle school held a slender one point lead (3-17 to 3-16) at half time in extra time and it looked anyone’s game, but McCallin showed his class, despite not being in his best form, to nail four points and secure a semi-final meeting with St Louis Ballymena.

St Mary’s started the game really well and an early goal from Lewis Rafferty gave them a perfect start, but they missed a few golden chances to stretch their advantage as five shots were off target, all of them from very scoreable positions. CPC finally settled into the game and full forward Cadhan Crawford had them level when he found the net at the other end, but St Mary’s pushed on again with points from Reece McMorrow and Jay Gault and though Cahdan Crawford pulled a point back, two superb points from Sean Og McLaren saw them open up a three point gap by the end of the opening quarter.

Cadhan Crawford celebrates after scoring a late point. The full forward was joint top scorer with Oisin McCallin

CPC knuckled down and fired over four of the next five points, two of them from Logan McConville, to bring them level, before Cadhan Crawford grabbed his second goal of the game to open up a three point gap. At this stage it looked like the north Antrim side were getting on top but CPC hit back with points from Boyle, Rafferty and McLaren to tie things up again. A well judged pass by Paidi O’Kane set up McCallin for his team’s third goal, but once again the Belfast boys found an instant response and Rafferty grabbed his second goal to cut his team’s arrears to just two points at the short whistle. (3-08 to 2-07)

An early CPC point was followed by a goal by second half substitute Cormac McCann and the scores were tied again, and even though CPC were continuing to create chances they were denied on a couple of occasion by Eoghan Millar in the St Mary’s goal, though the CPC players may have been more production taking the simple points on offer.

The final eight minutes of the game saw an amazing shoot-out as the lead switched to and fro, each team hitting five apiece, and many of them right out of the top drawer. Charlie McAuley got two for CPC, Cadhan Crawford one and Oisin McCallin one, while Jay Gault and  Oisin McLaren got two apiece for St Mary’s. McAuley’s second point in injury time looked like it would get CPC over the line but Sean Og McClaren caught Eoghan Millar’s long poc-out and tied things up to take a brilliant game to extra-time.

When St Mary’s led at half time in extra time they must have felt it was going to be their day but McCallin’s scoring burst in the second ten minute period got the holders over the line.

Darren Delander who had a great game at midfield for St Mary’s

CPC: R McShane, E Johnston, L Smyth, A Gillan, O Donnelly, D Kinney, L Connolly, L McConville 0-2, O Connolly, C Johnston 0-1, O McCallin capt 1-8 (0-7 fs), R McQuaid, P O’Kane 0-1, C Crawford 2-5 (0-2fs), E McKendry 0-1.

Subs used: C McAuley 0-2, C McCaughan

St Mary’s: E Millar, O McAuley, J Ward, E Kearney, G Maguire, C Wilson capt, D Jemfrey, D Delander, J Gault 0-5, S óg McLaren 0-6, B McMorrow 0-1, O Boyle 0-1, O McLaren 0-2 (1f), L Rafferty 2-1, F McKinney.

Subs used: C McCann 1-0, C Dempsey 0-1

TO SEE MORE PHOTS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/jJ2oiMaetWcKBq