Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Slane’s injury time point secures opening day win for Davitt’s

ACFL Division 2

Davitt’s 3-13 Ahoghill 3-12

A pointed free from Aaron Slane in the 63d minute gave Davitt’s victory over St. Mary’s Ahoghill in this keenly contested division 2 opener on the Lower Falls on Sunday afternoon.

Dan ‘Neill looked to have given the visitors a share of the spoils when he split the posts, two minutes earlier but the home side launched one last attack and keeper Slane kept his cool when he converted from close range.

It was the Davitt’s net-minder who got the action underway from a 2pt free in the second minute and after Ronan Graham and Brady Maguire had exchanged points, Dan O’Neill fired home the game’s opening goal to give the former division 1 side the lead.

St. Mary’s went on to edge the opening half with Ronan Graham, Diarmaid Graham, Donal Graham, Noel Crossey and Dan O’Neill all on target by the 29th minute and Sean Og O’Neill, Paul McLaughlin replying for the hosts to leave it 1-6 to 0-5 in favour of the Cloney men at the break.  

Aaron Slane whoes injury time point gave Davitt’s victory over St. Mary’s Ahoghill

Patrick Graham extended the Ahoghill lead to 5 on the restart but Anthony Rowntree put Davitt’s right back into contention when he fired past Aiden Graham, three minutes into the new half.

Things were livening up and Noel Crossey replied with a St. Mary’s point but points from Rowntree and Gerard Slane brought the sides level before Donal Graham briefly extended the visitors lead.

The home side were beginning to gain some momentum however with the elements now in their favour and Michael Connolly found the net for their second goal in the 40th minute with Sean Og Smyth adding a quick point.

The visitors looked in a bit of trouble but they responded in the best possible way and Noel Crossey fired past Aaron Slane for their second goal of the contest at the three quarter mark but Davitt’s once again found a response.

Cola McDonnell who found the net for St. Mary’s Ahoghill

Gerard Slane got through for their third goal and Conor John Sullivan and Caoimhin Slane added points as the hosts seemed to be getting on top but the visitors replied through a Cola McDonnell goal and a point from Ronan Graham to move one ahead by the 58th minute.

As the pace and excitement grew at Davitt’s Park Ahoghill looked like  holding on for an opening day victory but the home side were far from finished and a couple of points from the industrious Gerard Slane saw them edge ahead once more.

Dan O’Neill looked to have earned the visitors a share of the spoils with that injury time point but it was Aaron Slane who would raise the loudest cheer of the evening with that late pointed free to ensure the points would remain on the Lower Falls.

An entertaining game of football with both sides deserving credit for the level of scoring skills they provided as last year’s relegated side, St. Mary’s found that life will be difficult in division 2.

Davitt’s, if they can find some consistency, can be challengers in the division this year while St. Mary’s showed enough to suggest that they too will be in the running for honours come the end of the season.

Davitt’s: 1 Aaron Slane, 2 Caoimhin Rainey, 3 Nathan Maginn, 4 Jack Scally, 5 Sean Og O’Neill, 6 Anthony Hargan, 7 James Lindsay, 8 Anthony Rowntree, 9 Deevy Persson, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 11 Michael Connolly, 12 Brady Maguire, 13 Conor John Sullivan, 14 Deaglan Mooney, 15 Caomhan Slane’ Subs – 20 Gerard Slane, 17 Sean Og Smyth

St. Mary’s: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Seamus McKeever, 3 Martin Graham, 4 Shea Neeson, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Patrick Dougan, 10 Donal Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Ryan McPeake, 13 Cola McDonnell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 Dan O’Neill

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

by thesaffrongael

Cargin bounce back

ACFL Division 1

Cargin 1-09 Tir na nOg 1-7

Cargin bounced back from their opening-day defeat to local rivals Creggan with a hard-fought two-point victory over Tir na nOg in Toome, finishing with a final score of 1-09 to 1-07.

Playing into a swirling breeze in the first half, Cargin welcomed back Tomas McCann and Tom Shivers to the fold. It was Shivers who opened the scoring in the third minute with a well-taken point, set up by a Conan Johnston clearance and a Benny Devlin delivery. Tir na nOg responded quickly when Declan Mallon was fouled on a forward run, allowing Ciaran O’Neill to tap over the resulting free for a 2 pointer and get the visitors on the board.

Cargin began to assert control midway through the half. Callum Gribbin slotted over a point in the 13th minute, and Shivers added another from a free after Devlin was brought down, giving the home side a 0-05 to 0-02 lead by the 22-minute mark. Both defences held firm for the remainder of the half, though Cargin suffered a blow when Jack Harney was forced off with a leg injury, replaced by David Johnston.

Hugh O’Donnell, Cargin comes under pressure from Ciaran McGrellis, Tir na nOg

With the wind at their backs for the second period, Cargin extended their lead in the 33rd minute through midfielder Eunan Quinn. Tir na nOg stayed in touch, with Dara Fegan capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to point and narrow the gap to the minimum. The game’s turning point came in the 45th minute when Cargin substitute David Johnston, linking up well with Callum Gribbin and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to give the Toome men a comfortable 1-05 to 0-04 advantage.

Cargin looked to be cruising as Cillian Scullion and Ronan Devlin added quick points, however Tir na nOg refused to fold, and the accurate Dara Fegan kept the scoreboard ticking over with a series offrees to keep the Randalstown men within striking distance.

The closing stages provided serious drama. In the 58th minute, Tir na nOg’s Eunan Murray was denied a goal by a brilliant save from Cargin keeper Daniel McCann. However, a Cargin defender hauled down an attacker in the square during the scramble, resulting in a black card and a penalty. Fegan made no mistake from the spot, suddenly reducing Cargin’s lead to a single point. Sensing an upset, Tir na nOg pushed for an equalizer, but Cargin held their nerve. Ciaran Bradley, who had an excellent game throughout, stepped up in injury time to slot a crucial point, securing the victory for the home side.

Cargin goal scorer, David Johnston and Tir na nOg goal scorer, Dara Fegan

Cargin: Daniel McCann, Sean Og Quinn, Kevin O’Boyle, Conan Johnston, Hugh O’Donnell, Cahir O’Boyle, Ronan Devlin (0-01), Eunan Quinn (0-01), Charlie McCann, Jack Harney, Ciaran Bradley (0-01), David Johnston (1-01), Thomas McCann (0-01), Callum Gribbin (0-01), and Tom Shivers (0-02). Substitutes used included Gerard McCann (0-01), Cillian Scullion (0-01), and F Hardy.

Tir na nOg: S P McAtamney, D Mallon, B McLarnon, Manus Smith, Ciaran O’Neill (0-02), Ciaran McGellis, Aidan Toland, Ryan O’Neill, Oliver McAtamney, R Curtis, Josh Higgins, Sean McKeown, Dara Fegan (1-05), and Eunan Murray.

Referee: R Matthews of O’Donovan Rossa.

TO VIEWE MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim Secure Hard-Fought Victory in Season Finale in Toome

National Football League – Division 4

Antrim 0-18 London 1-14

Antrim brought their Division 4 campaign to a spirited conclusion at Erin’s Own Cargin on Sunday, securing a 0-18 to 1-14 victory over London. While the Saffrons held up their end of the bargain by clinching a fourth consecutive win—a feat not achieved by the county in years—results elsewhere ultimately dictated that both sides would remain in the basement division. Despite the mathematical outside chance of promotion hanging in the air at throw-in, the afternoon served as a showcase of Antrim’s growing resilience, even as a late London surge turned a comfortable lead into a frantic defensive stand.

Pat Shivers celebrates after scoring a late point in Sunday’s narrow in over London in Toome

Playing with the advantage of a first-half breeze, the hosts established a firm grip on the proceedings early on. Dominic McEnhill was in inspired form, particularly during a clinical opening quarter where he slotted over two superb two-pointers. Pat Shivers provided the necessary physical presence and accuracy to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Ryan McQuillan was unlucky not to find the net following a desperate block by the London defence. Late addition Niall Burns proved his worth in the middle of the park, showing great composure to navigate crowded areas and fire over crucial scores that ensured Antrim went into the interval with a deserving five-point cushion.

The question on some peoples lips was, would five points be enough given the strength of the breeze as Antrim might have been much further ahead but were guilty of some poor shooting, dad choices and had a couple of goal chances charged down.

The Healy brothers Kristian and Peter who were on opposit sides in Sunday’s game in Toome. The former St Enda’s players now ply their trade at club level in Dublin and London. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

The complexion of the game shifted just before the break when London’s Ciaran Diver was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Kavan Keenan. Despite being a man down, the Exiles emerged for the second half with renewed intensity, immediately chipping away at the lead with a quick-fire two-pointer and a follow-up score. Antrim appeared to steady the ship as the half progressed, utilizing the extra man to stretch the play. Entering the final fifteen minutes, the Saffrons looked to be cruising toward a comfortable finish, having successfully restored and then extended their advantage to six points.

Antrim’s Tiernan McCormack (10) races through to send over a point during the second half.

However, the closing stages proved far more nerve-racking than the Toome faithful would have liked. A mistake in the Antrim defence allowed Nathan Feeney to break through for a low-drilled goal past John McNabb, sparking a frantic revival from the visitors. Joe McGill then took charge for the Londoners, landing a pair of two-pointers that narrowed the gap to a single point as the clock ticked into injury time. In a frantic finale, a late point from Ronan Boyle provided the necessary breathing room, allowing the Saffrons to survive the late onslaught and end their season on a high note, even if the ultimate prize of promotion remained just out of reach.

There were a lot of great aerial battles in the middle of the field during the game, which added the the excitemant.

A good end to a season where Antrim recorded four wins on the bounce after losing their opening three games and they will rue their defeat to Tipperary in particular when they lost a man to a Red card just before halftime.

Spare a thought for the gallant Exiles. A win over Antrim would have left them level with Longford and given them promotion on a head to head but it wasn’t to be for either side in a season where they have both performed well after a poor staret to their respective campaigns

Nathan Feeney fires in the London goal. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

ANTRIM: John McNabb; John Morgan, Joseph Finnegan, Kavan Keenan; Eoghan McCabe (C), Peter Healy, Niall Burns; Paddy McAleer, Eunan Walsh; Tiernan McCormack, Ronan Boyle; Ryan McQuillan, Pat Shivers, Dominic McEnhill

SUBS: Adam Loughran on for Ryan McQuillan, Tomas McCann on for Patrick Finnegan, Tom Shivers on for Ronan Boyle, James McAuley on for Peter Healy

Scorers for Antrim: Dominic McEnhill 0-8 (3 2pt f’s 2 1pt Pat Shivers 0-4 (0-2F), Niall Burns 0-3, Tiernan McCormick 0-2, Ryan McQuillan, Ronan Boyle 0-1

LONDON: Andy Walsh; Aidan McLoughlin, Matt Moynihan, Sean O’Donoghue; Conor Goggin, Conal Gallagher, Conor O’Donohue; Liam Gallagher (C), Liam Murphy; Josh Obahor, Shay Rafter, Ciaran Diver; Jim Davis, Joe McGill, Kristian Healy

SUBS: Nathan Feeney on for Nathan McElwaine, Finbar Crowley on for Aidan McLoughlin, Liam Crowley on for Conor Goggin

Scorers for London: Scorers: Joe McGill 0-8 (0-2F, 2xTPF), Nathan Feeney 1-0, Shay Rafter 0-2 (0-1f), Conal Gallagher 0-2, Josh Obahor 0-1, Kristian Healy 0-1

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim teams in action this weekend

The Antrim Senior Hurlers, Senior Footballers and Under 20 Hurlers teams have been named for this weekend. The Senior Hurlers players face Down in Newry in what is effectively a relelgation play-off in Division 1B of the National Hurlling League Division 1B’ the Footballers take on London in Cargin at 1pm in Division 4 of the National Football League and the Under 20 Hurlers face Meath in the Leinster Championship in Kilmessan at 2pm, Finally the Antrim team to play Kilkenny in Division 1 of the National Camogie League at Nowlan Park is the same as faced Galway last weekend in Cushendun.

by thesaffrongael

Six of the Best for the Saffrons

When they last met…..

Joe McDonagh Cup

Group Stage – Round Two

Antrim 6-22 Down 3-16

Sunday April 24

Brendan McTaggart reports from Ballycran

Antrim made short work of Down on Sunday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of the Mournemen with plenty to spare at the end of 70 minutes.  It was a hugely impressive performance from the Saffrons who made a lightning start to the contest and maintained control throughout.  In what was a significantly efficient performance, Darren Gleeson’s men scored 5-12 from open play and a list of 10 different scorers against a Down side who were full of confidence following their win against Kerry just seven days previous.

While the sun shone on the Ballycran pitch, a swirling wind made life difficult for both sides but Conal Cunning managed to score all but one of his frees, eight of his ten points from placed ball.

The Saffrons majors came from Ciaran Clarke (two), Seaan Elliott (two), Domhnall Nugent and Conor Johnston.  Clarke’s first coming after just ten seconds of the game while this was possibly Elliott’s finest game in a Saffron shirt.  Scoring two goals, a point from a side line and tormenting the Down defence……

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Gerard Walsh, Niall O’Connor; Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McGarry; Joe Maskey, Conal Cunning; James McNaughton, Domhnall Nugent, Conor McCann; Seaan Elliott, Ciaran Clarke, Conor Johnston

Subs: Neil McManus for J McNaughton (44); Eoin O’Neill for C McCann (48); Matthew Donnelly for N O’Connor (51); Daniel McKernan for J Maskey (58); Conal Bohill for S Elliott (69)

Scorers: C Cunning 0-10 (8f); S Elliott 2-1; C Clarke 2-1 (1-00 pen); D Nugent 1-2; C Johnston 1-2; C McCann 0-2; J Maskey 0-1; P Burke 0-1; D McKernan 0-1; G Walsh 0-1 (f)

Down: Stephen Keith; Michael Hughes, John McManus, Tom Murray; Matt Conlon, Conor Woods, Caolan Taggart; Pearse Og McCrickard, Liam Savage; Marc Fisher, Paul Sheehan, Jordan Doran; Daithai Sands, Darragh Mallon, Eoghan Sands

Subs: Gerard Hughes for J Doran (41); Chris Egan for P Sheehan (43); Declan McCartney for D Mallon (53); Padraig Doran for M Fisher (58); Oisin McManus for P Og McCrickard (60)

Scorers: E Sands 2-00; C Egan 1-2; D Sands 0-4; P Sheehan 0-2 (2f); P Og McCrickard 0-2; P Doran 0-2 (1f); M Conlon 0-1; M Fisher 0-1; G Hughes 0-1; O McManus 0-1 (1f)

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)