Antrim’s minor hurlers continued their strong run of form with an emphatic 2-28 to 2-07 victory over Wicklow in Darver in the Peadar Ó Liatháin competition, following last week’s convincing win away to Kildare.
Playing into a strong breeze in the opening half, the young Saffrons moved the ball well and picked off some excellent scores. The standout moment of the half came when the impressive Nathan McKenna finished expertly to the net. A tireless defensive and midfield display ensured Antrim held a seven-point lead at the break, 1-12 to 1-5.
They built on that solid platform after the restart, adding an impressive 16 points in the second half. One of the highlights came from Jay Gault, who surged up the line before cutting inside to split the posts with a superb score. With Damian McMahon commanding the Antrim goal, the defence again worked tirelessly in the second half and Ronan Colgan capped off a fine team performance with a well-taken goal.
It was an excellent all-round display from Antrim, and particularly encouraging to see that the team maintained its high standard even as the squad was rotated.
Attention now turns to next week’s clash with Carlow. With a semi-final spot already secured, Antrim will be aiming to finish top of the group
Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship
Antrim 0-13 Armagh 1-14
Antrim minors produced a spirited performance but it wasn’t enough as they went down by four in the end in this entertaining qualifying round at a sunny Dunsilly on Saturday afternoon.
The Orchard arrived at the Antrim town venue cast in the role of favourites but were pushed all the way by a lively Antrim side who must have felt at one stage as if they were on their way to a famous victory.
It was Armagh who dictated the opening exchanges in almost perfect conditions at Dunsilly and raced into an early four point lead with Conor Barry, Shane Toner 0-2 and Aodhian Carson Gallagher all on target.
The youg Saffrons settled however and slowly began to gain some traction as Tom Convery opened their account but they were thankful to Niall Quinn as Armagh countered and the Moneyglass man pulled off a fine blocking save to deny Aodhain Carson Gallagher.
The visitors were still enjoying the better of the exchanges and Cayden Feeney pointed the resulting ‘65’ but Antrim responded with as point from Dara Campbell to leave just a goal between the sides after 18 minutes play.
Antrim were beginning to enjoy more possession but were guilty of poor choices at times with a number of shots dropping short into the arms of Charlie McGuinness in the Armagh goals.
It was the young Orchard who looked more dangerous in their attacking fazes of the game and a swift counter from mid-field saw Shane Toner fire to the net With the Antrim defence guilty of backing off.
It wasn’t looking good for the home side at this juncture in play but they replied immediately with a good point from Joey Griffin and Tom Convery followed immediately from a close range free and another from Rasharkin’s Shea McFerran had it back to three at half time.
The Rasharkin man had been making an impression in attack and he continued where he had left off as the game got underway again as he split the uprights after 20 seconds and when he raised an Orange flag in the third minute, the sides were level.
The momentum was now with the team in Saffron and they produced another promising attack but Dara Campbell blazed wide when a goal looked on.
It didn’t affect the Casement’s lad, who with his club colleague Tom Convery were more than holding their own in the midfield battle, as he pointed his side ahead from the first time from a free in the 6th minute as the Antrim support roared their approval.
Armagh looked a bit rattled as they kicked a number of wides in quick succession but they were back on level terms when Fiachra Maxwell pointed in the 10th minute.
The hosts were now starting to believe however and Tom Convery edged them back ahead after the lively Joey Griffin was dragged down as he raced in on goal but they then lost Daire Thornbury to injury, with Aodhan O’Hanlon coming on as his replacement.
Colm Kane then replaced Johnny Higgins in the Saffron attack with Shane Toner hitting a fine point for Armagh to level the contest again and Evan McElvenna and Toner again moving the visitors two ahead with 7 minutes remaining.
The home side were not yet finished however and Shea McFerran produced a lung busting run from deep to set up Joey Griffin to leave just one in it again and this one looked like going down to the wire.
McFerran was injured in the build up to Griffin’s score and was replaced by Nathan Burns and it still looked anybody’s game but it was the Orchard who finished the stronger as Evan McElvanna, the superb Shane Toner and Niall Murphy added unanswered points.
It’s been a tough season for Antrim minors and lesser teams would have dropped their heads when results were not going their way but, credit to this group and their management, they have stuck to their guns and have got better and better as the season progressed.
Last week they led Monaghan 0-6 to 0-2 at one stage before going down to a strong Farney side and again today, they have shown glimpses of just what they are capable of and I’ve no doubt we will see quite a number of these players turning out for the seniors in the years ahead.
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As the Saffron fans set off to Portalaoise Brendan McTaggart looks forward to the task facing Antrim’s in the McDonagh Cup game with the O’Moore County. A win and they are back in the fight, a defeat and we are depending on other results
So, who had a late Donal Hughes goal on their bingo card for the McDonagh Cup opener last weekend? Yeah, me neither. Yet here we sit, lightning striking twice and the hurling God’s not looking favourably on those dressed in Saffron.
A two point defeat, nine minutes of injury time with penalties denied and a chance missed. Despite everything, it is a chance missed. That was a game that should have been won and despite not playing anything like near their best, they could have. A plethora of first half wides, 10 by this journo’s count yet, we had a four point lead at half time.
It was going to be a big ask to get a result at the half way point and as Domhnall Nugent and I both noted at half time while having a yarn, you wouldn’t put it past this side to hurl better into the elements.
Donal was right. On reflection of Antrim games in the recent past, playing into the wind has almost suited them. That’s where the hope gets you again. That, right there. That’s what gave me another lift for the second half. Even at half time when a more unbiased journo might have put me in a better place, the hope was still there.
30 minutes into the second half and it looked like we might get something out of the game. We were keeping Down at arm’s length, keeping that advantage and the Mourne Men unable to make inroads. Those last five minutes of normal time belonged to the visitors to Pearse Park. Tom McGrattan, Daithi Sands and not forgetting one Donal Hughes.
Lights out. Antrim showed some urgency trying to get back into the game and James McNaughton should have had a penalty at the death. It didn’t happen. Two points, a goal was needed. But there was still time for points that could have seen us get a share of the offerings. Hindsight is, as always, 50/50.
It’s frustrating. I said it in the We Are Antrim podcast (have you listened yet?), we played into Down’s hands with how we set up. With the players we have available, we have to play to our strengths. Back ourselves and what we do best. You have the likes of Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning, Paul Boyle, Keelan Molloy and James McNaughton in a starting team with Joseph McLaughlin and Jack McCloskey on the bench. The attacking threat is there, we just need to adapt.
The sight of seeing a one man inside forward line while playing with a 10 point wind at our backs last Saturday wasn’t exactly filling me with confidence. I know why that system is used and when it comes off, it’s great to see. Running from deep and with numbers is hard to defend against. But when that middle third is packed, it’s a high-risk strategy.
But, it’s how the Antrim management have chosen to play and while I might not agree with it, they’ll have my support and there won’t be a happier man in Portlaoise if we leave with a win. A place that I can’t remember the last time we left with a result but records like this are made for breaking.
The team has been named and it’s an unchanged 15 from the Down game although one positional change with Ryan McNulty and Oisin Donnelly swapping places. Conor Johnston returns to the matchday squad while Sean Og McLaren makes a step up from the u20s to take a place on the bench. Antrim will be hoping for impact off the bench from Conal Bohill and Gerard Walsh again, Bohill in particular gave the Saffrons another dimension in the middle third with his introduction.
A 4pm throw in on a Saturday, O’Moore Park Portlaoise and the sun will be shinning. Hopefully the hurling Gods shine on the Saffrons once more to get our McDonagh Cup campaign back on track.
A week later the girls in the area assembled at All Saints’ GAC on the Woodside Road in Ballymena for the LGFA event.
The number of schools taking part, the skill and fitness levels and the competitive nature of the games is a testament to how LGFA is growing as a sport in SW Antrim.
Once again the sun decided to shine, making sure all the girls had a great day.
Similar to the boy’s competition the games were played in a great spirit.
The cup competition saw the Ballymacrickett girls in no mood to be out done by their male counterparts, defeating Millquarter PS by the narrowest of margins.
In the shield St Brigid’s Ballymena enjoyed success for the second year in a row over, coming their neighbours St Colmcille’s.
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Ballymacrickett Primary School have recently completed a unique double in South West Antrim Cumann na Mbunsol circles.
The Glenavy based school, within the space of a week, have been victorious in the SW Antrim 7 a side boys and girls football competitions.
Boys
The boy’s competition was hosted and superbly run by Creggan Primary School. After weeks of heavy rain the sun finally shone on the boys who gathered on the Staffordstown Road for a fantastic day of football.
The group games saw plenty of game time for all involved, with a super level of skill in evidence.
The recent introduction of a shield for these competitions has ensured that every team has something to play for, right until the end of the day.
In the cup competition, Ballymacrickett and Moneynick battled their way through to the final, with Mount ST Michael’s Randalstown and St Comgall’s Antrim progressing in the shield.
The finals highlighted the competitive nature of the event with both games won by a single score.
Congratulations to Mount St Michael’s who emerged victorious in the shield.
Ballymacrickett ran out cup winners and carry the best wishes from all in South West Antrim as they progress to the county finals.
To view more pics from the S.W. Boys P.S. BLITZ Click on the Link below
