Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Quinn’s late goal decisive in a game of changing fortunes

South Antrim Reserve Cup final

Naomh Comhghall 2-15 Naomh Una 2-9

In a game of changing fortunes Naomh Comhghall, Antrim and Naomh Una served up a thriller in this South Antrim Reserve Cup final at Pairc Una.

The game marked, what was-possibly a first when referee Chris Brown was accompanied by his two sons, Eoghan and Ciaran who were his linesmen for the night and before kick-off a minutes silence was observed for former Aggies man, Michael McLean.

Caolan O’Loan pointed the Antrim town side into an early lead but St. Agnes made an immediate response and Conor Mulgrew and Colin Mallon pointed before Mallon put his side in command with a goal in the 6th minute.

Liam Finn, who would go on to have a strong influence on proceedings, pointed a free and added another from play for Naomh Comhghall to close the gap to two but James Halleron fisted over at the other end to move the ‘Aggies’ three ahead once more.

Play swung from end to end as two well matched sides went head to head and Colm Griffin and Colm Mallon exchanged further points to leave it 1-4 to 0-4 in favour of the West Belfast men at the end of the opening quarter.

Things began to swing in favour of Naomh Comhghall in the second quarter as Finn punished a breach of the ‘3 up’ rule and added another pointed free with Caolan O’Loan for the Antrim town side and Conor Mulgrew for St. Agnes exchanging late points to leave it 1-5 to 0-6 for the men in black at the interval.

It was Naomh Comhghall who made an impressive start to the second half with Patrick Quinn pointing and Caolan O’Loan firing to the net in the 5th minute and another minor from Liam Finn had them three ahead after 8 minutes.

Just when the game looked to be swinging in favour of St. Comgall’s, St. Agnes were awarded a penalty which David Quigley coolly slotted home and it was ‘even-steven’ again.

And that’s the way it remained for a time with Peter McAuley for the Antrim men and Christopher McKee exchanging further points before Stephen Sloan edged the ‘Town’ ahead at the end of the third quarter.

Matthew Emery in the Comgall’s goal then then pulled of a smart save as St. Agnes threatened at the other end and further exchanges between Conor Gillgan and Mark McLaughlin for Naomh Una and Conor McLaughlin and Finn with a 2 pointer for Antrim had it finely balanced with only three minutes remaining.

The decisive moment in the game arrived two minutes later when full-forward, Patrick Quinn got in for a goal for the Antrim town men and the same player punished another breach of the 3 up rule before Declan Crummey replied with a late consolation point for Naomh Una.

A good game of football where both sides enjoyed moments of supremacy but it was Naomh Comhghall’s superior fitness and ability to take their scores at vital times in the game that proved the difference in the end.   

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by thesaffrongael

Mitchell’s claim Martin Shield with victory over East Belfast 

South Antrim, Martin Shield Final 

John Mitchells 2-7-1-6 East Belfast II

Kevin Herron reports from Sally Gardens 

JOHN MITCHELL’S claimed the South Antrim, Martin Shield after a 2-7-1-6 win over East Belfast II at Sally Gardens on Thursday evening. 

It took 10-minutes for the opening score to arrive, not for the want of trying though as both sides saw plenty of possession without registering. 

East Belfast were first off the mark with Mark Rooney converting a free, and he doubled his tally from a close range free 60-seconds later. 

They extended their lead after a flowing move through the hands that resulted in James Holloway swinging a shot over and with just over a quarter of an hour played Harry O’Donnell squeezed an angled shot inside the near post to make it 0-4-0-0. 

Mitchell’s almost had the game’s opening goal when Philip Moore claimed the mark and released David Scallon whose dipping shot crashed off the post and was cleared to safety. 

Moore kicked a high shot between the posts to get his side up and running in the 21st minute with Rooney replying from a free to restore the four-point advantage. 

A trip on Conor McIlhatton allowed him the opportunity to close the gap with a close-range free and he popped it over. 

The opening goal of the game arrived a minute shy of the break, Damien Lowry dropped a high ball into the square and Rory Groom did enough to to spook Cillian Monan in the East Belfast goal and palmed the ball to the net to make it 1-2-0-5. 

The hosts added a further point before the break through Moore as they held a slender lead at the midway point. 

Mitchell’s extended their lead after Oran Bradley picked out David Scallon for his second score of the evening. 

They then took a firm grip on proceedings when Rory Groom scored his second goal of the night. 

Despite Monan making a terrific save to keep out his initial close range effort, Groom threw himself at the loose ball and bundled it over the line to make it 2-4-0-5. 

East Belfast were without a score for almost 25-minutes either side of the break, but with ten minutes remaining they found a goal. 

Mark Rooney lined up a two-pointed attempt that dropped short and Niall Kennedy was able to stab the ball home from close range and make it 2-4-1-5. 

The hosts replied with points from Scallon and a converted Philip Moore free and after Eamon Mahon held onto a dipping two-pointed shot and popped the ball to James Brown in close proximity- Mitchell’s turned defence to attack with Joseph McQuillan fisting the ball over. 

Luke Walsh fisted over at the other end but East Belfast were unable to make any further inroads and Mitchell’s held out for victory. 

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Masters face Kerry in Shield semi-final.

Antrim Masters bid to finish amongst the elite top four came up just short, their four victories out of six contests earned them a place in the second tier grouping for counties rated fifth to eighth in the competition for Dr Mick Loftus shield.

Kerry provide the opposition at Annanough GAC, in Vicarstown, County Laois, with a 2pm throw in.

Both counties will have a healthy respect for each other after a pulsating contest last year, which Kerry won by the minimum, requiring the facility of extra time to do so. Kerry are consistently rated amongst the top performing counties in this increasingly competitive and prestigious competition, regularly fielding players with All Ireland honours earned across several decades.

Michael Herron who has been excellent for Antrim Masters during ther present campaign

Kerry pushed reigning champions Tyrone close just last Saturday for a place in the elite top four, a four point defeat saw Kerry join Antrim Cavan and Mayo amongst an ultra-competitive division second tier grouping which was won for the last two years in succession by neighbours Derry.

Antrim do not expect to call on the services of St Gall’s duo Sean Kelly or Colin Brady, Cargin’s Michael McCann and Lamh Dhearg marksman Paddy Cunningham who tweaked his hamstring a few weeks ago against Tyrone.  Management are sweating on the fitness of a number of other players who picked up knocks recently, and will delay announcing the starting team and panel until several last minute fitness tests have been completed.

Whilst a defeat will pull the curtain down on another season, the Saffron Masters carry a degree of confidence going into this encounter on the back of a highly competitive challenge game last week against Donegal, who have safely qualified for a top four berth. The North West men will fancy their chances of making it to this year’s elite Dr Loftus Cup final.

Seanie McGreevy, Michael Herron, Stephen O’Connell, Kieran Close, David McAlernon, Michael McCarry and Ryan Boyd are expected to spearhead Antrim’s challenge against the Kingdom, but it will take a mighty effort from all to qualify for the final pairing for their first time where they will face the winners of the other Shield semi-final, Mayo or Cavan in three weeks.

Stephen O’Connell has added solidity to the Antrim defence this year
by thesaffrongael

RD leads Cargin onwards

                                   Reserve Football Cup (Qtr Final)

O’ Donovan Rossa 1-05 Erin’s Own Cargin 2-17

A dynamic ‘man of the match’ performance from Ronan Devlin (RD) was key as Cargin’s second string advanced to the semi-final of the reserve Cup competition at the expense of their hosts, O’ Donovan Rossa at the Shaw’s road venue on Wednesday evening.

The Toome men started in a positive mode with back to back points from Darren McDaid and Mark Kelly. The home side fought hard to find the the target but only opened their account late in the opening period with a fine long distance point from midfielder Cory Walsh.

Despite domination in the central zone through Dara McDaid and Ronan Devlin the visitors were having problems locating the target but a Sean Og Quinn goal preceded points by Pat O’ Neill, Jack Harney (2) and Diarmuid Quinn got them on their way.

James Alessey replied at the other end as the Toome men led 1-09 to 0-02 at the short whistle and they could have been further ahead.

Cargin continued to hold the upper hand at mid-field as the second half got underway with Devlin and McDaid continuing to dictate matters and Jack Harney looking dangerous when he broke forward.

The wing half forward increased his personal account by a couple of points in the third quarter with Darren McDaid following suit and despite the home side responding with a couple of points, Cargin had moved 1-11 to 0-05 ahead by the end of the third quarter.

Rossa’s had bagged a trio of points by this stage through the ever accurate Cory Walsh, James Alessey, and Dara Boylan but it was the visitors who continued to remain in charge.

A PJ Quinn point followed by another from Jack Harney as he received from Gerard McCorley and Diarmuid Quinn added a goal increasing his personal haul before Brendan Laverty added a point.

The visitors were now in total control and further clear as Darren McDaid followed suit and the visitors were out of sight.

Diarmuid Quinn increased his personal haul before Ruairi McDonagh found the net for the home side in the latter stages after being denied in a similar attempt by a smart save from Cargin keeper Daniel Mc Cann who put in an excellent shift.

The visitors finished strongly and late points by replacements Patryck Matchick PJ Quinn and Carl McCann (2) saw the Toome men breasting the line as convincing winners.

Rossa: M Mc Kenna, Rorry Curran, P McDonnell, D Cunningham, S McDonnell, Eoin Fleming (0-03), R Grant, C Walsh (0-02), C O’ Neill, J Alessey, E Flavin, D Baylan, R Mc Donagh (1-00).

Cargin: Daniel McCann, Sean Og Quinn (1-00), Hugh O’ Donnell, Ronan Devlin, Gerard McCorley, Brendan Laverty (0-01), Charlie McCann, Odhran Molloy, Jack Harney (0-03), Darren McDaid (0-04), Patrick O’ Neill (0-02), PJ Quinn (0-03) Mark Kelly, Diarmuid Quinn (1-03),

Subs:

Carl Mc Cann (0-02)

Patryck Matchyk (0-01)

Niall Quinn

Cian Scullion

Michael Laverty

Referee: Eamon Hamill (St Teresa’s)

OTHER FOOTBALL CUP RESULTS

In the other games played in the Football Cup last night St. Gall’s travelled to Creggan and recorded a convincing 4-22 to 1-11 while St. Brigid’s also hit 4-22 in their win over All Saints who could manage only 1-8 in reply.

The closest contest of the evening occurred at Fr. Maginn Park where visitors Portglenone emerged 2-17 to 2-15 winners. (A report on this game is posted on the Saffron Gael site)

by thesaffrongael

Glenavy advance in close contest at Hightown

Reserve Football Shield

St. Enda’s 1-10 St. Joseph’s 0-14

St. Joseph’s Glenavy came out on top in a well contested Reserve Football Shield meeting with St. Enda’s at Hightown on Wednesday night.

Playing with a slight wind advantage in the opening half St. Joseph’s built up a 0-8 top 0-4 lead thanks to two 2pointers from Finn Shannon and another from Darragh Armstrong.

After the break the home side came back strongly and a Ruairi Doran goal in the 30th minute closed the gap to two with Thomas Gilmore’s injury time point coming too late to send the game into extra time.

Glenavy got off to a bad start when they lost Shea O’Neill after four minutes to a knee injury and it was Odhran McKenna who gave the Hightown side the lead with a point in the 8th minute.

A Darragh Armstrong 2 pointer edged the visitors ahead and mid-fielder Niall McLaughlin followed with another to move his side 2 ahead after a low scoring 18 minutes.

Jude Stewart closed the gap to one before Finn Shannon restored the St. Joseph’s 2 point lead from a 20th minute free.

There was little between the sides at this stage but it was the Chapel Hill side who finished the half on the offensive and Finn Shannon struck a fine 2 pointer from distance and added a second double of the ground to leave his side leading by double scores at the break.

                                           Half Time 0-4 TO 0-8

The home side responded positively at the start of the second half despite facing a slight breeze and Thomas Gilmore raised an Orange flag after a fine conversion off the carpet in the opening minutes.

Sean Neilan followed with a point from play and an Odhran McKenna pointed free and another point from Ryan Kelly saw St. Enda’s hit the front by the 8th minute and the Chapel Hill side looked in trouble.

In a game of changing fortunes, Niall McLaughlin squared the contest once more with Glenavy’s first score of the half in the 12th minute and it seemed to awaken the men in Orange from their slumber.

Finn Shannon edged them ahead once more from a free and Fergal Henry and Ruairi Forester extended that lead before Shannon moved them five in front from a breakaway that started deep in defence.

St. Joseph’s looked home and hosed as the clock ticked down but St. Enda’s were not finished and they put an excellent move together with Ruairi Doran finally finding a way past the excellent Gareth Collins and the deficit was down to two.

As the game edged into time added on St. Joseph’s had an opportunity to put matters to bed but this time it was St. Enda’s keeper, Nathan Kerr who came to his side’s rescue.

Thomas Gilmore responded with the game’s final point in the 33d minute for the home side to leave just one in it but that was as close as they would get with Paul McNally’s final whistle sounding to bring matters to a close.

OTHER SHIELD RESULTS

Glenavy now join Dunloy, Gort na Mona and Naomh Padraig in the semi-final draw.

The Cuchullian’s looked strong as they swept aside the challenge of St. Brigid’s third string, 3-20 to 2-7 while in the other ties Gort na Mona defeated Davitt’s 2-19 to 0-12 and Naomh Padraig recorded a narrow 3-11 to 1-15 win over Sarsfields at Kirkwood Park

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