Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship – Semi Final

Dunloy 2-8 Portglenone 0-10

Friday 22 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

MAIN PIC – Dunloy’s Karl Fitzpatrick celebrates after scoring Dunloy’s opening goal during Friday evening’s Antrim SFC semi-final win over Portglenone at Dunsilly.

And the fairy tale continues.  Dunloy came into this years senior football championship as rank outsiders yet find themselves two weeks away from a first decider in 83 years.  Two first half goals proved to be the difference on a wet night at Dunsilly, Karl Fitzpatrick and Nigel Elliott finding the back of the Portglenone net to ensure the Cuchullains could dictate the game and play the game on their terms.

Four points at the end of the 60 plus minutes is probably harsh on the Casements who more than played their part in an entertaining game.  Indeed, they had clawed their way back on terms with the Cuchullains when Paddy Kelly fired over his fourth point of the night from a mark with 11 minutes of the match remaining.  It would be their last point of the evening however as Dunloy finished strong.  They soaked up the immense pressure that came at them in waves of yellow and black but countered with speed and precision, defended with incredible heart, guts and determination to condemn the Casements to another year of semi-final heartbreak.

The Dunloy attack will get the plaudits but the performance of Eoin McFerran throughout this contest was simply superb.  Playing at the heart of the Dunloy defence, ‘Wango’ was a constant thorn in the side of the Casements, especially at the death when he seemed to come clear with the ball time and again as Dunloy soaked up the Portglenone pressure.

The Bannsiders started the semi-final superbly and had a brace of points on the board while some punters were still making their way into their vantage points around the floodlit pitch at Dunsilly.  Aidan McAleese and Odhran McGarry giving the Casements an early two point lead. 

The huge crowd were treated to an exhibition of scoring from both sides at differing points of the game, Seaan Elliott’s opening score for the Cuchullains from wide on the right and sailed over the bar.  No sign of nerves from one of the stars of this years championship.

The Cuchullains first major of the night came in the sixth minute with veteran Kevin McQuillan at the heart of the move.  Claiming a long ball from James Scally, McQuillan laid the ball off to Fitzpatrick and he finished with ease.

Portglenone showed plenty of resolve with their response.  Paddy Kelly with his first of the night before Aidan McAleese brought the sides level and all but cancelled out the Dunloy goal.

Neither side were dominating possession and with the conditions wet, handling was becoming increasingly difficult.  Dunloy were happy to deliver long ball into McQuillan however and with the clock ticking into the 11^th minute, scored their second major.  Conor Kinsella this time with the delivery while McQuillan tussled with Shane Delargy.  The Dunloy man laid the ball into Nigel Elliott’s path and he wrong footed Ryan O’Neill with a deft left footed finish that just about squeezed inside the right hand post.

The Dunloy attack looked like they could cut open the Portglenone defence at will in the opening exchanges and but for some last gasp defending and scrambling, Conal Cunning could have added another goal soon after.

With the wind at their backs, Portglenone did take an element of control however their handling and decision making let them down as they faced a well organised Dunloy defence.  Oisin Doherty did fire over a super score in the 17^th minute to settle the Casements, a score worthy of this or any occasion.  Dunloy and Kevin McQuillan continued to make hay at the other end of the pitch, the full forward creating the yard for Nigel Elliott to fire over before Eoin O’Neill scored from an outrageous angle to send the Cuchullains into a four point lead with seven minutes of the half remaining.

They looked to the bench and the introduction of county star Dermott McAleese to inject some urgency and directness into their play and while they had the final say of the half through a Paddy Kelly free, Dunloy were well worth their three point half time lead.  Score 2-3 to 0-6.

Like the first half, Portglenon started the second half on fire.  A free from Paddy Kelly and a point from a mark by Oisin Doherty left the minimum between the sides four minutes after the restart.  Dunloy looked to their fliers to break off the back of Portglenone pressure and won a free thanks to a surging run by Nigel Elliott.  Cunning converted the free to give Dunloy their opening score of the second half on the 36^th minute.

The introduction of McAleese certainly had the effect John McKeever and his team would have hoped for and almost freed Niall McKeever to push further up the pitch.  He scored Portglenone’s ninth point of the evening in the 47^th minute, fisting over the bar when he would have been forgiven for going for goal such was his position.  He was under huge pressure however and elected to fist over while a Paddy Kelly pointed mark moments later brought the sides level and gave Portglenone the glimmer of a chance they needed to kick on.

It didn’t happen however.  Seaan Elliott’s second point of the match was a simply outrageous score with the outside of his right boot with little or no angle to work with while the Cuchullains showed their pace and power with players coming off the shoulder to create a chance that Cunning duly obliged in taking to take them two clear with six minutes remaining.

Portglenone were pushing forward trying to get a yard of space in the Dunloy defence but the Cuchullains were happy to soak up the pressure and counter.  They opened up a three point lead with Chrissy McMahon firing over, much like Seaan Elliott before him, outside of the boot and very little angle.  The Dunloy bench knew before anyone the outcome of the shot as the umpire waved the white flag.

The Casements continued to lay siege on the Dunloy goal and went close on two occasions in the time that remained.  Michael Hagan sending a high ball into the danger area and with Dunloy ‘keeper Sean Doherty missing his punch, Niall McKeever gathered but fired wide.

Moments later substitute Ciaran McKenna was put through on goal after a super move by Portglenone but Doherty saved superbly and bravely at his feet.  The ricochet fell to Dermot McAleese but Eoin McFerran was in the right place at the right time for his side to deny the Casements and restore a semblance of calm in the Cuchullains defence.

With the five minutes of injury time mostly played in the Dunloy half, the Cuchullains all but sealed their place in the senior football final with Nigel Elliott taking his tally to 1-2 for the evening with a super score three minutes into the hour.

When Kevin Parke blew his whistle to call time, Dunloy celebrated and Portglenone looked shell shocked.  A sense of dejavu for the Casements as their search for another senior final reaches into a 15^th year while Dunloy’s fairytale season shows no sign of stopping.  11 dual players in the starting 15 and a plethora on the bench who will cast their eye to next Sunday’s semi-final against Loughgiel before looking to a first senior football final since 1940.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Sean Doherty; Conor Kinsella, Eoin McFerran, James Scally; Chrissy McMahon, Deaglan Smith, Oran Quinn; Ciaran McQuillan, Ryan McGarry; Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning, Eoin O’Neill; Karl Fitzpatrick, Kevin McQuillan, Nigel Elliott

Subs: Tom McFerran for J Scally (36); Aodhan McGarry for K Fitzpatrick (49); Michael Smith for K McQuillan (49); Eoghan McGrath for C McQuillan (52); Caolan Gillan for E O’Neill (60)

Scorers: N Elliott 1-2; K Fitzpatrick 1-00; S Elliott 0-2; C Cunning 0-2 (1f); C McMahon 0-1; E O’Neill 0-1

Portglenone: Ryan O’Neill; Ronan Delargy, Shane Delargy, Johnny Convery; Caolan Tierney, Kevin O’Kane, Ruairi Hagan; Niall Delargy, Niall McKeever; Aidan McAleese, Odhran McGarry, Stephen Kelly; Paddy Kelly, Oisin Doherty, Michael Hagan

Subs: Dermott McAleese for O McGarry (28); Ciaran McKenna for C Tierney (46); Ronan Kelly for A McAleese (57)

Scorers: P Kelly 0-4 (2fs 1m); O Doherty 0-2 (1m); A McAleese 0-2; N McKeever 0-1; O McGarry 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eanna)

Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC quarter-final

St Brigid’s 0-13 O’Donovan Rossa 0-10

St. Brigid’s produced a strong finish to overcome the challenge of O’Donovan Rossa in the last of the Northern Switchgear quarter-finals at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

In a close fought encounter the Musgrave Park side had that little bit extra in attack and they pressed home in the final quarter to outscore the Shaw’s Road side and book their place in the semi-final.

The Musgrave Park side got their matchups just right with Ronan Boyle assigned to pick up Rossa danger man, Dominic McEnhill but it was Rossa who got off to the better start to lead early in the game.

The opening half was a cagey affair with both sides playing the possession game but Eoghan McMenamin finally got Rossa on their way with the game’s opening score in the 5^th minute.

Dominic McEnhill added another to move the Shaw’s Road side two in front but Enda Downey replied with St. Brigid’s first score of the evening when he converted a free.

The former Lavey man would prove a reliable free taker for the Musgrave Park side over the course of the game as he and Michael Byrne exchanged further scores.

Back came Rossa with Dominic McEnhill splitting the posts and they looked to be in for a goal but Diarmuid Rogan saw his attempt charged down when he might well have been better off finding a team mate close to goal.

It was Hugh McGettigan’s side who led 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval however after Enda Downey kicked his fourth free of the half to leave his side trailing by the minimum.

Things continued to progress at a steady pace on the restart as Paul Bradley pointed for St. Brigid’s to bring matters level before Rossa keeper, Mick Byrne edged his side ahead once more from a beautifully struck long range free.

It would prove to be Rossa’s final score for more than 20 minutes as the Musgrave Park side began to take control with Downey levelling matters again and St. Brigid’s keeper, Declan Heery pointing them ahead from a well taken free as the game entered the final quarter.

It was a lead they would not again lose as they hit three on the bounce through Paul Bradley, Matthew Downey and Reuben Carleton to move four in front with10 minutes remaining.

Adam Devlin pulled one back for the Shaw’s Road men to leave a goal in but despite their best efforts they were unable to pierce a resolute Naomh Brid defence and it was Heery from a long range free who moved St. Brigid’s four ahead as the game entered time added on.

Converted frees from Byrne and McEnhill brought Rossa back to within two of their opponents but St Brigid’s monopolised possession as they ran down the clock before John Morgan pointed at the other end to leave them three points winners and earn them a place in the semi-finals.

St. Brigid’s will now meet Cargin in two weeks’ time while Casements Portglenone and Dunloy will do battle in the other semi-final on the same weekend.

ST Brigid’s: D Heery (0-2 frees); F McKernan, J Finnegan, J Morgan (0-1); R Carleton (0-1), P King, R Boyle; F Meenagh, J Dowling; S Downey, O Downey, J Smith (0-1); E Downey (0-5 frees), C McNicholl, P Bradley (0-2, 1 free).

Subs: M Downey (0-1) for C McNicholl (27), N Duffy for O Downey (53), E Carleton for P Bradley (60+1)

Rossa: M Byrne (0-4, 3 frees, 1 45); P Moyes, C McGuinness; C Orchin; K Morris, A Devlin (0-1), R Gowdy; C McGettigan (0-1), G Walsh; E McMenamin (0-1), S Beatty, D Rogan; N Crossan, D McEnhill (0-3 frees), T Morgan.

Subs: M Mallon for C McGuinness (46), D Rocks for D Rogan (46), D Grego for P Moyes (54)

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lámh Dhearg)

Northern Switchgear SFC Quarter-Final

Casements 1-12 Creggan 0-12

The league and championship double is still very much on for Casement’s Portglenone following their three point win over Kickham’s Creggan at Dunsilly on Saturday.

A goal from Aidan McAleese in the 18^th minute of the second half would be the score that would separate the sides at the finish with the scores at 1-12 to 0-12 at the end of 60 minutes.

A further 12 minutes of extra time failed to produce another score despite Creggan throwing everything at the opposition but a Portglenone defence superbly marshalled by keeper, Ryan O’Neill stood firm.

It was Kickham’s Creggan who got off to the better start despite having to replace Marty Johnston just before kick-off and they moved into an early two point lead with Liam Quinn looking dangerous.

Slowly though the league champions began to gain a foothold and they replied through a splendid Caolan Tierney point and a couple of converted frees from Paddy Kelly to lead by a point with 12 minutes gone.

The hits were going in thick and hard as Liam Quinn brought it all square with a point in the 14^th minute as referee Mark O’Neill signalled for a first water break in the humid conditions.

On the restart Paddy Kelly continued to show unerring accuracy as he converted his third point of the game and another fine effort from play by Ruairi Hagan had the Casements two ahead after 23 minutes.

Liam Quinn with his third of the evening closed the gap to the minimum once more but the Kickham’s were being forced to shoot from distance and a number of efforts dropped harmlessly into the grateful hands of Ports Keeper, Ryan O’Neill,

Almost directly from the kick out from Quinn’s score Portglenone raced to the other end of the field and Niall Delargy restored their two point advantage and the Casements more direct route to goals was paying dividends.

Delargy’s score came after 25 minutes and would prove to be the final score of the half and with just two between them at the break it was still very much anybody’s game.

That was quickly confirmed when Conor McCann kicked frees in the 4^th and 5^th minutes to bring Creggan back on level terms but once again a quick break from deep in their own half saw Stephen Kelly half-volley a tantalising cross just over the bar and the Bann-siders were ahead once more.

Creggan then suffered a blow when Kevin Small went down in agony following an innocuous looking challenge to be replaced by Caolan McCann and Paddy Kelly converted another free in the 11^th minute to increase Casement’s lead to two.

Both sides continued to fight hard for every ball as Odhran McLarnon replied with a point for the Kickham’s but they were conceding too many frees at this stage of the game and Kelly continued to take advantage with his fifth and sixth of the evening.

There was still nothing between the sides as Caolan McCann announced his introduction with a fine point to cut the gap to one with 12 minutes of normal time remaining but almost immediately the Casement’s would strike a vital blow.

Niall Delargy, who with Niall McKeever was getting on top at mid-field, drove forward and a quick exchange through the hands involving a number of players saw McAleese finish to the net from close range.

Creggan replied from another Conor McCann free but as they pushed forward they were being turned over and another swift break saw Stephen Kelly restore the Casements four point advantage with six minutes of normal time to play.

Conor McCann would close the gap to three once more with his final contribution with normal time almost up as the Kickhams introduced Kevin Rice, Liam McCann, and Marty Johnston but despite almost 12 minutes of added time there would be no further scores.

Portglenone now meet Dunloy, who were conquerors of Lamh Dhearg, in the semi-final and will face another stiff challenge from the team who has been the star performers in this year’s senior championship to date

Casements: 1 Ryan O’Neill, 2 Ronan Delargy, 3 Shane Delargy, 4 Kevin O’Kane, 5 Caolan Tierney, 6 Jonny Convery, 7 Ruairi Hagan, 8 Niall Delargy, 9 Niall McKeever, 10 Aidan McAleese, 11 Oisin Doherty, 12 Stephen Kelly, 13 Paddy Kelly, 14 Michael Hagan, 15 Odhran McGarry. Subs Ciaron McKenna for Aiodan McAleese, Ronan Kelly for Paddy Kelly, Ciaran McAleese for Stephen Kelly, Conal Delargy for Odhran McGarry

Creggan: 1 Oisin Kerr, 2 Ethan Carey Small, 3 Ricky Johnston, 4 Conor McCann, 5 Aidan Maguire, 17 Sam Maguire, 7 Ruairi McCann,  8 Kevin Small, 9 Conor McCann, 10 Joe McAteer, 11 Tiarnan McAteer, 12 Odhran McLarnon 13 Liam Quinn, 14 Dominic McAteer, 15 Odhran McCann. Subs: Caolan McCann for Kevin Small, Kevin Rice for Conor McCann, Matthew Rogers for Dominic McAteer, Liam McCann for Sam Maguire, Marty Johnston for Ordhan McLarnon.

Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship Quarter-final 

Lámh Dhearg 3-12-2-18 Dunloy (AET)

Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly 

Dunloy extended their Senior Championship run with an epic 2-18-3-12 win over Lámh Dhearg in Friday evenings Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Championship quarter-final at Dunsilly. 

Renowned for their superb hurling history, the Cuchullain’s have proved their football pedigree with minor and U-21 successes in the last decade and earlier in the week claimed the Reserve Shield with victory over Con Magee’s. 

A Championship victory over St Gall’s earlier in the Group stage and Friday evenings victory over Lámh Dhearg is testament to the North-Antrim outfit – who are riding the crest of a wave and aren’t prepared to see their journey come to an end as they advance to the last four. 

Having topped Group 2 of the Championship with victories over Ahoghill and Portglenone, Lámh Dhearg began as the bookies favourites- though were without Paddy Mervyn [injury] and Declan Lynch [suspension], while Dunloy also had to make do without the services of Ryan McGarry [suspension]. 

Dunloy hit the front inside of five minutes on a sun-soaked evening in Antrim town through a smart Seaan Elliott point, though Marc Jordan dropped over an equaliser almost immediately. 

Further points were traded between Conal Cunning and Conor Murray and Dunloy continued to press ahead with Kevin McQuillan converting his sides first placed ball of the evening from an advanced mark. 

They then doubled their lead courtesy of a converted 45’ from Elliott and ten minutes before the break went 1-04-0-02 ahead when their talisman pulled the trigger from Conor Kinsella’s slipped pass and found the bottom right-hand corner.

That sparked a response from the Hannahstown side with Owen McKeown swinging over his sides initial reply and Eoin Matassa then steering a shot between the posts. 

Deaglan Smyth opened his account for the evening to move his side four to the good, but a quickfire double had Lámh Dhearg ahead at the interval. 

Owen McKeown used his pace and found the overlapping run of Marc Jordan- who cut inside and directed his high shot into the top corner to bring things back to a single point (1-05-1-04). 

A matter of minutes later the Hannahstown side forged ahead when Declan Smith continued his run at the by-line and did enough to poke a low shot past Sean Doherty to give his side a 2-04-1-05 lead. 

A free from Elliott in response ensured that just the bare minimum separated the sides at the end of an absorbing half of football. 

Lámh Dhearg extended their lead three times within the opening ten minutes of the restart. Declan Dunne kicked successive placed balls, the second of which was from a difficult angle close to the side-line but dropped over regardless. 

Conal Cunning shot back on each occasion and despite Decky Smith making it a two-point game again, Dunloy weren’t backing down with namesake Deaglan Smyth landing a fine effort from play. 

Midway through the second period Dunloy restored parity through a close-range Cunning free, but Lámhs substitute Paddy Cunningham would kick his first score since his introduction. 

Cunningham’s attempt at doubling his tally would inadvertently lead to his side scoring their third of the evening on the 52^nd minute. 

The 39-year-old lined up a shot that dropped into a ruck and Declan Smith was on hand to rifle home his second of the evening and make it 3-08-1-10. 

Smith’s strike looked to have been decisive as his side aimed to close the game out and claim their spot in the last four. 

However late drama was about to unfold as Dunloy forced a turnover and quickly turned defence to attack with Cobi Cunning sending the ball across to the back post where substitute Mickey Smyth was waiting to palm home to the net to set up a grandstand finish.

The Lámhs sought an insurance score in the form of a fourth goal, but after seeing a potential opening extinguished, Conor Murray popped the ball over and gave them a two-point lead with almost six minutes of added time up. 

Murray’s point was cancelled out almost instantly by substitute Eoghan McGrath and with time elapsing Dunloy earned themselves a chance of forcing extra time when they were awarded a free that Darren McKeown then moved forward for dissent and that allowed Conal Cunning the chance to stroke over- which he duly did to tie things up at 3-09-2-12 as extra time was required under the Dunsilly lights. 

Extra-time: 

Dunloy drew first blood at the beginning of extra-time with McGrath doubling his tally. Although the Cuchullain’s were forced to play out virtually the whole of first period a man light when Oran Quinn was shown a black card by referee McKeown. 

Conor Murray levelled things up after firing over just seconds after seeing his close rage effort blocked on the line after Sean Doherty had spilled the ball at his feet. 

Conal Cunning nudged his back in front, only for Marc Jordan to restore parity with the last kick of the first period. 

Lámh Dhearg were quikcest out of the blocks at the beginning of the second period of extra-time and an excellent angled point from the boot of Adam Murray had his side 3-12-2-14 ahead. 

Parity was restored for the final time in the contest with Seaan Elliott converted his second 45’ of the evening. 

Dunloy then seized the initiative and a fisted Nigel Elliott point had them in front. Conor Murray somehow blazed wide at the other end and it was an opportunity the Lámhs would rue. 

Conal Cunning doubled his sides lead from a converted free and then contributed to a one-two that saw Seaan Elliott drop over the score to seal victory for Cuchullain’s and a win that sees them advance to the semi-final of the Senior Football Championship. 

Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, R Murray, B Rice, A McAufield, O McKeown (0-01), M McGarry, M Hynds, P Fitzsimons, M Jordan (1-02), D Smith (2-01), S McManus, E Matassa (0-01), T McCrudden, D Dunne (0-02f), C Murray (0-03). Subs: P Cunningham (0-01f) for A McAufield (42), F Mervyn for M Hynds (52), C Maxwell for E Matassa (57), A Murray (0-01) for S McManus (60). Subs in ET: M Hynds for C Maxwell (61’), P Larkin for B Rice (69), J Quinn for D Dunne (76), E Matassa for T McCrudden (80+1). 

Dunloy: S Doherty, C Kinsella, E McFerran, K O’Kane, C McMahon, D Smyth (0-02), O Quinn, C McQuillan, K Molloy, N Elliott (0-01), C Cunning (0-07,0-06f) E O’Neill, K Fitzpatrick, K McQuillan (0-01m), S Elliott (1-05, 0-02 45’, 0-01f). Subs: T McFerran for K Molloy (7), A McGarry for C McQuillan (46), E McGrath (0-02) for K Fitzpatrick (53),M Smyth (1-00) for K McQuillan (56).ET: S McAleese for E O’Neill (69).

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)