Northern Switchgear SFC Group 1

Tir na nOg 1-7 Rossa 0-10

Rossa advanced to the quarter-finals of the Senior Football Championship after a hard earned draw with Tir na nOg at Whitehill on Friday night but the Randalstown side will feel they did enough in the second half to win this one.

As the game moved into injury time Eamon Og McAllister produced a great run from out on the left, into the heart of the Rossa defence where he was un-ceremoniously brought down and referee, Sean Laverty pointed to the penalty spot.

Tir na nOg held a slender one point lead at this stage of the game and with the home crowd roaring their approval Darragh Fagan stepped up to take the penalty but his well struck shot cannoned off an upright with Mick Byrne beaten and was cleared to safety.

Play swung to the other end and with virtually the last kick of the ball Thomas Morgan fired over the equaliser to earn his side a draw and win them a place in the quarter-finals with group winners, Cargin who recorded a comprehensive win over St. John’s in Toome on the same night.

The opening half was a slow burner with Tir na nOg sitting deep in an effort to contain the Rossa attack and danger man Dominic McEnhill coming in for some close attention every time he received the ball.

Thomas Morgan opened the scoring, as he finished it in the end, with a point for Rossa in the 6th minute and at the other end Tir na nOg had a promising attack thwarted at the expense of a ‘45’ that came to nothing.

Both sides were playing a possession game and a Mick Byrne free for Rossa came back of a post before Sean Duffin levelled the contest with Tir na nOg’s first point of the game in the 14^th minute.

Two minutes later the home side struck a telling blow when Darragh Fagan beat Chris McGuinness in a race for a long ball over the top from deep in defence and side footed home from close range.

Rossa recovered and slowly their pressure began to pay dividends as Stephen Beatty punished a couple of fouls on the lively McEnhill and added another from play to leave the sides level, 1-1 to 0-4 at the break.

With the breeze behind them Rossa were expected to push on after the break but it was Tir na nOg who emerged from the dressing room a more focused side and Emmet Murray pointed them into the lead after 30 seconds.

Dominic McEnhill and Mick Byrne pointed frees to edge the visitors ahead before Darragh Fagan replied for the Whitehill side to tie matters once more but points from Diarmuid Rogan and Thomas Morgan had the Shaw’s Road side two in front by the 5^th minute.

Things were certainly livening up after a drab opening half and Eamon Og McAllister received a Black card after dragging down Matthew Mallon with Gerard Walsh shown Yellow as matters got a bit heated in the aftermath.

When the dust settled Darragh Fagan pointed from a free and a fisted point fromFagan and a converted free from Aaron McNeilly had the home side in a strong position with seven minutes remaining.

Rossa had a couple of opportunities for points in the minutes that followed but went looking for goals with Sean Paul McAtamney pulling off a good save to deny Stephen Beatty.

Mick Byrne closed the gap to the minimum from a free in the 29^th minute but the returning Eamon Og McAllister produced a defence splitting run before being pulled down at the expense of a penalty.

Fagan spot kick rebounded of an upright to safety and Morgan responded with a later equaliser as the news filtered through from Toome that the Johnnies had been heavily defeated and it is Rossa who finish in second place in the group and go forward to the quarter-finals.

Tir na nOg: 1 Sean Paul McAtamney, 2 Ryan Crilly, 3 Ciaran McGrellis, 4 Brandon McLarnon, 5 Ciaran O’Neill, 6 Barry McCormick, 7 Aaron McNeilly, 8 Sean Duffin, 9 Oliver McAtamney, 10 Paul McCloskey, 11 Aodhan Tolan, 12 Caoimhin Duffin, 13 Emmet Murray, 14 Darragh Fagan, 15 Eamon Og McAllister.

Subs: Kevin Sheerin, Christy Sheerin

Rossa: 1 Mick Byrne, 2 Niall Crossa, 3 Chris McGuinness, 4 Ciaran Orchin, 5 Jack Morris, 6 Adam Devlin, 7 Richard Gowdie, 8 Gerard Walsh, 9 Stephen Beatty, 10 Diarmuid Rogan, 11 Cormac McGettigan, 12 Dominic McEnhill, 13 Matthew Mallon, 14 Eoghan McMenamin, 15 Thomas Morgan. Subs: 18 Patrick Moyes, 19 Darren Grego, 26 Rory Grant

Referee: Sean Laverty (Moneyglass)

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship Group 2 

Lámh Dhearg 2-13-0-14 Portglenone 

Kevin Herron reports from Toome

Lámh Dhearg registered their first victory over Portglenone in four years with a 2-13-0-14 win over the Bannsiders in Toome this afternoon.

Goals either side of the break from Declan Dunne and Pearse Fitzsimons ensured the Hannahstown side ran out winners. 

Both sides were reduced to 14-men with Aidan McAleese departing before the break and Michael Hynes with little under a quarter of an hour remaining. 

The duo headed into Sunday’s encounter with maximum points from their opening round victories on the road against Ahoghill and St Endas respectively.

Despite playing against the breeze in the opening half it was Lámh Dhearg who led on numerous occasions over the course of the first quarter of an hour. 

Ben Rice got his side off and running with a fantastic, angled point and Paddy Kelly replied from his first placed ball of the afternoon from the 45’. 

The Lámhs edged back ahead through a Marc Jordan point, only for Aidan McAleese to swing a fine leveller. 

It was a familiar pattern of cat and mouse with the Hannahstown outfit taking the lead on two further occasions through points from Conor Murray and Shaun McManus (advanced mark). 

Portglenone hit back each time though as Paddy Kelly dropped over his first from play and Francis Cassidy bent a shot over to tie things up at 0-04 apiece. 

On the quarter hour mark the Bannsiders took the lead for the first time through a sensational long range Michael Hagan effort that sailed over. 

Back-to-back Paddy Kelly free’s in the aftermath moved their side 0-07-0-04 to the good and momentum was now with the league champions. 

A superb Marc Jordan point lifted the Lámhs, and Declan Lynch then sold two dummies and kicked over to bring things back to within a point. 

The opening goal of the game arrived four minutes before the break. Declan Smyth slipped a pass into the path of Marc Jordan who cut inside and headed towards the target before popping the ball off to Declan Dunne- who swivelled and fired a ferocious shot high into the top corner past Ryan O’Neill to give his side a 1-06-0-07 lead. 

Paddy Kelly (free) and Conor Murray traded scores in the aftermath, but Portglenone suffered a further set-back before the half time whistle as Aidan McAleese was cited for hitting out off the ball and was shown a red-card by referee Conal Roberts. 

Despite their numerical deficiency, Portglenone were first off the mark in the second period through Paddy Kelly’s fourth converted free of the afternoon. 

Ben Rice doubled his personal tally in response and a second goal was almost forthcoming for Dunne- who eventually tapped over at the second time of asking after Pearse Fitzsimons saw his effort blocked on the line. 

Dunne would play a prominent role in the goal arriving 60-seconds later, Declan Lynch popped the ball off to Eoin McKeown and the pacy wing-half back set off on a trademark burst, found Dunne who slipped the ball off to Fitzsimons for a palm to the net past O’Neill to give their side a 2-09-0-09 lead.

Portglenone would half the deficit with three Paddy Kelly scores in succession. The Bannsiders talisman dropped over his second 45’ of the afternoon and expertly landed two further frees against the breeze. 

In-between Kelly’s two frees, Conal Roberts was forced to issue his second red card of proceedings as Michael Hynds was adjudged to have struck out under the nose of the linesman who prompted Roberts to take action.  

Lámh Dhearg were under the cosh, but evergreen Paddy Cunningham stepped up to the mark and curled an angled free between the posts. 

Oisin Doherty would twice reduce arrears to back to three, the second of his points just about squeezing between the posts, but Paddy Cunningham kicked his second free in between times. 

Cunningham would notch up a third free since his introduction and the insurance score arrived for Lámh Dhearg three minutes into added time when Conor Murray landed his third point of the afternoon- even having the luxury of affording to see a further scoring chance sail wide in the immediate aftermath.  

Nonetheless, Murray and his team-mates were the happier at the final whistle as victory ensured that they take control of Group 2 ahead of hosting St Enda’s in their final group game in a fortnight. 

Portglenone will look to dust themselves down and get back to winning ways when they take on Ahoghill at Kelly Park in two week’s time. 

Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, M Hynes, P Mervyn, M McGarry, E McKeown, D Lynch (0-01), B Rice (0-02), M Jordan (0-02), P Fitzsimons (1-00), D Smyth, S McManus (0-01m), E Matassa, T McCrudden, D Dunne (1-01), C Murray (0-03). Subs: P Cunningham (0-03f) for E Matassa (36), R Murray for B Rice (55), J Quinn for S McManus (58), C Maxwell for P Fitzsimons (60+2). 

Portglenone: R O’Neill, R Delargy, S Delargy, J Convery, C Tierney, F Cassidy (0-01), C McGee, S Kelly, N McKeever, P Kelly (0-09, 0-02 45’, 0-06f), M Hagan (0-01), C McKenna, O Doherty (0-02), A McAleese (0-01), O McGarry. Subs: K O’Kane for J Convery (45), C Delargy for C McKenna (46), C McAleese for O McGarry (52), R Kelly for C Tierney (59), D McNicholl for M Hagan (59). 

Referee: Conal Roberts (St Johns)

Northern Switchgear SFC Group 3

Naomh Eanna 3-14 Ahoghill 0-11

Naomh Eanna produced a sparkling performance to keep their Senior Football Championship qualification alive with a comprehensive win over St. Mary’s Ahoghill at Whitehill on Sunday.

A goal from the impressive Donal Walsh in the 13^th minute proved the turning point after the Clooney side had started well and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 11 minutes despite playing up the hill and into the breeze.

Walsh’s goal changed all that and the Hightown side never looked back and added further second half goals through Tomas Gilmour and Michael Morgan to run out convincing winners.

The early exchanges in this must win encounter in Randalstown belonged to St. Mary’s Ahoghill and Fionnbar O’Neill rose to fist over a long delivery from Gerard Graham to point them ahead after two minutes.

James O’Connell added a second before the Glengormley side threatened for the first time and James Magee had to be alert to block a shot from roving centre-half, James McAuley.

A fine long range point from Cormac Morgan got Naomh Eanna off the mark after 8 minute but Ahoghill responded and James O’Connell moved St. Mary’s two in front once more following a foul on Conor Crossey.

The Ahoghill men were moving the ball around with confidence and building slowly but all that changed when St. Enda’s struck from a turnover and Donal Walsh got on the end of a defence splitting counter-attack to finish to the net.

Walsh followed with two quick-fire points and Odhran Eastwood hit another and suddenly it was St. Enda’s who were calling the shots as their opponents struggled to regain the initiative.

Fionn Nagle extended their lead to move them five in front by the 19^th minute before Gerard Graham replied with Ahoghill’s first point for 13 minutes to close the gap to four with 22 minutes gone.

James McAuley and Sean Murray for St. Enda’s and Ronan Graham and James O’Connell for Ahoghill exchanged points in the minutes leading up to half time to leave it 1-7 to 0-6 for the Hightown side as Karol Doherty sounded his half time whistle.

Walsh had been at the forefront of everything good that St. Enda’s produced in the opening half and he extended their lead with a point on the restart before James O’Connell replied with a great point at the other end to keep the gap at four.

St. Enda’s continued to edge the exchanges however as Cormac Morgan fisted over and Walsh added another to take his tally for the evening to 1-5 by the 6^th minute and move his side six in front.

The Ahoghill management introduced Colla McDonnell for PJ O’Connell in an attempt to turn things around and James O’Connell pointed another free but again St. Enda’s responded and Bobby Magee made a fine block to deny Ronan Kalla at the expense of a ‘45’.

Tomas Gilmour replaced Kalla in the St. Enda’s side as O’Connell from another converted free and James McAuley with a great point from play for St. Enda’s exchanged points and then Colla McDonnell had a shot on goal charged down.

It was goals that the Clooney men needed but they could find no way through a resolute St. Enda’s defence and it was the Glengormley men who would strike for a goal at the other end.

A promising attack resulted in a penalty following a foot block with James Magee receiving a Black card for his troubles and Tomas Gilmour stepped up to convert despite a valiant effort from Noel Crossey in the Ahoghill’s goal.

It was as good as over at this stage with Sean Murray adding his second point for the Hightown side and Dan O’Neill hitting St. Mary’s final point with seven minutes remaining.

The final score of the game would fall to an excellent St. Enda’s as another well worked build up resulted in Michael Morgan finishing to the net from close range.

St. Enda’s now travel to Lamh Dhearg on Saturday 25^th August for their final Group game with qualification still very much in their own hands while Ahoghill travel to Portglenone for their final game on the same day.

St. Enda’s: Michael O’Boyle, Conor Maxwell, Diarmuid McNulty, Killian Jennings, Conan Lyttle, James McAuley, Ronan O’Neill, Phgillip Curran, Sean Murray, Ronan Kalla, Donal Walsh, Cormac Morgan, Michael Morgan, Fionn Nagle, Odhran Eastwood.

Subs: Tomas Gilmour for Kalla, Fionntan O’Connor.

Ahoghill: Noel Crossey, Bernard Graham, James Magee, Gerard Graham, Fionnbar O’Connell, Eamonn Brady, Donal Graham, Patrick Graham, Thomas McGlone, Dan O’Neill, James O’Connell, Diarmaid Graham, Conor Paul Crossey, Ronan Graham, PJ O’Connell.

Subs; Colla McDonnell, Patrick Dougan, Harry O’Donnell

Referee: Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship Group 1 

Rossa 2-08-0-09 St Johns 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Rossa kept their hopes of progressing from Group 1 of the Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship alive with a 2-08-0-09 win over St Johns at Hannahstown on Saturday evening. 

Goals either side of the break from Diarmaid Rogan and Thomas Morgan ensured the Shaws Road outfit joined St Johns on 2 points in the group ahead of the final group outings in a fortnights time. 

The duo had met in the opening round of the Senior Hurling Championship seven days ago  when Rossa took the bragging rights and heading into the Hannahstrown clash the permutations were simple. 

Defeat for Rossa would end any hopes of them claiming a spot in the knockout rounds and ensure that St Johns would progress with a game to spare. 

Both sides spurned early goal chances, Diarmaid Rogan denied by the foot of Padraig Nugent, while at the other end Mick Byrne made himself big to claw away Sean Wilson’s near-post attempt at the expense of a 45’ that led to Padraig Nugent opening the scoring. 

Rossa restored parity as Rogan combined with Thomas Morgan- who had the opportunity for a goal but blasted over the top. 

The sides traded further scores through Paddy McBride (free) and Dominic McEnhill before Conor McEvoy confidently dropped over a point that moved the Johnnies 0-03-0-02 ahead. 

The game’s opening goal arrived after 17 minutes at Hannahstown. Midfielders Stephen Beatty and Gerard Walsh linked up and the later dropped a high ball that dropped and was gathered by Diarmaid Rogan who slotted past Nugent and into the net to move his side 1-02-0-03 ahead. 

Conor Hand would respond with five minutes to the break, claiming a mark and then sending the ball between the posts. A foul on Hand then gave Conchur Adams the chance to level- which he took. 

Goal scorer Rogan would ensure his side held a slender lead at the break, swinging over against the breeze to ensure the bare minimum separated the sides at the midway point. 

St Johns levelled three minutes after the restart, Conchur Adams handed the ball off to Conor Hand to slip his shot over. 

A patient Rossa move then ended with Niall Crossan popping the ball over, only for Paddy McBride to convert his second free of the evening to level things up at 1-04-0-07. 

The Shaws Road outfit squandered several opportunities to regain the lead with the game approaching the final ten minutes. 

Eventually they hit the front through a fisted Thomas Morgan point and would double their advantage when Dominic McEnhill laid the ball off to Cormac McGettigan- who steered his shot over. 

With five minutes remaining the Johnnies halved the deficit through an advanced mark from substitute Conor Bohill and things were back on a knife-edge. 

The decisive moment arrived on the 58^th minute when Rossa won a free that Dominic McEnhill seized responsibility for. 

The Antrim county star saw his effort drop into the crowded square where Thomas Morgan gathered and poked to the net to move his side 2-06-0-08 ahead. 

Back-to-back frees from Stephen Beatty in the aftermath gave Rossa a two-goal cushion and St Johns needed to react fast. 

The comeback was beyond the Whiterock men though and a consolation point from Simon McDonagh was all they could muster in the closing stages as Rossa ran out winners to join their Belfast rivals on 2 points after two games.

Cargin’s victory over Tir na nÓg ensured that the Champions have all but secured a first-place finish in the Group and Rossa and St Johns will more than likely battle it out for the runners-up spot in two weeks time. 

Rossa: M Byrne, N Crossan (0-01), C McGuinness, C Orchin, A Devlin, J Morris, R Gowdy, G Walsh, S Beatty (0-02f), D Rogan (1-01), C McGettigan (0-01), D McEnhill (0-01), T Morgan (1-02), E McMenamin, M Mallon. Subs: D Grego for C McGettigan (Blood Sub 34-39min), D Grego for D Rogan (55). 

St Johns: P Nugent (0-01 45’), Ciaran Johnston, J Bohill, C Garland, S Wilson, A Oliver, D McGuinness, S McDonagh (0-01), C McEvoy (0-01), P McBride (0-02f), C Gough, C Adams (0-01f), Conor Johnston, C Hand (0-02). Subs: P Donnelly for D McGuinness (27), C McGlade for S Wilson (42), C Quinn for C Adams (44), C Bohill (0-01m) for Conor Johnston (48), A McGowan for A Oliver (50). 

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lámh Dhearg)