Northern Switchgear Senio Football Championship (Group 4)

 O’ Donovan Rossa 1-12 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-14

A late, 60^th minute point despatched with the utmost efficiency by busy centre forward Thomas Morgan secured victory for Rossa, and a place at the top of Group 4 after this win over a fancied Cargin on Sunday afternoon at Rossa Park.

A 17^th minute Cormac Mc Gettigan goal saw the Shaw’s road side take the lead after the sides had swapped points in the early stages and were level at 0-04 apiece at this juncture and it was a lead they would not lose.

The home side had been first to register a score when Dominic Mc Enhill punished a foul on Stephen Beatty raising a white flag to punish the indiscretion .

Jamie Gribbin opened the Cargin account after he claimed a mark in reception of a superb Pat Shivers delivery and this set the tempo for the opening phase with score at one end provoking same at the other.

Cargin’s Pat Shivers fired over a couple of points and Ciaran Bradley another for the visitors with Michael Armstrong and Stephen Beatty replying for Hugh McGettigan’s side.

McGettigan’s goal gave Rossa the lead but at half time the visitors had fought back to level the contest at 1-4 to 0-7. Cargin recovered from that setback and late points from Tomas Mc Cann, Jamie Gribbin from long range, and another from Gerard McCann ensured they were back on level terms.

Rossa with the aid of the breeze were first away in the second half with a Stephen Beattie point with Ciaran Bradley providing quick reply but two points from Dominic Mc Enhill saw the home side move a couple of points clear after 40^th minutes.

Pat Shivers and Rossa netminder Michael Byrne then exchanged points and similarly Jamie Gribbin followed suit at the other end with another long range special.

The home side continued to dominate the kick-outs and moved further ahead as the tie entered the last quarter with the indomitable Dominic Mc Enhill adding 2 further points and the Rossa bandwagon seemed to be rolling along to victory.

Cargin introduced the previously injured Michael McCann to the action in the latter stages and this was to influence the pattern of the game.

The Toome men gained in confidence but a good move involving several players saw Ronan Gribbin denied by the post as they fought to get back into contention

Tomas Mc Cann added a 22^nd minute point, with Dominic Mc Enhill quick to reply, but Cargin had grabbed a firm grip on proceedings and a trio of late points from Tomas McCann 0-2 and Pat Shivers saw them back on par and a share of the points looked likely.

Rossa were not to be denied their day in the sun however and a well laid offensive and a deft delivery from Thomas Morgan in injury time ensured victory.

Cargin had a chance to draw level in the 63^rd minute from a ‘45’ but although Justin Crozier got his fist to Tomas McCann’s delivery the ball sailed wide of the posts as Rossa celebrated championship victory and a place in the quarter final stages as Group winners.

Rossa will cross swords with the reigning champions Kickham’s Creggan in those quarter finals while runners up Cargin will meet 2017 champions Lamh Dhearg at the same stage.

Rossa: Michael Byrne (0-01) Matthew Mallon, Ciaran Orchin, Gerard Walsh, Jack Morris, Chris Mc Guinness, Richie Gowdy, Cormac Mc Gettigan (1-00), Eoghan Mc Menamin, Dominic Mc Enhill (0-07), Thomas Morgan (0-02), Stephen Beatty (0-01), Aaron Devlin , Michael Armstrong (0-02), Niall Crossan.

Subs

Pat Moyes for C Orchin

S Pat Donnelly for C Mc Gettigan

Stephen Shannon for R Gowdie

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Justin Crozier, Cahir Donnelly, Kevin O’ Boyle, Benen Kelly, Ronan Gribbin, Sean og O’ Neill, Gerard Mc Cann (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Ciaran Bradley (0-02), Pat Shivers (0-05), Paul Mc Cann, Jamie Gribbin (0-03), Tom Shivers, Tomas Mc Cann (0-03)

Subs

Michael Mc Cann for T Shivers

David Johnston for K Mc Shane

Referee: S Laverty (St Ergnat’s)

Northern Switchgear SFC Group 2

Naomh Muire 1-10 St. Brigid’s 1-14

St. Brigid’s held off a second half comeback from St. Mary’s Ahoghill in a tempestuous affair in Cloney to qualify for the quarter-final of the Northern Switchgear SFC at the expense of their hosts. The permutations were clear. Naomh Muire needed to win by five points while St. Brigid’s quite simply had to win and in the end that is just what they did.

The opening exchanges suggested that the visitors would win with quite a bit to spare as they raced into a 1-8 to 0-1 lead after 28 minutes in a half that they totally dominated to this point, forcing several turnovers including the one that led to their goal from James Smith in the 23d minute.

The home side had persisted with the short kick-out strategy throughout the half but this time it backfired and Stephen O’Connell was caught in possession and the ball was transferred to Smith who drilled his shot low to the corner of the net.

Up to this point St. Mary’s had created quite a number of chances but were abysmal in their finishing or off target with the final pass and had only a superb long range point from Boris O’Connell in the 20^th minute to show for their efforts.

A few tasty challenges seemed to finally bring the home side to life however and when Donal Graham raced clear unchallenged to fire to the net in the 28^th minute Ahoghill suddenly sprung into action.

They finished the half with a flurry and Dan O’Neill pointed before James O’Connell struck a ‘45’ sweetly between the uprights in injury time to leave five between the sides as referee, Patrick Tumelty sounded his half time whistle.

St. Mary’s introduced PJ O’Connell and Owen Neeson for Patrick Dougan and Michael O’Connell at the start of the second half with PJ dropping into a role around mid-field and it seemed to add impetus to the home side’s challenge.

The second half was only seconds old when matters started to get heated as the visitors defence got itself in a bit of a tangle when they failed to deal with a long ball into the danger area and after consulting with his umpires referee Tumelty awarded Ahoghill a 13 meter free which James O’Connell stroked over.

St. Brigid’s responded with points from Joseph Finnegan and Peter Webb and Owen Neeson looked to have pulled one back for the Cloney side but his effort from 30 meters came back of an upright and was cleared to safety.

PJ O’Connell followed with another off target effort as the home side started to enjoy more and more possession but St. Brigid’s continued to look threatening on the break and Peter Webb fisted over at the other end to move his side 1-12 to 1-4 ahead after 8 minutes and they appeared to have weathered the storm.

A Joe Finnegan point in the 17^th minute increased the St. Brigid’s lead to nine as several attempts at goal by the Ahoghill men were thwarted by the St. Brigid’s defence before Stephen O’Connell came forward from defence to fire over the home side’s second point of the half in the 18^th minute.

Suddenly it was Ahoghill who were again calling the shots as James O’Connell pointed a couple of frees and Dan O’Neill added another from play in the 29^th minute to cut the Brigid’s lead down to five but the goal that Ahoghill needed quite simply would not come.

A running battle between James O’Connell and Conor King finally boiled over with King receiving a second yellow after both players had been book earlier but it was St. Brigid’s who stood strong in defence to the end with a late shot from substitute Conor Crossey deflected over for a point to conclude the scoring.

St. Brigid’s will be happy with the result and some of their play in the opening half was top drawer as they moved the ball through the hands at speed but the management will be concerned at the manner in which they got bogged down late in both halves and it is something they will want to address before the quarter-finals.

Ahoghill as always gave it everything but took far too long to get going and in the end were forced to concede to the better team on the day.

The Cloney men will now turn their attentions to the Intermediate Hurling championship and a visit to Gort na Mona on Friday night and a win there would all but earn them a place in the quarter-finals with a game to spare in the group.

Ahoghill: 1 Noel Crossey, 22 Stephen O’Connell, 3 Martin Graham, 4 Bernard Graham, 18 Fionnbar O’Connell, 5 Patrick Dougan, 6 Thomas McGlone, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Neil O’Connell, 9 Patrick Graham, 17 Michael O’Connell, 11 Donal Graham, 12 Daniel O’Neill, 14 James O’Connell, 15 Ronan Graham. Subs: PJ O’Connell, Owen Neeson, Conor Crossey

St. Brigid’s: Declan Heery, 2 Peter King, 3 Conor King, 4 John Toner, 5 John Morgan, 6 Ronan Boyle, 7 Oran Boyle, 8 Fergal Meenagh, 19 Jack Dowling, 10 Peter Webb, 11 Patrick Finnegan, 12 Niall Lundy, 13 James Smith, 14 Conor McAleer, 15 Joseph Finnegan

Referee:  Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Group 1 

St Galls 2-08-0-14 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Milltown 

Lámh Dhearg secured a place in the last eight of Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship, but had to come from behind to do so after fighting back to claim a 2-08-0-14 draw with St Galls at Milltown on Saturday evening. 

It was nip and tuck throughout the sixty plus minutes of tense Championship football and it was all square at the midway point. 

Niall Fallon’s goal opened up a four-point gap and looked to have St Galls on the way to victory and leave the Lámhs on a 24-hour sweat for their fate. 

However, the Hannahstown outfit dug in and got back on terms through a late Conor Murray point to ensure a place in the last eight- their particular position in the Group still to be ironed out. 

Lámh Dhearg went into Saturday evenings encounter knowing that a draw or victory would ensure progression on the night. While St Galls only had personal pride to play for after back-to-back defeats to St Johns and Creggan.

The visitors made a solid opening and led through a confident Marc Jordan point and a fisted effort from Conor Murray. 

But St Galls hit back with the opening goal of the game after five minutes, Niall Burns shifted the ball to Niall Fallon in the area and Fallon held off the challenge of Fionn Mervyn and popped the ball to un-marked Callum Walsh to punch to the net. 

Ben Rice burst forward and floated over an equaliser instantly, though his side fell behind again to back-to-back points from Michael Pollock and Niall Burns. 

For the second time in the half parity was restored courtesy of successive Ryan Murray scores- the first from a converted free and that was quickly followed by another from play to make it 1-02-0-05 approaching the midway point in the opening period. 

The Lámhs edged ahead again after Owen McKeown dropped a shot between the posts and they doubled their lead when Eoghan McCabe was penalised for catching Ben Rice late with an elbow- McCabe was perhaps fortunate to only escape with a yellow card, nonetheless the resulting free was converted by Ryan Murray.

Despite their lead the Hannahstown outfit would need to see the half out and begin the opening period of the second half a man light after Carl Maxwell was black carded for checking the run of Ryan Irvine after he had popped the ball to Eoghan McCabe. 

St Galls would make the most of their numerical advantage and pulled level as Niall Burns landed successive frees. 

Conor Murray thought he had struck back after fisting home a high free from brother Ryan- but the goal was ruled out as the umpire felt that Murray had entered the square before the ball and at the break it was 1-04-0-07 and all to play for in the second half. 

Upon the resumption St Galls took the lead for the third time, Eoghan McCabe dropped a pass into the path of Niall Burns who conjured up his fourth point of the evening and second from play. 

A dreadful stint of shots saw several opportunities to level pass the Lámhs by in the aftermath and things got worse 10 minutes into the half when St Galls found their second goal of the evening. 

Eoghan McCabe shifted the play to Callum Walsh, and it was roles reversal of the first goal as he slipped in Niall Fallon to break through a heavy rear-guard and thunder a low shot to the net to give his side a 2-05-0-07 lead. 

Ryan Murray eventually kicked the Lámhs into gear through a converted free, though at the other end Niall Burns responded from the same scenario. 

Back-to-back points from Marc Jordan and Kevin Quinn halved the deficit- but a fourth converted free from Niall Burns followed. 

Second-half substitute Declan Dunne kicked a terrific angled 45’ and Ryan Murray squeezed a shot between the posts to ensure the bare minimum separated the sides. 

The Lámhs had the chance to draw level through a Murray free that was spurned, but a few minutes later he atoned for that error and sent a further chance between the posts to make it 2-07-0-13. 

St Galls immediately restored their lead at the other end as substitutes Kevin Bradley and Fergus Donnelly combined for the later to float a shot over at the near post. 

Two minutes into injury-time the game was level once again thanks to a fantastic outside of the boot effort from Conor Murray that sailed over. 

Murray’s score would prove to be the last but both sides spurned late chances to claim the win. 

Niall Burns turned the ball over and with John Finucane out of his goal and back-tracking, Burns found Michael Pollock who in turn slipped in Kevin Bradley to go one-on-one with Finucane- though the Lámhs shot stopper won the battle of wits and turned away the low effort. 

At the other end Conor Murray dropped a high ball into the path of Declan Dunne whose low shot was blocked by Niall McCurdy- a scramble ensued on the goal-line and referee Karol Doherty eventually hoped the ball. 

Ruairi Wilson had a further goal opportunity for the hosts as the game stretched, but he run out of momentum and his tame effort failed to test Finucane. 

There were further opportunities for Lámh Dhearg to snatch the win, though Ryan Murray was unable to convert a late free and Kevin Quinn saw the last chance of the evening drift wide of the target as the sides were forced to share the spoils in a frantic finish at Milltown. 

Lámh Dhearg will take their place in the last tight but must sit tight and wait for the conclusion of Sundays fixtures before the picture becomes clear as to who they will face in the last-eight. 

St Galls: N McCurdy, J Hopkins, C Flannery, E McCurdy, C Bradley, E McCabe, G Mac Adhaimh, M Pollock (0-01), R Irvine, R Wilson, N Burns (0-06, 0-04f), C McGirr, C Walsh (1-00), N Fallon (1-00), M Hopkins. Subs: F Donnelly for M Hopkins (45), C Chada for E McCurdy (52), K Bradley (0-01) for C Walsh (56), O McIlhatton for R Wilson (60+4).

Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, F Mervyn, M McGarry, A McAufield, D Smith, D Lynch, C Maxwell, P Mervyn, M Jordan (0-02), O McKeown (0-01), K Quinn (0-01), B Rice (0-01), R Murray (0-06, 0-04f), C Murray (0-02), T McCrudden. Subs: M Hynds for A McAufield (40), D Dunne (0-01 45’) for B Rice (42), A Byrne for C Maxwell (48), S McManus for D Smith (50). 

Referee: Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship Previews – Sat 27^th August/Sunday 28^th

By Geordie McGuckin

The last games in the ‘round robin’ phase of the senior championship scheduled for the week-end, with a single fixture on Saturday afternoon and the remainder to complete on Sunday.

Group One

St John’s v Kickham’s Creggan (6.00pm)

County champions Creggan lay their title on the line in the ‘game of the round’ when they travel up the Whiterock Road to Corrigan Park to cross swords with St John’s.

The champions will retun to the venue where they bridged a 67 year gap last season by beating Agahagallon in the final. However they go in the knowledge that a win, or even a draw, will secure a place in the quarter final stage while defeat would end their reign.

The home side will play hosts to their country cousins also sure of their requirement of a full return of the points available if they are to make the last eight at the expense of their visitors.

A huge test for both with defeat causing exit from the championship trail for both will bring a big attendance to the famous old stadium.

The stakes could not be higher in this one and although the Kickham’s will start as favourites they will need to be at their very best to secure passage at the expense of a focused Johnnies on their own patch.

Sat 27^th August

Group One

St Gall’s v Lamh Dhearg (6.00pm)

With St Gall’s having endured defeat in both of their games to date the Milltown men will play hosts to Lamh Dhearg in this one in the knowledge that only pride will be at stake as the Hannahstown men visit.

Lamh Dhearg  lead the way in the group and barring extraordinary circumstances they are destined for a spot in the quarter finals, and the question who will join them when St Johns play hosts to defending champions Creggan at Corrigan on Sunday evening.

The Hannahstown men will start as firm favourites and although the home side are more than capable of giving their visitors a run for their money an away win does look probable.

Sunday 28^th August

Group Two

St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Brigid’s (2.00pm)

Having failed to gain a positive return from their games to date on the championship trail Ahoghill will be more than keen to add a victory here as St Brigid’s visit Cloney.

St Brigid’s, with a nine point victory secured from their assignment against Moneyglass, entertain hopes of securing a quarter final berth as they take to trip down to Cloney.

The South Belfast side with a superior points difference over the St Ergnat’s men will travel safe in the knowledge that a positive return will ensure passage and although that will not be gifted to them by their hosts St Brigid’s may gain a hard earned verdict.

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Casement’s Portglenone (2.00pm)

With back to back wins gained in their games to date Casement’s have already secured a place in the quarter finals when they travel up to Moneyglass for their last assignment as firm favourites.

John Mc Keever’s men have impressed thus far in the season and with a place in the quarter final stages already secured they will look to remain unbeaten with victory at Marian Hill.

Moneyglass having secured promotion to the top grade for 2023 gained a win over Ahoghill in this group and they will not be found wanting in effort as the Bannsider’s come a calling.

Casement’s will travel as firm favourites and although the home side will not be lacking in effort a win for the visitors looks probable.

Group Three

O’ Donovan Rossa v Erin’s Own Cargin (2.00pm)

With an opening round win gained over St Enda’s in this three team section Cargin will travel to west Belfast knowing they are already in the quarter finals

Rossa having drawn with St Enda’s, the other team in this group will play hosts to the Toome men in the knowledge that anything less than a five point defeat will secure passage to the next phase.

The Shaw’s road side will know what is required if they are to make the last eight and although they will fully test to resolve of their visitors Cargin may well prove as a tough nut to crack.

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship – Group 2

Sunday 14^th August

Report by Niall Kelly 

St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-12               Roger Casements Portglenone 0-15      

The introduction of Ciaran McKenna and Paddy Kelly in the last quarter swayed momentum back in favour of John McKeever’s troops in what was a frenetic and intensely fought derby encounter. Trailing by four at the break, a rejuvenated Ahoghill side put Portglenone to the sword in the second period and the ingenuity of James O’Connell provided the platform for the hosts to take the lead for the first time in the game on the 55^th minute. However, an inspired ten minutes of football in which McKenna and Kelly were at the forefront of, extinguished the hopes and prayers of the sizable home crowd.

It was the Bannsiders who were the brighter in the first half and deservedly took the lead on the second minute when Ronan Kelly found his range expertly after marauding through the tightly packed Ahoghill rear-guard and splitting the posts from range. Ahoghill’s tactic of isolating James O’Connell in the full forward line and distributing the long ball in for him to feed off, paid dividends minutes later when he latched on to a searching pass from Neil O’Connell and fired over expertly.

The speed and ferocity of Portglenone’s attacks were causing problems for the hosts and the imperious Michael Hagan finished off yet another scintillating counter attack with a monster effort from distance. A beautiful curling effort from Aidan McAleese doubled the lead before Eamonn Brady responded clinically on the fifteenth minute after some intricate link up play with centre back Thomas McGlone.

The remainder of the half belonged to the visitors though, outgunning their opponents 0-05 to 0-02. The scores were shared throughout the team illustrating the variety of attacking threat Portglenone have in their arsenal. Dermot McAleese and Conall Delargy pointed either side of a James O’Connell free with Michael Hagan, Aidan McAleese and Oisin Doherty all increasing their personal tallies. Ronan Graham responded with a colossal effort from range for the St Mary’s men just before the short whistle to leave the score 0-04 to 0-08 in favour of Portglenone.

The dark clouds circled ominously over Clooney throughout the first period and predictably the heavens opened during the interval with many supporters retreating to their cars for shelter. The rain though seemed to galvanise the hosts and they emerged in the second half a more potent outfit, spearheaded by the ever-dangerous James O’Connell. The sea of loyal supporters with their brollies in hand were treated to a frantic and exhilarating thirty-five minutes of Championship football in what was a ding-dong battle for victory.

Ahoghill came storming out of the traps as Patrick Graham opened the second-half scoring assisted ably by some tenacious work from Eamonn Brady. PJ O’Connell then opened his account by putting his imprint on a slick and efficient counter-attack. Portglenone hit back through the trusty right boot of Conall Delargy but the hosts momentum was continuing to build and Ronan Graham was on hand yet again to fire over from range to cut the gap back to two points on the fortieth minute. What followed five minutes later was the score of the match and potentially of the Championship itself from Ahoghill’s sharpshooter James O’Connell. The host’s corner forward picked the ball up right on the side-line of the left flank and from a seemingly impossible angle, guided the ball over deftly to rapturous applause from the home faithful.

Matters were then levelled on forty-seven minutes when Daniel O’Neill stormed the defences of Portglenone. The half forward drove from midfield riding challenge after challenge and refused to relinquish the size five, before drilling the ball over the black spot to trigger another roar of adulation from the crowd. Portglenone seemed somewhat shell-shocked and were in desperate need for a score. Michael Hagan provided this to the relief of the visiting support as he pointed from a tight angle to give his side some respite.

The fiftieth minute proved to be perhaps the most pivotal. Another jinking run from James O’Connell caused panic in the Casements defence and in the pandemonium, he was brought down in the box with a penalty awarded. Cometh the hour, cometh a hero though for the visitors as shot-stopper Ryan O’Neill telegraphed Ronan Graham’s drilled effort with the Ahoghill centre-forward having to make do with a point when he tapped over the rebound.  The hosts though finally took the lead when that man James O’Connell fired over once again with five minutes remaining and everything to play for.

More than ever though, Gaelic Games have become a squad game. Ciaran McKenna and Paddy Kelly epitomised this perfectly as their introductions to proceedings turned the tide in favour of the hosts. With ice in his veins, Paddy Kelly stepped up to despatch one of his trade-mark long-range frees off the deck before McKenna announced his arrival with an excellently taken point after powering through from deep.

McKenna then turned provider for Oisin Doherty as he pointed to raise Portglenone’s thirteenth white flag of the evening. Michael Hagan added to this with a superb score two minutes from the sixty and the visitors had wrestled control back when it mattered most.

Ahoghill though refused to go out without a whimper and bombarded the visitor’s defence. With time running out, they were deploying the long ball tactic in the hopes of grabbing a goal. Noel Crossey’s flighted effort from a free helped register another point but in truth the goalkeeper perhaps caught it too sweetly as he cut a forlorn figure with his score, as he’d hoped to dangle the ball tantalisingly into the square instead.  Paddy Kelly though would have the final say as he sent over another perfectly executed effort off the carpet from range to spark delirious celebrations from the visiting support and side-line alike.

This victory solidifies Portglenone’s place in the quarter finals. They were made to work for the win but with two exceptionally competitive and gruelling games under their belts, it will stand them in good stead for what’s to come. Ahoghill can certainly hold their heads high in defeat. They played their part in this game and could’ve possibly won it themselves after O’Connell gave them a short-lived lead. You can’t help think how damaging their defeat to Moneyglass possibly was in the first round of fixtures.

Teams:

Ahoghill:

N Crossey (0-01;) J Magee, M Graham, B Graham; E Graham, T McGlone, E Brady (0-01;) N O’Connell, P Graham (0-01,) Fionnbar O’Neill, R Graham (0-03,) D O’Neill (0-01;) J O’Connell (0-04,) M O’Connell, PJ O’Conell (0-01)

Portglenone:

R O’Neill; K O’Kane, J Convery, R Delargy; S Delargy, D McAleese (0-01,) R Convery; N Delargy, N McKeever; R Hagan, M Hagan (0-04,) R Kelly (0-01;) A McAleese (0-02,) C Delargy (0-02,) O Doherty (0-02)

Substitute scorers: C McKenna (0-01) P Kelly (0-02)