Andersonstown SC IFC Group 2

St. Paul’s 2-14 Tir na nOg 3-18

St Paul’s and Tir na nOg served up an entertaining Intermediate Championship Group 2 opener at Shaw’s Road last night. The visitors looked in danger of running away with it during the opening exchanges when they raced into a 2-3 to 0-0 lead after 8 minutes.

They were still in a commanding position at half time when they had extended their advantage to 10 points but were forced to fight off a St. Paul’s rally in the second half.

The visitors got off to a flying start with Colm Duffin firing to the net in the opening minute when he followed up on a rebound and Aaron McNeilly added a point from a ‘65’ as Tir na nOg opened at a blistering pace.

Kevin Murray in the St. Paul’s goal brought off a great save as Tir na nOg pushed forward again but was helpless as Kevin McCann rattled the net in their next attack to move his side 2-1 to 0-0 ahead with only 5 minutes on the clock.

It was all one way traffic at this stage as Darragh Fagan added a couple of quick fire points to move the visitors nine ahead before Sean Lawell registered St. Paul’s first score as he sent over a good point with 9 minutes on the clock.

Kevin McCann for Tir na nOg and Declan Chapman for the home side exchanged further points and Eamon Og McAllister for the Whitehill side and Sean Lawell for St. Paul’s followed with fast exchanges but the home side were having difficulty in dealing with the sheer intensity of the opposition.

By half time Tir na nOg had put themselves in a strong position with Colm Duffin, Christy Sheerin 0-2, and Eamon Og McAllister adding further points and Anthony Gallagher and Sean Munce replying for the Shaw’s Road side.

Tir na nog made the better start to the second half as they added a point through Ciaran Logan but St. Paul’s replied through an excellent long range effort from their centre-half and another from Conall Duffy from all of 70 meters.

The Randalstown side were still enjoying the better of the exchanges as they came straight back with points from Ciaran Logan and Colm Duffin but slowly the ‘Hoops’ were starting to gain a foothold and they struck with a goal from Sean Munce and points from Sean Lawell, Munce and Anthony Gallagher to bring themselves right back into contention at the end of the third quarter.

Eamon Og McAllister and a couple from Ciaran Logan eased the pressure but St. Paul’s were now enjoying some success and a goal from Sean MacCorraidh and a point from Conall Duffy had them right back into contention by the 23d minute and only four points separated the sides.

Just when it looked like a St. Paul’s comeback was gaining momentum the Whitehill side produced a moment of magic of their own as they replied immediately with a goal at the other end with Colm Duffin applying the finish to put a bit of daylight between the sides.

The home side never gave up and added four points in the run in to the final whistle with Anthony Gallagher leading the way with 0-3 and the impressive Sean Lawell getting the other but a well organised Tir na nOg were always able to respond and Duffin, Daniel Martin and Aaron McNeill were all on target at the other end to see them collect the points.

St. Paul’s: 1 Kevin Murray, 2 Aaron Carey, 3 Fionntan Gamble, 24 Thomas Duffy, 5 Tiarnan Auld, 6 —-7 Conor Gallagher, 8 Mark Munce, 9 Sean Lawell, 10 Conall Finnegan, 11 Declan Chapman, 12 Anthony Gallagher, 13 Conall Duffy, 14 Sean MacCorraidh, 15 Sean Munce

Tir na nOg: 1 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Tony Martin, 3 Ryan O’Neill, 4 Connor McCamphill, 5 Daniel Martin, 6 Caoimhin Duffin, 7 Manus Smith, 9 Aaron McNeilly, 10 Eamon Og McAllister, 11 Christy Sheerin, 12 Niall Devlin, 13 Kevin McCann, 14 Coplm Duffin, 15 Darragh Fagan, 17 Emmet Martin, 19 Oliver McAtamney, 20 Kevin Kerr, 22 Connor McKenna, 23 Ciaran Logan, 24 Josh Higgins, 16 Michael Higgins.  

Referee: Lorenzo McMullan

Northern Switchgear SFC Group 3

Aghagallon 2-13 Gort na Mona 2-9

On an evening befitting of any championship match, Pairc Na Gael played host to an entertaining game, with Aghagallon running out eventual winners with four points to spare, although at the midway point in the second half they looked to be in total command. To their credit, Gort na Mona competed resiliently to the final whistle reducing what was a ten point advantage to the eventual four, with the score line ending at 2-13 to 2-9.

It did not take long for things to come to life and it was the visitors who got off to the stronger start, racing into a two point lead. Firstly through a free from the accurate Padraig Mc Hugh and then when Gort ace, Dessie McClean marked expertly under intense pressure from Jamie Lamont, he switched the play and played in the on-running Niall Melaney to dispatch from twenty-five yards with his left foot.

Aghagallon responded and dominated possession for the next phase of the game, though scores did not come easily with the well organised Gort na Mona rear guard. They did get off the mark however, when Ruairi McCann collected possession on the right side of the goal, took his man on and converted on the stretch with his left foot.

This was followed up when Niall Mc Shane found space on the right side of the ‘D’ and converted with the outside of his right foot, expertly. Eunan Walsh, who went on to torment Gort na Mona over the course of the game, found space on the right once again and struck a great score to push the home team in front.

Aghagallon took control of affairs from here on. They struck a a brilliantly worked goal, with Daryl McAlernon and Jack Lenehan linking up in the middle of the field, releasing the rampant Walsh to beat a number of men on the right flank, get to the end line and square the ball to Ruairi Mc Cann, who palmed the ball home from close range.

Both teams traded scores for the next ten minutes with Gareth Magee, and Eunan Walsh raising white flags for St Mary’s, and Darren Boyd and Thomas Mc affrey keeping Gort na Mona in touch. The latter with a sweetly struck forty-five. Then came the decisive score, or what should have really been a decisive score, from a St Mary’s perspective.

Heavy pressure on the Gort na Mona defence, as they tried to work the ball out led to a turnover on their forty-five metre line, with Daryl McAlernon intercepting. He steadied himself and laid the ball off to the onrushing Ruairi McCann, who took a bounce and finished emphatically to the top corner of the net. This put the home side firmly in the driving seat as the game headed for half time, with St Mary’s eight points to the good.

Upon the restart, St Mary’s immediately got the score board moving, with Ruairi McCann winning well in front and feeding Enda Mc Cartan who cut in from the left flank and unleashed without a second thought from twenty-five yards. The next ten minutes were scrappy in truth, as Aghagallon dominated possession but could not seem to establish a flow to their attack.

Gareth Magee injected life as he attacked his man, resulting in a free, that he converted with ease, stretching the lead out to ten points. At this stage of the game, the Aghagallon defence had been relatively untroubled with Aidan Mulholland and Jamie Lamont getting the better of their men, Pat Branagan beginning attacks with intent and Jack Lenehan and Daryl Mc Alernon providing a calming presence in the middle sector of the field.

At the half-way point of the half however, Gort na Mona received a life line when a St Mary’s kickout malfunctioned and allowed Darren Boyd to claim the ball and delicately loft it over the head of the back-peddling St Mary’s keeper, Damien O’Hagan. Gort Na Mona did seize the initiative at this stage of the game and followed up with two quick fire points, from Dessie Mc Lean and Niall Mc Aleavey respectively.

Aghagallon needed an outlet, and once again, Eunan Walsh came to the fore, adding a score at a time when it was most required, to follow up on a point he had added in the initial spell of the second half. St Mary’s dug in at this stage but were far from free flowing in attack, but got scores that allowed them to keep the scoreboard moving with Oisin Lenehan and Gareth Magee adding points to stretch the lead out to seven, with less than two minutes remaining.

Gort Na Mona would have the final say though, and must garner credit for their commitment to the cause. Dessie Mc Lean, a constant thorn, beat his man on the bye line and squared the ball to Neil Henry to finish smartly from close range. What was a positive finish to the game for Gort will undoubtedly be a frustration for St Mary’s who will regret not closing the game out given their position of dominance with fifteen minutes to play.

This sets up an interesting tie in two weeks between Gort Na Mona and Randalstown, with St Mary’s then facing the latter two weeks later, in the last weekend in August.

Teams:

Aghagallon: Damien O’Hagan, Aidan Mulholland, Jamie Lamont, Paul Mulholland, Eunan Walsh, Jack Lenehan, Pat Branagan, Daryl Mc Alernon, (Davy Mc Alernon 45 mins), Oisin Lenehan,  Enda Mc Cartan, Ciaran Mc Guinness,  Marc Mc Afee,  Gareth Magee,  Ruairi Mc Cann, Niall Mc Shane (Caolan Farr 45 mins)

Gort Na Mona: Thomas McCaffrey,Sean Campbell, Tiarnan Keenan, Padraig Cournan, Aodhan Mc Donagh, Michael Savage, Padraig Mc Caffrey, Caoimhin Magee, Aodhan McDonagh, Padraig Mulvenna, Christopher Carson, Dessie McClean, Padraic McHugh, Darren Boyd, Niall Melaney

Referee: Sean Laverty (Moneyglass)

Northern Switchgear SFC Group 2

St. Ergnat’s 3-9 St. Mary’s 1-13

A Dermot ‘Bugsy’ McErlain double in the 16^th and 21^st minutes of the second half proved the decisive scores as St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass got their Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship Group 2 campaign up and running with a two point win over neighbours, St. Mary’s Ahoghill at Marian Hill last night.

The home side enjoyed the better of the opening half exchanges and led 1-8 to 0-6 at the break thanks to a goal from Shea Madden after 23 minutes but the Cloney side came back strongly in the second half and looked at one stage to be on their way to overturning that half time lead.

Conleth McCann and Shay Madden shot St. Ergnat’s into an early lead before Thomas McGlone replied for the visitors to make it 0-2 to 0-1 with five minutes gone. Colm Duffin extended that lead with a point in the 7^th minute but a couple of pointed frees from James O’Connell had matters level by the 9^th minute.

It was typical championship fare with St. Ergnat’s moving ahead once more through Colm Duffin but Thomas McGlone levelled the contest for the third time as he sent over in the 12^th minute.

The hosts then struck two on the bounce through Conall Prenter and Shea Madden before James O’Connell replied with his third converted free of the evening to leave just one in it with 17 minutes gone.

St. Ergnat’s began to gain the upper hand in the second quarter as Peter McCormick came forward to split the posts and Madden’s goal in the 23d minute moved them into a five point lead and that was how it stood at half time with Colm Duffin for the hosts and Ronan Graham exchanging late points.

Dermot McErlain increased that lead to six with a point in the second minute of the second half but a PJ O’Connell goal in the 4^th minute heralded a St. Mary’s comeback as they began to get on top for the first time.

Points from Neill O’Connell, Ronan Graham, Michael O’Connell and James O’Connell saw the Ahoghill side hit the front for the first time by the 14^th minute and they looked to be taking control at this stage.

Dermot McErlain stopped the Ahoghill onslaught when he struck two goals, very much against the run of play in quick succession to completely change the complex of the game and move a youthful St. Ergnat’s five in front after 21 minutes and at that stage they looked to have done enough.

The visitors threw everything at them during the closing stages with Daniel O’Neill, James O’Connell and Ronan Graham all on target to close the gap to two with only minutes remaining but that was as close as they got and it is Moneyglass who join Portglenone at the top of group 2 after one round of games.

Portglenone defeated St. Brigid’s in the other game in the group yesterday and they now meet Ahoghill on the 14^th of August while Moneyglass travel to St. Brigid’s on the same day so there is still plenty for all four sides to play for.

Moneyglass: 1 Gary Murray, 2 Callum McStocker, 3 Peter McCormick, 4 James McCormick, 5 Jack McCoy, 6 Conor Boyd, 7 Patrick McCormick, 8 Tiernan Duffin, 9 Colum Duffin, 10 Seanchann Duffin, 11 Dermot McErlain, 12 Fearghal Duffin, 13 Shay Madden, 14 Conall Prenter, 15 Conleth McCann.

Ahoghill: 1 Noel Crossey, 2 Francis Neeson, 3 James Magee, 4 Bernard Graham, 5 Eoin Graham, 6 Thomas McGlone, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Neill O’Connor, 9 Patrick Graham, 24 Fionnbar O’Neill, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Daniel O’Neill, 23 James O’Connell, 17 Michael O’Connell, 15 PJ O’Connell, 16 Colla McDonnell, 21 Owen Neeson, 20 Donal Graham, 22 Patrick Dougan, 26 Martin Graham, 18 Conor Paul Crossey, 25 Stephen O’Connell

Referee: Colm McDonnell (St. Gall’s)

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship Group 1 

Creggan 0-13-1-10 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Staffordstown Road 

Ruairi McCann kept his cool to earn Champions Creggan a draw in Sunday evenings Northern Switchgear Championship opener against Lámh Dhearg at the Staffordstown Road. 

For much of the contest it looked as though the 2021 winners start their defence with a win as McCann scored half of his sides 12 scores that had them five-points to the good with a quarter of an hour remaining. 

Lámh Dhearg refused to go away quietly though and after reducing arrears to two-points they took the lead for the first time in added time through a thumping strike from Conor Murray. 

But talisman McCann salvaged a share of the spoils deep, deep into time added on as Creggan showed the hallmark of Champions and rescued a point from a position that they never looked likely to find themselves in. 

Indeed the hosts raced into an early three-point lead through a double from Ruairi McCann and another from namesake Conor that had them in the ascendancy. 

It took Lámh Dhearg eight minutes to respond but Conor Murray swung over a reply after Declan Smyth and Fionn Mervyn combined well in a burst from defence. 

A foul on Paddy Mervyn afforded Terry McCrudden the chance from a free and McCrudden obliged before Ryan Murray shot over to draw the sides level short of the quarter-hour mark. 

Ruairi McCann inched his side back in front with his first converted free of the evening, but Ryan Murray replied from the same scenario. 

The hosts went two ahead again, McCann doubling his free tally for the half and Kevin Small then guiding a lovely shot accurately between the sticks to give his side a 0-06-0-04 lead. 

Ryan Murray narrowed the margin with his second converted free- though his side were unable to make fresh inroads until the end of the half as Creggan extended their lead. 

McCann landed back-to-back scores from play, the first a simple side-foot conversion that was angled over and the second after a fine popped pass from Liam Quinn, with Conor McCann then doubling his account for the half. 

The visitors did hit back before the break with a curling shot from Terry McCrudden dropping over to ensure that three-points separated the sides at the midway point. 

Creggan increased their advantage upon the resumption through a Liam Quinn point after he had intercepted Conor McCann’s pass, withstood the pressure, and steered his shot over. 

The Lámhs had ample opportunity to respond in the opening stages but were guilty of squandering a few chances that would have saw them in a much better position. 

Conor Murray would eventually get his side off the mark at the fifth time of asking with ten minutes gone in the half. 

Back-to-back scores from Tiernan McAteer and Odhran McLarnon gave the Champions a 0-12-0-07 lead with a quarter of an hour of normal time remaining. 

A third converted Ryan Murray free narrowed altered the margin slightly and things could have been better on 51 minutes. 

Kevin Quinn dropped a high ball into the square and Oisin Kerr failed to gather with two-hands, Conor Murray reached the loose ball first and fired in a shot that Kerr parried and with a second bite at the cherry- Murray shot wide of the post. 

Murray would angle over a point moments later and then sent over a close range free on the 60^th minute to ensure that just two-points separated the sides going into six-additional minutes. 

Lámh Dhearg probed a goal and received their just rewards almost four minutes into added time. 

Marc Jordan burst up field and slipped the ball off to Fionn Mervyn, Ryan Murray then took up the charge and sent the ball to substitute Stephen Tully, he dropped a high ball that bounced, and Declan Smyth reached it and feed Conor Murray to sweep a bullet of a shot past Oisin Kerr and into the net to ensure his side were in front for the first time 1-10-0-12. 

The Hannahstown side frantically tried to shore things up and had Tully black-carded in the process, though Creggan earned themselves a chance of the spoils forcing a 45’ and with the final act Ruairi McCann successfully nailed the pressure kick from close to the side-line to tie things up and earn his side a share of the spoils. 

Creggan: O Kerr, E Carey-Small, K Burke, E McAteer, A Maguire, M Johnston, J McCann, C McCann (0-02), K Small (0-01), T McAteer (0-01), R McCann (0-07, 0-02f, 0-01 45’), L Quinn (0-01), D McAteer, O McLarnon (0-01). Subs: F Burke for A Maguire (HT), J McAteer for D McAteer (40), M Rodgers for C McCann (51). 

Lámh Dhearg: J Finucane, F Mervyn, M McGarry, R Murray, D Smyth, D Lynch, B Rice, P Mervyn, M Jordan, C Maxwell, K Quinn, O McKeown, R Murray (0-04, 0-03f), C Murray (1-04, 0-01f), T McCrudden (0-02, 0-01f). Subs: M Hynes for B Rice (HT), D Dunne for T McCrudden (49), S Tully for C Maxwell (51), A Byrne for R Murray (60). 

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Eánna)

Switchgear SFC (Group 4)

Erin’s Own Cargin 3-10 St Enda’s 0-14

Despite giving visitors St Enda’s a four point start Cargin recovered to gain the verdict in the opening game in Group 4 of the Switchgear Senior Football Championship in Toome today.

 A Ronan Gribbin goal in the 13^th minute initiated the fight back and it was a late major from second half substitute Tom Shivers which sealed victory to put Cargin in a strong position for a quarter-final place

St Enda’s arrived in Toome as outsiders for today’s game and it took an excellent save from St Enda’s net minder Paddy Flood to deny Tomas McCann a goal just seconds into proceedings.

The corner forward delivered the awarded ‘45’ between the posts but this was to be the only mark made by the home side for a while as the visitors took the game to their hosts.

An Oran Eastwood 4^th minute point from a free opened account for the Hightown men and further scores from Donal Walsh, James Mc Auley, Conor Maxwell, and Conor Morgan followed to ensure an early 0-05 to 0-01 advantage.

Cargin looked in trouble but a well laid counter attack involving Ronan Gribbin and Paul McCann saw the central defender finish with a goal to level the score at 1-02 to 0-05.

Back came St. Enda’s and Oran Eastwood’s 17^th minute point ensured advantage for Carl McCabe’s men but the home side came back strongly and points from Pat Shivers, Paul Mc Cann, and a couple from Tomas McCann ensured a three point advantage as the end of the half approached.

The visitors were to have the last say however and points from Oran Eastwood and Kian Healy left only a point between the sides at the break with Cargin leading 1-06 to 0-08.

St Enda’s started the second half strongly and a Finn Nagle point courtesy of a mistake in the home defence saw the sides draw level.

Cargin were struggling to get their game going again but Tomas McCann bagged back to back points before Sean Og O’ Neill followed with a 42^nd minute goal.

Cahir Donnelly and Paul McCann, who had an excellent hour, were involved in the approach, before Tomas McCann’s cute delivery opened to way for the advancing wing half back to find the net.

Cargin looked to have gained control but St. Enda’s responded and came back with points from Donal Walsh and Oran Eastwood and a great point from Kian Healy to put them in a strong position as the tie entered the latter stages.

A fine Justin Crozier point eased concerns but back came the Hightown men with Kian Healey leading the charge and Back to back points from Oran Eastwood ensured only a couple of points separated the sides.

A black card to Benen Kelly saw Cargin reduced in number and the home side looked in a bit of trouble but they found a response. Ronan Gribbin and Jamie Gribbin combined to open the way for replacement Tom Shivers to grab a 59^th minute goal and the die was certainly cast.

St Enda’s net custodian Paddy Flood was issued with a black card for a foul on the advancing Shivers as the relieved home side greeted the final whistle with a hard earned 3-10 to 0-14 winning verdict.

The Toome men will travel to Rossa in the last game of their section with St Enda’s due to play hosts to Rossa in a fortnight’s time.

Cargin: J Mc Nabb, J Crozier (0-01), C Donnelly, K O’ Boyle, B Kelly, R Gribbin (1-00), S og O’ Neill (1-00), K Mc Shane, G Mc Cann, C Bradley, P Mc Cann (0-02), D Johnston, G Gribbin, P Shivers (0-02), T Mc Cann (0-06)

Subs

T Shivers (1-00) for P Shivers

M Kelly for D Johnston

M Clarke for J Gribbin

St Enda’s: P Flood, C Lyttle, M Mc Namee, C Maxwell (0-01), P Healy, J Mc Auley (0-01), C Mc Auley, P Curran, M Morgan, K Kalla, C Morgan (0-01), D Walsh, F Nagle (0-01) O Eastwood (0-06)

Referee: C J Roberts (St John’s)