Antrim Senior Football Championship Group 3

St Ergnats Moneyglass 1:12 v St. Mary’s Ahoghill 1:14

Ahoghill secured their place in the knockout stages of the Senior Football Championship with a two point victory over neighbours Moneyglass at Portglenone on Friday night. This was a keenly anticipated encounter for all involved with each a victory to their name against Glenravel and Moneyglass just missing out last time out against Portglenone and to be fair, there was some very good football played in spells throughout by both sides.

It was Ahoghill who struck first with James O Connell firing over 2 points in succession to give the men in red the lead after 5 minutes, he was to go on to have a major influence in this one finishing with a personal tally of 1-7. Moneyglass responded well once settled and Aidan Mc Erlain found the Ahoghill net to open their account. They capitalised on their goal and with the pace of Moneyglass’ young lads up front they linked up well and Sean Boyd added 2 of his own after 7minutes to increase the lead.

However it wasn’t to last long, a high looping ball into the Moneyglass defence was well gathered again by James O Connell and from what looked to be an innocent enough effort at a tackle was deemed a pull by referee Mark O Neill who awarded a penalty to Ahoghill and duly converted by O’Connell, he would add 2 more frees just before the half time whistle to take the slenderest of leads.

The second half started brightly, Ronan Graham firing over from a free and O’Connell adding another 5 minutes in. With daylight fading it was all to play for. There was never more than a few scores separating the sides at any time throughout this one as each exchanged points Connor O Kane, Aidan Mc Erlain and Colm Duffin for St. Ergnats and Patrick Dougan and Ronan Graham for Ahoghill. With minutes remaining it was Ahoghill who would finish this one out the stronger and again O Connell finding his range from the place ball added another to setup a meeting with Champions Cargin next time out.

St Ergnats: Jamie Mc Laughlin, Matthew Mullan, Calum Mc Stocker, James Mc Cormick, Fergal Duffin, Paul Duffin, Kevin Mc Cann, Dermot Mc Erlain, Michael Mc Laughlin, Connor O Kane (0-1), Connlaodh Mc Cann (0-1) Conor Boyd (0-2, 1f), Sean Boyd (0-2), Aidan Mc Erlain (1-1m), Colm Duffin (0-5f)

Subs: Tiernan Mc Cormick for M. Mc Laughlin, Ryan Boyd for C. Mc Stocker, Tyler Cassidy for Sean Boyd

Ahoghill: 1 Noel Crossey, 2 Eamonn Brady, 3 James Magee, 4 Bernard Graham, 5 Seamus McKeever, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Fionnbar O’Neill, 8 Neil O ‘Connell, 9 Ronan Graham, 10 James O’Connell, 11 Patrick Graham, 12 Donal Graham, 13 Dan O’Neill, 14 Patrick Dougan, 15 Conor Paul Crossey.

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Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Group 2, round three

St John’s 1-14 O’Donovan Rossa 1-13

Despite appearing to be cruising to a runaway win at one stage St John’s were pushed to the pin of their collar to get past West Belfast rival’s Rossa in Saturday evening’s Senior Football Championship round-robin game at Hannahstown.

When the Corrigan Park side moved seven clear midway through the second half the only thing that seemed to be in question was the size of their winning margin, and double figures seemed a distinct possibility, considering that Rossa were a man short after losing Stephen Beattie to a red card early in the game.

 However games between these two great rivals seldom follow the predictable pattern and this one was no exception as Rossa began to claw their way back.

Dominic McEnhill brought the gap back to six but when the Johnnies were awarded a penalty soon afterwards it looked like Rossa were in for bit of a pasting. However Conor McEvoy was badly off target with the award, but despite that it still looked like Aaron Douglas’s men were safe and sound.

Things began to change when Rossa’s Colm Fleming picked off another point from a free and when a Dominic McEnhill shot for goal spun high in the air off a defender, Rossa corner forward Diarmuid Rogan rose to fist the ball to the Johnnies net.

Soon afterward St John’s were also reduced to fourteen men when substitute Daire King was red carded and suddenly you could sense the tide was turning.

Two more sweetly struck frees from Fleming left just a point between the sides as the game entered injury time and Rossa drew level following a move which saw goalkeeper Mick Byrne come up to join the attack, the county netminder providing the assist for Niall Crossan, and the half back sent over the equaliser.

St John’s were still safe though as a draw was good enough to see them through but to the great relief of their fans they pushed forward looking for a winner, rather than sit back and run down the clock. They were rewarded when their excellent centre back Andy McGowan fired over his third point of the game to secure a quarter final against Portglenone.  

The opening half had been fairly evenly contested, though St John’s held the upper hand in general, and with McGowan, Paddy McBride and left half forward Ronan Donnelly leading the line. Dominic McEnhill, Tommy Morgan and Colm Fleming were keeping Rossa well in touch though and they went in just two adrift at the break, despite the loss of Beattie.

St John’s appeared to have it all in control as they opened the gap during the third quarter, but Rossa showed great fighting spirit to get back in the contest.

As I said earlier in the report games between these two are always entertaining and the good news it we will get a chance to see them again next weekend, in the hurling.

 St John’s E R Lambert; E McGurk (0-1), J Garland, C McEvoy; L Peden, A McGowan (0-3), R Quinn; A Oliver, C Bohill; R McNulty, P McBride (0-3), R Donnelly (0-2, 0-1 free); S Tierney, C Adams (0-4, 0-1 free, 0-1 mark), C Quinn (1-1).

Subs D King for Garland (h-t); R Hannigan for Peden (56); D McKeogh for Tierney (63).

Rossa: M Byrne; P Moyes, G Walsh, C Orchin; D Grego, A Devlin, N Crossan (0-1); R Grant (0-2), O McVicker; C Fleming (0-6 frees), T Morgan (0-1), C McDonnell; D Rogan (1-0), D McEnhill (0-2, 0-1 free), S Beatty (0-1)

Subs R Gowdy for Moyes (inj., 32, first half); J Morris for McDonnell (39); C Walsh for Rogan (57); R Murray for Grego (63).

Referee C McDonald (St Gall’s).

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SFC Group 4

Creggan 1-15 St. Gall’s 1-4

Kickham’s Creggan qualified for the knockout stages of the Senior Football Championship with a comprehensive win over St. Gall’s in their final Group 4 game at Lamh Dhearg on Saturday afternoon.

Despite falling behind to a Brendan Bradley goal in the 5^th minute the Staffordstown Road side never looked like losing this one and by half time they were in control when they led by five, thanks to a goal from Conor McCann.

The South West side would push on to outscore the Milltown side 0-8 to 0-2 during the second half to run out winners by 11 points and must now wait for the result of Sunday’s game between St. Brigid’s and Aghagallon to see whether they finish first or second in the group.

Jimmy McCann, who was to have a major influence on the final result, pointed Creggan ahead in the 4^th minute but the visitors were caught with an astute pass over the top as Niall O’Neill placed Bradley who finished to the net from close range with keeper, Oisin Kerr stranded.

Jimmy McCann (free), Marty Johnston and Ruairi McCann replied with points to edge the visitors back in front by the 15^th minute and when Conor McCann finished to the net from close range they were in control.

Conor McCann added a point as Creggan’s measured possession football started to create gaps in the St. Gall’s defence and the Milltown side were dealt a blow when Conaill Murray was forced to retire injured to be replaced by Eoghan McCurdy.

The Belfast side were finding it hard to penetrate a well organised Kickham’s defence where Ricky and Marty Johnston were superb but Niall Burns finally raised St. Gall’s second flag of the evening when he pointed a 25^th minute free.

Niall O’Neill fisted over a second before being replaced by Callum Walsh but it was Creggan who finished on the front foot as Ruairi McCann and Ricky Johnston kicked late points to see them head to the dressing rooms leading 1-7 to 1-2.

St. Gall’s were first off the mark in the second half with Niall Burns converting another free to briefly cut the gap to four but Ruairi McCann converted a 50 meter free of the ground to immediately restore the Kickham’s five point advantage.

It was Burns who was again on target with his and his side’s second point in the 10^th minute from another converted free but it would be his side’s final score of the evening as Creggan began to turn the screw.

Tiarnan McAteer raced clear for an excellent point and Paddy McAuley added another and the big mid-fielder might well have had a goal with the St. Gall’s defence at sixes and sevens.

Creggan continued to press home their advantage with Jimmy McCann converting three frees in quick succession to move them nine in front with 8 minutes remaining.

The Kickham’s continued to monopolise possession as they ran down the clock with Sean Duffin fisting over after a strong run and Tiarnan McLarnon marking his introduction for Conor Small with the game’s final point.

There’s sure to be a bigger than normal Creggan representation at Corrigan on Sunday for the final game in the group. A five point win for Aghagallon over group leaders St. Brigid’s would see the Musgrave Park side eliminated and St. Mary’s join Creggan in the knock out stages.

A win for St. Brigid’s would mean they finish top of the group unbeaten with Creggan joining them in second place in the play-offs.

Creggan: 1 Oisin Kerr, 2 Conor McCann, 3 Ricky Johnston 4 Aidan Maguire, 5 Ethan Carey Small, 6 Marty Johnston, 7 Jimmy McCann, 8 Kealan McCann, 9 Paddy McAuley, 10 Sean Duffin, 11 Ruairi McCann, 12 Tiarnan McAteer, 13 Joe McAteer, 14 Conor McCann, 19 Conor Small, 25 Odhran Hampsey.

Subs: 17 Tiarnan McLarnon, for Conor Small

St. Gall’s: 1 Chris Kerr, 2 Marcus Donnelly, 3 Tiarnan Keenan, 4 Conaill Murray, 5 John McCaffery, 6 Conall McGirr, 7 Conall McCabe, 8 Aodhan Gallagher, 9 Conor Ryan, 10 Niall Burns, 11 Brendan Bradley, 12 Michael Hopkins, 13 Michael Pollock, 14 Daniel Quinn, 15 Niall O’Neill,

Subs: 17 Eoghan McCurdy for Conaill Murray, Callum Walsh for Niall O’Neill, Barra McCaffery for Brendan Bradley, Con Doherty for Michael Hopkins

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

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Senior Football Championship (Group 2)

Erin’s Own Cargin 3-12 Tir nanOg 1-06

It is certainly a case of onwards and upwards as the reigning senior champions Erin’s Own Cargin gained the verdict in what was essentially a ‘dead rubber’ with qualification from group two already secured when they recorded a twelve win victory over Tir na nOg at Dunsilly on Friday evening.

The final scoreline was a little unkind to the Whitehill side at conclusion after the Randalstown men had remained close on Cargin’s heels at the end of a second period where they remained in touch despite the concession of a couple of goals.

Cargin gained advantage in the early stages with goals apiece from the McCann brothers with Michael raising the first green flag in the 18^th minute and his sibling Tomas despatching a spot kick into the corner of the net a few minutes later.

As the Toome men struggled to impose superiority on proceedings their opponents kept in touch and a goal in the 29^th from centre back, Barry Mc Cormick aided by a defence splitting Aaron Mc Neilly delivery let the champions know the Ogs were not about to slip quietly away.

Little had separated the sides up until the last minute and as Cargin struggled to get it together in the early exchanges, Tir na nOg moved into a 0-02 to 0-01 lead with points from Daryl Fagan and Emmet Murray in answer to an opening point from Tom Shivers.

The Toome men were not long in arrears with Michael Mc Cann finding the net at the end of the first quarter and following a Pat Shivers point, Tomas Mc Cann was impeded and despatched the ‘spot Kick’ award to the top corner of the net.

Paul McCann followed with a point as they began to take control but it was Tir na nOg who were to finish on the offensive  and Aaron Mc Neilly’s precision cross field delivery opened the way for centre back Barry Mc Cormick to blast to the back of the net just ahead of the short whistle.

Tir na nOg looked for a  quick getaway in the second half but it was the Toome men who were first out of the start traps as corner back Conan Johnston added a point to the Cagin total.

Pat Shivers followed with another and after Aaron Mc Neilly returned fire with a similar score at the other end another Jamie Gribbin delivery paved the way for Conhuir Johnston to raise a further white flag and Cargin had moved into a 2-06 0 1-05 lead entering the last quarter.

Tir na nOg had remained in touch up to this point but Mc Neilly’s point would be their final score as the reigning champions finished strongly with Tomas Mc Cann and Tom Shivers adding points before a splendid delivery from Tom Shivers sent Gerard McCann away to add a superb goal.

Conhuir Johnston came close to following suit shortly after with his shot coming back of the post but he did have the last say on the scoring stakes, raising white in the last minute to follow a 59^th Tom Shivers point to see the Toome men cross the winning line with their unbeaten run intact.

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Justin Crozier, Kevin Mc Shane, Conan Johnston (0-01), James Laverty, Ronan Gribbin, Sean og O’Neill, Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Pat Shivers (0-03), David Johnston, Tomas Mc Cann (1-02), Conhuir Johnston (0-02), Jamie Gribbin, Michael Mc Cann (1-00), Tom Shivers (0-04)

Subs

Gerard Mc Cann (1-00)

Gerard Mc Corley

Ronan Devlin

Jack Harney

Kevin O’Boyle

Tir na nOg: S P Mc Atamney, Brandon Mc Larnon, Ciaran Mc Creelish, Ryan Crilly, Paul Clarke, Barry Mc Cormick (1-00), Ciaran O’Neill, Christy Sheerin, Aaron Mc Neilly ((0-01), Eamon og Mc Allister (0-01), Josh Higgins, Emmet Murray, Daryl Fagan (0-03), Aiden Toland

Subs: Sean Duffin

Referee: Colin Thompson (St John’s)

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SFC (Group 2)

St Johns 0-08 Erin’s Own Cargin 2-13

Reigning senior champions Erin’s Own, Cargin took another step in defence of their title with a second Group win as they produced another impressive performace against St John’s before a good attendance at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

Both the contestants had opened their group accounts with victories over Rossa and Tir na nOg respectively but it was the Toome men who were to dominate this one from the start before pushing on to record an eleven point win.

Both sides had recorded good wins in their opening games but this looked a tougher one for both contestants and the visitors were expected to face a severe test on the Whiterock Road.

In truth it never materialised as Cargin took control from early in the game and the Toome men were first to strike with a Tom Shivers point and Tomas Mc Cann was quick to add another as the visitors took an early two point lead.

Cargin continued to press and Michael McCann and Tom Shivers were thwarted by the Johnnies net minder Eoghan Lambert but the visitors had moved 0-05 to 0-01 ahead by the end of the opening quarter.

Jamie Gribbin, who had an excellent hour, was involved as James Laverty and Pat Shivers delivered between the posts before St. John’s replied with their second score of the evening as Paddy McBride pointed in the 17^th minute.

Tomas McCann for Cargin and Conal McGlade for the home side exchanged further points before Eogan Rua Lambert pulled off a superb save as a well contrived Cargin attack put Michael McCann in on the target.

Cargin pressed again and Benen Kelly added an excellent point before a Luke Peden pointed free reduced the visitors lead in the 28th minute but it was Cargin who finished the half strongly.

Tomas Mc Cann and Conhuir Johnston added late points to see the reigning champions head to the dressing room with a 0-09 to 0-04 advantage and the visitors were good value for that lead.

St. John’s were first to strike as the second half got under way with Paddy McBride sending a 40 metre free between the posts but Conhuir Johnston quickly replied to restore the visitors five point advantage.

Eoghan Rua Lambert had been in excellent form in the St. John’s goal but he was finally beaten in the 7^th minute. Jamie Gribbin started the move with an interception and found Pat Shivers who sent Sean Og O’ Neill away to fire to the net.

O’Neill’s goal moved Cargin nine in front going into the final quarter as the champions emptied their bench and David Johnston added a good point before Paddy McBride and Conor Adams replied for the Corrigan Park side.

Tomas McCann responded again at the other end to punish a foul on Paul McCann and then a superb fetch in the middle by Gerard McCann and a smart delivery by Conhuir Johnston opened the way for Tom Shivers to find the net and it was game over.

The home side fought to the end but were denied by the Cargin net minder Sheal Laverty on a couple of occasions in the latter stages and an injury time pointed ‘45’ by Conor Adams was all they could muster.

With two impressive wins under their belts Cargin have already qualified and look the team to beat while the meeting of St. John’s and Rossa in the final Group 2 game should decide who will join them in the play-offs

St John’s: Eoghan Ruadh Lambert, Enda Mc Gurk, Joe Garland, Conor Mc Avoy, Luke Peden (0-01), Conon Bohill (0-01,Ronan Quinn, Andy Mc Gowan, Patrick Mc Bride (0-04), Stephen Tierney, Conor Mc Glade (0-01) Conor Quinn, Conor Hand, Conor Adams (0-02)

Cargin:  Shea Laverty, Ronan Gribbin, Kevin Mc Shane, Benen Kelly (0-02), Jamie Gribbin, Conan Johnston,  Pat Shivers (0-02),Sean O’ Neill (1-00)James Laverty (0-01), Tom Shivers (1-02), David Johnston (0-01), Conhuir Johnston (0-02) Michael Mc Cann, Tomas Mc Cann (0-05)

Subs:

Ben Mc Larnon

Kevin O’ Boyle

Paul Mc Cann

Gerard Mc Corley

Jack Harney

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Gall’s)

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