Under-21 B Football Championship (Quarter final)

Tir na nOg 3-06 Casement’s 2-07 —at Whitehill

Tir na nOg defied miserable conditions and a late comeback from their visitors Casement’s to earn a place in the next phase of the under-21 B championship on a sodden Whitehill pitch on Sunday.

The home side looked on their merry way into the semi-finals at the break with a 2-05 to 1-02 advantage at the end of the opening period as they asked questions aplenty of their visitors.

Caolan Smith had found the net for the home side early in the game and the full forward over turned a short kick out in the latter stages of the opening period to return to the net to give his side a six point interval advantage.

Portglenone, faced a stern breeze in the first period but found the back of the home side’s net in the closing stages as Sean Burns finished soccer style on the greasy surface which paid dividends.

Casement’s having played second fiddle to their hosts for much of the opening period despite positive performances from Ryan Mc Allister, Ciaran McAleese, and Brian McKeever came back strongly with the breeze at their backs and Sean Byrne raised white in the opening phase with Ciaran McAleese adding another a few minutes later.

Casements continued to ask questions as the second half progressed but several chances were off target and when Caolan Smith was sent away by mid-fielder Pat Higgins to find the net the home side looked on the way to victory.

Casement’s were not about the accept what looked inevitable and continued to take the game to their opponents as they tested Tir na nOg’s net minder on a couple of occasions but Levi Thumann proved up to the task.

As the game moved into the final stages the visitors continued to press forward with wing half back Brian McKeever leading the charge.

The fame haired wing half back set up Conor McCann to deliver between the posts in the 59^th minute to keep them within touching distance.

Questions were being asked of the home side and Portglenone’s James McAleese made a strong approach to finish stylishly to the back of the net at the eleventh hour to reduce the deficit to a couple of points but it was close as they got as the Whitehill side held on for victory and a place in the semi-final.

Tir na nOg: Levi Thumann, D Martin, B Devlin, O Loughran, S Gault, T Bonnes, P Higgins (0-01), Josh Higgins, C Mc Camphill, A O’ Donnell (0-02), C Mc Kenna (0-01), S Martin, C Smith (3-03), E Maguire

Casement’s: F O’ Connell, M Mc Garry, F Mc Cormick, C Mc Aleese, B Mc Keever, O Mc Auley, R Mc Allister, James Mc Aleese (1-00), Sean Burns (1-03), P Murray, C Mc Aleese (0-01), Ciaran Mc Aleese (0-03), C Mc Cann (0-01)

Referee: D Mc Keown (St Gall’s)

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Antrim U21 Football Championship quarter-final

St John’s 3-11 St Paul’s 2-9

St. John’s advanced to the semi-final of the U21 A Football championship when they produced an impressive performance to overcome the challenge of visitors St. Paul’s at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

The Shaw’s Road side would have probably started this one as favourites having contested the last two minor finals but it was a big and powerful St. John’s who took control from early in the contest.

The hosts dominated the opening half to lead by six at half time but with the wind in their favour in the second half St. Paul’s certainly didn’t look out of it.

The visitors made a real fight of it in the second period but any time they threatened, the ‘Johnnies’ were able to find a response and in the end were worthy winners.

St. John’s were strong down the middle with full-back Enda McGurk, centre-back Ronan Quinn, midfielder Conor Hand, and centre-forward Conchuir Adams in dominant form.

The Shaw’s Road side battled hard and closed the gap to three with six minutes remaining when Caoimhin Duffy finished to the net but before the celebrations had died down, Ronan Quinn netted at the other end after being placed by James Wilson.

St Paul’s got off to a brighter start, with Tarlach Enright kicking a free within the opening minute. Their lead doubled when Conall Duffy made a good break, and the ball was worked to Patrick Crawford, who scored via Caoimhin Duffy.

The Johnnies’ first real attack resulted in their opening score with Ronan Quinn pointing and this seemed to bring belief to their challenge.

They looked in for an early goal when Conor Hand cut through, but Lorcan Murphy turned away his shot superbly.

Conhuir Adams levelled the contest shortly after and from the resulting kick-out the home side won possession and Adams sent an inch perfect pass into the path of Hand who palmed to the net from close range.

The hosts were now in full swing as Enda McGurk and Adams followed up with points and the visitors were now struggling to find a way through a solid Johnnies defence.

Enright did kick frees either side of an impressive score from Hand, but McGurk and Quinn would double their own tallies as the scores began to flow for the Whiterock Road side.

Jack Ireland did hit back with a good score for St Paul’s, but Adams replied with a free and then was unlucky to see his shot at goal; come back off the crossbar, but the hosts held a deserved 1-8 to 0-5 lead at the break.

The visitors needed a quick start to the second half to mount a challenge and when Caoimhin Duffy converted a Mark in the opening minute it looked like a comeback might be under way.

St. John’s had other ideas however as they replied with their second goal of the afternoon with just four minutes gone. An Adams free dropped short but Lorcan Duffy in the St Paul’s goal only palmed it out to Fearghal MacManus to palm home.

That put eight between them, but three minutes later it was back to five as a good move resulted in Garrett Cowan slotting low to the net and just one minute later, it really could have been game on when Caoimhin Duffy forced a smart stop from Padraig Graham.

St Paul’s looked to be getting on top as they pressed forward but they hit three wides in quick succession as they failed to capitalise on a period of possession as Conor Hand kicked a free at the other end.

St Paul’s substitute Ryan McCoy’s immediate duty was to kick a free but Hand replied, yet the Shaw’s Road side seemed right back in it five minutes from time as a bit of quick thinking ended with Caoimhin Duffy finishing from close range to leave just a goal between the sides.

St. John’s response was immediate and decisive and a good move from deep in their own half saw Ronan Quinn collect a pass from James Wilson to blast home.

Conall Duffy and Enright narrowed the gap to four in added time, but Conan McKinney ensured there would be no way back as he kicked the final point of the evening to secure the Johnnies place in the semi-final.

St. John’s: P Graham; M Darragh, E McGurk (0-2), M Mallon; J Robb, R Quinn (1-2), D King; C Hand (1-3, 0-1f), R Donnelly; J Wilson, C Adams (0-3, 1f), C McKinney (0-1); F McKinney, F MacManus (1-0), O McAuley.

Subs: D Robinson for M Mallon (28), C Darragh for D King (56), O Quinn for F MacManus (56).

St. Paul’s: L Murphy; G Cowan (1-0), C McAlea, N McKenna; C O’Neill, D O’Sullivan, J Ireland (0-1); C Killyleagh, D Quinn; P Crawford (0-1),  Conall Duffy (0-1), T Enright (0-4f); Caoinhin Duffy (1-1, 0-1m), P McDonnell, S Burns.

Subs: C Rogers-Duffy for C O’Neill (24), R McCoy (0-1f) for P Crawford (49).

Referee: Martin Quinn (Naomh Éanna)

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U21 B Football Championship

Rossa 1-6 Kickham’s 2-8

On a terrible day for football with treacherous conditions under foot it was Rossa who got off to the better start with Diarmuid Logan scoring a goal and a point and Ruairi Grant hitting his first point all inside the first 9 minutes.

Kickhams first point arrived through the boot of Shea McCann in the 11th minute followed by a Connor Johnston point.  Pearce Short hit the last two points for Rossa with Sean Duffin replying with a point for Kickhams, leaving the |Shaw’s Road side 4 ahead at halftime. 

Kickhams were first out of the blocks in the second half with Cain Graffin grabbing a quick goal only for Rossa to reply with points from Ruairi Grant and Diarmuid Logan but that was to be their last score.

The visitors responded and Connor Johnston and Shea McCann hit points apiece before Fintan Close hit the equaliser with a brilliant long range point.  

Shea McCann put Kickham’s in front for the first time on the 27th minute and Sean McAuley made his way up-field in the 30th minute to put Kickham’s two ahead

Creggan finished strongly and the hard working Sean Duffin put the finishing touch to an entertaining match with a well taken goal to move his side into the semi-finals 

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Under-20 B Football Championship (Final)

Kickham’s Creggan 0-10 Patrick Sarsfield’s 0-08

A free despatched with confidence late in the game by the impressive Sean Duffin secured the U20B title for Creggan as the full-forwards score finally killed off the challenge of a battling Sarsfield’s.

Duffin’s point brought his personal contribution to a healthy six for the day and guided his side over the winning line to secure the title at the expense of the Belfast side at a blustery Dunsilly.

Both sides needed late scores in their semi-finals to reach today’s decider and most expected today’s final to go to the wire and that was how it turned out with the issue only resolved in the closing minutes.

The ‘Bear Pit’ residents enjoyed the benefit of the breeze in the opening half and they were first to give employment to the scoreboard attendant as Sean Clarke followed the example of Brian Healey to make it 0-2 to 0-0 after four minutes.

The Paddies looked in for a goal early in the contest but Daire McMenamin’s effort was deflected for a ‘45’ which was despatched between the posts by Daniel Smith.

Sarsfields led  0-03 to 0-00 at the end of the opening quarter as the swirling breeze caused problems for both sides with Kickham’s finding it difficult to find the target.

The South West side were finally off the mark in the 17^th minute as Joe McAteer opened the way for Sean Duffin to finish between the posts.

The wing half forward had a glimpse at goal himself shortly after but the Sarsfield’s net minder Jonathan Rogers was alert to the danger and quick to clear his lines.

Sarsfield’s increased their lead late in the half with points from Daniel Smith and Patrick Mc Shane but the former was to spend the remainder of the period in the ‘sin bin’ following a foul on Joe McAteer.

Sarsfields started the second half a couple of points ahead but Creggan were quick to draw level with Sean Duffin splitting the posts from a 31^st minute free before a strong Joe McAteer approach opened the way for Duffin to add another from close range.

Sarsfield’s fought hard to regain the lead and a fine approach involving centre back Ahmad Soda saw Patrick McShane split the post to see them nip ahead.

Back came Creggan as the busy Joe McAteer was sent away by a Sean McAuley clearance to fire over and restore parity at 0-08 apiece.

Both sides battled for supremacy but the deadlock was broken when Sean McAuley was fouled after a strong penetrating run. Joe Mc Ateer’s long delivery from the placed effort was seized by the towering Lee Johnston on the edge of the square and he placed Sean Duffin to finish between the posts.

Sarsfield’s went looking for an equaliser but the Creggan defence stood firm and it was Creggan who took advantage in the 54^th minute as a foul on the advancing Sean Donnelly was punished when Sean Duffin fired over the bar.

The excellent Duffin then punished an indiscretion on the towering Lee Johnston by sending the free kick between the posts to see Creggan move 0-10 to 0-08 clear with the end in sight.

Sarsfield’s required a goal to pull this one out of the fire but the Creggan defence stood firm during the closing stages and the title was bound for the Staffordstown road with Creggan finishing as U20 B champions for 2022.

Creggan: Peter McGinley, Caolan Hughes, Sean McAuley, Finn O’ Neill, Pearse Mc Guckin, Dylan Hinphey, Ruairi Mc Veigh, Lee Johnston, Sean Donnelly, Cian Graffin, Joe McAteer (0-02), Ciaran Graffin (0-02), Sean Duffin (0-06), Cillian Mc Larnon

Subs

J PO’Neill for C Graffin

Sarsfield’s: Jonathan Rogers, Darragh Coleman, Liam Mitchell, Ruairi Devlin, Stephen Hughes, Ahmad Soda, Donal Smith (0-01), Michael Johnston (0-01), Joe Mc Nally, Daniel Smith (0-01), Daire Mc Menamin (0-01), Sean Clarke (0-01), Anthony Mc Garrigle, Patrick Mc Shane (0-02), Brian Healey (0-03),

Subs

E McBrearty for S Clarke

O Coleman for P Mc Shane

Referee R Matthews (Rossa)

U20A Football Championship Quarter-Final

All Saint’s Ballymena 0-10 Erin’s Own Cargin 3-9

Cargin recovered from a blistering All Saints start to advance to the semi-final of the U20A football championship to win by eight in the end but they were given an early scare by a home side who looked at one stage on their way to causing an upset

Despite a less than impressive opening quarter, Cargin regained their composure and a late goal from the hugely impressive Cahir Donnelly finally killed off the challenge of a battling Ballymena side.

Cargin claimed the minor title a couple of years ago and travelled to Ballymena on Saturday as firm favourites but it was All Saints who dominated the opening exchanges.

Cal O’ Brien and Shaun O’Callaghan dominated the central zone right from the outset and back to back points by Ciaran Campbell by the 5^th minutes underlined the fact that the home side meant business.

All Saints were really buzzing in the early stages and they were giving problems aplenty to their visitors and a slick interchange between Oisin Connolly and Cal O’ Brien set up Ronan Mc Killop who was denied a goal by a superb save from Shea Laverty.

The Cargin net minder, who was excellent throughout with length and accuracy from his kick outs, made a super save to deny the incoming wing half forward with the home side leading 0-03 to 0-00 at the 10^th minute.

Cargin finally opened their account in the 12^th minute when PJ Quinn delivered a 30 metre free between the posts to punish an indiscretion on Conan Kennedy but the home side were quick to reply.

They continued to dominate in the vital central zone and were first to the broken ball and came back with three unanswered points and were looking good at this stage of the game.

Cal O’ Brien strode through to split the posts and when Ronan McKillop added a couple more, All Saint’s had nipped into a 0-06 to 0-01 advantage and looked firmly in charge.

Cargin had struggled to make much of an impact in the opening quarter but with the towering Odhran Molloy and Benen Kelly began to gain a foothold at mid-field middle with the latter’s interception opening a path for Paudie Mc Laughlin to hoist a 20^th minute white flag.

Having looked decidedly sluggish in the opening quarter the visitors began to gain a foothold with Odhran Molloy prominent and their attack came to life with Tom Shivers leading the way.

Back to back points by the full forward saw the Erin’s Own lads reduce the gap and then Eunan Quinn and Conan Kennedy combined to send Shivers in on target again in the 28^th minute and he finished to the back of the net.

Having led for most of the opening period All Saint’s found themselves behind for the first time in the latter stages with their visitors leading 1-04 to 0-06 as the half time whistle sounded.

All Saints were not long in arrears as the second half got underway as the impressive Ronan Mc Killop added back to back points within a few minutes of the restart to restore their advantage.

The visitors were quick to respond however and half time substitute, Diarmuid Quinn set up Tom Shivers to duly deliver his second goal of the game and the same player quickly added a point.

Quinn added a further point to make it 2-06 to 0-08 and although Ronan Mc Killop replied with a couple of minors it was Cargin who finished strongly with the introduction of Conhuir Johnston adding impetus.

Johnston set up Cahir O’ Boyle to split the posts and then Cahir Donnelly came forward from defence and combined with Conhuir Johnston before firing to the back of the net to put his side in control.

Tom Shivers had the final score of the game when he punished a foul on Conhuir Johnston with a late, late point to see the Toome men cross the winning line and secure a date with St Brigid’s in next week-ends semi-final.

All Saints: Jason Givens, Jude Casey, Michael Reid, Ryan Mc Cartney, Archie Mc Greevey, Conaill Killough, Paddy O’ Brien, Shaun O’ Callaghan, Cal O’ Brien (0-01), Ronan Mc Killop (0-07), Oisin Connolly, Charlie Meltrusty, Colin O’Neill, Ciaran Campbell, Paul O’ Boyle

Subs:

Daniel Mc Coy

Darragh Bradley for P O’ Brien

TP Mc Gurk for A Mc Greevey

Fintan Brady for C Neill

Oliver O’ Rawe

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Caomhinn Kennedy, Cahir Donnelly (1-00), Ciaran Mc Peake, Ben Mc Larnon, Conan Johnston, Cahir O’ Boyle (0-01), Odhran Molloy, Benen Kelly, PJ Quinn (0-01), Eunan Quinn, Cian Scullion, Conan Kennedy, Tom Shivers (2-04),Paudie Mc Laughlin (0-01)

Diarmuid Quinn (0-01) for PJ Quinn

Conhuir Johnston for B Kelly

Malachi Johnston for C Kennedy

Referee: G Walsh (Aghagallon)