Creggan celebrate after beating Lamh Dhearg in the 2011 U21 football final at Casement Park
Category / U21 Club Football Tournament – Paddy McLarnon Cup
Thomas Galligan, a familiar face to Saffron Gael
Cavan’s Ulster final man of the match played at Creggan
As I photographed the Cavan v Antrim Ulster football championship game at Breffni Park this year and watched the Ulster final last Sunday and the performance of one Thomas Galligan I couldn’t help but be impressed.
I knew I had come across the Lacken player somewhere in the past and a recent conversation with Creggan’s Conor McCann reminded me of just where I had seen the powerful Cavan mid-fielder in action before.
Thomas Galligan starred for Southern Gaels in the Creggan U21 tournament way back in 2018 when they overcame the challenge of a fancied Crossmaglen Rangers and indeed the excellent Galligan received the Bank of Ireland man of the match award on the day.
Cavan’s star performer against Donegal in the Ulster final had been marked out for greatness even earlier in his career however and was part of the St. Patrick’s Cavan team who put a 43 year wait behind them to defeat St. Patrick’s Dungannon in the 2017 MacCrory Cup final, Galligan playing a starring role at mid-field.
Today we take a look back at that meeting of Southern Gaels (A Cavan amalgamation) and Crossmaglen in 2018 at the Staffordstown Road venue of Kickham’s Creggan and bring you Brendan McTaggart’s report on the game along with photographs of Cavan’s latest star on the day.
Thomas Galligan (Third from left back row) in the Southern Gaels side who defeated Crossmaglen in the Creggan tournament in 2018
Bank of Ireland
U21 Club Football Tournament
Paddy McLarnon Cup
Quarter Final
Crossmaglen 1-10 Southern Gaels (Cavan) 1-11
Sunday January 14
Referee: Sean Laverty (Antrim)
Teams
Crossmaglen: Jamie McEvoy; Johnny McKeever; Shane Farrelly; Aaron Smylie; Aidan Rushe; Caolan Dillon (0-1); Daniel Cumiskey; Stephen Morris; Rian O’Neill (0-2, 1 f); Ryan McKeever; Oisin O’Neill (1-2); Cormac Donnelly; Miceal McCabe (0-2, 1 f); Callum Kiernan; Coilin O’Connor (0-2)
Subs: Cian McConville (0-1, 1 f) for M McCabe (38 mins)
Southern Gaels: Jimmy Smith; Peter Galligan; David Wilson; Aodhagan Halton; Darryl Buckley; Killian Galligan; Shane Moynagh; Thomas Galligan; Conor Brady; Ryan Madden; Paul Leddy (1-00); Cian Madden (0-6, 5 f’s); Oisin Pierson (0-1); Robbie Fitzpatrick (0-3, 2f’s); Ryan Coyle
Subs: Aaron Reilly (0-1) for O Pierson (54 mins)
Cross come up short in thriller
By Brendan McTaggart
Southern Gaels overcame a resurgent second half performance from Crossmaglen on Sunday afternoon to reach the last four of the Paddy McLarnon U21 club football tournament in Creggan. The minimum separated the sides after the hour, but the Cavan champions will feel that they had to win the match twice to get over the line.
Cross trailed at half time by four points despite playing with the wind in the opening 30 minutes but they staged a dramatic fight back to lead by two points going into the final quarter. A goal from the impressive Oisin O’Neill reviving their hopes in the provincial competition but a man of the match performance from the outstanding Thomas Galligan and six points from the boot of star forward Cian Madden ensured it was the Gaels who were celebrating after a nail biting hour of championship football.
Having retained many from their previous campaign in the competition, the Armagh champions were muted as the pre-tournament favourites, but they will rue their first half when they look back at their performance. A strong wind blew in from Lough Neagh at the Creggan venue and slightly favoured the south Armagh men in the opening 30 minutes but they struggled to cope with the physicality of the Cavan men for long periods of the first half. The Gael’s were dominant in midfield with Galligan and Conor Brady imperious while Robbie Fitzpatrick and Cian Madden were proving to be a handful for the Cross defence.
The Cavan men scored the opening two points of the quarter-final in the second minute, both frees from Cian Madden and while Cross had made a slow start, their defence did well to sustain the early Gaels onslaught. O’Neill got Cross’ first of the match in the fourth minute, a speculative effort from wide on the right bouncing over the bar before Robbie Fitzpatrick and Coilin O’Connor exchanged scores to leave the Cavan men one point ahead after 10 minutes.
The first goal of the tie came soon after when referee Sean Laverty awarded Southern Gaels a penalty. The Antrim official judging that Jamie McEvoy fouled Fitzpatrick and while the Cross ‘keeper saved Paul Leddy’s initial effort, he could only parry the shot back to the Gaels forward who made no mistake with the rebound.
Cross recorded back to back scores in the 18th minute to force their way back into the tie but Southern Gaels had the final say of the half when a superb score from Oisin Pierson and Fitzpatrick’s second white flag of the half ensured the Cavan men held a four point advantage at the short whistle.
It was going to take something special from the Armagh champions to get back into the game after the restart. The elements were now in Southern Gaels favour and they were on top all over the pitch during the first half, it was difficult to see where they could find any inroads.
A Fitzpatrick point from a second minute free after the restart stretched the Gaels advantage to five points but it was to be their last score for 14 minutes and Cross finally went through their gears. Pierson scored the goal that revived their championship hopes once more in the 34th minute after good work from Rian O’Neill. Further points from Caolan Dillon, Rian O’Neill, O’Connor and Oisin O’Neill meant the Armagh champions had reeled off 1-4 without reply and opened a two point lead with 15 minutes remaining. They were starting to find gaps through the heart of the Southern Gaels defence and were taking full advantage.
Two Cian Madden points (one free) restored parity to the sides once again and while Rian O’Neill managed to point a long range free in the 25th minute to edge Cross ahead again, it was the Cavan men who finished strongly. Two free’s from Madden and a point from substitute Aaron Reilly gave the Gaels a two point lead going into injury time. Cross had time to reply though and when substitute Cian McConville split the posts to leave the minimum between the sides again, extra time was a major possibility. Cross threw everything at the Southern Gaels defence in the time that remained but the Cavan men stood strong with Thomas Galligan putting his body on the line to deny Rian O’Neill a certain point at the death with an outstanding block.
Cross are left to wonder what might have been but it’s the Southern Gaels who progress to the last four in two weeks time.
Thomas Galligan celebrates Cavan’s Ulster final win over Donegal where he received another man of the match award
Thomas Galligan receives the Bank of Ireland Man of the match award from Angela Callan, Bank of Ireland
Dromore advance at Creggan -2019
This time last year-Paddy McLarnon semi-final
Today we were due to visit Creggan for the first semi-final of the Paddy McLarnon semi-final. As you all know, Gaelic Games across the country have been suspended owing to the Coronavirus outbreak so we at the Saffron Gael are taking a look back to last year’s semi-final where St. Dympnah’s Dromore defeated O’Donovan Rossa of Derry and bringing you a report and photographs from that game.
Strong second half sees Dromore progress
Bank of Ireland Ulster U21 Club Football Tournament
Paddy McLarnon Cup-Semi-Final
St Dympnah’s, Dromore 1-14 O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt 1-8
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Chiceam
A strong second half performance paved the way for Dromore to book their place in the Paddy McLarnon Cup final on Sunday afternoon. The Tyrone champions saw off the challenge of O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt coming from behind to run out comfortable winners over the hour.
Despite trailing by a point at the short whistle, Dromore dominated after the restart keeping the Derry champions scoreless for over 20 minutes while building a match winning lead in the process.
Like their semi-final win, Dromore’s victory was built on a strong defensive foundation with the midfield duo of Peter Teague and Cahir Goodwin pivotal to their success. Both men imperious in the middle of the park while the pace of Emmett McNabb and Ryan McCusker meant they could counter and create havoc in the Magherafelt defence.
The Derry champions didn’t reach the heights shown in their quarter-final win over Enniskillen Gaels. Conor McCusker did a man marking job on the dangerous McNabb, restricting him to two points over the hour while Eoghan Hawe and Declan Martin were always a threat in attack. A bright start was curtailed however by a strong Dromore side who were thoroughly deserving of their six point win.
Showing one change from their last outing, Hawe coming in for Liam Óg McElhone, the Derry champions started strongly. Ben McErlain fired over the opening point of the half and although Dromore split the uprights with scores from Andrew McGrath and Caolan McCarron, the Magherafelt men fired the opening goal in the 10th minute. Declan Martin with the finish to a fine move that gave his side the lead they deserved for their efforts in the opening exchanges.
Michael Lynch (free) and McGrath swapped scores in the 15th minute before Cormac Murphy and Hawe split the posts to give Magherafelt a four point lead mid-way through the first half. The Tyrone men finished the half strongly though. Tiernan Sludden, McCarron and McGrath all split the uprights in the space of five minutes to give Dromore their most profitable period of the match. Hawe’s second white flag of the half stopped the rot for Magherafelt but McCarron’s third point of the match left one between the sides in favour of Magherafelt at the short whistle.
Both sides would have been reasonably happy with their efforts in the first half. Neither had hit the heights shown in their quarter-final victories but both were well set for the second half.
First half goal scorer Declan Martin fired over the opening score of the second half in the 33rd minute but that was to be his sides last score for 23 minutes as Dromore went through the gears. Dominant in midfield, resolute in defence and breaking with lightning pace in attack, the Tyrone men took the game away from their Oak Leaf neighbours.
McNabb, a peripheral figure in the first half managed to escape the clutches of Conro McCluskey to score his first point of the match before McGrath scored Dromore’s goal in the 35th minute. Sludden collecting the long ball before laying off to McGrath and the Dromore man made no mistake with his smart effort despite the diving effort of Odhrán Lynch in the Magherafelt goals.
Half back Oisin Gallogly opened a three point lead for Dromore midway through the second half, blasting over the bar after a strong run from Cathal Colton and with the next attack Dromore should have had another goal. Ryan McCusker denied by the diving Lynch in the Magherafelt goals and with Sludden sniffing for the rebound, Diarmuid Kielt cleared the danger.
Dromore continued to dominate though with substitute Odhran Rafferty raising the white flag and McGrath taking his personal tally to 1-4 before McNabb landed the outstanding score of the match from distance with the outside of his foot.
Magherafelt finally stopped the rot with Lynch scoring his second free of the match but it wasn’t happening for the Derry men in attack. A series of shots dropping short and missed frees hurt their chances of reeling in their Tyrone counterparts and while Séan Og Monaghan hit a sumptuous point to leave four between the sides with two minutes remaining, Dromore never looked like losing their lead.
Declan McNulty and Tiernan Sludden split the posts to add further gloss to the score line for the Tyrone champions as they booked a final date with Carryduff in two weeks time.
TEAMS
O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt: Odhrán Lynch; Diarmuid Kielt, Conor Maunsell, Patrick McLarnon; Conor McCluskey, Simon McErlain, Guisseppe Lupair; Michael McEvoy, Séan Og Monaghan (0-1); Declan Martin (1-1), Cormac Murphy (0-1), Eoghan Hawe (0-2); Ben McErlain (0-1), Michael Lynch (0-2, 2f’s), Ronan Young.
Subs: Ciaran Shields for D Martin (50); Johnny McErlain for S McErlain (inj).
Dromore: Mark McGale; Cathal Colton, Ruairi Teague, Caolan Slevin; Nathan McCarron, Ryan McCusker, Oisin Gallogly (0-1); Peter Teague, Cahir Goodwin; John MacRory, Andrew McGrath (1-4), Caolan McCarron (0-3, 1f); Declan McNulty (0-1), Tiernan Sludden (0-2), Emmett McNabb (0-2).
Subs: Odhran Rafferty (0-1) for C McCarron (44); Eoghan McShane for O Gallogly (60); Tiernan McDermott for J MacRory (inj); Gavin Teague for C Goodwin (inj).
Referee: Ronan Barry (Tullylish, Down)
Kickhams GAC Creggan semi-final postponed
A chairde,
It is very regretful that we have to issue this postponement of the 2019/20
Premier Electrics Ulster U21 Club Football Tournament
Semi-Finals scheduled for this Sunday. We have received the message below
from Antrim County Board and take our responsibilities seriously with regard to
players, families and wider communities.
We will continue to take advice from our Governing Bodies and will seek to get
the games played at an appropriate future date.
Trust you understand
Go raibh maith agaibh
First Semi-Final set for Creggan on Sunday
Premier Electrics-Paddy McLarnon Cup
Sunday 15th March, 12.30pm, at Kickhams GAC Creggan
St Eunan’s Letterkenny (Donegal) V St Canice’s GAC Dungiven (Derry)
The first of the Premier Electrics Ulster U21 Club Football Tournament 2019/20 Semi-Finals will take place between St Eunan’s Letterkenny (Donegal) and St Canice’s GAC Dungiven (Derry) this Sunday, 15th March at Kickhams GAC Creggan.
The tournament has been disrupted this season owing to wide ranging changes in the National schedule list but the Creggan club have worked tirelessly to find a way around this fixtures congestion, playing all four quarter-finals last weekend.
Three of those were played last Sunday at Creggan’s Staffordstown Road ground with Clann Eireann of Armagh defeating O’Rahilly’s GAC Latton of Monaghan in the opening game. The second quarter-final provided a real thriller as St. Brigid’s of Antrim took on their near neighbours, Carryduff from Down. For the second year running Carryduff pipped St. Brigid’s by a single point and will now meet Clann Eireann in the second semi-final on a date yet to be decided.
The third quarter-final of a busy schedule saw St. Eunan’s, Letterkenny prove too strong for Carrickmore of Tyrone, setting up a semi-final meeting with the winners of Dungiven and Enniskillen Gaels.
That fourth quarter-final was scheduled under the floodlights at St. Mary’s Ahoghill on Monday night but had to be hurriedly rearranged when the Cloney venue was deemed unplayable and the game was rescheduled to Bellaghy where Derry champions Dungiven overcame the challenge of Enniskillen Gaels in terrible conditions.
An injury time brace from Feargal Higgins and Conor Kelly tipped the balance in Dungiven’s favour after an absorbing hour of football in the incessant Bellaghy rain.
St Canice’s played three quarters of the game with 14 men, Daire McKeever dismissed for his involvement in the scenes directly after Conor Love’s 16th minute goal had put the Gaels ahead.
In a cagey encounter, the Derry side battled back to go in at the break one point ahead, but only after Enniskillen missed a glorious goal chance on the stroke of half-time.
A 39th minute Cahir Higgins free left just one between the sides and when a 44th minute Richie Mullan free levelled matters, the stage was set for a tense final ten minutes.
Enniskillen’s Brandon Horan rattled the post from range as his side looked to make their patient build-up count, but with extra time looming, St Canice’s found a winner.
Feargal Higgins collected the ball in the full-forward line, held off his marker and squeezed over a right-footed effort on 60 minutes almost from the end line.
Conor Kelly fired over the insurance point on the stroke of the final whistle and ensured Dungiven’s progress to an intriguing semi-final meeting with St Eunan’s of Letterkenny.
St Eunan’s were impressive in their win over Carrickmore and brushed their opponents aside on their way to an Ulster U21 Paddy McLarnon Cup semi-final.
The Donegal side were three points up inside two minutes as the strong Loughshore breeze sucked the ball back towards Niall McKenna’s goal on each kick out.
Despite Carmen settling towards the end of the half, the Tír Chonaill men led by double scores at the break and continued in the same vein without wind advantage to seal an 8-point win.
A blistering start saw Conor O’Donnell, Brian MacIntyre and Sean Breen all register points before Stephen Grogan could get Carrickmore off the mark in the 5th minute.
That score didn’t stem the Donegal men’s attacking tide as points from Oisín Toal, Shane O’Donnell and a further Conor O’Donnell free stretched the lead to five points.
The lively Conor O’Donnell then found the net after an audacious through ball from Cormac Finn landed perfectly in his arms, allowing him to roll it past Niall McKenna and into the net.
The Donegal champions led by six at half time but, given the strength of the breeze still looked to have it all to do in the second half. They continued to dominate matters after the break however with Brian McIntyre dropping deep to dictate matters from around mid-field.
Up front Conor O’Donnell impressed and his tally of 1-4 earned him the Premier Electrics man of the match award and marks him down as one to watch but this was a solid all round team performance from the Letterkenny side
Sunday’s semi-final has all the ingredients of a cracker but games in this competition over the years have been notoriously hard to call. Both sides showed in their respective semi-finals that they can play football and in the case of Dungiven it was their ability to dig deep in bad conditions to dig out the win.
A wide ranging inter-county fixture list coupled with club fixtures in Antrim could affect the attendance but I would urge anyone who wants to see a good game of open football to make their way to Creggan on Sunday-I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.