The committee of Antrim Allianz Cumann na mBunscol welcomed their friends from Dublin. The first Friendship Games were played in 1934 and continue to be celebrated and enjoyed by children selected from schools affiliated and playing in the South Antrim and Dublin Primary School Leagues.
This year, Secretary of Antrim Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Jim McCann introduced the new Mayor of Belfast City Council – John Finucane to the Dublin Committee. The Mayor was delighted to speak with the players and pose for photos. The games were all played with high intensity and skill, with all the children showing just why they were selected to represent their city.
Cushendall had eight points to spare over neighbours Glenariffe in Friday evening’s All County Minor Hurling League Division 1 in Waterfoot. It was an historic evening for the Oisins as it was the first time the changing rooms in the new Glenariffe Community & Recreation Centre was used but desite the fact the Michael O’Boyle scored 3-5 for the home team Cushendall still came out on top.
The Ruairis were on top for most of the game and lead by three at half time. They threatened to run away with the game on a few occasions but were pegged back by some great scores from the Oisin’s Michael O’Boyle. However in the end they had too much firepower for their neighbours.
O’Boyle got the opening point of the game but after and slow start Cushendall came back with two points from Fiontann McQuillan and a goal from corner forward Shane McKenna. Two further points followed from Padraig McKillop and Aidan Ritson to go six clear by the end of the opening quarter but Michael O’Boyle pulled the Oisins back into contention with a goal from play on 17 minutes. A Padraig McKillop point put four between the sides but the home side closed to within two again with points from Seanie McIntosh and Mark McSparran. Two quick fire points from McQuillan stretched the Ruairis lead to six but three Michael O’Boyle points from placed balls closed the gap to three at half time. (Oisins 0-7 Ruairi Og 1-7)
John McAlister breaks his hurl as he and Daniel Kearny pull on the ball.
A goal from corner forward Conor McCollam three minutes into the second half put Cushendall back in control as the Oisins were left chasing the game but they got themselves back into contention with a Seanie McIntosh point and a second goal from O’Boyle. A Conleith McKinley point put Cushendall three ahead again but that man O’Boyle struck again to complete his hat-trick of goals and bring his team level. A goal and two points by Fiontann McQuillan got Cushendall back on top again and though O’Boyle came back with a point the Ruairis struck for home with five points without reply between the 51st and 59th minutes. Michael O’Boyle gave the home side renewed hope with his fourth goal of the game from a free in injury time to cut the gap to six, but that was as close as they got as two more McQuillan points had them eight clear by the time match referee Ryan O’Reilly sounded the full time whistle.
Cushendun travelled to Rasharkin on Wednesday evening
and came away winners by 4-16 to 1-18 in a high scoring encounter. Early goals
from Alex McMullan and Conor McHugh got the Emmet’s off to a flyer but with
Eamon McNeill in great form for the home side they battled their way back and with
the help of a Conor McFerran goal in the eleventh minute they went in at the
break on level terms. 1-10 to 2-7
Cushendun edged back in front with a David Kilgore point soon after the restart but points from McNeill and McKay put Rasharkin ahead for the first time in the match. A great solo goal by Dominic Sharkey gave the visitors the edge again but it was point for point for most of the second half until an Eoin McQuillan goal five minutes from time gave Cushendun an edge they held to the final whistle.
Danske Bank Thompson Cup – Ulster Schools Year 8 Hurling
St Killian’s 2-4 Cross & Passion College 1-0
St Killian’s won the Thompson Cup at Slemish Park
Ballymena on Saturday when they beat Cross & Passion in the final. Six
teams took part and after a series of round-robin games St Killian’s CPC, St
Mary’s CBGS and Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock qualified for the
semi-finals. The Garron Tower boys got the better of St Mary’s in their
semi-final while CPC came out on top against Knock to set up a showdown with
their north coast rivals.
In a game of ten minutes each way CPC were first to
strike when Conor Donnelly got in behind the Tower defence in the second minute
and kicked the ball to the net. However that was to be their only score of the
half and with the wind at their backs you felt at half time that it might not
be enough.
Joe Cassidy presents the Thompson Cup to St Killian’s captains Alex McCambridge and Ryan McAuley after their team’s win over CPC in the final.
In the opening minute of the second half an goal
attempt by St Killian’s was thwarted by Anthony Mullan in the CPC goals who
bravely blocked the ball with his feet but Callagh Mooney picked up the ball
and sent it over the bar to open the Garron Tower scoring. Callum McIlwaine
added a point two minutes later to cut the gap to a single point before Dairi
Higgins got in for a goal on six minutes. CPC battled hard to get out of
defence but the St Killian’s tails were up now and Cahir McNaughton pointed to
put them three clear before Thomas McLaughlin delivered the killer blow by
firing in his team’s second goal. There was no way back for CPC now and Callagh
Mooney put the seal on the victory with an injury time point to spark scenes of
celebration among the Garron Tower followers.
CPC full forward Conor Donnelly celebrates after scoring his team’s goal
Dairi Higgins celebrates after scoring St Killian’s opening goal
Thomas McLaughlin jumps for joy after scoring St Killian’s second goal
ST KILLIAN’S: Joseph McKay, Oran McClintock, Oran McCambridge,
James Kearney, Aodhan Campbell, John Scullion, Colla Ward, Charlie McAuley,
Callum McIlwaine, Fintan McKillop, Daniel Douthart, Callagh Mooney, Thomas
McLaughlin, Dairi Higgins, Cahir McNaughton.
Subs – Alex McCambridge, Ryan McAuley, Eoghan Robbin,
Padhraic O’Boyle, Michael Fury, Gerard Burns, Oisin McKeown, Padraig
McIlhatton, Liam McGhee
Cross & Passion College
CPC: Anthony Mullan, Conor Boylan, Cian Budant, Thomas
McNulty, Niall McClean, Liam Glackin, Ardan Kelly, Roan McGarry, Dara Donnelly,
Kalechi Agola, Calum Kane, Ronan Fitzgerald, Dan O’Mullan, Conor Donnelly, Conal
Lynn
Subs – Con McCormick, James McNeill, Dara McGivern, Aidan Hughes, Cahir McMullan.
