Club hurling returns this weekend

Theres a busy schedule of fixtures listed for the week ahead and after three Sunday mornings of football it is the turn of the hurlers to take centre stage with a number of interesting games down for decision.

The pick of these could come in Carey on Sunday where Carey Faughs make a long awaited return to Division 1 following many years in the second grade and their meeting with Loughgiel Shamrocks should attract a good crowd to Ballyvoy.

The primary aim of Cathaoir an Rin this season is likely to be Division 1 survival and they will be hoping to catch the visitors cold at this early stage of the season but it will be a tough task against as young Shamrocks side.

Carey Faughs on the evening they received last season’s Division 2 League trophy On Sunday they take a big step up when they face Loughgiel in Division 1, the first time they have competed in the top division in over 30 years.

In Division 2 its Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm who make the step up from division 3 for the first time since 2008, after recording a L eague and Junior championship double which saw them go all the way to an Ulster final where they unforunately lost to Satanta of Donegal.

Sarsfields are the visitors to Feystown and the local side will be keen to get some early points on the board and with the Stewartstown Road side usually slow starters to the season the Glenarm men might just get off to a winning start.

The Glenarm team who clinched the Division 3 Hurling title last season. They will be back in the Division 2 for the first time since 2008.

ACFL Div 3

Fri 24 Mar 2023 8 15 PM

St Malachy’s — v — Naomh Úna CLG/St Agnes’ GAC Falls Park Colm McDonald 

O’Neills Sportswear ACHL Div 1

Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM

Ballycran — v — Cuchullains Dun Lathaí Ballycran Darren McKeown 

U17 HL Div 1

Sun 26 Mar 2023

12 00 PM Na Gaeil Óga — v — Ard Na Rí Lamh Dhearg Aidan Kelly 

u17 HL Div 2

Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM

CLG MacDaibhéid — v — O`Donovan Rossa Davitt Park James Reid 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM

Tír na nÓg Randalstown — v — All Saints Ballymena Tir Na nOg Randalstown Seamus Shannon 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM

Naomh Éanna — v — Naomh Eoin Páirc Éanna Hugh Torney 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM

Glenariffe/Glenravel — v — Naomh Padraig – North Antrim Glenariffe Fergus Mc Alister 

ACFL Div 3

Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM

Éire Óg — v — CLG Uí Dhonaill Eire Og CLG Martin Quinn 

O’Neills Sportswear

ACHL Div 1

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Cathaoir an Rí — v — Na Seamróga St Patricks Park Kevin Parke 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Ballygalget GAC — v — Naomh Éanna Ballygalget Patrick Tumelty 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Ruairí Óg — v — Mac Uílín CLG Ruairí Óg Ciaran Mc Closkey 

ACHL Div 2

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Glenariffe Oisin CLG — v — Kickhams GAC Creggan Glenariff Ossians Mark O Neill 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Robert Emmets Cushendun — v — Tír na nÓg Randalstown Robert Emmets Cushendun Terry Reilly 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Bredagh — v — Naomh Gall Naomh Gall Niall Clifford 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Shane Uí Néill — v — Pádraig Sáirseil CLG Pairc Ui fhearsithe Lorenzo Mc Mullan 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Carryduff — v — Ghaeil Chluanaidh Carryduff Denis Mc Kay 

ACHL Div 1 Res

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

St.Patrick’s GAC, Portaferry — v — O`Donovan Rossa Portaferry Francis Caldwell 

ACHL Div 3

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Con Magee’s Glenravel — v — Na Magha Páirc an Athar Mhic Fhinn Shane Mc Donnell 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Naomh Brid Cloiche An Mhuillinn — v — Cuchulainn Hurling Club St Bridgid’s Cloughmills Declan Mc Garry 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Glen Rovers — v — Lamh Dhearg Glen Rovers GAC Ryan O Reilly 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Gort na Móna CLG — v — All Saints Ballymena Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh Barry Milligan 

ACHL Div 4

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Belfast Saints HC — v — Anraí Seoighe St Agnes GAC John O Connor 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Naomh Bríd — v — Ciceam Ard Eoin Musgrave Park Eamon Hamill 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

MacDaibhéid — v — Loch Mór Dál gCais GAC Davitt Park Chris Brown 

ACFL Div 3

Sun 26 Mar 2023 2 00 PM

Na Piarsaigh — v — Wolfe Tones GAC Patrick Pearses Richard Leahy 

O’Neills Sportswear ACHL Div 1

Sun 26 Mar 2023 3 45 PM

St.Patrick’s GAC, Portaferry — v — O`Donovan Rossa Portaferry Fionntan Mc Cotter 

ACHL Div 1 Res

Sun 26 Mar 2023 3 45 PM Ballycran — v — Cuchullains Dun Lathaí Ballycran

Sun 26 Mar 2023 3 45 PM

Ruairí Óg — v — Mac Uílín CLG Ruairí Óg Paul Mc Sparran 

ACHL Div 2 Res

Sun 26 Mar 2023 3 45 PM

Naomh Gall — v — Robert Emmets Cushendun Naomh Gall Colin Thompson 

Sun 26 Mar 2023 5 00 PM

Ruairí Óg — v — Pádraig Sáirseil CLG Ruairí Óg Darren Mullan 

ACFL Div 2

Wed 29 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Naomh Séamas — v — Naomh Pól CLG /St Pauls GAC St James’ (Fionntan Mc Cotter) 

Wed 29 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

CLG MacDaibhéid — v — Naomh Treasa CLG /St Teresa’s GAC Davitt Park Niall Clifford 

ACHL Div 3

Wed 29 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Lamh Dhearg — v — Gort na Móna CLG Lamh Dhearg Mark Mc Donald 

Wed 29 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

St Mary’s Rasharkin — v — Glen Rovers St Mary’s Rasharkin Paul O Neill 

Wed 29 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Na Magha — v — Naomh Brid Cloiche An Mhuillinn Na Magha Lorenzo Mc Mullan 

Wed 29 Mar 2023 7 30 PM

All Saints Ballymena — v — Con Magee’s Glenravel Ballymena Eamon Hamill 

U15 FL Div 1

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Roger Casements Portglenone — v — Naomh Eargnait, Muine Glás Kelly Park John Hasson 

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Naomh Bríd — v — Naomh Gall Musgrave Park Colin Thompson 

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Gort na Móna CLG — v — Naomh Pól CLG /St Pauls GAC Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh

u15 FL Div 2

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Lamh Dhearg — v — Ciceam Ard Eoin Lamh Dhearg

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Naomh Treasa CLG /St Teresa’s GAC — v — Pádraig Sáirseil CLG Pairc MhicDhomhnaill/ÚiDhoctairtigh

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

CLG MacDaibhéid — v — Naomh Eoin Davitt Park

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

St. Mary’s Aghagallon — v — Naomh Seosamh/St Joseph’s Pairc Na nGael

U15 FL Div 3

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Naomh Séamas — v — Tír na nÓg Randalstown St James’

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

St Mary’s Rasharkin — v — Cuchullains Dun Lathaí St Mary’s Rasharkin

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Clann na hÉireann Carraigin — v — All Saints Ballymena Erin’s Own Cargin

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Con Magee Gaels — v — Kickhams GAC Creggan Glenravel

U15 FL Div 4

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Naomh Pól CLG /St Pauls GAC — v — O`Donovan Rossa Pairc Naomh Pól Brian Mac An tSionnaigh 

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Naomh Éanna — v — Bye 1 Páirc Éanna

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM

Naomh Padraig — v — Naomh Comhghall CLG Kirkwoods Park

Thu 30 Mar 2023 6 30 PM C

Cardinal O’ Donnell’s GAC — v — Naomh Bríd Pairc MacRuari

Ulster University lose out to Carlow in Freshers final

Freshers Hurling Division 2 All Ireland Final

SETU Carlow 2-14 Ulster University 1-14

Ulster University lost out to SETU Carlow in Thursday’s Division 2 Freshers Hurling final at Abbotstown, the Jordanstown side losing out by a goal in the end.

The killer blow for UU came in the opening minute when Carlow got in for a goal through Wexford man John Kelly. UU fought back to level the game with points from Padraig McKillop, Deaghlan Mallon and goalkeeper Pearse Smyth (from a 65) by the seventh minute, but Carlow edged ahead on ten minute with a point from centre forward Oisin Pepper.

McKillop levelled the scores again with a point from play but they were dealt another bad blow when Kelly got in for Carlow’s second on 20 minutes. McKillop and Eoin Pucci picked off points for the Ulster side, and though Kelly got another point for Carlow, UU hit the front on 27 minutes when Fionn Turpin found the net, and the wen on to lead by 1-7 to 2-3 at the interval.

It was score for score during the third quarter and Padraig McKillop (2) and Pearse Smyth picked off points for UU but three in a row from Carlow gave them the edge. McKillop closed the gap again but the Carlow college hit three more without reply to take a foothold in the game. Two more from McKillop frees kept Jordanstown in touch but late scores from Keelly and substite Conall Byrne sealed the win for Carlow.

SETU CARLOW

Jack Foristel, Ros Dempsey, Ruairi Delaney, Alan Dumphy, Calum Corcoran, Michael Dundon, Eric English, Josh O’Brien, Ryan Quinlan, Eoin Doyle, Oisin Pepper, Aaron Byrne, Alan Mahoney, Oliver Murphy, John Kelly

ULSTER UNIVERSITY

Pearse Smyth, Ryan Callaghan, Eoin Boylan, James Higgins, Daire McMullan, Kevin Curran, Eoin McBrearty, Ben McAuley, Padraig McKillop, Deaglan Mallon, Odhran Gillen, Eoin Pucci, Tadh Donnelly, Dermot Rogan.

Convincing win for St Mary’s in Gallagher Cup

Danske Bank Gallagher Cup Hurling

St Mary’s CBGS 4-13 Cross & Passion College 2-10

St Mary’s recorded a good win over CPC in Tuesday’s Gallagher Cup round-robin game at Allen Park, Antrim, winning in the end by 4-13 to 2-10 in a high scoring game.

The Belfast boys held the upper hand in a close first half and were three points to the good nearing half time when Darren Delander scored the first goal of the game to give his side a 1-9 to 0-06 lead at the break. Goals from Daire Jemffrey and Iarlaith Rogan early in second period put St Mary’s in firm control and though Darragh Kinney got one back for CPC It was not enough to get the Ballycastle boys back into contention.  St Mary’s got the 4th goal from a long range free by Matthew Murray in the last ten minutes before Dan Lynn scored one from a free in the final minute of game for CPC, but it was merely a consolation score as the St Mary’s had already secured the win.

Razor sharp Tipp put Antrim to the sword

National Hurling League Division 1B

Antrim 2-16 Tipperary 4-28

Antrim were put to the sword by a razor sharp Tipperary side at Corrigan Park on Sunday as the Premier County maintained their 100% record, and in doing so qualified for a semi-final meeting with All Ireland champions Limerick next weekend.

Fourteen points down at the break (3-13 to 0-8) Antrim made a better fist of it after the break and had a really good spell when they grabbed two goals through Nigel Elliott and Rian ‘Bubbles’ McMullan, but the Munster men always had the situation in hand and regained their composure to pull away again to win by eighteen points.

Antrim took an early lead with a Seaan Elliott point, but Tipp soon moved up through the gears and when Mark Kehoe grabbed their first goal in the fourth minute the gap began to widen. The points flowed from a potent attacking force and Antrim were left chasing shadows at times and good work between Sean Ryan and his fellow corner forward Conor Bowe, say Bowe crashed home goal number two. Antrim were not helping their cause with some wayward shooting and ten wides in the opening half alone tells its own tale. Tipp on the other had were very economical with the chances they had and a Pauric Campion’s goal just before the break game his team a 3-13 to 0-8 at the interval.

The second half saw a much improved Antrim side take the field and though they were never going to close the yawning gap a flurry of early scores gave the home side something to shout about. Good work by Domhnal Nugent sent the ever dangerous Nigel Elliott clear on the right and the Dunloy man fired an angled shot to the Tipperary net.

Two minutes later full forward Conal Cumming won possession close to goal and fed the ball out to Rian McMullan who raised his team’s second green flag inside five minutes. There was also a series of well taken points from replacements Scott Walsh, Seamus McAuley and Paul Boyle, but the visitors were always able to final a reply. Their fourth goal came from the impressive Sean Ryan who beat the luckless Ryan Elliott with a fine strike from thirty metres to wrap up an emphatic win.

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Phelim Duffin; Gerard Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Niall O’Connor; Michael Bradley (0-03), James McNaughton; Nigel Elliott (1-02), Keelan Molloy, Domhnall Nugent; Conal Cunning (0-05, 3 frees, 1 65), Rian McMullan (1-01), Seaan Elliott (0-01)

Subs: Scott Walsh (0-01) for Niall O’Connor (HT), Paul Boyle (0-02) for Seaan Elliott (HT), Caolan McKernan for James McNaughton (52), Seamus McAuley (0-01) for Nigel Elliott (55), Rory McCloskey for Gerard Walsh (65)

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen, Bryan O’Meara; Enda Heffernan (0-03), Ronan Maher, Pauric Campion (1-00); Joe Fogarty (0-02), Alan Tynan (0-02); Kian O’Kelly, Mark Kehoe (1-00), Gearoid O’Connor (0-09, 7 frees, 1 65); Conor Bowe (1-00), John McGrath (0-07, 1 fee), Sean Ryan (1-03).

Subs: John Campion (0-01) for Ronan Maher (26), Johnny Ryan (0-01) for Bryan O’Meara (HT), Paddy Creedon for Kian O’Kelly (49), Dan McCormick for Alan Tynan (53), Cian O’Dwyer for Gearóid O’Connor (64)

Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)

tipperary full forward John McGrath shakes hand with Antrim manager Darren Gleeson after the game