Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

‘Loaf’s’ late leveller gains the Emmet’s top spot

McKeever Hotels Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship – Round 5

Cushendun Emmet’s1-16 Glenarm Shane O’Neill’s1-16

Cushendun snatched a dramatic 1-16 to 1-16 draw from the jaws of defeat against Glenarm at Pairc Mhuire, with three injury-time points securing their position at the top of Group 2 in the McKeever Hotels Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship. For much of the hour, Glenarm looked destined for victory, controlling the tempo and leading by up to eight points in the second half. However, Cushendun’s relentless battling spirit paid off in the dying moments, leaving Glenarm to settle for the runner-up spot and a quarter-final clash with the third-placed team from Group 1 in two weeks.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze, Glenarm flew out of the traps. Niall McGarel opened their account from a ’65 before Cushendun’s Thomas Scally briefly leveled. A sharp save from Cushendun goalkeeper John V Morgan denied an early goal, but he could do nothing on six minutes when Dylan McLoughlin found the net from a tight angle. Glenarm capitalized on the momentum, with McGarel, Niall Rodgers, and McLoughlin firing over quickfire points. Cushendun kept themselves in touch through the reliable free-taking of Connlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill, alongside scores from Fiontan McQuillan and Archie McSparran. Despite their efforts, Glenarm’s Ciaran Magill, Aidan Scullion, and the ever-accurate McGarel kept the scoreboard ticking, giving the coastal men a commanding 1-09 to 0-07 lead at the break.

Upon the restart, most spectators assumed Glenarm’s five-point cushion might not be enough into the wind, but they quickly dispelled those doubts. McGarel hit two rapid points, and after McNeill fired just over the crossbar at the other end, Glenarm extended their advantage to a daunting 1-13 to 0-08 with fine scores from Daniel Black and McGarel. Cushendun refused to fold. Jack McKay and Conor McHugh hit back with vital points, though McGarel continued his exhibition display, weaving past two defenders for a stunning score and later slotting a sideline free.

The turning point arrived late in the game. After Glenarm’s defense executed a heroic double-save on the line, Cushendun finally found the breakthrough on 27 minutes. The referee played a brilliant advantage, allowing substitute Pearse McKeegan to rattle the net and suddenly cut the deficit to two. Though McGarel answered to stretch the lead back to three heading into added time, the momentum had completely shifted. In a breathless finale, McKeegan struck a point, McNeill nailed a clutch ’65, and a final equalizer deep in injury time broke Glenarm hearts, ensuring a 1-16 to 1-16 finish and crowning Cushendun as group winners.

Glenarm

1 Michael Abram, 2 Ciaran McLoughlin, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 John Scullion, 5 Kieran O’Boyle, and 6 Ciaran Magill  7 Michael Furey, 8 Conal Ward, 9 Aidan Scullion, 10 Sean McDermott, 11 Niall McGarel, 12 Daniel Black. 13 Dylan McLoughlin, 14 Darren Hamill, 15 Sean O’Boyle,

16 (GK) Liam Mulvenna, 17 Declan McDermott, 18 Niall Rodgers. 19 Aidan O’Neill, 20 Liam Og McLoughlin, 21 Liam O’Neill, 22 Ben O’Boyle, 23 Paddy McAuley, and 24 Sean O’Hare. 25 Rory Mulvenna, 26 Ryan McLoughlin, 27 Ryan O’Boyle, 28 Anthony McNeill, 29 Charlie Ward, and 30 Shea McConnell.

Cushendun

1 John V Morgan, 2 Mark McSparran, 3 Archie Mc Sparran, 4 Paddy Morgan, 5 Donal O’Hara, 6 Matthew McCartin, 7 Shane Mc Quillan, 8 Thomas Scally, 9 Jack McKay, 10 Donncha Laverty, 11 Conor Mc Hugh, 12 Connlaoth McNeill, 13 Andrew Breslin, 14 Sean McKay, 15 Conor Bannon,

16 Liam Magee, 17 Sean Hamilton, 18 Michael McHugh, 19 Dominic Sharkey, 20 Pearse Mc Keegan, 21 Pierce Bannon, 22 John Joe O’Connell, 24 Calum Magee, 25 Dominic McQuillan, 26 Fiontan McQuillan, 27 Leo Morgan.

Referee – Fergus McAlister (Ruairi Og)

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by thesaffrongael

St Paul’s secure a quarter-final spot

Intermediate Hurling Championship

St Paul’s, Belfast 5-20 Tir na nÓg, Randalstown 4-9

Report and photos by Brian Hamill at Páirc Éanna

St Paul’s secured their place in the next phase of the Intermediate Hurling Championship after emerging from a hugely entertaining nine-goal thriller against Tir na nÓg, Randalstown.

The Shaw’s Road men could scarcely have made a better start. Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn opened the scoring inside seconds before Sean Og McLaren found the net after just two minutes to immediately put St Paul’s on the front foot. Further scores from Shea Burns and Stephen Rooney helped the home side establish early momentum.

Tir na nÓg responded through Oliver McAtamney and Eamon Og McAllister, but St Paul’s continued to create chances and looked particularly dangerous whenever they moved the ball quickly into their inside forward line. A goal from Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn stretched the lead before the visitors hit back in spectacular fashion.

Two goals in quick succession from Eamon Og McAllister and Sean Duffin hauled Randalstown right back into contention and ensured a highly competitive contest. However, St Paul’s answered in style as Sean Og McLaren grabbed his second goal of the afternoon and scores from Conal Finnegan, Sean Munce and Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn helped the hosts move into a 3-10 to 3-3 lead at the interval.

Randalstown refused to fold and produced their best spell after the break. Scores from Ciaran Logan and Joe McCormick narrowed the deficit before goalkeeper Kevin Sheerin struck a dramatic goal from a free to leave just two points between the teams. At that stage, momentum appeared to have swung firmly towards Tir na nÓg.

St Paul’s, though, showed impressive resilience. Substitute James McDonnell made a major impact after being introduced, firing over four points from play, while Gerard Maguire also added an important score. The pivotal moment arrived on 48 minutes when Caolan Crossan found the net, restoring a valuable cushion for the home side.

The visitors continued to battle bravely and a late free from Emmet Martin offered renewed hope, but St Paul’s always looked capable of responding. Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn continued to torment the Randalstown defence and, fittingly, substitute Odhran Donnelly completed the scoring with a late goal that sealed a deserved victory.

By the final whistle, St Paul’s had accumulated 5-20 and, despite conceding four goals, their attacking quality and strength from the bench ensured progression to the next stage of the championship. Tir na nÓg played their full part in an absorbing encounter, but St Paul’s superior firepower ultimately proved decisive.

St Paul’s scorers:
Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn 1-7, Sean Og McLaren 2-2, James McDonnell 0-4, Conal Finnegan 0-2, Odhran Donnelly 1-0, Caolan Crossan 1-0, Daire Stevenson 0-1, Stephen Rooney 0-1, Sean Munce 0-1, Shea Burns 0-1, Gerard Maguire 0-1.

Tir na nÓg scorers:
Eamon Og McAllister 2-1, Sean Duffin 1-1, Kevin Sheerin 1-0 (free), Ciaran Logan 0-2, Oliver McAtamney 0-1, Manus Smith 0-1 (free), Joe McCormick 0-1, Emmet Martin 0-1 (free).

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

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by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks Impress To Defeat The Johnnies

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Group One

Loughgiel 0-30 St John’s 3-14

Saturday 12 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

Loughgiel exacted some form of revenge for their final defeat last year when they saw off the challenge of St John’s with seven points to spare on Saturday afternoon.  This was a hugely entertaining game of hurling that was played largely in the best manner but the main talking point of the contest was the scenes at the final whistle.

Both sides got involved in ugly scenes which looked to have calmed when trouble erupted on the terracing of Fr Healy Park.  Scenes that no one wants to see at a GAA ground, but these are matters for the county board to officiate on, and for another day.

The game itself?  Loughgiel showed their championship credentials.  The Shamrocks raised the white flag on 30 occasions, 22 of those from open play and eight different scorers.  They showed resilience and a determination that might not have been there in the past at different times throughout this contest.  St John’s got goals at the perfect times for them and kept them in touch with the home side.  Each time the Shamrocks dug in a little further.

Seven points is perhaps a little harsh on the reigning champions.  They always looked like they were capable of scoring goals and definitely tested the resolve of the Loughgiel full back line with an array of high ball going their way.  Conall Bohill and Oisin Donnelly being employed in there at different times.

James McNaughton was top of the scoring charts for the Shamrocks while Paul Boyle and Shan McGrath shared eight points evenly between them.  Ryan McKee, Declan and Rory McCloskey also excelling for the home side.

Oisin MacManus, Oisin Donnelly and Conor Johnston rose green flags for the Johnnies who welcomes Peter McCallin back into their 15.  The centre half donning a St John’s shirt for the first time since they were defeated by Slaughtneil in last years Ulster Championship, Conor Johnston also making a welcome return to the starting team from injury.

The Shamrocks hit the final five scores of the game to finish the tie with a flourish and seal top place in the group and a spot in the last four.

Rian McMullan fired three of Loughgiel’s opening four points in the first five minutes of the game while Oisin MacManus and Conall Bohill split the uprights for the Johnnies.

A brace of frees from James McNaughton opened a four point lead for the Shamrocks before MacManus scored the opening major in the 10th minute.  While MacManus applied the finish, it owed much to the speed and agility of Caolan Wilson in the build up as he drew in the Loughgiel defence before finding MacManus in space.

The home side continued to go about their business with Roan McGarry splitting the uprights from a free in response while Ben McGarry and Roan went close for a major but miscued his pull with the goal at his mercy.

The Johnnies restored parity to the scores with points from Conor Johnston and Aaron Bradley midway through the half but they wouldn’t register another score for 10 minutes while Loughgiel opened up an advantage.

A run of seven points unanswered from McNaughton, McMullan, Ben McGarry, Shan McGrath, Boyle and a Rian McKee sideline put the hosts seven clear with a little over five minutes of the half remaining.

St John’s responded with MacManus’ second free of the game before Oisin Donnelly scored their second major.  Domhnall Nugent sending the sliotar into the danger area from a free and as the sliotar broke loose, Donnelly swung one handed to pull on the sliotar to the back of the net.

A brace of McNaughton frees all but cancelled out Donnelly’s major before Shea Shannon fired over the last score of the half with the last touch to leave the half time score 0-16 to 2-6 in Loughgiel’s favour.

The half time break did little to deter the two sides attacking momentum with McKee splitting the posts seconds after the restart.  St John’s found the back of the Loughgiel net with the next attack with Conor Johnston hammering home to leave just two between the sides.

That lead was reduced to the minimum after a brace of Shea Shannon frees came after Paul Boyle’s third white flag of the contest as the sides went toe to toe.

The second half was a clash of styles with the Johnnies looking to employ a mix of their short passing style and sending the sliotar long.  Loughgiel looked to have reshuffled their pack to deal with that danger from the Johnnies while McKee, Jack McCloskey, McGrath and McNaughton were at their accurate best in front of the posts.

Shea Shannon had taken over the free-taking duties from MacManus in the second half with the Johnnies man not lining out after half time.  He kept St John’s in touch while Conor Johnston and Oisin Donnelly also found their range.

Two points separated the sides after Donnelly’s point and with seven minutes of the contest remaining, the game was still in the balance.  The Johnnies wouldn’t register another score however as the Loughgiel defence dealt with everything coming their way while McNaughton, Rian McMullan, Roan McGarry and Shan McGrath all added gloss to the scoreline for the Shamrocks.

This was a brilliant game that had so many wonderful talking points during the 60 plus minutes of action.  The scenes at the end are what the game will be remembered for, however.  Loughgiel can look forward to a four week break before lining up a semi final while St John’s will look to tomorrows game between Glenariffe and Naomh Éanna.  They will play the winners in a quarter final in two weeks time.

TEAMS

Loughgiel Starting XV: Cormac McFadden; Rory McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Caolan Blair, Declan McCloskey, Ben McGarry; Ryan McKee, James McNaughton; Rian McMullan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Dan McCloskey; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Shan McGrath

  • Subs: Ruairi McCormick for R Fitzgerald (41); Jack McCloskey for D McCloskey (41); Christy McGarry for C Blair (46); Tiago McGarry for R McGarry (60+2)
  • Scorers: J McNaughton 0-9 (6fs, 1’65); R McMullan 0-5; P Boyle 0-4; S McGrath 0-4; R McKee 0-3; B McGarry 0-2; R McGarry 0-2 (1f)

St John’s Starting XV: Domhnall Nugent; Ryan McNulty, Ciaran Johnston, Conall Morgan; Sean Wilson, Peter McCallin, Enda McGurk; Caoimhin Hanna, Aaron Bradley; Oisin Donnelly, Conor Johnston, Conall Bohill; Caolan Wilson, Shea Shannon, Oisin MacManus

  • Subs: Michael Bradley for O MacManus (HT); Ronan Donnelly for C Wilson (44); Ruairi Galbraith for A Bradley (60+1)
  • Scorers: S Shannon 0-6 (4fs); Conor Johnston 1-2; O MacManus 1-2 (2fs); O Donnelly 1-1; A Bradley 0-1; C Bohill 0-1; M Bradley 0-1

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)

To see more of Brendan’s photos from the game, click on this link….

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To see photos from Michael Corcoran, click the following link….

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by thesaffrongael

Inspirational Gillan sends All Saints through to the next round

Junior B Hurling Championship

Preliminary Round

Latharna Og 1-8 All Saints 1-21

All Saints, Ballymena produced a strong second half performance to overcome the challenge of a battling Latharna Og, Larne in the Junior B Hurling Championship at Brustin Brae on Saturday.

The Larne side have been unable to field for a number of fixtures this season and it probably told in the end as All Saints, led by the inspirational Damian Gillan pulled away to win with something to spare in the second half.

It was Gillan who got the action underway with his side’s opening score in the 3d minute with Ryan (Rod) O’Donnell tying the contest from a 4th minute free.

O’Donnell briefly gave the hosts the lead from a ‘65’ before Daniel Kelly evened matters again with a good point from distance to set the pattern for a fairly even opening half.

There were further exchanges from Conor Bell for the Brustin Brae side and ‘Dee’ Gillan for the visitors before Niall Savage and Gillan again edged the Ballymena men two ahead and Conor Bell with an excellent point for the Larne side and Paddy Doherty for the Saints kept the gap at two.

Ryan O’Donnell was in excellent form from the placed ball and he struck two fine efforts to leave it 0-6 to 0-6 after 26 minutes but the visitors finished the half strongly with four unanswered point through Damian Gillan, Daniel Kelly and two from Cormac Magill to leave it 0-10 to 0-6 at the break.

Magill had been getting through a power of work in the opening half without getting the reward his efforts merited but he started the second half as he had finished the first with a point inside 20 seconds.

Ryan O’Donnell responded immediately from a 60 meter free but the visitors were now gaining control with Archie McGreevey, Robert Crooks and Daniel Gray driving them forward from half-back.

The impressive Damian Gillan and Luke O’Rawe added further points before Rod O’Donnell replied for the Larne men and three more on the bounce by the superb Gillan put the visitors 8 ahead by the end of the third quarter.

Cathal McKillop replied from a 60 meter free but All Saints struck a devastating blow when Jack Magill set up his brother Cormac who drove home the game’s opening goal and it was as good as over.

Two more from Gillan and another from Jack Magill piled on the pressure before a long range free from Cathal McKillop dropped short and was finished to the All Saints net by Ruairi Millar to give the hosts some consolation.

It was All Saints who would finish the half as they had started it however and Dee Gillan from a free and Daniel Kelly from play concluded the scoring to see the Slemish park men comfortably home.

Latharna Og: 1 Dara Kerr, 2 Patrick Sherry, 3 Barry Petticrew, 4 Tom Clerkin, 5 Ryan Millar, 6 Cathal McKillop, 7 Brian Rogan, 8 Gary Bergin, 9 Mark Petticrew, 10 Darren Martin, 11 Ryan O’Donnell, 18 Conor Sherridan, 13 Conor Bell, 14 Ruairi Millar, 15 Matthew Magill, 17 Jim McGrann, 25 Daniel Heggarty

All Saints: 1 Ronan McAllister, 2 Kevin Brady, 3 Dwayne McKee, 4 Finn Connon, 5 Daniel Gray, 6 Robert Crooks, 7 Archie McGreevey, 8 Luke O’Rawe, 9 Luke Mulholland, 10 Eoin McGuigan, 11 Cormac Magill, 12 Jack Magill, 13 Daniel Kelly, 23 Patrick Doherty, 15 Damian Gillan, 27 Niall Savage, 17 Paddy Murphy, 25 Joseph Mooney

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

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by thesaffrongael

Cloney Gaels Edge Glenravel To Keep Their Hopes Alive

McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

Clooney Gaels 2-22 Con Magees 2-16

Friday 11 September

Clooney Gaels kept their hopes alive in this year’s Intermediate championship by defeating Con Magees on Friday evening.  Six points separated the sides at the end of the hour as the Glenravel men pushed the Ahoghill reds all the way in what was a hugely entertaining contest.

Colla McDonnell top scored for the Clooney men, he would finish with 1-10 over the hour with his major coming at the exact moment his side needed some momentum in the game.  James O’Connell recorded 1-4, his goal coming early in the game but it was the second half where this game came to life.

Cormac McKeown put in a monumental shift for the Glenravel side, he would finish with 1-12 while Conor Duffin got the other goal for the Con Magees.

In truth, there was little between these sides.  Clooney Gaels were that small bit more clinical when it matter most and had more scoring threats in their team while finishing strongly to ensure the win in the end.

The Ahoghill men started the game strongly and had a goal chance in the first attack.  Conor Crossey going close before Chrissy Quinn saved his effort.  They didn’t have long to wait for their opening goal though as James O’Connell found the back of the net in the second minute for the opening score.  Ronan Graham sending the sliotar into the danger area where O’Connell broke the ball, collected and finished with aplomb.

Colla McDonnell split the uprights with his opening free in the third minute before Con Magees began to find their feet in the game.  Cormac McKeown split the uprights for the opening Con Magees score while Conor Duffin went close to a major in the next attack after Fergus Donaghy and Niall McKeown combined well in the build up.

Colla McDonnell (2) and Patrick Graham raised white flags in response to three frees from Cormac McKeown before the Glenravel man would split the uprights twice in succession from open play to leave just one between the sides midway through the half.

Clooney Gaels hit a scoring burst with six points unanswered in the space of eight minutes to put daylight between the sides.  Eamon Brady, Conor Crossey, Colla McDonnell, James O’Connell and Patrick Graham all finding their range.

Con Magees hit back by scoring their opening goal in the 24th minute.  It was Cormac McKeown who had the initial shot but the sliotar took a wicked deflection and looped over Aidan Graham in the Clooney Gaels goals and into the back of the bet.  That goal taking McKeown’s tally to 1-6 and the sole name on the list of scorers for the Glenravel men up to that point.

He would add another free to reduce the Clooney Gaels lead to three points before Colla McDonnell (’65) and James O’Connell also split the uprights in response.  Michael McDonnell fired over from distance for the final score of the half to leave the half time score 1-12 to 1-8 in Clooney Gaels favour.

It was Con Magees time to start the half brightly as they scored their second goal just two minutes after the restart.  Niall McKeown breaking the sliotar into the path of Conor Duffin and he made no mistake.

Cormac McKeown fired over a brace of points to give Con Magees the lead by the third minute of the second half.  That lead was short lived however as Clooney Gaels scored their second goal with the next attack.  Daniel O’Neill and Patrick Graham combining to leave Colla McDonnell in space and he finished emphatically.

Points followed from James O’Connell and Patrick Graham to put four between the sides again midway through the second half.

Con Magees had another sight of the Clooney Gaels goal with Fergus Donaghy bringing a top save out of Aidan Graham before Daniel O’Neill and Owen Neeson split the uprights either side of another Cormac McKeown free.

A trio of unanswered points from Niall McKeown, Nathan Unwin and a free from Cormac McKeown reduced the Clooney Gaels lead to just two points with nine minutes of the hour remaining.

Clooney Gaels responded by scoring a trio of points of their own with a brace of frees from Colla McDonnell and a free from Ronan Graham kept the scoreboard ticking for Clooney Gaels.

Con Magees kept battling with Cormac McKeown and substitute Ciaran McCann raising the white flag again but Clooney Gaels finished strongly.  Colla McDonnell split the uprights either side of James O’Connell’s fourth point of the evening to ensure Clooney Gaels took the spoils.

This was a mighty effort from Con Magees who played a number of minors, showing good signs for the future.  For Clooney Gaels their championship hopes still remain in the balance and will be hoping for a favour in the other games in the group tomorrow.

TEAMS

Cloney Gaels Starting XV: Aidan Graham; Patrick Dougan, James Magee, Harry O’Donnell; Diarmuid Graham, Bernard Graham, Eoin Graham; Eamon Brady, Daniel O’Neill; Patrick Jr Graham, Ronan Graham, Conor Crossey; Colla McDonnell, James O’Connell, Owen Neeson

  • Subs: Donal Graham for O Neeson (50)
  • Scorers: C McDonnell 1-10 (1’65, 6f); J O’Connell 1-4; P Graham 0-2; R Graham 0-2; E Brady 0-1; D O’Neill 0-1; C Crossey 0-1; O Neeson 0-1

Con Magees Starting XV: Chrissey Quinn; Eoin McCusker, Odhran Kerr, Brian O’Neill; Michael McDonnell, Rian Lennon, Nathan Unwin; Ronan McCormick, Calum Higgins; Fergus Donaghy, Ciaran Laverty, Cormac McKeown; Conor Duffin, Odhran McAleenan, Niall McKeown

  • Subs: Ciaran McCann for O McAleenan (37); Conor Laverty for F Donaghy (45); Luke Loughlin for C Higgins (50); Conleth O’Loan for M McDonnell 53)
  • Scorers: Cormac McKeown 1-12 (1’65, 6f); C Duffin 1-00; M McDonnell 0-1; N McKeown 0-1; N Unwin 0-1; C McCann 0-1

Referee: Terry Reilly (Gort na Mona)

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