Lámh Dhearg claimed the South Antrim McGuigan Shield with a 0-15-0-4 win over Wolfetones Greencastle at Hannahstown on Sunday,
It was a meeting of last year’s finalists with the Lámhs hoping for a repeat of last season’s 2-18-2-9 victory.
They got off to a perfect start and had the opening two scores through Aaron Ferris and a Michael McGuigan free against the elements, though the North Belfast side responded with points from Caolan McLaughlin and Nathan Roche.
The hosts again opened up a two-point advantage when Conor McConville snr converted a 65’ and Michael McGuigan swung over an angled point, but Wolfetones had the answers for the second time with Kieran Moloney popping over and Caolan McLaughlin doubling his personal tally.
It may have been a low scoring opening period but both sides were evenly matched, at the break the Lámhs held the slender advantage thanks to a well taken score from substitute Aaron Brady that had his side 0-5-0-4 to the good.
Playing with the breeze in the second half, Lámh Dhearg’s scores came a little easier- however they were still made to work hard at the other end.
A converted Michael McGuigan free doubled his sides lead and Michael McGarry swung over a point from play.
McGuigan landed his third placed ball of the day, Adam Perry floated over and after a 65’ was cleared off the line- Sean Byrne dropped over a score to move their side 0-10-0-4 ahead.
At the other end Wolfetones caused a few second half headaches with Shane Gray called into action on a couple of occasions to prevent a goal that would have given the visitors renewed optimism.
Conor McConville snr finished the afternoon with four of his side’s final five points. He landed three from the 65’ and stroked over the games last score from play, in between times Aaron Brady popped over his second of the afternoon and at the conclusion the Hannahstown natives ran out 0-15-0-4 winners to ensure the McGuigan Shield would remain at Hannahstown.
More photos from the game are included in the link below
A convincing second half display saw Lámh Dhearg turn things around and book their place in the All County Minor B Hurling Final after running out 2-26-2-13 winners over Davitt’s at Hannahstown on Sunday afternoon.
The sides cancelled each other out in the early exchanges with Daniel Mulholland’s opener replied to by Sean Og Smyth from play.
A converted Matthew Murray free would edge the hosts in front again ahead of Daire Melady responding from the placed ball.
Both free-takers traded further scores before Davitt’s found themselves in the ascendancy through points from Ethan Hughes and Smyth.
Murray clipped over his second free of the half before the Beechmount outfit struck the games opening goal when Sean Og Smyth powered a shot past Caoimhin Thompson to make it 1-5-0-4.
They extended their lead briefly through a Daire Melady free, with Cillian Baker swinging over a reply.
Lámhs talisman Matthew Murray added to his personal tally with another two frees and Oran Agnew added a further point to reduce arrears to the bare minimum (1-6-0-8).
A Daire Melady free doubled Davitt’s advantage and a fantastic strike from Aidan Downey had the visitors 2-7-0-8 in front with the break fast approaching.
Just before the first half concluded Cillian Baker and Dylan Quinn chipped in with points to reduce the deficit at the halfway point (2-7-0-10).
Lámh Dhearg started the second period brightly as Matthew Murray landed his fifth free of the contest and Daniel Mulholland added another from play.
Daire Melady replied from the placed ball before the Hannahstown men stole a slender march in proceedings.
Dylan Quinn lined up a shot that appeared to be heading over for a point before the ball dropped over Padraig Walsh and into the net to make it 1-12-2-8.
Parity was restored twice in the aftermath through Melady converted frees, but Oran Agnew and Daniel Mulholland were on hand on both occasions to see their side ahead.
Mulholland’s fourth point of the day doubled his side’s advantage and things got better when Matthew Murray finished to the net and made it 2-15-2-10.
Further points from Dylan Quinn and Matthew Murray saw daylight begin to open up, though Sean Og Smyth twice pointed in between a Matthew Murray effort to ensure Davitts remained in touch going down the stretch (2-18-2-12).
The hosts stretched their lead with three scores on the spin, Cillian Baker landed his third of the afternoon, whilst Matthew Murray added another from play alongside Daniel Mulholland.
A final Davitts score came courtesy of a Daire Melady free in the 53rd minute, as Matthew Murray converted two further frees and Daniel Mulholland another three from play before the game was concluded.
Substitute Karl O’Hara was issued with a red card late on but it had little bearing as Declan McLarnon sounded his final whistle shortly after as the Hannahstown natives booked their place in the decider in a fortnights time.
For mote photos from the game, click into the link below
A breathtaking individual masterclass from full-forward Connlaodh McNaughton—who finished with an astounding 3-12—propelled Ruairí Óg, Cushendall into the Antrim Minor Championship decider following an enthralling ten-point victory over a resilient St John’s outfit at Corrigan Park.
The Glensmen wasted no time stamping their authority on proceedings. Just 24 seconds had elapsed when McNaughton opened the scoring, followed swiftly by a tidy effort from Nicholas McLaughlin. St John’s responded through target man Lewis Rafferty, but Cushendall struck their first major inside five minutes when Cahir McCambridge clinically found the back of the net. McNaughton followed up with a brace of points from play before burying his first goal in the tenth minute, handing the Ruairí Ógs a commanding 2-04 to 0-03 cushion.
St John’s refused to yield on their home patch and mounted a spirited second-quarter resurgence. Centre-back Caolan Wilson led from the front, while Tomas Adams caught fire, firing four consecutive points—three from expertly dispatched frees—to haul the Whiterock Road side back into contention at 2-05 to 0-08.
Cushendall steadied before the interval with a McCambridge point and a pair of McNaughton frees. Yet just as the visitors looked set to carry a healthy cushion into the changing room at half-time , St John’s pounced in the 29th minute: Odhran Marley reacted quickest to blast home a crucial goal. Although McLaughlin replied with two classy scores for the Ruairis, an Eoghan Millar point on the stroke of thirty minutes left the contest delicately poised at half-time, 2-10 to 1-09.
Cushendall extinguished any thoughts of a turnaround with a blistering start to the second period. McNaughton converted an early free before raiding through to crash home his second goal three minutes in. With Nicholas McLaughlin clipping over his fourth of the afternoon and McCambridge adding another, Cushendall pushed the gap out to nine points (3-15 to 1-11).
To their credit, St John’s threw everything into a counter-offensive. Caolan Wilson remained prominent from distance, and when Lewis Rafferty rattled the Cushendall net in the 18th minute, quickly followed by a Tomas Adams free, the margin was slashed to just six at 3-15 to 2-12.
Ruairí Óg’s composure under pressure proved decisive in the final ten minutes The defence was steady as a rock during this period. Deep into stoppage time, McNaughton put the final stamp on an unforgettable afternoon, rounding his marker and firing into the corner to complete his hat-trick and seal Cushendall’s passage to the county final.
Teams & Scorers
Ruairí Óg, Cushendall: Shane Coulter; Cormac Burke, Charlie McAlister, Sean McAuley; Colum Magee, Conor McCann, Rian Laverty; Dylan McNaughton, Oliver Mooney; Donncha Laverty, Nicholas McLaughlin (0-04), Shane McQuillan; Cahir McCambridge (1-02), Connlaodh McNaughton (3-12, 0-05f), Jake Laffan.
St John’s: Jack Cunningham; Daniel McKenna, Alex Robb, Oliver Donnelly; Fionntan McElroy, Caolan Wilson (0-03, 0-01f), Ollie Gregory; Daniel Mervyn, Brendan Óg Herdman; Míceal McCorry, Eoghan Millar (0-01), Tomas Adams (0-07, 0-06f); Brian Gough, Lewis Rafferty (1-02), Odhran Marley (1-00).
Sub used: Dylan Hand McCallin for St John’s
TO SEE MORE OF SEAN TROWLEN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Dunloy sealed their place in the 2026 minor final by seeing off the challenge of St Paul’s on Sunday afternoon. Two early goals and a strong second half showing was the basis for the Cuchullains win, majors coming from PJ and Euan Molloy before Éanna McGuckian’s second half effort kickstarted the home side into life.
McGuckian was a live wire throughout for Dunloy, finishing the contest with four points along with his goal while Jay McAlonan’s excellence from placed ball ensure the Cuchullains were always able to keep the scoreboard ticking.
PJ Molloy excelled on the inside forward line as he and McGuckian gave the St Paul’s full back line problems all afternoon while defensively, the half back line of the Cuchullains improved as the game progressed. Their ability to turn over ball in the second half was key to Dunloy’s victory with Ollie McClements and Jack McQuillan excellent.
St Paul’s will rue the 15 minutes in the second half where they couldn’t derail the momentum Dunloy had built. The Cuchullains scored 1-5 without reply at a time when St Paul’s were two points ahead having made a bright start to the second half.
The goals from the Shaws Road men came in either half through Daire Thornbury and Brendan McMorrow while James McDonnell, Jay Gault, Gerard Maguire and Oisin McLaren all excelled for St Pauls.
Dunloy’s finish add gloss to the scoreline however, with just three points between the sides in the 53rd minute after McLaren’s third free of the match and fourth point overall, the home side hit a further six points and putting daylight between the sides.
It was a helter-skelter start to the game that saw three goals in the opening eight minutes. The visitors to Pearse Park started brightly and had points on the board through McLaren and Gault before Euan Molloy scored the first major of the semi final. Making the most of indecision in the St Paul’s full back line, Molloy reacted quickest with a tidy finish.
Jude Gamble responded by splitting the posts for St Paul’s but the home side found the back of the St Paul’s net moments later. PJ Molloy with the finish after McGuckian’s work rate created the chance in the build up.
Odhran Boyle split the posts for his first of three points in the opening half but St Paul’s hit a purple patch to take an element of control in the game through the scoreboard. A super goal from Daire Thornbury preceded points a brace of points from the lively St Pauls inside forward and further points from McDonnell and Gault. Making it 1-4 without reply and giving St Paul’s a three point lead after 11 minutes.
The pace of the game began to settle and the home side hit four of the next five scores. McAlonan with a brace of frees along with scores from Boyle and PJ Molloy while McDonnell split the uprights with a free from inside his own half in response.
McLaren and McDonnell were on target from frees before McGuckian split the posts for his first score of the match in the 24th minute. The home side added further scores from McAlonan and Boyle with McDonnell (free) responding for St Pauls leaving the sides tied at half time, 2-8 to 1-11.
While the sides were level at the interval, Dunloy were in pole position given they had advantage of the wind for the second half. Despite this, it was St Paul’s who struck first with McMorrow finding the back of Damien McMahon’s net inside 20 seconds of the restart. Gault and Jude Gamble combining to release McMorrow and he found the bottom corner with a superb strike.
The home side responded with a brace of frees from McAlonan but Jay Gault’s third point of the semi final left two between the sides after four second half minutes.
St Paul’s wouldn’t register another score for fully 15 minutes however as Dunloy upped their intensity levels and became more clinical in their play.
McGuckian scored their third goal in the 35th minute, St Paul’s netminder Ciarnán O’Carroll didn’t deal with a long delivery from Aaron Doherty and McGuckian made the most as the sliotar spilled loose.
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A quickfire brace from PJ Molloy followed along with scores from McAlonan (free) and McGuckian to give the Cuchullains a five point lead. They reeled off 1-4 without reply in the space of barely five minutes and effectively putting them in control of the game.
McLaren went close to another St Paul’s goal after getting on the end of a long delivery from McMorrow but McMahon denied him with an excellent save.
McAlonan added his sixth free of the match to make it 1-5 without reply before St Paul’s finally got the scoreboard ticking again. Points from McDonnell and a brace from McLaren all came from placed ball reduced Dunloy’s lead to three points with eight minutes of the hour remaining.
St Paul’s never registered another score however as Dunloy continued to be more clinical both in possession and in front of the target.
They were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute when Euan Molloy was felled inside the square but Anthony Cochrane’s blazed effort went over the bar. Points followed soon after from Jack McQuillan and a brace each from McAlonan and McGuckian stretched the Dunloy lead out to nine by the full time whistle.
The Cuchullains will now face Cushendall as the Ruairi’s look to defend their crown.
TEAMS
Dunloy Starting XV: Damian McMahon; Ronan Black, Joseph Doherty, Seamus McMullan; Jack McQuillan, James McGarry, Ollie McClements; Aaron Doherty, John Ferguson; Odhran Boyle, Anthony Cochrane, Jay McAlonan; Éanna McGuckian, Euan Molloy, PJ Molloy
Subs: Ruairi Blaney for S McMullan (59), Daire Elliott for PJ Molloy (59); Jamie McMullan for E Molloy (60)
Scorers: J McAlonan 0-9 (9f); É McGuckian 1-4; PJ Molloy 1-3; O Boyle 0-3; E Molloy 1-00; J McQuillan 0-1; A Cochrane 0-1 (0-1pen)
St Paul’s Starting XV: Ciarán O’Carroll; Diollún Rogers-Duffy, Odhran Phillips, Cillian O’Neill; Luke Braniff, Gerard Maguire, Eamon Kearney; Oisin McLaren, Brendan McMorrow; James McDonnell, Jude Gamble, Jay Gault; Daire Thornbury, Jude Burns, Matthew Armstrong
Subs: Kevin McCall for L Braniff (17); Sean McMullan for M Armstrong (42)
Scorers: J McDonnell 0-5 (4f); D Thornbury 1-2; O McLaren 0-4 (3f); J Gault 0-3; B McMorrow 1-00; J Gamble 0-1
The U14 South West Hurling Championship final was played at a sun-kissed Dunsilly between Tir na nOg and Naomh Eanna on Saturday morning, with Naomh Eanna eventually coming out on top.
Both teams started quickly and pushed hard to gain the first score. After the frenzied start, a long delivery dropped in and around the Tir na nOg square, and Padraig Whyte was quick to capitalize, pulling on the ball firing it into the back of the net.
The score helped settle the Naomh Eanna players, who pushed for more scores. This was built from a solid performance by their half back line, led by captain, Liam Regan.
Lorcan McGarvey showed deadly accuracy from frees and with 15 minutes gone, Naomh Eanna led 1-3 to 0-0. Tir na nOg fought well and eventually got a return for their effort on the 20th minute with their first score.
Another free from McGarvey and a point from Olan Simpson had the Hightown men leading 1-5 to 0-1 at halftime. However, in the second half, Tir na nOg started stronger with the first point of the second half within 2 minutes.
After more sustained pressure, the lads from Randlestown earned a 21-meter free after turning over the ball in the Naomh Eanna half. Up stepped Cahir Sisk, the Tir nan Og netminder with only one thing on his mind and fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Immediately after, Fionn McGuckin split the posts from a free for another Tir na nOg point and the momentum of the game had shifted in their favour, with the score now 1-5 to 1-3.
They continued to pile the pressure on the Naomh Eanna defence with number 6, Ordhan Magill playing some strong hurling and only for two top class saves from Finnán Curran, the outcome might have been very different.
However, the saves gave the Naomh Eanna players a boost and they returned with 2 points from full forward Oisin Ryan and a long-range score and free from Lorcan McGarvey.
The team in amber and black then pushed on to secure the win with another long-range score, this time from Owen Graham, seeing out the game for the victory with a 1-11 to 1-3 win.
