St John’s stretched their lead at the top of the Division 1 table when they travelled to Cushendall on Friday evening and came away with a two points win. For most of the game Cushendall had looked the mostly likely winners, and after turning around with a four point cushion they stretched their advantage to six early in the second half. However the Johnnies kept battling throughout and after closing the gap to a single point going into injury time, they grabbed a late winner to seal both points.
St John’s centre back Matthew McCartan gave the visitors an early lead but the home team hit back with four on the trot from Neill McManus, Ciaran Neeson, Joe McNaughton and Ryan McCambride. On ten minutes St John’s were awarded a penalty and centre forward Oisin McManus drove it home, but the home side found a quick reply as Joe McNaughton hit the net within a minute at the other end.
Back came the Johnnies and Lorcan Heenan got their second goal to keep themselves on a par with the county champions, but a late scoring burst at the end of the opening half which yielded four in a row, three of them from Neill McManus, gave them a four point cushion at half time. 1-12 to 2-05.
Three points from Neill McManus and one from Alex Delargy early in the second half saw Cushendall pull clear again but they couldn’t shake off the Johnnies challenge as the Corrigan Park outfit played some really sharp hurling. Going down the home stretch it looked like they had had enough to earn the points. However St John’s fought for every ball and further goals from Donal Carson and Ruairi Galbraith grabbed the scores that game them the win.
Brendan McTaggart reports from Healy Park, Loughgiel
Photos by Michael Corcoran
Both teams joined forces before the game to highlight their support for Gaels Against Genocide in Gazza
Loughgiel took the honours at Healy Park on Sunday afternoon with three to spare over Dunloy. It took an injury time penalty save from Chrissy O’Connell to prevent the Cuchullains gaining a share of the spoils however, the Loughgiel shot stopper denying Aodhan McGarry’s effort with what was the last puck of the game.
To those who are engrossed in the game, there aren’t many things that are bigger than hurling but there can’t have been many disappointed to see Paul Boyle back out on the pitch. The Loughgiel man playing his first competitive game since coming through complications, Boyle was outstanding in the first half. Raising five white flags in that opening 30 minutes, Boyle getting game time in his legs against good opposition with no adverse effects will have been exactly what Darren Gleeson and the Antrim management team will have been hoping for.
Paul Boyle who made a welcome return to action on Sunday – Pic by Michael Corcoran
Both sides free takers were their top marksmen, Nicky McKeague for Dunloy and Maol Connolly for the Shamrocks with four of the goals split evenly in the opening half.
Loughgiel were ahead by a point when Rian McMullan found the back of Eoghan Richmond’s net. McMullan’s finish was top drawer but it was matched by the pass and vision from Christy McGarry to find him in space.
With Loughgiel threatening to put daylight between the sides, Dunloy found the back of Chrissy O’Connell’s goals twice in the space of four minutes. Anton McGrath with the Cuchullains first major and again, it was another excellent strike. Collecting a pass from Aodhan McGarry, McGrath held off two Loughgiel defenders before dropping the sliotar low and firing to the bottom corner.
Loughgiel’s lead was out to three before Deaglan Smith fired Dunloy’s second. Forcing a turnover in the Loughgiel defence, Smith and Eoin McFerran combined with Smith making no mistake.
The Dunloy full forward was having a lively start to the match, himself just coming back from injury and he would finish the half with 1-3 beside his name.
Aodhan McGarry’s frees in the first half along with the brilliance of Boyle at the other end of the pitch kept the scoreboard ticking for both sides with Loughgiel edging clear again before their second goal came in the 28th minute.
It was Christy McGarry who applied the finish to take his first half tally to 1-2 but it came from the work rate and desire of Rian McMullan down the Loughgiel left to create the chance.
Five points separated the sides at half time, the home side 2-13 to 2-8 clear and on the evidence of the first half, it was a fair reflection of what had transpired. Loughgiel’s forwards and delivery into the attacking areas were on point with 2-10 of their scores in the opening half coming from open play.
Dunloy looked to tighten up their defence in the second half and restricted the Loughiel forward line with a zonal approach that stifled any room for the Shamrocks to flourish. The introduction of Phelim Duffin into the full back line also helping the Cuchullains cause in the second half.
Loughgiel’s defence was equally as miserly at the other end of the pitch. Counting the end of the first half, they kept Dunloy scoreless from play for 33 minutes although the Cuchullains did manage to keep the scoreboard ticking with some excellent free taking from Nicky McKeague.
The lead remained at six points with 15 minutes of the hour remaining, Maol Connolly’s sixth free of the match turning out to be his last and the Shamrock’s last score for 15 minutes however as Dunloy looked to eat into their lead through frees from McKeague.
The Cuchullains looked to have scored another major but a scrambled effort from substitute Barry Scott was cleared off the line by a retreating Tiernan Coyle.
Two points separated the sides in the last minute of the game when Loughgiel fired what was the games decisive and winning score. Eoin McGarry breaking free from a ruck and sped towards the Dunloy goal. It wasn’t the easiest of angles but the Loughgiel substitute managed to find the bottom corner with a super strike.
McKeague’s eighth free of the half and a rifled effort from McGrath brought Dunloy to within three as the clock ticked into the fifth minute of injury time. The Cuchullains looked for a goal to bring the scores level and when Deaglan Smith broke free, had a sight of the Loughgiel goal. He was brought down inside the square and referee Darren McKeown awarded the penalty, much to the dismay of the Loughgiel players.
Aodhan McGarry’s effort was struck well but O’Connell was equal to his effort and cleared the sliotar with what was the last puck of the game.
The game ended with some unsavoury scenes at the end with handbags being produced from both sides but it was all fairly innocuous with Darren McKeown restoring calm before leaving the pitch.
Subs: Seamus Dobbin for T McGarry (47); Eoin McGarry for R McMullan (50); Odhran McFadden for R McCormick (inj); Cahal Hargan for D McMullan (inj)
Scorers: M Connolly 0-6 (6 f’s); P Boyle 0-5; C McGarry 1-2; R McGarry 1-1; E McGarry 1-00; D McMullan 0-2; C Dickson 0-1; D McCloskey 0-1
Dunloy: Eoghan Richmond; Eamon Smyth, Karl O’Kane, Oran Quinn; Kevin McKeague, Kevin Molloy, Conor McKinley; Tom McFerran, Aaron Crawford; Eoin McFerran, Aodhan McGarry, Paul Shiels; Nicky McKeague, Anton McGrath, Declan Smith
Subs: Phelim Duffin for K O’Kane (HT); Barry Scott for E Smyth (42); Gabriel McTaggart for P Shiels (52)
Scorers: N McKeague 0-8 (8 f’s); D Smith 1-4; A McGrath 1-3; A McGarry 0-3 (3 f’s)
St. John’s maintained top spot in the ACHL Division 1 when they recorded a comprehensive win over visitors Ballycastle at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Johnnies raced into a three point lead by the third minute as they opened on the front foot and were five ahead by the 8th minute as the visitors struggled to contain their early onslaught.
It could have been worse but Ryan McGarry in the ‘Castle’ goals pulled off a smart save with ten minutes on the clock but by half time it was the Corrigan side who looked in a strong position when they led 0-13 to 0-7.
Aaron Bradley, Michael Dudley 0-2, Conor Johnston 0-2 and Shea Shannon were the early marksmen for St. John’s with Oran Kearney striking a long range reply for McQuillan’s.
Tiernan Smyth hit Ballycastle’s second of the day from a free and the corner-forward would account for the majority of his side’s scores over the hour as they battled to hang on to their opponents coat tails.
Conal Morgan, Conor Johnston, Aaron Bradley and Shea Shannon moved a sweet moving St. John’s further ahead with Smyth striking three further frees and Seamus McAuley on target from play as the visitors enjoyed their best period of the opening half.
St. John’s finished the half on the front foot however with Aaron Bradley 0-2 and Shea Shannon brought their total to 0-13 and another pointed free from Tiernan Smyth bringing the Ballycastle total to 0-7
HT 0-13 TO 0-7
The visitors needed a good start to the second half if they were to make inroads into the Johnnies lead and Tiernan Smyth added to his tally with a couple more pointed free but Conor Johnston replied with two at the other end to keep the gap at six.
Ciaran Butler and ace marksman Smyth closed the gap to four after 8 minutes but St. John’s were always able to respond and Shea Shannon pointed a free and followed with another from play.
The visitors were still fighting hard and looked to have brought themselves right back into contention when Neal McAuley appeared to get the final touch but their goal celebration was ruled out for a square-ball infringement.
The Whiterock men turned the screw after that as Conor Johnston 0-2, Michael Dudley, Shea Shannon and Domhnall Nugent added points and when a Castle defender deflected a shot to his own net in the 25th minute it was all over.
The sweet striking Tiernan Smyth replied with two more pointed frees and substitute Darragh Kelly added another from play with Aaron Bradley and Domhnall Nugent replying for the home side to see them comfortably home.
St. Johns: 1 Declan Cregan 2 Conor McEvoy, 3 Conal Morgan, 4 Aidan McMahon, 5 Matthew McCartin, 6 Stephen Tierney, 7 Darragh McGuinness, 8 Shea Shannon, 9 Andy McGowan, 10 Conor Johnston, 11 Domhnall Nugent, 12 Michael Dudley.13 Donall Carson, 14 Lorcan Heenan, 15 Aaron Bradley
Ballycastle: 1 Ryan McGarry, 2 Oran Kearney, 3 Dermott Donnelly, 4 Jack McGowan, 5 James McLister, 6 Eoin McAlonan, 7 Ryan McCook, 8 Cian Waldron, 9 Reuben McClean, 10 Criostai McAuley, 11 Ciaran Butler, 12 Seamus McAuley, 13 Orann Donnelly, 14 Neal; McAuley, 15 Tiernan Smith, 18 Darragh Kelly
St. John’s find themselves sitting proudly at the top of division 1 with 6 points from their opening three games and on Saturday it was the turn of St. Enda’s to feel their force at Hightown.
The Glengormley men certainly tested the Johnnies to the limit and a John McGoldrick goal from the penalty spot late in the game brought it back to 2 points but that was as close as they got as St. John’s held on to maintain their early season top spot.
Playing with the wind in the opening half St. John’s led 1-13 to 0-10 with their goal coming from Lorcan Heenan late in the half. Conor Johnston was in fine scoring form for the Whiterock side, hitting 0-6 first half points while Michael Dudley added three and Shea Shannon and Darragh McGuinness were also on target.
Naomh Eanna kept on their coat tails for most of the opening half with John McGoldrick in sparkling scoring form and the big number 15 accounted for 0-9 of his side’s first half total with Ollie Breen getting the other as they trailed by six at the break.
McGoldrick continued to carry St. Enda’s greatest scoring threat in the second half with wing-half, Joe Maskey also carrying the game to St. John’s and his goal early in the final quarter gave his side renewed hope.
St. John’s were not to be outdone however as they kept the score board ticking away with Conor Johnston adding 0-3 to his first half total and Aaron Bradley and Micheal Dudley all weighing in with vital scores.
St. John’s opened their season with an away win at Dunloy and followed it up with a victory over deadly rivals Rossa on day two and while it’s early days, this win over St. Enda’s will give them belief as they head into the rest of the season.
St. Enda’s: 1 Philly Curran, 2 Ciaran McAllister, 3 Malachi McKibbon, 4 Ronan Eager, 5 Eoin Conlon, 6 Killian Jennings, 7 Joe Maskey, 8 Brendan Cormican, 9 Luke O’Connor, 10 Cian O’Connor, 11 Cormac Jennings, 12 Eddie O’Connor, 13 Oliver Breen, 14 Rian Gillen, 15 John McGoldrick,
St. John’s: 1 Declan Cregan, 2 Conor McEvoy, 3 Ciaran Johnston, 4 Odhran Carleton, 5 Matthew McCartan, 6 Conall Morgan, 7 Daragh McGuinness, 8 Aidan McMahon, 9 Sean Wilson, 10 Conor Johnston, 11 Stephen Tierney, 12 Michael Dudley, 13 Donal Carson, 14 Lorcan Heenan, 15 Shea Shannon, 18 Aaron Bradley
O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Hurling League Division One
St John’s 2-13 O’Donovan Rossa 1-14
Both these sides had impressive wins on day one of the ACHL Division 1 so a close encounter was anticipated when they met at Corrigan Park on Sunday and so it proved to be.
It was nip and tuck all the way and looked anybody’s game but the ‘Johnnies’ gained the upper hand as the contest entered the closing stages.
The game got underway in less than ideal conditions and didn’t improve as the rain came down but despite this both sides combined to serve up a highly entertaining and compelling contest.
There was a real competitive edge about the game from the throw in with every ball fiercely contested but in the end it was the free taking of Oisin McManus that swung it in the way of the Whiterock men.
Rossa’s Oisin McVicker pulls first time on the sliotar
MacManus finished with 1-8 from placed ball, his goal in the first half having a bit of fortune about it, while Conor Johnston was excellent in attack as he contributed 0-4 from open play.
For Rossa, Diarmuid Rogan was superb from both frees and play, hitting nine in total, and it was the Shaw’s Road side that looked like taking the spoils as they moved two ahead with ten minutes remaining.
Down came he rain just as the game began, making conditions difficult but it didn’t deter either side as they went at it tooth and nail right from the throw in.
Aided by a stiff wind, Rossa were first to register with midfield pair Diaarmuid Rogan and Conall Shannon pointing in the opening minute.
Oisin MacManus got the Johnnies on the board from a ‘65’ but the visitors continued to make the early running with Rogan and MacManus swapping points before the Rossa man added pointed frees of his own either side of a fine effort from Dara Rocks.
St John’s began to grow into it with MacManus replying from two frees and they started to get their running game going with Conor Johnston getting their first from play after 17 minutes to close the gap to one.
Rogan replied with a free, but the Johnnies were starting to come into their own and a fine move saw Johnston in the clear and he fired over the equaliser.
The Johnnies hit the front as a MacManus free was dropped, under pressure by Rossa goalkeeper Domhnall Moran and ended in the net.
St. John’s Shea Carson is challenged by Niall Crossan
Rossa responded however to finish the half strongly and Rogan pointed a free before Eoin Trainor converted directly from a sideline to reduce the arrears to one at the short whistle with St John’s leading 1-7 to 0-9.
A heavy shower during the interval made conditions more difficult as the sides emerged for the second half but it was St. John’s who made the better start with Stephen Tierney splitting the posts from an acute angle. Oisin Donnelly then cut through to finish to the net to put his side five ahead with only four minutes of the second period played and the momentum was very much with the home side.
Rossa regrouped however as Diarmuid Rogan replied from play and followed from a free as conditions worsened with players from both sides losing their footing.
The visitors then got the break they needed on 47 minutes as Stephen Shannon sent a low ball into the danger area and although Eoghan McMenamin fumbled his attempt to gather, Declan McCartney was on hand to finish to the net and the sides were level.
McMenamin then hit back-to-back points and Rossa appeared to be heading for victory but back came St John’s as Conor Johnston had a shot tipped over and MacManus landed yet another free.
He would connect with two more before Rogan replied with one of his own to leave one in it in added time, but McManus had the final say as he converted again for what would prove to be the insurance score.
St. John’s: D Creggan; O Carleton, C Morgan, C McEvoy; R McNulty, Ciaran Johnston, D McGuinness; a McMahon, S Wilson; Conor Johnston (0-4), S Tierney (0-1), O Donnelly (1-0); O MacManus (1-8, 1-7f, 0-1 65), S Shannon, R Galbraith.
Subs: D C arson for S Shannon (HT), M Dudley for R Galbraith (HT), A McGowan for C McEvoy (45), M McCartin for D McGuinness (60), J McAllister for S Wilson (60+7).
Rossa: D Moran; O McVicker, C Orchin, N Crossan; E Trainor (0-1 sl), C McGuinness, S Shannon; D Rogan (0-9, 5f), C Shannon (0-1); E McMenamin (0-2), P Short, D Rocks (0-1); T Morgan, D McCartney (1-0), C Boyle.
Subs: N Devlin for D Rocks (55), R Murray for C Boyle (59), A McLean for C Shannon (60+6)
