Category / Division 1

by thesaffrongael

14-Man Dunloy Run Riot Against St John’s

St John’s 0-13 Dunloy 3-21

ACHL Division 1

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

A sensational second-half blitz saw 14-man Dunloy Cuchullain’s run out convincing 18-point winners over St John’s in an absorbing Antrim (ACHL) Division 1 clash at Corrigan Park on Sunday. Despite losing a player to a straight red card in the 14th minute, Dunloy produced a tactical master class after the interval. Tom McFerran took the headlines with a magnificent hat-trick, while Chrissie McMahon was prominent throughout, pulling the strings during a second half where Dunloy outscored their hosts by 2-12 to 0-4.

The contest opened at a frantic pace, and St John’s goalkeeper Domhnall Nugent was forced into a brilliant double save just two minutes in to deny an early Dunloy breakthrough. From the resulting clearance, the Johnnies won a free which Oisin McManus converted to open the scoring. McManus was in lethal form early on, doubling his tally from play a minute later before Dunloy wing-back Eamon Smith replied with a fine long-range effort.

The sides traded blow for blow in the opening ten minutes. McManus hit two more spectacular points—including a massive long-range effort—but his clinical accuracy was matched by Nigel Elliott and Nicky McKeague, who kept the Cuchullain’s firmly in touch. When Luke McFerran clipped over a neat point in the 12th minute, Dunloy took the lead for the first time.

A minute later, the game exploded into life. A high ball into the St John’s square caused chaos, and under heavy pressure from the home defence, Tom McFerran scrambled the sliotar into the net. However, the joy was short-lived. Directly from the puck-out, a Dunloy player was involved in an off-the-ball incident and was shown a straight red card, leaving Cuchullain’s a man down for the remaining 46 minutes.

St John’s immediately looked to exploit their numerical advantage, hitting back through Shea Shannon and Ruairi Galbraith. Dunloy dug deep, relying on massive defensive efforts and long-range scores from Smith and a McKeague free. McManus kept the hosts breathing down Dunloy’s necks, clipping over a late free before striking a spectacular point over his shoulder on the run. Despite the numerical deficit, Dunloy held a narrow 1-8 to 0-9 lead at the break.

Whatever structural changes Dunloy implemented at halftime worked to perfection. They completely dominated the restarts and choked the St John’s attack. Nicky McKeague set the tone with two early frees, and when Aaron Crawford burst forward to score, the gap began to widen. St John’s introduced David Robinson in midfield to stem the tide, while Dunloy brought on the experienced Paul Shiels to anchor their side.

Ryan McGarry found the target from play before the definitive blow landed in the 20th minute of the half. An error in the St John’s defence allowed Tom McFerran to pounce on a loose ball, and he ruthlessly blasted it home for his second goal, making it 2-14 to 0-11.

St John’s rallied briefly with points from full-back Conall Morgan and Shea Shannon, but it would prove to be their final stand. Dunloy finished the match with an exhibition of hurling. McKeague and centre-back Eoin McFerran drilled over monstrous long-range points before Tom McFerran capped an unforgettable individual performance by carving through the defence to complete his hat-trick in the 32nd minute. Rian Elliott ensured a clean sheet at the other end with a spectacular late save, before Eamon Smith fired over the final point to seal an emphatic 18-point victory for the 14-man Cuchullain’s.

St. John’s: Domhnall Nugent; Michael Darragh, Conall Morgan, Lorcan McCallin; James Wilson, Ryan McNulty, Caolan Wilson; Caomhin Hanna, Ciaran Johnston; Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston, Oisin McManus; Donal Carson, Aaron Bradley, Ruairi Galbraith.
Subs used: Fearghal McManus, David Robinson.

Dunloy: Rian Elliott; Sean Og Blaney, Daire McMullan, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smith, Eoin McFerran, Padraig Magilligan; Ryan McGarry, Aaron Crawford; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Tom McFerran; Ciaran Elliott, Luke McFerran, Chrissie McMahon.
Subs used: Paul Shiels, Barry Scott.

Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

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by thesaffrongael

Another good display by Ballycastle

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Portaferry 0-14 Ballycastle 3-20

Ballycastle delivered a another fine performance on the road this week, as they beat Portaferry with a clinical display of goal-scoring and relentless point-taking to secure a dominant sixteen-point victory in the Senior Division 1 Hurling League and keep their unbeaten run in the league to six. The visitors signaled their intent from the first whistle, finding the back of the net only five minutes into the contest when Cadhan Crawford gave the Town an early cushion they would never relinquish.

Portaferry struggled to contain the early momentum as the gap widened significantly following a second goal from Conor Donnelly. This strike propelled the Ballycastle men into a commanding eleven-point lead during the opening period. While the hosts staged a minor revival late in the half to narrow the deficit to 0-09 to 2-11, they headed into the changing rooms with a significant mountain to climb.

The second half began with a brief surge from the Down side, as they notched the first two points to bring the game within a single score. However, that was as close as they would get. MacUilín responded with a devastating scoring burst to re-establish control. The decisive blow arrived midway through the half when Lorcan Donnelly raised a third green flag for the visitors, effectively breaking the Portaferry resistance and allowing Ballycastle to reel off a succession of points from all angles.

The men in black and amber retained control during the final quarter as they outscored their opponents ten points to three in the closing stages. By the time the referee blew the final whistle, the scoreboard reflected a comprehensive 3-21 to 0-14 margin. It was a clinical, high-octane performance from the winners, while Portaferry, who were without a lot of their top players because of county duty, will look to find more defensive stability after failing to match the goal-scoring threat of the traveling side.

BALLYCASTLE – Eamonn Elliott Oran Kearney Cian Baudant Ardan Kelly Conor Boyd Eoin McAlonan Niall McClean Cathair Donnelly Ronan McCarry Seamus McAuley Reuben McClean Dairmaid McShane Conor Donnelly Cadhan Crawford Subs used – James Bakewell Neal McAuley Oisin McAuley Callum Campbell Lorcan Donnelly

by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle stretch their run to five

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Ballycastle 3-33 Ballygalget 1-10

Ballycastle McQuillans’ formidable start to the Senior Division 1 Hurling League campaign shows no signs of slowing down. They laid the groundwork for their fifth consecutive victory with a devastating opening 20-minute spell against Ballygalget, effectively putting the game to bed before the first quarter had fully concluded.

The Ards Peninsula men, making the long journey up to North Antrim to compete in the county leagues, were simply blown away by the hosts’ early intensity, pace, and clinical finishing.

Right from the throw-in, MacUilín signalled their intent. Diarmaid McShane opened the scoring with a well-taken point, which was quickly followed by a trademark free from the ever-reliable Seamy McAuley. The relentless early pressure paid massive dividends shortly after when Cadhan Crawford rattled the back of the net, giving the home side a 1-02 to 0-00 lead before Ballygalget could settle into the rhythm of the game.

The Ards men eventually managed to get on the board with a point, but it did little to stem the Black and Amber tide. McShane struck for Ballycastle’s second goal of the half to instantly kill off any building momentum from the visitors.

With the forwards clicking perfectly, the scores began to flow from all angles. Reuben McClean and Niall McClean both got their names on the scoresheet, raising white flags from play. Interspersed with another McAuley free, Ballycastle surged to a 2-06 to 0-01 advantage, the Ballygalget point coming from Cathal Coulter.

Even when Ballygalget managed back-to-back points through Michael Dorrian and Oisin Coulter to bring their tally to three, the McQuillans’ response was ruthless. A quick flurry of points from the dangerous attacking trio of McAuley, McShane, and Crawford stretched the lead even further to 2-10 to 0-03.

As the clock ticked toward the 20-minute mark, McAuley remained heavily involved, popping over two more points to keep the scoreboard ticking over. At 2-12 to 0-04 with just 20 minutes played, Ballycastle had built a14-point cushion. As half time approached the home side added four more points to their tally through Ronan McCarry, Seamus McAuley, Cadhán Crawford and Cathair Donnelly, while the visitors came back with a  few of their own through Owen McDermot and Cathal Coulter (2) to leave the half time score Ballycaste 2-16 to 0-08

If Ballygalget harboured any hopes of a second-half fightback, they were immediately extinguished as right from the throw-in, Ballycastle went on the offensive, and “Rambo” McCarry made an instant impact by raising a green flag. This third goal for MacUilín pushed the scoreline out to 3-16 to 0-08 and effectively ended the match as a contest. With the result secured, Ballycastle’s forwards put on a shooting clinic, picking off points from all over the park. Cadhan Crawford and Diarmaid McShane kept their personal tallies ticking over with well-struck scores.

The relentless pressure yielded scores from both established marksmen and new contributors. Seamy McAuley continued his exceptional form with a pair of points from play, while Niall McClean and Ardan Kelly also split the posts.

As the half progressed, Conor Boyd injected further energy into the attack, floating over a fine point from play. Reuben McClean swiftly followed suit, pushing the scoreboard to a staggering 3-24 to 0-09.

To their credit, the Ards men kept battling despite the massive deficit. Their persistence finally paid off when their full-forward Daniel Tonery managed to breach the Ballycastle defence and fire home a goal, bringing their tally to 1-09

 Ballycastle, however, had the final say in this segment of the game. Connor Donnelly got his name on the scoresheet with a point, and Conor Boyd capped off an excellent cameo by pointing for the second time. Overall another good win for the Town, though they will be  well aware there are much tougher contests to come in the near future. However it is fair to say that five wins from five would have been above anyone’s expectations.

Ballycastle will face Down opposition again next time out when they travel to Portaferry next Friday evening, with a 7-45 throw-in.

Mac Uílín CLG: 1 Eamonn Elliott, 2 Oran Kearney, 3 Cian Baudant, 4 Conal Colgan, 5 Ardan Kelly, 6 Conor Boyd, 7 Eoin McAlonan, 8 Ronan Laverty, 9 Cathair Donnelly, 10 Reuben McClean, 11 Seamus McAuley, 12 Ronan McCarry, 13 Diarmaid McShane, 14 Cadhan Crawford, 15 Niall McClean.

Baile Mhic Uileagóid: 1 Eoin Clarke, 2 Michael Toner, 3 Conall Fay, 4 Conaire Monan, 5 Cian Clarke, 6 Ciaran Watson, 7 Caolan Coulter, 8 Eoin Pucci, 9 Cathal Coulter, 10 Owen McDermott, 11 Oisin Coulter, 12 Michael Dorrian, 13 Eoin Dorrian, 14 Daniel Toner, 15 Matthew Dorrian.

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half sees Ruairi’s to victory

Senior Hurling League – Division One

Cushendall 3-11 Dunloy 0-11

Sunday 3 May

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Cushendall

Goals were the difference between these two north Antrim giants as Cushendall recorded their fourth league win of the season.  Majors from Joseph McLaughlin in either half and another from Ed McQuillan were the foundations for Cushendall to control this contest against Dunloy.

In a low scoring affair, both sides were guilty of overplaying with the home side proving to be more clinical when it mattered.  Dunloy will look at their profligacy in front of the target when they review this game.  A serious number of wides and efforts dropping short while the delivery into their forwards lacked any real precision for long periods.  A lot of that was down to the work rate and intensity of the Ruairi Og’s however who were on top in the middle third, dictating the game and kept the visitors at arm’s length.

Dunloy couldn’t match the Ruairi’s ball retention and ability to break lines at speed.  Despite a slow start, once they clicked into gear, Cushendall were defensively on top and always threatening at the other end of the pitch.  The home side never scored in the opening 14 minutes with the Cuchullains settling well and there was just a point between the sides at half way mark but the second half belonged to the Ruairi’s.

While Dunloy settled more quickly into the game than Cushendall, they didn’t make the most of it.  They recorded three points before Fred McCurry opened the scoring for Cushendall, those coming from Ciaran Elliott, Chrissy McMahon and a ’65 from Nicky McKeague.

Dunloy would go 12 minutes without registering another score however with Charlie McAuley adding a point before the opening goal of the game in the 18th minute.  Ed McQuilland with the break before playing a brilliant pass finding the run of Joseph McLaughlin on his left.  ‘Pep’ still had word to do with a scrambling Dunloy defence but he finished superbly.

The remainder of the half was fairly even with Eamon Smyth, Aodhan McGarry and McKeague (free) finding the target for Dunloy while a brace of white flags from Neil McManus (one free) left the half time score 1-4 to 0-6 in Cushendall’s favour.

Cushendall started the second half superbly and had their second goal three minutes after the restart.  McQuillan and Joseph McLaughlin combining once again before Pep fired the sliotar beyond Ryan Elliott in the Dunloy goals.

A brace of points from McManus (frees) and Oisin Woodhouse got the score board ticking for Cushendall while Paudie McGilligan (two) and McKeague (’65) points left five between the sides going into the final 10 minutes.

The third Cushendall goal put the game beyond Dunloy’s reach and while McQuillan finished superbly, it owed much to the indecision in the Cuchullains defence.  McQuillan reacted fastest to the loose ball and made no mistake.  Points followed from McManus (’65) and Woodhouse to open a 10 point lead for the Ruairi’s by the 57th minute.

Dunloy laid siege on the Cushendall goal with a series of high balls into the Cushendall defence but the Ruairi’s dealt with everything that came their way.  Points followed from McMahon and McKeague (’65) either side of a point from substitute Joseph McNaughton in the time that remained as Cushendall were well worth their margin of victory at the end of the hour.

Cushendall’s next match will be next Friday night when they travel to face their neighbours, Glenariffe while Dunloy will travel to Rossa Park on the same night.

TEAMS

CUSHENDALL: Conor McAllister; Conor McCann, Martin Burke, Francis McCurry; Scott Walsh, Stephen Walsh, Austin Birt; Callagh Mooney, Charlie McAuley; Ed McQuillan, Joseph McLaughlin, Neil McManus; Oisin Woodhouse, Thomas McLaughlin, Fiontan Bradley

Subs: Liam Gillan for S Walsh (52); Joseph McNaughton for T McLaughlin (53)

Scorers: J McLaughlin 2-00; N McManus 0-5 (3fs, 1’65); O Woodhouse 0-3; E McQuillan 1-00; F McCurry 0-1; C McAuley 0-1; J McNaughton 0-1

DUNLOY: Ryan Elliott; Aaron Crawford, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Eoin McFerran, Aodhan McGarry; Jack Martin, Paudie McGilligan; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Tom McFerran; Ciaran Elliott, Barry Scott, Chrissy McMahon

Subs: Paul Shiels for J Martin (HT); Oisin McCallin for B Scott (HT); Francis McMullan for T McFerran (57)

Scorers: N McKeague 0-4 (3’65s, 1f); C McMahon 0-2; P McGilligan 0-2; E Smyth 0-1; A McGarry 0-1; C Elliott 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

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by thesaffrongael

Last quarter blitz give the Oisins victory at Hightown

Above – Alex O’Boyle who scored 2-12 in Oisins win over St Enda’s at Hightown

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Naomh Eanna 2-13 Glenariffe 3-17

Newly promoted Glenariffe Oisins secured a massive lifeline in their fight for Antrim Hurling League Division 1 survival on Sunday, engineering a stunning second-half comeback to defeat St Enda’s at Hightown on a final scoreline of 3-17 to 2-13. Despite coming close in a couple of their other games this was only their second win of the league campaign, and though the season has a long way to go it is important for the Oisins to get points on the board. The game itself was a tight, tit-for-tat encounter in the first half, but after the break they turned things around to turn it into a commanding seven-point victory. The comeback was spearheaded by a virtuoso scoring display from Alex O’Boyle, who finished the afternoon with a staggering personal tally of 2-12.

It was St Enda’s who burst out of the traps early on. After Glenariffe hit two early wides, the home side punished them. Cormac Jennings opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and just sixty seconds later, Killian Jennings rattled the back of the net to give St Enda’s a dream 1-1 to 0-0 start. Glenariffe looked to their talisman to keep them in touch, with Alex O’Boyle converting two frees either side of a Manus Mullan point. By the 15th minute, St Enda’s held a four-point cushion. However, the Oisins eventually found their rhythm from open play. A quick-fire trio of points between the 18th and 20th minutes from Alex O’Boyle, Oliver Kearney, and Aaron Cosgrove dramatically narrowed the gap. Despite a strong finish to the half from St Enda’s—with Dara Maguire, Killian Jennings, and Manus Mullan all raising white flags—Alex O’Boyle’s dead-ball accuracy ensured the visitors were breathing down their necks at the interval, trailing slightly at 1-07 to 0-09.

The opening quarter of the second half was a tense, point-for-point shootout. St Enda’s kept their noses in front, largely through the frees of Luke O’Connor, while Glenariffe responded through Orrin O’Connor, Calum McIlwaine, and the relentless Alex O’Boyle. By the 15th minute, a score from open play by Cormac McCann had St Enda’s marginally ahead at 1-13 to 0-13, but the game was about to be flipped on its head. In the 18th minute, a Glenariffe free dropped short, and Oliver Kearney was on hand to force the ball to the net, giving the Oisins the lead for the first time in the match.

That crucial goal opened the floodgates. Oliver Kearney added a point, followed swiftly by one from Michael O’Boyle. From there, Alex O’Boyle completely took over the contest. In the 23rd minute, he found the net from play, pushing the visitors into a commanding lead. Just four minutes later, he struck for his second goal of the afternoon, effectively ending the contest as Glenariffe surged into a 3-16 to 1-13 advantage.

To their credit, St Enda’s kept fighting until the final whistle. Cormac McCann grabbed a consolation goal in the 28th minute, but the damage had already been done during Glenariffe’s devastating ten-minute scoring burst. Fittingly, Alex O’Boyle had the final say, tapping over a late free in the 35th minute to cap off a brilliant individual and team performance. For St Enda’s, it was a frustrating afternoon where an early lead evaporated under intense second-half pressure. For Glenariffe Oisins, this was an important victory. Grabbing their second win of the season away from home is a big boost for the club in the league campaign.

For the victorious Glenariffe Oisins, Alex O’Boyle led the scoring with an incredible 2-12, including nine frees. He was supported by Oliver Kearney who tallied 1-02, while Aaron Cosgrove, Orrin O’Connor, Calum McIlwaine, and Michael O’Boyle all contributed 0-01 each.

On the St Enda’s side, Killian Jennings and Cormac McCann both found the net to finish with 1-01 apiece. Luke O’Connor was their top point scorer with 0-05, including four frees. Cormac Jennings and Manus Mullan added 0-02 each, while Christopher Roberts chipped in with a point from a ’45 and Dara Maguire scored 0-01 from play.