ACHL Division 3

St Mary’s Rasharkin 3-15(24) Davitts 2-8(14)

Photographs: Mark Hasson

St. Mary’s Rasharkin recorded their first win of the season when they overcame the challenge of visitors, Michael Davitt’s at Dreen on Sunday. The visitors matched their hosts in the early stages of the contest and the sides were level at 0-4 apiece at the end of the opening quarter but a Conor McKeever goal, which sailed to the top corner of the net from 30 yards put the home side in pole position.

St. Mary’s led by 1-8 to 0-5 at the break and went on to add two more goals in the second half to run home fairly comfortable winners.

McKeever got the home side on their way with a point in the opening minute but the visitors replied through Cormac Maguire and Stephen McGivern to go one ahead with only three minutes on the clock.

The home side replied with three points on the trot from Conor McKeever (0-2) and Kealan Darragh but a couple of pointed frees from Donn Whelan brought the sides level after 16 minutes.

Once again Conor McKeever was proving Rasharkin’s greatest scoring threat and he followed a 17^th minute point with his side’s first goal to put the home side in a strong position.

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Davitt’s did reply with a point from Michael Og Rowntree but the final minutes of the half belonged to Rasharkin and that man McKeever who fired over three unanswered points to leave his side six in front at the short whistle.

It was visitors Davitt’s who drew first blood on the restart as Donn Whelan sent over a good point and the Falls Road side matched their hosts score for score during the opening second half exchanges.

Conor McKeever and Feargal Kennedy replied for the Dreen side but Davitt’s responded again with another point from Marcas Toner with McKeever for Rasharkin and Whelan for the visitors exchanging further points by the 7^th minute.

Davitt’s were giving as good as they got at this stage but were rocked back on their heels when a long delivery from Conor McKeever ended in the net with Kealan Darragh claiming the final touch.

There was only ten minutes of the second half gone at this stage but four minutes later Anthony Rowntree gave the visitors hope when he fired to the Rasharkin net but it only served to spur St. Mary’s into a strong response.

Conor McKeever led the charge as he pointed a couple of frees and then sent another placed ball to the Davitt’s net in the 20^th minute to more or less put the contest out of reach of the Falls Road side.

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McKeever was in unerring form as he sent over two more frees in the closing stages with Donn Whelan replying with a goal for Davitt’s as he drilled a free to the net to put a better look on the final score-line.

 Rasharkin: Aidan Darragh, Liam Tunney, Aidan McKeever, Conor Doherty, Paul Reilly, Shane Hasson, Conor Donaghy, Declan McKay, Thomas McMullan, Conor McKeever, Fearghal Kennedy, Emmet McFerran, Colm Kennedy, Daniel Doherty, Ruairi OBoyle

SUBS:

11mins 2nd half substitution St Mary’s Rasharkin–> off: Daniel Hasson  on: Paul Reilly

15mins 2nd half substitution St Mary’s Rasharkin–> off: Kealan Darragh  on: Daniel Doherty

Davitt’s: Joseph McCaffery, Alan Rainey, Thomas Toland, Ruairi McIlroy, Caoimhin Heaney, Thomas Maguire, Christopher Gallagher, Michael Og Rowntree, Peter Og Carleton, Donn Whelan, Stephen McGivern, Marcas Toner, Canice Mooney, Anthony Rowntree, Cormac Maguire.

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Glenravel)

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ACHL Div. 3 Result.

Shane O Neills 1-15 Na Magha 0-16

By Pete Hyndman at Feystown:

Despite losing two men late in the game, Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm held on to claim another victory as they survived a late rally from a spirited Na Magha at Feystown last night.

This game was a classic for the neutrals, it had everything, a goal, great score’s, great saves, red cards and excellent team play from both side’s. Na Magha arrived at a sun drenched Pairc Uí Fhearsithe to face home side Glenarm. Meeting between these sides in recent years have been great tussles and this was to be no exception. After just a few seconds Glenarm’s Ciaran Magill raised a white flag to get the Feystown men off the mark. Daniel Black blazed over a point after a great interception by Liam Mulvenna and in the next few minutes Magill scored a brace of points from free’s.

Na Magha got their first point when Deaglan Foley drove over the bar and the Na Magha number 11 was to have a major influence in his side’s challenge. Glenarm’s reply was immediate with another fine score from Magill before Mark McCloskey got a point for the men from Derry city. A further point from a placed ball from Magill added to the home side’s tally and the young forward was covering large areas of the pitch and found more space and with pin point accuracy sent the ball over Na Magha’s bar. The visitors got the next couple of points with Deaglan Foley hitting two free’s but at this stage it was Shane O’Neill’s who were enjoying the better of the exchanges.

After a short water break Magill pointed a “65” for the home side but Na Magha’s Foley again pegged back the score with two more free’s before the short whistle.

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Glenarm 0:10 Na Magha 0:06

First score after the break belonged to the Derry boys with Foley driving over his sixth point and his deadly accuracy was keeping the visitors in touch. Glenarm’s Darren Hamill took a free from over 90 yards and a relieved Barry Robinson in the Na Magha goal could only guide the ball over his own bar. Na Magha’s sharpshooter Foley pointed another free, closely followed up by a home point from Dylan McLaughlin and at this stage play had opened up with the visitors enjoying more of the play.

Na Magha pointed next with Keelan Doherty getting a ricochet on the ball over Hamill’s bar but Shane O’Neill’s found another response as Ben O Boyle took an excellent point from midfield for the Feystown outfit. Foley replied from another free before a dropped ball in the Na Magha box was only parried down by Robinson in goals and pulled on by Kieran “Morph” O Boyle, there was a bit of confusion as to whether the ball had crossed the line, but referee Ray Matthews signalled a goal to the delight of the home side.

Ruairdhi Mc Laughlin replied with a point for the Derry side and the next 5 minutes belonged to the visitors with Foley scoring a hat-trick of points (0-2 f’s) and a “65”. With only 5 minutes left it was Dylan M Laughlin who stopped the rot for the home side with a great point but Na Magha responded again and that man Foley replied with a point from play. In a mad two minutes Glenarm lost 2 players, Ciaran Magill’s for dissent and Declan McDermott for two yellows! and in the closing minutes Glenarm’s Dan Black and Foley for the visitors got a point each, the latter from another placed ball effort. The old cliche ” a game of two half’s ” certainly applied to this game. Glenarm dominated the first period with Na Magha relying on Foley from the place ball to keep them in touch. The second half was a role reversal with the Derry side pressing hard and out scoring their opponents. Crucially the goal from Glenarm came at the right time as the away team had raised the pressure.

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Best for Na Magha was their free taker Deaglan Foley and some of his strikes from long distance on the night were outstanding while keeper Barry Robinson pulled off at least three point blank shots. For Glenarm Niall Hamill in goals made excellent stops from two 20 meter free’s  while Hugh Pat McNeill, Barry Hamill, and Declan McDermott all had solid games in defence while Ciaran Magill took his score’s well and kept the scoreboard ticking over. 

Glenarm: Niall Hamill, Paul Magill, Barry Hamill, Aidan O’Neill, Hugh Pat McNeill, Darren Hamill, Declan McDermott, Sean O’Boyle, Ben O’Boyle, Aidan Scullion, Daniel Black, Ciaran Magill, Kieran O’Boyle, Dylan McLaughlin, Liam Mulvenna.

Na Magha: Barry Robinson, Aidan McMahon, Diarmuid Shiels, Adam Rankin, Fearghal Mac an Deanaigh, Brendan |O’Coigligh, Bliadhan Glas, Padraig Nelis, Mark McCloskey, Tomas Gallagher, Deaglan Foley, Aidan Cutliffe, Timothy Rankin, Keelan Doherty, Ruaidhri McLaughlin.

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

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Antrim Hurling League Divison 3

Glenravel 2-08.    Cuchulianns 1-12

Glenravel will definitely feel this was one that got away from from them having led for 95% of the game. Their opponents dominated the first five and last five minutes scoring four unanswered points in those final minutes to creep over the line in front when the final whistle blew.

Cuchulianns opened with a point in the first minute with full forward Jordan Murtagh scoring from a free. Murtagh would go on to score six from played balls before having to be substituted after an unfortunate strike to the head under a dropping ball in the second half. The Armagh lads really dominated the opening exchanges finding their men with ease and probably should have had more on the scoreboard than that solitary point. In the seventh minute though the home team opened their account with goal kicked over the line by dual player Eoin McCusker. Glenravel then went on to dominate with four unanswered points. Conleth O’Loan getting three with Declan Traynor slotting over the other score to leave the home on front 1-04 to 0-01. The last ten minutes of the half belonged to Cuchulianns with Jordan Murtagh scoring three consecutive points from frees in what was to be a foretaste of how the second half would end. That took us to the half time break with the Con Magees ahead by a goal 1-04 to 0-04.

Conleth O’Loan opened for the home team with a pointed free in the thirty first minute before Matthew Rafferty scored for the visitors one minute later. That was Cuchulainn’s first score from play; in fact of the twelve points they registered over the hour, only two came from play. Conleth O’Loan nudged his team ahead again with a well taken free but shortly after Ben Devlin netted for the Armagh men to reduce their deficit to a single point. With twenty minutes left on the clock Glenravel sent in a long ball which the defence couldn’t deal with and as the ball was bobbing around in the air Conleth O’Loan pounced to pull it to the back of the net and put the Glensmen into a four point lead once again. Jordan Murtagh pointed two frees to leave two between them but with the water break approaching the unfortunate Murtagh had to be helped off the pitch having just taken an accidental blow to the head. How would Cuchulainns perform without their ace free taker who had been so influential up to his substitution? We soon got our answer when Conleth Lavery took on free taking duties and pointed from a sixty five and we were down to a one point game with the hosts still leading. Cathal Hynds and Niall Donnelly extended that lead to three with five minutes left on the clock and the home team sensing victory. But Cuchulainns hadn’t made the lengthy journey from Armagh to go down without a fight and and three pointed frees in as many minutes from Conleth Lavery levelled the game as we entered added time. Both teams went for broke in the closing minutes of added time but unfortunately for the home team who had led for most of the game, the final score came from Cuchulainns with Matthew Rafferty scoring only their second point from play in the entire game. It was enough to send them back south with three points in the bag.

Glenravel:: Roan Donnelly, Brian O’Neill, Shan Lee Kerr, Stevie Acheson, Damian O’Hagan, James Duffin, Padge O’Neill, Jonathan Fyfe, Rian Lennon, Eoin McCusker (1-00), Cathal Hynds (0-01), Conleth O’Loan (1-05 4f), Declan Traynor (0-01), Shane Woulahan, Ryan McQuillan,
Subs:: Niall Donnelly (0-01), Sean Burns, Michael McDonald, Joe Martin.

Cuchulainns:: Adam Murtagh, Shane O’Hagan, Stefan McParland, Dermot Hicks, Ciaran Duffy, Tomas O’Mearthile, David Ryan, Connor Devlin, Fionntan Oliver, Conleth Lavery (0-03f)Tony Duffy, Patrick Heaney, Ben Devlin (1-00), Jordan Murtagh (0-06f), Matthew Rafferty (0-03, 2f)

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ACHL Division 3

Glenravel 1-13   Rasharkin 1-11

Glenravel and Rasharkin senior hurlers came out of hibernation yesterday in Fr Maginn Park to serve up a ding dong battle in this Div 3 clash. For most of the game the gap between the two teams was never more than two points with both sides holding the lead at various stages. Paul McSparron took charge of the game and with Maginn Park bathed in sunshine enjoying almost Spring like temperatures both teams gave everything throughout the hour. The home side however finished stronger and claimed victory in the end by a two point margin. 

Glenravel started brightly and had the first two scores through Rian Lennon and a Jonathan Fyfe free in the opening five minutes. But Rasharkin then took hold of the game for the remainder of the first half and with a very talented half forward in Conor McKeever scoring three points in succession they crept into the lead. The Dreen men were showing some aerial dominance and applying pressure in wave after wave of attack but it must be said the home team’s last line of defence coped admirably and anything that did get past them was blocked out by some brilliant point blank saves by Ronan Donnelly in Glenravel’s nets. Glenravel have Ronan to thank for still being in the game at half time having thwarted the blue and yellow onslaught on three separate occasions when a goal looked odds on.

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On twelve minutes, Jonathan Fyfe restored parity on the scoreboard for a short period but McKeever popped up again to push Rasharkin ahead by a point. Declan Traynor levelled a minute later and then a brace of points from Conor McKeever (free) and a fine long range effort from Tiernan O’Boyle put the away team into the lead by two on a 0-4 to 0-6 scoreline. A Jonathan Fyfe free reduced the gap to one but up stepped Tiernan O’Boyle again from the half back birth to put two between them once more. Fyfe and McKeever exchanged points before Padge O’Neill’s fine effort for Glenravel brought the game to the short whistle with Rasharkin leading by one point 0-7 to 0-8. Rasharkin probably felt they should have gone into the break with a bigger margin.

Conor McKeever pointed from a free in the opening minute of the second half and one minute later Cahal Hynds reduced the gap to one point before the decisive score of the game in the seventh minute of the second half. A long ball into the Rasharkin square was batted out and in the resulting melee the sliothar ended up crossing the goal line and being booted back out again. That the ball crossed the line is not in any doubt but I don’t believe anyone knows exactly who got the final touch to put it there. It could have been any one of about half a dozen players from both sides. That goal put the home team into the lead by two and it was a lead they would not relinquish to the end of the game. Donach Quigg pointed for Rasharkin 10 minutes into the second half and Glenravel’s lead was now down to a single point.

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However as the water break approached, the home team really started to dominate all over the pitch and notched up three successive points from open play. Declan Traynor, Jonathan Fyfe and Cathal Hynds the providers. After the water break, Rasharkin pulled their danger man, Conor McKeever, into the edge of the square in the hope of some magic and indeed with ten minutes left on the clock McKeever found himself all alone in front of goal. This time, even Ronan Donnelly was helpless as McKeever’s bullet almost lifted the nets off the posts. Rasharkin were back in business, trailing by a single point 1-11 to 1-10 and ten minutes of action remaining. But Glenravel showed their mettle and when Conleth O’Loan rounded his man and pointed from a tight angle a two point gap was restored. That was followed by a Conor McKeever point from play and once again we had a one point game. The last ten minutes were end to end as both teams gave everything in search of the two league points on offer.  Both defences were on top however and neither side managed to raise a flag despite several chances. The final score of the game was a long range effort from Glenravel’s James Duffin one minute into added time and I think at that stage the Dreen men knew it just wasn’t going to be their day.

This was an entertaining game which either side could have won. It reminded us all how much we missed hurling during the Covid pandemic. Both teams are to be congratulated for the way they approached the game given the dearth of activity in the last year. Glenravel will be delighted to get off to a winning start and Rasharkin will rue those missed chances in the first half that could have put some daylight between the teams when they were more dominant. 

Glenravel: Ronan Donnelly, Brian O’Neill, Shan Lee Kerr, Stephen Acheson, Michael McDonald, James Duffin (0-1), Padge O’Neill (0-1), Cathal Hynds (0-2), Rian Lennon (0-1), Sean McKay, Eoin McCusker, Jonathan Fyfe (0-5, 3f), Odhran McAleenan, Shane Woulahan, Declan Traynor (0-2). 

Subs Conleth O’Loan (0-1) for Odhran McAleenan, Conor Carey for Padge O’Neill

Rasharkin: Aidan Darragh, Liam Tunney, Aiden McKeever, Conor Doherty, Daniel Hasson, Daniel Doherty, Tiernan O’Boyle (0-2), Thomas McMullan, Emmet McFerran, Conor McKeever (1-08), Kealan Darragh, Donagh Quigg (0-1), James Scally, Declan McKay, Shane Hasson.

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Referee: Paul McSparron

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