ACHL Division 3

All Saints 2-15 Na Magha 0-10

Despite producing their best performance of the season All Saints look likely to be playing their hurling back in division 4 next season. Their season suffered a heavy blow before a sliotar was struck with the loss of players to other clubs and their manager, Chris Dornan was forced to embark on a rebuilding job with a very young panel.

Results were hard to come bye as a result but the former St. Gall’s and Cushendun manager stuck rigorously to his task and on Sunday at Slemish Park the Ballymena side finished their season with a great win.

Visitors, Na Magha from Derry have struggled themselves in division 3 with their only win to date coming against All Saints in Derry at the start of the year and the home side were determined to finish their season on a high.

It was the visitors who made the early running and took the lead through McAdams early in the game with All Saints replying through Liam Cassley before Rankin restored the Na Magha lead from a ‘65’.

Dorny’s side took a while to settle but they suddenly came to life as Eoin McGuigan, Daniel Kelly, McGuigan again and the impressive Kelly with his second of the afternoon moving them three ahead by the end of the opening quarter.

Na Magha responded through excellent mid-fielder Rankin who converted his second ‘65’ and added two more points before the break with Eoin McGuigan and Nelis for the visitors exchanging further minors to leave it 0-6 to 0-6 at the break.

The early exchanges of the second half saw both sides continue to battle for supremacy with the teams tied at 8 apiece early in the third quarter with Liam Cassley and Jack Magill on target for All Saints and Nelis replying with two for the Derry side.

Things began to swing in the direction of the Ballymena men however as Eoin McGuigan pointed them ahead and then Damien Gillan turned the game on its head when he fired a close range free to the Na Magha net.

McNicholl and Gillan from a ‘65’ exchanged points and Rankin fired over the visitor’s last point of the evening but the momentum was now with All Saints with Eoin McGuigan moving them further ahead before Liam Cassley put the icing on the cake with a late goal.

It will be division 4 hurling for the Ballymena side next season but on the evidence of Sunday’s performance and an earlier draw against Cloughmills that I had the privilege of covering the foundations have been laid for a sustainable challenge in 2025.

All Saints: Ciaran Cassley, Harry Connon, Eoin McCallister, Archie McGreevy, Cathaoir Cunning, Padhraig Magill, Daniel Gray, Vinney Esler, Daniel Kelly, Cormac Magill, Eoin McGuigan, Jack Magill, Damian Gillan, Liam Cassley, Fintan Brady

Na Magha: 1. A Grant 2. ⁠C McGoran 3. ⁠C Murphy 4. ⁠A campbell 5. ⁠K Ponsonby 6. ⁠D Doherty 7. ⁠M McCloskey 8. ⁠T Rankin 9. ⁠P Nelis 10. ⁠C Shiels 11. ⁠R McLaughlin 12. ⁠C McNicholl 31. B Quigley 14. R McAdams 15. C O’Donovan Subs used 16. O Duddy 17. D Foley 18. A McSteen

ACHL Division 3

Lamh Dhearg 1-10  Kickham’s Creggan 1-23

Creggan had a comfortable win at Hannahstown on Wednesday evening with 13 points to spare in a sober and good natured contest, where both teams struggled for numbers.  Dual clubs, Lamh Dhearg & Creggan, again struggled to find the numbers to field in this year’s League. 

As, with many clubs missing players through emigration, injury and other factors, it is a credit to both managements to be able to field their team each week.

 Lamh Dhearg’s No.12, Aidan McGuigan, opened his side’s account 2 minutes in to the game, pointing from close range.   The visitors managed the next 5 points without reply, one a piece for Thomas & Keelan McCann and 3 Conor McCann converted frees, conceded by needless fouling. 

Sixteen minutes in, Lamh Dhearg had raked up an additional 3 points from Aidan Murray, Aidan McGuigan and Donal Martin as the visitors maintained their 1 point lead to leave the minimum between the sides. 

 As we headed into the second quarter, possession was almost 50/50 with Lamh Dhearg being guilty of poor accuracy.  Sean Duffin and Conor McCann added to the visitors tally to put the visitors 3 in front.  

The home side responded, Donal Martin, leaving his marker and charging in on goal and only a superb save by Creggan’ s Cormac Rice prevented the contest being level at this stage. 

As we approached half time, Creggan upped their momentum with points from Jake McAteer and Michael Maguire, plus another 2 converted frees and a 27 minute goal for Conor McCann.  Aidan Murray got a second point as Referee, Lerenzo McMullan, blew the whistle for Half Time.

As the second half got underway the home side needed to eat into Creggan’s 8 point lead and Aidan McGuigan reduced that lead to 7 from the throw in.  Sean Duffin responded for the visitors and it was nip & tuck for the next 10 minutes with Lamh Dhearg getting the better of their opponents score for score –  two additional points for Aidan Murray and 1 each for Sean Paul Gibson and Evan Stanley, in addition to Donal Martin’s superb goal in the 33^rdminute. 

Creggan’s response was gradual giving the pace of the game – 5 more converted frees from Conor McCann, 3 additional points from Sean McAuley, while Conleith McGrenaghan, Sean Duffiin and Jake McAteer all added to the visitors tally.

 As we entered the last quarter, the home side retained most of the position , but poor accuracy, indecision and giving away  unnecessary frees cost them dearly and at this stage their luck had run out with Adam Murray’s attempt on goal being deflected over the bar by the Creggan’s keeper. 

Aaron Ferris’ attempt minutes later was narrowly saved.  Donal Martin got his side’s final score of the game as Creggan finished comfortable winners in the end in a game that was up for the taking on several occasions.

LAMH DHERG: No.1 Rhys Camlinn, No.2 Aidan McCague, No.3 Odran Walldran, No.4 Tiernan McKenna, No.5 Dan Murray, No.6 Ryan Diamond, No.7 Sean Paul Gibson (0.01), No.8 Ciaran Boyd, No.9 Evan Stanly (0.01), No.10 Mark Finegan, No.11 Adam Murray (0.04), No.12 Aidan McGuigan (0.02), No.13 Donal Martin (1.02), No.14 Michael McGarry No.15 Aaron Ferris.

CREGGAN: No.1 Cormac Rice, No.2 Peadar McGuckian, No.3 Aidan McKeown, No.4 Paul Colgan, No.5 Niall McAuley No.6 Keelan McCann (0.01), No.7 Sennan O’Boyle, No.8 Sean Duffin (0.03), No.9  Jake McAteer (0.02), No.10 Michael Maguire (0.01), No.11 Thomas McCann (0.01), No.13 Sean McAuley (0.03), No.14 Conor McCann (1.11), No.15 Dylan Humphrey, No.17 Conleith McGrenaghan (0.01), No.18 Brendan Maguire, No.19 Joseph Smyth, No.20 Aidan Maguire.

REFEREE:     Lorenzo McMullan                                 

ACFL Division 3

Creggan 3-21 All Saints 2-7

 In a game of two halves, only 3 points separated the sides at the break.   Creggan had the upper hand with a 3-point lead, with a fortunate second goal from Conor McCann.  With the second half underway, there was only one team in it.  Creggan controlled the play adding 1.11 to their tally as All Saints failed to score.

 A confident Creggan won the toss and played with a strong breeze while All Saints went in search of their first win of the season.  The home side registered the first score 3 minutes in from Conor McCann from play.  Eoin McGuigan levelled 2 minutes later with a 20 metre free. 

From here until the short whistle both teams matched each other, score for score’ at 10 minutes gone it was 3 apiece,  two additional frees, tapped over by Creggan’s Morgan Nelson and one each from Eoin McGuigan and Damien Gillen. 

McCann added a goal followed by 2 quick points to increase the home side’s lead by 5 points.  McGuigan responded from the next puck out finding the net from the edge of the square leaving little between the sides.  

As the contest progressed into the second quarter, Creggan increased their lead by 3 points with 2 frees from Morgan Nelson, a fine point from Lee Johnston and another from Conor McCann. 

The visitor’s response kept them within touching distance with a point from Sean McDermott and 2 converted frees from Eoin McGuigan, to leave it finally balanced with 24 minute gone. 

As half time neared, Conor McCann got a second goal to the delight of the home supporters but the 6-point lead was short lived when Liam Cassley rattled the Creggan net from close range.

HALF TIME SCORE:      CREGGAN 2.10 – ALL SAINTS 2.07.

Referee, Danny O’Neill, got proceedings underway for the second half.  The home side’s Sean Duffin scored a point from the throw in and this was quickly followed by a second goal from Conor McCann, to put 7 points between the sides. 

At this stage in the contest, Ballymena seemed to have run out of steam while  Creggan’s ability to control most of the possession afforded them the opportunity to attempt scores from distance and difficult angles which increased their wides-tally. 

As the contest approached the final quarter, the game was well and truly over.  The home-side’s Morgan Nelson added 4 further points from frees while Sean Duffin equalled his tally with 4 points from play while Conleith McGrenagan scored his first which was the last score of the game.  All Saints battled on with several attempts on goal which were confidently cleared by Creggan’s Oran McCann.

CREGGAN:  No.1 Oran McCann, No.2 Paedar McGuckian, No,3 Aidan Maguire, No.4 Dylan Hinfey, No.5 Senan O’Boyle, No.6 Keelan McCan, No.7 Jake McAteer, No8 Niall McAuley, No.9 Sean Duffin (0.05), No.10 Morgan Nelson (0.09), No.11 Lee Johnston (0.01), No.12 Thomas McCann, No.13 Sean McAuley (0.01), No.14 Conor McCann (3.04), No.15 Conleith McGrenagan (0.01), No.16 Brendan Maguire, No.17 Michael Maguire, No.18 Joseph Smyth, No.19 Cormac Rice.

ALL SAINTS: No.1 Ciaran Cassley, No.2 Kevin Brady, No3 Eoin McAllister, No.4 Archy McGreevy, No.5 Padhraig Magill, No.6 Cormac Magill,  No.7 Daniel Gray, No.8 Cathaoir Cunning, No.9 Vincent Esler, No.10 Sean McDermott (0.01), No.11 Eoin McGuigan (1.05), No.12 Daniel Kelly, No.13 Damian Gillen (0.01), No.14 Liam Cassley (1.00), No.15 Niall Savage, No.17 Dermott Casey, No.18 Frank Casey, No.19 Luke Walsh.

REFEREE:                         DANNY O’NEILL.    (Gort na Mona)       

ACHL Division 3

All Saints 0-12 Rasharkin 5-18

Conor McKeever gave another masterly demonstration of free taking as St Mary’s Rasharkin climbed to second place in the division 3 table with a resounding victory over an All Saints side, decimated by injuries and defections.

McKeever would finish the game with 1-10 (9f’s) and with Conor McKillop and Terry McGregor contributing another 4-3 between them it looked comfortable for the visitors for most of the hour.

It doesn’t tell the whole story however and a good spell from the Ballymena men, midway through the opening half saw them draw level at 0-6 each with Eoin McGuigan hitting a series of excellent frees.

Rasharkin recovered to finish the half strongly with Conor McKillop, and Terry McGrogan finding the net to move the visitors 3-12 to 0-7 ahead at the break and even at this stage it looked as good as over.

To their credit All Saints never gave up and with Vinny Esler busting a gut around mid-field and with Cormac Magill, Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan giving it everything they kept battling against impossible odds.

Terry McGregor got in for Rasharkin’s 4^th goal with only 3 minutes of the second half gone as Eoin McGuigan, Damian Gillan and Darach Bradley replied to points from Caolan Maria and a couple from ace marksman, McFerran for the visitors.

Bradley had taken over the free taking duties for the Slemish Park side and struck a number of fine points but St. Mary’s were always able to respond with Conor McFerran and Conor McKillop leading the way.

A McKeever free deceived the home defence and went directly to the net with virtually the last puck of the game to put a slightly flattering but none the less deserved look to the Rasharkin victory with referee, John Mallon sounding his whistle from the puck out.

This win moved Rasharkin into second in the table, four points behind Bredagh but with two games in hand with the top two’s game which was scheduled for the 12^th of May yet to be re-arranged.

All Saints find themselves badly in need of points to avoid relegation to division 4 but they showed enough fighting spirit to suggest that if they can get their missing players back for their remaining games then they can still survive.

All Saints scorers: Eoin McGuigan 0-6, Damian Gillan 0-3 Darach Bradley 0-3

Rasharkin scorers: Conor McKeever 1-10 (0-9f’s), Conor McKillop 2-3, Terry McGregor 2-0, Conor McFerran 0-1, Caolan Maria 0-1

Antrim Hurling League – Division 3

Glenravel 1-19   All Saints 0-08

The threatened storms remained silent as Glenravel ran out easy enough winners in this evening throw-in in Fr Maginn Park. Ahead at the break 1-10 to 0-04 despite an excellent penalty save by Ballymena’s keeper Ciaran Cassley the men in green and white went on to win with a fairly comfortable margin. 

Ballymena opened the scoring through Darach Bradley from a free two minutes into the game; indeed Bradley would prove to be All Saints main scorer of the evening with a total of six points to his name, five from placed balls. But by the fourth minute Sean McKay and Conor Laverty had nudged Glenravel into a slender lead however they were pegged back level when Joseph O’Rawe finished off a nice move with a point.  Glenravel were starting to dominate the puck outs and make good use of the subsequent possession. By the tenth minute Cormac McKeown, Declan Traynor and Sean McKay had given the home side a 0-05 to 0-02 lead, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish to the end of the game. Darach Bradley brought it to a two point game but Glenravel switched up a gear in the second quarter to add 1-03 to the scoreline, the goal coming from Cormac McKeown and it was in that quarter keeper Cassley saved the penalty or his side would have been further behind. In the closing minutes Bradley pointed again for the visitors but the ever dependable duo of McKeown and McKay helped Con Magees to a 1-10  to 0-04 half time lead. 

Adam McAuley had been introduced as replacement to Conor Duffin who shifted a heavy tackle and was forced off. We wish Conor a speedy recovery. In the opening seconds of the half McAuley tore through the Ballymena defence on the right hand side and pointed form a tight angle. Conleth O’Loan went on to score Glenravel’s next three points, all from play. All Saints fought back with three scores all from frees with Bradley providing two and  Eoin McGuigan the other. Sean McKay and Bradley exchanged points to bring the scoreline to 1-15 to 0-08 with six minutes left on the clock. At this point the destiny of the points was decided but Glenravel would go on to tag another four points to leave them comfortable winners 1-19 to 0-08.

Both sides are at home in their next outing with Glenravel hosting Creggan and All Saints face a tough encounter against league leaders Bredagh. Both games throw in at 2pm on Sunday, May 12th. 

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