Antrim Hurling League – Divsion 4

Ardoyne 3-16 All Saints 2-15

A masterful display from Paddy Heaney and a ruthless three-goal blitz propelled Ciceam Ard Eoin to a commanding victory over All Saints, Ballymena, in a highly anticipated top-of-the-table encounter at Fennell Park.

The Ardoyne men signalled their intent from the throw-in. The indefatigable Heaney, who dominated the midfield battleground all afternoon, surged forward to slot over an exceptional point within the opening seconds. All Saints responded quickly through a Magill score, but Ardoyne regained the lead immediately when McKillen split the posts.

The Ballymena men refused to be shaken early on. Vincent Esler raised the hopes of the travelling support with a point from 50 yards out, leaving the sides deadlocked at two points apiece after a ferocious opening 10 minutes.

However, Ardoyne soon found another gear. Despite operating in the unfamiliar territory of the forward line, Searle showed predatory instincts to slot over a neat point. This triggered a devastating purple patch for the hosts, who rattled off 1-04 without reply. Central to this dominance was Lagan, a constant thorn in the All Saints side. His precision pass found Cormac Barnes out on the sideline, who somehow converted a beautiful point from an impossibly tight angle.

All Saints clawed their way back into contention through a Damien Gillan point. A desperate Ardoyne defence then scrambled to divert a goal-bound effort around the post. That defensive stand sparked a Ballymena resurgence, as the visitors took control for the first time in the match. They rifled over five unanswered points, leaving Ardoyne to rely on two pointed frees from McKillen to stay ahead. A late, crucial point from Heaney ensured a goal separated the sides at the break.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 1-08  Naomh Uile 0-08

Any hopes of an All Saints comeback were immediately after the restart. Barnes turned provider to executioner, embarking on a blistering run along the endline before unleashing an unstoppable shot that bulged the Ballymena net.

All Saints responded with a pointed free, but their subsequent efforts to bridge the gap were severely frustrated by wayward shooting and a stubborn Ardoyne rearguard. Paul Baker was in immaculate form for the hosts, dominating the skies with a succession of towering clean catches that choked the Ballymena service line.

The definitive blow arrived twenty minutes into the second half. Micheál McGreevy found space and ruthlessly hit the net for Ardoyne’s third goal, suddenly stretching the deficit to a massive 12 points.

With the game seemingly wrapped up, the Ardoyne management emptied their bench over the final ten minutes. The mass substitutions led to an unsettled period for the hosts, sparking a spirited All Saints revival. The Ballymena men fought to the bitter end, with Magill breaching the host’s defence to score the first goal Ardoyne have conceded all season.

Despite the late All Saints resurgence, Ardoyne’s attacking efficiency ultimately proved too much to overcome. Magill added a second goal to the All Saints tally in the dying minutes, but Ardoyne held firm to secure a vital four-point victory and cement their position at the top of the table.

Full-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 3-16 Naomh Uile 2-15

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Connor O’Neill, Aran Stewart, Paul Baker, Caolan Wallace, Dean Goodall(0-01), Paschal Clarke, Paul McGuigan, Fintan Lagan, Cahal Keown, Matt McKillen (0-06,5f), Cormac Barnes(1-01), Micheál McGreevy(1-01), Paddy Heaney (1-06,1f), Cahal Clarke, Sean Searle(0-01), Pól Stanton, Diarmuid Martin, Emmet Corry, Enda Slattery, John Callinan(0-01), Michael Lee Murphy, Declan Dillon, Stephen Hill

Naomh Uile, Ballymena: Ronan McAllister, Kevin Brady, Dwayne McKee, Robert Crooks, Daniel Grey, Gary Miskella, Niall Savage, Harry Connon (0-01), Vincent Esler (0-01), Cormac Magill (2-01), Patrick Doherty(0-02,2f), Michael Connolly, Damien Gillan (0-03), Archie McGreevy (0-01), Jack Magill (0-01), Pearse Martin (0-04)

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ACHL Division 4

All Saints 4-19 Latharna Og 1-11

All Saints, Ballymena and Latharna Og, Larne served up an entertaining game of hurling in good conditions at Slemish Park in Ballymena on Sunday afternoon.

The scoreline slightly flatters the hosts with the visitors putting in a good shift but unable to match the scoring prowess of their hosts on the day.

The opening half saw the Larne men match their opponents in the scoring stake with All Saints holding a 0-9 to 0-8 lead approaching half time but a goal from Paddy Doherty just before the break saw the Ballymena head to the dressing room leading 1-10 to 0-8.

Damian Gillan, Cormac Magill, JP McGurk and Doherty had shared the point scoring for the home side while the free taking of Darren Martin, Kieran Mulvenna, Tom Clarkin, Cathal McKillop and 2 superb efforts from Ryan McDonnell, (1 sideline cut) kept the visitors very much in touch.

Indeed Latharna Og might have had a goal themselves but Ronan McAllister in the All Saints goals pulled off a good save to deny Mark Petticrew.

Damian Gillan for the home side and Ryan O’Donnell exchanged points on the restart before Paddy Doherty drove a 20 meter free to the Larne net to open up a 9 point lead by the 5^th minute as All Saints moved up a gear.

Doherty would finish off his hat trick after being set up by Damian Gillan and complete a memorable evening’s hurling with his fourth with time almost up.

In between Latharna og kept plugging away with their goal arriving through Darren Martin after 5 minutes but despite pushing hard for the remainder of the half they could not breech a tight All Saints defence, well marshalled by Dwayne McKee, the Brady’s and Daniel Gray.

Ryan O’Donnell continued to impress for the visitors with a number of excellent points from distance with Mark Petticrew and Darren Martin also on target.

It was the Ballymena side who pushed on however with Damian Gillan driving his side forward and hitting a number of fine scores and Jack Magill, Cormac Magill and Paddy Doherty all raising the white flag.

This win keeps All Saints in touch with Ardoyne at the top of the leage, the Ballymena side suffering only one defeat to date but Latharna Og’s position at the other end of the table certainly doesn’t do their performance justice and it won’t be too long before they get their first win if today is anything to go by.

All Saints: 1 Ronan McAllister, 2 Kevin Brady, 3 Dwayne McKee, 4 Aodhan Casey, 5 Fiontan Brady, 20 Gary Miskella, 7 Daniel Gray, 8 Vincent Esler, 9 Jack Magill, 10 Michael Connolly, 11 Cormac Magill, 12 Tiernan McGurk, 13 Damian Gillan, 23 Patrick Doherty, 21 Daniel McCoy.

Subs: Paddy Murphy for Vinny Esler, Finn Connon for Gary Miskella

Latharna Og: 1 Rori Millar, 2 Lee Magill, 3 Mark Petticrew, 4 Francis McCambridge, 5 Brian Rogan, 6 Cathal McKillop, 7 Eoin Walsh, 8 Ryan O’Donnell, 9 Kieran Mulvenna, 10 Ryan Millar, 11 Darren Martin, 12 Kieran McKillop, 13 Tom Clarkin, 14 Matthew Magill, 15 Dara Kerr, 19 Jim McGrann

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Glenravel)

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ACFL Division 4

Belfast Saints 4-22 All Saints 4-3

All Saints recorded a convincing 4-22 to 4-03 win over Belfast Saints, with a strong all-round display and far better accuracy in front of goal. They made a great start and took control early in the first half. Goals from Paddy Doherty, Jack Magill and Damian Gillan gave them a solid lead, and they kept the scoreboard moving with a steady run of points. Even when Belfast Saints hit the net at the other end, All Saints always had an answer. Damian Gillan led the scoring, finishing with 2-08, including six frees, and he added his second goal in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

Doherty (1-03) and Jack Magill (1-00) also made important contributions in attack, while Cormac Magill added 0-06 (one free). Further scores came from Michael Connolly (0-03), Vinney Esler and substitute Tiernan McGurk. Around the middle third, All Saints also impressed, with strong performances from Cormac Lemon, Harry Connon and Gary Miskella, who worked tirelessly to win possession and drive their side forward throughout the game. Belfast Saints led by Phillip Maguire did manage to score four goals, but they struggled badly for points, finishing with just three. That proved decisive, as All Saints’ ability to keep adding points saw them pull clear and secure a comfortable win.

ACHL Division 4

Naomh Eanna 0-8  Ardoyne 2-19

Report & Pics Brian McKee

Ciceam Ard Eoin took to the field concerned that the unbeaten start to their league campaign was at risk given the loss of a number of key players from their starting 15. However, the players on the pitch responded by stepping up their game to achieve a comprehensive win over near neighbours Naomh Eanna at a sunny Hightown.

Pádraig McGreevy opened the score for the Northenders with his first of seven points from frees, with brother, Michael following up with a point from play. The opening 10 minutes was a fairly even game, although Naomh Eanna were finding it difficult to get scores on the board with John McGoldrick pulling the score back with his first point of the day. The lack of scoring ability for Naomh Eanna was to prove fatal as the game progressed with John McGoldrick the only black and amber player to get his name on the score sheet.

Ciceam Ard Eoin took control of the game as we approached 15 minutes gone, and in truth, they never looked like they were in danger of losing. Michael McGreevy proved that he was not just a scorer from frees as he swung over a point from a tight angle on the sideline. Cormac Barnes used his speed to race through the Naomh Eanna defence but he was brought down for a penalty as he looked set to let fly. Michael McGreevy was content to send it over the bar to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Cormac Barnes got a well worked point for Ciceam Ard Eoin, but with 10 minutes left in opening half it was Michael McGreevy stamping his authority on the game as he rifled over 6 points without reply. John McGoldrick finished the half with 3 points for Naomh Eanna, but the strength of Paddy Heaney was proving too much to handle as the first half finished with the men from Ardoyne 7 points ahead.

Half time: Naomh Eanna 0-03  Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-10

The second half opened up with a point from a McGoldrick free, but any thoughts of a Naomh Eanna comeback were firmly squashed as Barnes replied with a point. Barnes was brought down for a penalty but Tomás O Córráinn produced an inspirational save to temporarily stem the black and white tide.

Ciceam Ard Eoin were now dominant and while McGoldrick did his best to keep Naomh Eanna in the hunt, the lack of a supporting crew proved too much for him to make a significant impact. Padraig McGreevy maintained the pressure with a great goal from play as he cut through the Naomh Eanna defence. Brother Michael was not to be outdone though as he came back with a goal of his own.

With 15 minutes to go, Ciceam Ard Eoin emptied their bench but the gap was too much for Naomh Eanna to bridge and it was the men in black and white who collected the two points to remain on top of Division 4.

Naomh Eanna: Tomás O Córráinn, Odhrán Matthews, Lewis Cunnie, Ronan Bradley, Brendan Cormican, Conor McAllister, Darragh Quinn, Joseph Mackin, Barra McGrath, John McGoldrick (0-11,5f), Michael McGivern, Dualtach Keenan, Jack Corcoran, Christopher Kinnear, Dónal McMullan, Eoin Jennings, Ruairi Diamond, Darrach Cooper

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Connor O’Neill,  Cormac Curran,  Paul Baker, Sean Searle, Caolan Wallace,  Dean Goodall, Daniel Moore, Matthew Crommie, Pól McGuigan, Enda Slattery (0-01), Pádraig McGreevy(1-11,7f) Diarmuid Martin, Cormac Barnes(0-03), Micheál McGreevy(1-01), Paddy Heaney (0-01), Caoimhín Holland(0-01), Fiontan Lagan (0-01), Pascal Clarke, Stephen Hill, Pól Og McGuigan, Matt McKillen, Patrick McKillen, Aran Stewart, Cahal Clarke, Emmet Corey, Pearse Hull, Michael Lee-Murphy

Referee: Lorenzo McMullan

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ACHL Division 4

All Saints 0-14 St. Gall’s 2^nd’s 1-7

All Saints recorded their third win in three games to join Ardoyne at the top of division 4 following this four point win over a battling St. Gall’s second string in Ballymena on Sunday.

All Saints turned things around with a much-improved second-half display to defeat St Gall’s after a poor first half. Both teams were wasteful early on, with All Saints particularly guilty, missing several chances including frees. St Gall’s made better use of their opportunities and, with a goal, led 1-3 to 0-3 at the break.

Damian Gillan (2) and Paddy Doherty scored for All Saints. The second half was a different story as All Saints found their range, scoring 0-11 to finish with 0-14 overall. Gillan led the way with six points (three frees), supported by Cormac Magill (2), Michael Connolly, and a long-range free from Jack Magill.

St Gall’s managed just four points in the second half and couldn’t keep up with the momentum. Sean O’Brien, a minor on his senior debut, rounded off the scoring with the final point of the game.