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.
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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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.
All Saints secured a solid win over St Paul’s Reserves, though it was far from a polished performance overall. Playing against the wind in the first half, All Saints worked hard to gain a foothold in difficult conditions.
While the play was often scrappy, they were clinical when chances came their way. Goals from Michael Connolly and Cormac Magill proved key in building a lead. Further scores came from Eoin McGuigan and Pearse Martin, while Damian Gillan added a free in the first half.
Despite not being at their fluent best, All Saints went in at the break with a strong 2-7 to 0-6 advantage. Defensively, All Saints had some standout performers. Robert Crooks, Archie McGreevey and Finn Connon were particularly strong, dealing well with the conditions and limiting St Paul’s to chances from distance.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, All Saints never fully hit top gear but remained in control. One of the standout moments was a superb long-range point from Gary Miskella, splitting the posts from his own half.
The introduction of substitute’s added energy late on, with Patrick Doherty making a big impact and finishing with 2-1 to put the result beyond doubt.
St Paul’s Reserves, who were also fielding minor and senior teams on the same day, played well throughout and showed plenty of endeavour. However, their shooting let them down at key moments, with a number of missed chances preventing them from really closing the gap.
In truth, it wasn’t a flowing display from All Saints, but they showed resilience, defended well, and took their chances when it mattered most.
While this was not a game that will live long in the memory, Ardoyne headed back across the city with both points secured from this Div 4 Hurling League fixture. The opening half was dominated by the Northenders with Patric McGreevy leading the way in collecting the scores.
Two early scores from play from McGreevy set the tone for the rest of the half with St Galls finding it difficult to stay in touch. Stephen McIlhatton though put over St Galls opening point, with Odhran Delany following up with an exquisite point from a tight angle. The rest of the first half was dominated by an Ardoyne team that despite keeping a healthy lead, never really got themselves into top gear.
Ardoyne kept the scoreboard ticking over and by the 15th minute were 8 points ahead. Goals from Cormac Barnes and Caolan Wallace threatened to overrun a St Galls side that were finding it difficult to get a handle on this game.
Half-Time: Naomh Gall II 0-05 Ciceam Ard Eoin 2-08
The second half did not prove to be as one sided, with St Galls matching the Ardoyne men on the field. Despite this, they were let down by wayward shooting that saw them missing opportunities to put any meaningful pressure on Ardoyne.
It was 10 minutes before they eventually got their first score of the second half but they will be encouraged in that they held Ardoyne to a total of 4 points in the second half. Although Ardoyne never looked in danger of losing this game, they will be disappointed in their second half scoring ability and their inability to stamp their authority on the game.
The frustration of both teams was evidenced in the number of frees awarded. However, Ardoyne will be pleased with two points secured, while St Galls will be hoping for a better display in the next game away to All Saints.
Naomh Gall: Lorcan O’Ciarnan, Stephen McIlhatton(0-01), Michael McMullan, Maghnus Dunne, Ciaran McCaffrey, Anto Healy, Simon Dowds, Tiernan McAleenan, Aodh Mullan, Josh Southern (0-05, 3f), Tom Ghee, Mark McArevey, Paul Loughran, Odhran Delany(0-02), Dylan Meighan, Adam O’Hare, Caoimhin Pierce
Ciceam Ard Eoin: Connor O’Neill, Cormac Curran, Paul Baker, Dean Goodall, Paddy Heaney, Pascal Clarke, Matthew Crommie, Pól McGuigan, Diarmuid Martin, Patric McGreevy(0-06, 3f), Matt McKillen(0-02), Cormac Barnes(1-0), Caolan Wallace(1-0), Micheál McGreevy(0-03), Patrick McKillen, Pól Og McGuigan(0-01), Sean Searle, Enda Slattery, Aran Stewart, Cahal Clarke, Emmet Corey, Stephen Hill, Pearse Hull, Fiontan Lagan, Michael Lee-Murphy
Referee: Hugh Torney
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