ACHL Division 4

Ardoyne 0-23 St. Brigid’s 1-20

This highly anticipated top of the table clash at Fennell Park between Naomh Bríd and Ciceam Ard Eoin was an entertaining encounter, without ever really igniting for the gathered crowd. Twenty nine scores coming from frees in what was never an over physical encounter tells a tale.

The game got off to a good start with the home side firing ahead with a point from Matt McKillen. James Kelly soon replied for Naomh Bríd with his first of ten points from frees in the opening half. While Kelly will be pleased with his contribution, Naomh Bríd will reflect that not a single point of their scores came from opening play.

Ciceam Ard Eoin scored four points from open play in the first half but the continual stoppages in play prevented either side getting anything resembling a rhythm into their play. Patrick McGreevey for Ciceam Ard Eoin also had his signs lined up, managing to pick up seven scores from frees along with two from open play.

The opening half came to an close with only two points between the two sides and the crowd looked forward to a more free flowing second half.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-11 Naomh Bríd 1-10

Kelly opened up the second half scoring for Naomh Bríd with another point from a free before Cormac Barnes struck the sliothar over the bar following a clever free from McGreevy. Oisin McDonnell came more into the game for Naomh as the second half progressed and picked up three points from play.

McGreevy was the target man for Ciceam Ard Eoin with Paddy Heaney increasingly making his presence felt, but they were frustrated by the free count that continued to mount in the second half.

The sides were never far apart and Ciceam Ard Eoin drew the gap even tighter as the game entered its final quarter. They sensed the win that would bring them level with Naomh Bríd but were let down by a lack of discipline that saw their numbers reduced and were unable to overcome the disadvantage of a player short.

The excitement increased in the final 10 minutes as it was clear that this was anyone’s game. The sides were nip and tuck and while Ciceam Ard Eoin drew level they were unable to press ahead. Both sides had opportunities to win this match, but neither will be too disappointed as a draw was a fair result on the day.

Full-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-23 Naomh Bríd 1-20

Ciceam Ard Eoin:   Conor O’Neill, Sean Searle, Caolan Wallace, Eamonn Mac Lochlainn, Dan Moore, Martin McLaughlin, Christopher McShane, Piarais Hull, Paul McGuigan, Aran Stewart (0-01), Paddy Heaney (0-04), Matt McKillen (0-01), Enda Slattery, Fionntain Lagan, Padraig McGreevy (0-13, 11f), Cormac Barnes (0-03), Kealan McCallan, Fiachra McVicker, JP Agnew, Cahal Clarke, Stephen Hill, Micheál McGreevey (0-01)

Naomh Bríd: Michael Burke, Peadar Middleton, Garrett Gilleece, Jack Massingham. Jack Pardy, Conor McElhatton, Peter Heaney, Niall Murtagh, James Kelly (0-16, 13f) Donncha McGurk, David Prenter (0-01), Cuan Polley, Oisin McDonnell (1-03), Brian McGurk, Owen McCarney, Matthew Madden, Finlay Blockley, Oliver Liggett, Dara Sidebottom, John McGuckian, Chris Lundy, Pearse

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ACHL Division 4

Ciceam Ard Eoin 5-16 Rossa 1-14

After a poor opening day display against Belfast Saints, Ardoyne got their season back on track with a determined and skilful display against O’Donovan Rossa at Fennell Park. Both sides entertained the gathered crowd with a very competitive game played in a good spirit in which both sides had their periods of domination. 

The afternoon began with the teams holding a Minute’s Silence in memory of the tragic loss of Fionnuala Walsh from the Rossa community.

Rossa were first to get the scoreboard ticking over with a point from Jim Close in opening minute. Ardoyne were quick to respond with a Cormac Barnes making his presence known for Ardoyne with a nice pass to Paddy Heaney who duly dispatched the sliothar over the bar. The in-form Padraig McGreevy eased Ardoyne ahead only to see Niall May bulge the net for the men from the West.

With 10 minutes gone and opening exchanges over, Ardoyne began to dominate with McGreevy and Barnes causing havoc in the Rossa defence. The Falls Road men stuck with Ardoyne and finished the half with two consecutive points to leave 7 points between the sides at half-time.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 2-10 Rossa 1-06

It was the men from the West who came out the blocks strongly as the second half got underway. They dominated the first 15 minutes of the half with Conor O’Neill knocking over points from both play and frees that saw Rossa put 8 points on the scoreboard to only one point in reply from Ardoyne.

Rossa had by now reduced the deficit to 2 points. Paddy Heaney stepped up for the Ardoyne men, and along with the growing influence of Aran Stewart and the accuracy of McGreevy, Ardoyne regained the imitative and scored 3-03 without reply in the final 15 minutes. Cormac Barnes had one of his best displays in the Ardoyne jersey, finishing with 2-02 to his credit, including an inspirational overhead strike that somehow ended up in the Rossa net.

A great display of hurling from both teams with each one learning much that will benefit them as the season unfolds.

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Connor O’Neill, Sean Searle, Paul Baker, Cormac Curran, Dan Moore, Caolan Wallace (1-0), Paul Mcguigan, Piarais Hull, Dean Goodall, Paddy Heaney (0-01), Matt McKillen, Aran Stewart (0-04), Cormac Barnes (2-02), Padraig McGreevy (2-09, 6f), Diarmuid Martin, Enda Slattery, Eamonn MacLochlainn, Cahal Clarke, Stephen Hill, Martin McLaughlin, Fiachra McVicker, David Saunders, Paul O’Halloran

O’Donovan Rossa: Niall Crossan, Setanta McDonald, Andrew McLean, Conall Shortt, Fiachra McDonald, Niall Devlin, Adam Devlin, Conor O’Neill (0-08, 6f), Matthew McKernan (0-01), Conor Rocks, Michael Murray, Jim Reynolds, Niall May (1-02), Michael Close, James Close (0-03, 1f)

 Referee: Niall Clifford

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ACHL Division 4

All Saints 4-15 Shane O’Neills 0-9

All Saints got their 2025 season up and running after a disappointing opening day two point defeat to St Brigid’s. They proved too strong for a Shane O’Neill’s second string who have joined the all county leagues this year.

With the breeze at their backs All Saints started strong opening up a five point lead mainly through three back to back points from Daniel Kelly. Glenarm to their credit were contesting every ball and pulled back the lead with a string of scores of their own.

The pace of Cormac Magill and Eoin McGuigan were causing the Glenarm defence major problems and along with points from Ronan McAllister they opened up a 0-11 to 0-5 lead at the break.

The introduction of Darach Bradley at the break was a major boost for the Ballymena side.  Playing into the wind he contributed 2-2 with his direct running opening holes in the home sides defence.

Bradley was also fouled for a penalty which Eoin McGuigan dispatched to the net before Cormac Magill scored the last goal of the game late on.  

All Saints: Ciaran Cassley, Kevin Brady, Paddy Murphy, Dwayne McKee, Archie McGreevey, Eoin McAllister, Dan Gray, Harry Connon, Jack Magill, Eoin McGuigan (1-4), Ronan McAllister(0-2), Niall Savage, Dan Kelly(0-3), Cormac Magill (1-4), Michael Connolly Subs Darach Bradley(2-2) Vinney Esler, Luke Walsh, Finn Connon, Diarmuid Casey, Dan McCoy

ACHL Division 4

All Saints 2-16 St Brigids 3-15

St Brigid’s made a bright start in Ballymena on Sunday when they faced All Saints with James Kelly pointing them into an early two point lead before Dan Kelly hit back with an opening score for All Saints.

Points were traded in a tightly contested first half with Kelly adding to his total and Magill, Gillan and McGuigan keeping the scoreboard ticking at the other end. A mix up in the All Saints defence let Conor McElhatton in for the first goal of the game restoring his sides lead.

Saints finished the half well as a strong run from McGuigan saw him finish to the net before Dan Kelly turned his marker and raised a green flag moments later giving his side a 2-07 to 1-09 lead at the half time whistle.

The second half started with both sides trading scores before two quick fire goals from St Brigids gave them a lead they wouldn’t surrender. John McGuckian pulling on a loose ball and Fintan Cleary doing the same moments later.

The Ballymena men hit a purple patch and a string of points from Magill, Kelly and Dan Gray had them back within touch but Kelly added to his tally and the Belfast men held on for a two point win  

All Saints: (1) Ciaran Cassley (2) Kevin Brady (3) Dwayne McKee (4) Finn Connon (5) Dan Gray (0-1) (6) Eoin McAllister (7) Archie McGreevey ( Harry Connon (9) Jack Magill (10) Eoin McGuigan (1-3) (11) Jack McAlister (12) Niall Savage (13) Damian Gillan (0-7 0-5 frees) (14) Cormac Magill (0-2 0-1 free) (15) Dan Kelly (1-2)  

Subs: Vinney Esler Michael Connolly Dan McCoy Diarmuid Casey Luke Walsh          

St. Brigid’s (1) Michael Burke (2) Dara Sidebottom (3) Chris Lundy (4) Ollie Leggett (5) Jake Massingham (6) Tiorealach Brolly (7) Jack Pardy ( Michael Kerr (0-1) (9) Peter Heaney (10) James Kelly (0-10 6 frees) (11) John McGuckian (1-0) (12) Phelim Lennon (13) Conor MacElhatton (1-0) (14) Pearse Hamill (15) David Prenter (0-1)  

Subs: Fintan Cleary (1-2 0-2 frees) for Pearse Hamill Cuan Polley for Dara Sidebottom Oisin McDonnell for John McGuckian

Division 4 Round Up

In the other games played on Sunday Loch Mor Dal gCais recorded a fine 3-23 to 4-8 win over St. Paul’s 2nd’s,  Belfast Saints had a goal to spare in a tight 2-11 to 1-11 win over Ardoyne while Rossa’s second string defeated Glenarm 2^nd’s 5-18 to 3-6

ACHL Div3/4 Promotion/Relegation playoff

Na Magha 0-21 Davitt’s 1-15

Some days you set off to cover a game with no great expectations. Sunday was one of those days but thank God I was appointed to cover Na Magha and Davitt’s at Dunsilly.

Division 3 survival was the prize for the Derry City side – promotion from division 4 was the prize for the men from West Belfast and what an entertaining hour’s hurling these two excellent combatants produced.

Na Magha made the early running at Dunsilly and for 13 minutes of the opening half looked like the side who had been playing their league hurling at a higher level as they sprayed the ball around with great accuracy.

They opened with points from Padhraig Nellis and Deaglan Foley but Davitt’s responded with a pointed free from Donn Whelan and another from play from Jay Maguire to draw level with five minutes gone.

Slowly though the greater accuracy of Na Magha began to tell and they would hit four on the bounce through Keelan Doherty 0-2, Aaron Campbell and a superb effort from Mark McCloskey.

At this stage the Derry side had hit half a dozen wides and it looked like those misses might come back to bite them as a dogged Davitt’s started to deny them space and time as they slowly clawed their way back into the game.

Free specialist, Donn Whelan began the comeback and Jay Maguire followed with another before Alan Grant in the Na Magha goals brought off a good save to deny Anthony Rowntree.

Whelan from another free and Marcas Toner closed the gap to two and the momentum had changed dramatically as Davitt’s began to get on top and a pointed ‘65’ from Whelan and two more from Jay Maguire saw the Falls Road side hit the front by the 24^th minute.

Michael Davitt’s were now calling the shots as Grant again came to Na Magha’s rescue with another splendid stop to deny Anthony Rowntree as Na Magha continued to add to their wide count at the other end.

Deaglan Foley finally found the target with the Derry side’s first point in 15 minutes to level the contest but the final score of the half would fall to ace free taker, Whelan who edged his side to a 0-8 to 0-7 lead at half time with a superb effort from 70 yards.

Fifteen seconds into the second half Colm McKee brought a loud roar from the big Davitt’s followers who had made their way to Dunsilly and a Na Magha side who had disappeared looked badly in need of some inspiration.

The excellent Deaglan Foley got them up and running again from a free in the third minute and this score seemed to settle them as points from Mark McCloskey and Ryan Adams saw them retake the lead by the 7^th minute.

Donn Whelan brought it level once more as he sent over from play at the other end but Na Magha had found their rhythm again as Padhraig Nellis and Tomas Gallagher split the posts.

Stephen McGivern closed the gap to one again and Foley and Whelan exchanged further points to leave just one in it with ten minutes remaining and it still looked anybody’s game.

The Derry City men found another gear at this stage however with the free taking of Deaglan Foley proving vital as they began to assert control. Foley converted three frees and Padhraig nellis and Keelan Doherty were all on target with Davitt’s only reply coming from a Donn Whelan free as Na Magha moved five ahead with six minutes remaining.

Davitt’s were still battling and Anthony Rowntree pointed before Alan Grant pulled off another good save to deny Cormac Maguire with Ryan Adams and Foley responding with another converted free to put the contest out of reach.

The Belfast men continued to battle to the end and were finally rewarded for their effort when Colm McKee finally found a way past the excellent Alan Grant but it will be Na Magha who will be playing their hurling again in Division 3 of the Antrim league next season while an excellent Davitt’s will reflect on what might have been..

Na Magha: 1 Alan Grant, 2 Odhran Clenaghan, 3 Conor Murphy, 4 Aaron Campbell, 5 Oisin Glass, 6 Daniel Doherty, 7 Mark McCloskey, 8 Padhraig Nellis, 9 Ruaidhri McLaughlin, 10 Adam Cutliffe, 11 Deaglan Foley, 12 Ryan Adams, 31 Keelan Doherty, 14 Timothy Rankin, 15 Tomas Gallagher.

Davitt’s: 1 Gearoid Cosgrove, 2 Jason Park, 3 Thomas Toland, 4 Caoinhin Rainey, 5 Peter Og Carelton, Caoimhin Heaney, 7 Deaglan Mooney, 8 Michael Og Rowntree, 9 Colm McKee, Marcas Toner, 11 Stephen McGivern, 12 Donn Whelan, 13 Jay Maguire, 14 Anthony Rowntree, 15 Christopher Gallagher.

Referee: Niall Clifford (Armagh)

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