Category / Intermediate Hurling Championship

by thesaffrongael

MacLiam’s injury stops St Gall’s in their tracks as Glenarm prosper

Antrim Intermediate hurling Championship – Quarter Final

Glenarm 2-21 St Gall’s 1-21

Glenarm secured a dramatic 2-21 to 1-21 extra-time victory over St Gall’s in the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final, overcoming a six-point halftime deficit to book a semi-final meeting with Carey Faughs in two weeks’ time.

Played in muggy, challenging conditions at Feystown, the fixture frequently devolved into a grueling physical battle rather than a showcase of free-flowing hurling. St Gall’s utilized the favorable elements in the first half to build a commanding lead, driven almost entirely by a spectacular performance from full-forward Dubhultach MacLiam.

The Milltown talisman was unplayable early on, controlling the game’s tempo and netting a penalty into the top corner after Mark Napier was fouled. Despite a Darren Hamill goal and points from Fergus Donnelly keeping the hosts in the contest, St Gall’s entered the break with a comfortable six-point cushion.

Glenarm came out firing in the second half, cutting the deficit to three within three minutes through scores from Niall McGarel, Niall Rodgers, and Daniel Black. The match quickly evolved into a tense shootout. Whenever Glenarm threatened to overtake the visitors—spurred on by excellent play from Black and Aiden Scullion in the middle of the park—MacLiam responded with precision frees and points from play. Glenarm never led during the sixty minutes of normal time, ultimately relying on a high-pressure free from McGarel deep into injury time to level the game and force extra time.

The additional period began with the teams trading points before the game’s decisive twist: immediately after striking a free, MacLiam pulled up with a hamstring injury and was forced off the field. His departure ended an incredible individual showcase of 1-16 and stripped St Gall’s of their attacking anchor.

Glenarm immediately capitalized on his absence. With the visitors’ momentum shattered, McGarel stepped up to convert crucial placed balls, while Black and Hamill commanded the outfield. The hosts’ defense firmly shut out St Gall’s in the closing stages, completing the comeback to seal their final-four spot.

Final Score: Glenarm 2-21 | St Gall’s 1-21 Venue: Feystown

Glenarm Starting XV & Scorers:

  • M Abram; B Hamill, J Scullion, K O’Boyle; C Magill, M Furey (0-1), A Scullion (0-2); S McDermott, N McGarel (0-10, 8F), D Black (1-5), D McLaughlin; S O’Boyle, N Rodgers (0-2), D McDermott, D Hamill (1-1).

St Gall’s Starting XV & Scorers:

  • S McAreavey; E Rush, M Marlow, G Adams; D Churchill, J Hopkins, A Mackel; E Walsh, O McIlhatton; F Donnelly (0-1), T O’Ciarain (0-2, 1F), S Burke (0-1); D MacLiam (1-16, 11F, 1-0 Pen), A Gallagher, M Napier (0-1).
  • Referee – Shane McDonnell (Oisins)

Shane O’Neill’s chairman Eamon Matthews presents a sponsorship cheque to the Saffron Gael before Sunday’s game at Feystown

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by thesaffrongael

McCann Points Kickhams to the Last Four

McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship

Quarter Final

Creggan 2-14 St Pauls 0-19

Saturday 26 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Creggan

Conor McCann was the toast of Creggan on Saturday afternoon as his 65th minute free proved to be the winning score in a gripping quarter final.  Despite trailing by three points at half time and being reduced to 14 men with seven minutes of the hour remaining, St Pauls had the lead in the second minute of additional time.  Creggan responded with Morgan Nelson and captain McCann having the final say as the Kickhams defeated St Paul’s to reach the last four.

This contest had a dramatic ending and felt like neither team were going to win it.  Both had chances with the scores tied at the death with composure leaving them.  It came at the end of a second half where St Paul’s and Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn came back from the brink and looked the more likely to progress.

Creggan corner forward Kevin Rice celebrates after scoring an early goal

Creggan controlled the first half with goals from Kevin Rice and Ruairi McCann while their work rate in the middle third couldn’t be faulted.  The home side were pinned back and kept scoreless for 12 minutes in the second half however and while St Paul’s hit back, Creggan came good with the winning post in sight.

Sean Munce opened the scoring for St Pauls with the game barely a minute old while the Creggan response came via a Kevin Rice major.  Rice had the presence of mind to take his shot in an unorthodox fashion to prevent the St Pauls defence from hooking him and the sliotar went high to the back of Christopher Murray’s net.

Conal Finnegan and Sean Munce split the uprights either side of scores from Morgan Nelson and Dan Doran.

Senan O’Boyle dissected the uprights to leave the Kickhams three points ahead after 10 minutes.

The home side were making light of playing into the wind but St Paul’s began to get to the pitch of the fight.  Ó Duibhfhinn with a brace of frees before Mark Munce brought parity to the sides by the 18th minute.

Ruairi McCann responded with a point for Kickhams before Nelson did the same from placed ball.

Sean Munce fired over for his third white flag of the half before Ruairi McCann scored the second goal of the quarter final.  Sean McAuley with the assist as he delivered a blind hand pass into McCann’s path and he made no mistake to give Creggan a four point lead by the 24th minute.

The home side had another chance for a major moments later with Nelson and Doran going close but a huge score from Daire Stevenson had St Paul’s within three going into the closing stages of the first half.

Both sides registered further scores from placed ball with Nelson and Ó Duibhfhinn adding to their tallies to leave the half time score 2-6 to 0-9 in favour of the home side.

With the wind at their back for the second half, Creggan were well placed and despite substitute James McDonnell opening the scoring, the home side put daylight between the sides.  Unanswered scores from Thomas McCann, Kevin Rice and Aidan McKeown in the space of four minutes had the Kickhams men firing.

St Paul’s responded superbly though.  McDonnell firing over for his first of two points before Caolan Crossan did the same to leave three between the sides.

Nelson briefly halted the St Paul’s charge with his first free of the half and fourth point overall, but the Shaws Road side found another level.  Five successive points from Mark Munce and four from placed ball by Ó Duibhfhinn had St Paul’s one point ahead with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

Creggan looked to have weathered the storm when Thomas and Conor McCann fired over scores only for Ó Duibhfhinn to restore parity to the score line in the 52nd minute.

The game took a huge swing in favour of Creggan when Lorcan Phillips saw red for a second yellow card in the 53rd minute but neither side really took the game by the scruff of the neck.  Chances came for both sides with before Ó Duibhfhinn split the posts with his seventh free in the second minute of injury time to give St Pauls the lead once again.

Morgan Nelson replied instantly and with thoughts turning to extra time, St Pauls had a massive chance to score a goal.  James McDonnell through on goal with a bit of work to do, he went low only for Cormac Rice to deny him superbly.

The stage was set for Conor McCann to have the final say when he fired over a free from distance in the fifth minute of injury time and seal Creggan’s place in the semi final and a game with Cushendun.

TEAMS

Creggan Starting XV: Cormac Rice; Odhran Hampsey, Keelan McCann, Paedar McGuckian; Senan O’Boyle, Conor McCann, Aiden McKeown; Jake McAteer, Sam Maguire; Sean McAuley, Ruairi McCann, Dan Doran; Morgan Nelson, Thomas McCann, Kevin Rice

  • Subs: Ronan McGuckian for S O’Boyle (37); Aidan Maguire for O Hampsey (41)
  • Scorers: M Nelson 0-5 (3f); K Rice 1-1; R McCann 1-1; R McCann 1-1; T McCann 0-2; C McCann 0-2 (1f); D Doran 0-1; S O’Boyle 0-1

St Paul’s Starting XV: Christopher Murray; Tiarnan Auld, Daire Stevenson, Declan Quinn; Liam Walsh, Tomás Duffin, Lorcan Phillips; Mark Munce, Caoimhin Killyleagh; Sean Munce, Sean Og McLaren, Conal Finnegan; Shea Burns, Caolan Crossan, Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn

  • Subs: Stephen Rooney for C Finnegan (HT); Gerard Maguire for T Duff (33); Declan Chapman for S Og McLaren (49); Odhran Donnelly for C Crossan (59)
  • Scorers: C Ó Duibhfhinn 0-9 (7f, 1’65); S Munce 0-3; M Munce 0-2; J McDonnell 0-2; D Stevenson 0-1; C Finnegan 0-1; C Crossan 0-1

Referee: Coly Thompson (St John’s)

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Conor McCann fires over the match winning point

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by thesaffrongael

St Gall’s book quarter-final place with win over Cloughmills

Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship

St Gall’s 0-24 Cloughmills 1-13 at Milltown

St Gall’s secured their quarter-final spot in the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship with a commanding 0-24 to 1-13 victory over Cloughmills in Round 3 at Milltown. Both sides entered the match knowing a win would guarantee progression, but St Gall’s demonstrated superior scoring depth across their forward line. Cloughmills relied heavily on the exceptional striking of centre-forward Michael Devlin, who kept them in contention throughout the first half.

St Gall’s asserted their dominance early, with Tomas O’Ciarain firing over two long-range points within the first two minutes. Cloughmills goalkeeper Christopher McKernan was forced into a brilliant point-blank save forty seconds in to deny an early breakthrough. Cloughmills quickly responded through a sideline cut from Mickey Devlin and a well-taken point from James Doherty. However, St Gall’s began to stretch the play; Mark Napier hit excellent scores from narrow angles and Dubhaltach Wilson found his range on the left wing.

Cloughmills struck a crucial blow at the 20-minute mark when Stephen Smyth found the net for the game’s only goal. Despite another impressive sideline cut from Devlin and a second outstanding point-blank save from McKernan, St Gall’s finished the half strongly to carry a 0-13 to 1-07 lead into the break.

The men from the Bog Meadows were on the front foot, at the start of the second half, with Mark Napier pointing from play just 15 seconds after the restart. Shortly after, and Aodhan Gallagher, introduced as a substitute for Daniel Churchill, added his name to the scoresheet. Cloughmills battled back with a massive free from his own 65-yard line by Devlin and another placed point from Doherty but Fergus Donnelly then concluded a well-worked St Gall’s move with a fine point from play.

The turning point arrived midway through the second half when Cloughmills’ player received a straight red card. Reduced to 14 men, Cloughmills struggled to keep pace. Dubhaltach Wilson and Mark Napier capitalized on the extra space, continuously converting both from play and frees under pressure. Cormac Sheehan chipped in with a late point to seal the comfortable eleven-point victory, putting the final score at 0-24 to 1-13 in favour of the Milltown men.

St Gall’s: 1 Sean McAreavey, 2 Eoghan McCurdy, 3 Ewan Rush, 4 Patrick Friel, 5 Gairech Mac Adhaimh, 6 Aodhan Gallagher, 8 Daniel Churchill, 9 Jack Hopkins, 10 Sean Burke, 11 Fergus Donnelly, 12 Ethan Walsh, 13 Mark Napier, 14 Tomas O’Ciarain, 15 Dubhaltach Wilson,

Subs – 17 Michael Marlow, 18 Oran McIlhatton, 19 Aaron Mackel, 20 Tom Ghee, 22 Anthony Healy, 23 Cormac Sheehan, 24 Stephen McIlhatton, 25 Aodhan McDonagh, 27 Simon Dowds, 28 Ségdae Mac Adhaimh, 29 Joshua Southern, 30 Niall Fallon.

Cloughmills: 1 Christopher McKernan, 2 Sean McKendry, 3 Corey Blair, 4 Rian Dobbin, 5 Kevin O Boyle, 6 Geoffrey Og Laverty, 7 Ruairi Laverty, 8 Ryan McFarlane, 9 Johnny Duffin, 10 James Doherty, 11 Michael Devlin, 12 Eoin Dobbin, 13 Ryan Watson, 14 Conor Laverty, 15 Stephen Smyth,

Subs – 16 Cathaoir McFerran, 17 Jack McDowall, 18 Aaron McGuckian, 19 Shemus Duffin, 20 James O’Boyle, 21 Reece Watt, 22 Dara Watterson, 23 Conor Mc Kendry, 24 Michael Reid, 29 Dean Boyle.

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by thesaffrongael

St Paul’s secure a quarter-final spot

Intermediate Hurling Championship

St Paul’s, Belfast 5-20 Tir na nÓg, Randalstown 4-9

Report and photos by Brian Hamill at Páirc Éanna

St Paul’s secured their place in the next phase of the Intermediate Hurling Championship after emerging from a hugely entertaining nine-goal thriller against Tir na nÓg, Randalstown.

The Shaw’s Road men could scarcely have made a better start. Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn opened the scoring inside seconds before Sean Og McLaren found the net after just two minutes to immediately put St Paul’s on the front foot. Further scores from Shea Burns and Stephen Rooney helped the home side establish early momentum.

Tir na nÓg responded through Oliver McAtamney and Eamon Og McAllister, but St Paul’s continued to create chances and looked particularly dangerous whenever they moved the ball quickly into their inside forward line. A goal from Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn stretched the lead before the visitors hit back in spectacular fashion.

Two goals in quick succession from Eamon Og McAllister and Sean Duffin hauled Randalstown right back into contention and ensured a highly competitive contest. However, St Paul’s answered in style as Sean Og McLaren grabbed his second goal of the afternoon and scores from Conal Finnegan, Sean Munce and Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn helped the hosts move into a 3-10 to 3-3 lead at the interval.

Randalstown refused to fold and produced their best spell after the break. Scores from Ciaran Logan and Joe McCormick narrowed the deficit before goalkeeper Kevin Sheerin struck a dramatic goal from a free to leave just two points between the teams. At that stage, momentum appeared to have swung firmly towards Tir na nÓg.

St Paul’s, though, showed impressive resilience. Substitute James McDonnell made a major impact after being introduced, firing over four points from play, while Gerard Maguire also added an important score. The pivotal moment arrived on 48 minutes when Caolan Crossan found the net, restoring a valuable cushion for the home side.

The visitors continued to battle bravely and a late free from Emmet Martin offered renewed hope, but St Paul’s always looked capable of responding. Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn continued to torment the Randalstown defence and, fittingly, substitute Odhran Donnelly completed the scoring with a late goal that sealed a deserved victory.

By the final whistle, St Paul’s had accumulated 5-20 and, despite conceding four goals, their attacking quality and strength from the bench ensured progression to the next stage of the championship. Tir na nÓg played their full part in an absorbing encounter, but St Paul’s superior firepower ultimately proved decisive.

St Paul’s scorers:
Caolán Ó Duibhfhinn 1-7, Sean Og McLaren 2-2, James McDonnell 0-4, Conal Finnegan 0-2, Odhran Donnelly 1-0, Caolan Crossan 1-0, Daire Stevenson 0-1, Stephen Rooney 0-1, Sean Munce 0-1, Shea Burns 0-1, Gerard Maguire 0-1.

Tir na nÓg scorers:
Eamon Og McAllister 2-1, Sean Duffin 1-1, Kevin Sheerin 1-0 (free), Ciaran Logan 0-2, Oliver McAtamney 0-1, Manus Smith 0-1 (free), Joe McCormick 0-1, Emmet Martin 0-1 (free).

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

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by thesaffrongael

Cloney Gaels Edge Glenravel To Keep Their Hopes Alive

McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

Clooney Gaels 2-22 Con Magees 2-16

Friday 11 September

Clooney Gaels kept their hopes alive in this year’s Intermediate championship by defeating Con Magees on Friday evening.  Six points separated the sides at the end of the hour as the Glenravel men pushed the Ahoghill reds all the way in what was a hugely entertaining contest.

Colla McDonnell top scored for the Clooney men, he would finish with 1-10 over the hour with his major coming at the exact moment his side needed some momentum in the game.  James O’Connell recorded 1-4, his goal coming early in the game but it was the second half where this game came to life.

Cormac McKeown put in a monumental shift for the Glenravel side, he would finish with 1-12 while Conor Duffin got the other goal for the Con Magees.

In truth, there was little between these sides.  Clooney Gaels were that small bit more clinical when it matter most and had more scoring threats in their team while finishing strongly to ensure the win in the end.

The Ahoghill men started the game strongly and had a goal chance in the first attack.  Conor Crossey going close before Chrissy Quinn saved his effort.  They didn’t have long to wait for their opening goal though as James O’Connell found the back of the net in the second minute for the opening score.  Ronan Graham sending the sliotar into the danger area where O’Connell broke the ball, collected and finished with aplomb.

Colla McDonnell split the uprights with his opening free in the third minute before Con Magees began to find their feet in the game.  Cormac McKeown split the uprights for the opening Con Magees score while Conor Duffin went close to a major in the next attack after Fergus Donaghy and Niall McKeown combined well in the build up.

Colla McDonnell (2) and Patrick Graham raised white flags in response to three frees from Cormac McKeown before the Glenravel man would split the uprights twice in succession from open play to leave just one between the sides midway through the half.

Clooney Gaels hit a scoring burst with six points unanswered in the space of eight minutes to put daylight between the sides.  Eamon Brady, Conor Crossey, Colla McDonnell, James O’Connell and Patrick Graham all finding their range.

Con Magees hit back by scoring their opening goal in the 24th minute.  It was Cormac McKeown who had the initial shot but the sliotar took a wicked deflection and looped over Aidan Graham in the Clooney Gaels goals and into the back of the bet.  That goal taking McKeown’s tally to 1-6 and the sole name on the list of scorers for the Glenravel men up to that point.

He would add another free to reduce the Clooney Gaels lead to three points before Colla McDonnell (’65) and James O’Connell also split the uprights in response.  Michael McDonnell fired over from distance for the final score of the half to leave the half time score 1-12 to 1-8 in Clooney Gaels favour.

It was Con Magees time to start the half brightly as they scored their second goal just two minutes after the restart.  Niall McKeown breaking the sliotar into the path of Conor Duffin and he made no mistake.

Cormac McKeown fired over a brace of points to give Con Magees the lead by the third minute of the second half.  That lead was short lived however as Clooney Gaels scored their second goal with the next attack.  Daniel O’Neill and Patrick Graham combining to leave Colla McDonnell in space and he finished emphatically.

Points followed from James O’Connell and Patrick Graham to put four between the sides again midway through the second half.

Con Magees had another sight of the Clooney Gaels goal with Fergus Donaghy bringing a top save out of Aidan Graham before Daniel O’Neill and Owen Neeson split the uprights either side of another Cormac McKeown free.

A trio of unanswered points from Niall McKeown, Nathan Unwin and a free from Cormac McKeown reduced the Clooney Gaels lead to just two points with nine minutes of the hour remaining.

Clooney Gaels responded by scoring a trio of points of their own with a brace of frees from Colla McDonnell and a free from Ronan Graham kept the scoreboard ticking for Clooney Gaels.

Con Magees kept battling with Cormac McKeown and substitute Ciaran McCann raising the white flag again but Clooney Gaels finished strongly.  Colla McDonnell split the uprights either side of James O’Connell’s fourth point of the evening to ensure Clooney Gaels took the spoils.

This was a mighty effort from Con Magees who played a number of minors, showing good signs for the future.  For Clooney Gaels their championship hopes still remain in the balance and will be hoping for a favour in the other games in the group tomorrow.

TEAMS

Cloney Gaels Starting XV: Aidan Graham; Patrick Dougan, James Magee, Harry O’Donnell; Diarmuid Graham, Bernard Graham, Eoin Graham; Eamon Brady, Daniel O’Neill; Patrick Jr Graham, Ronan Graham, Conor Crossey; Colla McDonnell, James O’Connell, Owen Neeson

  • Subs: Donal Graham for O Neeson (50)
  • Scorers: C McDonnell 1-10 (1’65, 6f); J O’Connell 1-4; P Graham 0-2; R Graham 0-2; E Brady 0-1; D O’Neill 0-1; C Crossey 0-1; O Neeson 0-1

Con Magees Starting XV: Chrissey Quinn; Eoin McCusker, Odhran Kerr, Brian O’Neill; Michael McDonnell, Rian Lennon, Nathan Unwin; Ronan McCormick, Calum Higgins; Fergus Donaghy, Ciaran Laverty, Cormac McKeown; Conor Duffin, Odhran McAleenan, Niall McKeown

  • Subs: Ciaran McCann for O McAleenan (37); Conor Laverty for F Donaghy (45); Luke Loughlin for C Higgins (50); Conleth O’Loan for M McDonnell 53)
  • Scorers: Cormac McKeown 1-12 (1’65, 6f); C Duffin 1-00; M McDonnell 0-1; N McKeown 0-1; N Unwin 0-1; C McCann 0-1

Referee: Terry Reilly (Gort na Mona)

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