McKeever Hotels Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship

Glenarm Shane O’Neill’s 0-24 Glenravel Con Magees 0-14

Glenarm continued their perfect start to the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship campaign with a decisive 0-24 to 0-14 victory over Con Magee’s Glenravel at Forsythe Park on Sunday. Matching the intensity of the occasion, Glenarm utilised a potent attack and a devastating second-half scoring burst to make it two wins from two, putting them in an excellent position to challenge for a straight semi-final spot

The game opened with Glenarm taking an early advantage, courtesy of points from play by Darren Hamill and Sean O’Boyle in the opening five minutes. Con Magee’s settled into the contest shortly after, with Conleth O’Loan accurately converting a free to get them on the board. The sides traded blows throughout the middle of the half as Glenravel’s Cormac McKeown and O’Loan kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors, successfully levelling the game at 0-06 apiece just after the 20-minute mark.

However, Con Magees’ parity was short-lived as Glenarm found an extra gear in the final ten minutes before the break. The home side put in a vital spurt, registering five rapid-fire points from Michael Furey, Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Daniel Black, and Ciaran Magill. A late response from Glenravel’s Rian Lennon left the half-time score looking ominous for the visitors at 0-11 to 0-07.

With the breeze at their backs for the second half, Con Magees would have felt optimistic about their chances of reeling in the four-point deficit. Unfortunately for the Glenravel men, Glenarm emerged from the dressing room with ruthless intent. The home side hit four points without reply right after the restart, including a quick score from play, another from the ever-reliable Darren Hamill, and a pair from Niall McGarel. This sudden barrage left Glenravel with a mountain to climb, pushing the scoreline to 0-15 to 0-07.

While Con Magees continued to create opportunities, inaccurate shooting cost them dearly when they needed scores the most. O’Loan and McKeown battled hard, adding to their tallies, and Nathan Unwin chipped in with a late point, but they simply could not string together enough consecutive scores to threaten Glenarm’s lead. Glenarm kept the scoreboard moving efficiently down the stretch as substitutes and starters alike found their range, with Ryan O’Boyle splitting the posts and Dylan McLaughlin adding two late points from play to seal a comfortable victory with a bit to spare. This impressive form gives them a fantastic chance of making the top three qualifiers, and they will certainly fancy their chances of securing a top-two finish to bypass the quarter-finals.

Glenarm

Michael Abram, Liam O’Neill, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Kieran O’Boyle, Ciaran Magill, Michael Furey, Paddy McAuley, Aidan Scullion, Sean McDermott, Niall McGarel, Daniel Black, Dylan McLaughlin, Darren Hamill, Sean O’Boyle.

Con Magees

1 Chris Quinn, 2 Eoin McCusker, 3 James Duffin, 4 Brian O’Neill, 5 Michael McDonnell, 6 Rian Lennon, 7 Nathan Unwin, 8 Ronan McCormick, 9 Callum Higgins, 10 Fergus Donaghy, 11 Caolan Lennon, 12 Cormac McKeown, 13 Conleth O’Loan, 14 Declan Traynor, and 15 Declan McAuley.

Referee – Ray Matthews – Rossa

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McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship

– Group 1, Round 1

Kickhams Creggan 0-24
Naomh Bríd Cloiche an Mhuilinn (Cloughmills) 0-16

Kickhams Creggan made it one win from one in Group 1 of the McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship with a hard-earned seven-point victory over Naomh Bríd Cloiche an Mhuilinn on a glorious summer afternoon in Creggan.

Played under blue skies with barely a breath of wind to influence proceedings, conditions were ideal for hurling and both sides served up an entertaining contest played at genuine championship intensity.

The final scoreline may suggest a comfortable afternoon for the home side, but that does little justice to the contribution of the visitors. Cloughmills enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the opening period and matched Creggan in terms of work rate and endeavour. However, the crucial difference between the teams was their efficiency in front of the posts.

Both sides showcased their ability to strike excellent points from distance, with some superb long-range efforts keeping the sizeable attendance entertained. While Cloughmills created their fair share of opportunities, they were unable to convert enough of them, whereas Creggan were far more economical with the chances that came their way.

Conor McCann top scored for the Kickham’s with 0-8 and Ruairi McCann 0-5, Thomas McCann, Kealan McCann, Sean McAuley and Sean Duffin contributed handsomely for the Staffordstown Road side.

That clinical edge allowed the Kickhams men to gradually build momentum during the opening half. Despite the evenly contested nature of the game, they went in at the interval with an impressive 0-14 to 0-07 advantage, a lead that perhaps didn’t fully reflect how competitive the exchanges had been.

Cloughmills emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and immediately put the Creggan defence under pressure. Their bright start suggested a comeback could be on the cards as they won good possession and carried the fight to the home side. Unfortunately for the visitors, their finishing continued to let them down at crucial moments, with a number of promising attacks ending without reward.

Michael Devlin led the Cloughmills scoring charge with a total of 0-8 from both play and frees and Ryan McFarlane, Reece Watt, Geoffery Laverty, Ryan Watson and Eoin Dobbin all raised white flags for St. Brigid’s.

Creggan, meanwhile, showed the composure expected of a side with championship ambitions. They remained patient, defended resolutely and continued to take the scores that presented themselves, ensuring they kept Cloughmills at arm’s length whenever the visitors threatened to gain a foothold.

While Creggan deserved their victory through their greater accuracy and game management, Cloughmills can take encouragement from many aspects of their display. Their ability to compete in possession and create scoring opportunities will give them confidence heading into the remaining group fixtures, though improving their shooting efficiency will be high on the list of priorities.

For Creggan, this was another polished championship performance. Their sharp shooting, disciplined defending and ability to make the most of scoring opportunities proved decisive on the day and leaves them in a strong position as the group stage continues.

Kickham’s: Cormac Rice, Jake McAteer, Aidan McKeown, Paedar McGuckian, Sean O’Boyle 0-1, Kealan McCann 0-2, Sean McAuley 0-1, Ronan McCann 0-1, Lee Johnston 0-1, Sean Duffin 0-2, Ruairi McCann 0-5, Dan Doran 0-1, Conor McCann 0-8, Kevin Rice 0-2,

Subs: Sam maguire, Aidan McIlveen, Michael Maher, Shea Devlin, Ryan McGrath

St. Brigid’s: Christopher mcKernan, Johnny Duffin, Sean mcKendry, Rian Dobbin, Kevin O’Boyle, Ruairi Laverty, Reece Watt 0-1, Ryan McFarl;ane 0-2, Geoffery Og Laverty 0-2, Stephen Smyth 0-1, Michael Devlin 0-8, Seamus Duffin, Ryan Watson, Eoin Dobbin 0-2, James O’Boyle 0-1.

Subs: Cathaoir McFerran, Jack McDowell, Conor Laverty, Conor McKendry, Aaron McGuckian, Michael Reid, Darra Watterson, Corey Blair

Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)

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McKeever Hotels IHC Group 2

Cloney Gaels 7-22 Tir na nOg 1-13

Cloney Gaels produced a performance of passion, pace and skill to brush aside Tir na nOg in this McKeever Hotels Group 2, Round 2 encounter in Cloney on Friday night.

Tir na nOg went into this one following a Round 1 win over Glenravel while the Ahoghill side lost to Emmet’s Cushendun in their opening encounter but when Colla McDonnell fired to the net for the home side in the 7^th minute there only looked like being one winner.

Their Randalstown visitors had led briefly through a Kevin Sheerin goal to go 1-1 to 0-3 ahead but Colla replied with the hosts first major, almost immediately and from there on it was mostly one way traffic.

PJ O’Connell added a second in the 10^th minute as the Ahoghill side began to find their rhythm to add to points from Diarmaid Graham, Dan O’Neill and Ronan Graham to move them 2-4 to 1-2 ahead.

Sean Duffin, almost single handed kept the Tir na nOg score board ticking from frees but the Whitehill number 20 was given little time or space from a tight marking Cloney side who had matters wrapped up by the halfway stage when they led by 4-10 to 1-5.

Colla McDonnell, who was excellent for the hosts, got their third goal and their fourth came from Ronan Graham with some of their combination play in the build-up right out of the top drawer.

It didn’t get any better for the men in Blue on the restart as Colla McDonnell set up James O’Connell for a fifth goal after Sean Duffin  had added to his personal tally for the visitors from another free.

Colla, PJ O’Connell 0-2, Dan O’Neill and James O’Connell weighed in with points to move Cloney 5-19 to 1-9 ahead by the 9^th minute with Duffin’s accuracy from the placed ball responsible for most of the visitor’s scores.

It was just a matter of how many it would finish as PJ O’Connell doubled on a dropping ball to beat Matthew Dipnel in the Tir na nOg goals and the same player got on the end of a long ball from ‘Soda’ Graham to bring his personal tally to three and move his side 7-18 to 1-10 ahead and out of site.

Both side gave game time to their respective benches as Duffin continued to excel from the placed ball for the visitors with James O’Connell and Dan O’Neill adding points for the home side.

The biggest cheer of the evening came for a point from Harry O’Donnell, the Ahoghill corner back had given another strong defensive display but in a rare forage forward he got his name on the Ahoghill score sheet.

Aiden Graham, James Magee, Bernard Graham, Eoin Graham, Dan O’Neill, Ronan Graham, PJ O’Connell and Colla McDonnell were excellent for a Cloney Gael’s side who were strong in every department while Oliver McAtamney, Caoimhin Duffin, Ciaran O’Neill, Eamon Og McAllister and Sean Duffin were best for a Tir na nOg side who never really got going.

Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Patrick Dougan, 3 James Magee, 4 Harry O’Donnell, 5 Diarmaid Graham, 6 Bernard Graham, 7 Eoin Graham, 8Eamonn Brady, 9 Dan O’Neill, 10 Patrick Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 James O’Connell, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 PJ O’Connell, 15 Owen Neeson

Subs: Conor Crossey,Ryan McPeake, Noah Friel,

Tir na nOg: Matthew Dipnell Declan Mallon Oliver McAtamney Daniel McLornan Daniel Martin Caoimhin Duffin Ciaran O’Neill Connor McCamphill Emmett Murray Tiernan Bonnes Eamon Og McAllister Sean Duffin, Kevin Sheerin Sean McKinley Caleb Smith

Subs Darragh Fegan Conor O’Neill Ciaran McCamphill Colm Duffin

Referee: Colm McDonnell (St. Gall’s)

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McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Championship

Tir na nÓg 3-10 Con Magees 0-16

Last year’s Intermediate Hurling finalists Tír na nÓg went into this game firm favourites against newly promoted Glenravel having won the Junior Hurling crown last year but with almost twenty minutes gone the visitors were ahead 0-07 to 0-01 playing into a breeze. As with last year’s final in Loughgiel, wayward shooting by the Whitehill men saw them stuggling against a team plying their trade a division below them this season. In the end goals wins games and the home side bagged two a few minutes either side of half time and with four minutes of the game remaining an attempt for a point was held up in the wind and dropped fortuitously into the Glenravel net  and that is effectively what separated the teams in the end.

It took the home side fourteen minutes to register their first point by Tiarnan Bonnes but by then Conleth O’Loan, Declan Traynor and Declan McAuley had pointed for the visitors. Glenravel would add to that tally with four consecutive points in four minutes to put them six ahead. Cormac McKeown got two of them with Caolan Lennon and Callum Higgins providing the other two. Randalstown enjoyed a dominant spell as they tagged on three points from Kevin Sheeran, Ciaran Logan and their top scorer Eamon Óg McAllister. It looked like they would grab the game by the throat at that stage but Glenravel were winning the defensive battles with James Duffin, Rian Lennon and Nathan Unwin impervious in the battle. Another defender Michael McDonald provided the score of the half from long range and Cormac McKeown followed up to put Glenravel ahead by five with three minutes of the half left to play. It was at this point that Caleb Smith pounced for TNN’s first goal and that was quickly followed by a point from Tiarnan Bonnes to leave the minimum between the sides at the break with Glenravel just nudging it 0-09 to 1-05.

On the re-start Eamon Óg McAllister goaled to put the home team ahead for the first time but Cormac McKeown reduced the gap to the minimum. Tír na nÓg were then awarded a penalty for a clumsy tackle in the square but Glenravel’s keeper Chris Quinn saved brilliantly putting the ball out for a 65 which Eamion Óg converted to put two between them again. Conleth O’Loan again reduced the gap to a single point but Ciaran Logan replied for the home side in what had become a tit for tat affair on the scoreboard.  When Cormac McKeown and substitute Luke Loughlin pointed for Glenravel they headed into the final ten minutes with both sides level. Eamon Óg and Daniel McLarnon restored the home team advantage and then with four minutes remaining the fortuitous goal dropping into Glenravel’s net from Eamon Óg sealed the deal for the home side. The same player pointed just after to put six between the sides, a lead Glenravel had enjoyed half an hour earlier.  The Glensmen finished strongly with three further points from Ciaran McCann, Cormac McKeown and Declan McAuley but they couldn’t find that elusive goal to level the match so TNN ran out winners on a 3-10 to 0-16 scoreline.

Tír na nÓg

1. Matthew Dippnall
2. Caoimhin Duffin
3. Ciaran O’Neill
4. Connor McCamphill
5. Daniel Martin
6. Ciaran Logan
7. Eamon Óg McAllister
8. Tiarnan Bonnes
9. Kevin Sheerin
10. Sean McKinley
11. Caleb Smith
12. Daniel McLornan
13. Neil Shannon
14. Dara Martin
15. Conor O’Neill

• Eamon Óg McAllister (11): 2-2
• Tiarnan Bonnes (12): 0-4
• Caleb Smith (15): 1-0
• Ciaran Logan (10): 0-2
• Kevin Sheerin (13): 0-1
• Daniel McLornan (17): 0-1

Glenravel

1. Chris Quinn
2. Eoin McCusker
3. James Duffin
4. Brian O’Neill
5. Michael McDonnell
6. Rian Lennon
7. Nathan Unwin
8. Ronan McCormick
9. Calum Higgins
10. Fergus Donaghy
11. Caolan Lennon
12. Cormac McKeown
13. Conleth O’Loan
14. Declan Traynor
15. Declan McAuley

Scorers:

• Cormac McKeown: 0-6
• Declan McAuley: 0-2
• Conleth O’Loan: 0-2
• Michael McDonnell: 0-1
• Caolan Lennon: 0-1
• Calum Higgins: 0-1
• Declan Traynor: 0-1
• Luke Loughlin: 0-1
• Ciaran McCann: 0-1

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