Category / Intermediate Hurling Championship

by thesaffrongael

5-Star Cloney maintain their place at the top

IHC Group 1

Rasharkin 0-16 Ahoghill 5-23

Cloney Gael maintained their place at the top of Group 1 after this comprehensive victory over South West neighbour, St Mary’s Rasharkin and have 5 points from 3 starts with their next outing against Kickham’s Creggan likely to decide who tops the group.

Their Saturday evening opponents were expected to push them hard but in truth this one was well and truly over at the halfway stage when the visitors led 3-15 to 0-8.

The home side never really got started with their resources stretched by a number of absentees and had it not been for net minder, Liam Tunney the damage could have been even greater.

Bernard Graham pointed the Ahoghill side ahead after 20 seconds and Colla McDonnell set up Donal Graham for the game’s opening goal with only two minutes gone.

The blistering pace and astute movement of the Cloney attack was opening up the Rasharkin defence as Owen Neeson, James O’Connell (0-2), Colla McDonnell, Dan O’Neill and O’Connell again moved Ahoghill 1-7 to 0-0 ahead by the 8th minute.

Colla McDonnell helps the sliotar over the line for his second goal of the evening & above (Featured Image) he scores his first

The pressure was relentless and O’Connell added another from a ‘65’ before Declan McKay finally opened the home side’s account with a point in the 10th minute.

McKay’s point appeared to have brought some urgency to the Dreen side and Conor McKeever pointed a ‘65’ and Donagh Quigg followed with another from play to give their side a glimmer of hope.

That hope was quickly extinguished however with Liam Tunney pulling of a couple of superb saves as the visitors tried to respond but James O’Connell added another pointed free and Conor Crossey followed from play before O’Connell set up Colla McDonnell for the Ahoghill sides second goal.

McDonnell and Fionnbar O’Neill added points before Conor McKeever pointed a long range free for the home side’s 4th point of the evening in the 19th minute.

Donagh Quigg, who was the Rasharkin outstanding attacker over the hour, added another but it only brought another decisive response from the men in Red.

James O’Connell and Dan O’Neill extended the Ahoghill lead with Conor McKeever replying from another well struck long range free but there was no stopping the Cloney juggernaut and Colla McDonnell was quickest to react after Tunney had parried a James O’Connell shot as he forced the sliotar home from close range.

Donagh Quigg from play and McKeever from another free brought the Rasharkin St. Mary’s total for the half to 0-8 but a late pointed free from the excellent O’Connell left the Ahoghill St. Mary’s on 3-15 as Paul O’Neill blew for half time.

It wouldn’t get much better for the hosts after the break but they continued to battle hard as Tunney pulled of another great stop to deny Donal Graham from the throw in before Owen Neeson pointed the visitors further ahead.

Donagh Quigg who carried Rasharkin’s greatest threat in attack

At times it looked like Donagh Quigg was fighting a one man battle in attack and he soloed through for a point in the 4th minute as Brian Og O’Neill replaced Daniel Hasson in the Rasharkin side.

Conor McMullan entered the fray for Jason McGregor in an attempt to add some urgency to the Rasharkin attack but Cloney Gaels continued to call the shots as James O’Connell added two further points from frees.

Donagh Quigg continued to provide Rasharkin’s main attacking threat and he replied with two excellent efforts at the other end but a Fionnbar O’Neill penalty conversion put the game totally out of reach with ten minutes remaining.

Quigg and McKeever kept the score board ticking but it was a matter of damage limitation at this stage and when Donal Graham half volleyed to the net for his side’s 5th major of the evening they were out of sight.

The closing minutes saw Conor McKeever and Donagh Quigg add to the Rasharkin total but the visitors continued to score at will with James O’Connell 0-2, Dan O’Neill, Ronan Graham adding to their total and Conor McKeever concluding the scoring with a late Rasharkin point.

Cloney Gaels top Group 1 with 5 points from 3 starts, a point above Kickham’s Creggan who have 4 points from 2 starts with the sides set to meet in Ahoghill on Friday the 5th September,

Rasharkin panel: 1 Liam Tunney, 2 Connor Higgins, 3 Fergus Quigg, 4 Daniel Hasson, 5 Aidan McKeever, 6 James Higgins, 7 Tiernan O’Boyle, 8 Declan McKay, 9 Connor McFerran, 10 Jason McGregor, 11 Donagh Quigg, 13 Conor McKillop, 14 Thomas McMullan, 15 Conor McKeever, 17 Brian Og O’Neill, 18 Conan McMullan,  19 Terry McGregor, 20 Connaire Donaghy, 21 Brendan Kelly.

Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Jack McFall, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Bernard Graham, 8 Daniel O’Neill, 9 Conor Crossey, 10 Eoin Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Owen Neeson, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Donal Graham, 28 James O’Connell,

Subs: 18 Patrick Dougan, Tom McGlone, Adam Mullan, Noel Friel

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

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by thesaffrongael

Emmets back in the race after win over Glenarm

ABOVE – Connlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill who scored 15 points in his Cushendun’s win over Glenarm

Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship

Cushendun Emmet’s 1-16 Glenarm Shane O’Neill’s 2-14

Cushendun Emmet’s got themselves back into the Championship race when they recorded their first win of the season by beating Glenarm in Friday evening’s Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 3 game at Pairc Mhuir Cushendall.

Emmet’s goalkeeper John V Morgan saves a penalty from Glenarm’s Darren Hammil

In a highly entertaining game, before a good sized crowd, Cushendun really turned on the style in the second half to beat the Feystown men by nine points in the end. Glenarm played really well in the first half and trailed by just four at half time, but the Emmet’s, who had free taker Connlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill in top class form, hit four of the first five points in the second half and from then on Glenarm were chasing the game. They did have a couple of chances late in the game when they were awarded a 20m free and a penalty, but the Emmet’s keeper John V Morgan was equal to both of them and danger was averted.

Niall McGarel, who had a great game for Glenarm, opened the scoring in the second minute but Cushendun came back with two in a row, the first from ‘Loaf’ McNeill free (the first of 10 he would hit in the opening half) and Sean McKay. McGarel levelled matters with a point from a sideline ‘cut’ but McNeill edged the Emmets back ahead a minute later, but things took a turn in Glenarm’s favour when full forward Daniel Black got in for a goal and McGarel added a point from a free.

Cushendun came back with a point from Calum Kilgore and two in quick succession from Loaf frees, before Glenarm got a good break as Darren Hamill’s long range free went all the way to the net. Conrad McDonnell, who had his best game in the Emmets jersey for quite a while, kept  his cool to send over a point a minute later and Loaf McNeill split the posts again soon afterwards, but once again McGarel pegged the Emmets back with well taken score. McDonnell’s second point on 18 minutes was followed by a goal from the same player exactly a minute later when he swept the ball home to an empty net after Glenarm keeper Michael Abram had made a brilliant save to deny the inrushing Conor McMcHugh.

The remainder of the half was evenly matched with Loaf McNeill and Niall McGarel getting the bulk of the scores for each side, but Cushendun had the edge going in at the break with a four point lead. (1-15 to 2-08)

Glenarm full forward Daniel Black in action against Cushendun’s Jack McKay

McNeill stretched the lead to five with a point from a 65 less than a minute after the restart, and though Ciaran Magill hit back with one from play for Glenarm, three in a row from Cushendun by Sean McKay, McNeill and Calum Kilgore put seven between the sides. The men from Feystown had a major task on their hands at this stage but they stuck at it and three in a row from Daniel Black (2) and McGaarel had the gap back to four by the end of the third quarter. However the scoring dried up for them at this stage and with McNeill unerring from frees the gap widened again, and two from Aidan Corbett and one from Conor McHugh in injury time saw them home with a bit to spare.

The Emmet’s still have a mountain to climb if they are to qualify but in this sort of form nobody will be looking forward to playing them. Glenarm are on four points and will probably need a win from their last two games against Glenariffe at home and Tir na nÓg away to book a semi-final place.

Cushendun will be bouyed by this win and will fancy their chances in their last two games, away to Cloughmills and at home to St Gall’s

Conrad McDonnell celebrates after scoring Cushendun’s goal

CUSHENDUN

John V Morgan, Mark McSparran, Sean McKay, Dominic McQuillan, Matthew McCartin, Donal O’Hara, Calum Kilgore, Aidan McSparran, Jack McKay, Conor McHugh, Archie McSparran, Colm McKeegan, Aidan Corbett, Conor Bannon, Connlaoth McNeill

GLENARM

Michael Abram, Aidan Scullion, Barry Hamill, Kieran O’Boyle, Darren Hamill, Michael Furey, John Scullion, Ciaran Magill, Niall McGarel, Blain McDermott, Ben O’Boyle, Declan McDermott, Daniel Black, Sean O’Boyle.

Referee – Mark O’Neill (Armoy)

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by thesaffrongael

McAllisters late double turns the game in Tir na nÓg’s favour

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

Tir na nOg 2-19 Cushendun 1-21

An injury time goal by Eamon Og McAllister saw Tir na nOg snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in Sunday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship second round game at Whitehill. The goal, his second in a ten minute spell, put the home side two ahead and though Conor McHugh cut the deficit back to a single point the visitors missed out on a share of the spoils when they missed a last gasp free with the last poc of the game. The win puts the Randalstown side top of their group, level on points with Oisins and Glenarm, but defeat for the Emmets leaves them needing to win their last three games, and depending on other games going their way if they are to have any chance of making the semi-finals.

Cushendun opened brightly and an early Sean McKay point had them ahead inside a minute but Tir na nÓg came back with points from the Duffin brothers Sean and Colm, plus one from McAllister. ‘Loaf’ McNeill pulled one back for the visitors but Randalstown pushed on and were ahead by double scores (0-06 to 0-03) by the end of the opening quarter.

Cushendun settled into the game a bit better during the second quarter and four points in a row from Thomas Scally, Sean McKay and Conor McHugh (2) edged them in front. Sean Duffin brought the home side back on terms a minute later but Cushendun finished the half stronger and went on to lead by 0-10 to 0-08 at the interval.

Conrad McDonnell and Conor McHugh hit the first two points of the second half to push the Emmet’s four ahead and though the Duffin brothers Sean and Colm pulled a couple back for the home side, Cushendun appeared to be firmly in the driving seat when Sean McKay grabbed a goal on 41 minutes to put the visitors six clear.

They still had a five point cushion with ten minutes left to play when Eamon Og McAllister got his first goal to set up a grandstand finish. Two from Sean Duffin in reply to once from Conor McHugh left just a point between them when McAllister struck again from close range to put the Whitehill men two clear. McHugh cut it back to a point in injury time but that was as close as they would get and Tir na  nOg held on for a vital win which keeps them at the top of the table.

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by thesaffrongael

Oisins make it two from two

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

Glenariffe 2-19 St Gall 0-16

Glenariffe were made to work hard for their victory against a very determined St Galls team who were fighting to stay in this year’s championship. Going in at halftime St Galls held a one point advantage on a scoreline of St Galls 0-11 to Oisins 1-7, and there were a few worried faces in the Glenariffe support. There needn’t have been as whatever was said at halftime seemed to have done the trick and Glenariffe outscored the vistors by 1-12 to 0-5 in the second half to win by 9 points on a scoreline of 2-19 to 0-16.

Eye on the ball! St Gall’s goalkeeper Kurtis McGreevy in action during the championship game against Oisins

St Galls took the lead in the first minute with a free from Greogory McGreevy, whose free taking was excellent and would finish with 6 points from placed balls in the first half. Glenariffe responded with an excellent point from wing half back Colla Ward, before St Galls took the lead from the excellent Ronan Crossan who finished the game with 6 pts(4 from play and 2 frees). Both free takers swapped points before Jack Hopkins finished off good work from the St Gall’s forward line to put St Galls one up again.  Calum McIlwaine pointed from distance to level things again for Glenariffe, but the home team couldn’t seem to find their rhythm, and Greogory McGreevy continued to punish them from placed balls. Brogan 0’Connor was on the end of a great run from Odhran Gillan to score a good point and when Seanie McIntosh cut in from the left hand side to goal and give the home side the lead for the first time, drilling the ball so hard that it actually went through the net. You thought Glenariffe would kick on from here but St Galls finished the half the stronger scoring five points to Glenariffe’s two, to go in a point up at halftime.

Oisins Michael Haughey in action against St Gall’s

Orrin O’Connor and Ronan Crossan swapped points at the start of the second half, before a great catch from Seanie McIntosh on the edge of the square, where he turned and rifled his second goal of the game to give Glenariffe a two point lead. Greogory McGreevy pointed from a free again to bring St Gall’s back to a point, but then the Oisin’s hit a purple patch scoring the next six points without reply to open up a seven point gap. A point each from the O’Connor brothers and four from Alex O’Boyle placed balls, the pick being from all of 90 metres.  Both teams continued to swap points and Glenariffe were unlucky not to increase their goal tally but for two great saves from Kurtis McGreevey in the St Galls nets who threw himself bravely at shots from Odhran Gillan and Alex O’Boyle. Ronan Crossan, who had now taken over the free taking duties, scored two from placed balls before the Oisins finished strongly with points from Alex O’Boyle and the hard working Orrin O’Connor after a great run from Niall Magee. The only downside to the second half for Glenariffe was the injury picked up by Calum McIlwaine who looks a doubt for the next round.

Oisins Seanie McIntosh, blocks down a St Gall’s clearance. The full-forward scored 2-02 from play in a man of hte match display

This was a spirited performance from St Galls who can take a lot from this game, particularly in the first half. Kurtis McGreevey was excellent in nets and was ably assisted by Jim O’Reilly and Jack Hopkins. Up front Ronan Crossan had a great game, Gregory McGreevey’s free taking was super and Fergus Donnelly caused problems all day.

Glenariffe may feel slightly disappointed with their first half performance but they weathered the storm to win comfortably in the end. Niall Magee had a great game in defence with David Kearney and Patrick McIlwaine putting their bodies on the line all day. Odhran Gillan and Calum McIlwaine put in a mountain of work at midfield. Alex O’Boyle had a good game up front finishing the game with 10 points ( eight frees and one 65), Orrin O’Connor had a great battle with Ciaran McCaffrey and worked hard to finish with three points from play and Seanie McIntosh was in great form scoring two great goals and two points, all from play.

Up next in two weeks’ time for St Galls is Cloughmills and Glenarfiffe face Randalstown, both games being at neutral venues.

Glenariffe

1.P McMullan 2.P McIlwaine 3.M Haughey 4. C Devlin 5. D Kearney 6. N Magee 7. C Ward(0-1)  8. C McIlwaine(0-1) 9. O Gillan 10. O O’Connor(0-3)11. N Murray 12. M O’Boyle 13. B O’Connor (0-2)14.S McIntosh(2-2)15. A O’Boyle (0-10, 8F &1 65)

Subs Used: D Kearney for B O’Connor 38min, J Kearney for M Haughey 48min, P Ward for N Murray 49min, R Leech and C Graham for P McIlwaine and C McIlwaine 52min.

St Galls

1.K McGreevey 2. A  Mackle 3. G Adams 4. O Kelly 5. E Walsh 6. J O’Reilly 7. C McCaffrey

8.D Churchill 9. J Hopkins(0-2) 10. A Mullan) 11. O McIlhatton 12.G McGreevey (0-7, 7F)                13. M Napier (0-1)14.F Donnelly 15.R Crossen(0-6, 2F)

Subs Used: E Loughran for C McCaffrey 39min, E Farrelly for A Mullan 42min

TO SEE MORE OF SEAN PAUL’S PHOTOS FRO THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

  McGarel sparkles as Shane O’Neill’s take the points

IFC Group 2

Shane Uí Neills              2-21

Naomh Brid Cloughmills       2-12

Report and Pics: Pete Hyndman

Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but for both teams this Championship match served up a very physical hard match with some great fielding, tackling, blocking, saves and excellent score taking!!

Niall Mc Garel was flawless from the dead ball slotting over 5 free’s, 1 “65”, 3 from play and was excellent in his winning and distribution of the ball. Declan McDermott working in the forward line this year had a great 55 minute’s ramming home a goal and 3 points.

Eoin Dobbin for the visitor’s had a good game with 3 free’s, 2 “65” and 2 points from play.

After an early wide by the home side, the visitors took the lead with a point from Eoin Dobbin.

A few moments later Glenarm won a free out near the sideline at the club house  end. Darren Hamill stood over the ball about 90 yards from his target. He floated in a high ball which no-one claimed and the sliotar nestled in the corner of the net. 

Niall McGarel added a point also as the home side led by three with Callum McKendry replying with a point for the Biddies a moment later.

Mc Garel was showing early intent in this match and after winning a ball at midfield he unselfishly passed to Dan Black who obliged with a nice point over Christopher McKernan’s bar before Darren Hamill, working in the half back line collected a loose ball and struck a point from distance.

St. Brigid’s replied and in the fifth minute in a crowded Glenarm box with both teams fighting for the ball, Seamus Dobbin got the vital touch and finished for a Cloughmills goal.

This was followed by a point from Cathal Mullan and with the score’s level, the hosts hit a purple patch with three points on the bounce. Dylan McLaughlin rifled over and Declan McDermott hit a nice effort and Dan Black drove over a free from 40 yards before Eoin Dobbin reduced the arrears to 2 points with a converted free.

Glenarm’s Niall McGarel showed his skill from the dead ball as he converted another free before team-mate Daniel Black rose to collect a high ball and cut through the defence before dissecting the uprights.

Eoin Dobbin continued to be the main threat for the Biddies and on the 23rd minute heconverted another free.

A few minutes later there was a bit of confusion as the Glenarm side thought they had been awarded a free, but with play continuing Naomh Brid worked the ball goal-ward before  half forward Stephen Smyth sent a rasper beyond Michael Abram.

Glenarm kept the scoreboard ticking over with McLaughlin getting a point and Mc Garel hitting another place ball effort.

With half time fast approaching the two clubs traded score’s as Seamus Dobbin hit a point for the visitors, and Niall Mc Garel pointing for the hosts.

Eoin Dobbin again pointed from play but the last score of the half belonged to Mc Garel who slotted over a free.

Shane Uí Neills 1-12     Naomh Brid   2-07

The second half belonged to the home side as they out-scored Cloughmills by  1-09 to 0-05.

Ciaran Magill hit an early score at the start of the third period for the hosts with Dobbin replying for the orange and blacks with a converted free.

Glenarm’s intensity was on show in abundance early in the second half as the score’s started to flow. McDermott shot over an excellent point, closely followed by McGarel hitting the ball with purpose for another converted free withNaomh Brid’s Eoin Dobbin slotting over a “65” On 40 minute’s

A passage of play ensued with both defences standing strong and cancelling out any threat from their opponents.

The next point came off the stick of Dylan McLaughlin who rolled a couple of tackles and sent a high speculative effort over the Biddies bar.

In the final quarter of this championship match, Glenarm raised their game once more and went on a scoring spree.

McGarel lashed over a free, and a truly majestic point from way out on the side-line from Decky McDermott all but knocked the fight out of the away team.

A few minutes later McGarel turned from scorer to provider as he broke through a tackle and had the vision to pass to McDermott who sent an unstoppable shot beyond Chris McKernan for a Glenarm major!!

With a nine point cushion the boys in blue refused to take the foot off the gas and had McGarel to thank for another couple of point’s as he hit a “65” and another score from a free.

Dobbin came back with a “65” for the Biddies but at this stage it was mere shooting practice for the Cloughmills sharpshooter.

With time nearly up Dan Black showed his intent and gathered a loose ball and split the uprights from distance.

The last two points of the game fell to Naomh Brid but at this stage they only served to put a better look on the final score-line.

For the visitors their goal keeper Chris Mc Kernan was in excellent form and pulled off at least 4 wonder saves, Geoffery Og Laverty had a good game, and Seamus and Eoin Dobbin where the main scoring threat.

The hosts had an equally great shot stopper as Michael Abram came to his side’s rescue with several point blank saves. Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Ciaran McLoughlin and Michael Fury in defence cleared a lot of the away team’s chances.

Ben O Boyle covered every blade of grass and deserved a special mention for a excellent 55 minute’s work.

Dan Black and Dylan McLaughlin took their score’s well, and Declan McDermott and Niall Mc Garel were the scoring duo who kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Both clubs are back in action in a fortnight with a Friday 22nd August evening fixture for Glenarm away to Cushendun while Cloughmills are away to St. Galls on Saturday 23rd August.

Glenarm.

1 Michael Abram, 2 Aidan Scullion, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 Ciaran Mc Loughlin, 5 Kieran O Boyle, 6 Darren Hamill 1-01, 7 Michael Fury, 8 John Scullion,9  Ciaran Magill 0-01,10  Niall 

 Mc Garel 0-09 (5 f,1 “65”) 11 Dylan Mc Laughlin 0-03, 12 Ben O Boyle, 13 Declan Mc Dermott  1-03, 14 Daniel Black 0-04(1 F),15 Sean O Boyle.

Blain Mc Dermott for Declan Mc Dermott 55 mins. Conal Ward for Ben O Boyle 56 mins. Joshua Quinn for Ciaran Mc Loughlin 58mins.

Liam Mulvenna, Aidan O Neill, Gerard Burns, Sean O Hare, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Paddy Mc Auley.

Naomh Brid

1 Chris Mc Kernan, 2 Johnny Duffin, 3 Sean Mc Kendry, 4  Rian Dobbin, 5 James Doherty,6 Geoffrey Og Laverty,  7 Kevin O Boyle, 8 Conor Laverty, 9 Odhran Mc Curdy, 10 Seamus Dobbin 1-01, 11 Calum Mc Kendry 0-01, 12 Stephen Smyth 1-00, 13 Ruairi Laverty, 15 Eoin Dobbin 0-07(3 f,2″65″), 17 Cathal Mullan0-01.

Referee: Fionntan Mc Cotter