St. Brigid’s GAC Cloughmills Presentation evening
Category / Junior Hurling Championship
Cloughgmills come up short against Castleblaney
Ulster Junior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Ahoghill
St Brigid’s Cloughmills 2-9 Castleblaney 1-15
Cloughmills came within a strike of a ball of forcing extra time in Saturday’s Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship opening round against Monaghan champions Castleblaney at Ahoghill on Saturday.
The Biddies appeared to be dead and buried when they trailed the Monaghan men by seven points with just two minutes of normal time left to play but late goals from Liam Kearns and Corey Blair gave them hope that they could still salvage the game. The Monaghan men hit back with two points to put three between the sides again deep into second half injury time, but with just seconds left of the five minutes extra time allocated by referee James Connors the ball broke to full forward Reece Watt, but his shot was closed down and the Castleblaney men survived.
It all looked too easy for the Blaney boys when they hit 1-5 without reply midway through the second half, the goal coming from right half back Declan Hughes who finished expertly to the bottom right hand corner after being put clear. Points followed in quick succession from Thomas Hughes (2), Leo Moloney (2) and Brian McGuigan and suddenly the gap was out to seven.
The Biddies looked dead and buried, but when Liam Kearns fired through a packed goalmouth to the back of the Blaney net it gave Cloughmills a bit of hope. Two minutes into the allotted five of injury time Corey Blair added another goal and suddenly the impossible now seemed possible. The Monaghan champions never panicked and well taken points from Mark Treanor and Niall Garland put them three clear again and though Watt had a late chance the Blaney defence saw off the danger to seal the win.
Cloughmills
C McKiernan, S McKendry, K O’Boyle, S Martin, C Laverty, G Og Laverty, J Duffin, M Dobbin (0-1), O McCurdy, E Dobbin (0-3), R Laverty, L Kearns (1-0), C Butler (0-1), M Devlin (0-2), J Doherty (0-1).
Subs – Corey Blair (1-0) for J Duffin; Reece Watt for M Devlin Stephen Smith (0-1) for Conaire Butler
Castleblaney
H Byrne, P Heavin, C Merrick, B Flanagan, D Hughes (1-1), P Treanor, C McNally, C McHugh, A Kenny (c), L Maloney (0-8 …8f), F Rafter, N Garland (0-2), B McGuigan (0-1), T Hughes (0-3), Patrick Finnegan.
Subs – Zack McArdle, Nathan Adair, Mark Treanor (0-1) for Patrick Finnegan
Referee – James Connors (Donegal)
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‘Biddies’ host Castleblaney at Ahoghill in Ulster Opener
Ulster Junior Hurling Club Championship
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills v Castleblaney Hurling Club
Ahoghill-Saturday 2-00pm
Antrim Junior Hurling champions, St. Brigid’s Cloughmills open their Ulster campaign this Saturday when they face Castleblaney Hurling Club in Clooney.
The Antrim champions will go into this one as favourites following an impressive championship campaign in Antrim which culminated with victory over neighbours, Glen Rovers, Armoy in the final in Glenariffe.
St. Brigid’s began their championship campaign with a 1-19 to 0-13 win over Gort na Mona at Enright Park in the opening round of their Group 2 qualifying section and followed that up with another victory over All Saints in Cloughmills.
Six points was the margin of victory in that one and up to that point their performances had been solid rather than spectacular and it was their namesakes, St. Brigid’s Belfast who felt the lash as the ‘Biddies’ found their scoring touch in the final group game.
The Musgrave Park ‘Biddies’ would feel the full lash of the Cloughmills’ scoring machine and the South West side recorded 6-24 against the minnows of Group 2 as they hit form just at the right time as they entered the knock-out stages.
By virtue of topping their group St. Brigid’s earned a semi-final place and they were drawn against a Lamh Dhearg side who appeared to be hitting form at the right time themselves when they defeated All Saints by 6-16 to 0-14 in the quarter-finals.
St. Brigid’s had home advantage for their meeting with the Hannastown side and after Mickey Devlin had given the home side the lead with an excellent long range point it was the Hannastown side who sprung to life to hit the next four points with Odhran Waldron, Adam Murray, Michael Herron and Murray again from a 7th minute free putting them three in front and looking good.
The visitors would only add one further first half point however as Cloughmills suddenly realised they had a game on their hands and a couple of superb side-line cuts from Michael Devlin, which sandwiched an Eoin Dobbin point from play had them back on level terms by the 13th minute.
The hosts went on to lead 0-11 to 0-5 at the break with Eoin Dobbin, Reece Watt, James Doherty and Mickey Devlin from a ‘65’all on target and would go on to win comfortably in the end with Dobbin in superb scoring form and substitute Odhran McCurdy put the contest to bed with a goal in the 25th minute.
On the other side of the draw it was Glen Rovers, who emerged as St. Brigid’s opponents for the final and the Armoy side had impressed themselves as they went through group 1 unbeaten before beating Gort na Mona in Armoy in the semi-final.
The final between these neighbours and keen rivals in Waterfoot didn’t disappoint and there was little between the sides throughout but the sending off of an Armoy player in the 31st minute of the first half, following an off the ball incident and a goal from Liam Kearns, 9 minutes into the second had a major influence on the eventual outcome.
Glen Rovers came back strongly with Rocky Dillon driving them forward with Eamonn McCaughan hitting three on the bounce and Eoin O’Boyle adding another to close the gap to one by the 16th minute.
They continued to press and Owen Kinney looked in for a goal but his effort was charged down before the ‘Biddies’ broke forward and Conor Laverty struck a fine point to relieve the siege.
Back came Armoy and Turlach McBride continued with his master class in long range free taking as he split the posts from 60 meters to leave just one in it again with two minutes of normal time remaining.
That was as close as they got however with the excellent Eoin Dobbin setting up substitute Reece Watt for the game’s final score to leave Cloughmills victorious by two points in the end.
St. Brigid’s, who stepped down from Intermediate at the start of the season, are a strong and experienced side. Chris McKiernan is a reliable keeper while Kevin O’Boyle, Geoffery Og Laverty and Johnny Duffin backbone a solid defence.
Joseph Smyth and Odhran McCurdy get through a power of work at mid-field while Eoin Dobbin has been a consistent scorer, both from frees and open play and is part of a sharp attack that includes Michael Devlin, Ruairi Laverty and Liam Kearns, all potential match winners on their day.
What of Castleblaney?
Monaghan teams are never easily beaten in Ulster competitions and Cloughmills would do well to treat Saturday’s opponents with the upmost respect. Castleblaney were beaten by Inniskeen in this years Monaghan final but by virtute enter the Ulster Junior Championship while their conquerors, Inniskeen take part in the Intermediate Championship
Inniskeen 1-11 Castleblayney 0-13
Inniskeen are Monaghan Senior Hurling Championship winners for 2023 after they thwarted Castleblayney’s seven-in-a-row bid in a dramatic finish in Clones.
Niall Arthur’s haul of 1-06 proved decisive as Inniskeen won their first county title since 2016, even though the Clare native spent the last quarter on the sidelines after being sent off immediately after netting the game’s only goal.
Eight points from Niall Garland kept Blayney in touch, but they were left to rue a tally of 15 wides as they saw their hopes of a seventh successive title ended by Inniskeen, with history repeating itself after the same had happened in the 2010 final.
Castleblayney had made much the brighter start, with a brace from Garland helping them take a four-point lead, but a Pauric Dowdall penalty save [denying his opposite number, Hugh Byrne] kept Inniskeen in touch and a string of fine scores from Arthur saw them grow into the contest.
Garland and Arthur both finished the first half with six points to their name as Blayney changed ends leading by the narrowest of margins at 0-08 to 0-07.
Inniskeen again took more than ten minutes to open their account in the second half, but after a Patrick Boyle point had brought them back within two, Arthur connected with Conor McHugh’s dangerous cross to edge them ahead.
Arthur was subsequently dismissed, but with Pádraig McGahon taking over free-taking duties, he hit three crucial scores late on.
Even though Blayney managed a point from substitute Fergal Rafter and a brace by Thomas Hughes, they missed a couple of chances to force extra-time and there were jubilant scenes for Inniskeen as they celebrated a famous win.
Castleblayney: Hugh Byrne; Paudie Heavin, Colin Merrick, Eoin Leonard; Pauric Malone (0-01), Declan Hughes (0-01), Cormac McNally; Aaron Kenny, Brian Flanagan; Thomas Hughes (0-03), Niall Garland (0-07, 4f, 1’65), Patrick Finnegan; Conall McHugh, Mark Treanor, Brian McGuigan.
Subs: Fergal Rafter (0-01) for McHugh (39); Peter Treanor for McNally (57).
Castleblaney have a good recordin Ulster competitions against Antrim teams, beating Glenravel in 2016 in the semi-final and two years latewr defeating Cushendun in the final at Owenbeg.
Ulster Junior Hurling Championships were annexed by Castleblaney in 2014 and 2018, with the seniors becoming the first team from Castleblayney to play in Croke Park when they closely contested the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Club Championship Final against Dunamaggin from Kilkenny.
St. Brigid’s need to be wary of Saturday’s opponents but at their best should have enough to see them negotiate a tough opening round and indeed the ‘Biddies’ have the personnel to give the Ulster competition a real lash but they would do well to treat the Monaghan champions with the greatest respect.
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Biddies pip Rovers in entertaining final
Casement SC JHC Final
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 1-12 Glen Rovers Armoy 0-13
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills overcame the challenge of Glen Rovers Armoy to collect the Junior Hurling Championship in a robust and entertaining encounter in Waterfoot on Saturday.
Despite the heavy rain that fell for most of the morning the Oisin CLG pitch was in good order as these two deadly rivals commenced the battle for Junior Championship glory.
There was little between the sides throughout but the sending off of Armoy’s Colin Lordan in the 31st minute of the first half, following an off the ball incident and a goal from Liam Kearns, 9 minutes into the second had a major influence on the eventual outcome.
Mickey Devlin pointed Cloughmills into an early lead but Turlach McBride replied from a ‘65’ before Chris McKiernan in the St. Brigid’s goals made an excellent save to deny Owen Kinney.
McBride edged Armoy ahead from the resulting ‘65’ but Ruairi Laverty replied for the ‘Biddies’ to tie the contest with 10 minutes gone.
A great point from Trevor Linton saw the Glen Rovers hit the front for the second time and Eamonn McCaughan followed with another before Ruairi Laverty responded with his second of the contest to leave just one in it by the 17th minute.
The game was being played at a fast pace and the challenges were going in hard and fast as Owen Kinney moved Armoy two in front once more from a close range free and at this stage Glen Rovers were looking the better side and winning the majority of dirty ball.
Eoin Dobbin, from his first free of the evening pulled it back to a single score and the same player would convert two more to move his side in front for the first time with four minutes remaining to the break.
Conor Laverty replaced Corey Blair in the Cloughmill’s side before the umpires called referee Paul McSparran’s attention to an off the ball incident and after consultation the Cushendun official showed Colin Lordan a straight Red.
The final score of the opening half would fall to Cloughmills as Eoin Dobbin took his total to 0-4 with his fourth conversion of the opening half to leave his side 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the half way stage.
Glen Rovers introduced John ‘Rocky’ Dillon at the start of the second half with the former county man unable to start because of a niggling injury and he would give his side a bit of impetus as the action got underway again.
The sweet striking Turlach McBride closed the gap to one with his third ‘65’ conversion of the evening with Eoin Dobbin replying from a 60 meter free to restore his side’s two point advantage and he increased that lead to three from his fifth free of the evening after the ball was moved forward for dissent.
Trailing by three at this stage it wasn’t looking good for the men from the Glen but they replied with a massive point from Callum Coyles from all of 80 meters from goal.
However St. Brigid’s struck a deadly blow, three minutes later when a long delivery from Eoin Dobbin broke favourably for team captain Liam Kearns and he fired past Conor Devlin from close range to put his side five ahead and they seemed to be gaining control.
Glen Rovers had other ideas however and they came back strongly with Rocky Dillon driving them forward with Eamonn McCaughan hitting three on the bounce and Eoin O’Boyle adding another to close the gap to one by the 16th minute.
They continued to press and Owen Kinney looked in for a goal but his effort was charged down before the ‘Biddies’ broke forward and Conor Laverty struck a fine point to relieve the siege.
Back came Armoy and Turlach McBride continued with his master class in long range free taking as he split the posts from 60 meters to leave just one in it again with two minutes of normal time remaining.
That was as close as they got however with the excellent Eoin Dobbin setting up substitute Reece Watt for the game’s final score at the other end with Paul McSparran’s full time whistle bringing a sea of Black and Orange racing onto the Glenariff pitch.
County chairman, Ciaran McCavanagh congratulated both sides for providing an entertaining game of a very high standard on the day before presenting captain, Liam Kearns with the cup to herald scenes of wild celebration.
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills: 1 Christopher McKiernan, 2 Sean McKendry, 3 Kevin O’Boyle, 4 Stephen Martin, 5 Johnny Duffin, 6 Geoffery Og Laverty, 7 Corey Blair, Joseph Smyth, 9 Odhran McCurdy, 10 Martin Dobbin, 11 Ruairi Laverty, 12 Liam Kearns, 13 James Doherty, 14 Michael Devlin, 15 Eoin Dobbin, 17 Conor Laverty, 18 Reece Watt
Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Turlach McBride, , 3 Shane Devlin, 4 Arthur Devlin, 5 Turlach McBride, 6 Thomas Burns, 7 Liam Dillon, 8 Ciaran McKenna, 9 PJ McBride, 10 Eoin O’Boyle, 19 Colin Lordan, 12 Eamonn McCaughan, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Owen Kinney, 15 Conor Christie, 11 John Dillon, 18 Joseph McFetridge.
Referee: Paul McSparran (Cushendun)
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Little to choose between Armoy and the Biddies
Hurling takes centre stage in Antrim this weekend with finals in Junior, Intermediate and Senior with all three grades promising to produce entertaining and competitive deciders and all likely to attract bumper crowds.
The action gets underway on Saturday when close rivals, St. Brigid’s, Cloughmills and Glen Rovers, Armoy meet in the Junior final, hosted by Oisins Glenariff in Waterfoot.
Dunsilly provides the venue for the ANDERSONSTOWN SC Intermediate decider between Kickham’s Creggan and Patrick Sarsfield’s and once again we have all the ingredients for a cracker.
It’s on to Corrigan on Sunday where Loughgiel Shamrock’s, who produced something of a shock in their semi-final win over Dunloy take on a Cushendall side who recorded a resounding win over them in the Group stages.
CASEMENT SC JHC Final
1.00pm Waterfoot
Glen Rovers Armoy v St. Brigid’s Cloughmills
These two will need no introduction as Glen Rovers and St. Brigid’s have served up many tight and entertaining contests in recent years. The sides met in the Junior Feis final earlier in the year with St. Brigid’s winning that one with something to spare.
A master class of point taking by St. Brigid’s Eoin Dobbin inspired the Cloughmills’ club to Feis glory when they overcame the challenge of neighbours, Glen Rovers Armoy in the final in Dunloy.
The talented number 13 finished the game with 0-12 to his name and displayed unerring accuracy on a day when both sides missed a bucket full of scoring opportunities.
Only two of Dobbin’s total came from play but his free taking was right out of the top drawer as he struck at least three from 70 meters or more on a night when little went right for the men from ‘The Glen’.
Armoy did gain a measure of revenge when the sides met in Armoy in the league with the Glen Rovers coming out tops in that one and it will have given them confidence going into Saturday’s final in Glenariff.
From the outset of this year’s Junior Hurling Championship the smart money would have been on these two to make the decider.
Both dropped down from Intermediate where they had competed for some time and both played their hurling in division 2 for quite a number of years and they finished second and third in division 3 this year in the league behind winners Cuchulainn Hurling Club, Armagh.
The Armagh side dropped only three points on their way to the title with Cloughmill’s earning a draw in Armagh city after losing to the same side on the opening day of the league in Cloughmills while Glen Rovers inflicted Cuchulainn’s only defeat in Armoy back on the 2nd July
Glen Rovers began their JHC campaign with a win away to Davitt’s at Davitt’s Park by 0-20 to 2-11back in August and went on to beat Rasharkin by the narrowest of Margins at Dreen in their second group outing.
The ‘Rovers’ went on to top their group with a win over Lamh Dhearg, 3-12 to 2-12 in Armoy before recording a fairly comfortable semi-final win over Gort na Mona at the same venue.
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills, like Saturday’s opponents, went through the group stages unbeaten and began their campaign with a 1-19 to 0-13 victory over Gort na Mona at Enright Park.
They followed that win with victory over All Saints in Cloughmills with six points separating them from the Ballymena side and finished their group campaign with a facile victory over the namesakes, St. Brigid’s Belfast.
Like Glen Rovers, St. Brigid’s earned a home venue for their semi-final against Lamh Dhearg by virtue of topping their group and ran out convincing 1-20 to 0-9 winners in the end to set up a meeting with Glen Rovers in the decider.
John ‘Rocky’ Dillon missed the semi-final against Gort na Mona with an ankle injury and the Armoy management will be hoping the former county full-back has recovered to take his place in the final.
Late goals from Ciaran McKenna and Eoin Kinney sealed victory and a place in the Casement Social Club JHC final for Glen Rovers when they held off a spirited challenge from Gort na Mona in Armoy.
Conor Devlin will line out in goals for Armoy and has been a reliable custodian for many years while Liam Dillon, Shane and Arthur Devlin, Thomas Burns and Hugh O’Kane will all be hoping to get the nod in the starting defence. PJ McBride accompanied McKenna at mid-field last day out and Turlach McBride was a major contributor from frees with Trevor Linton continuing to put in impressive performances in attack.
St. Brigid’s have their own Mr Reliable in goals in Chris McKiernan while Sean McKendry, Geoffery Og Laverty and Johnny Duffin all impressed in defence against Gort na Mona.
Kevin O’Boyle moved to mid-field for that one from his usual defensive birth while Eoin Dobbin, Mickey Devlin and Liam Kearns gave the ‘Biddies’ plenty of options in attack.
In a tight game this could become the battle of the free takers with Eoin Dobbin in impressive form from the placed ball for the Cloughmills side and Turlach McBride showing similar accuracy for Glen Rovers in their respective semi-finals.
I don’t expect there to be much between these evenly balanced sides come 2.10pm on Saturday and it could be all down to who settles quickest on the day but I’m going to stick my neck out and predict a Cloughmills win but it could go either way.