Junior B Hurling Championship

Loughbeg Harps 1-8 Kickham’s Ardoyne 4-22

New boys Loughbeg Harps faced a baptism of fire in their Junior B Hurling championship opener against division 4 league winners, Ardoyne at Dunsilly on Friday night.

They came up against a side high on confidence following that successful league campaign and the North Belfast side took early control to put the game out of reach of their opponents from early in the game.

Goals from Patrick McGreevey in the first and seventh minutes and another from Dean Goodall in the 8^th minute put the Kickham’s in a strong position with Goodall, Pearse Hull 0-2 and Daniel Moore adding points.

Loughbeg were giving it everything to contain their rampant opponents and Gary Murray, Ben McLarnon and Brian McManus replied with points but they were finding it difficult to break down a strong Ardoyne defence.

A fourth goal from Jim Og McAuley with 16 minutes on the clock and a flurry of points from Daniel Moore 0-4, Christopher McShane, Oisin McVicker and Jim Og McAuley had Ardoyne out of sight at the break when they led 4-11 to 0-6.

Francis Berry and two from Seanchan Duffin 0-2 were the other first half scorers for the new boys.

The goals dried up in the second half as Loughbeg tightened up in defence after the break but the points continued to flow for the league winners with Daniel Moore, Oisin McVicker 0-2, Patrick McGreevey and Michael McGreevey all on target by the 40^th minute.

Sean Boyd briefly interrupted the onslaught with a good point for the Harps but even at this stage they were fighting a limitation battle with Ardoyne refusing to take their foot of the pedal.

McVicker would add three more to bring his personal tally for the evening to 0-6 with Michael McGreevey, Matt McKillen, Christopher McShane and Aran Stewart concluding the Ardoyne scoring.

Loughbeg never gave up and battled manfully against overwhelming odds and they were rewarded for their efforts when Brian McManus got in for a consolation goal with time almost up.

A harsh lesson for Loughbeg Harps but one they can learn from as they go into their second game against Belfast Saints on Friday 18^th August while Ardoyne will face a stiffer test against Loch Mor dal gCais at Mallusk on the same night.

Loughbeg Harps: 1 Francis Boyd, 2 Gary Maybin, 3 Diarmuid Scullin, 4 Paul Quinn, 5 Rory Taggart, 6 Paul McChrystal, 17 Damian Carroll, 8 Gary Murray, 9 J O’Loughlin, 10 Seanchan Duffin, 11 Brian McManus, 12 Sean Boyd, 13 Ben McLarnon, 14 Fergal McConnon, 18 Francis Berry, 19 Ciaran Martin, 20 Mark Wash, 21 Mark Walsh, 21 Shane McGinty, 30 Ronan Devlin

Ardoyne: 1 JP Agnew, 2 Pascal Clarke, 3 Paul Baker, 4 Cahal Clarke, 5 Sean Searle, 6 Caolan Walsh, 7 Christopher McShane, 8 Dean Goodall, 9 Paul McGuigan, 10 Daniel Moore, 11 Micheal McGreevey, 12 Pearse Hull, 13 Patrick McGreevey, 14 Oisin McVicker, 15 Jim Og McAuley. 17 Aran Stewart, 18 Matt McKillen, 19 Cathal Keown, 23 Cormac Barnes, 25 Stephen Hill

Referee: Colin Thompson

JHC Group 1

Davitt’s 2-11 Armoy 0-20

Glen Rovers, Armoy withstood a late rally from Michael Davitt’s at Davitt’s Park on Friday night to collect the hard earned points in the Junior Hurling Championship, Round 1 opener.

At different stages of the game the North Antrim visitors looked like they were taking control but in each instance Davitt’s came back strongly and will be disappointed that they did not take something from the game.

The early exchanges were fairly even with John Rocky Dillon pointing Armoy ahead from a ‘65’ in the opening minute and Colm McKee replying with a point from play.

Dillon edged the visitors in front once more before Jay Maguire brought the sides level for the second time with a point in the 5^th minute.

The end to end exchanges continued as PJ McBride and Rocky Dillon from a ‘65’ edged Armoy two in front but again Davitt’s found a response with Peter Carleton and Jay Maguire sending over two excellent scores.

There had been little between the sides going into the second quarter but suddenly Glen Rovers found another gear and they hit six unanswered points through John Dillon, Trevor Linton (f), Eamonn McCaughan, Linton again, PJ McBride and Thomas Burns by the 20^th minute and looked in complete control.

Davitt’s were struggling but they came back with a goal when Caoimhin Rainey fielded a long searching ball and his shot across goal was blocked by Peter Carleton was on hand to apply the finishing touch and breathe new life into the home side.

Trevor Linton converted three frees for Armoy during the closing stages of the half with the excellent Marcas Toner striking a couple of fine points for the home side to leave it 0-13 to 1-7 in favour of Armoy at the change of ends.

Emmet O’Hara replaced Conor Christie in the Armoy side while Michael Rowntree came into the Davitt’s attack early in the second half and again Armoy looked like they gaining the upper hand with Trevor Linton, Rocky Dillon, Arthur Devlin and Linton from a free moving them six ahead in a low scoring third quarter.

Marcas Toner then saw his free come back off an upright as the home side continued to waste chances before side stepping a couple of markers and sending over the best score of the game with six minutes remaining.

Davitt’s were still battling hard for every ball and Caoimhin Rainey finally opened their second half account with a point in the 19^th minute but this was quickly cancelled as PJ McBride replied for the Armoy men.

The visitors replied through Emmet O’Hara to move seven ahead and they looked to have done enough but they failed to deal with a Marcas Toner free which dropped invitingly for Cormac Maguire who drilled it first time to the net.

Suddenly it was back to four and substitute Deaglan Mooney followed from a free to leave just a goal between the sides and the momentum was now very much with the home side.

Another Mooney converted free cut the gap further with time almost up but an Emmet O’Hara point from a breakaway eased Glen Rovers three ahead once more and despite a frantic late finish from the home side, that’s how it finished.

Davitt’s: 1 Antoin McLauglin, 2 Odhran Gorman, 3 Thomas Toland, 4 Thomas Carson, 5 Jason Park, 6 Stephen McGivern, 7James McNally, 8 Peter Carleton, 9 Caoimhin Heaney, 10 Cormac Maguire, 11 Colm McKee, 12 Jay Maguire, 13 Caoimhin Rainey, 14 Chris Cunningham, 15 Marcas Toner

Subs: 17 Michael Rowntree, 19 Deaglan Mooney

Armoy: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Arhur Devlin, 3 Shane Devlin, 4 Joseph McFetridge, 5 Hugh O’Kane, 6 Thomas Burns, 7 Liam Dillon, 8 Ciaran McCormick-McKenna, 9 PJ McBride, 10 Eoin O’Boyle, 11 John Dillon, 12 Eamonn McCaughan, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Colin Lordan, 15 Conor Christie, Subs: Timmy Burns, 21 Emmet O’Hara

Referee: Chris Brown (St. Paul’s)

Ulster Junior Hurling Club Final

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm v Setanta Donegal

Celtic Park (Derry) Sunday 1.45pm

Antrim Junior Hurling champions, Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm are one step away from Ulster glory. On Sunday they face Setanta of Donegal in the Ulster final at Celtic Park Derry and it is a final the Feystown side are more than capable of winning.

Shane O’Neill’s have had a wonderful season in Antrim, gaining promotion from division 3 as league winners and going through their league programme with only one defeat in 11 starts. They carried that good form into the Junior Championship which was ran in a group forum before progressing to a knockout stage.

Shane O’Neill’s topped their group which earned them a home draw against Glen Rovers, Armoy, a side they had already defeated in league and championship, and were given a tough game in Feystown before their bit of extra class saw them through to the Antrim final where they met St. Mary’s Rasharkin.

Glenarm produced a strong finish to finally banish their junior championship hoodoo.  Eight points separated the sides at the end of the hour as the Shane O’Neill’s saw off the dogged resistance of Rasharkin in the final quarter. It was the Glenarm men’s first junior title in 65 years, though they have won Intermediate and Intermediate Reserve titles in the interim, but the junior had eluded them.

It was on to Ulster and a trip to Ennis keen where Pat O’Neill’s side faced Monaghan’s Carrick across in the quarter-final and, despite conceding an early goal proved too good for the Monaghan side.

Glenarm produced a performance of awesome scoring power and intensity to sweep aside the challenge of their opponents to progress to the semi-final.

Team captain, Darren Hamill and Ciaran Magill led the way for the Antrim champions and their intensity and ability to grab goals saw them run home fairly comfortable winner as they hit an impressive 4-27 on the day to set up a semi-final meeting with Sean Treacy’s of Kurgan.

Egham Road Hurling Club in Duncannon was the venue for the semi-final and Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm produced another strong performance to overcome the challenge of a determined Sean Treacy’s, Kurgan to advance to the final.

The Antrim Champions led 0-12 to 0-6 at half time thanks to late points from Darren Hamill and Kevin O’Boyle but looked in a bit of trouble early in the second half when Sean Treacy’s ace marksman, Danny Magee pointed a couple of early frees and Tam McKavanagh added another from play to close the gap to three points after 6 minutes.

It was as close as the Armagh champions got however and when Kieran O’Boyle kicked the sliotar to the Treacy’s net, three minutes later after being placed by Ciaran Magill, the Feystown side never looked back.

Shane O’Neill’s went on to win by 1-20 to 0-12 and now face Donegal champions, Setanta where they are likely to face their toughest challenge to date.

Setanta were crowned 2022 Donegal Senior Hurling Champions with a five point win over Burt in extra time at O’Donnell Park Letterkenny. In normal time, the Inishowen side recovered twice to keep the game tight when the men from the Cross threatened to pull away. Four points in succession had Setanta leading 0-6 to 0-3 coming up to the break but Burt rallied to pull it back to 0-6 to 0-5 at half time.

In the opening exchanges of the second half, Setanta again looked to be establishing a winning platform, leading by 0-10 to 0-6 after 30 minutes but once again Burt recovered. A shock appeared on the cards when Man of the Match, and scorer of 13 points, Liam McKinney put Burt 0-12 to 0-11 ahead as the game entered the last five minutes. Declan Coulter, a man of the match contender himself with eight points and an all-round impressive display, levelled the match on the stroke of full-time and Danny Cullen followed up with a majestic score to give the Killygordon side the lead. Consistent with their never-say-die attitude throughout, Burt survived with McKinney striking over a pressure free to bring the match to extra time.

Setanta were fast out of the blocks with an early extra-time point and within a minute Burt were reduced to fourteen men with a red card to midfielder Christopher McDermott. Setanta made full use of their numerical advantage hitting four more points but Burt hung in with two of their own to leave it 0-18 to 0-15 at the break. Both sides traded points early in the second half but a Davin Flynn goal set the seal on the game and Setanta ran out 1-20 to 0-18 winners.

Setanta defeated Eoghan Ruadh in the Ulster quarter-final on a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-11 in Letterkenny before facing Na Magha of Derry, who play their hurling in the Antrim leagues in the semi-final.

Setanta had 7 points to spare in that one and they will go into Sunday’s final in a confident mood. They are a strong team. They won the Ulster Junior Hurling title back in 2017 when they beat Na Magha in the final.

Glenarm have the men to test the Donegal champions and in team captain Darren Hamill they have a man who leads by example and his performances on the ‘40’ this year have been outstanding and his eye for a goal makes him one to watch.

Their defence has been solid all year with Michael Abram in goals, Barry Hamill and Declan McDermott at the spine of an uncompromising defence who give nothing away easy. McDerrmott missed the semi-final win over Sean Treacy’s with Daniel Black dropping back to centre-half on that occasion and Ben O’Boyle coming into mid-field to partner Kieran O’Boyle.

If McDermott is available I would expect him to start at centre-half with Saffron Gael man of the match in the Antrim final, Daniel Black reverting to his more familiar mid-field role but wherever he plays he is likely to have a major influence on the final outcome.

Hamill will once again direct the Feystown orchestra on the ‘40’ and his ability to grab vital goals throughout the championship has been instrumental in his side’s success and with potential match winners like Niall McGarel, Dylan McLaughlin and Ciaran Magill throughout the Glenarm forward division I would expect Shane O’Neill’s to claim the Ulster Junior Crown.

Last out of Feystown on Sunday morning switch off the lights and lock the doors with another big support from Carnlough and the hills above Glenarm likely to make the journey to the maiden city and their support has been like a 16th man to Shane O’Neill’s as they turned up in numbers throughout the campaign, perhaps anticipating that something special could happen at Celtic Park.

Ulster JHC Club semi-final

Shane O’Neill’s 1-20 Sean Treacy’s 0-12

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm produced another strong performance at Eoghan Ruadh Hurling Club in Dungannon today to overcome the challenge of a determined Sean Treacy’s, Lurgan to advance to the final of the Ulster Junior Club Hurling championship where they will play Setanta of Donegal in two weeks-time.

The Antrim champioins led 0-12 to 0-6 at half time thanks to late points from Darren Hamill and Kevin O’Boyle but looked in a bit of trouble early in the second half when Sean Treacy’s ace marksman, Danny Magee pointed a couple of early frees and Tam McKavanagh added another from play to close the gap to three points after 6 minutes.

It was as close as the Armagh champions got however and when Kieran O’Boyle kicked the sliotar to the Treacy’s net, three minutes later after being placed by Ciaran Magill, the Feystown side never looked back.

Both sides wasted opportunities during a nervous opening period before Darren Hamill got Glenarm off the mark from a 40 meter free in the 4^th minute but Sean Treacy’s should have taken the lead when Michael Abram failed to come for a long searching delivery and Danny Magee’s flicked attempt sailed over when he might have had a goal.

A let-off for Shane O’Neill’s but they responded positively and points from Kevin O’Boyle, Liam Magill and a great long range effort from Dylan McLaughlin had them three in front with only 8 minutes played.

The tenacity and aggression of the Lurgan side was allowing their opponents little time on the ball and the Armagh side replied through a Danny Magee free and the corner forward would play a big part in keeping his side in the game.

Still the Feystown side looked to be gaining control as Sean O’Boyle, Ciaran Magill and Darren Hamill from a free moved the Glenarm men 0-9 to 0-3 ahead by the 19^th minute with Magee getting his third of the contest from another free.

The little corner-forward added another from a 50 meter free as his side fought to get themselves into contention but a great Niall McGarel point from near the touchline kept the gap at six with 24 minutes gone. Once again Magee replied with his fifth and sixth points to close the gap to four after 27 minutes and the number 15 was keeping his side in contention almost single handed.

Shane O’Neill’s once again found a response however as Darren Hamill directed a long range free between the uprights and Kevin O’Boyle added another from play as the game moved into time added on to leave the Antrim champions 0-12 to 0-6 ahead at the short whistle.

It was the men from Lurgan who came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half, determined to rein in the Glenarm lead with marksman supreme, Danny Magee taking his personal tally for the evening to 0-8 (7 frees) and when Tam McKavanagh followed with an excellent point from play we looked to have a game on our hands.

The men in blue refused to panic as Kevin O’Boyle replied with an equally impressive point and when Ciaran Magill released Kieran O’Boyle with an astute hand pass the big mid-fielder kicked his shot to the net despite being closed down by three opponents.

It was to prove a turning point in the game and despite the fact that there was still over 20 minutes to play the Armagh side never again looked like getting back into contention though they fought with great determination and never gave up the challenge.

McGarel and Hamill added to the Glenarm total with the impressive Magee keeping the Sean Treacy’s total on the increase with one from a free and another from play in the 17^th minute before Tiarnan McKavanagh became the Lurgan men’s third scorer with 8 minutes of normal time remaining.

It was to be their final score of the game as Shane O’Neill’s pressed home their advantage going down the home straight as Kevin O’Boyle placed Niall McGarel for a good score before Caolan McCann pulled off a superb save to deny Ciaran Magill.

Glenarm went looking for goals at this stage and it was the turn of Kane Laverty to turn away a Magill rocket with Hamill converting the resulting ‘65’ before McGarel concluded the scoring with another impressive point from the right hand touchline.

Another excellent performance from the men from Feystown as they advance to an Ulster final against Setanta in two weeks-time and on today’s showing they will take some beating though the Donegal champions are likely to provide them with a serious challenge.

Ben O’Boyle came in to replace Declan McDermott in the only change from last week’s starting line-up with Daniel Black dropping back to do a superb job at centre-half and O’Boyle fitting seamlessly into mid-field.

The Glenarm defence was solid and uncompromising throughout while Darren Hamill, Niall McGarel, Ciaran Magill and Kevin O’Boyle were best in an attack that carried a real scoring threat in every department.

Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Michael Abram, 25 Conal Ward, 3Barry Hamill, 4 Liam Og McKaughan, 5 Padraig McDermott, 8 Daniel Black 7 Aidan Scullion, 18 Ben O’Boyle, 9 Kieran O’Boyle, 10 Sean O’Boyle, 11 Darren Hamill, 12 Dylan McLaughlin, 13 Kevin O’Boyle, 14 Liam Magill, 15 Niall McGarel,

Sean Treacy’s: 1 Caolaqn McCann, 2 Marcus Magee, 3 Odhran McCann, 4Barry McDonald, 5 Mark Hamilton, 6 Rory Shine, 7 Ryan Stewart, 8 Tam McKavanagh, 9 Kane Laverty, 10 Reece Magee, 11 Michael Doran, 12 Tiarnan McKavanagh, 13 Anthony Carvill, 14Raymond Daly, 15 Danny Magee.

Subs: Patrick Scullion, Neil Corey, Stephen Holloway

Referee: Barry Winters (Tyrone)

Ulster JHC Club semi-final

Shane O’Neill’s Antrim v Sean Treacy’s Armagh

Eoghan Ruadh Hurling Club Dungannon 5.00pm Saturday

Saturday’s Ulster Junior Club Hurling championship semi-final in Dungannon pits Antrim champions, Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm against Sean Treacy’s of Lurgan and the Feystown side face a much stiffer challenge than they did last weekend when they proved much too strong for Carrickmacross in Inniskeen in the quarter-final, but it is one they will relish.

The Glenarm men had quite a bit to spare as they swept aside the challenge of the Monaghan champions who were minus a few regulars but you can only play the team that’s there on the day and Shane O’Neill’s went about their job with great efficiency and determination.

Facing the wind in the opening half, Glenarm put themselves in a strong position at half time when they led by 3-11 to 1-8 with their goals coming from Niall McGael, and two from Darren Hamill despite falling behind to an early goal.

Hamill completed his hat-trick early in the second half and the Feystown side went on to add 16 second half points with full-forward, Liam Magill leading the way and the Glenarm sharp shooter finished with 0-8 to his credit with Niall McGarel and Sean O’Boyle also prominent in a very sharp attack as they ran out 4-27 to 1-12 winners.

While Shane O’Neill’s were laying down a marker in Inniskeen their opponents on Sunday, Sean Treacy’s of Lurgan were demonstrating why the Antrim champions should take them extremely seriously.

A hat-trick of goals from their own sharpshooter, Danny Magee guided the Lurgan men through to the last four as they overcame the challenge of Cootehill Celtic at the Atheletic Grounds.

Magee finished with a grand total of 3-6 to his names as Liam Kelly’s side ran out 12-point winners in the end.

Full forward Raymond Daly also chipped in with two goals while four other players weighed in with scores.

Michael Doran hit 0-3 and Tiarnan McKavanagh, Stephen Holloway and Kane Lavery got their names on the score-sheet and 5-12 is impressive scoring in anybody’s book.

Magee certainly looks one to watch for the Antrim champions but he is unlikely to be afforded the space he was given against the Cavan men while Shane O’Neill’s have the forwards to trouble them at the other end.

The Feystown side are unlikely to show any changes from the side who excelled in Inniskeen with Michael Abram in goals and Barry Hamill and Declan McDermott anchoring a strong and commanding defence.

Daniel Black has been a powerhouse at mid-field where has a useful partner in Kieran O’Boyle with team captain Darren Hamill, Niall McGarel, Ciaran Magill, Dylan McLaughlin and the O’Boyle’s, Sean and Kevin with the firepower to see Glenarm through in attack.