The Glenarm fans were out in Carnlough on Saturday evening to welcome the Junior Championship winning team home after their win over Rasharkin at Dunsilly. The team were joined by the club’s Under 11 team who last week won the North Antrim Under 11B championship, beating Glenariffe in the final in Cushendall. Afterwards all hands retired to Paddy Diamond’s Glencloy Inn to get the celebrations going in earnest
Pete Hyndman captured the action for the Saffron Gael.
Casement Social Club Junior Hurling Championship Final
Shane O’Neill’s 1-21 Rasharkin 0-16
Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly
Glenarm produced a strong finish on Saturday afternoon to finally banish their junior championship voodoo. 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 mens’ first Junior title in 65 years, though they have won Intermediate and Intermediate Reserver titles in the interim, but the Junior had eluded them. They lost a few finals in recent years when they appeared to be nailed on to win, but that was all forgot about today when team captain Darren Hamill lifted the cup.
With just one point between the sides at the half time whistle, a goal was always going to be a massive score and it proved to be the case with Kevin O’Boyle making the most of indecision in the Rasharkin defence with a little over ten minutes of the final remaining.
The major gave Glenarm the confidence they needed to push for home with Nial McGarel producing an awesome display of point taking at the death. He would finish with four points with two of those coming after the Glenarm goal when they pushed for victory.
Rasharkin will look at the opening ten minutes of the second half and rue their inability to convert major chances. A series of handling errors and good Glenarm defending hurt the challenge of the men from Dreen and breathed oxygen into the Glenarm side.
The final quarter belonged to the Shane O’Neill’s however as they bridged a 24 year gap from their last championship win and 65 years since the last time they took home the Junior championship to Glenarm.
In a cagey opening to the final, neither side really took control in the opening exchanges. Darren Hamill was accurate from placed ball while Conor McKeever was following suit for Rasharkin. Sean O’Boyle split the uprights before Donagh Quigg and Conor McFerran edged Rasharkin ahead after ten minutes. It signalled an awakening in the Shane O’Neill’s camp however.
Playing with whatever wind was blowing at Dunsilly in the first half, Glenarm looked to go through the gears with quick fire scores from Ciaran Magill (two), Hamill (free) and Niall McGarel put a three point gap between the sides and Glenarm were beginning to show their true potential with some lovely use of the sliotar.
A Hamill free in the 17th minute put four between the sides before Conor McKeever (free) and Conor McFerran got the score board ticking again for the men from Dreen.
Dylan McLaughlin and Hamill (free) restored the four point lead for Glenarm but Rasharkin finished the half with a flourish. McKeever knocked over another brace of frees before Quigg left the minimum between the sides. Tiernan O’Boyle raised the white flag from distance, a truly memorable score with the Rasharkin defender under pressure and off balance while sending the sliotar towards the target to bring the sides level but Glenarm had the final say with Dylan McLaughlin’s second point of the half giving them a 0-10 to 0-9 lead at half time.
In a half where Glenarm played the majority of the hurling, Rasharkin would have been delighted to trail by just one point. The St Mary’s side were back on terms with the first attack of the second half when Conor McKeever split the uprights and while it was their last score for ten minutes, Rasharkin’s chances were slipping with every missed goal chance.
Conor McKeever had chances but couldn’t trouble Michael Abram in the Glenarm goals. Despite the reprieves, the Shane O’Neill’s weren’t exactly punishing Rasharkin at the other end of the pitch. Six wides in a seven minute spell with two points from Hamill (one free) was cancelled out by a brace of frees from McKeever.
Dylan McLaughlin and Quigg split the posts before McKeever landed another free that gave Rasharkin the lead for the first time since the third minute with a quarter of the match remaining.
Glenarm dug deep however and seemed to find another gear, especially in the middle third. They turned the pressure on Rasharkin and reaped the reward through Hamill’s frees (two) and a Kieron O’Boyle before scoring the only goal of the game. A cross-field ball was played into Hamill on the edge of the square and while it looked like Rasharkin were favourites to clear the danger, the sliotar fell to Kevin O’Boyle and he pulled first time to the back of Liam Tunney’s net.
Rasharkin responded well with the next two scores of the game, both from McKeever frees by McGarel took centre stage in the closing minutes. Three points, two of them from outrageous angles put daylight between the sides while Rasharkin spurned another goal chance at the other end of the pitch. Substitute Eamonn McNeill and Quigg with the chances but the writing was on the wall for Rasharkin’s championship hopes. Scores from Padraig McDermott and Hamill’s seventh free, eighth point overall rounded off the scoring and sealed a memorable afternoon for the Shane O’Neill’s.
TEAMS
Shane O’Neill’s: Michael Abram; Ben O’Boyle, Barry Hamill, Conal Ward; Padraig McDermott, Declan McDermott, Aidan Scullion; Daniel Black, Kieran O’Boyle; Sean O’Boyle, Darren Hamill, Dylan McLaughlin; Kevin O’Boyle, Ciaran Magill, Niall McGarel
Subs: Kevin O’Boyle for B O’Boyle (34); Liam Og McLaughlin for C Ward (inj); Sean O’Hare for D Black (inj)
Scorers: D Hamill 0-8 (7fs); C Magill 0-2; D McLaughlin 0-4; K O’Boyle 1-00; N McGarel 0-4; S O’Boyle 0-1; K O’Boyle 0-1; P McDermott 0-1
Rasharkin: Liam Tunney; Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, James Higgins; Ruairi O’Boyle, Connaire Donaghy, Aidan McKeever; Emmett McFerran, Thomas McMullan; Shane Hasson, Tiernan O’Boyle, Conor McFerran; Declan McKay, Donagh Quigg, Conor McKeever
Subs: Eamon McNeill for C Donaghy (HT); Conor McKillop for A McKeever (49)
Scorers: C McKeever 0-11 (8fs 1 ’65); D Quigg 0-3; C McFerran 0-1; T O’Boyle 0-1
Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)
Casement SC JHC Final
Saturday – 1-00pm Dunsilly
Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm v St. Mary’s Rasharklin
Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm will start as firm favourites for Saturday’s Casement SC JHC final where they take on Naomh Muire, Rasharkin at Dunsilly but the Feystown side would do well not to underestimate the threat posed by the men from Dreen.
Shane O’Neill’s have been in top form this season, suffering only one league defeat at home to St. Brigid’s Cloughmills on their way to the division 3 league title and they avenged that defeat when they travelled to Cloughmills in round 2 of the league by winning 4-20 to 3-17.
Two goals from corner-forward Kevin O’Boyle and goals apiece from Darren Hamill and Niall McGarel were the vital scores in a game that eventually decided the destination of the division 3 league and these three with Barry Hamill, Declan McDermott and the O’Boyle’s, Ben, Kieran and Sean and Dylan McLaughlin are all likely to play a vital role for the Feystown side at Dunsilly.
In contrast St. Mary’s had a mediocre league campaign, finishing second bottom with just four wins from 12 starts but came alive when it came around to the championship.
They finished top of their qualifying group with three wins from three starts with Davitt’s, All Saints and St. Brigid’s Belfast all put to the sword by the Rasharkin men.
Shane O’Neill’s came through a much tougher group 1 with wins over Glen Rovers, St. Brigid’s Cloughmill’s and a draw away to Lamh Dhearg and they were to meet the Armoy men again in the semi-final after Glen Rovers defeated Davitt’s in the quarter-final in Belfast.
Shane O’Neill’s recorded their fourth win of the season over Glen Rovers, Armoy in that semi-final at Feystown to advance to the final but despite the final margin of victory they were forced to fight all the way in a sometimes bruising battle.
The Glenarm men had already recorded home and away wins in the league against Armoy and added a win over the same side in group 2 of the qualifiers and so went into this one as firm favourites but the men from the Armoy Glen were determined to cause an upset on this occasion.
After falling behind to an early Owen Kinney goal, Glenarm came back with goals from Kevin O’Boyle and Niall McGarel to lead by 2-6 to 1-5 at the break but the game was far from over at this stage.
Despite having a man dismissed after 13 minutes of the second half, Armoy threw everything at the opposition and goals from Eamon McCaughan and Trevor Linton in reply to a second from Niall McGarel for Glenarm kept the contest alive going into the closing stages.
A fourth goal from Dylan McLaughlin put matters out of reach of the visitors and Glenarm pushed on to win by 4-17 to 3-8 in the end and look in rude health as they go into Saturday’s decider.
Like their opponents, Rasharkin enjoyed home advantage for their semi-final against a St. Brigid’s, Cloughmills side who had hammered All Saints in the quarter-final and despite home advantage, it was former division 2 side St. Brigid’s who were expected to advance.
St. Mary’s went into this one as underdogs but they showed the battling qualities that they will need again in abundance when they face Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm in a final where they will again start as outsiders.
A personal tally of 0-8 from Conor McKeever paved the way for an excellent victory for St. Mary’s Rasharkin over St. Brigid’s. The big number 15 was in great form, both from play and from placed balls but he was only one of an excellent all round home side who’s greater desire and fighting spirit got them through to Saturday’s final.
Rasharkin led 0-4 to 0-0 after 8 minutes with McKeever hitting 0-3 but Cloughmills responded to close the gap to the minimum with 11 minutes gone. Rasharkin went on to lead by two at the break but had keeper Liam Tunney to thank as he pulled off an excellent save to deny Corey Blair what looked a certain goal.
The game was still finally balanced at the end of the third quarter when Aaron Smylie pointed for the visitors to level matters but it would be Cloughmills final score as St. Mary’s intensity started to tell.
Shane Hasson struck an inspirational point to give Rasharkin back a lead they would not again lose and Conor McKeever brought his personal tally to 0-8 from a ‘65’ in the 58th minute before substitute Conor McKillop followed with the last point of the game to see the home side into the final.
Conor McKeever is the man that Rasharkin will look to for scores on Saturday but St. Mary’s are certainly not a one man team and in keeper Liam Tunney, defenders Conor Doherty and Emmet McFerran, Thomas McMullan and Tiernan O’Boyle at mid-field and a strong half forward line of Shane Hasson, Conor McFerran and Eamon McNeill they have strong performers.
Shane O’Neill’s will have to be at their best but if they can reach the level of consistency they have shown throughout the league and championship then they should have enough to edge this eagerly awaited final.
Casement SC JHC Semi-Final
Rasharkin0-12 Cloughmills 0-9
Pics by Bert Trowlen
A personal tally of 0-8 from Conor McKeever paved the way for an excellent victory for St. Mary’s Rasharkin over a fancied St. Brigid’s Cloughmills and this keenly contested Casement SC JHC semi-final in Dreen on Saturday.
The big number 15 was in great form, both from play and from placed balls but he was only one of an excellent all round home side who’s greater desire and fighting spirit got them through to a final where they will face Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm.
It was the other Conor, Conor McFerran who got Rasharkin off to the perfect start as he pointed after 15 seconds to serve notice that his side were up for the task in hand and when Conor McKeever followed with another in the opening minute the home side were on their way.
Cloughmills looked rattled by the intensity of the St. Mary’s opening as McKeever sent a long range free between the uprights and followed with another from similar distance to move Naomh Muire 0-4 to 0-0 ahead with only 8 minutes gone.
St. Brigid’s went into this one as favourites and the former division 2 side showed glimpses of just why they were tipped as favourites as they came back with points from Liam Kearns, and long range frees from Aaron Smylie and Ruairi Laverty to close the gap to the minimum by the 11th minute and suddenly we had a real championship clash on our hands.
The visitors might have gone ahead two minutes later but Liam Tunney in the Rasharkin goals brought off an excellent save to deny Corey Blair before Conor McKeever replied from a free at the other end to extend his side’s lead.
Things were beginning to liven up with a few meaty challenges going in from both sides as Liam Kearns from a free and Ruairi Laverty with an excellent point from distance for the Cloughmills side kept the travelling support on their feet and in fine voice.
Just when it looked like the visitors were getting on top it was that man McKeever who came back for the Dreen side as he pointed a 20th minute free and added another from play to edge his side two in front but an excellent point from corner-back, Martin Dobbin in reply left it finely balanced at the break.
Rasharkin started the second half as they did the first and Shane Hasson moved them two in front with a point after 10 seconds but the Biddies came back strongly with two from the excellent Liam Kearns to tie it at 0-8 apiece by the 38th minute.
McKeever for Rasharkin from another free and Smylie with a massive point from his own half had the side’s level once more at the end of the third quarter and it still looked anybody’s game at this stage but this would prove to be Cloughmills final score as the St. Mary’s intensity started to tell.
Shane Hasson struck an inspirational point to give Rasharkin back a lead they would not again lose and Conor McKeever brought his personal tally to 0-8 from a ‘65’ in the 58th minute before substitute Conor McKillop followed with the last point of the game to see the home side into the final.
St. Mary’s went into this one as underdogs but they showed the battling qualities that they will need again in abundance when they face Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm in a final where they will again start as outsiders.
That is unlikely to bother them and indeed could provide that bit of motivation they need and while Shane O’Neill’s have been the form team in both league and championship this year they will face a Rasharkin side who will relish the challenge.
Rasharkin: 1 Liam Tunney, 2 Daniel Doherty, 3 Conor Doherty, 4 James Higgins, 5 Ruairi O’Boyle, 6 Emmett McFerran, 7 Aidan McKeever, 8 Thomas McMullan, 9 Tiernan O’Boyle, 10 Shane Hasson, 11 Conor McFerran, 12 Eamonn McNeill, 13 Declan McKay, 14 Donagh Quigg, 15 Conor McKeever.
Cloughmills: 1Christopher McKernan, 2 Martin Dobbvin, 3 Sean McKendry, 5 Johnny Duffin, 6 Conor Laverty, 7 Joe Smyth, 8 Ruairi Laverty, 11 Micky Devlin, 12 Eoin Dobbin, 13 Corey Blair, 14 Liam Kearns, 15 Stephen Smyth, 19 Stephen Martin, 20 Aaron Smylie, 22 Reece Watt
Referee: Aidan Kelly (St. John’s)
Casement SC JHC Semi-Final
Shane O’Neill’s 4-17 Glen Rovers 3-8
Shane O’Neill’s recorded their fourth win of the season over Glen Rovers, Armoy at Feystown on Saturday to advance to the final of the Casement SC JHC but despite the margin of victory they were forced to fight all the way in a sometimes bruising battle.
The Glenarm men had already recorded home and away wins in the league against Saturday’s opponents and added a win over the same side in group 2 of the qualifiers and so went into this one as firm favourites but the men from the Armoy Glen were determined to cause an upset on this occasion.
In what turned out to be a battle of attrition they matched the Glenarm side for most of the opening half and took the lead after six minutes when a Turlough McBride free from deep in his own half was finished to the net by Owen Kinney.
Darren Hamill had given the home side the lead with a point in the second minute and the Feystown side responded to Kinney’s goal with one of their own, a minute later as Kevin O’Boyle directed a low shot past Conor Devlin.
The visitors were giving it everything at this stage and Tommy Burns and Owen Kinney restored their lead by the 9th minute as they fired over but just as it looked like they were gaining the initiative, Niall McGarel replied with an excellent goal for Glenarm to restore his side’s advantage.
It was end to end stuff as PJ McBride replied for the visitors with two quick fire points and a long range free from Turlough McBride had it all square after 18 minutes but significantly a number of wind assisted frees from the long striking McBride had sailed just wide of the uprights at this stage.
Shane O’Neill’s slowly wrestled control back from the opposition in the closing stages of the half as Darren Hamill started to impose himself and the former Antrim county man converted two frees and another from play and Dylan McLaughlin managed to get his name on the score card to leave the home side 2-6 to 1-5 ahead at the break.
With the wind now at their backs Shane O’Neill’s would have been expected to push on in the second half and when Niall McGarel pointed in the 2nd minute things appeared to be going to plan.
The visitors introduced a couple of subs at this stage as play became scrappy and disjointed with the man in the middle kept busy to keep a lid on matters before dismissing Owen Kinney in the 13th minute following an off the ball incident with an umpire calling his attention to the matter.
It was a further two minutes before Darren Hamill raised the second white flag of the half from a long range free before Trevor Linton finally got Glen Rovers off the mark from a free in the 17th minute.
The Glenarm response was immediate and decisive as youngster, Niall McGarel raced clear to fire to the net at the other end. PJ McBride replied with a point but further points from Darren Hamill and McGarel and a goal from Dylan McLaughlin put Glenarm in a strong position with 8 minutes remaining.
The visitors decided to go route one at this stage as they pushed ‘Rocky’ Dillon forward and he brought a good save from Michael Abram in the Glenarm goals but the Shane O’Neill’s net minder could do nothing to stop Eamon McCaughan from kicking the sliotar to the net from close range after making another save from the same player.
A couple more points from Darren Hamill in reply to one from PJ McBride kept the score board ticking but the route one approach from Armoy was now posing a few problems and Trevor Linton finished from close range after another scramble for his side’s third goal with four minutes of normal time remaining.
It was as close as the visitors would get however and despite five minutes of added time Shane O’Neill’s reasserted their control with Hamill adding three further points and Sean O’Boyle bringing a great save from Conor Devlin at the expense of another before Dylan McLaughlin concluded the scoring.
Shane O’Neill’s will now meet Rasharklin in the final in two weeks-time, the St. Mary’s win over Cloughmills raising a few surprised eyebrows in the hills over Glenarm but nobody in Feystown was dismissing the enormity of the task they will face in what should be a tight final.
Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Michael Abram, 25 Conal Ward, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 Liam Og McKaughin, 5 Padraig McDermott, 6 Declan McDermott, 8 Daniel Black, 9 Kieran O’Boyle, 10 Sean O’Boyle, 11 Darren Hamill, 12 Dylan McLaughlin, 13 Kevin O’Boyle, 14 Ciaran Magill, 15 Nial McGarel 18 Ben O’Boyle Subs: Sean O’Hare, Aidan O’Neill, Kieran O’Boyle, Liam Mulvenna
Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Coyles, 3 Shane Devlin, 6 Arthur Devlin, 12 Turlough McBride, 4 Emmet O’Hara, 5 Liam Dillon, 8 Joey McBride, 17 John Dillon, 10 Ciaran McKenna, 13 Colin Lordan, 7 Eoin O’Boyle, 11 Tommy Burns, 21 Owen Kinney, 9 PJ McBride, Subs: Conor Waterson, Tim Burns, Ciaran Coyles, Joey McFetridge
Referee: Mark McDonald (St. Gall’s)
