Category / Junior Hurling Championship

by thesaffrongael

Junior B semi-finals hard to call

Junior B Hurling Championship semi-final

All Saints Ballymena v Latharna Og Larne

Dunsilly 4.00pm

Both of tomorrow’s Junior B Hurling Championship semi-finals at Dunsilly look hard to call. All four have met each other a couple of times during the division 4 league campaign with contrasting results and tomorrow it will be very much down to the sides who produce their best form that are likely to prevail.

Latharna Og, Larne and All Saints, Ballymena get the action under way at 4.00pm. The Larne side made their return to league action a couple of years back following a lengthy absence and have made dramatic progress. Two years ago they met Saturday’s opponents in the Junior B final at Ahoghill and defeated an All Saints side who were going for their second title in succession

All Saints would have started favourites on that occasion having defeated St. Agnes in the previous year’s final but they were beaten by a strong and determined Latharna Og who have had the upper hand on the Ballymena side in recent encounters.

Latharna Og had a good division 4 league campaign this year, finishing in second place to Lamh Dhearg and recorded a resounding 0-23 to 1-7 victory over All Saints back in May and will go into tomorrow’s semi-final as strong favourites.

The Brunson Bray side are a solid unit with a number of potential match winners within their ranks and Michael Lismore, Mark Robinson, Gary Bergin, Ryan Donnelly, Conor Matthews and Niall McGoldrick can be relied on for vital scores.

All Saints season got off to a disastrous start when they suffered a 3-19 to 1-5 defeat to Ardoyne at Quinn Park but Enda Casey’s side have turned things around since then, winning four of their seven league games to finish in fourth place and qualifying for the league final.

They suffered a heavy defeat to Lamh Dhearg in that one but recovered to beat Ardoyne and qualify from Group 1 in top place. Ciaran Cassley, Chris McAfee, Luke O’Rawe, Padraig and Jack Magill, Ciaran Neeson and Damian Gillan will lead the All Saints challenge tomorrow but the form book suggests a Latharna Og win.

Junior B Hurling semi-final

Loch Mor Dal gCais v Kickham’s Ardoyne

Dunsilly: 6.00pm

Kickham’s Ardoyne and tomorrow’s opponents, Loch Mor Dal gCais have enjoyed solid league campaigns with Ardoyne finishing in third place with five wins in seven starts and Loch Mor with three wins in seven starts but the Lough Shore side were competitive in all their games.

The North Belfast side recorded a 7-14 to 0-20 victory over Loch Mor in their final league game back at the end of June and that win would suggest that the Kickham’s will start this semi-final as strong favourites but as I said earlier, the form book might count for nothing tomorrow and the side who performs on the day will win.

Ardoyne shipped a heavy defeat to All Saints on Wednesday night but may well have had one eye on the semi-final draw so I wouldn’t read too much into that result. JP Agnew, Paul Baker, Pascal Clarke, Kealan McCallan, Daniel Moore, Hugh Grieve and the excellent Oisin McVicker are the men who will carry the hopes of Ardoyne into this eagerly awaited semi-final while Manus Carson, Sean Burke, Ruairi Bannon, Darragh Turley and Michael Pearse McDonnell will lead the Loch Mor Dal gCais challenge.

Once again I expect league form to count for little in the red hot heat of championship hurling and it is likely to go down to who can produce their A game on the day but in a tight encounter Oisin McVicker could be the man to swing it in favour of Ardoyne.

by thesaffrongael

Saints top Group 1 with scoring blitz at Fennell Park

Junior B Hurling Championship Group 1

Kickham’s Ardoyne 3-9 All Saints 3-24

After the disappointment of losing to Lamh Dhearg in the division 4 Cup final on Sunday it was back to winning ways for the hurlers of All Saints, Ballymena when they out-scored Ardoyne in an open game of hurling at Fennell Park last night.

On Sunday the Ballymena side were only able to score seven points against the Hannastown side but last night they discovered their shooting prowess again with the terrible twins, Ciaran Neeson and Damian Gillan in unstoppable form.

Neeson finished with 0-12 of his side’s total with 0-7 of those coming from frees and he was matched on the night by the impressive Gillan who scored 1-9 (2f’s). Jack Magill was another who impressed for a good All Saints side and he made a telling contribution with (2-0).

The visitors led 3-9 to 1-7 at half time and 3-17 to 2-8 at the second water break before adding a further 0-7 in the final quarter to run out convincing winners.

This result sees the Ballymena side finish top of their group but they shouldn’t feel complacent as Ardoyne will join them in the semi-finals and if results go according to plan they could meet for a third time this year in the Junior B Final

All Saints Scorers: Damian Gillan 1: 09 (2f), Ciaran Neeson 0:12 (7f); Daire Hasson 0:01; Jack Magill 2:00; Luke O’Rawe 0:02

Featured Photograph: Jack Magill who scored 2-0 against Ardoyne. Left: Ciaran Neeson who scored 0-12 and Right: Damian Gillan who scored 1-9

by thesaffrongael

Neeson hits 0-14 as All Saints outpoint St. Brigid’s

Junior B Hurling Championship Group 1

All Saints 1-20 St. Brigid’s 1-13

Ciaran Neeson struck 14 points from play and from placed balls to lead a good All Saints side to a seven point victory over St. Brigid’s in this keenly contested Junior Hurling B Championship clash at Quinn Park today.

In their first season in the Antrim league, St. Brigid’s have performed well and are sure to be a force in the future and they pushed the home side most of the way with the sides locked at 1-12 to 0-15 with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Significantly Neeson scored 0-4 during those closing minutes and when his striking partner, Cory Little got in for his side’s only goal as the game moved into time added on, it was all over.

Neeson got matters off to the perfect start for All Saints when he sent a 70 meter free between the uprights and he followed with another from 60 meters to move his side two in front after four minutes play.

St. Brigid’s had an ace marksman of their own as Fearghal Leyden replied from frees in the 6th and 7th minutes to square matters but Neeson replied from another placed ball to edge his side ahead again with 10 minutes gone.

  • St. Brigid’s keeper, Damian McLartnon clears the danger as Dara Hasson attempts to hook

Chris Lundy struck the game’s first score from play to tie the contest for the second time but the home side began to settle and Damian Gillan and Ciaran Neeson (0-3) had them four in front by the 20th minute.

St. Brigid’s tried to respond and Ciaran Cassley in the All Saints goals brought off a great save to deny the visitors what looked a certain goal with the resulting ‘65’ tailing wide before Fearghal Leydon and Chris Lundy responded with points to leave it 0-9 to 0-5 by the 28th minute.

St. Brigid’s were giving as good as they got and points from Fearghal Leyden and Paul McCrudden in reply to another Neeson effort left three between the sides at the change of ends.

 Eoin Daly replaced Dara Hasson in the All Saints attack at the start of the second half but it was the Musgrave Park side who opened the half strongly and threatened for a time to take over. Fearghal Leydon pointed in the second minute and then Rory Flanagan rose to get his stick to a tantalising delivery from the same player to flick to the net and St. Brigid’s were ahead for the first time.

That man Neeson brought his side back on level terms once more but St. Brigid’s were growing in confidence and Ciaran Cassley had to be at his best to deny Rory Flanagan a second goal with only six minutes of the new half gone.

  • Not this time! All Saints goal scorer, Cory Little is crowded out this time

It proved a wakeup call for the home side with Padhraig Magill firing over a massive point to restore their lead, Ciaran Neeson added another from a free and then set up Sean O’Rawe to stretch the All Saints lead to three and they seemed to have weathered the early storm.

Not so! The excellent Fearghal Leyden replied again for St. Brigid’s and then substitute Phelim Lennon added another and it was all square at the second water break and very much in the balance.

At the start of the final quarter the Quinn Park side began to turn the screw with the strong direct running of Eoin Daly drawing a couple of frees which were dispatched by Ciaran Neeson with Fearghal Leyden replying from a 40 meter free with six minutes of normal time remaining.

All Saints took control in the run in to the final whistle with the hard working Cory Little getting his first point of the day and Neeson pointing three frees (1 ‘65’) before Little got in for the goal his efforts over the hour deserved.

The final score of the game fell the way of the excellent Fearghal Leyden when his long delivery bounced over the bar but it was All Saints who led by seven at the final whistle and they were deserving winners despite a sustained challenge from a good St. Brigid’s side.

  • A Saffron Gael apprentice photographer ttries to grab a shot of St. Brigid’s top scorer, Fearghal Leyden

All Saints: Ciaran Cassley, Tewrence Diamond, Chris McAfee, Kevin Brady, Sean O’Rawe, Luke O’Rawe, Colum Neeson, Padhraig Magill, Vinny Esler, Jack Magill, Damian Gillan, Gary Miskella, Cory Little, Ciaran Neeson, Daire Hasson. Subs: Eoin Daly for Daire Hasson,

St. Brigid’s: Damian McLarnon, Thomas McCarney, Peter Heaney, 19) Aidan McGleenon, Gerard Henvey, Bryan Hallihan, Chris Lundy, Murdoch McKibblen, Fearghal Leyden, Joseph McCarney, Conor McAllister, Rory Flanagan, Oisin McDonnell, Oliver Lennon, Paul McCrudden, Reuben Carleton. Subs: Phelim Lennon for Oliver Lennon, Rory Brolly,

Referee: Sean Elliott (Lamh Dhearg)

  • The All Saints supporters club look happy with their side’s performance
by thesaffrongael

St. Teresa’s claim 2005 JHC Title

2004 was a great year for Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm when they claimed the Antrim and Ulster Junior Hurling Championship title before losing out in the All Ireland semi-final. In 2005 they opted again to play in the Junior grade and give themselves another tilt at Ulster and maybe All Ireland glory and all appeared to be going to plan when they advanced to the Antrim final again.

Standing in their way was a St Teresa’s side who had last lifted the JHC back in 1987 but a side determined to put that unenviable record behind them and in a cracking final it was the Glen Road side who emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins.

Today we bring you action photographs from that memorable day at Casement Park and the celebrations that followed and undoubtedly went on well into the night at McDonnell/Doherty Park.

by thesaffrongael

Ahoghill claim first Ulster title

Last week we looked at Clooney Gaels Antrim Junior Hurling championship success in 2006 where they defeated St. Mary’s Rasharkin in the final in Ballymena.

We went on to highlight their journey to an Ulster final in the same year with a facile win over Mullahoran of Cavan in the quarter-final and a semi-final win over Lisbellaw before defeating Shamrocks of Strabane in a tight Ulster final.

Today we look at that final:

Ulster Junior hurling club final

Clooney Gaels 0-14 Strabane (Tyrone) 1-8

Antrim champions, Clooney Gaels lifted their first ever Ulster title at Swatragh on Sunday the 12th of November but it was no smooth ride by any matter of means as a spirited Styrabane side made a spirited late challenge to try and snatch a victory of their own.

Clooney’s Gerard Graham was a key player with a masterful display of free taking as he notched up eight points throughout, six of which came from free conversions.

Graham was first to register a score as he coolly converted a ’65’ just one minute in, much to the delight of the large travelling Clooney support. It was tit for tat sacoring in the early stages as Paddy Shields and Barcley converted frees, giving the Styrabane men a slender lead and Strabane looked like extending that lead when Mark Devine sent a pile driver towards the Ahoghill goals but Declan Scullion pulled off a superb save to deny Devine.

This would be the last time that Strabane would hold the lead as Clooney came back strongly with seven unanswered points, the best of them coming from Dominic Neeson who rifled over from seventy yards, a score that would have been the envy of any senior championship side.

The Antrim champions were now in full flow and were dominating mid-field where Gerard Kelly and Dominic Neeson were making their presence felt. The Gaels were well on top at this stage and held a comfortable lead but, credit to Strabane who came back with four unanswered points in the run up to half time.

The second period of play saw both sides lock horns in a bid for p;ossession with Strabane coming back with two frees to come within two points of the Antrim champions but this would be the Tyrone side’s last score for sdome time. The Ahoghill men responded with Gerard Graham firing over three points and Donal Graham added another to extend their lead to six points.

In the dying minutes Strabane went in search of that elusive goal and it came from Paddy Shields who blasted a 20 yard free to the top left hand corner of the Clooney net but his effort came too late as refereeTiernach Walsh brought an end to proceedings shortly after.

So the Clooney Gaels have written another chapter in the history books and this performance will be cherished for years to come. Declan Scullion in goals kept a clean sheet and made an excellent save in the early stages and he weas well aided by full-back Brian Kelly who put in a solid performance.Youngsters Francis Neeson and Pearse Close deserve special mention and Neil O’Connell, Bernard Graham and John Friel turned defence into attack at every given opportunity. The mid-field pairing of John Kelly and Dominic Neeson were instrumental in this Clooney win and their experience was a telling factor on the day. Clooney’s forwards worked well as a unit and Sean O’Connell worked tirelessly throughout taking some strong challenges in the process while Gerard Graham turned in a man of the match performance with a personal tally of (0-8, 6f) showing a deadly eye from free taking.

Clooney Gaels: Declan Scullion, Francis Neeson, B rian Kelly, Pearse Close, Neil O’Connell, Bernard Graham, John Friel, Dominic Neeson (0-1), Joe Downey, John Kelly (0-1), Sean O’Connell, Gerard Graham, Donal Graham, Aidan Graham, Gerard Kelly.

Subs: PJ O’Connell for Joe Downey, Sean McMahon for Gerard Kelly. Subs not used: Ryan Doherty, Declan Graham, Malachy Friel, Jerard Keenan, Barney Graffin, Martin Graham, Kieran Convery, Diarmaid Graham, Dessie McGuigan, Fergal Gavigan