Con Magees booked a place in the Junior Hurling semi-final when they scored a convincing win over Loch Mór Dál gCais in Saturday’s semi-final at Whitehill, Randalstown. With Sean McKay and Decky Traynor sharing the top scoring honours with 2-7 apiece the Glenravel men were in control of this game from start to finish, despite the best efforts of a gallant Loch Mór team for whom Conor Jones top scored from centre half back with five points.
Glenravel’s Padge O’Neill wins this race for the ball
Michael McDonnell got Con Magees on the scoreboard within seconds of the throw-in and the points came thick and fast as Sean McKay (4), Johnny Fyfe, Brian O’Neill, and when Declan Traynor grabbed his team’s first goal they were 1-7 to 0-0 up at the first water break.
Traynor grabbed his second goal just after the restart before Lorcan Rooney got Loch Mór Dál gCais on the scoreboard with a good point. A Shane Woulahan goal and another point from Johnny Fyfe stretched the Glenravel lead further and after Conor Jones got the first of his five points for Loch Mór the Glenravel men his six on the trot to lead by 3-14 to 0-2 at half time.
Loch Mór’s Conor Jones clears from defence
Glenravel emptied their bench at the start of the second half with Dean Kerr, Conor Carey, Charlie Henry and Eoin Hynds getting some game time. Loch Mór Dál gCais had their best spell during the third quarter as Jones hit two more points in reply to two by Declan Traynor for the Con Magee, but a Niall Donnelly point and a goal from Sean McKay just before the second half water break stretched their lead to 4-17 to 0-4.
Conor McAreavy and Martin Braniff grabbed two points for Loch Mór Dál gCais after the action got going again but Glenravel substitutes got in on the action as Dean Kerr and Charlie Henry got their names on the scoresheet as they cruised through to a semi-final meeting with old rivals Rasharkin next weekend.
Casement Social Club Antrim Junior Hurling Championship QF
Cushendun 5-43 Lamh Dhearg 1-04
From Kevin Herron at Dunsilly
Cushendun advanced to the last four of the Antrim Junior Hurling Championship with a 5-43 to 1-05 win over Lamh Dhearg in a match that in truth resembled a training game in the last half-hour.
The gulf in class was evident between the sides despite a spirited effort by the Hannahstown men.
James Morgan flicked home the opener for the 2018 junior Champions on the fifth minute and that started the rout.
A glut of points followed from Morgan, Conleth McNeill, Conor McHugh and Dominic Sharkey before Oisin McMahon rolled in his side’s second goal.
David Kilgore and McNeill added further scores before Sean-Paul Gibson replied for Lamh Dhearg.
The scores kept coming for Cushendun with Sharkey and Kilgore amongst the action with Daniel Murray and Aidan McGuigan offering responses.
Just before the break Lamhs keeper Conor McConville made an excellent save to deny Harry Kilgore but Conor McHugh kept the move alive and hammered to the roof of the net to give his side a 3-16-0-03 lead at the midway point.
Conleth McNeill and Conor McHugh were amongst the early scorers in the second-half with Michael McGuigan conjuring up a point for the Hannahstown side.
The scores kept flowing for Cushendun through McNeill, David Kilgore, Sharkey and substitute Torr Kinney.
Daniel Murray doubled his account in response but opportunities were few and far between.
Harry Kilgore claimed his side’s fourth goal of the afternoon but at the other end Daniel Murray sent a high ball into the square and John Boyd claimed a consolation strike.
Cushendun claimed their fifth and final goal on the hour-mark with Conor McHugh’s sideline puck falling to David Kilgore whose bullet of a strike gave McConville no chance as it flew into the top corner.
Emmet’s continued to pick off scores at a canter and in truth will have much tougher encounter ahead in the last four.
Rasharkin booked their place in the semi-final of the Junior Hurling Championship when they beat Glenarm by two points at Pairc MacUílín Ballycastle on Saturday. In a closely contested contest in which the momentum swung one way, then the other the St Mary’s men got their noses in front seven minutes from time and held their lead until the end.
Glenarm started the game promisingly and three points from left half forward Sean O’Hare gave them a cushion after seven minutes. It was the 12th minute before Rasharkin got their first score through Conor McKeever and for the next 15 minutes it was point for point Daniel Balck and Ciaran Magill grabbing points for the Feystown men while McKeever, Shane Hasson and Declan McKay were on target for Rasharkin. Five minutes from the interval Shane Hasson grabbed a Rasharkin goal from play to give his team the edge but three points from centre forward Daniel Black, two from play and one from a free, helped bring Glenarm back level at half time on 0-10 to 1-7.
The first seven minutes of the second half was all Rasharkin as Conor McKeever and Shane Hasson added two apiece and Donach Quigg added one to pull their team five clear, but two points from Daniel Black and a goal from substitute Sean O’Boyle brought Shane O’Neill’s back on terms by the 52nd minute.
The men from Dreen responded well and three points without reply from Donach Quigg, Conor McKeever and Shne Hasson put them in command at a vital stage of the game. Twice in the run in Daniel Black sent over points from frees to keep Glenarm in touch, but Rasharkin were able to hold on to secure a semi-final spot against Con Magees Glenaravel next weekend.
Casement Social Club Junior Hurling Championship quarter-final
St. Paul’s 6-32 All Saints 2-8
St. Paul’s produced a performance of power and precision to sweep aside the challenge of All Saints Ballymena at a bright and pleasant Dunsilly today. The Shaw’s Road side, one of the competitions favourites were given a run for their money during the opening 20 minutes but in truth were never really troubled by a young All Saints side who never the less gave it everything.
St. Paul’s opened sharply and threatened to over run their opponents in the opening quarter when they raced into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead with Stephen Rooney, Caolan Duffin 0-2 and Rooney with three more (1’ 65’) the men on target.
All Saints were battling hard but looked a little overawed up to this point but when Damian Gillan fired a free through a crowded goalmouth in the 17th minute they started to show a bit of belief. Gillan followed with a point from a 40 meter free to cut the deficit to two points but this score brought a quick response from the Shaw’s Road side.
James Farrell began their second scoring burst and the superb Stephen Rooney pointed a couple of frees and another from play before Kieran O’Boyle replied with a good point for All Saints to keep his side in touch.
Vincent Esler added another fine point and at this stage the belief was starting to grow amongst the Ballymena side before Caolan Duffin and Colm McLarnon replied for St. Paul’s to leave them 0-12 to 1-3 ahead after 21 minutes.
Damian Gillan added to the All Saints total as he pointed another free and Stephen Rooney for St. Paul’s and Gillan from a sideline cut for the Ballymena side exchanged further points to leave it 0-13 to 1-5 with 25 minutes gone.
St. Paul’s began to turn the screw with half time approaching and Caolan Crossan and Colm McLarnon added points with Vincent Esler getting his second for the ‘Town’ and Conal Finnegan concluding the first half scoring with a late point for St. Paul’s to leave them 0-16 to 1-6 in front at the break.
All Saints needed a good start to the second half if they were to keep in touch with their excellent opponents but in the event it was St. Paul’s who came racing out of the starting traps with a Caolan Duffin goal in the opening minute and Colm McLarnon and Stephen Rooney followed with points as gaps started to appear in the All Saints defence.
Damian Gillan interrupted the onslaught with a Ballymena point but it was only temporary respite as Caolan Duffin replied with a goal in the 8th minute and added two quick points as the All Saints challenge began to collapse.
Damian Gillan replied from a free in the 12th minute but the ‘Hoops’ were now scoring at will and James Farrell got in for their third goal and a flurry of points from Andy McMorrow, Colm McLarnon and Farrell again saw them move out of site at the second water break.
On the restart Farrell was on hand to finish to the net again following a good save from Ciaran Cassley before All Saints replied with their second goal of the game very much against the run of play.
The Ballymena side were awarded a free about 35 yards out and Damian Gillan opted to hang it in around the square and in the scramble that ensued the sliotar was adjudged to have crossed the line to offer the tiring All Saints some consolation for their efforts.
It brought only temporary respite however as St. Paul’s finished as they had started, well on top, and Stephen Rooney added 2-6 and Andy McMorrow a point as the floodgates opened with All Saints glad to hear the final whistle.
A polished performance for the Shaw’s Road side and last year’s beaten finalists will fancy their chances of going all the way this time though Emmet’s Cushendun could have something to say about that.
St. Paul’s had excellent performers all over the pitch but in Stephen Rooney they have a player of the highest order while Caolan Duffin, Andy McMorrow and Colm McLarnon are others who know where the posts are.
Spare a thought for All Saints. They came up against a side who are much better than anything hey have faced in the recent past and hurled out of their skins in the first half to keep the scoreline respectable before succumbing to a second half avalanche.
Ciaran Cassley in goals brought off a number of fine saves and Colm Neeson, Conor and Luke O’Rawe and Padhrig Magill hurled themselves to a standstill in defence. Vincent Esler and Cormac Magill battled against the odds at midfield while Damian Gillan was their main scoring threat but Kieran O’Boyle, Gary Miskella and Kevin Brady had their moments.
St. Pauls: Kevin Murray, Daire Stevenson, Gerard Carberry, Sean Bradley, Fionntan Gamble, Frankie Sewell, Sean Lawell, Conall Finnegan, Declan Chapman, Caolan Crossan, Stephen Rooney, Colm McLarnon, Caolan Duffin, James Farrell, Naoise O’Caireallain Subs: Andy McMorrow, Anthony Gallagher, Niall Martin,
All Saints: Ciaran Cassley, Dwane McKee, Colum Neeson, Conor O’Rawe, Terence Diamond, Luke O’Rawe, Padhraig Magill, Vincent Esler, Cormac Magill, Kieran O’Boyle, Damian Gillan, Rory McAllister, Daire Hasson, Gary Miskella, Kevin Brady. Subs: Brendan McDonnell, Ryan McAuley, Donny McKendry, PJ O’Kane
Referee:Eamon Hamill
Niall and Brian Kearney from Team/Kit present a cheque for £200-00 to Paddy McIlwaine who accepted it on behalf of the Saffron Gael after the JHC quarter-final between All Saints and St. Paul’s at Dunsilly today
When these sides met in the Group stages of the Junior A championship at Davitt Park it was visitors Latharna Og who came away with a six point win to finish above the West Belfast men in Group 2 but with neither teams qualifying for the quarter finals they both automatically went into the Junior B competition and were drawn against each other.
Latharna Og would probably have gone into this game as favourites but it was a very focused and determined Davitt’s who took the game their opponents right from the throw in. Stephen McGivern pointed them ahead with only 30 seconds gone but Latharna Og replied from a free by Cathal McKillop to draw level with only a minute on the clock.
Man of the match Stephen McGivern shows his delight at the final whistle
Mark Peticrew added a fine point to put Latharna Og ahead and the Falls Road men suffered a further setback when referee, Rab Lappin dismissed Caoimhin Heaney following an off the ball coming together with Larne’s Conor Matthews with the Lamh Dhearg official consulting with his umpire before issuing Red.
It failed to dampen the fire that the Davitt’s men were showing however as they came roaring back and Michael Og Rowntree brought them level before Cormac Maguire shot them in front with 11 minutes gone.
Despite being a man down it was Davitt’s who continued to take the game to their opponents and Anthony Rowntree looked in for a goal but opted to hand pass the sliotar out to Charlie McHenry who was closed down at the expense of a free.
Stephen McGivern went for goal from the resulting award but his shot was saved and cleared but the same player made amends from another free to put his side two in front with 15 minutes on the clock.
The game was being played at real championship fervour and some of the challenges certainly weren’t for the faint hearted as the Larne side fought to get themselves back into contention and Joseph McCaffery in the Davitt’s goals had to be alert to deny Michael Lismore in the 20th minute.
Four minutes later the first goal of the game arrived but it was to the Belfast side as a long searching ball over the top fell perfectly for Anthony Rowntree and the big full-forward made no mistake as he fired past Barry Peticrew from close range to move his side six in front.
The seasiders were doing all in their power to get back into contention but were being quickly closed down by a no nonsense Davitt’s defence but Cathal McKillop shook of the shackles of his marker to raise their third white flag in the 25th minute.
It was Davitt’s who were calling the tune however and they finished the half with a flurry as the superb Stephen McGivern replied with a point and then Peter Og Carleton drilled a low shot through the legs of Larne keeper, Barry Peticrew to leave them 2-6 to 0-3 ahead with two minutes remaining to the break.
Larne’s Cathal McKillop in action against Davitt’s Stephen McGivern
Colm McKee added a great long range point and Cathal McKillop replied from a free for Latharna Og to leave the South Antrim side leading 2-7 to 0-4 at the short whistle and they were full value for that lead.
The question on everyone’s lips was, could 14 man Davitt’s sustain this level of intensity in the second half and it was Latharna Og who made the early running and they looked to have made the perfect start when an umpire signalled that the ball had crossed the Davitt’s line but referee Rab Lappin waved play on despite protests from the Larne side.
They continued to take the game to their opponents for the next ten minutes however and began to get some reward for their efforts as Michael Lismore fired over four frees in quick succession, punishing some over-zealous tackling by the Davitt’s defence.
Lismore’s fourth closed the gap to five by the 13th minute and a comeback looked on the cards but the excellent Stephen McGivern put paid to that notion as he responded with a point with 18 minutes gone. McGivern’s score got his side going again and before the Larne men could recover Peter Carleton got in for a goal from close range and that was that.
That ended the hostilities and the scoring as order was restored and it is Davitt’s who now advance to the next round as worthy winners. Their defence in which Joseph McCaffery, Thomas Og Toland and Thomas Maguire excelled, gave the opposition little time or space throughout the hour.
Floyd the Davitt’s fan, complete with club jersey, dances a victory jig with a young supporter after the game
Stephen McGivern at mid-field was the outstanding player on view while Peter Og Carleton, Anthony Rowntree and Cormac Maguire were a handful in attack.
Last year’s Junior B champions Latharna Og never really got going. They went into this game minus a few regulars but in truth never really matched the intensity of the opposition though Conor Matthews, Mark Peticrew, Michael Lismore and Cathal McKillop gave it everything.
Michael Davitt’s: Joseph McCaffrey, Alan Rainey, Thomas Og Toland, Jason Park, Ruairi McIlroy, Thomas Maguire, Colm McKee, Stephen McGivern, Michael Og Rowntree, Peter Og Carleton, Caoimhin Heaney, Christopher Gallagher, Charlie McHenry, Anthony Rowntree, Cormac Maguire. Subs: Gerard Cosgrove for Charlie McKendry, Darragh Maher for Cormac Maguire, Christopher Mulligan for Anthony Rowntree
Latharna Og: Barry Peticrew, Thomas Carson, Kellan McAuley, Darren Martin, Ciaran Martin, Conor Matthews, Mark Peticrew, Caolan Shields, Phil McKendry, Michael Lismore, Ciaran Mulvenna, Cathal McKillop, Jack McAlister, Anthony O’Neill, Conor O’Boyle. Subs: Daniel Heggarty for Ciaran Shields, Conor O’Boyle for Ciaran McKillop
Referee: Rab Lappin (Lamh Dhearg)
Boss man Tommy Shaw looks on
Sophie had her dog Floyd dressed in club colours today as her beloved Davitt’s beat Larne in the Junior B Hurling Championship in Ballymena.
