Casement Social Club JHC Group 2

All Saints 0-16 Gort na Mona 1-23

Padraig McCaffrey was on fire as the greater experience and firepower of Gort na Mona was the deciding factor in this JHC Group 2 encounter against All Saints at Quinn Park on Sunday afternoon.

The home side started brightly with Eoin McGuigan and Darrach Bradley up front and it was these two who briefly fired All Saints into a 2-1 lead by the 4^th minute, the Gort na Mona point coming from Padraig McCaffrey.

McCaffrey would have a major influence on proceedings over the hour and he brought it all square with his second of the contest from a 6^th minute free and it seemed to settle the men from the Mona Bye-Pass.

Niall Henry, Darren Boyd, Dessie McLean and McCaffrey again extend the Gort na Mona lead to four by the 14^th minute as they took control in the mid-field sector.

Darrach Bradley reduced the deficit to three but Henry returned a misplaced clearance between the uprights to restore Gort na Mona’s four point advantage.

Padraig McCaffrey was ruling the roost at mid-field and he responded to an Eoin McGuigan point with two of his own and Niall Henry Darren ‘Diesel’ Boyd and Conor McCann moved them 8 clear with 23 minutes gone.

All Saints introduced Gary Miskella for Niall savage and Darrach Bradley converted two frees and struck an excellent point from range to close the gap to five as Piaras McCaffrey sounded his half-time whistle.

Cormac Magill replaced Daniel Kelly in the All Saints attack at the start of the second half and Paddy Murphy came in for Vinny Esler and they got off to a bright start when Pearse Martin pointed in the opening minute.

The visitors replied immediately through Ryan Cahill and a fine catch and point on the turn by Dessie McClean before Darren Boyd added another as they took control once more.

A young All Saints were battling hard but were not getting good ball into their potential danger man, Eoin McGuigan with passes being over hit.

Darrach Bradley pulled one back for the home side from a free and Padraig McCaffrey replied from another placed ball before Pearse Martin struck his second of the afternoon.

Martin’s point left ten between the sides and then Ciaran Cassley in the Ballymena goals pulled of a superb save to deny Darren Boyd with McCaffrey pointing the resulting ‘65’.

Padraig McCaffrey was giving an exhibition of free taking as he moved the visitors 8 ahead by the 10^th minute with Cormac Magill replying with a point for All Saints.

It provided only short respite with Dessie McClean for the visitors and Darrach Bradley 0-2 exchanging further points before Magill was given his marching orders following a second yellow card.

Another Bradley free and a fine effort from play by Eoin McGuigan and a superb save by Ciaran Cassley, his second of the evening had it back to five again with time almost up but that would be as close as All Saints got.

Gort na Mona finished strongly with Desie McClean adding two points before Padraig McCaffrey finally found a way past Ciaran Cassley for the game’s only goal.

Gort na Mona play Lamh Dhearg in their next game in Group 2 on the 9^th August while All Saints face Glen Rovers the following day with both these games at neutral venues.

All Saints: 1 Ciaran Cassley, 2 Kevin Brady, 3 Vinny Esler, 4 Dwayne McKee, 5 Niall Savage, 6 Eoin McAllister, 7 Daniel Gray, 8 Archie McGreevey, 9 Harry Connon, 11 Daniel Kelly, 12 Jack Magill, 13 Pearse Martin, 14 Eoin mcGuigan, 15 Darrach Bradley.

Subs: Gary Miskella, Paddy Murphy, Cormac Magill

Gort na Mona: 1 Caolan MacRory, Conor Connolly, 3 Mark Rea, 4 Tiarnan O’Cadhlaidh, 5 Nathan Gibson, 6 Padraig McHugh, 7 Colm Scullion, 8 Padraig McCaffrey, 9 Tiarnan Morton, 10 Darren Boyd, 11 Niall Henry, 12 Thomas McCaffrey, 13 Dessie McClean, 14 Ryan Cahill, 15 Conor McCann.

Subs: Manus McMullan, Sean Doyle

Referee: Piaras McCaffrey (St. Gall’s)

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Casement’s Social Club JHC Group 1

Ardoyne 3-9 Davitt’s 1-15

Kikckham’s Ardoyne staged a strong second half comeback to gain a share of the points in this opening game of Group 1 of the Junior Hurling Championship at Fennell Park on Friday night.

In the proverbial game of two halves it was the men from the Falls Road who looked to be coasting to a comfortable victory when they led 1-7 to 0-2 at the interval, thanks to a goal from Anthony Rowntree after 17 minutes.

Kickham’s were a different team after the break however as they set about reeling in the Davitt’s lead with Cormac Marron adding to a series of Patrick McGreevey points with a goal in the 19^th minute.

The visitors looked to have done enough when they led by six with time almost up but two goals from Dean Goodall , the first a scrambled effort, looked to have sealed an unlikely win for the home side but man of the match, Christopher Gallagher tied the contest with an injury time point.

Gallagher was prominent for Davitt’s throughout the contest and his three first half points and points from Dean Mooney, Stephen McGivern and Colm McKee and 1-1 from Anthony Rowntree saw Davitt’s 1-7 to 0-2 ahead at the break, the Ardoyne points both coming from Patrick McGreevey frees.

McGreevey continued to lead the Ardoyne challenge during the second half, hitting three of four early points to close the gap to four after 8 minutes with Daniel Moore’s long range effort getting them on their way.

Christopher Gallagher hit three further points for the Falls Road side in answer to a goal from Cormac Marron and points from Caolan Wallace and Christopher McShane and it was all still to play for.

It was Davitt’s who looked to have survived the storm however as Colm McKee, Gallagher and Stephen McGivern fired over but Moore and McGreevey answered with points for the hosts and that Goodall double looked to have snatched it for Ardoyne.

Christopher Gallagher became the Davitt’s hero as he kept his cool to fire over a late equaliser and in the end both sides will have been fairly satisfied with the draw though both will feel they had the chance to win it.

Ardoyne: 1 Paddy Heaney, 2 Cormac Curran, 3 Paul Baker, 4 Martin McLaughlin, 5 Aran Stewart, 6 Michael McGreevey, 7 Christopher McShane, 8 Daniel Moore, 9 Paul McGuigan, 10 Caolan Wallace, 11 Dean Goodall, 12 Enda Slattery, 13 Matt McKillen, 14 Patrick McGreevey, 15 Kevin Holland

Subs: 19 Cormac Marron for Kevin Holland, Piaras Hull for Martin McLaughlin, 20 Fiontan Lagan for Enda Slattery, Martin McLaughlin for Cormac Curran

Davitt’s: 1 Gerards Cosgrove, 2 Odhran Cosgrove, 3 Thomas Toland, 4 Jasonm Park, 5 Peter Og Carleton, 6 Caoimhin Heaney, 7 Michael Og Rowntree, 8 Stephen McGivern, 9 Colm McKee, 10 Caoimhin Rainey, 11 Deaglan Mooney, 12 Christopher Gallagher, 13 Cormac Maguire,  25 Anthony Rowntree, 15 Marcas Toner.

Subs: 19 Stephen Thompson for Marcas Toner 18 Caoimhin McGowan, 17 Sean Kelly, 24 Leigh McGrady

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

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Ulster Junior Hurling Club Championship quarter-final

St. Mary’s Rasharkin 1-15  East Cavan Gaels 4-16

Rasharkin’s hopes of a place in the Ulster final were blown off course in Carrickmore on Sunday where they lost to a very physical East Cavan Gaels in a bad tempered affair where referee Barry Winters had his work cut out to keep a lid on proceedings.

The Antrim champions made a bright start in Pairc Colmcille with Cathir Henderson pointing them ahead in the second minute before the Gaels Colm Gargan became the first player to receive Yellow with only three minutes on the clock.

The Dreen side responded from a Conor McKeever free to move two in front and the early indications were looking good for St. Mary’s but when Jack Barry opened the Cavan combination side’s account with a point in the 7^th minute things began to change.

Liam O’Brien, who would have a massive influence on the game, levelled from a pointed free but Rasharkin were giving as good as they got and Shane Hasson restored their lead with a point in the 9^th minute.

Conor McKeever extended that lead from a well struck free and Nicolas Kenny and Donagh Quigg exchanged further points to keep the gap at two after 13 minutes.

The tackles were going in thick and fast and Carrickmore was certainly no place for the faint hearted as play continued to swing from end to end with Liam O’Brien from a free and Conor McKillop exchanging further minors.

Some of the tackling left a lot to be desired with the Cavan combination putting in heavy challenges that were starting to unsettle Rasharkin and the Cavan men hit two points on the bounce through Nicolas Kenny and Liam O’Brien before Callum Shiels finished from close range for the game’s opening goal in the 17^th minute.

That goal put East Cavan Gaels ahead for the first time in the match and four minutes later things went from bad to worse for the Blue & Ambers as Conor McKeever received a second Yellow and the Red that followed.

The Gaels pushed forward in the closing stages of the half with their numerical advantage with the excellent Liam O’Brien leading the way with two points and Nicolas Kenny adding another with Rasharkin’s only response coming from a Shane Hasson free.

As the card count continued to rise the Cavan side struck a decisive blow as the game crept into injury time with Callum Shiel getting in for his side’s second goal to leave his side 2-9 to 0-7 ahead at the short whistle.

Shiel extended the Cavan lead with a point on the restart with Cahir Henderson for Rasharkin and Nicolas Kenny for the Gaels exchanging further points and it wasn’t looking good for the Antrim men, even at this early juncture.

They did respond however and, roared on by the good crowd who had made the journey to Carrickmore they hit the next four points through Shane Hasson 0-2 and Tiernan O’Boyle 0-2, O’Boyle’s scores coming from two massive long range frees.

Hasson’s second cut the deficit to five with 19 minutes remaining and the momentum was with the Antrim champions but the excellent O’Brien replied from a couple of frees to put further daylight between the sides.

Shane Hasson had taken over the free taking duties from the unfortunate Conor McKeever and he converted another but Liam O’Brien was punishing every perceived indiscretion by the Dreen side as he replied with two more.

Things appeared to be turning in favour of the Antrim men when Rory Farrell received a straight Red with seven minutes remaining and a minute later Shane Hasson fired home to close the gap to four and a comeback looked on the cards.

We then had a bizarre situation when Cian McEntee bundled the sliotar to the net at the other end but was then dismissed following consultation between Barry Winters and his umpires but the goal was allowed to stand.

A minute later Rory Farrell drove the final nail in the Rasharkin coffin as he fired home his side’s fourth goal from close range with Liam O’Brien and Tiernan O’Boyle exchanging late points and Rasharkin’s Brian Og O’Neill becoming the second Rasharkin man to receive Red.

A tough uncompromising game of hurling, spoiled by too many late challenges but East Cavan Gaels look like being serious challengers in the final. A strong physical side with good individuals in Tadh Barry, Jack Barry, Jack McGuinness, Canice Maher, Callum Shiel, Nicolas Kenny and the excellent Liam O’Brien.

They face a massive challenge in the final however against Ballinascreen of Derry who defeated Ballela of Down in the other semi-final the Derry side will start that decider as firm favourites.

For Rasharkin the loss of Conor McKeever was immeasurable but the men from Dreen have had a superb season and did their club and county proud and can push on from their Antrim success as they contest Intermediate next season.

Rasharkin: James O’Mullan, Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, Connaire Donaghy, Ruairi O’Boyle, Aidan McKeever, Tiernan O’Boyle, Shane Hasson, Conor McFerran, Cathir Henderson, Emmet McFerran, Conor McKeever, Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop, Declan McKay.

Subs: Daniel Hasson, Brian Og O’Neill

East Cavan Gaels: Conor Gallagher, Sean Walsh, Tadh Barry, Colin Gargan, Jack Barry, Jack McGuinness, Canice Maher, Philip McKeon, Callum Shiel, Liam O’Brien, Daire Leddy, Rory Farrell, Nicolas Kenny, Cian McEntee, James Tully

Sub: Kyle McGuinness

Referee: Barry Winters (Tyrone)

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Ulster JHC Preliminary Round

Erne Gaels 1-5 Sean Tracey’s Armagh 1-13

While thousands of Lurgan Gaels made their way to the Athletic Grounds on Saturday night, the Sean Treacy’s hurlers were celebrating an opening day win in the Ulster Championship.

The match which was moved from the Fermanagh county ground of Brewster Park to Belleek, home of the opposition. Sean Treacy’s weren’t long in getting over the long hike. A Conor Carabine free floating straight into the net after just three minutes.

With a very wet and heavy field underfoot, the Treacy’s lads battled hard in an opening period that saw both teams struggle to adapt to the poor conditions. Reece Magee hit a score before the home side hit their opening score after 10 minutes.

The Lurgan side dominated the latter part of the half with five scores to a single free for Erne Gaels. Conor Carabine (65), Tam McKavanagh (2), Reece Magee and Kane Laverty all scored.

Second half

The home side got off to a good start in the second half. They converted a free from midfield after the referee adjudged a bit of indiscretion from the throw-in.

Another free after six minutes added to their confidence, but Sean Treacy’s found their rhythm with a Conor Carabine free. Successive scores from Patrick Kane, who impressed after being introduced in the first half, two more from Carabine, one from play and one from a free, and a third score from joint captain Tam McKavanagh.

With Sean Treacy’s reduced to 14 men, the Fermanagh side launched attack after attack. They pointed a free and finally hit the net after a couple of good stops from Caolán McCann.

The Sean Treacy’s defence regained their dominance though, holding off any further attacks and points from Patrick Kane and Kane Laverty sealed a well-deserved victory. That sees the Lurgan side march on to the Ulster Junior quarter-final on Saturday when they face Antrim champs, Raskarkin in the Athletic Grounds.

Junior Hurling B Final

Belfast Saints 1-19 St. Brigid’s 1-11

Belfast Saints took the honours in this Junior B Hurling final at Davitt’s on Saturday. The West Belfast combination led by double scores at half time and with Phillip Maguire proving a handful throughout they never looked like losing.

Maguire would finish with 0-10 to his name for an evening of hurling in which the Saints defensive strength and all round ability proved too much for a St. Brigid’s side almost totally dependent on James Kelly for their scores.

Kelly’s free taking was instrumental in keeping his side hanging in there until late in a game they never really looked like winning and his deflected free late in the game led to the goal that put a better reflection on the final score-line.

It was Kelly who got the Musgrave Park side off the mark with a pointed free in the second minute but it would be the only time that Naomh Brid would be ahead as Belfast Saints responded with four on the bounce.

Mark Caldwell, Phillip Maguire with his first of the evening from a free, Pierce O’Rawe and Daniel McGuigan had the Saints three in front by the 10^th minute as they began to take control.

Another pointed James Kelly free closed the gap to two but Maguire’s second and another from Robert Gallagher with an excellent over the shoulder effort moved the ‘Hoops’ four in front before Kelly replied with his third of the game for the Musgrave Park side in the 16^th minute.

Belfast Saints were then handed the opportunity to put further daylight between the sides when they were awarded a penalty but Maguire’s well struck shot sailed over.

Chris Lundy became the second player to register for St. Brigid’s but they were still hanging in there and Daniel McGuigan replied with two on the bounce before Kelly replied with St. Brigid’s final point of the half in the 27^th minute.

Kelly’s point closed the gap to two and the Musgrave management would probably have been happy at this stage but Belfast Saints finished the half strongly as Mark Caldwell Phillip Maguire 0-3 and Robert Gallagher added unanswered points.

Trailing by seven, the Musgrave Park side needed a good start to the second half but in the event it was that man Maguire who extended the Belfast Saints lead from a ‘65’ and followed with another from play in the 3d minute.

James Kelly was busting a gut to get his side back into contention and he replied from a pointed free but significantly his side were off target on a number of occasions as they enjoyed a period of supremacy.

Kelly from two more frees and a fine long range effort from play had the gap down to five at the end of the third quarter but once again the Saints were able to respond emphatically.

Stephen Carey, Phillip Maguire 0-2 f’s hit points and Carey’s goal with a minute of normal time remaining put the contest out of reach.

Kelly’s deflected shot from a free ended in the Saints net to put a better reflection on the result but the final score of the half would fall to Joseph McQuillan with a point in injury time before the celebrations began.

A well-deserved win for Belfast Saints who were dominant in most areas of the field and in Phillip Maguire had a man who looked like scoring every time he received the sliotar and his free taking has been instrumental throughout the championship.

Conor Grieve in goals, Matt Carlin, Ronan Carroll, Pierce O’Rawe, Joseph McQuillan, Mark Caldwell and Daniel McGuigan were others to catch the eye in an strong all round Belfast Saints performance

St. Brigid’s were much too reliant on James Kelly for scores but Brian McGurk, Chris Lundy Michael Burke, Peter Heaney, Cathal Conway and Oisin McDonnell did all in their power to get their side going but to no avail

Belfast Saints: 1 Conor Grieve, 2 Brian Keatings, 3 Matt Carlin, 4 Phillip Glennon, 5 Ronan Carroll, 6 Conor O’Rawe, 7 Pierce O’Rawe, 8 Colm McGoldrick, 9 Joseph McQuillan, 10 Niall McGettigan, 11 Mark Caldwell, 12 Stephen Carey, 13 Robert Gallagher, 14 Phillip Maguire, 15 Daniel McGuigan

St. Brigid’s: 1 Brian McGurk, 27 Chris Lundy 3 Michael Burke, 4 Oliver Leggett, 5 Toirealach Brolly, 6 Peter Heaney, 7 Michael Kerr, 8 Niall Murtagh, 9 Cathal Conway, 10 David Prenter, 11 Jack Pardy, 12 Fintan Cleary, 13 John McGuckian, 14 James Kelly, 15 Oisin McDonnell,

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