Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall’s late goals sink the Shamrocks

Thomas McLaughlin grabs a high ball in this challenge with Loughgiel’s Conor Dickson during the Under 21 Hurling Championship semi-final on Monday evening.

The game started like a whirlwind and after Loughgiel’s Darragh Patterson hit the opening score, right from the throw-in the ‘Dall came back with two inside 30 seconds from Joseph McLaughlin. The Shamrocks hit back and the sides were level on 3 apiece after three minutes as the blistering early pace of the game continued and three from Oran McCambride, Oisin Woodhouse and Fiontan Bradley put the home side 0-5 to 0-3 in front with less than five minutes on the clock.

Conor O’Mullan and Christy McGarry brought Loughgiel level again but a goal from Joseph McLaughlin and six points on the bounce from the home side started to see daylight appear between the teams, the Ruairis leading by 1-10 to 0-5 at the end of the first quarter. The Shamrocks closed the gap with points from a Christy McGarry free and one from play from Conor O’Mullan but Cushendall pulled away again with a goal from Fiontan Bradley on 22 minutes. Eight in arrears Loughgiel were in danger of being cut adrift, but they battled their way back into contention with four points in the last seven minutes of the half, one from play by Pearse Patterson and three from Christy McCarry frees to trail by just four at the half time whistle. (2-12 to 1-11)

Within a minute of the restart the gap was down to two as top scorer McGarry and Ronan McCollum swung over points, though Joseph McLaughlin and Callagh Mooney pushed the gap out to four again in the next three minutes. A Joseph McLaughlin free stretched the gap to five, but Loughgiel hit back with a goal from Ben McGarry and suddenly it looked to be anybody’s game.

Loughgiel’s Christy McGarry get away from Cushendall’s Callagh Mooney during the U21 semi-final at Pairc Mhuire

Two minutes later Cushendall had the ball in the net at the other end when Oran McCambridge drilled one in from a narrow angle on the right, but Loughgiel kept themselves in contention when Christy McGarry sent over two more points from frees. Cushendall were finding the scores increasingly hard to come by and Loughgiel drew level by the 50th minute as McGarry tagged on another point from a free and Liam Glackin added one from play.

The Shamrock fans must have felt their team were in with a great chance at this stage but the home side found another gear down the home straight as they outscored the visitors by 3-1 to a single point. The first goal came from Oran McCambridge and the other two from Joseph McLaughlin who completed his hat trick to seal the win and book his team’s place in the final against Dunloy next Monday evening in Ballycastle.

FOR MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/cTVb5PmCfgL2zt/?invite=016dd0a9-1845-4901-a547-c45ba1a6ae5c

 

CUSHENDALL

Liam McGhee, Alex McCambridge, Daire Mort, Michael Quinn, Mark Emerson, Callagh Mooney, Conor McCollum, Joseph McNaughton, Austin Birt, Oisin Woodhouse, Joseph McNaughton, Oran McCambridge, Fiontan Bradley, Padraig McKillop, Thomas McLaughlin

Subs – Aodhan Campbell for Mark Emerson;

LOUGHGIEL

Codai McGarry, Cahir Connolly, Ruairi McCormick, Conor Dickson, Conal McCloskey, Liam Glackin, Ben McGarry, Tiago McGarry, Christy McGarry, Eoin McGarry, Darragh Patterson, Pearse Patterson, Ronan McCollam, Ronan Fitzgerald, Conor O’Mullan

Subs – Finn Henry for Conor O’Mullan; Ryan O’Boyle for Ronan Fitzgerald; Oisin Connolly for Liam Glackin

Referee – Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

by thesaffrongael

History made at Slemish Park

U21B Hurling Championship semi-final

All Saints 2-12 Lamh Dhearg 1-7

Chris Dornan wore a smile as wide as Slemish Park as he walked off the field after his All Saints side made their little bit of history with this win over Lamh Dhearg in the semi-final of the U21 B Hurling Championship.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of the Cushendall native, who manages the Senior team, the Ballymena club fielded a side at this level for the first time and it proved to be a very successful night for Dorney’s side.

The visitors certainly played their part in a typically rugged championship encounter and were level at half time when the sides retreated to the dressing rooms tied at 0-6 each.

Jakub Kaczmarek ( Above and featured image) fires home his second goal to secure All Saints their place in the U21B Hurling final

The Ballymena management made a vital switch at half time when they moved Jakub Kaczmarek to the edge of the square and the switch was to pay dividends as the strong running number 10 struck with two excellent goals to swing the contest decisively in favour of the home team.

His first came with ten minutes remaining at a time when the visitors had hauled back a four point deficit to draw level at 0-10 to 1-7 and he ensured that there would be no way back for a battling Hannastown outfit as he fired home his second with only a minute remaining.

Darach Bradley put the home side ahead with a pointed free after 30 seconds and the All Saints number 11 would be an important contributor as he hit four of his side’s six first half points with Sean McDermott and Daniel Kelly their other marksmen.

Lamh Dhearg matched them all the way through the opening half where they had wind advantage with Ciaran Boyd, Adam Murray 0-2, Finn Mervyn 0-2 and Donal Martin their first half scorers and Boyd was unfortunate to see his shot come back of an upright with 7 minutes gone.

Conor McConville, Lamh Dhearg and Tiernan McGurk, All Saints challenge for the ball
Darch Bradley who scored 0-9 for All Saints in their win over Lamh Dhearg

The home side lacked penetration up front during the opening half and Kaczmarek’s switch to full-forward for the second 30 minutes proved a master stroke.

Indeed they might have had a goal as early as the second minute but Rhys Camlin in the visitors goals brought of a superb double save to deny Jakub Kaczmarek and Darach Bradley on the follow up.

All Saints seemed to be taking control however as Daniel Kelly and Darach Bradley with three on the bounce move them four ahead by the 13th minute and they looked to have found their grove.

Lamh Dhearg had other ideas however and they struck back with a goal from Conal McGuigan in the 15th minute, their first score of the second half and when Ciaran Boyd followed immediately with a point the sides were level.

The Slemish Park side had hit half a dozen wides at this point but Jakub Kaczmarek became their hero when he raced through on goal and kicked the sliothar past the advancing Rhys Camlin to move the home side three in front.

The superb Darach Bradley added two points and Kaczmarek put the icing on a fine performance as he fired home his and his sides second goal with time almost up to secure a place in next week’s final against Sarsfields.

All Saints: 1 Luke Walsh, 2 Finn Connon, 3 Peadar McGuckian, 4 Diarmuid Casey, 5 Senan O’Boyle, 6 Harry Connon, 7 Archie McGreevey, 8 Sean McDermott 0-1, 9 Daniel Kelly 0-2, 10 Jakub Kaczmarek 2-0, 11 Darach Bradley 0-9, Fintan Brady, 13 Eddie McKendry, 14 Tiernan McGurk, 15 Ciaran Logan.

Subs: Caolan Laverty for Tiernan McGurk

Lamh Dhearg: 1 Rhys Camlin, 3 Odhran Kane, 4 Corey Camlin, 5 Reece Groves, 6 Finn Mervyn 0-2, 7 Niall McGarry, 8 Ciaran Boyd 0-2, 9 Aidan Morrow, 10 Adam Murray 0-2, 23 Aidan McKeague, 12 Donal Martin 0-1, 13 Eoin Murray, 14 Conal McGuigan 1-0, 15 Sean McCarthy, 22 Conor McConville

Referee: Seamus Shannon (Rossa)

For more pics from the All Saints v Lamh Dhearg game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/AaCtabmyBmezex

by thesaffrongael

Rampant Gaels off to a winning start

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 1

Cloney Gaels 3-26 St. Paul’s 2-16

Cloney Gaels hit an impressive 3-26 as they overcame the challenge of Visitors St. Paul’s in the opening Group 1 game of the Intermediate Hurling Championship in Ahoghill on Sunday.

The final score-line was a little unkind to a St. Paul’s side who played some excellent hurling but didn’t have the accuracy of a free scoring home side who denied them space at the other end of the field.

Cloney Gaels led 1-13 to 1-9 at the end of a fairly even opening half with both sides missing good goal opportunities but the turning point came 7 minutes into the second half when Colla McDonnell fired to the corner of the visitors net.

Patrick Graham hit a third for the Ahoghill side at the end of the third quarter to put it out of reach of the visitors who kept battling to the end and were reward with a consolation goal from Patrick Doyle in injury time.

It was visitors St. Paul’s who were first on target with Declan Chapman pointing them ahead in the opening minute with Ronan Graham striking the equaliser from 60 meters with four minutes on the clock.

A James O’Connell free and another by the same player from a ‘65’ had Cloney Gaels two ahead by the 8th minute with Conall Duffy replying to close the gap to one.

Duffy then saw his effort on goal come back of an upright and Aiden Graham pulled off a good save to deny Lorcan Phillips who was quickest to react on the follow up and it seemed to bring the home side to life.

James O’Connell from a free, Dan O’Neill and Colla McDonnell added points and then Graham hit a great effort from out on the left to move the home side five in front by the 13th minute.

Caolan O’Duibhfinn wasted a good opportunity to bring the visitors back into contention before Eamonn Brady raced through for a good point at the other end and when Eoin Graham fired to the net at the end of the opening quarter, the Gaels had moved 9 ahead.

It was just reward for the Cloney number 14 who’s pace and strong running had opened up the St. Paul’s defence on at least three previous occasions with St. Paul’s calling full-back Frankie Sewell ashore soon after and introducing Caoimhin Killyleah with Bairre Burns moving to full-back.

It brought about improvement as the Shaw’s Road side began to enjoy some success with Sean Munce, Conall Duffy, Caolan O’Duibhfinn and Lorcan Phillips adding points in reply to one from Diarmaid Graham for the home side.

Further points from Declan Chapman and a 31st minute goal from the same player had it back to five at the halfway stage with James O’Connell keeping the score board ticking for the Gaels.

Phillips hit another point, 30 seconds into the second half to close the gap to four and James O’Connell and O’Duibhfinn  exchanged pointed frees before Patrick Graham moved Cloney five ahead once more.

McDonnell’s goal in the 7th minute came after a bad miss from James O’Connell and saw the Ahoghill men find another gear as O’Connell 0-2 and Bobby Magee extended their lead to 9 by the 12th minute.

St. Paul’s were still contesting every ball and replied with points from Caolan O’Duibhfinn and Stephen Rooney but when Patrick Graham got in for Cloney Gaels third goal it looked as good as over.

James O’Connell, Colla McDonnell, Eoin Graham and substitute, Jack McFall added to the Cloney total with four on the bounce before Patrick Doyle pulled one back for the visitors with six minutes remaining.

O’Connell from a free and Fionnbar O’Neill with a massive point, Eoin Graham and Dan O’Neill concluded the scoring for the home side with Caolan O’Duibhfinn from a free and Doyle’s injury time goal putting a better look on the final score-line.

This win sees Cloney Gaels join Tir na nOg and Sarsfields at the top of the table. The Whitehill side recorded a facile win over Con Magee’s at Whitehill while Sarsfields had three to spare over Cushendun at the ‘Bear Pit’

Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 Patrick Dougan, 4 Bernard Graham, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 James Magee, 7 Diarmaid Graham, 8 Eamonn Brady, 9 Daniel O’Neill, 10 Donal Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Patrick Graham, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Eoin Graham, 15 James O’Connell

Subs: Shea Neeson, Jack McFall, Neill O’Connell, Eoin Neeson, Charlie McCloskey

St. Paul’s: 1 Chris Murray, 2 Ciaran O’Carroll, 3 Frankie Sewell, 4 Tiarnan Auld, 5 Thomas Duff, 6 Stephen Rooney, 7 Marcas Munce, 8 Sean Lawell, 9 Bairre Burns, 10 Caolan O’Duibhfinn, 11 Lorcan Phillips, 12 Declan Chapman, 13 Conall Duffy, 14 Patrick Doyle, 15 Sean Munce

Subs: Ciaran Killyleah, Declan Quinn, Liam Walsh, Callum Murray

Referee: Darren McKeown

TO SEE MORE PICS BY BRIAN McKEE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/xmA4wUfLdJu3Zx

by thesaffrongael

Rejuvenated Paddies bounce back to shock the Emmet’s

Intermediate Hurling Championship – RR1

Sarsfields 2-20 Cushendun 3-14

Pics by Mickey Morgan

Sarsfields fought their way back from eight points down after 38 minutes to beat Cusheudun by three in Sunday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship opening round-robin game at the Bear Pit. When Conlaoth McNeill pointed for the Emmet’s to put them eight clear, seven minutes into the second half, it appeared that the Cushendun side had safely negotiated their opening round game, but incredibly the visitors never raised a flag for the next 23 minutes as Sarsfields took control of the match, and by the time McNeill scored again in injury time the game had slipped from their grasp. The goal brought them back to within three and suddenly there was a little bit of hope of salvaging something, but the Paddies held firm and sealed the win with a bit to spare, a victory that transforms their season.

Relegated to Division 3 this season there were few pundits who gave the Paddies much of a chance in this game, and when Cushendun had the better of the first half, things appeared to be going that way. Conor McHugh hit the opening score for the visitors on three minutes but Sarsfields hit back two minutes later with a goal by corner forward Malachy Campbell to take a two point lead. They stretched their lead to four as Donal and Niall McKernan added points, and though ‘Loaf’ McNeill pulled one back for Cushendun, the gap was soon out to five when Caolan and Donal McKernan swung over two points inside a minute.

Cushendun started to settle into the game and three points from McNeill and two from Conor McHugh saw them draw level with the Belfast men. A great goal by Conrad McDonnell on 18 minutes put the Emmet’s three clear and though Donal McKernan came back with a point, it was to be the Paddies last score of the half and Cushendun produced a storming finish to the half with a second goal from Conrad McDonnell, plus three pointed frees from Loaf McNeill to lead by six at half time. (2-10 to 1-07)

Niall McKenna pulled one back for Sarsfields at the start of the second half to cut the gap to five, but when Cushendun hit back with two points from McNeill and one from Callum Kilgore, to stretch their lead to eight, the visiting fans must surely have thought the win was secure.

However things turned out much differently than expected and after Niall McKenna pulled back a couple of points a sideline ‘cut’ was sent in around the Emmet’s goal area where Donal McKernan rose brilliantly to double the ball to the net. Suddenly the Paddies were in charge all over the field and two points from McKenna and one from Caolan McKernan brought them level and they pushed on to lead by six with just two minutes left for play. Cushendun ended a twenty three minute scoreless spell when Loaf McNeill fired in a goal, but Sarsfields held their nerve in a hectic finish to seal a remarkable win.    

FOR MORE MICKEY MORGAN PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/DrfW9PqdFxCgAs

by thesaffrongael

Glenarm are pushed to the limit before overcoming Cloughmills

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 1 – Round 1

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm 0-24 St Brigid’s Cloughmills 0-21

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm were pushed to the pin of their collar before getting the better of St Brigid’s Cloughmills in the opening round robin game of the Intermediate Hurling Championship at Feystown on Saturday afternoon.

Going into the game every pundit was predicting a convincing win for the Glenarm men, especially after the great display they put up in the relegation-promotion final against Down side Ballycran just over a week and a half ago. However Cloughmills were up for the task and for most of Saturday’s game they held the upper hand for long periods.

Glenarm, were really up against when they had a man red carded early in the second half, but to their credit they stepped up to the plate when the odds appeared to be stacked against them, and with ace forward Niall McGarel pulling the strings they eventually gained the upper hand to win by three in the end.

Tempers flared in the dying minutes as both teams pushed hard for the win but common sense soon returned and both will live to fight another day (pardon the pun). The win was vital for the Shane O’Neills side who travel to Carey Faughs in their next game in two weeks, time. Cloughmills came out on the wrong side of things in the end, but they can be proud of their performance today. They have home advantage next time out when they face St Gall’s and going by Saturday’s performance a win is certainly not out of the question there.

A Dylan McLaughlin point in the first minute gave Glenarm an early lead, but they would not get their noses in front again until the final quarter when they eventually got on top going down the home stretch. Jimmy Doherty and Marty Dobbin came back with points for the Biddies, and though McGarrel replied right away for the home side, three points in as many minutes from Eoin Dobbin, Marty Dobbin and Liam Kearns gave Cloughmills the upper hand again.

McGarrel was causing lots of problems for the opposition and two more points by him and one each from Ciaran Magill and Dylan McLaughlin got the home side back on terms. However every time they got level again Cloughmills got their noses back in front, and they went in at the break holding a deserved 0-13 to 0-11 lead.

When Eoin Dobbin stretched that lead to three a minute after the restart Glenarm’s task was getting much more difficult. Things went from bad to worse when a Glenarm player received a straight red card, but strangely enough it appeared to be the wake-up call they needed and soon afterwards they started to claw their way back. Two points from McGarrel and one from Dylan McLaughlin brought them level, but each time they tied things up, the Biddies found an answer and Eoin Dobbin, James Doherty and Liam Kearns all took turns in answering McGarrel points to push their team into the lead again.

A great long range point from a free by Darren Hamill eventually gave the home team back the lead and though Clouhmills did manage to draw level again, the home side landed the last three scores of the game through McGarrel (2) and Sean O’Boyle to clinch a vital win.

GLENARM

Michael Abram, Joshua Quinn, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Declan McDermott, Kieran O’Boyle, Daniel Black, Dylan McLaughlin, Ciaran Magill, Blain McDermott, Michael Furey, Niall McGarel, Sean O’Boyle.

CLOUGHMILLS

Christopher McKiernan, Rian Dobbin, Sean McKendry, Johnny Duffin, James Doherty, Ruairi Laverty, Geoffrey Og Laverty, Stephen Smyth, Kevin O’Boyle, Martin Dobbin, Callum McKendry, Liam Kearns, Reece Watt, Corey Blair, Eoin Dobbin.

REFEREE – Colm McDonald (St Gall’s)

FOR MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/teNeudYdoDW8bh/?invite=2588afeb-e691-4461-a695-878d67eee151