Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Oisins cut loose in second half

Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 2

Oisins 4-18 Glenarm 1-11

A great second half performance from Glenariffe Oisins saw them beat old rivals Glenarm in Saturday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 2 games at Waterfoot to keep themselves on track for a semi-final place. There was little between the two teams in the opening half, and though the Oisins led by 2-06 to 0-09, it could have been so much different had the visitors no missed a penalty in the first half and had a late goal ruled out for a throw ball in the build-up seconds before the half time whistle.

When the teams came back out for the second half the Oisins were transformed. They stretched their lead out to seven before Glenarm raised their first flag. After Niall McGarel got the Shane O’Neill’s men restarted with a point from play, the Oisins hit back with 1-2 to all but seal the win. The victory puts them in a strong position as they join Carey Faughs as the only unbeaten teams in the group, but they still have two more games to play, one of them away to last years’ Junior champions Cloughmmills before finishing thier campaign at home to Carey. A win against the St Brigid’s men in Cloughmills would virtually seal a semi final place, but with Carey to face in the inal game nothing is garunteed just yet.

Seanie McIntosh got the first score of the game in the third minute but Niall McGarrel hit back with two in a row for Glenarm and when Aidan Scullion sent over a long range free things looked promising for the visitors. Glenariffe then got a big boost when corner forward Seanie McIntosh got his team’s first goal, drilling the ball home from close range, but Niall McGarel pulled a couple back for Glenarm to keep the gap manageable and the sides were level on eighteen minutes on 1-3 to 0-6.

Four minutes later Alex O’Boyle flicked a ball in to right half forward Kieran McKendry and he fired home from close range and when O’Boyle and Seanie McIntosh added points the home side were flying it. Glenarm did have a couple of goal chances themselves in the final minutes of the half when goalkeeper Michael Abram was called forward to take a penalty, but though his shot was well struck well it went to the right of the upright and wide. In injury time there was another chance for the boys in blue when Aidan Scullion cut in from the right of goal, but in his attempt to hand-pass the ball inside to the unmarked Michael Furey he was adjudged to have thrown the ball to Furey and the goal was disallowed.

Three ahead at the break Glenariffe were quickly into their stirde at the start of the new half and Alex O’Boyle, Brogan O’Connor, O’Boyle again and Oliver Kearney stretched their lead to seven. McGarel came back with one for the visitors but Conor Patterson broke through to fire in goal number three with five minutes still to play.

Dan Black cut through the middle of the Oisins defence to score his team’s second goal and Oisins goalkeeper Paul McMullan saved a penalty from Niall McGarel before the home team hit another run of four unanswered points before Mark O’Neill sounded the final whistle.

OISINS

Paul McMullan, Patrick McIlwaine, Niall Murray, Niall Magee, Calum McIlwaine, Michael Haughey, Daniel Kearney, Oliver Kearney, Odhran Gillan, Kieran McKendry, Alex O’Boyle, Orrin O’connor, Brogan O’Connor, Seanie McIntosh, Conor Patterson.

GLENARM

Michael Abram, Joshua Quinn, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Declan McDermot, Kieran O’Boyle, Daniel Black, Ciaran Magill, Blain McDermot, Michael Furey, Nial McGarel, Sean O’Noyle.

Referee – Mark O’Neill

FOR MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Gaels finish strongly to maintain 100% record

Intermediate Hurling Championship

Cloney Gaels 0-21 Cushendun Emmet’s 0-14

Cloney Gaels have one foot in the semi-final of the Intermediate Hurling Championship after they beat Cushendun on Friday evening in poor conditions at Feystown, Glenarm to make it 3 wins out of 3. Cushendun, who are still pointless after three games, did well in the opening half and in the early stages of the second, but when Cloney upped the pace they were able to pull clear and had seven points to spare at the end.

Things have not gone well for the Emmet’s this season and with the Kilgore brothers absent all season and centre back Donal O’Hara out with a broken hand, they faced an uphill struggle after losing their first two games. They started well enough and were 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after seven minutes, Tom Scally and Dominic McQuillan giving them the lead after seven minutes. Cloney began to settle into the rhythm and points from James O’Connell, Ronan Graham and Patrick Graham had them 0-4 to 0-3 ahead after 13 minutes, and it could have been more had it not been for a couple of excellent saves by Emmet’s goalkeeper John V Morgan.

Cushendun then had their best spell of the game and four points on the trot from Sean McKay, Dominic McQuillan, Tom Scally and Conor McHugh had them two clear by the 20th minute. A point on the run by Donal Graham and a great effort from a free from inside his own half by Fionnbar O’Neill put Cloney level. Two points from Conlaoth McNeill put the Emmets two ahead but four on the spin from James O’Connell had the Ahoghill men 0-11 to 0-09 in front by the time referee Paddy Tumelty blew the half time whistle.

The Emmet’s started the second half really well and a pointed 65 from ‘Loaf’ McNeill and one from play by Tom Scally had them level by the 35th minute. It looked like we were in for a close contest, but Cloney took control again and four points without reply, three of them from James O’Connell and one from Patrick Graham, opened a three point gap. Another excellent save by Morgan in the Emmet’s goal was followed by a point from a ‘Loaf’ McNeill free and the Cushendun men were still within reach, but they managed just one more point as a James O’Connell inspired Cloney side pulled away, O’Connell getting three more points and Eamon Brady one to end up seven clear at the end.

CLONEY GAELS

Aiden Graham, Bernard Graham, Patrick Dougan, Bernard Graham, Fionnbar O’Neill. Neill O’Connell, Danny O’Neill, Eamon Brady, Connor Crossey, Donal Graham, Ronan Graham, Patrick Jr. Graham, Owen Jr Neeson, Owen Graham, James O’Connell.

CUSHENDUN EMMET’S

John V Morgan, Mark McSparran, Archie McSparran, Pearse McKeegan, Sean McKay, Jack McKay, Calum Kilgore, Aidan McSparran, Andrew Breslin, Conor McHugh, Tom Scally, Alex McMullan, Dominic McQuillan, Conrad McDonnell, Conor Bannon.

Referee – Paddy Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

FOR MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Rovers advance in heavy conditions at Slemish Park

JHC Group 2

All Saints 1-11 Glen Rover 3-18

Glen Rovers, Armoy completed their Group 2 Junior Hurling Championship with maximum points following this 13 point win over All Saints Ballymena in bad underfoot conditions at a wet Slemish park on Friday night.

Both sides were without key players and for a spell, early in the contest it looked like a youthful All Saints were going to present as challenge to their more experienced opponents.

A goal from one of the Ballymena side’s more experienced campaigners, Liam Cassley closed the gap to the minimum in the 11th minute but before the celebrations died down, Owen Kinney scooped the sliothar home at the other end to restore his side’s four point advantage.

The Armoy side would go on to lead by 2-10 to 1-6 at half time with Kinney collecting a short free from Trevor Linton to fire home his second goal of the half with four minutes remaining to the break.

It was Kinney who got the visitors off the mark when he got his stick to a Turlach McBride free and McBride, Conor Christie, PJ McBride and Trevor Linton moved the visitors 0-5 to 0-1 ahead with the All Saints point coming from Liam Cassley.

After the exchange of goals Ciaran McKenna, Trevor Linton, Conor Christie and Owen Kinney added further points with Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan keeping the scoreboard ticking for the home side.

Bradley converted an early second half free to cut the gap to six with Trevor Linton and Timmothy Burns replying for the visitors before another converted free from the excellent Bradley had it back to six again.

Owen Kinney (14) whoes two goals paved the way for an Armoy victory over All Saints at Slemish Park on Friday evening

Linton took advantage of slackness in the home defence to fire home goal number three for the Armoy side and Owen Kinney and Ciaran McKenna followed with point to open up a 12 point gap and at this stage the home side could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel.

To their credit they continued to produce some fine passages of hurling but lacked the penetration to trouble the Armoy defence with a number of promising attacks breaking down.

Cormac Magill struck an excellent long range point with PJ McBride replying for the Glen Rovers with Conor Christie and Turlach McBride from a long range free concluding the visitors scoring and the excellent Bradley hitting two late consolation points for the home side.

This win makes it three from three for the Glen Rovers and sees them top the group with Saturday’s meeting of Gort na Mona and Lamh Dhearg deciding who will finish second and All Saints now eliminated.

Armoy now qualify automatically for a semi-final spot while both Gort na Mona and Lamh Dhearg have quarter-finals to play against the sides who qualify second and third in Group 1.

Turlach McBride, PJ McBride, Conor Christie, Trevor Linton, Ciaran McKenna, Owen Kinney and Thomas Burns were best on the night for a very good Glen Rovers side who will be favourites to win the championship following last year’s defeat to Cloughmills in the final.

Despite finishing pointless in their group, All Saints have played some great hurling and after losing players to other clubs have had to rebuild with a handful of youngsters who look to have a bright future.

Stand in keeper, Luke Walsh pulled off a couple of good saves in the second half while Harry Connon, Archie McGreevey and Darach Bradley are amongst the new faces who have emerged as serious hurlers during this year’s campaign.

All Saints: 19 Luke Walsh, Conor O’Rawe, 3 Eoin McAllister, 4 Padhraig Magill, 5 Kevin Brady, 6 Harry Connon, 7 Archie McvGreevey, 8 Vincent Esler, 9 Jack Magill, 10 Cormac Magill, 11 Liam Cassley, 12 Eoin McGuigan, 13 Fintan Brady, 14 Sean O’Rawe, 15 Darach Bradley

Subs: Diarmuid Casey, Cathaoir Cunning

Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Coyles, 5 Turlach McBride, 7 Emmet O’Hara, 8 Ronan Lavelle, 9 PJ McBride, 10 Ciaran McKenna, 11 Conor Christie, 12 Eoin O’Boyle, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Owen Kinney, 15 Thomas Burns, 18 Colin Lordan, 19 Conor Watterson, 20 Hugh O’Kane

Subs: Ciaran Coyle for Owen Kinney, Timmothy Burns for Eoin O’Boyle

Referee: Sean Elliott Lamh Dhearg

https://myalbum.com/album/HnNNGBJNf2MWDu

by thesaffrongael

McKenna goal lights the fuse for Sarsfield’s comeback

IFC Group 2

Tir na nOg 0-19 Sarsfields 1-18

Tir na nOg looked to be heading for their third win in three outings in Group 2 when they led Sarsfields 0-11 to 0-6 in Ahoghill at the halfway stage on Thursday night and indeed the Whitehill side could have been further ahead.

When Sean Duffin converted a ‘65’, 2 frees and two from play to move the Randalstown side 11 ahead after only five minutes of the second half it wasn’t looking good for a Sarsfield’s side missing several of the McKernan clan.

The McKiernan who was on duty, Donal finally got the Stewartstown Road side off the mark with a pointed free after seven minutes but there was little indication at this stage of what was about to unfold.

Two minutes later, county player, Niall McKenna drilled his shot to the net and it was ‘game on’ as the men from the Bear Pit came to life as they hit five on the bounce with Tir na nOg visibly rattled by the intensity of their opponents.

Sean Duffin, who had been their go to man tried to steady them but the momentum was now very much with the West Belfast side as they pushed on to win by two points.

Sean Duffin who top scored for Tir na nOg in their Group 2 IHC defeat to Sarsfields in Ahoghill

The first half belonged to Tir na nOg as they dominated this Group 2 game, played at the neutral venue of Cloney, with Sean Duffin in fine scoring form and the big number 11 would contribute 0-8 of his side’s first half total with Ciaran Logan 0-2, Com Duffin and Daragh Fagan their other first half scorers.

Niall McKenna, Donal McKernan 0-3, Gary Lennon and Fionn Jemfrey were the Sarsfields first half marksmen but Tir na nOg might well been further ahead as they missed quite a few scoreable chances.

What was about to unfold in the second half could not have been predicted as Sean Duffin added to his ever increasing total with the first three of the second half to move the Whitehill side into what looked like an unassailable position.

Ace free taker, McKernan got proceedings under way before his side struck with a well worked goal by Niall McKenna to light a fuse that their opponents were unable to extinguish.

Donal McKernan added a couple of frees and Anthony McGarrigle, McKenna and Fionn Jemfrey added further points as the gap slowly closed before Sean Duffin briefly stopped the onslaught with a pointed free in the 18th minute.

Sarsfield’s were now playing with a determination and belief that had been missing earlier in the game as Gary Lennon landed a great long range point before McKenna struck a beauty over his shoulder to move his side two ahead at the end of the third quarter.

Two more from Anthony McGarrigle and another converted free from Donal McKernan with five minutes remaining seemed to have sealed it for the Belfast side before Tir na nOg staged a late rally.

Sean Duffin led the way with three pointed frees as the hits went in hard and fast to close the gap to the minimum but Sarsfields replied through their own marksman, Donal McKernan to ease home by two.

Donal McKernan fires over from a sideline cut as Sarsfields defeat Tir na nOg at Ahoghill

The proverbial game of two halves with Tir na nOg dominant in the opening half but perhaps too reliable on Sean Duffin for scores. They missed a few during the opening period and those misses would come back to bite them.

Sarsfields tightened up in the second half with Mark McCavanagh outstanding in defence and Niall McKenna coming into his own as they slowly reeled in a Tir na nOg side who faded remarkably.

This win moves Sarsfield’s level with Tir na Nog on 4 points from 3 starts while Cloney Gaels join them on 4 but have a game in hand against Emmets on Friday night in Glenravel.

Tir na nOg: 1 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Manus Smith, 3 Christy Sheerin, 4 Ciaran O’Neill, 5 Daniel Martin, 17 Colm Duffin, 7 Sean McKinley, 8 Emmet Murray, 9 Ciaran McKeown, 10 Josh Higgins, 11 Sean Duffin, 12 Oliver McAtamney, 13 Aaron McNeilly, 14 Darragh Fagan, 15 Ciaran Logan,

Sarsfields: 1 Andrew McStay, 2 Malachy Campbell, 28 Nicolas O’Mullane, 4 Mark McCavanah, 5 Gary Lennon, 6 Eoghan Rogers, 7 Michael Johnston, 8 Anthony McGarrigle, 11 Niall McKenna, 13 Donal McKiernan, 14 Jack Daniels, 15 Fionn Jemfrey, 27 James Cunningham,

Referee: Colm McDonald

To view Joe Carberry’s photographs from the game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/sjg27xzuXGf24q

by thesaffrongael

We Go Again….

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship Preview

Saturday 24 August

Group 1

Ballycastle v Naomh Eanna

Venue: Pairc MacUilin, Ballycastle

Throw In: 6pm

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

Sunday 25 August

Group 2

Dunloy v Rossa

Venue: Dunsilly

Throw In: 2pm

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

Cushendall v St John’s

Venue: Ballymena

Throw In: 5pm

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

Brendan McTaggart looks forward to this weekend’s Senior Hurling Championship games

SO what did we learn from the opening round of fixtures?  Not a huge amount if we’re honest.  St John’s gave Dunloy their fill of it in a bruising encounter in the Cuchullains back yard.  The Corrigan Park side were shorn of a couple of regulars and will take plenty of positives from the performance.  While discussing the match with punters since, I got the feeling that the Johnnies were more content to stop Dunloy from playing than exerting their own game.  It was a contest that pretty much mirrored the clash between the two sides in the 2023 group stage, the Cuchullains looked a bit off the pace in the early exchanges but when they clicked into gear, St John’s didn’t have many answers.

The usual suspects were leading the Dunloy charge, Keelan Molloy who at this stage must wish he could play St John’s every week given how he terrorizes their defence while Paul Shiels is like a fine wine and improves with age.

Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston and Conal Bohill were influential for Mickey Johnston’s side while Aaron Bradley and Peter McCallin where always a threat in attack.

The Cuchullains managed to pull away in the second half, thanks largely to a 10 minute period where they really went through the gears.  Scoring six points and creating goal scoring chances at will in a ten minute period where the Johnnies couldn’t live with them.

In Rossa Park, the hosts gave Cushendall a run for their money as the Ruairi’s opened the defence of their crown with a narrow win.  I described this contest as a match that Cushendall had to win three times, but from a Rossa perspective it was a match that they showed they have plenty of fight, determination and guts.  Perhaps all they were missing was a little bit of lady luck?  It’s easy carried and every team needs a little during a championship campaign but Cushendall, without being brilliant, did enough.  Joseph McLaughlin in fine form, moreso in the first half while Dominic Delargy’s influence had a major say in the outcome of the contest.  His battle with the Rossa defence under high ball was a spectacle. 

The winning of this game came from Eoghan Campbell however.  You can look at his ability to stay calm in a cauldron of pressure in the dying embers of the game within his own ’21, soloing clear and firing over a brilliant point.  But Campbell’s second half performance was outstanding and while the levels of others around him may not have peaked, Eoghan showed the way.  He had plenty of support from Fred McCurry on the day as his reputation within the game in the county continues to burgeon.    

Rossa had threats in Aodhan O’Brien and Dominic McEnhill with Gerard Walsh and Stephen Shannon excellent in defence.  Chris McDonnell used the mercurial talents of James Connolly, Eoghan McMenamin and Conall Shannon off the bench, he has options and with Michael Armstrong closing in on a return from injury, I expect Rossa to up their levels this weekend.

As expected, Loughgiel had a bit to spare against Naomh Eanna in the opening match of Group 1.  James McNaughton making a welcome return from injury to score the Shamrock’s two second half goals and Paul Boyle show casing his talents, especially in the second half.  Just three points separated the sides at half time and despite playing into the wind, Loughgiel moved through the gears to pull clear.  They had 10 different scorers with 2-16 of their total coming from play – impressive statistics for the Shamrocks while Naomh Eanna will be disappointed at coughing up so many chances.  They themselves had six different scorers with 0-15 from open play but they were second best to the visitors and the 10 point difference on the day could have easily been much more.

This weekend, Naomh Eanna will be looking to get back to winning ways against Ballycastle with The Town opening their championship campaign.

The last time these sides met, Ballycastle took the league points on offer with 11 points to spare over the Hightown Road side.  Two goals from Seamus McAuley and one from Joe McToal gave Ballycastle an eight point half time advantage before they would see out the second half.

Naomh Eanna will be hoping that the fact they have a championship match already in their legs will give them an edge against a Town side coming in from the cold.   The free taking of Cormac Jennings will be crucial while they will be hoping for more scores from open play with Eddie and Luke O’Connor expected to lead the fight.

While Ballycastle do come in from the cold, if they can get enough quality ball into the likes of McAuley and Tiernan Smyth, I’d expect them to be too much for Naomh Eanna.

On Sunday, Dunloy and Rossa will match up at Dunsilly.  This promises to be an intriguing encounter where Rossa will be looking to build upon their impressive yet ultimately losing first outing while the Cuchullains will be looking for another level from their St John’s match.

Both sides have had to contend with players involved in the senior football championship while the Cuchullains have some injury concerns.  Conal Cunning is expected to miss the game with Eoin O’Neill also a major doubt.  Both missed the Naomh Eanna match with the big ball while Oran Quinn picked up a nasty facial injury – he may need some further time to recover from that.

The Cuchullains will have options to turn to with Deaglan Smith and Anton McGrath both pushing for a starting position while Aodhan McGarry will also be giving the Dunloy management team something to think about when finalizing their starting 15.

Dunloy will start as favourites but a performance akin to that against St John’s and Rossa will be leaving with a scalp that you just know they would relish.

A short trip at the final whistle from Dunsilly across to Ballymena where Cushendall and St John’s will do battle.  The availability of Neil McManus remains to be seen, he missed the Rossa game through injury while Andrew Delargy had to be replaced during the game.  Fred McCurry didn’t look like he was firing on all cylinders at the full time whistle and was receiving treatment, given his performance and work ethic, Fred not starting would be a serious blow to the Ruairi’s.

The Johnnies could welcome back Michael Bradley from injury while Domhnall Nugent, Oisin Donnelly and Ryan McNulty are expected to be in contention.  Michail Dudley and Oisin MacManus both came off the bench against Dunloy and will be pushing for a starting place.

When thinking on these two in the championship, thoughts turn to matches in the recent past where there wasn’t more than a puck of the ball between them.  Cushendall denied St John’s on more than one occasion at the semi-final stage and while they have the capability to match the Ruairi’s, I see the champions setting out to improve on their last outing where they almost let the win slip through their hands.  If they do that, they’ll have a bit to spare against the Johnnies.