Sunday’s Division 2 match between Loughgiel and Glenarm was a closely fought, fast paced game and delivered bouts of skills to entertain the crowd around Fr. Healy Park.
After a photo call, rallying support for ‘Gaels Against Genocide in Gaza’, match referee, Piarais McCaffrey, summoned order and the sliotar was rolled in almost on the hour.
Loughgiel’s Rónán Fitzgerald would take the honour of putting the first two points in the game onto the scoreboard from play, quickly followed by Glenarm’s two points from Niall McGarel. McGarel would prove himself throughout the hour with accurate free taking and well struck points from play but not before Loughgiel’s Roan McGarry would find the sliotar near Glenarm’s net, requiring a mere flick for the sliotar to ripple the back of the net.
Loughgiel would use that momentum well and amassed another five points, all from play, before Glenarm responded after 13 minutes when Cormac McFadden’s sliotar dropped to the ground, Blain McDermott wasted no time in collecting the ball, opting to kick it over the line.
Five minutes of the game would elapse before another goal opportunity would come knocking on Loughgiel’s door, as Conor O’Mullan rifled the sliotar towards Glenarm’s keeper, Michael Abram. Abram read the line well and parried the sliotar for a wide.
Goals would be a feature of this afternoon’s game and Glenarm’s Ciaran Magill would increment their score tally with another goal to bring the game to a half time result Loughgiel 1-15 Glenarm 2-07.
At the start of the second half, Loughgiel’s Roan McGarry would prove to be too much to handle for Glenarm’s defence as he read and intercepted a pass to deliver a fine point followed by a goal. Rónán Fitzgerald, much to the frustration of Glenarm’s bench, was proving almost unmarkable as he ran from one end of the pitch to the other. That youthful energy would eventually pay off when he picked up the sliotar and rifled it to the back of Glenarm’s net for a goal.
Not to be outdone in the classy goal category, Glenarm’s Daniel Black persevered in a ruck on the low side of the pitch close to his own bench and on his own volition, carried the sliotar to the back of Loughgiel’s net for a well-deserved goal.
With six points in the game, Loughgiel 3-16 Glenarm 3-10, Roan McGarry would punish Glenarm with four from four frees but Glenarm responded each time to keep the hosts within reaching distance, especially after a late flurry of points from McGarel and Sean O’Boyle, however that wouldn’t be enough to close the gap and Loughgiel would celebrate another win at the Park, Loughgiel 3-20 Glenarm 3-16.
Loughgiel Starting Panel
Cormac McFadden, Cahir Connolly, Daniel McPeake, Charley O’Hagan, Ciaran McKay, Liam Glackin, Conall McCloskey, Nicholas McNaughton, Finn Henry (0-01), Ronan McCullom, (0-01) Odhran McFadden (0-01), Rónán Fitzgerald (1-03), Eoin McGarry (0-02), Roan McGarry (2-09), Conor O’Mullan (0-02)
Ronan Casey (0-01)
Glenarm Starting Panel
Michael Abram, Joshua Quinn, Barry Hamill, Matthew Black, Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Declan McDermott, Kieran O’Boyle, Daniel Black (1-03), Dylan McLaughlin (0-01), Ciaran Magill (1-00), Sean O’Boyle (0-01), Blain McDermott (1-01), Niall McGarel (0-10), Conal Ward
St. John’s maintained top spot in the ACHL Division 1 when they recorded a comprehensive win over visitors Ballycastle at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Johnnies raced into a three point lead by the third minute as they opened on the front foot and were five ahead by the 8th minute as the visitors struggled to contain their early onslaught.
It could have been worse but Ryan McGarry in the ‘Castle’ goals pulled off a smart save with ten minutes on the clock but by half time it was the Corrigan side who looked in a strong position when they led 0-13 to 0-7.
Aaron Bradley, Michael Dudley 0-2, Conor Johnston 0-2 and Shea Shannon were the early marksmen for St. John’s with Oran Kearney striking a long range reply for McQuillan’s.
Tiernan Smyth hit Ballycastle’s second of the day from a free and the corner-forward would account for the majority of his side’s scores over the hour as they battled to hang on to their opponents coat tails.
Conal Morgan, Conor Johnston, Aaron Bradley and Shea Shannon moved a sweet moving St. John’s further ahead with Smyth striking three further frees and Seamus McAuley on target from play as the visitors enjoyed their best period of the opening half.
St. John’s finished the half on the front foot however with Aaron Bradley 0-2 and Shea Shannon brought their total to 0-13 and another pointed free from Tiernan Smyth bringing the Ballycastle total to 0-7
HT 0-13 TO 0-7
The visitors needed a good start to the second half if they were to make inroads into the Johnnies lead and Tiernan Smyth added to his tally with a couple more pointed free but Conor Johnston replied with two at the other end to keep the gap at six.
Ciaran Butler and ace marksman Smyth closed the gap to four after 8 minutes but St. John’s were always able to respond and Shea Shannon pointed a free and followed with another from play.
The visitors were still fighting hard and looked to have brought themselves right back into contention when Neal McAuley appeared to get the final touch but their goal celebration was ruled out for a square-ball infringement.
The Whiterock men turned the screw after that as Conor Johnston 0-2, Michael Dudley, Shea Shannon and Domhnall Nugent added points and when a Castle defender deflected a shot to his own net in the 25th minute it was all over.
The sweet striking Tiernan Smyth replied with two more pointed frees and substitute Darragh Kelly added another from play with Aaron Bradley and Domhnall Nugent replying for the home side to see them comfortably home.
St. Johns: 1 Declan Cregan 2 Conor McEvoy, 3 Conal Morgan, 4 Aidan McMahon, 5 Matthew McCartin, 6 Stephen Tierney, 7 Darragh McGuinness, 8 Shea Shannon, 9 Andy McGowan, 10 Conor Johnston, 11 Domhnall Nugent, 12 Michael Dudley.13 Donall Carson, 14 Lorcan Heenan, 15 Aaron Bradley
Ballycastle: 1 Ryan McGarry, 2 Oran Kearney, 3 Dermott Donnelly, 4 Jack McGowan, 5 James McLister, 6 Eoin McAlonan, 7 Ryan McCook, 8 Cian Waldron, 9 Reuben McClean, 10 Criostai McAuley, 11 Ciaran Butler, 12 Seamus McAuley, 13 Orann Donnelly, 14 Neal; McAuley, 15 Tiernan Smith, 18 Darragh Kelly
Second half substitute Sean Duffin played a major role in Tir na nÓg’s win over Carey Faughs in Sunday’s Division 2 Hurling League game in Ballyvoy, getting his team over the line by a single point, deep into added time. Carey led the game by three points at half time and appeared to have the upper hand for most of the game, but the half time introduction of Duffin (who had spent the last number of months in Australia) saw the visitors get themselves back into the game, and eventually over the line as he hit the last three points.
Carey’s Shea Hunter wins possession during the second half
In a low scoring first half both teams struggled to hit the target, but with Conor McBride hitting three from frees and new signing Eoin ‘Frein’ Laverty netting from a penalty they went in at the break with a 1-5 to 0-5 half time lead, full forward Kevin Sheerin getting three of the visitors points and Eamon Og McAllister the other two.
Sean Duffin’s introduction at half time saw him involved right away but his radar was off in the early stages as he missed a couple of long range frees. Eoin Lavry increased the Carey lead to four and with James Rocket Black playing as an extra half back the home team appeared to have a bit of control. However the scoring began to dry up for the home side and when Conor McBride had to retire through injury they found scores harder to come by.
A series of good scores from the visitors saw them close the gap, and when Declan Mallon drilled a ball to the Carey net on 47 minutes, the gap was down to a single point.
Carey got a favourable break when a high ball from centre back James McCouaig deceived the visitors’ goalkeeper and ended in the back of the net. The home team were four clear with 11 minutes of normal time to play, but Duffin, who had played for Tyrone the previous day, was starting to dominate his area and four of the last five points, the last of them coming seven minutes into injury time, to get the Randalstown men home by the narrowest of margins
James Black sends over a Carey point from a tight angle
Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to the Saffrons clash with Wexford in the Leinster Championship
Antrim’s Leinster Championship journey see’s them welcome Wexford to Corrigan Park on Sunday after what is certain to have been a soul-searching week for Darren Gleeson’s men.
While Antrim tasted defeat against Kilkenny, Wexford will have come away from their opening round match against Dublin with a feeling of loss given how their match ended. Two goals in injury time at the end of the 70 minutes from Danny Sutcliffe and Cian O’Sullivan gave the Dubs a share of the spoils. With Lee Chin looking at his ridiculous best and ably assisted by Rory O’Connor with the likes of Conor McDonald coming off the bench in that game, this is sure to be another huge task for the Saffrons.
Gerard Walsh makes a return from injury and lines out at right half back
When these sides last met at Corrigan Park, it was one of the great games of the modern day that had everything. It finished in a draw with Keelan Molloy sending over an equalizing score in the depths of injury time to send the limited numbers in Corrigan Park into a frenzy and the teams with a share of the league points. It was a helter-skelter game of hurling and one you daren’t take your eyes off. Red cards, side line ‘discussions’, huge scores and brilliant turnovers. It was a game that Antrim rallied in the second half having trailed by five at half time but looked to have lost their momentum with the second half water break (thank God they’re no longer in the game).
It was a match that no one really wanted to finish but a match that no one deserved to lose. For all of Antrim’s brilliance in that second half, Wexford were equally as good in the first.
When the sides met in the Leinster Championship last year in Wexford Park, the home side took the honors with four points separating the sides (1-30 to 1-26). It was another game where Antrim started poorly and trailed by nine at half time (1-19 to 1-10) but a super second half saw them reel the yellow bellies in and the home side had to rely on late scores from Rory O’Connor and Richie Lawler at the death to fend off the Saffrons charge.
Niall O’Connor moves from midfield to corner back
From the 15 that started that league game three years ago, Antrim will have seven changes for the weekend and three from the Kilkenny match. Gerard Walsh and Conor Boyd come into the half back line with Keelan Molloy starting on the three-quarter line the changes from the last Sunday – Michael Bradley, Scott Walsh and Phelim Duffin taking their place on the list of substitutions named.
Having looked back and had some more time to digest the Kilkenny game, the home side’s execution of their own game plan was phenomenal whereas Antrim’s fell well short of what Gleeson and his backroom team would demand of them.
Both teams set up similarly and went about their business likewise but where Kilkenny were excellent at finding the runners or man in space, too often Antrim’s delivery of ball into the final third was short or fumbled. While you have to tip your hat to Kilkenny and Derek Lyng for how they went about their business, it just wasn’t good enough from an Antrim perspective. It’s a game of risk and reward. We’ve seen them get plenty of reward in recent times and when it comes off, it’s brilliant. Last Sunday was the polar opposite.
Niall McKenna moves to full forward for the Wexford clash
There weren’t many who made the journey up the road again last Sunday with a plus mark beside their name. James McNaughton, Eoghan Campbell and Nigel Elliott showed glimpses of quality but the manner of the second half capitulation was hugely worrying.
While Kilkenny were relentless, too many of those in a Saffron jersey were found wanting. It was a chastening defeat and one that Gleeson will be looking for a reaction from. It’s one that we all want to see a reaction from.
Conal Cunning moves to corner forward for the clash with Wexford
Antrim Team vs Wexford: Ryan Elliott; Niall O’Connor, Ryan McGarry, Paddy Burke; Gerard Walsh, Conor Boyd, Conal Bohill; Eoghan Campbell, Seaan Elliott; Nigel Elliott, Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton; Conal Cunning, Niall McKenna, Conor McCann
Wexford team vs Dublin:
Mark Fanning; Shane Reck, Niall Murphy, Matthew O’Hanlon; Simon Donohoe, Damien Reck, Conor Foley; Conor Hearne, Liam Og McGovern; Cathal Dunbar, Kevin Foley, Rory O’Connor; Richie Lawlor, Lee Chin, Seamus Casey
THE fourth McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars hurling team was announced on Tuesday evening at a gala dinner in the Whitla Hall and is dominated by Antrim under-age players.
St Louis Ballymena, defeated in the Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup final by St Patrick’s Maghera, have two players included in the selection – Loughgiel’s Eddie Smyth and Cushendall’s Fionntán Bradley.
There is a second Ruairí Óg player in the team, Conor McCann from St Killian’s Garron Tower, and a second Loughgiel player, Ashdon McGarry, who helped Cross & Passion Ballycastle win the Foresters’ Shield.
CPC have two others on the team, Caodhán Crawford and Oisin McCallin, and all three played in the Mageean Cup final at the start of January. Their inclusion means that Cross and Passion have had at least three players on each of the four Future Stars hurling teams announced to date.
At the other end of the spectrum are five schools gaining their first awards, including three Belfast schools and St Benedict’s Randalstown.
Dylan McLarnon helped St Benedict’s win a first ever Danske Bank Noone Cup at the start of March while Caolán McFerron (La Salle), Caolán Wilson (St Mary’s CBGS) and Rónán Taylor (Rathmore Grammar) have all featured prominently for their schools last term.
Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup champions St Patrick’s Maghera not surprisingly have three players included in the team. Full-back Niall McNicholl, team captain Pádraig O’Kane and top-scorer Ruairí Biggs all made the cut in trials held over the Easter break at the Dub.
Padraic McKeever managing director of McKeever Sports who sponsored the awards said:
“We are delighted to be involved with the Queen’s Future Stars programme and are always proud to be involved in showcasing the talent, pride, and passion of the students around the country.
“We are committed to continuously finding new ways of improving the performance of our products, and in turn the athletes who wear them. Our goal is to bring freshness, innovation, and excellent service to each of our customers.
“We look forward to the success of all the Queens Future Stars athletes in 2023 and beyond.”
Ruairí Taylor, Performance Sport Development Officer with Queen’s, congratulated the hurlers who had made it through to the Future Stars final team.
“We at Queen’s are delighted to continue to support and celebrate the work carried out within Ulster Schools for the promotion of all codes of gaelic games.
“The level of skill and commitment shown by all those who took part in the trials is a tribute to the work being done right across the province and the final 15 have really earned their jersey.”
“There were outstanding candidates all over the field, especially in the final trial and there was plenty of evidence on show that Ulster Schools’ hurling is in a very strong place in 2024.”
McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars:
(HURLING)
1 Sean Og McLaren (De La Salle Belfast)
2 Ashdon McGarry (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)
3 Niall McNicholl (St Patrick’s Maghera)
4 Eddie Smyth (St Louis Ballymena)
5 Conor McCann (St Killian’s Garron Tower)
6 Pádraig O’Kane (St Patrick’s Maghera)
7 Dylan McLarnon (St Benedict’s Randalstown)
8 Rónán Taylor (Rathmore Grammar)
9 Caolán Wilson (St Mary’s CBGS Belfast)
10 Fionn Bradley (St Louis Ballymena)
11 Caodhan Crawford (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)
12 Patrick McDaid (St Colm’s Draperstown)
13 Oisin McCallin (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)
14 Ruairí Biggs (St Patrick’s Maghera)
15 Paul McNicholl (St Colm’s Draperstown)
McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars 2024
TWO Antrim players, Leah Stewart and Maeve Devlin “doubled down” when they collected Future Stars awards in both camogie and Ladies football at the awards ceremony.
These awards are made to players in the GCSE age-group and this is the third season of the camogie awards and the second for the LGFA.
Moneyglass forward Leah Stewart is a student in St Mary’s Magherafelt with whom she collected Ulster titles at junior and senior level in camogie before going on to eclipse the All-Ireland junior title.
Her Antrim team-mate in both codes Maeve Devlin is a student in St Dominic’s on the Falls’ Road and she won a senior title in camogie with her school last year as well as picking up Player of the Match in St Dominic’s defeat by Assumption Ballynahinch in the Junior Medallion Shield back in November.
In total there are eight under-age Saffron players featuring in the camogie team including Stewart and Devlin. There are three from Cross & Passion Ballycastle, two from St Killian’s Garron Tower and Cara Boyle from St Louis Ballymena.
The three from Ballycastle are midfielder Eobha McAllister and forwards Marie Laverty and Mary McArthur while Cushendall pair Amy and Maeve McAlister make the cut for St Killian’s. Maeve’s sister Orlaith featured in the very first Queen’s selection two years ago.
Maghera is the top camogie school in the grade for the past three years and that is reflected in the addition of three players to the selection including a third dual star Branagh Brolly.
In the LGFA selection, apart from Maeve Devlin, there are two more St Dominic’s players, Ciara Murray and Niamh McAllister, while Holly McGahey (Coláiste Feirste), Aoibheann Monaghan (Dominican Fortwilliam) and Anna McArdle (Aquinas Grammar) have also made the cut from the schools in the city.
Ulster schools’ camogie chairperson Catherine McGourty feels that the awards scheme raises the profile of ladies’ sport and is a great addition to the schools’ sporting calendar.
“The trials in both codes this year were of a very high standard and it is great to see emerging talent get the recognition they deserve. Some come from schools that are strong in that sport while others are playing at a much lower level in our competitions and making an impression.
“These awards will hopefully give everyone the boost they need to push on into senior schools’ and minor inter-county teams and ultimately have a long and successful career at senior level.”
The McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars in camogie are:
1. Lily Collins – Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock
2. Ellie McCabe – Assumption Ballynahinch
3. Maeve McAlister – St Killian’s Garron Tower
4. Cara Boyle – St Louis Ballymena
5. Ellie McCartney – St Conor’s Kilrea/Clady
6. Mary Therese McCullagh – St Patrick’s Maghera
7. Brannagh Brolly – St Patrick’s Maghera
8. Eobha McAllister – Cross & Passion Ballycastle
9. Maeve Devlin – St Dominic’s Belfast
10. Amy McAlister – St Killian’s Garron Tower
11. Marie Laverty – Cross & Passion Ballycastle
12. Eimear McGeary – St Patrick’s Keady
13. Leah Stewart – St Mary’s Magherafelt
14. Mary McArthur – Cross & Passion Ballycastle
15. Aoibh Mulholland – St Patrick’s Maghera
There are eight Antrim players on the Future Stars LGFA team
2023-24 McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars in Ladies Football are:
