Three points separated these two teams at full time but the visitors will look back on a total of thirteen wides, more than twice their opposition, and think what might have been had they been a little more accurate. Rasharkin played with the aid of a strong breeze first half and made full use of it to go in ahead 1-10 to 0-05 at half time even though the scoreline slightly flattered them having goaled with the final shot of the half. The breeze largely disappeared second half, much to the annoyance of the men in green and white who lost their way and found themselves nine points adrift with only seven minutes remaining. A late rally including a goal with the last poc of the game closed the gap but Rasharkin were worthy winners in the end.
Play was fairly even in the opening exchanges but wind assisted Rasharkin went to town scoring the opening four points whilst their opponents squandered four chances in that same period. However when Glenravel finally got their sights set on the target they responded to bring the game level on four points each after twenty minutes. However the Dreen men would go on to dominate the final ten minutes and forge a lead that would never be closed. In total they recorded 1-06 in that time with the most notable score being a sideline cut from man of the match Conor McKeever from way out on the left hand sideline. Joe Canning would have been proud of it. In those closing minutes, only Sean McKay would raise a flag for the visitors who would have been disappointed to go 1–10 to 0-05 in arrears after playing some good hurling into a very strong breeze.
Glenravel needed a good start to the second period and they got that with points from Sean McKay and Ciaran McIlfatrick who had an impressive hour’s hurling. So the gap was now seven. Rasharkin came straight back through McKeever again who was always a threat and the lively Cathair Henderson so the game looked to be over as a contest. Sean McKay and Conor McKeever traded a couple of points each from placed balls and in the final five minutes Glenravel would go on to add 1-03, with the goal coming from Sean McKay with the final poc of the game but is wasn’t enough so the points will stay in Dreen on this occasion.
Rasharkin’s pitch held up well given the recent torrents of rain we’ve experienced but the conditions were not conducive to fast, flowing, first touch hurling. However both teams certainly worked hard over the hour with some really classy hurling from Conor McKeever including winning his own ball and scoring at will from frees and play. That was enough to give Rasharkin the edge when the final whistle blew.
Three goals in each half paved the way for a resounding victory for Clooney Gaels over an under strength Sarsfields in Ahoghill on Saturday evening.
The home side came out of the traps flying and first half goal from James O’Connell, ‘Boris’ O’Connell and Patrick Graham paved the way for an unassailable 3-8 to 0-3 half time lead.
The O’Connell brothers, James after three minutes and Neil with seven minutes gone got the home side of to a flier and Patrick Graham got the third with 13 minutes gone.
The points came thick and fast with James O’Connell 0-4, Dan O’Neill, Neil O’Connell, Colla McDonnell and Ronan Graham all on target and Sarsfield’s only managing 0-3 in reply through Paul Carson, Jim McKernan and Fionn Jemfrey.
Sarsfields did fare a little better after the break and added 1-8 to their first half total but the Ahoghill side continued to find the target with ease as Neil O’Connell, Colla McDonnell and substitute Conor Crossey added further goals.
Donal McKernan top scored for the Stewartstown Road side with five second half points with Jim McKernan, Paul Carson and James Cunningham all splitting the uprights and Mark McCavanagh getting the goal.
Its early days yet but Clooney Gaels on this performance, showed that they are likely to be amongst the challengers again for league and Intermediate Championship honours come the end of the season
Clooney 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 Ronan Graham, 11 Patrick Graham, 12 James O’Connell, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Neil O’Connell, 15 Noah Friel.
Subs: Conor crossey for Noah Friel, Oisin Kelly for Eamonn Brady, Ryan McPeake forNeil O’Connell, Conal Walls for Bernard Graham, Calum Reynolds for Colla McDonnell
Sarsfields: 1 Gwerard McKernan, 2 Brendan McGibbon, 4 Noah McGivern, 5 Jim McKernan, 7 Daragh Coleman, 8 Michael Callaghan, 9 Fionn Jemfrey, 10 Anthony McGarrigle, 12 Ronan McKenna, 13 Daniel McKernan, 14 Donal McKernan, 16 Patrick Braniff, 17 Mark McCavanagh, 19 Paul Carson, 20 Brendan Jackson, 21 Eoin McBriarty, 23Donal McGabhann, 24 Rory McAreavey, 25 Andrew McStay, 27 James Cunningham
St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 0-16 Kickham’s Creggan 1-11
Last year’s Division 3 and Junior Championship winners, St. Brigid’s Cloughmills got their division 2 campaign off to a winning start when they defeated last year’s Intermediate Champions, Kickham’s Creggan in Cloughmills on Saturday.
The game turned into a shootout between St. Brigid’s number 10, Liam Kearns and Creggan’s number 10, Morgan Nelson and while Nelson won that individual battle it was Kearns who finished on the winning side.
St. Brigid’s might have had a goal within 30 seconds of the throw-in but there was no one there to get the finishing touch as the sliothar bounced along the Creggan goal line.
Liam Kearns opened the scoring with a point for the ‘Biddies’ after 6 minutes before Morgan Nelson tied the contest from a free and the same player converted two more to move the visitors 0-3 to 0-1 ahead by the 13th minute.
Jimmy Doc in action for Cloughmills during their win over Creggan
A couple of pointed frees from St. Brigid’s captain Kearns had it all square by the 18th minute before Morgan Nelson edged Creggan back ahead with a splendid point from play.
Callum McKendry became the second name on the Cloughmills score card as he brought the sides level again in the 20th minute but Morgan Nelson was keeping his side in contention single handed as he edged them ahead once more from a 22nd minute free.
Last year’s Junior Champions were growing into the contest however and Kearns brought them level once more and they finished the half on the ascendancy with James Doherty, McKendry and an exquisite effort from Liam Kearns sending them to the dressing rooms 0-8 to 0-6 ahead.
Creggan’s final score of the half coming from that man Nelson in injury time.
Things continued to heat up as the second half got under way with Liam Kearns for Cloughmills and Jake McAteer for Creggan exchanging early points and Callum McKendry restoring St. Brigid’s three point advantage with only six minutes of the new half gone.
The visitors were still fighting hard for every ball and Morgan Nelson continued to lead by example as he pointed from play and followed from a free to leave just one in it with 12 minutes gone.
Once again the Cloughmills response would come from Liam Kearns but their captain was then shown a Red card following an altercation and things didn’t look good for the home side as they were reduced to 14 men.
Liam Kearns was in top for as the Biddies got their Division 2 campaign off ot a great start
The ‘Biddies’ showed great character however as Callum McKendry struck his third of the afternoon from a free and followed from another placed ball as he successfully assumed the mantle of free taker for his side.
The home side were flying and playing with an intensity that the visitors couldn’t match as Stephen Smyth and McKendry with two more excellent scores moved them six ahead by the 26th minute.
It looked all over at this stage but Creggan finished strongly and Sean Duffin split the posts before they were awarded a penalty in injury time which Nelson drilled beyond the reach of Christopher McKernan.
It proved too little, too late and it is St. Brigid’s who have the points on board as they make an excellent start on their return to division 2 and they will hope to build on this performance as they set about establishing themselves back in the higher grade.
St. Brigid’s: 1 Christopher McKernan, 2 Rian Dobbin, 3 Corey Blair, 4 Johnny Duffin, 5 Geoffery Og Laverty, 6 Odhran McCurdy, 7 Kevin O’Boyle, 8 Stephen Smyth, 9 Martin Dobbin, 10 Liam Kearns, 11 Callum McKendry, 12 James Doherty, 13 James O’Boyle, 14 Ruairi Laverty, 15 Niall McNaughton, Subs Joe Smyth and Reece Watt,
Kickham’s: 1 Cormac Rice, 2Aiden Maguire, 3 Aiden McKeown, 4 Peadar McGuckian, 5 Liam McCann, 6 Kealan McCann, 7 Senan O’Boyle, 8 Sean Duffin, 9 Jake McAteer, 10 Morgan Nelson, 11 Niall McAuley, 12 Thomas McCann, 13 Michael Maguire, 14 Lee Johnston, 15 Conleth McGrenaghan. Subs: Danan O’Hara and Dillon Himphey.
O’Neill’s Sportswear Senior Hurling League Division 1
Dunloy 2-15 St John’s 1-19
Saturday 30 March
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
The Dunloy and St John’s teams show their soldiary toward the plight of the people of Palestine with a joint photo before the game.
As far as opening games to a league campaign goes, this one pretty much had it all. Penalties, red cards, exquisite free taking, remarkable individual performances and a Lazarus like comeback that ultimately fell short in the end.
It’s great to have club hurling back.
The Johnnies were the victors at the end of the hour (and a wee bit more) but they were holding on in the end with Dunloy almost recovering from a 13 point half time deficit and had a chance to grab what would have been the unlikeliest of draws right on the final whistle. It wasn’t to be but anything other than an away victory would have been a huge injustice given how Mickey Johnston’s men played.
St John’s came to Pearse Park on Saturday afternoon and played like a team who were midway through their league campaign in the first 30 minutes. Brilliant in rucks, hungry in the tackle and some just downright outrageous point taking from ridiculous angles.
The home side depleted with a host of absentees were chasing shadows and while the Cuchullains were far from their fluent best, the west Belfast side were playing some sublime hurling from the off.
It was a slow start to this one with the sides tied at two points apiece when St John’s clicked into another gear. They scored 1-4 in the space of four minutes with Oisin MacManus, Conor Johnston and Aidan McMahon raising white flags before Domhnall Nugent’s major in the 11th minute. Plucking the sliotar out of the sky from a perfectly struck side line by Jack Bohill, Nugent caught everyone by surprise with a low drive from fully 25 yards out. Dunloy ‘keeper Eoghan Richmond looked to have it covered but the green flag was raised.
A brace of frees from Aodhan McGarry followed to leave St John’s 1-6 to 0-4 ahead midway through the half but that would be the last time the Cuchullains would register a score in the half.
Six St John’s points in just over seven minutes followed as they turned the screw. MacManus with unnerving accuracy from placed ball while Ruairi Galbraith, Jack Bohill and Conor Johnston were all in on the act.
Dunloy looked to have derailed the Johnnies dominance when they were awarded a penalty in the 29th minute. Barry Scott superbly claiming the sliotar high in the square and with the goal at his mercy he was trailed to the ground. Referee Ciaran McCloskey awarded a penalty where Paul Shiels stepped up but he fired the sliotar to the left hand side of the posts and wide.
Further scores from Conor Johnston and MacManus left the half time score 1-14 to 0-4 in favour of St John’s.
It’s fair to say it really was all one way traffic in the first half and while there was a substantial breeze among the early spring sunshine at Pearse Park, it certainly wasn’t a 13 point advantage.
The home side started much better in the second half with McGarry firing over his fifth point of the game before Dunloy were awarded another penalty. This time Anton McGrath was fouled and McGarry dispatched with aplomb. Hopes of a herculean comeback were cut short however with the next puck out. Ciaran Johnston gathered a short restart from Declan Cregan and was met with a hefty challenge by McGrath. A foul and much to the dismay of the home management, a red card followed.
The numerical disadvantage did little to derail the Dunloy however. The Cuchullains reorganised and with McGarry’s accuracy from frees, they began to eat into the St John’s lead.
Eight points separated the sides midway through the second half and with ten minutes remaining that lead was down to six. A huge point from Eamon Smyth in the 52nd minute, incredibly the Cuchullains first effort from play, was quickly followed by another McGarry point to leave four between the sides.
A super score from Conor Johnston, splitting the uprights under pressure got the scoreboard ticking again for St John’s while Galbraith had a sniff of a goal chance. Aidan McMahon’s pointed effort coming back off the upright and Galbraith pulled on the rebound only for Eoghan Richmond to deny him superbly.
With the clock going into injury time, St John’s held a five point lead and Dunloy laid siege on Declan Cregan’s goal. A driven Paul Shiels free looked to be heading for the top corner but just cleared the cross bar while but they had more joy with the next effort. Shiels took the free quickly and found substitute Chrissy McMahon and he rifled to the back of the net.
There was enough time for one more attack and Dunloy looked to set up the shooter but Kevin McKeague’s long range effort drifted to the right of the posts and wide with Ciaran McCloskey blowing for full time.
A cracking end to a physical game of hurling where both sides tested each other and more. Both sides have two weeks before their next game with Dunloy travelling to Ballycran while St John’s will welcome their noisy neighbours, Rossa to Corrigan Park. Both matches to be played on 14 April.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Eoghan Richmond; Eamon Smyth, Karl O’Kane, Oran Quinn; Kevin McKeague, Kevin Molloy, Ronan Molloy; Nicky McKeague, Ciaran Elliott; Tom McFerran, Paul Shiels, Barry Scott; Aodhan McGarry, Anton McGrath, Gabriel McTaggart
Scorers: A McGarry 1-12 (1-00 pen, 12 fs); Chrissy McMahon 1-00; P Shiels 0-1 (free); E Smyth 0-1; K McKeague 0-1
StJohn’s: Declan Cregan; Odhran Carleton, Ciaran Johnston, Conor McEvoy; Darragh McGuinness, Ryan McNulty, Jack Bohill; Sean Wilson, Aidan McMahon; Oisin Donnelly, Domhnall Nugent, Conor Johnston; Ruairi Galbraith, Stephen Tierney, Oisin MacManus
Scorers: D Nugent 1-4 (3fs); O MacManus 0-6 (5fs); Conor Johnston 0-4; A McMahon 0-3; J Bohill 0-1; R Galbraith 0-1
The Loughgiel awards dinner for the 2023 season was held last weekend in the Royal Court Hotel in Portrush where a series of teams and individuals were pesented with awards. However the stars of the evening were the Senior Camogie team who won their 10th senior camogie title in a row, plus of course the Ulster title as well.AntrimSenior Hurling League Winners 2023 -Front row Jack McCloskey, Darragh Patterson Conor Dickson, Eoin McGarry Connor O’Mullan, Dan McCloskey, Ruairi McCormick Aohran McMullan, Tiago McGarry. Back Row L-R- County chairman Seamus McMullan, Pearse Patterson, Rian McMullan, Ben McGarry, James McNaughton, Christy McGarry, Declan McCloskey (Captain) Rory McCloskey Enda Og McGarry, Odhran McFadden, Nicholas McNaughtonUlster Camogie chairmperson Karen McCormick presented the Antrim and Ulster Championship trophies, plus the Antrim League trophy to joint captains Christne Laverty (left) and Una McGovernTop left – Cara McIntyre, Megan Elliott & Shauna Doran at the Loughgiel dinner – Top middle – Cousins Maria Lynn, Lucia McNaughton, Una McNaughton, Katie Lynn and Annie Lynn: Centre left – Members of the Junior League winning team with county chairman Seamus McMullan: – Bottom left – County chairman Seamus McMullan presents the Minor Hurler of the Year award to Roan McGarry. :- Bottom centre – County chairman Seamus McMullan presents the Under 19 Hurler of the Year award to Ruairi McCormick. :-Charlene Campbell and Emma McFadden who were part of the 10 in a row teamSenior camogie panel who between them won the Senior league, Senior Feis, Antrim Senior Championship and Ulster Senior Championship. Back row Eimear McKinley, Cara McIntryre, Therese McKinley, Megan McGarry, Finvola McVeigh, Megan Coyle, Claire McKillop, Anna McKillop, Carlina Sullivan, Karen McCormick (Ulster Chairperson) Front row Ceala Dobbin, Ciara Laverty, Shauna McKillop, Erin Connolly, ,Shanna Deery, Caitie Connolly, Caoimhe McMullan, Sarah Flavin, Anna McKillen, Aoife McMullan
