Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Good start for Armoy in Ballymena

ACHL Division 3

All Saints 0-9 Glen Rovers 1-17

Glen Rovers, Armoy travelled to Ballymena on Saturday and got their campaign up and running when they recorded an 11 point win over an inexperienced home side.

A fine exhibition of free taking by Tarlach McBride saw the visitors move into a 0-9 to 0-5 half time lead with the wing half back accounting for 0-5 of his side’s first half total.

Sean McDermott had given All Saints an early lead and Eoin McGuigan brought matters level after Ronan Lavelle and McBride edged the visitors ahead.

Two more from Tarlach McBride frees and points from Conor Waterson and Emmet O’Hara moved the visitors four ahead but a young All Saints were showing plenty of fighting spirit.

They responded with points from Darach Bradley and two pointed frees from Eoin McGuigan to close the gap to one but Armoy finished the half strongly with scores from Tarlach McBride (0-2 f’s) and Emmet O’Hara to lead by four at the halfway stage.

An Armoy goal from Eoin O’Boyle early in the second half put a bit of distance between the sides and when Trevor Linton and Conor Watterson tagged on points the Glen Rovers lead was out to nine.

Darach Bradley, one of a number of youngsters making their senior debut pulled one back for All Saints but the momentum was now with a bigger and more experienced Glen Rovers.

They replied with five on the bounce from Ciaran Coyles 0-2, Tarlach McBride and Eoin O’Boyle 0-2 and it was all over at this stage.

To their credit All Saints kept going to the end and recorded three in reply through Cormac Magill, Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan but by this stage it was all over and Emmet O’Hara concluded the scoring with a point for the visitors.

Glen Rovers, with a number of new faces in their line-up should be one of the challengers for the division 3 title this year after coming mighty close last term.

For All Saints, who have again lost players to other clubs, it’s a rebuilding job and consolidation in the higher grade would be regarded as success this season.

Ciaran McQuillan, Harry Connon, Darach Bradley and Fintan Bradley all made impressive debuts for the Ballymena side and there appears to be a good spirit about the team despite those recent setbacks.

All Saints: 1. Ciaran McQuillan 2. Dwayne McKee 3. Eoin McAllister 4. Harry Connon 5. Padhraig Magill (c) 6. Jack Magill 7. Daniel Gray 8. Sean McDermott 9. Vincent Esler 10. Cormac Magill 11. Eoin McGuigan 12. Darach Bradley 13. Daniel Kelly 14. Niall Savage 15. Fintan Brady

Subs used: Conor O’Hara for Daniel Kelly Sean O’ Rawe for Niall Savage Cathaoir Cunning for Fintan Brady Niall Savage for Cormac Magill

Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Calum Coyles, 3 Arthur Devlin, 4 Joseph McFetridge, 5 Tarlach McBride, 6 Thomas Burns, 7 Hugh O’Kane, 8 Ronan Lavelle, 9 Ciaran McCormick-McKenna, 17 Conor Watterson, 11 Emmet O’Hara, 12 Ciaran Coyles, , 18 Timothy Burns, 14 Eoin O’Boyle, 15 Conor Christie,

Subs: 13 Trevor Linton, 19 PJ McBride, 20 Daniel Connolly, 21 John O’Kane, 22 Kieran McToal

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks and Ballycran can’t be separated

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Loughgiel Shamrocks 1:20 Ballycran GAC 1:23

Match report by Darrach O’Mullan

Photos by Michael Corcoran

The second match in a double-header in Father Healy Park today saw the opening of the Division 1 League between Loughgiel Shamrocks GAC and Ballycran GAC. The game started as it finished with a great competitive edge shown by both respective teams. A succession of multiple scores by frees by Maol Connolly were matched by a seemingly endless number of scores by Odhran McFadden. Both teams rivalled each other in an equal playing field, mirroring one another throughout the first half. Scores from Paul Sheehan, Conor Woods and Christopher Egan were keeping Ballycran in motion against their North Antrim counterparts, but the gap between scores was narrowed by a superb goal by Eoin McGarry, further bolstering the scoreline before the end of the first half.

Half Time

Loughgiel Shamrocks 1:09  Ballycran GAC 0:19

Loughgiel began the second half with a more organised front, preventing Ballycran from moving forward, but once more efforts by Paul Sheehan and Phelim Savage were keeping Ballycran’s noses in front. Loughgiel continued its more aggressive manoeuvring through the very physical game with great scores made by Maol Connolly and Eoin McGarry, keeping the Shamrocks abreast of their opponents, Ballycran’s Paul Sheehan was continuously proving his ability in picking off scores from frees, consequently ensuring that Ballycran would not leave Loughgiel defeated. With Loughgiel ahead by a point two minutes into added time, it looked like the home side had done enough, but a late score by Liam Savage brought the Ards men level at the final whistle.

Loughgiel Shamrocks GAC

  1. Chrissy O’Connell 2. Pearce Patterson 3. Caolan Blair 4.  Ruairi McCormick 5. Ben McGarry 6. Declan McCloskey 7. Seamus Dobbin 8. Tiago McGarry 9. Finn Henry 10. Darragh Patterson 11. Connor Dickson 12. Odhran McFadden 13. Eoin McGarry 14. Maol Connolly 15. Conor O’Mullan 16. Cormac McFadden 18. Roan McGarry 19. Ronan McCollum 21. Ronan Fitzgerald

  1. Stephen Keith 2. Manus Gilmore 3. Cormac McAlister 4. Brad Watson 5. Brett Nicholson 6. Liam Savage 7. Aaron Dorrian 8. Michael Hughes 9. Ethan Bell 10. Steven Gilliland 11. Phelim Savage 12. Paul Sheehan 13. Eoin Kelly 14. Conor Woods 15. Christopher Egan 16. Cahal Lavery 17. Sean McCarthy 18. David Gilliland 19. Hugh James Torney 20. Mark Egan 21. Patrick Hughes 22. Rory Corcoran 23. Dara Rodgers 26. Paul Miskimmin
by thesaffrongael

McKeever points the way for Rasharkin

Antrim Hurling League – Division 3

Aodh O’Loan reports from Dreen

Rasharkin 1-15  Glenravel 1-12

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. 

by thesaffrongael

Gaels hit Sarsfield’s for six

ACHL Division 2

Clooney Gaels 6-16 Sarsfields 1-11

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

Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)

by thesaffrongael

‘Biddies’ tops in battle of the champions

ACHL Division 2

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.

Referee: Darren Mullen (Cathair an Ri)