Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

McCann goal sees Creggan bridge eight-year gap

Andersonstown Social Club Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship Final 

Sarsfields 0-14-1-16 Creggan Kickham’s 

Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly 

Oran McCann’s 54th minute goal was pivotal in Creggan seeing off a determined Sarsfields side 1-16-0-14 in Saturday evenings Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Final at Dunsilly. 

Creggan trailed at the break in an evenly contested final and regained the initiative through a Thomas McCann score 12 minutes from time.

There was never more than two-points between the sides until the 54th minute when McCann stretched the lead and then assisted in namesake Oran firing home the game’s only goal seconds later to seal their first Intermediate crown since 2015. 

Creggan’s Oran McCann raises his hand his celebration after scoring the only goal of the game in Saturday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship win over Sarsfields at Dunsilly.

Kevin McKernan would depart proceedings a few minutes later and it didn’t help the Paddies cause as they sought a comeback that wouldn’t materialise in the end. 

The opening stages saw both sides cancel each other out at will. Daniel Smyth drew first blood for Sarsfields, only for Morgan Nelson to immediately respond at the other end. 

Kevin McKernan opened his account and restored his sides lead from the placed ball, but Connor McCann hit back from the same scenario. 

Creggan edged ahead for the first time thanks to a fine Ruairi McCann point and namesake Oran doubled the lead after taking a lay off from Sean Duffin and swinging over. 

Conor McCann sends over a Creggan point from a free

Anthony McGarrigle halved the deficit, profiting from a turnover and then taking advantage with the score and his side pulled level through a 65’ from Kevin McKernan. 

McKernan ensured his side forged ahead for the third time, taking a pass from Daniel Smyth and dropping over a superb angled point to make it 0-05-0-04. 

Connor McCann restored parity from a free that was awarded prior to Kevin Rice’s shot almost being spilled to the net by Gerard McKeown. 

The point trading pattern continued, Niall McKenna floated over his first point of the contest, but Sam Maguire immediately cancelled it out with his first of the evening. 

A scoreless period of almost ten minutes followed before Anthony McGarrigle would double his account and edge Sarsfields ahead again. 

The Stewartstown outfit doubled their lead through a pop over by Mark Rea, though they were perhaps fortunate to lead at the break. 

Oran McCann doubled his tally and halved the deficit after combining with Connor and just before the half time whistle Diarmuid Mulholland watched in amazement as his close-range flick on was somehow scrambled off the line to safety and Sarsfields held a slender 0-08-0-07 lead at the midway stage. 

Creggan pulled level for the fifth time after the restart through Connor McCann’s first point from play and third score overall. 

They would have Cormac Rice to thank for remaining level a few minutes later as their shot-stopper parried Donal McKernan’s goal bound shot.  

The nervy nature of the game continued with the next six scores evenly traded approaching the final quarter of an hour. 

Kevin McKernan restored his sides slender lead from a free, only for Connor McCann to draw his side level from the same scenario after Kevin Rice was obstructed. 

Niall McKenna produced an excellent over the shoulder effort that dropped between the posts, but Creggan talisman McCann brought his personal tally to five with his fourth converted free to make it 0-10 apiece on the 45th minute. 

Sarsfields edged ahead for the last time after Niall McKenna nipped in and turned the ball over, before finding Daniel McKernan to point. 

Sean Duffin would swing over the equaliser and ensure his side had pulled level for the eighth and final time. 

Less than 60-seconds later Thomas McCann dropped over an angled score to swing the pendulum. 

Kevin McKernan sends a sideline cut between the Creggan posts early in the second half

McCann doubled their advantage through his fifth free and although Kevin McKernan halved the deficit with a sensational side-line cut, Creggan were about to seal victory with 60-seconds of brilliance. 

Morgan Nelson produced a wonder score and after Sarsfields short puck-out was turned over, Thomas McCann dropped over a point and opened up a three-point lead for the first time (0-15-0-12). 

They would firmly turn the screw just seconds later as McCann again won possession and slipped a pass through to Oran McCann- who lined up a bullet of a shot that gave Gerard McKeown no chance of saving and opened up a 1-15-0-12 gap in the process. 

Sarsfields needed a quick goal, though had to settle for a super Kevin McKernan point instead. 

It would be McKernan’s last positive contribution as he struck out in frustration as Sean Duffin in front of referee Ciaran McCloskey- who had no hesitation in brandishing the red card. 

Creggan landed their final score of the evening from the subsequent free that was worked cross field to Kevin Rice to pop over. 

The 14-men of Sarsfields continued to throw their all in search a goal that would have set up a grandstand finish. 

Daniel McKernan in action against Creggan’s Sean Duffin

Caaolan McKernan floated in a few high balls that came to nothing. Niall McKenna would have the opportunity to try and yield something positive from a close-range free that was diverted over the bar instead for a point. 

In the end, Creggan negotiated the remainder of time at ease to ensure that the Intermediate title would be heading back to the Loughshore for the first time in eight-years and they can now look forward to an Ulster campaign- where they will meet the winners of the Down Championship on November 5th.

Cregann celebrate with the cup

Creggan: C Rice, A Maguire, A McKeown, J McAteer, S Maguire (0-01), K McCann, L McCann, S Duffin (0-01), R McCann, M Nelson (0-02), K Rice (0-02), O McCann (1-02), T McCann (0-02), C McCann (0-06, 0-05f), D Mulholland. Subs: T McLarnon for D Mulholland (46), L Johnston for O McCann (59), P McGuckian for S Maguire (60+2). 

Sarsfields: G McKeown, N McAlea, J Daniels, M McCavanagh, J Cunningham, C McKernan, E McCartan, K McKernan (0-06, 0-01f, 0-01 65’, 0-01s), Daniel McKernan (0-01), D Smith (0-01), N McKenna (0-03, 0-01f), A McGarrigle (0-02), Donal McKernan, G Lennon, M Rea (0-01). Subs: N O’Mullane for M Rea (36), O Coleman for Donal McKernan. (41), M Johnston for J Cunningham (43), R McAreavey for D Smith (55). 

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

Creggan’s Ruairi McCann receives the Nobel Cafe Man of the Match awards from Paddy McIlwaine

County chariman Ciaran McCavana presents the Intermediate Championship Cup to Creggan captain Ruairi McCann
by thesaffrongael

May the best team win

Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Final

Shamrocks Loughgiel v Ruairi Og Cushendall

By Colm Thompson

As Neil McManus crashed his fourth goal to the back of the Fr Healy Park net on the first Sunday in September the Shamrocks knew the writing was on the wall. Final score Cushendall 4-22 Loughgiel 0-19. The Loughgiel players shook hands and trudged off the pitch, understandably they looked dejected. Following unconvincing group stage victories against St. Enda’s and Ballycastle and the loss to Cushendall it would have taken a brave man to suggest Loughgiel would qualify for the county final routing both St. John’s and five in a row chasing Dunloy along the way. And yet here we are. The manner in which Loughgiel disposed of Dunloy in the semi-final sent shockwaves throughout Ulster hurling. The tremors weren’t just felt in Cushendall, I am sure those in Slaughtneil and The Ards Peninsula sat up and took notice as well. This wasn’t an underdog winning a game with a late goal, this was a confident, dominant performance from The Shamrocks. An eleven point win doesn’t tell the full story, in truth Loughgiel’s margin of victory could and probably should have been more having missed a number of scorable frees. This young Loughgiel team had just made a statement.  It had been a long time since I’d heard the chant “Shamrocks, Shamrocks, Shamrocks” but leaving Ballycastle it was ringing in my ears, the place was rocking…Shamrocking.

   A day earlier I had watched Cushendall beat Ballycastle in terrible conditions. The Town had made things awkward in the opening half but as the game wore on The Ruairis pulled clear for victory. Job done. There is no doubt in my mind that Cushendall have improved since running Dunloy so close in last year’s championship final. The Dall’s ability to get goals has been very apparent throughout this year’s championship campaign averaging over five per game. The likes of Ronan McAteer, Joseph McLaughlin and Ed McQuillan have taken some of the scoring burden off Neil McManus and our forwards look a much more cohesive unit. The Burke brothers, Paddy and Martin marshal a mean defence with half backs Scott Walsh and Eoghan Campbell also capable of getting up the field and taking points. Conor McAlister is also back between the sticks for Cushendall and his distribution and ball striking is key to the Dall game plan.

   Loughgiel’s renaissance owes much to the performances of Paul Boyle who has picked up man of the match awards in his last two games. His ability to take scores from all angles is a major weapon in Loughgiel’s armour. James McNaughton and Dan McCloskey also bring lightening pace to the equation and both are capable of ghosting in for goals. Tiernan Coyle and Damon McMullan are experienced defenders and they have been well supported Enda Og McGarry. However perhaps the greatest demonstration of the rejuvenation has been the recent performances of Declan McCloskey. He was second best to Neil McManus six weeks ago but he has come roaring back and was magnificent in the semi final against Dunloy.

   My daughter and I are Newcastle United fans (it’s a long story) and we were lucky enough to get tickets for The Champion’s League game with PSG. The following morning getting the Easyjet home the person who sat down beside us was none other than Loughgiel manager Hugh McCann! Just as he took his seat the pilot announced a half hour delay until take off. Seeing my chance I struck up a conversation. The usual small talk hoping to get a wee bit of information but like any good poker player Hugh kept his cards close to his chest.

   I genuinely can’t predict this game. Loughgiel’s semi final performance has torn the form book to shreds. I think you know what you get with Cushendall, they have been the model of consistency throughout this year’s campaign which is very unlike Cushendall, in fact it is much more like Loughgiel. The Shamrocks on the other hand have struggled in the group stages, have almost been written off as contenders and then peaked for the knockout stages with a scintillating performance, very unlike Loughgiel and traditionally the way Cushendall do business. The more experienced players are with Cushendall but the youthful exuberance is with Loughgiel. The critical question is which Loughgiel will turn up? The team from the group stages and I’d be confident of a Dall victory, the team from two weeks ago and I’d be very worried.

May the best team win.

by thesaffrongael

Greater hunger could swing it Sarsfield’s way

ANDERSONSTOWN SC IHC Final

Patrick Sarsfield’s v Kickham’s Creggan

Dunsilly Saturday 5.00pm

With Tir na nOg leading by a point and seemingly on their way to this year’s Andersonstown SC Intermediate Hurling final and Sarsfield’s pushing for an equaliser, Sean Duffin body checked Caolan McKernan on the sideline and 45 yards from goal with referee Ciaran McCloskey blowing for a free.

The large crowd at Dunsilly held their collective breath as Niall McKenna stepped up to take the pressure free. Convert it and the game would go to extra time. Miss and it would be Tir na nOg who would advance to the decider.

McKenna is no stranger to pressure and held his nerve to fire the resulting free between the uprights, much to the approval of the Sarsfield’s supporters in the large crowd and the rest is history.

Anthony McGarrigle fired past Kevin Sheerin, 30 seconds into extra time and Gary Lennon added a point to give the Stewartstown Road side a lead that they never looked again like losing.

Eamon Og McAllister pulled one back for the Randalstown side but the momentum was very much with Sarsfield’s as Kevin McKernan pointed at the other end to restore their four point advantage.

The Belfast side were now winning a lot of dirty ball and were more measured in their attacks and Niall McKenna pointed a free and added another one from play to move them six ahead.

Tir na nOg were still fighting hard but the momentum was very much with their opponents and another point from the influential McKenna had Sarsfields seven in front at the short whistle.

The Whitehill side kept going right to the end but there would be no way back as the Sarsfield’s defence stood strong and a couple of pointed Sean Duffin frees in response to points from substitute Nicholas O’ Mullan and man of the match, Niall McKenna brought matters to a close.

The next day, 20 miles down the road at Glenravel it was Kickham’s Creggan’s county player, Conor McCann who guided his side to victory in the other semi-final with a man of the match display against a fancied Emmet’s Cushendun at Fr Maginn Park.

McCann, who missed all of last season through injury only returned to action a few weeks ago, but he showed just how vital he is to his team as he scored 1-10 of their 3-11 total, four of those points coming in the last eight minutes to pull his team clear of danger.

This win certainly made quite a few sit up and take notice. The Kickham’s had endured an injury ravished season and finished bottom of division 2 with only one win from 13 starts and had recorded only one win from 13 starts.

Conor McCann in action against Cushendun’s Conor McHugh during the semi-final

They lost to Sarsfield’s by a goal in Creggan on the opening day of the group stages of the championship but the return to fitness of Conor McCann and several of the other walking wounded has brought about a dramatic change in fortunes and form.

They recovered from the Sarsfields defeat to record an impressive 3-16 to 1-13 win over Oisin Glenariff in Waterfoot and followed that up with a win over St. Paul’s in Belfast and a home win over Con Magee’s Glenravel to qualify for the semi-final.

That impressive win against last year’s beaten finalists Emmet’s Cushendun sets them up with another meeting with Sarsfield’s and an opportunity to avenge that group 2 defeat earlier in the year.

Sarsfield’s suffered a surprise defeat to St. Paul’s on day two at the Bear Pit but recovered to defeat Con Magee’s at Fr. Maginn Park, setting up a winner takes all meeting with Glenariff in the final round 2 game at the Bear Pit.

A Kevin McKernan goal from the penalty spot in the 59th minute turned this bruising Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 2 encounter very much in favour of Sarsfield’s as they overcame the challenge of Oisin, Glenariffe to qualify for a semi-final meeting with Cushendun.

Five minutes previous an Aaron Cosgrove point had moved the visitors three ahead and it looked like the Waterfoot side were on their way to the semis, but it was Sarsfield’s who would finish the stronger.

McKernan’s penalty conversion saw Sarsfield’s run out 2-15 to 1-16 winners to set up that semi-final meeting with Tir na nOg which they won after extra time and another meeting with Creggan on Saturday evening in Dunsilly in the decider.

Both sides are laced with experienced players with the McKernan clan, Gerard, Caolan, Kevin, Daniel and Donal all starting in the semi-final while Jack Daniels, Mark McCavanagh, Enda McCartan, Gary Lennon and Niall McKenna led the Sarsfield’s challenge.

Niall McKenna in action during the semi-fnal win over Tir na nOg

Conor McCann is the man who can swing this one in favour of the Kickham’s and the former county captain is likely to come in for some close attention but Creggan are not a one man team.

His brother Thomas, a former county player himself, Kevin Rice, Aidan McKeown, the Maguires, Aidan and Sam, Ruairi McCann and Jake McAteer are just some of the survivors from Creggan’s last championship final appearance against Carey Faughs in 2021.

The Kickham’s lost that one to a strong Carey Faughs side and were beaten by St. Gall’s in the final back in 2018.

Saturday evenings decider may well come down to whether Conor McCann for Creggan or Niall McKenna for Sarsfields performs to their optimum but both sides have other match winners within their ranks.

In the end it will come down to the side that wants it most and Sarsfield’s certainly displayed that hunger in bagful’s against Tir na nOg and that hunger might just get them over the line over an improving Creggan.

Creggan’s Kevin Rice in action during his team’s win over Cushendun in Saturday’s IHC semi-final in Glenravel. Pic by John McIlwaine
by thesaffrongael

McKernans to the fore as Sarsfields bridge 43 year gap

A look back at Sarsfields last Intermediate triumph in 2017

 

Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Patrick Sarsfields 0-16 Carey Faughs 1-7

0- Sarsfields v Carey 12

Kevin McKernan punches air after sending over a Sarsfields point. Pic by John McIlwaine

By Brendan McTaggart

43 years.  A long time in any man’s books and more than a lifetime for many of those in attendance at Armoy on Saturday afternoon but by 4:20pm they were made to wait no more.  Sarsfields, county champions.  1973 was the last time the Paddies tasted success at the Intermediate level before going on and taking senior honours the following year and on Saturday evening they broke their duck.  Six points separated the Paddies and Carey after a tense battle played in horrible conditions in Armoy. To be honest the score line flattered the Faughs as Sarsfields were dominant, in the second half in particular, but a series of wides and missed opportunities meant that the Faughs were always in with a shout.

Just one point separated the sides with 15 minutes to go, largely down to the profligacy of the Sarsfileds attack but the McKernan brothers, Kevin and Daniel stepped up the tempo when it was most needed.  The duo had been a thorn in the side of Carey for the majority of the match but they, along with Niall McKenna and Darragh McGuinness were immense in the closing stages as the Paddies turned the screw.  Carey fought hard throughout the hour and once again, James ‘Rocket’ Black was a shining light for the men from Ballyvoy.  Rocket was played in a number of positions throughout the hour and played a main roll in a lot that was good in the Carey men.  James McCouaig was superb in defence while Cathal ‘Doog’ McAuley was always dangerous on the edge of the Paddies square.

The Faugh’s were reduced to 14 men with nine minutes remaining, their excellent full-back Sean McBride getting the line for a second yellow card but the writing was already on the wall at that stage for Carey.

With Donal McKernan unable to start the final with a leg injury, Sarsfields gave a Eoghan Rodgers a place in the starting 15.  Rodgers lined out in the corner forward berth but was Rockets shadow throughout the game, anywhere the influential Carey man went, Rodgers wasn’t too far behind.

With the weather worsening at the throw in, it looked like the heavy underfoot conditions would suit the Faughs and in the early exchanges that appeared to be the case as the boys from Ballyvoy got off to the dream start.  The match was only 90 seconds old when the Faughs scored the only goal of the game.  Sarsfields ‘keeper David Ward failing to clear a ’65 from Black that hung in the wind, McAuley pulling the lose sliotar to the back of the net.  The start they would have hoped for and the start that many neutrals would have been keen to see.  Despite Carey playing in a league above the Paddies in 2017, Sarsfields started the match as strong favourites.  Game on.

Daniel McKernan showed his pedigree when he opened the Paddies account with the next attack of the game but Carey’s dream start almost changed to a fairy-tale for the men from Ballyvoy when they were awarded a penalty in the 4th minute.  Again, it was McAuley who was causing the Sarsfileds defence problems.  The Carey full forward collected the sliotar before being bundled to the floor inside the square.  Match referee Colum Cunning awarded the Faughs a penalty which McAuley took himself, electing to drive the sliotar over the bar, much to the relief of the Sarsfields faithful, a decision that baffled most of the Faughs followers.

It was a reprieve for Sarsfields, in hindsight maybe going for goal with less pressure and in the circumstances was better option for Carey and the Paddies took full advantage.  They scored four unanswered points thanks to efforts from McKenna, Darragh McGuinness and two Kevin McKernan frees to take the lead and while Black replied for the Faugh’s, Sarsfields were well on top, scoring another trio of scores to lead by three in the 22nd minute and banish any memory of their nightmare start.  McKenna, Kevin McKernan and Niall McAlea raising the white flags for their side.  McAuley and Kevin McKernan traded frees in the closing stages but the Sarsfields midfielder should have put daylight between the sides in first half injury time.  Through on goal, Steven McGinn produced a superb save to deny the Paddies and while McKernan was also first to the rebound, his grounds stroke somehow managed to spin wide with the goal at his mercy.

The Faugh’s made a bright start to the second half with McAuley landing two more frees to take his tally to 1-4 for the match to leave the minimum between the sides and while Sarsfields always looked dangerous in attack, they were struggling to find their range.

The Paddies had goal chances, twice they were denied with referee Cunning calling a square ball on Gary Lennon on both occasions while the Sarsfields full forward brought the best out of McGinn in the 40th minute but a superb score from McKenna after a strong run was all they had to show for their efforts in the opening exchanges of the second half.

 

A long range point from half back Jack McBride brought Carey to within touching distance once more but Sarsfields found another gear when it mattered most.  Five unanswered points in as many minutes from the 46th minute put them firmly in control, Kevin McKernan with his fifth and sixth points of the final with Daniel McKernan (twice) and substitute Donal McKernan helping to open a six point gap with ten minutes remaining.

The Carey challenge hit a major road block when full back Sean McBride received his second yellow card soon after and while the Faughs never slackened in their pursuit of glory, Sarsfields proved to be a step too far.  McAuley and McKenna exchanging frees in the closing stages to leave six points between the sides at the full time whistle.

It’s another final defeat for the Faughs who have been knocking hard on the door for the last few years, it seems it’s only a matter of time before they make the breakthrough while the Paddies go on to represent Antrim in the Ulster championship and will be hoping that Saturday’s silverware will be added to when their football counterparts take on St Pat’s of Lisburn in the Junior football decider next Saturday.

Sarsfields: David Ward; Peter Corr; James Cunningham; Jack Daniels; Michael Callaghan; Caolan Mervyn; Caillin Caldwell; Kevin McKernan; Darragh McGuinness; Daniel McKernan; Niall McKenna; Niall McAlea; James McKernan; Gary Lennon; Eoghan Rodgers

Subs: Donal McKernan for M Callaghan (35 mins)

Scorers: Kevin McKernan 0-6 (2 frees); Niall McKenna 0-4 (1 free); Danial McKernan 0-3; Darragh McGuinness 0-1; Niall McAlea 0-1; Donal McKernan 0-1

Carey: Steven McGinn; Eoin Hill; Sean McBride; Daniel Hill; Michael McVeigh; James McCouaig; John McBride; Kevin Murphy; James Black; Shea Hunter; Nat Hunter; Martin Hunter; Peadar McVeigh; Cathal McAuley; Sean McLoughlin

Subs: Fiachra McVeigh for K Murphy (HT); Gerard McBride for S McLoughlin (50 mins); Daniel McBride for J McBride (inj)

Scorers: Cathal McAuley 1-5 (0-1 pen, 4 frees); James Black 0-1 (1 free); John McBride 0-1

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

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by thesaffrongael

Little to choose between Armoy and the Biddies

Hurling takes centre stage in Antrim this weekend with finals in Junior, Intermediate and Senior with all three grades promising to produce entertaining and competitive deciders and all likely to attract bumper crowds.

The action gets underway on Saturday when close rivals, St. Brigid’s, Cloughmills and Glen Rovers, Armoy meet in the Junior final, hosted by Oisins Glenariff in Waterfoot.

Dunsilly provides the venue for the ANDERSONSTOWN SC Intermediate decider between Kickham’s Creggan and Patrick Sarsfield’s and once again we have all the ingredients for a cracker.

It’s on to Corrigan on Sunday where Loughgiel Shamrock’s, who produced something of a shock in their semi-final win over Dunloy take on a Cushendall side who recorded a resounding win over them in the Group stages.

CASEMENT SC JHC Final

1.00pm Waterfoot

Glen Rovers Armoy v St. Brigid’s Cloughmills

These two will need no introduction as Glen Rovers and St. Brigid’s have served up many tight and entertaining contests in recent years. The sides met in the Junior Feis final earlier in the year with St. Brigid’s winning that one with something to spare.

A master class of point taking by St. Brigid’s Eoin Dobbin inspired the Cloughmills’ club to Feis glory when they overcame the challenge of neighbours, Glen Rovers Armoy in the final in Dunloy.

The talented number 13 finished the game with 0-12 to his name and displayed unerring accuracy on a day when both sides missed a bucket full of scoring opportunities.

Only two of Dobbin’s total came from play but his free taking was right out of the top drawer as he struck at least three from 70 meters or more on a night when little went right for the men from ‘The Glen’.

Armoy did gain a measure of revenge when the sides met in Armoy in the league with the Glen Rovers coming out tops in that one and it will have given them confidence going into Saturday’s final in Glenariff.

From the outset of this year’s Junior Hurling Championship the smart money would have been on these two to make the decider.

Both dropped down from Intermediate where they had competed for some time and both played their hurling in division 2 for quite a number of years and they finished second and third in division 3 this year in the league behind winners Cuchulainn Hurling Club, Armagh.

The Armagh side dropped only three points on their way to the title with Cloughmill’s earning a draw in Armagh city after losing to the same side on the opening day of the league in Cloughmills while Glen Rovers inflicted Cuchulainn’s only defeat in Armoy back on the 2nd July

Glen Rovers began their JHC campaign with a win away to Davitt’s at Davitt’s Park by 0-20 to 2-11back in August and went on to beat Rasharkin by the narrowest of Margins at Dreen in their second group outing.

The ‘Rovers’ went on to top their group with a win over Lamh Dhearg, 3-12 to 2-12 in Armoy before recording a fairly comfortable semi-final win over Gort na Mona at the same venue.

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills, like Saturday’s opponents, went through the group stages unbeaten and began their campaign with a 1-19 to 0-13 victory over Gort na Mona at Enright Park.

They followed that win with victory over All Saints in Cloughmills with six points separating them from the Ballymena side and finished their group campaign with a facile victory over the namesakes, St. Brigid’s Belfast.

Like Glen Rovers, St. Brigid’s earned a home venue for their semi-final against Lamh Dhearg by virtue of topping their group and ran out convincing 1-20 to 0-9 winners in the end to set up a meeting with Glen Rovers in the decider.

John ‘Rocky’ Dillon missed the semi-final against Gort na Mona with an ankle injury and the Armoy management will be hoping the former county full-back has recovered to take his place in the final.

Late goals from Ciaran McKenna and Eoin Kinney sealed victory and a place in the Casement Social Club JHC final for Glen Rovers when they held off a spirited challenge from Gort na Mona in Armoy.

Conor Devlin will line out in goals for Armoy and has been a reliable custodian for many years while Liam Dillon, Shane and Arthur Devlin, Thomas Burns and Hugh O’Kane will all be hoping to get the nod in the starting defence. PJ McBride accompanied McKenna at mid-field last day out and Turlach McBride was a major contributor from frees with Trevor Linton continuing to put in impressive performances in attack.

St. Brigid’s have their own Mr Reliable in goals in Chris McKiernan while Sean McKendry, Geoffery Og Laverty and Johnny Duffin all impressed in defence against Gort na Mona.

Kevin O’Boyle moved to mid-field for that one from his usual defensive birth while Eoin Dobbin, Mickey Devlin and Liam Kearns gave the ‘Biddies’ plenty of options in attack.

In a tight game this could become the battle of the free takers with Eoin Dobbin in impressive form from the placed ball for the Cloughmills side and Turlach McBride showing similar accuracy for Glen Rovers in their respective semi-finals.

I don’t expect there to be much between these evenly balanced sides come 2.10pm on Saturday and it could be all down to who settles quickest on the day but I’m going to stick my neck out and predict a Cloughmills win but it could go either way.