Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Ardoyne Dominate Extra-Time to Edge Past Loch Mór Dál gCais

JHC B Semi-Final

Ardoyne 1-18 Loch Mor Dal gCais 0-16

This semi-final of the Junior B Hurling Championship will not live long in the memory of either players or spectators for its quality, but Ardoyne will gain some comfort from their second half turnaround. The heavy rainfall at the start of the game threatened to put a dampener on this semi-final clash.

Ardoyne did not look like the team that had recently lifted the Division 4 crown, starting incredibly slow to get off the mark. Loch Mór were first out of the blocks, with Aodhan Morgan registering the opening score from play.

Andrew Gilmore fired over a second before Turley stretched the lead further with a pointed free. The gap widened to four points as Jones converted another free, leaving a completely out-of-tune Ardoyne chasing shadows. It took until the ten-minute mark for Ardoyne to finally split the posts through a McGreevey free.

Turley responded quickly with two further pointed frees for Loch Mór to stretch the lead to five. McGreevey accurate free-taking kept Ardoyne within touching distance with his second point of the afternoon, but Paul Molloy kept the pressure firmly on the league champions with another fine point from play. The opening half came to a close with Turley sending over another point from a free.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-02  Loch Mór Dál gCais: 0-08

The persistent light rain finally died out over the closing stages of the first half. As the sliothar was thrown in to start proceedings for the second period, the emerging sunshine reflected a marked improvement in the standard of play from both sides. Ardoyne gave immediate notice that they were going to have a say in this game, racing into attack and winning a free that was duly pointed by McGreevey. A tense free-taking shootout ensued between McGreevey and Turley, with McGreevey taking the honours to drag Ardoyne back to within two points by the 50th minute.

The turning point in this game came on 55 minutes. Increasing pressure from the Ardoyne forward line resulted in a penalty, which was calmly converted by McGreevey. Though Ardoyne now held the upper hand, their growing dominance was temporarily threatened by two consecutive points from Loch Mór. It was nip and tuck for the next five minutes as the lead exchanged hands on several occasions.

Aaron Stewart began to exert a major influence on the game, landing a long range point from play for Ardoyne. When the final whistle blew for normal time, the sides could not be separated, locked at 1-13 to 0-16.

With Loch Mór reduced to 14 men and Ardoyne finally finding their rhythm, extra time belonged entirely to the home side. With Heaney providing his trademark high-energy game and sharpshooter McGreevey in lethal form, Ardoyne completely shut up shop, keeping Loch Mór scoreless throughout the entire period of extra time. Paul McGuigan’s tireless hard work throughout the afternoon was justly rewarded with a point from play to cap off the scoring.

While Ardoyne will find plenty of satisfaction in their resilient second-half display, they will know they were fortunate to end up on the winning side after such a lacklustre start. A much-improved, 60-minute performance will be demanded for the upcoming Final against close rivals All Saints, Ballymena.

Full-Time (After Extra Time): Ciceam Ard Eoin 1-18  Loch Mór Dál gCais: 0-16

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Jim Óg McAuley, Cahal Clarke, Paul Baker, Emmett Corey, Sean Searle(0-1), Paddy Heaney, Caolan Wallace, Paul McGuigan, Matthew Cromie, Diarmuid Martin, Cormac Barnes, Aran Stewart(0-2), Fiontain Lagain, Patric McGreevey(1-11, 1pen-10f), Jonathan larkin, Colum Lowry, Michael Lee-Murphy, Oilibhear Corey

Loch Mór Dál gCais: Martin Robb, Brogan Graham, Bailey Graham, James Duffy, Sean Burke, Martin Braniff (0-1), Matthew Jones (0-02), Darragh Turley (0-8, 6f), Declan Phillipps, Ferdia Crason, Aaron Monaghan, James Magorrian, Paul Molloy (0-2), Matthew Ward, Niall burke, Andrew Gilmore (0-1), Donncha O’Hare, Aodhran Morgan (0-1), Michael Morgan (0-1)

Referee: Ray Matthews

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by thesaffrongael

Ruairi’s Survive Ballycastle Scare to Seal Semi Final Spot

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Quarter Final

Cushendall 2-23 Ballycastle 4-13

Saturday 27 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Cushendall sealed their place in the last four of the senior hurling championship on Sunday evening but they were pushed to the pin of their collar by a gutsy Ballycastle side.

Four points was the difference between the sides at the end of an hour of enthralling championship hurling that saw the best of both sides.  Cushendall looked sharp with Callagh Mooney putting in a monumental shift from the middle of the park, tagging over five points in a top performance while Joseph McLaughlin’s uncanny knack for scoring goals on big occasions continues.  He found the onion bag in either half for the Ruairi’s with his second goal in particular coming at a vital time in the game for his side.

The Town’s never-say-die spirit saw them come back from the brink, three goals in as many minutes saw them rattle the Ruairi’s.  Tiarnan Smyth with goals in either half while Niall McKenna and Cadhan Crawford also raised green flags.

Cushendall needed someone to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, Neil McManus stood tall.  He played as a sweeper to fill the gap in front of Martin Burke and look to get under the high ball Ballycastle were sending into the danger area.  McManus proving yet again he is a managers dream.  At some point he will be donated to science for cloning.  A fascinating subplot to the whole game and one not many would have seen coming, was Neil McManus marking Conor Boyd on the edge of the Cushendall square.

The Ruairi’s were reduced to 14 men with four minutes of the hour remaining, Ryan McCambridge seeing his cameo cut short for a second yellow card.  It added to the drama of a nail biting ending.  Ballycastle threw everything bar the kitchen sink at the Ruairi’s but Cushendall withstood the barrage of amber and black that came their way.

Cushendall made a bright start to the game, leading four points to one after seven minutes.  Scores from Mooney, Ed McQuillan and a brace of white flags from Joseph McLaughlin got their scoreboard ticking.  A free from Conor Boyd was the solitary response from the Town.

Ballycastle showed their intent and a sign of things to come through Smyth’s first major in the eighth minute.  Boyd sending a long free into the heart of the Ruairi’s defence where Niall McClean broke the sliotar into Smyth’s path and he squeezed the ball over the line.

Seamus McAuley pointed from distance before Smyth added another to give Ballycastle a two point lead by the 12th minute.  The Ruairi’s responded by firing over four points in as many minutes.  Mooney, Joe McNaughton, Fred McCurry and Ed McQuillan with the scores.

Niall McKenna cut the Cushendall lead, scoring from wide on the right before Joseph McLaughlin scored the Ruairi’s first goal.  Playing a one-two with Ed McQuillan, ‘Pep’ showed great footwork to evade the Ballycastle challenges before hammering the sliotar to the back of Eamon Elliott’s goal.

Points followed from Scott Walsh and a brace from Pep McLaughlin gave Cushendall a seven point lead with a little over eight minutes of the half remaining.

The Town landed scores from Cadhan Crawford and substitute Ronan McCarry with Fergus McCambridge the sole response from Cushendall to leave the half time score 1-12 to 1-6 in Cushendall’s favour.

The second half started identically to the first, Callagh Mooney breaking free from the restart and splitting the posts with barely 20 seconds on the clock.  McManus added his name to the list of Cushendall scorers with a brace of points to put Cushendall in the driving seat and a nine point lead.

‘Rambo’ McCarry split the uprights for Ballycastle’s first score of the half in the fifth minute before the Town hit their first of three goals in the space of three frenetic minutes.

Conor Boyd sending the sliotar deep into the danger area where Smyth was holding off Fred McCurry.  The Town forward managed to get the sliotar and get his shot away while on his knees.  A brilliant finish from Smyth as the Town sensed an opening.

Their third goal came from Cadhan Crawford and again, coming from a long Conor Boyd free.  Taking the free early and landing it in around the house, the Cushendall defence didn’t deal with the danger and Crawford pounced to pull home to leave two between the sides.

Ed McQuillan pointed to give Cushendall some form of respite but Ballycastle’s fourth major came with the next attack.  Niall McKenna getting on the end of a break by Conor Donnelly and sending the sliotar high to the back of Conor McAlister’s net.  A remarkable period of the game that saw Ballycastle rattle the Ruairi’s and bring the sides level.

Cushendall’s response was both instant and brilliant.  Joseph McLaughlin finding the back of the Ballycastle net after great work from McQuillan and Fergus McCambridge in the build up.  Pep would follow up with another free to give the Ruairi’s a four point lead only for Ballycastle to respond once again.  Points from Seamus McAuley, Smyth and Rambo McCarry bringing Ballycastle to within one point of Cushendall with a quarter of the game remaining.

Cushendall seemed to weather the Ballycastle storm and with McManus dropping deeper, they looked to deal with the aerial bombardment that came their way.

They fired over another four unanswered points through substitute Ryan McCambridge, Callagh Mooney, Pep McLaughlin and Scott Walsh before Conor Boyd fired over his second point of the afternoon.

With four between the sides going into the final five minutes, the game had another twist with Ryan McCambridge seeing red for a second yellow.  Darragh Kelly cut the Cushendall lead to three but as the Town’s need for another major grew, they found the Ruairi Og’s defence had tightened.  The aerial bombardment continued but Pep McLaughlin and Callagh Mooney fired over points either side of a ’65 from Cadhan Crawford, ending the scoring.

A dramatic ending to what felt like an old school, championship game of hurling.  Cushendall book their place in the semi finals and a meeting with Loughgiel and while Ballycastle bow out, they do so in the knowledge that they’re on the brink of an awakening.

Ballycastle’s Darragh Donnelly goes high to win the ball from Cushendall’s Thomas McLaughlin during Sunday’s Senior Hurling Championship quarter final in Dunloy. Pic by John McIlwaine

TEAMS

Cushendall Starting XV: Conor McAlister; Conor McCann, Martin Burke, Fred McCurry; Scott Walsh, Austin Birt, Charlie McAuley; Neil McManus, Callagh Mooney; Thomas McLaughlin, Ed McQuillan, Joseph McNaughton; Fergus McCambridge, Eoghan Campbell, Joseph McLaughlin

  • Subs: Ryan McCambridge for E Campbell (40); Oisin Woodhouse for J McNaughton (42); Sean McAfee for F McCambridge (52); Liam Gillan for F McCurry (56)
  • Scorers: J McLaughlin 2-7 (5f); C Mooney 0-5; E McQuillan 0-3; S Walsh 0-2; N McManus 0-2; F McCurry 0-1; J McNaughton 0-1; F McCambridge 0-1; R McCambridge 0-1

Ballycastle Starting XV: Eamon Elloitt; Oran Kearney, Conal Colgan, Cathaoir Donnelly; Darragh Donnelly, Conor Boyd, Eoin McAlonan; Ronan Laverty, Jack McGowan; Niall McClean, Seamus McAuley, Tiarnan Smyth; Conor Donnelly, Niall McKenna, Cadhan Crawford

  • Subs: Ronan McCarry for J McGowan (27); Ardan Kelly for R Laverty (33); Neal McAuley for N McClean (42); Darragh Kelly for E McAlonan (51)
  • Scorers: T Smyth 2-2; C Crawford 1-2 (1f, 1’65); N McKenna 1-1; R McCarry 0-3; S McAuley 0-2; C Boyd 0-2 (1f); D Kelly 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

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by thesaffrongael

MacLiam’s injury stops St Gall’s in their tracks as Glenarm prosper

Antrim Intermediate hurling Championship – Quarter Final

Glenarm 2-21 St Gall’s 1-21

Glenarm secured a dramatic 2-21 to 1-21 extra-time victory over St Gall’s in the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final, overcoming a six-point halftime deficit to book a semi-final meeting with Carey Faughs in two weeks’ time.

Played in muggy, challenging conditions at Feystown, the fixture frequently devolved into a grueling physical battle rather than a showcase of free-flowing hurling. St Gall’s utilized the favorable elements in the first half to build a commanding lead, driven almost entirely by a spectacular performance from full-forward Dubhultach MacLiam.

The Milltown talisman was unplayable early on, controlling the game’s tempo and netting a penalty into the top corner after Mark Napier was fouled. Despite a Darren Hamill goal and points from Fergus Donnelly keeping the hosts in the contest, St Gall’s entered the break with a comfortable six-point cushion.

Glenarm came out firing in the second half, cutting the deficit to three within three minutes through scores from Niall McGarel, Niall Rodgers, and Daniel Black. The match quickly evolved into a tense shootout. Whenever Glenarm threatened to overtake the visitors—spurred on by excellent play from Black and Aiden Scullion in the middle of the park—MacLiam responded with precision frees and points from play. Glenarm never led during the sixty minutes of normal time, ultimately relying on a high-pressure free from McGarel deep into injury time to level the game and force extra time.

The additional period began with the teams trading points before the game’s decisive twist: immediately after striking a free, MacLiam pulled up with a hamstring injury and was forced off the field. His departure ended an incredible individual showcase of 1-16 and stripped St Gall’s of their attacking anchor.

Glenarm immediately capitalized on his absence. With the visitors’ momentum shattered, McGarel stepped up to convert crucial placed balls, while Black and Hamill commanded the outfield. The hosts’ defense firmly shut out St Gall’s in the closing stages, completing the comeback to seal their final-four spot.

Final Score: Glenarm 2-21 | St Gall’s 1-21 Venue: Feystown

Glenarm Starting XV & Scorers:

  • M Abram; B Hamill, J Scullion, K O’Boyle; C Magill, M Furey (0-1), A Scullion (0-2); S McDermott, N McGarel (0-10, 8F), D Black (1-5), D McLaughlin; S O’Boyle, N Rodgers (0-2), D McDermott, D Hamill (1-1).

St Gall’s Starting XV & Scorers:

  • S McAreavey; E Rush, M Marlow, G Adams; D Churchill, J Hopkins, A Mackel; E Walsh, O McIlhatton; F Donnelly (0-1), T O’Ciarain (0-2, 1F), S Burke (0-1); D MacLiam (1-16, 11F, 1-0 Pen), A Gallagher, M Napier (0-1).
  • Referee – Shane McDonnell (Oisins)

Shane O’Neill’s chairman Eamon Matthews presents a sponsorship cheque to the Saffron Gael before Sunday’s game at Feystown

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by thesaffrongael

Ballymena win battle of the Saints

JHC B Semi-Final

Belfast Saints All Saints 1-21

A sharp All Saints, Ballymena proved too strong for their namesakes, Belfast Saints in this Junior Hurling B Championship semi-final at Woodlands on Sunday afternoon.

The St. Agnes-St. Teresa’s combination led briefly when a ‘65’ from Mark Caldwell in the 5th minute sailed all the way to the All Saints net with Ronan McAlister possibly losing the sight of the sliothar in the strong sun.

The Ballymena side responded immediately with a goal from Cormac Magill and were never headed as they gradually took control with the free taking of Damian Gillan keeping the score-board ticking over.

Belfast Saints battled hard throughout the contest with their own free taker, Philip Maguire tagging on some excellent scores and still looked to be well in contention when they trailed 1-12 to 1-5 at the halfway stage with the benefit of the wind to come in their favour in the second half.

Those first half points came from Maguire who contribute 0-4 with Niall McCann getting the other with an excellent strike.

Luke O’Rawe, Paddy Doherty, Damian Gillan 0-5, Daniel Gray 0-2, Cormac Magill 0-2 and Daniel Kelly were the men on target for the Slemish Park side.

Cormac Magill extended the visitors lead, 20 seconds into the second half with Philip Maguire and Damian Gillan exchanging further points before Vinny Esler replaced Dan Kelly in the All Saints attack.

The visitors were adapting much better into the breeze with Archie McGreevey dropping deep as the scoring dried up for a time before Robert Gallagher struck a good point for the Belfast side in the 12th minute to briefly raise their hopes.

Dee Gillan struck a fine point direct from a ‘65’ in reply and Jack Magill followed with a good catch and strike in response to another Philip Maguire point for the home side.

The hosts were now going route one with Conor McLean and Dylan Grieve providing a target with their height up front but the All Saints defence stood tall with Dwayne McKee, Finn Connon and Robert Crooks turning everything that came their way.

Cormac Magill was still providing a serious threat up front and he extended the All Saints lead with a point in the 22nd minute with Robert Gallagher from a 60 meter free and Philip Maguire from closer range responding for the Belfast Saints.

Another Damian Gillan point and an excellent score from Jack Magill moved the Ballymena side out of sight with Conor Grieve then making an excellent save from Gillan at the expense of a ‘65’ which the All Saints sharp shooter converted.

Belfast Saints kept battling to the end but Ronan McAlister in the visitors goals pulled of a couple of smart stops to ensure there would be no late drama and it is the Ballymena Saints who now go forward to meet Kickham’s, Ardoyne in the final.

Belfast Saints: 1 Conor Grieve, 2 Adam O’Rourke, 3 Matt Carlin, 4 Philip Glennon, 5 Pierce O’Rawe, 6 Robert Gallagher, 7 Brian Keatings, 8 Joseph McQuillan, 9 Niall McCann, 10 Phil Maguire, 11 Mark Caldwell, 12 Kieran Grieve, 13 Niall McGettigan, 14 Conor McLean, 15 Keevan Og Grieve

Subs: 16 Dylan Grieve, Dan McConnell, 18 Dan McConnell, 23 Caomhin McNeill, 19 Eoin Clarke

All Saints: 1 Ronan McAlister, 2 Kevin Brady, 3 Dwayne McKee, 4 Finn Connon, 5 Daniel Gray, 6 Robert Crooks, 7 Niall Savage, 18 Richard O’Rawe, 10 Daniel Kelly, 11 Cormac Magill, 13 Jack Magill, 14 Archie McGreevey, 15 Damian Gillan, 17 Luke Mulholland, 23 Patrick Doherty.

Subs: Vinny Esler, Sean O’Rawe, Paddy Murphy,

Referee: Seamus Shannon

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by thesaffrongael

Lámhs cause huge upset to reach Junior Hurling decider 

Casement Social Club Antrim JHC semi final 

Glen Rovers Armoy 0-13-1-14 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly 

ADAM MURRAY’s 53rd minute goal was crucial in his side defying the odds and reaching the Final of the Casement Social Club Antrim JHC with a 1-14-0-13 victory over Glen Rovers Armoy at Dunsilly on Saturday evening. 

Four weeks and a day after the sides met at the same venue and the North Antrim men ran out convincing 0-30-2-14 winners, there was a lot more at stake on Saturday evening with a winner progressing to the decider against Sarsfields in a fortnight’s time. 

Trevor Linton was on hand to pop over and give his side the lead inside of 60-seconds only for Adam Murray to hit back at the other end. 

A point from Conor McConville had the Red Hands in the driving seat for a short period until PJ McBride accurately found range. 

Armoy should have had the games first goal after 5 minutes when Conor Christie sent the ball into the path of Emmett O’Hara, though his low shot was kept out by PJ Herron in the Lámh Dhearg goal. 

The Lámhs were beginning to cause problems as the returning Daniel Murray swung over, Gerard Smyth gathered a pass from Micko Herron and popped over ahead of Conor McConville doubling his account from Donal Martin’s lay-off.

Frees were traded between Turlach McBride and Adam Murray, and the Hannahstown side extended their advantage when Paddy Mervyn’s quickly taken free landed for Donal Martin to shoot over. 

Armoy closed to within a single point with three scores in a two-minute period towards the end of the opening period. 

McBride converted back-to-back frees and Thomas Burns then clipped over. Niall McGarry picked out Jack Trainor to float over, though a fourth converted free of the half from PJ McBride ensured the bare minimum was all the Lámhs would lead by at the interval (0-8-0-7). 

Parity was restored within a minute of the restart when John Dilon laid off to Turlach McBride to open his account from play, he would land a further score from a 65’ a few minutes later to nudge his side ahead for the first time since the 2nd minute. 

The sides cancelled each other out for long periods of the second half, Adam Murray popped over his second score of play and an angled point from substitute Mark Finnegan had the Lámhs ahead once more. 

John Dillon was again involved in winning a break and switching to Eoin Bailey to draw the sides level, a minute later Tarlach McBride converted his fifth of the afternoon to move Glen Rovers 0-11-0-10 up. 

A second gilt-edged goal opportunity was missed, Conor Watterson floated a free into the danger area where the ball broke to Turlach McBride and his low effort was parried behind by PJ Herron. 

With a quarter of an hour remaining Adam Murray tied things up, landing an angled free. The scoreline remained the same until the 53rd minute when Ciaran Boyd was felled and referee Ray Matthews awarded a free. 

Murray stood over the opportunity from around the 65’ and his attempt dropped from the air and into the corner of the net past Conor Watterson to make it 1-11-0-11. 

An angled point from Murray stretched the lead out to four briefly until Turlach McBride dropped a shot over from range. 

Lámh Dhearg would need to see out the closing stages a man light after Mark Finnegan received his marching orders for a second bookable offence. 

Conor Christie landed a 58th minute point that had the gap at two-points, though that was as close as they would come as Lámhs talisman Adam Murray converted his fourth free of the night and he followed up with a point for good measure. 

With time running out Turlach McBride had the chance to pull a goal back, but PJ Herron and his defenders did their job on the goal line that wasn’t breached and the final whistle sounded shortly after the danger was cleared as the Hannahstown men were able to celebrate an unexpected victory which will see them contest the Junior Final with Sarsfields in two weeks time. 

ARMOY: C Watterson, C Douthart, L Dillon, S Devlin, K McToal, A Devlin, C McKenna, E Bailey (0-1), PJ McBride (0-1), T Burns (0-1), T McBride (0-8, 0-5f, 0-1 65’), E O’Hara, T Linton (0-1), J Dillon, C Christie (0-1). SUBS:E McCaughan for T Linton (57). 

LÁMH DHEARG: PJ Herron, SP Gibson, A McGuigan, CF Lappin, F Mervyn, P Mervyn, D Murray (0-1), C Boyd, N McGarry, C McConville jnr (0-2), A Murray (1-7, 1-3f),J Trainor (0-1), G Smyth (0-1), M Herron, D Martin (0-1). SUBS: M Finnegan for C McConville jnr (20), O Waldron for D Martin (52), D Mulholland for G Smyth (56). 

REFEREE: Ray Matthews (ROSSA)

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