Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Oisins face a tough task against Carrickmore

Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship – Semi Final

Oisins Glenariffe v Eire Og Carrickmore

Date: Saturday 15 November

4pm – @ Owenbeg, Dungiven

Glenariffe Oisins face a tough task when they take on Tyrone champions Carrickmore in Saturday’s Ulster Intermediate Hurling semi-final at Owenbeg.

The Carrickmore team who beat St Eunan’s in the Ulster quarter-final in Letterkenny

The Tyrone champions this season collected their sixth county title on the trot when they beat Eoghan Ruadh, Dungannon in a closely contested final. The Dungannon side thought they had it won when they held a one point lead going into injury time, but Carrickmore snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when corner forward Seamus Sweeney flashed home and injury time goal to seal the six-in-a-row.

In the Ulster quarter final the Tyrone champions beat Donegal’s St Eunan’s Letterkenny in O’Donnell Park, winning in the end by 1-16 to 1-09 to set up Saturday’s semi-final against the Oisins. There was little between the teams in the opening half with Carrickmore holding a slender two point advantage at the interval at O’Donnell Park. The Donegal side felt they were still very much in the game but Carrickmore increased their lead with  a goal early in the second half and went on to win by seven in the end.

After the game team manager Adrian Slane told  Highland Radio that the winning Ulster was their aim this  seasons. “This is a demon we have to exorcise this time. We have come so close so many times in this competition and we have to get there this time.”

Going into the game Glenariffe have a slight injury worry over centre-forward Conor Patterson, a player whose season has been plagued by hamstring injuries. Brogan O’Connor, who came in for Patterson against Leitrim in the quarter final was unlucky to receive a red card and is out of this weekend’s game after his appeal was turned down by the Ulster council.

Apart from that the Oisins team should be very much along the same lines at the one who started against the Down me two weeks ago in Loughgiel. Alex O’Boyle led he line the last day, as he has done on most occasions all season and his contribution from frees and from open play is again vital. With his brother Michael again to the fore with Orrin O’Connor and Seanie McIntosh carrying the main scoring threat.

David Kearney was the star of the show in defence the last day with his strength and experience a vital factor and considering the physicality of Carrickmore that is likely to be needed again. David moved back into full back in the second half against Leitrim and that is a possible option on Saturday. The young duo of Niall Magee and Callum McIlwaine will again be vital in the half-back line with the midfield pairing of Gillan and Kearney keeping their places in the 8 and 9 shirts.

It has been a traumatic time for the team since their quarter final with the untimely death of Marie O’Hagan, wife of joint team manager Shay. That has no doubt effected the preparations in the week following the quarter final but the past week has seen them training return to full pace with three outings in neighbouring clubs who provided their facilities in Glenravel, Loughgiel and Cushendall.

Carrickmore will provide a tough test in this game and as other Antrim clubs have found they are a good team full of hurling. However if the Oisins produce their best then they are good enough to book that final spot and reach another Ulster final in two weeks’ time.

The Oisins starting line-up in the semi-final was

Oisín: P McMullan, P McIlwaine, M Haughey, C Devlin, David Kearney, N Magee, C McIlwaine, O Gillan, O Kearney, O O’Connor, C Patterson capt, M O’Boyle, A O’Boyle, S McIntosh, Daniel Kearney.

by thesaffrongael

St Killian’s set up semi-final meeting with St Pat’s Maghera

Danske Bank Mageean Cup quarter-final:

St Killian’s, Garron Tower 1-25 Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 1-9

St Killian’s secured a place in the semi-finals of the Mageean Cup when they beat Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in Sunday’s quarter final at Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall.

The north coast school got off to a good star when Oisin Gillan raised a green flag with just four minutes played and they back it up with points from Gillan, Dylan McNaughton and Canice McIntosh before the Dungiven school opened their account through Jude Ó Conaire in the fifth minute.

The Tower were bossing things however and they pushed further ahead before Gaelcholáiste Dhoire got a foothold in the game with a goal from Aaron Mag Uiginn. The Tower still held the upper hand and they reinforced their grip on the game at they opened up an eight point gap by half time, with Nicholas McLaughlin and Canice McIntosh among the scorers.

Cushendun’s Paddy Morgan got the Tower’s first score in the second half but the Derry side hit back with points from Ó Conaire and Ó hÉireamhóinn.

However St Killian’s were dominating general play and that was soon reflected on the scoreboard with a series of points from across their forward division, including four from Nicholas McLaughlin to bring his personal tally for the afternoon to eight.

Jude Ó Conaire’s point in the 55th minute broke the sequence, but it was a mere consolation score as St Killian’s went through to set up a semi-final with tournament favourites St Patrick’s Maghera, in a game to be played under the lights at Portgleone.

St Killian’s: O Gillan 1-5 (0-2 fs), N McLaughlin 0-8 (2fs), C McIntosh 0-4 (1f), D McNaughton 0-3, C McCann 0-2, C McCambridge, P Morgan and D Ward 0-1 each.

Gaelcholáiste: A Mag Uiginn 1-1, J Ó Conaire 0-4, D Ó hÉireamhóinn 0-3 (fs), C Ó Baoill 0-1

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by thesaffrongael

Rossa’s night of celebration

The O’Donovan Rossa CLG members were out in force on Friday evening for a glittering night of celebration in the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast.

The event was primarily organised to celebrate the Rossa Camogie Club’s 40th Anniversary with past and present players, mentors, families and friends coming together for a night of nostalgia, toasting the successes of the club since formation in 1985.  The club was formerly known as the St Teresa’s Camogie Club but amalgamated with O’Donovan Rossa CLG and started on a new path which would eventually lead to All Ireland successes.  

The evening was also an opportunity for Rossa to acknowledge the Hurlers winning the Division 1 League earlier in the season and to applaud the success of the Rossa Footballers on winning the South Antrim McDermott Cup Final.

Another highlight of the evening was recognising the success of the Rossa Ladies Gaelic Footballers who had a very successful season, lifting both the County Antrim Junior League and Championship and narrowly missing out on an Ulster Junior Club Championship title in a very closely contested final in Claudy. 

Trophies for all winning teams were on display for team photographs.

Keynote speaker of the night was All Star Camogie Legend, Jane Adams.  Jane spoke emotionally of her playing career with Rossa, the lifelong friends she has made and how she and her family continue to support her fellow camogs.  Jane paid a  moving tribute to her mother Bernie Adams who died earlier  this year. One of life’s larger then life characters with a heart of gold and a love for her family and Rossa.

Jane offered words of encouragement to the young Gaels of Rossa, whatever their chosen sport within the club.   Hard work, training, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, forming lifelong friendships would all enrich their sporting experience.  Jane received a well deserved round of applause from the audience who rose to their feet for a standing ovation.  It was a truly inspiring keynote speech from Jane, a much admired  and acclaimed camog and respected Rossa club member.

A  Special Recognition Award for Lifetime Service to Camogie, was presented to one of Rossa’s longest serving players, coach and all round hard working volunteer.  A standing ovation and resounding round of applause was given to Margaret Armstrong. A very worthy recipient.  The Armstrong family is renowned within the Rossa club and were proud of Margaret’s special recognition.

The organisers also acknowledged the Humans of Camogie Award received by committee member and volunteer Margaret Flynn in a ceremony at Croke Park earlier this year.  Jane Adams presented a framed picture of Margaret receiving the award at a special ceremony to acknowledge the work of club volunteers throughout the country

The evening continued with music and dancing with everyone joining in the celebrations and giving appreciation to the organising group and the management and staff of the hotel for a great night out.

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by thesaffrongael

Fast start paves way for St. Gall’s victory

U21A Championship
Semi-Final
St Gall’s 3-14
Kickham’s Creggan 2-12

St. Gall’s got off to a flying start at Milltown on Sunday to sow the seeds of victory over visitors Kickham’s Creggan in this excellent U21A semi-final.

Niall Fallon was the man who did the early damage as he rattled the Creggan net twice as he used his pace to break through the Creggan defence before firing his shot into the far corner after Padraig Og Murray had opened the scoring with a St. Gall’s point.

From the Creggan kick-out the home side won possession and Callum Walsh linked well with Daniel Quinn to place Fallon who rose to punch home goal number two and the visitors looked in serious trouble.

The Staffordstown Road side slowly began to get it together however and Liam McClernon and Anton Martin both struck great points after driving through the heart of the St Gall’s defensive line twice in quick succession.

 Daniel Quinn was impressing for the Milltown side and he fired over a 2 pointer to increase the St. Gall’s lead to seven again with less than five minutes remaining to the break.

It was point for point after this as the Kickham’s fought to overturn a hefty deficit and their persistence paid off when they struck with a quick fire double of their own.

Ronan McGuckian began the comeback as he fired to the roof of the home net as the travelling support roared their approval and when Anton Martin added a second Creggan goal, the St. Gall’s lead had been reduced to the minimum.

The momentum had swung the way of the South West side and the question now was could they sustain it.

Conor Johnston’s first point of the afternoon levelled proceedings but the visitors failed to build on their period of success and St Gall’s would regain the initiative when Daniel Quinn replied with two points in as many minutes to restore the one-point lead.

Substitute Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain made an immediate impact as he split the posts to restore the St. Gall’s advantage and Daniel Quinn followed with a brace as the Milltown Blues resumed control.

The momentum was now with the home side and Niall Fallon burst through the Creggan defence on a mazy run but his effort was blocked with the ball breaking favourably into the path of Callum Walsh who made no mistake from close range.

The kickham’s looked in serious trouble again but fought back strongly with Shea McCann punishing a number of indiscretions as they clawed their way back into the St. Gall’s lead but the holders were always able to respond.

Callum Walsh and Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain were both on target as the hosts moved five ahead with five remaining in this compelling contest which was still very much in the melting pot.

The travelling side were in desperate need of a goal however but Conor Johnston’s effort was brilliantly blocked by Ethan Walsh at the death to deny them any chance of a comeback.

Niall Fallon put it out of the visitors reach as he fisted over at the other end to put a bit more daylight between the sides and conclude the scoring for the afternoon.

St Gall’s are now on course to retain the trophy they claimed last year and will face St Brigid’s in the final after the Musgrave Park side defeated St. Mary’s Aghagallon in the other semi-final.

ST GALL’S: C Óg Mullan; C Hale, G Adams, F McCullagh; S Adams, L Lynn, E Walsh; O Maskey, M Crossan; A Mackel, D Quinn 0-8 (1x2P, 0-3f), C Walsh 1-1; J Rafferty 0-1, N Fallon 2-1, P Óg Murray 0-1

Subs: D MacCrabhanna 0-2, P Austin

CREGGAN KICKHAMS: C Loughran; P McGuckian, C McLarnon, F Kelly; F Close 0-2 (0-2f), C McEldowney, L McLernon 0-1; A McIlwee, T McCann; A Martin 1-1, R McGuckian 1-0, S Daly; C Johnston 0-3, E Johnston, S McCann 0-5 (0-4f)

Subs: S Devlin, D McCann

Referee: Fiontann McCotter (Sarsfields)

by thesaffrongael

McKinney leads Burt to final as Con Magees fightback runs out of steam

AIB Ulster Junior Hurling Championship semi-final.

Burt (Donegal) 1-15 Con Magee’s (Antrim) 1-9

Con Magees Glenravel came up short on Sunday against Donegal champions Burt at Celtic Park in Derry, losing out by six in the end as their opponents booked their place in in next Saturday’s final against Derry representatives Lavey, back at the same venue.

During a dominant first half it was mainly one way traffic, but the Antrim side were thrown a lifeline when full forward Declan Traynor scored a great individual goal after 20 minutes, and at half time they were just five adrift. With wind advantage in the second period Glenravel came storming back, holding Burt scoreless during the third quarter while hitting six of their own without reply, to take a one point advantage. However that was a good as it got for the men in green and Burt found a way back in the last ten minutes to secure their place in next week’s final

Declan Traynor’s goal offered Con Magees a lifeline

With the fresh breeze behind them in the opening half Burt were in control from the start and with corner forward Liam Og McKinney firing over points from all angles they soon opened a five point lead, Dara Grant and Eoin McDaid joining McKinney on the scoreboard. The Con Magees men could not get to grips with a much sharper Burt side and it was fifteen minutes before Cormac McKeown got his team’s opening score. Conor Gartland came back right away for the Donegal men and the excellent McKinney added another to put six between the sides but Declan Traynor won a breaking ball in the right corner before racing in and firing left-sided past Paul Burns in the Burt goal to cut their arrears to just three.

Once again Burt hit back right away and even though Glenravel grabbed another point through McKeown, three from McKinney had them 0-10 to 1-02 ahead at the interval.   

Things looked a lot more promising for Glenravel when they got the opening score of the second half through Cormac McKeown, and when Conleth O’Loan grabbed two more the confidence began to grow. They had to rely on a couple of excellent defensive tackles and some great saves from goalkeeper Chrissy Quinn during that time to keep the Donegal men at bay, but when Sean McKay, Callum Higgins and O’Loan sent over points they led for the first time.

The Glenravel fans were in full cry as a highly unlikely turnaround suddenly looked possible, but the scoring dried up as Burt began to regain their composure. Man of the match McKinney turned the game back in his side’s favour when his fired in a superb goal from a narrow angle and when he added a point a minute later the lead was out to three.

Glenravel battled hard to get back into the game but hard though they tried the scores just would not come and Burt ended with three more to seal the win by a six point margin.

Burt: P Burns, J McDonaghy, C Bradley, K Curran, O Kelly, D Grant 0-1, A McKinney, S Gillespie, K McColgan, E McDaid 0-1 Ciaran Porter, C Gartland 0-1, C McDermott, R McDermott 0-1, L Óg McKinney 1-11 (0-5fs)

Subs: F Gill for E McDaid (17), C per is for J Donaghy (41), K Brady for K McColgan (41), K McColgan for C Porter (56), Callum porter for S Gillespie (60 +2)

Con Magee’s: C Quinn, E McCusker, J Duffin, B O’Neill, M McDonnell, C Lennon, R Lennon, D McAuley, F Donaghy, L Loughlin, S McKay 0-1, C Higgins 0-1, C O’Loan 0-2 (1f), D Traynor 1-0, C McKeown 0-5

Subs: H Fyfe for E McCusker (41), C Duffin D Traynor (53)

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