Con Magees Glenravel came out on top on a high scoring, open game of hurling between two very evenly matched teams. The mid-week rain had made Maginn Park soft underfoot and the heavy sod certainly didn’t facilitate fast flowing hurling but both teams served up a fine display of our national game nonetheless. Both teams ended up with total of eight different scorers on the day but two individuals in particular kept the scoreboard men busy. Ciaran Laverty of the home team contributed 1-08 over the hour but the visitor’s Deaglan Foley was probably the best hurler on show and his 1-10 kept the Derry men in the game and had he been a little bit luckier with some late frees when they were chasing goals the outcome could have been a lot different.
Glenravel opened the scoring when captain Declan Traynor pointed in the opening minute but three points in succession from the opposition would put Na Magha into a two point lead; Foley and Tómas Gallagher the providers. The home team then started to get on top with an excellent performance from James Duffin at centre half forward providing the pivot for the next six scores; five points and scrambled goal from short range by Sean McKay. Ciaran Laverty and James Duffin would continue to exchange score with Deaglan Foley and the very impressive Keelan Doherty at full forward for Na Magha to leave just a goal in it at half time with Con Magees ahead 1-10 to 0-10.
The second half continued to be a ding dong battle with Foley again dominant in open play and on the scoresheet. Ciaran Laverty extended Glenravel’s lead and when Conleth O’Loan, James Duffin and Ciaran McIlfatrick put over three points in succession it looked ominous for the visitors. With twelve minutes of the half gone, Glenravel’s full forward Shane Woulahan goaled and it looked like the home side would romp to victory. But Deaglan Foley had other ideas and his excellent pointed free was followed by a goal from a thirty yard free and suddenly the visitors were back in the game. Both teams went on to exchange points before Ciaran Laverty goaled for Glenravel and again it looked like a home victory. But one minute later Na Magha would scramble home a goal of their own – they just wouldn’t lie down and in the final five minutes of the game Foley shifted to full forward in search of another major but it wasn’t to be and Glenravel went on to add a couple of points – most notably from young Cormac McKeown who slotted over the score off the day on his first appearance at senior level in the Green and White. Surely a lot more to come from this young man in the years ahead. Na Magha’s Foley and Doherty would record the game’s final two scores but it wasn’t enough as Glenravel ran out victorious on a five point margin.
Both teams are out again on Wednesday night when Na Magha entertain Cloughmills at home and Glenravel make the short journey to neighbours Ballymena, both games throwing in at 6:30pm.
Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm got their division 2 campaign off to a winning start when they held off a late rally from Patrick Sarsfields at Feystown today in difficult conditions. In their first game at this level since 2008 the Glenarm men led from throw in to final whistle to earn them the win that will surely give them the confidence they can compete at this level.
Glenarm came flying out of the starting blocks with Darren Hamill pointing them ahead within 30 seconds and points from Sean O’Boyle, Aidan Scullion, Hamill again and Niall McGarel had them 0-5 to 0-0 ahead after 7 minutes.
Kevin McKernan, who would make a considerable contribution over the hour, opened the visitors account from long range but it seemed only a temporary blip as the Feystown side came roaring back with points from Liam Og McLoughlin, Sean O’Hare, Ciaran Magill and Sean O’Boyle to move them into a 0-9 to 0-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
The visitors looked shell shocked and off the pace but gradually they began to settle and gain a foothold with Kevin McKernan leading the way with a pointed free with McGarel replying immediately at the other end.
The worsening underfoot conditions were making open play difficult with things starting to get bogged down and Sarsfields started to get to grips as Garry Lennon 0-2, Enda McCartan and Nial McAlea added unanswered points to close the gap to four with five minutes of the opening half remaining.
It was starting to look bad for the home side who had gone 13 minutes without a score but they responded with the final two points of the half through a Darren Hamill free and another from play from Niall McGarel to move six in front as the half time whistle sounded.
With the wind to face for the second half, the question on everyone’s lips was, would six points be enough but Niall McGarel eased their worries with a point on the restart before Ciaran Magill hammered home the game’s opening goal with only a minute gone to move last year’s Junior champions ten in front.
It looked a healthy lead but in the end that goal was to prove the difference as Sarsfield’s came back through the sweet striking Kevin McKernan who converted five frees and hit another from play to close the gap to five at the end of the third quarter.
Once again the Glenarm lead was looking fragile but they responded through Ciaran Magill and another Darren Hamill free but the men from the Bear Pit were beginning to apply relentless pressure as the game turned into a battle of attrition.
And once again it was that man McKernan who led the way as he continued to punish indiscretions by the home defence and he brought his personal tally for the day to nine to add to an Anthony McGarrigle point from play and suddenly Shane O’Neill’s lead had been reduced to the minimum as the game entered time added on.
Darren Hamill had the final say however for the home side as he pointed a long range free in injury time to conclude the scoring and Lorenzo McMullan’s full time whistle was greeted with a mixture of relief and elation by the big home crowd who had turned up to cheer on their heroes.
Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Michael Abram, 2 Aidan O’Neill, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 Conal Ward, 5 Matthew Black, 6 Daniel Black, 7 Aidan Scullion, 8 Kieran O’Boyle, 9 Liam Og McLoughlin, 10 Ciaran Magill, 11 Darren Hamill, 12 Sean O’Boyle, 13 Sean O’Hare, 14 Brendan McDermott, 15 Niall McGarel. Subs: 17 Rory Mulvenna for Aidan O’Neill, Liam Mulvenna for Sean O’Hare
Sarsfield’s: 1 Naoise O’Faolain, 2 Daragh Coleman, 3 Mark McCavanagh, 4 Brenan McGibbon, 5 Enda McCartan, 6 Daniel Smith, 7 Jim, McKernan, 8 Kevin McKernan, 9 Joe McGurk, 10 Garry Lennon, 11 Ryan Carson, 12 Anthony McGarrigle, 13 Daniel McKernan, 14 Niall McAlea, 15 Brendan Jackson, 18 Ruairi McAreavey
Glenariffe Oisins got their league campaign off to a good start when they beat Creggan on Sunday afternoon at Waterfoot. Fielding a few young players for the first time the Oisins were always on top against an understrength Creggan side, for whom right half forward Morgan Nelson did the bulk of the scoring. Although the home team were well on top during the first half they had only a six point lead at the change of ends. However a quick start to the second period, which brought a goal from Alex O’Boyle and points from Seanie McIntosh and Kevin McDonnell inside two minutes all but assured the home win.
Morgan Nelson kept Creggan in touch with his free taking
A pointed free from Morgan Nelson (who was to score all but three of his team’s total) put Creggan into an early lead, but within thirty seconds the Oisins centre forward Caolan O’Connor had the ball in the net at the other end. O’Boyle did the bulk of the scoring for the Glenariffe men, while Oliver Kearney and Brogan O’Connor also chipped in, while the free taking of Morgan Nelson kept Creggan within touching distance and despite being outhurled they were only six behind when referee Mark O’Neill blew the half time whistle.
A rather soft goal from Alex Boyle seconds into the second half, and when Kevin McDonnell and substitute Seanie McIntosh popped over points the gap was out to eleven.
The majority of their scores came from O’Boyle, who showed great accuracy from placed balls, but there was also contributions from Seanie McIntosh and Caolan O’Connor. Morgan kept the Creggan scoreboard ticking over, while Jake McAteer also chipped in for the Kickhams, but the Oisins were always in control and emptied their bench to give some more new players their senior debut.
Alex O’Boyle who top scored in Sunday’s win over Creggan
OISINS
Seanan McToal, Daniel McAuley, Niall Murray, Daniel Kearney, Conor Patterson, Daniel Kearney, Aaron Cosgrove, Kieran McKendry, Odhran Gillan, Alex O’Boyle, Caolan O’Connor, Oliver Kearney, Patrick McIlwaine, Kevin McDonnell, Brogan O’Connor.
Subs used – Seanie McIntosh, Ronan Leech, Ciaran Black, Cathan Graham
CREGGAN
Tiarnan McLarnon, Michael Carey, Small, Aidan McKeown, Jake McAteer, Brendan Maguire, Liam McCann, Danan O’Hara, Sean Duffin, Sam Maguire, Morgan Nelson, Kevin Rice, Niall McAuley, Peadar McGuckian, Michael Maguire, Dairmaid Mulholland
Brendan McTaggart reports from Louth Centre of Excellence, Darver
Leaving Darver on Saturday afternoon, there was plenty of optimism for those from Antrim. Galway took the championship points on offer but Antrim played with passion, intensity, desire and plenty of skill on a day where they remained in the contest for much of the game.
Indeed with Orrin O’Connor’s major with just over ten minutes of the hour remaining, Antrim had cut the Galway lead to six and were troubling the Tribesmen’s defence. Instead of more Antrim pressure however, Galway hit back to run out 11 point winners at the end.
Much of that was thanks to the rising star within the Galway ranks, Aaron Niland. From the first whistle, the Clarinbridge native showed his undoubted talent and finished the game with 1-10 but there were plenty of stars on show wearing Saffron also. Liam Glackin at centre half was outstanding throughout. Breaking clear from rucks and open play, Glackin was exceptional as he led by example but he had plenty of help with Charlie McAuley and Cian Baudant excelling.
Up top, Roan McGarry gave Galway plenty of problems. His stick work exceptional while finishing the hour with eight points, McGarry shone. While the performance was notable, ultimately it was a defeat but considering this performance came against a side who are All-Ireland contenders on a yearly basis, Saffron manager Alan Rainey had every right to be happy when he spoke after the game: “From our perspective, we’ve conceded two soft goals that (had they been prevented) make it a five-point game,” Antrim manager, Rainey said after.
“We asked them for work-rate, intensity, honesty and they did the saffron jersey very proud today.
“That team (Galway) will go very close to the All-Ireland. We can see the work they (Antrim players) are doing in the gym and on the pitch so I’m unbelievably proud to manage that team today.
“Galway beat Offaly 5-35 to 1-10 and we beat Offaly by six, but 11 points against a team like that having conceded two soft goals, we’ve got to be happy.”
Despite playing into a stiff breeze, Galway were quickly on the front foot with Niland giving warning immediately as he went directly for goal, a feature of his play with everything going through the number 14 would drop deeper to rove around the forward line.
he clipped over a pair of early frees with Dean Cunningham landing Galway’s first from play before Antrim gradually settled.
The Saffrons dropped Callagh Mooney deep and this ultimately saw Galway centre-back Donnacha Campbell enjoy a free road to sweep, giving Antrim early issues from getting on the front foot but a superb score by Enda McGurk who forced the turnover settled them before McGarry opened his account when showing great skill to pop the ball into his hand from the ground in traffic and point.
Niland hit back from a free and then after Colm Burke drove over for Galway on 12 minutes, he had the ball in the net 60 seconds later as Brian Callanan burst forward and although losing control of the ball, managed to regatta and pass inside to Callanan who found the roof of the net.
Antrim responded well with a brace from McGarry, but Galway would hit four of the next five points as they threatened to pull away with Conor Gilligan and Eoghan Mulleady assisting Niland.
However, Antrim continued to stick to the task and a McGarry free just before the break trimmed the gap to six with Galway 1-9 to 0-6 ahead.
The lads from the west would open the second period brightly with Dean Cunningham and Niland hitting early points, but Antrim were hoping their own and went score-for-score with Roan Fitzgerald getting his name on the board.
Antrim goalkeeper Anthony Mullan then recovered well to deny Callanan what seemed a certain goal after he had batted a dropping ball into the corner-forward’s path, but the gap extended to nine when Niland played a one-two from a line ball and drove over superbly from out on the right.
But there was no quit in Antrim and they were rewarded with a superb goal on 49 minutes as McGary’s free dropped and in a crowd of players, O’Connor gathered, spun and sent a rasping low shot to the corner of the net.
There was a glimmer of hope for the Saffrons, but Galway hit back with quick fore points through Michael Burke and Mulleady before the game was sealed on 52 minutes as Niland stood over a free close to goal and with Antrim napping, he went low and found the net.
A fine score on the run capped a great day for the star attacker and while McGarry had the final say with a pointed free for Antrim, Galway claimed the opening win, but Antrim will take plenty of positives ahead of next week’s meeting with Kilkenny in Abbotstown.
“He (Niland) scored a goal at the end from a 21-year free and he is a special talent, one of the best hurlers at this level in Ireland, but I thought we did well on him today,” the Antrim manager opined.
“You don’t understand how proud I am of the boys today and the backroom team, I’m lucky to be able to fall back on all of them, so I’m proud to be Antrim manager today.”
The Saffrons Leinster odyssey moves to Kilkenny on Saturday with the match refixed for Abbotstown instead of Nolan Park where it was originally fixed. Another chance for the young Saffrons to show what they are made of against some of the best the hurling world has to offer.
GALWAY: Shane Murphy; Ed O’Reilly, Sean Murphy, Gearoid King; Dylan Quirke, Donnacha Campbell, Jonah Donnellan; Michael Burke (0-1), Gavin Maher (0-1); Conor Gilligan (0-1), Colm Burke (1-1-), Eoghan Mulleady (0-2); Brian Callanan, Aaron Niland (1-10, 1-7 frees), Dean Cunningham (0-2).
Subs: Bobby Feeny for C Gilligan (41), Ciaran Leen for D Cunningham (46), Evan Kennedy for S Murphy (54), S Keane for A Niland (56)
ANTRIM: Anthony Mullan; Reece Cunning, Cian Baudant, John Scullion; Niall Magee, Liam Glackin, Charlie McAuley; Enda McGurk (0-1), Fionn Jemfrey; Ronan Fitzgerald (0-1), Callum Kane, Sean og Blaney; Roan McGarry (0-8, 5 frees), Orrin O’Connor (1-0), Callagh Mooney.
Subs: Peadar McDonnell for S Ob Blaney (23), Paddy Martin for F Jemfrey (30), Liam McEnhill for C Kane (45), Ryan Scott for C Mooney (55)
Theres a busy schedule of fixtures listed for the week ahead and after three Sunday mornings of football it is the turn of the hurlers to take centre stage with a number of interesting games down for decision.
The pick of these could come in Carey on Sunday where Carey Faughs make a long awaited return to Division 1 following many years in the second grade and their meeting with Loughgiel Shamrocks should attract a good crowd to Ballyvoy.
The primary aim of Cathaoir an Rin this season is likely to be Division 1 survival and they will be hoping to catch the visitors cold at this early stage of the season but it will be a tough task against as young Shamrocks side.
Carey Faughs on the evening they received last season’s Division 2 League trophy On Sunday they take a big step up when they face Loughgiel in Division 1, the first time they have competed in the top division in over 30 years.
In Division 2 its Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm who make the step up from division 3 for the first time since 2008, after recording a League and Junior championship double which saw them go all the way to an Ulster final where they unforunately lost to Satanta of Donegal.
Sarsfields are the visitors to Feystown and the local side will be keen to get some early points on the board and with the Stewartstown Road side usually slow starters to the season the Glenarm men might just get off to a winning start.
The Glenarm team who clinched the Division 3 Hurling title last season. They will be back in the Division 2 for the first time since 2008.
ACFL Div 3
Fri 24 Mar 2023 8 15 PM
St Malachy’s — v — Naomh Úna CLG/St Agnes’ GAC Falls Park Colm McDonald
O’Neills Sportswear ACHL Div 1
Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM
Ballycran — v — Cuchullains Dun Lathaí Ballycran Darren McKeown
U17 HL Div 1
Sun 26 Mar 2023
12 00 PM Na Gaeil Óga — v — Ard Na Rí Lamh Dhearg Aidan Kelly
u17 HL Div 2
Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM
CLG MacDaibhéid — v — O`Donovan Rossa Davitt Park James Reid
Sun 26 Mar 2023 12 00 PM
Tír na nÓg Randalstown — v — All Saints Ballymena Tir Na nOg Randalstown Seamus Shannon
