Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Rossa roll home as Castle crumble

BathShack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Group 1 

Rossa 0-26-0-08 Ballycastle 

Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly 

Rossa secured a quarter-final berth in this seasons BathShack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship with a thumping 0-26-0-08 win over Ballycastle at Dunsilly on Saturday evening. 

Having defeated Carey Faughs in their Championship opener two-weeks ago, the Shaws Road outfit began the game as favourites against a Ballycastle outfit that needed the points following an opening day reversal to Champions Dunloy. The Belfast men went in leading by 0-12 to 0-6 at half time and with the strenght of the wind that did not seem an insurmountable hurdle for Ballycastle, despite having lost their talisman Ciaran Clarke through injury. However when wind assisted in the second period they managed just two more points as Rossa took complete control to cruise to an 18 point win.

Thomas Morgan struck first on a sun-drenched evening in Antrim and Stephen Beatty would double the lead- profiting from Ryan McGarry’s puck-out falling short into his path. 

Ballycastle opened their account for the evening courtesy of a Seamus McAuley point and Tiernan Smyth then floated over an equaliser to restore parity in the early stages. 

Points were traded in the aftermath between Gerard Walsh and Tiarnan Butler – though Rossa would restore their two-point lead with Dominic McEnhill firing over from range and Stephen Beatty doubling his tally in the aftermath.

A superb Mark McClean effort dropped over the bar to reduce the arrears to the bare minimum. However, four unanswered points stretched the Shaws Road outfit’s advantage. 

James Connolly received a pass from Thomas Morgan and angled a superb shot between the posts, Seaghan Shannon dropped over another and turned provider for a second McEnhill point – with a third quickly following to give his side a 0-09-0-04 lead. 

Ballycastle responded with Seamus McAuley converting a free, but Aodhan O’Brien did likewise and then fizzed over a fine score from play. 

The best move of the half resulted in James McLister dropping a shot over the bar after a neat interchange involving Ronan McCarry and Michael Dallat in the build-up. 

At the midway point six-points would separate the sides thanks to Stephen Beatty floating over his third point of the half to make it 0-12-0-06. 

Rossa extended their lead upon the games resumption with James Connolly picking off the opening two scores- Thomas Morgan played providers role on both occasions, the first when his side-line cut dropped to the full-forward to flash a shot over and a reverse pass saw Connolly flick over a second in quick succession. 

Seaghan Shannon added his second point of the evening in the aftermath with Ballycastle eventually opening their second half scoring through a Ronan Laverty shot that dropped over the black spot. 

Scores were traded between Morgan and Conor Boyd (65’), Boyd’s point would prove his sides last of the evening as Rossa chalked up ten unanswered points between then and the games conclusion.  

Michael Armstrong popped a magnificent pass to Gerard Walsh to angle his second point of the evening, Dominic McEnhill added two further points to his tally with Dara Rocks getting himself on the score sheet in-between times as Rossa were 0-20-0-08 to the good. 

A converted Aodhan O’Brien free followed, and Thomas Morgan clipped over his third point of proceedings. 

Dominic McEnhill would finish with a persona tally of 0-07- scoring either side of point from substitute Diarmuid Rogan. 

Deep into time added on Thomas Morgan would complete the evenings scoring in an encounter that proved to be one-sided with the Belfast side running out convincing 18-point victors. 

The win ensures a second place at worst ahead of a repeat of last years Championship Final as Rossa finish the group with a trip to Dunloy in a fortnights time. 

Ballycastle must regroup for a winners take all clash with local rivals Carey Faughs both currently with a win, whoever prevails will take the last vacant quarter-final spot in the Group. 

Rossa: D Armstrong, A Kenneally, C McGuinness, C Orchin, Stephen Shannon, M Armstrong, E Trainior, Seaghan Shannon (0-02),G Walsh (0-02), D Rocks (0-01), S Beatty (0-03), A O’Brien (0-03, 0-02f), T Morgan (0-04), J Connolly (0-03), D McEnhill (0-07). 

Subs: D Rogan (0-01) for Seaghan Shannon (52), C McGettigan for D Rocks (52),C McVeigh for J Connolly (56), R O’Neill for A O’Brien (58), N Devlin for Stephen Shannon (60). 

Ballycastle: R McGarry, M McClean (0-01), O McAuley, O Kearney, J McLister (0-01), N McAuley, M Donnelly, C Boyd (0-01 65’), S McAuley (0-02, 0-01f), J McToal, C Clarke, M Dallat, F McKiernan, T Butler (0-01), R Laverty (0-01). 

Subs: T Smyth (0-01) for C Clarke (12), R McCarry for F McKiernan (18), C Connor for J McToal (HT), J McGowan for M McClean (HT), T McIlroy for O McAuley (52 mins blood sub). 

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

by thesaffrongael

Rasharkin hit St. Brigid’s for six

Casement SC JHC Group 1

Rasharkin 6-20 St. Brigid’s 0-10

St. Mary’s Rasharkin turned in a devastating second half performance to sweep aside the challenge of Junior B Champions, St. Brigid’s at Dreen today and move to the top of Group 1 in the Casement SC Junior Hurling Championship.

It took the home side a time to settle and indeed they trailed 0-5 to 0-3 after 22 minutes thanks to some dogged defending from the visitors and poor shooting on their own part but they did finish the half with a flurry.

A rather fortuitous goal from Connor McKeever, which deceived Brigid’s net minder, Chris Lundy proved to be the turning point as the home side went on to lead 1-9 to 0-7 at the break but there was little indication at this stage just what was to come in the second half.

The Dreen side went on to add a further five goals as they swept aside the challenge of the South Belfast side who would have been glad to hear Paul O’Neill’s full-time whistle as they struggled to contain their opponents.

Eamonn McNeill opened the scoring with a point for the home side but St. Brigid’s replied through Fintan Cleary and Keevan Grieve to lead after 8 minutes.

Eamonn McNeill fires over a Rasharkin point despite the attentions of Bryan Hallihan

Points from Connor McKeever and Donagh Quigg saw Rasharklin retake the lead but they were wasteful in the extreme in their shooting and St. Brigid’s rePlied through Fearghal Layden and two well struck frees from Fintan Cleary to lead 0-5 to 0-3 with 8 minutes remaining to the break.

Slowly the St. Mary’s attack began to find their range and they hit back with four on the bounce through Connor McKeever 0-2, Eamon McNeill and Tiernan O’Boyle as they began to take control.

Corner back, Bryan Hallihan got forward for a St. Brigid’s point but it brought another response from the home side as Connor McKeever’s attempted point dropped over the head of Chris Lundy and into the net.

McKeever followed with a point and the excellent Eamonn McNeill added another before St. Brigid’s excellent free taker, Fintan Cleary concluded the first half scoring with a point from a ‘65’.

The visitors would still have been harbouring notions of a comeback as the second half got under way but in truth it never looked like materialising. Donagh Quigg extended the Rasharkin lead with a point on the restart with Fintan Cleary pointing another free in reply with only two minutes of the new half gone.

It was as good as it was to get for the Musgrave Park men however with Eamonn McNeill firing home Rasharkin’s second goal in the 37th minute and three points from Connor McKeever and another from McNeill had them 11 ahead by the 39th minute.

Fintan Cleary, who’s free taking kept St. Brigid’s in contention during the opening half

It was all St. Mary’s at this stage as they drove forward relentlessly with a McKeever point followed by a goal from the same player putting the game out of reach with 20 minutes still remaining.

There would be no let-up however as the Dreen side began to score, almost at will as Eamonn McNeill pointed from play and added another from a free before Fintan Cleary briefly lifted the siege with a pointed free for the visitors.

McNeill 0-2 from play and Cleary from two more frees kept the score board ticking but Cleary’s second in the 49th minute would be St. Brigid’s final score as their hosts ran rampant in the closing stages.

Shane Hasson fired home their fourth goal with nine minutes remaining with the impressive Connor McKeever bagging a fifth and Donagh Quigg making it six as the flood gates opened. McKeever and Quigg weighed in with points to bring their side’s total for the day to 6-20 and their meeting with Davitt’s in Dreen on the 4th of September will now decide who tops the group.

All Saints, who lost to Davitt’s on Friday night and St. Brigid’s will meet two days earlier and despite both sides losing their two opening games a quarter final place for the winners of that one is still up for grabs.

by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains See Off Spirited Carey Challenge

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 1

Dunloy 2-23 Carey Faughs 1-13

Saturday August 20

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

Dunloy overcame the dogged resistance of Carey on Saturday afternoon where the 2021 Intermediate Champions gave the Cuchullains their fill of it and more.  Despite Dunloy starting on fire and racing into a nine point lead by the 13th minute, the Faughs fought back and by the eighth minute of the second half trailed by just four.  James McCouaig in defence immense while Connor McBride and Caolan McCaughan carried the fight in attack for the Ballyvoy men.

The Cuchullains had more fire power when it counted however and a staggering 2-20 of their final score came from open play.  Conal Cunning top scores with 1-8, including a major from a second half penalty and three frees while Nigel Elliott’s form continues to impress since his return to the Cuchullains, scoring 0-7 in an awesome performance.

Carey were reliant on Connor McBride for scores, he would finish with 1-6 for the hour.  His goal coming from a 21 yard free and hauled the Faughs back into this contest while Caolan McCaughan was always a threat, his 0-3 a fair reflection for his efforts.

In a bruising contest where big hits came and fleeting touches of magic, it was the Cuchullains who rallied in the closing stages.  They reduced Carey to just a single point in the final 15 minutes while scoring 1-6 themselves to add some gloss to the score line.

Showing just one change from their opening win against Ballycastle, Dunloy brought Ronan Molloy into the starting 15 for Deaglan Smith while Carey remained unchanged.  The opening goal came with just four minutes on the clock, Cunning creating the chance for Gabriel McTaggart and he passed to Chrissy McMahon who made no mistake from close range.

Dunloy were well on top in the opening quarter with Elliott splitting the uprights on three occasions, he would go on to hit six points in the first half while Carey’s first score didn’t come until the ninth minute, a ’65 from Connor McBride.  James ‘Rocket’ Black fired their first from play in 13th minute followed soon by McBride’s second of the game, his first from play but the Cuchullains were well worthy of their nine point lead mid-way through the half.

The Faugh’s were getting some joy playing long ball into the Dunloy full back line and already had two major chances before finding the back of Ryan Elliott’s net.  McCaughan and McBride bringing the best out of Elliott in the goals but the Dunloy shot-stopper could could only deflect McBride’s 21 yard free into his own net in the 20th minute.

The Dunloy response was typically emphatic.  Scoring the next three points unanswered and Cunning going close for a second Dunloy goal in the same time frame.  McBride fired over the last score of the first half from a free to leave the half time score 1-13 to 1-7 in Dunloy’s favour.

The third quarter of the half belonged to the Ballyvoy men however as they held the Cuchullains scoreless for 11 minutes and reduced the deficit to four points.  Black, McBride (two frees) and Conlith Glynn with scores.

With the tackles coming hard and fast, Carey were intent on not allowing the Cuchullains time and space to do damage in that period of time after the half time interval.  Dunloy did regroup and despite a number of missed chances and dropping the sliotar short, they went through the gears in the final quarter.

Paul Shiels, introduced at half time began to influence the game from deep while second half substitute Keelan Molloy was heavily involved in the middle third.  Dunloy’s second goal came in the 51st minute, Carey conceding a penalty after a foul on Coby Cunning.  He dusted himself down and made no mistake with his effort and while Patrick Gillan responded for the Faugh’s with the next attack, it would be their last score of the game with Eamon Smyth, Keelan Molloy and Cunning (three) putting further daylight between the sides by the time Ciaran McCloskey called for time at the end of the hour.

Dunloy now turn their attentions to a meeting with Rossa in Pearse Park, a repeat of the 2021 final while Carey will welcome Ballycastle to Ballyvoy in what is now effectively a winner-takes-all knock out derby tie.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Kevin Molloy, Aaron Crawford; Nicky McKeague, Ronan Molloy; Eoin McFerran, Gabriel McTaggart, Nigel Elliott; Chrissy McMahon, Conal Cunning, Anton McGrath

Subs: Paul Shiels for C McMahon (HT); Keelan Molloy for N McKeague (41); Conor Kinsella for R Molloy (51)

Scorers: C Cunning 1-8 (1-00pen, 3f’s); N Elliott 0-7; C McMahon 1-1; E Smyth 0-1; N McKeague 0-1; R Molloy 0-1; E McFerran 0-1; G McTaggart 0-1; P Shiels 0-1; Keelan Molloy 0-1

Carey Faughs: Daniel McBride; Eoin Hill, Sean McBride, Daniel Hill; Michael McVeigh, James McCouaig, Conall McGlynn; Sean McLaughlin, Conlith McKinley; James Black, Fiachra McVeigh, John McBride; Connor McBride, Caolan McCaughan, Patrick Gillan

Subs: Colm McBride for S McLaughlin (58)

Scorers: C McBride 1-6 3f’s, 1’65); C McCaughan 0-3; J Black 0-2; P Gillan 0-1; C McGlynn 0-1 (1f)

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

by thesaffrongael

Biddies battle back to secure the win

Casement Social Club Junior Hurling Championship – Group 2

Saturday 20th August

Report by Niall Kelly 

Naomh Bríd Cloughmills 2-20         Lámh Dhearg 3-09

A game of two halves. A cliché often cited in Championship season but this tussle between Cloughmills and Lámh Dhearg proved to be the perfect illustration of such a game. Cloughmills Bainisteoir Joe Baldwin must’ve imparted some words of wisdom on his charges at the interval. Trailing by five at half time, the hosts found their bearings in the second thirty and managed to transform their wayward shooting into scores as they were a much more potent and dynamic attacking unit in the business end of proceedings. Their Belfast counterparts were the epitome of efficiency in the first half and utilised the stiff breeze at their backs perfectly. Two emphatic finishes to the net from target man Conal McGuigan ensured that the Biddies would face an uphill battle in the second. A battle that they were more than up for. Michael Devlin and Stephen Smyth played integral roles in blazing the trail for the comeback with both men top scoring for their side with seven points a-piece.

The Hannahstown outfit got the scoring underway and punished the spurned chances their hosts were guilty of wasting. The Red Hands were 0-04 0-01 up in the first ten minutes thanks to some pinpoint striking from their talisman Odhran Waldron. Cloughmills in desperate need of scores managed to respond through points from Liam Kearns and Michael Devlin. Waldron was on hand yet again to increase the lead before midfielder Ciaran Boyd guided a threading ball to Conal McGuigan who unleashed an unstoppable drive into the helpless McKernan’s net.

Cloughmills responded admirably though and two excellently taken points from James Doherty and one from a placed ball from Liam Kearns reduced the lead to two once more before disaster struck yet again on the 29th minute. It was a familiar foe who inflicted the damage to the Cloughmills defence as yet again Conal McGuigan latched on to another high ball on with a superb fetch and drilled the ball home in an almost identical fashion to his first. Waldron and Stephen Smyth exchanged scores in injury time to leave the scores 0-07 to 2-06 in favour of the visitors at the short whistle.

The hosts were to come racing out of the traps in what set the tone for their tempo and determination for the remainder of the game. On the fortieth minute, they had successfully chipped away at the deficit and Stephen Smyth levelled proceedings after scores from Aaron Smiley (2) and Michael Devlin (2.) The men in red and white were somewhat shell-shocked at the ferocity and pace of the Cloughmills attack but responded well when that man Odhran Waldron pointed yet again before Ciaran Boyd split the posts from range with a well-deserved point on the 44th minute. 

Cloughmills though were unperturbed and sought about going about their business in front of goal again. Two monster scores from opposite flanks from ‘Micky D’ and Eoin Dobbin drew the sides level yet again before the former sent over a sixty-five to take the lead for the first time in the game to a raucous roar of appreciation from the home faithful. It was a lead that the hosts refused to relinquish as they turned on the style for the remaining ten minutes. Stephen Smyth was wreaking havoc in the visitor’s defence. His trickery and pace were too much to handle and after firing over a superb score from over his shoulder, he then essentially sounded the death knell for Lámh Dhearg as he rifled home from close range following a storming run from Liam Kearns.

The scores kept coming as Kearns, Devlin and Smyth increased their personal tallies before Corey Blair put the icing on the cake after finishing a flowing move and a nonchalant disguised pass from Rian Dobbin. With the gap ten points as the game approached added time, the visitors had no other option but to revert back to a tactic that served them so well in the first half, as they launched the high ball into the square again to see what would stick. It’s not often a man can score a hat-trick and end up on the losing side but that is exactly what Conal McGuigan experienced in this one as he was on hand yet again in the dying moments to prod home among a melee of bodies. It would prove only to be a consolation and perhaps rather fittingly, Michael Devlin finished the scoring on the stroke of full-time with another expertly despatched free from range.

Both camps will have positives to take from today. For Cloughmills, they displayed a super resiliency and fighting spirit in order to take the two points from a perilous position. Although Lámh Dhearg will no doubt be somewhat disheartened with their second-half performance, they proved what a threat they can be in the first and made life very difficult for their hosts with solid performances across the pitch. Group Two of the Junior Hurling Championship is now beginning to take shape with Cloughmills atop of the pile on four points, followed closely by Glenarm. The next round of fixtures will certainly be an intriguing prospect with the top two and bottom two facing off.

Teams:

Naomh Bríd Cloughmills

C McKernan; M Dobbin, S McKendry, R Watt; J Duffin, C Laverty, A Smiley (0-02;) R Laverty, G Óg Laverty; J Doherty (0-03,) M Devlin (0-07,) E Dobbin (0-01;) C Blair (1-00,)  L Kearns (0-03,) S Smyth (1-04)

Lámh Dhearg

R McClennigan; M McGuigan, J Brady, T McKenna; S.P Gibson, P Mervyn, F Mervyn; A McGuigan, C Boyd (0-01;) D Murray, O Waldron (0-07,) N McGarry (0-01;) A Ferris, P Fitzsimmons, C McGuigan (3-00)

by thesaffrongael

Scoreline flattered Creggan as gallant Con Magees exit the championship

Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 1

Creggan 3-18  Glenravel 4-06

The scoreline suggests a facile victory for the favourites and the issuing of six yellow cards and one red would suggest a feisty, bad tempered affair but in reality neither are true. This was a hard fought game where both teams could only be separated by a single score for long periods. The home side started very strongly in the first ten minutes and finished strongly the last five minutes amassing 2-07 in that fifteen minute ensemble and that effectively is where the game was won and lost. The visitors clawed themselves back into the game after a slow start and had their free taking been more successful, especially in the first half, the outcome could have been a lot different.

Glenravel struggled to get up to game pace in the opening exchanges resulting in several frees which Oran McCann gladly accepted. His third free on ten minutes came one minute after Morgan Nelson had netted for Creggan leaving them 1-03 ahead; the visitor’s having failed to raise a flag of any colour in those opening ten minutes. James Duffin opened Glenravel’s account in the eleventh minute and Niall Donnelly followed up shortly after to ease the away fans’ nerves. Sean Duffin increased Creggan’s lead but back came Glenravel as Conor Deery found the net after a goalmouth scramble to leave just two points between them.  That lead was doubled when Oran McCann and Morgan Nelson pointed but James Duffin reduced the deficit to three, before Kealan McCann had the final score of the first half to send his team in ahead by four points 1-07 to 1-03.

Glenravel needed a good start to the second half but it was again Creggan out of the blocks quickest with Oran McCann popping over three frees and when Morgan Nelson goaled after four minutes of the half it looked all over with Creggan now in a commanding lead 2-10 to 1-03. The visitors however hit a purple patch with three goals in five minutes, Declan Traynor, Martin Scullion and Conor Deery the providers. Now we had game on our hands with the home side just edging it on the scoreboard 2-10 to 4-03. Connor Deery was put onto free duty for the Green & Whites and would record the next three points for Glenravel, two from placed balls but after each score Creggan recorded points of their own to keep the visitors at bay. Tiernan McLarnon, Kevin Rice, Dermot Carey and Liam McCann replied to each of Deery’s points and with five minutes left they were two ahead 2-14 to 4-06. At this point, Creggan were dealt a blow when they were reduced to fourteen men and an upset to the form book looked possible. But the headcount reduction seemed to spur Creggan on to greater things and in the final minutes they ran amok with some fine free flowing hurling to record 1-04 without reply. Captain Ruari McCann pointed to put them three ahead and Glenravel decided to chase the game by putting full back Shane Woulahan on the edge of the square. That backfired when Creggan’s full forward Kevin Rice found space and the net with only a couple of minutes left. That goal killed any fight back Glenravel might have mustered. Creggan went to score three further points from Oran McCann (0-02) and Diarmaid Mulholland to leave the eventual winners 3-18 to 4-06.

Glenravel cannot now qualify from this group and have only one game left on Sep 17th against Sarsfields whereas Creggan still have a chance to make it into the knockout stages but will have a couple of tough encounters at home to Sarsfields before their final game away to Glenariffe which could be pivotal in deciding who goes through from group 1.

Creggan:: Brendan Prenter, Aidan Maguire, Thomas McCann, Jake McAteer, Aiden McKeown, Liam McCann, Tiarnan McLarnon, Kealan McCann, Ruari McCann, Morgan Nelson, Oran McCann Sean, Duffin, Diarmuid Mulholland, Kevin Rice, Dermot Carey

Glenravel:: Ronan Donnelly, Caolan Mullan, Shane Woulahan, Joe Martin, Conleth O’Loan, Eoin McCusker, Michael McDonald, Declan Traynor, James Duffin, Ciaran McIlfatrick, Martin Scullion, Rian Lennon, Brian O’Neill, Niall Donnelly, Connor Deery.

Referee:: Brendan Toland