Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains cruise to Reserve decider

Senior Reserve Hurling – Cup Semi-Final

Dunloy 3-27 Rossa 0-14

Wednesday 27 August 

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Dunloy booked their place in the senior reserve final on Wednesday evening with a strong performance against Rossa.  It was a dominant display from the Cuchullains who made light of the wind in the first half and were relentless throughout.

Ryan Mort top scored for the home side with an impressive 2-12, 1-8 coming from placed balls with both majors coming in the dying moments of the game.  Mort gave a flawless display from placed balls while his second goal was one of the highlights of the game in the fading light at Pearse Park.

Liam McEnhill was top of the scoring charts for the Shaws Road men with seven of his final tally of 10 points coming from placed ball but his side got little change from an organised Cuchullains defence.  Seaghan Shannon put in a busy performance while Owen May also caught the eye while Gavin McGrath and Corey Walsh worked their socks off for the Jeremiah’s.

Despite playing into the elements, Dunloy made a lightning start to the game and had 1-3 on the board before Rossa and McEnhill opened their scoring.  Inside forward Barry McCloskey with the major for Dunloy while Oisin McCamphill and Mort (2) raised the white flags.

The opening quarter belonged to the home side with Mort, Ryan McFarline, Ciaran Elliott and Jack Martin all finding the target with a brace of McEnhill frees the response from the west Belfast side to put 10 between the sides by the half way mark of the half.

Rossa looked to settle into the game with May and McEnhill lively.  They fired over seven points in a 10 minute period through McEnhill landing five (4fs), May and Michael Close raising the white flags while Mort and McFarlin landed the response for the Cuchullains in that same period of time.

Five points separated the sides going into the final five minutes of the half but it was as close as Rossa got to the Cuchullains.  Barry McCloskey and Mort (free) fired over either side of a Corey Walsh point to leave the half time score 1-14 to 0-11 in the home sides favour.

The second half was largely all one way traffic with the Cuchullains snuffing out any attacking threat Rossa could muster.  They hit the opening four points of the half through Mort (3fs) and Gabriel McTaggart with a McEnhill free briefly halting the Cuchullains charge.

Dunloy opened up a 14 point lead going into the final 10 minutes with Mort, McCamphill, McTaggart, Elliott and substitute Anton McGrath all getting in on the scoring act also.

Rossa substitute Jim Reynolds split the posts from wide on the right to reduce the arrears, a quite brilliant score with not much angle to work with but it was the last score the Jeremiah’s would register.

Points from Elliott and McGrath preceded a brace of Mort goals at the death.  The first coming after some great play from Eamon Smyth and Ciaran Elliott set him through on goal while his second caught everyone out, including Rossa ‘keeper Michael Armstrong.  Stood over a free fully 40 yards from goal, Mort rifled the sliotar to the bottom right hand corner of the net with a thumping drive to cap off an excellent display.

The Cuchullains now face Ballycastle in a fortnights time in the Reserve Final, but their attention turns to the big ball in the meantime with plenty of this squad part of the football side that will line out against Cargin on Saturday evening in the senior championship.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Cathair McCloskey, Sean Og Blaney, Reece Cunning; Eamon Smyth, Karl O’Kane, Aaron Crawford; Jack Martin, Ben O’Kane; Oisin McCamphill, Ryan Mort, Ryan McFarline; Ciaran Elliott, Gabriel McTaggart, Barry McCloskey

Subs: Ciaran McQuillan for R Cunning (41); Paudie McGilligan for B McCloskey (41); Conor Mort for A Crawford (49); Anton McGrath for J Martin (49); Francis McMullan for G McTaggart (49

Scorers: R Mort 2-12 (1-8fs); B McCloskey 1-1; C Elliott 0-3; R McFarline 0-3; O McCamphill 0-2; G McTaggart 0-2; A McGrath 0-2; J Martin 0-1; E Smyth 0-1 (1f)

ROSSA: Michael Armstrong; Oisin McVicker, Padraig Moyes, Daire Moriarity; Gavin McGrath, Seaghan Shannon, Niall Devlin; Conor Savage, Conal Shannon; Liam McEnhill, Corey Walsh, Conor Rocks; Owen May, Michael Close, James Close

Subs: Jim Reynolds for C Rocks (HT); Niall May for C Savage (42); Michael Murray for M Close (54)

Scorers: L McEnhill 0-10 (7fs); C Walsh 0-1; O May 0-1; M Close 0-1; J Reynolds 0-1

Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

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by thesaffrongael

Lámhs see off determined Saints to secure quarter final berth 

Casement Social Club, Antrim Junior Hurling Championship – Group 2, Round 3 

Lámh Dhearg 2-21-2-11 All Saints, Ballymena 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Lámh Dhearg prevailed in a winner take all encounter with All Saints and progressed to the quarter-final of the Casement Social Club Antrim Junior Hurling Championship with a 2-21-2-11 victory at Hannahstown on Sunday evening. 

Both sides went into the game without a win and knowing that a third straight defeat would mean their respective years hurling would end. 

Early points were traded between Adam Murray and Eoin McGuigan within the first 60-seconds. 

It was the Saints who would land the games first goal when Darach Bradley flashed a low free to the net inside of four minutes. 

Murray (65’) and McGuigan traded the next two scores and Murray added a further point from a free before the Hannahstown men netted themselves and hit the front. 

Conor Herron broke the resulting puck-out and slipped a pass off to Conor McConville jnr, he flicked the ball inside to Murray who opted for a popped pass to Aidan McGuigan to slot home and make it 1-3-1-2. 

All Saints almost had their second of the evening, but Paddy Joe Herron made himself big to deny Bradley his second. 

The Lámhs doubled their advantage when Donal Martin evaded heavy pressure and swung over, but the visitors restored parity through a third McGuigan point of the half and a fine Luke O’Rawe shot that sailed over in the strong breeze. 

Frees were exchanged between Murray and Bradley before the hosts opened up a two point advantage again. 

Daniel Murray took a pass from McConville and made space for a shot that flew over, with Adam Murray adding his third free. 

The pattern of the half continued as successive frees from Darach Bradley drew the sides level for fifth time. 

Bradley and Murray traded further placed balls before the All Saints talisman clipped over his first from play. 

For the final time in the half the sides were locked level at 1-9 apiece thanks to a Ciaran Boyd attempt that snuck inside the far post. 

It was Lámh Dhearg who would inch ahead before the conclusion, Adam Murray was on hand to fire a 65’ between the posts to ensure his side were 1-10-1-09 ahead at the midway point. 

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze towards the Upper Springfield Road end, Lámh Dhearg added to their slender advantage with Adam Murray hitting his second point from play. 

A second goal then followed when Declan Lynch dropped a high ball into Murray’s path, his shot lacked power and was easily gathered by Ciaran Cassley and as the All Saint’s keeper went to clear, Murray blocked him down and sent the ball across the square where Daniel Murray took the reins and shot to the net to make it 2-11-1-09. 

Cassley was unable to continue after injuring his knee and deputy Luke Walsh was fortunate that one of his first jobs wasn’t picking the ball from the net after Declan Lynch’s long range drive came back out of the underside of the bar. 

Lámh Dhearg were moving through the gears with no surprise that Adam Murray continued to add to his increasing tally, he would land three of a further five unanswered scores from play, with Donal Martin doubling his account and Sean Paul Gibson sweeping over. 

All Saints were without a score since the 27th minute but gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a 48th minute goal. 

Damian Gillan burst forward and opted for a hand pass across to Liam Cassley to flick home and make it 2-16-2-09. 

Adam Murray replied with his third 65’ of the evening and Darach Bradley got his side’s opening point of the second period. 

Two further Adam Murray points followed, one from play and the other from a free with Luke O’Rawe dropping over All Saints final score of the contest. 

Lámh Dhearg would finish the scoring through Boyd and Murray (free) to ensure double figures separated the duo at the conclusion and that their side would secure passage to the last eight and a trip to Musgrave Park to take on St Brigid’s in two weeks time. 

by thesaffrongael

Armoy top Group 2 and earn a place in the semi-final

JHC Group 2

Gort na Mona 1-10 Glen Rovers 1-17

Glen Rovers Armoy earned their place at the top of Group 2 of the Casements Social Club JFC and a place in the semi-finals after a 7 point win over their nearest rivals, Gort na Mona at Enright Park on Sunday.

Despite playing into the breeze the visitors got off to a flying start and Turlach McBride pointed them ahead from a free after 30 seconds before Kieran McToal and PJ McBride followed from play to leave the three ahead after 4 minutes.

Patrick McCaffrey got the hosts off the mark with a point in the 5th minute but Conor Christie replied immediately for the visitors before Neil Henry hit a great long range point for the ‘Gorts’ to close the gap to 2 with 7 minutes gone.

The play was end to end at this stage and further points from PJ McBride and Turlach McBride for Glen Rovers brought a reply from Neil Henry and a Patrick McCaffrey free and the gap remained at two after 11 minutes.

Gort na Mona pressed again and Conor Christie in the Armoy goals made a great catch from under his bar and cleared the danger before Conor McCaffrey struck a fine point from out on the left to leave just one between the sides.

Gort na Mona were giving as good as they got at this stage of the game but they suffered a severe blow when Colin Lordan finished to their net following a mix-up in defence.

The home side recovered well however and Niall O’Neill hammered home an excellent goal, 3 minutes later and a Patrick McCaffrey pointed free had the sides level with 9 minutes remaining to the break.

It would be the men from the Armoy glen who would finish the better however as Emmet O’Hara and Turlach McBride fired over unanswered point to leave them two ahead at the short whistle.

With the breeze now in their favour it was Armoy who took control at the start of the second half and Trevor Linton, Owen Kinney, Conor Christie from distance and Kinney again from a great over the shoulder effort had them six ahead with 8 minutes gone.

Turlach McBride with another massive effort from distance increased that lead to seven by the end of the third quarter and Gort na Mona were still to open their second half account.

Neil Henry got them off the mark with a point in the16th minute and Padraig McHugh added another but they had keeper, Caolan McCrory to thank for a great save as Armoy tried to counter at the other end.

Gort na Mona were battling hard to get their game going again and Patrick McCaffrey had it back to four with 8 minutes remaining but Glen Rovers were not about to throw away that lead.

The sweet striking Turlach McBride replied with another of his long range specials and followed with another from a ‘65’ before making the points secure with yet another from distance.

Neil Henry pulled one back from an injury time free but the final score of the half fell to Armoy’s Owen Kinney who fired over in the 33d minute to conclude the scoring.

This win sees Armoy top Group 2 and secures a place in the semi-final where they will be joined by Gort na Mona who finished second in the group after suffering their first defeat in this one.

Glen Rovers now advance to a home semi-final while Gort na Mona have a quarter-final to face against Davitt’s who were third in Group 1.

Con Magee’s topped Group 1 and like Armoy, automatically qualify for a home semi-final spot while surprise packets, Naomh Brid who were runners in Group 1 face third placed Lamh Dhearg from Group 2 in the other quarter-final.

Gort na Mona: 1 Caolan McCrory, 2 Conor Healy, 3 Padraig McHugh, 4 Mark Rea, 5 Conor Connolly, 6 Colm Scullion, 7 Tiarnan Morton, 8 Patrick McCaffrey, 9 Neil Henry, 10 Thomas McCaffrey, 11 Darron Boyd, 12 Niall O’Neill, 13 Manus McMullan, 14 Conor McCann, 15 James Aaron Hicks, 17 Christopher Kane, 18 Declan Hughes

Armoy: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Coyles, 3 Shane Devlin, 4 Liam Dillon, 5 Arthur Devlin, 6 Emmett O’Hara, 7 Turlach McBride, 8 Ciaran McKenna, 9 Ronan Lavelle, 10 Thomas Burns, 11 Colin Lordan, 12 PJ McBride, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Joseph McFetridge, 15 Conor Christie, 19 Kieran McToal, 25 Owen Kinney

Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

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by thesaffrongael

St Gall’s get their first win as they beat the Biddies

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

St Gall’s 3-19 St Brigid’s Cloughmills 1-13

A strong second half performance saw St Gall’s get their first win in Group 2 of the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship at the expense of fellow strugglers Cloughmills at Whitehill Randalstown on Saturday evening.

Both teams came into this game looking for their first points of the campaign, and St Gall’s got off to a good start, hitting the first three points through Kurtis McGreevy, Fergus Donnelly and Gregory McGreevy.

Cloughmills were level on four minutes when half back Jimmy Doc Doherty fired in a goal and they added four points, three of them from free taker Eoin Dobbin and one from distance from midfielder Conor Lavery.

The pendulum swung back in St Gall’s favour with points from Mark Napier (3) Ethan Walsh and Gregory McGreevy but back came Rian Dobbin, Ruairi Laverty and Catham Mullan for the Biddies to lead 1-07 to -08 just before half time. However the men from the Bog Meadows produced a storming finish to the half with a point from Gregory McGreey and an injury time goal fro Dubaltach Wilson to lead by 1-09 to 1-07 at half-time.

Ronan Crossan increased the St Gall’s lead to four when he pointed just after the restart and though Eoin Dobbin pulled on back for Cloughmills points from Fergus Donnelly and Dubaltach Wilson, plus a goal by Sean McAreavey put the Belfast men in the driving seat.

The Biddies pulled a couple back through James Doherty and Eoin Dobbin but two by Wilson and one by Napier saw St Gall’s pull eight clear with just ten minutes left to play. Michael Morrison and Johnny Duffin came back with points for Cloughmills, but St Gall’s were now in control and when Mark Napier got their third goal five minutes from time there was no way back for Cloughmills.

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by thesaffrongael

Glenariffe on course for semi-final place

IHC Group 2

Tir na nOg 1-18 Oisins 2-19

Before the game in Cloney a minutes silence was immpecably observed in memory of youg Glenariffe player, Eunan Harvey who sadly passed away last week.

Only four points separated the top two in Group 2 at the end of a robust and at times tempestuous contest at the neutral venue of Cloney but in truth the score-line flattered the Whitehill side who were chasing the game from early on.

Tir na nOg were much too reliant on the free taking of Sean Duffin and while the big centre-half would finish with 1-11 to his credit for the hour, his injury time goal came with virtually the last play of the game.

Their opponents Oisins Glenariffe had a better spread of scorers and were on top for the greater part of the contest and were worthy winners of a game where a number of tackles were not for the faint hearted.

It was the Waterfoot side who made the early running in Ahoghill and after Colm Duffin fired over the opening point for Tir na nOg, they took control.

Players from both sides observe a minutes silence for young Glenariffe player, Eunan Harvey who passed away last week

Callum McIlwaine replied immediately to square the contest and Seanie McIntosh finished to the net from close range in the 9th minute as Glenariffe sprung to life.

Orrin O’Connor added a point before Sean Duffin made his first contribution of the evening with a point in the 10th minute as Tir na nOg tried to find a response.

The same player added his second of the contest from a free to close the gap to two as the North Antrim side missed a few at the other end but David Kearney settled them with a good point and Oliver Kearney added another to move them 1-4 to 0-3 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.

Disaster then struck the Whitehill side when Sean Duffin was robbed as he attempted to clear his lines and Alex O’Boyle soloed clear before placing Daniel Kearney to finish from close range.

Duffin and O’Boyle traded points from frees and Colm Duffin cut the deficit to two once more as Conor Patterson replaced Niall Murray in the Oisin’s side and O’Boyle pointed another free with Sean Duffin replying from all of 70 meters to keep the Randalstown men in touch.

Tir na nOg were struggling to make the ball stick up front with Michael Haughey sweeping up everything that came his way and Alex O’Boyle landed another free from distance before Ciaran O’Neill became only the third Tir na nOg player to register with a point in the 27th minute.

Battle for sticks! Michael Haughey Glenariffe and Darragh Fagan get a grip of each others hurls as Callum McIlwaine looks on

Conor Patterson struck his first point of the evening and O’Boyle converted another free and Darragh Fagan looked to be in for a goal at the other end but lost his sliothar as he was closed down and had to settle for a kicked point.

That left it 2-9 to 0-9 for the men from the glens and they were good value for that lead with too many Tir na nOg players not performing and their dependence on the Duffin’s making life extremely difficult.

It was Colm Duffin who pointed an early second half free to close the gap to five but Oliver Kearney and Orrin O’Connor replied with points at the other end and as Glenariffe found another gear, David Kearney and Oliver Kearney again moved them 10 ahead with only 7 minutes of the new half gone.

Ciaran Logan entered the fray for the Randalstown side as the shootout between Sean Duffin and Alex O’Boyle continued but it was Oisins who were still dictating matters.

Another Orrin O’Connor point moved the Waterfoot side 11 ahead at the end of the third quarter with Colm Duffin sending a side-line cup between the uprights in reply but Sean Duffin’s radar then deserted him for a time as he was off target from distance.

Sites adjusted Duffin then landed another long range effort and substitute, Eamon Og McAllister soloed through for a good point to give their side just a glimmer of hope as Glenariffe continued to ring the changes.

Sean Duffin added yet another massive free and Darragh Fagan followed with one from play to cut the gap to six as the ‘Blues’ made one last push but Alex O’Boyle eased the pressure with their first point for 14 minutes.

Glenariffe’s Odhran Gillan breaks clear of Sean Duffin and Daniel Martin, Tir na nOg

Duffin had it back to six again with his 10th and 11th of the contest and the same player finally got the goal his side needed but it was too little, too late and Seanie McIntosh sealed it for Glenariffe with an injury time point.

In the end the best team won and last year’s beaten finalists will be hoping to go one better this year and on the evidence of what they produced for most of the hour, they look favourites to take the Intermediate title.

There will be some concern as to how they allowed the opposition back to within touching distance in the closing stages but undoubtedly those matters will have been addressed by the time they face Shane O’Neill’s at Pairc Ui fhearsithe on the 6th of September.

Tir na nOg will be disappointed by their overall team performance but a win at St. Gall’s would put them firmly back in the picture for a qualifying place and their fate still remains firmly in their own hands.

Tir na nOg: 1 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Brandon McLarnon, 3 Dylan McLarnon, 4 Manus Smith, 5 Ciaran O’Neill, 25 Sean Duffin, 7 Daniel Martin, 8 Conor McCamphill, 9 Emmett Murray, 10 Darragh Fagan, 11 Colm Duffin, 12 Josh Higgins, 14 Sean McKinley, 17 Ryan O’Neill, 23 Oliver McAtamney.

Subs: Eamon Og McAllister, Caomhin Duffin, Kevin McCann, Ciaran Logan, Tiernan Bonnes

Oisins Glenariffe: 1 Paul McMullan, 2 Patrick McIlwaine, 17 Michael Haughey, 3 Niall Murray, 5 David Kearney, 6 Niall Magee, 7 Calum McIlwaine, 8 Odhran Gillan, 9 Oliver Kearney, 10 Orrin O’Connor, 12 Michael O’Boyle, 13 Alex O’Boyle, 14 Seanie McIntosh, 18 Daniel Kearney.

Subs: Conor Patterson for Niall Murray, Brogan O’Connor for Daniel Kearney, James Kearney for Patrick McIlwaine, Phelim Ward   

Referee: Colin Thompson

St. Mary’s Ahoghill treasurer, Paul Dougan presents a sponsorship cheque to Paddy McIlwaine during the half time interval at the Glenariffe-Tir na Nog IFC game in Cloney on Sunday. The Saffron Gael thanks St. Mary’s for their continued generous support and appeal to all clubs to make a donation and help us keep the site going

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