It was a flat calm summer’s evening in west Belfast with a good dry sod underfoot; conditions perfect for good quality championship hurling. Unfortunately that is not what the spectators were served up as the hurling on display matched the great sky overhead. With little or no breeze both teams will be disappointed at their wides count over the hour, Glenravel particularly so in a first half they dominated but their shooting was nowhere near championship standard and as a result they retired to their dressing rooms a goal down at half time. The flag waving umpires were only called into action on twenty two occasions across the hour and thirteen of those were from placed balls as Conleth O’Loan (Glenravel) and Christopher Gallagher (Davitts) gave a good account in the art of free taking. The highlight of the game was undoubtedly a superb overhead pull from Anthony Rowntree just before half time; a perfect connection to an overhead ball that left Glenravel netminder Chris Quinn with no chance.
Glenravel were guaranteed qualification for the next round before the ball was thrown in and perhaps because of that they changed the team around from the what they had fielded in their previous games and in the opening minutes that proved fruitful as Conleth O’Loan (0-1) and Sean McKay (0-3) lobbed over four points with the home side responding through Colm McKee and Caoimhin Rainey with a quarter of the game gone. But then the visitors hit a barren spell as any ball into their forwards was thwarted by Davitts centre back Caoimhin Heaney sweeping up a lot of loose ball. Heaney gave a great account over the hour and his presence forced Glenravel to shoot from greater distance, though with little reward.
Indeed, in the second quarter their only scores came from Conleth O’Loan frees. It was during this period that Davitts drew level and overtook their opposition with points from Christopher Gallagher, Oskar Deevey Persson and that wonderful goal from Anthony Rowantree. Referee Chris Brown called a halt to proceedings in the first half with Davitts ahead 1-06 to 0-06 on the scoreboard.
Glenravel brought on the Donaghy brothers Daragh and Fergus at half time and they certainly made a difference as the visitors tried to get themselves back into the game. Ten minutes in the teams were all square with a couple of points from O’Loan and a fine long range effort from Daragh Donaghy. Gallagher nudged Davitts ahead from a free but that was followed by three consecutive frees for Glenravel to leave them two points to the good and seven minutes remaining. However, to their credit Davitts fought their way back into the game with two further frees from Gallagher to level things off at full time.
A draw was probably a fair result over the hour and the point secured a table topping position for Glenravel and put Davitts into the next round as well. But both teams will know they will have to improve significantly if they want to remain much longer in the competition.
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Two goals in the opening minutes of the second half proved to be the platform the Shamrocks needed for winning this game as they swept aside the challenge of Rossa. It was an impressive second half from Loughgiel who managed to hit 3-16 in the second 30 minutes with all but three of their final tally of 4-25 coming from open play.
James McNaughton top scored with 2-6 for his hours work but he had plenty of support around him with Paul Boyle and Roan McGarry chipping in with majors while Ronan ‘Rosey’ Fitzgerald raised the white flag on five occasions.
Defensively, Deaglan and Rory McCloskey were excellent while the puck outs of Cormac McFadden were a huge attacking threat, played with pace and precision.
Rossa will rue those opening exchanges to the second half and having led by three points midway through the first half, they looked to have curtailed the Shamrocks attacking threat. Deaglan Murphy put in another top performance with nine of his 11 points coming from placed ball with the Rossa goals coming from Gerard Walsh and substitute Thomas Morgan. Walsh’s majors coming from a 21 yard free and a penalty and while Morgan’s goal reduced the deficit to six points with the same amount of the hour to be played, the Shamrock’s finished this contest strongly to maintain their winning start to the championship.
Louhghgiel made a bright start to the game and but for a last gasp hook by Stephen Beatty on Paul Boyle, they could have had the games first goal in the opening attack. The opening five minutes saw the sides share six points between them with a brace from Deaglan Murphy (one free) and a Liam McEnhill effort coming in response to scores from Darragh Patterson, Boyle and Declan McCloskey.
Ruairi McCormick edged the Shamrocks ahead but it would be their last score for 10 minutes as Rossa took a semblance of control. Their cause was helped with Loughgiel hitting a number of uncharacteristic wides and dropping four shots short but the Shaws Road men built a three point lead through scores from Eoin Trainor and three from Deaglan Murphy (all frees). It could have been better for the Jeremiah’s with Dominic McEnhill going close to a major but his effort was half blocked before McFadden cleared the danger.
The opening goal came in the 19th minute through a piece of individual brilliance from James McNaughton. Leaping like a salmon among a crowd, McNaughton caught the sliotar and headed for goal. There’s no doubting he had a major on his mind and he made no mistake with an unstoppable drive.
Dan McCloskey split the uprights either side of another Deaglan Murphy free before Niall Crossan made a brilliant block to deny Paul Boyle Loughgiel’s second goal of the evening.
The sides went score for score in the time that remained with a brace from Deaglan Murphy (one free) and Joe Mulholland coming in response to scores from Patterson, Boyle and Fitzgerald to leave the half time score 1-9 to 0-11 in the Shamrocks favour.
Rossa probably did enough to edge the first half and Loughgiel got a lift from McNaughton’s brilliance to stop the west Belfast side from opening further daylight between the sides.
The second half was barely 15 second old when Loughgiel fired their second major of the contest. Ruairi McCormick looking for a point but his effort dropped short into the hands of Donal Armstrong. The Rossa ‘keeper looked for options but his clearance was blocked by Roan McGarry with the sliotar going into the back of the net. A piece of brilliant opportunism from the young Loughgiel forward but reward for chasing down what many would have seen as a lost cause.
Loughgiel’s third major came with the next attack through Boyle. The county star was causing the Rossa defence plenty of problems and while they looked to have curtailed that threat when Gerard Walsh moved to mark him, Boyle showed his class with this major. Collecting the sliotar in the left hand corner, he rounded his marker and set for goal. He fired low despite a less than favourable angle and found the back of the net.
A point from substitute Diarmuid Rogan briefly halted the Loughgiel charge before Fitzgerald and McNaughton (free) opened a nine point lead after just six second half minutes.
Loughgiel turned the screw in the next 10 minutes, outscoring Rossa six points to two. Scores coming from Fitzgerald (2), Dan McCloskey, McNaughton (2) and Roan McGarry with Deaglan Murphy (free) and Gerard Walsh firing over for Rossa.
Murphy brothers Deaglan and Tiernan got the Jeremiah’s firing again and despite Fitzgerald splitting the posts for the Shamrocks, Rossa looked to have found a way back into the game through Gerard Walsh’s first goal of the game. Standing over a 21 yard free, the county star fired low and beat the red wall on the line to reduce the deficit to eight points.
Scores from McNaughton (free) and substitute Shan McGrath briefly halted the Rossa charge but a goal from substitute Thomas Morgan breathed more life into the city side. Morgan showed his predatory instincts to pull the sliotar over the line after Cormac McFadden did superbly to deny Diarmuid Rogan from close range.
McNaughton and Deaglan Murphy (free) swapped scores before Liam McEnhill hit his second of the game to leave six between the sides and while there was just three minutes remaining, Rossa looked to have the momentum in the closing stages.
Any thoughts on an unlikely result for the Jeremiah’s were quashed by McNaughton. First splitting the posts for his sixth white flag of the game before firing his second major. Declan McCloskey with a brilliant catch before finding McNaughton on the charge. He went on a trademark run and made no mistake.
Points followed from Roan McGarry (two) and Conall McCloskey to open a 13 point lead but Gerard Walsh had the final say. The Rossa man fired his second major of the game through a penalty but it was merely a consolation score.
Loughgiel now head to a meeting with the Ruairi’s in Cushendall in two weeks time in a contest that will determine who finishes top and secure passage to the semi finals. Rossa will travel to Ballyvoy with their 2025 championship on the line against the Faughs.
TEAMS
LOUGHGIEL: Cormac McFadden; Tiernan Coyle, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Ben McGarry, Rory McCloskey, Deaglan McCloskey; Rian McKee, Ruairi McCormick; Darragh Patterson, James McNaughton, Roan Fitzgerald; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Dan McCloskey
Subs: Shan McGrath for D Patterson (49); Conall McCloskey for L Glackin (51); Caolan Blair for E Og McGarry (60)
Scorers: J McNaughton 2-6 (3fs); R McGarry 1-3; R Fitzgerald 0-5; P Boyle 1-2; D McCloskey 0-3; D Patterson 0-2; D McCloskey 0-1; R McCormick 0-1; S McGrath 0-1; C McCloskey 0-1
Subs: Diarmuid Rogan for Daire Murphy (30); Corey Walsh for J Mulholland (HT); Conor Savage for S Shannon (46); Tiernan Murphy for E McMenamin (46); Thomas Morgan for E Trainor (57)
Scorers: Deaglan Murphy 0-11 (9fs); G Walsh 2-1 (1-00f, 1-00pen); T Morgan 1-00; L McEnhill 0-2; J Mulholland 0-1; E Trainor 0-1; D Rogan 0-1; T Murphy 0-1
Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)
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Cloney Gael maintained their place at the top of Group 1 after this comprehensive victory over South West neighbour, St Mary’s Rasharkin and have 5 points from 3 starts with their next outing against Kickham’s Creggan likely to decide who tops the group.
Their Saturday evening opponents were expected to push them hard but in truth this one was well and truly over at the halfway stage when the visitors led 3-15 to 0-8.
The home side never really got started with their resources stretched by a number of absentees and had it not been for net minder, Liam Tunney the damage could have been even greater.
Bernard Graham pointed the Ahoghill side ahead after 20 seconds and Colla McDonnell set up Donal Graham for the game’s opening goal with only two minutes gone.
The blistering pace and astute movement of the Cloney attack was opening up the Rasharkin defence as Owen Neeson, James O’Connell (0-2), Colla McDonnell, Dan O’Neill and O’Connell again moved Ahoghill 1-7 to 0-0 ahead by the 8th minute.
Colla McDonnell helps the sliotar over the line for his second goal of the evening & above (Featured Image) he scores his first
The pressure was relentless and O’Connell added another from a ‘65’ before Declan McKay finally opened the home side’s account with a point in the 10th minute.
McKay’s point appeared to have brought some urgency to the Dreen side and Conor McKeever pointed a ‘65’ and Donagh Quigg followed with another from play to give their side a glimmer of hope.
That hope was quickly extinguished however with Liam Tunney pulling of a couple of superb saves as the visitors tried to respond but James O’Connell added another pointed free and Conor Crossey followed from play before O’Connell set up Colla McDonnell for the Ahoghill sides second goal.
McDonnell and Fionnbar O’Neill added points before Conor McKeever pointed a long range free for the home side’s 4th point of the evening in the 19th minute.
Donagh Quigg, who was the Rasharkin outstanding attacker over the hour, added another but it only brought another decisive response from the men in Red.
James O’Connell and Dan O’Neill extended the Ahoghill lead with Conor McKeever replying from another well struck long range free but there was no stopping the Cloney juggernaut and Colla McDonnell was quickest to react after Tunney had parried a James O’Connell shot as he forced the sliotar home from close range.
Donagh Quigg from play and McKeever from another free brought the Rasharkin St. Mary’s total for the half to 0-8 but a late pointed free from the excellent O’Connell left the Ahoghill St. Mary’s on 3-15 as Paul O’Neill blew for half time.
It wouldn’t get much better for the hosts after the break but they continued to battle hard as Tunney pulled of another great stop to deny Donal Graham from the throw in before Owen Neeson pointed the visitors further ahead.
Donagh Quigg who carried Rasharkin’s greatest threat in attack
At times it looked like Donagh Quigg was fighting a one man battle in attack and he soloed through for a point in the 4th minute as Brian Og O’Neill replaced Daniel Hasson in the Rasharkin side.
Conor McMullan entered the fray for Jason McGregor in an attempt to add some urgency to the Rasharkin attack but Cloney Gaels continued to call the shots as James O’Connell added two further points from frees.
Donagh Quigg continued to provide Rasharkin’s main attacking threat and he replied with two excellent efforts at the other end but a Fionnbar O’Neill penalty conversion put the game totally out of reach with ten minutes remaining.
Quigg and McKeever kept the score board ticking but it was a matter of damage limitation at this stage and when Donal Graham half volleyed to the net for his side’s 5th major of the evening they were out of sight.
The closing minutes saw Conor McKeever and Donagh Quigg add to the Rasharkin total but the visitors continued to score at will with James O’Connell 0-2, Dan O’Neill, Ronan Graham adding to their total and Conor McKeever concluding the scoring with a late Rasharkin point.
Cloney Gaels top Group 1 with 5 points from 3 starts, a point above Kickham’s Creggan who have 4 points from 2 starts with the sides set to meet in Ahoghill on Friday the 5th September,
Rasharkin panel: 1 Liam Tunney, 2 Connor Higgins, 3 Fergus Quigg, 4 Daniel Hasson, 5 Aidan McKeever, 6 James Higgins, 7 Tiernan O’Boyle, 8 Declan McKay, 9 Connor McFerran, 10 Jason McGregor, 11 Donagh Quigg, 13 Conor McKillop, 14 Thomas McMullan, 15 Conor McKeever, 17 Brian Og O’Neill, 18 Conan McMullan, 19 Terry McGregor, 20 Connaire Donaghy, 21 Brendan Kelly.
Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Jack McFall, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Bernard Graham, 8 Daniel O’Neill, 9 Conor Crossey, 10 Eoin Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Owen Neeson, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Donal Graham, 28 James O’Connell,
Subs: 18 Patrick Dougan, Tom McGlone, Adam Mullan, Noel Friel
Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)
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St Brigid’s secured safe passage to the knockout stages in this year’s Junior Hurling Championship and guaranteed themselves a home quarter final for good measure, thanks to a hard-fought victory over a dogged Ardoyne side with nine points to spare. With ten minutes to go, this one was all to play for as a single púc of the ball separated the sides with Naomh Bríd 1-16 1-13 to the good. However, a dominant finish to proceedings would see them outgun their opponents with David Prenter’s last gasp goal providing the icing on the cake. Yet again, their talisman, James Kelly, proved pivotal to their success as the young sharpshooter put on an exhibition with his free-taking racking up an impressive 0-16 capping off a fine evening’s work.
The game burst into life with five scores in as many minutes. Daniel Moore and Matt McKillen found their bearings for the visitors whilst the hosts hit back through scores from John McGuckian and James Kelly before the latter of the two embarked on a slaloming drive forward with a finish to match to edge his side ahead.
Ardoyne will rue the minutes that followed midway into the half as the concession of numerous cheap frees were punished ruthlessly by marksman in chief, Kelly, as he was imperious from the dead ball, firing over five in a row. The North Belfast men did respond though as McKillen doubled his tally with a fine point from play before Patrick McGreevy demonstrated his own prowess from frees with two excellent scores from tight angles to narrow the gap to three.
The game was really in the melting pot now and a real ding-dong battle was ensuing for control. Further points were exchanged between the two as shot-stopper Brian McGurk’s pinpoint púc-out was retrieved by Phelim Lennon who made no mistake with his finish before David Prenter opened his account with a great score over his shoulder. Unperturbed, the men in black would fire back with two of their own through the trusty hurl of Patrick McGreevy.
With the clock ticking down to the interval, it would be the hosts who would have the final say. Unsurprisingly, it was Kelly yet again who would prove to be the source of their good fortunes as he further bolstered his burgeoning tally with two more from the placed ball to leave the score at the short whistle, 0-12 to 0-07 in favour of St Brigid’s.
The Ardoyne team-talk at half time was surely centred around stifling Kelly’s opportunities from the dead ball and to be more disciplined in the tackle. This certainly reaped rewards as they began to chip away at the deficit and they opened the half on the front foot with white flags raised thanks to McGreevy from three frees and Matt McKillen who angled his effort to perfection. Kelly couldn’t be silenced for too long though as Ardoyne’s nemesis came back to haunt them yet again with two fine long-range scores.
It would be the hosts who grabbed the game’s first major on the forty-fifth minute. John McGuckian thought he was the one to provide it but was spectacularly denied at close range thanks to Paddy Heaney, however, the Ardoyne net-minder was powerless to deny Phelim Lennon who pounced in the melée to strike high to the net on the rebound.
Six points in arrears, the visitors knew they had to conjure something quickly and were able to find the perfect remedy with a goal of their own. Enda Slattery’s cleverly disguised pass paved Matt McKillen through on goal who finished with conviction. With their tails now aloft, they looked to turn the screw further as McGreevy fired over another two to add to his ever-growing tally before Daniel Moore popped up from midfield to grab another.
As the game approached its climax, only two was now between the sides as a grandstand finish was in proposal. Nevertheless, the hosts extinguished any hopes of a nailbiter with a dominant finish and were first to every break as they limited Ard Eoin to a solitary score from Moore whilst firing 1-05 to add a little gloss to the score line.
James Kelly certainly found his scoring touch again as he split the uprights with four in a row to decimate the visitor’s hopes before Oisin McDonnell pointed from a tight angle. With darkness descending upon Musgrave Park, there was just enough time for David Prenter to grab his side’s second goal with a smart finish.
Credit to both sides for a thoroughly entertaining evening’s hurling. The scoreline perhaps is a little harsh on Ardoyne who battled resiliently throughout and had they held their nerve in the final ten minutes, it could well have been a different conclusion. They are now reliant on a heavy Glenravel win against Davitts tomorrow to have any chance of advancing.
St Brigid’s though will be delighted with their performances thus far. Few would’ve predicted their results at this stage and they have proven exactly what they are capable of. Two wins against formidable opponents and they ran group-winners, Glenravel, very close. They will surely look to build on these performances and could perhaps be a surprise package in the knockout stages.
Teams:
Naomh Bríd:
B McGurk; D Sidebottom, C Lundy, J Massingham; J Purdy, J McCarney, C McElhatton; N Murtagh, D McGurk; N Duffy, P Lennon (1-01,) J Kelly (0-16;) D Prenter (1-01,) J McGuckian (0-01,) O McDonnell (0-01)
Ciceam Ard Eoin:
P Heaney; C Curran, P Baker, E NicLochlain; A Stewart, M McLaughlin, C McShane; P McGuigan, D Moore (0-03;) C Wallace, C Keown, M McKillen (1-03;) P McGreevy (0-08,) C Barnes, M McGreevy
Referee: Colm McDonald (St. Gall’s)
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Cushendun Emmet’s got themselves back into the Championship race when they recorded their first win of the season by beating Glenarm in Friday evening’s Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 3 game at Pairc Mhuir Cushendall.
Emmet’s goalkeeper John V Morgan saves a penalty from Glenarm’s Darren Hammil
In a highly entertaining game, before a good sized crowd, Cushendun really turned on the style in the second half to beat the Feystown men by nine points in the end. Glenarm played really well in the first half and trailed by just four at half time, but the Emmet’s, who had free taker Connlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill in top class form, hit four of the first five points in the second half and from then on Glenarm were chasing the game. They did have a couple of chances late in the game when they were awarded a 20m free and a penalty, but the Emmet’s keeper John V Morgan was equal to both of them and danger was averted.
Niall McGarel, who had a great game for Glenarm, opened the scoring in the second minute but Cushendun came back with two in a row, the first from ‘Loaf’ McNeill free (the first of 10 he would hit in the opening half) and Sean McKay. McGarel levelled matters with a point from a sideline ‘cut’ but McNeill edged the Emmets back ahead a minute later, but things took a turn in Glenarm’s favour when full forward Daniel Black got in for a goal and McGarel added a point from a free.
Cushendun came back with a point from Calum Kilgore and two in quick succession from Loaf frees, before Glenarm got a good break as Darren Hamill’s long range free went all the way to the net. Conrad McDonnell, who had his best game in the Emmets jersey for quite a while, kept his cool to send over a point a minute later and Loaf McNeill split the posts again soon afterwards, but once again McGarel pegged the Emmets back with well taken score. McDonnell’s second point on 18 minutes was followed by a goal from the same player exactly a minute later when he swept the ball home to an empty net after Glenarm keeper Michael Abram had made a brilliant save to deny the inrushing Conor McMcHugh.
The remainder of the half was evenly matched with Loaf McNeill and Niall McGarel getting the bulk of the scores for each side, but Cushendun had the edge going in at the break with a four point lead. (1-15 to 2-08)
Glenarm full forward Daniel Black in action against Cushendun’s Jack McKay
McNeill stretched the lead to five with a point from a 65 less than a minute after the restart, and though Ciaran Magill hit back with one from play for Glenarm, three in a row from Cushendun by Sean McKay, McNeill and Calum Kilgore put seven between the sides. The men from Feystown had a major task on their hands at this stage but they stuck at it and three in a row from Daniel Black (2) and McGaarel had the gap back to four by the end of the third quarter. However the scoring dried up for them at this stage and with McNeill unerring from frees the gap widened again, and two from Aidan Corbett and one from Conor McHugh in injury time saw them home with a bit to spare.
The Emmet’s still have a mountain to climb if they are to qualify but in this sort of form nobody will be looking forward to playing them. Glenarm are on four points and will probably need a win from their last two games against Glenariffe at home and Tir na nÓg away to book a semi-final place.
Cushendun will be bouyed by this win and will fancy their chances in their last two games, away to Cloughmills and at home to St Gall’s
Conrad McDonnell celebrates after scoring Cushendun’s goal
CUSHENDUN
John V Morgan, Mark McSparran, Sean McKay, Dominic McQuillan, Matthew McCartin, Donal O’Hara, Calum Kilgore, Aidan McSparran, Jack McKay, Conor McHugh, Archie McSparran, Colm McKeegan, Aidan Corbett, Conor Bannon, Connlaoth McNeill
GLENARM
Michael Abram, Aidan Scullion, Barry Hamill, Kieran O’Boyle, Darren Hamill, Michael Furey, John Scullion, Ciaran Magill, Niall McGarel, Blain McDermott, Ben O’Boyle, Declan McDermott, Daniel Black, Sean O’Boyle.
Referee – Mark O’Neill (Armoy)
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