Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Oisins make it two from two

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

Glenariffe 2-19 St Gall 0-16

Glenariffe were made to work hard for their victory against a very determined St Galls team who were fighting to stay in this year’s championship. Going in at halftime St Galls held a one point advantage on a scoreline of St Galls 0-11 to Oisins 1-7, and there were a few worried faces in the Glenariffe support. There needn’t have been as whatever was said at halftime seemed to have done the trick and Glenariffe outscored the vistors by 1-12 to 0-5 in the second half to win by 9 points on a scoreline of 2-19 to 0-16.

Eye on the ball! St Gall’s goalkeeper Kurtis McGreevy in action during the championship game against Oisins

St Galls took the lead in the first minute with a free from Greogory McGreevy, whose free taking was excellent and would finish with 6 points from placed balls in the first half. Glenariffe responded with an excellent point from wing half back Colla Ward, before St Galls took the lead from the excellent Ronan Crossan who finished the game with 6 pts(4 from play and 2 frees). Both free takers swapped points before Jack Hopkins finished off good work from the St Gall’s forward line to put St Galls one up again.  Calum McIlwaine pointed from distance to level things again for Glenariffe, but the home team couldn’t seem to find their rhythm, and Greogory McGreevy continued to punish them from placed balls. Brogan 0’Connor was on the end of a great run from Odhran Gillan to score a good point and when Seanie McIntosh cut in from the left hand side to goal and give the home side the lead for the first time, drilling the ball so hard that it actually went through the net. You thought Glenariffe would kick on from here but St Galls finished the half the stronger scoring five points to Glenariffe’s two, to go in a point up at halftime.

Oisins Michael Haughey in action against St Gall’s

Orrin O’Connor and Ronan Crossan swapped points at the start of the second half, before a great catch from Seanie McIntosh on the edge of the square, where he turned and rifled his second goal of the game to give Glenariffe a two point lead. Greogory McGreevy pointed from a free again to bring St Gall’s back to a point, but then the Oisin’s hit a purple patch scoring the next six points without reply to open up a seven point gap. A point each from the O’Connor brothers and four from Alex O’Boyle placed balls, the pick being from all of 90 metres.  Both teams continued to swap points and Glenariffe were unlucky not to increase their goal tally but for two great saves from Kurtis McGreevey in the St Galls nets who threw himself bravely at shots from Odhran Gillan and Alex O’Boyle. Ronan Crossan, who had now taken over the free taking duties, scored two from placed balls before the Oisins finished strongly with points from Alex O’Boyle and the hard working Orrin O’Connor after a great run from Niall Magee. The only downside to the second half for Glenariffe was the injury picked up by Calum McIlwaine who looks a doubt for the next round.

Oisins Seanie McIntosh, blocks down a St Gall’s clearance. The full-forward scored 2-02 from play in a man of hte match display

This was a spirited performance from St Galls who can take a lot from this game, particularly in the first half. Kurtis McGreevey was excellent in nets and was ably assisted by Jim O’Reilly and Jack Hopkins. Up front Ronan Crossan had a great game, Gregory McGreevey’s free taking was super and Fergus Donnelly caused problems all day.

Glenariffe may feel slightly disappointed with their first half performance but they weathered the storm to win comfortably in the end. Niall Magee had a great game in defence with David Kearney and Patrick McIlwaine putting their bodies on the line all day. Odhran Gillan and Calum McIlwaine put in a mountain of work at midfield. Alex O’Boyle had a good game up front finishing the game with 10 points ( eight frees and one 65), Orrin O’Connor had a great battle with Ciaran McCaffrey and worked hard to finish with three points from play and Seanie McIntosh was in great form scoring two great goals and two points, all from play.

Up next in two weeks’ time for St Galls is Cloughmills and Glenarfiffe face Randalstown, both games being at neutral venues.

Glenariffe

1.P McMullan 2.P McIlwaine 3.M Haughey 4. C Devlin 5. D Kearney 6. N Magee 7. C Ward(0-1)  8. C McIlwaine(0-1) 9. O Gillan 10. O O’Connor(0-3)11. N Murray 12. M O’Boyle 13. B O’Connor (0-2)14.S McIntosh(2-2)15. A O’Boyle (0-10, 8F &1 65)

Subs Used: D Kearney for B O’Connor 38min, J Kearney for M Haughey 48min, P Ward for N Murray 49min, R Leech and C Graham for P McIlwaine and C McIlwaine 52min.

St Galls

1.K McGreevey 2. A  Mackle 3. G Adams 4. O Kelly 5. E Walsh 6. J O’Reilly 7. C McCaffrey

8.D Churchill 9. J Hopkins(0-2) 10. A Mullan) 11. O McIlhatton 12.G McGreevey (0-7, 7F)                13. M Napier (0-1)14.F Donnelly 15.R Crossen(0-6, 2F)

Subs Used: E Loughran for C McCaffrey 39min, E Farrelly for A Mullan 42min

TO SEE MORE OF SEAN PAUL’S PHOTOS FRO THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/LyMQXDkbhCBeaM/?invite=a67a6fd9-a5ff-4a16-81af-8845f04df82e

by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains impress in Championship opener

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 2

Dunloy 3-20 Ballycastle 1-11

Sunday 10 August

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Dunloy produced an accomplished performance on Sunday afternoon to get their 2025 championship campaign off to a winning start against Ballycastle.  15 points the difference at the end of the hour but in truth this Group 2 game was over as early as the 20th minute.  The Cuchullains ran into a 13 point lead before Ballycastle registered their first score and while they had the elements in their favour, Dunloy blitzed the Town from the first whistle.

Elliott brothers Seaan and Nigel grabbed goals in either half for Dunloy while substitute Chrissy McMahon got in on the goal scoring act also late in the game.  Keelan Molloy and Eoin O’Neill shared eight points between them while Deaglan Smith was a livewire playing in a number of different roles in the front six.

Defensively, Ballycastle tested Dunloy with a barrage of direct and high ball in the second half but by enlarge, that was well dealt with through Eoin McFerran, Ryan McGarry and the excellent Kevin Molloy.

It was a bad day at the office for Ballycastle who will rue their slow start to the contest.  They got little or no joy from an excellent Dunloy defence although Tiarnan Smyth’s goal would certainly make the highlight reel from the game.  Seamus McAuley finished top of their scoring charts, his four points coming from placed ball but their defence couldn’t stop a lively Dunloy attack as the Cuchullains never dropped their intensity. 

It was a relentless start from Dunloy with points coming from all angles.  Keelan Molloy, Seaan Elliott, Deaglan Smith and Luke McFerran all recording scores before Seaan Elliott scored the opening goal of the game.  Luke McFerran collecting a long ball and popping a pass out to Elliott who was charging through the middle.  Conor Boyd tried to stop the Dunloy man but a side step gave Elliott the yard he needed to fire the sliotar to the back of the net.

Going into the final 10 minutes of the half, Ballycastle had two shots that went wide and another three that dropped short.  To say they Ballycastle were overwhelmed was an understatement, Dunloy piled on the pressure with their half back line and midfield dominant.  It was the 22nd minute before Ballycastle recorded their first score, coming through a spectacular goal from Tiarnan Smyth.  Collecting a long ball, Smyth caught the sliothar and buried from 20 yards.

Neal McAuley fired over the Town’s first point of the match before Smyth added to his goal to leave eight points between the sides with five minutes of the first half remaining.

Dunloy responded with points coming from Luke McFerran, Deaglan Smith and Keelan Molloy stretching their tally to 1-13 before Seamus McAuley knocked over a free on the stroke of half time to leave the score 1-13 to 1-3 at the short whistle.

10 points was the minimum Dunloy had earned given their dominance.  It was all one way traffic and the home side registered double figures in wides by the time referee Kevin Parke called for the interval.

Ballycastle needed a quick start to the second half with the wind at their backs but it was Dunloy who remained on the front foot.  A brace of unanswered points from Eoin O’Neill stretched the Dunloy lead to 12 points by the 35th minute.  O’Neill would record his third of the half after a McAuley free and while the Ballycastle free taker would score back to back points from placed ball just before the half way point of the half, the home side would score their second major.

A patient build-up in defence saw substitute Aodhan McGarry pass to Nigel Elliott on the run.  The Cuchullain’s midfielder charged through the heart of the Ballycastle defence and finished expertly.

Two frees from Seaan Elliott were answered to by points from Conor Boyd to leave 13 points between the sides before Dunloy would score their third major.  Nigel Elliott this time turning provider, collecting a quick line ball and sprinting through on goal.  He drew the Town defence towards him before passing to Chrissy McMahon and he made no mistake.

Ballycastle bombarded the Dunloy defence with a barrage of high ball in search for another major but they got no joy from an excellent Dunloy defence.

The Cuchullains now turn their attention to the big ball and a date with Tir na nOg while Ballycastle will be hoping for an improved performance when they take to the field against St John’s.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Ryan Elliott; Conor Kinsella, Eoin McFerran, Oran Quinn; Luke McFerran, Ryan McGarry, Kevin Molloy; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague; Ryan Mort, Paul Shiels, Keelan Molloy; Seaan Elliott, Deaglan Smith, Eoin O’Neill

Subs: Aodhan McGarry for R Mort (36); Tom McFerran for P Shiels (44); Chrissy McMahon for D Smith (55); Ciaran Elliott for S Elliott (57); E Smyth for R McGarry (blood sub 43, reversed 46)

Scorers: S Elliott 1-7 (6fs); E O’Neill 0-4; Keelan Molloy 0-4; C McMahon 1-1; N Elliott 1-00; D Smith 0-2; L McFerran 0-2

BALLYCASTLE:  Ryan McGarry; Oran Kearney, Cian Baudant, Ryan McCook; Mark McClean, Conor Boyd, Ronan Laverty; Seamus McAuley, Cathair Donnelly; Ronan McGarry, James McShane, Ardan Kelly; Conor Donnelly, Neal McAuley, Tiernan Smyth

Subs: Darragh Kelly for A Kelly (HT); Diarmuid McShane for J McShane (49); Conal Colgan for M McClean (51)

Scorers: S McAuley 0-4 (4fs); T Smyth 1-1; C Boyd 0-2; C Donnelly 0-1; R McCarry 0-1; D McShane 0-1; N McAuley 0-1

REFEREE: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/tkPWTyrwBtQRvd/?invite=a65d7b3e-e5c1-41de-b914-c2e3d88627f8

by thesaffrongael

  McGarel sparkles as Shane O’Neill’s take the points

IFC Group 2

Shane Uí Neills              2-21

Naomh Brid Cloughmills       2-12

Report and Pics: Pete Hyndman

Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but for both teams this Championship match served up a very physical hard match with some great fielding, tackling, blocking, saves and excellent score taking!!

Niall Mc Garel was flawless from the dead ball slotting over 5 free’s, 1 “65”, 3 from play and was excellent in his winning and distribution of the ball. Declan McDermott working in the forward line this year had a great 55 minute’s ramming home a goal and 3 points.

Eoin Dobbin for the visitor’s had a good game with 3 free’s, 2 “65” and 2 points from play.

After an early wide by the home side, the visitors took the lead with a point from Eoin Dobbin.

A few moments later Glenarm won a free out near the sideline at the club house  end. Darren Hamill stood over the ball about 90 yards from his target. He floated in a high ball which no-one claimed and the sliotar nestled in the corner of the net. 

Niall McGarel added a point also as the home side led by three with Callum McKendry replying with a point for the Biddies a moment later.

Mc Garel was showing early intent in this match and after winning a ball at midfield he unselfishly passed to Dan Black who obliged with a nice point over Christopher McKernan’s bar before Darren Hamill, working in the half back line collected a loose ball and struck a point from distance.

St. Brigid’s replied and in the fifth minute in a crowded Glenarm box with both teams fighting for the ball, Seamus Dobbin got the vital touch and finished for a Cloughmills goal.

This was followed by a point from Cathal Mullan and with the score’s level, the hosts hit a purple patch with three points on the bounce. Dylan McLaughlin rifled over and Declan McDermott hit a nice effort and Dan Black drove over a free from 40 yards before Eoin Dobbin reduced the arrears to 2 points with a converted free.

Glenarm’s Niall McGarel showed his skill from the dead ball as he converted another free before team-mate Daniel Black rose to collect a high ball and cut through the defence before dissecting the uprights.

Eoin Dobbin continued to be the main threat for the Biddies and on the 23rd minute heconverted another free.

A few minutes later there was a bit of confusion as the Glenarm side thought they had been awarded a free, but with play continuing Naomh Brid worked the ball goal-ward before  half forward Stephen Smyth sent a rasper beyond Michael Abram.

Glenarm kept the scoreboard ticking over with McLaughlin getting a point and Mc Garel hitting another place ball effort.

With half time fast approaching the two clubs traded score’s as Seamus Dobbin hit a point for the visitors, and Niall Mc Garel pointing for the hosts.

Eoin Dobbin again pointed from play but the last score of the half belonged to Mc Garel who slotted over a free.

Shane Uí Neills 1-12     Naomh Brid   2-07

The second half belonged to the home side as they out-scored Cloughmills by  1-09 to 0-05.

Ciaran Magill hit an early score at the start of the third period for the hosts with Dobbin replying for the orange and blacks with a converted free.

Glenarm’s intensity was on show in abundance early in the second half as the score’s started to flow. McDermott shot over an excellent point, closely followed by McGarel hitting the ball with purpose for another converted free withNaomh Brid’s Eoin Dobbin slotting over a “65” On 40 minute’s

A passage of play ensued with both defences standing strong and cancelling out any threat from their opponents.

The next point came off the stick of Dylan McLaughlin who rolled a couple of tackles and sent a high speculative effort over the Biddies bar.

In the final quarter of this championship match, Glenarm raised their game once more and went on a scoring spree.

McGarel lashed over a free, and a truly majestic point from way out on the side-line from Decky McDermott all but knocked the fight out of the away team.

A few minutes later McGarel turned from scorer to provider as he broke through a tackle and had the vision to pass to McDermott who sent an unstoppable shot beyond Chris McKernan for a Glenarm major!!

With a nine point cushion the boys in blue refused to take the foot off the gas and had McGarel to thank for another couple of point’s as he hit a “65” and another score from a free.

Dobbin came back with a “65” for the Biddies but at this stage it was mere shooting practice for the Cloughmills sharpshooter.

With time nearly up Dan Black showed his intent and gathered a loose ball and split the uprights from distance.

The last two points of the game fell to Naomh Brid but at this stage they only served to put a better look on the final score-line.

For the visitors their goal keeper Chris Mc Kernan was in excellent form and pulled off at least 4 wonder saves, Geoffery Og Laverty had a good game, and Seamus and Eoin Dobbin where the main scoring threat.

The hosts had an equally great shot stopper as Michael Abram came to his side’s rescue with several point blank saves. Aidan Scullion, Darren Hamill, Ciaran McLoughlin and Michael Fury in defence cleared a lot of the away team’s chances.

Ben O Boyle covered every blade of grass and deserved a special mention for a excellent 55 minute’s work.

Dan Black and Dylan McLaughlin took their score’s well, and Declan McDermott and Niall Mc Garel were the scoring duo who kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Both clubs are back in action in a fortnight with a Friday 22nd August evening fixture for Glenarm away to Cushendun while Cloughmills are away to St. Galls on Saturday 23rd August.

Glenarm.

1 Michael Abram, 2 Aidan Scullion, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 Ciaran Mc Loughlin, 5 Kieran O Boyle, 6 Darren Hamill 1-01, 7 Michael Fury, 8 John Scullion,9  Ciaran Magill 0-01,10  Niall 

 Mc Garel 0-09 (5 f,1 “65”) 11 Dylan Mc Laughlin 0-03, 12 Ben O Boyle, 13 Declan Mc Dermott  1-03, 14 Daniel Black 0-04(1 F),15 Sean O Boyle.

Blain Mc Dermott for Declan Mc Dermott 55 mins. Conal Ward for Ben O Boyle 56 mins. Joshua Quinn for Ciaran Mc Loughlin 58mins.

Liam Mulvenna, Aidan O Neill, Gerard Burns, Sean O Hare, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Paddy Mc Auley.

Naomh Brid

1 Chris Mc Kernan, 2 Johnny Duffin, 3 Sean Mc Kendry, 4  Rian Dobbin, 5 James Doherty,6 Geoffrey Og Laverty,  7 Kevin O Boyle, 8 Conor Laverty, 9 Odhran Mc Curdy, 10 Seamus Dobbin 1-01, 11 Calum Mc Kendry 0-01, 12 Stephen Smyth 1-00, 13 Ruairi Laverty, 15 Eoin Dobbin 0-07(3 f,2″65″), 17 Cathal Mullan0-01.

Referee: Fionntan Mc Cotter

by thesaffrongael

Ruairi’s see off 14 man Rossa

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 1

Rossa 1-18 Cushendall 2-17

Saturday 9 August

Brendan McTaggart reports from Rossa Park, Belfast

Cushendall kicked off the defence of the Volunteer Cup with a two point win over Rossa on the Shaw’s Road, Belfast on Saturday afternoon.  Goals in either half from Neil McManus paved the road to their victory but this was a titanic tussle between two sides who yielded little.

With the wind blowing towards one corner of Rossa Park, it felt like this would be a game of two halves and while on paper that’s how it transpired, it looked like this had a draw written all over it at the end of the hour.

The Ruairi’s had overturned a five point half time deficit with 10 minutes of the contest remaining but couldn’t shake off the Rossa challenge.  Three times they took the lead in the time that remained, it turned out to be third time lucky for the champions with Fiontan Bradley’s second point of the contest the game sealing score.

McManus would finish top of the scoring charts with six points of his 2-8 coming from placed ball while Joseph McLaughlin and Bradley shared four points evenly during the hour.  Defensively, Eoghan Campbell excelled in the first half in a free role while he was pivotal in the Ruairi’s turning the screw in the second half.  Ryan McCambridge and Paddy Burke also shone for the ‘Dall in defence while Eoin Gillan’s puck outs in the second half were landing deep in the heart of the Rossa defence, causing plenty of problems for the home side.

Rossa will look at the five minutes before half time where they went from Eoin Trainor scoring a goal with a tidy finish and being sent off with the next attack for a second yellow card.  Six points was the difference at the time in their favour and with the elements against them in the second half, it was going to take a gargantuan effort to get anything out of the game.  But my how they came close.

Trainor would finish with 1-1 while Tiernan Murphy knocked over three points in a super game in the middle third.  His brother Deaglan was top of the scoring charts for Rossa with seven of his eight points coming from frees.  Three of those coming in the second half and while he will be disappointed with the one he missed at the death when his side trailed by just one point, all of Murphy’s frees came from distance and not one of them would have been classed as a ‘gimme’.

Defensively, the half back line of Aodhan O’Brien, Gerard Walsh and Stephen Beatty were excellent.  O’Brien having to come off as the game entered the final 10 minutes proved to be a massive blow while Beatty’s ingenuity to clear the sliotar from crossing the line after a brilliant piece of skill from McManus felt like a match defining moment.

The home side got out of the blocks quickest and had four points on the score board inside the opening eight minutes.  Points from Deaglan Murphy (two frees), Trainor, O’Brien and Tiernan Murphy while Ryan McCambridge provided the solitary response for the Ruairi’s.

Cushendall began to get to grips with the challenge being posed and the elements to hit back to back points through Joseph McLaughlin and McManus (free) before the first goal of the game came in the 10th minute.  Joe McNaughton finding Paddy Burke in space, Burke drilled the sliotar low only for Armstrong to get his hurl out to keep it from crossing the line, McManus was first to the rebound however and pulled first day to the back of the net.

The Rossa response was excellent however.  They restricted Cushendall to just one further point in the next 10 minutes while they hit points from Declan McCartney, Deaglan Murphy (free), O’Brien and Walsh to leave two between the sides.  O’Brien’s second of the match coming from distance while Walsh’s move to the edge of the Cushendall square was proving to be a masterstroke by the Rossa management.

McManus’ second free of the half reduced the deficit to the minimum before Rossa hit another purple patch.  Points from Seaghan Shannon and Tiernan Murphy were followed by Trainor’s major in the last minute of the 30.  Declan McCartney delivering the sliotar Crossfield towards Tiernan Murphy, he broke the sliotar to the ground where Trainor gathered and set for goal.  He made no mistake to put six between the sides going into first half injury time.

The Rossa joy was short-lived however with Trainor seeing red after a second yellow card for a challenge on Austin Birt. 

Deaglan Murphy put seven between the sides before a brace of points from McManus (free) and a trademark point from Paddy Burke left the half time score 1-12 to 1-7 in Rossa’s favour.

Half time came at the best possible time for the home side and allowed them to reorganise.  The Ruairi’s started superbly however with Martin Burke and McManus (free) halving the deficit in the opening two minutes.

Cushendall’s second goal came in the fifth minute of the second half and owed much to the brilliance and experience of McManus.  Paddy Burke delivered a crossfield ball where McManus found a yard of space.  He had just nudged Joseph Mulholland to get the yard of space, catching the sliotar he turned and rifled the sliotar to the top corner, giving Armstrong no chance between the sticks.

Walsh and McManus swapped scores, both from ridiculous angles before Rossa began to find their footing in the half.  Points from the Murphy brothers, one for Tiernan and two from Deaglan were answered to by a point from Joe McNaughton to leave the home side two points ahead going into the final quarter.

The Ruairi’s finished the contest in the ascendancy however and while Rossa were never far away, Cushendall always managed to edge in the lead.

Points from substitute Padraig McKillop, a McManus free and Fiontan Bradley put the Ruairi’s ahead for the first time since McManus’ major in the 10th minute.  Murphy pointed a free from distance either side of McManus’ sixth white flag from a placed ball and only for a piece of brilliance from Stephen Beatty, the Cushendall man would have had a hat-trick.

Thomas McLaughlin sending the sliothar into the heart of the Rossa defence and McManus broke it into his path.  He took aim for goal one handed, looking to lob Armstrong but Beatty chased back to deny him with a flick of his hurl.

With two minutes remaining, Murphy’s seventh free of the evening restored parity once again but it was Cushendall who finished on top.  Brilliant points from McManus and Bradley ensured the Ruairi’s got off to a winning start.

TEAMS

ROSSA: Donal Armstrong; Ciaran Orchin, Joseph Mulholland, Niall Crossan; Gerard Walsh, Aodhan O’Brien, Stephen Beatty; Seaghan Shannon, Deaglan Murphy; Daire Murphy, Declan McCartney, Oisin McVicker; Tiernan Murphy, Eoin Trainor, Dominic McEnhill

Subs: Corey Walsh for S Shannon (37); Liam McEnhill for O McVicker (42); Diarmuid Rogan for A O’Brien (51); Eoghan McMenamin for T Murphy (58)

Scorers: Deaglan Murphy 0-8 (7fs); E Trainor 1-1; T Murphy 0-3; G Walsh 0-2; A O’Brien 0-2; S Shannon 0-1; D McCartney 0-1

CUSHENDALL:  Eoin Gillan; Austin Birt, Paddy Burke, Martin Burke; Ronan McAteer, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McCambridge; Scott Walsh, Joe McNaughton; Sean McAfee, Neil McManus, Thomas McLaughlin; Fiontan Bradley, Ed McQuillan, Joseph McLaughlin

Subs: Charlie McAuley for J McNaughton (43); Padraig McKillop for A Birt (45)

Scorers: N McManus 2-8 (6fs); J McLaughlin 0-2; F Bradley 0-2; P Burke 0-1; M Burke 0-1; R McCambridge 0-1; J McNaughton 0-1; P McKillop 0-1

REFEREE: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/Eriddk6bvcEUwT/?invite=a886232e-2d2e-4127-ba69-6d002fbfd190

by thesaffrongael

Gaels and St. Paul’s can’t be separated

IFC Group 1

Ahoghill 1-17 St. Paul’s 2-14

Cloney Gaels and St. Paul’s couldn’t be separated in Ahoghill on Friday night in Group 1 of the Intermediate Hurling Championship. The home side played with the breeze in the opening half but failed to take advantage of the elements with the contest tied at 0-9 each at the break.

Against the wind Cloney appeared to be gaining the upper hand and had built up a fairly healthy lead but 2 late goals from the excellent Caolan Ó Duibhfinn earned the visitors a valuable share of the points.

It was tit for tat during the opening exchanges in Ahoghill with the sides tied at 6 apiece after 20 minutes with Ó Duibhfinn 0-3, Sean Og McLaren 0-2 and Thomas Duff on the mark for St. Paul’s and James O’Connell 0-3, Patrick Graham, Donal Graham and Colla McDonnell the Cloney marksmen.

Ronan Graham sends over a Cloney point

Sean Lawell, Ó Duibhfinn and Declan Chapman brought the visitors total to 9 by the half way stage with Ronan Graham and ‘Jimmy’ O’Connell 0-2 for the home side ensuring it was all tied as Piaras McCaffery sounded the half time whistle.

The Ahoghill side looked to be gaining control at the start of the second half and they struck with points from James O’Connell which sandwiched a Patrick Graham goal in the 3d minute.

Further points from Colla McDonnell and Patrick Graham had the hosts 7 ahead by the 14th minute and they looked on their way to their second Group 1 win.

The Shaw’s Road side finally opened their second half account when Caolan Ó Duibhfinn split the posts in the 15th minute from a ‘65’ and he followed with another from a free but points from Diarmuid Graham and two pointed frees from Jimmy O’ looked to have sealed it with 8 minutes remaining.

St. Paul’s had other ideas however as Sean Og McLaren pointed and the impressive Ó Duibhfinn followed with a goal in the 28th minute and when he added a second, two minutes into in jury time the fat was very much back in the fire.

In between McLaren added two points for the visitors and O’Connell’s 9th of the evening meant that it was all square at the end of an excellent game of championship hurling.

This result leaves Cloney Gaels topping the table with 3 points from 2 starts while Creggan and Rasharkin are on 2 from one start and St. Paul’s sit 4th with 1 point from 2 starts.

Caolan Ó Duibhfinn who scored 2-7 on trhe nigfht for St. Paul’s

The Ahoghill men travel to Rasharkin in their next game on Saturday the 23d August while St. Paul’s don’t play again to the 6th September when they entertain Rasharkin.

Ahoghill: 1 Aiden Graham 2. HarryO’Donnell 3. Bobby Magee 4. Paddy Dougan 5. Fionnbar O’Neill 6. Diarmaid Graham 7. Dan O’Neill 8. Eamon Brady 9. Conor Crossey 10. Donal Graham 11. Ronan Graham 12. Patrick Graham 13. Colla McDonnell 14. Eoin Graham 15. James O’Connell.

Subs Used: Bernard Graham for Harry O’Donnell, Owen Neeson for Eoin Graham Tom McGlone for Colla McDonnell

St. Paul’s: 1 Chris Murray, 2 Mark Munce, 3 Daire Stevenson, 4 Tiarnán Auld 5 Thomas Duff, 6 Stephen Rooney, 7 Caoimhin Killyeagh, 8 Sean Lawell (0-1), 9 Diarmuid O’Sullivan, 10 Lorcan Phillips, 11 Sean Og McLaren 0-5, 12 Caolan Crossan, 13 Declan Chapman, 14 Caolan Ó Duibhfinn (2-7),15 Conal Finnegan 0-1

Subs Used: Odhrán Donnelly, Seán Munce, Paudhric McKevitt, Garrett Cowan & Pól Magee.

Referee: Piaras McCaffrey