Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

14 man Shamrocks dazzle to book final spot

U21 Hurling Championship

Semi Final

Loughgiel 2-22 Dunloy 1-18

Monday 28 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

Despite being reduced to 14 men just four minutes into the second half, Loughgiel produced a barnstorming 30 minutes after the half time interval to book their place in the U21 hurling final.  The Shamrocks had trailed Dunloy by four points at half time after a first half that was largely played on the Cuchullains terms but the home side were dominant in the middle third of the pitch in the second half as Dunloy had no answer to their onslaught. 

Jack McCloskey top scored for Loughgiel, finishing the hour with 1-7 – his goal coming after barely 15 seconds of the second half.  Ronan Fitzgerald bagged the other Loughgiel major in the first half while Ruairi McCormick’s tally of 0-5 from midfield put him in contention for man of the match.

That accolade went to centre half back Ben McGarry however.  He was immense at the heart of the Shamrock’s defence with Dunloy getting no change from him throughout.

Oisin McCallin impressed for the Cuchullains and finished with nine white flags by the end of the hour, four of those coming from placed ball. 

Ryan Mort grabbed Dunloy’s goal shortly after Fitzgerald’s major with a super catch and rasping drive in a first half that saw the Cuchullains more than match their neighbours.

It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the Cuchullains who had all six starting forwards on the scoresheet by half time but they couldn’t match Loughgiel’s performance levels after the break.

The Cuchullains made a fantastic start to this semi final and had opened a five point lead by the sixth minute.  Points coming from Aodhan McGarry, Oisin McCallin (2) and the Mort brothers Conor and Ryan raising white flags.  Ruairi McCormick with the solitary response for the Shamrocks in the same time period.

Jack McCloskey (free) and Aidan Richmond swapped points before the first goal of the match in the 12th minute.  A brilliant run from Roan McGarry wrong footed the Dunloy defence as he collected a cross field pass and while Eoghan Richmond saved his initial shot, Ronan Fitzgerald was first to the rebound and pulled first time to the back of the net.

The Dunloy response couldn’t have been more instant.  From the restart, they made their way to the left hand side of the pitch where Aidan Richmond sent a high ball to the edge of the square.  Ryan Mort managed to pluck the sliotar from the air with a brilliant catch that was matched with his strike as he gave Pearce Patterson no chance in goals for the Shamrocks.

The Cuchullains extended their lead to six points with scores from McCallin (2 frees), Francis McMullan and a super point from Luke McFerran while he was on his knees, Ben and Tiago McGarry with scores for the Shamrocks.

The home side hit a purple patch and while they kept Dunloy from scoring for close to ten minutes, they recorded four points unanswered with Roan McGarry, McCloskey (free) and a brace from Eoin McGarry bringing them to within two points.

Dunloy had the final say of the first half however with points from McCallin (free) and Luke McFerran to leave the half time score 1-12 to 1-8 in their favour.

The second half began in the best possible way for the Shamrocks as they found the back of the Dunloy net for a second time.  A strong run from Ruairi McCormick through the middle drew the Dunloy defence and he found Jack McCloskey with a pop pass and he made no mistake with a thumping drive.

McCloskey would restore parity to the sides with a free moments later before Loughgiel were reduced to 14 men.  Defender Connor Dickson was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Mort overzealously and saw red for his actions, much to the dismay of the Loughgiel players and management.

Despite McCallin pointing the resulting free, Loughgiel still played with vigour and momentum.  Further scores from Roan McGarry and McCormick gave them the lead for the first time in the match in the 37th minute.  Dunloy answered with a brace of points from McCallin in quick succession but the Shamrock’s turned the screw in the middle third and took control.  They would hold Dunloy to just one point in 15 minutes while firing over 10 points of their own in a period of play that the Cuchullains had no answer to.

Ben McGarry (free), McCormick (2), McCloskey (4), Eoin McGarry, substitutes Charley O’Hagan and Liam McGarry raising the white flags with Dunloy substitute Ryan Scott the solitary score for Dunloy.

With the game ticking into the final five or so minutes, Dunloy went in search of goals.  They laid siege on a Loughgiel defence that seemed to relish the challenge that was being brought before them.  Jack Martin did add his name to the list of Dunloy scorers while McCallin went close from a 21 yard free but the goal they needed never materialised.

McCormick took his personal tally to 0-5 while McCallin rounded off the scoring in injury time.

A brilliant second half display from the Shamrocks who look ahead to the final and a meeting with Cushendall.

TEAMS

LOUGHGIEL: Pearce Patterson; Cahir Donnelly, Liam Glackin, Connor Dickson; Eddie Smyth, Ben McGarry, Tiago McGarry; Ruairi McCormick, Finn Henry; Eoin McGarry, Darragh Patterson, Ryan O’Boyle; Ronan Fitzgerald, Jack McCloskey, Roan McGarry

Subs: Conan Johnston for C Connolly (HT); Charley O’Hagan for R O’Boyle (43); Ashdon McGarry for R McCormick (59); Liam McGarry for J McCloskey (60)

Scorers: J McCloskey 1-7 (6fs); R McCormick 0-5; E McGarry 0-3; R Fitzgerald 1-00; R McGarry 0-2; B McGarry 0-2 (1f); T McGarry 0-1; C O’Hagan 0-1; C Johnston 0-1

DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Reece Cunning, Sean Og Blaney, Michael Trainor; Joe Magee, Ben O’Kane, Tom McFerran; Aodhan McGarry, Jack Martin; Conor Mort, Francis McMullan, Ryan Mort; Aidan Richmond, Luke McFerran, Oisin McCallin

Subs: Ryan Scott for R Mort (35); Barry McCloskey for A Richmond (50); Cahir McMullan for J Magee (56)

Scorers: O McCallin 0-9 (4fs); R Mort 1-1; L McFerran 0-2; A McGarry 0-1; J Martin 0-1; C Mort 0-1; F McMullan 0-1; A Richmond 0-1; R Scott 0-1

REFEREE: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

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by thesaffrongael

Bradley wins the shootout but Glenarm win the contest

U21B Hurling Semi-Final

Shane O’Neill’s 4-15 All Saints 1-17

Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm are through to the final of the U21B Hurling Championship after an epic battle with All Saints, Ballymena at Feystown on Monday night.

The game turned into a personal scoring shootout between Glenarm’s county panellist, Niall McGarrell and All Saints Darrach Bradley who was superb for the Ballymena side.

Seven points separated the protagonists in the end but the scoreline slightly flattered the home side with three of their four goals of the soft variety and down to poor defending by the visitors defence.

It was McGarel who got Shane O’Neill’s off on the front foot when he fired past Luke Walsh in the All Saints goals after 20 seconds to give the Feystown side the perfect start.

Darrach Bradley got All Saints off the mark with a couple of pointed frees and the Ballymena number 9 would play a major part in his side’s challenge as he struck 0-9 of his side’s first half total to give them a 0-10 to 1-6 half time lead.

Darrach Bradley scored 1-14 for All Saints but still finished on the losing side in Feystown

Their other score came from a long distance Pearse Martin free as Shane O’Neill’s continued to keep in touch with McGael adding all six of his sides opening half points.

John Scullion became only the fourth player to raise a white flag as he fired over the equaliser on the restart with McGarel pointing his side ahead before the excellent Bradley tied matters once more from a ‘65’.

A great catch and point on the turn by Michael Connolly saw the Slemish Park side edge ahead once more but Glenarm were starting to get on top and John Scullion cut in from the left to fire home their second goal with 8 minutes gone.

The Feystown side continued to press and Niall McGarel 0-3 and Robbie McDonald added points with Bradley again responding for the visitors to leave three in it after 18 minutes play.

McGarel pointed again before disaster struck for the visitors as Gerald Burns got in for a very soft goal to put more daylight between the sides.

Points from Pearse Martin and another converted Bradley free had it back to six with five minutes remaining before disaster struck again and this time it was substitute, Ronan Rodgers who was on hand to punish a defensive mistake for his side’s fourth goal of the evening.

Niall McGarel added a point and Ryan O’Boyle followed with another to put it well out of All Saints reach but the Ballymena side kept going to the end and man of the match, Bradley drove his free through a packed goalmouth with McGarel concluding the scoring with the game’s final point.

Shane O’Neill’s will now meet Tir na nOg in the final and in the end they were worthy winners but All Saints will be disappointed by the final result but their management should take great pride in their commitment on the night and the quality of their hurling.

John Scullion gave a polished performance at the heart of the Shane O’Neill’s defence

Niall McGarrell was excellent for the Feystown side and began to influence the contest when they moved him further out the field in the second half and he finished with 1-12 of his side total while Darrach Bradley contributed 1-14 for the Slemish Park side.

Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Blaine Mitchell, 2 Odhran Daly. 3 Michael Furey, 4 Robbie McDonald, 5 Ciaran McLoughlin, 6 John Scullion, 7 James O’Kane, 8 Charlie Black, 9 Sean McDermott, 10 Charlie Ward, 11 Shea McConnell, 12 Ryan O’Boyle, 13 Niall McGarel, Gerald Burns, Niall Rodgers.

Subs: Ronan Rodgers for JamesO’Kane

All Saints: Luke Walsh, 2 Robert Crooks, 3 Paddy Murphy, 4 Finn Connon, 5 Harry Connon, 6 Pearse Martin, 7 Connor O’Hara, 8 Archie McGreevey, 9 Darrach Bradley, 10 Sean O’Brien, 11 Jakub Kaczmarek, 12 Tiernan McGurk, 13 Michael Connolly, 14 Daniel Kelly, 25 Antoin Martin

Referee: Fergus McAlister (Cushendall)

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by thesaffrongael

Armoy out in front in race for top spot 

Casement Social Club, Antrim Junior Hurling Championship Group 2 

Glen Rovers, Armoy 1-18-1-15 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Armoy 

After the excitment of the road races on Saturday afternoon, all attention turned to the opening round of the Antrim Junior Hurling Championship in the evening as last seasons runners-up Armoy hosted Lámh Dhearg in Group 2- with the hosts just doing enough to edge out the Hannahstown men in a game that toed and froed throughout the evening. 

Calum Fegan shot over the opener for the visitors, but Armoy resonded with successive Turlach McBride free’s before Daniel Murray restored parity in a busy opening to proceedings. 

Lámh Dhearg hit the front again when Gerard Smyth did enough to flick the ball over on the half turn and then Adam Murray doubled his sides advantage. 

The opening goal arrived after 10 minutes and it fell to Armoy when Joseph McFetridge’s close range flick on snuck in at the near post to give his side a 1-2-0-4 lead. 

In reply, Odran Waldron flashed a shot over and Adam Murray landed his first free of the evening to edge the Hannahstown natives ahead again. 

The sides were tied level for the fourth time when Emmet O’Hara dropped a shot over, and they would cancel each other out on two further occassions before the half was out. 

The Lámh’s opened up a three-point lead with Ryan Diamond popping over twice between a second converted Adam Murray free but Armoy hit three-points on the bounce in response. 

Ciaran McKenna grabbed the first, Ronan Lavelle charged forward from wing-half-back and showed composure and Turlach McBride converted his third free of the half. 

Points were traded between Murray (free) and PJ McBride as the sides looked to be heading in at the interval level, however Adam Murray clipped over his fifth of the half from a free as his side held a slender 0-11-1-7 advantage at the break. 

Armoy drew first blood and levelled through a Turlach McBride free six minutes after the restart. 

Murray replied from the same scenario before the hosts forged ahead for the second time in proceedings. 

Subsitute Trevor Linton didn’t take long to make his mark on proceedings with a fine attempt that dropped over and PJ McBride then doubled his account. 

Lámh Dhearg drew level after Fionn Mervyn soloed forward and popped over and Odran Waldron then shot his side infront again approaching the midway point in the second period. 

PJ McBride clipped over the leveller for his side before the hosts stole a march with Conor Christie landing a free and then adding a further from play to open up a 1-13-0-14 scoreline. 

On the 53rd minute the lead changed hands for the eighth time of the evening when Conor Devlin could only partially clear a high ball towards the target and Adam Murray did enough to fire the loose ball to the net and make it 1-14-1-13. 

Scores were traded in the aftermath between PJ McBride and Murray (free) but it was Armoy who held their nerve going down the home straight. 

Shane Devlin tied things up for the last time and a superb free from range by Conor Chrstie had his side in the driving seat. 

An error allowed PJ McBride in and he popped over his fifth score and Chrsitie added another free to seal a 1-18-1-15 win for last seasons runners-up as they bid to go one better this term. 

GLEN ROVERS, ARMOY: C Devlin, C Coyles, S Devlin (0-1), L Dillon, R Lavelle (0-1), T Burns, A Devlin, K McToal, C Christie (0-4, 0-3f), PJ McBride (0-5), E O’Hara (0-1), C McKenna (0-1), J McFetrdige (1-0), C Lordan, T McBride (0-4f). Subs: T Linton (0-1). 

LÁMH DHEARG: R Camlin, C Camlin, C Rafferty, T McKenna, E Stanley, P Mervyn, F Mervyn (0-1), D Martin, D Murray (0-1), O Waldron (0-2), R Diamond (0-2), A McGuigan, C Fegan (0-1), G Smyth (0-1), A Murray (1-7, 0-6f). 
REFEREE: Paul McSparron (CUSHENDUN)

by thesaffrongael

McCaffrey on fire as Gort na Mona win at Quinn Park

Casement Social Club JHC Group 2

All Saints 0-16 Gort na Mona 1-23

Padraig McCaffrey was on fire as the greater experience and firepower of Gort na Mona was the deciding factor in this JHC Group 2 encounter against All Saints at Quinn Park on Sunday afternoon.

The home side started brightly with Eoin McGuigan and Darrach Bradley up front and it was these two who briefly fired All Saints into a 2-1 lead by the 4th minute, the Gort na Mona point coming from Padraig McCaffrey.

McCaffrey would have a major influence on proceedings over the hour and he brought it all square with his second of the contest from a 6th minute free and it seemed to settle the men from the Mona Bye-Pass.

Niall Henry, Darren Boyd, Dessie McLean and McCaffrey again extend the Gort na Mona lead to four by the 14th minute as they took control in the mid-field sector.

Ciaran Cassley looks back in despair as Padraig McCaffrey (Above featured image) finds a way passt him for the game’s only goal

Darrach Bradley reduced the deficit to three but Henry returned a misplaced clearance between the uprights to restore Gort na Mona’s four point advantage.

Padraig McCaffrey was ruling the roost at mid-field and he responded to an Eoin McGuigan point with two of his own and Niall Henry Darren ‘Diesel’ Boyd and Conor McCann moved them 8 clear with 23 minutes gone.

All Saints introduced Gary Miskella for Niall savage and Darrach Bradley converted two frees and struck an excellent point from range to close the gap to five as Piaras McCaffrey sounded his half-time whistle.

Cormac Magill replaced Daniel Kelly in the All Saints attack at the start of the second half and Paddy Murphy came in for Vinny Esler and they got off to a bright start when Pearse Martin pointed in the opening minute.

The visitors replied immediately through Ryan Cahill and a fine catch and point on the turn by Dessie McClean before Darren Boyd added another as they took control once more.

A young All Saints were battling hard but were not getting good ball into their potential danger man, Eoin McGuigan with passes being over hit.

Darrach Bradley pulled one back for the home side from a free and Padraig McCaffrey replied from another placed ball before Pearse Martin struck his second of the afternoon.

Martin’s point left ten between the sides and then Ciaran Cassley in the Ballymena goals pulled of a superb save to deny Darren Boyd with McCaffrey pointing the resulting ‘65’.

Padraig McCaffrey who top scored for Gort na Mona
Darrach Bradley who was in fine scoring form for All Saints

Padraig McCaffrey was giving an exhibition of free taking as he moved the visitors 8 ahead by the 10th minute with Cormac Magill replying with a point for All Saints.

It provided only short respite with Dessie McClean for the visitors and Darrach Bradley 0-2 exchanging further points before Magill was given his marching orders following a second yellow card.

Another Bradley free and a fine effort from play by Eoin McGuigan and a superb save by Ciaran Cassley, his second of the evening had it back to five again with time almost up but that would be as close as All Saints got.

Gort na Mona finished strongly with Desie McClean adding two points before Padraig McCaffrey finally found a way past Ciaran Cassley for the game’s only goal.

Gort na Mona play Lamh Dhearg in their next game in Group 2 on the 9th August while All Saints face Glen Rovers the following day with both these games at neutral venues.

All Saints: 1 Ciaran Cassley, 2 Kevin Brady, 3 Vinny Esler, 4 Dwayne McKee, 5 Niall Savage, 6 Eoin McAllister, 7 Daniel Gray, 8 Archie McGreevey, 9 Harry Connon, 11 Daniel Kelly, 12 Jack Magill, 13 Pearse Martin, 14 Eoin mcGuigan, 15 Darrach Bradley.

Subs: Gary Miskella, Paddy Murphy, Cormac Magill

Gort na Mona: 1 Caolan MacRory, Conor Connolly, 3 Mark Rea, 4 Tiarnan O’Cadhlaidh, 5 Nathan Gibson, 6 Padraig McHugh, 7 Colm Scullion, 8 Padraig McCaffrey, 9 Tiarnan Morton, 10 Darren Boyd, 11 Niall Henry, 12 Thomas McCaffrey, 13 Dessie McClean, 14 Ryan Cahill, 15 Conor McCann.

Subs: Manus McMullan, Sean Doyle

Referee: Piaras McCaffrey (St. Gall’s)

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by thesaffrongael

Storming second half secures victory for Glenarm

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2, Round 1

Saturday 26th July

Report by Niall Kelly from St Gall’s

Naomh Gall  1-13         Shane Uí Néill 3-16

Glenarm opened their Championship campaign with an emphatic win at Milltown Row over St Gall’s on Saturday evening. It was yet another example of the old cliché, a game of two halves. Trailing by three at the break, the visitors produced a scintillating second period to catapult themselves to a handsome nine point win. On the 38th minute, St Gall’s chief marksman Dubhaltach Wilson had fired over his sixth score of the evening to extend his side’s lead to five points and all seemed rosy for the men in blue and white. This was perhaps the catalyst for the Glenarm resurgence as they dominated the final 20 minutes of proceedings, outgunning their hosts 2-09 to a single point. Daniel Black’s rasping goal deep into added time certainly was the exclamation point and added an extra gloss on the scoreline to cap off a great result.

It was Naomh Gall, however, who came out of the traps with a greater spring in their step and had established a 0-03 0-01 lead in the opening ten minutes. A double from Wilson and a fine score from Ronan Crossan under pressure coming either side of a Sean O’Boyle point for the visitors.  It was nip and tuck between the two as both battled hard to gain the ascendancy. A fine score from Daniel Black reduced arrears to a point before the hosts responded in spectacular fashion through James O’Reilly with a monster point from range.

Further points were exchanged between Dylan McLaughlin and Dubhaltach Wilson before St Gall’s began to flex their muscles and had extended their lead to three midway through the first half. Wilson was on fire for the hosts and sent over a lovely effort over the shoulder before talisman Jackson McGreevy unleashed a colossal effort from long range to split the posts.

The visitors resilience was never in question though and they had once again cut the gap to two points with sharpshooter, Niall McGarel, despatching two from the placed ball before Dylan McLaughlin and Wilson traded points. With the half coming to a close, the game kicked up a notch as both teams sought to feed their forwards with every opportunity and caution was thrown to the wind. It was the hosts who found the net first, however, and it was no surprise as to the source who provided it. Dubhaltach Wilson negotiated himself just enough space to fire his effort on goal and despite the best efforts of netminder Michael Abram, who managed to get a touch on it, the sliotar still found its way across the line.

Glenarm would respond instantly though with a major of their own and again it was in fortuitous style as Declan McDermott latched on to the ball from close range amongst a melee of players to tap in beyond the despondent Kurtis McGreevy in goals.

With the opening half into time added on, St Gall’s finished the half the stronger as Wilson fired over from a free before Mark Napier navigated his effort to perfection from a tight angle before the teams retired for their half-time breather with the scores 1-09 to 1-06 in favour of the home side.

Whatever words of wisdom were imparted on the players at half time from the Glenarm coaching staff, it certainly seemed to do the trick as they were a force to be reckoned with the in the second period. Although it was St Gall’s who started the opening exchanges with a little more potency. Scores from Fergus Donnelly, Gregory McGreevy and Dubhaltach Wilson coming either side of a Dylan McLaughlin effort had opened up a five point gap with twenty remaining on the clock.

It was then that the Glenarm renaissance began as they transitioned through the gears seamlessly to take a stranglehold of affairs. Daniel Black doubled his tally to start chipping away at the lead before Niall McGarel’s two placed ball attempts found their mark perfectly. St Gall’s desperately sought to quell the advances of the visitors and launch attacks of their own, but Glenarm had other ideas and their relentless pressing and vigour would continue to open up scoring opportunities.

A finely crafted score involving Sean and Kieran O’Boyle was finished well by Darren Hamill before Hamill turned provider for Dylan McLaughlin and suddenly the sides were at a deadlock with ten minutes remaining. Not fully satisfied just yet, the Glenarm onslaught continued as they bombarded the host’s defence. A pull down in the box on Daniel Black resulted in a penalty and it seemed now there was no stopping them.

Darren Hamill was the man responsible to convert and just about managed to do so as the ball trickled over the line after Kurtis McGreevy had come agonisingly close to denying the Glenarm number 6. Nevertheless, the men from the north coast had their tails up and refused to give their counterparts any respite. Yet another fine score from Dylan McLaughlin was greeted with deafening roar from the travelling faithful before substitute Conal Ward put his imprint on proceedings with a fine effort.

Trailing by five with only five remaining, St Gall’s knew now it was time for the ‘Hail Mary’ route and barraged the Glenarm defence with ariel attacks. It just wouldn’t stick for the hosts though and they had to suffice with a point from the impressive Fergus Donnelly which would be too little too late.

With bodies pushed forward in the hope of a last gap couple of goals, St Gall’s were vulnerable to the counter and when Niall McGarel broke through their last line of defence, he unselfishly squared to Daniel Black who made no mistake pinging the ball into the top left corner of the net.

A productive day at the office for Shane O’Neill’s who secured two vital points in what is a very tricky group. They showcased the talent they have in their ranks and will look to replicate their performance from the final twenty minutes in all games going forward. For the hosts, the scoreline is probably a little harsh on them. They too enjoyed positive spells in the game, and it was only really the final ten minutes were they fell away. Their next meeting with Glenariffe, although a tricky prospect, could provide the fuel to ignite their Championship hopes.

Teams:

St Gall’s:

 K McGreevy; D Churchill, G Adams, O McIlhatton; M Marlow, J McGreevey (0-01,) E Walsh; J Hopkins, F Donnelly (0-02,) J Hopkins; G McGreevy (0-01,) J O’Reilly (0-01,) D Wilson (1-06;) M Napier (0-01,) S McAreavey, R Crossan (0-01)

Glenarm

M Abram; A Scullion, B Hamill, C McLoughlin; K O’Boyle, D Hamill (1-01,) M Furey; J Scullion, C Magill; N McGarel (0-06,) D McLaughlin (0-05,) B O’Boyle; D McDermott (1-00,) D Black (1-02,) S O’Boyle (0-01)

Substitute scorer:

C Ward (0-01)

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