Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Late Mullan show seals Ballycastle victory

U-15 ACHL Division 1 

Corpus Christi Gaels 4-06-3-10 Ballycastle

Kevin Herron reports from Davitt Park 

Ballycastle staged a late comeback to get the better of the Corpus Christi Gaels at Davitt Park on Monday evening- securing a 3-10-4-06 win. 

Trailing by five late-on a decision to send goalkeeper Anthony Mullan into the forward line and reshuffle the side paid dividends as Mullan struck twice in the closing stages to see his side grasp victory from the jaws of defeat. 

Leading through early scores from Conor Anderson and Cadhan Crawford, the visitors were pegged back through Ronan Donnelly’s effort was bounced over the bar- followed by an impressive Conor Corr point. 

James Wilson swung over a fine point to give Corpus Christi the lead for the first time, but Conor Donnelly converted a free to restore parity for the second time. 

The opening goal of the game arrived just before the quarter-hour mark, Arden Kelly floated a ball in on top of Corpus Christi Gaels keeper Michael Kennedy – who gathered- but his clearance was charged down by Daragh Donnelly and the ball ended up in the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-03-0-03 lead. 

Although Fionn McCallin responded with a converted free, Ballycastle would extend their lead. 

Donnelly followed his goal with a nice point and Tiarnan Staunton chipped in to send them four-points clear. 

The hosts hit back three minutes before the break after Fionn McCallin tried to forge his way to goal, Stephen Thompson picked up the loose ball and although his initial effort was blocked- he found the net at the second time of asking to make it 1-05-1-04. 

Two minutes later and Corpus Christi Gaels got their noses in front at the interval. Ballycastle keeper Anthony Mullan left his goal unguarded in attempting to clear the danger, but his clearance landed at the feet of Thompson who returned it towards the empty goal and gave his side a 2-04-1-05 lead at half time. 

Cadhan Crawford reduced arrears upon the resumption with a converted free- though Corpus Christi replied with their third goal of the game on 39 minutes. 

Fionn McCallin showed a burst of pace to advance into the danger zone, his shot was blocked, and Aaron Tierney applied the finishing touches to make it 3-04-1-06. 

Crawford and Conor Donnelly converted frees in-between one at the other end from Fionn McCallin to leave three-points the difference at the second-half water break.  

Corpus Christi hit their opening point of the half through Conor Corr and the half-forward was on the scoresheet again moments later. 

Chasing the game in the final ten minutes Ballycastle opted to bring goalkeeper Anthony Mullan out of goals and a defensive mishap whilst the change was taking place resulted in Corr dropping an effort from range into the net and giving his side a 4-06-1-08 advantage. 

With darkness quickly descending Daragh Donnelly’s free dropped perilously close to the net though landed over the bar. 

Ballycastle’s change in approach paid off a few minutes later, now playing outfield goalkeeper Anthony Mullan was roaming around the forward line and came into possession before powering an effort to the net that reduced the deficit to three points. 

Mullan would get a further opportunity before the death as he found space and shot low past Michael Kennedy to give his side the slenderest of leads with time almost up. 

Corpus Christi Gaels were unable to find the leveller and Ballycastle went back to north-Antrim with a 3-10-4-06 win in an exciting and free flowing encounter. 

Corpus Christi Gaels: M Kennedy, L McIlroy-Tully, J Winters, F McKinney, P Graham, O Cosgrove, O Quinn, J Wilson (0-01), C Darragh, D King, C Corr (1-02), A Tierney (1-00), R Donnelly (0-01), S Thompson (2-00), F McCallin (0-02f). Subs: M Og Gaskin for O Quinn (HT), J Hughes for S Thompson (HT), C Maguire for F McKinney (41), S McAuley for A Tierney (43), C Daly for L McIlroy-Tully (47), S Smyth for F McCallin (56), D McNally for S McAuley (580. 

Ballycastle: A Mullan (2-00), E McCaughan, C Baudant, P McCaughan, C Boylan, C Donnelly (0-02f), N McClean, A Hughes, C Mooney, C Crawford (0-04, 0-03f), D Donnelly (1-02, 0-01f), T Staunton (0-01), C Anderson (0-01), O Coyles, F Mullan. Subs: A Kelly for C Mooney (12). 

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Faughs overcome slow start to beat neighbours Armoy

Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2

Armoy 0-20 Carey 6-15

Pics by Frank McCaughan

Despite a promising start Armoy fell to a 13point defeat against their Glenshesk rivals from the other side of the glen on Sunday in round 3 of the Intermediate Championship. Indeed at the first water break they held sway with a 0-8 to 0-4 lead, courtesy of scores from Conor Christie, Tommy Burns , Liam Dillon and 4 from Tarlach McBride frees, with Carey relying on three pointed frees and one from play to keep them in touch. After the break Carey seemed to find another gear and three stellar scores, the first from Caolan McCaughan on the 20th minute was followed by two more on the 28th and 30th minutes from John McBride turned the game around to leave the Faughs 3-8 to 0-10 ahead at the interval.

As in the first half the Glen Rovers came out of the blocks first and pulled back three points one from PJ McBride and two frees from Tarlach McBride, Paddy Gillan opened the second half scoring for the Faughs  with a well taken point, but on the 49th and 52nd minutes Carey breached the Armoy defence again with two goals, both coming from Conor McBride. Entering the last quarter the visitors took full control with further points from James Black, Sean McLaughlin and a sixth goal from Conor McBride.

Tommy Burns and Tarlach McBride added further points for the home side as Carey emptied their bench but the win was secured for the men from Ballyvoy and they now go into Wednesday evening’s game with table toppers Cloney Gaels knowing that another win would go a long way towards qualification of the semi-final

  • The hurlers on the ditch
by thesaffrongael

Magic McNeill hits 0-11 in win over St Paul’s

Andersonstown Intermediate Hurling Championship

Cushendun 0-22 St Paul’s 0-11

Cushendun made it two wins out of two in Group 2 of the Intermediate Hurling Championship when they beat St Paul’s by double scores at CushLig an Airgid on Sunday. The Belfast side had beaten hot favourites Cushendun in last year’s Junior Hurling Championship semi-final on their way to winning the title, so there was an air of caution among the Emmet’s this time around.

A good start helped settle the early nerves and with Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill controling matters from the half forward line, and the defence domininating their area, the home team went 0-7 to 0-1 ahead after fourteen minutes, five of them coming from McNeill and two from David Kilgore. James Farrelly pulled a point back for St Paul’s on 16 minutes but McNeill restored the six point cushion with a point directly from a sideline ‘cut’, one of three he was to score during the game. Caolan Crossan, Gerard Carbery, Declan Chapman and Coneith Finnegan all pointed for St Paul’s before half time, but David Kilgore, Conrad McDonnell, Dominic McQuillan and McNeill again replied for the Emmet’s to leave them five ahead at the half time whistle (Cushendun 0-12 St Paul’s 0-7)

When Anton Gallagher and James Farrell hit the first two points of the second half for the visitors the gap was down to just three and it was clear the Shaw’s Road men were in no mood to throw in the towel, but Cushendun reacted well as they hit five points in a row, two of them from substitute Pearse Bannon, and one each from Conor McHugh, Conrad McDonnell and Loaf, who sent over his second sideline cut. Gerard Carbery replied with one for St Paul’s on 43 minutes but three more from the stick of Loaf McNeill and one from Dominic McQuillan wrapped up the win for the Emmet’s.

CUSHENDUN

Gareth McGhee, Eoin McQuillan, Aidan Corbett, Jack McKay, tom Scally, Donal O’Hara, Mickey Dunne, Conor McHugh, Calum Kilgore, Conrad McDonnell, Harry Kilgore, Conlaoth McNeill, Conleth Ryan, James Morgan, David Kilgore.

Subs – Dom for David; Pearse Bannon for James Morgan, Dominic Sharkey for Loaf; Archie McSparran for Aidan Corbett.

ST PAUL’S

Joe Gillan, Ciaran O’Carroll, Fintan Gamble, Sean Bradley, Darragh Stevenson, Stephen Rooney, Andy McMorrow, Conleth Finnegan, Mark Munice, Anton Gallagher, Frank Seneill, Caolan Crossan, Declan Chapman, Gerard Carbery, James Farrell

Referee – Colm McDonnell

by thesaffrongael

Saints and Davitt’s draw in excellent final game

Casement SC JHC Group 1

All Saints 1-17 Davitt’s 3-11

All Saints and Davitt’s played out a draw in the final game of Group 1 of the Casement SC Junior Hurling Championship at Slemish Park, Ballymena yesterday. Both side gave it everything from the start with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions and in the end a draw was probably a fair result.

The visitors held a narrow one point lead at the first water break with the score standing at 1-4 to 0-6 but at the second water break the home side had increased their total to 0-15 with Ciaran Neeson to the fore in the scoring stakes to move the home side one ahead.

It was end to end stuff throughout and it kept the crowd suitably entertained with All Saints adding 1-2 in the run in to the final whistle but the visitor’s contribution of 1-3 in that nail biting fin’sh was enough to earn the lower Falls’ side a share of the points.

There was a big shock in the other game played in Group 1 with Lamh Dhearg recording an impressive 4-16 to 1-8 win over previously unbeaten St. Mary’s Rasharkin in Hannastown and this win means that Lamh Dhearg finish top of the group with 5 points from 3 starts. Rasharkin qualify for the semi-finals in second place with 4 points from 3 starts while Davitt’s recorded two draws to finish in third.

This was All Saints only point that they gained in the group section but they have had a good season, winning the Junior B Championship and they were competitive in all three games in the A championship.

All Saints: Ciaran Cassley, Dwayne McKee, Chris McAfee, Kevin Brady, Padhraig Magill, Luke O’Rawe, Colum Neeson, Vinny Esler, Cormac Magill, Cormac Lemon, Gary Miskella, Ciaran Neeson, Daire Hasson, Damian Gillan, Eoghan Daly

by thesaffrongael

Rossa join Dunloy in semi-finals

Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship, Group One

Loughgiel Shamrocks 1-14 O’Donovan Rossa 0-21

O’Donovan Rossa turned in a sparkling performance at Healey Park on Sunday to overcome the challenge of Loughgiel Shamrock’s and suggest that they are serious challengers for this year’s Bathshack Senior Hurling championship.

The home side were lethargic at times and were much too reliant on ace marksman, James McNaughton and it was not until the 44th minute that anyone other than their Antrim county man got their name on the Loughgiel score-sheet.

The Shamrock’s had difficulty breaking down a very solid Rossa defence over the hour and their cause wasn’t helped with the dismissal of Tiernan Coyle in the 22nd minute as the visitors used the spare man to good advantage.

Even before Coyle’s dismissal it was visitors Rossa who were dictating the exchanges and they

looked much more fluid going forward and took some excellent scores over the hour to build a winning tally and claim what was a huge victory away from home.

It was hosts Loughgiel who made the brighter opening however and James McNaughton fired over a point within 30 seconds and then Christy McGarry combined with John Francis Connolly to find McNaughton out to his left and the Shamrocks’ ace marksman made no mistake as he fired past Armstrong in the 3d minute.

Loughgiel flattered to deceive however as Rossa began to gain control and a pair of Stephen Beatty points and another from Tiernan Murphy left the Shaw’s Road side just one adrift and as the half wore on they really started to boss proceedings.

Loughgiel struggled to put meaningful attacks together as they hit just three further scores in the half, all from McNaughton with his ninth-minute point from around mid-field their last score from play for just under 34 minutes.

In contrast, Rossa took control as they took the game to the Healey park side with Deaglan Murphy scoring from play and frees, while Seaghan Shannon got in on the act with a brace either side of the water break.

Loughiel’s cause wasn’t helped when Coyle got his marching orders in the 22nd minute after referee Column Cunning consulted with his umpires and motioned that the Loughgiel corner-back had struck out at Murphy.

The visitors were worthy of their 0-10 to 1-4 half-time advantage with late points from Gerard Walsh and a Murphy free, and then powered on in the third quarter with some excellent scores through Beatty, Eoin Trainor and a real peach from  Aidan Orchin with Murphy also knocking over a couple as Rossa moved eight clear.

McNaughton was doing all in his power to keep his side in the game as he pointed two frees before Dan McCloskey finally became the Shamrock’s second scorer on the day, firing over from deep in the 44th minute.

The gap was six at the water break and Rossa kept the scoreboard ticking over when play resumed with the Murphy brothers leading the charge as Deaglan, Tiernan and Daire all on target.

Loughgiel kept battling away with McNaughton firing two close-in frees just over the bar and he had a third saved on the line, while two late points by substitute Michael McGarry got them to within four, but it was as close as they got and it is Rossa who advance directly to the semi-final with Dunloy while Loughgiel face a quarter-final meeting with St John’s next week.

Loughgiel’s Donal McKinley in action against Rossa in Saturday’s SHC game at Fr Healy Park. Pic by Sean Paul McKillop

LOUGHGIEL: C O’Connell; T Coyle, T McCloskey, R McCloskey; R McKee, S Dobbin, Declan McCloskey; J McNaughton (1-11, 0-9 frees), S McGrath; D McKinley, C McKendry, P Boyle; C McGarry, Dan McCloskey (0-1), JF Connolly.

Subs: R McMullan for JF Connolly (28), N McNaughton for C McKendry (30+2), E McCloskey for S McGrath (41), M McGarry (0-2) for C McGarry (51), O Laverty for R McKee (51)

ROSSA: D Armstrong; C Orchin, N Crossan, A Orchin (0-1); Stephen Shannon, A Kenneally, A O’Brien; G Walsh (0-1), E Trainor (0-1); Daire Murphy (0-1),  Seaghan Shannon (0-2), D McEnhill; T Murphy (0-3), S Beatty (0-4), Deaglan Murphy (0-8, 0-6 frees).

Subs: D Rocks for D McEnhill (35), T Morgan for E Trainor (49), C McGettigan for S Beatty (57).

REFEREE: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)