Tír na nÓg held on to record a win over Glen Rovers Armoy in this Intermediate Hurling Championship game in Armoy despite a late rally from the home side. This game was very much in the melting pot for the full 60 minutes. It began tick for tack with both teams registering early scores through free takers Johnny McErlain and Sean Duffin. Tír na nÓg lost their captain Ryan O’Neill early on through injury and were forced to rejig their defence. After the water break Tír na nÓg lifted the tempo and hit five unanswered scores. Armoy fought back and began to turn the Whitehill defence over and did well to leave the margin 2 at half time.
In the second half Armoy keeper Devlin was called upon twice to make a save against Sean Duffin’s pulled effort and Eamon Óg McAllister’s bullet of a shot. 12 minutes into the second half Armoy were reduced to 14 men when Brendan Toland spotted an off the ball strike on Conor Fitzgerald. With 15 minutes remaining and the difference still 2 points, Armoy threw the kitchen sink at Tír na nÓg. With time almost up McErlain gave the home side a glimmer of hope when he rocketed a 21 metre free to the back of the net to narrow the gap back to two points. Sean Duffin duly knocked over his eighth free of the game to increase the visitors lead to three before Rocky got his first of the game. The last score came through Ciaran Logan registering his third score of the game before Toland blew the long whistle.
Tír na nÓg 1. K.Sheerin 2. T. Martin 3. C. Sheerin 4. C. Fitzgerald 5. C. O’Neill 6. R. O’Neill 7. C. Duffin 8. A. McNeilly 9. C. McKeown 10. E. Óg McAllister 11. C. Logan 12. S. Duffin 13. E. Martin 14. P. Sheerin 15. S. McKinley 17. N. Devlin 19. S. Donnelly 20. K. Kerr 21. S. Carey 22. D. Martin 23. D. Mallon 24. D. Fagan 25. O. McAtamney Subs: D. Martin for R. O’Neill (12mins), N. Devlin for S. McKinley (HT), D. Fagan for P. Sheerin (40mins), S. Donnelly for E. Martin (50mins), K. Kerr for C. Logan (63mins) Scorers: S. Duffin (0.9- 7 frees/1 65′), C. Logan (0.3), E. Martin (0.1), C. McKeown (0.1), A. McNeilly (0.1), E. McAllister (0.1)
Armoy 1. C. Devlin 2. A. Devlin 3. S. Devlin 4. J. McFetridge 5. J. McBride 6. T. Burns 7. C. Coyles 8. PJ McBride 9. C. Christie 10. J. McErlain 11. J. Dillon 12. T. McBride 13. C. Watterson 14. E. McCaughan 15. T. Linton 17. D. Connolly 24. T. Burns Scorers: J. McErlain (1.5- 3 frees/1 65′), E. McCaughan (0.2), T. McBride (0.1), T. Linton (0.1), J. Dillon (0.1)
Con Magee’s secured top spot in Group 2 of the Casement Social Club Antrim Junior Hurling Championship after a 1-18-0-08 victory over Lámh Dhearg at Páirc an Athar Mhic Fhinn this afternoon.
The hosts were in the ascendancy for the majority of proceedings with Sean McKay’s early goal the difference until the final quarter of the game – this despite visitors Lámh Dhearg being two-men light due to red cards picked up by Paddy Mervyn and Darren O’Brien before a tussle off the ball saw Ryan Straney and Conleth O’Loan walk the line as well.
The Hannahstown side were dogged and determined but in the last quarter the hosts made the most their numerical advantage to make it back to back wins and secure top-spot in the Group.
Lámh Dhearg made the early running’s from throw-in but were caught cold in defence and Con Magee’s hit the net inside of three-minutes on their home turf.
Conleth O’Loan did enough to put pressure on Paddy-Joe Herron’s clearance in the Lámh Dhearg goal and the ball fell kindly to Sean McKay who rifled into the roof of the empty net.
Aidan McGuigan responded through a converted free and sixty-seconds later Jack Trainor dipped the ball up and popped over a second to further close the deficit.
There was a bit of edge to the game and no quarters were given, but referee Ciaran McCloskey was forced to take action for an off the ball incident that saw Paddy Mervyn depart proceedings inside the first quarter of an hour.
Lámh Dhearg regrouped and were back on terms by the 24th minute with Aidan McGuigan landing his second free of the half.
Respective frees were traded between Niall Donnelly and McGuigan before Con Magee’s ended the half with three unanswered points, Donnelly conjured a magnificent point from play and back to back frees from Conleth O’Loan ensured the hosts led 1-04-0-04 at the midway point.
Con Magee’s increased their lead upon the resumption with O’Loan converting a further free.
The hosts numerical advantage increased a few minutes later as Darren O’Brien departed after referee McCloskey was summoned by his umpire.
Both sides lost a player approaching the midway point in the second period as Ryan Straney and Conleth O’Loan were cited for an off the ball clash.
Although Lámh Dhearg were reduced to 12-plasyers they remained in contention as first-half substitute John Boyd angled a point to ensure that a goal separated the sides at the second water-break.
Con Magee’s began to make the extra-men count in the final quarter of the game and chalked up nine-unanswered points.
Three of those scores belonged to attacking half-back James Duffin with Sean McKay popping over two points and Niall Donnelly accounting for the remaining four- three of which came from frees.
Aidan McGuigan eventually put an end to that scoring spree with his third converted free of proceedings.
Paddy-Joe Herron was then called into action to divert Charlie Henry’s dangerous shot over the bar rather than under it, with Stephen Atchenson floating a further score over in the aftermath.
John Boyd ended the game with two further points from the placed ball – in-between scores from McKay and Niall Donnelly (free) as Con Magee’s had 13-to spare at the conclusion, running out 1-18-0-08 winners to claim a quarter-final spot.
Lámh Dhearg take on St Teresa’s at Hannahstown next Sunday with the second vacant spot in the last eight up for grabs.
Con Magee’s: C McCann, C Mullan, M McDonnell, B O’Neill, S Atcheson (0-01), J Duffin (0-03), P O’Neill, O McAleenan, E McCusker, N Donnelly (0-07, 0-05f), S Woulahan, D Kerr, J Fyfe, C O’Loan (0-03f), S McKay (1-03). Subs: C Henry (0-01) for S Woulahan (42), C Scullion for J Fyfe (48), R Donnelly for D Kerr (53), S Burns for S Atcheson (55).
Lámh Dhearg: PJ Herron, M McGuigan, D O’Brien, R Fegan, N McGuigan, P Mervyn, R Diamond, SP Gibson, A McGuigan (0-04f), D Murray, R Straney, A Ferris, C Flynn, J Doone, J Trainor (0-01). Subs: J Boyd (0-03, 0-02f) for J Trainor (14), T McKenna for C Flynn (HT), J Brady for N McGuigan (51), D Fox for A McGuigan (55), S Byrne for A Ferris (57).
Carey advanced to the semi-finals of the intermediate championship after this enthralling encounter with the Paddies.
The Faughs were two up after five minutes with points from Shea Hunter and a long-range effort from half back Michael McVeigh before Niall McKenna replied in the sixth minute for the visitors. In a keenly contested game, two major events occurred in the first half with Carey’s Caolan McCaughan driving the ball past David Ward for what was to be the only goal of the game, while minutes later at the other end, Carey keeper Steven McGinn brilliantly kept out a Niall McKenna penalty. With both sides struggling to find any fluency, the game became scrappy. Entering the second quarter, a ‘Doug’ McAuley point from a free and a fine Conor McBride point extended the lead for the home side before Niall McKenna replied for the Paddies from a 65. Two further ‘Doug’ McAuley points and a Gary Lennon point for the visitors left the halftime score 1-7 to 0-5 for the Faughs.
Sarsfields needed to create an early impression on the second half and that’s what they did with a Kevin McKernan point. Apart from a Daniel McKernan point from play the next nine scores in a scrappy third quarter came from frees. Four from the stick of ‘Doug’ McAuley and five from Niall McKenna. Entering the final quarter, only three points separated the sides, but this was as close as the Paddies would get. Caolan McCaughan, after some good work from James Black, tapped the ball over the bar with Kevin McKernan on the mark for Sarsfields. In the final ten minutes Carey seemed to click into gear with points from John McBride, Shea Hunter and two from James ‘Rocket’ Black, including one from nearly 90 meters out. Niall McKenna struck the last point for a Sarsfields team which were always in the game but it finished with the home side as five-point victors.
Carey scorers:
Cathal McAuley: 0-7
Caolan McCaughan: 1-1
Shea Hunter: 0-2
James Black: 0-2
Conor McBride: 0-2
John McBride: 0-1
Michael McVeigh: 0-1
Sarsfields scorers:
Niall McKenna: 0-8
Kevin McKernan: 0-4
Gary Lennon: 0-1
Daniel McKernan: 0-1
Carey Faughs:
S. McGinn, P. Gillan, S. McBride, E. Hill, M. McVeigh, J. McCouaig, P. McVeigh, J. Black, C. McBride, S. Hunter, C. McAuley, C. McKinley, C. McBride, C. McCaughan, C. Butler.
Sarsfields:
D. Ward, D. Johnson, D. Cunningham, J. Daniels, M. Campbell, N. McIlea, C. McKernan, K. McKernan, O. Rogers, D. McGuinness, N. McKenna, S. Lennon, M. Rea, C. Caldwell, R. Carson.
After defeat to Loughgiel last week Cushendall were looking to get back to winning ways with the visit of senior championship newcomers St. Enda’s. However it was the Hightown Road men who started the brighter with a point from Ruairi Donaghy but Alex Delargy got Cushendall off the mark when he rounded his man and tapped over from 21 yards. St. Enda’s were causing Ruairi Og problems in the early stages and after Darragh Cooper won a free which was converted by Cillian Jennings they found themselves back in front. Cushendall sparked into life with points from the hard working Niall McCormick and the industrious Aidan McNaughton to go 0-3 to 0-2 ahead.
Most people were expecting Cushendall to kick on having settled down but St. Enda’s put the cat among the pigeons when following a goal mouth scramble Joe Maskey bundled the ball over the line for a goal. Alex Delargy provided an immediate response with his second point of the game and when Niall McCormick split the uprights from 60 yards it left Enda’s ahead by a single point. However St. Enda’s again found their range with points from Cormac Jennings and Darragh Cooper to restore their 3 point cushion. Cushendall full forward Sean McAfee traded points with Cormac Jennings as the game began to become a real battle. Cushendall were starting to play with a bit more fluency and they finished the half with their tails up following five points in a row from Aidan McNaughton(0-3), Paddy McGill and Niall McCormick.
Half time score Ruairi Og 0-11 St. Enda’s 1-5.
Cushendall started the second half in the same fashion as they finished the first, with a point from Aidan McNaughton following good work from Stephen Walsh. Jennings pointed a free for the visitors but Ruairi Og had shifted up a gear. Three points in a row from Aidan McNaughton, Shane McNaughton and Ryan McCambridge pushed their lead out to 6 points. St. Enda’s to their credit continued to battle and they were rewarded with a pointed free from Cormac Jennings. The impressive Niall McCormick made a great run and he was found by Dominic Delargy and neatly pointed for his fourth of the game. Moments later the game was settled beyond any reasonable doubt. A high ball caused confusion in the Enda’s square and Conor Carson was on hand to kick the ball to the net for a Dall goal.
The impressive Paddy Burke caught a pass from Eoghan Campbell and pointed from distance before Ronan McAteer, introduced as a second half sub, marked his senior championship debut with a fine point from 40 yards. John McGoldrick hit two points from frees for the Hightown men but the game was over as a contest at this stage and Cushendall coasted home with the final two points of the game from Aidan McNaughton and a huge effort from Conor Carson.
How they played: St. Enda’s to their credit made life difficult for Cushendall. They were organised and worked hard all day. Mark Donaghy had a solid game at centre half back with Cormac Jennings and John McGoldrick also impressive. For Cushendall Paddy Burke marshalled the defence well and he was well assisted by Joe McCurry. Niall McCormick had a super game at midfield and plundered four points. However man of the match was the impressive Aidan McNaughton who hit a fantastic six points from play as well as working hard for the team.
Teams:
Ruairi Og 1. E Gillan 2. J McCurry 3. M Burke 4. A Graffin 5. Stephen Walsh 6. P Burke(0-1) 7. R McCambridge(0-1) 8. N McCormick(0-4) 9. Scott Walsh(0-1) 10. D Delargy 11. E Campbell 12. A McNaughton(0-6) 13. P McGill(0-1) 14. S McAfee(0-1)15. A Delargy(0-2)
Subs: C Carson(1-1) S McNaughton(0-1) R McAteer(0-1)
St. Enda’s 1. P Curran 2. N O’ Connor 3. M Mullan 4. R Diamond 5. D Lowry 6. M Donaghy 7. E O’ Connor 8. E Conlon 9. R Donaghy(0-1) 10. Cillian Jennings(0-1) 11. Cormac Jennings(0-4) 12. J Higgins 13. D Cooper(0-1) 14. J Maskey(1-0) 15. J McGolderick(0-1)
Brendan McTaggart reports from Rossa Park, Belfast
I pity those that don’t have hurling in their lives. The greatest game on earth and this was a fine advertisement for our beautiful game.
Where do you start to dissect this one? Breath-taking intensity, incredible desire and a hunger to do whatever it takes for your club. Both Rossa and Dunloy gave everything they had and the Jeremiah’s looked like they had recorded a massive two points.
They didn’t.
The clock ticked into the 14th minute of injury time when Paul Shiels riffled the sliotar into the roof of the net from over 30 yards out and with the next poc, the Cuchullains recycled and deep into his own half, Chrissy McMahon showed composure and belief. A trust in his ability and boom. The sliotar never looked like wavering. The young Cuchullain celebrated, Rossa players sank to their knees and referee Kevin Parke blew the final whistle.
To say Dunloy pulled a ‘Dick Turpin’ would be an injustice to the ending of this incredible game. Rossa had created the perfect storm and were riding the turbulence superbly. Colly Murphy’s men were five, yes five, points clear going into the final minute of the hour. Thanks largely to a masterclass in free taking from James Connolly but this was more than just a free taking contest. The Jeremiah’s were brilliant for 74 minutes. It’s that 75th minute that cost them.
The Cuchullains made changes from seven days ago. Two in defence and three in attack and from memory the first time there wasn’t a McKeague in the championship starting 15 for close to 20 years. A reshuffled pack allowed for Ronan Molloy to move into wing half back. Ronan was imperious. If he didn’t claim primary possession from the clouds, he was winning it among a group of bodies. Head and shoulders the best performer in a Dunloy shirt although a 20 year old Aaron Crawford wasn’t far behind him after an immense display on the edge of the square.
Connolly’s contribution was more than just frees for Rossa. An enigma on the field making him near impossible to mark and a player capable of producing pieces of brilliance when he’s on his game. This was his game.
Rossa had got their tactics pitch perfect on the day. Cricky McGuinness made a nuisance of himself on the edge of the Dunloy square while Mickey Armstrong covered every blade of grass on Rossa Park.
It was a display full of intensity where they put their bodies on the line time and again. They made sure Dunloy couldn’t ever settle and while the Cuchullains matched that same intensity and desire, nothing was going to hand. The slickness we’ve become accustomed to witnessing was missing yet they still found a way. A mark of champions.
Rossa had the wind at their backs in the first half and had a three point lead by the short whistle. Connolly’s accuracy, but their graft and cuteness were winning the day. Mickey Armstrong dropping deeper and Walsh pulling the strings.
Dunloy had Coby Cunning to thank for keeping in touch. Brilliant from frees, outstanding from open play. When given the ball in the right areas, Coby was causing mayhem.
Three points wasn’t a massive lead and at the turnaround, they would have been confident in turning the deficit and while they did, it was thanks to Ryan Elliott that lead wasn’t doubled soon after the restart. A long Walsh free dropping into the parallelogram, McGuinness caught the ball in the clouds and his shot was instinctive. Elliott’s save was superb.
The Cuchullains had their own goal chance when the deficit was down to the minimum, seven minutes into the second half. Kevin Molloy’s side line was sent across the pitch where Coby caught the sliotar and turned two men in a quite brilliant piece of skill. His rasping drive was saved by Donal Armstrong between the sticks for the Jeremiah’s.
Dunloy changed their own tactics, keeping an extra man deeper to take a foothold where they could. They fought fire with fire in the second half and by the water-break, they had restored parity to the scoreboard and looked in pole position. Incredibly though, they were kept scoreless from the 51st minute until the 71st.
Rossa upped their intensity, Connolly fired over frees, taking his tally to 11 points for the match and Rossa had opened up what felt like an unassailable lead.
But the match continued to go. The clock ticked on and Dunloy, somehow, managed to revive their championship campaign with ‘Shorty’ taking centre stage. First a drilled free, no doubt he was going for goal but the sliotar went over before he scored a quite incredible goal just two minutes later. Rossa only had one player in the Dunloy half when Shiels lined up the free and he still managed to find the corner of the net.
Yet there was still time for one more play. Fittingly, Ronan Molloy was involved in reclaiming possession before substitutes Nicky McKeague and Chrissy McMahon combined. He had options in front of him, players screaming, the crowd roaring but McMahon remained coolness personified. On the pitch for less than five minutes, McMahon struck. It never looked in doubt. A gargantuan score both physically and metaphorically speaking for the Cuchullains as referee Kevin Parke blew the final whistle upon the restart.
A heart breaking end for the Jeremiah’s and they’re bound to feel like this was a defeat such was the position they were in. There was frustrations all round from both camps but as it is, we’re nowhere near knowing who’s going through to the next phase of the championship in this group.
For the second week in a row, they have hurled the shirt off their back and have been in winning positions. Yet they stand with one point from two games. On another time or in a parallel universe, they could be sitting top of the group. They now travel to Ballycastle with rejuvenated confidence, a spring in their step and everything on the line.
Dunloy travel to Corrigan Park chasing their first win in this year’s championship. Anyone who saw that coming is telling you porkies.
The championship and hurling has been worth the wait. Next weekend promises to be a cracker.
TEAMS
Rossa: Donal Armstrong; Ciaran Orchin, Niall Crossan, Aidan Orchin; Gerard Walsh, Chris McGuinness, Stephen Shannon; Stephen Beatty, James Connolly; Seaghan Shannon, Dominic McEnhill, Deaglan Murphy; Cónall Shannon, Michael Armstrong, Tiarnan Murphy
Subs: Dara Murphy for D McEnhill (47); Michael McGreavey for C Shannon (51); Oisin McVicker for C McGuinness (inj); Owen May for T Murphy (inj)
Scorers: James Connolly 0-11 (9f); Tiarnan Murphy 0-2; Gerard Walsh 0-1; Stephen Beatty 0-1; Deaglan Murphy 0-1; Michael Armstrong 0-1
Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Oran Quinn, Aaron Crawford, Conor Kinsella; Ronan Molloy, Eamon Smyth, Ryan McGarry; Paul Shiels, Kevin Molloy; Anton McGrath, Keelan Molloy, Gabriel McTaggart; Eoin O’Neill, Conal Cunning, Seaan Elliott
Subs: Chrissy Brogan for A McGrath (30); Nicky McKeague for E Smyth (HT); Deaglan Smith for G McTaggart (52); Chrissy McMahon for D Smith (inj)
