Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Ardoyne power to victory in top of the table clash

Antrim Hurling League – Divsion 4

Ardoyne 3-16 All Saints 2-15

A masterful display from Paddy Heaney and a ruthless three-goal blitz propelled Ciceam Ard Eoin to a commanding victory over All Saints, Ballymena, in a highly anticipated top-of-the-table encounter at Fennell Park.

The Ardoyne men signalled their intent from the throw-in. The indefatigable Heaney, who dominated the midfield battleground all afternoon, surged forward to slot over an exceptional point within the opening seconds. All Saints responded quickly through a Magill score, but Ardoyne regained the lead immediately when McKillen split the posts.

The Ballymena men refused to be shaken early on. Vincent Esler raised the hopes of the travelling support with a point from 50 yards out, leaving the sides deadlocked at two points apiece after a ferocious opening 10 minutes.

However, Ardoyne soon found another gear. Despite operating in the unfamiliar territory of the forward line, Searle showed predatory instincts to slot over a neat point. This triggered a devastating purple patch for the hosts, who rattled off 1-04 without reply. Central to this dominance was Lagan, a constant thorn in the All Saints side. His precision pass found Cormac Barnes out on the sideline, who somehow converted a beautiful point from an impossibly tight angle.

All Saints clawed their way back into contention through a Damien Gillan point. A desperate Ardoyne defence then scrambled to divert a goal-bound effort around the post. That defensive stand sparked a Ballymena resurgence, as the visitors took control for the first time in the match. They rifled over five unanswered points, leaving Ardoyne to rely on two pointed frees from McKillen to stay ahead. A late, crucial point from Heaney ensured a goal separated the sides at the break.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 1-08  Naomh Uile 0-08

Any hopes of an All Saints comeback were immediately after the restart. Barnes turned provider to executioner, embarking on a blistering run along the endline before unleashing an unstoppable shot that bulged the Ballymena net.

All Saints responded with a pointed free, but their subsequent efforts to bridge the gap were severely frustrated by wayward shooting and a stubborn Ardoyne rearguard. Paul Baker was in immaculate form for the hosts, dominating the skies with a succession of towering clean catches that choked the Ballymena service line.

The definitive blow arrived twenty minutes into the second half. Micheál McGreevy found space and ruthlessly hit the net for Ardoyne’s third goal, suddenly stretching the deficit to a massive 12 points.

With the game seemingly wrapped up, the Ardoyne management emptied their bench over the final ten minutes. The mass substitutions led to an unsettled period for the hosts, sparking a spirited All Saints revival. The Ballymena men fought to the bitter end, with Magill breaching the host’s defence to score the first goal Ardoyne have conceded all season.

Despite the late All Saints resurgence, Ardoyne’s attacking efficiency ultimately proved too much to overcome. Magill added a second goal to the All Saints tally in the dying minutes, but Ardoyne held firm to secure a vital four-point victory and cement their position at the top of the table.

Full-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 3-16 Naomh Uile 2-15

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Connor O’Neill, Aran Stewart, Paul Baker, Caolan Wallace, Dean Goodall(0-01), Paschal Clarke, Matthew Cromie, Paul McGuigan, Fintan Lagan, Cahal Keown, Matt McKillen (0-06,5f), Cormac Barnes(1-01), Micheál McGreevy(1-01), Paddy Heaney (1-06,1f), Cahal Clarke, Sean Searle(0-01), Pól Stanton, Diarmuid Martin, Emmet Corry, Enda Slattery, John Callinan(0-01), Michael Lee Murphy, Declan Dillon, Stephen Hill

Naomh Uile, Ballymena: Ronan McAllister, Kevin Brady, Dwayne McKee, Robert Crooks, Daniel Grey, Gary Miskella, Niall Savage, Harry Connon (0-01), Vincent Esler (0-01), Cormac Magill (2-01), Patrick Doherty(0-02,2f), Michael Connolly, Damien Gillan (0-03), Archie McGreevy (0-01), Jack Magill (0-01), Pearse Martin (0-04)

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by thesaffrongael

14-Man Dunloy Run Riot Against St John’s

St John’s 0-13 Dunloy 3-21

ACHL Division 1

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

A sensational second-half blitz saw 14-man Dunloy Cuchullain’s run out convincing 18-point winners over St John’s in an absorbing Antrim (ACHL) Division 1 clash at Corrigan Park on Sunday. Despite losing a player to a straight red card in the 14th minute, Dunloy produced a tactical master class after the interval. Tom McFerran took the headlines with a magnificent hat-trick, while Chrissie McMahon was prominent throughout, pulling the strings during a second half where Dunloy outscored their hosts by 2-12 to 0-4.

The contest opened at a frantic pace, and St John’s goalkeeper Domhnall Nugent was forced into a brilliant double save just two minutes in to deny an early Dunloy breakthrough. From the resulting clearance, the Johnnies won a free which Oisin McManus converted to open the scoring. McManus was in lethal form early on, doubling his tally from play a minute later before Dunloy wing-back Eamon Smith replied with a fine long-range effort.

The sides traded blow for blow in the opening ten minutes. McManus hit two more spectacular points—including a massive long-range effort—but his clinical accuracy was matched by Nigel Elliott and Nicky McKeague, who kept the Cuchullain’s firmly in touch. When Luke McFerran clipped over a neat point in the 12th minute, Dunloy took the lead for the first time.

A minute later, the game exploded into life. A high ball into the St John’s square caused chaos, and under heavy pressure from the home defence, Tom McFerran scrambled the sliotar into the net. However, the joy was short-lived. Directly from the puck-out, a Dunloy player was involved in an off-the-ball incident and was shown a straight red card, leaving Cuchullain’s a man down for the remaining 46 minutes.

St John’s immediately looked to exploit their numerical advantage, hitting back through Shea Shannon and Ruairi Galbraith. Dunloy dug deep, relying on massive defensive efforts and long-range scores from Smith and a McKeague free. McManus kept the hosts breathing down Dunloy’s necks, clipping over a late free before striking a spectacular point over his shoulder on the run. Despite the numerical deficit, Dunloy held a narrow 1-8 to 0-9 lead at the break.

Whatever structural changes Dunloy implemented at halftime worked to perfection. They completely dominated the restarts and choked the St John’s attack. Nicky McKeague set the tone with two early frees, and when Aaron Crawford burst forward to score, the gap began to widen. St John’s introduced David Robinson in midfield to stem the tide, while Dunloy brought on the experienced Paul Shiels to anchor their side.

Ryan McGarry found the target from play before the definitive blow landed in the 20th minute of the half. An error in the St John’s defence allowed Tom McFerran to pounce on a loose ball, and he ruthlessly blasted it home for his second goal, making it 2-14 to 0-11.

St John’s rallied briefly with points from full-back Conall Morgan and Shea Shannon, but it would prove to be their final stand. Dunloy finished the match with an exhibition of hurling. McKeague and centre-back Eoin McFerran drilled over monstrous long-range points before Tom McFerran capped an unforgettable individual performance by carving through the defence to complete his hat-trick in the 32nd minute. Rian Elliott ensured a clean sheet at the other end with a spectacular late save, before Eamon Smith fired over the final point to seal an emphatic 18-point victory for the 14-man Cuchullain’s.

St. John’s: Domhnall Nugent; Michael Darragh, Conall Morgan, Lorcan McCallin; James Wilson, Ryan McNulty, Caolan Wilson; Caomhin Hanna, Ciaran Johnston; Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston, Oisin McManus; Donal Carson, Aaron Bradley, Ruairi Galbraith.
Subs used: Fearghal McManus, David Robinson.

Dunloy: Rian Elliott; Sean Og Blaney, Daire McMullan, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smith, Eoin McFerran, Padraig Magilligan; Ryan McGarry, Aaron Crawford; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Tom McFerran; Ciaran Elliott, Luke McFerran, Chrissie McMahon.
Subs used: Paul Shiels, Barry Scott.

Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

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by thesaffrongael

Late points secure Rasharkin the win

ACHL Division 3

St. Mary’s Rasharkin 2-11 Lamh Dhearg 1-10

St. Mary’s Rasharkin claimed the points in a keenly contested division 3 clash at Dreen against Lamh Dhearg on Sunday to keep themselves in touch with the leaders in division 3.

In a low scoring first half the home side led 1-4 to 0-4 at the break with the scoring improving for both sides after the interval as Rasharkin held on for a useful four point victory.

It was Rasharkin who got off to the better start with Thomas McMullan firing to the net for the game’s opening score in the 8th minute with Conan McMullan moving them four ahead with a point in the 10th minute.

The scoring dried up for a time with the mid-field exchanges and indeed the general play scrappy at times and it would be another 13 minutes before Conan McMullan sent over his second point of the evening as the visitors struggled to find a score.

25 minutes had elapsed before Adam Murray finally got the Hannastown side off the mark but a minute later Donagh Quigg restored the home side’s four point advantage.

The visitors did finally find their range in the run up to half time with three points, the best of these coming from Donal Martin with Conor McKeever replying for Rasharkin to leave his side 1-4 to 0-4 ahead at the break and all still to play for in the second half.

A point from Padraig Mervyn for the visitors in the opening stages of the second half had it back to 2 as the Hannastown side opened brightly but it brought a strong response from St. Mary’s as Conor McKeever pointed a free before Thomas McMullan found the net for his and Rasharkin’s second goal with 6 minutes of the new half gone.

Conor McConville for Lamh Dhearg and Thomas McMullan exchanged points but the visitors were starting to enjoy some success and Padraig Mervyn and Donal Martin pointed and then got through for a Lamh Dhearg goal with Conor McKeever interrupting those scores with a point for the hosts.

McKeever then pointed a free but it was to be his last action of the evening as he was given his marching orders following a second Yellow and Lamh Dhearg continued to push forward with Donal Martin again on target to close the gap to two with time almost up.

St. Mary’s looked in a bit of trouble but regrouped to finish strongly and Tiernan O’Boyle pointed a free before Donagh Quigg sent over the insurance point in injury time to give his side the points.

A good win for St. Mary’s Rasharkin which brings them level with Lamh Dhearg on 8 points but the Dreen side have 2 games in hand on the Hannastown side with Cuchullain’s Dunloy and Gort na Mona also on 8 in a tight division.

Rasharkin: 1 Brendan Kelly, 2 Conor Doherty, 3 Aidan McKeever, 4 Daniel Hasson, 5 Jason McGregor, 6 Tiernan O’Boyle, 7 Conor Donaghy, 8 Ruairi O’Boyle, 9 Conor McFerran, 10 Conor McKeever, 11 Conan McMullan, 12 James Higgins, 13 Donagh Quigg, 14 Thomas McMullan, 15 Oisin Doherty

Subs Used: Cathal Darragh, Jack Quinn, Liam Tunney

Lamh Dhearg: 1 Padraig Jo’hEarain, 2 Aaron Ferris, 3 Aidan McGuigan, 4 Fiachra Clenaghan, 5 Odhran Waldron, 6 Fionn Mervyn, 7 Dan Murray, 8 Ciaran Boyd, 9 Sean Paul Gibson, 10 Mark Finnegan, 11 Conor McConville, 12 Daniel Mulholland, 13 Padraig Mervyn, 14 Adam Murray, 15 Donal Martin, 16 Shane Gray, 17 Michael McGarry, 18 Conal Megraw,

Referee: John O’Connor   

by thesaffrongael

LATE RALLY EARNS CREGGAN THE POINTS AT BALLYVEELY

ACFL Division 2

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 1-17 Kickham’s Creggan 0-25

 Report: Joe Rice

Kickham’s Creggan travelled to Cloughmills on Sunday with the sides serving up an entertaining game of hurling and providing some excellent scores over the hour.  In a highly competitively first half, the sides were level on a couple of occasions but it was the hosts who finished the half stronger to lead by two at the interval.

After the break it was the Kickham’s who took control as they gained the upper hand around mid-field  and the South West lads pulled away for a comfortable 5 point win as the hosts scoring threat dried up, with St Brigids only able to add 4 points from the placed ball converted by the sweet striking Michael Devlin.

 Referee, Fionntan McCotter, got proceedings underway and Creggan were 2 points up in as many minutes, both off the hurl of Kevin Rice before James O’Boyle responded on the 4th minute to reduce the gap to 1. 

Creggan’s tally increased with a point a piece from Conor McCann and Morgan Nelson but the home side’s responded from a superb goal from the hurl of Eoin Dobbin, giving Creggan’s keeper no chance. 

As we reached the 15-minute mark it was point for point as Creggan’s Ronan McGuckian, Sean McAuley, Ruari McCann, Morgan Nelson and Sean Duffin added points with  St Brigid’s, Michael Devlin, adding to his tally with 2 further points from play, reducing the deficit to 2 points between the sides. 

Both sides battled on intensely with 3 more points from play for the visitors, Sam Maguire, Sean Duffin and Conor McCann.  St Brigids, for their part, were biting at the heels of the visitors with Stephen Smyth scoring 2 points on the trot in the 15th & 16th minute and Geoffrey Og Laverty narrowed the gap to a point with 19 minutes gone before Michael Devlin converted a free to put the sides level. 

Eoin Dobbin nudged St Brigids ahead on the 21st minute while Ryan Watson increased the gap to 2 points as St. Brigid’s enjoyed a period of domination. Conor McCann converted a free to reduce the deficit to the minimum again but Cloughhmills increased the gap to 3 points with 28 minutes gone through a converted 65 from Michael Devlin and a superb long range point from play by Eoin Dobbin.  Creggan did pull 1 back in injury time with Conor McCann getting the last score of the first half to leave the ‘Biddies’ leading by two at the break.

HALF TIME SCORE:     ST BRIGDS 1.13 v CREGGAN 0.14

Fionntan McCotter had to blow his whistle several times to encourage Creggan out of the changing room as St Brigids lined up eager to resume where they had left off.  Creggan’s Sam Maguire pointed immediately for the Kickham’s  and his team mate, Morgan Nelson added another in the 34th minute it was all square.   Michael Devlin’s briefly edged the home side ahead again from a free but at this stage of the game the tide was turning and the visitors were starting to take control.

Creggan responded with 3 unanswered points, 2 from Conor McCann and another from Morgan Nelson, to put their team 2 ahead with the home side replying from another free in the 44th minute by Devlin and as we headed into the final quarter Creggan were dominating all over the field.

St Brigid’s just couldn’t break down the visitors’ defence while at the other end Creggan increased their lead with  points in the 45th, 46th and 47th minutes from Ruari McCann (0-2)and 1 from Conor McCann to edge three ahead.   The St. Brigid’s scoring threat had all but dried up at this stage and again it was left to Michael Devlin to convert a free in the 51st minute. 

As we headed into the last 5 minutes of normal time, Creggan’s Conor McCann converted 3 more frees to give his team a 5 point cushion and with 3 minutes left of injury time on the clock, Cloughmill’s Michael Devlin converted his 4th free of the half while the concluding score of the match fell to Creggan’s Morgan Nelson, giving the visitor’s a comfortable 5 point win.

ST BRIGIDS:  No.1 Christopher McKern, No.2 Johnny Duffin, No.3 Corey Blair, No.4 Sean McKendry, No.5 Reece Watt, No.6 Ruari Laverty, No.7 Ryan Dobbin, No.8 Geoffrey Og Laverty (0.02), No.9 James O’Boyle (0.02), No.10 Ryan McFarline, No.11 Michael Devlin (0.08), No.12 Conor Laverty, No.12 Ryan Watson (0.01), No.14 Eoin Dobbin (1.02), No.15 Stephen Smyth (0.02), No.16 Cathaoir McFerran, No.17 Dean O’Boyle, No.18 James Doherty, No.19 Seamus Duffin, No.20 Conor McKendry, No.21 Jack McDowell, No.22 Aaron McGuckian, No.23 Kevin O’Boyle, No.24 Dara Waterson, No.25 Michael Reid.

CREGGAN: No.1 Cormac Rice, No.2 Ryan McGrath, No.3 Odhran Hamsey, No.4 Peadar McGuckian, No.5 Sennan O’Boyle, No.6 Kealan McCann, No.7 Daniel Dornan, No.8 Sam Maguire (0.02), No.9 Ronan McGuckian (0.01), No.10 Sean Duffin (0.10), No.12 Ruari McCann (0.04), No.13 Morgan Nelson (0.04), No.14 Kevin Rice (0.02), No.15 Sean McAuley, No.17 Thomas McCann, No.18 Michael Maguire, No.19 Paul Colgan, No.20 Aidan McIlwee, No.21 Shea Devlin, No.23 Conor McCann (0.07).

REFEREE:          FIONNTAN McCOTTER

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by thesaffrongael

Carey beat Glenarm in hard fought game

Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Carey 3-19 Glenarm 1-23

Pics and report by Pete Hyndman

Carey secured a hard-fought victory on Sunday after a fiercely competitive battle against north Antrim rivals Shane Uí Neills, Glenarm at St. Patricks Park, Ballyvoy. Played under a bright early afternoon sun with a light breeze sweeping across the pitch, this Division 2 clash was an entertaining spectacle from start to finish. The visitors arrived with a shuffled lineup, missing several senior players due to overseas work commitments, but they still contributed to a thrilling contest. Ultimately, the hosts had their lethal finishing to thank, with Connor McBride demonstrating incredible accuracy to knock over nine frees in a personal tally of 1-09, while John McBride proved a constant threat by bagging two crucial goals over the hour. For Glenarm, star forward Niall McGarel was a joy to watch, showcasing superb stickwork to slot ten points, including three from dead balls.

Carey exploded out of the starting blocks in buoyant form, raising the white flag in the very first minute through Conall McGlynn. Their early dominance continued moments later when a well-placed cross-field ball was collected by John McBride, who ruthlessly drove the sliotar into the Glenarm net. John McBride and Connor McBride quickly followed up with a point apiece, demanding a swift response from the visitors. Glenarm found their rhythm right from the resulting puck-out, with Niall McGarel winning possession and slotting over the bar. The nippy forward began to show immense early promise, rolling a tackle to launch a speculative effort over Carey goalkeeper Conlaith McKinley, and subsequently lofting over another brilliant solo point. Aidan Scullion also made his presence felt around the middle third, gathering a broken ball to split the posts from 55 yards. McGarel continued to torment the defense, robbing his opponent for a distance score before Scullion drilled over another, remarkably turning an early deficit into a two-point lead for the visitors.

The match developed into a tight, tit-for-tat tussle. Carey leveled the game in the 18th minute with converted frees from Connor McBride and James Black. The boys in blue edged ahead once more through a Ben O Boyle point and a McGarel dead ball, though James Black was quick to reply for the hosts. Glenarm then struck for a major of their own; a high, dropping ball into the Carey box was allowed to bounce, and Sean O Hare reacted fastest to overhead-bat the sliotar past the keeper into the net. Unfazed, Connor McBride kept the scoreboard ticking for Carey by punishing two needless Glenarm fouls before adding a green flag of his own, winning a scrappy ball and forcing it beyond Liam Mulvenna. As the halftime whistle approached, the intensity peaked. Scullion and McGarel landed excellent scores for Glenarm, but Connor McBride’s accuracy from frees and a massive second goal from John McBride ensured Carey took a 3-10 to 1-12 advantage into the break.

The second half resumed with the same competitive edge. Carey punished early indiscipline from Glenarm with another Connor McBride free, but Ben O Boyle and Niall McGarel quickly answered with a point each from play. Conall McGlynn continued to show great promise for the hosts, driving the ball over the Glenarm bar twice to maintain the pressure. At the other end, Scullion won vital early possession and expertly worked the space to shoot a fantastic point from 70 yards out. The teams traded further scores, with a Carey free and a Brendan McQuaid effort answered by Darren Hamill on the 38th minute. However, the game’s dynamic threatened to shift entirely on the 40th minute when a Carey player was shown a red card.

Despite being reduced to fourteen men, Carey responded to the setback with remarkable composure. McGlynn and Connor McBride converted three crucial frees to keep their opponents at arm’s length. Playing catch-up, Glenarm desperately needed a lift and found one through Darren Hamill, who sparked a revival with a free and a brilliant point from distance, accompanied by a score from Sean O Hare. Hamill added two more frees to reel in the hosts as the game moved into added time. In a fitting end to an epic battle, Niall McGarel floated over one final effort for Glenarm, but the relentless Connor McBride had the last word, pointing for the hosts just as the referee called time to seal a memorable Carey victory.

Carey Faughs

Conlith Mc Kinley, Eoin Mc Carry, Michael Mc Veigh, Daniel Mc Kinley, Shea Hunter, Sean Mc Bride, Peadar Mc Veigh, Conall Mc Glynn (0-05 3f), Cathair Brogan, James Black(0-02 1f), John Mc Bride(2-01), 

Patrick, Butler, Connor Mc Bride( 1-09 09f), Fiachra Mc Veigh, Brendan Mc Quaid (0-02).

Subs.   Caolan Mc Caughan, Eoin Mc Kinley, Ryan Mc Quaid, Oisin Healey.

Shane Uí Neills.

Liam Mulvenna, Liam Mc Loughlin, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Kieran O Boyle, Ciaran Magill, Michael Fury, Conal Ward, Aidan Scullion(0-04), Sean Mc Dermott, Niall Mc Garel(0-10 3f), Ben O Boyle ()-02), Paddy Mc Auley, Darren Hamill(0_05 2f), Sean O Hare(1-02 1f).

Subs.   Rory Mulvenna for Conal Ward 42 mins. Aidan O Neill, Gerard Burns, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Declan Mc Dermott.