Above – PJ O’Connell in action for Swatragh in their Ulster semi-final win over Bredagh in Ahoghill

In the build up to Saturday’s Ulster Intermediate Championship final between Carey Faughs of Antrim and Swatragh of Derry the Saffron Gael speaks to Swatragh and former Clooney Gaels man, PJ’O’Connell.

Saffron Gael: You played nearly all your career for St. Mary’s Ahoghill-Clooney Gaels. Tell me how you came to be playing for Kilrea and Swatragh.

PJ: Life, having 3 kids that play for the club now it was sort of a family choice for me to have a more balanced family life as it was getting harder to be out of the house for 3 /4 hours every other night. The wife Louise lost her mother Ruth to cancer last year and it has been a tough year for all the family. 

Saffron Gael: You had a long and distinguished career with Ahoghill and represented Antrim for a number of years. What were the highlights of your time with Ahoghill and Antrim?

PJ: Where do I start? I played for Ahoghill/Clooney for 18 years and have lots of great memories winning 5 championships, 2 in football and 3 in hurling and 2 Ulster championships. One in Junior and one in intermediate in 2013 which I’d like to add to at the weekend.

But no, the Ahoghill club was always a club punching way above their weight for years to be able to go from junior in both football and hurling to senior in both was a great achievement for that group of players.

Playing for Antrim was just a childhood dream which I was blessed to play against some of the best hurlers in Ireland and hurl with some great hurlers that Antrim had at the time.

My father always said ‘it’s like a learning curve up at the County and whatever you learn you bring it back with you to help the club improve’. 

Saffron Gael: I know you now live in Kilrea and won a football league medal with them this year. How did that come about and tell me a bit about your season with Kilrea?

PJ: It was great, we live a minute away from the field so I was never too rushed to get to training. I was fit to get the weans to bed a good lot of evenings before I headed out to training so that kept the wife happy or a good lot of the time they came down to the pitch to run around with friends .We had a good year in the league winning it after a 43 year wait. 

Saffron Gael: Tell me about the Swatragh connection. How did you come to be playing for them?

PJ: Well we have relations from swatragh, the McCreadys and its only 5 minutes away from the house, and I thought they could do with a good Antrim fella joining them.

Saffron Gael: Who did Swatragh beat in Derry and then in Ulster to reach Saturday’s final and what were the highlights of those games?

PJ: We beat Dungiven in the intermediate final in horrendous conditions at Owenbeg. I think the Dungiven keeper scored 2 points which says it all about the conditions. We played Lisbellaw down in Enniskillen and beat them by 5 points then we beat Breadgh on my home turf of Clooney in the semi-final which was a strange thing not wearing red and black but it was great getting to play on it for one last time. 

Saffron Gael: On Saturday you face Carey Faughs in Loughgiel in the Ulster Intermediate final. Swatragh will not be too familiar with the Antrim champions but you have played against them numerous times in your career. What information have you been able to pass on to your management regarding the Ballyvoy men?

PJ: No, they have seen clips and know that Carey are a good outfit and have a really strong team who will be hard to stop. Yeah plenty of battles down through the years with Carey never more than a puck of the ball between both teams as you saw this year in the semi-final of championship which went to extra time.

 I know how hard it is to win Antrim intermediate so any team in Antrim coming into Ulster will always fancy the chances of winning Ulster.

 Let’s hope it’s not this year!

Saffron Gael: Without giving too much away who are the players who have impressed you in the Swatragh side?

PJ: Yeah there’s a lot of good talented hurlers in Swatragh but I’ll keep my cards close to my chest. I don’t want to make things easy for Eddie McCloskey and the rest of the Loughiel men managing Carey.

PJ O’Connell might well be the first player to line out for two different clubs from two different counties in an Ulster Intermediate club final. He served Ahoghill for 18 years with distinction in both football and hurling and his presence for Swatragh in Loughgiel on Saturday adds a little bit more intrigue to this eagerly awaited final.

When he moved to Kilrea last year there would not have been too many who would have predicted that he would collect a Derry Division 1 football league medal with his adopted club and he will hope to bring his dream season to an end with an Ulster Intermediate hurling medal on Saturday but Carey Faughs might have something to say about that.

Danske Bank Mageean Cup semi-final

St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-17 St Louis Ballymena 3-10

Mageean Cup holders St Killian’s were pushed the limit to hold off a great fightback by St Louis, Ballymena in Tuesday’s semi-final at Pairc Mhuir in Cushendall.

Leading by four at half time the Tower side had the lead out to seven at a stage in the second half, but St Louis kept battling and twice they had it back to within a goal. However the champions held on, even though they had to ride their luck a time or two, and set up a repeat of last year’s final against Cross & Passion at the Dub in just over a week’s time.  

Both teams started slowly and the scores were hard to come by, but Caleb Smith gave St Louis a boost when he took advantage of a defensive slip by the holders to scramble the ball over the line from close range. St Killian’s got themselves back into the game with pointed frees by Thomas McLaughlin and one from a 65 by centre back Charlie McAuley. Two points by the excellent Jack Martin brought St Louis back to level but the Tower finished the half strongly and a Thomas McLaughlin goal sent them in at the break with a 1-07 to 1-03 lead.

St Louis struck fast after the break and a Jack Martin point had the gap back to three, but the Tower began to find a bit of form and two quick scores from centre forward Calum McIlwaine, one of them a great individual goal, swung the game in his team’s favour.

Two pointed frees from Cushendall’s Fionntan Bradley and a goal from Dunloy’s Luke McFerran brought St Louis back into a game, but the Tower stayed a goal ahead. When they stretched the gap out to seven with two points from McLaughlin frees, and one each from play by Canice McIntosh and Callagh Mooney they appeared to have weathered the storm, but St Louis kept up the pressure and a goal direct from a free from Fiontann Bradley brought them right back into the fight.

Centre back Charlie McAuley eased the pressure on the Tower with a great long range free, and though they should have sealed the win had they scored two easy tap-over points that were there for the taking they went for the glory option on each occasion and were relieved to hear the final whistle at St Louis fought hard for the goal they needed to bring the game to extra time.

St Killian’s: B Duncan, C McNaughton, C Ward, C McCann, A McCambridge, C McAuley (0-3 frees), J Scullion, A Campbell, C Mooney – joint captain- (0-3), C McIntosh (0-1), C McIlwaine-joint captain- (1-2), O McCambridge (0-2), N McLaughlin, T McLaughlin (1-6, 0-5 frees), C Leech.

Sub: M Furey for N McLaughlin (42)

St Louis: C McFerran, A Doherty, S óg Blaney capt, R McClements, D Kinsella, D McKay, S McDermott, J Martin (0-4), T Bonnes, L McFerran (1-0), D McLarnon, F Bradley (1-5, 1-4 frees), J McAlonan, C Smith (1-1), J McGarry.

Subs: C Cunning for R McClements (41), C McCollum for D McLarnon (45), E Curry for J McAlonan (45), G McFadden for D Kinsella (55)

Referee: Colm McDonnell

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Danske Bank Mageean Cup semi-final

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 2-17 St Patrick’s Maghera 0-7

Monday 25 November

Brendan McTaggart reports from Portglenone

Goals in either half from Caedan Crawford and Conor Donnelly ensured it was a comfortable evening for Cross & Passion as they progressed to a second successive Mageean Cup Final.

It was a strong performance from the Ballycastle school who weathered a bright start from St Pat’s to build an eight point half time lead.  The Maghera men put in an improved performance in the second half but a fourth quarter push from CPC put to bed any thoughts of a comeback from St Pat’s.

On a bitterly cold evening under the floodlights in Portglenone, CPC had eight different scorers with full forward Roan McGarry top scoring with 0-7 beside his name at the end of the hour.  Padraig Martin and Oisin McCallin were always a threat while Liam Glackin, Ronan Fitzgerald and Darragh Donnelly also impressed.

St Pat’s were reliant on the impish abilities of Rian Collins.  The Lavey man finished with four points for his work over the hour while captain Cathal McKaigue and Padraig Haran also impressed.

Effectively, it was CPC’s abilities in the middle third that was the difference.  St Pat’s couldn’t get to grip with either puck out and with plenty of daylight between the sides at half time, CPC controlled the contest after the break.

It wasn’t a perfect performance from the Convent. After 42 minutes they had registered 1-10, but also pulled 12 shots wide of the target. However they were very much in control of their own destiny after McCallin cut in from the left corner for the other corner forward Caedan Crawford to take possession and hit the net in the 16th minute.  A brilliant finish from the Ballycastle man and gave Donnacha Collins no chance.

That score seemed to kill any momentum Maghera had built with the opening three scores, a fine point from Cormac McCloskey and two Rian Collins frees.

CPC had drawn level by the 10th minute with three points inside two minutes, including two from Paudie Martin, and Eunan Johnston chipped over a lead point before the goal.

By half time Ballycastle led by 1-9 to 0-4 and their pace and power up front was taking a toll on the Derry side.

Maghera fared a little better during the third quarter with points from Collins (free), McCloskey and captain Cathal McKaigue cancelling our similar efforts from Roan McGarry (two) and Darragh Donnelly.

McGarry then added two more before Conor Donnelly went around the outside and fired home the second goal in the 55th minute.

Stronger and sharper all over the pitch Cross and Passion will be a handful for whoever emerges from the second semi-final this (Tuesday) afternoon (1.30pm in Cushendall between holders St Killian’s Garron Tower and St Louis Ballymena.

TEAMS

CPC: Anthony Mullan; Cian Baudant, Eunan Johnston, Niall McClean; Reece Cunning, Liam Glackin, Ardan Kelly; Ronan Fitzgerald, Darragh Donnelly; Conan Johnston, Conor Donnelly, Padraig Martin; Oisin McCallin, Roan McGarry, Caedan Crawford.

Subs: Cahir McMullan for D Donnelly (52); Aiden Richmond for O McCallin (52); Logan McConville for D Kinney (52); Dan O’Mullan for P Martin (54)

Scorers: R McGarry 0-7 (5fs); C Donnelly 1-3; C Crawford 1-1; P Martin 0-2 (1f); D Donnelly 0-1; E Johnston 0-1; O McCallin 0-1; L McConville 0-1

St Pat’s: Donnacha Collins; Fiachra Turner, Padraig O’Kane, Darragh O’Neill; Jack McCloy, Cathal McKaigue, Odhran Doherty; Daithi McCloskey, Niall McNicholl; Rian Collins, Padraig Haran, Gabhan McIvor; Turlough McHugh, Cormac McCloskey, Dara O’Kane

Subs: Cathal Quinn for G McIvor (37); Cathal Mulholland for P Haran (57)

Scorers: R Collins 0-4 (4fs); C McCloskey 0-2; C McKaigue 0-1

Referee: Brendan Toland

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Ulster Club IHC Semi-Final

Carey Faughs 1-11 Castleblaney Faughs 0-11

The character and resolve that has epitomised Carey Faughs all season was again produced in bagful’s as the men from Ballyvoy were forced to dig deep before overcoming the challenge of excellent Monaghan champions Castleblaney in Carrickmore on Sunday.

Storm Bert forced the delay of this semi-final by 24 hours and while Pairc Colmcille was in excellent condition considering the previous 36 hours of rain, snow and wind, the game turned into a real arm wrestle with little opportunity for open hurling.

The Monaghan champions brought a high intensity to the contest and the game was interrupted by intermitting rucking throughout with the Castleblaney Faughs making the early running.

Thomas Hughes hit a couple of early wides for the Monaghan champions and Shea Hunter was off target for the Antrim side before Fergal Rafter finally got the game’s opening point to move Castleblaney ahead in the 6^th minute.

With a strong diagonal wind slightly favouring Castleblaney and underfoot conditions softening, open hurling was proving difficult and it was 14 minutes before Conor McBride took a pass from Michael McVeigh before levelling the scores.

Caolan McCaughan edged the Antrim champions ahead for the first time, a minute later but Castleblaney were fiercely contesting every ball and they would draw level through Brian McGuigan before Mark Trainor restored their lead with 19 minutes gone.

A fine piece of fielding and a shot on the turn by Callum Kane had the side’s level for the third time with 8 minutes remaining to the break but just when it looked like Cathaoir an Ri were finding their feet the Monaghan side found a response.

The excellent Fergal Rafter pushed them into a two point lead from frees in the 26^th and 29^th minute and the same player struck a superb point from play to stretch the lead to three before Conleth McKinnley replied with a much needed score for the Ballyvoy men to leave them trailing by two at the break.

With the wind now in their favour for the second half Carey Faughs would have been expected to take control but it was the impressive Declan Hughes who moved ‘Blaney’ three in front after 28 seconds of the restart.

Carey tried to respond and a James Black sideline cut was diverted for a ‘65’ which Conal McGlynn converted in the 37^th minute, and the same player followed from a 40 meter free to leave just one in it with 8 minutes gone.

Mark Trainor for the Monaghan Faughs and McGlynn for the Antrim version exchanged further points and Fergal Rafter edged the Monaghan men two in front again before James Black closed the gap to one with a point from close range.

Man of the match Black looked to be in for a goal but took the safer option and it was probably the right decision as Conleth McKinnley levelled the contest from a difficult angle in the 18^th minute and Carey were starting to get on top.

A superb long range point from mid-fielder Callum Kane brought the travelling Ballyvoy supporters to their feet but Castleblaney were still hanging in there and free taker Rafter levelled once more with seven minutes remaining.

It would be the final time the sides were level and as play began to open up James McCaouig produced a strong run from deep in defence but looked to have lost possession.

However the ball broke out to substitute Fiachra McVeigh who sent Conor McBride clear on the right, his instant pick-up on the run creating time and space and he made no mistake as he fired to the net from 25 meters for the only goal of the game.

McBride’s goal moved the Antrim champions four ahead as the clock ticked towards full time but Castleblaney rallied with a point from Thomas Hughes. A brilliant head first dive by full-back Sean McBride kept the Monaghan men at bay during a hectic period of injury time  to deny Trainor as the Monaghan side went looking for the goal that would have sent it to extra time.

A great win in the end for Carey Faughs who will now meet Swatragh of Derry in next weekend’s final and it looks likely that that game might be played in Loughgiel, the venue of the Ballyvoy men’s Antrim final success.

CAREY FAUGHS

Steven McGinn, Zach McCaughan, Sean McBride, Patrick Gillan, Shea Hunter (C) , James McCouaig, Conal McGlynn, Callum Cane, Patrick Butler, Conlith McKinley, John McBride, Connor McBride, Michael McVeigh, James Black, Caolan McCaughan.

Subs – Fiachra McVeigh for McKinley

CASTLEBLANEY FAUGHS

Hugh Byrne, Paudie Heavin, Colin Merrick, Eoin Leonard, Aaaron Kenny, Patrick Finnegan (C), Cormac McNally, Declan Hughes, Brian Flannigan, Conall McHugh, Thomas Hughes, Fergal Rafter, Mark Trainor, Brian McGuigan, Pauric Malone

Referee – James Clarke (Cavan)

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