Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

Sean Treacy’s start Ulster campaign with a win

Ulster JHC Preliminary Round

Erne Gaels 1-5 Sean Tracey’s Armagh 1-13

While thousands of Lurgan Gaels made their way to the Athletic Grounds on Saturday night, the Sean Treacy’s hurlers were celebrating an opening day win in the Ulster Championship.

The match which was moved from the Fermanagh county ground of Brewster Park to Belleek, home of the opposition. Sean Treacy’s weren’t long in getting over the long hike. A Conor Carabine free floating straight into the net after just three minutes.

With a very wet and heavy field underfoot, the Treacy’s lads battled hard in an opening period that saw both teams struggle to adapt to the poor conditions. Reece Magee hit a score before the home side hit their opening score after 10 minutes.

The Lurgan side dominated the latter part of the half with five scores to a single free for Erne Gaels. Conor Carabine (65), Tam McKavanagh (2), Reece Magee and Kane Laverty all scored.

Second half

The home side got off to a good start in the second half. They converted a free from midfield after the referee adjudged a bit of indiscretion from the throw-in.

Another free after six minutes added to their confidence, but Sean Treacy’s found their rhythm with a Conor Carabine free. Successive scores from Patrick Kane, who impressed after being introduced in the first half, two more from Carabine, one from play and one from a free, and a third score from joint captain Tam McKavanagh.

With Sean Treacy’s reduced to 14 men, the Fermanagh side launched attack after attack. They pointed a free and finally hit the net after a couple of good stops from Caolán McCann.

The Sean Treacy’s defence regained their dominance though, holding off any further attacks and points from Patrick Kane and Kane Laverty sealed a well-deserved victory. That sees the Lurgan side march on to the Ulster Junior quarter-final on Saturday when they face Antrim champs, Raskarkin in the Athletic Grounds.

by thesaffrongael

Rasharkin dip their toes in the Ulster water

Ulster JHJC Quarter-Final

Sean Tracey’s Armagh v Rasharkin

Athletic Grounds Armagh-Saturday 2-00pm

St. Mary’s Rasharkin defied the odds to defeat Glen Rovers, Armoy in the Antrim final in Loughgiel two weeks ago and on Saturday they travel to the Athletic Grounds where they will face Sean Tracey’s of Lurgan in the Ulster club championship.

Despite Rasharkin finishing above Armoy in the league, it was last year’s beaten finalists Glen Rovers who were tipped to take this year’s Junior title in Loughgiel and when Rasharkin lead by only three at half time after playing with a strong breeze it wasn’t looking good for the Dreen side.

Two goals in the opening four minutes of the second half swung this Junior Hurling Championship decider decisively in the direction of St. Mary’s Rasharkin though they were forced withstand a late rally from Glen Rovers.

With the gale force wind at their backs St. Mary’s led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval but with the elements in their favour in the second half, Glen Rovers were expected to take control.

Instead it was the men from Dreen who dictated the early second half exchanges with Conor McFerran following up on a Conor Devlin save from Donagh Quigg in the opening minute to finish to the net from close range.

Three Minutes later the excellent Quigg got in for a second St. Mary’s goal and suddenly a three point lead had been stretched to nine and the Blue & Amber’s were firmly in the driving seat.

St. Mary’s were forced to withstand a late rally from their North Antrim opponents but stood strong to take the title before the celebrations got underway.

Rasharkin defeated Davitt’s and Ardoyne to qualify from Group 1 while Armoy won all three games in Group to set up what looked to have the makings of a good final and so it proved to be.

The men from Dreen can go into Saturday’s quarter-final with confidence against a Sean Tracey’s side who will have confidence themselves after defeating Erne Gaels in last weekend’s preliminary round.

Donagh Quigg in action against Armoy in the Antrim final and above celebrating with the cup can lead Rasharkin to a win over Sean Tracey’s in Armagh on Saturday

The return of James O’Mullan to the Rasharkin goals has been a major boost while Daniel and Conor Doherty and Connaire Donaghy form a solid full-back line for St. Mary’s.

Ruairi and Tiernan O’Boyle flanked Aidan McKeever in the half-back line against Armoy while Shane Hasson and Conor McFerran formed an experienced mid-field partnership against Glen Rovers.

Team captain Donagh Quigg led by example in a man of the match performance and his goal early in the second half and another from Conor McFerran proved match winning scores and these two with Emmet McFerran carry the scoring threat that can see them advance to the semi-final on Saturday.

Throw in at the Athletic Grouds in 2-00pm and Rasharkin are likely to bring a big support to the Armagh venue and lets hope the Blue & Ambers can make their journey worth while.

Rasharkin v Armoy: 1 James O’Mullan, 2 Daniel Doherty, 3 Conor Doherty, 4 Connaire Donaghy, 5 Ruairi O’Boyle, 6 Aidan McKeever, 7 Tiernan O’Boyle, 8 Shane Hasson, 9 Conor McFerran, 10 Cathir Henderson, 11 Emmet McFerran, 12 Conor McKeever, 13 Donagh Quigg, 14 Conor McKillop, 15 Declan McKay.

Subs: Brian Og O’Neill for Conor McKillop, Connor Higgins for Tiernan O’Boyle, Caolan Maria, Daniel Hasson

by thesaffrongael

Hurling for Gaza

Gaels against Genocide have been working closely with Gaza Paediatrician Care Initiative who have arranged for Palestinians,badly injured in Gaza to come to Ireland and in partnership with the initiative we hope to raise much needed funds to go towards medical costs. Today we launched ‘Hurling for Gaza’ when hurling stars from all over Ireland will come together for this great cause in what will be a great game and occasion to be involved in. Tickets are available via link below for the game and cash will also be accepted on the day.Donations are also available.We encourage everyone to purchase ticket whether you can make the game or not and encourage your family,friends and neighbours

#GazaInitiative#SaoirseDonPhalaistín

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/hurling-for-gaza-tickets…

by thesaffrongael

Sarsfields lift the Nipper Quinn Shield

Above – Sarsfields team wiht the Nipper Quinn Shield

Back row L-R. Conall Megaw, Eoghan McAllea, Darragh Ward, Dan Barr, Dara Ward, Paddy Og Robinson, Conan Drumm, Ronan Feeney, Cuan Brady, Darragh McCourt, Fionn McAllister, James McKernan, Adam Rowlands

Front row L-R. Ronan O’Toole, Jack Rowlands, Callum Carberry, Daire McCrory, Cameron Fleming, Conor McKernan, Bear Butler, Rohan Brady, James McCallum, Fionn Green

Paddy Quinn presents The Nipper Quinn Shield to Sarsfields captain Paddy Og Robinson

By James McKernan

Sarsfields made their way to the Shield Final after being narrowly defeated by 2 points by eventual Nipper Quinn Cup winners St Paul’s in a tight Quarter Final Cup match at St Paul’s.

Sarsfields then took on Davitts in the Shield Semi Final at Davitt Park with Sarsfields playing some great Hurling on the day and coming away with a well earned 8 point win. 

The young Paddies were in confident form and looking forward to playing St Endas in the Shield Final. Disappointingly for the Sarsfields boys, coaches & supporters, word came through that St Endas had been in contact with the organisers a few hours before the throw in for the Final and were unable to field.

Not the way Sarsfields wanted to lift the Shield but never the less the Stewartstown boys got their reward for all their hard work throughout the year. 

The Sarsfields team and mentors

by thesaffrongael

McDonald stars as St Paul’s win thrilling Nipper Quinn Shield final

Nipper Quinn Shield – A Final

St Paul’s 3-11 St John’s 4-6

Paddy Quinn presents the Nipper Quinn Shield to the St Pau’s captain after his team’s win

St Paul’s won the Nipper Quinn Shield when they held off a late rally by St John’s in Saturday’s final at Rossa Park. Played in difficult conditions on a sanded pitch, and in heavy rain, the St Paul’s boys were pushed to the pin of their collar to hold off a late rally by the boys from Corrigan, but both teams deserve the highest of credit for the display they produced.

St Paul’s right half forward Bradley McDonnell proved the difference between two well matched sides, giving a man of the match performance as he scored an incredible 2-07 for the Shaws Road side, but it was far from a one man show as centre back Ben Gamble corner forward Fiontann Burns and goalkeeper Lorcan Douglas also contributed to the victory. Dylan Hand was the stand out player for St John’s while Odhran O’Prey and Connor McGibbon also starred.

St John’s took an early lead with a Dylan Hand point, but despite playing against the strong breeze St Paul’s came back strongly and a goal and two points from Bradley McDonnell had them four ahead after ten minutes. Dylan Hand and Conor McGibbon came back with points for the Johnnies to level matters, and they could have been ahead but for a couple of great saves by Burns in the St Paul’s goal. St Pauls had moved ahead just before half time but the Johnnies got the break they needed when Hand drove a ground ball through a packed goalmouth to send them in at half time with a 1-04 to 1-03 lead.

The Corrigan Park side made a great start to the second half when Hand pointed to put them two ahead and then followed it up a minute later with a great goal to put five between the sides. McDonnell responded for St Paul’s with a great point on the run to cut the gap back to four, but St John’s appeared to be in the driving seat when midfielder Odhran O’Prey broke through and batted the ball down into the St Paul’s net to put his side seven ahead.

The frantic pace of the game continued as St Paul’s hit back with a goal and a point from McDonnell, plus points from Ben Gamble and Darragh Loughran to leave just a point between the sides, and when corner forward Fiontan Burns drilled a low shot through a packed goalmouth St Paul’s were two ahead.

Eoin Rice pointed to increase their lead to two, but Dylan Hand got the Johnnies back in front when he fired a close range free to the St Paul’s net and corner forward Fraser McGivern added a point from play. St Paul’s again responded to the challenge the Bradley McDonnell swung the game back in their favour with three points in a row, one from a 65 and two from play to put his side back ahead.

Those scores sealed the win for St Paul’s but they had to withstand a late charge by St John’s who threw everything they had at it in the dying minutes. The Corrigan Park boys came within a whisker of saving the game but were denied again by goalkeeper Douglas and a great high catch by substitute Ethan Ervine who was back helping out his defence

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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