U21A Championship Semi-Final St Gall’s 3-14 Kickham’s Creggan 2-12
St. Gall’s got off to a flying start at Milltown on Sunday to sow the seeds of victory over visitors Kickham’s Creggan in this excellent U21A semi-final.
Niall Fallon was the man who did the early damage as he rattled the Creggan net twice as he used his pace to break through the Creggan defence before firing his shot into the far corner after Padraig Og Murray had opened the scoring with a St. Gall’s point.
From the Creggan kick-out the home side won possession and Callum Walsh linked well with Daniel Quinn to place Fallon who rose to punch home goal number two and the visitors looked in serious trouble.
The Staffordstown Road side slowly began to get it together however and Liam McClernon and Anton Martin both struck great points after driving through the heart of the St Gall’s defensive line twice in quick succession.
Daniel Quinn was impressing for the Milltown side and he fired over a 2 pointer to increase the St. Gall’s lead to seven again with less than five minutes remaining to the break.
It was point for point after this as the Kickham’s fought to overturn a hefty deficit and their persistence paid off when they struck with a quick fire double of their own.
Ronan McGuckian began the comeback as he fired to the roof of the home net as the travelling support roared their approval and when Anton Martin added a second Creggan goal, the St. Gall’s lead had been reduced to the minimum.
The momentum had swung the way of the South West side and the question now was could they sustain it.
Conor Johnston’s first point of the afternoon levelled proceedings but the visitors failed to build on their period of success and St Gall’s would regain the initiative when Daniel Quinn replied with two points in as many minutes to restore the one-point lead.
Substitute Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain made an immediate impact as he split the posts to restore the St. Gall’s advantage and Daniel Quinn followed with a brace as the Milltown Blues resumed control.
The momentum was now with the home side and Niall Fallon burst through the Creggan defence on a mazy run but his effort was blocked with the ball breaking favourably into the path of Callum Walsh who made no mistake from close range.
The kickham’s looked in serious trouble again but fought back strongly with Shea McCann punishing a number of indiscretions as they clawed their way back into the St. Gall’s lead but the holders were always able to respond.
Callum Walsh and Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain were both on target as the hosts moved five ahead with five remaining in this compelling contest which was still very much in the melting pot.
The travelling side were in desperate need of a goal however but Conor Johnston’s effort was brilliantly blocked by Ethan Walsh at the death to deny them any chance of a comeback.
Niall Fallon put it out of the visitors reach as he fisted over at the other end to put a bit more daylight between the sides and conclude the scoring for the afternoon.
St Gall’s are now on course to retain the trophy they claimed last year and will face St Brigid’s in the final after the Musgrave Park side defeated St. Mary’s Aghagallon in the other semi-final.
ST GALL’S: C Óg Mullan; C Hale, G Adams, F McCullagh; S Adams, L Lynn, E Walsh; O Maskey, M Crossan; A Mackel, D Quinn 0-8 (1x2P, 0-3f), C Walsh 1-1; J Rafferty 0-1, N Fallon 2-1, P Óg Murray 0-1
Subs: D MacCrabhanna 0-2, P Austin
CREGGAN KICKHAMS: C Loughran; P McGuckian, C McLarnon, F Kelly; F Close 0-2 (0-2f), C McEldowney, L McLernon 0-1; A McIlwee, T McCann; A Martin 1-1, R McGuckian 1-0, S Daly; C Johnston 0-3, E Johnston, S McCann 0-5 (0-4f)
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc MacUílín, Ballycastle
Cushendall held off a second half comeback from Loughgiel to take the U21 championship on Monday evening with just two points to spare by the final whistle. Midway through the second half, it looked like the Ruairi’s were going to cruise to victory when they opened up a seven point advantage but the Shamrock’s fought back and were probably worthy of at least earning extra time at the death.
The Ruairi’s were in debt to netminder Nicholas McLaughlin by the time the final whistle came with the Cuchendall ‘keeper producing two top class saves in the last five minutes while Sean McKay’s hook on Liam Glackin when the Loughgiel defender had the goal at his mercy was ultimately the winning of the game.
County chairman Seamus McMullan presents the Neill Patterson Cup to Ruairi Og joint captains Padraig McKillop (left) and Sean McKay after their team’s win over Loughgiel in Monday evening’s final at Pairc MacUílin, Ballycastle
The old adage of goals winning games couldn’t have been more true in this contest and it was Joseph McLaughlin who bagged both majors for his side. The first from rather fortuitous circumstances when Loughgiel ‘keeper Pearce Patterson misjudged the flight of his free from full 75 yards out and while the penalty McLaughlin scored for his second could be somewhat questionable, McLaughlin’s finish was not. He would finish with 2-7 for his 60 plus minutes of work.
Jack McCloskey was the star of the show for the Shamrocks, he finished with 13 white flags, 11 from placed ball but he was the one player who really led the fight for Loughgiel and almost singlehandedly brought them back into this contest.
Ultimately, the Shamrocks were too reliant on his talents and Cushendall did just enough. Despite going through 17 minutes without scoring, the Cushendall defence soaked up pressure with a series of tackles, hooks and interceptions that it was going to take something special for Loughgiel to get the goal that would have changed the momentum of this final. Charlie McAuley, Sean McKay and Padraig McKillop all excelling and revelling in the contest being put their way.
With the wind from Storm Floris going more cross field towards the scoreboard, it favoured Cushendall more in the first half and they could have had two goals in the opening minutes of this final. Alex McCambridge going close only to be denied by a superb piece of defending from Tiago McGarry while Pearce Patterson denied Oisin Woodhouse with an outstanding piece of bravery.
Joe McNaughton and Thomas McLaughlin pointed either side of a Ronan ‘Rosey’ Fitgerald point for the Shamrocks to get the scoring going before a brace of frees from Jack McCloskey had the Shamrocks ahead.
The game was very even in the opening exchanges with neither side really stamping their authority on the game but with 10 minutes to go, it was the Shamrocks who held the lead by the minimum.
The Ruairi’s recorded four unanswered scores in the space of three minutes to take a three point lead for the first time – the scores coming from Thomas McLaughlin, Aodhan Campbell and a brace from Fiontan Bradley (one free).
Just when it looked like Cushendall would put some daylight between the sides, Loughgiel hit back. Jack McCloskey pointed either side of a brilliant score from Roan McGarry to the sides on nine points apiece with five minutes of the half remaining.
The sides went score for score with Joseph McLaughlin (two) firing over for the Ruairi’s while Eoin McGarry and Ruairi McCormick responded for Loughgiel to leave the sides tied on 11 points each at the short whistle.
Loughgiel would have been happier at the interval with the elements at their back for the second half but they got off to the worse possible start. Joseph McLaughlin stood over a free fully 75 yards from goal and while ‘keeper Pearce Patterson looked well placed to deal with the dropping sliotar, he could only deflect it into the net.
A Joseph McLaughlin free followed but the opening quarter was dictated by the Ruairi’s as they dominated the breakdown and didn’t give Loughgiel a sniff.
The Shamrocks first score of the second half came from a Jack McCloskey free in the 38th minute but by the time he would add to their score tally eight minutes later, Cushendall had opened a seven point lead thanks largely to a penalty in the 41st minute.
Austin Birt sending the sliotar high in to the edge of the square where Thomas McLaughlin was lurking. He got to the sliotar ahead of Roan McGarry and the Loughgiel man was deemed to have been overzealous with his tackle with referee Piaras McCaffrey awarding a penalty. Joseph McLaughlin made no mistake with his strike and with a free moments later as the Ruairi’s looked to cut loose with 15 minutes remaining.
Jack McCloskey who dragged Loughgiel right back into the game, scoring 13 points overall
Incredibly, they would only score two points in the time that remained as Loughgiel found some momentum in the final quarter. Despite having missed a couple of chances previously, Jack McCloskey landed five points from frees in the space of nine minutes while team captain Padraig McKillop split the uprights with the solitary response for his side.
With three points separating the sides going into the final minute of the hour, Loughgiel finally created clear cut goal chances. Tiago McGarry sent the sliothar high into the danger area where Roan McGarry claimed the loose ball. He got his shot away instinctively but Nicholas McNaughton somehow managed to stop his effort with a sensational piece of goal keeping.
McCloskey would convert the resulting ’65 and when Ben McGarry pointed moments later, it left just one point between the sides with just over three of the four allotted minutes of injury time remaining.
The Shamrocks had their chances with Ruairi McCloskey and Eoin McGarry both going wide while Eddie Smyth was denied by Nicholas McLaughlin’s bravery from point blank range. Liam Glackin looked for the world to score a major with the goal at his mercy but Sean McKay produced a quite brilliant block from out of nowhere to deny him at the last moment.
Joseph McLaughlin would have the final say when he pointed his sixth free of the final in the fifth minute of injury time to ensure it was the Ruairi’s who were celebrating at the final whistle.
Joseph McLaughlin sends over the final point of the game to seal the Cushendall win five minutes into injury time
TEAMS
CUSHENDALL: Nicholas McLaughlin; Conor McCann, Sean McKay, Callagh Mooney; Padraig McKillop, Charlie McAuley, Austin Birt; Aodhan Campbell, Joe McNaughton; Killian McNaughton, Thomas McLaughlin, Joseph McLaughlin; Oisin Woodhouse, Alex McCambridge, Fiontan Bradley
Scorers: J McLaughlin 2-7 (1-6f, 1-00pen); F Bradley 0-3 (2f); T McLaughlin 0-2; J McNaughton 0-1; A Campbell 0-1; P McKillop 0-1
LOUGHGIEL: Pearce Patterson; Cahir Connelly, Liam Glackin, Tiago McGarry; Eddie Smyth, Ben McGarry, Finn Henry; Ronan Fitzgerald, Ruairi McCormick; Eoin McGarry, Darragh Patterson, Conan Johnston; Roan McGarry, Jack McCloskey, Ronan McCollam
Scorers: J McCloskey 0-13 (10f, 1 ’65); B McGarry 0-1; R Fitzgerald 0-1; R McCormick 0-1; E McGarry 0-1; D Patterson 0-1; R McGarry 0-1
REFEREE: Piaras McCaffrey (Naomh Gall)
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Storm Floris may have not reached the heights predicted on Wednesday in Ballymena but Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm took full advantage of the gale that blew down Slemish Park to build up a substantial half time lead in this keenly contested U21B Hurling final against Tir na nOg.
That the Randalstown side choose to play against the strong wind in the first half after winning the toss was a decision that was questionable as the boys from Feystown raced into a 0-12 to 0-2 half time lead.
A shower that fell in the minutes leading up to half time seemed to calm down the breeze though the Whitehill side still had a reduced version at their backs in the second half as they battled hard to close the 10 point gap.
They had it back to four going into the final quarter after a strong third quarter where they scored 1-6 but that was as close as they got as Shane O’Neill’s stood strong to win by five in the end.
Glenarm’s John Scullion breaks clear to set up an attack
It was the Glenarm side who opened at breakneck pace with Niall McGarel, Gerald Burns, Michael Fury and Sean McDermott pointing to lead by four after four minutes as they dominated the opening exchanges.
Their opponents, Tir na nOg were finding it difficult to mount a meaningful attack but it took a timely clearance by the Shane O’Neill’s defence to deny Ciaran McCamphill in the 8th minute.
Gerald Burns, John Scullion, James O’Kane and Niall McGarel from a 60 meter free increased the Shane O’Neill’s lead to 0-8 by the 20th minute and despite missing a number of frees it was looking like a walkover for the Feystown side at this stage of proceedings.
Joe McCormick finally opened the Tir na nOg account with a point in the 21st minute with Niall Rodgers and Gerald Burns with a superb conversion moving the Glenarm men 9 ahead by the 25th minute.
The Whitehill side were battling hard to get their game going as they faced the wind and a slick moving opponent and Conor McKenna raised their second white flag of the evening in the 26th minute.
Shane O’Neill’ continued to dictate matters and points from Michael Fury and a 60 meter conversion from Niall McGarel saw them head to the dressing rooms with a fairly healthy looking 0-12 to 0-2 half time lead.
Given the fact that they would now face the wind in the second half, the question was, would a 10 point lead be enough and when the Randalstown side hit 1-3 in the opening minutes that 10 point half time lead looked in some danger.
Dylan McLarnon clears his lines as Niall Rodgers attemps to block
Caleb Smith was the man who led the early charge with a point and Tiarnan Bonnes added another before Smith hammered home the game’s only goal and when Connor O’Neill followed with a point in the 5th minute their fight-back looked well on target.
Team captain McGarel steadied the ship with a point for Shane O’Neills and Gerald Burns replied to a pointed free from Bonnes as Glenarm began to recover from the early Randalstown onslaught.
The exchanges were fairly even at this stage though the Shane O’Neill’s defence were playing out of their skins to contain the opposition attacks with Ciaran McLoughlin, Michael Fury and John Scullion getting in some timely tackles.
Gerald Burns and Niall Rodgers responded with points but points from Conor McKenna and Tiarnan Bonnes at the other end had it back to four by the 16th minute.
Once again the Feystown side found a response and that man McGarel converted a great 60 meter free into the breeze and added another from closer to goals to move his side six ahead by the 19th minute.
The Glenarm captain, McGarel then saw another attempt rebound of an upright with Robbie McDonald denied from the rebound at the expense of a ‘65’ which the team captain converted.
That score moved the boys in light blue 7 ahead again with five minutes of normal time remaining and despite a sustained late push from Tir na nOg which produced 2 points from Dylan McLarnon, it was Shane O’Neill’s who deservedly claimed the title.
After the game Antrim committee member, Terry Reilly presented the U21B Cup to Shane O’Neill’s captain, Niall McGarel as his colleagues and large support roared their approval.
Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Blaine Mitchell, 2 Odhran Daly, 3 Michael Fury, 4 Robbie McDonald, 5 Ciaran McLoughlin, 6 John Scullion, 7 James O’Kane, 8 Charlie Black, 9 Sean McDermott, 10 Charlie Ward, 11 Shea McConnell, 12 Ronan Rodgers, 13 Niall McGarel, 14 Gerald Burns, 15 Niall Rodgers
Subs: Matthew Black, Ryan O’Boyle
Tir na nOg: 1 Aodhan McGuckian, 2 Malachy Martin, 3 Patrick McCloskey, 4 Odhran Loughran, 5 Dara Martin, 6 Daniel McLornan, 7 Paul McCloskey, 8 Dylan Larnon, 9 Brendan Devlin, 10 Joe McCormick, 11 Tiarnan Bonnes, 12 Ciaran McCamphill, 13 Connor O’Neill, 14 Conor McKenna, 15 Caleb Smith
Subs: Rory Neeson, Pauric Redmond
Referee: Seamus Shannon (Rossa)
Terry Reilly presents he U21B Cup to Glenarm captain, Niall McGarrell
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Cushendall Ruairi Og 3-16 Glenariffe/Glenravel 015
Cushendall set up a final meeting with Loughgiel when they beat neighbours Glenariffe/Glenravel in Monday evening’s semi-final at Pairc Mhuir, Cushendall. O-05 to 0-01 up after ten minutes the home side always held the upper hand and went on the lead by 1-11 to 0-05 at the interval.
Glenariffe/Glenravel got the first score of the second half but Cushendall were soon back in control, and added two more goals on their way to an emphatic win.
The home side hit five points in the first five minutes, three of them from Jospeph McLaughlin and one each from Fiontan Bradley and Oran McCambridge and while Orrin O’Connor came back with two for the visitors Cushendall took over and after adding another Joseph McLaughlin point at the end of the first quarter Thomas McLaughlin got their first goal after a high ball into the ‘square’ by Oran McCambridge. Joseph McNaughton and Joseph McLaughlin tagged on two more points, and while James McHenry and Calum McHenry came back with two in the final minute of the half Cushendall were still 1-11 to 0-5 clear at the interval.
The lead was out to eleven early in the second half and while Cormac McKeown and Calum McIlwaine sent over two more for the visitors a goal from Oisin Woodhouse and a point from Fiontan Bradly ended the game as a contest. When Bradley scored his second goal inside five minutes there was no way back for Glenariffe/Glenravel side, and even though they came back with five points on the trot, two from Cormac Keown, two from Canice McIntosh and one from Peadar McDonnell, Cushendall finished strongly with points from Joseph McLaughlin and Fiontan Bradley to set up a meeting with Loughgiel next Monday evening.
Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel
Despite being reduced to 14 men just four minutes into the second half, Loughgiel produced a barnstorming 30 minutes after the half time interval to book their place in the U21 hurling final. The Shamrocks had trailed Dunloy by four points at half time after a first half that was largely played on the Cuchullains terms but the home side were dominant in the middle third of the pitch in the second half as Dunloy had no answer to their onslaught.
Jack McCloskey top scored for Loughgiel, finishing the hour with 1-7 – his goal coming after barely 15 seconds of the second half. Ronan Fitzgerald bagged the other Loughgiel major in the first half while Ruairi McCormick’s tally of 0-5 from midfield put him in contention for man of the match.
That accolade went to centre half back Ben McGarry however. He was immense at the heart of the Shamrock’s defence with Dunloy getting no change from him throughout.
Oisin McCallin impressed for the Cuchullains and finished with nine white flags by the end of the hour, four of those coming from placed ball.
Ryan Mort grabbed Dunloy’s goal shortly after Fitzgerald’s major with a super catch and rasping drive in a first half that saw the Cuchullains more than match their neighbours.
It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the Cuchullains who had all six starting forwards on the scoresheet by half time but they couldn’t match Loughgiel’s performance levels after the break.
The Cuchullains made a fantastic start to this semi final and had opened a five point lead by the sixth minute. Points coming from Aodhan McGarry, Oisin McCallin (2) and the Mort brothers Conor and Ryan raising white flags. Ruairi McCormick with the solitary response for the Shamrocks in the same time period.
Jack McCloskey (free) and Aidan Richmond swapped points before the first goal of the match in the 12th minute. A brilliant run from Roan McGarry wrong footed the Dunloy defence as he collected a cross field pass and while Eoghan Richmond saved his initial shot, Ronan Fitzgerald was first to the rebound and pulled first time to the back of the net.
The Dunloy response couldn’t have been more instant. From the restart, they made their way to the left hand side of the pitch where Aidan Richmond sent a high ball to the edge of the square. Ryan Mort managed to pluck the sliotar from the air with a brilliant catch that was matched with his strike as he gave Pearce Patterson no chance in goals for the Shamrocks.
The Cuchullains extended their lead to six points with scores from McCallin (2 frees), Francis McMullan and a super point from Luke McFerran while he was on his knees, Ben and Tiago McGarry with scores for the Shamrocks.
The home side hit a purple patch and while they kept Dunloy from scoring for close to ten minutes, they recorded four points unanswered with Roan McGarry, McCloskey (free) and a brace from Eoin McGarry bringing them to within two points.
Dunloy had the final say of the first half however with points from McCallin (free) and Luke McFerran to leave the half time score 1-12 to 1-8 in their favour.
The second half began in the best possible way for the Shamrocks as they found the back of the Dunloy net for a second time. A strong run from Ruairi McCormick through the middle drew the Dunloy defence and he found Jack McCloskey with a pop pass and he made no mistake with a thumping drive.
McCloskey would restore parity to the sides with a free moments later before Loughgiel were reduced to 14 men. Defender Connor Dickson was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Mort overzealously and saw red for his actions, much to the dismay of the Loughgiel players and management.
Despite McCallin pointing the resulting free, Loughgiel still played with vigour and momentum. Further scores from Roan McGarry and McCormick gave them the lead for the first time in the match in the 37th minute. Dunloy answered with a brace of points from McCallin in quick succession but the Shamrock’s turned the screw in the middle third and took control. They would hold Dunloy to just one point in 15 minutes while firing over 10 points of their own in a period of play that the Cuchullains had no answer to.
Ben McGarry (free), McCormick (2), McCloskey (4), Eoin McGarry, substitutes Charley O’Hagan and Liam McGarry raising the white flags with Dunloy substitute Ryan Scott the solitary score for Dunloy.
With the game ticking into the final five or so minutes, Dunloy went in search of goals. They laid siege on a Loughgiel defence that seemed to relish the challenge that was being brought before them. Jack Martin did add his name to the list of Dunloy scorers while McCallin went close from a 21 yard free but the goal they needed never materialised.
McCormick took his personal tally to 0-5 while McCallin rounded off the scoring in injury time.
A brilliant second half display from the Shamrocks who look ahead to the final and a meeting with Cushendall.
TEAMS
LOUGHGIEL: Pearce Patterson; Cahir Donnelly, Liam Glackin, Connor Dickson; Eddie Smyth, Ben McGarry, Tiago McGarry; Ruairi McCormick, Finn Henry; Eoin McGarry, Darragh Patterson, Ryan O’Boyle; Ronan Fitzgerald, Jack McCloskey, Roan McGarry
Subs: Conan Johnston for C Connolly (HT); Charley O’Hagan for R O’Boyle (43); Ashdon McGarry for R McCormick (59); Liam McGarry for J McCloskey (60)
Scorers: J McCloskey 1-7 (6fs); R McCormick 0-5; E McGarry 0-3; R Fitzgerald 1-00; R McGarry 0-2; B McGarry 0-2 (1f); T McGarry 0-1; C O’Hagan 0-1; C Johnston 0-1
DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Reece Cunning, Sean Og Blaney, Michael Trainor; Joe Magee, Ben O’Kane, Tom McFerran; Aodhan McGarry, Jack Martin; Conor Mort, Francis McMullan, Ryan Mort; Aidan Richmond, Luke McFerran, Oisin McCallin
Subs: Ryan Scott for R Mort (35); Barry McCloskey for A Richmond (50); Cahir McMullan for J Magee (56)
Scorers: O McCallin 0-9 (4fs); R Mort 1-1; L McFerran 0-2; A McGarry 0-1; J Martin 0-1; C Mort 0-1; F McMullan 0-1; A Richmond 0-1; R Scott 0-1
REFEREE: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
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