U21B Hurling Final

Shane O’Neill’s 0-18 Tir na nOg 1-10

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.

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 8^th 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 20^th 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 21^st minute with Niall Rodgers and Gerald Burns with a superb conversion moving the Glenarm men 9 ahead by the 25^th 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 26^th 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.

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 5^th 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 16^th 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 19^th 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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Under 21 Hurling Championship semi-final

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.

U21 Hurling Championship

Semi Final

Loughgiel 2-22 Dunloy 1-18

Monday 28 July

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 12^th 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 37^th 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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U21B Hurling Semi-Final

Shane O’Neill’s 4-15 All Saints 1-17

Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm are through to the final of the U21B Hurling Championship after an epic battle with All Saints, Ballymena at Feystown on Monday night.

The game turned into a personal scoring shootout between Glenarm’s county panellist, Niall McGarrell and All Saints Darrach Bradley who was superb for the Ballymena side.

Seven points separated the protagonists in the end but the scoreline slightly flattered the home side with three of their four goals of the soft variety and down to poor defending by the visitors defence.

It was McGarel who got Shane O’Neill’s off on the front foot when he fired past Luke Walsh in the All Saints goals after 20 seconds to give the Feystown side the perfect start.

Darrach Bradley got All Saints off the mark with a couple of pointed frees and the Ballymena number 9 would play a major part in his side’s challenge as he struck 0-9 of his side’s first half total to give them a 0-10 to 1-6 half time lead.

Their other score came from a long distance Pearse Martin free as Shane O’Neill’s continued to keep in touch with McGael adding all six of his sides opening half points.

John Scullion became only the fourth player to raise a white flag as he fired over the equaliser on the restart with McGarel pointing his side ahead before the excellent Bradley tied matters once more from a ‘65’.

A great catch and point on the turn by Michael Connolly saw the Slemish Park side edge ahead once more but Glenarm were starting to get on top and John Scullion cut in from the left to fire home their second goal with 8 minutes gone.

The Feystown side continued to press and Niall McGarel 0-3 and Robbie McDonald added points with Bradley again responding for the visitors to leave three in it after 18 minutes play.

McGarel pointed again before disaster struck for the visitors as Gerald Burns got in for a very soft goal to put more daylight between the sides.

Points from Pearse Martin and another converted Bradley free had it back to six with five minutes remaining before disaster struck again and this time it was substitute, Ronan Rodgers who was on hand to punish a defensive mistake for his side’s fourth goal of the evening.

Niall McGarel added a point and Ryan O’Boyle followed with another to put it well out of All Saints reach but the Ballymena side kept going to the end and man of the match, Bradley drove his free through a packed goalmouth with McGarel concluding the scoring with the game’s final point.

Shane O’Neill’s will now meet Tir na nOg in the final and in the end they were worthy winners but All Saints will be disappointed by the final result but their management should take great pride in their commitment on the night and the quality of their hurling.

Niall McGarrell was excellent for the Feystown side and began to influence the contest when they moved him further out the field in the second half and he finished with 1-12 of his side total while Darrach Bradley contributed 1-14 for the Slemish Park side.

Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Blaine Mitchell, 2 Odhran Daly. 3 Michael Furey, 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 Ryan O’Boyle, 13 Niall McGarel, Gerald Burns, Niall Rodgers.

Subs: Ronan Rodgers for JamesO’Kane

All Saints: Luke Walsh, 2 Robert Crooks, 3 Paddy Murphy, 4 Finn Connon, 5 Harry Connon, 6 Pearse Martin, 7 Connor O’Hara, 8 Archie McGreevey, 9 Darrach Bradley, 10 Sean O’Brien, 11 Jakub Kaczmarek, 12 Tiernan McGurk, 13 Michael Connolly, 14 Daniel Kelly, 25 Antoin Martin

Referee: Fergus McAlister (Cushendall)

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U-21 B Hurling Championship, Preliminary Round 

Lámh Dhearg 1-13-2-11 All Saints, Ballymena 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

DARACH BRADLEY popped over an injury time winner as All Saints came out on top in a ding-dong battle with Lámh Dhearg in the U-21 B Prelim clash at Hannahstown on Monday evening. 

Adam Murray converted an early free and Aaron Kennedy added a second point from play as the Lámhs opened the evening scoring on a soggy and dull evening in Hannahstown. 

Darach Bradley replied from a free and added a second between a further Murray placed ball. 

The opening goal fell to the visitors after a strike came off the post and Bradley stabbed the loose ball over the line to give All Saints a 1-2-0-3 advantage. 

Murray closed the gap with his third free of the half before Darach Bradley (free) and a Fintan Brady score from play opened up a goal lead. 

Lámh Dherarg closed the deficit to a single point through successive Murray frees late in the half and the hosts could have led at the interval, but Luke Walsh parried Murray’s penalty as All Saints held a narrow 1-4-0-6 lead. 

Parity was restored within sixty seconds of the restart as Murray added his sixth of the evening and he edged his side back in front from a further placed ball a few moments later. 

Darach Bradley levelled with his fourth free of the contest and a converted Pearse Martin free nudged the Ballymena outfit ahead again. 

They extended their advantage with another Bradley free and Tiernan McGurk then popped the ball over to open up a 1-8-0-8 gap. 

Adam Murray landed a free from range in response and after Sean McCarthy cleared to Calum Fegan in defence, he in turn picked out Murray to land his first from play of the evening and make it a single point game. 

The tide was turning from the resulting puck-out, Calum Fegan gathered and tried his luck from range with a shot that dropped over Walsh and into the net to give the Hannahstown side a 1-10-1-08 lead. 

Lámh Dhearg opened up a three-point lead with Adam Murray clipping over his 10th score and ninth from the placed ball. 

Both sides traded fantastic points from play courtesy of Darach Bradley and Calum Fegan and after Ronan Webb won a puck-out and the hosts a free, Murray pointed the placed ball to make it 1-13-1-09. 

The four-point gap remained until the 54th minute when Pearse Martin rifled low past Rhys Camlin and a single point separated the sides. 

The visitors were buoyed and Martin then popped over a leveller with Bradley keeping his nerve late on and swinging over the eventual winner as All Saints ran out 2-11-1-13 winners at the conclusion. 

LÁMH DHEARG: R Camlin, C Tubridy, S Doran, D O’Connor, F Clenaghan, C Fegan (1-1), C Camlin, E Stanley, S McCarthy, O Lee, A Murray (0-11, 0-10f), A Kennedy (0-1), R Webb, C McGuigan, R Armstrong. Subs: A Brady for C McGuigan (26). 

ALL SAINTS: L Walsh, A Martin, P Murphy, F Connon, H Connon, P Martin (1-2, 0-1f), C O’Hara, A McGreevy, D Bradley (1-7, 0-6f), S O’Brien, D McCoy, T McGurk (0-1), M Connolly, D Kelly, F Brady (0-1). Subs: R Crooks for A Martin (16). 
REFEREE: Chris Brown (ST PAULS)

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