Category / Junior

by thesaffrongael

Johnnies advance to the last eight

Northern Property Antrim Junior Football Championship 

St Johns 3-03-0-04 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park 

Goals were the difference at Corrigan Park this evening as St Johns advanced to the last eight of the Northern Property Antrim Junior Football Championship with a 3-03-0-04 win over Lámh Dhearg. 

St Johns drew first blood on a bright evening at Corrigan Park and netted early on when they turned the ball over and possession was switched to Cora Magee- who drove forward and picked her spot low in the net. 

Back-to-back points followed from the Lámhs in response, Isla Annett played a precise pass through to Tiarnach Fegan to fire over the bar and converted free followed from Robyn Murray. 

Murray sent a second free between the posts midway through the half to restore parity, but the hosts regained the lead as Debbie Boyd swung a pass out to Olivia Cardwell- who dropped her shot over the bar. 

Cora Magee to attempted to add to her earlier goal- her shot was blocked down, though Luisne Adams was on hand to ensure a point was forthcoming as St Johns were 1-02-0-03 ahead at the break. 

The hosts extended their lead after the restart courtesy of a Debbie Boyd free and then found the net for the second time. 

Boyd was again instrumental in bursting in at an angle and popping the ball across before it was sent into the path of Carla Hamill to sweep home and make it 2-03-0-03. 

Robyn Murray converted her third free of the evening to ensure the Hannashtown side remained in contention with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Try as they might, they couldn’t find the elusive goal that would have set up a grandstand finish and in the end the Johnnies would secure a third goal in time added on. 

Niamh Hamill forced a turnover and switched possession to Cora Magee who unselfishly supplied Cora Burns with the simple task of firing in at the near post to give her side a 3-03-0-04 win at the conclusion and ensure a quarter-final meeting with Sarsfields next weekend. 

St Johns : SJ McGuigan, C Carleton, C Richmond, C Conway, E Hamill, O Cardwell (0-01), E Boyd, M Laverty, N McArdle, L Adams (0-01), A Hawkins, C Hamill (1-00), D Boyd (0-01f), C Magee (1-00), C Burns (1-00). Subs: A Hesketh for O Cardwell (52), S McMahon for D Boyd (60). 

Lámh Dhearg : S McCann, C Hayes, S McCloskey, E McGarry, T Fegan (0-01), N Webb, H Kennedy, I Annett, A Larkin, R Murray (0-03f), M Donnelly, O Webb, M Diamond, C Doherty, L Smyth. Subs: J Peoples for E McGarry (25), A McKinley for M Diamond (47), M Diamond for R Murray (51), R Murray for A Larkin (60+2). 

by thesaffrongael

Saints through to next round

LGFA NORTHERN PROPERTY JFC Preliminary Round

All Saints 5-13 Oisins Glenariffe 2-8

Photographs: Brian McKee

All Saints ran out convincing winners against a strong determined Glenariffe team on a sunny Sunday night at Slemish Park, goals from Marnie Kelly (2-0), Siannese Maybin, Anna Kearney and Laura McAleese laid the foundation for a disciplined Saints performance.

The Saints girls started strong and had a number of good scores on the board in the first 10minutes, 2 early goals gave them breathing space but an injury in the full back line meant a reshuffle and whilst the Saints girls were getting settled again they conceded a good goal to Glenariffe’s Colleen Patterson.

All Saints came back strong though and good points from Kelly, Maybin and Kearney meant a strong HT lead of 3-10 1-02. Oisins came out strong in the 2nd half and got on top in the opening10 minutes as slackness from the home defence allowed the visitors to get back into the game.

Glenariff should be commended for their determination to keep going to the final whistle and some great scores kept All Saints on their toes. The Ballymena girls move forward to a tough Quarter Final against Aldergrove next Sunday.

The game attracted a good home support and hopefully they will be there next week to cheer on their side.

by thesaffrongael

Con Magee’s book semi-final spot

Glenravel 2-16  Naomh Colum Cille 1-08

Storm Arwen huffed and puffed around Ballycastle today, enough to impact the flow of the game but not enough to render it a lottery as was suspected yesterday and overnight. Antrim champions Con Magees ran out convincingly winners in the end but it took to the third quarter of this game for them to put some daylight between the teams.

A strong breeze blew straight down Park McQuillan which favoured Tyrone champions Naomh Colum Cille in the first half but they could not take full advantage of it and ultimately that cost them dearly. In a tit for tat opening quarter it was the free takers who dominated. As we went to the first water break, the teams were level on three points a piece, Niall Donnelly and Conleth OLoan (2) the Con Magees marksmen with Paul Greville (2) and Tony O’Hagan replying for the Tyrone side. On resumption Dunloy native, Chris Kearns gave us our first score from play as he nudged Naomh Colum Cille ahead and again on thirty one minutes the same player scored from play but in between Conleth O’Loan had pointed three further frees and James Duffin popped up from midfield to put over a neat score from play. Naomh Colum Cille pulled one back on the stroke of half time with another free from Greville as Down referee Kieran Rice called a halt to proceedings and the crowd sought the shelter of their cars with mugs of tea and coffee. Con Magees went in one point ahead on a 0-07 to 0-06 scoreline and the Antrim men must have been pleased with their half hour’s work because Storm Arwen was definitely on Naomh Colum Cille’s side in the opening half.

Strangely, Arwen calmed down for the first quarter of the second half, much to the delight of the crowd and Paul Greville took full advantage with the opening score, from a free, to level the game in the opening minute. Three minutes later Glenravel got the game’s first goal, Conleth O’Loan rounding the Colum Cille defence along the end line before stepping inside and rattling the net, restoring a three point lead for Con Magees. Cathal Hynds and James Duffin added further points and suddenly their was some daylight between the teams with Glenravel ahead 1-09 to 0-07. Naomh Colum Cille needed a life line and they found it thirteen minutes into the second half when Andrew Byrne netted from close range to bring us back to a two point game 1-09 to 1-07 and all to play for. However, Arwen started to bare his teeth once more, this time in Con Magees favour and over the following fifteen minutes, Glenravel went on to record 1-07 without reply and surely put the game beyond the Tyrone men. The pick of the scores was a terrific team goal following some slick passing and finished with aplomb by Cathal Hynds. Cathal added two further points in that scoring  spree, the others coming from Niall Donnelly (3), James Duffin and the recently introduced Sean McKay.
Chris Kearns had the honour of scoring the game’s final point from play but by that stage the game had gone away from Noamh Colum Cille. Con Magees were convincing winners 2-16 to 1-08 and now go on to play Armagh champions, Craobh Rua who beat Donegal’s St Eunan’s with a very strong performance  in Armagh’s Athletic Grounds. That game is schedule for the weekend of Dec 11th/12th December.

Con Magee’s : R Donnelly, B O’Neill, SL Kerr, M McQuillan, P O’Neill, E McCusker, M McDonnell, J Duffin 0-2, C Henry, J Fyfe, N Donnelly 0-7 (6f), C Hynds 1-1, C O’Loan 1-5, (4f & 1 pen), R Lennon, D Traynor.

Subs: S McKay 0-1 for D Traynor (38), S McCusker for C Henry (46), S Burns for P O’Neill (57).

Yellow card: M McQuillan (27)

Naomh Colum Cille: C Cross, I Donnellan, V McCann, J McGuigan, P Corr, I Flaherty, Ryan O’Neill, A Byrne, C Kearns 0-2, S Kelly, P Greville 0-4 frees, P Maguire, G Mulgrew, T O’Hagan, N O’Neill 1-0.

Subs: Rory O’Neill for T O’Hagan (44), O O’Neill 0-1 for N O’Neill (51), T Daly for I Flaherty (53), M O’Gorman for S Kelly (58).

Yelllow card: A Byrne (37)

Report by Aodh O’loan.

by thesaffrongael

Morgan and McLaughlin run the show as Glenavy reach Junior decider

Antrim LGFA Junior Championship semi-final 

Lámh Dhearg 1-04-0-14 Glenavy

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Six-points each from Antrim players Ellen Morgan and Grainne McLaughlin proved the difference in the end as Glenavy booked their place in the Junior Championship final with a 0-14-1-04 victory over Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Sunday evening. 

Playing with the wind advantage in the first half Glenavy were the most productive in front of goal and established a four-point lead. 

Antrim star Grainne McLaughlin notched the first three herself and a further score from Natasha O’Neil had the visitors in control on the scoreboard. 

Lámh Dhearg were confident on the ball and worked a couple of fantastic opportunities with Robyn Murray neatly knitting the play, but a number of shots dropped short playing against the gale force wind in Hannahstown. 

The hosts eventually got off the mark through a point from Hailey McKeever after a nice build-up move involving Murray and Aoibheann Larkin.

Glenavy should have had the game’s first goal, but Lámh Dhearg goalkeeper Shannon McCann pulled off a fantastic save to deny Megan McGarry and then turned away the follow-up shot. 

A further point from Grainne McLaughlin restored her sides four-point advantage- though a converted Robyn Murray free had a score between the sides. 

Just before the break the visitors saw another goal chance go abegging when Megan McGarry cut the ball back from the by-line to tee up Ellen Morgan, however McCann produced another fine save to ensure her side remained in the game at the interval trailing 0-05-0-02. 

Lámh Dhearg were first off the mark in the second-half through a Ciara Doherty free, although Ellen Morgan replied from the same scenario at the other end. 

Cara McGarry swung over the visitors second of the half to extend Glenavy’s lead, but Lámh Dhearg hit back at the other end. 

Racheal Mulholland drove forward with the ball and saw her shot turned onto the bar by Orlagh Mullin- however Ciara Larkin bundled the loose ball to the net to make it a one-point game at 0-07-1-03. 

Back-to-back Ellen Morgan free’s opened up a three-point deficit again and Grainne McLaughlin kicked her first point of the half. 

 Morgan would end the evening on six points after converting two further frees and landing one from play with Grainne McLaughlin nipping in to conjure up her sixth. 

The game was beyond the hosts, although they continued to battle until the game’s conclusion and a late Racheal Mulholland point ended the scoring for the evening as Glenavy ran out 0-14-1-04 winners to book their place in the Junior decider. 

by thesaffrongael

Gorts are Junior Champions as Dessie top scores

Casements Social Club

Junior Hurling Championship final

Gort na Mona 0-20 St. Paul’s 0-14

Dessie McClean scored 0-11 as Gort na Mona proved too good in the end for a battling St. Paul’s side who kept going right until the final whistle. The former county man gave an outstanding exhibition of free taking, landing at least four from beyond 70 meters and punished every foul that the opposition conceded.

McClean got the Turf Lodge men off the mark from a free in the opening minute before Sean O’Carroll equalised with a point from play with two minutes on the clock. O’Carroll fired over when he might have had a goal and it was Gort na Mona who went on to dominate the opening exchanges.

Patrick McCafferty restored their lead with a good point from play with Dessie McClean (free) and Thomas McCaffery moving them 0-4 to 0-1 ahead after nine minutes. Sean Lawell raised the Shaw’s Road side’s second point but Gort na Mona replied immediately through Darren Diesel Boyd as they continued to hold the upper hand.

St. Paul’s were badly in need of inspiration and suddenly they began to find a bit of momentum as substitute Cairbre O’Caireallain split the uprights and points from Colm McLarnon and Gerard Carberry had them on level terms by the 15th minute as their supporters roared their approval.

Gort na Mona were soon back on the ascendancy however as Dessie McClean pointed a ‘65’ and followed with another from 70 meters before Patrick McCaffery added another from play to leave them three in front by the 23d minute.

Cairbre O’Caireallain pulled one back for the Hoops but another couple of long range efforts from the brilliant McClean had the Gorts four in front by the 29th minute and they again looked to be taking control.

St. Paul’s were fighting with everything they had to keep in touch however and Colm McLarnon replied from two pointed frees to leave just two in it again as the game moved into injury time. The final scores of the half were to go the way of the Turf Lodge men however as Patrick McCaffery and Dessie McClean concluded the first half scoring to restore their four point advantage as the half time whistle sounded.

St. Paul’s need a good start to the second half if they were to get back into contention and Colm McLarnon raised their hopes when he pointed a free in the opening minute but as the hits continued to go in thick and fast Dessie McClean replied from frees in the 33d and 42nd minutes at the other end.

St. Paul’s were enjoying their fair share of possession at this stage but Sean O’Carroll held his head in frustration after his goal bound shot came back of an upright but they continued to press and were rewarded with a pointed free from Colm McLarnon and a superb long range point from corner-back, Chris Murray.

Dessie McClean again eased the pressure from another free but Gort na Mona were then dealt a blow when James Connolly was shown red after a dangerous pull.

Could this be the turning point in the game? The answer was a definitive no as Gort na Mona came storming forward, led by the impressive McCaffery and the big mid-fielder hit a fine point with Dessie McClean and Steven Rooney following suit to put a bit of daylight between the sides.

A Colm McLarnon free with four minutes of normal time remaining and another from Stephen Rooney gave St. Paul’s a bit of encouragement but it was too little, too late with Dessie McClean and Martin Ward concluding the Gort na Mona scoring and Rooney responding with St. Paul’s final point of the game.

A very competitive game of hurling with little quarter asked or given but it was Gort na Mona who had the greater experience and fire power and they never really looked like losing this one.

They were solid in defence where keeper Padraig Fryer, Niall Henry, Padraig McHugh and Mark Rea excelled. Patrick McCaffery and Declan Hughes dominated at mid-field while Dessie McClean and Thomas McCaffery were superb in a sharp attack.

St. Paul’s gave it everything they had and were unfortunate to come up against a Gort na Mona side who were simply flying. Joe Gillan never put a foot wrong in goals while Ciaran Hetherington, Sean Lawell, Fionntan Gamble, Colm McLarnon and Sean O’Carroll impressed

GORT NA MÓNA: P Fryers; J Connolly, N Henry, C Devlin; G McKenna, P McHugh, C McCann; D Hughes (0-1), P McCaffrey (0-2); T McCaffrey (0-1), M Ward (0-1), L Dixon; B Quinn (0-1), D Boyd (0-1), D McClean (0-12, 7 frees, 2 65s, 1 sideline). Subs: C McErlean for L Dixon (24), S Doyle for C McErlean (46), P Cournane for M Rea (54).

ST PAUL’S: J Gillen; S Rooney (0-2), C Hetherington, S Bradley; C O’Carroll, F Sewell, S Lawell (0-2); F Gamble, D Chapman; C McLarnon (0-6, 5 frees), C Ó Caireállain (0-2), C Rea; P Doyle, S O’Carroll, J Farrell. Subs: G Carberry for C rea (6), C Murray for C O’Carroll (37), D Stevenson for P Doyle (52).

REFEREE: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

  • Joe Edwards presents the Junior Hurling Championship xcu o Gort na Mona captain, Declan Hughes