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by thesaffrongael

Football Fixtures/Previews Sunday 8th June

Another round of fixtures is scheduled for Sunday 8th June as the end of the first phase draws close with the last round scheduled for July 2nd.

Division One (Sunday 8th June)

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Galls

Cuchullian’s have blown hot and not so hot in their programme to date but no doubt the Dunloy men are more than capable but despite giving most of their opponents a run for their money they have only passed the post in front a couple of occasions to date.

St Galls in contrast to their opponents have gained seven league victories thus far and the Milltown men are more than capable of mixing it with the best as they take the road down to Dunloy.

The city men will travel carrying the favourites tag but although form says they should collect a full return of the points the home side are more than capable when in the mood and they may well give their visitors a run for their money but recent form does suggest an away win looks probable.

Casement’s Portglenone v Kickham’s Creggan

This all South West affair will most certainly attract a good gathering to Portglenone and those in attendance are more than likely to be treated to a good game.

Casement’s have enjoyed a good season to date and they remain in firm contention for a place in the division one league final having amassed a 17 point total of points to date and sit in third spot in the table.

The Creggan men lost out to the visiting Cargin last time but they only trail their hosts in this one by a single point and will travel seeking a full return of the points.

This one certainly is a contender for match of the day and the attendance are likely to be treated to a good game and ground advantage is likely to play a part but Casements may have to dig deep to collect both points.

Tir na nOg v St Johns

The Johnnies have struggled this term and have recorded only two wins and a draw to date and the Corrigan residents will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes sooner rather than later as they take the road to the South West to cross swords with Tir na nOg.

Draw specialists, Tir na nOg, like their visitors have five points secured and both sides remain too close to the cut off point for peace of mind and both will be looking for a full return from this one to ease the burden of possible relegation.

Circumstances will ensure the points at stake will be fiercely fought for and in what is certain to be a tough encounter ground advantage may prove the key to the points with a tentative vote given to the home side.

St Paul’s v O’ Donovan Rossa

This bottom of the table clash involves next door neighbours St Paul’s and O’ Donovan Rossa and brings together two sides who both really require points.

St Paul’s hold a one point advantage over Rossa but a full return in this one is the likely requirement if division one status is to remain in sight.

Rossa recorded a big win over Aldergrove last day out and a tentative vote is awarded to the Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men to gain the verdict.

All Saint’s Ballymena v St Mary’s Ahoghill

St Mary’s Ahoghill looked in serious bother earlier in the season and destined for a place in the second grade next term, but a recent uplift in form and three victories recorded has seen them climb the table with safety possibly in sight.

All Saints have enjoyed a good season to date and currently sit in second place following their most recent victory over St. Gall’s at Milltown.

The Ahoghill men will travel to Ballymena hoping to build on their recent win over St. Paul’s and although All Saint’s will start as firm favourites the Cloney side are likely to push them close.

St James Aldergrove v Con Magee’s Glenravel

Little separates this duo in the table but Aldergrove lead the chase with twelve points whilst the Glensmen are just a single point behind them and this suggests a close game in prospect.

Aldergrove started the season in good form and that can be said about the Glensmen who have also made themselves at home in the top division.

Recent form would suggest that this could be close but ground advantage may again prove a factor and St James may well claim the points.

Erin’s Own Cargin v St Brigid’s

Cargin remain in top form this term and the 2024 senior championship winners have remained unbeaten in the league to date although they had to dig deep a few times to gain the verdict.

St Brigid’s claimed the division 1 title last term and although they have suffered several defeats in the league to date, they will travel to Toome in a positive mood.

This one will draw a good crowd to Toome where a close encounter is anticipated but reversals in their own back yard are rare events for the Toome men and recent form would suggest Ronan Devlin’s side should gain another win.

Lamh Dhearg v St Mary’s Aghagallon

St Mary’s Aghagallon have recorded only three wins in the league to date and face another test of character in this one as they travel to Hannahstown to meet Lamh Dhearg.

The Hannahstown side sit a couple of places above their visitors and will be hoping to get back to winning ways following a defeat to Con Magee’s at Glenravel last time out.

Lamh Dhearg will hope to put that defeat behind them and get back to winning ways and while Aghagallon will push them hard, a home win looks the likely result.

Division Two

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Teresa’s

Moneyglass gained a good win from what looked like a tough assignment away to an improving Lisburn side last time and they are back on home soil this time as St Teresa’s visit Marian Hill.

St Teresa’s are blessed with experience and although they trail Moneyglass in the table they will travel with confidence.

St Teresa’s will test the resolve of the home side but St Ergnat’s will start as firm favourites and they should gain the day.

Patrick Sarsfield’s v St Joseph’s Glenavy

Sarsfield’s remain on terms with Moneyglass in the ratings and following a good victory over St Teresa’s last time they will start this one as firm favourites as Glenavy visit the Bear Pit.

Glenavy may well ask questions of their hosts but Sarsfield’s will be more than capable of coming up with the answers and a home win is anticipated

St Enda’s v Gort na Mona

St Enda’s proved too strong for Rasharkin last time out, beating the home side by 10 points and they will look for a repeat performance here as they play hosts to Gort na Mona.

Gort na Mona played out a draw with the visiting St Comgall’s last time but this looks like a more difficult fixture as they travel to Glengormley where St Enda’s are favoured to take the points.

Michael Davitt’s v St Comgall’s

St Comgall’s earned a draw from a visit to Gort na Mona last time and they are on the road again as they visit Davitts and they may find this one another tough assignment but one they are capable of winning.

Division Three

Patrick Pearses v Wolfe Tones

Pearses have struggled this year but lead bottom place Wolfe Tones by three points in the table and could gain another win in this one.

Cardinal O’ Donnells v Kickham’s Ardoyne

O’ Donnell’s, like Pearses, have not been at their best this season and reside in a mid-table berth. Their visitors Ardoyne have hit a bit of form recently and inflicted a first defeat of the season on league leaders, St. Agnes recently and the visitors should have enough to add to that win.

Eire Og V St Malachy’s

Eire Og languish much too close to the basement for peace of mind but they will need to produce improvement aplenty if they are to overcome the challenge of a St. Malachy’s side who are currently fourth in the table.

by thesaffrongael

Johnnies fail to hold slick Casements

ACFL Division 1

St Johns 2 – 12    Roger Casements 4 – 14

A large and youthful St Johns panel assembled at sunny Corrigan Park to ask questions of visiting Portglenone, who had huffed and puffed in earlier stages of this league, but who had been on a decent run of late. Both clubs were missing their county men, and on top of that Casements were without half a dozen of their team who started last year’s county final, so for St Johns, this represented an opportunity to claim two highly desired points.

The opening quarter though dispelled any notion that an upset was imminent. Casements took control from the fist whistle, Michael Hagan and Ronan Kelly pointing to ease them into the game, before racing into an early ten point lead playing fast cohesive football and a couple of well worked goals from returning Michael Hagan and Enda Lynn.  The hosts were restricted to a single Conchuir Adams free, the writing written large that this game as a contest was already as good as over.

The Johnnies though had other ideas. A long ball sent into the Portglenone goalmouth to bustling Conall Bohill resulted in tangled feet in the square, Mark ONeill having no hesitation in stretching both arms wide for a penalty which was expertly dispatched by young Conor McAvoy in the process offering St Johns a way back into the game.

Although Ronan Kelly tapped over a free immediately after, one of five on the night, it was the famous blue and white jerseys that pressed hardest in the closing minutes of the opening half, scores from Oran Quinn, Conall McGlade and John Wilson reducing the deficit to a much more respectable margin as the whistle went for the interval.

Stalwart Adrian Oliver secured the first white flag upon resumption, their fourth score on the trot, and for a brief moment, this game looked like it could go to the wire.

To their credit, Casements acknowledged the danger, and regained the initiative. Needing a response and quickly, a mazy phase of possession ended up with Oisin Doherty finalising some cohesive team play, a green flag the outcome.

Another Ronan Kelly free kick extended the gap to eight, and to many in the sizeable crowd, it looked like any hopes of a home town comeback had been averted.

Assume nothing though as six of the next eight scores came from a determined Johnnies team. Playing into their favoured goals, Conall Bohill and Ryan McNulty led a revival of sorts, both pointing from distance. Even though these were cancelled out by Oisin Doherty and Ryan McKeever, the hosts managed to find their best spell, and keep the contest honest and the lively crowd engaged. Bustling John Wilson managed to finish to the net and when Adams, Quinn and Bohill posted three points on the bounce, all of a sudden the lead was back down to just two points, and once again, it was game on.

Goals win games they say, and Portglenone’s fourth of the evening, a cool finish from Michael Hagan after a fast break out of defence, catching out the St Johns keeper and helpless defence, to put some daylight between the teams once again, with just five minutes left.

Although hardworking Ryan McNulty and Oran Quinn kept the scoreboard ticking over for the hosts, it was their visitors who finished on the stronger foot. A Ronan Kelly free was followed by a masterclass in kicking the ball off the ground – Big Paddy Kelly tapping over a sixty yard free like it was as easy as tying his shoelace. The pacy and elusive Niall Delargy and Ryan McKeever raised the last couple of white flags to run out fairly comfortable eight point winners in the end.

St Johns played well in spells, their competitive attitude never making it easy, but they can only hope to get their county men back as soon as possible, and in particular their scorer in chief Patrick McBride. Nevertheless Ryan Mc Nulty, Conor McGlade, Oran Quinn showed well, as did Conall McGlade, whilst robust full forward Conall Bohill was one of the most impressive players on display.

Casements will be happy to know their recent resurgence from bottom four to a top four placing in intact, and will feel that they are back pointing in the right direction. Some of their football was excellent and looked well in control for most of the match. Captain Niall Delargy led from the front, assisted by Paddy Kelly who worked tirelessly in midfield, with Oisin Doherty and the classy Enda Lynn looking on top of their game.

by thesaffrongael

Thriller in Aghagallon as hosts and Tír na nÓg share the spoils

ACFL Division 1

Aghagallon 3-19 Tir na nOg 3-19

 4 June 2025 – Photos and report by Brian Hamill

On a cold but sun-drenched evening in Aghagallon, St. Mary’s and Tír na nÓg Randalstown played out a breath taking 3-19 to 3-19 draw, in a match that swung like the breeze — quite literally.

With a sharp wind blowing straight down the pitch, Aghagallon enjoyed the advantage in the first half, while Tír na nÓg used it to their benefit in the second. The result was a fiercely competitive encounter where neither side could maintain control for long, and both produced moments of real quality. Aghagallon made the most of the wind at their backs early on, settling quickly and building an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead. They added their first goal, scored by Ruairi McShane, after a spell of sustained pressure, and their long-range shooting, aided by the breeze, was particularly impressive.

They closed out the half with a flurry of scores, including a second goal, dispatched by Odhran Rooney, to take a commanding 2-12 to 1-8 lead into the break.

Tír na nÓg turned the tide after the interval. Now with the wind behind them, they surged forward with renewed intensity. Darragh Fagan was central to their revival, finding gaps in the Aghagallon defence and chipping in with vital points.

Caleb Smith added another layer of threat up front, combining clever movement with clinical finishing. Two second-half goals from the visitors helped erase the deficit and even briefly pushed them ahead. But Aghagallon refused to roll over. Luke Mulholland remained dependable from placed balls, ending up with 0-7 courtesy of 3 long range free kicks. A third goal, scored by full forward Eoin Maginnis, from the home side in the final stages, looked to have sealed the win only for Tír na nÓg to respond once again, landing a string of late points and a penalty to take a late lead.

Odhran Rooney scored from a free kick, to score a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time. This was a match shaped by the wind and defined by character, with each team making the most of the conditions when in their favour. A draw felt like a fair result after a contest of such high intensity and quality. Aghagallon and Tír na nÓg may each rue missed chances but both can take pride in what was a superb showcase of club football, watched by a lively crowd on a chilly June evening.

An interesting footnote to Wednesday night’s game was the half-time entertainment where the Aghagallon club invited boys and girls from the parish to come along and experience Gaelic games during the half time break

by thesaffrongael

Cargin on top in local derby

ACFL Division 1

Kickham’s Creggan 0-16 Erin’s Own Cargin 2-13

Pat Shivers kicked 0-8 on the night and placed Sean O’Neill for a goal as Cargin defeated neighbours, Creggan to remain unbeaten after a fiercely contested division 1 clash on the Staffordstown Road on Wednesday night.

The home side led by 0-09 to 1-05 at the end the opening period, aided by the strong northerly breeze but given the strength of that breeze, the question was, would it be enough?

Creggan nipped smartly out of the start traps and had earned a two point advantage by the 10th minute through Conor Johnston and Matthew Rogers but the visitors soon found their feet and took the lead by the end of the first quarter thanks to a David Johnston goal.

David Johnston palms home Cargin’s opening goal

Pat Shivers, who had an excellent game, got the Toome men off the mark with a 7th minute point but Creggan were quick to reply as the busy Matthew Rogers and Ethan Carey Small raised further whites apiece to earn a three point lead 0-04 to 0-01  after 10th minutes

Creggan utilised the strength of the breeze to their advantage but it took a smart save from net minder Oisin Kerr to deny Sean O’ Neill a goal as the visitors countered.

It was Cargin keeper, John McNabb who was the busier of the two during the opening half however as he came to his side’s rescue with a number of excellent stops.

The pick of these was when he went full length to deny Conor Johnston from close range after a smart build-up as Creggan led 0-09 to 1-05 at the end of the first period.

Cargin had the benefit of the breeze in the second half and the introduction of minor star Jack O’ Neill was to prove a positive move.

In the event the wind had calmed a little and it was the home side who were to increase their lead with an early point.

The Toome men were quick to reply however and a superb end to end approach involving Michael McCann saw Pat Shivers open the way for Sean O’ Neill to fire to the net and Cargin were ahead for the second time.

Man of the Match, Pat Shivers gets ready to shoot as Kevin Small moves in to challenge

The visitors continued to press and added to their lead with Pat Shivers in sparkling form and the big full forward continued to add to his personal total with a number of excellent scores.

Creggan, with Conor McCann leading by example fought hard but Jamie Gribbin and Pat Shivers added points for the visitors before Matthew Rogers fired between the posts at the other end and the full forward was soon back to add another to bring the sides level.

Cargin called Eunan Quinn into action just as a Shea McCann point  secured the lead again for the Kickham’s , but that lead was short lived as a long range Jamie Gribbin ‘two pointer’ ensured his side reclaimed advantage with the game clock at 55 minutes.

TheKickham’s were quickly to post reply via a Conor Small point but the visitors were taking the game to the opposition with Jack O’Neill impressing, and Pat Shivers added a trio of points.

Creggan pressed hard during the closing stages and Mattherw Rodgers pointed but they could find no way through a resolute Cargin defence with the visitors always dangerous on the break.

John McNabb, who was imperious throughout made another couple of saves in the latter stages to deny the hosts as the goal they needed just wouldn’t come.

The last minutes proved lively in the extreme and a Conor Small point saw them back on terms but it was the visitors who finished on top and Pat Shivers pointed a 30 metre free and added a couple from play to see his side cross the winning line points secured.

Sean O’Neill fires past Oisin Kerr for Cargin’s second goal

Shivers was the Cargin hero with those late three points and proved a real handful over the hour as the Erin’s own secured the points to move four clear of All Saints at the top of the table and it’s difficult to see anyone catch them in the race for the title.

Creggan: Oisin Kerr, Aiden Maguire, Liam Mc Lernon, Fintan Close, Ethan Carey Small (0-01, Sam Maguire, Seamus Mc Cann (0-03), Keelan Mc Cann, Conor Mc Cann, Jack Mc Ateer (0-01), Keelan Small, Ruairi Mc Cann (0-02), Conor Johnston (0-01), Matthew Rogers (0-06), Conor O’ Caloite (0-02)

Subs: Shea McCann,Dominic Mc Ateer,Diarmuid Mulholland

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Callum Gribbin, Conan Johnston, Paul Mc Cann, Michael Mc Cann, Gerard Mc Cann, Tom Shivers (0-02), Sean O’Neill (1-00), David Johnston (1-00), Jamie Gribbin (1 2*). Pat Shivers (0-08), James Laverty

Subs:Jack O’ Neill,Eunan Quinn

Referee: Kevin Park (St Enda’s)

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/dwrYBtsAGCNGGJ

by thesaffrongael

Aggies put last week’s defeat behind them

ACFL Division 3

St Agnes 3-15 St Malachys 0-5

Division 3 league leaders, St. Agnes recovered well from last week’s defeat to Ardoyne as they proved too good for St. Malachy’s. They dominated from start to finish scoring 3-7 to the Mals solitary point in the first half with Dee McGrahaghan hitting the net twice and Ronan Carroll getting the Aggies other goal. Determined to put last week’s defeat behind them, they weren’t just as dominant in the second half but still outscored the home team eight points to four. The Aggies remain on course for the league title with two wins from their remaining four games required and barring mishaps look certain to be playing their football in division 2 next season.