All Saints, Ballymena are this year’s division 2 Football Feile winners. The Slemish park youngsters, under the guidance of the club’s senior footballers, James and Benny McDonaldMichael Dorrity and Cathal Higgins were in great form as they made their way to the decider with wins over Erin’s own, Cargin, Rasharkin and Con Magee’s Glenravel.
This qualified them for the final where they would meet old adversaries, St. James Aldergrove with the Ballymena side emerging winners, 3-4 to 2-4 in an excellent final.
Ciaran Megaw presents the Division 2 Football Feile trophy to All Saints, captain Ruairi Hamill
Antrim senior ladies got their all Ireland campaign off to the perfect start when they travelled to Longford on Sunday and returned home with a resounding 4-15 to 0-5 victory… this was an absolute superb performance from the Antrim girls from first to last whistle.
Antrim went on the attack straight from the throw in and Lara Dahunsi popped over their first point of the day which was quickly followed by Maria Oneill, Theresa Mellon, Bronagh Devlin and Ana Mulholland all raising white flags.
Longford then hit back with two of their own but after some fantastic interchanging of passes between the Antrim forwards Maria O’Neill hammered the ball to the net. Antrim then turned over the Longford kickout and Nicole Jones broke clear to raise her first green flag of the day.
The Antrim girls were totally dominant at this stage and further one pointers from Mellon and O’Neill kept them in full control.
At this stage Antrim had the bit between their teeth and O’Neill and Jones both got their second goals of the day after some fantastic slick football from the Antrim girls.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Ana Mulholland hitting an early point and this was followed by scores from Dahunsi, Mellon, Jones and O’Neill.
Carla McKenna then broke clear and unselfishly led the ball off to O’Neill who raised another white flag.
Gemma McGroarty then sent Luisne Adams through for a superb point and the final score of the day came from Debbie Boyd who after rounding two defenders calmly slotted over the bar.
Antrim managers Micky and Chris were delighted with the team performance.
“Our girls played some fantastic football today. Our work-rate and desire to win today was very evident.. the girls were far from happy with their performance in the Ulster final and knew they would have to put in a much better performance to get the right result today …
We now play London on Saturday 14th June at Randalstown with a 1pm start and will hope to continue from where we left of today.
Great credit to every one of our girls today for a superb performance”
The draw for the Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals took place on Sunday evening. Antrim’s reward for their win over London in Newry on Sunday is a difficult away trip to Wexford this weekend.
Preliminary Quarter-Finals
Offaly v New York
Sligo v Carlow
Wexford v Antrim
Westmeath v Laois
*The first team listed has home venue. The fixtures will take place on June 7 and 8. Details will be confirmed by the CCCC shortly.
Tír na nÓg came away from Fr Healy Park with a hard-fought win in challenging conditions, overcoming Loughgiel in a competitive Division 2 encounter on a greasy surface made tricky by heavy rain showers and bright spells throughout the evening.
The Whitehill men started brightly, establishing an early lead with sharp interplay and strong running. However, Loughgiel grew into the game and edged ahead at the break, 0-10 to 0-9, after taking advantage of a few missed chances from the visitors.
But it was the second half that belonged to Tír na nÓg.
Emmett Murray made an instant impact, finding the net shortly after the restart with a composed finish after intelligent movement inside. His work rate throughout was exceptional, constantly troubling the Shamrocks’ defence.
Midfielder Connor McCamphill turned in a tireless display, battling hard in the middle third, forcing turnovers, and drawing frees that were crucial in keeping momentum with the visitors. Seán Duffin showed unerring accuracy from placed balls, striking five points from long-range frees with confidence both with and against the stiff breeze.
In defence, Caoimhín Duffin led by example, driving forward and providing energy in the turnover-to-attack transitions. His brother, Colm Duffin, introduced at half time, helped Tír na nÓg gain more possession and assisted in several key scores that gave his side a firm grip on the contest.
Up front, Ciaran Logan top scored with six points from play in an energetic and skilful display, while Brian Fitzgerald and Darragh Fegan chipped in with two points apiece. Neil Shannon struck a fine point from the back, and McCamphill himself added one to round off a strong all-round performance.
Referee Mark O’Neill handled the match with assurance, keeping control in a game that was competitive but fair throughout.
In the end, it was a solid team performance that earned Tír na nÓg a deserved win in a venue where victories are never easy to come by.
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
A 58th minute goal from Conall Carson proved to be the decisive score of this match as the Johnnies defeated Dunloy by the minimum. In a match played in horrible conditions more accustomed to early winter than late spring, this was a contest won by the team that made less mistakes.
The Cuchullains hit an uncharacteristic number of wides in both halves and while St John’s didn’t fare much better, they took the goal chance that came their way.
Defensively, St John’s were solid with Ryan McNulty, Michael Darragh and Conal Bohill all excelling while Kevin Molloy, Deaglan Smith and Oran Quinn performed well for the home side.
Both sides looked to play a short passing game to combat against the elements. There wasn’t much room for any articulate hurling but both St John’s and Dunloy went about their business with controlled aggression and precision.
The home side started brighter with Nicky McKeague pointing frees either side of an Aodhan McGarry point to give Dunloy a three point lead by the seventh minute.
Oisin MacManus fired over for the Corrigan Park’s side first point of the match in the seventh minute to get the Johnnies firing but despite playing against the wind, Dunloy were making hay.
Points from the influential Tom McFerran and Ryan Mort stretched the Cuchullains lead to four points by the 10th minute but it would be over 15 minutes before the home side would register another score.
St John’s fired over four points unanswered in the same time period with Aaron Bradley, substitute Michail Dudley, Shea Shannon and MacManus tying the scores before a Nicky McKeague free in the 26th minute gave Dunloy a one point lead at half time.
Goal chances were at a premium in the first half with Eoghan Richmond not troubled while Domhnall Nugent did well to deny Nicky McKeague’s rifled effort midway through the half as the rain came down to resemble that of a monsoon.
With the elements showing no signs of improving, both sides work rate never dipped. Space was in scarce supply in forward areas with MacManus firing over the opening score of the half in the 34th minute.
Aodhan McGarry split the posts for his second point of the match moments later but that would be the last score of the game for almost 20 minutes. Dunloy had another half chance of goal with Luke McFerran going close with a drive from distance but Nugent was equal to his shot.
Nicky McKeague stretched the Dunloy lead to two points with four minutes of the hour remaining and with the Cuchullains looking to see out the hour, St John’s found the back of the net. Running off the shoulder, Conall Carson collected the sliotar and fired to the back of the net to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.
A point from the impressive Aaron Bradley followed to give his side the insurance they needed and while the home side pushed for a goal, a point from substitute Paul Shiels was all they could manage in the time that remained.
With these two facing off in the championship group stage later this year, both will be hoping that they’ll be playing with more fluidity and maybe drier weather. Winning the two points takes the Johnnies to the top of the table as the league splits ahead of the next round of fixtures.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Eoghan Richmond; Eoin McFerran, Sean Og Blaney, Oran Quinn; Ben O’Kane, Kevin Molloy, Deaglan Smith; Ciaran Elliott, Ryan McGarry; Sean Martin-McShane, Nicky McKeague, Tom McFerran; Aodhan McGarry, Luke McFerran, Ryan Mort
Scorers: N McKeague 0-4 (4fs); A McGarry 0-2; T McFerran 0-1; R Mort 0-1; Paul Shiels 0-1
StJohn’s: Domhnall Nugent; Ronan Donnelly, Ryan McNulty, Michael Darragh; Daragh McGuinness, Conall Bohill, Enda McGurk; Sean Wilson, Shea Shannon; Aaron Bradley, Danaan McKeogh, Oisin MacManus; Conall Carson, Michael Bradley, Ruairi Galbraith
Scorers: C Carson 1-1; O MacManus 0-2 (2fs); A Bradley 0-2; S Shannon 0-1; Michail Dudley 0-1
Referee: Mark O’Neill
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