Moneyglass collected their 4th Minor Football Championship final in succession when they overcame the challenge of a spirited St. Gall’s on Tuesday night in Portglenone. St. Ergnat’s went into this one as favourites but it was the Milltown Row side who were first off the mark when Erin Stewart opened the scoring with a point.
Stewart added another from a pointed free before Jo Jo Darragh replied with a couple for the Marian Hill side and would go on to record 0-8 on the night while the other Moneyglass points in the first half came from Ruby McErlain 0-2 and Aoife Leahy.
It was the Belfast girls who were in pole position at the half way stage however with Niamh McAllister and Cora Bellew rattling the Moneyglass net to put them 2-2 to 0-5 ahead at the break.
The second half continued to be fiercely contested as Darragh struck some fine points to eat into the St. Gall’s lead and Ruby McErlain and Leah Stewart added further scores but St. Gall’s replied with a couple of goals from Niamh McAllister and Katie McCullough to bring their total to the evening to four.
Moneyglass never panicked and slowly reigned in their opponents with some excellent points and a Leah Stewart goal turned it in their favour as they ran out winners by three points to make it four minor titles on the bounce.
The Marian Hill side will not have long to rest on their laurels however as they are out again in the opening round of the Ulster championship on Sunday against Enniskillen Gaels in Moneyglass and the management team of Cathy Carey and Benny Marron will be hoping to tighten up their defence for this one.
Carrickmore proved a successful venue for Antrim Intermediate champions, Carey Faughs last Sunday when they overcame the challenge of the local side and can see the Antrim Junior Champions, Rasharkin make it two from two when they visit the Tyrone ground on Sunday.
It took penalties to separate the Faughs from Carrickmore in a fiercely contest Intermediate quarter-final with two brilliant saves from Carey goalkeeper Steven McGinn during the penalty shoot-out finally deciding Sunday’s Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final.
A day earlier in Armagh Rasharkin had produced a great performance as they swept aside the challenge of Sean Treacy’s in the quarter-final of the JHC. It was a top performance from the Antrim champions who put on a show from the first whistle.
The trio of Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop and Conor McKeever did the majority of the damage on the scoreboard, combining to register 4-16 between them which is remarkable in itself.
Rasharkin went on to win 4-23 to 0-13 against the Lurgan side and never looked in trouble at any stage in the contest and will travel to Carrickmore with confidence but they should be wary of East Cavan Gaels.
Hurling in Cavan has made strides in recent years and East Cavan Gaels proved they are no slouches when they beat Omagh St. Enda’s by 6-10 to 1-14 in their quarter-final clash at Kingspan Breffni Park.
Liam O’Brien, Rory Farrell, Nicolas Kenny, James Tully, Daire Leddy and Cian McEntee got the goals for the Cavan side and will give them confidence as they travel to Pairc Colmcille.
It has been a good season for the men from Dreen and they gave notice of just what they are capable of with a win over Glen Rovers, Armoy in the Antrim final.
St. Mary’s led by three at the break in Loughgiel but with the wind in their face in the second half there was questions as to whether they had done enough.
Two goals in the opening four minutes of the second half swung the game decisively in the direction of Rasharkin as the men from Dreen dictated the early second half exchanges with Conor McFerran following up on a Conor Devlin save from Donagh Quigg in the opening minute to finish to the net from close range.
Three Minutes later the excellent Quigg got in for a second St. Mary’s goal and suddenly a three point lead had been stretched to nine and the Blue & Amber’s were firmly in the driving seat.
They carried that good form into last weekend’s meeting with Sean Tracey’s with Conor McKeever finishing with 1-9, Donagh Quigg with 2-3 and Conor McKillop with 1-4.
James O’Mullan’s return to the last line of defence has given added confidence to a Rasharkin defence where Daniel and Conor Doherty and Aidan McKeever have caught the eye in a unit that has given little away.
Shane Hasson and Connor McFerran form a creative and hard-working mid-field while captain Quigg, McKeever and McKillop all carry serious scoring threat.
Scoring might not be so plentiful for St. Mary’s and their Cavan opponents in Carrickmore as it was in their respective quarter-finals but Rasharkin are flying at present and I would expect them to advance to the Ulster final with something to spare.
Rasharkin v Sean Tracey’s: James O’Mullan; Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, Connaire Doherty; Ruairi O’Boyle, Aiden McKeever, Tiernan O’Boyle; Shane Hasson, Conor McFerran; Cathir Henderson, Emmett McFerran, Conor McKeever; Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop, Declan McKay
Subs: Conor Higgin for R O’Boyle, Daniel Hasson for S Hasson, Caolan Maria for D Doherty, Terry McGregor for C McKillop, Brian Og O’Neill for D McKay.
St Patrick’s Maghera 3-15 St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-8
St Pat’s Maghera maintained their vice-like grip on the Conr Eimhear title when they beat St Killians Garron Tower in Wednesday evening’s final at Portglenone. Played in perfect conditions the fans who made the effort to be there were treated to an exhibition, with the Maghera girls always holding the upper hand, but though well beaten in the end St Killian’s gave a good account of themselves and can be proud of their performance.
The trouble was that St Pat’s had more players performing at a higher level, and their teamwork made them a more fluid unit, with stand-out players on every line. The Tower girls gave it everything they had, and in Eva McNeill they had a player to match anyone on the field, while Tamara Black worked her socks off and contributed well to the team effort, as did Eimer Ward in the half back line. St Pat’s just had a few more performing at a higher level and in Player of the Match Emma Quinn they have a real star.
Eva McNeill was in great form for St Killian’s scoring 1-7 of her team’s 2-8 total
Maghera dominated the first quarter with Emma Quinn in dominant form she sent over three frees to go with top class points from play from Aoibheann O’Loughlin and Grace McCartney and when Branna Donagh grabbed a goal they were in total control.
When Eva McNeill got her team’s first score from a free it settled her team and they started to show a bit more belief. McNeill added three more from frees, none of which were easy, and it helped settle her team mates nerves, but St Pat’s still had the upper hand Quinn stretched the Maghera lead with her team’s second goal, though St Killian’s efforts were rewarded when got through for a goal at the other end to trail by 2-08 to 1-05 at the short whistle.
Róisín McAtamney’s shot early in the second half deceived the St Killians goalkeeper and dipped below the crossbar for goal number three for the Derry girls and it was clear it was going to take something very special to close the yawning gap. They did find a bit of magic when Eva McNeill got through for a superb goal but St Pat’s were able to hold them at arms-length as they pulled away again to win by ten in the end to complete an impressive 4-in-a-row of titles. They will head into the All Ireland series in the Spring confident they can go even further.
It’s been 13 years since All Saints last represented Antrim in Ulster but on Saturday in Toome their long wait will be over.
There was a feeling after that heady campaign in 2011 that saw them defeat St. Monaise of Fermanagh and Drumgoon of Cavan on their way to a semi-final defeat to Culloville of Armagh that it would only be a matter of time before they would be back.
If there is one thing that is certain in Gaelic football it is ‘nothing is certain’ and in the years that followed that 4th Intermediate title eluded the Ballymena men until now.
All Saints finally got over the line this year with a convincing win over St. Teresa’s following defeat to Tir na nOg and Con Magee’s in the 2008 and 2010 deciders.
The appointment of Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley as manager a couple of years ago and his appointment of Declan ‘Honda’ Mullan has been instrumental in developing a strong and enthusiastic panel with a good blend of youth and experience.
Word coming out of the camp is positive with more than 30 players attending training this year and that training has paid dividends.
All Saints were promoted to division 1 this year despite only finishing third in division 2 last year owing to the restructuring of the Antrim leagues and despite playing nearly all their games without their county players, finished third in the top division.
The emergence of young talent which has included Patrick Ferris, Sean O’Callaghan, Ronan McKillop, Michael Read, Cal O’Brien and Ryan Thom amongst others has been a strong factor in this year’s success.
All Saints who face Derrylaughan in Toome on Saturday
The Ballymena side are complimented by a solid bunch of experienced players, a number who remain regulars since that memorable 2011 run.
Sean McVeigh, Peter McNicholl, Emmet Killough, Michael McCarry, Peter McReynolds, Paddy McAleer and Rory McVeigh were part of that 2011 campaign and are in the frame for selection on Saturday.
The emergence of county players, Conor Stewart, and James McDonnell adds to the selection headache facing Baker Bradley and his backroom team but it is a headache that the Glenullin native will surely relish.
Despite their recent success All Saints will go into Saturday’s meeting with Tyrone champions Derrylaughan as underdogs.
A number of the management team and players were in Omagh last Saturday to see them come from behind to beat Termon of Donegal in a preliminary round and can’t have been anything other than impressed by the Tyrone champions.
Three points separated the sides after 60 minutes in Omagh after Termon had raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead after 11 minutes.
Tomas Carney led the Derrylaugan comeback and finished the game with 1-6 to his name so will need careful watching but he is only one of a very potent and experienced side that has Tyrone’s Brian Kennedy leading their charge from mid-field.
A win for Termon would have meant a trip to Donegal for the Ballymena side so there is the consolation of the short journey to Toome and a return to the Erin’s Own ground where they recorded their recent county success.
Derrylaughan will start Saturday’s game as firm favourites but that is unlikely to faze Baker Bradley and his side who will have a big support cheering them on as they aim to launch another successful Ulster run.
What about Derrylaughan?
Ulster IFC Preliminary Round
Derrylaughan 1-11 Termon 1-8
It took Derrylaughan 11 minutes to register their first score in their preliminary round win over Termon at Healey Park on Saturday evening but when they did get going there was no stopping them.
Donegal Champions Termon led by 1-4 to 0-0 at this stage and must have fancied their chances of pushing on to meet All Saints in the quarter-final but they would register only four more points for the remainder of the game as the Tyrone champions came to life.
The Tyrone side had a real match winner in full-forward Tomas Carney, who accounted for 1-6 of his side’s total and in the end, was the difference between the sides.
Connor Hughes got Derrylaughan on the scoreboard on 11 minutes and directly from the kick out Tomas Carney hit a second and it was Carney who would turn this game on its head with a masterful display of score taking.
Carney was to prove his worth again a minute later to cut the lead to four. Termon then had a goal chance but the final pass was over hit while Emmett Maguire in the Termon goal made a great save to deny Danny Ball at the expense of a ’45’ which Carney converted for his third point.
The Derrylaughan number 14 converted a free on 20 minutes and by the 28th minute the Lough shore side were back on terms through Sean Robinson and James Donnelly and were the dominant side.
Half-time Termon 1-4, Derrylaughan 0-7.
Termon briefly threatened to regain control at the start of the second half with John James Sweeney pointing within 30 seconds of the restart and Jack Alcorn adding another on 33 minutes.
Derrylaughan’s came back with a Tomas Carney point from a mark and the same player hit a post with a ’45’ a minute later.
The Tyrone side hit the front on 44 minutes when danger man Carney was on the end of a centre to fist to the net and from the kick out Liam Gervin extended their lead to three points.
Termon were now struggling to get their own game going again and Carney extended their lead from a ‘45’ and Ciaran Gervin added another while Jamie Grant had a point in reply for Termon and in added time Dáire McDaid cut the lead to three but it was Derrylaughan who now move on to meet Baker Bradley’s All Saints in Cargin on Saturday at 2-00pm..
Derrylaughan scorers: Tomas Carney 1-6, 2 ’45s’,1 f, 1m; Liam Gervin, Sean Robinson, Connor Hughes, James Donnelly, Ciaran Gervin 0-1 each.
Derrylaughan v Termon: James Kennedy; Colm O’Hagan, Ciaran O’Hagan, Caoilean Hughes; Liam Gervin, Conor Kennedy, Sean Robinson; Brian Kennedy, Shane Scullion; Connor Hughes, Fergal McAliskey, Danny Ball; James Donnelly, Tomas Carney, Ciaran Quinn. Sub: Ciaran Gervin for S Scullion (41); Liam Cushnahan for C Hughes (44); Mark Robinson for F McAliskey (58)
As we head into Saturday’s Ulster Intermediate Football Championship clash between All Saints and Derrylaughan in Toome, the Saffron Gael looks back at the Ballymena side’s last Ulster campaign in 2011.
All Saints defeated St. Molaise, Enniskillen in a preliminary round at Casement Park before going on to beat Drumgoon Eire Og of Cavan in the quarter-final at Breffni Park.
Their campaign ended in Omagh where they lost in extra time to Culloville of Armagh in the semi-final by two points but many within the camp feel that it was one that got away.
Seven members of the present squad were part of that All Saints panel who will go into action on Saturday in Toome.
The men of 2011: Rory McVeigh, Peter McReynolds, Emmet Killough, Sean McVeigh, Peter McReynolds and Paddy McAleerphotographed after the County final in Toome and will bring a lot of experience to their clash with Tyrone’s Derrylaughan at the same venue on Saturday.
2011 semi-final report
All Saints 1-12 Culloville 2-11 AET
The dream of a place in the Ulster final was shattered in cruel fashion in Omagh on Sunday but the memories of a wonderful season will last for many years in the minds of All Saints players and their wonderful supporters.
They went into this game as rank outsiders against a Culloville Blues side who ply their trade in Division 1 of the Armagh League and indeed had recorded a win over the legendry Crossmaglen Rangers in that league earlier in the year.
It was obvious from the opening whistle that Culloville had done their homework on the Ballymena side with Sean McVeigh in particular, Sean McCambridge and Peter McReynolds coming in for a lot of unsavoury attention.
The Armagh champions opened confidently and were 3-0 up after 10 minutes through the impressive Kieran Hatzer, Seamus Watters and Niall Rowland and with Andy Kelly and Michael McCarry carrying injuries into the game, it wasn’t looking good for All Saints.
Once again however the bags of character, that has carried them through the Antrim Championship and to this stage of the Ulster, started to emerge and a good move saw Peter McReynolds race clear on goal in the 11th minute but his goal bound attempt was well saved by Blue’s keeper, Kieran McMahon. Sean McCambridge collected the rebound but he was quickly closed down by a determined Culloville defence.
Gradually though the Slemish park side began to play their way into the game and a Michael McCarry pointed free in the 12th minute followed by another from Paddy Logan gave notice of their intentions.
Things were slowly swinging in favour of the Ballymena side as the Culloville hauling and dragging tactics continued to go unpunished but when Liam Cassley was felled by towering mid-fielder, John Kingham with a blatant body-check there seemed no alternative for the referee but to administer a red card.
The Derry official, after waiting for Cassley to recover, decided on the easy option of yellow and when the same player had his close range effort foot-blocked inside the large square, two minutes later referee McErlane waved away what looked like a legitimate penalty claim by the All Saints players.
All Saints were struck another blow when Andy Kelly had to retire after about 20 minutes to be replaced by Peter McCann. Michael McCarry pointed a 25th minute free to bring the sides level but after soaking up a period of pressure which produced nothing, Culloville hit back to take the lead through Padraig Caherty who moved forward from right-half-back to send over an excellent point.
The Saints were now gaining in confidence however and they finished the half well on top as Damian Kelly converted a couple of late frees to give them a slender 0-5 to 0-4 half-time lead. The unpleasant tactics of the opposition continued however as they got involved with the All Saints men in the tunnel on their way to the dressing room with Niall Rowland being issued a yellow card.
Paddy McAleer in action against Culloville in 2011Sean McVeigh in action in Omagh and still going strong in 2024
EQUALISER
The large Ballymena crowd who had travelled in expectation awaited the start of the second half with relish but it was Culloville who were first off the mark as Seamus Watters fired over the equaliser after 25 seconds.
Michael McCarry restored the All Saints lead as he sent over another free in the 5th minute but the Antrim men were rocked back on their heels as the Armagh side hit back with an 8th minute goal by Johnny McGeeney who beat Brian Martin to the jump after finding himself unmarked on the edge of the square.
Once again All Saints displayed their determination and resolve as a cross field lob by Peter McCann was broken down by Sean McCambridge and Peter McReynolds got the vital touch in the goalmouth scramble that ensued to finish to the net.
Their joy was to be short lived however as their opponents again exploited gaps in the All Saints defence, who were struggling badly at this stage, and Colm Watters collected unmarked to the left of the area before rounding Brian Martin and hammering home the ‘Blues’ second goal with 11 minutes gone.
Could Kevin McCarry and Timmy Connolly’s men respond again?, well respond they did, digging deep into their reserves of character they again started to carry the game to the opposition with Michael McCarry pointing yet another free to close the gap to two at the end of the third quarter.
Kieran Hartzer again edged Culloville three ahead and Peter McReynolds, direct from a ‘45’ and Rowlands exchanged further points to keep the gap at three with ten minutes remaining.
Sean McVeigh, who was outstanding throughout, began to exert his influence even more as he ran 40 yards before splitting the uprights and his mid-field partner Paddy Logan hit another to level the contest as the Ballymena side threatened to take control once more.
Culloville continued to look dangerous on the break however and the impressive Johnny McGeeney fired over to give them back the lead and it looked like this score would prove to be the winner but Peter ‘Pizza’ McReynolds kept his cool to fire over the equaliser once again, direct from a ‘45’ to send the game into extra time.
EXTRA TIME
Ten minutes each way extra time was ordered and again it was Culloville who took the initiative with Fergal Rowland and Kieran Hartzer both finding the target in the 6th minute to open up a two point lead but a Michael McCarry pointed free in the 9th minute kept the Antrim men in contention at the short whistle.
When Johnny McGeeney again extended the Culloville lead to two, two minutes into the second half of time added on things looked set for a barn storming finish but it was to prove to be the last score of the game.
The Ballymena side, led by Sean McVeigh drove forward unrelentingly in an effort to pull the game out of the fire but despite incessant pressure they were unable to gain the scores that would give them victory.
They kicked four wides during this period but looked set to take the lead as Peter McReynolds placed Liam Cassley in the clear but his low shot at goal sailed just wide of the upright. With time almost up and All Saints pushing for that all important goal the ball broke to Paddy McAleer but his goal bound ground shot was blocked by corner-back Sean Liddy and cleared to safety as the full-time whistle sounded.
BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT
Bitter disappointment for All Saints and their supporters who will justifiably feel that they deserved something more for their efforts. They recovered from another poor start to take a half-time lead, might have had a goal while their opponents were fortunate to start the second half with 15 men.
In the end injuries to Kevin McAllister, Andy Kelly and Michael McCarry, who gave his all despite carrying an injury into the game, conspired to beat them and the rub of the green deserted them when it was most needed.
No one should be disappointed or desponded however. To lose by two points in extra time, seven games into a tough Championship campaign which included wins over Glenavy, St. Teresa’s, Aldergrove before beating Portglenone in the County final and then wins over Drumgoon and St, Molaise of Irvinestown in Ulster is hard to take.
LETS HOPE WE ARE CELEBRATING AGAIN ON SATURDAY EVENING !
to view pics from the 2011 semi-final click on the link below
