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by thesaffrongael

Lamh’s find that little bit extra

Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC quarter-final (AET)

Lámh Dhearg 0-15 Kickham’s, Creggan 0-13

It took extra time to separate these protagonists at Chapel Hill on Sunday before Lamh Dhearg overcame the challenge of Kickham’s Creggan in a game that hung in the balance right to the final whistle. Nothing separated the sides throughout and at the end of 60 plus absorbing minutes they couldn’t be separated.

Creggan seemed to have it sewn up going down the home straight when they led by four but the Hannastown side found the resolve as they finished strongly as Declan Smyth and Cunningham (free) pointed to cut the deficit to two and late points from another Cunningham free and one from Declan Lynch sent it into extra time.

It was Creggan who started strongly with points from Jamie McCann, who punished a foul on Ethan Carey-Small and the South West side won the resulting kick-out and Martin Johnston returned it post haste between the uprights.

It took Lámh Dhearg eight minutes to get their hands on the ball and their first attack saw Ryan Murray play a teasing ball across the face of goal, but it was turned over and Joe McAteer’s shot at the other end dropped short but bounced over for a point.

Lamh Dhearg finally opened their account from a Conor Murray free in the 14th minute as things began to get physical and the returning Ryan Murray marked his championship debut for the year with a great point.

Jamie McCann and Paddy Cunningham (free) exchanged further points but Creggan were still edging the exchanges and Sean Duffin and Tiernan McAteer added points at the other end to move their side three ahead.

Declan Lynch who’s late point sent the game into extra time

They might have been further in front when Ethan Carey-Small found himself free on goal, but Gerard Smyth made a good save at the expense of a’ ‘45’ which came to nothing.

It was the Hannastown men who finished the half strongly and Paddy Cunningham sent over a superb point with the outside of his boot before setting up Conor Murray for another and the gap had been cut to the minimum at half time.

Half Time Creggan 0-6 Lamh Dhearg 0-5

Creggan started the second half as they had started the first and Ruairi McCann pointed an early free before Ethan Carey Small added another from play but they were off target on a number of occasions when they might have been further ahead.

Paddy Cunningham, who had been guilty of a couple of misses himself, finally found his range to reduce the gap but further scores from Kealan and Ruairi McCann put four between the sides as we moved into the final quarter.

The Kickham’s wouldn’t register again as the Hannastown side finished on the front foot with Declan Smyth, Cunningham 0-2 and a late score from Declan Lynch sent the game into extra time.  

The momentum was now with the men from the Hill and Mark Lowe kicked a ‘45’ and then a free from an identical position, but Creggan hit back to level at 0-12 apiece through a Ruairi McCann free and Tiernan McLarnon from play.

It was nip and tuck and still anybody’s game as the excellent Owen McKeown fired over a great point with Jamie McCann replying for Creggan before a Paddy Cunningham free moved Lamh Dhearg ahead again with six minutes remaining.

Try as they might Creggan couldn’t muster another score as the Lamh Dhearg defence swept up everything that came their way before countering and Callum Fegan-Lappin saw his well struck shot come back of the crossbar.

It didn’t matter in the end as the Kickham’s lost a player to a Red card following a high challenge and Paddy Cunningham converted the resulting free to send his side through to a semi-final meeting with Casement’s in two weeks-time.

Lamh Dhearg: C Smyth; B Rice, M McGarry, Ross Murray; O McKeown (0-1), D Lynch (0-1), D Smyth (0-1); P Fitzsimmons, M Jordan; D Murray, T McCrudden, Ryan Murray (0-1); P Cunningham (0-7f), M Herron, C Murray (0-2, 1f).

Subs: M Lowe (0-2, 1 45, 1f) for T McCrudden (38), F Mervyn for Ross Murray (ET start); T McCrudden for D Murray (ET 10), C Fegan-Lappin for Ryan Murray (ET 12), Ryan Murray for B Rice (ET 20).

Kickham’s Creggan: O Kerr; S Maguire, R Johnston, A Maguire; E Carey-Small (0-1), M Johnston (0-1), J McCann (0-3, 1f); K McCann (0-1), P McAuley; S Duffin (0-1), R McCann (0-3f), T McAteer (0-1); J McAteer (0-1), C McCann, C Small.

Subs: D McAteer for E Carey-Small (52), T McLarnon (0-1) for J McAteer (ET start); J McAteer for T McAteer (ET 13), O Hampsey for S Duffin (ET 15), C Johnston for P McAuley (ET 16)

Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy).

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by thesaffrongael

Magnificent Martin fires Cuchullains to minor final

Minor A Hurling Championship – Semi Final

Dunloy 4-17 Cushendall 1-19

Sunday 15 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Mhuire, Cushendall

A stunning performance from Padraig Martin helped Dunloy to the minor final on Sunday afternoon as they saw off the challenge of Cushendall with seven to spare.  This contest was closer than the final score line would suggest with the Ruairi’s reaching double figures in wides throughout the hour and Dunloy ‘keeper Caolan McFerran with a series of quite brilliant saves but Dunloy were much more clinical and ruthless when they needed to be in front of the target with Martin excelling.

He would finish with an impressive 3-8 with just two points coming from placed ball while the fourth Dunloy major came from midfielder Jack Martin.  He would add a further four points to his personally tally and also put in a hugely impressive performance, moreso in the second half.

Cushendall will look at the first half when they played some fantastic hurling but their finishing let them down when it mattered.  Fiontan Bradley top scored for the Ruairi’s with all but one of his eight points coming from open play while he had plenty of support from Thomas McLaughlin and Charlie McAuley who also impressed with their scoring.  Wing forward Dylan McNaughton grabbed the Ruairi’s major in the first half and was just reward for an excellent hour’s work from the Cushendall forward but they had no answer to the third quarter blitz from the Cuchullains that saw them outscore the Ruairi’s 2-4 to 0-3 and was effectively the winning of this game.

Played in brilliant late summer sunshine, it was a contest between two sides who know each other inside out at this stage.  There were no hidden secrets on either side and this was 60 minutes of two sides going toe to toe, putting their wits and skills on the line and seeing where it takes them. 

Cushendall had the first sight of goal in the opening attack with Charlie McAuley bringing the best out of McFerran between the sticks for Dunloy.  McAuley’s effort looked for all the world to be nestling into the back of the net but the Cuchullains netminder dived at full length to deflect the sliotar away.

The sides were tied on two apiece when Padraig Martin scored the opening major.  Oisin McCallin’s effort had dropped short and ‘keeper Liam McGhee looked to clear the danger but Martin showed his predatory instincts and pulled first time.

Cushendall’s response was typical of the Ruairi’s.  They fired over three of the next four points with Bradley prominent to leave the minimum between the sides.  The Cuchullains were denied a second goal when referee Declan McGarry called for a square ball infringement, much to the dismay of the Dunloy attack.  That frustration was further compounded with the next attack.  Dylan McNaughton collecting the sliotar after a series of persistent pressure from the Ruairi’s and while he had grass in front of him, McNaughton had a half chance of goal.  He took it with both hands with a riffled effort that gave McFerran little chance in the Dunloy goals.

Dunloy answered with a brace of scores from Padraig and Jack Martin before Bradley tested Caolan McFerran again.  The angle wasn’t in the Cushendall man’s favour but his effort was ferocious and the Dunloy ‘keeper did well to deflect the sliotar over the bar.

The sides went score for score in the time that remained, the Ruairi’s wasteful in front of the target and in truth should have been further ahead than the one point the half time scoreboard showed.

Martin and Thomas McLaughlin exchanged frees at the start of the second half before Dunloy clicked through the gears.  Padraig Martin scored his and Dunloy’s second goal with a brilliant piece of individual genius.  Collecting the sliotar wide on the right, he was faced with two Cushendall defenders.  He showed his silky skills to evade the challenges and while unable to take the sliotar into his hand again, he shot off his hurl to the bottom corner.

Bradley and Cushendall responded with a brace of points but Dunloy were dictating the game with Oisin McCamphill creating havoc in the middle third.  He would split the uprights just after Jack Martin to put two between the sides before Padraig Martin would complete his hat-trick.  Collecting the ball in the corner, Oisin McCallin surveyed his options and found Padraig Martin in space.  Martin duly obliged by giving McGhee no chance in the Cushendall goals to put six between the sides.

Cushendall began to find some attacking rhythm but never looked like seriously eating into the Cuchullains lead.  With two minutes of the hour remaining, five points separated the sides when Jack Martin fired in Dunloy’s fourth goal.  McCamphill involved in the build up and Padraig Martin turning provider this time and Jack Martin with the run through the middle.  He fired off his hurl to the bottom corner with an expert finish.

The Ruairi’s bombarded the Dunloy defence in the time that remained and Oisin Woodhouse denied by Caolan McFerran with Charlie McAuley going close with the rebound but the Cuchullains held out to book a final place against Glenariffe/Glenravel.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Caolan McFerran; Cahir McMullan, Sean Og Blaney, Charlie Cunning; Reece Cunning, Ben O’Kane, Jack McKeever; Ryan McClements, Jack Martin; Donnach Laverty, Luke McFerran, Aidan Richmond; Oisin McCallin, Oisin McCamphill, Padraig Martin

Subs: Damien Kinsella for C McMullan (43); Conor Mort for D Laverty (46); Emmet McKendry for A Richmond (58); Paudraig McColgan for C Cunning (60)

Scorers: P Martin 3-8 (2fs); J Martin 1-4; L McFerran 0-4; O McCamphill 0-1

Cushendall: Liam McGhee; Conor McCann, Alex McCambridge, Aodhán Campbell; Diarmuid McManus, Callagh Mooney, Patrick Morgan; Oran McCambridge, Charlie McAuley; Dylan McNaughton, Thomas McLaughlin, Nicholas McNaughton; Cahir McCambridge, Oisin Woodhouse, Fiontan Bradley

Subs: Shane McQuillan for D McManus (24); Ryan McAuley for O McCambridge (48)

Scorers: F Bradley 0-8 (1f); T McLaughlin 0-5 (4fs); C McAuley 0-4 (1f); D McNaughton 1-1; O McCambridge 0-1

Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

FOR MORE OF BRENDAN McTAGGART’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Glenariffe-Glenravel into Minor A Hurling final

Antrim Minor A Hurling Championship semi-final

Glenariffe-Glenravel 5-19 Rossa 1-6

Glenariffe-Glenravel booked their place in the final of the Antrim Minor A Hurling final when the beat Rossa in Sunday’s semi-final in Waterfoot. On top from the start the home side grabbed an early goal through Calum McIlwaine and with points from Phelim Ward and and some excellent scores from man of the match Orrin O’Connor, including his team’s second goal, they went on to lead 2-08 to 0-4 at half time.

Rossa pulled a couple of points back at the star of the second half and with the breeze behind them they closed the gap a little. However the home team soon reasserted their superiority and with Joe McKay joining Phelim Ward and Orrin O’Connor in the scoring ranks they stretched their lead even further and were 5-19 to 1-6 ahead at the break, the Rossa goal coming from full forward Finn Jemfrey from a penalty.

GLENARIFFE-GLENRAVEL

Ben Duncan, Cahir McNaughton, Colla Ward, Michael Furey, James Kearney, Niall Magee, Oisin Mort, Calum McIlwaine, John Scullion, Canice McIntosh, Orrin O’Connor, Christoper Leach, Oisin Gillen, Phelim Ward, Joe McKay

ROSSA

Andrew McStay, Fiachra McDonald, Shea Cunningham, Setanta McDonald, Jay Ward. Jude Collins, Conal Shortt, Corey Walsh, Keevan Grieve, Ruairi McDonald, Liam McEnhill, Niall May, Dara Boylan, Fionn Jemfrey, Fara Morgan.

Referee- Darren McKeown  

FOR MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle get the measure of both the wind and Loughgiel for their group game win

Antrim Camogie Junior Championship Group 1

Loughgiel 0-01 Ballycastle 1-13

14th Sept 2024

Match report and photo album from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park

A mizzling afternoon with a strengthening breeze blowing from the clubhouse up the pitch and a battling Ballycastle team managed to get the better of Loughgiel as the Shamrock’s struggled to get the sliotar up into Ballycastle’s half during the first thirty minutes.

Ballycastle pegged Loughgiel to a no score against their own six points and Shamrock supporters held out for a possible swing in fortunes as they took the breeze on their backs in the second half but despite chances that fizzled out short or wide, the Town doubled their score and a goal for good measure.

Referee Shane McDonnell took charge at noon, after presiding over some of the games up in Fr. Barrett Park for the North Antrim GAA U12.5 Festival of Hurling. It would be two minutes before Ballycastle made a foray into their scoring zone and Grainne Hunter would stir the large Fridge Raiders scoreboard into action with the Town’s first point. Hunter would return for a second point minutes later as it was deflected up and over the bar.

Over the next fifteen minutes, Hunter would strike again, with two more points and one from Kaci-Lee Hunter as Loughgiel fought to try and make their five frees count into the wind without success.

Ballycastle looked like they were building a move as Hunter found Shannon McQuillan in a useful space but Loughgiel’s Ellie Glackin would be solid throughout the entire game and denied this attempt as it went out for a 45 and Ballycastle’s Emmer Connor made that six points to Loughgiel’s none as McDonnell blew for half time.

The expectation of a move from Loughgiel in the second half hung on how they would take advantage of the blustery breeze and could Ballycastle push into the wind close enough to score.  The answer to that came quickly as McQuillan pointed from the edge of Loughgiel’s 13m box after one minute and thirty on the clock. McQuillan would clip another two points from frees as Loughgiel struggled with getting the passing distance correctly, as sliotars ran on for Ballycastle jerseys to roll up and turn over.

McQuillan would show further style at thirteen on the clock as she delivered her sliotar deep into Loughgiel’s Eimear McGivern’s net. Fortune and favour would assist the sliotar to drop short but deflected off the stick of Kara Brolly and up into McGivern’s net. This would be the only goal from Ballycastle, as McGivern had a solid run of saves throughout the game and a long puck out aided at least a dozen healthy clearances.

Ballycastle were to face the wrath of the wind, and four successive frees would drop short for Loughgiel to clear back out. Town supporters would have to wait until twenty five minutes elapsed as another goal attempt was foiled but the Town were able to turn that over for their point from Hunter.

Ballycastle were by now over the line with twenty seven minutes gone in the second half but an eager McQuillan pointed after a clever pass from Tara McAfee, and as Loughgiel’s Eibhlín Kearney cleared the sliotar from a Ballycastle attack, Grainne Hunter turned that over the bar to move Ballycastle to 1-12.

Loughgiel were pushing up, despite a wide margin to close in the remaing minutes, Neala Clarke embarked on a long solo run that although drifted wide, McDonnell pulled back for a foul. Katie Glackin tucked that well over the bar for Loughgiel’s only point in the game as McQuillan took the honour of closing the Town’s account with a point that was assisted by a sublimely delicate pass from Tara McAfee.

McDonnell blew with a minute extra, leaving the scoreboard Loughgiel 0-01 Ballycastle 1-13 in today’s Antrim Camogie Junior Championship Group 1.

Loughgiel starters and scorers

Eimear McGivern, Grace McLean, Ellie Glacken, Eibhlín Kearney, Clodagh McNulty, Ella Sullivan, Neala Clarke, Rhea Dickson, Aoibhinn Fennelly, Roma McGarry, Kathryn Glackin 0-01f, Aoife Cunningham, Kaitlin McAlister, Anya Connolly, Aoife McKinley

Ballycastle Starters and scorers

Erin O’Hara, Anna Bakewell, Caoimhe McShane, Emma Fairley, Noelle McAuley, Emma Connor 0-01, Rebecca Barret, Ellie McGarry, Caitlin Hunter, Eimear Donnelly, Grainne Hunter 0-06, Kaci-Lee Hunter 0-01, Grainne O’Neill, Kara Brolly 1-00, Oonagh McCaughan, Shannon McQuillan 0-05 (2f)

Photos from today’s game can be found by clicking on the album link here…

https://myalbum.com/album/WQVdq99P9xwMon/?invite=b172d7fc-9d23-47a4-8f4a-10e37a3d998c

Follow Michael G Corcoran @keep_clickin on X (formerly Twitter) for match Gifs when available.

Follow The Saffron Gael @TheSaffronGael on X for links to match reports.

by thesaffrongael

Fitzsimmons inspires Pearses to semi-final place

JFC quarter-final

Pearses1-13 Eire Og 2-9

Stephen Fitzsimmons finished with a personal contribution of 0-7 to inspire Pearses to a one point victory over Eire Og in this Junior Football Championship encounter at Fennell Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Derriaghy side looked to have matters sewn up when they led by three with three minutes of normal time remaining when they lost Gavin Donnelly to a Black card.

It was the Antrim Road side who took advantage however with Fitzsimmons converting two late frees and another from play and his last point, four minutes into time added on would prove the winner.

It was Eire Og who made the early running with points from Caomhan Daykin and Conal Smyth with Aidan Bannon replying for Pearses before Kevin Clarke moved Eire Og 0-3 to 0-1 ahead by the 10th minute.

Fitzsimmons responded with his first of the evening but Eire Og were enjoying the better of the exchanges in a typically competitive Junior Football clash with little quarter asked or given.

By half time the Doire Achaidh side had moved 0-6 to 0-4 ahead with Peter James Toal 0-2 and Conor McKenna on target and Fionn Grew and Stephen Fitzsimmons replying for the Antrim Road men.

Fitzsimmons and Grew had Na Piarsaigh back on terms inside four minutes of the second half resuming as Eire Og lost Ryan Clarke to a Black card and the men in Green took advantage as Aidan Bannon pointed them ahead for the first time.

Two more from Stephen Fitzsimmons moved Pearses three ahead by the 12th minute and they seemed to be taking control but Eire Og came storming back with a goal from the returning Kevin Clarke to draw level at the end of the third quarter.

Clarke’s goal seemed to lift the team in White and red as they added points through Mark Graham and Ronan Donnelly to move two in front with 8 minutes remaining but they were rocked back on their heels when Phil Murray replied with a Pearses goal.

Still the Doire Achaidh side looked to have pulled it out of the fire when substitute Dermot Burns replied with a point before a flowing movement from deep in their own half saw Daykin finish to the net

Daykin’s goal moved Eire Og three in front with three minutes remaining and they looked on their way to the semi-final but Pearses staged a late rally, inspired by Fitzsimmons, to wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat.

Pearses: 1 Eamon McKenna, 2 Darren O’Neill, 3 Cormac O’Neill, 24 Marcus Kelly, 5 Phillip Gillespie, 6 Aidan Bannon, 7 Aidan McCavana, 8 Thomas McFarlane, 9 Peter Johnston, 10 Nathan Gorman, 11 Stephen Fitzsimmons, 22 Piaras Donaghy, 13 Phil Murray, 14 Fionn Grew, 15 Sean Moreland, 16 Ryan Nugent.

Eire Og: 1 Mark Hamill, 2 Ryan Clarke, 3 Jarlath Devlin, 4 James McClory, 5 Ronan Donnelly, 6 Mark Graham, 7 Conor Erskine, 8 Peter James Toal, 9 Conal Smyth, 10 Stephen Erskine, 11 Kevin Clarke, 12 Gavin Donnelly, 13 Conor McKenna, 14 Caomhan Daykin, 15 Daniel Campbell, 17 Adam McKenna, 18 Christopher Carberry, 19 Dermot Burns, 21 Eanna McNulty,   

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)

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