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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Portglenone survived an almighty scare in a titanic tussle against St John’s on Saturday evening. With seven minutes to go in this one, all seemed a foregone conclusion. Oisin Doherty had just angled his effort to perfection over the bar to increase the margin to seven and it appeared for all the world that the Bannsiders would simply coast to victory. Naomh Éoin, however, had other ideas as they refused to go out with a whimper. A goal from Conal Quinn with a minute of normal time to go set up a grandstand finish and got pulses racing as the Johnnies had cut the gap to the minimum. St John’s desperately sought to snatch that all elusive equaliser, but time was not on their side. All eyes were on referee Darren McKeown with the St John’s travelling faithful tantalised at the prospect of extra time and the Casement’s band of supporters baying for the final whistle. It was the latter who had their wishes granted as the Whiterock Road side succumbed to the sea of black and yellow defenders in their offensive pursuits as Portglenone just held out to claim the spoils.
The game burst into life as Portglenone rattled the net within the first minute. Dermot McAleese’s pointed effort dropped invitingly for his namesake, Aidan who swivelled perfectly before guiding his effort into the bottom left hand corner of Lambert’s net. St John’s though responded positively through the trusty left foot of Conor Adams who converted a close range free. Despite the setback, it was the men in blue and white who were doing the majority of the probing forward but with scintillating pace in their attacking arsenal, Portglenone were an ominous threat on the counter. Full back Ruairi Hagan epitomised this as he put the finishing touches on a move that was forged in the Casement’s engine room as Niall McKeever and Stephen Kelly combined well to pave the way for Hagan.
Portglenone’s Aidan McAleese (10) drills the ball low to the St John’s net in the opening minute of the game. Pic by John McIlwaine
The Johnnies continued to push and manufactured a few scoring chances but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard. This was certainly the difference between the two during the first half as the Ports were clinical going forward. Enda Lynn’s electric speed was causing problems and he fashioned an opening which Oisin Doherty finished with aplomb to increase their lead to four with twelve on the clock.
St John’s remained patient though and their calculated approach was rewarded when talisman Paddy McBride split the posts twice with two consecutive efforts to reduce arrears. However, Portglenone’s clinical prowess in front of the posts became more prominent a theme in the final ten minutes of the half. The men in yellow and black hit a purple patch as the short whistle neared with Ronan Kelly, Michael Hagan and Niall McKeever all opening their accounts. But for Eoghan Rua Lambert in goals, matters could’ve been exacerbated further for the Johnnies. Enda Lynn had come storming in on goal after the ball was turned over in midfield and it looked certain the net would rattle but the Naomh Eoin number one managed to deny the former Derry man with a fantastic save.
Six points adrift, St John’s badly needed a score before the short whistle to give them a foothold again. Their number three, Enda McGurk, took the responsibility on his shoulders as he bombed forward to find his bearings to leave the score 1-06 to 0-04 in favour of Portglenone at the interval.
The South-West side began the second period in a similar fashion to the first as they bagged another major in the opening exchanges. Enda Lynn’s audacious point off the outside of his left boot was followed up by an Oisin Doherty goal on the thirty fifth minute. Daniel McNicholl’s incisive pass threaded a route through for the Portglenone number thirteen who rounded his man to finish ruthlessly, soccer style, from a tight angle.
Oisin Doherty celebrates after scoring Portglenone’s second goal – Pic by John McIlwaine
Despite the gap increasing to eight, St John’s kept their composure and continued to plug away. The aerial route to Conall Bohill in full forward proved a real outlet for them as the big number fourteen rose highest to win his mark, before competently sending the ball between the uprights.
It was tit for tat between the two in the third quarter as both battled to gain the ascendancy, Ronan Kelly and Danaan McKeogh exchanged points before Ryan McNulty grabbed an excellent point for St John’s as they reduced the gap to five with ten minutes left to go. Two points in quick succession from the Ports though looked to have pave the path to victory wide open. Caolan Tierney finished off a seamless Portglenone counterattack before dangerman Oisin Doherty applied the final touch to another flowing move involving Niall McKeever and Conor McGhee.
With the clock against them, St John’s reverted to aerial bombardment once again with the imposing stature of Conor Hand now deployed in full forward. Ronan Quinn’s lofted ball forward was met by Hand who rose highest to fist over from close range with only five to play.
With the gap seemingly an insurmountable one given the limited time remaining, you could’ve understood St John’s giving up the ghost. However, they refused to lie down and when Conor Adams pointed from a close range free, the men in blue had their tails up. Portglenone desperately tried to evade the press of their opponents but to no avail as St John’s were now dominating the turnover.
With a minute of normal time remaining, Conal Quinn then grabbed the goal that the Whiterock side had yearned for to send the crowd into raptures. Quinn’s effort looked destined for another Johnnies attacker to latch onto but somehow bounced into the net as Kevin Mullan in goal was deceived by the ball’s trajectory,
A mouthwatering finish was now in proposition as the game entered time added on. With two points the margin, nerves were no doubt frayed in the home dugout. Paddy McBride then pointed from a close range free to close the gap to the minimum as those nerves were probably now holding on by a thread.
The West Belfast side continued to forage forward in the dying embers to grab the all-important leveller. However, they were met by a vast expanse of yellow and black jerseys who managed to stifle their efforts and, in the end, quelled the resistance of their opponents to seal a semi final spot.
Championship knockout games are there to be won. It doesn’t matter how. Getting over that line, by hook or by crook, is everything. That will be all that matters for Portglenone, no matter the dramatic fashion. Today, they showed glimpses of the glittering attacking options that they have at their disposal. They know that it will need to be on show more consistently in the next round as they still harbour genuine Championship hopes.
St John’s corner-forward Conal Quinn sends the ball through a thicket of players for his team’s late goal tha closed the gap to two points as the game entered injury time. Pic by John McIlwaine
For St John’s, this one may sting a little. They battled valiantly throughout and remained unfazed by the uphill battle they faced for the majority. Although it’s been a bit of a tumultuous season for them, they’ve had the opportunity to blood a few of their promising youngsters who more than played their part today. They can certainly hold their heads high and be proud of their efforts.
Teams:
Portglenone:
K Mullan; R Delargy, R Hagan (0-01,) C McGhee; D McNicholl, D McAleese, C Tierney (0-01;) N McKeever (0-01,) S Kelly; A McAleese (1-00,) M Hagan (0-01,) N Delargy; O Doherty (1-02,) E Lynn (0-01,) R Kelly (0-03)
Naomh Éoin:
E Rua Lambert; R Quinn, E McGurk (0-01,) C McEvoy; L Pedan, A McGowan, R Donnelly; A Oliver, C Hand (0-01;) R McNulty (0-01,) P McBride (0-04,) S Tierney; C Adams (0-02,) C Bohill (0-01) C Quinn (1-00)
Substitute scorers
C McGlade (0-01)
D McKeogh (0-01)
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A fast start and a strong finish saw All Saints advance from this winner-takes-all encounter with St. Joseph’s Glenavy in the final Group 2 game of the Intermediate Football Championship.
Four points separated the sides at the final whistle but Glenavy will reflect on a period in the opening quarter when they shot seven wides with a strong breeze at their backs.
The Ballymena side sat deep and broke at pace to lead by five with only 8 minutes gone with their goal coming from a Sean McVeigh tap in from close range after Matty Downey’s original effort was well saved by Stephen Daly.
The Chapel Hill side began to find their range during the second quarter to out-score the visitors 0-5 to 0-1 and close the gap to the minimum at the halfway stage but with the breeze to face in the second half.
All Saints increased that gap to three early in the second half but the home side kept in touch throughout the second period thanks mainly to the accuracy of Fergal Henry.
They came close to getting back on terms after 18 minutes with Ryan Stewart pushing a Ciaran Loney goal bound attempt over for a point but that was as close as they got as Ronan McKillop 0-2 and substitute Michael McCarry added late scores to usher the visitors into the semi-final.
Sean McVeigh’s finish from close range after 2 minutes and points from Conor Stewart and Paddy McAleer moved All Saints five ahead by the 8th minute as their fast direct football opened up the home defence.
St. Joseph’s, with a strong breeze at their backs might well have been on terms but some wayward shooting saw them miss a handful of scoring chances that would eventually lead to their downfall.
James McDonnell moved the visitors six ahead after 18 minutes with a great point as he put the finishing touch to a move that began deep in his own half but after that the scores dried up as the Chapel Hill side began to find their range.
Glenavy’s Conor Hamill passes as Ciaran Campbell and Patrick Ferris, All Saints move in to challenge
Paddy Gallager and Fergal Henry from a couple of converted frees closed the gap to a goal and a great point from James Gallagher from out on the right and another Henry conversion closed the gap to the minimum at the halfway stage.
Connell Lemon raced through to fist over on the restart and Kavan Keenan added a second to move the Slemish Park side three in front with only two minutes gone with Fergal Henry replying from another free.
Things were starting to move up a notch as Conor Stewart and Paddy McAleer moved All Saints four in front by the 10th minute but a Fergal Henry converted free and another excellent point from play from the same player left just two in it at the end of the third quarter.
Ronan McKillop replied with a good point to move the Ballymena side three ahead once more but Glenavy might well have been back on terms but Ciaran Loney’s well struck shot was pushed over at the expense of a point by Ryan Stewart.
McKillop for the visitors and Ryan Phillips exchanged further points and Michael McCarry for the visitors and Fintan O’Boyle for the home side did likewise and there was still only two in it with two minutes of normal time remaining.
It was the Ballymena side who would finish on the front foot however as the impressive Ronan McKillop added two late points to ensure that his side would go through to the semi-final where they will meet St. Paul’s in two weeks-time.
In the other semi-final Sarsfield’s will meet St. Teresa’s after the Glen Road men finished their Group 1 campaign with a win over Naomh Padraig in Lisburn to finish second to St. Paul’s in Group 1 on score difference.
St. Joseph’s: 1 Stephen Daly, 2 Ryan Phillips, 3 Patrick Fox, 4 Timmy Honeyford, 5 Liam Henry, 6 Pearse O’Neill, 7 Mathew Lawlor, 8 James Gallagher, 10 Patrick Gallagher, 11 Ciaran Loney, 13 Fergal Henry, 15 Conor Hamill, 17 Malachi Doherty, 20 Michael Fox, 23 Michael Johnston.
Subs: Fintan O’Boyle
All Saints: 1 Ryan Stewart, 2 Michael Read, 3 Cal O’Brien, 5 James McDonnell, 6 Sean O’Callaghan, 7 Patrick Ferris, 8 Sean McVeikgh, 9 Peter McNicholl, 10 Connell Lemon, 13 Emmet Killough, 14 Conor Stewart, 15 Paddy McAleer, 20 Kavan Keenan, 21 Ciaran Campbell, 24 Ronan McKillop
Subs: Joe Rafferty and Michael McCarry
Referee: Colin Thompson (St. John’s)
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Reigning football champions Erin’s Own Cargin advanced to the semi-final stages of this year’s competition with a convincing win over St Mary’s Ahoghill on Friday evening with a performance that suggests that they are well on course to retain the title.
Ronan Devlin’s charges looked at ease and were always in control under the Casement’s floodlights and took an early lead through a Tomas McCann penalty after Michael McCann was upended inside the danger area.
Michael McCann added a point shortly after and it was 19 minutes before James O’Connell finally got the Cloney side off the mark with a fine point.
Cargin continued to look composed as Tomas McCann, Conhuir Johnston, Justin Crozier, and the impressive Jamie Gribbin added to their increasing tally on the scoreboard with the latter on hand to finish to the back of the net nearing the end of the opening period
Sean O’Neill started the move down the left and found Tomas McCann to offload to his brother Michael who placed the advancing Jamie Gribbin to send to the top corner of the net.
St Mary’s were fighting hard to get their own game together and did increase their tally in the latter stages of the half with James O’ Connell delivering a 40 metre free between the posts in the 23rd minute.
It brought an immediate response from the men in Green with a late point by Conhuir Johnston after another sweeping move and as the half time whistle sounded it looked as good as over with the reigning champions leading 2-10 to 0-03.
There would be no let-up as he second half got under way as the Toome side with a place in the semi-final stages obviously secured, came forward from the throw in and Benen Kelly provided a precise finish which split the posts to increase their advantage.
St Mary’s were not about to give up the ghost despite the situation they faced and Fionnbar O’ Neill placed Ronan Graham’s who’s delivery from away out on the right flank sailed between the posts before James O’ Connell punished an indiscretion with another a couple of minutes later.
Cargin were quick to return fire as James Laverty advanced from the right to fire between the posts and Paul McCann followed with another to extend the champions advantage to 2-13 to 0-05.
At this stage Erin’s Own introduced a couple of replacements with David Johnston coming in for James Laverty and Conan Johnston replacing Jamie Gribbin.
The Toome side continued to press and after a superb catch by the hard grafting Pat Shivers sent Conhuir Johnston away to fire between the posts, Tomas McCann added another with his sibling Michael following suit to move his side 2-16 to 0-05 clear with ten minutes remaining
St Mary’s replaced Seamus McKeever with Harry O’ Donnell just as Michael McCann fired between to posts to add to the Toome men’s lead with Benen Kelly quick to add another.
Substitute Ronan Devlin, who had replaced Paul McCann in the latter stages,
gothis name amongst the scorers with a well delivered 55th minute point with fellow replacement David Johnston following suit.
The score of the game fell to Conhuir Johnston as he delivered between the posts in the last minute to ensure a place in the semi-finals for the reigning champions and serve notice that whoever seeks to replace them at the summit will have to earn that reward.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Kevin O’ Boyle, Kevin Mc Shane, Benen Kelly (0-02), Justin Crozier (0-01), Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Sean O’ Neill, Gerard Mc Cann, Pat Shivers (0-010, Tom Shivers, Jamie Gribbin (1-02), Conhuir Johnston (0-04), Michael Mc Cann (0-03), Tomas Mc Cann (1-04)
Subs:
Conan Johnston (0-01)
Conan Devlin (0-01)
David Johnston (0-01)
Callum Gribbin
Ahoghill: Noel Crossey, Seamus Mc Keever, James (Bobby) Magee, Donal Graham, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Tom Mc Glone, Patrick Graham, Conor Crossey, James O’ Connell (0-02), Eamon Brady, Donal Graham (0-02), Patrick Graham, Ronan Graham (0-01)
Subs
Ger Graham
Aodhan Graham
Shea Neeson
Harry O’ Donnell
Referee: C Mc Donald (St Gall’s)
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Con Magee Gaels won the Under 16 C Football Championship when they beat Rasharkin by 4-09 to 0-07 at Slemish Park, Ballymena on Thursday evening. On top from the early stages goal from Daire Higgins and Niall McKeown helped the Gaels to a 2-07 to 0-3 half time lead, Shea McFerran and Liam Kearney showing well for Rasharkin.
McFerran and Kearney pulled a couple back for Rasharkin in the early stages of the second half but Con Magee Gaels got back on top again and after a point from a Niall McKeown free corner forward Ben Duncan got in at the back post for his team’s third goal and when full forward Christopher Leech added a fourth there was no way back for Rasharkin
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