U16A Football Final

Casement’s 1-16 Naomh Brid 2-11

Casement’s Portglenone produced the comeback of all comebacks at Dunsilly on Thursday night to overcome the challenge of St. Brigid’s and claim the Antrim U16A title.

Trailing by three early in the second half, all hell broke loose with players from both sides involved in an unseemly confrontation and when the dust had settled the Portglenone side had two players dismissed by referee, Joe McCavana.

It would have proved a setback that most sides could not have contemplated but the young Casement’s quite simply refused to surrender and they produced a performance right out of the ‘Roy of the Rovers’ book to reel in the Musgrave Park side.

The game itself, despite the flare up was a great advert for Gaelic football and it was the Bannsiders who made the early running with Odhran Doherty pointing them ahead from a free and James McVeigh and Doherty again moved them three clear before Michael McCann got St. Brigid’s going with a good point in the 8^th minute.

That score seemed to settle the South Belfast side and two minutes later they took the lead when Joseph Logan finished to the net from close range following a pass across the face of the square from Peter Molloy.

Undeterred, Portglenone resumed control and led by the superb Odhran Doherty they came back strongly with Doherty hitting two on the bounce and Conor McKeever and Christy McDonnell moving Them three in front by the 19^th minute.

Towering mid-fielder, Liam Carson replied with a superb long range point with Christy McDonnell responding with an excellent effort at the other end but the last two scores of the half fell to the Musgrave side as Carson and Joseph Logan split the posts.

That left just one between the sides at the interval and Naomh Brid would probably have reflected on a couple of goal chances that went a begging but they made quick amends on the restart with Rhys Bray firing home their second goal after 30 seconds.

Conor McKeever, who impressed throughout the hour pulled one back with a point but Michael McCann responded with two at the other end to move the Belfast side three in front with only 4 minutes of the second half gone.

Odhran Doherty and Joseph Logan exchanged further points to keep the gap at three before things boiled over after the South West side felt they should have had a free that was awarded against them.

The intervention of mentors and officials quickly brought matters to a conclusion but when play resumed the young Bannsiders had been reduced to 13 men and faced a mountain to climb.

The superb Doherty reduced the gap to two with a great point but when substitute, Cian Graham and Michael McCann replied with points at the other end it looked as good as over.

Casement’s had other ideas however as they set up deep and broke with great efficiency and Odhran Doherty, Christy McDonnell and Doherty again pointed and when Tom Convery palmed a tantalising cross from Conor Burns to the net Dunsilly erupted.

There was still five minutes of time remaining as James McVeigh blasted over at the other end when he might have had a goal but it was fitting that the final two points of the evening would fall to the superb Doherty as he ushered the young ‘Ports’ over the finishing line.

There were scenes of wild celebration at the final whistle as the large Portglenone support rushed onto the field to embrace their heroes.

They had just witnessed a quite superb game of football in which both sides played their part but the character and resolve of the winners was the difference in the end.

Casement’s: 1 Eoghan Smith, 2 Cillian McDonnell, 3 Conall Morgan, 4 Cillian McKenna, 5 Thomas Douthart, 6 Christy McDonnell, 7 Tom Duffin, 8 Odhran Doherty, 9 Rory O’Kane, 10 Eoghan McErlean, 11 Tom Convery, 12 Conor Burns, 13 Frank McAleese, 14 James McVeigh, 15 Conor McKeever.

Subs: 17 Oisin Convery, 18 Thomas Kearney, 19 Ronan McAleer, 20 Phelim McCloskey, 21 Patrick O’Boyle Jnr., 22 John O’Boyle, 24 Tom Burns, 25 Jack Kearney.

St. Brigid’s: 1 Eoghan McCrory, 2 Edward Graham, 3 Fionn McCann, 4 Jack Heatherington, 5 Padraic O’Connor, 6 Conor Friel, 7 Ronan Taylor, 8 Peter Molloy, 9 Liam Carson, 10 Conor Hanna, 11 Rhys Bray, 12 Conaill Taggart, 13 Michael McCann, 14 Joseph Logan, 15 Johnny Higgins.

Subs: 16 Daire Mullan, 17 Conor Graham, 18 Harry Sproule, 19 Rory Conway, 20 Aaron McHenry, 21 Cian Graham, 22 Seagh McEwan, 23 Ethan Ervine, 24 Thomas Vincent

Referee: Joe McCavana (Naomh Comhghall)

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW PICTURE ALBUM

https://myalbum.com/album/jc2Nq6saJZ23kf

Reserve Football Shield final

Glenravel 0-13 Glenavy 1-05

Exactly one year ago to the day, Glenravel suffered a one point defeat in the Reserve Shield Final  in Portglenone when Dunloy returned victorious on a 2-14 to 2-13 scoreline. This year however the Con Magees’  men made amends when they defeated Glenavy in the same venue, in the same competition with five points to spare in the end. Ahead for most of the game, Glenravel could not quite put enough daylight between themselves and the opposition to feel comfortable despite long periods of dominance. Glenavy will no doubt look back with disappointment on some wayward shooting, particularly in the first half that would have had them well ahead at half time had they been a tad more accurate.

Glenravel opened with a point from Sean McKay before evergreen Aiden McCafferty doubled that lead in the seventh minute. Glenavy were creating chances but missing the target but with eleven minutes gone Michael McCourt cut through and unleashed a piledriver to the net to put the lough shore men ahead in what would prove to be the only time in the game. In fact Glenavy would retire to the changing rooms at half time with that being the only score to their credit in the opening thirty minutes along with almost double digit wides as they failed to hold their composure when the goalposts came into view. In the second quarter Glenravel started to gain some traction and but for some brilliant saves from Glenavy keeper Gareth Collins they would have been out of sight by half time. But Glenavy’s netminder stopped two certain goals to keep his team in the game. Glenravel decided the aerial route would yield a better return and four points from Sean McKay, Daragh Donaghy, Shea O’Broin and Aiden O’Donnell put Glenravel back in the driving seat with a three point lead 0-06 to 1-00 when referee Sean Elliott blew the sort whistle.

Glenavy would reduce that deficit to two points when their lively full forward Finn Shannon put over a free. Shannon was Glenavy’s most potent threat up front being very comfortable in possession and a real handful for the Glenravel defence who, it must be said, marshalled him well. Glenravel regained momentum with points from Sean McKay, Fergus Donaghy and a super score from Aiden O’Donnell stretched their lead to five on a 0-09 to 1-1 scoreline. With only two scores to show for forty minutes effort Glenavy management decided to shuffle the deck and introduce fresh legs. That rejuvenated them and three unanswered points from Finn Shannon, Fergus Cunningham and Michael McCourt brought us to a two point game as we entered the third quarter. All to play for. Aiden O’Donnell steadied the Glenravel ship with another great point and the recently introduced Conleth O’Loan added another before Sean McKay once again opened up a five point lead for the men in green and white with less than ten minutes remaining. At this stage Glenravel were dominating and once again Glenavy’s netminder Gareth Collins came to the rescue with another point blank save. If there had been a MOTM award I’m in no doubt Collins would have won it. Scant comfort though as the game fizzled out in the closing minutes with Finn Shannon and Eamon Carey exchanging points to leave Glenravel victorious at the end on a 0-13 to 1-05 scoreline.

Referee Elliott and his team did a sterling job throughout  and great credit is due to Portglenone for their organisation of the game and in particular to their ground staff who had Kelly Park in immaculate condition despite the torrential rain throughout the day.

FOR MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/WvWGrgP7ZsTS7b/?invite=2d33ca21-7ddc-4df5-96df-d038482e5ddb

Football Championship this Week-End

A week-end of championship action on the menu with games in grades, senior, Intermediate, and junior down for decision with a couple of ties in the senior championship relegation play off also scheduled.

Reserve Cup & Shield finals tonight (Wednesday)

The knock-out action begins tonight (Wednesday) with the Reserve Football Cup final between St. Gall’s and Kickham’s,  Creggan at Dunsilly while St. Joseph’s Glenavy and Con Magee’s Glenravel cross swords in the Reserve Shield Final in Portglenone.

Both games are set for 7-00pm with Creggan’s strong performance in the semi-final against All Saints in Ballymena suggesting they will start the Cup final as favourites while St. Joseph’s history in the Reserve Shield giving them a tentative nod in that one.

On Friday the floodlights at Portglenone will accommodate the opening Senior Football championship encounter with holders, Erin’s Own Cargin set to cross swords with St Mary’s Ahoghill to get the championship show on the road on Friday evening.

Dunsilly, pitch one will  host the second senior quarter final between Casement’s and St Johns at 4.00pm on Saturday  with the remaining games to decide places in the last 4 on Sunday 15^th as Lamh Dhearg face Creggan at Glenavy 1.30 pm with St Brigid’s and Cuchullian’s Dunloy meeting in Toome at4.00pm.

Saturday 14^th will also feature games in both the Intermediate and Junior championship with Sunday 15^th will also feature games in the championship relegation play offs with Ballymena hosting Con Magee’s Glenravel v Tir na nOg at 2.00pm with Hannahstown featuring St Enda’s v St Gall’s at 5.00pm.

Friday 13^th September

Senior Football Championship

Portglenone 7-30pm

Erin’s Own Cargin v St Mary’s Ahoghill (7.30pm)

Erin’s Own Cargin continue in their search of ‘three in a row’ as they line out against St Mary’s Ahoghill under the floodlights in Portglenone.

Ronan Devlin’s charges remained unbeaten through the group stages and although nothing is assured they remain strong favourites to gain a semi final berth.

Chris McGlone’s St. Mary’s side enter the fray as rank outsiders and will travel with nothing to lose but the renowned fighting spirit of the Cloney side means they should never be dismissed.

The Cargin journey to date has been smooth following victories over Rossa and St John’s but they did take a time to get the show on the road before defeating Tir na nOg in round three.

The Toome men will enter the fray as strong favourites’ but certainly well aware of the spirit within the St Mary’s camp as they battle on both fronts with a place in the Intermediate Hurling play-off still up for grabs.

This one should attract a good crowd to Kelly Park and although Ahoghill will start as outsiders they will give it everything but anything less than an Erin’s Own victory would be a major shock.

Sat 14^th September

Senior Football Championship

Dunsilly 1

Casement’s Portglenone v St John’s (4.00pm)

St John’s set the standard in the acquisition of county senior football titles with a massive 24 gained over the years but it has been a while since they have brought the title back to Corrigan Park.

That was way back in 1998 but the flame still burns brightly on the Whiterock and they will hope to make 2024 a further milestone as they look to plot a course to success again.

Casement’s have yet to gain a senior title but the fates haven’t been kind to the Bannsider’s in the recent past as after plotting the course to last year’s semi-finals that was as close as they were to get.

John Mc Keever did lead them to the division one league title in 2023, underlining the fact that the Portglenone men have the players needed to go all the way in championship.

Casement’s will start this one as favourites and they may well go on to gain a place in the semi-finals, but St John’s will not bend the knee easily and the Corrigan men will certainly provide the Bannsider’s with a serious challenge.

Sunday 15^th September

Glenavy

Lamh Dhearg v Kickham’s Creggan (1.30pm)

Lamh Dhearg and Creggan go head to head at Chapel Hill and this one is certain to attract a big attendance.

Both contestants have won the MacNamee trophy as county champions on three occasions and their respective aims would be to add another sooner rather than later.

The Kickham’s won their third title in 2021 which was four years after the men from Hannahstown had taken their third title and both have proved lively contenders over the years.

Both sides enjoyed indifferent league campaigns but as they returned to strength results have certainly improved in the championship.

The Hannahstown side finished their group unbeaten whilst Creggan finished second in their section with a single defeat to St. Brigid’s.

A close encounter is anticipated at Chapel Hill but Creggan will start as favourites and although Lamh Dhearg will provide a firm challenge, Joe Cassidy’s Kickham’s may well gain a hard earned win.

Toome

St Brigid’s v Cuchullian’s Dunloy (4.00pm)

Erin’s Own Cargin will play hosts to this one as last year’s beaten finalists Cuchullian’s Dunloy seek to go one step further this term as they meet 2024 division one league winners St Brigid’s.

This town v country coming together is certain to attract a big attendance to Toome and a close hard fought encounter is anticipated.

Dunloy gave Cargin a run for their money in last year’s final and although the Cuchullian’s are fighting on two fronts, football and hurling they are still on course on both fronts despite defeat to Lamh Dhearg in their final Group game.

St Brigid’s, with the division one league title already secured will by going all out to secure a rare league/championship double.

Dunloy lost their last hurling group game to Cushendall which has left them with a quarter-final they were keen to avoid and there is the danger of falling between two stools.

The Cuchullian’s are renowned championship battlers and are likely to provide the Musgrave Park side with a serious challenge if fielding at strength but St. Brigid’s are given the vote.

Intermediate F C

Group One

Sat 14^th September

Pairc Naomh Pol

St Paul’s v Kickham’s Ardoyne (2.00pm)

St Paul’s have already qualified for the knockout stages as Kickham’s Ardoyne visit Shaw’s Road. Ardoyne have struggled this season in both league and championship and anything other than a St. Paul’s win would be a major surprise.

Kirkwood Pk

St Patrick’s Lisburn v St Teresa’s (2.00pm)

Like St. Paul’s, St Teresa’s have already qualified and the Glen Road side will make the trip to Lisburn with a place in the semi-finals already secured.

This one is a dead rubber with nothing but pride at stake and could go either way.

Group Two

Chapel Hill

St Joseph’s Glenavy v All Saint’s Ballymena (5.00pm)

St Joseph’s Glenavy and All Saint’s meet in this ‘winners take all’ encounter at Chapel Hill with the outcome of this one having a huge say on the latter stages of the Intermediate championship.

Glenavy defeated Sarsfield’s last time out to put themselves firmly in the frame to join the Staffordstown Road side in the knockout stages and a win over Baker Bradley’s All Saints would ensure they top the group.

The Ballymena side enjoyed an excellent league campaign but have blown hot and cold in the championship but a win or even a draw here would see them qualify with Sarsfields for the semi-finals.

There won’t be much between them but home advantage will ensure that Glenavy will start as slight favourites but if All Saints can produce their best form then they can at least gain the draw they need to qualify.

Davitt Pk

Michael Davitt’s v Gort na Mona (5.00pm)

This one is a dead rubber in championship as a place in the latter stages is beyond both sides but the result will have a bearing on the ‘championship status’ and will add impetus to the game.

This has certainly been a poor year for the Michael Davitt’s in the championship without a win in the group stages.

Gort na Mona did enjoy a victory over Glenavy in the championship and a similar performance will possibly ensure another win.

Junior Football Championship

Sat 14^th September

Cliftonville

Patrick Pearse’s v Eire Og (5.00pm)

Pearse’s recorded a group 1 victory over Cardinal O’ Donnell’s to finish in second place to unbeaten St. Agnes and they will look for a similar performance as they welcome Eire Og to Cliftonville with a place in the semi-finals the prize.

Eire Og shared the points with St. Malachy’s last time after looking likely winners until late in the game and in similar form they could gain an away victory.

Cherryvale

St Malachy’s v Laochra Loch Lao (5.00pm)

This looks like another close one as St Malachy’s welcome Laochra Loch Lao to Cherryvale.

A final day group 1 victory over Pearses ensured Laochra Loch Lao a quarter-final place while St. Malachy’s staged a late comeback to draw with Eire Og and this one could go either way.