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by thesaffrongael

St. Joseph’s back on track with win over Con Magee’s

Northern Property LGFA SFC

St. Joseph’s 2-13 Glenravel 0-5

Pics by Bert Trowlen

St. Joseph’s Glenavy got their Northern Property SFC campaign back on track with a good win over Con Magee’s, Glenravel at St. Paul’s on Sunday to move into second place in the Group.

The Chapel Hill side put Last week’s heavy defeat to Group leaders and reigning champions, St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass behind them with a strong performance against the girls from the 10th Glen to climb into second place.

They certainly didn’t get it all their own way during a competitive opening half where the Con Magee’s gave as good as they got and it still looked all to play for when they turned around with only three points separating the sides.

After the break it was a different story as Glenavy stepped it up a gear to take control and Glenravel would add only one further point as St. Joseph’s took control.

Glenravel offered stubborn resistance with Caitlin McKeown pulling off a couple of excellent saves but she was finally beaten when Aoibheann Monaghan found the net in the 28th minute and the same player added a second in injury time.

Ellen Morgan, Natasha O’Neill and Keela McAllister fired St. Joseph’s into a three point lead by the 6th minute but Glenravel came back strongly with points from Leona Gillan and Niamh McKay to close the gap to the minimum at the end of the opening quarter.

Keela McAllister, Aoibheann Monaghan and Natasha O’Neill moved the Chapel Hill girls four in front by the 22nd minute and Aimee Traynor for Glenravel and Lydia Grant for St. Joseph’s exchanged further points before (12) replied with the final point of the half for the Con Magee’s to leave it 0-7 to 0-4 at the break

HT 0-7 TO 0-4

After the break St. Joseph’s assumed control as they introduced Anna Mulholland and Anna Rice and the impressive Aoibheann Monaghan hit two early points to extend their lead to five before Aimee Traynor replied with a point for the Con Magee’s in the 11th minute.

Mulholland announced her arrival with two well taken points before Monaghan put the game to bed when she finally found a way past the impressive Con Magees netminder Caitlin McKeown with two minutes of normal time remaining.

St. Joseph’s finished strongly and Keela McAllister had her goal bound shot superbly pushed over by McKewon at the expense of a point with Anna Rice adding another before Aoibheann Monaghan put the icing on a fine individual performance with her second goal in the 62nd minute

Glenavy: 16 Orla Mullin, 2 Aideen McCambridge, 3 Meabh Bradley, 4 Geraldine McCann, 5 Bronagh Forester, 6 Cathy Scannell, 7 Aoibhin  Gormley, 8 Natasha O’Neill, 9 Anna McStravick, 10 Lydia Grant, 11 Ellen Morgan, 12 Megan McGarry, 13 Keela McAllister, 14 Aoibheann Monaghan, 15 Mary McStravick.

Subs: Anna Mulholland, Anna Rice

Con Magees, Glenravel

1 – Caitlin McKeown

2 – Anita McKeown

3 – Emer McCann

4 – Clodagh McCann

5 – Sarah Fyfe

6 – Maeve Mulholland

7 – Aisling Donnelly

8 – Caitlin Law

9 – Orlaith Gould

10 – Rosa McCrudden

11 – Leona Gillan

12 – Niamh McKay

13 – Aimee Traynor

14 – Jaime Woulahan

15 – Aisling Mulholland

SUBS

Katie McDonnell

Keira Young

Cliodhna McBride

Eimear Butler

Aoibhinn McKenna

Emily Sharpe

Clodagh McPeake

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by thesaffrongael

Loch Mór Dál gCais power into semi-final

Antrim Junior B Hurling Knock-Out – Preliminary round

Knock-Out preliminary round

Loch Mór Dál gCais 3-26 Loughbeg Harps 0-10

Loch Mór Dál gCais set up a semi-final meeting with St Bridget’s when they scored a big win over Loughbeg Harps in Saturday’s preliminary round at Mallusk.

Played in warm sunshine on an excellent surface Loch Mór Dál gCais started like an express train and had the ball in Loughbeg net twice in the first three minutes, the first from right half forward Darragh Turley and the second from corner forward Feria Carson.

Matthew Jones increased the lead to seven points in the fourth minute before the Moneyglass men opened their account with a point from a long range free by centre forward Conor McElhinney. Declan Phillips and Turley added two more points for the winners but Loughbeg were having a bit more possession and McElhinney sent another long range free between the Loch Mór Dál gCais posts.

Cormac Dwyer then hit his team’s third goal just before the end of the opening quarter and is soon became clear the Loughbeg had a massive task on their hand, though the battled away and well struck from midfielder Calum McStocker was followed by two more from Conor McElhinney frees by the 20th minute. However Loch Mór Dál gCais finished the first half  half strongly with six points on the trot, three from Turley, two from Jones and one from Paul McCrystal to lead by 3-14 to 0-6 at the interval.

Loughbeg Harps made a good start to the second half with points from McStocker and Aidan McErlaine and the second period was certainly more competitive, but Loch Mór Dál gCais had the damage done and they went on to win with a bit to spare and set up that mouth-watering  semi-final meeting with St Brigid’s in two weeks’ time

Loch Mór Dál gCais

Cathan MacEireamhoin, James Magorrian, Bailey Graham, Aarson Monaghan, Rory Bannon, Conor Jones, Jack Conway, Martin Braniff, Ruairi Moran, Darragh Turley, Cormac Dwyer, Matthew Jones, Declan Phillips, Martin Robb, Ferdia Carson.

Loughbeg Harps

  1. David Slevin 2. ⁠Paul Quinn 3. ⁠Diarmuid Scullin 4. ⁠Gary Maybin 5. ⁠Paul O’Hagan 6. ⁠Paul McCrystal 7. ⁠Hugh Mulholland 8. ⁠Calum McStocker 9. ⁠Eunan Smyth 10. ⁠Sean Boyd 11. ⁠Conor Mclhinney 12. ⁠Damien Carrol 13. ⁠Mark Walsh 14. ⁠Conor Harrison 15. ⁠Aidan McErlain 17. Aidrian Hegarty 18. ⁠Frank Berry 19. ⁠David Mcgettigan 20. ⁠Michael Duffin 21. ⁠Rory Taggart 22. ⁠Daniel McKenna

Referee – Eamon Cooke (Naomh Gall)

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by thesaffrongael

Goals prove the difference as Kickham’s progress to the semi-finals

Under-18 A Football Championship

Creggan 2-6 Cargin 0-6

Two goals in the last quarter from Ronan McGrath and Tristan McCann proved the difference as Kickham’s Creggan gained the verdict and progress to the next round of the Uder-18 football championship at the expense of their near neighbours, Erin’s Own Cargin on the Staffordstown on Sunday.

On a well manicured sod but hindered by a strong northwest breeze which swept the ground, the opening period was to provide little employment for the umpires with Shea McCann opening the scoring for the home side with a pointed free in the 12th minute.

The Toome lads came close to equalising shortly after as Cillian Scullion was denied by the post but although they had several chances to open their account during the opening 30 minutes they were to remain scoreless for the remainder of the half.

The home side added to McCann’s opener with a couple more scores as Conor Johnston and Shea McCann added points apiece and at the half time break Creggan had earned a 0-03 to 0-00 advantage.

Having failed to gain a score for the duration of the first half Cargin were not long in getting it right in the second period with replacement Callum Gribbin quick to give employment to the umpires as he won the throw in and advanced to fire between the posts.

With Gribbin proving a thorn in the side of the Creggan lads, he was leading the way for the visitors and added a further three points to his early score to move his side 0-04 to 0-03 ahead by the end of the third quarter.

Kickham’s had been on the proverbial rack in the early stages of the second half but they regained the initiative and were back ahead by the 47th minute.

Sean Daly’s point despatched with precision from the left wing ensured parity and when Shea McCann fired a penalty between the posts in the 47th minute Creggan had regained an advantage they were not to forfeit again for the duration.

Gribbin continued to carry the Cargin challenge but the home side were back on top and not at all deflated by their penalty miss and they were rewarded for their persistence in the 51st minute as a well laid approach paved the way for Rian McGrath to finish to the corner of the net.

Creggan were 1-06 to 0-04 ahead and despite back to back points from Patrick O’ Neill in the 52nd and 54th minutes, the Kickham’s were not about to make further concession.

In the event the last score fell the way of the home side as Tristan McCann collected Conor Johnston’s cross field delivery before firing to the back of the net in the 59th minute to see his side pass the winning line, 2-06 to 0-06 ahead and claim a place in the semi final stages of the minor football championship.

Creggan: Conor Loughran, Darrach Mc Canna, Eoin Mc Larnon, Shea Mc Larnon, Fintan Kelly, Aointin Martin, Fiontan Close, Aidan Mc Elwee, Sean Daly (0-01), Conor Johnston (0-01), Tristan Mc Cann (1-01), Ronan Mc Guckian, Shea Mc Cann (0-03), Ronan Mc Grath (1-00)

Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Sean Mc Peake, Patryck Matchk, Dara Mc Auley, Eoin Scullion, Niall Quinn, Jack Harney, Carl Mc Cann, Dara 0’ Boyle, Jack O’ Neill, Patrick O’ Neill (0-02), Cillian Scullion, Conleth  Hamill, Fiontan Hardy.

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

In the other Minor Football A quarter-finals played today, St. Paul’s defeated Glenravel after extra time, Aghagallon beat St. Enda’s, while St. Brigid’s defeated Dunloy

Minor A Football Championship Results

Creggan 2-6 Cargin 0-6

Naomh Eanna 0-11 Aghagallon 2-8

St. Paul’s 8-13 Glenravel 5-8 aet.

Dunloy 0-8 St. Brigid’s 1-9

by thesaffrongael

Na Gaeil Oga pull clear in third quarter

U-18 B Championship

Na Gaeil Oga 4-16-1-09 Moneyglass

Kevin Herron reports from Sarsfields

Na Gaeil Oga progressed to the semi-final of the Minor B Football Championship, but patience was the key in their 4-16-1-09 win over Moneyglass at Sarsfields on Sunday morning.

Both sides should have hit the net inside of three minutes, the hosts going close through a Fionn Jemfrey shot that he flashed wide of the post, whilst Odhran Duffin saw his shot turned behind by Oisin Devlin and Ruairi Mac Aonasa’s 45’ cannoned off the bar.

The vistors were first off the mark as Callum O Muireadhaigh dropped a shot over the bar and he doubled the lead 60-seconds later, converting a free.

He stretched his sides lead with a further free midway through the half with Na Gaeil Oga hitting back from the same source after Darragh McLaughlin was felled close to the target and he stroked the resulting free between the posts.

The opening goal arrived on the 24th minute and fell to the hosts. Sean McCarthy won back possession close to the side-line midway through the half and his lay-off began a sweeping move that ended with Fionn Jemfrey slipping Jake Ward through and Ward lashed a fine shot low to the net to give his side a 1-01-0-03 lead.

Moneyglass immediately hit back with four unanswered points, O Muireadhaigh kicked successive frees inside of 60-seconds and then turned provider for Caolan Buiteach steering over from close range.

Marcas Duffin extended the lead on the stroke of half-time with Jake Ward replying from a free as Moneyglass held a 0-07-1-02 lead at the interval.

The hosts levelled within two minutes of the restart, Calum Fegan weaved his way forward and shot over before Fionn Jemfrey landed a smart score.

However, Moneyglass powered ahead for the final time when they cut through the Na Gaeil Oga defence and Eunan McErlain rifled to the net to make it 1-07-1-04.

A converted free from Conall McMahon followed and he would add another from play with Fionn Jemfrey pointing in between as parity was restored on the 39th minute.

Na Gaeil Oga hit the front again through a close-range free from Gerard Doherty, his last action Conlai Mervyn replaced him, and the substation paid instant dividends when Mervyn got on the end of a Fionn Jemfrey pass, advanced and squeezed his shot beneath Moneyglass keeper Niall Quinn and into the net to give his side a 2-08-1-07 lead.

Thereafter the hosts confidence grew with Jemfrey sending a fantastic shot over with the outside of the boot and Conall McMahon converting his second free of the half.

Moneyglass may have snuck a second goal in but Corey Camlin pushed Callum O Muireadhaigh’s free off the line and instead they had to make do with a Odhran Duffin point.

Jemfrey and McMahon helped themselves to further points in the aftermath and Calum Fegan doubled his account for the afternoon as the lead stretched further.

The hosts third goal arrived on the 53rd minute when Jake Ward played a fine pass that Sean McCarthy latched onto, despite Niall Quinn keeping out his initial effort, McCarthy guided home at the second time of asking to make it 3-13-1-08.

The sides traded scores through Jemfrey and O Muireadhaigh before Na Gaeil Oga finished strongly in added time.

A foul on Mervyn resulted in a free that Jemfrey sent rocketing into the top corner, he would add a further point from play with Calum Fegan landing an outstanding point that finished their afternoon scoring as the amalgamated side advanced to the last four.

Na Gaeil Oga: O Devlin, L Campbell, Jay Ward, D McGibbon, KB McArdle, C Fegan (0-03), C Camlin, S McCarthy (1-00), D McLaughlin (0-01f), C Devlin, F Jemfrey (1-07), C McMahon (0-03, 0-02f), R Webb, G Doherty (0-01f), J Ward (0-01f). Subs: D Fegan for R Webb (37), C Mervyn (1-00) for G Doherty (40), T Lee for L Campbell (50), P Dorothy for C Devlin (50), F McCallum for J Ward (54), C McCausland for D McGibbon (58).

Moneyglass: N Quinn, O O Domhnaill, S Graffin, T McWilliams, F McCloskey, E McErlain (1-00), R Kennedy, D Duffin, O Hamill, J Mac Dhuifinn, C O Muireadhaigh (0-06, 0-05F), M Duffin (0-01), O Duffin (0-01), C Buiteach, R Mac Aonasa. Subs: B O Domhnaill for O O Domhnaill (26), D Mhic Fhirrleinn for F McCloskey (53), G O Coinne for R Mac Aonasa (53).

Referee: Piarais McCaffrey (St Galls)

Minor B Football Championship Results

Na Gaeil Oga 4-16 Moneyglass 1-9

Portglenone 4-15 All Saints 1-8

St. Gall’s 2-13 St. John’s 1-7

Rossa 3-7 Ardoyne 1-6

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks secure semi-final spot

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group 1

Loughgiel 2-15 Ballycastle 0-11

Sunday 8 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Healy Park, Loughgiel

It wasn’t one for the hurling purists out there but Loughgiel maintained their 100% record in this years hurling championship with 10 to spare against Ballycastle.  In truth, it was a poor contest between these sides and while they weren’t helped with the weather conditions, it was the Shamrocks who played with enough quality to put daylight between the sides.

James McNaughton was imperious throughout, scoring 1-9 with his goal coming after a brilliant piece of individual skill and determination in the second half.  Defensively, it was an impressive performance from Loughgiel who yielded just two points from open play and snuffed out any goal chances that may have come the way of the visitors.  Shan McGrath put in a busy performance, more so in the first half.  He scored the Shamrocks first goal and gave the Town defence plenty of problems, Mc Grath was an excellent outlet for the home side.

Ballycastle set up well to try and starve Loughgiel of time and space in possession.  Conor Boyd was the general at the heart of the defence while Ciaran Butler and Ronan McCarry worked tirelessly.  While they kept the Shamrocks from playing with any fluency, they struggled up front.  Tiarnan Smyth fired over 0-9 with one from open play while the remaining scores came from James McShane and substitute Croistai McAuley.

Playing with wind in the first half, the Town could have had a goal in the opening seconds.  Orann Donnelly’s effort superbly saved by Loughgiel netminder Odhran McFadden.  Smyth fired over his first of four first half frees for the opening score of the contest in the 5th minute but it would be the only time in the contest Ballycastle would hold the lead.  When Loughgiel got to grips with the visitors to Healy Park, they began to click. 

Their opening score came from Rian McMullan, his first of three in the match while a brace of frees from James McNaughton stretched their lead to two.

A Tiarnan Smyth ’65 halved the deficit before McGrath’s major came in the 14th minute.  It came just after the Town had a glimpse of McFadden’s goal and seconds later Ryan McGarry was picking the sliotar out of his net.  What happened in between was quality.  A lightning break of precision and pace culminating with the sliotar in McGrath possession.  He spun clear of his marker before firing high to McGarry’s net with a rifled, unstoppable effort.

They could have added another with their next attack but McMullan’s effort was well saved, the Shamrocks recycled before Dan McCloskey split the uprights to put five between the sides in the 18th minute.

Ballycastle began to find some inroads with the wind at their back, Smyth firing over three points from placed ball to reduce the deficit to two once again before McNaughton split the uprights with a fine score in the 26th minute.  Breaking free from a ruck and showing pace and guile, McNaughton’s first from play was a trademark score from the Shamrocks star man.  He and Smyth would trade frees in the closing stages of the half to leave the home side ahead 1-6 to 0-6 at the half time mark.

It was more of the same warfare in the early exchanges but the Shamrocks could and probably should have scored another major.  Darragh Patterson and Enda Og McGarry both going close before McNaughton opened the second half scoring with a ’65.

Smyth opened Ballycastle’s account before Rian McMullan doubled his tally in the 38th minute. 

James McShane scored Ballycastle’s first from play in the 41st minute but the Town were unlucky not to score a major moments before.  Orann Donnelly and Seamus McAuley going close but for some outstanding Loughgiel defending, the Town were denied.

Going into the final quarter, the Shamrocks came to life.  A free from McNaughton preceded his major in the 44th minute.  Paul Boyle collecting the sliotar in midfield before finding McNaughton in space.  Beating three defenders and surely fouled with a high tackle, referee Colum Cunning played an excellent advantage with McNaughton rifling to the back of the net to all but end this match as a contest.

McMullan’s third of the match stretched the Loughgiel lead to eight in the 46th minute.  Wide on the left and with next to no angle to work with, it was a brilliant score from ‘Bubbles’ and a serious contender for score of the match.

Going into the final quarter, Loughgiel began to play with a bit more fluency, outscoring Ballycastle five points to two and had the luxury of not worrying about a square ball decision not going their way.  Scores for the Shamrocks coming from Paul Boyle, substitute Maol Connolly and three from McNaughton (two frees) while Smyth (free) and substitute Croistai McAuley scoring for the Town.

The result means the Shamrocks have sealed a semi-final position while the Town will face Dunloy in two weeks’ time.

TEAMS

Loughgiel: Odhran McFadden; Tiarnan Coyle, Rory McCloskey, Caolan Blair; Ruairi McCormick, Declan McCloaskey, Damon McMullan; Paul Boyle, James McNaughton; Dan McCloskey, Darragh Patterson, Christy McGarry; Shan McGrath, Enda Og McGarry, Rian McMullan

Subs: Maol Connolly for D Patterson (47); Connor Dickson for T Coyle (56); Nicholas McNaughton for J McNaughton (58); Donal McKinley for E Og McGarry (58)

Scorers: J McNaughton 1-9 (6fs 1’65); S McGrath 1-00; R McMullan 0-3; P Boyle 0-1; D McCloskey 0-1; M Connolly 0-1

Ballycastle: Ryan McGarry; Oran Kearney, Dermot Donnelly, Conal Colgan; Jack McGowan, Conor Boyd, Eoin McAlonan; Ronan McCarry, Ronan Laverty; Seamus McAuley, James McShane, Ciaran Butler; Tiarnan Smyth, Neal McAuley, Orann Donnelly

Subs: Cian Baudant for D Donnelly (41); Cian Waldron for C Butler (49); Croistai McAuley for E McAlonan (52); Mark McClean for R Laverty (59)

Scorers: T Smyth 0-9 (6fs 2’65s); J McShane 0-1; C McAuley 0-1

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

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