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by thesaffrongael

Gort na Mona advance after convincing win over Ardoyne

Casement SC Antrim Junior Hurling Championship quarter-final

Gort na Móna 4-20

Ardoyne 2-6

Desi McClean and Patrick McCafferty were the stars of the show as Gort na Móna advanced into the semi-final of the Antrim Junior Hurling Championship at the expense of Ardoyne.

Last year’s semi-finalists started this one as favourites against a side that won Junior B honours last year and the result was never really in doubt from early in the game.

Ardoyne fought hard to stay in touch and opened brightly but they were hit with two late goals at the end of the opening half and never really recovered from that double blow.

Desi McClean stamped his authority on proceedings during that opening half and made a personal contribution of 1-3, his goal coming when he fielded a long ball from Neil Henry’s before turning and burying it in the net.

Ardoyne got off the mark through Padraig McGreevy and although Thomas McCaffrey replied, the North Belfast men would receive a huge confidence booster in the 7th minute as a long free from Paul Baker evaded everyone and dropped into the net.

Desi McClean replied from a free before the North Belfast side looked to be in for a second goal when Sean Searle broke clear on the left but his shot sailed over for a point when a goal looked on.

Gort na Mona began to get on top at this stage with four on the bounce through Patrick McCaffrey (two), Nathan Gibson and a McClean (free), but Ardoyne replied with Patrick Healy pointing after his team had missed a couple of opportunities.

McGreevy added another two from frees to leave just four between the sides with five minutes remaining to the break and it still looked anybody’s game at this stage.

Gort na Móna finished the half strongly however and  Brendan Cousins pointed before a superb sideline cut from McClean was well won by Manus McMullan who played in Darron Boyd to crack an unstoppable shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

In the final minute of the half, the Gorts added a third goal from a McClean penalty after substitute Tiarnan Morton had been dragged down on his way to goal to leave the half time score 3-10 to 1-5 in favour of the home side.

Gort na Mona started the second half as they had finished the first and two minutes after the resumption, McClean controlled a long delivery and found Patrick McCaffrey who made no mistake as he fired past JP Agnew in the Kickham’s goal.

The men from the Mona bye-pass were flying as they struck the next seven points with McCaffrey contributing three, while McClean (free), Thomas McCaffrey and substitute Ciaran McMullan also registered and Padraig McHugh scoring a beauty.

It took Ardoyne until the 54th minute to add to their tally with a McGreevy free and they followed with a goal of their own as Caolan McCrory broke down Patrick Heaney’s dropping shot and Sean Searle hammered home the rebound.

It was mere consolation as McCaffrey replied with two at the other end to bring his tally to 1-7 and substitute Michael Carlin pointed a late free to ensure there would be no way back and the Gorts now go forward to meet Rasharkin.

Gort na  Mona: C McCrory; J Connolly, P McHugh (0-1), M Rea; N Gibson (0-1), N Henry, G McKenna; B Cousins (0-1), J Hicks; C Scullion, D Boyd (1-0), T McCaffrey (0-2); P McCaffrey (1-7), D McClean (2-6, 1-0 pen, 0-4f, 0-1 65), M McMullan.

Subs: T Morton for N Gibson (24), C McMullan (0-1) for D Moore (43), L Dixon for P McHugh (47), T O Caillaigh for J Hicks (49), M Carlin (0-1f) for D McClean (52)

Ardoyne: JP Agnew; P Clarke, P Baker (1-0f), C Wallace; S Searle (1-1), M McGreevy, K McCallan; D Goodall, P McGuigan; D Moore, P McGreevy (0-4, 3f), A Stewart; M McKillen, P Heaney (0-1), C Barnes.

Subs: C McShane for A Stewart (HT), M Cromie for P McGuigan (32), E MacLochlainn for C Barnes (42), C O’Neill for K McCallan (49), P O’Neill for M McKillen (54).

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Gall’s)

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by thesaffrongael

Nothing decided as Tir na nOg defeat Cloney Gaels

IHC Group 2

Tir na nOg 1-24 Cloney Gaels 3-13

The Intermediate Hurling Championship looks set to go right down to the wire following this high scoring thriller between Tir na nOg and Cloney Gaels at a sun kissed Whitehill on Saturday evening.

Going into this game the Ahoghill side had recorded three wins from three starts and looked odds on favourites to win the group but a power packed performance from the Randalstown side saw them take tonight’s laurels and moves them to the top of the group on score difference.

It was Cloney Gaels who edged the early exchanges as James O’Connell and Donal Graham eased them into a two point lead before Sean Duffin got his side off ther mark from a free in the 6th minute.

O’Connell from another free moved the Ahoghill men two ahead once more but Duffin’s unerring accuracy from the placed ball would prove significant as the home side took control.

Duffin (f), and two from Eamonn Og McAllister saw the home side hit the front by the 9th minute and another from the Tir na nOg sharp shooter and one from Ciaran Logan moved them three ahead.

James O’Connell replied from a free and added another from play as the visitors fought to get their own game together but Josh Higgins responded with a good point to edge Tir na nOg further ahead.

The Whitehill side were fighting with a great intensity and desire as Eamonn Og, Aaron McNeilly and Duffin again moved the Og’s five in front by the 21st minute and further points from Ciaran Logan had them 0-12 to 0-5 in front with five minutes remaining to the break.

Eamonn Og McAllisterkicks home Tir na nog’s second goal in their win over Cloney Gaels at Whitehill on Saturday night

Their opponents had been sloppy and untidy in their passing with the ferocity of the opposition clearly knocking them off their stride but they rallied with a point from Owen Neeson and a goal from the strangely quiet James O’Connell to close the gap to three.

Eoin Graham did the spade work as he cut in with pace from the right wing and O’Connell was on hand to apply the finish from close range and put his side back into contention.

Aaron McNeilly and Niall Devlin added late points for the Whitehill side in reply to one from Owen Neeson for the visitors to leave the half time score 0-14 to 1-7 in favour of the home side and it was a lead they richly deserved.

Duffin would increase that lead to five with his 5th of the evening on the restart and then Aiden Graham pulled off a fine save to deny Darragh Fagan as the home side continued to press.

Cloney Gaels replied with a point from Eamonn Brady but significantly the visitors hit four wides in an 8 minute period where they dominated possession and Eamonn Og McAllister responded with one at the other end before Dan O’Neill finally opened the visitors second half account.

It brought a response from the men from Ahoghill and James O’Connell finished a good move with his side’s second goal to close the gap to the minimum as Emmet Murray replace Niall Devlin in the Tir na nOg side.

Aaron McNeill and Sean Duffin from a free and Owen Neeson and James O’Connell for the visitors exchanged points to keep the gap at one before the Randalstown side stepped it up a gear once more.

Eamonn Og, Sean Duffin 0-2 (f’s) and Ciaran O’Neill struck four on the bounce and then an indirect free from distance by McNeilly fell invitingly for Eamonn Og McAllister who kicked to the net from close range.

It was as good as over at this stage with Josh Higgins and Sean Duffin adding late points but Cloney fought to the end and were rewarded with a late goal from Eoin Graham.

This win moved Tir na nOg to the top of Group 2 on score difference with today’s opponents joined on four points by St. Paul’s, who defeated Cushendun and Sarsfield’s who beat Glenravel.

So it will go down to the final day of the season with Cloney Gaels entertaining Sarsfields on the 21st September and Tir na nOg away to St. Paul’s on the same day and at the same time.

Tir na nOg: Kevin Sheerin, 2 Manus Smith, 3 Christy Sheerin, 4 Brandon McLarnon, 5 Caoimhin Duffin, 6 Sean Duffin, , 18 Aaron McNeilly, 8 Daniel Martin, 9 Ciaran McKeown, 10 Darragh Fagan, 11 Ciaran Logan, 12 Ciaran O’Neill, 13 Eamonn Og McAllister, 14 Niall Devlin, 15 Josh Higgins.

 Subs: Emmet Murray for Niall Devlin, Neil Shannon for Ciaran McKeown, Conor McCamphill for Josh Higgins

Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Bernard Graham, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Neil O’Connell, 7 Diarmaid Graham, 8 Eamonn Brady, 9 Dan O’Neill, 10 Donal Graham, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Patrick Graham, 13 James O’Connell, 14 Eoin Graham, 15 Owen Neeson

Subs: Conor Crossey

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

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by thesaffrongael

Oisins into semi-finals

IHC Round Robin 3

St Brigid’s Cloughmills 3-11 Glenariffe Oisins 3-22

Glenarife Oisins qualified for the semi-finals of the Intermediate Hurling Championship when they travelled to Cloughmills on Friday evening and beat the Biddies by eleven points to keep their 100% record intact. A brilliant second quarter which saw them hit 3-6 without reply in last ten minutes of the opening half put the Glensmen in a strong position, and though they lost their way badly during the third quarter they had done enough to seal the win.

The Glenariffe Oisins team and mentors stand for a minute’s silence in memory of club stawart Mick Graham who died a few hours before the game

Man of the match Seanie McIntosh played a leading role for the Oisins, as indeed did Orrin O’Connor, but Cloughmills matched them in the early stages, and indeed had the home team taken the chances they created in those early stages then it could have been a different matter. Point from the O’Connor brothers Orrin and Brogan matched scores from Stephen Smith and Kevin O’Boyle for the home side before three in a row from McIntosh, and Oliver Kearney (2) started to open a gap.

Callum McKendry and Eoin Dobbin picked off points for the Biddies and they should have had a good few more at this stage had they have taken a succession of chances they created. The game was still close on twenty minutes but the visitors finished the first half strongly, McIntosh starting the run with a goal and a point inside a minute. Orrin O’Connor and McIntosh added point before Conor Patterson cut in from the left corner and fired a shot across the Cloughmills goalkeeper Christopher McKernan to help his side to a 2-13 to 0-06 half time lead.

When Orin O’Connor and Seanie Tosh got the first two points of the second half to stretch the gap to fifteen it all appeared to be plain sailing for the Oisins, but they lost their way badly, only scoring two more points during the next fifteen minutes, while Cloughmills started to claw their way back. Points from Liam Kearns and Eoin Dobbin were followed by a goal from Martin Dobbin from a penalty. Dobbin and McIntosh exchanged points before Corey Blair got his team’s second goal with a precise finish just below the crossbar.

Cloughmills Stephen Smith breaks through to set up an early score

The Oisins still had a good cushion, but they were struggling to reproduce the flowing hurling of the first half, but McInotsh came to his team’s aid when the pressure was on and fired in his team’s third goal on 51 minutes.

Cloughmills hit back inside a minute with their third goal, again from Corey Blair, but Glenariffe gained the upper hand again in the run-in, hitting five points without reply to seal a semi-final place and stretch the winning margin to eleven.

Glenariffe are top of the group and sure of a semi-final place, but if Carey beat them in their final game in two weeks’ time they would move above them on the head to head. Cloughmills have all their games played but if Glenariffe win that last game against Carey then the Biddies would move above the Faughs on the head to head.

Family affair. Down the years GAA teams are full of families taking part in championship games, fathers managing teams with their sons on them. The Dobbins shed a slightly different light on it on Friday evening when Hugh Dobbin, who is manager of Glenariffe Oisins this season, was in opposition to his three sons L-R, Martin, Rian and Eoin, who all saw action with the Cloughmills side in the Intermediate Championship game in Cloughmills. Going to the game my intention was to get the photo before the match when everyone was in high spirits, but I got held up and didn’t get the pic, so I had to do it at the end. The boys naturally took a bit of persuasion but with a bit of coaxing from dad we got it done in the end. Thanks to all invovlved and hopefully some day they will appreciate a little piece of family history.

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by thesaffrongael

Faughs back in the qualification mix

Andersonstown SC AntrimIHC, Group One 

St Gall’s 2-15

Carey 2-20

Carey Faughs got themselves back to winning ways with a hard earned victory over a battling St. Gall’s for who qualification is now beyond reach following this defeat at Milltown on Friday night.

The home side looked to be heading for their first Group 1 win when they led the Ballyvoy side by 2-10 1-9, six minutes into the second half following a goal from the penalty spot from Ryan Ervine.

Ronan Crossen received his marching orders for his reaction to the foul that led to the penalty and when Patrick Friel followed him after being shown a second yellow the game began to turn in favour of the ‘Faughs’.

The hosts had been the better side in the opening half and were dictating matters until that double dismissal with the visitors taking full advantage of the extra men.

Immediately after Ervine’s success from the spot, Mark Napier had added a point to move St. Gall’s five ahead but Callum Cane’s second goal of the evening midway through the second period swung the momentum in favour of the Carey men.

Top-scorer Conal McGlynn hit the first two of his nine points for Carey with Conlith McKinley and Shea Hunter on target.

St Gall’s were their equal during this period with Patrick Friel, Cormac Sheehan and two from Marcus Donnelly – the second after a superb team move – ensuing the sides were level at 0-4 apiece after 14 minutes.

Then came the game’s opening goal as a ball inside broke to Callum Cane who found the St Gall’s net.

 It brought an immediate reaction from the hosts and after Fergus Donnelly hit back with a point, St Gall’s struck with an excellent goal of their own as Ronan Crossen spun his marker and raced towards goal from the left and fired past Stephen McGinn to give his side the lead.

Points from Tomás O’Ciarán and Cormac Sheehan followed before McGlynn hit back with one for Carey and the Milltown side were starting to take control.

Ronan Crossen is fouled with St. Gall’s awarded a penalty but Crossen received Red for retaliating

They hit a number of wides at this stage and Carey took advantage with Fiachra McVeigh and John McBride replying at the other end to leave just one in it at the break when St. Gall’s might have been further ahead.

Cormac Sheehan and Caolan McCaughan traded points within the opening five minutes of the restart before a huge moment that would see this game turn on its head.

Ronan Crossen received Red for his reaction to the penalty that Ervine fired past McGinn after consultation with his umpires, referee Barry Winters dismissed the St. Gall’s man but allowed the penalty to stand.

McGlynn and Mark Napier swapped points as Carey then began to chip at the lead with Cane and Patrick Butler on target.

A pointed free from O’Ciarán kept the gap at three with 43 gone, but after Friel picked up his first yellow for a foul which McGlynn punished, the North Antrim men struck with a second goal as a long ball broke to Cane who finished first-time for his second of the evening.

Friel was then issued a second yellow in the space of just two minutes for a late hit on James Black and now St Gall’s were one behind on the board and two short in personnel.

Carey took advantage to push the gap out to five with McGlynn (two), Hunter and Cane pointing, but to their credit, St Gall’s did not give up and they managed to get to within a goal with two to play.

McGlynn gave Carey a bit more breathing space from a free before St Gall’s sub Sean McAreavey tried his luck from a 20-metre free that flashed outside the post and a further McGlynn free sealed victory for a Carey side who are back in the qualification mix with St Gall’s now out of the race.

St Gall’s: K McGreevy; D Churchill, E Rush, G Mac Adhaimh; P Friel (0-1), T O’Ciarán (0-3, 2f), R Irvine (1-0 pen); J Hopkins, F Donnelly (0-2); N O’Neill, M Donnelly (0-4), R Crossen (1-0); C Sheehan (0-3, 2f), E Walsh, M Napier (0-2, 1f).

Subs: O McIlhatton for C Sheehan (46), S McAreavey for F Donnelly (54)

Carey Faughs: S McGinn; Z McCaughan, S McBride, P Gillan; J McCouaig, J McBride (0-1), S Hunter (0-2); E Hill, C McCaughan (0-2); C McGlynn (0-9, 8f), J Black, F McVeigh (0-2); C Cane (2-2), C McKinley (0-1), P Butler (0-1).

Sub: S Mathers for E Hill (58)

Referee: Barry Winters (Dungannon)

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by thesaffrongael

Final round of the SHC will decide quarter final pairings

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to this weekend’s senior hurling championship with the group games coming to an end.

Six games done and dusted, three to play and we have our first knockout scenario of the championship on Saturday evening.

The current format of the championship has its detractors and naysayers but for me, other than the obvious number issue in one of the groups, it’s the best format we’ve had.  It’s not knockout championship that everyone yearns for, but given the calendar, split county/club season and player availability, it’s the best format possible.

While Group 1 has been seen as a foregone conclusion in regards to who will automatically qualify for the semi-finals, the quarter final positioning remains to be settled.  Last day out, Ballycastle and Naomh Éanna played out a draw that perhaps isn’t much of a surprise.  The Town looked to have sealed the win when they were two clear going into injury time but scores from Ruairi Donaghy and Niall O’Connor brought the Hightown Road men back from the brink.

Tiarnan Smyth was in fine form for Ballycastle, 1-4 of his 1-7 coming from open play while Neal McAuley was rolling back the years.  The scenario for Ballycastle is simple, a win against Loughgiel and they top the group, avoid a defeat by more than 10 points and they will come up against either St John’s or Rossa in the quarter finals, leaving Naomh Éanna to face either Cushendall or Dunloy in the other quarter final.

It will have been four weeks since the Shamrocks last match when they welcome Ballycastle to Healy Park on Sunday.  It’s far from a perfect scenario when you’re looking to build momentum within a championship schedule.  They are in a no-win situation where they are expected to win and if they don’t do it with some flair if not panache then the doubters will be there and pressure begins to build.

For what it’s worth, I fully expect them to win and with a bit to spare.  While some might look upon the four-week break as a negative, I see it as the carrot Loughgiel management will need to focus their side.  They’ll come in hungry for championship hurling and in front of their own crowd, they’ll want to put on a show.

Group 2 currently sits as most would have expected.  Reining champions Cushendall welcome Dunloy to their backyard with a semi-final place at stake while Rossa make the short journey to Corrigan Park to face St John’s – anything other than a win for the home side will see them knocked out of the championship.  If a local derby needed any more spice, it’s just been doused in petrol.

The two sides met in a similar situation last week in the football championship, St John’s coming out on top.  If I were to put a name down on a docket for this one, I’d side with the Shaws Road men. 

Since 2017, the Volunteer Cup has resided in either Cushendall or Dunloy.  The Cuchullains with five titles and the Ruairi’s with two in that time frame.  Saturday evening will be a contest between the two sides who have championship pedigree and should be a mouthwatering contest.  It’s not exactly a winner takes all scenario, but with a place direct to the semi final on the line, perhaps this one might mean more for the Cuchullains.  Many of their squad are involved in the football quarter final against St Brigid’s next Sunday and another championship contest six or seven days later would be far from ideal. 

Dunloy’s last outing with the big ball against Lamh Dhearg, they did so resting many of their dual stars and taking others off during the hour.  A nod, perhaps, to the significance of the Cushendall game in the eyes of the Dunloy management.

The Cuchullains were hugely impressive against Rossa last day out, especially in the first half.  Their hunger in the middle third, movement and speed had their opponents’ chasing shadows.  Nigel Elliott with a super performance while Keelan Molloy was at his irresistible best.  They managed the second half professionally, keeping Rossa at arm’s length.

Cushendall made light of the ridiculous conditions later the same day against a St John’s team who flattered to deceive.  On the day, Joseph McLaughlin gave an exhibition of free taking while Scott Walsh’s performance in the half back line was top drawer.  The Johnnies threatened a second half comeback with the elements at their back but it never fully materialized with the organization of the Ruairi’s and their ability to recycle the sliotar shining in the rain…..and puddles.  I can’t let this game go without sending out an apology of sorts to Dominic Delargy – it was he who managed to score his sides first goal and not Ciaran Neeson as I reported. 

Back to this game. 

It’s been a while since Cushendall have beaten Dunloy in the championship.  From memory, I think it’s 10 years.  There has been a couple of draws in there but the Cuchullains always seem to have that something extra when it comes to these contests.

That being said, Cushendall are a different animal and have improved from last year, even without the services of Neil McManus.  He hasn’t hurled in the championship yet, but was part of the panel against St John’s.  Likewise, Conal Cunning for Dunloy.  Injury has left him watching on the sideline for the opening two matches, he is nearing back to full fitness but whether Saturday comes too soon remains to be seen.

Prediction time.

It’s going to be close and I wouldn’t rule out a draw, again between these two.  Cushendall’s strength is their defence while Dunloy’s attacking unit when purring is almost unstoppable.  Paddy Power has the Cuchullains at 4/6 while the ‘Dall are 11/8.  The draw at 8/1 looks appealing….

Group 2

Cushendall v Dunloy

Date: Saturday 7 September

Venue: Cushendall

Time: 6pm

Referee: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)

St John’s v Rossa

Date: Saturday 7 September

Venue: St John’s

Time: 6pm

Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)

Group 1

Loughgiel v Ballycastle

Date: Sunday 8 September

Venue: Loughgiel

Time: 2pm

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)