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by thesaffrongael

McCann double helps Antrim to hard-fought win over the exiles

Tailteann Cup, Preliminary Quarter-Final

Antrim 3-11–2-10 London

Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park

A Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) goal in each half proved the difference in the end as Antrim squeezed past London 3-11-2-10 in a hard fought Tailteann Cup Preliminary round quarter-final clash at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors twice netted in the opening half through Ruairi Rafferty and Michael Carroll in between a fisted McCann goal that got Antrim off the mark as the sides cancelled each other out at the end of the opening 35 minutes.

Ruairi McCann turns away in celebration after scoring Antrim’s opening goal. Pic by Bert Trowlen

Dermot McAleese’s dipping shot dropped to the net on the 47th minute and looked to give Antrim some breathing space, but London rallied, and it wasn’t until McCann netted his second three minutes into added time that the tie was safe and Antrim would confirm their place in the last eight.

The hosts began brightly but both Cahal Hynds and Marc Jordan were off target and the exiles first spell of possession was prolonged and only ended momentarily by Creggan’s Ruairi McCann.

They were successful with their second attack however and netted the opening goal on the fifth minute.

Ruairi Raffety was a late replacement for Liam Gallagher in midfield and he justified his inclusion, following up after his initial shot was kept out by Michael Byrne.

London extended their lead through a Joshua Obahor point and had negotiated the opening ten minutes well at Corrigan Park.

Andy McEntee’s charges finally came to life on the 13th minute when Marc Jordan forced a turnover and played a one-two with club-mate Declan Lynch. Jordan found Ryan McQuillan and he popped the ball towards Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon)- who fisted over Andrew Walsh.

A foul on Marc Jordan afforded Ryan McQuillan to draw the sides level, but it was only briefly as Michael Carroll restored his sides lead- dropping over the bar and towards the empty net that was vacated by Byrne.

Ruairi McCann challenges London goalkeeper Walsh as Dermot McAleese’s shot drops into the net for Antrim’s second goal. Pic by Bert Trowlen

The visitors were reduced to 14-men on the 16th minute when Cahir Healy was adjudged to have deliberately tripped Colm McLarnon.

Antrim levelled for the second time when Byrne slipped a pass to Niall Burns and he floated over and they hit the front for the first time on the 20th minute with Paddy McAleer kicking a forward mark.

They were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage though with Byrne dropping a free short and Ryan McQuillan skewing wide soon after.

Further efforts from play tailed off target before Cahir Healy returned to proceedings and it would boost his side- who hit the front before the half hour.

Ciaran Diver switched the play to Ciaran McKeon on the by-line and he advanced before fisting across to Michael Carroll to palm home and make it 2-02-1-03.

Ryan McQuillan replied instantly with a splendid point and just before the break Euan Walsh pointed from a Patrick McBride switch off play to ensure it was level pegging at 1-05-2-02 at the interval.

Ruairi McCann’s fires in Antrim’s third goal after being set up by Marc Jordan. Pic by Bert Trowlen

Antrim raced into a three-point lead in the early stages of the second period. Paddy McBride dropped over the first, Joseph Finnegan fisted over, and Marc Jordan steered over under pressure.

Michael Carroll added to his first half strike, dropping over to get his side off the mark for the half on the 45th minute.

The Saffrons looked to have gained some breathing space two minutes later when Dermot McAleese’s shot dipped and Ruairi McCann’s presence caused London keeper Andrew Walsh to become unsighted as the shot found the net to make it 2-08-2-03.

London’s response was excellent however and four unanswered points brought the deficit back to the bare minimum.

Ciaran Diver converted a free and then shot over from play within less than 60-seconds. Oran Kerr then took a pass off the shoulder from substitute DJ O’Flaherty and popped over with Daniel Clarke making it four without reply on the 53rd minute.

A foul on substitute Conor Hand allowed fellow substitute Dominic McEnhill to open his account and the Rossa forward then steered a shot inside the posts after Ruairi McCann won a hop-ball and possession was recycled out.

The Exiles came fighting back though as Joseph McGill fisted over and Ciaran Diver converted his second free of the half to bring things back to a one-point game (2-10-2-09).

Conor Hand sent an angled shot over to extend his sides slender advantage and it wasn’t until the 73rd minute that the game was safe.

Marc Jordan burst forward to attack and spotted Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) unmarked, he popped the ball into the full-forward who blasted home in his last action before departing to be replaced by Peter Healy.

Tighe Barry replied with a point for the visitors, but it was scant consolation as Antrim prevailed to take their place in the last eight for the second year in succession and will face a visit to Down, Fermanagh or Kildare in the quarter final.

Paddy McAleer goes high to flick the ball away from London’s D Clarke, while Antrim’s Declan Lynch looks on. Pic by John McIlwaine

Antrim: M Byrne, D Lynch, E Walsh (0-01), K Keenan, N Burns (0-01), J Finnegan (0-01), D McAleese (1-00), P McAleer (0-01m), C Hynds, C McLarnon, P McBride (0-01), R McCann (Creggan), R McQuillan (0-02, 0-01f), R McCann (2-00) (Aghagallon), M Jordan (0-01). Subs: C Hand (0-01) for R McQuillan (52), D McEnhill (0-02, 0-01f) for P McBride (52), J McDonnell for K Keenan (62), C Johnston for P McAleer (68), P Healy for R McCann (Aghagallon) (70+3).

London: A Walsh, D Rooney, E Walsh, N McElwaine, O Kerr (0-01), C Healy, A McLoughlin, S Dornan, R Rafferty (1-00), C McKeon, M Carroll (1-02), C Diver (0-03, 0-02f), J Obahor (0-01), D Clarke (0-01), S Rafter. Subs: DJ O’Flaherty for J Obahor (48), T Barry (0-01) for N McElwaine (58), J McGill (0-01) for R Rafferty (61), M Miller for O Kerr (70), S Tucker for M Carroll (70+1).

Referee: Conor Dournan (Cavan)

For more pics from the Antrim v London game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/ikMbQ4ap2Gqkpm/?invite=15487bd2-666f-4f67-beea-6bda130d8055

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks secure Feis final spot

Antrim Senior Feis Semi – Final – June 8th, 2024

Loughgiel 1-21  Ballycastle 0-13

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran

Saturday afternoon’s Feis semi-final game between Loughgiel and Ballycastle was being billed by some supporters as a possible game of two halves as the wind was gusting to spoil a good game of hurling. Blowing from the north all the way from the road, Ballycastle would prefer the road goals in the first half after they won the toss, officiated today by the games referee, Mark O’Neill.

The Towns’ Tiernán Smyth got Ballycastle underway with a free that was quickly equalled by Loughgiel’s Shan McGrath as he picked up the sliotar from a Maol Connelly pass.

Loughgiel would press forward to enjoy a point from Paul Boyle and when Shan McGrath was tripped and awarded a free, McGrath lined up and his sliotar shook the ball net over Keeper Ryan McGarry’s bar.

Ballycastle pulled back another two points from Conor Boyd and Tiernán Smyth, both from frees but the latter was due to a misunderstanding by a Shamrock player and incurred a foul due to holding the ball too long. Both sides were on three points apiece when Paul Boyle was brought down and awarded a free. Damon McMullan wasted no time in getting that over the bar and retreated back to his marker.

Ballycastle would test Loughgiel’s defence on a couple of occasions, one about seven minutes into the game when a scramble was cleared away to Cormac McFadden’s satisfaction.

In a position to take his own point, Shan McGrath spotted Christy McGarry posing a threat and a quick offload saw McGarry punish the space he was given. The ‘o’ in Loughgiel’s club signage may be missing, but there was no missing the shamrock supporters’ ‘ohhhh’ at the game’s only goal.

Ballycastle’s Eoin McAlonan would come right back with a point. The pressure continued from the town as keeper Ryan McGarry ran up past the 13m line to drop in a long free, but again the shamrocks were able to clear away the threat.

For the remainder of the first half, Ballycastle pointed only once from Lorcán Donnelly, whilst Loughgiel pushed hard into the wind for another five points, two notable points as a tenacious Conall McCloskey received and spilled the sliotar to the ground before pointing off his jab lift and a clean and efficient Jack McCloskey point as he received McFadden’s puck out, spun around and scored in a blink of an eye.

Referee McNeill called for half time with the scores Loughgiel 1-10 Ballycastle 0-05, and the town supporters feeling the afternoon chill were left wondering what Loughgiel would do with the wind advantage in the second half.

Only twenty seconds had passed in the second half whenever Damon McMullan would snatch his second point of the game. Loughgiel would move to rack up another eight points, six from play and two frees to Ballycastle’s two points, both frees, ruled as pushes in the back by referee O’Neill.

Although Loughgiel would take the next two points, a clean point from Cahal Hargan and free taken by McGrath, the shamrocks would take their foot off the throttle and Ballycastle enjoyed a scoring run of six consecutive points, four of those coming from Tiernán Smyth as he swept across the full forward line looking for opportunities. The ‘Fridge Raiders’ scoreboard tempted the town supporters with hope as it declared Loughgiel 1-19 Ballycastle 0-13.

With thirty minutes on the clock, Shan McGrath directly found McFadden’s puck out, giving him a slick point over McGarry’s bar. Paul Boyle would have the honour of the last point in the game as Eoin McGarry made sure his pass to Boyle was under no threat of an interception.

Mark O’Neill called time shortly after the thirty minutes with Loughgiel 1-21 Ballycastle 0-13.

Despite operating into the wind in the first half, Loughgiel had established an eight-point lead going into the break that could have been seen as a secure lodgement, but Ballycastle closed the scoring differential in the second half to just three points. Despite the stats, the overall eleven-point difference in Loughgiel’s favour was too much to catch and Loughgiel should be pleased with tonight’s result, taking them into the final of the Feis.

Loughgiel scorers

Conal McCloskey 0-01, Damon McMullan 0-02, Cahal Hargan 0-01, Paul Boyle 0-03, Daniel McCloskey 0-01, Darragh Patterson 0-01, Christy McGarry 1-01, Shan McGrath 0-10 (4f), Jack McCloskey 0-01

Ballycastle scorers

Conor Boyd 0-02 (1f), Eoin McAlonan, 0-01, Lorcán Donnelly 0-01, Tiernán Smyth 0-07 (5f), Darragh Kelly 0-01, 19 0-01

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

https://myalbum.com/album/TEyjJ3BNFtoLaw/?invite=0169659f-d5b7-47e3-8d3d-c05b1db32e90

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall scoring blitz sets up final meeting with Dunloy

North Antrim Minor Hurling Championship – John Darragh Memorial Cup

Cushendall 7-23 Loughgiel 2-10

An explosive ten minute spell between the fifteenth and twenty-fifth minutes saw Cushendall seal their place in the Darragh Cup final in what turned out to be an emphatic win over Loughgiel at Pairc Mhuire on Friday evening.

When Loughgiel centre forward Roan McGarry fired to the Cushendall net in the 15th minute the Shamrocks appeared to be right back in the game after Cushendall had held the upper hand in the early stages. However the Ruairis hit back with a vengeance and in the ten minutes which followed they hit three goals and two points without reply to take the game away from the boys in red. Thomas McLaughlin got two of the goals to complete a first half hat-trick while Fiontan Bradley got the other, his second of the opening half. The dynamic double act would go on to grab one more each in the second half.

Loughgiel actually had the better of things in the first ten minutes, four Roan McGarry points putting them 0-4 to 0-2 ahead, but when McLaughlin and Bradley grabbed goals apiece in the three minute spell the tide began to turn. Roan McGarry’s goal on 15 minutes brought the Shamrocks back to within a point, but the floodgates opened as McLaughlin grabbed two more goals and Bradley one the Ruairis reached half time with a with a 5-07 to 1-06 lead.

Goal number six came six minutes into the second half as Dylan McNaughton got in on the scoring act and number seven came on 52 minutes, Thomas McLaughlin getting his fourth.

In between the points kept flying over as a range of players got their names on the scoreboard in a memorable night for the home crowd.

For Loughgiel Roan McGarry, Ronan Fitzgerald, Conan Johnston, Liam Glackin, Eddie Smyth all added points while Dan O’Mullan got his team’s second goal.

The win sets up a Darragh Cup final meeting with Dunloy back in Cushendall next week in what should be a fascinating game. Despite Cushendall’s great display County champions and Darragh Cup holders Dunloy will still go in as favourites, but it promises to be a great contest, and one not to be missed.

CUSHENDALL

1 Liam McGhee

 2 Paddy Morgan

 3 Alex McCambridge

 4 Aodhan Campbell

 5 Dairmuid McManus

 6 Callagh Mooney

 7 Conor McCann

 8 Oisín Woodhouse

 9 Charlie McAuley

10 Dylan McNaughton

11 Oran McCambridge

12 Ryan McAuley

13 Caodhan Scullion

14 Thomas McLauglin wore no 17

15 Fiontan Bradley

SUBS

16 mins

Nicholas McLaughlin

For Dairmuid McManus

44 mins

Daire Higgins for Oran Mccambridge

52mins Shane McQuillan for Fiontan Bradley

52 mins James McKeegan for Caodhan Scullion  

Other subs not used

16 Shane Coulter

LOUGHGIEL

Loughgiel

1 Cody McGarry

 2 Ger McFadden

 3 Tomas McNulty

 4 Preston McGarry

 5 Daire McGivern

 6 Luam Glackin

 7 Ashton McGarry

 8  Ryan O’Boyle

 9  Niall McCloskey

10 Eddie Smyth

11 Roan McGarry

12 Conan Johnston

13 Tadgh McKendry

14 Ronan Fitzgerald

15 Dan O’ Mullan

Subs

Half time

Liam Smyth for  Niall McCloskey

Second half

Con McCormick for Tadgh McKendry

Dylan O’Boyle for Tomas McNulty

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy book their place in the Darragh Cup final

North Antrim Minor Hurling Championship – John Darragh Memorial Cup

Cuchullains 2-20 Glenariffe – Glenravel 2-11

Darragh Cup holders Dunloy booked their place in next week’s 2024 final when they beat Glenariffe-Glenravel in Friday evening’s semi-final at Pearse Park. Leading by two points at the end of a very competitive first half, the young Cuchullains started to stretch the gap when they turned to play with the breeze at their backs. The visitors gave themselves some hope when their top scorer Orrin O’Connor pulled a goal back with five minutes left to play to cut the gap back to four, but Dunloy were well on top at this stage and they sealed the win with a late Paudie Martin goal to set up a final meeting with Cushendall next weekend.

Playing against the stiff breeze in the opening half Dunloy made a great start and were 1-3 to 0-0 ahead after five minutes, the goal coming from Oisin McCamphill, while Oisin McCallin, Paudie Martin and Ryan Scott got the points. Glenariffe-Glenravel were in a spot of bother but they fought back to close the gap to a single point with two points from Peadar McDonnell and a fantastic goal from full forward Colla Ward. Three in a row from McCamphill, Richmond and McCallin pushed the Dunloy lead out to four but with Orrin O’Connor hitting five points in the lead up to half time, in reply to two by Luke McFerran and Ryan Scott to cut the gap to two by half time. Dunloy 1-10 Glenariffe-Glenravel 1-08

When Joe McKay got the first point of the new half for the visitors to leave just a point between the sides, it looked like we were in for a tight second half, but with the breeze at their backs Dunloy started to open the gap again. Two from Oisin McCallin and three from Paudie Martin, in reply to two from Orrin O’Connor, pushed the lead out to five by the midway point of the second half, but while O’Connor was the man picking off the scores for the visitors, Dunloy had a wider range of players raising the flags.

Four in a row from Richmond, Scott and Martin (2) stretched the gap to eight, and while Orrin O’Connor gave Glenariffe-Glenravel some hope with a late goal, Dunloy finished on a high and Paudie Martin put the gloss on a great individual display with a late goal.

DUNLOY

Caolan McFerrin, Cahir McMullan, Sean Og Blaney, Charlie Cunning, Ryan McClements, Ben O’Kane, Ryan McClements, Ben O’Kane, Reece Cunning, Conor Mort, Jack Martin, Ryan Scott, Luke McFerrin Aiden Richmond, Oisin McCallin, Oisin McCamphill, Padraig Martin.

Subs used – Damian Kinsella and Donnach Laverty

GLENARIFFE-GLENRAVEL

Ben Duncan, Ciaran McLaughlin, John Scullion, James Kearney, Oran McKeown, Niall Magee, Calum McIlwaine, Oran McClintock, Phelim Ward, Joe McKay, Peadar McDonnell, Orrin O’Connor, Cahir McNaughton, Colla Ward, Oisin Gillan.

Referee – Owen Elliott

by thesaffrongael

Antrim must not take their eye of the ball

Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final

Antrim v London

2.00pm Corrigan Park

As Antrim prepare for Sunday’s preliminary quarter-final against London it is important that the men in Saffron don’t take their eyes of the ball. Despite playing their football in division 4 the Exiles should be treated with the greatest respect even though they didn’t set the NFL Division 4 alight.

London won only one and drew one match in their league campaign so on that form they shouldn’t present Andy McEntee’s Antrim too many problems but a look back over recent games will show that the Exiles have always pushed Antrim to the limits in their recent meetings.

In 2018 Ryan Murray scored 0-8 as Antrim defeated Sunday’s opponents at Ruislip as the Saffrons came from a point down at Half time to win by four and a year later at Corrigan the home side recorded another win over London.

This time there was five between the sides and since then Antrim have moved on to gain promotion to Division 3 where they have established themselves while London remain in the lower grade.

Ryan Murray who scored 0-8 against London back in 2018. The Lamh Dhearg man is ccurrently unavailable due to a long term injury

What’s the problem then?

Antrim won their opening two games in the Tailteann Cup over Tipperary and Wexford and drew their third against Sligo who pipped them for top spot on score difference and their recent form would suggest that London shouldn’t present too many problems.

Michael Maher’s side have won only one of their three Tailteann outings to date but it is that win that saw them finish third in their group and earned them a place in Sunday’s preliminary quarter-final.

And it is that win in their first Tailteann outing that should give the Antrim management some concern.

Led by the magnificent Ciarán Diver, London caused a sensational upset against Offaly on their own patch, giving the 2024 Tailteann Cup an explosive start as they picked up their first championship win in 11 years.

Both teams started brightly and after 20 minutes the game was 0-4 apiece, with Offaly’s Ian Duffy, Cathal Donoghue, Dylan Hyland and Jack Bryant all on target. For London, it was a flying start for Ciarán Diver, who managed three from play in quick succession, while Ruairí Rafferty kept the visitors level.

As the half wore on, London’s impetus was clear. They did not visit Tullamore to enjoy the sunshine and scored three without reply through Diver, Stephen Dornan and Michael Carroll to put themselves well on the ascendancy.

Paddy McBride and Paddy McAleer survivers from that win over London in Ruislip back in 2018
Paddy McAleer who lines out at mid-field for Antrim on Sunday

London were ahead by two points at half-time as the score stood at 0-8 to 0-6. From the restart, they continued to stamp their authority on a game that Offaly never really got to grips with. Quick counters and clinical finishing saw Aidan McLoughlin and the impressive Shay Rafter point their side further in front. Rafter was a menace in the second half where he managed all four of his points.

Both teams traded points until the 51st minute when a mix up in the Offaly defence saw a loopy ball from Rafferty eventually knocked into the net by the fist of Dornan. Almost against the run of play, what appeared to be a lost attack turned into jubilation for London as they moved further ahead.

London drove at Offaly with incredible persistence and drive from key middlemen McLoughlin, Dornan and Daniel Clarke. Clarke operated particularly well as London’s forward anchor.

In the 66th minute, London’s Diver clinically put away their second goal after a lovely, weighted pass in behind from Clarke. Offaly looked dejected and failed to register another score in the game.

London have failed to build on that opening day win in Tuallamore, losing to Limerick by 2-14 to 0-10 and by 1-24 to 0-10 to Down so was the Tullamore result a fluke-did Offaly take their eye of the ball?

Those subsequent results would suggest that it was but Antrim can’t take London for granted or do I expect them to.

Four the third game in a row Antrim have been able to name an unchanged side and against Sligo last day out in Breffni Park they showed tremendous resolve and character to come back from five down in the opening half to lead by one at the break.

Once again that character was there in abundance in the second half to come back from four down and probably should have won the game and if they can produce anything close to last week’s performance then they should progress to the next round