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by thesaffrongael

Antrim experience familiar disappointment in Croke

Tailteann Cup, Semi-final

Antrim 1-13–3-12 Laois

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc An Chrochaigh

ANTRIM suffered defeat in the Tailteann Cup semi-final for the second year in succession as Laois came from behind to claim a 3-12-1-13 win over the Saffrons at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Andy McEntee’s men were ahead until the 26th minute of the first half when Brian Byrne found the Antrim net, but a bright opening to the second half culminated in Paddy McAleer slotting home to open up a 1-10-1-07 lead.

Laois regained the lead through a Kevin Swayne goal and they wouldn’t relinquish it this time, with Byrne doubling his account in the closing stages to ensure that Justin McNulty’s side will return to headquarters in three-week’s time as Antrim must regroup after another disappinting experience on Jones Road.

Both sides made late alterations to their named squad pre-match, James McDonnell and Dominic McEnhill coming into replace Ryan McQuillan and Niall Burns for Antrim.

Whilst Ben Dempsey and Eoin Lowry came in for Laois in place of Kieran Lillis and Rioghan Murphy.

It was Antrim who began positively on their return to headquarters as Marc Jordan played the ball to Colm McLarnon to swing over the opener and after the referee was alerted to Ruairi McCann being held inside, Dominic McEnhill converted the resulting free.

Paul Kingston dropped over an angled reply to get Laois off the mark, however Paddy McBride received a popped pass and bent his shot inside the large posts.

The sides continued to trade scores for the much of the half. Mark Barry opened his account for the afternoon to reduce arrears again.

A goal almost fell for the Saffrons just shy of the quarter-hour mark, but Mark Timmons was forced to avert the danger behind and the resulting 45’ was converted by Mick Byrne.

Barry replied with a close-range free after Simon Fingleton was felled and despite Paddy McBride twice restoring the two-point lead and Dominic McEnhill from an advanced mark in-between, Laois always had an instant response.

Evan O’Carroll turned back onto his stronger foot and guided a shot over in response tov the first of McBride’s double, Niall Dunne swung over a mark of his own after McEnhill had did likewise seconds earlier and Mark Barry conjured up his third of the half to make it 0-07-0-06 on the 25th minute.

Laois forged ahead for the first time on the 28th minute with the game’s opening goal. An initial pass inside was blocked down but Antrim couldn’t clear the danger with Brian Byrne on hand to take an offload and lash home to give his side a 1-06-0-07 lead.

Justin McNulty’s side controlled the closing exchanges of the half and played a possession-based game and they extended their lead through a James Kelly score before the interval as Byrne’s goal proved the difference at the halfway stage.

Antrim came out firing after the break and were level within five minutes of the restart.

Paddy McBride shifted and dropped over his fourth of the afternoon, Colm McLarnon squeezed a shot inside the posts and Dominic McEnhill guided a high shot over.

On the 44th minute they had a let-off when a cut-back found Eoin Lowry whose shot cannoned off the bar and Paul Kingston sent the follow-up wide.

It was a chance that Laois would rue as Antrim regained the lead within 60-seconds. Kavan Keenan floated a long-ball that club-mate Paddy McAleer latched onto and the All-Saints midfielder advanced and found the bottom corner to give his side a 1-10-1-07 lead.

The Saffrons were unable to push on though, Mark Barry clipped over a point in response for Laois on the 52nd minute and two minutes later his side pulled ahead for the second time when Kevin Swayne palmed home from close range.

Like the aftermath of their opener, Laois took things at their own pace and extended their lead through a fine point from range by goalkeeper Killian Roche and a score through captain Evan O’Carroll.

Paddy McBride cut the deficit and registered his fifth of the afternoon and Antrim were boosted when referee Liam Devenney black-carded Laois captain O’Carroll for a deliberate kick to stop Marc Jordan.

The 14-men finished strong though with Niall Dunne restoring his sides three-point advantage and it was an advantage that they would add to late-on.

On the 68th minute scorer of the first goal- Brian Byrne was slipped through on goal and he kept his composure before slotting past namesake Mick to make it 3-11-1-11 and book their place in the decider in three-weeks’ time.

There were consolation scores in injury-time for Ruairi McCann (Creggan) and substitute Conor Hand, shooting over between a James Kelly point as Laois ran out 3-12-1-13 winners at the conclusion.

ANTRIM: M Byrne (0-01 45’), D Lynch, E Walsh, K Keenan, D McEnhill (0-03, 0-01f, 0-01m), J Finnegan, D McAleese, P McAleer (1-00), C Hynds, C McLarnon (0-02), P McBride (0-05), R McCann (0-01) (Creggan), J McDonnell, R McCann (Aghagallon), M Jordan. Subs: P Healy for J McDonnell (HT), E Hynds for P McAleer (57), C Hand (0-01) for C McLarnon (57), R McQuillan for R McCann (60) (Aghagallon), N Burns for D Lynch (60).

LAOIS: K Roche (0-01), J Kelly (0-02), B Dempsey, M Timmons, S Lacey, B Byrne (2-00), S Fingleton, D Larkin, C Heffernan, M Barry (0-04, 0-01f), E O’Carroll (0-02), K Swayne (1-00), E Lowry, N Dunne (0-02, 0-01m), P Kingston (0-01). Subs: R Murphy for E Lowry (46), E Buggie for S Lacey (46), K Lillis for K Swayne (68), S Fitzpatrick for B Byrne (70+1), C Burke for D Larkin (70+2).

REFEREE: Liam Devenney (Mayo)

FOR MORE PICS FROM THE ANTRIM V LAOIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/foTA6yc9sjeC56/?invite=0a075038-ba15-4c56-9582-e51e34c9fe04

by thesaffrongael

McVeigh double seals the win or All Saints

Antrim Football League – Division 1

Glenravel 1-12  Ballymena 2-14

Two goals from veteran Sean McVeigh was essentially what separated these teams at the final whistle. McVeigh was berthed at the edge of the square and both goals were punched to the net from short distance at essential times during the second half. Level at half time the home side will have been disappointed to have given up a four point lead midway through the opening half but the final ten minutes of that half were dominated by the visitors recording five points whilst their opponents could only manage a solitary point. Saints would dominate the second half and those two goals early and late in the half sealed victory for them.

Michael McCarry opened the scoring with the first of his seven points tally. That was levelled by Aiden O’Donnell but McCarry was on hand to put Ballymena back in the lead. Sean McKay goaled for Glenravel after sterling work by Niall Hynds put him through and he cleverly rounded Ryan Stewart in nets and blasted home. McKay and David Higgins would stretch that lead to four points but McVeigh pointed from distance and then an Eamon Fyfe brace was interrupted by a Sean O’Callaghan point to leave the score 1-05 to 0-04 in favour of of Con Magees and ten minutes of the half remaining. Ballymena then went on a scoring spree recording five points in succession from McCarry, O’Callaghan, Matthew Downey and Ciaran Campbell with the home side’s only response a point from full back Conor Carey to leave honours even at half time 1-06 to 0-09.

McCarry put All Saints into the lead early in the second half and then Sean McVeigh got the first of his two goals with the half five minutes old. Rian Lennon responded but Ballymena came back with points from keeper Ryan Stewart and McCarry. Eamon Fyfe replied for Glenravel but Conal Lemon and McCarry stretched the All Saints lead to seven points 1-15 to 1-08. Glenravel started getting back into the game and had several chances but could only convert two of them through Eamon Fyfe and Conleth O’Loan. But their fightback was effectively ended when Sean McVeigh punched home his second goal with five minutes remaining. Eamon Fyfe and Sean McKay would reduce the gap to five but the game had petered out at this stage. 

The win keeps the Ballymena men of course for a top 4 play-off in Division 1. With just one game to play they host Aghagallon in their final game but they would need to win that game and have a couple other games to go their way. However regardless of what happens it has been a fantastic season for the Saints so far. Con Magees will now enter the relegations play-off at the other end of the table.

For more pics from this game just click the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/SCiypMGnuLZGzC/?invite=8b1dc2c6-f84c-4537-8a32-7f3f9546c34a

by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains take the Feile Division One Plate

Brendan McTaggart reports from the Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence

A memorable day in the sunny southeast ended with Dunloy claiming the Division One Plate in the All Ireland Feile.

In a group where they were paired with the Galway, Cork and Wexford champions, the records will show the Cuchullains didn’t record a win but they put in a serious effort and were hugely competitive in all the games.  To put the nature of how difficult the group was into context, the Cup Final was competed between Oranmore Maree (Galway) and Middleton (Cork) while Oylegate Glenbrien won the Shield.  If there was a group of death, Dunloy found themselves in it.

Playing eventual winners in the opening game, Dunloy were shown the ruthless side of hurling at this level.  Oranmore were clinical and direct, rallying into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead before scoring their second goal after a great save from Dunloy ‘keeper Eunan Brogan.  The Cuchullains had points from Euan Molloy (two frees) in response.

The Cuchullains started the second half superbly with James McGarry (‘65) and Euan Molloy (free) got them firing while Padai O’Kane was unlucky to see his shot saved superbly by the Oranmore ‘keeper.

The ruthless and clinical Galway men made the most of the reprieve by scoring their third goal with their next attack.  Dunloy continued to battle bravely with Eanna McGuckian’s display one that had plenty of neutrals talking while a score line of 3-6 to 0-5 felt like it didn’t do the young Cuchullains justice.

The second match came against Oylgate Glenbrien started in super fashion for Dunloy with Padai O’Kane showing his full range of skills to bag the first goal with the game just seconds old.  Glenbrien’s response was superb however with a quickfire brace of goals putting the young Cuchullains on the backfoot.

Playing with a slight wind advantage, the Wexford side ran into a 2-4 to 1-1 half time lead but the Cuchullains dig deep.  The Wexford lads fired over another brace of points while Cillian Cunning had an effort cleared off the line for Dunloy.  The Cuchullains rallied with Cillian Cunning finding the back of the net with a brace of frees from Euan Molloy brought then to within three points but they couldn’t breach the Glenbrien defence one more time with the final score 2-7 to 2-4 in favour of the Wexford side.

With rumours circulating about the Middleton men, it was always going to be a tough ask.  In a tense opening, they trailed 0-2 to 0-1 before John Ferguson’s kicked effort was close to breaching the Middleton goals.

The Cork men rallied to lead 1-3 to 0-3 at half time and opened a six point lead soon after the restart.  Dunloy were playing some super hurling with slick passing and running off the shoulder evident but the Middleton men were clinical when the chances came their way.  Dunloy scored a second goal at the end of the game with Padai O’Kane setting up James McGarry to leave the final score 2-8 to 1-4.

The Plate competition started with Dunloy facing Oulart the Ballagh in the semi’s the Cuchullains were superb from the first whistle.  Captain Damian McMahon would finish this game with 3-3 beside his name while PJ Molloy fired another Dunloy major in the first half.  There were notable performances from O’Kane once more while McQuillan, Ollie McClements, Eunan Curry and John Ferguson were all prominent as they ran out 4-7 to 0-1 winners.

Monageer Boolavogue of Wexford were the opponents in the final but they too found the Cuchullains too hot to handle.  Dunloy got the perfect start with Cillian Cunning firing a goal and a point before PJ Molloy scored their second major and the Cuchullains were dictating play.  They opened a 3-5 to 0-1 half time lead with Padai O’Kane scoring the third major before half time.

Any thoughts on a comeback from the Wexford side were soon quelled with Dunloy’s fourth goal, PJ Molloy with the finish.  Points followed from Euan Molloy and McMahon (two) while Boolavogue showed their quality with a 25 yard free finding the back of a packed Dunloy goal line.

The Cuchullains rapped up the game with Eanna McGuckian scoring their fifth major to leave the full time score 5-9 to 1-4.

The celebrations were fairly muted at the end with a feeling that the young lads could have made a mark in cup or shield competitions given the group draw but it was a memorable day and proof yet again that the Feile never lets you down as one of the best spectacles within the GAA.

Dunloy squad: Eunan Brogan, Shane McGilligan, Ollie McClements, Conal McFerran, Jamie McMullan, Jack McQuillan, Dara Cunning, Eunan Curry, James McGarry, Damian McMahon, John Ferguson, Euan Molloy, Eanna McGuckian, Pauric O’Neill, PJ Molloy, Cailean Hughes, Olly Johnston, Aodhan Neeson, Padai O’Kane, Aaron Richmond, Peadar Doherty, Cillian Cunning, Ronan Elliott

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN McTAGGART’S PHOTOS FROM FEILE IN WEXFORD CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/jrbQXDuBvHEHKQ
by thesaffrongael

League leaders lose out at Milltown

ACFL Division 1

St Gall’s 2-10 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-09

Two goals in the second half, the first engineered by the pace laden approach from corner man Niall McCurdy and finished to the net by Conall McCabe in the 33rd minute and the second tucked away by Brendan Bradley in the latter stages proved decisive as St. Gall’s gained the verdict over the visiting Cargin men on Saturday evening.

The home side were smartly out of the start traps and led from flag-fall and although their visitors had navigated their way through to gain a sight at goal in the opening quarter Chris Kerr stood firm in the home goals.

The Milltown men had enjoyed a good league campaign as Cargin with only a single defeat endured to date arrived at Milltown Row on Saturday evening and with both searching the strength in depth of their panels it was the home side who were first to offer employment to the score board attendant as Conn Doherty raised the first white flag in the 2nd minute.

A precision strike between the posts following a good delivery was followed in kind a few minutes later as Barra McCaffrey delivered a 30 metre free on the same direction.

The visitors opened their account in the 12th minute when Michael McCann delivered a long range free between the posts but the visitors wasted chances to add to their total with a couple of goal opportunities going astray.

The Tome side looked on the way to a ‘major’ score as James Laverty, Callum Gribbin, and Michael Mc Cann conspired to find the net with Chris Kerr in the Gall’s net thwarting their intentions with a smart save.

A Michael Hopkins pointed free from the left increased the home side’s advantage and although a long range free at the other end by Tomas McCann followed it found quick response as Niall O’ Neill raised white in the 23rd minute.

Cargin continued to waste opportunities as  Benen Kelly came close to finding the net in the 25th minute with Chris Kerr again standing tall on his goal line to deny him.

St. Gall’s had the better of things in the first period and closed the half on a positive note and Niall O’ Neill added a great point in the last minute to insure a 0-05 to 0-02 advantage at the break for the home side.

St Gall’s full value for their lead as the second period got under way soon increased their lead as Daniel Quinn added a point in the 32nd minute with Niall Fallon weaving a passage from the wing to open the way for Conall McCabe to fire to the net.

The home side had pedal to the metal as they continued to push forward in the second half with back to back points from Daniel Quinn insuring a 1-07 to 0-02 lead

Cargin were badly in need of inspiration as the second half progressed and fouls on Michael McCann and John Carron were punished by Tomas McCann.

The visitors continued to fight as the second half made progress and Gerard Mc Cann, and Tomas Mc Cann pointed before David Johnston fired just wide when a goal looked on.

It was to prove costly as the Milltown side responded at the other end and a smart counter saw Brendan Bradley fire to the net to extend the St. Gall’s lead.

The visitors fought to the end as the clock ticked onward and Tomas Mc Cann added two further points but the last say was to belong to St Gall’s and Colm Walsh fired over to ensure a 2-10 to 0-09 victory for the home side.

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Sean Og Quin, Kevin Mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, Paul Mc Cann, Benen Kelly, Gerard Mc Cann (0-01), John Carron, David Johnston, Callum Gribbin, Paudie Mc Laughlin, Tomas Mc Cann (0-06), Michael Mc Cann (0-02) James Laverty,

Subs

Jack Harney

Charlie Mc Cann

Enda Mc Grogan

St Gall’s: Chris Kerr, Liam Lynn, Tiernan Keenan, Eoghan Mc Curdy, Dubhaitach Mac Liam, Conaill Mc Girr, Conaill Mc Cabe (1-00), Manus Crossan Colm Walsh Niall O’ Neill, Daniel Quinn, Barra Mc Caffrey, Manus Mc Crossan, Barra Mc Caffrey (0-01), Niall Mc Curdy

Subs

Daniel Quinn (0-03)

Michael Hopkins (0-01)

Niall O’ Neill (0-03),

Conor Ryan (1-00)

Referee: R Matthews (0’ D Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

St. Brigid’s cement their place in the play-offs

ACFL Division 1

Clooney Gaels 0-10 St. Brigid’s 1-16

St. Brigid’s cemented their place in the ACFL Division 1 semi-final with this league win over St. Mary’s Ahoghill at Clooney on Saturday night.

There was little between the sides in a close opening half with the visitors just two in front at the halfway stage but a goal from Niall Duffy, five minutes into the second half swung it decisively in favour of the visitors.

The opening exchanges were a shootout between Rory McErlean for St. Brigid’s and St. Mary’s James O’Connell with both kicking three points each but a point from the visitors Sonny Doyle had the visitors ahead with 14 minutes gone.

O’Connell would go on to account for all of the Ahoghill side’s 6 first half points but it was the visitors with the greater spread of scorers who carried the greater threat with Conor McAleer kicking three and Rory McErlean bring his total to 0-4 with the final point of the opening half.

H.T. Ahoghill 0-6 St. Brigid’s 0-8

McErlean would extend the visitors lead with a point on the restart and Ben Doherty followed with another and when Duffy got in for a goal in the 5th minute the Musgrave Park side were 7 ahead and it looked a long way back for the home side.

It would be 12 minutes before Ronan Graham became the second man on the St. Mary’s score card as he brought their total for the evening to 0-7 but it failed to bring the necessary response from his colleagues.

Instead it was St. Brigid’s who made an immediate reply with Rory McErlean leading the way with two of the following three points and it was 21 minutes before Ronan Graham hit his and his side’s second of the half.

St. Mary’s did kick two more in quick succession to bring their total for the evening to 0-10 but St. Brigid’s finished strongly with Rory McErlean, Niall Duffy and Conor McAleer all on target as they ran out convincing winners.

This win sees St. Brigid’s join Cargin at the top of the table on 22 points from 13 start and these two look certain to make the play-offs but just who will join them will go down to the last day of the season with Tir na nOg, Kickham’s, Casements, St. Gall’s and All Saints all still in the mix.