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by thesaffrongael

Ruairi’s do enough to defeat Dunloy

ACHL Division 1a

Dunloy 1-13 Cushendall 1-17

Sunday 16 June

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Cushendall took the honours on Sunday evening as they had four points to spare against a wasteful Dunloy side.  The Ruairi’s were much more fluent and tactically astute on the day where Joseph McLaughlin shone in attack and defensively, they dealt with the Cuchullains attack.

In a match where the elements more than dictated how it was played, the visitors to Pearse Park had the wind at their back in the opening 30.  Cushendall brought players back into their own half in an attempt to create space for their forwards and stave the Dunloy tactic of playing precise ball into their forwards with short passing.

This was a physical encounter from the first whistle and with the middle third packed, space and time was at a premium.  Just five points were scored in the opening 14 minutes, Cushendall with the lead through scores from Ryan McCambridge, McLaughlin (free) and Paddy McGill.  The Dunloy response came from Nicky McKeague (free) and Nigel Elliott.

The first glimpse of a major in the game came for the Cuchullains but Cushendall ‘keeper Eoin Gillan produced a brace of superb saves to firstly deny Anton McGrath – his shot while on his knees was superb and matched by the save of the Cushendall ‘keeper.  The rebound fell to Ciaran McQuillan and ‘Bouncy’ threw himself bravely at the sliotar to deny the Dunloy man from point blank range.

Seaan Elliott would restore parity soon after with his first point of the evening but Cushendall began to find their range.  A run of four points unanswered put daylight between the sides with Ryan McCambridge firing over from distance either side of scores from McLaughlin (free) and Alex Delargy.

Dunloy got the scoreboard ticking again with Nicky McKeague’s second free of the match, this from the most acute angle and the Cuchullains first score for over 10 minutes.  He would knock over a third free of the half soon after but Cushendall ended the half with the first goal of the game.  Ruairi McCollam sending the sliotar long to substitute Ciaran Neeson and while he was through on goal, his initial shot was blocked but he was first to the rebound and pulled to the back of the empty net in what was the last meaningful act of the half with the Ruairi’s leading 1-7 to 0-5.

It certainly wasn’t one for the hurling purists and the Cuchullains didn’t start the second half much better with three wides and two dropping short in the opening five minutes while Cushendall were better at the other end of the pitch in that same time.  Neeson (two) firing over either side of Joseph McLaughlin’s third point of the match and first from open play.

Dunloy’s first score came from half back Eamon Smyth, a typically stylish effort from distance and while he repeated the fete some four minutes later, it came after a brace of pointed frees from McLaughlin to leave seven between the sides with 15 minutes remaining.

McLaughlin’s sixth point of the match came after some precise, slick and fast passing between the Ruairi’s while Dunloy went for a change of free taker.  Seaan Elliott taking over that responsibility and splitting the uprights.  The Cuchullains had a glimpse of goal once again when the Elliott brothers combined to send Nigel into space down the right hand side but his shot went wide.  It was a tough chance for the Dunloy man who had done so well to fashion the opportunity but the angle was against him.

Cushendall continued to keep the scoreboard ticking with McGill, Ruairi McCollam and Fergus McCambridge putting ten between the sides with just eight minutes of the match remaining but the home side rallied.

Points from Kevin Molloy and Seaan Elliott (’65) came before they finally managed to find the back of Gillan’s net.  The Cushendall ‘keeper did superbly to deny McKeague’s drive but the rebound fell to Anton McGrath and he couldn’t have hit the sliotar any sweeter as it rattled the back of the net with a first time pull.

Another brace of scores from Seaan Elliott (free) and Aodhan McGarry left three between the sides in injury time but Cushendall sealed the league points on offer with McLaughlin’s seventh point of the game and fifth from placed ball.

There’s a ten day gap before both sides are back in league action with Cushendall welcoming Rossa to the Glens while the Cuchullains will play hosts to Loughgiel.  Both will be looking for better than what they produced in this 60 minutes as the preparations for later in the summer begin to be put in place.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Ryan McGarry, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Kevin Molloy, Ronan Molloy; Ciaran Elliott, Ciaran McQuillan; Nigel Elliott, Seaan Elliott, Aodhan McGarry; Nicky McKeague, Anton McGrath, Gabriel McTaggart

Subs: Paul Shiels for C McQuillan (46); Conal Kelly for G McTaggart (52)

Scorers: S Elliott 0-4 (2 f’s 1 ’65); N McKeague 0-4 (4 f’s); A McGrath 1-00; E Smyth 0-2; N Elliott 0-1; A McGarry 0-1; K Molloy 0-1

Cushendall: Eoin Gillan; Charlie McAuley, Martin Burke, Stephen Walsh; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Ruairi McCollam; Alex Delargy, Fergus McCambridge; Andrew Delargy, Ronan McAteer, Joseph McNaughton; Paddy McGill, Ryan McCambridge, Joseph McLaughlin

Subs: Ciaran Neeson for P McGill (blood sub 24 – reversed 26); C Neeson for J McNaughton (29)

Scorers: J McLaughlin 0-7 (5 f’s); C Neeson 1-2; R McCambridge 0-3; P McGill 0-2; Alex Delargy 0-1; F McCambridge 0-1; R McAteer 0-1

Referee: Tarlach Conway (Ballinascreen)

To see more Brendan McTaggart pics from the game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/g8wTVSfnJSz5Br/?invite=5821b870-f368-4657-b072-b267f0151cf7

by thesaffrongael

Faughs and Cloney share the points in nine goal thriller

Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Carey Faughs 4-16 Cloney Gaels 5-13

Carey Faughs and Cloney Gaels served up a goal fest at Ballyvoy on Sunday as they shared the points in another high scoring contest. Nine goals and 29 points were served up to the fans who attended and though the pace of the game was always a bit short of what we will see later in the season when the championship get going, it was always entertaining. Cloney Gael’s had the better of the goals, hitting five in all, their fifth, struck from outside the 20 meter line by Fionbarr O’Neill, bringing the equalising goal in the final minute.

Both teams had a goal apiece in the opening quarter, Conor McBride for the home team and Colla McDonnell for the visitors. The Faughs second had a touch of good fortune about it as a long shot from left-half back Shea Hunter deceived the Cloney goalkeeper and ended in the back of the net. That score gave the home team the edge and they opened up a five point lead but points from James O’Connell and Conor Crossey cut the gap back to three and a great three man move ended with Colla McDonnell drilling a low shot to the Carey net to send them in just two in arrears at the break. Carey 2-8 Cloney 2-6

Carey stretched their lead to five early in the second half Conal McGlynn (2) and Paddy Gillan and they appeared to be gaining a bit of control in the game, but the Cloney men are hard to shake off and back they came with points from James O’Connell and Ronan Graham, plus a goal from Colla McDonnell. Once again Carey surged ahead and Padraig Gillan got their third goal, which followed by two points from Conal McGlynn which put five between the sides again.

Cloney fought back to level again but when Carey got their fourth goal it looked like they had done enough to seal the win. However there the Ahoghill men had a sport in them yet and two late goals, the second from Fionbar O’Neill earned them a share of the points.

The result, plus Glenarm’s win over Cushendun, and Paul’s victory over St Gall’s, means there are four teams level on 14 points each.

Carey and Glenarm have both played a game less than the other two, but nobody seems certain about the circumstance around the postponement of the game in the first half of the league and if the game will indeed be played. One thing for sure it is shaping up to be a great finish to a division which never fails to produce the goods

For more pics from the Carey v Cloney Gaels game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/P77BeVibM4UGzx/?invite=ac63bdbc-35f0-4a6a-a42e-e45876462590

by thesaffrongael

Antrim U14 Camogs beaten by impressive Derry

Armagh City Hotel Ulster U14 Camogie ‘A’ Championship Final

Derry produced a stunning performance on Saturday afternoon to retain the Ulster ‘A’ U14 camogie championship at Portglenone.  On an afternoon where the sun shone and the rain teamed down at different times, there was nothing changeable about the Oak Leaf girls performance throughout the hour as they put in a display of power, pace, accuracy and skill to end up with a huge winning margin.

To be fair to the young girls in Saffron, they had moments of brilliance throughout and battled well in the second half.  Two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half from Ellie Lynn and Caoifhionn McShane showed they had the fight and determination to potentially get something out of the game should the Derry girls lower their work rate but that never looked like happening.

Ellie would finish the game with a hat-trick and was a real shining light for the Saffrons in attack with her stick work and skill giving the Derry defence plenty to think about.  Cliodhna McKeever gave a tireless display with a number of impressive penetrating runs from deep while Aoibheann McDonnell also impressed.

The Derry attack were excellent throughout, led by the brilliant Feina Kerr.  Grainne Doherty was a live wire in the corner with Cliodhna Moore also excelling but in truth, they showed no weakness throughout and even with the changes made throughout, had numerous scoring threats.

There will be lessons to learn from a Saffron perspective as the Derry girls played like a side who have been together for some considerable length of time and while Antrim battled hard, they were up against a much superior side.

Antrim Team: Clodagh Mc Larnon; Annie Convery, Ceara Slevin, Amber Anderson; Niamh Martin, Caitlin Graffin, Roisin Brady; Cliodhna McKeever, Rose McMullan; Jane Feetham, Eillie Lynn, Aoibheann McDonnell; Caoifhionn McShane, Lucia Trainor, Rosa O Conor, Meave O’Kane. Subs: Erin Neeson, Lucy Cunning, Maggie Kearns, Caoimhe Doherty

Derry Team: Karen Birt; Eva Scullion, Mya McAllister, Charlotte O’Hagan; Tara Kelly, Cassie Conway, Emma McVey; Eva Forbes, Clodagh McIlvar; Cora Quinn, Feina Kerr, Ella Rafferty; Grainne Doherty, Rachel Gribbon, Cliodhna Moore. Subs: Laura Brown, Emma Forrester, Emma McCartney, Grace McCloskey, Saoirse McCullagh, Shanna McEldowney, Amy McGilligan, Orla McKenna, Cammie McMaster, Deirbhile Mellon, Niamh Morgan, Rose Quinn, Caoimhe Roache, Kelly Scullion, Tierna Cartin, Cassie Diamond, Eva Diamond, Gracie Diamond, Aoife Doyle

To see more of Brendan McTaggart’s pics from the final click on the link below –

https://myalbum.com/album/itoPEnSbPdQKWN/?invite=04efc5f0-41bc-455d-8d02-4bc9b83b215a

by thesaffrongael

Hynds strike completes incredible Tailteann turnaround in Brewster Park

Tailteann Cup, Quarter-Final

Fermanagh 0-11–1-11 Antrim

Kevin Herron reports from Brewster Park

Cathal Hynds completed the most unlikeliest of comebacks as Antrim came from 0-08-0-02 behind at the break to claim a 1-11-0-11 victory over Fermanagh in the Tailteann Cup Quarter-final clash at Brewster Park on Saturday evening.

Andy McEntee’s men were on the brink of an uninspiring exit after a lethargic opening half display in Eniskillen, but they slowly turned the screw in a much-improved second period and forged ahead for the only time when Cathal Hynds steered home a 68th minute goal.

They then survived the Ernesiders onslaught in the closing stages to book a return to Croke Park where they will face either Kildare or Laois in the last four, next weekend.

Antrim goal scorer, Cathal Hynds

There were late alterations to both sides pre-match as James McDonnell replaced Niall Burns for the visitors and Sean McNally and Ronan McCaffrey came in for Fermanagh in place of Ross Bouge and Garvan Jones.

Both sides struggled with the saturated surface in the early stages, but it was the Erne-men who drew first blood when Sean Cassidy claimed an advanced mark and converted it.

They should have claimed the opening goal after 11 minutes when Shane McGuillon popped a pass to Joe McDade and he in turn slipped in Callum Jones whose snapshot rocketed off the underside of the bar after a fine save from Mick Byrne- though referee Brendan Griffin spotted a foul and Cassidy converted the resulting free.

Ultan Kelm swung over a magnificent third for the hosts as Antrim struggled in attack in the opening quarter.

The visitors first shot on target came when Eunan Walsh tried an effort from distance that was diverted behind for a 45’ and Michael Byrne roamed forward and kicked his sides first of the evening.

Antrim’s Peter Healey announced his introduction with a fine point for the Saffrons

Kelm restored his sides three-point advantage after a rapid counterattack with Callum Jones converting a free that had been moved forward following dissent from Marc Jordan.

Jordan atoned for that infringement as he played a pivotal role in the Saffrons second and last score of the opening half.

The Lámh Dhearg native played a one-two with Ryan McQuillan and after running out of road in front of him, Jordan switched the play to McQuillan- who made room for a shot and popped over.

Fermanagh would double their lead before the half was out with three successive scores on the trot.

Declan McCusker dropped over an angled point, Sean Cassidy brought his personal tally to three with his first score from play and Fionnan O’Brien took a pass from Cassidy and slotted over as the Erne-men were 0-08-0-02 ahead at the interval and in control against their passive visitors.

Fermanagh’s Josh Largo Ellis comes under pressure from Ruairi McCann and Eunan Walsh

The hosts extended their lead a few minutes after the restart with Ronan McCaffrey squeezing a shot inside the posts.

Saffrons manager Andy McEntee had saw enough and made a triple change with Declan Lynch, Ryan McQuillan and Colm McLarnon departing and Peter Healy, Dominic McEnhill and Conor Hand all entering the fray.

Peter Healy made an instant impact, steering a shot over and when Eunan Walsh dropped a ball on top of Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) and it spilled behind for a 45’ – Michael Byrne clipped over his second of the evening.

A Joe McDade point brought Fermanagh’s lead back to six, but Conor Hand shot over from distance and Dominic McEnhill shot high over the bar.

McEnhill spurned the chance to further reduce arrears when he blasted a straightforward free wide of the post, however club-mate Michael Byrne dually halved the interval deficit with his third 45’ conversion of the evening to make it 0-10-0-07.

Substitute Garvan Jones briefly halted the Saffrons momenuem, though Eoin Hynds instantly replied at the other end.

The Saffron surge continued when Peter Healy clipped over his second point and a converted Paddy McBride free had the bare minimum separating the sides on the 66th minute.

Antrtim’s Ryan McQuillan takes on Lee Cullen, Fermanagh

The winning score would arrive two minutes later, a patient move saw Conor Hands find the advancing Mick Byrne and he slipped a ball inside to Cathal Hynds, he advanced and guided a low shot into the net to give his side a 1-10-0-11 lead.

Brother Eoin then steered over on the 70th minute and the Saffrons emphasis switched to defence, but despite a late Fermanagh onslaught the Ernesiders were unable to reply with Conor McShea’s effort finding the side netting via a deflection and that was as close as the hosts came as Andy McEntee’s side claimed the most unlikeliest of comebacks to secure their place in the last four.

Ryan McQuillan, Cathal Hynds, Calum Higgins and Eoin Hynds of Con Magees Glenravel

Fermanagh: S McNally, L Cullen, C Cullen, J Cassidy, D McCusker (0-01), S McGullion, J Largo Elis, B Horan, J McDade(0-01), C Jones (0-01f), C McShea, F O’Brien (0-01), U Kelm (0-02), R McCaffrey (0-01), S Cassidy (0-03, 0-02f). Subs: D McGurn for S McGuillan (49), G Jones (0-01) for C Jones (53), C Love for S Cassidy (53), T Bouge for B Horan (70+1).

Antrim: M Byrne (0-03 45’), D Lynch, E Walsh, K Keenan, J McDonnell, J Finnegan, D McAleese, P McAleer, C Hynds (1-00), C McLarnon, P McBride (0-01f), R McCann (Creggan), R McQuillan (0-01), R McCann (Aghagallon0, M Jordan. Subs: P Healy (0-02) for D Lynch (37), C Hand (0-01) for C McLarnon (37), D McEnhill (0-01) for R McQuillan (37), E Hynds (0-02) for P McAleer (49), N Burns for K Keenan (70+1).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)

FOR MORE PICS BY PADDY McILWAINE FROM THE FERMANAGH V ANTRIM GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/LfpUukNNcQqv7L/?invite=d813ca76-f1f6-4e52-97f4-1f437863ea7c

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy beat Loughgiel in Feis Camogie semi-final

Antrim Camogie Feis Semi-final Loughgiel v Dunloy 14th June 2024

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran

Friday evening’s Feis Cup Camogie semi-final between Loughgiel and Dunloy was played under perfect evening conditions. Despite a build-up of bellowing clouds surrounding the venue, Fr. Healy Park stayed dry with no wind to hamper play.

This was a game largely of goal for goal, but it was Dunloy that managed to accumulate the additional points to make an eight-point difference a comfortable win of the Feis semi-final. An understrength Loughgiel squad, hampered with county commitments and injuries, were in charge for the first half, but Dunloy came out after the break and by now had worked out how to penetrate Loughgiel’s defence that set them up for a cluster of points and a fourth goal to put the match beyond Loughgiel.

Owen Elliott was the match referee and shortly after getting things underway, blew for the games first foul and Dunloy’s Nicole McAtamney made it count for the opening point of the match as she pointed towards the road end goals.

Loughgiel replied with points from Anna McKillop and Christine McCloskey, after picking up a ball from Anna Connelly. The Shamrocks could have been an extra point up after Elliott spotted Kirsty McKendry being held, but the free sailed wide of Dunloy’s uprights.

Dunloy kept their patience and found four more points, two from Brid Magill and Katie Molloy from play and two taken by Nicole McAtamney, the first a free, awarded after Elliott spotted a throw and a 45 at around 12 minutes into the game.

Loughgiel were pressing forward and a lovely ball from Anna Connolly to a running Orlagh Laverty was richly rewarded when Dunloy’s keeper, Kathryn Boyle wasn’t able to stop the shot on goal. The Fridge Raiders scoreboard had tallied up Loughgiel 1-02 Dunloy 0-05.

In a short time, the sliotar had worked its way from Dunloy’s half into Loughgiel’s box and a waiting Katie Molloy put it beyond a stretching Eimear Boyle to the back of the net.

Anna McKillop inched Loughgiel closer with a free, before Christine McCloskey brought play to the left of field towards the clubhouse. Orlagh Laverty benefited from a short pass and running through, opted to offload to Marie Laverty running into space. The youngest of the three playing sisters made a clean swing for Loughgiel’s second goal.

The Shamrock’s would inch up another two points, one from McCloskey and Orlagh Laverty from a Marie Laverty pass.

Orlagh Laverty’s work rate was impressive as she actioned another pass to Shanna Deery. Deery was likely hoping to point but it dropped steeply behind Kathryn Boyle’s head for the Shamrock’s third goal and five points to Dunloy’s one goal and five points.

But Dunloy had an almost instantaneous reply as Nicole McAtamney dropped in a high ball to a waiting Brid Magill. Magill spun, ran towards Boyle’s goals and directed the sliotar low and beyond Boyle’s reach.

With just three points the difference, Dunloy’s Aine Magill closed the gap to one point with two points from play, one of those was a straight turnover from a Boyle puck out. Elliott glanced at his watch and after adding on a couple of extra minutes of injury time, blew for the break leaving scores standing Loughgiel 3-05 Dunloy 2-07.

Straight from Elliotts whistle, Dunloy found another gear and a spell of play amassed the eight points that would make the difference at the end of the game. Five of those points were over the bar and a goal from Brid Magill.

The final fifteen minutes of the second half witnessed Dunloy stretch their points scoring over the bar on a 2:1 basis, but the Loughgiel supporters were offered some hope when the industrious Orlagh Laverty found Katie McKillop and struck the sliotar into Dunloy’s net for the Shamrocks’ fourth goal.

Four points were the difference in Dunloy’s favour after Kerry Rose Drain pointed, shortly after substituting Kyra Doherty. It’s often said that a team needing a goal gets a goal but that Cumann proverb did not offer any further hope for Loughgiel as Dunloy’s Nicole McAtamney closed the door behind her with a punishing goal and 29 minutes on the clock.

Owen Elliott would bring the Feis semi-final to a close and the Fridge Raiders scoreboard illuminated the evening as the light began to drop, Loughgiel 4-07 Dunloy 4-15.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/Jrs5bHRqhokZQe/?invite=3fe62c0e-e73e-463d-97f2-f558c7433a4e

Loughgiel Scorers:

Shanna Deery 1-0, Christine (Laverty) McCloskey 0-02, Anna McKillop 0-02 (1f), Orlagh Laverty 1-02, Marie Laverty 1-01, Katie McKillop 1-0

Dunloy Scorers:

Brid Magill 2-01, Nicole McAtamney 1-06 (4f 1×45), Katie Molloy 1-02, Aine Magill 0-05, Kerry Rose Drain 0-01