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by thesaffrongael

Defeat for Antrim in McKenna opener but much to be pleased with

McKenna Cup

Monaghan 1-15 Antrim 0-13

Despite a spirited second half performance Antrim fell to Monaghan in the opening round of the McKenna Cup in Castleblaney on Wednesday night.

A goal from David Garland, ten minutes into the second half swung the balance of play in favour of the home side just when Antrim were threatening to get on top and arrived just after Ronan Boyle had kicked Antrim into the lead with a great point in the 19th minute.

From the resulting kick-out Monaghan won possession and the ball was swiftly moved to the other end of the field where Garland finished clinically after finding himself in space behind the Antrim defence.

Antrim were forced into changes to their starting line-up just before kick-off with Patrick McBride coming in for Eoin Hynds and Kavan Keenan, one of several Antrim debutants, replacing Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann.

The hosts fielded a much changed side from the one who reached this year’s All Ireland semi-final and in an easy forgettable opening half led Antrim 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

It might well have been Antrim who were ahead at this stage but Daniel McNicholl pulled his shot from close range just wide of the upright in the 28th minute when he looked certain to find the net.

It was Antrim who opened better and raced into an early 0-2 to 0-0 lead through Conor Hand and a Dominic McEnhill pointed Mark.

Andy McEntee’s side suffered an early blow when they lost Stephen Beatty to injury after only four minutes and Monaghan got themselves back into the game thanks mainly to a series of pointed frees from Michael Bannigan.

Bannigan converted four in all and a fisted effort from Thomas McPhillips and another converted free from Andrew Woods saw Monaghan two to the good at the halfway stage with Cormac McGettigan and Mick Byrne from a free, the other Antrim scorers.

Creggan’s Ruairi McCann closed the gap to one on the restart as both sides rang the changes and further scores from Dominic McEnhill and keeper Byrne had the side’s level at 0-7 each by the 9th minute.

It was the Monaghan substitutions that would have the bigger impact however with Stephen Rooney kicking a couple of excellent frees to tie the contest at 0-9 apiece by the 17th minute.

Ronan Boyle edged Antrim ahead with a good point but from the resulting kick-out play was quickly transferred to the other end and Rooney placed David Garland who beat Byrne in the Antrim goals from close range.

The same two added points as the visitors appeared to tire but they never gave up with Dominic McEnhill, 0-2 and Oisin Doherty adding points.

It would be Monaghan who finished the stronger with David Garland and Stephen Rooney continuing to find the target as the Farney County ran out winners by five points and look favourites to top the group.

Antrim face Fermanagh in Ahoghill on Sunday and will hope to build on their second half performance and despite defeat there was plenty for Andy McEntee and his management team to build on.

ANTRIM

Michael Byrne, John Morgan, Eunan Walsh, Daniel McNicholl, Ronan Boyle, Joseph Finnegan, Ruairi McCann (Creggan), Cathal Hynds, Eunan Quinn, Stephen Beatty, Patrick McBride, Cormac McGettigan, Dominic McEnhill, Kavan Keenan, Mark Jordan. Subs Used: Conor Hand, Aidan McAleese, Benen Kelly, Calum Higgins, Declan Lynch, Oisin Doherty, Oran Downey, Paddy McAleer

by thesaffrongael

Danske Bank Mageean Cup final goes ahead tonight

Wed 7.30pm at the Dub Arena

St Killian’s Garron Tower v Cross & Passion Ballycastle.

The Mageean Cup Final between Cross & Passion College and St Killkians which was posponed back in December goes ahead tonight back at the Dub. This is the preview from the that date and as far as we are aware there will be no changes to the teams which were named back then.

Both teams have worked hard in the interim, and although a good few players have had flu or heavy colds which interupted their preparations, none of picked up any serious injuries and are raring to go.

See you all at the Dub!

Team captains Joseph McLaughlin and Ben McGarry get in a bit of practice at the Mageean Cup final launch in Dunloy a couple of weeks ago

It is hard to believe that Friday evening’s Mageean Cup decider brings together two teams that have never before met in the final of the the competition. Garron Tower first won it (then called the Ulster Shield) in 1953 when it was played for in a league format and were the first winners when it became the Mageean Cup in 1963. That win completed a four in a row for the north Antrim college, but amazingly they have not claimed the famous title since.

The logistics have changed greatly since that win sixty years ago. A lot of that team were boarders, and a good few of their team came from areas outside what is now their catchment area.

Rival managers Joe Cassidy (left) of CPC and Padraig McIlwaine of St Killian’s at the Mageaan final launch in Dunloy

Cross & Passion won their first title in 1977 and they added their second the following year. They won it again in 1994, but their real run of success came began in 2006 and they have been really competitive since then, adding another six titles as well as competing in a good few other finals.

They have crossed swords with the Tower many time during those years, but never in a final so Friday night promises to be something special.

Seldom has a season seen the finalists been as dominant as these two, both of them going through the campaign, not only undefeated, but untroubled as well.

Cross and Passion booked their place in Friday’s final when they beat St Mary’s CBGS in the semi-final at Dunsilly by 2-20 to 1-7, while St Killian’s ran up a massive 6-22 when beat St Pat’s Maghera in the other semi-final in Ahoghill, conceding just 1-7 in the process. These stats would suggest both sides have a potent set of forwards, but also very mean defences.

The record of these two sides in hurling competitions through the school years had always suggested they would end up meeting the Blue-Riband of colleges hurling, the Mageean Cup, and so it has come to pass.

The CPC team on Friday evening is expected to be much the same as the one who beat St Mary’s in that semi-final with last season’s Under 20 county goalkeeper Eoghan Richmond guarding the goals. Cathair Donnelly, Cian Beaudant and Niall McClean formed the full back line that night with Ben O’Kane, team captain Ben McGarry and Tiagao McGarry making up one of the strongest lines on the field. Joe Magee and new boy Reece Cunning were the midfield partnership in the semi final with ‘Rosie’ Fitzgerald, Liam Glackin and ace free taker Paudi Martin making up a formidable half forward line. Martin incidentally is bidding to become only the second player to win back to back Mageean medals with two different schools, following his success with St Louis last year.

CPC’s Liam Glackin in action during the semi-final win over St Mary’s
CPC’s Rosie Fitzgerald
CPC corner forward Roan McGarry

One of the youngest players on the pitch, if not indeed the youngest, Oisin McCallin, is a highly stylish corner forward, while power-house Conor Donnelly is a very dangerous full forward and corner forward Roan McGarry one of the brightest young stars in the county. Darragh Kelly, who missed the semi-final through injury, is fit again, and is likely to start.

In the semi-final they used three subs Callin Cane, Cadhan Crawford and Ashton McGarry, all very good replacements, and in a panel of 30 players there are many more to step in if needed.

In their semi-final St Killian’s had Thomas McLaughlin in goal, with Colla Ward, Cailin Devlin and John Scullion in the full back line, with Charlie McAuley pivoting the defence at centre back with the Oisins duo of Cathan Graham on his right and Niall Magee on his left. Callum McIlwaine and Callagh Mooney have been a formidable midfield pairing all season and is should be a great battle between them and the CPC pairing of Magee and Cunning.

The St Killian’s forward line having been running up big scores throughout the competition with the half forward line of Orrin O’Connor, Austin Birt and Cormac McKeown a very potent line. The full forward line of Peadar McDonnell, Oran McCambridge and man of the season Joseph McCambridge have been carry a real scoring threat, all of them carrying a real goal threat and if the Tower are to the school’s 60 year famine then goals will be essential.

St Killian’s Cormac McKeown
St Killian’s Orrin O’Connor who will line out in the half forward line.
St Killian’s captain Joseph McLaughlin

In their one sided semi-final the Tower used its full complement of subs with Niall Hynds, Eamon Ward, Cathan Michael Furey, Fintan McKillop and James Kearney all seeing  some action, and in a game of this intensity a few of them should be used again.

Overall it promises to be a great game of hurling. Both teams are very good with the forward lines in particular capable of putting up big scores. For me the one thing that will decide this contest is whoever adapts best to the Dub Arena, the small pitch and the floodlights, will triumph.

The CPC team who beat St Mary’s in the semi-final at Dunsilly
The St Killian’s team who beat St Pat’s Maghera in the semi-final in Ahoghill
by thesaffrongael

McEntee’s Antrim in better place than last year

McKenna Cup

Monaghan v Antrim

Castleblaney -7-30

Andy McEntee’s Antrim footballers get their first taste of competitive action when they travel to Castleblaney to face Monaghan in the opening round of the McKenna Cup this evening. (Wed)

The Saffrons are in a better place than at this stage of the competition last year with the Meath man coming into the job to replace Enda McGinley just prior to the McKenna Cup and learning on the job.

And learn he did with Antrim going on to challenge for promotion from division 3 but just coming up short before going on to face his native Meath in the Tailteann Cup semi-final where they lost narrowly to the Leinster men.

A good pre-season should see Antrim in a better place than at this stage last year and when I spoke to Andy McEntee, earlier he was pleased with the side’s preparation and excited about some of the new faces that have come into the panel.

An away trip to Monaghan at any stage of the season is a daunting prospect and the Antrim management will be keen on a performance rather than too focused on the result but anything from the game would be a welcome bonus.

The Saffrons face Fermanagh in Ahoghgill at the weekend and a win there looks a more likely possibility but promotion from division 3 of the National League will be Antrim’s number one priority this year.

Antrim captain Peter Healey in action against Down in Newry in a game the Saffrons should have won. Healey hopes tonights McKenna Cup game against Monaghan and Sunday’s game against fermanagh will be be the preperation his side needs going into this year’s division 3 campaign

St. Enda’s Peter Healey captains the Antrim side and is enthusiastic about the coming season. In a recent interview with ‘Belfast live’ Healey said

 “It is the opportunity to go to a team who played in the All-Ireland semi-final and really have a go at them.”

Antrim enjoyed a largely positive first year under Andy McEntee, but Healy feels there’s plenty of room for improvement.

The Saffrons suffered one-point defeats to both Fermanagh and Down in Division Three and lost out to McEntee’s native Meath in the Tailteann Cup semi-final at Croke Park.

With a few minor tweaks the Antrim skipper feels they could challenge for promotion this season. Action in Castleblaney gets underway at 7-30 and the Saffron Gael will be there to cover the game and we would encourage as many Antrim supports as possible to come out and support their side.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim begin 2024 on a winning note against tenacious Tyrone

Ulster GAA Conor McGurk Cup 

Tyrone 4-12-3-23 Antrim 

Kevin Herron reports from Garvaghy 

Antrim hurlers advanced to the quarter-final of the Conor McGurk Cup after defeating Tyrone 3-23-4-12 in their first competitive outing of the season at Garvaghy Centre of Excellence on Tuesday evening. 

The Saffrons went with a mix of youth and experience against the Red Hands and eased into a five-point lead within the first eight minutes. 

Niall McKenna popped over the opener and Coby Cunning doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. A converted Gerard Walsh free from distance extended their advantage with Niall McGarrell and Aodhan McGarry landing further points in a dominant opening period for the visitors. 

Tyrone’s Michael Little fires in a goal during the McGurk Cup game at Garvaghy

Tyrone were off the mark through a fine Aidan Kelly score, though approaching the midway point in the half a Conal Bohill point restored his sides five-point margin. 

A quickfire double would half the deficit with Mikey Little converting a free and James McCann following up with a point from playing after swooping into claim the loose ball. 

Aodhan McGarry doubled his account in response, but Tyrone had their best period of the half and would restore parity with four scores on the spin. 

Little doubled his account from the placed ball, McCann then doubled his personal tally with a sensational score from play. 

The hosts almost had the game’s opening goal- though Turlough Mullin saw his low effort repelled by Tiernan Smyth in the Antrim goal. 

They would instead make do with a further point after Mark McClean collected a pass from the side-line ball and swung over before Ben Gormley had time and space to drop over and make it 0-07 apiece. 

Smyth made another smart near post stop to deny Ruairi Devlin a further goal opportunity before Antrim regained the lead through a point from McGarrell and an impressive Eoin McFerran point from range. 

Antrim’s Niall McGarel in action during his team’s win over Tyrone in the McGurk Cup at Garvaghy

Aidan Kelly hung up his shot and doubled his account in reply, but Antrim’s McGarrell popped over his third of the half and Coby Cunning landed a free on the stroke of half time to ensure they occupied an 0-11-0-08 lead at the interval. 

Antrim came out firing after the break, Conal Bohill doubled his account within the first 60-seconds, half time substitute Sean McKay dropped over and Daire McMullan produced a fine shot that sailed between the posts. 

The opening goal would also fall the Saffrons way when Coby Cunning squeezed a low shot past John Devlin at his near post to give his side a 1-14-0-08 lead. 

It would be their last for over a quarter of an hour as Tyrone slowly clawed their way back into proceedings. 

Ben Gormley dropped over the first response before Rory Weir drew a fine save from half time substitute Cormac McFadden in goals. 

Tiernan Morgan dropped over a fantastic point from range before Mickey Little flicked home the elusive goal that the Red Hands had threatened throughout. 

Further points from Turlough Mullin and Fionn Devlin saw a nine-point deficit close to just two (1-14-1-12) with over a quarter of an hour remaining. 

Antrim needed a score to try to stem the tide and Coby Cunning delivered from range and substitute Eoin McGarry then made an instant impact from the bench with an angled point. 

It looked as though the visitors had begun to re-stablish a healthy led when Niall McGarrell conjured up his fourth point of the evening, but Tyrone briefly wiped their advantage out. 

On the 58th minute Ben Gormley hung up a shot that dropped in the wind and was half cleared before the ball broke to Turlough Mullin to rifle home and make it 1-17-2-12. 

Tyrone’s Lorcan Devlin goes high to win the ball during the McGurk Cup game at Garvaghy. Pic by Bert Trowlen

Antrim’s response was instant though and in the blink of an eye Coby Cunning slammed home at the other end. 

By the 62nd minute it appeared as though Antrim were home and hosed after Ryan Mort slipped a pass through to Niall McKenna to round John Devlin and slot in the third of the evening, making it 3-17-2-12. 

Six-points in a row would end the Saffrons scoring for the evening.  Eoin McFerran doubled his tally for the evening and Niall McKenna added to his tally shortly after. 

Criostai McAuley dropped over back-to-back points within moments of his introduction and Conal Bohill did similar in the aftermath. 

Tyrone would land two consolation goals in the dying embers. Mickey Little’s side-line ball was dropped into the danger area and Aidan Kelly was waiting to apply the finish. 

Less than 60-seconds later and a quickfire second arrived, substitute Anthony Crossan saw his shot crash off the bar and Ben Gormley was on hand to stab home from close range. 

It was little more than consolation however as Antrim ran out 3-23-4-12 winners to set up a meeting with University of Ulster Jordanstown in the quarter final on Saturday afternoon. 

Antrim’s Ryan Mort gets the ball away despite lying on the ground during Tuesday evening McGurk Cup game at Garvghy. Pic by Bert Trowlen

Tyrone: J Devlin, D Rafferty, O McKee, E Winters, M McClean (0-01), F Devlin (0-01), T Morgan (0-01), B Gormley (1-02), J McCann (0-02), M Little (1-02, 0-02f), R Devlin, L Devlin, R Weir, T Mullin (1-01), A Kelly (1-02). Subs: R Maguire for L Devlin (HT), M McCann for R Weir (48), C Taggart for T Mullin (61), A Crossan for M McClean (68). 

Antrim: T Smyth, M McGibbon, G Walsh (0-01f), R McCormick, D McMullan (0-01), C Boyd, D Patterson, C Bohill (0-04), A McGarrigle, E McFerran (0-02), N McKenna (1-02), A McGarry (0-01), R Mort, C Cunning (2-03, 0-01f), N McGarrell (0-04). Subs: C McFadden for T Smyth (HT), S McKay (0-01) for A McGarrigle (HT), T McFerran for D Patterson (48), C McAllister for R McCormick (48), E McGarry (0-01) for C Boyd (57), B O’Connor for R Mort (64), C McAuley (0-02) for N McGarrell (64). 

Referee: Peter Owens (Down)

by thesaffrongael

Antrim take on Tyrone in the McGurk Cup

Antrim hurlers start off their campaign tonight at the Tyrone Centre of Excellence at Garvaghy where they take on the Red Hand county in the first round of the McGurk Cup.

The Antrim team are expected to be a mixture of senior and Under 20 players as both teams take early steps to get their seasons underway,

Mickey McShane may have stepped down from the Tyrone post but he has handed on the reins to his old Ballycastle team-mate Stevie McAuley, who will guide Tyrone during the next year.