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by thesaffrongael

Biddies pip Rovers in entertaining final

Casement SC JHC Final

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 1-12 Glen Rovers Armoy 0-13

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills overcame the challenge of Glen Rovers Armoy to collect the Junior Hurling Championship in a robust and entertaining encounter in Waterfoot on Saturday.

Despite the heavy rain that fell for most of the morning the Oisin CLG pitch was in good order as these two deadly rivals commenced the battle for Junior Championship glory.

There was little between the sides throughout but the sending off of Armoy’s Colin Lordan in the 31st minute of the first half, following an off the ball incident and a goal from Liam Kearns, 9 minutes into the second had a major influence on the eventual outcome.

Mickey Devlin pointed Cloughmills into an early lead but Turlach McBride replied from a ‘65’ before Chris McKiernan in the St. Brigid’s goals made an excellent save to deny Owen Kinney.

McBride edged Armoy ahead from the resulting ‘65’ but Ruairi Laverty replied for the ‘Biddies’ to tie the contest with 10 minutes gone.

A great point from Trevor Linton saw the Glen Rovers hit the front for the second time and Eamonn McCaughan followed with another before Ruairi Laverty responded with his second of the contest to leave just one in it by the 17th minute.

The game was being played at a fast pace and the challenges were going in hard and fast as Owen Kinney moved Armoy two in front once more from a close range free and at this stage Glen Rovers were looking the better side and winning the majority of dirty ball.

Eoin Dobbin, from his first free of the evening pulled it back to a single score and the same player would convert two more to move his side in front for the first time with four minutes remaining to the break.

Conor Laverty replaced Corey Blair in the Cloughmill’s side before the umpires called referee Paul McSparran’s attention to an off the ball incident and after consultation the Cushendun official showed Colin Lordan a straight Red.

The final score of the opening half would fall to Cloughmills as Eoin Dobbin took his total to 0-4 with his fourth conversion of the opening half to leave his side 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the half way stage.

Glen Rovers introduced John ‘Rocky’ Dillon at the start of the second half with the former county man unable to start because of a niggling injury and he would give his side a bit of impetus as the action got underway again.

The sweet striking Turlach McBride closed the gap to one with his third ‘65’ conversion of the evening with Eoin Dobbin replying from a 60 meter free to restore his side’s two point advantage and he increased that lead to three from his fifth free of the evening after the ball was moved forward for dissent.

Trailing by three at this stage it wasn’t looking good for the men from the Glen but they replied with a massive point from Callum Coyles from all of 80 meters from goal.

However St. Brigid’s struck a deadly blow, three minutes later when a long delivery from Eoin Dobbin broke favourably for team captain Liam Kearns and he fired past Conor Devlin from close range to put his side five ahead and they seemed to be gaining control.

Glen Rovers had other ideas however and they came back strongly with Rocky Dillon driving them forward with Eamonn McCaughan hitting three on the bounce and Eoin O’Boyle adding another to close the gap to one by the 16th minute.

They continued to press and Owen Kinney looked in for a goal but his effort was charged down before the ‘Biddies’ broke forward and Conor Laverty struck a fine point to relieve the siege.

Back came Armoy and Turlach McBride continued with his master class in long range free taking as he split the posts from 60 meters to leave just one in it again with two minutes of normal time remaining.

That was as close as they got however with the excellent Eoin Dobbin setting up substitute Reece Watt for the game’s final score at the other end with Paul McSparran’s full time whistle bringing a sea of Black and Orange racing onto the Glenariff pitch.

County chairman, Ciaran McCavanagh congratulated both sides for providing an entertaining game of a very high standard on the day before presenting captain, Liam Kearns with the cup to herald scenes of wild celebration.

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills: 1 Christopher McKiernan, 2 Sean McKendry, 3 Kevin O’Boyle, 4 Stephen Martin, 5 Johnny Duffin, 6 Geoffery Og Laverty, 7 Corey Blair, Joseph Smyth, 9 Odhran McCurdy, 10 Martin Dobbin, 11 Ruairi Laverty, 12 Liam Kearns, 13 James Doherty, 14 Michael Devlin, 15 Eoin Dobbin, 17 Conor Laverty, 18 Reece Watt

Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Turlach McBride, , 3 Shane Devlin, 4 Arthur Devlin, 5 Turlach McBride, 6 Thomas Burns, 7 Liam Dillon, 8 Ciaran McKenna, 9 PJ McBride, 10 Eoin O’Boyle, 19 Colin Lordan, 12 Eamonn McCaughan, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Owen Kinney, 15 Conor Christie, 11 John Dillon, 18 Joseph McFetridge.

Referee: Paul McSparran (Cushendun)

Paddy McIlwaine presents the Nobel Cafe Man of the Match award to Geoffery Og Laverty
by thesaffrongael

McCann goal sees Creggan bridge eight-year gap

Andersonstown Social Club Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship Final 

Sarsfields 0-14-1-16 Creggan Kickham’s 

Kevin Herron reports from Dunsilly 

Oran McCann’s 54th minute goal was pivotal in Creggan seeing off a determined Sarsfields side 1-16-0-14 in Saturday evenings Andersonstown Social Club Intermediate Hurling Final at Dunsilly. 

Creggan trailed at the break in an evenly contested final and regained the initiative through a Thomas McCann score 12 minutes from time.

There was never more than two-points between the sides until the 54th minute when McCann stretched the lead and then assisted in namesake Oran firing home the game’s only goal seconds later to seal their first Intermediate crown since 2015. 

Creggan’s Oran McCann raises his hand his celebration after scoring the only goal of the game in Saturday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship win over Sarsfields at Dunsilly.

Kevin McKernan would depart proceedings a few minutes later and it didn’t help the Paddies cause as they sought a comeback that wouldn’t materialise in the end. 

The opening stages saw both sides cancel each other out at will. Daniel Smyth drew first blood for Sarsfields, only for Morgan Nelson to immediately respond at the other end. 

Kevin McKernan opened his account and restored his sides lead from the placed ball, but Connor McCann hit back from the same scenario. 

Creggan edged ahead for the first time thanks to a fine Ruairi McCann point and namesake Oran doubled the lead after taking a lay off from Sean Duffin and swinging over. 

Conor McCann sends over a Creggan point from a free

Anthony McGarrigle halved the deficit, profiting from a turnover and then taking advantage with the score and his side pulled level through a 65’ from Kevin McKernan. 

McKernan ensured his side forged ahead for the third time, taking a pass from Daniel Smyth and dropping over a superb angled point to make it 0-05-0-04. 

Connor McCann restored parity from a free that was awarded prior to Kevin Rice’s shot almost being spilled to the net by Gerard McKeown. 

The point trading pattern continued, Niall McKenna floated over his first point of the contest, but Sam Maguire immediately cancelled it out with his first of the evening. 

A scoreless period of almost ten minutes followed before Anthony McGarrigle would double his account and edge Sarsfields ahead again. 

The Stewartstown outfit doubled their lead through a pop over by Mark Rea, though they were perhaps fortunate to lead at the break. 

Oran McCann doubled his tally and halved the deficit after combining with Connor and just before the half time whistle Diarmuid Mulholland watched in amazement as his close-range flick on was somehow scrambled off the line to safety and Sarsfields held a slender 0-08-0-07 lead at the midway stage. 

Creggan pulled level for the fifth time after the restart through Connor McCann’s first point from play and third score overall. 

They would have Cormac Rice to thank for remaining level a few minutes later as their shot-stopper parried Donal McKernan’s goal bound shot.  

The nervy nature of the game continued with the next six scores evenly traded approaching the final quarter of an hour. 

Kevin McKernan restored his sides slender lead from a free, only for Connor McCann to draw his side level from the same scenario after Kevin Rice was obstructed. 

Niall McKenna produced an excellent over the shoulder effort that dropped between the posts, but Creggan talisman McCann brought his personal tally to five with his fourth converted free to make it 0-10 apiece on the 45th minute. 

Sarsfields edged ahead for the last time after Niall McKenna nipped in and turned the ball over, before finding Daniel McKernan to point. 

Sean Duffin would swing over the equaliser and ensure his side had pulled level for the eighth and final time. 

Less than 60-seconds later Thomas McCann dropped over an angled score to swing the pendulum. 

Kevin McKernan sends a sideline cut between the Creggan posts early in the second half

McCann doubled their advantage through his fifth free and although Kevin McKernan halved the deficit with a sensational side-line cut, Creggan were about to seal victory with 60-seconds of brilliance. 

Morgan Nelson produced a wonder score and after Sarsfields short puck-out was turned over, Thomas McCann dropped over a point and opened up a three-point lead for the first time (0-15-0-12). 

They would firmly turn the screw just seconds later as McCann again won possession and slipped a pass through to Oran McCann- who lined up a bullet of a shot that gave Gerard McKeown no chance of saving and opened up a 1-15-0-12 gap in the process. 

Sarsfields needed a quick goal, though had to settle for a super Kevin McKernan point instead. 

It would be McKernan’s last positive contribution as he struck out in frustration as Sean Duffin in front of referee Ciaran McCloskey- who had no hesitation in brandishing the red card. 

Creggan landed their final score of the evening from the subsequent free that was worked cross field to Kevin Rice to pop over. 

The 14-men of Sarsfields continued to throw their all in search a goal that would have set up a grandstand finish. 

Daniel McKernan in action against Creggan’s Sean Duffin

Caaolan McKernan floated in a few high balls that came to nothing. Niall McKenna would have the opportunity to try and yield something positive from a close-range free that was diverted over the bar instead for a point. 

In the end, Creggan negotiated the remainder of time at ease to ensure that the Intermediate title would be heading back to the Loughshore for the first time in eight-years and they can now look forward to an Ulster campaign- where they will meet the winners of the Down Championship on November 5th.

Cregann celebrate with the cup

Creggan: C Rice, A Maguire, A McKeown, J McAteer, S Maguire (0-01), K McCann, L McCann, S Duffin (0-01), R McCann, M Nelson (0-02), K Rice (0-02), O McCann (1-02), T McCann (0-02), C McCann (0-06, 0-05f), D Mulholland. Subs: T McLarnon for D Mulholland (46), L Johnston for O McCann (59), P McGuckian for S Maguire (60+2). 

Sarsfields: G McKeown, N McAlea, J Daniels, M McCavanagh, J Cunningham, C McKernan, E McCartan, K McKernan (0-06, 0-01f, 0-01 65’, 0-01s), Daniel McKernan (0-01), D Smith (0-01), N McKenna (0-03, 0-01f), A McGarrigle (0-02), Donal McKernan, G Lennon, M Rea (0-01). Subs: N O’Mullane for M Rea (36), O Coleman for Donal McKernan. (41), M Johnston for J Cunningham (43), R McAreavey for D Smith (55). 

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

Creggan’s Ruairi McCann receives the Nobel Cafe Man of the Match awards from Paddy McIlwaine

County chariman Ciaran McCavana presents the Intermediate Championship Cup to Creggan captain Ruairi McCann
by thesaffrongael

May the best team win

Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Final

Shamrocks Loughgiel v Ruairi Og Cushendall

By Colm Thompson

As Neil McManus crashed his fourth goal to the back of the Fr Healy Park net on the first Sunday in September the Shamrocks knew the writing was on the wall. Final score Cushendall 4-22 Loughgiel 0-19. The Loughgiel players shook hands and trudged off the pitch, understandably they looked dejected. Following unconvincing group stage victories against St. Enda’s and Ballycastle and the loss to Cushendall it would have taken a brave man to suggest Loughgiel would qualify for the county final routing both St. John’s and five in a row chasing Dunloy along the way. And yet here we are. The manner in which Loughgiel disposed of Dunloy in the semi-final sent shockwaves throughout Ulster hurling. The tremors weren’t just felt in Cushendall, I am sure those in Slaughtneil and The Ards Peninsula sat up and took notice as well. This wasn’t an underdog winning a game with a late goal, this was a confident, dominant performance from The Shamrocks. An eleven point win doesn’t tell the full story, in truth Loughgiel’s margin of victory could and probably should have been more having missed a number of scorable frees. This young Loughgiel team had just made a statement.  It had been a long time since I’d heard the chant “Shamrocks, Shamrocks, Shamrocks” but leaving Ballycastle it was ringing in my ears, the place was rocking…Shamrocking.

   A day earlier I had watched Cushendall beat Ballycastle in terrible conditions. The Town had made things awkward in the opening half but as the game wore on The Ruairis pulled clear for victory. Job done. There is no doubt in my mind that Cushendall have improved since running Dunloy so close in last year’s championship final. The Dall’s ability to get goals has been very apparent throughout this year’s championship campaign averaging over five per game. The likes of Ronan McAteer, Joseph McLaughlin and Ed McQuillan have taken some of the scoring burden off Neil McManus and our forwards look a much more cohesive unit. The Burke brothers, Paddy and Martin marshal a mean defence with half backs Scott Walsh and Eoghan Campbell also capable of getting up the field and taking points. Conor McAlister is also back between the sticks for Cushendall and his distribution and ball striking is key to the Dall game plan.

   Loughgiel’s renaissance owes much to the performances of Paul Boyle who has picked up man of the match awards in his last two games. His ability to take scores from all angles is a major weapon in Loughgiel’s armour. James McNaughton and Dan McCloskey also bring lightening pace to the equation and both are capable of ghosting in for goals. Tiernan Coyle and Damon McMullan are experienced defenders and they have been well supported Enda Og McGarry. However perhaps the greatest demonstration of the rejuvenation has been the recent performances of Declan McCloskey. He was second best to Neil McManus six weeks ago but he has come roaring back and was magnificent in the semi final against Dunloy.

   My daughter and I are Newcastle United fans (it’s a long story) and we were lucky enough to get tickets for The Champion’s League game with PSG. The following morning getting the Easyjet home the person who sat down beside us was none other than Loughgiel manager Hugh McCann! Just as he took his seat the pilot announced a half hour delay until take off. Seeing my chance I struck up a conversation. The usual small talk hoping to get a wee bit of information but like any good poker player Hugh kept his cards close to his chest.

   I genuinely can’t predict this game. Loughgiel’s semi final performance has torn the form book to shreds. I think you know what you get with Cushendall, they have been the model of consistency throughout this year’s campaign which is very unlike Cushendall, in fact it is much more like Loughgiel. The Shamrocks on the other hand have struggled in the group stages, have almost been written off as contenders and then peaked for the knockout stages with a scintillating performance, very unlike Loughgiel and traditionally the way Cushendall do business. The more experienced players are with Cushendall but the youthful exuberance is with Loughgiel. The critical question is which Loughgiel will turn up? The team from the group stages and I’d be confident of a Dall victory, the team from two weeks ago and I’d be very worried.

May the best team win.

by thesaffrongael

St. Ergnat’s advance to meet Sarsfield’s in decider

Camogie-Development Cup semi-Final

St. Ergnat’s 5-10 Larne 0-5

Photographs: Elaine Kelly

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass proved too strong for Latharna Og Larne in this Development Cup semi-final at Magherafelt Leisure centre.

A first half hat-trick from Sinead McCoy and another from her namesake, Trina McCoy sent the Marian Hill girls on their way to a 4-4 to 0-4 half time lead and even at this stage it looked as good as over.

The St. Ergnat’s first half points came courtesy of their star forward, Sinead McCoy who added two to her three goal salvo with Alicia Boyd and Niamh McKeefrey also on target.

Latharna Og fought hard to keep in touch during the opening period with points from Ashling Mulvenna (f), and two from Beth McAuley with their only score from play coming from Bronagh Shields, two minutes from half time.

Alicia Boyd fired home St. Ergnat’s fifth goal of the contest, two minutes into the second half and while the goals dried up after that, the points continued to flow from the sticks of the Moneyglass girls.

Holly Gillan replied with a point for the Larne girls, a minute later but it would be their only score of the half as St. Ergnat’s continued to fire over points at the other end.

Ciara Scullion, Katie Scullion 0-2, the superb Sinead McCoy and two more from Ciara Scullion saw the Marian Hill girls run out convincing winners to earn a spot in the final where they will face Sarsfield’s on the 22nd October.

by thesaffrongael

Greater hunger could swing it Sarsfield’s way

ANDERSONSTOWN SC IHC Final

Patrick Sarsfield’s v Kickham’s Creggan

Dunsilly Saturday 5.00pm

With Tir na nOg leading by a point and seemingly on their way to this year’s Andersonstown SC Intermediate Hurling final and Sarsfield’s pushing for an equaliser, Sean Duffin body checked Caolan McKernan on the sideline and 45 yards from goal with referee Ciaran McCloskey blowing for a free.

The large crowd at Dunsilly held their collective breath as Niall McKenna stepped up to take the pressure free. Convert it and the game would go to extra time. Miss and it would be Tir na nOg who would advance to the decider.

McKenna is no stranger to pressure and held his nerve to fire the resulting free between the uprights, much to the approval of the Sarsfield’s supporters in the large crowd and the rest is history.

Anthony McGarrigle fired past Kevin Sheerin, 30 seconds into extra time and Gary Lennon added a point to give the Stewartstown Road side a lead that they never looked again like losing.

Eamon Og McAllister pulled one back for the Randalstown side but the momentum was very much with Sarsfield’s as Kevin McKernan pointed at the other end to restore their four point advantage.

The Belfast side were now winning a lot of dirty ball and were more measured in their attacks and Niall McKenna pointed a free and added another one from play to move them six ahead.

Tir na nOg were still fighting hard but the momentum was very much with their opponents and another point from the influential McKenna had Sarsfields seven in front at the short whistle.

The Whitehill side kept going right to the end but there would be no way back as the Sarsfield’s defence stood strong and a couple of pointed Sean Duffin frees in response to points from substitute Nicholas O’ Mullan and man of the match, Niall McKenna brought matters to a close.

The next day, 20 miles down the road at Glenravel it was Kickham’s Creggan’s county player, Conor McCann who guided his side to victory in the other semi-final with a man of the match display against a fancied Emmet’s Cushendun at Fr Maginn Park.

McCann, who missed all of last season through injury only returned to action a few weeks ago, but he showed just how vital he is to his team as he scored 1-10 of their 3-11 total, four of those points coming in the last eight minutes to pull his team clear of danger.

This win certainly made quite a few sit up and take notice. The Kickham’s had endured an injury ravished season and finished bottom of division 2 with only one win from 13 starts and had recorded only one win from 13 starts.

Conor McCann in action against Cushendun’s Conor McHugh during the semi-final

They lost to Sarsfield’s by a goal in Creggan on the opening day of the group stages of the championship but the return to fitness of Conor McCann and several of the other walking wounded has brought about a dramatic change in fortunes and form.

They recovered from the Sarsfields defeat to record an impressive 3-16 to 1-13 win over Oisin Glenariff in Waterfoot and followed that up with a win over St. Paul’s in Belfast and a home win over Con Magee’s Glenravel to qualify for the semi-final.

That impressive win against last year’s beaten finalists Emmet’s Cushendun sets them up with another meeting with Sarsfield’s and an opportunity to avenge that group 2 defeat earlier in the year.

Sarsfield’s suffered a surprise defeat to St. Paul’s on day two at the Bear Pit but recovered to defeat Con Magee’s at Fr. Maginn Park, setting up a winner takes all meeting with Glenariff in the final round 2 game at the Bear Pit.

A Kevin McKernan goal from the penalty spot in the 59th minute turned this bruising Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 2 encounter very much in favour of Sarsfield’s as they overcame the challenge of Oisin, Glenariffe to qualify for a semi-final meeting with Cushendun.

Five minutes previous an Aaron Cosgrove point had moved the visitors three ahead and it looked like the Waterfoot side were on their way to the semis, but it was Sarsfield’s who would finish the stronger.

McKernan’s penalty conversion saw Sarsfield’s run out 2-15 to 1-16 winners to set up that semi-final meeting with Tir na nOg which they won after extra time and another meeting with Creggan on Saturday evening in Dunsilly in the decider.

Both sides are laced with experienced players with the McKernan clan, Gerard, Caolan, Kevin, Daniel and Donal all starting in the semi-final while Jack Daniels, Mark McCavanagh, Enda McCartan, Gary Lennon and Niall McKenna led the Sarsfield’s challenge.

Niall McKenna in action during the semi-fnal win over Tir na nOg

Conor McCann is the man who can swing this one in favour of the Kickham’s and the former county captain is likely to come in for some close attention but Creggan are not a one man team.

His brother Thomas, a former county player himself, Kevin Rice, Aidan McKeown, the Maguires, Aidan and Sam, Ruairi McCann and Jake McAteer are just some of the survivors from Creggan’s last championship final appearance against Carey Faughs in 2021.

The Kickham’s lost that one to a strong Carey Faughs side and were beaten by St. Gall’s in the final back in 2018.

Saturday evenings decider may well come down to whether Conor McCann for Creggan or Niall McKenna for Sarsfields performs to their optimum but both sides have other match winners within their ranks.

In the end it will come down to the side that wants it most and Sarsfield’s certainly displayed that hunger in bagful’s against Tir na nOg and that hunger might just get them over the line over an improving Creggan.

Creggan’s Kevin Rice in action during his team’s win over Cushendun in Saturday’s IHC semi-final in Glenravel. Pic by John McIlwaine