Category / U21 Hurling Championship

by thesaffrongael

Rossa hold on for the win over gritty St. Enda’s

Antrim U21 Hurling Championship quarter-final

O’Donovan Rossa 1-15 Naomh Éanna 2-10

Pics by Kevin Herron

Rossa came out top in this excellent U21A Hurling Championship quarter-final at Shaw’s Road on Monday night. The home side were pushed all the way by a gritty St. Enda’s however and their cause wasn’t helped when they had a player sent off, midway through the second half.

It came just after Diarmaid Rogan saw his penalty crash off an upright and just seconds later, the hosts were dealt a double blow when they had a man sent off. However they managed to dig in and see themselves home and set up a semi-final meeting with Dunloy in seven days time.

The hosts had enjoyed much the better start with Corey Walsh getting through for the opening score after two minutes and this was a lead Rossa would hold for the remainder of the game. 

Naomh Éanna wasted a couple of early opportunities but it was Rossa who struck a vital blow when Eoin Trainor finished to the net at the second time of asking after his initial effort had been saved by Oisin O’Conghaile in the visitors goals.

Rogan then converted a 65 and a free before the visitors finally registered through Luke O’Connor in the 12th minute but Trainor and Short replied for the Shaw’s Road men to put them in a strong position midway through the opening half.

St. Enda’s rallied however with O’Connor pointing when a goal looked on and Malachi McGibbon added another from distance.

Corey Walsh replied for the home side, but the momentum was with Naomh Éanna and they were right back in it in the 20th minute as McGibbon dropped a free from his own half into the danger area and the sliotar broke out to Kane who pulled first time to the far corner of the net.

Rogan converted another free in response but Naomh Éanna struck for a second goal in the 25th minute as O’Connor placed Ciaran McAlister and he had space to gather and fire home.

Pic by Kevin Herron

Trainor and O’Connor would exchange points in the lead up to half time and at the break it was Rossa who led 1-10 to 2-4 but at this stage it still looked there for the taking by both sides.

O’Connor cut the gap back to two within seconds of the restart, but Rossa replied with two from Keevan Grieve to move four ahead.

St. Enda’s were starting to gain in confidence as McGibbon fired over a long range free and O’Connor sent over his fifth from play and it was back to two again before Rossa were awarded a penalty after substitute Daire Morgan was bundled over.

Rogan’s well struck effort rebounded of an upright and in the follow up tempers boiled over and Grieve was immediately shown a red before normal service was resumed.

Things appeared to have swung in the direction of the Hightown side as Luke O’Connor’s 65 had the gap down to one, but crucially, Naomh Éanna couldn’t get on terms as Corey Walsh hit back with his third of the evening.

McGibbon from distance for the visitors and Rogan from a close range free exchanged further points as the intensity of the game rose with both teams giving it absolutely everything with the game still very much in the melting pot.  

The Rossa defence was coming under increasing pressure but were well up to the task with Conor Boyle anchoring them superbly.

St. Enda’s pressed again and a McGibbon free as the game entered added time left the minimum in it again, but Rossa broke clear and won a free that Rogan tapped over to seal their passage into the last four.

The night’s other quarter-final saw Dunloy edge Ballycastle by 2-16 to 2-15.

Rossa: D Boylan; B Crawford, C Boyle, B Hegarty; C Shortt, R May, D Cunningham; D Rogan (0-5, 4f, 1 65), M McKiernan; K Grieve (0-2), P Short (0-1), L McEnhill; C Walsh (0-3), E Trainor (1-3), N May.

Sub: D Morgan for D Cunningham (42).

Naomh Éanna: O O’Conghaile; M McAlister, R Eager, Conor McAlister; Ciaran McAlister (1-0), M McGibbon (0-4, 2f), E Duffy; O O’Cuinn, C O’Connor; M O’Gorman, E Logue, L O’Connor (0-6, 1 65); R Bradley, F Kane (1-0), D O’Kane.

Subs: D Mackin for E Logue (HT), C McGinley for E Duffy (51), A Ashe for D O’Kane (56).

Referee: John O’Connor (Ballygalget)

for more of Kevin Herron’s photos from the game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/4WHsxvPjVi69FU/?invite=addc2de9-595f-4628-893b-270f67875749

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons Recover to Claim U20 Title

Ulster U20 Hurling Cup Final

Antrim 2-13 Derry 0-11

Saturday 11 March

Brendan McTaggart reports from Owenbeg

Antrim recovered from a poor first half at a wintry Owenbeg to take the U20 honours against Derry.  Eight points separated the sides at the end of the hour with Antrim’s majors the difference.  Aidan Scullion finding the back of the net in each half that gave the Saffrons the edge against the Oakleaf men.

Derry will look at the first half when despite taking a one point lead into the break, they really should have been further ahead.  Before Antrim’s first goal, they had held Paudie Shivers men scoreless for 15 minutes but only managed to score three points in that same period of time while firing six wides.  It felt like they had let Antrim off the hook with their lack of accuracy and it proved to be so.  Once Scullion fired the first of Antrim’s majors, Derry never dominated another period of time to effectively put the Saffrons under any score board pressure.

The Saffrons played with more intensity in the second half and Scullion’s second goal midway through the half put daylight between the sides.  The introduction of Darragh Patterson, Cormac McKeown and Jack McCloskey all proving pivotal in the second half as Antrim held Derry to just three points in that period , controlling the game and dominating the Oakleaf men.

Antrim full forward Aidan Scullion gets in among the Derry defence to steer home his team’s decisive second goal during Saturday’s Ulster Under 20 final at Owenbeg

Playing against the wind, Antrim made a bright start.  Aodhan Scullion fired over his first of four match points to open the scoring before James Friel restored parity for Derry.  Both sides were lacking precision in those opening exchanges with the elements certainly not conducive for flowing hurling.  McGarry did split the posts only for Ruairi O’Mianian to bring the sides level once again.

Niall McGarel split the uprights in the 12th minute to edge Antrim ahead once more, a tidy score that underpinned his performance in the opening quarter.  He was proving to be a handful for Derry defence and Antrim couldn’t get enough ball his way.  It would be the Saffrons last score for a quarter of the game however as Derry turned the screw in the middle of the pitch. 

Friel landed a trio of points from placed ball (1 ’65) but a number of wides from open play and frees hurt the Derry challenge.  They led by two points and were winning every second ball in the middle third with the Saffrons struggling to get out of their own half.

Antrim did finally break the rut and did so in the best possible way.  Joseph McLaughlin finding Scullion who despite being some distance out, went for goal.  His effort fizzed low and Derry ‘keeper Cathan McElhinney managed to get his hurl to the sliotar but he could only deflect it to the back of the net.

The major came against the run of play and it was most definitely needed for the Saffrons as they weren’t at the races against a barrage of Derry pressure.  They followed up Scullion’s major with another McGarel point to go two clear but Derry hit back.  Friel fired over from a ’65 and a free either side of Keelan Doherty’s point to give Derry a 0-8 to 1-4 lead at the short whistle.

Antrim full forward Aidan Scullion pulls the ball to the Derry net for the second of his two goals

Scullion’s major gave the Saffrons a lifeline for the second half.  They had the breeze at their back and had already shown in the first half their forwards were capable of causing major problems.  They needed to tighten up the middle third and the introduction of Darragh Patterson allowed them to do that.  He played at the heart of the defence as a sweeper as Antrim pegged Derry into their own half for long periods of the second half. 

Six minutes had past after the restart when they had retaken the lead.  Scullion and McGarry splitting the uprights before Joseph McLaughlin followed suit after good work by captain Eoin Trainor in the middle of the field.

Antrim too were guilty of a number passing up on a number of chances with their tally of wides growing in those opening exchanges but the first Derry score of the second half didn’t come until the 44th minute, Keelan Doherty finding the target to bring Derry to within touching distance.

It was as close as they got to the Saffrons however as Shivers’ men scored their second major soon after.  Daire McMullan’s long free wasn’t dealt with in the heart of the Derry full back line and Scullion was on hand to pull the sliotar to the back of the net. 

Jack McCloskey fired over with the next attack to put five between the sides as Antrim played with more precision and intensity in the middle of the park.

Substitute Segdae Melaugh split the posts for Derry in the 50th minute to leave four between the sides, Melaugh’s introduction certainly giving Derry another option in attack and he was in the thick of the action for the Oakleaf men but the Antrim defence were well on top with Derry living off crumbs.

The scores began to come a bit more freely in the closing stages with Cormac McKeown, Ryan Mort (two), Aodhan McGarry (free) and Christy McGarry all raising a white flag in a five minute spell that saw the Saffrons add gloss to the score line but it was nothing short of what their second half showing deserved.

Ruairi O’Mianian fired over in injury time for Derry but it was too little too late as Antrim ran out comfortable winners in the end.

They now go into the Leinster championship round robin  where they will play Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.

Antrim: Eoghan Richmond; Ben McGarry, Ruairi McCormick, Dubhaltach Wilson; Daire McMullan, Eoin Trainor, Conor Boyle; Eoin McFerran, Connor Dickson; Aodhan McGarry, Joseph McLaughlin, Christy McGarry; Ryan Mort, Aidan Scullion, Niall McGarel

Subs: Darragh Patterson for C Boyle (HT); Cormac McKeown for E Trainor (41); Jack McCloskey for J McLaughlin (41); Seamie McIntosh for N McGarel (52); Ronan McCollum for A Scullion (58)

Scorers: A Scullion 2-1; A McGarry 0-4 (1f); N McGarel 0-2; R Mort 0-2; J McLaughlin 0-1; C McGarry 0-1; C McKeown 0-1; J McCloskey 0-1

Derry: Cathan McElhinney; Andy McBride, Aimon Duffin, Mark McEldowney; John McAllister, James Friel, Callum O’Kane; Ronan McNamee, Eunan Boylan; Ruairi O’Mianian, Niall McGonagle, Jack Cassidy; Conor Murtagh, Eamon Cassidy, Keelan Doherty

Subs: Segdae Melaugh for C Murtagh (HT); Ruaidhri McLaughlin for R McNamee (37); Conan Bradley for E Boylan (53)

Scorers: J Friel 0-6 (4fs 2’65s); R O’Mianian 0-2; K Doherty 0-2; S Melaugh 0-1

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan)

by thesaffrongael

Antrim U20’s face tough opener

Ulster U20 Football |C|hampionship

Derry v Antrim

Owenbeg-8-00pm

Niall Jackman’s Antrim face a tough opener when they take on Derry at Owenbeg in the opening round of the Ulster U20 Football Championship on Friday night. The Saffrons have failed to win any of their cup games going into Friday night’s meeting with Derry but have improved as the early season competition has progressed.

They lost heavily in their opening game against Tyrone in Portglenone but showed marked improvement away to Louth and Down and Jackman feels these games will stand to them going into the Derry game while conceding they will start as outsiders.

They face an Oak Leaf side who will be backboned by players from the All Ireland winning Minor team of two years ago and who will start this championship as favourites to go all the way in many people’s eyes.

In 2020 Antrim caused an upset when they defeated Derry in the quarter-final of the U20 championship at the Dub before losing narrowly to eventual winners Tyrone in the semi-final in Lavey.

Last year they lost to Fermanagh in the opening round in Brewster Park and will go into Friday night’s game as rank outsiders but Niall Jackman is hopeful they can cause an upset. “It’s going to be a huge challenge against Derry but there is no expectation on us and I suppose that takes the pressure off us to an extent”

Portglenone’s Ruairi Hagan
Cathal Hynds of Glenrave

“We’ve been building the squad over the last six weeks in the preseason Cup competitions and the hope is that it will all come together on Friday evening. It’s going to be a huge challenge but there is no expectation on us” said the Fermanagh native.

Antrim have seven or eight players from last year with St. Brigid’s, Cargin, Portglenone and Glenravel supplying the bulk of the team. Ronan Boyle of St. Brigid’s played for Antrim seniors in a McKenna Cup win over Down at Pairc Esler this year and performed well for Enda McGinley’s side.

Boyle can play anywhere in the side while Declan  Heery, Ruairi Hagan, Aidan McAleese, Sean Duffin, Cathal Hynds, Paudie McLaughlin, Rian Lennon, Michael Ferris and Sean O’Neill are all likely to start while Portglenone defender Dan McNicholl could get the nod for a starting place after recovering from an injury that has seen him miss the pre-season cup games.

Fionn Nagle of St. Enda’s and Ronan McKillop of All Saints are likely to miss out through injury but whoever plays, the news coming out of the Antrim camp indicates that the team are in good spirits and looking forward to facing Derry.

We at the Saffron Gael wish them the best of luck at Owenbeg and hope to be there to bring you coverage of the game.

by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel cruise to the final

U20 Hurling Championship

Loughgiel 5-17 Dunloy 0-4

Saturday October 23

Brendan McTaggart reports from Armoy

Loughgiel cruised to the u20 final on Saturday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of a young Dunloy side.  The Cuchullains came into the semi-final as the underdogs and a lengthy list of players ruled out due to injuries and covid meant a difficult task was made even greater but the Shamrocks were unstoppable on the day.

A relentless, clinical, incisive attacking performance, Loughgiel dominated Dunloy for the full hour as they went through the gears and showed their attacking prowess.  Rian McMullan excelling on the inside forward line with 3-6 to his name over the hour while Christy McGarry, Damien Quinn and Ryan Hill were all on top form.

The midfield duo of Shane O’Boyle and Cathal Hargan were tireless in their efforts for the Shamrocks while in defence, Declan McCloskey was outstanding.  He was ably assisted by Enda Og McGarry and Ruairi McCloskey who turned any potential Dunloy threats.

The Cuchullains struggled to get make any inroads in a superb Loughgiel defence, failing to score from play while the Shamrocks were irresistible in attack.  4-13 of their final score tally coming from play and points from all angles and outlets.  

Loughgiel started quickly and McMullan had his goal of the game by the third minute.  Collecting a long ball delivered by Odhran McGrath, McMullan was clinical when the chance came his way.

The Shamrocks kept the scoreboard ticking with an exhibition of point taking, Christy McGarry’s 12th minute side line a highlight as they ran into a 14 point lead by the half time whistle.

If Loughgiel were content to go for points in the first half, their frame of mind changed after the restart as they were ruthless in taking their chances, despite emptying their bench in the process.

Odhran McGrath scored the second Loughgiel major after just 15 seconds of the second half while four minutes later Cathal Hargan netted to take the Loughgiel lead to 21 points.

Dunloy tried to stave off the wave of Shamrock attacks and defended in numbers but Loughgiel were just too good on the day.

A penalty from McMullan on 47 minutes came before Barry Scott was sent off for the Cuchullains for a second bookable offence.  

The fifth Loughgiel goal came with five minutes of time remaining and McMullan completing his hat-trick to add further gloss to the scoreline for the Shamrocks.

Loughgiel are getting it right in the underage ranks once again and they will have a sterner test in the final against Ballycastle but the future looks bright for the men at Fr Healy Park.

TEAMS

Loughgiel: Ruairi McCormick; Conal McCloskey, Ruairi McCloskey, Conor Henry; Enda Og McGarry, Declan McCloskey, Tiarnan McAlonan; Shane O’Boyle, Cathal Hargan; Michael McGarry, Damien Quinn, Ryan Hill; Rian McMullan, Odhran McGrath, Christy McGarry

Scorers: Rian McMullan 3-6 (1-00 pen, 3fs); Cathal Hargan 1-1; Odhran McGrath 1-00; Declan McCloskey 0-2 (1f); Damien Quinn 0-2; Ryan Hill 0-2; Christy McGarry 0-2; Michael McGarry 0-1; Shane O’Boyle 0-1

Dunloy: Paul Doherty; Seanna Martin, Barry Scott, Daire Watterson; Daire McMullan, Rory Mullan, Sean Scullion; Eoin McFerran, Padraig McGilligan; Oisin Elliott, Ryan Mort, Callum Mullan; Conal Elliott, Cathain Martin, Eoin O’Kane

Scorers: Oisin Elliott (1f); Eoin McFerran (1f); Callum Mullan (1f); Conal Elliott (1f)

Referee: Fiontann McCotter (Sarsfields)

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy finish strongly to beat Cushendall

U20 Hurling Championship – Group 2

Dunloy 3-17 Cushendall 2-11

When Ronan McAteer pointed a Cushendall free 14 minutes into the second half of Monday evening’s U20 Group 2 game in Dunloy the Ruairis were just two points behind the home side and it looked like we were in for a tight finish. However Cushendall failed to raise a flag during the next twenty minutes as Dunloy took complete control, scoring 8 points without reply to keep their chances of a semi-final spot alive. The Cuchullains are currently in second spot, but if Cushendall were to beat Ballycastle by more than 2 points in their final game of the round robin series on September 18th then they could still get the second spot.

Cushendall started well and points from Calum Kilgore and Padraig McKillop put them 2 ahead after 6 minutes. Dunloy opened their account with a point from Dara McMullan but two more from the visitors through Colm McKeegan and Ronan McAteer had them 0-4 to 0-1 up after ten minutes. Things got even better for Cushendall, and after Dunloy pulled another point back they came back with 2 more from McAteer and one from McKillop to open up a 0-7 to 0-2 lead by the 18th minute.

Dunloy were showing little signs of what was to come, but that all changes in a three minute spell between the 21st and 24th minutes when they came back with a goal and 3 points to edge in front for the first time, the goal coming from corner forward 1Calum McMullan and the points from Ryan Mort, Dara McMullan and Eoin McFerran

Padraig McKillop levelled for Cushendall with a point from a free and though Oisin Elliott and Eoin McFerran put Dunloy ahead again, a strong finish to the opening half by Cushendall brought a McKillop point and a goal from full forward Colm McKeegan, which gave his side a two point lead at the break. (1-9 to 0-10)

A Ronan McAteer point within a minute of the restart put three between the sides but Dunloy came back with points from Ruairi Mullan and Barry Scott to cut the deficit to just one. When Colum McKeegan grabbed Cushendall’s second goal from a penalty the visitors were back in front, but Dunloy hit back with two goals of their own through Barry McCloskey and Ryan Mort to give the Cuchullains a lead they would not relinquish.

When Ronan McAteer pointe a free on 44 minutes a tight finish looked to be on the cards, but Cushendall would only raise one more flag for the rest of the game as Dunloy took control. Dunloy’s 2 point lead was stretched to 10 as they hit 8 points on the trot, three of them from Barry McCloskey, two from Ruairi Mullan and one each from Daithi Cree, Oisin Elliott and Ryan Mort to wrap up the win.

DUNLOY

Paul Doherty, Seanie Martin, Barry Scott, Cathair McCloskey, Cathin Martin, Ruairi Mullan, Dara McMullan Ryan Mort, Eoin McFerran, Barry McCloskey, Oisin Elliott, Conal Kelly, Callum McMullan, Daithi Cree, Conal Elliott

CUSHENDALL

Joshua Schnell, Michael Quinn, Senan Black, Declan McGill, Conor McCollam, Shane McKenna, Mark Emerson, Calum Kilgore, Aidan Ritson, Ronan McAteer, Pierce McKeegan, Padraig McKillop, Daniel Laverty, Colm McKeegan, Matthew McCann.

Referee – Fiontann McCotter