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by thesaffrongael

Glenavy withstand late rally to take the points

IFC Group 2

Davitt’s 2-5 Glenavy 0-12

St. Joseph’s Glenavy were forced to withstand a late rally from Michael Davitt’s to get their IFC Group 2 campaign up and running with a hard earned win at Davitt’s Park on Saturday evening.

The Chapel Hillside made a bright start in their opening game of the campaign as they raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 10th minute with Patrick Gallagher, Fergal Henry, James Gallagher and Liam Henry on target.

Anthony Rowntree finally got the home side off the mark with a point in the 14th minute but Fergal Henry replied immediately with a point at the other end to restore the visitors four point advantage.

The Gallagher brothers, Patrick and James were giving St. Joseph’s a strong platform at mid-field but Davitt’s were starting to get a foothold and Gerard Slane pointed a free before Nathan Maginn closed the gap to two with a point in the 23d minute.

Finn Shannon moved the Chapel Hill side three ahead with four minutes remaining to the break and they looked to be taking control again but right from the kick-out play was transferred to the other end and Gerard Slane finished to the Glenavy net to tie the contest.

The visitors would finish the half on the front foot however with Patrick Gallagher replying with a late point to leave it 0-7 to 1-3 at the break and all still to play for in the second half.

Glenavy introduced Ciaran Loney to the fray at the start of the second half and ace marksman Fergal Henry extended their lead to two with a point in the 7th minute before Davitt’s stand in keeper, Liam McGivern pulled off an excellent save as the visitors threatened to take control.

Henry again, substitute Dominic Gallagher and two more from the impressive Henry looked to have put the contest out of Davitt’s reach with 7 minutes of normal time remaining but there would be a few anxious moments to endure for the Glenavy faithful.

Despite losing a player to a Black card Davitt’s kept battling to the end with C J Sullivan replying immediately with a point and when Anthony Rowntree fired to the net, two minutes later the fat was back in the fire.

Gerard Slane pointed a 28th minute free to leave just one in it and the momentum was with the men from Davitt’s Park but that would be as close as they would get as Glenavy held on to get their first win in Group 2

Sarsfield’s lead the group with two wins from two starts and look the team to beat at this stage while Glenavy join All Saints on 2 points, both having played one game each.

All Saints travel to Sarsfields for their next game in two weeks-time while Glenavy look to have the easier finish to their campaign with both All Saints and Davitt’s travelling to Chapel Hill.

Davitt’s: 1 Liam McGivern, 2 Caoimhin Rainey, 3 Paul McKinney, 4 Conor Toner, 5 Jack Scally, 6 Anthony Hargan, 7 Odhran O’Kane, 8 Michael Connolly, 9 Niall McParland, 11 Gerard Slane, 13 Nathan Maginn, 14 Anthony Rowntree, 15 Jay Maguire, 17 Marcas Toner,

Subs: 19 Jason Parke, 10 CJ Sullivan

Glenavy: 1 Stephen Daly, 2 Liam Henry, 3 Timmy Honeyford, 4 Rian Phillips, 5 Patrick Fox, 6 Pearse O’Neill, 7 Matthew Lawlor, 8 James Gallagher, 9 Patrick Gallagher, 10 Se O’Neill, 11 Fergal Henry, 12 Malachy Doherty, 13 Finn Shannon, 14 Liam Henry,15 Conor Hamill,

Subs: Ciaran Loney, Dominic Gallagher.

Referee:

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by thesaffrongael

Carey stars in Glenravel win

Division 2A Minor Camogie

A hat-trick of goals in each half from Sorcha Carey secured the Minor Division 2A camogie title for Brídíní Óga Glenravel in their final league game in Toome on Friday evening.

Both teams fielded short of full strength due to holidays. Nevertheless they served up an entertaining hour’s camogie with the unbeaten Glenravel side generally in control despite the best efforts of Róisín Quinn and Amy Johnston at the back for Cargin.

The winners’ defence was solid throughout with the half-back line of Lucia McQuillan and youngsters Ceoline McKeown and Dana McKenna clearing well while the excellent Orlaith Gould covered every blade of grass. Up front top-scorer Sorcha Carey was well supported by captain Anna O’Kane.

The captain got the scoring started with a point, but Cáitríona Fagan hit back for the home side. Two goals inside 60 seconds from Sorcha Carey however opened a gap. The Cargin defence though stepped up for the next ten minutes to prevent any more scores while captain Emer McErlean forced home a goal from close range at the other end.

That score however seemed to rouse Brídíní Óga once more and Carey quickly completed her hat-trick and tagged on a point. Although Caoimhe McErleaen responded with a Cargin point, a goal from Anna O’Kane and late points from Orlaith goal and Sorcha Carey meant that Glenravel turned around with a 4-5 to 1-2 lead.

Points from Cathy Craig and Caitriona Fagan on the re-start reduced the deficit, but Carey, now operating at full-forward, turned her marker and buried her fourth goal.

Midway through the second half Caoimhe McCann forced home a sixth goal for Brídíní Óga before Caoimhe McErlean hit back with a goal direct from a 35m free. But Sorcha Carey was causing all sorts of problems at the other end and got in for another goal before Emer McErlean hit back with an excellent strike off her left at the other end. However Carey brought her individual total to an excellent six goals and five points with the final score of the day.

The minor championship is next on the agenda and Brídíní Óga move up to the Minor A grade. They host Ahoghill next Friday evening while Cargin get their defence of the B title under way with a home quarter-final tie against Rossa also on Friday.

Brídíní Óga: Catherine Irvine, Emma McKeown, Emer McCann, Hannah McDonnell, Ceoline McKeown, Lucia McQuillan, Dana McKenna, Orlaith Gould 0-2, Katie McDonnell, Sorcha Carey 6-5, 0-1 free, Anna O’Kane captain 1-2, Ashley Anderson, Cainah Stephens, Emer Donnelly, Caoimhe McCann 1-0.

Subs: Orlaith McDonnell for C Stephens, Clara O’Neill 0-1 for A Anderson, Lára McDonnell for C McCann

Cargin scorers: Emer McErlean 2-0, Caoimhe McErlean 1-1, 1-0 free, Cáitríona Fagan 0-2, Cathy Craig 0-1.

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

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by thesaffrongael

Lámhs join Dunloy at the summit of Group 1

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship, Group 1

Lámh Dhearg 2-24-0-05 Naomh Eanna

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown

Lámh Dhearg joined Dunloy at the summit of group 1 in the Antrim Senior Football Championship after defeating Naomh Eanna in their opening round clash at Hannahstown on Saturday evening.

It is the third time that the duo have been drawn together in the same group in recent years with both sides registering a victory in their double meeting in 2021 and drawing last year’s encounter on the hill.

Visitors St Enda’s travelled to Hannahstown without the services of Peter Healy, Fionn Nagle and Odhran Eastwood amongst others.

The hosts came flying from the traps with Marc Jordan popping over the opener after a trademark burst from deep, Conor Murray doubled the lead moments later and Paddy Cunningham dropping over from a fine Declan Lynch switch.

Murray added to his personal tally with an angled point and Cunningham converted his first free of the evening in the aftermath.

A goal almost arrived a quarter of an hour in, Declan Smith floated a high ball that Conor Murray got a fist to- but his goal-bound attempt crashed off the underside of the bar and was scrambled clear.

Defence turned to attack for St Enda’s, and they kicked their first score of the half through a Sean McBride shot that dropped over.

A foul on Paddy Cunningham afforded the lethal free-taker the chance to restore the hosts five-point advantage and he obliged.

Their lead was extended when Declan Smith and Ben Rice kicked nice points, Paddy Cunningham added his third from the placed ball and Conor Murray held off his man and shot over on the turn under pressure to open up a 0-10-0-01 lead.

More would follow before the break with Cunningham adding another point from a free and his second from play, Conor Murray notched his first free and Declan Smith conjured up a second point of the half.

Sean McBride would convert a close-range free in between times, but his side faced an uphill task at the break, trailing 0-14-0-02.

Despite playing against the elements in the second period, Lámh Dhearg picked up where they left off.

Paddy Cunningham swung over his third from play, Marc Jordan blasted over, and Daniel Murray clipped over after a turnover.

The opening goal arrived on the 37th minute after Pearse Fitzsimons broke the kick-out and let Marc Jordan take up the reins.

Jordan bore down on goal and saw his low shot parried by Sean Nagle, and Fitzsimons scrambled the loose ball home to make it 1-17-0-02.

St Enda’s talisman McBride curled over a fantastic point in reply only for Marc Jordan to double his account.

The visitors should have found a goal of their own after breaching the Lámhs defensive rear-guard, though Gerard Smyth spread himself well and denied Odhran McKenna.

To their credit, St Enda’s didn’t let the heads drop and they kicked successive points for the first time in the aftermath of a third Declan Smith point.

Sean McBride took his tally for four with a second converted free before Conor Maxwell laid the ball into the path of Tomas Gilmour to swing over.

Lámh Dhearg would finish strongly as Ben Rice fisted over, substitute Callum Fegan took an offload and kicked his first point and Declan Lynch found range.

Their work-rate didn’t stop as Eoin Matassa forced a turnover high up field and shot over and a second goal arrived with little over 60-seconds of regulation time to go.

Marc Jordan linked up with Callum Fegan, ran towards goal and slotted to the bottom corner to make it 2-23-0-05.

Substitute Ciaran Boyd would finish the scoring for the evening as the hosts got off the mark at the first time of asking.

The Lámhs will hope to make it two from two when they make the short trip to Crumlin in little under two-week’s time, while St Enda’s will hope to get back on track on home soil against Dunloy.

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LÁMH DHEARG: G Smyth, B Rice (0-02), M McGarry, R Murray, E McKeown, D Lynch (0-01), D Smith (0-03), P Fitzsimons (1-00), M Jordan (1-03), D Murray, S McManus, E Matassa (0-01), P Cunningham (0-07, 0-04f), C Murray (0-05, 0-01f), T McCrudden. Subs: F Mervyn for R Murray (28), C Fegan (0-01) for P Cunningham (44), D Martin for D Murray (44), C Boyd (0-01) for S McManus (49), M Lowe for E McKeown (52).

NAOMH EANNA: S Nagle, E O’Hare, D McNulty, C McKeown, R Hamilton, C Lyttle, N Heatley, C Maxwell, S Murray, F O’Connor, T Gilmour (0-01), C Morgan, S McBride (0-04, 0-02f), L Murray, R Kelly. Subs: O McKenna for F O’Connor (27), C McCabe for C Maxwell (46), A McCann for T Gilmour (49).

REFEREE: Darren McKeown (NAOMH GALL)

by thesaffrongael

Early goals the key to success for the reigning champions

Senior Football Championship Group 2

Erin’s Own Cargin 5-10 O’ Donovan Rossa 0-12

Reigning county champions, Erin’s Own Cargin struck with three early goals in the opening six minutes to overcome the challenge of visitors Rossa in this SFC Group 2 opener in Toome on Saturday evening.

Michael Mc Cann had the ball in the back of the net in the opening minute with Conhuir Johnston and James Laverty following suit shortly after to lay the foundations for victory and ask questions aplenty to their city based visitors.

Rossa were caught unawares in the opening minute as David Johnston’s found Michael Mc Cann in front of the posts and the full forward was not about to fluff his lines.

The visitors hardly had time to recover from the opening strike when the home side added a second as Conan Johnston placed Conhuir Johnston to fire home, following a fine fetch and delivery from Benen Kelly.

Rossa replied with points from Dominic Mc Enhill (2) and a long range effort by Stephen Beatty in answer to a fine Conan Johnston score.

Goal number three arrived for the Toome men shortly after as a super catch on the ‘40’ by Jamie Gribbin sent Tom Shivers to finish to the net and the impressive Benen Kelly raised back to back points before the visitors lost a player to a second yellow card.

Rossa did have the last say of the opening half when Dominic McEnhill pointed a free just prior to the short whistle with the home side ahead 4-03 to 0-05 as the sides left the field for the half time break.

Erin’s Own started the second half with a ten point advantage but Hugh Mc Gettigan’s charges were quick to add to their tally on the restart as Richie Gowdy delivered between the posts in the 33rd minute.

James Laverty replied at the other end before Cormac McGettigan’s long range strike yielded another for the Shaw’s Road side.

The visitors were battling hard with Stephen Beatty and Cormac Mc Gettigan trying to rally their side but after Conhuir Johnston and Rossa net minder Michael Byrne swapped points they were hit with a fourth goal.

A superb fetch and delivery by Benen Kelly opened the way for Tom Shivers to fire over and to move the home side 4-09 to 0-08 ahead at the end of the third quarter.

The visitors were still giving it everything and replied with a point from Dominic McEnhill but the tome men were quick to respond again as James Laverty and Pat Shivers split the posts.

Tom Shivers added another before Jamie Gribbin and James Laverty combined to open the way for Shivers to add his second and his side’s fifth goal to put the contest out of sight.

Cargin had it all wrapped up  but Rossa, to their credit kept going to the end and were rewarded with late points from replacement Patrick Moyes and Cormac Mc Gettigan (2) but these were very much consolation scores at this stage of the contest.

A good start to this year’s championship by the reigning champions and on this performance they look the side that the others will have to beat if they are to wrestle the title from them.

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Benen Kelly (0-03), Kevin Mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, Justin Crozier, Jamie Gribbin, James Laverty (1-02), Pat Shivers (0-02), Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Tom Shivers (2-03), Conan Johnston (0-01), Tomas Mc Cann, Michael Mc Cann, Conhuir Johnston (1-02)

Subs

Paudie Mc Laughlin

Sean Og O’ Neill

Enda Mc Grogan

Jack Harney

Rossa: Michael Byrne (0-01), Adam Devlin, Ciaran Orchin, Jack Morris, Niall Crossan, Gerard Walsh, Richard Gowdie, Eoghan Mc Menamin, Oisin Mc Vicar, Conall Mc Donnell, Cormac Mc Gettigan (0-03), Stephen Beatty (0-01), Cathan Canavan, Dominic Mc Enhill (0-06), Colm Fleming

Subs

Patrick Moyes (0-01)

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)

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