by thesaffrongael

Sarsfield’s advance in thriller at Dreen

U21B Football Championship

Rasharkin 1-15 Sarsfield’s 3-14

St. Mary’s Rasharkin and Patrick Sarsfield’s served up an excellent contest as the U21B Football Championship got under way on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors looked to have sewn matters up at the halfway stage when they led 3-7 to 0-4 after a wind assisted opening half but Rasharkin served up a strong second half performance to cause a bit of anxiety for the men from the Bear Pit.

In the end though it was Sarfield’s who deservedly advanced to the semi-final and on this performance they could be contenders for the title.

The excellent Oisin Casey pointed Rasharkin into the lead after a cagey opening 9 minutes where the home side managed possession into the breeze and it took a further 5 minutes before Brian Healy would kick the equaliser.

Oisin McCamphill was strong in the Rasharkin defence

Indeed the Sarsfield’s forward might well have had a goal but it was Casey who would restore his side’s advantage as he pointed a free in the 15th minute and at this stage the St. Mary’s possession game was working well.

Things changed dramatically as Jack McLaughlin raced clear for a Sarsfield’s goal and further goals from Darren Delander and Brian Healy had the visitors in total control at the break when they led 3-7 to 0-4.

Brian Healey contributed four first half points to add to his goal while their centre half forward kicked two impressive 2 pointers.

Caolan McGarrell was Rasharkin’s other marksman with the other 3 coming from the excellent Oisin Casey who was the St. Mary’s driving force throughout.

Rasharkin were a different animal after the break as they set about eating into the Sarsfield’s lead with Daniel Doherty and 2 from Casey giving them a bright start to the second half.

The visitors were able to keep their noses in front however with Declan Barr fisting over and Healey 0-2 and Fionn Jemfry moving them 13 ahead by the 13th minute.

St. Mary’s were still fighting hard and a great 2 pointer from Oisin Casey and another from closer to goal and another from a Daniel Doherty free had it down to 9 with 12 minutes remaining.

Brian Healy who was outstanding for Sarsfield’s

Se Ferris punished a bad clearance to extend that lead to 10 but the home side were growing in confidence and a fisted goal from their star performer Casey gave them renewed hope.

It came too late to influence the outcome however with Brian Healey replying from a pointed free and Caolan McGarrell and Neil Darragh concluding the scoring with late points for a Rasharkin side, quite a number who are underage next year.

Brian Healey, Fionn Jemfry and Jay Maguire were best for a very good all round Sarsfield’s side while Oisin Casey, Oisin Doherty, Oisin McCamphill and Ciaran O’Neill were strong performers for Rasharkin.

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/qGrf3uSxsc3RCj

by thesaffrongael

Blazing start paves the way for emphatic Tir na nOg victory

U21 B Football Championship

Tír na nÓg 3.14 (23) Ardoyne 0.8

Tír na nÓg got off to a blazing start at Whitehill at mid-day on Sunday, when they hosted Ardoyne Kickhams. They registered 6 scores through 3 points from Connor Hastings (2 frees), Pauric Redmond, Ryan Clarke & Caleb Smith with his first of the day before Ardoyne got off the mark with a 13min free.

The home side hit a further unanswered 4 scores; a 2 pointer from Caolan Hughes & further points from Clarke & Caleb Smith. Before the short whistle Smith rattled the back of the net, leaving the half time score in favour of the home team 1.14 (17) to 0.2.

In the third quarter both teams exchanged scores; Ardoyne hit 2 frees and a third 2 pointer. Tír na nÓg scores came from a Hastings free before Brendan Devlin hit 1.1 to leave the score 2.13 to 0.6.

Ardoyne finished strongly with 2 more points and Tír na nÓg hit a further point from Hastings before the last score of the game saw Caleb Smith fire to the net as the Whitehill side advanced to the semi-final.

Tír na nÓg 1. C. McKenna 2. R. Devlin 3. S. Mckeown 4. T. Bonnes 5. S. Grant 6. P. McCloskey 7. C. Hughes 8. B. Devlin 9. D. McLornon 10. A. O’Donnell 11. R. Clarke 12. S. Martin 13. P. Redmond 14. C. Smith 15. C. Hastings

Subs: Jude Storey for Alex O’Donnell, Conor ONeill for Tiarnan Bonnes, Ciaran McCamphill for Brendan Devlin, Christy Heffron for Ruiari Devlin, Shea Redmond for Conor Hastings.

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon edge past St Enda’s in gripping U21A FC Quarter final encounter

U21A QUARTER-FINAL

St Enda’s  1-7     Aghagallon  2-9

Report & Pics by Brian Hamill

Aghagallon produced a spirited second-half comeback to claim a hard-fought victory over St Enda’s in a pulsating U21A clash that saw momentum swing dramatically at St Enda’s.

Trailing by five points late in the first half, the visitors looked to be in trouble after St Enda’s struck with a long range goal from corner forward Odhran McKenna and a flurry of frees from their lively right half forward Cathair McKenna. Midway through the first half, Aghagallon’s blood substitute Ronan O’Connor scored a goal, before being taken off again! Odhran Rooney was reliable for Aghagallon in the first half, converting two frees.  

Aghagallon regrouped at half time and came out with renewed purpose, overturning the deficit with a mix of grit, guile and clinical finishing.

EJ Loughran was instrumental in the turnaround, hitting four second-half points, two from play and two from placed balls, as Aghagallon gradually reeled in their hosts. His score at 23 minutes, a well-taken point from play, nudged the visitors ahead for the first time since the opening exchanges.

Eoin Maginnis added a crucial goal midway through the second half, powering his way through the defence to finish smartly and give Aghagallon a two-point cushion. Daniel McIlmoyle chipped in with a fine point from play, after coming on for the second half and Loughran’s accuracy from frees kept the scoreboard ticking over as St Enda’s struggled to regain their earlier rhythm.

Aghagallon’s defensive discipline, highlighted by the excellent performances from half back’s Enda McCartan and James McCormack and midfield dynamo Padraig Gowdy helped Aghagallon to regain control of the game that was lacking in the first half. 

Although there was a strong wind down the pitch for the entire game, both teams were more effective playing into the wind, but towards the end, St Enda’s used the wind to kick the ball high and long on a few occasions, as they chased Aghagallon’s lead. 

Aghagallon’s resilience and sharper finishing saw them over the line, securing a 2-9 to 1-7 win and sending a clear message to the rest of the U21 championship contenders.

TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN HAMILL’S PICS FROM TODAYS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/QqmozEGYBrdGZ4

by thesaffrongael

O’Loan drags Con Magees over the line

AIB Ulster junior hurling quarter-final:

Con Magee’s (Antrim) 0-19 Truagh Gaels (Monaghan) 0-16 AET

Con Magees corner forward Conleth O’Loan dragged his team over the line in Sunday’s AIB Ulster junior hurling quarter-final at Pairc Mhuire in Cushendall, finally seeing off the challenge of Monaghan champions Truagh Gaels with three points to spare. Truagh’s David Carville deserves equal credit for herculean efforts, but O’Loan’s just edged it in the man of the match stakes, his three points from play just giving him the edge.

Truagh Gales David Carville who hit 12 of his team’s 16 points

Truagh made the long journey down into the Glens something of an unknown quantity but is soon became apparent that they were not just there to make up the numbers as playing with the wind at their backs they hit the first three points of the game, two of them from Conor McKenna, and they could have been further ahead had they not failed to take an open goal chance. Conleth O’Loan kept his team in touch with points from frees and Callum Higgins chipped in with a fine score from play but Carville kept the Monaghan men that bit ahead until nearing half time when the Con Magees brought it back to a single point at the break,

Most observers would have felt that turning to play with the wind the Antrim champions would soon take control, and when they went 0-09 to 0-08 in front early in the second half you felt the men in green had weathered the storm. However Truagh would not wilt and their doggedness and physical strength, won them frees on a regular basis and Carville punished any indiscretions by send the ball over the bar.

A point from play by corner forward Niall Coyle also proved a great boost and as the half advanced you could see the confidence draining out of the Con Magee, especially up front where O’Loan was ploughing a lone furrow. The last eight points of the half were evenly divided between the two main scorers with Carville adding from all four from placed ball while O’Loan’s stand-out score from play came from a brilliant strike from a narrow angle on the right. Both teams had chances to win the game in injury time but the pressure was really on at this stage and I think both of them were relieved to hear the full time whistle which heralded extra time.

Con Magees Declan McAuley hand passes the ball away as a Truagh opponent challenges

Glenravel looked to have found a new lease of life when they stared the first period of extra time with points from Sean McKay and Conlith O’Loan but the Monaghan men reeled them in again with points from Ethan and David Carville. However the Antirm side finished the half stronger and turned around with a two point advantage. When they stretched that lead to four it seemed they had done enough to book a semi-final place, but they had to hold on to hold out after Carville cut Truagh’s deficit back to three in injury time. They pushed hard for the goal that would have taken the game to penalties and there were many anxious moments for the Con Magees fans before Aidan McAleer’s full time whistle sounded.

Calum Higgins breaks away to send over an early point

Con Magee’s: C O’Loan 0-13 (10fs), S McKay 0-3, C Higgins, D Traynor and F Donaghy 0-1 each.

Truagh: D Carville 0-12 (fs), C McKenna 0-2, E Carville and N Coyle 0-1 each

Con Magee’s : C Quinn, E Mccusker capt., J Duffin, B O’Neill, J Martin, C Lennon, R Lennon, D McAuley, F Donaghy, L Loughlin, S McKay, C Higgins, C O’Loan, D Traynor, C McKeown 

Subs: M McDonnell for J Martin (ht), C Laverty for L Loughlin (57), D Donaghy for C Higgins (70), J McKay for D Traynor (74)

Truagh: N Slevin, N McCollum, C Boyle, D McCloskey, J McAnespie, O Hagan, E Carville, M Flood capt., D McMeel, D Ó Domhnaill, C McKenna, K McGuirk, D Carville, G Mohan, N Coyles.

Subs: N Flood for E Carville (30), G Mohan for D Ó Domhnaill (38), C McKernan for D McCluskey (49), A Coyle for G Mohan (55), D Ó Domhnaill for K McMeel (70), N Flood for G Mohan (70), J Treanor for E Carville (70)

Referee: Aidan McAleer (Donegal)

TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/kCX7WYkt45tG2T/?invite=ab437275-2746-46e2-8b0e-457be7f4def3

by thesaffrongael

St Brigid’s advance in a game of two-halves

Under 21A Football Championship

Cargin 3-08 St Brigid’s 4-09

A penalty conversion in the 62nd minute by Issac Robinson following  foul on Niall Duffy saw St Brigid’s complete a strong comeback to deliver the killer ‘punch’ and book a place in the under-21A championship semi-final at the expense of their hosts, Cargin in a ‘game of two halves in Toome on Sunday.

The home side dominated the opening period with St Brigid’s restricted to less than a handful of scores with Ruairi Mc Erlain raising two white flags, and Joe Logan helping himself to a ‘two pointer’.

Cargin opened positively and had four points on the board by the end of the first quarter and added goals in the second as Conhuir Johnston, Cillian Scullion and Hugh O’ Donnell followed suit despite playing against the breeze.

The Erin’s own side looked to be in a strong position at the break when they led 3-05 to 0-04 as they looked forward to the assistance of the elements in the second period.

Cargin, following an impressive win in the opening round of the under-21A championship, started this quarter started as favourites as they played hosts to St Brigid’s with the weather fine and the breeze assisting the visitors in the opening half.

It was Erin’s own who made a positive start however and Tom Shivers opened their account with an early point and although it took them a time to settle, a Cillian Scullion addition ensured they were a couple of points in front by the 10th minute.

Despite the aid of the breeze the visitors were finding it hard to get going in the early stages and a Fiontan Hardy clearance opened the way for Jack Harbinson to raise white and when Conhuir Johnston added another the hosts had earned a 0-04 to 0-00 advantage and were looking good.

A Ruairi Mc Erlain pointed free got the visitors on to the scoreboard in the 16th minute and Joe Logan followed with an impressive two pointer but Cargin were to finish the first period on top as Tom Shivers sent Conhuir Johnston away to fire home and secure a 1-04 to 0-03 advantage for the Toome side.

Cargin continued to press in the closing stages as a Tom Shivers delivery opened the way for Cillian Scullion to find the back of the net and Conhuir Johnston followed with a point.

They continued to press as the clock counted down as Hugh O’ Donnell completed a movement from defence to attack when he added a third goal with Ruairi McErlaine having the last say as he split the posts for the visitors to leave it 3-05 to 0-04 for the hosts as the half time whistle sounded.

The hosts started the second half with a quick attack and Conhuir Johnston pointed to increase their advantage but the visitors were about to return fire when a Niall Duffy effort from an acute angle nestled in the back of the Cargin net.

JJ Higgins

Tom Scullion quickly replied with a point but St. Brigid’s were beginning to find their feet as they took control in the central zone and JJ Higgins added a second goal and the Musgrave Park side had made impressive inroads into the Cargin lead.

Cargin still retained a three point advantage but that was about to change as Niall Duffy added a point and when the same player added a two pointer the momentum was now very much with the visitors.

St Brigids were now dominating as Duffy added back to back pointed frees and mid fielder Brian McGarrath followed with a goal to ensure a 3-09 to 3-07 lead.

Ben Mc Lernon responded with a point to close the gap to the minimum but their visitors had the scent of victory in their sites and Issac Robinson Stepped forward to despatch a 62nd minute penalty to the net to kill the Cargin challenge and earn his side a place in the semi-finals.

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Fiontan Hardy, Cahir Donnelly, Cahir O’ Boyle, Callum Gribbin, Ben Mc Lernon (0-01), Jack O’ Neill, Charlie Mc Cann, Tom Shivers (1-02), Hugh O’ Donnell (1-00), Jack Harney (0-01), Conan Johnston (0-01), Cillian Scullion (1-00), Cian Scullion, Conhuir Johnston (1-03)

Subs

Patrick O’ Neill

St Brigids: Fergus Canning, Aodhan Mc Nicholl, Sonny Doyle, C Logue, Niall Finnegan, Donnacha Mc Gurk, Eoghan Sheehey, Brian Mc Garrath (1-02*)Josh Toner, Niall Duffy (2-4 2, 2pointers), Issac Robinson (1gl), Ruairi Mc Erlaine (1-2 1-2 pointer), JJ Higgins (1-00), Joe Logan (1-2pts)

Subs:

Joe Mellon,

Conor O’ Connell

Dara Oglisby

Referee: B Toland (Lamh Dhearg)