Casements remember club great as they claim u16 crown.

U16 ‘A’ Football Championship Final

Portglenone 0-15 Dunloy 1-9

Thursday 11 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

Portglenone recovered from a five point half time deficit to defeat Dunloy and claim the U16 football championship on Thursday evening at Dunsilly.  It was a remarkable turnaround by the Casements who produced a dominant midfield display, spearheaded superbly by captain Tom Convery. 

Convery would finish the hour top scorer for his side, all of his five points coming from placed ball while his ‘two pointer’ free came in the 28^th minute of the second half giving his side a lead and one they wouldn’t relinquish.

Convery had plenty of support with his partnership with Thomas Douthart at midfield pivotal to winning this game.  Conor Burns and Conor McKeever were livewires throughout, scoring six points evenly between them but it was their retention of the ball and ability to find a man off the shoulder that proved to be the difference.

Being five clear at half time, the Cuchullains were well set to push on in the second half.  Portglenone did have the lion’s share of possession for long periods of the opening 30 but when Dunloy broke on the counter, they were certainly much more clinical than their Portglenone counterparts.

Jack McQuillan had an excellent game with a flawless performance from placed ball while being in the right place to score the only goal of the game in the 14^th minute.  McQuillan would finish with 1-7 and while Oisin O’Brien and Paidi O’Kane always looked threatening, the organisation from Portglenone throughout the pitch was superb to leave the Cuchullains living off scraps in the second half.

Despite McQuillan pointing for the opening score of the final with a free in the second minute, it was the Casements who settled quicker.  They rattled off points from Tom Convery (free), Burns and McKeever to led by two after 10 minutes.  Remarkably, that would be the last time they would register a score in the half as a series of Dunloy pressure and wasteful shooting hurt their challenge.

Dunloy looked to settle into the game with Eanna McGuckian coming deeper to get involved and it was his piece of individual brilliance that created the only goal of the game.  Coming in from the right, McGuckian straightened up and looked to lob the ball into the top corner.  Eoghan Smith scrambled to get a hand on to the ball but he deflected it into the path of McQuillan who made no mistake from close range.

Dunloy took full advantage of Portglenone’s wastefulness with scores coming from O’Brien, a brace of frees from McQuillan while Jamie McMullan pointed in first half injury time with the score of the half, finishing a flowing move before splitting the uprights.

The second half was pure dominance from Portglenone who showed their intentions from the off.  They created a goal scoring opportunity with Cillian McDonnell through on goal but his effort was well saved by Damian McMahon in the Dunloy goals.

Dunloy had their own chance at the other end of the pitch only for Euan Molloy’s effort to be deflected clear when the Cuchullains corner forward did well to create the chance despite the unfavourable angle.

Burns pointed for his second of the evening before Patrick Jr O’Boyle left a goal between them just nine minutes into the second half but there’s no doubt the Casement’s corner forward had a major on his mind.  The ball fell to O’Boyle after Frank McAleese’s goal bound effort was saved by McMahon, he went for power off the deck but his effort was tipped over the bar superbly by the Dunloy ‘keeper, McMahon.

A free from Tom Convery and points from Burns and Douthart brought parity to the sides by the half way mark of the second half with Portglenone scenting blood.  O’Boyle had another chance for goal only for McMahon to deny him once again while Oisin Convery’s rebound was stopped on the line by Dunloy’s Ollie McClements.

McQuillan pointed a free in the 49^th minute to give the Cuchullains the lead once more and briefly halt the Portglenone charge and when he split the uprights moments later, it looked like Dunloy had weathered the Portglenone storm.

A brace of points each for McKeever and McQuillan (free) had Dunloy two up with five minutes remaining but Portglenone and Tom Convery in particular, kept momentum their way in the closing stages.

A brace of frees from Convery, the second a huge two pointer gave the Casements the lead while further scores came from Oisin Convery and Douthart before the final whistle.

A superb turnaround and second half display from the Casement’s with Tom Convery having the presence of mind to remember club stalwart and Portglenone legend, Seamus McCarry in his acceptance speech.  A poignant moment among the scenes of celebration under the Dunsilly floodlights.

TEAMS

PORTGLENONE:  Eoghan Smith; Joe Duffin, Cillian McKenna, Patrick John O’Boyle; Cillian McDonnell, Frank McAleese, Ronan McAleer; Tom Convery, Thomas Douthart; Phelim McCloskey, Conor Burns, Conor McKeever; Patrick Jr O’Boyle, Charlie Convery, Oisin Convery

Subs: Ethan Mahany for C Convery (35); Conan McKeever for PJ O’Boyle (35); Jack Kearney for O Convery (60)

Scorers:  T Convery 0-5 (3fs, 1TPF); C Burns 0-3; C McKeever 0-3; T Douthart 0-2; P Jr O’Boyle 0-1; O Convery 0-1

DUNLOY:  Damian McMahon; PJ Molloy, Conal McFerran, Ollie McClements; Jamie McMullan, Peader Doherty, Cillian Cunning; James McGarry, John Ferguson; Oisin O’Brien, Paidi O’Kane, Ollie Johnston; Euan Molloy, Jack McQuillan, Eanna McGuckian

Subs: Blaine Mullan for O Johnston (41)

Scorers: J McQuillan 1-7 (6fs); O O’Brien 0-1; J McMullan 0-1

Referee: Dermot Scullion (St Malachy’s)

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The senior championship Quarter finals are fixed tor this week-end with the action centred on three locations, and the fare on show is certain to draw big crowds to the three chosen venues, Dunsilly, Toome and Hannahstown.

There are also quarter-finals in the Junior Football Championship while a number of games still to play in the Intermediate championship that could determine the eventual semi-finalists in that grade.

JFC Quarter Final

Ardoyne v Pearses

Fennell Park Friday 7-00pm

This opening quarter-final brings together near neighbours, Kickham’s Ardoyne and Pearses with both sides recovering from a bad start in the championship to make the play-offs.

Ardoyne lost their opening game in Group 1 to championship favourites, St. Agnes but went on to beat Cardinal O’Donnell’s and St. Malachy’s to finish in second place in the group and will start this one as slight favourites.

Their opponents Padraig Pearses recovered from defeat to Laochra Loch Lao to pip Eire Og for honours in Group 2 and look to be running into form just at the right time so this one could go either way.

JFC Quarter-Final

Woodlands Friday 7-00pm

Eire Og v O’Donnell’s

Eire Og came out of the start traps with all guns blazing and scored five goals in both their opening group games before being pipped by Pearses in their final group game.

They would appear to be the in-form team going into this one against O’Donnell’s but the MacRory park side can never be dismissed but I would expect Eire Og to progress to the semi-finals.

Friday 12^th September Dunsilly (7.30 pm)

SFC Quarter-Final

Erin’s Own Cargin v St Mary’s Aghagallon

The opening game in the quarter finals under the lighting at Dunsilly sees the reigning champions from Erin’s Own Cargin meet the challenge of St Mary’s Aghagallon in a tie which should bring a good crowd to the Antrim venue.

The Toome men are seeking their fourth title in as many years and they have reached this quarter final berth in a season in which they have introduced a number of new faces into the ranks with positive results.

Cargin are in search of another senior title whilst Aghagallon look to earn their first but they did give Friday’s opposition a real scare in the 2022 decider when the Toome men had to come from behind to finish a couple of points ahead.

Aghagallon also earned a place in the final in the previous year only to suffer another defeat to Creggan in the 2021 decider.

Cargin started this term  focused on ‘championship’ and a possible ‘four in a row’ but despite a long list of injuries they did more than well in the league and came through the preliminary championship games unbeaten.

Aghagallon, under the care of the legendary Pete McGrath took time to get it together this term in the league but a late revival saw them avoid the relegation play-offs.

A home defeat to Ahoghill in the opening game in the championship group stages possibly hinted at danger ahead but a late group win over St Paul’s opened the door to the next phase and this championship outing with the reigning champions as reward.

Cargin will start as the firmest of favourites and although Ronan Devlin’s men will take nothing for granted and the challenge provided by Aghagallon is real but the Toome men should gain the day.

Saturday 13^th September

Toome (5.00 pm)

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Brigid’s

Most onlookers would frame this one as ‘match of the day’ as Cuchullian’s and St Brigid’s line out in championship opposition in Toome and this one is certain to bring a bumper attendance to the Cargin venue with a place in the semi-final of the senior championship the prize for the eventual victor.

Cuchullian’s are going well on two fronts with their involvement in the Hurling championship at an advanced stage and were fancied to make a mark in the football championship but lost to Cargin in the Group stages but they remain championship contenders.

St Brigid’s have ambitions to go all the way in this year’s Championship and have been going well to date with big wins over Ahoghill, St. Paul’s and Aghagallon in the group stages and will hope to continue that impressive form in Toome.

This one could go either way but the duel involvement of Hurling and Football could impair Dunloy’s ambitions but they are likely to push the Musgrave Park side all the way with a tentative vote going the way of the Belfast side.

Sunday 14^th September  

Kickham’s Creggan v O’ Donovan Rossa  

Hannahstown (1.00pm)

O’ Donovan Rossa struggled to get it together in the league but finished well to avoid the relegation play-offs. With a stronger panel available Rossa showed a marked improvement in the championship and a 1-17 to 2-11 victory over Con Magees ensured a quarter final place against Creggan.

Creggan finished on top of their group 3 and secured a place in the quarter finals with an unbeaten record.

The Kickham’s have impressed this term and secured the Division One league title and are more than keen to progress to the semi-finals in the championship.

Rossa have a great record in the Championship with an admirable 16 titles to their name but their last success was back in 1991 and the Shaws Road men will be keen to give this year’s championship a lash.

Creggan have impressed in both the league, and championship this term but were somewhat fortunate to overcome the challenge of St. Gall’s in their final group game.

They will need to be at their best in this one and if they are then the Kickham’s have the players to advance to the next round.

SFC Dunsilly- 4-00 Sunday

St. Gall’s v Casement’s

St Gall’s have 19 senior titles to their name but haven’t lifted the trophy since 2014. After a period of rebuilding the Milltown side have re-established themselves as contenders but slipped up in their last group game against Creggan after leading for most of the game.

Casement’s have been championship contenders in recent years and were beaten finalists last year and will be hoping to go one better this year.

The Portglenone men came close last term, losing out to Cargin in extra time after the combatants finished all square at 0-08 apiece and John Mc Keever’s men will hope to go one better in 2025.

This one could be close but the Casement’s, with big Niall McKeever back in harness will start as favourites and although St Gall’s could push them all the way, Casement’s should have enough to advance to the semi-finals.

SFC Relegation Play-offs

Whitehill Saturday 4-00pm

Tir na nOg v St. James Aldergrove

How did it ever come to this? That is likely to be the cry from Saturday’s opponents Aldergrove and Tir na nOg.

The St. James’ side finished in 8^th place in division 1but find themselves in a three-way fight for survival against Tir na nOg who finished 14^th and All Saints who were 4^th in the league and contested the division 1 final.

It is what it is however and those placing won’t matter one iota when Tir na nOg and St. James meet on Saturday.

This is not quite sudden death but as near to it as makes no difference with the losers having to pick themselves up of the floor to meet All Saints in their next game.

Despite the disparity in finishing places Tir na nOg might just have enough with home advantage to get this round robin series off to a winning start but there isn’t likely to be too much between them in the end.

IFC Kirkwoods Park 6-00pm Saturday

Naomh Padraig Lisburn v Sarsfield’s

Sarsfields have been the inform side in division 2 this year and have already collected the league title but they slipped up in their opening group game away to Moneyglass and if they were to lose in Lisburn then St. Enda’s could pip them for second place.

Naomh Padraig have nothing to play for but pride and the greater need of a strong Sarsfield’s should see them through to the semi-finals.

1FC

Dunsilly 6-00pm Saturday

Naomh Comhghall v Glenavy

Naomh Comhghall need a big win over a St. Joseph’s side who have already won Group 2 if they are to pip St. Teresa’s for second place in the group and a place in the semi-finals.

The Antrim town side might well have been in a stronger position going into this game and will have serious regrets about their game away to St. Teresa’s where they led for long periods and were four ahead as the clock ticked down but were caught with a late goal and had to settle for a draw.

Glenavy have been the outstanding team in the group and will travel to Antrim as firm favourites but I would expect Naomh Comhghall to give this one a real lash but it might not be enough.

IFC Group 1 Dreen 2-00pm Sunday

Rasharkin v Moneyglass

Unbeaten Moneyglass will travel to Dreen on Sunday with a place in the semi-finals already secured to meet a St. Mary’s side who will be glad to put a disappointing season behind them.

It has been a season decimated by injuries for Rasharkin and with nothing to play for but pride they are unlikely to get the better of an ever improving St. Ergnat’s who will top the group if they win.

IFC Group 2 Davitt’s Park 2-00pm

Davitt’s v Gort na Mona

Nothing but pride to play for here against two sides who met in the Junior Hurling championship at Enright Park a week ago.

Gort na Mona won that one to keep their JHC hopes very much alive and will have their eye on success in that competition and if Davitt’s are anywhere near strength then they can gain a small piece of revenge.