St Brigid’s delivered a commanding performance to defeat Aghagallon by 1-25 to 3-09 in a thrilling Northern Switchgear Co Antrim Senior Football Championship clash. Despite two late goals from Aghagallon, the Belfast side’s dominance, especially in the first half, proved decisive.
St Brigids Take Control Early
Wind advantage in the first half helped St Brigid’s surge ahead, led primarily by Paul Bradley, who contributed a goal and multiple points from frees and from play, James Smith, Patrick Finnegan, Shay Campbell and JJ Higgins also got their names on the scoreboard for St Brigid’s as their midfield pairing of Patrick Finnegan and Jack Dowling dictated the pace.
Aghagallon’s Adam Loughran was able to dispatch a penalty and a point from play in the first half, but it was a dejected side that headed for the changing rooms with a 16-point deficit to overcome.
Aghagallon’s Late Rally
Aghagallon were able to gain momentum as the second half progressed, with Marc McAfee, Eunan Walsh, and Jonny Hannon chipping away at the deficit with points.
Reuben Careleton converted a long range free kick for St Brigid’s along with more points from Paul Bradley and James Smith. Aghagallon scored two late goals from Ruairi McCann and Conor Magill gave the scoreline a more respectable look.
St Brigids’ blend of structure, scoring depth, and leadership has them looking like serious contenders in this year’s championship. Aghagallon, despite flashes of brilliance, will need to regroup ahead of their next outing.
Aghagallon: 1. Thomas Mallon 2. Ciaran Maginnis 3. Stevie Devlin
St. Enda’s climbed to second place in Group 1 after this comprehensive win over St. Mary’s Rasharkin in Dreen on Saturday but now depend on slipups from Moneyglass or Sarsfields if they are to advance to the semi-finals.
The Glengormley side have played a game more than their competitors for a top 2 place with 5 points from 4 starts and they certainly left down a marker in this excellent win over a Rasharkin side who started well but faded.
Eamonn McNeill gave St. Mary’s the perfect start when he hit an excellent 2 pointer in the opening minute but Fionntan O’Connor collected and returned the ball over the bar after a great double save from Rasharkin keeper, Tiernan O’Boyle.
O’Connor levelled matters with a point in the 4th minute but an Oisin Casey pointed free and another from play by Thomas Hasson had the Dreen side 2 ahead again by the 10th minute.
Withg the elements in their favour it was imperative that Rasharkin build on that lead but Stephen O’Connor replied from a free for the Hightown men before O’Boyle pulled of another fine save as the visitors pressed again.
The home side appeared to be getting on top however when Caolan McGarrell and Brian Og O’Neill edged them three ahead by the 22nd minute but it was St. Enda’s who finished the half strongly and Stephen O’Connor, Fionntan O’Connor and Conor Eastwood had them back on terms at the halfway stage.
HT 0-6 TO 0-6
With the wind in their backs it was St. Enda’s who started the second half as they had finished the first and Conor Eastwood pointed and Stephen O’Connor added another from a free before Sean Murray punished a mix-up in the Rasharkin defence to finish to the net in the 9th minute.
Even at this stage it was hard to see the home side coming back as O’Connor added another pointed free in the 10th minute before Oisin Casey finally opened Rasharkin’s second half account from a pointed free in the 12th minute.
It failed to bring the necessary response from his colleagues however as St. Enda’s came back with four on the bounce from Stephen O’Connor (f), Sean McBride, Tomas Gilmore (f) and Stephen O’Connor (f) as a bit of frustration and indiscipline crept into the home side’s play.
It was all over with five minutes remaining as Stephen O’Connor punished another defensive mistake with his side’s second goal though, to their credit Rasharkin kept going to the end.
The home side kicked the final three points of the game through Oisin Casey, a great Cormac McMullan point from distance and a Brian Og O’Neill converted free but at this stage it was just an exercise in damage limitation.
A good win for St. Enda’s, who were the better team throughout and they put themselves in a strong position in the opening half when they matched Rasharkin score for score despite playing into the wind.
They must now await results of Patrick Sarsfields at home to Naomh Padraig, Lisburn and St. Ergnat’s away to Rasharkin and hope that one or both slip up at the final hurdle.
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Cargin maintained their 100% record in the championship with a five point win over Dunloy on Saturday evening. It was a titanic tussle between these sides with the Toome men just pulling away in stoppage time at the end of the hour with John McNabb starring for his side.
The Erin’s Own netminder finished the contest with eight points beside his name, hitting three two-pointers, two of those from open play while his kickouts were excellent throughout.
Conhuir Johnston also shone on the evening, finishing with 1-4 and was a major threat throughout. His goal came in first half injury time and a key, pivotal moment in the game given the reigning champions were playing into the elements in the opening 30 minutes.
Gerard McCann’s dominance in the middle third gave Cargin a strong foothold in the game, especially in a second half where the Toome men looked to turn the screw and pressurise the Cuchullains kickouts.
Keelan Molloy was a constant threat for the Cuchullains, finishing with seven points beside his name and giving the Cargin defence plenty to think about over the hour. While the organisation of the Cargin defence looked to stave the Cuchullains attack, Dunloy showed plenty of patience and precision to try and cut their way through. Ryan McGarry, Eoin McFerran, Eoin O’Neill and Seaan Elliott were all constantly threatening.
It was the period of play mid-way through the second half were Cargin hemmed Dunloy into their own half with ‘Stork’ McCann lording the middle third and claiming first phase possession, his positioning and aerial ability exeptional. Five points in four minutes that included two pointers from Tomás McCann and McNabb took Cargin two clear and while Seaan Elliott scored the Cuchullains second major with a little over 10 minutes of the hour remaining, a strong finish from Cargin ensured they controlled the game and took the honours.
Playing into the elements on the pristine surface of Kelly Park in front of a large attendance, Cargin looked to control the game. Their ability to recycle possession and keep Dunloy at arms-length was the overriding factor of the opening quarter. Tomás McCann and Conhuir Johnston split the posts in the fourth minute to give Cargin a two point lead early doors but there was already signs of the pressure the Toome men would put on the Dunloy restarts early doors.
The Cuchullains rallied to hit three points in as many minutes through a brace from Molloy (one free) and a fisted point from Eoin McFerran and while McNabb split the posts for his first of the game from placed ball, Dunloy had their best spell of the game.
A two pointed free from Karl Fitzpatrick preceded a brace of scores from the Dunloy inside forward (one free) with a scores from Benen Kelly and Tomás McCann the response for Cargin to leave two between the sides with five minutes of the half remaining. The scoreboard could and probably should have been sitting better in favour of the Cuchullains but Fitzpatrick’s instinctive effort went to the right hand side of the posts and wide when it looked like the goal was at his mercy.
McNabb’s first two pointer (free) of the contest brought parity to the sides only for Keelan Molloy to respond with a two pointer of his own as the clock ticked into first half injury time and Dunloy two ahead.
Cargin scored the opening goal of the tie with Tom Shivers on the end of a brilliant pass in the middle third and speeding through the heart of the Dunloy defence. He found Conhuir Johnston in space and while the Dunloy defence scrambled, he rifled his effort to the top corner to give Chrissy McMahon little or no chance of stopping it.
Dunloy and Seaan Elliott had the final say of the half to leave the half time score 1-7 to 0-10. There seemed to be a discrepancy in the score line with plenty in attendance having the Cuchullains ahead at half time but after a recheck, referee Darren McKeown confirmed the score with his officials upon the restart of the second half.
After the first half, it was very much advantage Cargin as they had the elements at their backs. They made a strong start to the half and kept possession but the Cuchullains breathed fire into their challenge by scoring their opening goal of the half. Playing with an element of patience and looking to probe the Cargin defence, Ryan McGarry broke the line and found substitute Luke McFerran in space. The Cargin defence scramble and looked to have staved the threat but McFerran showed incredible composure to hammer the ball beyond McNabb in the Cargin goals.
Cargin’s response was typical of the inner confidence and belief within the side. A brace of scores from Conhuir Johnston, the second of which could easily have been a major but his effort only just cleared the crossbar.
Keelan Molloy split the uprights with his fifth and sixth points of the game to put three between the sides after the opening quarter. Cargin took control in the middle third however with Gerard McCann instrumental. They did hit a number of wides that threatened to derail their challenge but Tomás McCann and McNabb both split the posts with two pointers from open play with another McNabb point coming from a ’45 to leave the Cargin men two ahead.
Dunloy broke the Cargin momentum briefly when Seaan Elliott scored their second major. Tom McFerran claiming the loose possession in the middle third before laying the ball into the path of Seaan Elliott. The dual star sped through and while he had a wall of black. Cargin shirts in front of him, Elliott hammered the ball to the back of the Cargin net to put his side ahead again with 10 minutes of the hour remaining.
That was as good as it got for the Cuchullains however. They missed chances for further scores either side of Tomás McCann’s second two pointer of the game before Conhuir Johnston took his tally to 1-4 to put two between the sides once again.
Keelan Molloy responded to leave the minimum between the sides once again with his third free and seventh point overall but Cargin controlled the time that remained.
Points from Tomás McCann, substitute Callum Gribbin and a brilliant two pointer from ‘Jinny’ McNabb with the outside of his left foot rounded off the scoring.
Five points felt like it was harsh on the Cuchullains but Cargin were well worthy of their win. McNabb gave an exhibition while Gerard McCann’s second half influence was pivotal to the winning of the game.
Both sides progress to the quarter finals with Cargin now facing Aghagallon while Dunloy will have a rematch against St Brigid’s in what will be a repeat pairing of the same fixture from 12 months ago.
TEAMS
CARGIN: John McNabb; Ronan Gribbin, Kevin McShane, Jack O’Neill; Conan Johnston, Seán O’Neill, Benen Kelly; James Laverty, Gerard McCann; David Johnston, Michael McCann, Paul McCann; Conhuir Johnston, Tomás McCann, Tom Shivers
Subs: Eunan Quinn for P McCann (46); Callum Gribbin for R Gribbin (56)
Scorers: J McNabb 0-8 (2xTP, 1xTPF, 1xF, 1x’45); C Johnston 1-4; T McCann 0-7 (4xTP, 1xF); B Kelly 0-1; C Gribbin 0-1
DUNLOY: Chrissy McMahon; Reece Cunning, Aaron Crawford, James Scally; Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McGarry, Jack Martin; Eoin McFerran, Eoin O’Neill; Nigel Elliott, Tom McFerran, Seaan Elliott; Barry McCloskey, Keelan Molloy, Karl Fitzpatrick
Subs: Luke McFerran for K Fitzpatrick (30); Kevin McQuillan for B McCloskey (49); Paudie McGilligan for E McFerran (Inj)
Scorers: K Molloy 0-7 (1xTP, 3xF); K Fitzpatrick 0-4 (1xTPF, 1xF); S Elliott 1-1 (1xF); L McFerran 1-00; E McFerran 0-1
Referee: Darren McKeown (NaomhGall)
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OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Group 2 – Round 3
Saturday 30th August
Report by Niall Kelly from Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh
Gort Na Móna 1-13 Naomh Comhghall 2-13
St Comgall’s survived a resurgent second half performance from Gort Na Móna to give themselves a fighting chance of advancing to the knock-out stages of this year’s Intermediate Championship. A potent display in front of the posts in the first half ensured a handsome nine-point lead at the interval thanks to goals from Lewis Higgins and Tom Pratchett. However, a gallant come-back effort from the hosts fully tested the metal and character of Barry Burn’s charges who just scrambled over the finish line with enough to spare.
It was tit for tat in the opening exchanges as both teams had a spring in their step in their offensive pursuits with the two number fifteens, Tom Pratchett and Dessie McClean trading points. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of early possession, the Gorts lacked the potency that their counterparts had in front of the posts as their wide count began to grow. They were made to pay in ruthless fashion though as James McCabe’s bustling run off the left flank teed up Lewis Higgins who made no mistake with his finish to the onion bag on the tenth minute.
The visitor’s tails were up now and the dynamic runs of Dylan Murdock from half back were causing problems, opening up holes in the Gort Na Móna rearguard. A flowing move stemming from their trusty number five was again to result in a consecutive major as Tom Pratchett finished emphatically to the roof of the net to open up a six-point lead midway through the half. The Turflodge side responded in positive fashion though as they would hit the next three scores thanks to McClean, Manus McMullan and Sean Campbell who finished off a flowing move.
Just as it seemed the hosts were regaining a foothold in proceedings, Antrim took charge once again and were spearheaded by marksman in chief, Pratchett. The Comgall’s number fifteen hit two spectacular two pointed efforts, including an absolute peach with a free off the carpet from a very tight angle, which he curled to perfection. The visitors finished the half off in style with a fisted Pratchett effort and a fine score from centre forward Miles Devine to leave the scores 0-04 to 2-07 as the teams retreated for the interval
Whatever words of encouragement echoed around the home changing room; they certainly had a resounding effect as Niall Mulrine’s troops would battle right to the last in the second period. The home side hit the first two points through a familiar source with Dessie McClean on target for both, including a very impressive effort from an acute angle. However, the roving runs of Dylan Murdock caused problems again as the industrious number five replied with two of his own. The opposing number sevens, Padraig Cournane and Caolan O’Loan then traded scores midway through the half before James McCabe opened his account for the visitors. It was now or never for Gort Na Móna who rallied superbly and really took a stranglehold of affairs going into the last knockings. A two pointer from talisman Dessie McClean dented into the lead before goalkeeper Jack Ireland demonstrated his prowess from distance with a well-executed forty-five.
Sensing blood in the water, the men from the Móna bypass began to probe for an all-important goal which would really bring the game into the melting pot. Their wishes were granted on the fiftieth minute as Jack Thompson rose like a salmon to palm in Shane Scullion’s flighted ball inside to trigger an almighty roar from the home sideline. Substitute Padraig Mulvenna followed this up with a great score and suddenly there was a mere kick of the ball between them which had seemed so unlikely only minutes before.
Naomh Comhghall were certainly under the cosh now and desperately needed a score to settle the nerves. They were delighted to see Ruairi Griffin fire over a fine point to bolster their lead. However, Gort Na Móna were not to be discouraged and forward they came once more as Cournane doubled his tally before Caoimhin Beck announced his arrival with another white flag on the twenty ninth minute to narrow the gap to two. With Piaras McCaffery’s watch now into time added on, it was all to play for. The hosts launched an aerial barrage on the Antrim rearguard with Christopher Carson put inside to cause havoc. Unfortunately for the Gorts, despite their gallant efforts, it just wouldn’t stick as resolute and composed defending from their opponents extinguished their hopes of completing a remarkable comeback. Tom Pratchett hit the final score of the game thanks to a free from an infraction as the Antrim side held firm.
Antrim will now turn their intentions to their crucial clash at home to Glenavy. St Joseph’s have already sealed safe passage through and will be a stern test. The Dunsilly side will have a keen eye on tomorrow’s meeting between St Teresa’s and Davitts which will have ramifications for them. For Gort Na Móna, they will surely be crestfallen with the result. However, they can take solace from their second half performance. There is certainly potential amongst their youthful ranks.
Teams:
Gort Na Móna:
J Ireland (0-01;) D Cahill, C McCabe, C Donnelly; S Campbell (0-01,) M Savage, P Cournane (0-02;) C Magee, T Morton; B Burns, C Carson, M McMullan (0-01;) S Scullion, J Thompson (1-00) D McClean (0-06 – 0-04 & 1t.p.)
Substitute scorers:
P Mulvenna (0-01)
C Beck (0-01)
Naomh Comhghall:
M Emery; S Hinphey, S Óg Gribben, D O’Hara; D Murdock (0-02,) J McCabe (0-01,) C O’Loan (0-01;) J Henry, L Higgins (1-00;) R Griffin (0-01,) M Devine (0-01,) A McGraw; A McHugh, R Clark, T Pratchett (1-07 – 1-03 & 2t.p.)
When Tir na nOg turned around trailing by 4 after facing a stiff breeze in the opening half at Slemish Park on Saturday evening there were many who felt that they had done the hard work and would push on to defeat opponents St. John’s and avoid the dreaded relegation play-off series.
However it was the Johnnies who displayed the greater craft and knowhow playing into the second half breeze but in the end it was a period of indiscipline late in the game that would ultimately contribute to Tir na nOg’s downfall.
With the sides tied at 0-15 to 2-9 following an excellent Ciaran O’Neill 2 pointer, Ryan McNulty edged the Corrigan Park side ahead again from a disputed point which referee Ray Matthews initially signalled wide but changed his decision after consultation with his linesman.
Tir na nOg’s, Sean Duffin drives at the St. John’s defence
Paddy McBride then added another from a free for dissent and then Emmet Murray was penalised for a challenge after a free had been awarded and the ball was moved forward with McBride converting to put the ‘Johnnies’ three ahead.
Suddenly a game that had been in the balance had swung decisively in favour of the Whiterock side and it was a setback that Tir na nOg never looked like recovering from.
Instead Ronan Quinn added a point with two minutes of normal time remaining and then Conor Hand soloed 40 yards before placing the ball in the corner of Sean Paul McAtamney’s net and it was well and truly over.
The opening exchanges of this group 1 bottom of the table decider in Ballymena were fairly even with Aaron McNeilly fisting over to give the Randalstown side an early lead and Paddy McBride replying from a 2 pointer to move St. John’s ahead with 8 minutes gone.
With the wind behind them St. John’s were guilty of a number of poor wides but Conal McGlade fisted over before Ciaran O’Neill replied with a good point into the breeze to leave just one in it with 13 minutes gone.
Conor Hand races clear for the goal that secured victory for St. John’s
McGlade increased that lead to two again but the Whitehill side were moving the ball intelligently into the wind and they exploited a gap in the opposition defence and Eamon Og McAllister finished to the net from close range after being set up by Dylan McLarnon.
At this stage Matthew Leydon had replaced Pearce Donnelly in the Johnnies’ goals after the net-minder had pulled up injured but the Corrigan side recovered to lead by four at the break with Ryan McNulty, Paddy McBride, Odhran Quinn 0-2, Ronan Quinn and McBride again on target.
The Tir na nOg reply came from two converted Aaron McNeilly frees but given the strength of the breeze that St. John’s 4 point lead certainly didn’t look insurmountable.
In truth the South West side never really made full use of the elements in their favour in the second half and were much too passive in their play and it was McBride who restored the St. John’s for point lead with a point on the break after McNeilly had opened from a close range free.
Indeed it was their opponents who dictated the pace of the game on their own terms and Conor hand hit a fine point after a slow build up as the opposition defence dropped deep.
One man who was pushing forward for the Whitehill side was Sean Duffin and he drove at the heart of the Johnnies defence before hanging his pass across goals where Emmet Murray was on hand to palm home and there was only two between the sides.
Eamon Og McAllister and Conor Adams exchanged points and Ciaran O’Neill responded to a Sean Wilson point with a 2 pointer to level matters with 8 minutes remaining but the big push from the South West side never materialised.
Instead it was St. John’s who punished those acts of indiscipline with three points on the bounce and when Conor Hand produced that moment of genius it was all over.
There was a sense of relief about the St. John’s celebrations after the game and with their side still involved in the Senior Hurling championship they have put their football season to bed with a place in division 1 secured for another season.
Tir na nOg will have to dust themselves down and go again as they did last year but they look to have more than enough to negotiate the dreaded play-offs but, like the other sides who will still be involved in that scenario come tomorrow evening, it is something they would much rather have avoided.
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