A lot of games are referred to as a game of two halves, but this highly entertaining semi-final was more a tale of two pitches when Ballycastle and Cushendall battled it out for a place in the final of the Reserve Hurling Cup. The two sides finished level on the main pitch at Pairc MacUilín when two late points from the home side brought them level deep into injury time. However with the light fading fast it was clear there was no way extra time could be played, so both sides agreed to move down to the second pitch where the floodlights were already on for the Ballycastle v Portglenone Championship Camogie game was just finishing. Just as in normal time Ballycastle had the wind in the first half (10 minutes each way) and built up a lead by half time. Then just as happened in normal time Cushendall came roaring back in the second period, but this time Ballycastle were able to hold onto their lead and three unanswered points at the end, two from Lorcan Donnelly and one from Diarmaid McShane sealed a five point win.
Senan Black gave Cushendall the lead at the start of normal time but Ballycastle came back with a goal from James McLister and a point from Gavin McToal. With the strong breeze behind them the home team pushed on and by the end of the opening quarter they opened a 2-04 to 0-06 lead, the second goal coming from Diarmaid McShane.
Joseph McNaughton was keeping Cushendall in contention with a series of excellent points from frees but Croistai McAuley was keeping the scoreboard ticking for the Town with some well taken points, and with Callum Campbell chipping in with two from play they went in at half time with a 2-09 to 0-08 lead.
Two more from McAuley frees at the start of the second half increased the Ballycastle lead to ten points, but once Christy McNaughton got Cushendall’s first point of the new half on 37 minutes things began to change. Six points on the trot from Joe McNaughton (3), Ciaran Neeson (2) and Christy McNaughton cut the gap back to three points by the 48th minute, but the home side hit back with two of their own through Conor Donnelly and Reuben McClean push the gap back out to five with just seven minutes left to play.
However the momentum was swinging with the visitors and a Joe McNaughton point was followed by a goal from the ever dangerous Christy McNaughton to leave just a point between the sides Joe McNaughton brought the Ruairis level a minute later and when he added further points in the 58th and 60th minutes it looked like he had sealed the win.
However Ballycastle found a lifeline when Lorcan Donnelly, who had taken over the free taking duties, sent one over from close range before Diarmaid McShane swung over the equaliser in the dying seconds.
To be fair there was no time wasted among those in charge and the decision was taken right away to move to the bottom pitch under the lights where Ballycastle again had the wind in the opening half and they put it to good use, scoring six points in the first ten minute period, five of them from Lorcan Donnelly and one from Reuben McClean, while Joe McNaughton got the single Cushendall point as Ballycastle led by 2-22 to 1-21 at the interval.
The visitors started the second half impressively with four quick points, two more from Joe McNaughton and one each from Ciaran Neeson and Dominic Delargy to leave just two between the sides. However Ballycastle bounced back in the near the end and Lorcan Donnelly hit four points and Diarmaid McShane one, in reply to just one from Cushendall’s Ciaran Neeson, to win by five.
Two brilliant saves in that extra time period are worthy of mention, the first by Cushendall keeper Eoin ‘Bouncy’ Gillan who denied Criostai McAuley at the end of the first period with an unbelievable save and the second early in the second by Castle keeper Eamon Elliott who threw himself at a goal-bound shot by Christy McNaughton and got hit square on the faceguard to deflect it wide for a ‘65’.
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Cushendall travelled to Ballycastle in the opening round of the Under 16 A Hurling Championship on Tuesday evening and came away with 5-17 to 2-14 win in a high scoring contest
Ballycastle made a promising start with three quick points from Patrick Campbell, Justin Connor and Ciaran McCloskey but a goal by Tiernan McKeegan on four minutes and two points from Conleth McNaughton gave Cushendall the lead.
It was score for score for the next ten minutes with Ballycastle drawing level twice, only to see Cushendall edge back ahead, but a goal from the black and amber’s full forward Ciaran McCloskey and a point from Peter Laverty at the end of the opening quarter saw them go back ahead bt 1-8 to 2-04, the second Cushendall goal coming from Aidan McCormick.
However the second quarter saw the Ruairi Ogs get the upper hand and four points from frees by Conleth McNaughton, one from play by Brian McNeill, plus a late goal from Jayden Kinney-McNaughton gave the visitors a 3-10 to 1-09 lead at half time.
A goal from Aiden McCormick in the opening minute of the second half and one from and one from Tiernan McKeegan gave Cushendall control of the game as they moved 5-12 to 1-09 clear. There in a row from Sean McHenry, Peter Laverty and Patrick Campbell gave Ballycastle some hope but Conleth McNaughton came back with a point for the visitors.
To their credit Ballycastle kept battling away and a point from Ben Woodhouse was followed by a goal from Justin Connor closed the gap, but the visitors finished strong with two points from Conleth McNaughton, one from play and one from a ‘65’ to wrap it all up
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Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Dunloy booked their place in the senior reserve final on Wednesday evening with a strong performance against Rossa. It was a dominant display from the Cuchullains who made light of the wind in the first half and were relentless throughout.
Ryan Mort top scored for the home side with an impressive 2-12, 1-8 coming from placed balls with both majors coming in the dying moments of the game. Mort gave a flawless display from placed balls while his second goal was one of the highlights of the game in the fading light at Pearse Park.
Liam McEnhill was top of the scoring charts for the Shaws Road men with seven of his final tally of 10 points coming from placed ball but his side got little change from an organised Cuchullains defence. Seaghan Shannon put in a busy performance while Owen May also caught the eye while Gavin McGrath and Corey Walsh worked their socks off for the Jeremiah’s.
Despite playing into the elements, Dunloy made a lightning start to the game and had 1-3 on the board before Rossa and McEnhill opened their scoring. Inside forward Barry McCloskey with the major for Dunloy while Oisin McCamphill and Mort (2) raised the white flags.
The opening quarter belonged to the home side with Mort, Ryan McFarline, Ciaran Elliott and Jack Martin all finding the target with a brace of McEnhill frees the response from the west Belfast side to put 10 between the sides by the half way mark of the half.
Rossa looked to settle into the game with May and McEnhill lively. They fired over seven points in a 10 minute period through McEnhill landing five (4fs), May and Michael Close raising the white flags while Mort and McFarlin landed the response for the Cuchullains in that same period of time.
Five points separated the sides going into the final five minutes of the half but it was as close as Rossa got to the Cuchullains. Barry McCloskey and Mort (free) fired over either side of a Corey Walsh point to leave the half time score 1-14 to 0-11 in the home sides favour.
The second half was largely all one way traffic with the Cuchullains snuffing out any attacking threat Rossa could muster. They hit the opening four points of the half through Mort (3fs) and Gabriel McTaggart with a McEnhill free briefly halting the Cuchullains charge.
Dunloy opened up a 14 point lead going into the final 10 minutes with Mort, McCamphill, McTaggart, Elliott and substitute Anton McGrath all getting in on the scoring act also.
Rossa substitute Jim Reynolds split the posts from wide on the right to reduce the arrears, a quite brilliant score with not much angle to work with but it was the last score the Jeremiah’s would register.
Points from Elliott and McGrath preceded a brace of Mort goals at the death. The first coming after some great play from Eamon Smyth and Ciaran Elliott set him through on goal while his second caught everyone out, including Rossa ‘keeper Michael Armstrong. Stood over a free fully 40 yards from goal, Mort rifled the sliotar to the bottom right hand corner of the net with a thumping drive to cap off an excellent display.
The Cuchullains now face Ballycastle in a fortnights time in the Reserve Final, but their attention turns to the big ball in the meantime with plenty of this squad part of the football side that will line out against Cargin on Saturday evening in the senior championship.
TEAMS
DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Cathair McCloskey, Sean Og Blaney, Reece Cunning; Eamon Smyth, Karl O’Kane, Aaron Crawford; Jack Martin, Ben O’Kane; Oisin McCamphill, Ryan Mort, Ryan McFarline; Ciaran Elliott, Gabriel McTaggart, Barry McCloskey
Subs: Ciaran McQuillan for R Cunning (41); Paudie McGilligan for B McCloskey (41); Conor Mort for A Crawford (49); Anton McGrath for J Martin (49); Francis McMullan for G McTaggart (49
Scorers: R Mort 2-12 (1-8fs); B McCloskey 1-1; C Elliott 0-3; R McFarline 0-3; O McCamphill 0-2; G McTaggart 0-2; A McGrath 0-2; J Martin 0-1; E Smyth 0-1 (1f)
ROSSA: Michael Armstrong; Oisin McVicker, Padraig Moyes, Daire Moriarity; Gavin McGrath, Seaghan Shannon, Niall Devlin; Conor Savage, Conal Shannon; Liam McEnhill, Corey Walsh, Conor Rocks; Owen May, Michael Close, James Close
Subs: Jim Reynolds for C Rocks (HT); Niall May for C Savage (42); Michael Murray for M Close (54)
Scorers: L McEnhill 0-10 (7fs); C Walsh 0-1; O May 0-1; M Close 0-1; J Reynolds 0-1
Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)
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The next phase of the football championships is scheduled for this week-end Friday/Saturday/Sunday 29th/30th/31st August with all of the games fixed at neutral venues.
SFC Group 4 – Sat 30th August
Saturday Creggan (4.00pm)
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Paul’s
Having conceded their place in division One, St Mary’s Ahoghill opened their championship account with a win at Aghagallon in round one underlined the fighting qualities within the Cloney side.
They lost heavily to St Brigid’s in round 2 but a win here and victory for St. Brigid’s over Aghagallon could see the Ahoghill men finish second in the group and a place in the quarter-finals
St Paul’s are without a win to date in Group 4 but the Shaw’s road men are not to be discounted and they will hope to finish with a win as they travel to Creggan.
A close one is anticipated in this one but Eamonn Brady’s men will start as slight favourites and they may well gain the verdict.
SFC Group 4
Glenavy Saturday (4.00pm)
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Brigid’s
Having endured a less than positive league campaign, St Mary’s Aghagallon received another blow when they lost to St Mary’s Ahoghill in the opening round of Group 4 but they got their campaign up and running last day out with a win over St. Paul’s in round 2.
St. Brigid’s have been the form team in the group and have recorded big wins over St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s Ahoghill to date and while Aghagallon could provide a stiff challenge, St. Brigid’s look capable of overcoming that challenge.
Sat 30th August – SFC Group 1
Group 1
Kelly Park Saturday (6.30 pm)
Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Erin’s Own Cargin
This one brings together the 2023 finalists when Cargin recorded a 2-10 to 0-11 win over Cuchullian’s and this pairing are certain to attract a big crowd to Kelly Park.
Ronan Devlins’s side are on a mission to gain a 4th senior title in succession and their seventh in the past eight years with near neighbours Kickham’s Creggan having halted the sequence when they proved successful with 1-12 to 0-07 win over St Mary’s Aghagallon in 2021.
Cuchullian’s have often been there or thereabouts on the championship trail over the years but more so in hurling and although they have been active on the football scene in recent years the Cuchullian’s last gained a senior title back in 1936.
Cargin have recorded wins over Tir na nOg and St John’s but this looks like their toughest test to date as they line out against a Dunloy side which has been in fine form in this campaign.
The Cuchullian’s really impressed in round one with an emphatic 2-30 to 1-11 first round victory over St. John’s but they got it much tighter in round two with a 4-15 to 5-08 win over Tir na nOg.
Cargin will start this one as favourites but if Dunloy can field at full strength then they could push the Toome side all the way.
SFC Group 1
Ballymena Saturday (6.30pm)
St John’s v Tir na nOg
After a poor league campaign and an opening day hammering to Dunloy in the championship, St. John’s did show improvement in Round 2 when Cargin visited Corrigan Park but still ended on the losing side.
The Toome men were installed as the firmest of favourites to gain the verdict in that one and finished 4-15 to 1-11 ahead but St. John’s showed some improvement from round 1 but a strong finish and a late goal blitz from the Toome men opened the door to victory.
St John’s hinted at improvement however and they will travel down to Ballymena to meet Tir na nOg feeling they can win this one.
Tir na nOg lost to both Dunloy and reigning champs Cargin in their opening two fixtures but performed much better than St. John’s against the same opponents.
They led their hosts Cargin in Toome in round one before a strong finish saw the home side finish ahead and were again competitive against Dunloy at Whitehill before losing by 418 to 5-08.
Neither side can now qualify for the quarter finals but both will be keen to avoid bottom spot in the group and a place in the dreaded relegation play-offs and this one could be mighty close with a tentative vote going to Tir na nOg based on their respective championship campaigns to date.
Sunday 1-00pm (St Enda’s)
SFC Group 3
All Saint’s Ballymena v Lamh Dhearg (1.00pm)
The contestants in this one have lost their opening two games in Group 3 and defeat for either would ensure a place in the relegation play-offs so while qualification is out of reach for both, there is still much at stake here.
Both Sunday’s opponents lost to Creggan and St. Gall’s in what was deemed the group of death with All Saints starting well in both their games but fading badly late in both their games.
Lamh Dhearg pushed both St. Gall’s and Creggan to the wire and their greater experience at this level will see them start this one as firm favourites and All Saints will need to be at their best for the full 60 plus minutes if they are to gain their first Group 3 win.
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Creggan Kickham’s v St Gall’s
SFC Group 3
(Dunsilly Pitch One) Sunday – (1.00pm)
This could be the game of the round as previously unbeaten Creggan and St. Gall’s cross swords at Dunsilly to decide who will top Group 3.
Both Sunday’s opponents have recorded victories over Lamh Dhearg and All Saints and both have impressed in the championship to date.
Both the contestants are considered as contenders in the race for the title and this could be a close one and should attract a good crowd to Dunsilly.
This one could go either way but Kickham’s will start as slight favourites and they may well finish in front.
Sunday 31st August
SFC Group 2 Sunday – (4.00pm)
(Toome)
O’ Donovan Rossa v Con Magee’s Glenravel
With one victory each in the championship, this meeting of Rossa and Con Magee’s in Toome is certain to be a close hard fought encounter with victory bringing the reward of a place in quarter-final to the victor.
Both sides lost to Group leaders, Casement’s, Portglenone but recorded wins over St. James Aldergrove with Rossa earning a 3-14 to 0-12 win away from home whilst Con Magees recorded a 3-14 to 2-11 victory at Fr. Maginn Park.
Rossa will start as slight favourites but this one could go either way and a draw cannot be ruled out
St James Aldergrove v Casement’s Portglenone
Sunday – Whitehill (4.00pm) SFC Group 2
Casement’s have recoded two victories to date and are going well at the moment and last year’s beaten finalists have been installed as favourites to go all the way by some observers.
The Portglenone men were not asked serious questions to date and have recorded convincing wins over the visiting Con Magees and away to Rossa.
St James have had a poor start in the championship, losing to both Rossa and Glenravel and although they will give this one their best shot another Casement’s win and a place at the top of Group 2 looks likely.
IFC Group 1
Moneyglass Friday – 6-45pm
St. Ergnat’s v Naomh Padraig Lisburn
St. Ergnat’s opened their IFC campaign with a good win over Sarsfields in Moneyglass but had to wait 17 days for their next game away to St. Enda’s.
They were pushed hard by the Glengormley side but earned a draw and a win here would put them in a strong position.
The Lisburn side performed well in Division 2 of the league but anything other than a St. Ergnat’s win looks unlikely and my vote goes to the home side
IFC Group 1
Rasharkin Saturday 6-00
Rasharkin v St. Enda’s
St. Mary’s Rasharkin have nothing but pride to play for in this one with relegation to division 3 already decided and defeats in both their opening championship game.
St. Enda’s could yet gate crash the qualification places in Group 1 should Moneyglass or Sarsfields slip up and that could be the carrot for the Hightown side who should win this one.
IFC Group 2
Enright Park Saturday 6-pm
Gort na Mona v Naomh Comhghall
St. Joseph’s Glenavy look to have tied up Group 2 with three wins from 3 and St. Teresa’s and Davitt’s look like contesting second place so Gort na Mona and St. Comgall’s look to be playing for pride in this one.
Both sides are capable of better than their results to date have shown but if Barry Burns’ side are at their best then Naomh Comhghall can edge this one.
IFC Group 2
Sunday 2pm Davitt’s
Davitt’s v St. Teresa’s
Second place in Group 2 is the prize for the winners of this one with St. Teresa’s on 3 points from 3 starts and Davitt’s on 2 from 2 starts.
A win for either would almost certainly earn them second place in the group and home advantage could play a part.
A lot will depend on just what St. Teresa’s side will turn up as they have mixed the good with the mediocre in the present campaign but I give a tentative vote to the Glen Road side.
GRAHAM TARMAC JFC Round up
Friday JFC Group 1
Friday 6-15 Fennell Park
Kickham’s Ardoyne got themselves back in contention of a qualification place in Group 1 with a big win over O’Donnell’s last day out and should have enough to beat St. Malachy’s in this one.
JFC Group 2
Eire Og v Pearses
Friday 7-30 pm at Eire Og
Eire Og have raised a few eyebrows with their performances in Group 2 when they hit 5 goals in their opening day win over Laochra Loch Lao and Wolfe Tonnes suffered the same fate as they hit another 5 on day two to top the group.
This one could be closer but the vote goes to goal scoring specialists, Eire Og.
JFC Group 1
O’Donnell’s v St. Agnes
MacRory Park Sunday 2-00
St. Agnes have been the outstanding performers in division 4 this year as they gained promotion to division 3 and they have carried that form into the JFC.
They recorded a big win over Ardoyne in round 1 with St. Malachy’s failing to field in round 2 and a win here would see them top the group and they should have enough to overcome the challenge of O’D’s.
Cushendall got their Senior Camogie campaign off to a flying start on Tuesday evening when they scored a big win over visitors St Mary’s Ahoghill at Pairc Mhuir.
A goal in the second minute by centre forward Siobhan McKillop gave Cushendall the perfect start and they got their second at the start of the third quarter through Orlaith McAllister to move 2-04 to 0-00 on sixteen minutes and they kept on hitting the target to push their score out to 2-13.
County goalkeeper Catriona Graham, who plays up front for Ahoghill got her team on the scoreboard with three points in the second half but the hosts were relentless and ended up winning decisively in the end.
Cushendall are at home next week again when Ballycastle are the visitors, while county champions Loughgiel play hosts to Dunloy in a repeat of last year’s county final.
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