by thesaffrongael

Cuchuallains given a Naomh Éanna fright but make it two from two

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Group 2 – Match Day 2

Dunloy 1-27 Naomh Éanna 2-19

Friday 22 August

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

Dunloy made it two championship wins from two games on Friday evening but they were pushed all the way by a brilliant Naomh Éanna side.  Five points the difference at the end of a helter-skelter hour of hurling where the Hightown Road side showed a tenacity and ability to dig in, proving difficult for the Cuchullains to pull away from.

Ruairi Donaghy was the major threat for Naomh Éanna, scoring two goals and but for a brilliant block from Phelim Duffin, he could have had a hat-trick when there was just three between the sides and less than 10 minutes remaining.

Niall O’Connor gave another eye-catching performance, albeit missing a penalty while Cormac Jennings and Eddie O’Connor share eight points between them.

Defensively, Joe Maskey excelled at six but the Naomh Éanna defence struggled to curtail the Dunloy attacking unit.  Indeed, where it not for a brilliant display from Niall McGivern between the sticks for the Glengormley side, the deficit at the end of the hour could have been more. 

Dunloy created seven clear goal chances, McGivern denied them on five of those occasions and the width of the post on another while Luke McFerran bagged their major early in the second half.

It was another display where the Cuchullains racked up an impressive scoring tally, 1-10 of their final score coming from open play and 11 different names on the scoresheet by the time Ray Matthews blew the final whistle.

Seaan Elliott was once again top of the scoring charts for the Cuchullains, three of his final tally of 10 white flags coming from open play while Eoin O’Neill and Aodhan McGarry shared six points between them.

It was a game of hurling that realistically, it didn’t feel like Dunloy were going to lose but there were a number of occasions in the second half when Naomh Éanna looked like they were poised to cause an upset but Dunloy showed their class in the closing stages to win by five points.

The opening exchanges of this game set the tone for the contest.  Naomh Éanna Eddie O’Connor putting in a serious shift from midfield and firing over between points from Niall O’Connor and Cormac Jennings.  Dunloy’s opening score came through O’Neill and but for McGivern, it could have been a goal.  His effort was deflected over by the Naomh Éanna ‘keeper.

Scores from Seaan Elliott, Tom McFerran and Aodhan McGarry came in response to a brace of points from Eddie O’Connor and Ruairi Donaghy to leave Naomh Éanna two ahead after 10 minutes.  Luke McFerran the second Dunloy forward in the opening exchanges to test the reflexes of McGivern.

A Niall O’Connor free and Eddie O’Connor point came either side of scores from Nicky McKeague and Paul Shiels, O’Connor’s score would be Naomh Éanna’s last for almost 15 minutes however as the Cuchullains took a semblance of control. 

Six points unanswered from Tom McFerran, Keelan Molloy, Seaan Elliott (3) and O’Neill put Dunloy five ahead with as many minutes remaining of the first half.  It could have been better for the Cuchullains but O’Neill’s effort was well saved from McGivern when the Dunloy man had the goal at his mercy.

A point from Luke O’Connor briefly halted the Dunloy charge but scores from Ryan McGarry, Seaan Elliott (free) and Tom McFerran took the Dunloy lead to seven points.  McGivern once again denying the Cuchullains and Seaan Elliott. 

Eoin Conlon pointed with the last puck of the half to leave the half time score 0-15 to 0-9 in Dunloy’s favour.

It was a brilliant first half that was played at a hectic rate, owed much to the refereeing by Ray Matthews who was happy to let the game go as much as he could.  The second half was much of the same attacking frenzy.  Points from Nigel Elliott and Aodhan McGarry were responded to by a brace from Niall O’Connor inside the opening two minutes. 

The Cuchullains finally scored the game’s opening goal in the third minute of the second half and it came after a brilliant move, started by Keelan Molloy in the half back line.  He found Kevin Molloy who passed to Nigel Elliott.  The Dunloy midfielder went on a trademark run through the middle, luring the defence and finding Luke McFerran and he made no mistake putting nine between the sides.

The Naomh Éanna response was excellent though with three unanswered points for the first time in the game, Niall O’Connor pointing from a ridiculous angle before adding another from a free while Eddie O’Connor added to his tally.

Shiels and Tom McFerran pointed either side of a Cormac Jennings point before Naomh Éanna hit a purple patch.  Two goals in four minutes from Donaghy, the first after a brilliant catch after a long delivery from Joe Maskey.  Donaghy evaded the Dunloy tackles before kicking the sliotar beyond Elliott in the Dunloy goals.  The second came from Donaghy’s predatory instincts.  Naomh Éanna were awarded a penalty after a foul on Donaghy and while Ryan Elliott saved Niall O’Connor’s effort, Donaghy was first to the rebound and pulled to the back of the net to put just two between the sides.

The final quarter saw Dunloy gain an element of control however.  With just three between the sides and nine minutes remaining, Donaghy looked to have sealed his hat-trick but Dunloy defender Phelim Duffin produced an outstanding block to deny him.

At the other end of the pitch, McGivern was at his work again, denying Seaan Elliott and Keelan Molloy but the Cuchullains saw out the time that remained with minimal fuss. 

The Cuchullains have booked at least a place in the quarter-final before their next group game, that coming against St John’s in Corrigan Park while Naomh Éanna will travel to Ballycastle looking for the points that will see them reach the knockout of the senior championship in a game where both sides will need something from.

TEAMS

DUNLOY:  Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Eoin McFerran, Oran Quinn; Ryan McGarry, Keelan Molloy, Kevin Molloy; Nicky McKeague, Nigel Elliott; Tom McFerran, Paul Shiels, Aodhan McGarry; Luke McFerran, Seaan Elliott, Eoin O’Neill

Subs: Ciaran Elliott for L McFerran (40); Eamon Smyth for N McKeague (57)

Scorers: S Elliott 0-10 (6fs, 1’65); T McFerran 0-4; E O’Neill 0-3; A McGarry 0-3; L McFerran 1-00; P Shiels 0-2; R McGarry 0-1; Keelan Molloy 0-1; Kevin Molloy 0-1; N Elliott 0-1; N McKeague 0-1

NAOMH ÉANNA:  Niall McGivern; Ronan Eager, Diarmuid Maguire, Ciaran McAllister; Eoin Conlon, Joe Maskey, Cormac Jennings; Oisin Ó Cuinn, Eddie O’Connor; Mal McGibbon, Brendan Cormican, Niall O’Connor; Luke O’Connor, Manus Mullan, Ruairi Donaghy

Subs: Killian Jennings for B Cormican (HT); Conor McAllister for E Conlon (46)

Scorers: N O’Connor 0-7 (4fs); R Donaghy 2-1; E O’Connor 0-4; C Jennings 0-4; E Conlon 0-1; J Maskey 0-1; M McGibbon 0-1

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

by thesaffrongael

Quinn’s late goal decisive in a game of changing fortunes

South Antrim Reserve Cup final

Naomh Comhghall 2-15 Naomh Una 2-9

In a game of changing fortunes Naomh Comhghall, Antrim and Naomh Una served up a thriller in this South Antrim Reserve Cup final at Pairc Una.

The game marked, what was-possibly a first when referee Chris Brown was accompanied by his two sons, Eoghan and Ciaran who were his linesmen for the night and before kick-off a minutes silence was observed for former Aggies man, Michael McLean.

Caolan O’Loan pointed the Antrim town side into an early lead but St. Agnes made an immediate response and Conor Mulgrew and Colin Mallon pointed before Mallon put his side in command with a goal in the 6th minute.

Liam Finn, who would go on to have a strong influence on proceedings, pointed a free and added another from play for Naomh Comhghall to close the gap to two but James Halleron fisted over at the other end to move the ‘Aggies’ three ahead once more.

Play swung from end to end as two well matched sides went head to head and Colm Griffin and Colm Mallon exchanged further points to leave it 1-4 to 0-4 in favour of the West Belfast men at the end of the opening quarter.

Things began to swing in favour of Naomh Comhghall in the second quarter as Finn punished a breach of the ‘3 up’ rule and added another pointed free with Caolan O’Loan for the Antrim town side and Conor Mulgrew for St. Agnes exchanging late points to leave it 1-5 to 0-6 for the men in black at the interval.

It was Naomh Comhghall who made an impressive start to the second half with Patrick Quinn pointing and Caolan O’Loan firing to the net in the 5th minute and another minor from Liam Finn had them three ahead after 8 minutes.

Just when the game looked to be swinging in favour of St. Comgall’s, St. Agnes were awarded a penalty which David Quigley coolly slotted home and it was ‘even-steven’ again.

And that’s the way it remained for a time with Peter McAuley for the Antrim men and Christopher McKee exchanging further points before Stephen Sloan edged the ‘Town’ ahead at the end of the third quarter.

Matthew Emery in the Comgall’s goal then then pulled of a smart save as St. Agnes threatened at the other end and further exchanges between Conor Gillgan and Mark McLaughlin for Naomh Una and Conor McLaughlin and Finn with a 2 pointer for Antrim had it finely balanced with only three minutes remaining.

The decisive moment in the game arrived two minutes later when full-forward, Patrick Quinn got in for a goal for the Antrim town men and the same player punished another breach of the 3 up rule before Declan Crummey replied with a late consolation point for Naomh Una.

A good game of football where both sides enjoyed moments of supremacy but it was Naomh Comhghall’s superior fitness and ability to take their scores at vital times in the game that proved the difference in the end.   

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

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by thesaffrongael

Mitchell’s claim Martin Shield with victory over East Belfast 

South Antrim, Martin Shield Final 

John Mitchells 2-7-1-6 East Belfast II

Kevin Herron reports from Sally Gardens 

JOHN MITCHELL’S claimed the South Antrim, Martin Shield after a 2-7-1-6 win over East Belfast II at Sally Gardens on Thursday evening. 

It took 10-minutes for the opening score to arrive, not for the want of trying though as both sides saw plenty of possession without registering. 

East Belfast were first off the mark with Mark Rooney converting a free, and he doubled his tally from a close range free 60-seconds later. 

They extended their lead after a flowing move through the hands that resulted in James Holloway swinging a shot over and with just over a quarter of an hour played Harry O’Donnell squeezed an angled shot inside the near post to make it 0-4-0-0. 

Mitchell’s almost had the game’s opening goal when Philip Moore claimed the mark and released David Scallon whose dipping shot crashed off the post and was cleared to safety. 

Moore kicked a high shot between the posts to get his side up and running in the 21st minute with Rooney replying from a free to restore the four-point advantage. 

A trip on Conor McIlhatton allowed him the opportunity to close the gap with a close-range free and he popped it over. 

The opening goal of the game arrived a minute shy of the break, Damien Lowry dropped a high ball into the square and Rory Groom did enough to to spook Cillian Monan in the East Belfast goal and palmed the ball to the net to make it 1-2-0-5. 

The hosts added a further point before the break through Moore as they held a slender lead at the midway point. 

Mitchell’s extended their lead after Oran Bradley picked out David Scallon for his second score of the evening. 

They then took a firm grip on proceedings when Rory Groom scored his second goal of the night. 

Despite Monan making a terrific save to keep out his initial close range effort, Groom threw himself at the loose ball and bundled it over the line to make it 2-4-0-5. 

East Belfast were without a score for almost 25-minutes either side of the break, but with ten minutes remaining they found a goal. 

Mark Rooney lined up a two-pointed attempt that dropped short and Niall Kennedy was able to stab the ball home from close range and make it 2-4-1-5. 

The hosts replied with points from Scallon and a converted Philip Moore free and after Eamon Mahon held onto a dipping two-pointed shot and popped the ball to James Brown in close proximity- Mitchell’s turned defence to attack with Joseph McQuillan fisting the ball over. 

Luke Walsh fisted over at the other end but East Belfast were unable to make any further inroads and Mitchell’s held out for victory. 

by thesaffrongael

Watson and Doherty fire Rasharkin to victory at Dreen

U16 Camogie League

Rasharkin 8-6 Davitt’s 2-3

A blistering start and fine individual performances from corner forward Molly Watson and captain Bronagh Doherty saw Rasharkin clinch the U16 camogie league title at Dreen on Wednesday.

The St Mary’s girls were made to withstand a second-half rally from the visitors but steadied the ship to run out comfortable winners.

The hosts seized the initiative early on with an early purple patch as centre forward Breonna McKenna scrambled home following a tidy save from the Davitt’s goalkeeper.

Sienna Mooney added a point before a brace of goals from Molly Watson and Bronagh Doherty put the Dreen side firmly in control at 3-1 to no score ahead.

Rocked by the intensity of the home side’s start, the Belfast girls found their feet midway through the first half.

Two well-taken frees from their midfielder closed the gap to eight points, but Rasharkin roared back, with Sienna Mooney netting before Bronagh Doherty notched her second major of the evening.

Caoimhe Quinn-Cassidy was called into action as Davitt’s pushed forward, the Sharkin stopper turning away a number of efforts before the visitors fired home their first goal from close range.

Bronagh Doherty with the U16 Cup

Again though the hosts responded; Meabh McCann slotted a neat pass into the path of Bronagh Doherty and the midfielder raced through to complete a first-half hattrick.

Rasharkin had a commanding 6-1 to 1-2 half time lead and added to their tally early in the second half as Molly Watson fired home her second goal of the evening.

Bronagh Doherty added a point from play before Tiernagh McMullan added the home side’s eighth goal of the night.

Davitt’s refused to lie down though and kept their opponents honest by mounting a late rally, firing home 1-1 in quick succession to reduce the deficit.

St Mary’s though regained their composure to finish with a flurry of points.

A Grace O’Boyle minor between two well-taken Watson points settled any nerves before skipper Bronagh Doherty completed the scoring with a late free.

Doherty raised the cup to the delight of her team-mates, who will now move forward to a championship meeting with either All Saints or Rossa next month.

Rasharkin: C Quinn-Cassidy, C Doherty, J Johnson-Barrett, K Baird, M McAleese, G Dickson, K McLernon, B Doherty (3-2), G O’Boyle (0-1), T McMullan (1-0), B McKenna (1-0), M McCann, E McCart, S Mooney (1-1), M Watson (2-2)

Subs: A McCart, L McFerran, C Hegarty, T McCoy

Management: Caroline Doherty, Damian McFerran, Michael Hardy

Referee: A McAuley (Ballycastle)

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Masters face Kerry in Shield semi-final.

Antrim Masters bid to finish amongst the elite top four came up just short, their four victories out of six contests earned them a place in the second tier grouping for counties rated fifth to eighth in the competition for Dr Mick Loftus shield.

Kerry provide the opposition at Annanough GAC, in Vicarstown, County Laois, with a 2pm throw in.

Both counties will have a healthy respect for each other after a pulsating contest last year, which Kerry won by the minimum, requiring the facility of extra time to do so. Kerry are consistently rated amongst the top performing counties in this increasingly competitive and prestigious competition, regularly fielding players with All Ireland honours earned across several decades.

Michael Herron who has been excellent for Antrim Masters during ther present campaign

Kerry pushed reigning champions Tyrone close just last Saturday for a place in the elite top four, a four point defeat saw Kerry join Antrim Cavan and Mayo amongst an ultra-competitive division second tier grouping which was won for the last two years in succession by neighbours Derry.

Antrim do not expect to call on the services of St Gall’s duo Sean Kelly or Colin Brady, Cargin’s Michael McCann and Lamh Dhearg marksman Paddy Cunningham who tweaked his hamstring a few weeks ago against Tyrone.  Management are sweating on the fitness of a number of other players who picked up knocks recently, and will delay announcing the starting team and panel until several last minute fitness tests have been completed.

Whilst a defeat will pull the curtain down on another season, the Saffron Masters carry a degree of confidence going into this encounter on the back of a highly competitive challenge game last week against Donegal, who have safely qualified for a top four berth. The North West men will fancy their chances of making it to this year’s elite Dr Loftus Cup final.

Seanie McGreevy, Michael Herron, Stephen O’Connell, Kieran Close, David McAlernon, Michael McCarry and Ryan Boyd are expected to spearhead Antrim’s challenge against the Kingdom, but it will take a mighty effort from all to qualify for the final pairing for their first time where they will face the winners of the other Shield semi-final, Mayo or Cavan in three weeks.

Stephen O’Connell has added solidity to the Antrim defence this year