by thesaffrongael

Football Championship weekend

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.

.

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.

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall too strong for Ahoghill in Senior Camogie opener

Antrim Senior Camogie Championship

Ruairi Og Cushendall 3-23 St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-03

Pics by Bert Trowlen

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.  

TO SEE MORE OF BERTS PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/aGfySckVjaJ3rF/?invite=3729595f-cdbf-40a7-883a-24c288c7e636

by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle out to prove a point but it’s the Shamrocks that get the win

Northern Properties Antrim Camogie Senior Championship Loughgiel 0-22 Ballycastle 1-11

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park

A last minute change of management for Ballycastle could have plunged the Town into disarray, but under the vocal sideline directive from stand-in manager, Barry Kelly, nothing could have been further from the truth as a high spirited black and amber army gave it everything in an attempt to prove they are still a force to reckon with in this year’s championship.

It was a game with as many fouls as points, keeping referee, Jerome McAllister, busy with his damp notepad that took its fair share of the showers. McAllister’s whistle had only finished blowing for the throw-in when Ballycastle’s Maeve Kelly carried out the spoils from a huge ruck and finding Janey McIntosh, the Town had their first point on the board, much to the approval of their supporters.

Loughgiel were quick to respond with points coming from Kirsty McKendry and Amy Boyle and then the game lapsed into a period of toe to toe points at five all before Loughgiel’s, Roísín McCormick, dropped four frees over the bar, almost in succession, to put four points the difference going into the break, Loughgiel 0-09 Ballycastle 0-05.

Ballycastle’s Maebh O’Neill runs out of luck with no stick despite surrounded by a four leaf shamrock

Despite the abundance of fouls in the first half, which had a staccato effect on the game, in between, the pace was frantic at times. Ballycastle’s McIntosh sisters, Elen and Janey persevered deep into Loughgiel’s defence, looking for the breaks and sisters Fionnuala and Maeve Kelly tirelessly gathered sliotars from mid field to feed forward with aid from the omnipresent Emma Laverty.

If Loughgiel had a game plan for the second half, it probably would have said, stick to the game plan. With tenacious composure, the Shamrock’s pointed away quietly with McCormick clipping the lion’s share of scores over the bar and points from Caitrín Dobbin, Orlagh Laverty and a fine point from Lucia McNaughton from a mid air pick pocket off Catherine McShane. Those points set the Shamrock’s on an eleven point difference going into the last minute of the game, before Ballycastle’s Fionnuala Kelly reaped her rewards pushing deep into Shamrock territory and with a simple lob into the top right of the net had the only green flag raised of the evening and the long whistle quickly followed, closing the game Loughgiel 0-22 Ballycastle 1-11.

Loughgiel’s Roísín McCormick reached for another gear to high score again

After tonight’s round of games, Loughgiel sit at the top of the table but there is still everything to play for in the race to securing that valuable slot in the final.

Loughgiel starters and scorers

Emma McAllister, Maria Lynn, Katie Lynn, Finvola McVeigh, Lucia McNaughton 0-01, Emma McFadden, Clare McKillop, Amy Boyle 0-01, Anna Connolly, Katie McKillop 0-01, Roísín McCormick 0-14 (10f, 1×45), Kirsty McKendry 0-01, Orlagh Laverty 0-01, Mary McKillen, Marie Laverty, Caitrin Dobbin 0-01

Ballycastle starters and scorers

Becky Ellis, Cara Delaney, Enya McShane, Aoife Toner, Maebh O’Neill, Niamh Donnelly, Emma Laverty, Fionnuala Kelly 1-00, Maeve Kelly 0-02, Shannagh Heggarty, Nuala Devlin 0-01, Riana McBride, Eimear McCaughan, Janey McIntosh 0-01, Elen McIntosh 0-07 (6f)

You can see more photos from the game by clicking on the link here…

https://myalbum.com/album/aLHxgNdvpEDV97/?invite=dab24f7c-96c6-48a4-8913-e4ada3e93d89

by thesaffrongael

Lámhs see off determined Saints to secure quarter final berth 

Casement Social Club, Antrim Junior Hurling Championship – Group 2, Round 3 

Lámh Dhearg 2-21-2-11 All Saints, Ballymena 

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown 

Lámh Dhearg prevailed in a winner take all encounter with All Saints and progressed to the quarter-final of the Casement Social Club Antrim Junior Hurling Championship with a 2-21-2-11 victory at Hannahstown on Sunday evening. 

Both sides went into the game without a win and knowing that a third straight defeat would mean their respective years hurling would end. 

Early points were traded between Adam Murray and Eoin McGuigan within the first 60-seconds. 

It was the Saints who would land the games first goal when Darach Bradley flashed a low free to the net inside of four minutes. 

Murray (65’) and McGuigan traded the next two scores and Murray added a further point from a free before the Hannahstown men netted themselves and hit the front. 

Conor Herron broke the resulting puck-out and slipped a pass off to Conor McConville jnr, he flicked the ball inside to Murray who opted for a popped pass to Aidan McGuigan to slot home and make it 1-3-1-2. 

All Saints almost had their second of the evening, but Paddy Joe Herron made himself big to deny Bradley his second. 

The Lámhs doubled their advantage when Donal Martin evaded heavy pressure and swung over, but the visitors restored parity through a third McGuigan point of the half and a fine Luke O’Rawe shot that sailed over in the strong breeze. 

Frees were exchanged between Murray and Bradley before the hosts opened up a two point advantage again. 

Daniel Murray took a pass from McConville and made space for a shot that flew over, with Adam Murray adding his third free. 

The pattern of the half continued as successive frees from Darach Bradley drew the sides level for fifth time. 

Bradley and Murray traded further placed balls before the All Saints talisman clipped over his first from play. 

For the final time in the half the sides were locked level at 1-9 apiece thanks to a Ciaran Boyd attempt that snuck inside the far post. 

It was Lámh Dhearg who would inch ahead before the conclusion, Adam Murray was on hand to fire a 65’ between the posts to ensure his side were 1-10-1-09 ahead at the midway point. 

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze towards the Upper Springfield Road end, Lámh Dhearg added to their slender advantage with Adam Murray hitting his second point from play. 

A second goal then followed when Declan Lynch dropped a high ball into Murray’s path, his shot lacked power and was easily gathered by Ciaran Cassley and as the All Saint’s keeper went to clear, Murray blocked him down and sent the ball across the square where Daniel Murray took the reins and shot to the net to make it 2-11-1-09. 

Cassley was unable to continue after injuring his knee and deputy Luke Walsh was fortunate that one of his first jobs wasn’t picking the ball from the net after Declan Lynch’s long range drive came back out of the underside of the bar. 

Lámh Dhearg were moving through the gears with no surprise that Adam Murray continued to add to his increasing tally, he would land three of a further five unanswered scores from play, with Donal Martin doubling his account and Sean Paul Gibson sweeping over. 

All Saints were without a score since the 27th minute but gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a 48th minute goal. 

Damian Gillan burst forward and opted for a hand pass across to Liam Cassley to flick home and make it 2-16-2-09. 

Adam Murray replied with his third 65’ of the evening and Darach Bradley got his side’s opening point of the second period. 

Two further Adam Murray points followed, one from play and the other from a free with Luke O’Rawe dropping over All Saints final score of the contest. 

Lámh Dhearg would finish the scoring through Boyd and Murray (free) to ensure double figures separated the duo at the conclusion and that their side would secure passage to the last eight and a trip to Musgrave Park to take on St Brigid’s in two weeks time. 

by thesaffrongael

Champions in cruise control

Antrim Senior Hurling Championship – Round 2

At Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel

Cushendall 10-28 Carey Faughs 0-18

The final scorline must have had the historians scanning the record books as county champions Ruairi Og Cushendall won 10-28 to 0-18 against last years’ Intermediate champions Carey Faughs in Round 2 of the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship game at Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel. The Carey men would have been pleased to hit a more than respectable total of 0-18 and Brian Delargy and his management team would be a little concerned by that, but it was at the other end of the field the champions really shone. 10-28 must surely be the biggest total ever recorded and it will certainly do their score difference no harm, but it also begs the question why the Faughs were forced into playing senior this year.

Unfortunately it is the case that the teams winning Intermediate Championship, or even Division 2 League find it very difficult to compete at the higher level, especially in championship. Cushendun were the last team to really make a mark when they came up to senior in the mid to late nineties and reached the senior final in 2000, actually leading Dunloy at half time. St Enda’s are the last to have done it, the Glengormley men surviving in the top division in the league and in the Senior Championship for a few years now.

However those are the exceptions and especially clubs with low number are always going to find it hard to survive at the top level and it might be worth thinking of changing the rules to allow teams to stay in Intermediate unless they win the title twice in a row, or even two out of three. Of course that scenario would rule the likes of Carey out of Ulster, after their provincial success last season, if they were to win titles back to back, but it is certainly worth considering.

Back to Sunday’s game and despite lining out without Neil McManus Cushendall had just too much scoring power for the Faughs defence. Carey started very well and actually led by 0-03 to 0-01 after four minutes, their scores coming from Conal McGlynn and Conor McBride (2), but one the Ruairis found their range there was no stopping them. It was the goals that did the real damage and once Thomas McLaughlin got the first one on ten minutes there was no way back. McLaughlin’s brother Joseph got the second on fourteen minutes and Fiontann Bradley got number three five minutes later. Joseph McLaughlin added number four on 22 minutes, while two inside a minute from Joe McLaughlin and Dominic Delargy sent them in at the break with a 6-14 to 0-09 lead.

The second half was more of the same and with Carey facing the breeze it was even more difficult. To their credit they Faughs battled away against the odds and with Conor McBride leading the line they scored the same (0-09) against the wind as they did with it, while Cushendall mirrored their first half total by hitting 14 points again. The goals were once again the difference and the Ruairis fell a bit short, hitting just four in this thirty minute spell.

Carey finish their campaign with a home game against Rossa in two weeks’ time, while Cushendall host Loughgiel in what will be the biggest game of the campaign so far,

CUSHENDALL

Conor McAllister, Charlie McAuley, Paddy Burke, Martin Burke, Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McCambridge, Francis McCurry, Joseph McNaughton, Ciaran Neeson, Tomas McLaughlin, Ed McQuillan, Fiontann Bradley, Dominic Delargy, Joseph McLaughlin.

CAREY FAUGHS

Jimmy Joe Burns, Zach McCaughan, Collum McKiernan, Michael McVeigh, Conal McGlynn, Conlith McKinley, Shea Hunter, James Black, Callum Cane, Conor McBride, Darren Magowan, Fiachra McVeigh, Patrick Butler, Patrick Gillan.

Referee – Kevin Parke

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

https://myalbum.com/album/dvDRjjgQh8YiUG/?invite=547b30f1-8bd5-4598-b93f-f5ffb190c183