by thesaffrongael

Glenravel triumph in fiesty affair

Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC – Round 2 – Fr Maginn Park

Glenravel 3-14  Aldergrove 2-11. 

As both of these teams had failed to register round robin league points in their opening games and both face challenging final round matches, the stakes were high in this Northern Switchgear Senior football championship game played in bright sunshine at Fr Maginn park on Sunday. Given the significance of the outcome the game was feisty in nature with referee Colin Thompson deploying every colour of card available to him as individual battles crossed the line on several occasions requiring Thompson and his team of officials to take disciplinary action – but in truth, this was just the cut and thrust of championship football with two teams intent on winning. In the end it was the home side who finished six points to the good at the final whistle but they were six points adrift playing with wind assistance and only ten minutes of the first half remaining. They rallied well in those final minutes to go in two points ahead of the opposition leaving the home supporters a lot happier. 

A young Con Magees fans shows his delight as Eamon Fyfe’s penalty hits the back of the Aldergrove net

Ryan McQuillan and Seamas McGarry opened for both teams before Corey Fogarty and Ronan Hanna nudged the visitors ahead. Sean McKay pegged one back for Con Magees but Aldergrove stretched their lead to six points with twenty one minutes played as Seamas McGarry and Ronan Hanna pointed and in between Declan Gough found the net as the airport men proved a lot more efficient in the scoring zone. Glenravel had probably more of the possession but squandered several chances at this stage through wayward shooting. That six point gap playing with the wind at their backs was starting to look ominous for the home side. But then the first real period of domination kicked in and Glenravel would put over six unanswered points from Sean McKay (0-03 1tp), Fergus Donaghy, Ryan McQuillan and Eamon Ward to put the teams level. And when Niall Hynds netted in first half injury time Glenravel had moved from six points down to three ahead – a pivotal move in a closely fought game. Corey Fogarty pointed for Aldergrove in the final move off the first half so both teams retired to the dressing rooms with Glenravel ahead by two points 1-08 to 1-06.

Ronan Hanna punches the air in celebration after scoring an Aldergrove goal early in the second half

The question on everyone’s lips was “was a two point advantage enough having played with strong wind assistance in the first half”? There were doubters in the crowd and they would have felt justified as Aldergrove came out all guns blazing with a Ronan Hanna goal straight after the re-start followed by three points from the same player and suddenly they were four points to the good. Glenravel started to offload from the bench in an effort to wrestle control back and that they did when Eamon Fyfe was pulled to the floor as he was about to pull the trigger on goal. The same player made no mistake from the penalty spot and then levelled affairs with a great point leaving both teams on 2-09 and only a quarter of the game remaining. All to play for.

Ryan McQuillan and Seamus McGarry would add a couple of points each to leave an even game at 2-11 each and five minutes of normal time remaining. In those closing minutes though Glenravel really dominated play. The impressive Colla Ward was sprung from the bench and announced his arrival with a well taken point and a couple of minutes later the same player found the net to leave the home side four points ahead. Aldergroves’ shoulders fell after that goal and they seemed to accept their fate as Aidan O’Donnell and Sean McKay added two further points and seal a six point victory for the men in green and white.

Glenravel now face Rossa in their final game and Aldergrove, who finished the game with thirteen players, now take on a very fancied Portglenone team in the final round of the round robin series. 

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by thesaffrongael

Paul’s late point ties matters at Hightown

IFC Group 1

St. Enda’s 4-10 Moneyglass 1-19

Paul Duffin became the St. Ergnat’s hero when his point in the 61st minute earned his side a draw in this keenly contested IFC Group 1 encounter at Hightown on Sunday afternoon.

In a game of changing fortunes where both sides enjoyed periods of supremacy it was the home side who looked to have gained their second win in three outings when a Michael McKenna point edged them in front with time almost up.

The visitors won possession from the resulting kick-out and Duffin moved forward from his centre-half birth to guide the ball between the uprights much to the delight of the travelling support.

It was St. Enda’s who enjoyed the better of the opening stages with Stephen O’Connor leading the way and the big number 11 opened the scoring with a point after 30 seconds and he went on to hit 1-3 with only 6 minutes on the clock.

In between a Seanchan Duffin point was all that Moneyglass could manage but gradually they got up to the pace of the game, their first for nearly three weeks and Colm Duffin scored 0-3 on the bounce to close the gap to 2 by the 13th minute.

Corner back, Zac Kyle came forward to increase that lead to 4 and when Sean Murray and Conor Eastwood added two quick fire goals in the 15th and 18th minutes things had again swung decisively the way of the Glengormley side.

Once again St. Ergtnat’s picked themselves up of the canvas as Sean Boyd and Colm Duffin pointed and a Boyd goal in the 23d minute put his side right back into contention.

Sean Boyd and Callum Murray added late points as the St. Enda’s scores dried up and by half time the gap was down to 2 and we looked like we had a game on our hands.

The two Sean’s, Murray for St. Enda’s and Boyd for Moneyglass exchanged early second half points but a Mickey Morgan Point and a goal from a Stephen O’Connor penalty looked to have put Naomh Eanna back in a commanding position with only 8 minutes of the new half gone.

Colm Duffin pulled one back for the visitors but a Sean McBride point in the 12th minute restored the home side’s advantage and the visitors again looked in trouble.

They dug deep however as their renowned fighting spirit came to the fore with ace marksman, Colm Duffin getting them going again with a well struck 2 pointer.

This score appeared to galvanise those around him as Tyler Cassidy, Colm Duffin 0-2 and an Aiden McErlain 2 pointer saw them hit the front again by the 24th minute but this excellent contest was far from over.

Indeed, as the pendulum swung back in favour of St Enda’s it was Sean McBride, Stephen O’Connor and Michael McKenna, with a late point that looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

However the visitors staged one final rally and it was Paul Duffin who finished confidently to snatch the draw that keeps them firmly in the race for a place in the semi-finals.

St. Ergnat’s have 3 points from 2 starts, a point behind Sarsfield’s who have 4 points but have played a game more.

St. Enda’s have 3 points from three starts and will be hoping that the teams above them slip up in their final fixtures with Moneyglass at home to Naomh Padraig Lisburn and away to Rasharkin while Sarsfield’s travel to Naomh Padraig in their final game.

St. Enda’s final fixture is away to Rasharkin on the 30th August and if they win that one then they will have to wait until the 24th September when Sarsfield’s and St. Ergnat’s have completed their programmes to know their fate.

Stephen O’Connor, St. Enda’s and Colm Duffin, St. Ergnat’s with match referee, Cathal McDermott. Both players had massive influences on today’s draw at Hightown
by thesaffrongael

Gallagher hat-trick paves the way for convincing Glenavy win

IFC Group 2

Glenavy 6-12 Davitt’s 1-10

Goals win games and St. Joseph’s Glenavy scored six of them at Chapel Hill on Saturday to maintain their place at the top of Group 2 and earn a spot in the Intermediate Championship semi-final.

James Gallagher led the way with a hat-trick for the men in Orange who had most of the damage done at half time when they led 3-8 to 1-5 despite the best efforts of Gerard Slane for the visitors.

Ciaran Loney got the home side of the mark with a point after 30 seconds and Finn Shannon followed with a well struck 2 pointer as the home side made a brisk start at a sunny Chapel Hill.

Big John O’Neill opened the Davitt’s account directly from a ‘45’ in the 6th minute with Fergal Henry replying immediately from play to restore St. Joseph’s three point advantage.

Paul McLaughlin for Davitt’s and Fiontan O’Boyle exchanged further minors and a pointed free from Gerard Slane kept the visitors in touch at the end of the opening quarter.

Slowly though Glenavy started to turn the screw with Fergal Henry hitting two points either side of a goal from Pauric McKevitt in the 20th minute as a fluent move opened up the Davitt’s defence.

Slane was doing all in his power to keep the visitors in touch and he pointed a 22nd minute free and replied to a Ciaran Loney point before their challenge received a severe setback.

Davitt’s conceded a penalty with three minutes remaining to the break which Fergal Henry confidently tucked away and before the cheering could die down, James Gallagher followed with another from play to leave 9 between the sides as the half time whistle sounded.

Fergal Henry quickly added a point on the restart but Davitt’s were still giving it everything as Conor John Sullivan replied with a 2 pointer to give them a glimmer of hope.

Those hopes were further raised when Anthony Rowntree’s effort sailed all the way to the St. Joseph’s net to reduce the deficit to five with only four minutes of the new half gone but that would be as close as the West Belfast side got.

James Gallagher wiped that score out with his second major of the contest within a minute and after Gerard Slane had replied with a point, Fiontan O’Boyle got in for Glenavy’s fifth goal of the game with 20 minutes still remaining.

The visitors were doing asll in their power to get their own game going and the impressive Slane would add two more points by the 19th minute but the scoring for the men in Green-White & Gold dried up at this point.

Mid-fielder Loney added to an impressive individual performance with another fine point and James Gallagher added another before completing his hat-trick with five minutes remaining.

With one game to play, Glenavy top Group 2 with 6 points from 3 starts and can’t be caught but Davitt’s can still qualify if they can beat St. Teresa’s in their next game at Davitt’s Park while a win for the Glen Road side would likely earn them qualification.

Glenavy: 1 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Darragh Doherty, 3 Patrick Fox, 4 Ruairi Forester, 5 Pearse O’Neill, 6 Conor Hamill, 7 Pauric McKevitt, 8 Ciaran Loney, 9 Michael Johnston, 10 Dominic Gallagher, 11 Fiontan O’Boyle, 12 Patrick Gallagher, 13 Finn Shannon, 14 James Gallagher, 15 Fergal Henry, 23 Darragh Armstrong

Davitt’s: 1 Ryan McAuley, 2 Conor Toner, 3 Nathan Maginn, 5 Anthony Rowntree, 6 Anthony Gargan, 7 James Lindsay, 8 Niall McParland, 9 Gerard Slane, 10 Paul McLaughlin, 11 Padraig McParland, 12 Conor John Sullivan, 13 Ceavy Slane, 14 John O’Neill, 15 Danny Wallace, 21 Michael Og Rowntree.

Referee: Kevin Parke (St. Enda’s)

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by thesaffrongael

Goals the difference as St. Gall’s advance to the quarter-finals

SFC Group 4

St. Gall’s 4-16 All Saints 1-19

St. Gall’s produced a power packed second half performance to overcome the challenge of All Saints at a sun kissed Milltown on Saturday evening. The Ballymena side had enjoyed the better of the first half exchanges and led by eight points at one stage thanks to an excellent goal from Conor Stewart who caused the opposition endless problems throughout the opening period.

The Milltown mentors appeared to identify the problem the big All Saints number 9 was causing and the Antrim county man was less affective in the second period as the home side gradually took over, clawing back the All Saints lead before pushing on to win convincingly.

Niall Burns, who was outstanding for St. Gall’s comes under pressure from Joe Rafferty, All Saints

Niall O’Neill for St. Gall’s and Sean O’Callaghan for the visitors exchanged early points before Conor Stewart fisted over to give the visitors the lead.

St. Gall’s responded and Kavan Keenan pulled off a great block to deny Niall Burns before Liam Lynn for the Milltown side and Joe Rafferty exchanged further points.

Paddy McAleer restored the visitors two point advantage before Lynn cut in from the left to fire over in reply but another fine effort from McAleer restored the Ballymena side’s two point advantage with 10 minutes gone.

The visitors were enjoying much the better of the exchanges at this point and veteran keeper, Kevin Niblock got down smartly to deny Conor Stewart but the All Saints mid-fielder would not be denied for long as he cut through the St. Gall’s defence and placed his shot in the corner of the net.

Baker Bradley’s side were in full swing at this stage as Ronan McKillop added a fine point and James McDonnell added another before Daniel Quinn fisted over at the other end to reduce the gap to six.

It was short respite for the home side however as the All Saints scoring spree continued with McAleer kicking his fourth of the evening from a close range free after the ball had been moved forward for dissent.

Lynn was leading the St. Gall’s resistance and he replied at the other end but another converted free from McAleer and an excellent McKillop 2 pointer had the Slemish Park side 8 in front and seemingly coasting.

St. Gall’s had been second best for the most of the opening half but they continued to battle and Con Doherty pointed after taking a fine pass from mid-field.

Substitute, Patrick Ferris attack’s the St. Gall’s goal

Back came the Milltown side again and good fortune or misfortune (Depends what side you were on) struck when Niall Burns rose to fist a tantalising delivery off the crossbar and in the melee that followed Callum Walsh forced the ball through a crowded goalmouth.

Buoyed by this piece of good fortune Niall O’Neill laid the ball off to Niall Burns who popped over and suddenly that 8 point gap was down to four.

The visitors looked shocked but they did reply through the industrious Stewart but Daniel Quinn made an immediate reply and further exchanges between Quinn and Stewart had it 1-13 to 1-9 in favour of the men in white at the break.

Second-Half:

That Walsh goal had certainly changed the momentum of the game and the increasingly influential Burns pointed an early free to cut the gap to three but points from Stewart and Connell Lemon in reply should have settled the visitors as they moved five ahead once more.

The Niall Burns influence was starting to tell for the Milltown side however as he pointed two frees and Daniel Quinn added another from play as the home side began to dominate the kick-out.

The turning point in the half arrived in the 41st minute when ‘Cece’ Walsh hung his pass across the face of goal and Conn Doherty dived to fist to the net and give his side the lead for the first time since the opening minute.

The Ballymena side looked rattled but they did reply through a Paddy McAleer free but the momentum was now very much with the home side and Burns restored their lead from a hotly disputed free.

Paddy McAleer, All Saints has his shot blocked by Conor Burke, St. Gall’s

All Saints were still fighting to get their game going again and Paddy McAleer restored their lead from another 2 pointer but it was Niall Burns who was now dictating matters and he powered through a static All Saints defence to fire home his side’s third goal of the evening.

A minute later it was as good as over when Burns rounded keeper, Ryan Stewart for his side’s 4th major of the evening with McAleer relying from a close range free but it was goals they needed and to be truthful they never looked like coming.

Instead it was St. Gall’s who pointed through a fisted effort at the other end as All Saints rang the changes and things got a little heated for the first time in another wise sporting game when Eoghan McCabe was dragged down.

Common sense prevailed however with the visitors going direct route one in the closing minutes but the home side stood strong under the dropping ball to advance to the play-offs for the first time in four years.

All Saints now face Lamh Dhearg in their final group game and, depending on the outcome of Sunday’s encounter between the Hannastown men and Creggan, might well be needing a win to avoid the dreaded relegation play-offs.

.

St Gall’s: K Niblock; C McGirr, G Adams, C McCabe; G O’Neill, E McCabe, L Lynn 0-3; C Burke, C Ryan; N Burns 1-6 (0-4f), B Bradley 0-1, C Walsh, N O’Neill 1-1, C Doherty 1-1, D Quinn 1-4

Subs: D Wilson, N Fallon, N McCurdy, C Murray, E Walsh, E McCurdy, C Kerr, M Murray, P Óg Murray

All Saints Ballymena: R Stewart; M Downey, K Keenan, C O’Brien; J Rafferty 0-1, S O’Callaghan 0-1, J McDonnell 0-1; C Stewart 1-6, E Killough; C Lemon 0-1, P McReynolds, P McAleer 0-6 (0-3f) R McKillop 0-3 (1x2P); S McVeigh, C Campbell

Subs: Conor Brennan, H Connon R Thom, P Mitchell, M Watt, S McDermott, P Ferris, R McVeigh, D Bradley

Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)

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by thesaffrongael

Smith bags a hat-trick but Cuchullains seal place in quarters

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship

Group 1 – Match Day 2

Tír na nÓg 5-8 Dunloy 4-15

Saturday 16 August 

Brendan McTaggart reports from Whitehill, Randalstown

Dunloy sealed their passage to the last eight of the senior championship on Saturday evening but they were made to fight all the way by a Tír na nÓg side who found their goal-den touch.

This one turned into a goal-frenzy with six goals coming in the second half, four in the final 10 crazy minutes that saw the Randalstown men cause Dunloy plenty of problems.

Livewire full-forward Caleb Smith helped himself to a hat-trick in a game that Smith was a constant threat while Eamon Og McAllister and Emmet Murray were always a danger.

The Cuchullains bagged two goals in either half, Keelan Molloy and Karl Fitzpatrick before the interval – Fitzpatrick with a well taken penalty while Nigel Elliott and substitute Eoin O’Neill found the back of the Tír na nÓg net after the break.

Deaglan Smith put in another exemplary performance from midfield, landing five points over the hour while Seaan and Nigel Elliott were a constant threat for the Cuchullains.  They would score just 1-2 of their final tally from open play, 2-6 coming from open play in the second half which no doubt will have pleased the Cuchullains management.  What will have been a note for concern was the manner of the goals conceded, in particular the last three which they will see as unavoidable.  Tír na nÓg were in the right place and made no mistake when presented with the opportunity.

Despite playing into whatever wind was blowing, Dunloy made the brighter start with three points on the scoreboard in the opening five minutes – Seaan Elliott, Smith and Tom McFerran with the scores.

A brilliant two pointed effort from Sean Duffin got the home side firing shortly after before Caleb Smith bagged the opening major of the game.  Collecting a long ball from Duffin, Smith dropped his shoulder and finished superbly to put his side in the lead.  They had another glimpse of a major with the next attack but Murray’s effort came back off the post.

The Cuchullains recovered to tie the scores with points coming from Seaan Elliott, Tom McFerran, Smith (free) and Molloy, a brace of placed ball points from Fagan the response from the home side.

Two Dunloy goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half proved to be crucial however with Keelan Molloy getting on the end of a super move that saw Luke McFerran providing the assist while Fitzpatrick nailed his penalty high to the net and put daylight between the sides.  Caleb Smith and Oliver McAtamney fired over points for the home side while Deaglan Smith (free) and Seaan Elliott raised white flags for Dunloy to leave the half time score 2-9 to 1-6 in the Cuchullains favour.

Tír na nÓg made the best possible start to the second half when they were awarded a penalty for an foul on McAllister.  Fagan converted the spot kick with precision, high to the back of the Dunloy net that gave the Cuchullains substitute ‘keeper Sean Doherty no chance.

The home side wouldn’t register another score for over 10 minutes while Dunloy hit back.  Points from Molloy, Deaglan Smith and Nigel Elliott came before Elliott landed his sides third major.

A point from substitute Joshua Higgins stopped the Dunloy onslaught but the Cuchullains registered further scores from Deaglan Smith and Seaan Elliott to put nine between the sides with ten minutes of the hour remaining.

The time that remained proved to be bizarre with four goals coming, three for the Whitehill side.  Two in two minutes from Sean Duffin and Caleb Smith’s second, Duffin collecting a long, high ball from McAllister before spinning his man and hitting the back of the net.  Smith’s major coming after brilliant work and a strong run coming from Barry McCormick to create the chance.

Dunloy responded with their fourth goal, substitute Eoin O’Neill showing his predatory instincts to get on the end of an Aodhan McGarry through ball and palmed the ball beyond the rushing McAtamney. 

O’Neill would split the uprights soon after to put seven between the sides with five minutes remaining but Tír na nÓg kept coming.  A defensive error gave Caleb Smith the opportunity to complete his hat-trick, he made no mistake with a fine near post finish to give Tír na nÓg hope but despite the Cuchullains going down to 14 men with Ryan McGarry receiving a black card, Dunloy saw out the remaining time.

Dunloy turn their thoughts now to the small ball and ash as they face Naomh Éanna next Friday while Tír na nÓg will face Glenariffe in the Intermediate championship next Sunday.  When both sides return to big ball action, Dunloy will face current Antrim kingpins Cargin while Tír na nÓg take on St John’s, both games to be played at neutral venues.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Chrissy McMahon; Reece Cunning, Aaron Crawford, James Scally; Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McGarry, Jack Martin; Eoin McFerran, Deaglan Smith; Nigel Elliott, Tom McFerran, Seaan Elliott; Luke McFerran, Keelan Molloy, Karl Fitzpatrick

Subs: Sean Doherty for C McMahon (28); Eoin O’Neill for K Fitzpatrick (42); B arry McCloskey for L McFerran (48)

Scorers: D Smith 0-5 (2f); K Molloy 1-2; S Elliott 0-4; N Elliott 1-1; E O’Neill 1-1; K Fitzpatrick 1-00 (1-00pen); T McFerran 0-2

Tír na nÓg: Sean-Paul McAtamney; Ciaran McGrillis, Dylan McLarnon, Daniel Martin; Ryan Crilly, Ciaran O’Neill, Brandon McLarnon; Barry McCormick, Darragh Fagan; Aodhan Tolan, Sean Duffin, Oliver McAtamney; Eamon Og McAllister, Caleb Smith, Emmet Murray

Subs: Aaron McNeilly for O McAtamney (HT); Joshua Higgins for A Tolan (45); Ryan O’Neill for C Smith (60)

Scorers:  C Smith 3-1; D Fagan 1-3 (1-00pen, 2f, 1’45); S Duffin 1-2 (1TP); O McAtamney 0-1; J Higgins 0-1

Referee: Darren McKeown (Naomh Gall)

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