by thesaffrongael

Cross and Passion complete second half fightback in titanic Leonard Cup opener 

Danske Bank Leonard Cup 

St. Mary’s CBGS 3-16-2-20 Cross and Passion 

By Kevin Herron 

Pics by Bert Trowlen

DAMIAN LAVERTY’S late free sealed a stunning second half fightback and saw Cross and Passion edge past St. Marys’ in their opening Leonard Cup encounter with a 2-20-3-16 victory on the Glen Road on Wednesday afternoon. 

The visitors had a strong opening quarter but found themselves in arrears at the break and by the 35th minute trailed 2-13-0-10, but they slowly got to grips and closed to within a point in the dying embers and held their nerve to leave with victory at the conclusion. 

Paidi O’Kane got Cross and Passion off the mark in the early stages with the Ballycastle outfit shooting into the breeze blowing towards the Monagh By-Pass end. 

A converted Matthew O’Neill free restored parity quickly and O’Neill added his first point from play shortly afterwards. 

CPC largely dominated the opening 10-minutes and it soon reflected on the scoreboard as Killian Cassidy tied things up for a second time and a converted O’Kane free edged them back ahead. 

A fine Damien Laverty score extended their advantage with O’Kane converting a further free and Tom Richmond finding aim to give their side a 0-6-0-2 lead. 

Despite Jude Gamble landing a fine point from range that was met by two in reply from the visitors courtesy of Cahir McCloskey and Ronan Elliott (free). 

The same pattern presented itself following Matthew O’Neill’s third point of the half, with Killian Cassidy sending over successive scores in less than 60-seconds as his side held a 0-10-0-4 advantage. 

The opening goal arrived midway through the opening period and it was a much needed goal for St. Mary’s. 

Matthew O’Neill headed for goal but saw his angled shot kept out by Liam McClelland, but Sian McMullan reacted quickest and flashed the loose ball to the net. 

A converted Matthew O’Neill free followed the hosts were back in business as they began to get to grips with things in attack whilst keeping the backdoor shut. 

They would keep Cross and Passion scoreless for the remainder of the half and by the 25th minute had clawed their way level after O’Neill added a further point from play and another from the placed ball. 

The Glen Road outfit led for just the second time after Gerard Delaney landed an angled score and just before the break Matthew O’Neill brought his tally to seven with another placed ball as the hosts led 1-9-0-10. 

St. Mary’s picked up where they left off before the interval with O’Neill adding to his personal tally and things would get better when Conan Mulligan raced onto a precise forward pass and had the composure to lift the ball over the keeper and it dropped in to make it 2-10-0-10. 

Jude Gamble landed a long range free, goalscorer Sian McMullan got his first point of the afternoon and Matthew O’Neill swung over his fourth from play. 

Cross and Passion ended a scoreless spell that stretched just over 20-minutes and it was a vital score as Cahir McCloskey rifled to the net to reduce arrears by a third (2-13-1-10). 

In the aftermath, Ronan Elliott converted a free and McCloskey notched his second point of proceedings. 

Successive Matthew O’Neill points- one from a free and the other from play- would restore his sides six-point advantage, though the pendulum was shifting with the game in the final quarter. 

Damian Laverty converted two frees either side of a John Og Darragh point. Darragh doubled his tally and Cahir McCloskey clipped over a 54th minute point to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum. 

The hosts looked to have given themselves a platform to victory when they netted for the third time through Cristoir McCabe, but at the other end Damian Laverty drilled a converted free to the net to make it 3-15-2-17. 

With two minutes to spare Paidi O’Kane dropped a shot over to pull his side level, though there was still time for the lead to change hands. 

St. Mary’s regained the lead through a Gerard Delaney point, though John Og Darragh popped over a further equaliser. 

It was the Ballycastle side who held their nerve at the last, earning themselves a late free that Damian Laverty converted. 

The hosts were unable to reply and force a share of the spoils as Cross and Passion held out for a 2-20-3-16 victory in what was a quality game of hurling. 

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by thesaffrongael

Aggies and Na Piarsaigh get weekend action underway

It’s Football Championship Finals this weekend and it looks like being an exciting programme for followers of the big ball game with deciders at Junior, Intermediate and senior level.

Junior Football Championship final

Davitt’s Park – Saturday 4-00pm

St. Agnes v Pearses

Both sides have impressed in the run up to Saturday’s final at Davitt’s Park where Naomh Una will start as slight favourites by virtue of their division 3 league winning campaign.

The ‘Aggies’ went through their league campaign where they won 12 of their 14 fixtures but one of their defeats came at the hands of Na Piarsaigh back in early July with the Antrim Road side edging it by a point in a high scoring 6-10 to 2-21 encounter.

It was a reversal of their round 1 league meeting where St. Agnes had two to spare over Saturday’s opponents. That one finished 1-14 to 0-15 so league form would suggest there is little to separate the sides.

Pearses league form was inconsistent though and they won only 6 and lost 7 of their league fixtures but as we have already seen this season, league form can count for little when it comes to the championship.

Despite losing prolific forward, Ronan Carroll to a serious injury earlier in the season St. Agnes carried their good league form into the championship and recorded a confidence boosting 1-20 to 0-13 win over Kickham’s Ardoyne, the other team to record a league win over them, and went on to beat Cardinal O’Donnell’s and a walk-over against St. Malachy’s meant that they topped Group 1 undefeated.

That form earned the ‘Aggies’ a direct passage into the semi-final where they met an Eire Og side who had defeated O’Donnell’s in the quarter-final and came into the semi-final at Pairc Una on a good run of form.

Division 3 league winners, St. Agnes took advantage of a home fixture, the prize for topping their group, to defeat Eire Og in a competitive Junior Football Championship encounter.

They didn’t get it all their own way against an Eire Og side who were still in contention late in the game when Mark Graham finished to the net from close range to close the gap to four.

As they had done throughout the game, the Aggies were always able to respond and the league winners finished strongly to win by seven in the end and book a place in the final against Na Piarsaigh.

A goal from James Campbell in the 15th minute gave them a lead they would not subsequently lose.

Aggies wing-back, Caomhin Floyd’s shot looked to be going over but came back of the upright and Campbell gathered the rebound before dispatching his effort low and into the bottom corner.

The same player followed up his major with a point to pile on the pressure as the Aggies began to take control and David McGaharan added another from out on the wing, much to the delight of the Aggies support.

Conall Turley was excellent for the Woodland’s side and finished the game with 7 points as St. Agnes ran out 1-18 to 1-11 winners.

Their opponents in Sunday’s final, Na Piarsaigh have put indifferent league form behind them and seem to have peaked at just the right time coming into the championship and defeated Wolfe Tonnes and Eire Og in the group stages but lost to Laochra Loch Lao.

They beat a strong Kickham’s Ardoyne in the quarter-finals and produced, possibly their best performance of the season to reverse that defeat to Laochra Loch Lao in the semi-finals and will fancy their chances on Saturday in West Belfast.

Liam Deegan, Philip Murray, Sean Moreland Fion Grew, James Smyth, Ruairi Bannon, Piaras Donaghy and Thomas McFarlane will lead the Na Piarasaigh challenge as they aim to claim their second Junior title in recent years.

St. Agnes will look to Colum Carroll, James Campbell, Ryan Reilly, Cormac Flannery, Caoimhin Floyd, Patrick Mulgrew, Shea Madden, Conall Turley, David McGaharan and Colin Clarke to lead them to a league and championship double at Davitt’s Park and they might just have enough to see them through.

by thesaffrongael

Oisins cailíní win the LGFA Junior B title

Antrim LGFA Junior B final at Moneyglass

Glenariffe Oisins 4-13 Naomh Padraig, Lisbun 2-02

After a successful day on the Loughbeg Road in Moneyglass on Saturday for Glenravel ladies winning the intermediate championship, Glenariffe ladies followed suit on Sunday in the same venue in the Junior B Championship.

The game was already written into the history books with Lisburn reaching their first final in this code after defeating last year’s finalists St Comgall’s a fortnight ago. Glenariffe were no strangers to a final, their last appearance being in 2021. Both teams came into this final full of confidence and both sets of supporters came out in full force which were a credit to their parishes.

The game started intensely with Glenariffe starting the scoring with a fine point from Niamh O’Neill. Lisburn reacted quickly and with the winds at their backs, they moved the ball quickly up the field with Grace Ferris being the driving force, they broke through the Glenariffe defence and hit the back of the net. A quick response from Glenariffe was needed and that’s what they done. From the resulting kick out, Glenariffe got up the pitch themselves and with a chipped ball over the top of the Lisburn cover, Niamh O’Neill was on the receiving end and flicked it over the Lisburn netminder and slotted the ball home. This spurred Glenariffe on as they kept the scoreboard ticking with points from Dervla McMullan, Gemma Black and Tara O’Neill. Glenariffe got their second goal through Niamh O’Neill with a neatly tucked shot into the far-left corner. Lisburn kept battling and a notable mention for Lola Devlin who did not stop running all game and caused havoc for the Glenariffe defence. Half time score Glenariffe 2-7 to Lisburn 1-0.

The next 30 minutes started with Niamh O’Neill completing her hattrick as Glenariffe extended their lead. More scores followed from Dervla McMullan and Maeve McKendry. Lisburn to their credit still battled hard and never stopped running, chipping in with a couple of scores of their own, with some lovely play down the right-hand side. Lisburn with their tails up and confidence restored, they hit the net a second time with a well-placed finish. Glenariffe didn’t let this get to them as they came forward once again with Isabella Black scoring their fourth goal. Both teams making changes and all making impacts, Erinmae Mitchell for Glenariffe chipping in with scores of her own.

 The day belonged to Glenariffe with a scoreline of 4-13 to 2-2, Lisburn will be disappointed but can hold their heads high after a phenomenal season and achieving their first final, they can use this as fuel for next year. Glenariffe will be full of confidence going into next year and making the step up into the Junior championship.

by thesaffrongael

Dominant Oisins through to the final

Intermediate Hurling Championship – Semi-Final at Quinn Park, Ballymena

Oisin 4-19 Cloney Gaels 1-13

A dominant period in the opening 10 minutes from Oisins Glenariffe put them in a commanding position as they overcame the challenge of a slow starting Cloney Gaels in this second Intermediate hurling championship semi-final in Ballymena on Monday night.

After falling behind to a Ronan Graham point in the opening minute Glenariffe made a strong response as they hit 2-6 without reply to lead by 11 with ten minutes gone and even at this stage it was hard to envisage a Cloney comeback.

With the wind at their backs on an excellent Quinn Park surface the sea-siders were first to nearly every ball as their pace and intensity clearly knocked the Ahoghill men out of their stride.

Their first goal came from Michael O’Boyle after Diarmuid Graham had been blocked down as he attempted to clear and his brother, Alex added the second with 8 minutes gone as Cloney struggled to put meaningful attacks together.

Alex O’Boyle was in imperious form from the placed ball and he converted three frees during this period of dominance to add to one from Michael O’Boyle, Seanie McIntosh and two from Orrin O’Connor.

Cloney danger man, James O’Connell finally got his name on the score sheet from a free in the 11th minute but the Gaels sharp shooter was given little time or space throughout the hour to stamp his influence on the game.

Fionnbar O’Neill raised the South West sides third white flag but his side couldn’t match the hunger or aggression of the opposition and Seanie McIntosh, Conor Patterson and Alex O’Boyle (0-2 f’s) moved the Waterfoot outfit 2-10 to 0-3 ahead by the 17th minute.

Their opponents did create a few half chance with Colla McDonnell denied by timely tackles as he briefly threaten and the pressure finally looked to have paid dividends when Patrick McIlwaine dragged down Patrick Graham as he bore down on goal.

McIlwaine was shown Yellow for his misdemeanour and Fionnbar O’Neill stepped up to take the penalty but his fierce shot was superbly saved by Oisin keeper, Paul McMullan who would go on to make a number of excellent stops over the hour.

Ronan Graham and Seanie McIntosh exchanged points and Fionnbar O’Neill added a long range point for the Cloney men but Glenariffe finished the half as they had started and the excellent Michael O’Boyle pointed before scoring his side’s third goal to leave them 3-12 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

It looked a long way back for Cloney Gaels as they resumed with the breeze at their backs and it was the sweet striking Alex O’Boyle who moved his side further ahead from a free in the third minute.

James O’Connell replied with his second point of the evening and then escaped the shackles of his marker to rifle past Paul McMullan in the 7th minute after being set up by Patrick Graham.

Again the Glenariffe response came from Alex O’Boyle from two more converted frees but Cloney were starting to enjoy a wee bit of success and Colla McDonnell had his fierce shot pushed over by Paul McMullan.

Things threatened to boil over as players from both sides got involved in an unseemly brawl and when the dust settled referee Fionntan McCotter got matters under way again without taking further action.

Dan O’Neill added a point from long range and James O’Connell converted a free as the Gaels effort gathered a wee bit of momentum but their efforts were soon undone when Conor Patterson got in for Glenariffe’s fourth goal following a mix-up in the visitors defence.

The Ahoghill men went looking for goals at this stage but the Oisin defence stood firm and points from Ronan Graham, Fionnbar O’Neill and another from James O’Connell that skimmed over was all they could manage.

Brogan O’Connor got his name on the Glenariffe score sheet and fittingly, the final point of the evening would come from an Alex O’Boyle free as Oisin’s advance to a meeting with Tir na nOg Randalstown in their second successive final in two weeks-time.

Glenariffe: 1 Paul McMullan, 2 Patrikck McIlwaine, 4 Cailin Devlin, 5 David Kearney, 6 Niall Magee, 7 Calum McIlwaine, 8 Odhran Gillan, 9 Oliver Kearney, 10 Orrin O’Connor, 11 Conor Patterson, 12 Michael O’Boyle, 13 Alex O’Boyle, 14 Seanie McIntosh, 17 Michael Haughey, 18 Daniel Kearney.

Subs: Colla Ward for Patrick McIlwaine, Brogan O’Connor for Orrin O’Connor, Phelim Ward for Oliver Kearney, Niall Murray for Michael O’Boyle

Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Bernard Graham 5 Finbar O’Neill 6 Diarmaid Graham 7 Dan O’Neill 8 Eamon Brady 9 Connor Crossey 10 Owen Neeson 11 Ronan Graham 12 Patrick Graham 13 Colla McDonnell 14 Donal Graham 15 James O’Connell

Subs: Tom McGlone for Donal Graham Neil O’Connell for Diarmaid Graham Shea Neeson for Bernard Graham, Patrick Dougan for Harry O’Donnell

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

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by thesaffrongael

Mc Peake’s late strike secures the Breslin Shield for Cargin

Breslin Shield Final

Erinn’s Own Cargin 4-10 St Comgall’s Antrim 4-09

A late, injury time strike by Cargin mid-fielder Sean Mc Peake secured the ‘Breslin Shield’ for Cargin after his injury time goal secured victory over Naomh Comhghall in Ballymena from the jaws of defeat.

The Toome lads aided by the breeze in the first period had nipped quicky out of the start gate with corner man Oisin Mc Guckin opening account with a couple of early points to settle the butterflies.

St Comgall’s went through their league programme undefeated but didn’t start well in Ballymena and with the Cargin duo, Sean Mc Peake and Kevin Johnston dominant in the central zone and Conleth O’ Boyle, Ryan McCann and Dylan McNabb solid in the half back line, Erin’s Own took early control.

St Comgall’s struggled against the stiff breeze for a term but despite that they had remained in touch but points from Darren Og Craig and Sean McPeake had increased Cargin’s lead to five points at 0-08 to O-03 at the end of the opening quarter.

 Naomh Comhghall, with Michael Sloan and Shay Wilkinson starting to get to grips at mid-field with Sloan’s long range deliveries causing the Cargin rearguard anguish and opened the way for a Pearce Hazelton point.

The first time tactic of the long ball into attack finally found reward for the Antrim town side in the closing minutes as Jake Hughes found the net and corner man Cayden Holmes followed suit to allow St Comgall’s parity on the scoreboard 2-08 apiece at the end of the opening period.

With the wind now in their favour, St. Comgall’s looked in a strong position going into the second half but it was Cargin who made the early running as they raced into a three point lead.

Naomh Comhghall responded and a Francis Mc Allister goal squared the contest once more as he cut in from the left to fire past Eoin Emery

The Antrim town side continued to press with the lofted delivery tactic earning reward and Charlie Ewart and Jake Hughes added further goals to move them 4-08 to 2-08 ahead and looking very much in charge.

Charlie Ewart added a point and the Shield looked on its way to Antrim but Erin’s Own were far from finished and they produced a strong finish to turn the game on its head.

A Ryan McCann point in the closing minutes looked merely compensation but there would be more to come as Cargin threw everything at the opposition.

Team captains Michael Sloan, Naomh Comhghall and Sean mcpeake, Cargin with referee, Deaglan Carey (Con Magee’s)

Sean Mc Peake added a point and when the pace laden Darren Og Craig was sent away by Oisin Mc Guckin to finish to the net it was game on again.

Naomh Comhghall looked to have done enough as the game ebbed into time added on but Erin’s Own staged one last attack and a clearance from the excellent Dylan Mc Nabb found Darren Og Craig who placed Sean Mc Peake to apply the finish and grab victory from the jaws of defeat.

A great game of football between two well matched sides as the Cargin support celebrated victory with their heroes at the final whistle but heart breaking for a Naomh Comhghall side who won the U16C championship just a week ago and looked at one stage like adding the Shield to their trophy cabinet.

Cargin: Oisin Laverty, Caolin O’ Neill, Dylan Loughran, Conlaith O’ Boyle, Ryan Mc Cann (0-01), Dylan Mc Nabb, Kevin Johnston, Sean Mc Peake (1-01), Darren Og Craig (1-03) Conor Mc Cann (0-02), Francis Mc Allister 1-00), Oisin Mc Guckin (0-02), Pearce Scullion (1-01)

St Comgall’s: Owen Emery, Eunan  Proctor, Eoin Gillen, Jack Hughes, Josh Mc Queen, Rory Mc Connell, Cormac Harrison, Rory Mc Connell, Michael Sloane (0-02), Shay Wilkinson (I-02), Charlie Ewart, Pearse Hamilton (0-01), Ben Mc Aleese (0- 02),  Caolan Holmes (1-02), Jake Hughes(1-00), Thomas Doherty (1-00)

Referee: Deaglan Carey (Con Magees)

South West’s Colm Walsh presents the Breslin Shield to Cargin captain, Sean McPeake