by thesaffrongael

Nothing taken for granted but Cargin can make it 4 in a row

Above – Cargin goalkeeper John McNabb will once again be a key player as Cargin go for 4-in-row for the first time

Antrim Senior Football Championship final

Erin’s own Cargin (Holders) v Cuchullian’s Dunloy

Corrigan Park – Sunday 1-30pm

The pace of Nigel Elliott will be a big asset to Dunloy in Sunday’s final against Cargin

Sunday’s Senior Football Championship final at Corrigan Park brings together two sides who met at the same stage two years-ago and should attract a bumper attendance to the Whiterock Road venue despite the game being screened live on TG4.

On that occasion holders Cargin emerged as victors by five points, thanks largely to 2 goals from youngster, Conhuir Johnston and on Sunday Johnston is again likely to be part of a Cargin side aiming to make it four in a row for the Erin’s own side.

The teams met in the Group stages of this years-championship with Cargin again emerging victors over Sunday’s rivals in the final game in Group 1 on a score-line of 1-21 to 2-13 but by that stage both sides had qualified for the quarter finals.

Deaglan Smith missed that clash in Portglenone through injury but returned to play a major part in Dunloy’s win over the Casement’s  and then St. Brigid’s as they progressed to Sunday’s final but ironically picked up another injury in his side’s hurling championship defeat to Loughgiel last weekend.

Manager, Anthony McQuillan stated during the week that he expects Smith to be fit for Sunday’s clash on the Whiterock where Dunloy will start as underdogs, with or without their mid-field dynamo.

Deaglan Smith missed the round-robin game against Cargin in the qualifying rounds. The big man had to retire early during last week’s hurling semi-final against Loughgiel but the Dunloy management are hopeful the midfielder will be fit to start on Sunday

Nothing is taken for granted though by Cargin’s supremo, Ronan Devlin as his side sets out on the trail of a possible ‘four in a row’ and they have been the form side throughout this year’s championship.

The Toome side won their first championship back in 1974 with victory over Sarsfields but didn’t win another one until 2000, due mainly to the dominance of St. Gall’s during that period.

They have been the dominant club in Antrim for more than a decade however and have brought their championship success to a total of 13 during that period including a couple of ‘three in a rows’ but as yet have been unable to make it four on the bounce.

Their opponents this weekend, Dunloy have been more noted for their success in hurling having gained 16 senior titles to date but although they have not reached the same heights in football they are never the less a formidable opponent.

In recent years quite a number of the Cuchullian’s duel players have thrown their weight behind the club’s football championship campaign and while league form without them has been indifferent, they are a different animal with their hurling contingent on board.

Those wins over St. John’s and Tir na nOg in the group stages were followed up with excellent wins over Portglenone in the quarter-final and a semi-final win over St. Brigid’s under the watchful eyes of Sunday’s opponents in Toome.

Just how last weekend’s hurling semi-final defeat to old adversaries, Loughgiel will affect the Cuchullian’s in this weekend’s decider remains to be seen with up to a dozen of that side likely to be involved at some stage of the football decider.

Only a point separated Dunloy and St. Brigid’s in that semi-final win while it took a penalty shootout before the reigning champions emerged victorious over neighbours Creggan in a real cliff hanger in the other semi-final.

Cargin have dominated the scene in Antrim in recent times and have adapted seamlessly to the new rules and keeper, John McNabb has been a major player in this year’s success and weighed in with vital scores throughout this year’s campaign.

Mick McCann, still the driving force of the Cargin team

Kevin McShane, James Laverty, Michael, Paul and Tomas McCann, John Carron and Gerard McCann bring a wealth of experience while the emergence of excellent youngsters like Conhuir Johnston, Benen Kelly, Ronan Gribbin, Sean Og O’Neill and Tom Shivers make Erin’s Own a force to be reckoned with.

They have been further boosted by the return of Pat Shivers who made a cameo appearance in the semi-final after an arm injury that kept him out of action for most of the championship campaign.

The Cuchullian’s know only one way to play, on the front foot and they will certainly not go into Sunday’s final with an inferiority complex with many of their side having enjoyed a lot of success with their hurlers.

Aaron Crawford has been excellent in defence with Aodhan and Ryan McGarry strong in that department. The availability of a fit Deaglan Smith would be a major boost to their mid-field where Eoin McFerran has also been impressive.

However If Dunloy are to win this one it could be their attack that could make the difference with Seaan and Nigel Elliott providing lightning pace and the confidence to finish and Eoin O’Neill and Keelan Molloy potential match winners on their day.

Cargin will start as favourites however and their greater experience at this level and their ‘never say die’ will to win coupled with the extra week’s preparation should see them collect their first ‘four in a row’.

Man of the Match Conhuir Johnston puts the final nail in Dunloy’s coffin in the 2023 county final at Corrigan Park
by thesaffrongael

Dramatic ending as Knock grab late goal

Ulster Colleges Football – Danske Bank Rannafast Cup

Cathair Bhéal Feirste 1-16 Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock 2-14

A goal in the fifth minute of added time game Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock a one point win over luckless Cathair Bhéal Feirste in Thursday’s Rannafast Cup round 2 game at Woodlands. The competition’s new boys appeared to have the game wrapped up when they led by a goal after 63 minutes but Knock midfielder James McQuillan pulled a point back to cut the gap to two. It looked like Cathair Bhéal Feirste had done enough, but Knock were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes and up stepped corner forward Joe Murchan to take the spot kick. Cathair Bhéal Feirste goalkeeper Conor Sheridan made a great save to block Murchin’s shot but the ball bounced away from the keeper’s grasp and Murchin followed in to drive the ball high into the net and seal the win.

The opening quarter was evenly contested and after Niall Farry put Knock ahead Cathair Bhéal Feirste came back with three in a row, one from Laydon O’Neill and two from the excellent Aodhan O’Hanlon. Knock’s Colm Kane and Cathair Bhéal Feirste’s Harry Feeney exchanged to keep the gap at two, but Knock began to gain the upper hand and they hit five in a row to lead by three, only to be pegged back to two just on half time.

O’Neill closed the gap to two with a point in the first minute of the second half but Knock raced up the field from the kick-out and Oran Mills set up Dara Murphy for his side’s second goal. Aodhan O’Hanlon responded for the Belfast boys but when Knock came back with two more quick points from McQuillan and Mills Cathair Bhéal Feirste had a mountain to climb. To their credit they responded well and with O’Hanlon leading the line they hit back with four in a row, three of them from O’Hanlon and one from centre back Faolan McKee. Kane and Farry eased the pressure for Knock with points in the 44th and 45th minutes but O’Hanlon sent over another point and substitutes Eoin Morgan and Johnny Higgins followed suit, and when midfielder Carson got through for a goal the Belfast boys seemed set for their first victory.

However it was not to be and Joe Murchan’s late goal gave Knock the win and denied the Cathair Bhéal Feirste their first win.

Cathair Bhéal Feirste

Conor Sherridan, Ollie Gregory, Cormac Mallon, Oisin McKenna, Harry Feeney, Caolan McKee, Senan McMahon, Liam Carson, Laydon O’Neill, Patrick McAteer, Daniel Doran, Nathan Burns, Aodhan O’Hanlon, Ronan Niblock, Rory Magee.

Subs used – Eoin Morgan, Johnny Higgins.

Referee – Brendan Toland

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

by thesaffrongael

Division 2 heavyweights clash in Intermediate decider

IFC Final Dunsilly – Saturday 7.00pm

St. Ergnat’s v Sarsfields

The heavyweights in division 2, Patrick Sarsfields and St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass meet for the fourth time this season in the Intermediate Football Championship final at Dunsilly.

The sides finished first and second respectively in Division 2 of the football league with Sarsfield’s topping the division and the South West side finishing second.

St. Ergnat’s won ten, drew one and lost two of their league fixtures to finish second with Sarsfields edging a  titanic struggle in Moneyglass and Glenavy their other conquerors.

The Stewartstown Road side went through their league campaign unbeaten, winning 12 of their 13 outings and drawing the other one. That draw significantly was against Saturday’s opponents, Moneyglass.

That draw came back on the 30th April at the Bear Pit with Benny Marron’s side coming off the pace to stage a great comeback with the game finishing 4-17 to 3-20.

As fortune would have it Sarsfields and Moneyglass were drawn again in Group 1 of the IFC and St. Ergnat’s gained some revenge for that league defeat by recording a 2-15 to 0-12 victory on home soil to go on and top the group.

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass and (Featured Image) Sarsfield’s who will contest Saturday nights IFC Final at Dunsilly

Sarsfield’s recovered from that early reversal to join them in the play-offs with the ‘Paddies’ drawn against Group 2 winners, St. Joseph’s Glenavy and St. Ergnat’s facing last year’s beaten finalists, St. Teresa’s.

The meeting of Sarsfields and Glenavy at Kelly Park in Portglenone proved a real cliff hanger with the Chapel Hill side looking on their way to the final when they led by eight early in the second half.

A Gary Lennon goal for the ‘Paddies’ in the 16th minute following a mix-up in the St. Joseph’s defence changed all that and when the same player followed with a 2 pointer, a minute later it was game on.

The Stewartstown Road side outscored their opponents 0-6 to 0-3 going down the home stretch to set up Saturday’s meeting with Moneyglass with Dunsilly likely to be busting at the seams.

St. Ergnat’s had a much easier passage to the decider when they overcame St. Teresa’s in the other semi-final at the Bear Pit, running out 4-17 to 0-16 winners, thanks to an absolutely scintillating second half showing where their main men really came to the fore. Hat-trick hero, Aidan McErlain, was in sublime form amassing a tally of 3-05 over the hour.

The Glen Road men simply couldn’t cope with the pace and combinations of their opponents with the dynamic Tiernan McCormick, causing added problems up front.

Sarsfield’s will start Saturday’s final as slight favourites but this is unlikely to worry St. Ergnat’s who have coped remarkably with the loss of a number of last year’s side to emigration and have done a great rebuilding job.

The ‘Paddies’ will look to Michael Brady, Caolan McKernan, Se Ferris, Daniel Smyth, Philip McPeake, Brian Healey and the dynamic Gary Lennon to lead their challenge at Dunsilly this week-end but could again be without their mid-field powerhouse, Conor Moley who received a serious injury in that group 1 defeat to Moneyglass.

Aidan McErlain will hope to carry his semi-final form into Saturday’s final but, like Sarsfield’s, St. Ergnat’s have potential match winners all over the field and James and Tiernan McCormick, Paul Duffin, Conleth McCann, Kevin McCann, Seanaghan Duffin, Colm Duffin and Tyler Cassidy will lead their challenge Dunsilly.

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. 

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

https://myalbum.com/album/RCpTjGZjQuYXdG/?invite=e2b7d0bd-3965-4769-a04d-5b9c180b26c9

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.