St Paul’s wrapped up the Under 16 Football Division 1 League title when they beat Portglenone in Thursday evening’s game at Shaw’s Road.
St Paul’s dominated the opening half and playing down into the Sarsfields end of the ground they opened with two goals in the early stages, the first from Matthew O’Neill and the second from Daire Thornbury. The points flowed freely as the home side stacked up the points and by half time they led by 2-07 to 0-01, the visitors point coming from their excellent midfielder Tom Convery.
The Portglenone boys fared much better in the second half and after O’Neill added another point for St Paul’s Convery came back with two in a row in the 40th and 41st minutes.
Mattew O’Neill got his second goal of the game for the hosts, curling the ball in off the outside of his right foot and substitute Odhran McKeown added a point from play soon afterwards. Jude Gamble got his team’s fourth goal midway through the half with another fine finish before Thornbury tacked on another point.
St Paul’s fans run on the field at the final whistle to celebrate their team’s league success
To their credit Portglenone never gave up the fight and had their best spell of the game between the 40th and 45th minutes when they hit five points without reply, a 2pointer and a single point from Convery plus point from Cillian McKenna and Frank McAleese.
However the evening belonged to this top class St Paul’s side and it was fitting their final score came from their brilliant centre back Oisin McLaren, who gave a masterful display throughout the game.
After the game team captain Eamonn Kearney was presented with the league trophy by Paul Law of Gaelfast, which sparked of scenes of well-deserved celebrations.
Paul Law of Gaelfast presents the Under 16 Football League trophy to St Paul’s captain Eamonn Kearney
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Lámh Dhearg Golf-Classic committee member Sean McElhatton has paid tribute to the many sponsors of the clubs upcoming Golf-Classic- which will take place at Balmoral Golf Club on Friday 22nd August.
The club were able to secure Hannahstown Credit Union as the main sponsor of the increasingly popular event, which continues to grow year-on-year and Tyrone native McElhatton is pleased with the support they have received in order to continue to develop the club facilities in Hannahstown.
“It is a hugely important fundraising source. The Lámh Dhearg annual golf classic has now almost become a feature in the calendar. This year, we have been very blessed and very grateful to so many sponsors- we are now somewhere in the region of 50-sponsors for our tee’s and greens as well as somewhere in the region of about 29-30 four-balls.
“All of these are people from our community who understand the importance of Lámh Dhearg in the Hannahstown community and what we contribute to the social, physical and GAA development of all our community. They are very, very faithful in supporting us over the years.
“This year we have managed to secure the main sponsor of Hannahstown Credit Union and and we are looking forward to having the Credit Union with us this year and hopefully the years to come because as we try to develop of our club as a community base and community strength- the Hannahstown Credit Union is a big part of the funding of our community as well.
“It is a great voluntary organisation, which lends so much to the development of community capital and we are delighted and very grateful to them for their funding. It is the number of four-balls and teams that we have every year; faithfully coming back to play in our tournament. Clearly, they understand the benefit that the Golf-Classic brings to our club.
“The development of our second pitch is a huge, huge asset to our club and an absolutely essential one that was necessary for us to develop. As a committee of the club and the golf organising committee, we have been working hand-in-hand to raise the funds to pay off the money that we have outlayed on the club and we have done this entirely through the generosity and the great spirit of our Hannahstown Community and the families and patrons who support us.
“We got absolutely zero from government funding of any description towards our second pitch. When you look at that and think of what it means to the footballers, camogs, hurlers and the community – with the festival days for instance, its just a huge asset to the vision and strength of GAA in Hannahstown”.
Commenting in the recent arson incident which saw a fire started that destroyed facilities at the club, Sean believes it has galvanised members of the club and revealed there were many messages of support locally, nationally and world-wide. The support shows the strength of feeling of GAA people that understand the importance of Hannahstown Lámh Dhearg in our local community
“It was heart-breaking to see the vandalism destroying what is a club and community asset. We know how hard working every one in the club works to make sure the amenities are up to scratch. That hut was a coffee shop and tea-room for matches, but it has actually galvanised the club much stronger together and I think it is one of the factors as to why so many sponsors have come back readily to support us this year.
“It’s been hard going at times and a lot of hard work on the committee members who have got to deal with the after effects of the fire and insurance and all of that. We will come back and we will build, bigger and better. It has taught us a lesson about improved security about our club premises- which we are actively working upon at the moment”.
This year, the winner of the Golf-Classic will take home the Ryan Straney memorial trophy in honour of deceased member and keen Golf enthusiast Ryan- who tragically passed away last year. Sean spoke warmly of Ryan and his uncle Daryl Fegan- who also tragically passed away at the end of January this year.
“Ryan and Daryl epitomise the very best of what GAA players and GAA people are about. They understood the importance of our national games, they practiced from when they were kids in football and hurling and they were two young men that have tragically lost their lives so early and so unfairly.
“As they say, God always takes the good first and you couldn’t have got two better role models for our players and for our community than Ryan and Daryl. It’s great to see their friends and team members that have played with them over the years come out and support the Golf-Classic in the way that they do.
“Many of those friends are playing on the 22nd of August and no doubt the Ryan Straney trophy will be treasured by someone who will win it on the day, and we are looking to do something for Daryl in association with the family. I can’t think of two finer young men who sadly have gone, they are an inspiration even now in their absence to the players and supporters of our club today and we will never forget them”.
Played before a large crowd, under near perfect conditions, at Pearse Park, Dunloy, the home side were quick out of the traps with a point from Francis McMullan within 60 seconds.
A quick response from the Shamrocks, saw them take the lead for the only time on thee minutes as Eoin McGarry and Donal McMullan fired over, but two quick fire goals from centre forward Francis McMullan and corner forward Ciaran Elliott gave them a lead the home side would not lose. Further points from Oisin McCamphill, Ciaran Elliott and a 10 minute spell saw Ryan Mort score 1-3 to extend the lead at the short whistle to 10 points. (3-10 to 0-09)
Where angels fear to tread! Despite losing his hurl Dunloy full back Sean Og Blaney dives in to try and block a shot by Loughgiel’s Conor O’Mullan during the Reserve Cup game at Pearse Park.
The second half started evenly, with two points from Rian Mort cancelled out by Loughgiel’s Eddie Smyth and Patrick Laverty. Suddenly the visitors began to get a bit more possession and following a point from play from John Francies Connolly a long delivery from centre back Tiago McGarry dropped in on the Dunloy ‘square’ and when it was batted out, Conor O’Mullan fired the rebound home to suddenly bring the game to life. The comeback appeared to have ground to a halt when the Shamrocks had a man red carded for a foul on Dunloy goalkeeper Eoghan Richmond and most people felt that was the end of the Loughgiel challenge. However as is so often the case the team with the extra man struggled for a spell and the men in red added a further 1-1, the goal coming from Ronan McCollum, to cut the gap back to three with ten minutes still to play.
Dunloy’s Padraig McGilligan in action against Loughgiel’s Finn Henry during the Senior Reserve Cup game at Pearse Park
However Dunloy steadied the ship and five points on the bounce were followed by a goal from Ciaran Elliott, who took advantage of a fumble by the Shamrocks goalkeeper to flick the ball home. Ronan McCollum pulled one back in injury time for the visitors but there was not stopping the Cuchullains at this stage and they pushed on to win in the end by 12.
TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
The points were shared at Aghagallon when the home side played host to Cargin in what proved to be an excellent game on Sunday.
Just when the home side looked home with a brace of points the Toome side had more to offer and when Carl McCann sent Dara O’ Boyle away in the closing seconds to split the posts the visitors had gained a share of the spoils..
The visitors were first away when Fiontan Hardy sent Cillian Scullion away to split the posts in the opening minute but the home side were quick to make reply and when Cillian O’ Connor raised white and Fionn Mulholland added a goal St Mary’s looked in charge.
Aghagallon moved further ahead with points from Rory Cambell and Eran Loughran but the Cargin were gaining control in the central zone with Ryan Mc Peake adding a point and when the pace laden Fiontan Hardy was upended in search of the posts, Cillian Scullion tucked the resultant penalty into the net to see the visitors take the lead.
Aghagallon regained control for a time with Ruairi Campbell and Eoin Branken adding points apiece but this period of ascendancy was short lived as Fiontan O’ Donnell sent Jack O’ Neill away to find the net.
Despite the home side adding back to back points through Eoin Branken the Toome lads were quick to react as Cillian Scullion added a point before Fiontan O’ Donnell placed Jack O’ Neill to fire home.
A long range Patrick O’ Neill point increased the Cargin lead but the home side were quick to react and replied with points apiece from Ethan Loughran and Eoin Branken as the short blast with Cargin ahead 3-07 to 1-08.
The second period saw the home side close the gap with early points from Ethan Branken and Eran Loughran answered by similar scores from Cargin’s Dara O’ Boyle and Pat O’Neiil before the former stepped forward to despatch a penalty kick to the net but the visitors were quick to react.
As the second half progressed the home side regained control with Ruari Campbell grabbing a 35th minute goal which saw St. Mary’s regain the lead and when Karl McCann and Fiontan O’ Donnell raised white flags apiece only a point separated the sides with Aghagallon 3-12 to 3-11 ahead.
A Ben Dervan point saw Aghagallon take a two point lead as the game clock ticked onward but their advantage was reduced to the minimum shortly after.
Jack O’ Neill made progress down the right hand side to add a point and when a foul on Fiontan Hardy saw Carl McCann’s quick reaction send Dara O’ Boyle in the clear to fire between the posts the sides were level and that’s how it finished.
On Sunday 17 August, Gaels Against Genocide have organised an U9 hurling blitz under the theme of “ Paisti ag tacu le paisti” “ Children helping children” at Sarsfields CLG. in Belfast , from 10-12. Eight teams will participate in the tournament and uniquely each team will represent a city or town in Gaza or the West Bank, wearing a specially designed jersey by Bourke Sports. With the ongoing genocide and famine in Gaza, it’s important to show support for the children and their families who are facing horrific conditions daily in Gaza. Our blitz will last 2hrs / 7200 seconds. Each second represents 7 children killed or injured since Oct 7 2023 , over 50,000. All monies raised will go towards Gaza Mobile Maternity Unit .
All support on the day welcomed in what promises to be a feast of hurling by our young players.
