Reigning Antrim champions, St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass produced a power packed performance to overcome the challenge of old adversaries, St. Paul’s and claim their fifth Antrim Senior title on the trot at Glenavy on Saturday.
Driven by Cathy Carey at mid-field, the county stalwart kicked six of her sides seven first half points to leave St. Ergnat’s 0-7 to 0-2 ahead at the break with their other first half point coming from Maire O’Neill.
Their opponents only first half scores came from Niamh Richie after 8 minutes and Emilie Rogers Duffy with 10 minutes gone but it was going to take a much improved second half effort from the former champions if they were going to get back into the game in the second half.
That comeback never looked like materialising as Moneyglass hit two quick points on the restart and when Bronagh Devlin got in for a goal in the 4th minute it looked as good as over.
Eimer Rocks and Niamh Richie did add to St. Paul’s opening half total with two more second half point but it was St. Ergnat’s who continued to dominate with Cathy Carey bring her total for the evening to 0-10 and Bronagh Devlin, Maire O’Neill, Rebecca Bradley and Jo Jo Darragh all contributing to the Moneyglass total.
St. Ergnat’s will now turn their attentions to another tilt at Ulster where they are likely to face much stiffer opposition but on this form they will feel that they can give it a real go.
TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE KELLY’S PICS FROM THE FINAL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
A dazzling first half display from Tir na nOg, Randalstown saw them overcome the challenge of neighbours Kickham’s Creggan in this Intermediate Hurling championship semi-final in front of a bumper crowd at an overcast Cloney on Sunday afternoon.
The Whitehill side dominated the opening half with Sean Duffin giving an imperious exhibition of point taking, from the placed ball and from play as the big number 8 controlled the tempo of the game from mid-field.
It was as good as over at half time when the Whitehill side led 2-10 to 0-3 and while Creggan were much better after the break the goal that might have brought them back into contention never looked like materialising.
The men in blue made a fast start in Ahoghill and started at a pace that they never relented throughout the opening 30 minutes as they dominated in nearly every department of the field.
It wasn’t the best of starts for the Staffordstown side when they lost Oran McCann to a recurring shoulder injury after 3 minutes and it would soon get worse as Josh Higgins from play and Sean Duffin from two converted frees edged Tir na nOg 0-3 to 0-0 ahead after 7 minutes play.
Morgan Nelson replied for Creggan with a point in the 10th minute but it was the greater intensity and pace of their opponents that continued to see them add scores in quick succession.
Ciaran Logan, Sean Duffin (0-2 f’s) and Eamon Og McAllister with an excellent point increased their lead to seven by the 16th minute before Conor McCann briefly halted the onslaught from a well struck long range free.
Duffin was on fire and added another long range rocket for Tir na nOg and Sean McKinley followed with another before Sean McAuley raised Creggan’s third white flag of the half from out near the touchline.
It was one of just a few first half moments when the Kickham’s escaped the close attentions of their opponents with Duffin replying immediately with a point before Daniel Martin set up McKinley for the game’s opening goal in the 21st minute.
Darragh Fagan (15) turns away after scoring Tir na nOg’s second goal and (Featured Image) Sean McKinley (14) scores their first
‘The Hill’ continued to press and a second goal arrived just before half time and a long delivery from mid-field saw substitute Colm Duffin place Darragh Fagan and he fired across Shea Devlin to leave his side 13 ahead at the break.
It looked a long way back for Creggan as they emerged for the second half but to their credit they came out with greater intent and a more fluent game plan and had it back to five at one stage of proceedings.
The introduction of Sam Maguire for the second half certainly tightened up their defence as Conor McCann, with some excellent long range points and Morgan Nelson leading their comeback.
McCann got them on their way from a 70 meter free and after Duffin replied with his 7th of the afternoon, it was the turn of Creggan’s Morgan Nelson to display his free taking prowess.
Kickham’s danger-man, Nelson had been held scoreless by Tir na nOg’s Ciaran O’Neill but he raised a whimper of hope from his side’s supporters as he pointed three frees in quick succession by the 13th minute.
The sweet striking Sean Duffin replied with a free from his own half to briefly halt the Creggan revival but the Kickham’s had gathered a bit of momentum and Dan Doran from play and Conor McCann with two more long range frees had it back to seven with 12 minutes remaining.
Another Nelson converted free and a Conor Small point reduced the deficit further and Nelson again split the posts from distance and it was down to six as Duffin proved his fallibility with a couple of wides for the Whitehill side.
Conor McCann had it back to five again as Creggan continued to enjoy the better of the second half exchanges and there was a bit of anxiety within the Randalstown ranks for the first time.
Disaster struck at the other end however as keeper Shea Devlin spilled a searching delivery and substitute Caleb Smith had the simplest of chances to kick the sliothar into an empty net and conclude the scoring.
Tir na nOg will now meet the winners of Oisin Glenariffe and Cloney Gaels who meet in Ballymena on Monday night and while they will be delighted with their first half performance they will have some concerns about the second and it is something they will surely be taking a look at in the build up to the decider in 2 weeks-time.
Caleb Smith raises his arms in celebration after scoring Tir na nOg’s third goal
TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
THE template for the Glenravel hurlers was set earlier in the day by the Ladies Footballers – get out in front at the start and then hit hard in the minute or two immediately after half-time.
The hurlers took note and two minutes into the second half of this Casement Social Antrim Junior hurling final the Con Magee’s had one hand on the cup with a lead of 1-11 to 1-0!
Armoy simply couldn’t get going in the first half. They initiated the first couple of attacks only for Cormac McKeown to break and point on Glenravel’s first attack.
Conleth O’Loan pointed a free a second or two later and then Declan Traynor fired over two points in quick succession.
Armoy steadied the ship a little over the next six minutes, but couldn’t make any headway at the other end of the field where they put three efforts the wrong side of the post.
Meanwhile Glenravel continued to add to their total; another point from McKeown, two from Traynor and then a second free from O’Loan and the lead was doubled to eight points with 24 minutes gone.
Then Armoy got their first break. A long delivery in dropped a bit dead and Arthur Devlin ran through to hit the net.
However Glenravel responded positively with two late pointed frees, one each for O’Loan and Seán McKay to make it 0-10 to 1-0 at the break.
Within 20 seconds of the re-start, O’Loan had the sliotar in the net, almost taking too much out of the ball by circling round to the left before composing himself to kick to the net.
Less than a minute later McKay took a lovely pass from McKeown to hit the target. The game looked in the bag at this stage, but Emmett O’Hara did his best to lift Armoy with a point to which Trevor Linton added a free.
However Glenravel were picking up a lot of dirty ball and creating openings like when Rian Lennon broke to feed Sean McKay for their 12th point.
Armoy though hit a good spell in the middle of the second half with two points from O’Hara either side of another Linton free before a shot from out the field came off the foot of the Glenravel upright and was cleared to safety. Had that effort gone into the net at that stage, there would have been just four points in it and momentum with Glen Rovers.
Over the next five minutes however, Glenravel wrestled that momentum back and put the result to bed.
Seán McKay started it off with a free. Within 60 seconds they had added two more via Conleth O’Loan and Fergus Donaghy. McKay added another free before the coup de grace in the 53rd minute. Luke Loughlin broke free and his delivery made its way through to the unmarked Callum Higgins who took the sliotar to the edge of the area and squeezed it under Tim Burns.
Armoy pushed up for the last five minutes plus with subs sprung from both benches, but they only managed to add a free from Turlough McBride.
The conditions were not really suited to exploit hurling skills, but the winners certainly looked the slicker team with strength over the ground ball, pace out of the tackle and then some excellent points.
Emmett O’Hara, Arthur Devlin and Ronan Lavelle worked hard to get Armoy going, but on the evening they were dominated by Glenravel who now move through to the Ulster arena four years after their last foray brought them to the semi-finals.
Con Magee’s: C Quinn, E McCusker, J Duffin, B O’Neill, J Martin, C Lennon, R Lennon, F Donaghy 0-1, D McAuley, C Higgins 1-0, S McKay 0-5, 3fs, D Donaghy, C O’Loan 1-4, 0-3fs, D Traynor 0-4, C McKeown 0-2.
Subs: L Loughlin for D Donaghy (40), M McDonnell for E McCusker (57), C Laverty for D Traynor (57), R McCormick for D McAuley (60).
Glen Rovers: Tim Burns, Callum Coyles, S Devlin, L Dillon, A Devlin 1-0, Thomas Burns, R Lavelle, C Christie, C McToal, T McBride 0-1 f, E O’Hara 0-3, PJ McBride, T Linton 0-2 fs, C Lordan, C McKenna.
Sub: C Doubthart for C Lordan (40), J McFetridge for C Coyles, Ciarán Coyles for T Linton (59).
Referee: P O’Neill (Creggan)
County chairman Seamus McMullan and Maria Toner of Casement Social Club with joint captains Eoin McCusker and Brian O’Neill
TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
DESPITE failing to score at all over the last 23 minutes plus added time, Con Magee’s Glenravel are WS Dennison Antrim LGFA Intermediate champions for the third time in six seasons after an enthralling final win over Gort na Móna on the Loughbeg Road in Moneyglass on Saturday afternoon.
Glenravel chose to play with the strong breeze in the first half and, although ahead by 1-11 to 0-3 at the interval, many at the half-time break including this reporter felt that they hadn’t really taken full advantage.
That was to change within 75 seconds of the re-start however when they hit two goals that put them into a really commanding lead that the west Belfast club couldn’t reel in.
Con Magee’s worked very hard for each other throughout. Although Caitlin McKeown was well covered in goals, she saved a 49th minute penalty and her kick-outs generally hit a target.
Antrim county defender and team captain Maeve Mulhollad really marshalled defence with vital interceptions and controlled clearances. The rest of the defence also did well while Jamie Woulahan and Aisling Mulholland moved ball through the middle for Niamh McKay and Sara Fyfe to carry into the scoring area where Molly Woulahan and Aimee Traynor were always a threat on the Gort goals.
For most of the first half, Gort looked composed at the back until the wind really picked up in the final seven minutes and Glenravel hit five points in quick succession. Nevertheless a fine move finished with a point on the half-time whistle from Casey Meighan suggested that they would still be a big threat over the second half.
The reason they weren’t has to come down to the two extra goals and the ability of the Glenravel defence to direct Gort attacks wide instead of down the centre in front of the goals.
Molly Woulahan and Aimee Traynor each registered two points in the opening ten minutes. However Mia Dembeley-Mills and Bláithín Nic Cathail (free) scored points in reply.
At the back the Gort defence was soaking up the pressure until Molly Woulahan stabbed home a 17th minute goal. Still Gort held firm and after 22 minutes, they looked in a good place at 1-5 to 0-2.
However over the next six minutes Glenravel hit six points – three each from Woulahan and Niamh McKay – and suddenly a gap was opening.
At 1-11 to 0-3 at the change of ends, a win for Gort na Móna still looked possible. But things became very hard when a quick move from the throw in saw a shot for a point from Molly Woulahan drop over the retreating Hollie McGahey for a goal.
That was after 35 seconds and less than a minute later, Aimee Traynor cut in along the right end-line to hit the roof of the net for a lead of 17 points. Add in a noticeable slackening in the wind and Gort looked in trouble.
Scores came slowly for them – points from Nic Cathail in the 35th and 36th minutes. A point in response from Leona Gillan, then points from Nic Cathail and Alyssa Davidson were followed by a goal from Brogan Crossin to make it 3-12 to 1-6 with 43 minutes gone.
They needed Ciara Maguire’s spot-kick to go in on 49 minutes, but Caitlin McKeown saved and cleared. It was still 3-12 to 1-6 with 54 minutes gone. Nic Cathail added two frees as the winners’ defence held firm – only to be breached by a superb strike to the top corner from Brooke Delargy as the game went to added time.
There wasn’t any more trouble for the score-keeper and the north Antrim side raised their arms in relief on the final whistle.
Glenravel: C McKeown, A McPeake, A Donnelly, M Mulholland, C McCann, E McCann, O Gould, J Woulahan, M Law, N McKay 0-3, 1f, S Fyfe, L Gillan 0-1, A Traynor 1-3, A Mulholland, M Woulahan 2-5
Subs: E Sharpe (11), C McPeake (47), C Law (52), R McCrudden (60)
Gort na Móna: H McGahey, E Kearns, C Scannell, M Dembely-Mills 0-1, g Monaghan, C Meighan 0-1, D Nic Cathal, C Boyd-Munce, C Fryers, N Enright, A Davidson 0-1, S Bradley, C Maguire, B Crossin 1-0, B Nic Cathail 0-5 fs
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Semi Final
St John’s 1-26 Cushendall 1-22(aet)
Saturday 4 October
Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly
Six semi-final defeats, twice on a replay and two in extra time but on Saturday afternoon, some associated with the Corrigan Park club could have been forgiven if it ever was going to happen. But on an autumnal afternoon at Dunsilly, St John’s finally broke their semi-final curse. It took extra time again against Cushendall, another comeback of sorts in normal time and an inner metal to get over the line as they booked their place in the county final.
It was a remarkable contest between two sides who we thought we had seen it all before. We didn’t. St John’s showed a determination to get over the line that might have been missing in recent years and while they finally, got to celebrate a semi-final victory.
Cushendall looked like they were doing exactly when Cushendall do. Maybe not firing on all cylinders but find a way to get the job done. Six points up with a little over 11 minutes remaining, they’ll be wondering how they let this one slip from their grasp.
On a day where they lost Neil McManus to a straight red card at the beginning of the second half in normal time, they found another serious match winner in Fiontan Bradley. It felt like he was singlehandedly keeping Cushendall’s championship hopes alive and the Ruairi’s couldn’t get enough ball his direction. He was giving the Johnnies defence a torrid time and playing the match of his life while Paddy Burke was holding their defence together with a show of leadership, skill and a tenaciousness that made him a nightmare to come up against.
Playing with a man less for nearly an hour proved to be decisive however as St John’s powered on in extra time.
Conor Johnston took the Bathshack man of the match award and rightly so. Top of the Johnnies scoring charts with seven white flags but this was a day where plenty in blue and white put their hand up and showed their leadership qualities. Ciaran Johnston was immense while Peter McCallin was outstanding at the heart of the defence. Playing as their spare man later in the game, McCallin’s reading of the game to get to the break of the ball was uncanny.
With the wind blowing from the scoreboard end at Dunsilly, this was always going to be a game of two halves. Cushendall had the elements in their favour and built a four point lead by half time. It wasn’t exactly the most fluent game of hurling we’ve witnessed this year but the intensity was incredible. There was no such thing as a yard given, space was earned while time on the ball was a rarity. McManus accurate from frees, Bradley at his impish best while goal keeper Conor McAlister landed two massive frees from deep in his own half.
The Johnnies were slowing the game down at every opportunity. It felt like it took an age for every restart from the Corrigan Park side but there was little who could blame them. They set out with a game plan and they played it to perfection. Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston, Aaron Bradley and Oisin MacManus all with the scores.
Four points wasn’t a big lead and the Johnnies would have been the happier of the two sides at the interval. Cushendall made changes with Fergus McCambridge and Ciaran Neeson introduced, looking to a running game to combat against the elements. The Ruairi’s management were forced into a rethink with barely a minute on the clock in the second half. When Fergus McCambridge was felled, both sides got involved in pushing and shoving. Players were felled and referee Mark O’Neill had a call to make. After consulting with his linesmen, Neil McManus saw red and the Johnnies had got a serious boost of momentum.
The opening goal of the game came moments later with a quick puck out from Domhnall Nugent finding McCallin. He sent the sliotar towards Conall Bohill, the sliotar wasn’t taken cleanly but Aaron Bradley ran onto the loose ball, jinking one way and the other before speeding towards goal. He left the Ruairi’s defence in his wake and fired to the bottom of Conor McAlister’s net.
Cushendall still managed to keep the score board ticking with Bradley taking over the free taking responsibility from McManus while Conall Bohill was growing into the game.
The sides were tied on 0-14 to 1-11 half way through the second half when Cushendall hit another purple patch. They would score 1-3 in a little over four minutes to put six between the sides and Cushendall in pole position to book their place in the final. Ryan McCambridge, Joseph McLaughlin and Bradley (free) with the points while Ciaran Neeson’s goal looked to knock the stuffing out of the St John’s challenge.
Incredibly, Cushendall would only score one more time before the final whistle as St John’s dug deep. Conall Bohill was immense as every high ball seemed to come his way while MacManus’ frees were reeling the Cushendall lead in.
One point separated the sides as the clock ticked into injury time when Bradley’s eighth white flag put two between the sides once again. St John’s rallied and points from Domhnall Nugent and a brilliant effort from Conor Johnston sent the semi final to extra time.
As the teams regrouped, extra time began with St John’s playing with the wind. A couple of wides looked to derail their challenge and when Bradley split the uprights to give Cushendall the lead it looked like the Ruairi’s were going to use all their knowhow of eeking out games to get over the line.
Scores from Shannon (free), Michail Dudley, Mick Bradley and a brace from Conor Johnston gave them a four point lead. The second of Johnston’s brace coming as he was completely off balance and hit in mid-air.
Four points was a slender lead but St John’s controlled the second half of extra time. Any time Cushendall got a score, they replied to keep the three point deficit with a brace of frees from captain Shea Shannon getting them over the line in injury time.
It’s been a generation since St John’s last graced the Antrim County Final, you’ll have to go longer than that since they last took the Volunteer Cup back to Corrigan Park to stay. This team are 60 minutes away from writing their names in St John’s folklore.
TEAMS
ST JOHN’S: Domhnall Nugent; Ryan McNulty, Ciaran Johnston, Jack Bohill; Conal Morgan, Peter McCallin, Enda McGurk; Sean Wilson, Aaron Bradley; Oisin Donnelly, Conor Johnston, Conall Bohill; Donal Carson, Shea Shannon, Oisin MacManus
Scorers: Conor Johnston 0-7, O MacManus 0-6 (5f), S Shannon 0-5 (4f), A Bradley 1-2, C Bohill 0-3, D Nugent 0-1 (1f), Michael Bradley 0-1, Michail Dudley 0-1
CUSHENDALL: Conor McAlister; Charlie McAuley, Paddy Burke, Martin Burke; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McCambridge; Fred McCurry, Ed McQuillan; Ronan McAteer, Neil McManus, Thomas McLaughlin; Fiontan Bradley, Sean McAfee, Joseph McLaughlin
Scorers: F Bradley 0-11 (6f), Ciaran Neeson 1-1, N McManus 0-3 (3f), J McLaughlin 0-2, R McCambridge 0-2, C McAlister 0-2 (2f), E Campbell 0-1
Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
