by thesaffrongael

St Enda’s show their worth with victory over Glenavy in Division 2 showdown

Antrim Football League Division 2

Glenavy 1-11 St Enda’s 1-19

In a highly anticipated Antrim Division 2 clash between two unbeaten sides, St Enda’s ultimately proved too strong for Glenavy, pulling away in the second half to secure a 1-19 to 1-11 victory. The match was preceded by a respectfully observed minute’s silence for the former St Enda’s stalwart Eamon Prenter who died recetly.

The St Enda’s and Glenavy teams stand for a minute’s silence before the game in memory of former St Enda’s stalwart Eamon Prenter who died recently

While the first half was a tightly contested, point-for-point battle, the second half saw the momentum shift decisively. The return of Odhran Eastwood to the St Enda’s ranks after a couple of years’ absence has been a massive boost to the Glengormley men this season, and the former county star delivered a masterclass in forward play. Conversely, a severe head injury to Glenavy’s talisman Paddy Gallagher early in the second half served as the game’s undeniable turning point, significantly blunting the Glenavy challenge.

St Enda’s started brightly, with captain Stephen O’Connor opening the scoring just 90 seconds in. The returning Odhran Eastwood immediately made his presence felt, knocking over four consecutive points (three from play, one free) inside the first ten minutes to give his side a commanding early rhythm.

Glenavy, however, refused to be cowed. Fiontan O’Boyle got them off the mark on 12 minutes, followed swiftly by a Darragh de Brún free and a fine score under pressure from Michael Morgan. On the 15-minute mark, a brilliantly worked team move was finished to the net by O’Boyle, giving Glenavy a vital boost.

The game’s frantic pace continued. St Enda’s responded just three minutes later with a superb individual goal of their own from Fionn Nagle. Glenavy’s Finn Jack Shannon then electrified the crowd with a phenomenal long-range two-pointer. Both goalkeepers were called into action, with St Enda’s Owen Kennedy pulling off a brilliant point-blank save on 27 minutes to keep his team in touch.

Following late points from Sean Murray and Eastwood for St Enda’s, and Morgan and de Brún for Glenavy, the teams headed into the break with virtually nothing between them.

Half-Time Score: Glenavy 1-08 | St Enda’s 1-07

St Enda’s burst out of the gates in the second half, with O’Connor equalizing within the opening minute.

The complexion of the game changed drastically on 6 minutes. Glenavy’s star man and captain, Paddy Gallagher, sustained a bad head injury and was forced off the pitch, replaced by Chris Grant. The loss of Gallagher disrupted Glenavy’s shape and momentum, and St Enda’s ruthlessly capitalized.

Eastwood continued his scoring clinic with back-to-back frees, while the St Enda’s defense tightened their grip. St Enda’s began to spread the wealth, with well-worked team points finished by James McAuley and Sean McBride.

Glenavy fought hard to stay in the game, with Morgan and de Brún adding to their tallies, and their goalkeeper Matthew Lawlor producing a stunning point-blank save on 21 minutes to deny a certain goal. However, St Enda’s were simply finding scores easier to come by as Fionn Nagle and McBride added points from play, before a massive two-pointer from play on 27 minutes effectively ended the contest.

Stephen O’Connor capped off a stellar performance with two late points, before Glenavy’s Finn Jack Shannon converted a final free to close out the game

St Enda’s shade this one and lay down a serious marker for the rest of the year. With Odhran Eastwood back and firing, and a squad capable of racking up 1-19, they will be very difficult to stop in the race for the league title.

For Glenavy, there are positives to take from a fantastic first-half performance, but they will rue some missed shooting opportunities that could have kept the scoreboard closer. Ultimately, the unfortunate loss of Paddy Gallagher to injury was a blow they couldn’t recover from against a team of St Enda’s quality.

  • St Enda’s: Odhran Eastwood (0-7), Stephen O’Connor (0-4), Fionn Nagle (1-1), Sean McBride (0-2).
  • Glenavy: Michael Morgan (0-4), Fiontan O’Boyle (1-1), Darragh de Brún (0-3), Finn Jack Shannon (0-1, plus one 2-pointer).
  • Glenavy: 1. Matthew Lawlor, 2. Ruairi Forester, 3. Darragh Doherty, 4. Jonathan Phillips, 5. Odhran Arthurs, 6. Conor Hamill, 7. Padhraic McKevitt, 8. Patrick Gallagher, 9. Ciaran Loney, 10. James Monaghan, 11. Darragh Armstrong, 12. Finn Jack Shannon, 13. Michael Morgan, 14. Darragh de Brún, 15. Fiontan O’Boyle.
  • St Enda’s: 1. Owen Kennedy, 2. Cillian Browne, 3. Diarmuid McNulty, 4. Eoghan O’Hare, 5. Conan Lyttle, 6. James McAuley, 7. Sean McBride, 8. Sean Murray, 9. Padraig O’Hare, 10. Zac Kyle, 11. Stephen O’Connor, 12. Fionn Nagle, 13. Odhran Eastwood, 14. Darragh Rooney, 15. Ronan Kalla.

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by thesaffrongael

Early goals key in Aghagallon seeing off the Lámhs 

ACFL Division One 

Aghagallon 3-11-1-14 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Aghagallon 

Photographs: Brian Hamill

THREE goals inside the first ten minutes laid the foundations to Aghagallon’s 3-11-1-14 win over Lámh Dhearg on Wednesday evening. 

The hosts games plan was effective from the outset as they were awarded a penalty within the first 60-seconds as a high ball was flighted into Ruairi McCann and he was hauled down as he was about to pull the trigger, with referee Kevin Parke signalling for a penalty that was dispatched by Adam Loughran. 

In reply, Declan Lynch kicked a two-pointer from play, but the Hannashtown side were caught cold again when they conceded a free in midfield and a quick ball was launched into McCann, he gathered and a simple lay-off was palmed home by Jonny Hannon. 

Conor Murray halved the deficit with a turn and point, though Aghagallon’s response was to score a third goal inside of ten minutes. 

Once again the hosts utilised the high ball into Ruairi McCann, he again offloaded to Hannon who had more work to do on this occasion, rounding John Finucane and then composing himself to steer a shot to the net to make it 3-0-0-3. 

The Lámhs cut the deficit through a converted Adam Murray free and an angled Marc Jordan score that dropped over, but they squandered various scoring opportunities throughout the half. 

It took Aghagallon until the 27th minute to add their first point of the evening through Adam Loughran and just before the break Eoin Brankin clipped over to ensure his side held a 3-2-0-5 lead at the interval. 

Aghagallon extended their lead after the restart with Jonny Hannon and Ruairi McCann both opting to fist over the bar. 

Declan Smyth swung a fine shot over and Adam Murray kicked his first from play to maintain the six-point deficit. 

The sides cancelled each other out for the majority of the half, the hosts again pulled two further clear when Ruairi McCann shot over and Adam Loughran produced another fine kick that dropped over. 

In response Adam Murray dropped an impressive angled score over and substitute Mark Finnegan played a one-two with Declan Smyth and swung over a two-pointed score to make it 3-6-0-10. 

Further scores were traded between Enda McCann and the lively Adam Murray- though three unanswered scores in a five-minute spell appeared to have seen Aghagallon home. 

Enda McCann doubled his account, a dipping Adam Loughran shot was touched over the bar by John Finucane and then Jonny Hannon shot over his second of the evening. 

A third two-pointed score courtesy of Declan Smyth and a Ben Rice point had again reduced arrears to five, but time was against the Hannashtown outfit. 

It looked as though Aghagallon would see the scoring out with a further point, though deep into added time Declan Lynch dropped a high ball into the area, an attempted fist pass was blocked down and Marc Jordan swept home a goal that was little more than consolation. 

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by thesaffrongael

Rasharkin end Eire Og’s unbeaten run

Featured Image: Andrew Hasson who top scored for St. Mary’s in their win over Eire Og

ACFL Division 3

Rasharkin 0-17 Eire Og 1-7

Unbeaten Eire Og travelled to Rasharkin on Wednesday night to take on a Rasharkin team who have had an indifferent start to the season but who came ‘good’ on the night to defeat their visitors fairly convincingly in the end.

The early exchanges showed us just why the Derriaghy side had played themselves into this lofty position and a flowing move in the 6th minute saw Conall Smith fire an unstoppable shot to Ryan Doherty’s net to move them two ahead.

Andrew Hasson had opened the scoring for the Dreen side with a pointed free and the Rasharkin number 14 would have an increasing influence as the game progressed with his accuracy from the placed ball.

It was Eire Og who continued to enjoy the better of the wind assisted opening quarter as Conor Dixon punched over and Lorcan McIlroy converted a free to move them four ahead by the 12th minute.

Andrew Hasson’s second conversion of the evening closed the gap to three but the visitors were winning a lot of breaking ball from the kick-outs but were guilty of a series of bad wides as they tried to add to their early lead.

They were made to pay for their wastefulness as Andrew Hasson struck an excellent point at the other end from play and Thomas Hasson followed with another to leave just one between the sides approaching half time.

The visitors replied as Conor Dixon fisted over with Andrew Hasson kicking the final point of the half from a free and a one point lead for the Derriaghy side looked precarious as the sides headed for the dressing rooms, given the strength of the breeze.

And so it proved to be as Andrew Hasson struck from distance to raise an Orange flag on the restart and Eamonn McNeill followed with a point from play to move St. Mary’s two ahead.

Lorcan McIlroy replied with a point for Eire Og, who were still enjoying plenty of possession but were finding it hard to turn that possession into scores with Fergus Quigg superb at full-back for the hosts.

A 2 pointer from Eamon McNeill moved the home side further ahead and the visitor’s troubles grew when Eoin Dixon was shown Black and Rasharkin began to take control.

A Tiernan O’Boyle point moved the home side four ahead after 17 minutes but Eire Og did respond and a point from Conor McKenna, and two from Conor Dixon by the 23d minute reduced the gap to the minimum and we looked set for a grandstand finish.

It failed to materialise with Thomas Hasson replying at the other end as Eoin Dixon returned from the sin bin and Andrew Hasson, Substitute, Brian Og O’Neill and a great 2 pointer from Eamonn McNeill put it out of reach of the opposition.

Team captain, Cormac McMullan concluded the scoring with a late point for the Dreen side who were worthy winners in the end and this win should give them confidence for the campaign ahead.

Andrew Hasson gave an exhibition of point taking and would finish with 0-7 for the evening but this was an excellent team performance and team mangers, Cathal McMullan and Paddy Kelly will be happy with what they saw on the evening.

Eire Og showed in spells just why they had started the season so well and some of their approach play and movement was top drawer but too often their shooting let them down.

I would expect them to return from this setback and they look like a side who could be challenging for honours come season’s end.

St. Mary’s Rasharkin: 1 Ryan Doherty, 3 Fergus Quigg, 4 Pearce Kelly, 5 Connor Higgins, 6 Pearse McTeague, 7 Colm Kennedy, 8 Tiernan O’Boyle, 9 Ruairi O’Boyle, 22 Thomas Hasson, 11, Cormac McMullan, 13 Eamonn McNeill, 14 Andrew Hasson, 15 Killian O’Boyle, 16 Oran McMullan

Eire Og: 1 Jamie King, 2 Barry McDaid, 3 Brian O’Malley, 4 Kayvan Vesali, 5 Luca Mulholland, 6 Stephen Erskine, 7 Mark O’Hanlon, 8 Patrick Maxwell, 9 Eoin Dixon, 10 Gavin Donnelly, 11 Conor McKenna, 12 Ciaran Rice, 13 Conall Smith, 20 Conor Dixon, 15 Lorcan McIlroy

Referee: Gerard Dougan (Creggan)

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by thesaffrongael

Sarsfields end 25-Year wait with dramatic comeback win over All Saints

Above – Declan Barr celebrates after his goal sealed the Sarsfields win

Antrim ACFL Division 1

Pádraig Sáirséil 2-14 All Saints 3-07

Venue: The Bear Pit

Sarsfields secured their first top-division victory in 25 years following a thrilling, hard-fought battle against All Saints, Ballymena, at the Bear Pit. In a game defined by dramatic momentum swings and an outstanding hat-trick performance from All Saints’ full-forward Brendan “Benny” McDonnell, the Paddies dug deep to overcome an early blitz and seal a famous win with a decisive late goal.

Two early goals by All Saints full forward Benny McDonnell got his team off to a great start

The match opened brightly for the home side when Connor Laverty pointed a free just one minute in to get Sarsfields on the board. However, that early optimism was quickly punctured by a lightning-fast response from the visitors. Benny McDonnell proved unplayable in the opening stages, finding the back of the net in the third minute to instantly put All Saints in front. Before the home defence could even reset, McDonnell struck again within the same minute, brilliantly gaining possession from the subsequent kick-out and chipping the Sarsfields keeper. He added a point shortly after, leaving the home side shell-shocked. By the 15-minute mark, the Ballymena men had cruised to a commanding lead, with Matthew Downey keeping the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors.

Faced with a daunting deficit, Sarsfields showcased tremendous resolve to claw their way back into the contest. They stabilized their possession and began to work through the gears. Jay Maguire kicked a much-needed point to start the revival. The home side then rattled off a series of vital scores approaching halftime: Connor Laverty added from play and a free, Garry Lennon slotted over another free, and half-back Liam Mitchell drove forward to score in the minute. Their methodical fightback narrowed the gap to just two points at the break, with All Saints leading 2-03 to 0-07.

The Paddies carried that momentum into the second half, with Philip McPeake quickly pointing to make it a one-point game. However, All Saints’ star man was far from finished. McDonnell halted the Sarsfields surge with a point before completing a spectacular hat-trick, latching onto a long, searching ball delivered all the way from his goalkeeper after a fantastic midfield catch.

Trailing once more, Sarsfields refused to lie down. Philip McPeake immediately answered McDonnell’s heroics by finding the net at the other end to keep the home side within striking distance. Darach Bradley (10) briefly restored some breathing room for All Saints with a quick point, but the momentum was undeniably shifting back toward the home side.

Connor Laverty remained deadly accurate, converting another free before adding one from play shortly after. Joe McNally then stepped up to split the posts, further fueling the Sarsfields revival. Although McDonnell pointed again to bring his team’s tally to 3-05 against Sarsfields’ 1-10, the Ballymena outfit couldn’t fully stifle the hosts’ relentless pressure.

In the dying moments of the game, with the Paddies battling fiercely for every breaking ball, their persistence finally paid off. A dramatic late Declan Barr goal shattered All Saints’ resistance, sealing an incredible comeback and etching a historic win into the Sarsfields history books. After a quarter of a century away from the Antrim Football League’s top flight, the Bear Pit erupted, celebrating a victory built on pure heart and resilience.

All Saints: 1. Ryan Stewart, 2. Ryan Thom, 3. Michael Read, 4. Sean McDermott, 5. Patrick Ferris, 6. Connell Lemon, 7. Matthew Downey, 8. Emmet Killough, 9. Peter McNicholl, 10. Darach Bradley, 11. Cal O’Brien, 12. Charlie Metrustry, 13. Sean O’Brien, 14. Brendan McDonnell, and 15. Ciaran Campbell.

Sarsfields 1. Michael Brady, 2. Kevin Barry McArdle, 4. Martin McPolin, 6. Liam Mitchell, 7. Joe McNally, 8. Conor Moley, 9. Cormac Murray, 10. Connor Laverty, 12. Jay Maguire, 13. Conor Glenholmes, 14. Niall Mac an Lia, 17. Fionntan McCallan, 18. Philip McPeake, 19. Garry Lennon, and 20. Daragh Gorman.

Referee – Paul Burns

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by thesaffrongael

Cargin edge out St Brigid’s in thrilling Antrim Division 1 clash

St Brigid’s 0-17 Cargin 1-15

Venue: Musgrave Park, Belfast

In what proved to be a pulsating Antrim Division One football league encounter, Erin’s Own Cargin traveled to Musgrave Park and edged out St Brigid’s by the narrowest of margins. A game of massive momentum swings saw the Toomebridge side dominate the early exchanges, only for the home team to mount a fierce comeback and build a commanding second-half lead. Ultimately, it was Cargin’s veteran experience and late-game composure that snatched a dramatic one-point victory from the jaws of defeat.

Cargin hit the ground running right from the throw-in, opening the scoring in the very first minute through Jack O’Neill, but St Brigid’s were quick to reply, with Niall Duffy fisting over the bar to level the match.

The visitors quickly reasserted their early control. Callum Gribbin restored Cargin’s lead, which was soon extended by a 25-meter free from their number corner forward Cillian Scullion. A sweeping team move culminated in Benen Kelly splitting the posts on 12 minutes, and when Tomás McCann added another, Cargin had built a solid cushion.

However, St Brigid’s refused to let the game slip away. JJ Higgins sparked the revival with a well-taken score. Although Cargin’s James Laverty responded with a booming 30-meter effort, St Brigid’s began to find their rhythm. Paul Bradley landed a point from outside the small rectangle, and moments later, Reuben Carleton struck for a massive two-pointer, reducing the deficit to a single point.

The home side’s pressure paid off on 26 minutes when Bradley converted a free from inside the D to level the match. While Tomás McCann briefly nudged Cargin back in front, Patrick Finnegan equalized once more for St Brigid’s and deep into first-half injury time, Paul Bradley capped off an excellent second-quarter performance for the Belfast men, firing over a well-taken point to send St Brigid’s into the dressing room with a 9–8 lead.

St Brigid’s Surge and Cargin’s Resilience

St Brigid’s carried their momentum into the second half, with Dara Quinn scoring early to double their advantage. Cargin’s Jack O’Neill answered back with a crucial two-pointer to level the game once again, but St Brigid’s hit a purple patch that looked set to win them the match.

Paul Bradley punished Cargin indiscretions with two consecutive converted frees. Jack Dowling then added his name to the scoresheet in spectacular fashion, collecting a ball from the goalkeeper and firing a shot that clipped the crossbar on its way over. When Brian McGurk finished off a brilliant sequence that started all the way back in his own square, St Brigid’s had registered four unanswered scores and opened up a daunting five-point lead.

Facing a significant deficit midway through the half, Cargin dug deep. A vital interception by the Cargin goalkeeper prevented further damage and shifted the momentum. Cargin’s number Cillian Scullion converted a two-point free from the edge of the D to close the gap. Moments later, a poor kickout from St Brigid’s was ruthlessly punished by Tomás McCann, who volleyed the ball over the bar—narrowly missing a goal—leaving just two points between the sides.

Dara Quinn briefly stemmed the tide for St Brigid’s, restoring a three-point cushion on 19 minutes, but the game’s turning point arrived moments later.

On 20 minutes, veteran centre-back James Laverty produced a brilliant defensive interception, instantly transitioning Cargin from defence to attack. The counter-attack, which involved four different players, carved open the St Brigid’s defence, allowing corner-back Fiontan Hardy to finish a great move by rattling the back of the net. Suddenly, with ten minutes left, the sides were deadlocked.

The tension at Musgrave Park was palpable. After a sustained period of patient build-up, St Brigid’s Jack Dowling found space to edge the home side back in front. But Cargin’s vast championship experience shone through in the dying moments. On 26 minutes, the ever-reliable Tomás McCann held his nerve to slot a 25-meter free, leveling the match once again. Just two minutes later, McCann stepped up to convert another crucial free, giving Cargin the lead with only two minutes of normal time remaining.

In a frantic injury-time period, St Brigid’s threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. However, they were met by a green wall, as resolute Cargin defending denied them any clean looks at the target.

Cargin held on to hear the final whistle, securing a hard-fought, one-point victory in an intense, high-quality contest where both teams proved their Division One credentials.

Erin’s Own, Cargin: 1. Padraig McLaughlin, 2. Conan Johnston, 3. Cahir Donnelly, 4. Fiontan Hardy, 5. Jack O Neill, 6. James Laverty, 7. Benen Kelly, 8. Kevin McShane, 9. Eunan Quinn, 10. Ciaran Bradley, 11. Tom Shivers, 12. Paul McCann, 13. Tomás McCann, 14. Callum Gribbin, 15. Cillian Scullion.

St Brigid’s: 1. Declan Heery, 2. Aodhan McNicholl, 3. Conor King, 4. Joseph McCarney, 5. Brian Mc Gurk, 6. Peter King, 7. Reuben Carleton, 8. Jack Dowling, 9. Patrick Finnegan, 10. Oran Downey, 11. Paul Bradley, 12. Dara Quinn, 13. Niall Duffy, 14. Conan McNicholl, 15. JJ Higgins.

Referee – Darren McKeown (St Gall’s)

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