by thesaffrongael

Late rally secures points for the Con Magees

Antrim Football League – Division 1

Glenravel 1-13  Moneyglass 2-08

Glenravel left it very late to level and eventually go ahead of their opponents in a game that was in some ways dominated by a strong breeze blowing to the scoreboard end of Fr Maginn Park on Wednesday evening. Glenravel played into that breeze in the first half and were five points adrift at half time thanks to two majors from the visitors. They started to dominate in midfield second half but their opponents refused to buckle and it wasn’t until the fifty eighth minute that the home side levelled and then pulled ahead to win by two points.

Moneyglass put a marker down early when full forward Colm Duffin raised the orange flag and that was followed up by an Aiden McErlaine point so with ten minutes gone the visitors were three to the good having made good use of the breeze whilst the home team  were guilty of opportunistic shooting falling short of the target into a strong wind. Aiden O’Donnell opened for Glenravel from a free and that was followed by a brace from Harry Fyfe, one of which was a wonder score into the breeze from distance. Aiden O’Donnell then punished a breach and Glenravel were ahead by the minimum but with twenty minutes on the clock, ref Mark O’Neill awarded the visitors a penalty which Dermot McErlaine dispatched to the net to restore Moneyglass’s lead. Aiden O’Donnell pointed again from a free but in a two minute period towards the end of the half Moneyglass opened a six point gap as Aiden McErlane goaled and that was quickly followed by a 2-pointer from Seanchan Duffin. Aiden O’Donnell reduced the gap to five points from a fee as Mark O’Neill brought proceedings to a close with Moneyglass on top on a 2-05 to 0-06 scoreline.

Colm Duffin stretched the lead to six from a free  on the restart but Glenravel would reduce that to two points as their dominance started to force transgressions and none better than Aiden O’Donnell to exploit that with two pointed frees sandwiched between a 2-point free from the recently introduced Ryan McQuillan. Colm Duffin popped over two further points with Glenravel’s only reply being a Harry Fyfe point. There had been several long injury stoppages for both sides in that second half but despite a lot of possession the home side still trailed by three points with as many minutes of ordinary time left.

Try as they might Glenravel struggled to close that gap but from a turnover and good move upfield the home side were finally rewarded when Niall Hynds pounced to punch to the net and level the game. That raised a massive cheer from the home supporters and it got even louder when Callum Higgins gave them the lead one minute later. Glenravel were showing a lot of composure at this stage keeping possession and when they finally burst through the Moneyglass defence they earned a penalty which Rian Lennon put over to extend the lead to two points. Several more anxious minutes followed for the home supporters before the final whistle blew on a game that either team will look back on thinking they could have lost or could have won – fine margins separated them in the end but the men in green and white will be the happier side tomorrow morning.

Glenravel

  1. Conleth O’Loan
  2. Conor Carey
  3. Conor McQuillan (Subbed for #19 at 49′)
  4. Niall Dickson
  5. Callum Higgins (Scored 0-0-1)
  6. Niall Swann
  7. Rian Lennon (Scored 0-0-1)
  8. Cahal Hynds
  9. Sean Higgins
  10. Daniel McQuillan (Subbed for #20 at 58′)
  11. Aiden O’Donnell (Scored 0-0-6)
  12. Eamon Ward
  13. Fergus Donaghy (Subbed for #18 at 56′)
  14. Harry Fyfe (Scored 0-0-3)
  15. Daire Higgins (Subbed for #28 at 48′)
  16. (Not listed on graphic)

Moneyglass

  1. Jamie McLaughlin (Séamus Mac Lochlainn)
  2. Bobby Kennedy (Roibeard Ó Cinnéide)
  3. Paul Duffin (Pól Ó Duifinn)
  4. James McCormick (Séamus Mac Cormaic)
  5. Eunan Mc Erlain (Eunan Mac Fhirléighinn)
  6. Conleth McCann (Connlaodh Mac Cana)
  7. Francis Duffin (Proinsias Ó Duifinn)
  8. Seanchan Duffin (Seanchan Ó Duifinn)
  9. Dermott Mc Erlain (Diarmaid Mac Fhirléighinn)
  10. Callum Murray (Colm Ó Muirí)
  11. Aidan Mc Erlain (Aodán Mac Fhirléighinn)
  12. Connor O Kane (Connor Ó Catháin)
  13. Caolan Boyd (Caolán Búiteach)
  14. Colum Duffin (Colm Ó Duifinn)
  15. Sean Boyd (Sean Búiteach)
by thesaffrongael

St Galls Maintain Winning Record

Senion Football League

Division One

St Galls 0-16 Dunloy 3-5

Wednesday 22 April 

Brendan McTaggart reports from de la Salle Park, Milltown

St Galls continued their 100% record in the league with a two point win over Dunloy.  The home side controlled the contest for the majority of the game yet the Cuchullains carried a goal threat throughout and could have left the Milltown Row with a share of the points but for a brilliant save from Chris Kerr towards the end of the hour.

The result was owed much to the accuracy of Daniel Quinn, he would finish top scorer with all but one of his six points coming from open play while Barra McCaffrey had a huge impact on the game after his introduction in the first half.  The speed and agility of Gerard O’Neill and Niall Fallon while the aerial presence of Manus McCrossan was a major factor with St Galls dominating possession for long periods.

Dunloy were slow in starting yet a brace of first half goals from Charlie Cunning allowed them to sit back and stay organised, forcing St Galls to try and play through them.  The Cuchullains would have been the happier of the sides going in at the half time break, trailing by the minimum but had a substantial breeze at their back for the restart.  St Galls played superbly in the second period however, starving Dunloy of possession and opened up a five point lead before Emmett McKendry’s late major.

The home side were on the front foot from the first whistle and were three points up inside the opening five minutes.  Niall Fallon opening the scoring before Gerard O’Neill split the uprights from outside the 40 yard arc.  Quinn’s first point of the match came in the eighth minute but it probably should have been better for St Galls when Aodhan Gallagher found himself through on goal.  He pulled his shot wide with Dunloy ‘keeper McMahon coming out to close down his angle.

Tom McFerran scored his first of two points in the half to open the scoring for the Cuchullains as they began to find some rhythm in the game.  They scored their first goal in the 12th minute with Nigel Elliott collecting a pass having spun behind his marker.  Going through on goal, he passed to Cunning and he made no mistake to beat the rushing Chris Kerr.

Dunloy’s second major came moments later and while it came in fortuitous circumstances, the finish was excellent.  Elliott’s effort for a point came back off the upright and Cunning was first to react and again, found the back of the net to give Dunloy a three point lead midway through the half.

St Galls would waken from their slumber however and began to dictate the half.  Mixing their point of attack with a series of long ball and speed, outscoring Dunloy six points to two in the second quarter.  Padraig Murray, Quinn (two), Mackel, Barra McCaffrey and Gallagher with the scores while McFerran and Eoghan McGrath with the response from the visitors to leave the half time score 0-10 to 2-3 in St Galls favour.

In a cagey opening to the second half, McCaffrey and McGrath (free) exchanged points before Jack Martin brought the sides level after 11 minutes of the second half.  The St Galls defence began to get the upperhand and force a number of turnovers that were actuated with scores at the other end of the pitch form Quinn (two) and McCaffrey to hold a three point lead going into the final five minutes.

Dunloy were searching for room in the St Galls defence and almost had their third major of the contest when Emmett McKendry managed to find a yard of space.  His effort was brilliantly saved by the St Galls netminder however when it looked for the world he would manage to find the back of the net.

St Galls made the most of the reprieve, Quinn (free) and Ethan Walsh opening a five point deficit but Dunloy continued to press and probe.  Substitute McGilligan got on the end of a long ball before breaking it into the path of McKendry.  The Dunloy forward made no mistake second time around but it came too late with St Galls seeing out the remaining time.

Both teams are out in action again next Wednesday with St Pauls making the journey to the Milltown Row while Dunloy will welcome Cargin to Pearse Park on the same evening.

TEAMS

ST GALLS: Chris Kerr; Eoghan McCurdy, Aidan McDonagh, Gaireach MacAdhaimh; John McCaffrey, Damien Ball, Gerard O’Neill; Manus McCrossan, Aodhan Gallagher; Martin Murray, Daniel Quinn, Aaron Mackel; Niall Fallon, Padraig Murray, Ethan Walsh

Subs: Barra McCaffrey for P Murray (24); Liam Lynn for J McCaffrey (HT); Conall Murray for M McCrossan (43); Niall Burns for M Murray (52); Callum Walsh for A Mackel (55)

Scorers: D Quinn 0-6 (1f); B McCaffrey 0-3; G O’Neill 0-2 (1tp); A Gallagher 0-1; A Mackel 0-1; N Fallon 0-1; P Murray 0-1; E Walsh 0-1

DUNLOY: Chrissy McMahon; Callum Scullion, Sean Og Blaney, Cathair McCloskey; Conor Kinsella, Aaron Crawford, Jack Martin; Ciaran McQuillan, Ryan McGarry; Charlie Cunning, Tom McFerran, Stephen McAlone; Eoghan McGrath, Nigel Elliott, Emmett McKendry

Subs: Padraig McGilligan for C Cunning (49); Caolan McFerran for S McAlone (60)

Scorers: C Cunning 2-00; E McKendry 1-00; T McFerran 0-2; E McGrath 0-2 (1f); J Martin 0-1

Referee: Colin Thompson (St John’s)

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall power home in second half

Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Loughgiel 2-09 Cushendall 3-17 at Fr Healy Park

League holders Ruairi Og Cushendall delivered an impressive statement of intent on Tuesday evening at Fr Healey Park, defeating county champions Loughgiel Shamrocks by eleven points in their Antrim Camogie League clash. While Loughgiel fielded without four or five regular starters due to county commitments, the nature of Cushendall’s 3-17 to 2-9 victory was nonetheless striking, especially given how tightly contested the opening period was.

The first half proved to be a fiercely competitive and high-scoring affair. Cushendall found their rhythm early with points from Cliodhna Thompson, Orlaith McCurry, and Eva McNeill. Kady McNeill emerged as a massive attacking threat for the home side, finding the back of the net twice in a devastating two-minute spell, while Cara O Boyle also raised a green flag later in the half. Despite conceding three goals, Loughgiel demonstrated tremendous resolve and championship pedigree. Anna Connolly registered an early point, and the reliable Marie Laverty kept them well in touch with accurate shooting from both play and placed balls. A crucial 25th-minute goal from Annie Lynn was instrumental in reeling the hosts back in, ensuring the teams went into the break deadlocked after a breathless and hard-fought thirty minutes.

After the change of ends, however, the complexion of the game shifted entirely. With a cold wind now on their backs, Cushendall took absolute control of the proceedings. Eva McNeill led the charge, tapping over vital frees and adding from play, while Brogan Abram and Siobhan McKillop also split the posts to stretch the home side’s advantage. Loughgiel fought hard to stem the tide, with Louise Mc Killop and Orlagh Laverty managing to point from play, and Marie Laverty adding another goal and a free to her personal tally. Ultimately, the elements and Cushendall’s relentless second-half pressure proved too much to handle. Kady McNeill, Orlaith McCurry, and Cliodhna Thompson all clipped over further points as Ruairi Og pushed on decisively to secure a comprehensive eleven-point win.

Loughgiel

1 Emma Mc allister, 2 Charlene Campbell, 3 Megan McGarry, 4 Aoibheann Gillan, 5 Shauna Devlin, 6 Lucia McNaughton, 7 Ciara Laverty, 8 Louise Mc Killop, 9 Anna Connolly, 10 Annie Lynn, 11 Marie Laverty, 12 Shanna Deery, 13 Orlagh Laverty, 14 Anna McKillop, and 15 Carlina Sullivan.

Ruairi Og

1 Orlagh Burke, 2 Laoise McCollam, 3 Anna McNeill, 4 Tamara Black, 5 Ellen Leech, 6 Abi McNeill, 7 Aoife McClafferty, 8 Dervla Cosgrove, 9 Siobhan McKillop, 10 Brogan Abram, 11 Eva McNeill, 12 Orlaith McCurry, 13 Cliodhna Thompson, 14 Kady McNeill, and 15 Lára Haughey.

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

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim Minor Hurlers beat Kildare

Leinster Mnor Hurling

Peadar Ó Liatháin Cup

Kildare 3-09 Antrim 5-20

Above- The Antrim team who beat Kildare in the Peadar Ó Liatháin Cup

After a narrow two-point defeat to Laois in O’Moore Park the previous week— a result that denied them a place in Tier One hurling via the Group 4 qualifier— Antrim minor hurlers responded in emphatic fashion on the road to Kildare in the Peadar Ó Liatháin competition, recording a convincing 5-20 to 3-09 victory.

Antrim captain Logan McConville with his Kildare counterpart and match referee before last week’s win

Playing into a strong breeze in the opening half, the young Saffrons showed resilience and composure, with first-half goals from Enna McGuickan and Lewis Rafferty setting the tone. They built on that platform after the break, as Conall Dempsey, Rafferty (who claimed his second goal), and Connlaodh McNaughton all found the net to put the result beyond doubt.

It was an impressive all-round team performance, characterised by a solid defensive display and an exceptional work rate across midfield and the half-forward line.

The commitment of the squad continues to stand out, with significant effort put into training and the demands of all fixtures being away from home. Attention now turns to further group-stage tests, with trips to Wicklow this Saturday followed by Carlow the following week, as they aim to secure a place in the semi-finals.