by thesaffrongael

Reigning champions forced to dig deep

 (SFC Group One)

Erin’s Own Cargin 1-17 Tir na Nog 0-14

Reigning senior champions Erin’s Own were forced to dig deep to pass the test provided by the men from Whitehill and come from off the pace on Saturday evening before a good attendance on their own sod.

Tir na nOg travelled to Toome in the opening round of the senior championship cast in the role of outsiders on Saturday evening.

In the event, it was Cargin who would claim the win as expected but the reigning champions were forced to dig deep before passing the winning post with a hard earned 1-17 to 0-14 victory.

A good crowd had assembled in Toome as Cargin began their campaign in defence of their hard earned senior championship title and although the Erin’s Own men were to start as very warm  favourites they would be pushed all the way by the Randalstown side.

Cargin started positively with a Tomas McCann point and his nephew Sean Og O’Neill was quick to add another.

Their visitors were soon off the mark with a point from Oliver McAtamney and when mid fielder Mc Allister provided a fine ‘two pointer’ they had nipped into an early lead.

The home support were strangely quiet as the opening period progressed and the men from Whitehill increased their lead as Darragh Fagan added back to back points, one a ‘two pointer’ and further whites raised by Emmett Murray and Oliver Mc Atamney moved them 0-07 to 0-03 ahead.

The home side were struggling to get their game together but Benen Kelly sprang into action and following a fetch at the back by Jack O’ Neill he nipped forward to hoist a white.

 Cargin pressed again and a creative movement involving Sean O’ Neill, James Laverty, and Tomas McCann opened the way for John Carron to find the net.

This score seemed to lift the reigning champions and points from Conhuir Johnston and Michael McCann, aided by a superb fetch from Jack O’ Neill ensured a 1-06 to 0-08 lead for the home side as the short whistle sounded.

There was a lot to talk about in the ranks of the onlookers during the break but the home side opened a three point gap in the 33rd minute when Michael McCann despatched a fine ‘two pointer’ between the posts.

The visitors were quick to respond and opened their second half account with another two pointer as Sean Duffin delivered between the posts.

Cargin introduced Callum Gribbin into the ranks and the big man made a difference with Tomas McCann, John Carron and Conhuir Johnston adding points before another catch in defence by the excellent Jack O’Neill opened the way for Conhuir Johnston to split the posts.

Just back from long term injury the young man was making an impact on proceedings but bad luck denied him a couple of goal opportunities.

The home side had earned a three point advantage 1-11 to 0-11 but saw their visitors return fire as accurate Darragh Fagan added a pointed free to his personal haul.

Cargin were gaining in stride as the second period progressed however and points from Tomas Mc Cann and another from net minder John McNabb increased their advantage.

The visitors replied again through the impressive Darragh Fagan but the home side replied through Conhuir Johnston (2), and Benen Kelly who fired over from long range to move his side 1-17 to 0-13 ahead and the die was cast.

Tir na nOg continued to battle in the latter stages and were rewarded with a close range free from Darragh Fagan but it proved too little-too late and the long blast signalled a 1-17 to 0-14 win for the home side.

Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-01), Conan Johnston, Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Corley, Benen Kelly (0-02), James Laverty (0-01), Jack O’ Neill, John Carron (1-02), Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Sean O’ Neill (0-01), Jack Harney, Michael Mc Cann (0-03), Conhuir Johnston (0-04), Tomas Mc Cann (0-03)

Subs

Callum Gribbin

Tir na nOg: Sean Paul Mc Atamney, Brandon Mc Larnon, Ciaran Mc Grellis, Daire Martin, Ciaran 0’ Neill, Barry Mc Cormick (0-02), Sean og Mc Allister (0-01), Darragh Feagan (04 2*), Josh Higgins, Sean Duffin, Oliver Mc Atamney (0-03), Aiden Toland, Caleb Smith, Emmett Murray (0-02)

Subs

Ryan O’ Neill

Brandon Devlin

Paul Mc Closkey

Referee: Ray Matthews

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by thesaffrongael

St Pat’s survive late Rasharkin rally to get off the mark in Group 1 

OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship, Group 1 

St Pat’s Lisburn 3-10-1-13 Rasharkin 

Kevin Herron reports from Kirkwoods Park 

ST PAT’S LISBURN  survived a late Rasharkin fightback as they bounced back from their narrow defeat to St Enda’s in midweek with a 3-10-1-13 victory over the Dreen at Kirkwoods Park on Saturday evening. 

The hosts knew there was little more margin for error following their 0-13-0-11 defeat at Hightown if they were to challenge for a top-two position come the group’s conclusion. 

Rasharkin came in fresh to proceedings after having a bye in midweek and they began brightly in Lisburn. 

Donagh Quigg robbed Eoin Dixon of possession, drove forward and steered over the opening score before Oran McMullan quickly doubled his side’s advantage. 

It took 11 minutes for the hosts to register through a fisted Brendan McGarr point, but they restored parity quickly as McGarr fed James Morgan to shoot the equaliser approaching the midway point in the first half. 

The sides would trade further points, Rasharkin edged ahead again through a converted Oisin Casey free, cancelled out at the other end by an outstanding Colm Burns score. 

St Pat’s forged ahead for the first time in the 22nd minute when Ben McMullan shot over from just inside the arc and 60-seconds later they extended their lead with the games opening goal following a surging Colm Burns run that concluded with him floating a shot to net to open up a 1-4-0-3 lead. 

On the stroke of half time, Oisin Casey kicked his second free of the half to ensure Burns’ goal was the difference at the interval. 

The hosts extended their lead within a minute of the restart when Jude Rafferty took a pass from Rudi Smyth and shot inside the posts, but Casey responded with a free from a tight angle. 

A fantastic Adam Patterson point stretched the lead to four again- though that deficit was halved as Casey kicked a two-pointed free after the ball was moved forward for dissent. 

It was a single point game by the 40th minute after Eamonn McNeill guided a curling shot inside the near post. 

Successive points at the other end halted Rasharkin’s momentum, Ben McMullan’s high shot dropped over and a close-range Rudi Smyth free had Lisburn 1-8-0-8 ahead. 

Again the sides cancelled each other out with McMullan fisting over his third point of the night in response to a marvellous Thomas Hasson point that had reduced arrears. 

A fifth Casey free of proceedings cut the gap again with little under a quarter of an hour remaining, but St Pat’s looked to have pulled away with two goals in a four minute spell. 

Luca Mulholland collected a popped pass and rocketed a shot into the top of the net and four minutes later Eoin Dixon took a pass from Colm Burns and clipped the ball over advancing keeper Tiernan O’Boyle to make it 3-9-0-10. 

Dixon added a point a few minutes after his goal and with 56 minutes on the clock the hosts appeared to be safe. 

However, to their credit Rashakin rallied in the closing stages, first when Eamonn McNeill steered over from outside the arc and then Casey added a free to half arrears by a third. 

Then two minutes into added time St Pat’s were unable to clear their lines under intense pressure and Oisin Casey sent a low shot past Ruadhan McKenna at his near post to set up a grandstand finish and make it 3-10-1-13. 

Casey wheels away in celebration
Top scorer Oisin Casey’s goal proved consolation in the end

Their comeback failed to gather any further momentum though as the hosts hung on at the conclusion to bounce back from their midweek disappointment and give themselves hope of a top-two finish come the end of the group stage. 

ST PATRICK’S LISBURN: R McKenna, L Mulholland (1-0), T Burns, J McMullan, B McMullan (0-3), C Smyth, B McGarr (0-1), A Patterson (0-1), C Burns (1-1), C Ewing, J Morgan (0-1), J Rafferty (0-1), R Smyth (0-1f), E Dixon (1-1). SUBS: A Thompson for J Rafferty (50), C Doran for C Ewing (57). 

RASHARKIN: T O’Boyle, D McGurk, C Higgins, P McTauge, C Kennedy, F Quigg, T Hasson (0-1), C McMullan, J Quinn, D Quigg (0-1), O Casey (1-7, 1×0-2ptf, 0-5f), O McMullan (0-1), K O’Boyle, E McNeill (0-3, 1×0-2pt), C McGarrell. SUBS: L Quigg for C McGarrell (47). 

REFEREE: Sean Elliott (LÁMH DHEARG)

by thesaffrongael

Ahoghill Edge Aghagallon in Thrilling One-Point Victory

Aghagallon 2-13 Ahoghill 1-17

Antrim SFC (Group 4)

By Brian Hamill at Pairc na nGael

In a pulsating encounter that ebbed and flowed from start to finish, Ahoghill emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins, edging past Aghagallon with a final scoreline of 2-13 to 1-17.

The match opened with high intensity, and it was Aghagallon who struck first, Jonny Hannon pointing early to give his side the lead. However, Ahoghill responded swiftly, with their corner-forward James O’Connell proving clinical from placed balls, converting multiple frees to keep the scoreboard ticking.

The first half saw both sides trading blows throughout, but halfway through the first half, Aghagallon’s Adam Loughran finished off a fantastic team move, with a well taken goal.

It was Ahoghill who took a slender advantage into the break, leading by four points thanks to a well-taken goal from their right corner-forward Colla McDonnell and a flurry of scores from frees.

Aghagallon came out firing in the second half, with Eunan Walsh finding the net to swing momentum back in their favour and Jonny Hannon’s accuracy from frees helped the visitors build a three-point cushion midway through the half.

A turning point in the game occurred 10 minutes into the second half, when Aghagallon’s McCann received a second yellow, shifting momentum in Ahoghill’s favour.

James O’Connell, was instrumental in the comeback, notching crucial points from play and frees to level the game. With the clock ticking down, both sides found themselves deadlocked multiple times, but it was Ahoghill who held their nerve in the dying moments.

A late point from play, once again from James O’Connell, sealed the win for the visitors, who showed grit and determination to claw back the deficit and snatch victory at the death. This result will sting for Aghagallon, who hit the woodwork several times and led for large spells, but Ahoghill’s resilience and sharp shooting under pressure proved decisive.

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by thesaffrongael

Casements prove too strong for Con Magees

On the back of a drawn contest between these clubs in last years’ final round robin tie, and a similar league result in April in Glenravel, supporters of both clubs could be forgiven for thinking another blockbuster was in store for this first phase championship encounter at Kelly Park, Portglenone.

The reality though is that this contest was as good as over after ten minutes, at which stage last years’ beaten finalists Casements had already stretched out an eight point lead that never looked like being reeled in.

Playing attractive fast moving football from the throw in, Portglenone opened the scoring when Dermot McAleese palmed to the net after just two minutes, and a similar mazy weave resulted in a second green flag when Oisin Doherty fielded the kickout, fed Dermot McAleese who in turn laid off to the marauding Enda Lynn less than five minutes later.

In between times a point each from Ryan McQuillan and Sean McKay for the visitors and a trio from Aidan McAleese, Oisin Doherty and Dermot McAleese kept the hosts ticking over nicely in front. It took a superb save from Casements custodian Kevin Mullan to deny half back Daniel McQuillan, as Con Magees produced a brief spell of dominance, but Mullan’s save, on top of three 45s which were not converted, meant that they had little to show for those endeavours.

When big Aidan McAleese pointed in the twelfth minute and Enda Lynn set up Michael Hagan for a tap over score one minute later the writing was on the wall. Six further points were registered by the home side before their first wide of the game in the twenty ninth minute. Oisin Doherty finished off a fine individual first half with the final score before Darren McKeown blew for half time, Casements 13 points to the good.

Although Ryan McQuillan notched the first score of the second half, any notion of a comeback was immediately dispelled when Ryan Convery ran the full length of the pitch to slide the ball past Shaun O’Boyle in Glenravel nets. Oisin Doherty was back to his best, taking men on from a half forward position and scoring at will, assisted at every turn by attacking colleagues Aidan McAleese Michael Hagan, Ronan Kelly and Enda Lynn. A few minutes later Michael Hagan punished a mishap in Glenravel’s defence and cheekily lobbed the ball past McQuillan for Casements fourth goal of the evening. Within three minutes Ronan Kelly got in on the act to make it five as the game turned into a score fest for last years’ runners up.

It was a night to forget for Glenravel who were longing for the final whistle long before Darren McKeown blew for time up, and they have work to do to regroup in time for their remaining assignments. Ryan McQuillan notched a couple of points from play and a handful of frees, but overall was well contained by Ronan Delargy. Conor McGhee did a similarly good job throughout, stifling Eamon Fyfe, Glenravels other main scoring threat.

Eamon Ward, Niall Swann and Niall Hynds grafted away for their cause, as did Shea O`Brien and Daniel McQuillan but overall Glenravel will just want to put this performance behind them.

In contrast Casements demonstrated the difference between league and championship as John McKeever starts to crank up his systems. Veteran Jonny Convery slotted into centre half with ease and won a lot of breaking ball, as younger sibling Ryan looked every inch the exciting player He was before his lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury, covering every blade of pristine O Ceallaigh park.

Upon his introduction debutant Ryan McKeever got a few scores to settle him into championship mode, as all over the pitch Casements looked strong and assured.

Niall Delargy was absent due to the birth of first child (Seanie) earlier in the day as midfield stalwarts Paddy Kelly and Dermot McAleese looked in top form the first whistle. Kevin OKane looked superb at full back, but it was the entire forward division playing with a confidence not seen for some time.

Enda Lynn was in top form, pulling strings for fun. Oisin Doherty posted a superb hour, finishing with eight points from play. Stylist Michael Hagan contributed a goal and four points and also caught the eye from general play. Ronan Kelly (1 -01)  and Aidan McAleese (0 – 04) also looked good throughout, but it was the combination play that particularly caught the eye.

John McKeever will be content in the knowledge that his men are moving nicely as they travel to Rossa Park for their next test –  Con Magees will want to put this behind them as quickly as possible.

Referee Darren McKeown.

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by thesaffrongael

Goals the currency as Eire Og off to a flier

JFC Group 2

Laochra Loch Lao 0-15 Eire Og 5-5

They say points win prizes but goals win games and that was very much in evidence at Colaiste Feirste in the opening game of the Junior Football Championship, Group 2 on Friday night.

The Irish language team went into this one as favourites, having finished second in the league but had no answer to a slick moving and well marshalled Eire Og.

Eire Og were strong in defence with Laochra Loch Lao unable to break through for the goal that might well have turned this game in their favour while Eire Og gave a demonstration of fine finishing over the hour.

It was Laochra Loch Lao who opened brightly and they shot into an early 2 point lead thanks to Daire McMenamin and Rian McShane before their opponents replied with their opening goal of the evening through Patrick McNelis with only 4 minutes gone.

Ronan Donnelly added a second major for the Og’s in the 10th minute and again their fast transition from defence to attack opened up the Laochra defence.

Rolbeard MacSlacals replied with a point for the hosts but this was quickly cancelled by a fine effort from Ronan Donnelly at the other end with 17 minutes on the clock.

MacSlacals was doing all in his power to get his side going as he pointed a free for his second of the evening but the visitors continued to look dangerous on the quick counter attack and Patrick McNelis struck for his second and his sides third with ten minutes remaining to the break.

Two well struck 2 pointer from the excellent MacSlacals and another single from the same player had it back to one as half time approached with Conall Smyth hitting a late score for Eire Og to leave them 2 ahead at the break.

Kevin Devine reduced the gap to one with a point on the restart and it seemed to be turning the way of Laochra Loch Lao when Sean O’Heachan got down well to save Conor McKenna’s penalty in the 3d minute.

They refused to heed the danger signs however as Mark Graham was left unmarked to gather a rebound of a Laochra upright and bury it in the net and move the visitors four ahead again.

Diarmaid MacPilib responded directly from a ‘45’ to close the gap to three again but Eire Og were playing some excellent football and Patrick McNelis fired over a fine point.

Eire Og continued to edge the exchanges as their opponents tried in vain to negate their goal threat and Conall Smyth got in for their fifth major with 9 minutes remaining and it looked as good as over.

Rian McShane from play and Diarmaid MacPilib with a 2 pointer free reduced the gap to four again but a Lorcan McIlroy converted free and another from play from the impressive Smyth ensured that there would be no way back for the Colaiste Feirste side.

They did hit the final point of the evening through Kevin Devine but it was too little-too late and it is Eire Og who are off to a flying start in this year’s championship.

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