by thesaffrongael

Ace marksman Kelly keeps St. Brigid’s in top spot

ACHL Division 4

St. Brigid’s 1-24 All Saints 1-19

A fine display of point taking by ace marksman, James Kelly kept St. Brigid’s firmly fixed at the top of the table and possibly on their way to promotion to division 3 when they overcame the challenge of a depleted All Saints at Musgrave Park on Sunday evening.

Kelly struck an impressive 1-14 over the hour with 0-12 of his total coming from the placed ball and the visitors will surely reflect on the number of frees they conceded unnecessarily when they look back on today’s result.

James Kelly who scored 1-14 as St. Brigid’s defeated All Saints to maintain their place at the top of division 4

Despite being without half a dozen regulars through injury and other commitments it was the Ballymena men who made the early running with Damian Gillan, Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan driving them on as they raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

McGuigan hit 0-4 during those opening exchanges with Gillan and Bradley also on target and Fintan Cleary and Niall Murtagh replying for the home side.

James Kelly became the catalyst of a St. Brigid’s comeback  as he  hit three of the next four points, all falling the way of the Musgrave Park men with Peter Middleton their other scorer to draw level with 19 minutes on the clock.

McGuigan briefly restored the All Saints lead with his 5th point of the afternoon but points from David Prenter, a ‘65’ from Michael Kerr and a goal from the excellent Kelly swung matters decisively in favour of the league leaders.

Damian Gillan from a long range free and James Kelly exchanged late points to put the home side 1-10 to 0-8 ahead and Oisin McDonnell and James Kelly from a massive long range free extended the St. Bigid’s lead to 7 before Damian Gillan replied for the visitors to leave seven between the sides at the break.

Darach Bradley reduced that lead to six within 30 seconds of the restart but All Saints continued to concede unnecessary frees with Kelly gratefully converting two and Michael Kerr and David Prenter adding two more from play.

The St. Brigid’s lead had been extended to 10 with only 4 minutes of the new half gone and it was looking ominous for the Slemish Park side but to their credit they kept battling with Perarse Martin, Eoin McGuigan, Darach Bradley and McGuigan again bringing their total to 0-14.

At the other end the imperious Kelly kept the score board ticking as he converted another three frees and two from play with McGuigan replying to leave 10 in it again with 11 minutes remaining.

All Saints Eoin mcAllister comes out to clear the danger

All Saints threw everything at their opponents during the closing stages with Darach Bradley and Damian Gillan pointing and Bradley finishing to the net from close range in the 29th minute to close the gap to five.

It was as close as they got however and it was free taker supreme, James Kelly who concluded the scoring with his 12th of the game from the placed ball to leave the Musgrave park side 6 to the good at the final whistle.

This win moves St. Brigid’s two points clear of second place Rossa who they are set to meet at Rossa Park on Wednesday the 25th June and that result will go some way in deciding who will win division 4.

There are three rounds of games to play after that however and it could be the last day of the season before we know the eventual overall winners.

St. Brigid’s: 1 Brian McGurk, 2 Oliver Leggett, 3 Conor McElhatton, 4 Dara Sidebottom, 5 Jack Pardy, 6 Michael Burke, 7 Seamus Massingham, 8 Niall Murtagh, 9 Michael Kerr, 10 James Kelly 1-14, 11 Peter Middleton, 13 David Prenter, 14 Fintan Cleary, 15 Oisin McDonnell, 17Finlay Blockley, 18 Owen McCarney,  19 Cuan Polley

All Saints: 1 Ciaran Cassley, 2 Francis Casey, 3 Eoin McAllister, 4 Archie McGreevey, 5 Daniel Gray, 6 Harry Connon, 7 Niall Savage, 8 Damian Gillan, 9 Darach Bradley, 10 Pearse Martin, 11 Eoin McGuigan, 12 Vinny Esler, 13 Antoin Martin, 14 Daniel Kelly, 15 Fintan Brady, 16 Luke Walsh

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by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle recover from a bad start to beat St John’s by ten

Antrim Senior Hurling League- Division On

Ballycastle 3-19 St John’s 0-18

Ballycastle recovered from a slow start to get the better of league leaders St John’s in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Hurling League game at Pairc MacUilin. The Corrigan Park men wee 0-07 to 0-02 ahead after just seven minutes, but once they got going the men from the Town reeled their visitors in and three goals in the second quarter saw them go in at the break with a 3-12 to 0-12 lead.

The second half was much more even, and lower scoring but Ballycastle held their own during that period and ended up winning by ten.

St John’s, who were short a few regulars, started strongly and with Oisin McManus and Shea Shannon leading the line they hit the first two points of the game. Niall McKenna pulled one back on two minutes but the visitors pushed on and points from Aaron Bradley., Oisin McManus and Michial Dudley found the target to stretch the gap to four. McKenna came back with one from play for the Town, but Shannon and McManus stretched the lead to five by the ninth minute. As the half progressed Ballycastle started to find their range and three in a row from Conor Donnelly set them on a run and they had it back to a point when the game really changed.

On 22 minutes McKenna set up Conor Donnelly for a goal and two minutes later Darragh Donnelly added another major with a great finish. Oisin McManus hit three points for the Johnnies but the home team finished the half with goal number three, this time from veteran full forward Neal McAuley to give his team a 3-12 to 0-12 half time lead

McAuley increased the lead to ten in the first minute of the second but McManus replied right away for the visitors. The Corrigan Park side had a chance to get back into it when they were awarded a penalty in the 36th minute, but McManus was off target and two long range points from Seamus McAuley had the gap out to eleven at one point. That gave the home side enough breathing room and they kept answering each St John’s point to seal the win.

Despite the defeat St John’s still hold on to top spot, though Rossa, Dunloy and Loughgiel all have a game in hand on them and on Ballycastle. They face West Belfast rivals Rossa at Corrigan next time out on Wednesday 25th June in what should be a very interesting contest.  

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by thesaffrongael

Honours Even In Antrim & Derry Masters Clash.

Doire    2 – 11

Aontroim  1 – 14

This third clash of these neighbouring counties in recent years was expected to be close, and that’s exactly what happened in their 3rd round national masters league tie in Moneymore on Saturday. In a contest that ebbed one way and then the other, the sides were finally level when referee Brian McCallion (Castlederg) blew his whistle at the end of an absorbing hour, the two heavyweights slugging it out, chasing that extra point that may yet make a difference when points total is tallied at the end of this most competitive northern league.

Both teams will feel that they should have taken two points, but just as likely both teams could have had nothing to show, therefore a draw was perhaps a fitting result.

Despite the damp and drizzle, a fair crowd had gathered to witness the third version of this modern trilogy, no doubt expecting to see a repeat of those previous endeavours which had resulted in one victory each, albeit by the slimmest of margins.

Ciaran McIvor fires past Sean Mc Greevey for Derry’s second goal

The much awaited return to county action of legendary Cargin forward Kieran Close resulted in the games opening score, but Derry’s reply within a minute was deadly, a well worked move resulting in Rory OReilly rounding long serving Antrim custodian Sean McGreevy and firing to the net for the opening goal of the game.

Two pointed frees from the accurate feet of All Saints Michael McCarry levelled it up again on the scoreboard, but the reality was Antrim hadn’t really settled into the contest and it was no surprise when bustling Ciaran McIvor and his wing half forward colleague Rory OReilly tagged on a goal and a point to put Derry ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Antrim finally got into their rhythm, and began to put a few moves together. Led from the front by county legend Michael McCann, players began to shake off their cobbles, and dictate the pace of the games second quarter. Classy Kieran Close slotted over his second point  after a brilliant offload from Mick McCarry and Barry McMahon followed this with a terrific solo run which he finished himself to raise another white flag.

Another well worked move found Davy McAlernon free but impeded in the Derry goalmouth, up stepped Michael McCarry to slide the ball comfortably into the net from the resulting penalty, and the Saffrons were back in the game.

Michael McCann split the posts from a full fifty yards to put Antim one up, though this slender lead was short lived, Derrys full forward Darren Conway equalising a minute before half time, a score that would send the teams in level for the half time interval.

Despite Antrim’s nervy start to the match, they had settled in well and started off the first half on the front foot, stretching their lead to four inside twelve minutes of the restart. Mick McCann kick started this period of Saffron dominance, another long range point setting the tone, and when Laurence Higgins, Declan McLarnon and Michael McCarry tagged on further scores it really looked like there would be a clear winner. Big Ryan Boyd had battled manfully all day in the midfield exchanges, and his superb point in the forty fifth minute gave Antrim supporters further cause for optimism.

Several of those scores were at the end of moves which saw one on ones with the Derry keeper, and players, wisely or otherwise (as it turned out) deciding to fist the ball over the bar for minors when a green flag may well have put the contest to bed.

Having come from five points down to four up, maybe some Antrim players thought the work had been done, and in truth no one objected to those fisted scores, such was the extend of that particular period of dominance from the visiting Saffrons.

Laurence Higgins moves forward to set up an Antrim attack

Derry had other ideas though. Their squad is battle hardened and has tasted success in two consecutive seasons, and it was no surprise they would get their own spell back on the front foot.

Ciaran McIvor kickstarted the inevitable comeback with an excellent point, then Glenullin’s highly decorated Gerard O Kane showed why he has captained school college club and county in the past, grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and dragging his Oakleafs back into the contest. Two hallmark OKane scores, almost identical in nature were dispatched from distance on his left foot, after winning ball and making large advances deep into Antrim territory to level things up.

In between Antrim showed their own fighting spirit, with challenges hard and heavy, vital interceptions from Michael Donnelly and Adrian Scullion notable as players from both counties put their bodies on the line. Two missed frees at crucial times served to increase the anxiety of those in Saffron, punished clinically by Derry half back Edward McLaughlin’s fine solo effort which put the red and white a point up and only a few minutes left on the clock.

This Antrim side have shown their battling qualities on many occasions in the last few years, and now they would need to summon those reserves one more time. Ryan Daly made the vital interception which set in motion an attack which saw Michel Herron release Mick McCarry for the games equalising score, a forty yard effort which came in high off the post to the relief of the travelling party.

With one minute to go Antrim probed for what might have been a last gasp winner, a fingertip interception from retreating Derry forward Sean Brady spoiling that opportunity, to signal the long full time whistle from the very competent referee Brian McCallion.

This absorbing contest probably resulted in its fairest outcome, two good teams giving it their all for a full hour, and demonstrating plenty of ability, skill and determination in between.

Derry’s standout players on the day were Sean Brady, Brian Mullan Eunan Murphy, and Gerard OKane, whilst best in saffron on the day were Michael Herron, Michael McCarry, Stephen OConnell and Michael McCann.

Its possible these counties could meet up once more later this year, possibly in championship mode, and if that is the case, expect sequel number four to be as exhilarating as the previous three.

Antrim travel to play Monaghan in Latton on Saturday 28th June at midday in their next contest, and Louth one week later on Saturday 5th July, hoping for two wins which will set them up for their final league game on Saturday 26th July against Tyrone,  All Ireland winners of this increasingly prestigious competition for four consecutive years.

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by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains return to winning ways

Senior Hurling League – Division One

Rossa 1-20 Dunloy 1-24

Sunday 15 June

Brendan McTaggart reports from Rossa Park, Belfast

If ever there was a game that typified the saying ‘a game of two halves’, this was it.  11 points down at half time, Dunloy put in a much improved second half to record a four point win over Rossa.

This was a hugely entertaining game of hurling that saw both sides take breath-taking scores from open play and neither taking a backward step.  Rossa scoring 1-13 from open play while Deaglan Murphy was accurate from placed ball with six of his seven points coming from frees.  Thomas Morgan was a major threat throughout, particularly in the first half.  The Rossa forward would score 1-3, his goal coming towards the end of the first half and put daylight between the sides going into the interval.

Much like Wednesday evening, Dunloy were wasteful in front of the target and missed a number of frees that threatened to derail any momentum they might gather but the introduction of Nigel Elliott and Oisin McCallin at half time helped the visitors to Rossa Park gain more attacking threat and physicality in the middle third. 

McCallin, making his debut in the senior team, scored Dunloy’s major five minutes after the restart as the Cuchullains fired over 1-9 to just two points coming from the home side in the opening 10 minutes of the second half that went a long way in determining where the league points would go to at the final whistle.

The opening quarter was fairly even with Rossa holding a one point lead.  Morgan, Deaglan Murphy, Dominic McEnhill and Eoghan McMenamin all getting on the scoresheet while Eoin O’Neill, Keelan Molloy, Luke McFerran and Nicky McKeague split the uprights for the Cuchullains.

The visitors could have had the opening goal of the contest in that same period of time but Tom McFerran saw his rifled effort coming back off the post.

Rossa turned the screw in the second quarter and with their forwards making use of the ball being played into them, they began to put their efforts into points on the board.

Morgan (two), Corey Walsh, McEnhill (three) and Murphy (free) all split the posts before Dunloy registered another score through McKeague.

The home side had a half chance of a major within that same period of time but James Connolly gave himself the most acute angle to work with before firing into the side netting.

Rossa’s goal came in the 29th minute and thanks largely to the predatory instincts of Morgan.  He looked to collect a high, cross field ball that went his way but Daire Murphy collected before sending the sliotar into Morgan’s path.  Knowing he was under pressure and with Eoghan Richmond reducing the angle, Morgan pulled first time to find the back of the bet and put the Rossa lead to double figures and take his own tally to 1-3 for the first half.

Deaglan Murphy’s fifth free of the half left 11 between the sides with the score 1-13 to 0-5 in favour of the home side.

While it was a substantial wind blowing, it didn’t feel like an 11 point advantage.  It was going to take a quick start to the second half for the Cuchullains to get anything out of this contest and they certainly delivered.

Three points in the opening two minutes from Tom McFerran, Deaglan Smith and McKeague were answered to by a Deaglan Murphy free but the momentum was with the Cuchullains in the early stages.

Further scores came from McCallin and McKeague (free) before the Cuchullains found the back of the Rossa net.  Eoin O’Neill forcing a turnover from a short puck out and passing to McCallin in space.  The young Dunloy forward made no mistake when left with the goal at his mercy.

Tom McFerran and McEnhill swapped points, the Rossa man with his fifth point of the afternoon but another run of three Dunloy points in as many minutes from McCallin, Deaglan Smith and McKeague (free) left the minimum between the sides after just nine minutes of the second half.

Indeed, it could have been even better for the visitors but Eoin O’Neill’s effort was well saved by Donal Armstrong in the Rossa goals.

McMenamin’s second white flag kept the scoreboard ticking for the home side at the other end of the pitch but Eoin O’Neill and McKeague fired over to leave the sides tied with a quaretr of the hour remaining.

The Cuchullains had another sniff of a major but Luke McFerran saw his effort come back off the upright as his side went purring through the gears.

Substitute Tiarnan Murphy restored the Rossa lead with his first touch from his introduction but that was as good as it got for the home side.  Dunloy had another goal chance, Luke McFerran once again but he was superbly denied by the Rossa defence as he bore down on goal.

Points followed from McKeague (’65), substitute Seaan Elliott (free) and Deaglan Smith’s third of the match to take Dunloy into a two point lead with a little over six minutes remaining.

A brace of scores from the Murphy’s – Tiarnan and Deaglan (free) restored parity once again but Dunloy finished with a flourish with Seaan Elliott instrumental.  He would fire over three points in as many minutes (one free) with Murphy’s seventh free the solitary response from the home side as the clock ticked into injury time.

Dunloy would add further scores from McKeague and Seaan Elliott (free) while Luke McFerran was once again denied a major with Donal Armstrong pulling off a quite brilliant diving save to deny him with the goal at his mercy.

In all, this was an excellent game of hurling that was played in the right manner.  Rossa will look at a period midway through the second half where they left a number of scores behind that could have turned the advantage their way but Dunloy’s second half was a timely boost for the Cuchullains as they got back to winning ways.  They are on their travels to the City again when they next look to the league as they play St John’s on 29 June while Rossa will make the short journey across to the Whiterock Road four days earlier in their next match.

TEAMS

ROSSA: Donal Armstrong; Oisin McVicker, Gerard Walsh, Niall Crossan; Stephen Shannon, Chris McGuinness, Aodhan O’Brien; Corey Walsh, Deaglan Murphy; Dominic McEnhill, Declan McCartney, Daire Murphy; Thomas Morgan, James Connolly, Eoghan McMenamin

Subs: Tiarnan Murphy for J Connolly (42); Liam McEnhill for C Walsh (50); Conall Shortt for O McVicker (inj)

Scorers: D Murphy 0-7 (6fs); T Morgan 1-3; D McEnhill 0-5; E McMenamin 0-2; T Murphy 0-2; C Walsh 0-1

DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Oran Quinn, Ryan McGarry, Conor Kinsella; Eamon Smyth, Eoin McFerran, Keelan Molloy; Oisin McCamphill, Nicky McKeague, Deaglan Smith; Aodhan McGarry, Luke McFerran, Eoin O’Neill

Blood sub: Phelim Duffin for C Kinsella (15, reversed 20)

Subs: Nigel Elliott for O McCamphill (HT); Oisin McCallin for A McGarry (HT); Seaan Elliott for N McKeague (50); Nicky McKeague for E O’Neill (51); Phelim Duffin for E Smyth (57)

Scorers: N McKeague 0-8 (3fs 1 ’65); S Elliott 0-5 (3fs); O McCallin 1-2; D Smith 0-3; E O’Neill 0-2; T McFerran 0-2; L McFerran 0-1; Keelan Molloy 0-1

REFEREE: Barry Winters (Dungannon)

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by thesaffrongael

Facile win for rampant Antrim girls

All Ireland LGFA Junior Championship

Antrim 3-18 London 0-00

Antrim senior ladies scored a facile win over London at Tir na nOg on Saturday in round 2 of their all Ireland group games and easily accounted for the visitors who suffered the indignity of failing to score while Antrim were rampant, running up a very impressive 3-18.

It was a very much changed Antrim team from their previous game with the management team making 7 personnel changes to the starting 15 with a good few of them laying down a marker.  

This is a very competitive panel of players and it’s so important for them all to have the opportunity to get good game time … 

Antrim flew out of the traps early and Theresa Mellon scored 3 wonderful points in the first 5 minutes… 

Indeed Theresa was proving a handful for the opposition defence and she then came provider for the impressive Maria O Neill on two occasions and O’Neill raised two white flags … 

Blaithin Ni Cahill then got her first score of the day with a great point and Luisne Adams then registered a point with a great long distance point… 

Nicole Jones then fired over two quick scores after good build up play from Aine Kelly and Grace Shannon… 

After a great solo run Anna Mulholland got her first score of the day and Aoife Turley then sent Maria O Neill in to raise the white flag again.

Just before the half time whistle Mellon and O Neill hit a point each to send the Antrim girls in 0-13 to no score at the break. 

The second half continued the same pattern as the first with Mellon and Ni Cahill hitting early point. London did manage to get the ball in the Antrim net in the second minute but the score was ruled out for a square ball offence.  

Antrim’s workrate was tremendous and in absolute terrible conditions they held and used the ball with great effect… 

After 10 minutes of the second half Antrim got their first goal of the day when Niamh Mc Intosh, Aine Devlin and Gemma Mc groarty worked the ball out from the back and in turn sent Ciara Brown clear and she unselfishly laid the ball off to O’Neill who hammered to the net … 

Aiobheann Monaghan and Laura Agnew then combined well to set up Anna Mulholland for her third score of the day before O’Neill grabbed her fifth point of the day from close range. 

Olivia Todd then intercepted the London kickout, she found Debbie Boyd in acres of space who in turn found Blaithin Ni Cahill with an exquisite pass and she hammered the ball to the back of the London net… 

With only a few minutes left Antrim got their third goal when after a brilliant one two between Rachel Tubridy and Maeve Blaney the latter scored a screamer from all of 20 metres, the ball hitting the inside of the left hand upright before spinning across the line and into the net.

The Antrim management team were understandably delighted with a win when they spoke to the Saffron Gael after the game.

Antrim senior ladies now travel to Carlow in two weeks’ time for their final round robin game .

“Our girls were superb in those conditions out there today. They worked so hard and used the ball really well.. 

The girls had tireless energy today and this showed in our massive turnover count… 

Every girl was excellent, plus the encouragement the girls were getting from their team-mates who didn’t get game time was tremendous. Such is the togetherness in this group.  

We chose today to give quite a few girls a well-deserved start and such is the competitiveness in this group every girl in this group showed that they have the quality to play at this level… 

All in all a good days work” 

The win secures Antrim’s place in the knockout stages but they play Carlow next weekend in the last of their round-robin games.

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