Football (Fixtures and Previews) Wed 21st May

Another full round of Football Fixtures in the mid-week slot with a full programme scheduled for Wednesday evening in all three divisions.

Wed 21st

Division One (all games at 7.15)

St Brigid’s v St Paul’s

St Paul’s had a poor start to the present season and it was not until round eight that they recorded their first win when they proved too good for the visiting Cuchullian’s.

They had earned a draw when they finished on terms with the visiting Randalstown men earlier in the season but more is required if they are to climb out of the drop zone.

St Brigid’s claimed their first league title last term and the South Belfast residents have been going well this year and are part of a group of four on 12 points in joint second place at present.

They did start this year’s league race well before losing at Creggan and shared the points with Casements and Lamh Dhearg and they now find themselves four points behind Cargin who top the table.

St Paul’s have shown improvement of late and have been competitive in most of their games but this looks a tough ask with a home win anticipated.

St Mary’s Ahoghill v Lamh Dhearg

St. Mary’s have found the going tough this year but a good win away to Tir na nOg last day out will have boosted their confidence.

The Cloney side sit on 4 points after a hard earned win away to St. John’s earlier in the season.

Lamh Dhearg sit in a mid-table berth but the men from Hannahstown will travel with confidence following a good win away to the in-form St Galls last time out and a draw at St Brigids in their previous game and they look to be hitting form at just the right time.

Lamh Dhearg will start this one as favourites but the home side will give it everything and their visitors will have to work for a positive result.

Con Magees Glenravel v Casement’s Portglenone

An all South West encounter as Portglenone travel to meet Glenravel in what may well be a close encounter and could draw a good attendance to Fr. Maginn Park.

The Glensmen sit on 7 points at the moment and they came very close to halting the positive run of Cargin when they paid a visit a few weeks past and they will look forward to the visit of Portglenone.

John Mc Keever’s Casement’s took a while to get it together this term but a good run which stretches back to mid-April tells its own tale.

This one is likely to see a good attendance to the Glenravel venue and may well end with honours even with a draw possible.

O’ Donovan Rossa v Tir na nOg

Rossa have struggled this season with only one win over St. Mary’s Ahoghill in round 2 while their visitors, Tir na nOg have 2 draws to their credit so a lot will rest on this one for both sides.

Much will depend on just how strong Wednesday night’s opponents can field with both side missing key players in recent games.

Tir na nOg looked on course for their first win last day out when they over turned a 14 point deficit to lead St. Mary’s Ahoghill but were stunned by a late Colla McDonnell goal that earned Ahoghill a vital win.

Home advantage could play its part in a game that could go either way and a share of the spoils is possible.

St John’s v Erin’s Own Cargin

St John’s took a time to get it together this term but have come good of late and the Corrigan men are undefeated in their latest three outings with victories over Rossa and Aghagallon and a draw with Con Magees.

They play hosts to Cargin in this one seeking to halt the league leader in their unbeaten run.

Games between these old adversaries are by tradition close fought affairs and this one may well follow in the same direction with little likely to separate the contestants but Cargin should record another win.

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v All Saint’s Ballymena

Dunloy have mixed the good with the bad this season and have been without key players in most of their games.

Wins away to St. John’s and at home to Kickham’s Creggan and draws with Tir na nOg and Lamh Dhearg would suggest that they are formidable opponents on their day and they have a good record against the Ballymena side.

All Saints have had a good season with only two defeats in 8 starts and will hope to put last day’s loss to Cargin behind them at Pearse Park but they will have to be at their best if they are to overcome Cuchullian’s.

St Gall’s v St James Aldergrove

Both side recorded big scores last day out but both ended on the losing side with St. Gall’s going down to Lamh Dhearg and St. Brigid’s defeating St. James in Crumlin.

Prior to that defeat to lamh Dhearg St. Gall’s were going well and home advantage may give them the edge in this one but they should be wary of an Aldergrove side who have turned in some great performances this year.

St Mary’s Aghagallon v Kickham’s Creggan

St Mary’s have been unpredictable this season and the absence of their county players is making life more difficult and it is unclear if those players will be available on Wednesday night.

This looks like another tough assignment for the men on the Armagh border as Creggan pay a visit.

Creggan have enjoyed a good season to date and sit in second place in the league and they will travel to Aghagallon in a positive mood and they could gain a win over the home side but it may well be a close one.

Division Two (all games at 7.15pm)

Michael Davitt’s v St Enda’s

Davitt’s are struggling to get it together this term and have only one point from a draw with Glenavy to date as they play hosts to the men from Glengormley.

They showed improvement last day out before losing to league leaders Sarsfields at the Bear Pit and will hope to carry that improved form into Wednesday night’s meeting with St. Enda’s.

St Enda’s have 3 wins to date but have lost on four occasions and they suffered a heavy defeat as Moneyglass visited Hightown last time.

The Glengormley side will travel as firm favourites to return home with the points but if Davitt’s are at strength then they could get something from this one.

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Patrick’s Lisburn

Moneyglass have impressed to date having amassed a whopping 169 points to date to lead Sarsfields on score difference at the top of the table.

They eased past St Enda’s last time out and they will welcome the visiting Lisburn this time cast as firm favourites.

St Patrick’s have enjoyed a good season to date and currently sit in fourth place, just three behind their hosts in this one but lost to St. Teresa’s last day out.

St. Ergnat’s are the form side in division 2 at present and while Naomh Padraig are capable of pushing them hard a home win is the prediction.

Gort na Mona v Patrick Sarsfield’s

The Paddies have passed all the tests presented to them this term and have kept in step with St Ergnat’s with only score difference seperating them as they travel over to Gort na Mona.

The Gorts have struggled to get their best foot forward in the league to date and they sit nine points in arrears of the pace setting duo of Moneyglass and Sarsfields.

Points are required if the Gorts are to bridge the gap between themselves and their visitors in this one but that may well prove difficult with an away win the likely result.

St Teresa’s v St Joseph’s Glenavy

St Teresa’s remain on the heels of the league leaders, only three points in arrears and they will hope for a full return of points from this one as Glenavy pay a visit.

Glenavy currently hold a mid-table slot and they need a win if they are to remain in touch with the pace setters as they travel to meet St Teresa’s on the Glen Road.

This one has all the ingredients of a close one with ground advantage possibly tipping the balance to St Teresa’s.

St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Comgall’s Antrim

Both the contestants in this one are former residents of division three as Rasharkin play hosts to St Comgall’s at Dreen with a close fought contest likely.

Naomh Comhghall recorded their second win when they defeated Gort na Mona at Dunsilly to add to a previous win over Davitt’s at the same venue and will travel with confidence.

St. Mary’s have a long injury list in their camp at present and this one could go either way but ground advantage may prove the difference and a tentative vote goes the way of Rasharkin.

Division Three  (all games at 7.15 pm)

Laochra Loch Lao v Eire Og

Laochra Loch Lao are riding high in division 3, just three points behind league leaders St Agnes and they should gain another win to keep them in touch with the ‘Aggies’.

Wolfe Tones v St Agnes

Wolfe Tones remain bottom of the ratings at present, well in arrears of the top rated St. Agnes and barring unforeseen circumstance the league leaders will add a couple more points to their credit.

Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Patrick Pearses

O’ Donnell’s remain within reach of league leaders St Agnes, just three points in arrears and the MacRory Park side should gain another couple of points from this one to ensure they remain in touch at the top.

Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Malachy’s

Only a single point separates this duo with the St. Malachy’s on 7 points and Ardoyne on 6 but Ardoyne have home advantage and recorded a good win last day out. There might well be little between Wednesday’s opponents with a draw possible.

Lackluster Antrim crowned Ulster champions

Ulster LGFA Junior Final

Antrim 3-08 Derry 2-07

Antrim senior ladies were crowned Ulster junior champions on Sunday at Healy Park Omagh when they defeated Derry by a scoreline of 3-8 to 2-7 

This was their second trophy of the season as they won the National league in clones 5 weeks previous… 

Antrim started slow and couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm at all and after 5 minutes found themselves trailing by 2 points, Cara Donnelly and Annie Ni Lochlainn getting the Derrt points.

Player of the match Maria O Neill opened the saffrons account with a point and captain Bronagh Devlin then brought the sides level… 

Derry though hit the front again after 15 minutes when they scored a point and they soon went stretched their lead with a goal from close range by Aine McAlister. 

As hard as Antrim tried they just couldn’t get a score but 20 minutes into the game Maria O Neill raised a green flag to leave the minimum in it but back came Derry with two points of their own from Ni Lochlainn and McGeough,

Ana Mulholland and Ciara Brown then sent over points for Antrim and the Saffrons went in at half time trailing by just one .. 

Antrims first half preformance was way below par with neither  players or management happy with the first 30 minutes, but they came out for the second 30 minutes a different team and with 6 minutes gone of the half Theresa Mellon hammered the ball to the roof of the Derry net to give them the lead. 

Both teams then traded 2 points each with Maria ONeill and Bronagh Devlin registering for the Antrim girls .. 

Antrim at this stage took control of the game and the impressive Lara Dahunsi knocked over a long range point before Maria O Neill raised her second green flag of the day … 

Antrim captain Bronagh Devlin lifts the Ulster LGFA Junior Cup after her team’s win over Derry at Healy Park, Omagh

Derry were still in touch though and they reduced the arrears to 3 late on, but the last score of the game was another great score from Lara Dahunsi to give her team a four point win.

Bronagh Devlin then lifted the cup as her team completed a league and championship double.

Antrim A Devlin; Aine Kelly, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O’Neill, C Brown 0-1, C McKenna; A Mulholland 0-1, O Todd; T Mellon 1-0, M O’Neill 2-2 (0-2f), Aoife Kelly; B Devlin 0-2f, L Agnew, A Tubridy. Subs L Dahunsi 0-2 for Todd, N Jones for Kelly

Derry T Cassidy; C Dillon, G Brewster, J Corr; O McEvoy, S Hargan, B Donnelly; L Brewster, A Crozier; C Hargan, A Ni Lochlainn 0-4 (0-2f), A Martin; A McAlister 2-0, C Donnelly 0-1, O McGeough 0-2. Subs A Donnelly for McEvoy, B Brolly for Martin, N O’Donnell for Hargan, C O’Kane for Dillon, J Slevin for Brolly

Referee G Gormley (Tyrone)

Antrim manager Micky Devlin said after the game … 

“We were poor in the first half … we didn’t make things happen and played with very little fluency… 

A reality check had to be taken at half time … 

In the second half we controlled the game better and made better use of the ball… 

Workrate was upped and we turned a lot of thier kick outs over which lead to a few of our scores. 

This is another great day for these girls as they work so hard and are always prepared to listen and take things on board.

As a group we alll are well aware that we have a long way to go but progression is there to be seen by everyone and we certainly are still a work in progress”

Goals galore as McAleenan runs riot

Danske Bank Reihill Cup final

St Malachy’s Castlewellan 9-17 St Benedict’s Randalstown 5-9

ST Benedict’s Randalstown paid the price for a slow start to each half in An Spórtlann in Monday’s Danske Bank Reihill Cup final. 

St Malachy’s Castlewellan were 1-6 up before they scored in the first half and the south west-Antrim outfit did well to reel them in to 2-9 to 2-6 by half-time.

St Benedicts Ethan McLaverty in action during the Danske Bank Rehill Cup final against St Malachy’s, Castlewellan

However the Down school produced a devastating start to the second half and deservingly retained the title in what really was a goal-fest.

There were 14 goals scored over the hour and half of that total came from the stick of Fiachna McAleenan – two in the first half and then the first five in the second half for the St Malachy’s joint-captain.

He had the sliotar in the St Benedict’s net in the fourth minute after early points from his cousin Pauric McAleenan, Eoghan McGurnaghan and Pádraig Owens. Castlewellan added three more points – through Pádraig Owens, Pauric McAleenan (free) and McGurnaghan, before St Benedict’s got off the mark.

Even after Ethan McLaverty pointed a long-range free for Randalstown in the 10th minute, Castlewellan continued to dominate with further points from Owens and Fiachna McAleenan making it 1-8 to 0-1 with just 12 minutes gone.

However St Benedict’s lifted their game for the rest of the half and closed the gap significantly.  Points from Rorie Martin and Eoin Carey were followed by a goal when a first time pull from Kyron Shannon hit the Castlewellan net.

Fiachna McAleenan scored his second goal in the 17th minute. But that was St Malachy’s last score of the half and points quickly followed from Shannon (two) and Martin. Then Rorie Martin squeezed a shot home at the near post and suddenly the game was wide open again at 2-9 to 2-6.

However things changed rapidly after the throw-in for the second half when midfielder Fiachna McAleenan was fouled and picked up a leg injury. St Malachy’s moved him to full-forward while he recovered and accidentally pulled off a master stroke. 

The Liatroim Fontenoys’ player buried goals in the 3rd, 8th, 10th and 12th minutes to complete a double hat-trick and put his side into a 6-13 to 2-8 lead. St Benedict’s were shell shocked and the Reihill Cup was as good as on its way back to mid-Down.

Another McAleenan, Pauric (three) and club-mate Matthew O’Shea added the four points while the goals were flying in. Fiachna buried his seventh goal in the 17th minute of the half before St Benedict’s captain Thomas Neeson began a late rally that delivered three goals and a point over the final ten minutes.

St Benedict’s Kyron Shannon in action during the Reihill Cup final at Colaiste Feirste

Pauric McAleenan answered Neeson’s goal with one at the other end and Pádraig Morgan fired home a ninth goal for the winners. However there was still time for Jack Nichol and Kyron Shannon to grab late goals for the mid-Antrim side.

St Benedict’s were physically strong and at times Neeson, Shannon and Martin troubled Castlewellan’s defence only to find diminutive goalie and joint-captain Daithí Brown in superb form. Elsewhere Eoin Carey and Ethan McLaverty put in a good shift for the Randalstown side.

However St Malachy’s, who were built around many of the Liatroim Fontenoys team that collected a first ever Down Division 1 Féile na nGael title a few days earlier, showed a lot of deft touches and were able to move the sliotar quickly into the scoring area. Fiachna McAleenan was the best player on show, but there were also fine performances from Owen Gallagher, Pádraig Owens, Daithí O’Hare and Pauric McAleenan.

Fiachna McAleenan, whos scored 7-01 in St Malachy’s win over St Benedicts is seen here with his dad Brian, his aunt Maureen and his uncle Seamus after the game.

St Malachy’s: Daithí Brown, Cathal Doran, Owen Gallagher, Miceal Curran, Jay O’Hare, Pádraig Owens 0-5, 2 frees, Patrick Feeney, Daithí O’Hare, Fiachna McAleenan 7-1, Pádraig Bannon, Pauric McAleenan 1-8, 0-5 frees, Eoin McGurnaghan 0-2, Pádraig Morgan 1-0, Matthew O’Shea 0-1, Harry King

Subs used: Darragh Rodgers, Dualtach O’Hare, Leo Burns, Louis Grant, Rory Quinn, Aidan McVeigh

St Benedict’s: James óg Letters, Corey Carroll, Alfie McNally, Kayden Townsend, Odhran Magill, Eoin Carey 0-1 free, Ciaran Redmond, Ryan McCann, Ethan McLaverty 0-1 free, Kyron Shannon 2-2, Thomas Neeson 1-2, Rorie Martin 1-3, Dillon Loughran, Jack Nichol 1-0, Cahir Sisk

Subs used: Joshua Tsokela, Joseph Tsokela, Conall McLarnon, Dualta Letters, Tyler Hughes

Referee: Eamon Mulvenna

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McFerran magic steers Cuchullains to victory

Antrim Senior Hurling League Division 1

Dunloy 3-27 Ballycastle 1-16

Sunday 18 May

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

A man of the match performance from Luke McFerran helped Dunloy to a comfortable win against Ballycastle on Sunday afternoon.  Lining out at full forward, McFerran would finish the match with 1-4, have his hand in another major and so much more as the Cuchullains put Ballycastle to the sword.

Nicky McKeague would top score for the home side, finishing the hour with 1-10 while Deaglan Smith and Tom McFerran all chipped in substantially from open play.

Playing into a substantial breeze, Dunloy’s work rate and fluency in the opening half laid the foundations for the Dunloy victory.  Ballycastle struggled to curtail their attacking unit that had a spread of 10 different scorers throughout.

Ballycastle had sporadic moments of joy and but for the brilliance and bravery of Eoghan Richmond between the sticks, could have added to their goal tally.  Tiarnan Smyth top scored for The Town, finishing the match with 1-5 while half time substitute Lorcan Donnelly had a positive impact with his speed and direct running at a well marshalled home defence.  Ronan ‘Rambo’ McCarry was carrying the fight for Ballycastle before having to come off at half time while Ardan Kelly and Seamus McAuley worked tirelessly throughout.

The first goal of the game came in the fourth minute with the home side three points to one ahead.  Anton McGrath spraying the sliotar into the path of Ryan Mort and while the danger looked to have been quelled, Mort found Nicky McKeague running through the middle and despite the bravery of Eamon Elliott between the sticks for Ballycastle, McKeague squeezed the sliotar over the line.

Dunloy continued to dominate the middle third and could have had another major midway through the half, McGrath’s effort well saved by the Ballycastle ‘keeper.

The home side had stretched the lead to eight points going into first half injury time when they found the back of the net again.  Luke McFerran with the assist and Mort with the finish to give Dunloy an 11 point lead.

Nicky McKeague fired over his third free of the half to take his personal tally to 1-5 ended the scoring to leave the half time score 2-12 to 0-6 in the home sides favour.

Despite playing into the elements, Ballycastle started the second half strongly and played with more urgency.  The home side did manage to extend their lead to 13 but the McQuillan’s managed to score their first goal of the game in the 35th minute.  Collecting a long ball, Tiarnan Smyth got the yard needed before giving Richmond no chance between the sticks.

It could have been better for the visitors but Lorcan Donnelly’s effort from an acute angle was saved superbly by Richmond and deflected over the bar.

A trio of points unanswered by the home side cancelled out Smyth’s major before Ballycastle had another goal chance.  Conor Donnelly this time with his eyes on the Dunloy goal but the Cuchullains full back Sean Óg Blaney produced a blind side block to deny the Ballycastle forward with the goal at his mercy.

The third Dunloy goal came mid way through the second half and was down to the genius of Luke McFerran again.  Getting on the end of a long delivery, he deflected the sliotar into his path.  His initial shot was well saved by Eamon Elliott but McFerran was first to the breaking ball and fired home to the empty net.

With the difference 13 points, the Cuchullains were relentless in the final quarter.  Scoring seven points in the last five minute and the couple of minutes of injury time played while Smyth and Lorcan Donnelly added to their tally for the visitors.

A comprehensive win for the Cuchullains who travel to Loughgiel in their next game on Wednesday 28 May while Ballycastle entertain Cushendall on the same evening.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Eoghan Richmond; Oran Quinn, Sean Og Blaney, Conor Kinsella; Eamon Smyth, Kevin Molloy, Ben O’Kane; Deaglan Smith, Oisin McCamphill; Ronan Molloy, Nicky McKeague, Tom McFerran; Ryan Mort, Luke McFerran, Anton McGrath

Scorers: N McKeague 1-10 (7fs 1’65); L McFerran 1-4; D Smith 0-4; T McFerran 0-3; R Mort 1-00; A McGrath 0-2; E Smyth 0-1; B O’Kane 0-1; Jack Martin 0-1; Ryan McFarline 0-1

Ballycastle: Eamon Elliott; Oran Kearney, Conal McColgan, Ryan McCook; Criostai McAuley, Mark McClean, Ardan Kelly; Seamus McAuley, Cathair Donnelly; Ronan McCarry, Ronan Laverty, Darragh Donnelly; Conor Donnelly, Neal McAuley, Tiarnan Smyth

Scorers: T Smyth 1-5 (2fs); Lorcan Donnelly 0-3; S McAuley 0-3 (3fs); C Donnelly 0-2; R McCarry 0-2; R Laverty 0-1

Referee: Colin Thompson (St John’s)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

Slick Bredagh too good for understrength Glenarm

ACHL Division 2

Bredagh          4-22

Shane UÍ Neill    2-09

A sun drenched Cherryvale was the venue today for this middle of the table clash between Bredagh and Shane O’Neill’s, both teams fielding without a few regulars, with the Feystown club the worst affected.

The visitors took the lead through an early free in the first minute by  Ciaran Magill but Bredagh hit back with Blaney slotting over a free, closely followed by another from Kennedy pointing from play.

Ciaran Magill pointed a second free for Glenarm before another brace of points from Hanrahan and Blaney edged the Cherryvale side further ahead but

Dylan McLaughlin cut in from the wing before striking over from a narrow angle.

In the 9th minute Bredagh hit a purple patch with points from Hughes, Hanrahan and O’Neill giving them a 4 point lead and their slick movement and inter-play was starting to cause problems for the visitors.

The home side went further ahead when a clearance from defence was intercepted by Kennedy who rode a tackle and sent the ball to the corner of Glenarm’s net.

It was the 16th minute before Glenarm hit their first point from play as Ciaran Magill fired over from 40 yards but it brought an instant response from the hosts with McCollum sending the sliotar beyond Michael Abram for a second Bredagh goal.

The South Belfast side were showing no mercy and Lavery found some open space and split the uprights before Magill for Glenarm got his fourth point from a converted free.

The men in maroon were calling the shots as they pressed again and Christie drove over a “65”, before a midfield strike from Hanrahan concluded the first half scoring to leave them 10 clear at the break.

HALF TIME Bredagh 2-10  Shane Uí Neill 0-06

Glenarm threatened a comeback at the start of the second half and Declan McDermott got an early point but back came Bredagh with Christie slotting over.

The visitors were pressing hard in the early stages and their best player, Dylan McLaughlin found space and fired the sliotar to the net and the same player added a point from distance. 

A few moments later McLaughlin added another after receiving the ball from a short free and at this stage the visitors were showing glimpses of what they are capable off.

Bredagh soon recovered from the early scoring spree however to again assume control with points from Hanrahan, substitute Sean Hughes, Christie and a nice effort from C Hughes.

Glenarm made a couple of changes at this stage but the scoring continued by the hosts as Sean Hughes and Hanrahan added to their tallies.

Sean Hughes was finding loads of space and picked another passage through the Glenarm defence and sent the sliotar to the net for Bredaghs 3rd goal and even at this stage it was as good as over.

The visitors kept battling against the odds and their persistence paid off in the 53rd minute when Blaine McDermott pulled with one hand, sending the ball beyond Bredagh keeper, Galway.

Bredagh’s response was immediate as they replied with four unanswered points and Sean Hughes struck a nice point from distance before a high ball into the Glenarm box was stroked to their net by Kennedy for the final action of the afternoon.      

Bredagh: 1. I Galway 2. E. Curran 3. M. Woods 4. E. Brown 5 O. McFlynn, 

6. P. McGarry 7. O Morgan Little 8. M. Lavery 9. C.Hughes 10. B .Christie 

11. J. Hanrahan 12. C. O’Neill 13. F. Blaney 14. E. Kennedy 

15. S.McCollum 

Subs 

Sean Hughes for Conor ONeill 

Tom Dougan for Finbarr Blaney 

Tiarnan Sheehan for Sean McCollum 

Evin Maguire for Odhran Morgan Lyttle 

Cormac Blaney for Cormac Hughes 

Glenarm: 1 M Abram, 2 J Quinn, 3 B Hamill, 4 C McLoughlin, 5 J Scullion, 6 D Hamill, 7 B O’Boyle, 8 K O’Boyle, 9 C Magill, 10 S O’Boyle, 11 D McLaughlin, 12 M Furey, 13 B McDermott, 14 D McDermott, 15 R Mulvenna

Subs:  Gerard Burns for Rory Mulvenna, Sean O Hare for Declan Mc Dermott, Conal Ward for Dylan McLaughlin.

Referee: Ray Matthews

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