In a low scoring game at Rossa Park Tir na nÓg took the points in this basement battle to move themselves two places up the table. With a stiff breeze making scoring difficult the home team really struggled with five of their eight scores coming from goalkeeper Mick Byrne.
Aaron McNeilly put the visitors ahead early in the game but Rossa came back with pointed frees from Byrne and Dominic McEnhill to go in front for the only time in the game. A 2-pointer from Joshua Higgins put the Randalstown men ahead and Barry McCormick increased the lead with one from play soon afterwards. Mick Byrne cut the gap with another well struck free. Two by Aaron McNeilly increased the Tir na nÓg lead to 0-7 to 0-3, though another Byrne effort cut the Rossa deficit to three by half time (0-04 to 0-07)
Tir na nOg centre back Ciaran O’Neill pushed his team four clear early in the second half but Byrne pegged it back to three again with another well struck free to keep his team in touch. However Tir na nÓg were on top and an Arron McNeilly point from play was followed by a goal from full forward Eamon Og McAllister. McNeilly added another point to stretch the Tir na nOg lead to eight, and though Rossa closed the gap with a point from Rory Grant and a 2-pointer free from top scorer Byrne, that was as close as they got.
TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Cargin extended their unbeaten run to nine when they overcame the challenge provided by St John’s in what was a close enough affair at Corrigan Park on Wednesday evening.
The opening period saw the Johnnies stand tall in defiance after the Toome men nipped quickly out of the traps with an early goal from centre forward, Sean O’Neill who found the net after a defence splitting delivery from Tomas McCann.
O’Neill’s goal gave the visitors a lead that remained until the half time whistle signalled a break in proceedings but at that stage St. John’s had closed the gap to a single point.
James Laverty came close to fining the net for a second major but Matthew Leydon made a couple of good saves and the bye ball total increased with Cargin holding a slender lead 1-03 to 0-03 by the 23rd minute.
David Johnston, Pat Shivers, Tomas Mc Cann, and Callum Gribbin had raised white flags for the visitors but the home side closed the gap to the minimum in the last minute as Conor McGlade despatched a long range two pointer between the posts
Cargin started the second half with the breeze at their backs and extended their lead with early points from Pat Shivers and went on to edge the second half exchanges.
David Johnston who had a fine game for cargin in their win over St. John’sSean O’Neill who scored Cargin’s opening goal and (Featured image) Jimmy Gribbin who scored their second
Tomas McCann continuing to provide problems as he fired between the posts and when Conan Johnston came forward from his defensive role to convert a long range 2 pointer, the visitors had extended their advantage to 1-09 to 0-07.
Cargin were in charge and a good move involving net minder, John McNabb and Sean O’ Neill in the build-up saw Jamie Gribbin fire to the net in the 42nd minute.
St. John’s replied and Conal Mc Glade fired over and the impressive Ryan Mc Nulty followed suit as the home side fought to stay in touch with the league leaders.
Ryan McNulty and central defender Adrian Oliver were working overtime and they closed the gap further in the 52nd minute as Conor Hand’s approach from the right preceded a well taken major by the county man and it looked like the home side were on the road to recovery.
Just five points separated the sides at this stage with the visitors leading 2-11 to 1-09 with time still remaining on the match clock but this was as close as the Coirrigan park side got.
Cargin were alive to the threat and responded positively with points from the hard grafting David Johnston and James Laverty to set the visitors back on course.
Patrick McBride approached from the right hand side to deliver between the posts but the visitors were quick to reply as replacement Tom Shivers raised a late white flag to see the Toome men safely over the winning line to remain unbeaten.
St Johns: Matthew Leyden, Ross Hannigan, Diarmuid Brecknell, Conor Mc Evoy, Adrian Oliver, Oran Quinn, Adrian Oliver, Ryan Mc Nulty (0-02, Enda Mc Gurk, Stephen Tierney, Patrick Mc Bride (0-01),Conor Hand (1-02), Conhuir Adams, Andy Mc Gowan, Conor Mc Glade (0-06)
Subs
Patrick Nugent
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Hugh O’ Donnell, Benen Kelly, Conan Johnston (0-02)*, Callum Gribbin (0-01), Gerard Mc Cann, Pat Shivers(0-02), David Johnston (0-02), Sean O’Neil (1-00), John Carron), Tomas Mc Cann (0-04), James Laverty (0-02), Jamie Gribbin (1-01)
The decent sized crowd that assembled to watch two mid-table teams spar in this mid-season league encounter were treated to a memorable score fest that in the end saw Casements record their sixth win of the campaign, as they make their way into top six contention after enduring, by their own standards, a bleak start to the campaign.
These clubs met in a round robin stage of last seasons championship, that one ended in a draw, and with both sides missing a few regulars another draw was forecast in the Saffron Gael match preview. That looked unlikely when Glenravel opened up a nine point gap after only twelve minutes, or when Casements looked like they had weathered the storm to go six up with only eight minutes left. In the end, when Ritchie Leahy blew for full time there was one single point between the sides after a full on absorbing contest that gave both sets of supporters a proper run for their money.
Con Magees signalled their intent early, in fact in the very first minute, when playmaker and scorer in chief Eamon Fyfe drilled an unstoppable shot low and hard past Kevin Mullan in Portglenone nets to get the hosts off to a perfect start.
Although Casements Ronan Kelly, Caolan Tierney and Aidan McAleese all raised white flags in the opening quarter to keep in touch with minors finished off by Glenravels Sean McKay and Conleth OLoan, the contest took on a new look when inside of a glorious five minute spell that man Fyfe and county star Ryan McQuillan hammered home a goal apiece, and when McQuillan fired over from distance, followed up by the best score of the day from the emerging talent Niall Hynds, saw the gap open to nine points on the scoreboard.
Portglenone responded with a quad of their own, Dermot McAleese starting a resurgence of kind with a brilliant effort, that was followed by scores from Kelly cousins Paddy and Ronan (2), plus a great solo effort from Kevin O’Kane reducing the margin to a manageable amount, but Con Magees twin scoring threats McQuillan and Fyfe (2) saw the half out in favour of the hosts, who went in a goal to the good at the break.
Playing down the “hill” and with a gentle wind on their back, Casements started the second half in business-like fashion, dominating proceedings and drawing level just five minutes in with well taken points from the boot of Stephen Kelly (2) and Ronan Kelly. Anyone thinking this game was heading in one direction was misplaced when Glenravel substitute Fergus Donaghy picked his spot and rifled a bullet to the back of Portglenone net to once again establish a three point lead for the Glensmen.
As the contest started the turn for home Casements showed their character once again, furnishing eight of the games next ten scores. All points, the highlight of these being a long range Paddy Kelly free resulting in deux points, and a cool finish from Oisin Doherty, as the game started to ebb and flow back in favour of the visitors who were now four points to the good, despite a duo from the left foot of Ryan McQuillan to keep the contest honest.
Eight minutes to go though and anything could happen such was the frantic pace of the game that had swayed one way then the other from the opening bell.
Two glorious chances went abegging as Glenravel came again. Firstly a piledriver from Eamon Fyfe slammed off the crossbar, the alert Fergus Donaghy on hand to register another point. Meanwhile just a minute later with a goal at his mercy the normally accurate Ryan McQuillan pulled his goalbound effort right, and to the dismay of the home supporters, wide of the uprights.
That could have been two goals in a minute for Glenravel, though they had to settle for just one white flag as a reward. The game had almost swayed once again, Portglenone regrouping and determined to see out the clock registered three points as the game finally ticked over to its inevitable conclusion.
Or maybe not! With less than 90 seconds remaining on the stopwatch, and the visitors comfortably five up, a superb solo effort from Calum Higgins reduced the deficit to four. Glenravel saw a late window and threw all they had at it, a weave of sharp passing delivered Eamon Fyfe for a one on one opportunity just ten yards out, but a magnificent stop from Kevin Mullan was deemed to be a foul by the man with the whistle, and Fyfe himself left debutant stand in keeper John McAtamney with no chance. In the blink of an eyelid there was just a single point between them. Could the Saffron Gael match pundit be right…was this match destined to be a draw?
Stand in as the injured Kevin Mullans replacement, keeper John McAtamneys first kick for Casements seniors was the last kick of the day, when in mid air Ritchie Leahy blew his long whistle to signal the end of an absorbing contest, with the visitors short nose in front at the line.
As an advertisement for fast open football this was as good as it gets. Seven goals scored and at least four more (two from each side) that should have been, sandwiched between thirty six points. Hard hitting and competitive, but not quite at championship levels that both teams will produce in a few months when they once again lock horns in championship mode.
County panellists Dermot McAleese Ryan McQuillan Calum Higgins, Daniel McNicholl and Niall Hynds all look on top of their game.
For Glenravel Eamon Fyfe looked every inch a loss to county management throughout, his finishing was box office. Three goals and one off the crossbar a good return for an hours work…marquee forward in actionwhile Charlie Henry, Sean Higgins and Fergus Donaghy can be pleased with their contributions.
For Casements Caolan Tierney, Kevin O Kane, Paddy Kelly Oisin Doherty and Stephen Kelly upon his introduction all caught the eye at stages.
Roll on the round robin.
Referee Ritchie Leahy (Moneyglass).
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
St. Gall’s got back to winning ways following last week’s narrow defeat to Lamh Dhearg when they entertained St. James Aldergrove at Milltown on Wednesday night.
It took the home side a time to get going but when Daniel Quinn hit his side’s first goal, there was no looking back as the scores flowed.
Quinn finished the night with 2-6 and one of those points came from a free which was his side’s only score from a placed ball, while his colleague, Niall Burns finished with 1-9 on the evening and was hugely impressive for the team in blue.
Aldergrove fought hard throughout and never gave up the chase but in the end were a well beaten side and will want to put this one behind them as they prepare for the visit of Ahoghill on Saturday evening.
St Gall’s were first off the mark with Callum Walsh pointing within seconds and Marty Murray added another before Aldergrove got themselves on the score-sheet when Ronan Hanna’s rasping shot at goal was turned over by goalkeeper Kevin Niblock.
Both sides missed chances before Niall Burns began to stamp his mark on the game and the county player would hit three points on the bounce as the home side started to get on top.
Aldergrove continued to look a threat on the break however and Cormac McGarry converted a free before Niblock was again called into action to tip over from Ryan McCarthy.
The visitors continued to threaten the St. Gall’s goal and Eoghan McCurdy cleared off the line from Declan Gough, but St James’ finally found the net in the 18th minute as a long delivery to Ryan McCarthy saw him place Hanna to fire home.
This brought a strong response from the Milltown side as they hit 2-7 without reply in the space of 10 minutes, with Dubhaltach MacLiam sending Daniel Quinn through to confidently finish.
Niall Burns, Walsh and Quinn added points, including a two-pointer from Burns before he palmed home the second goal and although Hanna replied with a point, late points from Burns and Quinn had St Gall’s leading 2-14 to 1-4 at the break.
St. Gall’s continued to apply the pressure as the second half got underway as Walsh and Murray kicked early scores with Sean Fay replying at the other end, but the Milltown side were in full flight as they added the next six through Conor Stinton, Conn Doherty and Eoghan McCurdy and the gap was out to 20.
Aldergrove kept battling against the odds and Hanna palmed over when a goal looked certain and then Conor Browning’s shot sailed over with another goal opportunity a begging.
St Gall’s always had a response however with Quinn kicking their only free of the evening and Aodhán Gallagher also getting in on the act.
Substitutes Glenn Dunham and Ethan Walsh traded points before Aldergrove finally got the reward their efforts deserved when Hanna got a touch to Brian McQuillan’s delivery.
The hosts hit back with one of their own two minutes later as substitute Michael Hopkins sent Quinn clear and he finished confidently to the net.
Despite the result being beyond doubt Aldergrove finished strongly as they hit the last four points through Hanna (two frees), Declan Gough and Chris McSteen, but it only served to put a better look on the final score-line.
St. Gall’s: K Niblock; C Hale, C Burke, E McCurdy (0-1); R Wilson, D MacLiam, C McCabe; A Gallagher (0-1), C Stinton (0-2); M Murray (0-2), B Bradley, N Burns (1-9, 1xtp); C Walsh (0-4), C Doherty (0-2), D Quinn (2-6, 0-1f). Subs: L Lynn for C McCabe (38), E Walsh (0-1) for R Wilson (38), A McDonagh for M Murray (45), M Pollock for B Badley (49), M Hopkins for C Walsh (49)
Aldergrove: O McGarry; Christopher Browning, E Irvine, M Burns; D Gough (0-1), C McVeigh, E Gough; Conor Browning (0-1), O Graham; SP Fay (0-1), C McGarry (0-1f), B McQuillan; R McCarthy (0-1), R Hanna 2-5, 0-2f), K Jones. Subs: C McSteen (0-1) for C McGarry (24), C Fogarty for Christopher Browning (32), G Dunham (0-1) for R McCarthy (45), M Smart for SP Fay (48), C Totten for K Jones (50).
St Comgall’s came from five points down at half time to beat Rasharkin by five in Wednesday evening highly entertaining Division 2 League game at Dreen. The home team held the upper hand for most of the first half and were 0-10 to 0-03 ahead at one stage, but when St Comgall’s got it back to five by half time you felt they were in a strong position, considering the strength of the breeze, and so it proved.
A 2-pointer from Brian Og O’Neill got Rasharkin away to a good start and when they added the next three points, one of them from an O’Neill free, they were five to the good.
Man of the match Ryan Clarke, who was to end up with 3-2 to his name, brought St Comgall’s right back into the game. He grabbed his first goal after a well worked move through the middle, but Ryan Lynch fired home at the other end for the home side and when Donagh Quigg and O’Neill added points apiece they were seven ahead. However the Antrim men finished the first half strongly and points from Ruairi Griffin and Tom Patchett brought the gap back to five by half time.
St Comgall’s cut the gap to just two early in the second half, Patchett, Devine and Clarke hitting the target, and you felt it was only a matter of time until they hit the front. However a good move through the middle by the home side saw Brian Og O’Neill get his team’s second goal. The home didn’t get a chance to see the benefit of that goal as St Comgall’s had the ball in the net at the other end within a minute.
Ryan Lynch pulled another point back for Rasharkin, but the scoring dried up for them after that and when Clarke completed his hat-trick for the visitors the writing was on the wall, and when Ruairi Griffin added two points the Antrim men had the upper hand. Rasharkin did have chances but they found the scores harder to come by playing into the Pavillion end and all they could muster was another point by O’Neill.
St Comgall’s were well on top but not 100% certain of the win, but they finished strongly with five points on the trot to wrap up the points and move themselves up out of the relegation zone.
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
