by thesaffrongael

McGinn proves the hero as Faughs edge an epic battle

Ulster Club Intermediate Hurling quarter final

Carrickmore (Tyrone champions) 0-20 Carey Faughs (Antrim champions) 2-14

Carey won 3- 2 on penalties

Two brilliant saves from Carey goalkeeper Steven McGinn during the penalty shoot-out finally decided Sunday’s Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final and gave the Faughs victory over Tyrone champions Carrickmore. The sides had been level at the end of normal time, and again at the end of extra time, Carey grabbing last gasp points to avoid defeat in both cases. With the light fading fast and both teams out on their feet a penalty shoot-out to see who would advance certainly added to the tension.

James McCouaig punches the air in celebration after his late point brought the game to penalties

Carrickmore sent the first penalty over the crossbar and Carey had their first one saved by the Carrickmore keeper Conor McElhatton which added to the tension. Things began to turn in the Antrim champions favour when Conlith McKinley hit the net, and even though the Tyrone champions came back with a goal from their next penalty Conor McBride kept his nerve to edge the Faughs ahead again. When Steven McGinn saved Carrickmore’s next effort the ball was firmly in Carey’s court and when James Rocket Black drilled his shot home the odds were now in the Faughs favour, probably for the first time in the game. That meant Carrickmore had to score to keep the game alive but McGinn was equal to the task and produced the goods once again, saving low to his right to spark scenes of great celebration which no doubt carried on during the Carey fans long journey home.

You had to feel for the Tyrone men at the end for thy had given so much in a classic game o hurling, which they dominated for long periods of play, but the Faughs simply would not give up the fight, even when the odds were stacked against them, and they were rewarded with McGinn’s great saves, which earned them a semi-final place against Castleblaney in two weeks, time.

Carrickmore started the game with a point from centre forward Dermot Begley on three minutes, but Caolan McCaughan levelled for the Antrim champions one minute later. Conal McGlynn who was to prove one of the heroes of the hour, briefly put the Faughs ahead, but Carrickmore were starting to gain the upper hand and they sent over the next four points through Justin Kelly, Aidan Kelly, Aidan Woods and Bryan McGurk to move three clear by the end of the first quarter. Carey needed to stem the flow and they did with two points from Conall McGlynn frees and the first goal of the game from Conlith McKinley to edge ahead on twenty minutes. Oisin Daly pulled one back for Carrickmore but two lovely scores from Conor McBride stretched the Carey lead to three, though top scorer Kelly hit the last two points of the opening half to cut the Carey lead back to a single point by the time match referee James Callaghan sounded the half time whistle.

Carey players jump with joy after Steven McGinn’s second save seals the win

The Tyrone champions levelled matters six minutes into the second half and though Conal McGlynn briefly restored the Carey lead, the next fifteen minutes would prove scoreless as Carrickmore got on top. Three in a row by their excellent free taker Kelly, and though the Faughs were creating chances they just could not find the target. The game appeared to be slipping away from the men in green, but James ‘Rocket’Black got them going again with a well taken point in the 50th minute. Conal McGlynn sent over a free off the inside of the upright, another from Kelly and one from Conor Grogan seemed to have sealed the win for the Tyrone champions, but right half forward Conlith McKinley showed great composure to slot over a brilliant equaliser thirty second from the end, to send the game to extra time.

Carrickmore again looked the more assured side when Daly and Kelly put them two clear in first part of extra time and for a while it looked like they could put the game beyond Carey, but the Antrim men grabbed a lifeline when Conal McGlynn grabbed a point just before the half-time whistle. When McGlynn got in for his team’s second goal early in the second part of extra time it started to look like Carey were holding the upper hand, but Carrickmore hit the next three points to move one clear as the game entered added time. The odd were again firmly in the Tyrone team’s favour but a fantastic score by midfielder James McCouaig just twenty second from time, tied thing up again and brought the game to penalties.

Facing a scenario which neither team had come up against before the tension was palpable but the Antrim champions handled it that bit better, and Steven McGinn, who grandfather moved to Ballycastle in the early sixties from Killclogher, just ten miles up the road from where Sunday’s game was played, proved the hero of the hour.

Young Faughs fans celebrate their team’s win

CAREY FAUGHS

Steven McGinn, Zach McCaughan, Sean McBride, Patrick Gillan, Michael McVeigh, James Black, Conall McGlynn, Caolan McCaughan, James McCouaig, Conlith McKinley, Conor McBride, John McBride, Shea Hunter, Patrick Butler, Callum Cane. Subs Eoin Hill

CARRICKMORE

Conor McElhatton, Michael Kelly, Dean Rafferty, Anthony Corssan, Bryan McGurk, Enda grimes, Conor Grogan, Cormac Munroe, Seamus Sweeney, Oisin Daly, Aidan Woods, Aidan Kelly, Tony Hughes, Sean Og Grogan, Justin Kelly

REFEREE – James Callaghan (Donegal)

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by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass finish with a flurry but time runs out

LGFA Ulster SFC club semi-final

Clann Eireann 2-10 Moneyglass 1-10

Clann Eireann withstood a late sustained comeback from Antrim champions, Moneyglass to advance to the final of the AIB Ulster club final where they will meet Cavan champions Lurgan later this month.

A year ago St. Ergnat’s travelled to the same venue where they suffered a heavy defeat to today’s opponents and they were determined to put that defeat behind them.

Things certainly didn’t go to plan during the opening half when the Lurgan side raced into a 1-5 to 0-2 half time lead  and were well in control with Cassie Henderson with an 18th minute goal, the replacement forward also grabbing a point, while full-forward duo Niamh Murray and Eimear McConaghy each hit two points.

Emma Louise McArevey finally got the Antrim champions off the mark with a point in 23rd minute and Orlaith Prenter adding their second in first half injury time but at this stage it looked a long way back for the Marian Hill side.

It got worse for St. Ergnat’s on the restart as Aoibhinn Donohue extended the Clan Eireann lead when she found the back of the net two minutes in to move her side nine points clear.

Niamh Henderson extended that lead to 10 and that remained the gap after Maria O’Neill, Cathy Carey and Bronagh Devlin pointed for the visitors and Henderson and Cassie Henderson replied for the reigning champions.

Orla Prenter, who had been well contained up to this point, hit two more for the Moneyglass side and Niamh Henderson and Eimear McConaghy responded for the Lurgan side with what prove to be their final score with 13 minutes remaining.

It looked over, even at this early juncture but St. Ergnat’s came roaring back as Orla Prenter hit three in-a-row to reduce the gap to seven points with five minutes remaining.

Cathy Carey put the cat amongst the pigeons when she fired to the Clann Eireann net in the 62nd minute and Prenter followed with another point to leave just a goal separating the sides with Meabh McCambridge claiming a late delivery from Bronagh Devlin as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

A brave performance from the Antrim champions after a bad start and on reflection they will probably look at that start as their downfall but they certainly restored pride in the jersey and no doubt, will be back in search of a first Ulster next season.

Clann Eireann: 1 Catherine Lawless, 2 Erin Melanophy, 3 Clodagh McCambridge, 4 Grainne Carville, 5 Roisin Mulligan, 6 Megan McCann, 7 Dearbhla Coleman, 8 Cait Towe, 9 Niamh Coleman, 10 Aoibhin Donohue, 11 Niamh Henderson, 12 Tirna Grimes, 13 Eimear McConaghy, 14 Niamh Murray, 15 Meabh McMambridge

Moneyglass: 1 Aine Devlin, 2 Danielle Duffin, 3 Niamh McIntosh, 4 Niamh Neeson, 5 Aoife Leahy, 6 Sarah O’Neill, 7 Rebecca Bradley, 8 Aoife Kelly, 9 Laura McCann, 10 Annie Griffin, 11 Cathy Carey, 12 Cliona Griffin, 13 Maria O’Neill, 14 Orla Prenter, 15 Jo Jo Darragh

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by thesaffrongael

Creggan finish strongly to secure their place in the final

U21 B Football Championship semi-final

Creggan 1-13 Lamh Dhearg 1-7

Kickham’s Creggan finished strongly to earn their place in the U21 B Football Championship final when they overcame the challenge of Lamh Dhearg at their Staffordstown Road ground on Sunday.

The Kickham’s led 1-5 to 0-4 at the short whistle thanks to a goal from Shea McCann in the 12th minute but the introduction of Patrick Tumelty to the visitor’s ranks for the second half threatened to turn the game on its head.

The bustling Tumelty pointed with his first touch of the ball in the 2nd minute to bring the Hannastown side to life with Creggan keeper Joel Dudley then pulling off a good save to deny Evan Stanley.

Lamh Dhearg’s Patrick Tumelty who’s half time introduction threatened to spark a come-back for the Hannastown side

Tumelty brought the travelling support to their feet as he pointed the resulting ‘45’ and a pointed free from Adam Murray closed the gap to one with only 8 minutes of the half gone and Creggan looked in a spot of bother.

The visitor wouldn’t score again until late in the game as a Fintan Close pointed free in the 13th minute finally opened the home side’s second half account and seemed to settle them and they would push on to win convincingly in the end.

Shea McCann, Fintal Close, Sean Duffin 0-2 and Conor Johnston were the Creggan first half point scorers with Cian Graffin kicking three for the visitors and Fegan Lappin getting the other Lamh Dhearg first half point.

Fintan Close’s second half opener saw the home side take advantage of some wayward tackling from the visitors which resulted in a stream of pointed frees from Shea McCann 0-3, Conor Johnston 0-3 and fine effort from play by substitute Ronan McGuckian.

Lamh Dhearg were struggling to get back in touch following that early second half burst but they kept going right to the end and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Fionn Mervyn climbed above the pack in a crowded goalmouth to fist a Patrick Tumelty free to the net.

Sean McAuley drives forward to set up a Creggan attack

A good win in the end for the South West side who had sharp forwards in Shea McCann, Conor Johnston and Fintan Close while Sean Duffin drove them forward with some strong running and Odhran Hampsey, Liam McLarnon and Sean McAuley were solid in defence.

The Kickham’s now meet Cuchullian’s Dunloy, who defeated Tir na nOg in the other semi-final and on the evidence of today’s encounters it should prove to be an interesting final with both sides looking impressive.

Kickham’s Creggan: 1 Joel Dudley, 2 Paedar McGuckian, 3 Odhran Hampsey, 4 Caolan Hughes, 5 Liam McLarnon, 6 Sean McAuley, 7 Anton Martin, 8 Aidan McIlwee, 9 Tristan McCann, 10 Fintan Close, 11 Sean Duffin, 12 Oisin McAteer, 13 Shea McCann, 14 Cian Graffin, 15 Conor Johnston, Subs: 19 |Ronan McGuckian

Lamh Dhearg: 1 Oisin Devlin, 2 Corey Camin, 3 Declan Young, 4 Odhran Lee, 5 Sean McCarthy, 6 Niall McGarry, 7 Rudi Smith, 8 Ciaran Boyd, 9 Fionn Mervyn, 10 Evan Stanley, 11 Fegan Lappin, 12 Eoghan Breen, 13 Eoin Campbell, 14 Adam Murray, 15 Donal Martin,

Subs: 20 Aidan Morrow, 22 Patrick Tumelty, 23 Fiachra Clenaghan, 29 Conal McGarry, 30 Aidan McCague

Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)

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by thesaffrongael

McMullan double paves the way for Cuchullian’s victory

Under-21 B Football Championship (Semi Final)

Tir na nOg 1-03 Cuchullian’s Dunloy 2-10

Daire McMullan found the net in both halves as Cuchullian’s Dunloy advanced to the final of the under-21 B football championship when they travelled to Randalstown on Sunday and gained access to the decider with a good victory over Tir na nOg on a damp Whitehill sod.

The home side took their place in Sunday’s semi-finals with victory over the visiting Casement’s last week but although they did start this game well their visitors adapted to the underfoot conditions better and a Daire Mc Mullan goal in the 26th minute gave them a 1-04 to 0-02 half time lead.

Tir na nOg had started with a spring in the proverbial step with an early point from corner forward Rory Mullan and gave as good as they got throughout the opening quarter.

Indeed they might have had a goal after ten minutes but Rory Mullan and Caleb Smyth’s efforts from close range was charged down and the ball was cleared to safety following a goalmouth scramble.

Sean Grant for the home side and the visitors Daire Mullan swapped points but despite being denied by the home side’s net minder on a couple of occasions the Cuchullians, with the towering Daire Mc Mullan a permanent threat on the edge of the square took control in the period leading up to half time.

The towering Mc Mullan found the back of the net in the latter stages as Sean Mc Shane provided the cross and Aodhan Mc Garry converted a ‘45’ after Levi Thuman pulled off a superb save to deny Barry McCloskey.

Dunloy’s Thomas McFerran drives forward to set up an attack

The visitors finished strongly and Eoin McFerran added another to put the visitors 1-04 to 0-03 ahead at the break and they were good value for that lead.

Having finished the opening period on top the Cuchullians began the second in a similar fashion but Tir na nOg keeper, Levi Thuman brought off another super save to deny Aodhan Mc Garry with Barry McCloskey getting a consolation point from the ‘45’.

As the second period progressed the visitors tightened their grip on proceedings despite the considerable efforts of the home sides Caleb Smith and middle man Dylan McLarnon.

 Dunloy, with height advantage pressed ahead and a cross field delivery from McGarry placed Daire Mc Mullan to finish to the net for his second of the evening to move the visitors 2-07 to 0-03 ahead and in sight of victory.

The home side fought hard but found scores hard to come by as the Dunloy defence gave little away.

The Dunloy goal lives a charmed life as Rory Mullan and Caleb Smith are denied by the Dunloy defence

Joshua Higgins and Dylan Mc Larnon worked hard for the Whitehill men but with Padraig Martin and Aodhan Mc Garry leading by example the home side were halted in their efforts.

The visitors were in command as Thomas McFerran and Sean McShane came forward to add points but Tir na nOg were still battling hard and Dylan Mc Larnon came forward with purpose to grab a 53rd minute goal.

In the event it proved too little too late and a late point from Daire McMullan enabled the Cuchullian’s to cross the winning line with advantage of 2-10 to 1-03 and into the under-21 B final where they will meet Kickham’s Creggan.

Tir na nOg: Levi Thuman, Daniel Mc Larnon, Brendan Devlin, Sean Mc Keown, Sean Grant, Paul Mc Closkey, Daire Martin, Joshua Higgins (0-01), Dylan Mc Larnon (1-00), Ciaran Mc Camphill (0-02), Alex O’ Donnell (0-01), Shane Maguire, Sean Martin, Caleb Smith, Rory Mullan

Cuchullian’s: Eoin Mc Keown, Cahir Mc Mullan, Michael Traynor, Reece Cunning, Thomas Mc Ferran (0-02), Padraig Martin, Sean Mc Shane(0-01), Lucas Mc Ferran (0-01), Eoin Mc Ferran (0-01), Sean Mc Aleese, Aodhan Mc Garry (0-02), Ben O’ Kane, B Mc Closkey (0-01), Daire Mc Mullan (2-02), Oisin Mc Camphill (0-01)

Referee: K Parke (St Enda’s)

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by thesaffrongael

Ahoghill beat Kilrea to book thier place in the Ulster final

Ulster Junior A club semi-final

Ahoghill (Antrim) 1-12 Kilrea (Derry) 0-9

They say a good start if half the battle and so it proved for Ahoghill Camogs at Cloney yesterday as the got past the challenge of Kilrea in the Ulster Junior A Club Championship

The home side may not have been at their very best but they were more efficient than their Derry opponents, who squandered a succession of chances in the first half , both from frees and from open play, while the home side, with county goalkeeper Catriona Grahan leading the line, kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Kilrea were in for a goal when Kimberey Burke broke through for the Derry girls, but a great ‘hook’ by defender Fiona Blaney saved the day for the Cloney girls and when player of the match Catriona Graham goaled from a penalty her team were in the driving seat, going in at the break with a 1-06 to 0-06 lead at the break.

Karen Kielt, who was Kilrea’s star performer, hit her fifth point to narrow the gap early in the second half before, but though both team’s showed great endeavour the scores proved hard to come by during the third quarter. Catriona Graham was to prove the difference as she sent over two more points while the visitors were wasteful, despite creating plenty of chances. The home side began to pick off the scores as the second half advanced and two from Aisling O’Donnell and one each rom Noreen Graham and Katie McCloskey saw them home with six to spare.

The win sees them through to Sunday’s final against holders Granemore, the Armagh champions  sealing their place with a win over Down champions Bredagh.

Ahoghill: Á Graham, M McCloskey, B Graffin, F Blaney, O Neeson, É McGarry, C Scullion, N Neeson, E Neeson, K McCloskey (0-1), A O’Donnell (0-2), M Horan, N Graham (0-3), C Graham (1-6, 1-0 pen, 0-5 frees), M Downey

Subs: A-M O’Neill for M Horan (51), C McLaughlin for B Graffin (51), G O’Donnell for N Graham (59).

Kilrea: C Kielt, N Henry, C McNicholl, M Maguire, B McNicholl, S Donaghy, E McGilligan, A McGilligan, J Hickson, E Maguire, K Kielt (0-5, 3fs), A Gorman (0-1), K Burke (0-3), B McLaughlin, D Thompson.

Subs: A O’Boyle for M Maguire (17), K McGilligan for E Maguire (ht), D McKenna for D Thompson (31).

Referee: K Rice (Down)

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