Rasharkin’s Ulster ambitions blown off course by the Gaels

Ulster Junior Hurling Club Championship quarter-final

St. Mary’s Rasharkin 1-15  East Cavan Gaels 4-16

Rasharkin’s hopes of a place in the Ulster final were blown off course in Carrickmore on Sunday where they lost to a very physical East Cavan Gaels in a bad tempered affair where referee Barry Winters had his work cut out to keep a lid on proceedings.

The Antrim champions made a bright start in Pairc Colmcille with Cathir Henderson pointing them ahead in the second minute before the Gaels Colm Gargan became the first player to receive Yellow with only three minutes on the clock.

The Dreen side responded from a Conor McKeever free to move two in front and the early indications were looking good for St. Mary’s but when Jack Barry opened the Cavan combination side’s account with a point in the 7th minute things began to change.

Liam O’Brien, who would have a massive influence on the game, levelled from a pointed free but Rasharkin were giving as good as they got and Shane Hasson restored their lead with a point in the 9th minute.

Conor McKeever extended that lead from a well struck free and Nicolas Kenny and Donagh Quigg exchanged further points to keep the gap at two after 13 minutes.

The tackles were going in thick and fast and Carrickmore was certainly no place for the faint hearted as play continued to swing from end to end with Liam O’Brien from a free and Conor McKillop exchanging further minors.

Some of the tackling left a lot to be desired with the Cavan combination putting in heavy challenges that were starting to unsettle Rasharkin and the Cavan men hit two points on the bounce through Nicolas Kenny and Liam O’Brien before Callum Shiels finished from close range for the game’s opening goal in the 17th minute.

That goal put East Cavan Gaels ahead for the first time in the match and four minutes later things went from bad to worse for the Blue & Ambers as Conor McKeever received a second Yellow and the Red that followed.

The Gaels pushed forward in the closing stages of the half with their numerical advantage with the excellent Liam O’Brien leading the way with two points and Nicolas Kenny adding another with Rasharkin’s only response coming from a Shane Hasson free.

As the card count continued to rise the Cavan side struck a decisive blow as the game crept into injury time with Callum Shiel getting in for his side’s second goal to leave his side 2-9 to 0-7 ahead at the short whistle.

Shiel extended the Cavan lead with a point on the restart with Cahir Henderson for Rasharkin and Nicolas Kenny for the Gaels exchanging further points and it wasn’t looking good for the Antrim men, even at this early juncture.

They did respond however and, roared on by the good crowd who had made the journey to Carrickmore they hit the next four points through Shane Hasson 0-2 and Tiernan O’Boyle 0-2, O’Boyle’s scores coming from two massive long range frees.

Hasson’s second cut the deficit to five with 19 minutes remaining and the momentum was with the Antrim champions but the excellent O’Brien replied from a couple of frees to put further daylight between the sides.

Shane Hasson had taken over the free taking duties from the unfortunate Conor McKeever and he converted another but Liam O’Brien was punishing every perceived indiscretion by the Dreen side as he replied with two more.

Things appeared to be turning in favour of the Antrim men when Rory Farrell received a straight Red with seven minutes remaining and a minute later Shane Hasson fired home to close the gap to four and a comeback looked on the cards.

We then had a bizarre situation when Cian McEntee bundled the sliotar to the net at the other end but was then dismissed following consultation between Barry Winters and his umpires but the goal was allowed to stand.

A minute later Rory Farrell drove the final nail in the Rasharkin coffin as he fired home his side’s fourth goal from close range with Liam O’Brien and Tiernan O’Boyle exchanging late points and Rasharkin’s Brian Og O’Neill becoming the second Rasharkin man to receive Red.

A tough uncompromising game of hurling, spoiled by too many late challenges but East Cavan Gaels look like being serious challengers in the final. A strong physical side with good individuals in Tadh Barry, Jack Barry, Jack McGuinness, Canice Maher, Callum Shiel, Nicolas Kenny and the excellent Liam O’Brien.

They face a massive challenge in the final however against Ballinascreen of Derry who defeated Ballela of Down in the other semi-final the Derry side will start that decider as firm favourites.

For Rasharkin the loss of Conor McKeever was immeasurable but the men from Dreen have had a superb season and did their club and county proud and can push on from their Antrim success as they contest Intermediate next season.

Rasharkin: James O’Mullan, Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, Connaire Donaghy, Ruairi O’Boyle, Aidan McKeever, Tiernan O’Boyle, Shane Hasson, Conor McFerran, Cathir Henderson, Emmet McFerran, Conor McKeever, Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop, Declan McKay.

Subs: Daniel Hasson, Brian Og O’Neill

East Cavan Gaels: Conor Gallagher, Sean Walsh, Tadh Barry, Colin Gargan, Jack Barry, Jack McGuinness, Canice Maher, Philip McKeon, Callum Shiel, Liam O’Brien, Daire Leddy, Rory Farrell, Nicolas Kenny, Cian McEntee, James Tully

Sub: Kyle McGuinness

Referee: Barry Winters (Tyrone)

TO VIEW PICS FROM GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

Cargin fall well short of Tyrone champions Errigal Ciaran

AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship, quarter-final

Cargin 0-9 Errigal Ciarán 0-17

Tyrone champions Errigal Ciaran proved just too good for a disappointing Cargin side at Corrigan Park on Sunday, the Tyrone champions winning with ease to set up an Ulster semi-final meeting with Armagh’s Clann Eireann, who beat Derry champions Newbridge at Celtic Park later in the day.

Four weeks out from their Antrim county final win over Portglenone the Toome men simply could not get to the pace of the game, while Errigal Ciaran, who won the Tyrone title just eight days ago, were sharp from the start. The were 0-3 to 0-0 ahead early in the game, and though Cargin appeared to be back in the game when they closed the gap to 0-4 to 0-3 with twenty minutes gone, the Tyrone men found their second wind as they outscored Cargin by 0-07 to 0-01 over the last ten minutes of the opening half and as the team’s headed in at half time with the scoreboard reading 10-4 you felt all was missing from the were the words ‘Over and Out’

 If the Antrim side were to get back into the game they needed a strong start to the second half, but that never happened and Errigal’s ability to win practically every kick-out put Cargin on the back foot. Half way through that second period the Errigal management men were emptying their bench to give players a ‘run out’, and though Cargin did keep battling on against the odds it was clear that Errigal’s path to the semi-final was secured.

Cargin captain James Laverty in action during Sunday’s Ulster quarter final against Errigal Ciaran

The Tyrone champions went ahead with two pointed frees from Thomas Canavan, both awarded for incidents well away from the play, something that was going on all over the field to be honest but the Erins’s Own men never seemed to benefit from any of them. Ruairi Canavan stretched the lead to three with the first score from play and it was clear that Cargin were in trouble. However the Errigal scoring dried up as they shot a series of bad wides, and there was a sense of relief when Cargin netminder McNabb fired over his team’s first score of the game on sixteen minutes. When Tomás McCann and Sean O’Neill added two more for Cargin there was suddenly a bit of optimism among the Toome fans, but those hopes didn’t last long as Errigan reset their ‘radar’ hitting the next six points wihoout reply to open the gap to six by the time Monaghan referee Martin McNally sounded the half time whistle.

The Tyrone side, managed by former Antrim boss Enda McGinley who is a brother-in-law of the McCann clan from Cargin, had clearly done their homework and despite being on a hectic run of games that included a preliminary round win last week, they had more energy from the start and set a bar Cargin couldn’t reach.

Even though shooting would prevent Errigal from moving out of sight in the first half, they still held a six-point gap at the short whistle and were able to manage it in the second period.

Over the hour, Enda McGinley’s men had 10 different scorers and this epitomised a team effort as they limited Cargin to just three points from play and they will be delighted with their day’s work.

“We didn’t turn up at all,” conceded Cargin manager, Ronan Devlin.

“We didn’t compete, do the basic stuff, got cleaned out on the break balls, made mistakes and gave the ball away. After a bad start, we worked our way into it but then just silly mistakes let them chop away – it was a bad day all round.

“It was just so flat, dead – just not good enough. We’ve nobody to blame this time but ourselves.”

Errigal had the first two scores through Thomas Canavan frees, both awarded for holding off the ball as referee Martin McNally set out to lay down a marker.

Ruairi Canavan grabbed their first from play as David Johnston went into the book for a foul in the build-up and the Tyrone champions were flying as their pace of attack left Cargin chasing shadows.

However, their shooting began to let them down with five straight wides, yet Cargin were still having no joy getting anything going in the opening period and it took goalkeeper John McNabb to finally get them off the mark with 16 gone.

The Antrim champions enjoyed a mini spell as Tomás McCann and Sean O’Neill replied to one from Ben McDonnell, but the Tyrone side reasserted themselves over the final 10 minutes of the opening half with six of the last seven scores as Joe Oguz, Tiernan Colhoun and Peter Og McCartan assisted the Canavans, Darragh (two) and Ruairi as they took a deserved 0-10 to 0-4 lead into the break.

Errigal’s Ciaran McGinley had the gap out to seven soon after the restart, and though Tomas McCann pulled one back from a free, midfielder Joe Oguz and corner forward Ruairi Canavan put more daylight between the sides.

Tomas Mccann was keeping the scoreboard ticking over from frees, but though there were a couple of half chances for the goal they needed to ignite a comeback, the Errigal defence were always in control.

A disappointing day for a team that have given so much over the past decade, and they will be glad of the break to recharge the batteries. Elligal manager Enda McGinley, a former Antrim manager and brother in law to the three McCann brothers, will now lead his team into a semi-final meeting with Armagh champions Clann Eireann. That will be a tougher test for the Tyrone champions, who are seeking their first Ulster title since 2002, but Sunday’s showing by his team should give him a good deal of confidence

Don’t look back in anger! Cargin’s Michael McCann is greeted by his brother in law Enda McGinley after the game

Scorers for Cargin: T McCann 0-6 (5f, 1 45), J McNabb 0-1, S O’Neill 0-1, R Gribbin 0-1.

Scorers for Errigal Ciaran: R Canavan 0-4 (3f), D Canavan 0-2, T Canavan 0-2 (2f), J Oguz 0-2, C McGinley 0-2, P Og McCartan 0-1, T Colhoun 0-1, M Kavanagh 0-1, R McRory 0-1.

CARGIN: John McNabb; Kevin O’Boyle, Kevin McShane, Ronan Gribbin; Justin Crozier, Sean O’Neill, Jamie Gribbin; Michael McCann, John Carron; David Johnston, Tomás McCann, James Laverty; Conhuir Johnston, Eunan Quinn, Pat Shivers.

Subs: Paul McCann for D Johnston (HT), Benen Kelly for J Crozier (HT), Conan Johnston for E Quinn (37), Ronan Devlin for B Kelly (46), Tom Shivers for Conhuir Johnston (51)

ERRIGAL CIARÁN: Darragh McAnenly; Cormac Quinn, Aidan McCrory, Thomas Canavan; Peter Og McCartan, Niall Kelly, Tiarnan Colhoun; Ben McDonnell, Joe Oguz; Pauric Traynor, Peter Harte, Ciaran McGinley; Ruairi Canavan, Darragh Canavan, Odhran Robinson.

Subs: Mark Kavanagh for P Traynor (46), Ciaran Quinn for T Colhoun (46), Padraig McGirr for O Robinson (51), Eoin Kelly for T Canavan (51), Ronan McRory for D Canavan (57)

REFEREE: Martin McNally (Monaghan)

Penalty heartbreak for All Saints

Ulster Intermediate Football Intermediate Football Championship at Toome

Derrylaughan 3-21 All Saints 6-12 AET (Derrylaughan won 5-4 on penalties

It was penalty heartbreak for All Saints Ballymena on Saturday in Toome after they bowed out of Ulster at the hands of Tyrone champions Derrylaughan.

All Saints led both at the end of normal and extra time only for points from James Donnelly giving Kevin Niblock’s side a lifeline.

Conor Stewart looked to have won the game at the end of extra-time only for Tyrone star Brian Kennedy to win possession before setting up Donnelly for the equaliser.

In the shootout, it was Derrylaughan ‘keeper James Kennedy who denied Peter McReynolds with Ballymena’s second kick. After conceding five goals in normal time and one more in extra time Kennedy became the unlikely hero of the hour as he got down to his left to keep McReynolds well hit shot out

Sean McVeigh punches the airwith delight after scoring his team’s second goal

With both teams on target for the rest of the shoot-out, Brendan McDonnell nailed Ballymena’s pressure fifth kick before Com O’Hagan sent Derrylaughan through with the final kick of the afternoon.

It was cruel on the Ballymena men who worked themselves into a three point lead with a second goal from star man Paddy McAleer early in the second half.

Derrylaughan plonked Brian Kennedy at the edge of the square where he scored two goals to give them a lifeline back into the game.

It was a classic game and one that will be talked about in years to come. It was just a pity there had to be a loser.

The fact both sets of fans applauded the Ballymena players off at the end of the game spoke volumes for the level of respect at the end of a clean, sporting but high-octane game.

After all talk of playing rules, this is a game the Football Review Committee could take a lot from.

Derrylaughan had the wind in the opening moments but it was Ballymena who had the ball in the net. A direct ball to Sean McVeigh created havoc before McAleer punched to the net.

It was the perfect start but Ballymena struggled with their own kick-out as Derrylaughan settled with a point from James Donnelly.

Sean McVeigh repeated the dose with a second Ballymena goal for a 2-0 to 0-1 lead before Donnelly added a second.

After trailing by seven points against Termon in the preliminary round, Derrylaughan don’t make a habit of panicking and three points from Tomas Carney helped them back within a point after 23 minutes, 2-1 to 0-6.

When All Saints needed a response, it was McAleer who fired over to continue a fine performance. With Emmett Killough and Conor Stewart at midfield, it gave Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley the luxury of playing with McAleer and McVeigh in attack.

At the other end Peter McNicholl played as the sweeper to limit the Derrylaughan path to goal.

There was another boost for All Saints before half time when Ronan McKillop’s kick went all the way to the Derrylaughan net after being missed by everyone and the Antrim champions led 3-3 to 0-8 ahead at the break.

The Tyrone net was bulging again as early as 23 seconds of the second half. It was a direct move and involved three key All Saints players.

Stewart played the ball forward, McVeigh won it in the air and Paddy McAleer finished to the net to open a seven-point lead.

With nothing to lose, Derrylaughan moved the towering Brian Kennedy to the edge of the square.

When Shane Scullion’s diagonal ball was plucked by Kennedy, he turned to hammer to the back of the net. It was just what his side needed, cutting the cap to three points, 4-4 to 1-10.

Derrylaughan keeper James Kennedy is beaten again as a long delivery from Ronan McKillop (out of picture) drops in at the far post

Like they did all afternoon, there was a response from Ballymena with pacey wing back Patrick Ferris at the heart of the counter-attack before Stewart squeezed a low shot past Kennedy in the Derrylaughan net and into what appeared to be a commanding lead. However All Saints began to drop deep and it invited a green wave on to them.

When Kennedy’s low shot squirmed under goalkeeper Stewart there was one minute left to play and the sides were level, 5-4 to 2-13.

Connell Lemon and Liam Cushnahan exchanged points before Conor Stewart’s 62nd minute score looked to have won the game. There was time for one more attack and when Derrylaughan were awarded a questionable free, Donnelly took the game to extra-time.

Within 10 seconds of the restart, Brian Kennedy had the ball over the bar but All-Saints response with their sixth goal. McAleer was involved and the move was finished by Brenndan McDonnell.

Home and hosed? Not yet. Ciaran Gervin hit 1-1 for Derrylaughan in as many minutes and the Tyrone champions led 3-17 to 6-7 half time into extra time.

There were no more goals but there was plenty of drama. When Michael McCarry’s free levelled matters, All Saints found another gear and three more points gave them a two-point lead.

Two Carney frees had the sides level again with penalties looming. But not yet. Conor Stewart looked like he had won the game before the final throw of the dice and a high ball tossed in on top of Kennedy. was held firm before playing James Donnelly in on his left foot and he saved the day for Derrylaughan.

Now it was down to penalties with goalkeeper Kennedy’s save from Peter McReynolds, it was the final action in an afternoon of inches, millimetres and drama.

What a game. Both sides deserve immense credit but it was Derrylaughan who advanced. All Saints players will play this game over and over again in their heads in the years to come. They were every bit as good as their opponents but cruelly pipped at the post.

Conor Stewart shows his delight after hitting a superb point late in extra time, but cruelly it was not to be as Derrylaughan hit a late equaliser to take the game to penalties

 Derrylaughan: James Kennedy; Colm O’Hagan (0-1), Ciaran O’Hagan, Liam Cushnahan (0-1); Liam Gervin, Conor Kennedy, Sean Robinson; Brian Kennedy (2-1), Shane Scullion; Conor Hughes, Fergal McAliskey (0-2), Danny Ball; James Donnelly (0-5, 1f), Tomas Carney (0-9, 84, 1 45), Ciaran Quinn
Subs: Ciaran Gervin (1-1) for Quinn (38), Caoilean Hughes for Ball (43), Darragh Carney (0-1) for McAliskey (54), Mark Robinson for Cushnahan (60), McAliskey for C Carney (78)

All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Michael Read, Kavan Keenan (0-1), Cal O’Brien; Peter McNicholl; James McDonnell (0-1), Shaun O’Callaghan (0-1), Patrick Ferris; Conor Stewart (1-2), Emmett Killough; Connel Lemon (0-1), Ronan McKillop (1-0), Ciaran Campbell; Sean McVeigh (1-0), Paddy McAleer (2-4, 1f)
Subs: Brendan McDonnell (1-1) for Campbell (47), Michael McCarry (0-1f) for McKillop (53), Joe Rafferty for Ferris (60+2), Peter McReynolds for Killough (80+1)

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan (Monaghan)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

St Paul’s launch the dates and starting times for their annual fonaCAB Minor Football Tournament

St Paul’s have just launched the dates and times for the annual fonaCab Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament, which gets underway on Saturday 23rd of November when Antrim champions St Brigid’s take on O’Donovan Rossa of Magherafelt at Colaiste Feirste with a throw-in time of 5pm.

The 41st running of this great tournament, which is sponsored once again by fonaCAB, sees the Minor champions of each of Ulster’s nine counties battle it out for the prestigious Jim McConville Cup. The semi-finals, which are played on Sunday 22nd of December and on Boxing Day always draw big crowds, while the New Year’s Day final is always a big hit with GAA fans around the province. This year the tournament reverts back to Under 18, after a brief sojurn at Under 17, something local teams have been calling for since the switchover back in 2017,

Last season’s champions Four Masters of Donegal will be back to defend the trophy they won twelve months ago and with virtually the same personel featuring because of the age change. they are hotly fancied to retain their title. The Donegal boys will take on Scotstown of Monaghan in the quarter-final of Sunday 8th December at St Paul’s.

The preliminary round sees Down champions Mayobridge take on Kingscourt of Cavan with the winners to meet Tyrone champions Fr Rocks of Cookstown in the quarter-final.

The Tyrone winners were absent from last year’s competition but are thankfully back in action this time around. Irvinestown of Fermanagh and Clann Eireann of Armagh meet in the quarter-final on Sunday 1st December on the 3G pitch down at Colaiste Feirste, as do Antrim champions St Brigids and Derry kingpins O’Donovan Rossa who get the competition underway next Saturday at 5pm on Colaiste Feirste’s 3G pitch.  

At the launch of the tournament a couple of weeks ago club secretary Conor McCartan said “It is great to launch another year of the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament, supported by Belfast City Council. The tournament has gone from strength to strength over the past decade and it is a testament to the prestige of the tournament that minor footballers all over the province wish to compete in it.

“We are delighted to have some clubs returning from last year, including St Molaise, Magherafelt and the reigning champions Four Masters from Donegal. The draw has thrown up some mouth-watering ties, particularly Antrim champions St Brigid’s versus Magherafelt and Four Masters versus Scotstown and we can’t wait to get started.”

Sean Walshe (left) of sponsors fonaCAB an Antrim county chairman Seamus McMullan (right) with captains of the minor teams at the recent launch of the annaula St Paul’s fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football tournament. Picture courtesy of Seamus Loughran.

Caroline McLaughlin, CLG Naomh Pól chairperson, added: “CLG Naomh Pól is delighted to officially launch the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football 2024. CLG Naomh Pól is delighted to officially launch the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football 2024. This tournament is held in the highest regard by gaels across Ulster and Ireland and it is great to see the buzz about CLG Naomh Pól, participating clubs and communities across the province since we have be given the approval.

“Our thanks to all at Ulster Schools and Ulster GAA for the continued support in facilitating this year’s tournament which is back to the traditional U18 age grade.”

U21 Football Finals on Sunday

The U21 A & B Football finals are down for decision this Sunday with Con Magee Gaels meeting St. Galls in the A final in Poretglenone at 12-00pm and Dunloy and Creggan facing each other in the B decider in Ballymena at the same time.

Good crowds have attended the earlier round of the competition but these could be affected on Sunday with Cargin Ulster clash with Errigal Ciaran fixed for 1-00pm at Corrigan Park.

U21A final

Con Magee Gaels v St. Gall’s

Portglenone 12-00pm

Both sides have impressed on their way to Sunday’s final with Con Magee Gaels pulling out all the stops to defeat Cargin at Fr. Maginn Park in the quarter-final and St. Gall’s recording a big win over neighbours St. Gall’s at Milltown.

Con Magee Gael began their campaign with a preliminary round win over St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass before getting over the line in this tough quarter-final win over Cargin at Fr. Maginn Park.

They looked in a bit of bother after a final furlong flourish from rivals Cargin when they tagged on four unanswered points in the final five minutes to draw level but then yielded two scoreable frees in added time which the home team converted.

Daire Higgins was the Glenravel hero with those two late conversions and it put the Gaels through to a semi-final meeting with Aghagallon with the Glens men again enjoying home advantage.

St. Mary’s had earned their place in the semi-final after a good 1-13 to 1-9 home win over a fancied St. Brigid’s in the quarter-final and travelled to Glenravel to meet the home side in the semi-final.

Once again the Gaels produced the goods to run out 0-14 to 2-4 winners. In the end, Glenravel’s sharpshooters at the top end of the pitch made the telling difference as they had that little bit more composure in front of the sticks when it mattered most.

F Hodgson (0-01), F Donaghy (0-02,) S O’Broin (0-04,) C Ward (0-01;) C McKeown (0-02,) P McDonell, D Higgins (0-03) were the Glenravel marksmen after a polished performance.

St. Gall’s have had an easier route to Sunday’s final after All Saints withdrew from the competition to hand them passage to the semi-final and a meeting with a St. John’s side who had impressed in their quarter-final win over St. Paul’s.

Manus McCrossan was excellent at mid-field for the Milltown Road men with goals from Niall Fallon, Daniel Quinn and Padraig Murray paving the way for a 3-14 to 0-5 win.

With three win s in the competition already behind them Con Magee Gaels will fancy their chances of adding this year’s U21A title to the B title they collected last year but they face a good St. Gall’s side and this one could go either way with the Gaels getting a tentative nod.

U21B Final

Dunloy v Creggan

Ballymena 12-00pm

Dunloy will start this one as favourites after recording good away wins over Sarsfields at the Bear Pit on day one while Creggan were recording an opening day win on the adjacent pitch when they finished strongly to defeat Rossa by five points.

Dunloy were on the road again in the semi-final when they travelled to Whitehill and proved too good for Tir na nOg.

Daire McMullan hit 2-2 as the visitors ran out 2-10 to 1-3 winners while Padraig Martin, Thomas McFerran, Aodhan McGarry and Eoin McFerran impressed in a good all round Cuchullian’s side.

At the same time over on the Staffordstown Road Creggan were made to work hard before overcoming the challenge of visitors Lamh Dhearg in the other semi-final.

The Kickham’s led 1-4 to 0-5 at the halfway stage but were reeled in early in the second half with half time substitute, Patrick Tumelty kicking two early points to close the gap to the minimum.

Creggan rallied though to dominate the final quarter and finish 1-13 to 1-7 ahead with Odhran Hampsey, Sean McAuley, Tristan McCann, Fintan Close, Sean Duffin, Shea McCann and Conor Johnston seeing them comfortably over the line.

This could be another close encounter but Dunloy might just have enough to see them home but there is not likely to be a lot between these two South West rivals.