by thesaffrongael

Rovers advance in heavy conditions at Slemish Park

JHC Group 2

All Saints 1-11 Glen Rover 3-18

Glen Rovers, Armoy completed their Group 2 Junior Hurling Championship with maximum points following this 13 point win over All Saints Ballymena in bad underfoot conditions at a wet Slemish park on Friday night.

Both sides were without key players and for a spell, early in the contest it looked like a youthful All Saints were going to present as challenge to their more experienced opponents.

A goal from one of the Ballymena side’s more experienced campaigners, Liam Cassley closed the gap to the minimum in the 11th minute but before the celebrations died down, Owen Kinney scooped the sliothar home at the other end to restore his side’s four point advantage.

The Armoy side would go on to lead by 2-10 to 1-6 at half time with Kinney collecting a short free from Trevor Linton to fire home his second goal of the half with four minutes remaining to the break.

It was Kinney who got the visitors off the mark when he got his stick to a Turlach McBride free and McBride, Conor Christie, PJ McBride and Trevor Linton moved the visitors 0-5 to 0-1 ahead with the All Saints point coming from Liam Cassley.

After the exchange of goals Ciaran McKenna, Trevor Linton, Conor Christie and Owen Kinney added further points with Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan keeping the scoreboard ticking for the home side.

Bradley converted an early second half free to cut the gap to six with Trevor Linton and Timmothy Burns replying for the visitors before another converted free from the excellent Bradley had it back to six again.

Owen Kinney (14) whoes two goals paved the way for an Armoy victory over All Saints at Slemish Park on Friday evening

Linton took advantage of slackness in the home defence to fire home goal number three for the Armoy side and Owen Kinney and Ciaran McKenna followed with point to open up a 12 point gap and at this stage the home side could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel.

To their credit they continued to produce some fine passages of hurling but lacked the penetration to trouble the Armoy defence with a number of promising attacks breaking down.

Cormac Magill struck an excellent long range point with PJ McBride replying for the Glen Rovers with Conor Christie and Turlach McBride from a long range free concluding the visitors scoring and the excellent Bradley hitting two late consolation points for the home side.

This win makes it three from three for the Glen Rovers and sees them top the group with Saturday’s meeting of Gort na Mona and Lamh Dhearg deciding who will finish second and All Saints now eliminated.

Armoy now qualify automatically for a semi-final spot while both Gort na Mona and Lamh Dhearg have quarter-finals to play against the sides who qualify second and third in Group 1.

Turlach McBride, PJ McBride, Conor Christie, Trevor Linton, Ciaran McKenna, Owen Kinney and Thomas Burns were best on the night for a very good Glen Rovers side who will be favourites to win the championship following last year’s defeat to Cloughmills in the final.

Despite finishing pointless in their group, All Saints have played some great hurling and after losing players to other clubs have had to rebuild with a handful of youngsters who look to have a bright future.

Stand in keeper, Luke Walsh pulled off a couple of good saves in the second half while Harry Connon, Archie McGreevey and Darach Bradley are amongst the new faces who have emerged as serious hurlers during this year’s campaign.

All Saints: 19 Luke Walsh, Conor O’Rawe, 3 Eoin McAllister, 4 Padhraig Magill, 5 Kevin Brady, 6 Harry Connon, 7 Archie McvGreevey, 8 Vincent Esler, 9 Jack Magill, 10 Cormac Magill, 11 Liam Cassley, 12 Eoin McGuigan, 13 Fintan Brady, 14 Sean O’Rawe, 15 Darach Bradley

Subs: Diarmuid Casey, Cathaoir Cunning

Glen Rovers: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Coyles, 5 Turlach McBride, 7 Emmet O’Hara, 8 Ronan Lavelle, 9 PJ McBride, 10 Ciaran McKenna, 11 Conor Christie, 12 Eoin O’Boyle, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Owen Kinney, 15 Thomas Burns, 18 Colin Lordan, 19 Conor Watterson, 20 Hugh O’Kane

Subs: Ciaran Coyle for Owen Kinney, Timmothy Burns for Eoin O’Boyle

Referee: Sean Elliott Lamh Dhearg

https://myalbum.com/album/HnNNGBJNf2MWDu

by thesaffrongael

McKenna goal lights the fuse for Sarsfield’s comeback

IFC Group 2

Tir na nOg 0-19 Sarsfields 1-18

Tir na nOg looked to be heading for their third win in three outings in Group 2 when they led Sarsfields 0-11 to 0-6 in Ahoghill at the halfway stage on Thursday night and indeed the Whitehill side could have been further ahead.

When Sean Duffin converted a ‘65’, 2 frees and two from play to move the Randalstown side 11 ahead after only five minutes of the second half it wasn’t looking good for a Sarsfield’s side missing several of the McKernan clan.

The McKiernan who was on duty, Donal finally got the Stewartstown Road side off the mark with a pointed free after seven minutes but there was little indication at this stage of what was about to unfold.

Two minutes later, county player, Niall McKenna drilled his shot to the net and it was ‘game on’ as the men from the Bear Pit came to life as they hit five on the bounce with Tir na nOg visibly rattled by the intensity of their opponents.

Sean Duffin, who had been their go to man tried to steady them but the momentum was now very much with the West Belfast side as they pushed on to win by two points.

Sean Duffin who top scored for Tir na nOg in their Group 2 IHC defeat to Sarsfields in Ahoghill

The first half belonged to Tir na nOg as they dominated this Group 2 game, played at the neutral venue of Cloney, with Sean Duffin in fine scoring form and the big number 11 would contribute 0-8 of his side’s first half total with Ciaran Logan 0-2, Com Duffin and Daragh Fagan their other first half scorers.

Niall McKenna, Donal McKernan 0-3, Gary Lennon and Fionn Jemfrey were the Sarsfields first half marksmen but Tir na nOg might well been further ahead as they missed quite a few scoreable chances.

What was about to unfold in the second half could not have been predicted as Sean Duffin added to his ever increasing total with the first three of the second half to move the Whitehill side into what looked like an unassailable position.

Ace free taker, McKernan got proceedings under way before his side struck with a well worked goal by Niall McKenna to light a fuse that their opponents were unable to extinguish.

Donal McKernan added a couple of frees and Anthony McGarrigle, McKenna and Fionn Jemfrey added further points as the gap slowly closed before Sean Duffin briefly stopped the onslaught with a pointed free in the 18th minute.

Sarsfield’s were now playing with a determination and belief that had been missing earlier in the game as Gary Lennon landed a great long range point before McKenna struck a beauty over his shoulder to move his side two ahead at the end of the third quarter.

Two more from Anthony McGarrigle and another converted free from Donal McKernan with five minutes remaining seemed to have sealed it for the Belfast side before Tir na nOg staged a late rally.

Sean Duffin led the way with three pointed frees as the hits went in hard and fast to close the gap to the minimum but Sarsfields replied through their own marksman, Donal McKernan to ease home by two.

Donal McKernan fires over from a sideline cut as Sarsfields defeat Tir na nOg at Ahoghill

The proverbial game of two halves with Tir na nOg dominant in the opening half but perhaps too reliable on Sean Duffin for scores. They missed a few during the opening period and those misses would come back to bite them.

Sarsfields tightened up in the second half with Mark McCavanagh outstanding in defence and Niall McKenna coming into his own as they slowly reeled in a Tir na nOg side who faded remarkably.

This win moves Sarsfield’s level with Tir na Nog on 4 points from 3 starts while Cloney Gaels join them on 4 but have a game in hand against Emmets on Friday night in Glenravel.

Tir na nOg: 1 Kevin Sheerin, 2 Manus Smith, 3 Christy Sheerin, 4 Ciaran O’Neill, 5 Daniel Martin, 17 Colm Duffin, 7 Sean McKinley, 8 Emmet Murray, 9 Ciaran McKeown, 10 Josh Higgins, 11 Sean Duffin, 12 Oliver McAtamney, 13 Aaron McNeilly, 14 Darragh Fagan, 15 Ciaran Logan,

Sarsfields: 1 Andrew McStay, 2 Malachy Campbell, 28 Nicolas O’Mullane, 4 Mark McCavanah, 5 Gary Lennon, 6 Eoghan Rogers, 7 Michael Johnston, 8 Anthony McGarrigle, 11 Niall McKenna, 13 Donal McKiernan, 14 Jack Daniels, 15 Fionn Jemfrey, 27 James Cunningham,

Referee: Colm McDonald

To view Joe Carberry’s photographs from the game click on the link below

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by thesaffrongael

Second half dominance seals the 3-in-a-row for Cushendall

Antrim Minor Camogie Championship final :

Cushendall Ruairi Og 5-13 Dunloy Cuchullains 0-8

By Seamus McAleenan

DUNLOY were the dominant team during the first half of this Antrim minor camogie championship final in Fr Maginn Park. But there was a total transformation for the second half and four goals and five points without reply in the third quarter saw Cushendall retain their grip on the trophy for another season, as they completed the three-in-a-row.

Although Orlaith McAlister rattled the crossbar as she registered the first point, midfielders Aimee Ferris and Eobha McAllister (two) quickly put Dunloy into a lead that they held until the start of the third quarter.

While there were some fine scores from both sides during the first half, there was also wayward shooting and shots dropping short and, in Dunloy’s case, those were to prove very costly.

The Cúchulainn’s deserved to be ahead at the break, maybe more than 0-6 to 0-5 given the percentage of possession they enjoyed. Then again they were probably a bit fortunate that Niamh McNeill’s batted goal in added time was ruled out for a square ball infringement.

When Kerry Rose Drain opened a two points’ lead a minute into the second half, it looked as the pattern of the first half had started again. How wrong Cushendall proved that theory! Points from Orlaith McAlister, Orlaith McCurry (two) and Amy McAlister turned the lead into Ruairí Óg’s favour and when Kady McNeill sent Eva McNeill through for the opening goal in the 37th minute the game was running away from Dunloy.

Sub Clíodhna Thompson hit the net with her first touch three minutes later before a long ball from Laura Black found Niamh McNeill who fired home from an acute angle. Thompson then set up Amy McAlister for goal Number 4 and by the three quarters stage, Cushendall were out of sight, leading 4-10 to 0-7.

Adria McAllister eventually broke the sequence with a great solo point for Dunloy, but there was another goal at the other end for sub Thompson who took a pass from Amy McAlister to beat Mya McKinley from close range.

In the end it was a comprehensive victory for Cushendall. The switching of roles for Eva and Kady McNeill for the second half brought out the best in both and also in the forwards who now enjoyed a constant supply of good ball. Maeve McAlister at full-back was a candidate for Player of the Match, but that accolade had to go to the excellent Laura Black who dominated the half-back line.

Through Eobha McAllister and Aimee Ferris Dunloy were able to dictate most of the opening half and protect their defence. In the second half that defence was under constant pressure and, despite the best efforts of Casey Crawford before her injury and Carly McNamee, that pressure proved too much.   

Cushendall: C Thompson 2-0, E McNeill 1-3, 0-2 frees, A McAlister 1-2, N McNeill 1-1, O McAlister 0-4, O McCurry 0-2, K McNeill 0-1.

Dunloy: E McAllister 0-3, M McArthur 0-2 frees, A Ferris, A McAllister and KR Drain 0-1 each.

Cushendall: C Morgan, L McCollum, M McAlister, C O’Hara, L Black, E McNaughton, S Kerr-McKillop, EM Mitchell, C McNaughton, O McAlister, E McNeill, O McCurry, K McNeill, N McNeill, A McAlister.

Subs: C Thompson for C McNaughton (38), N McDonnell for S Kerr-McKillop (49).

Dunloy: M McKinley, L McQuillan, C McNamee, R McGrath, C O’Boyle, C Crawford, M Cunning, E McAllister, A Ferris, A McAllister, M McArthur, E McMullan, E McGilligan, KR Drain, H Richmond.

Subs: SL Kearns for E McGilligan (38), R Doherty for C Crawford (55), GA Kelly for H Richmond (55)

Referee: O Elliott (All Saints)

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

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim Gaelic Masters lock horns with Derry in GMA Plate Semi Final.

Venue Swatragh  

Date Saturday 24th August

Throw In 2pm

The Gaelic Masters association enters its championship play off phase this weekend, with counties across the country playing off for places in their various grades.

Last year Derry won the plate competition, for counties rated between fifth and eighth on league form, and are seeking to double up on that achievement this year. For that to happen they need to navigate a way past a resurgent Antrim Masters combination who have aspirations of their own to reach their first final in this grade.

Swatragh is the venue, and a large crowd is expected for the 2pm throw in, where Derry will be hoping to reverse their recent defeat at the hands of the Saffrons in their hotly contested league encounter at Slemish park in July.

The Antrim men will need to be at their very best to get a result, as it is expected Derry were without some of their proven performers on that occasion, and with home advantage and that little bit of additional experience, the oak leaf county will be confident about their chances of progressing to another final.

Antrim don’t plan to make up the numbers though, and will take confidence from the fact that they pushed Kerry to the absolute limit in Tyrellstown two weeks ago losing out narrowly on their bid for top four status, and look forward to welcoming back a couple of players who were unavailable on that occasion.

Assistant Manager Timmy Connolly was upbeat about the Saffrons chances. “We know we can mix it in this grade, but have a late sweat on the availability of a couple of key players who picked up knocks recently. Its all about panel depth at this level and if a couple don’t make it we have the players who can step up and give it everything they have”, said Timmy. “It would be fantastic to meet the winners of Cork and Mayo in the final, but we will have a real battle on our hands before that happens…we are not going there short of confidence, it will all be down to who performs best on the day!”

Timmy and manager Frank Delargy have got a great response from Antrim Masters this season, raising the profile of this increasingly prestigious competition, and Saffron Gael send their best wishes to the entire panel and management in advance of Saturdays contest which may well be their toughest test to date.

Timmy Connolly and Frank Delargy, hoping that Antrim can repeat their league success at Slemish |Park over Derry when the sides meet again in the Plate semi-final in Swatragh on Saturday
by thesaffrongael

We Go Again….

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship Preview

Saturday 24 August

Group 1

Ballycastle v Naomh Eanna

Venue: Pairc MacUilin, Ballycastle

Throw In: 6pm

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

Sunday 25 August

Group 2

Dunloy v Rossa

Venue: Dunsilly

Throw In: 2pm

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

Cushendall v St John’s

Venue: Ballymena

Throw In: 5pm

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

Brendan McTaggart looks forward to this weekend’s Senior Hurling Championship games

SO what did we learn from the opening round of fixtures?  Not a huge amount if we’re honest.  St John’s gave Dunloy their fill of it in a bruising encounter in the Cuchullains back yard.  The Corrigan Park side were shorn of a couple of regulars and will take plenty of positives from the performance.  While discussing the match with punters since, I got the feeling that the Johnnies were more content to stop Dunloy from playing than exerting their own game.  It was a contest that pretty much mirrored the clash between the two sides in the 2023 group stage, the Cuchullains looked a bit off the pace in the early exchanges but when they clicked into gear, St John’s didn’t have many answers.

The usual suspects were leading the Dunloy charge, Keelan Molloy who at this stage must wish he could play St John’s every week given how he terrorizes their defence while Paul Shiels is like a fine wine and improves with age.

Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston and Conal Bohill were influential for Mickey Johnston’s side while Aaron Bradley and Peter McCallin where always a threat in attack.

The Cuchullains managed to pull away in the second half, thanks largely to a 10 minute period where they really went through the gears.  Scoring six points and creating goal scoring chances at will in a ten minute period where the Johnnies couldn’t live with them.

In Rossa Park, the hosts gave Cushendall a run for their money as the Ruairi’s opened the defence of their crown with a narrow win.  I described this contest as a match that Cushendall had to win three times, but from a Rossa perspective it was a match that they showed they have plenty of fight, determination and guts.  Perhaps all they were missing was a little bit of lady luck?  It’s easy carried and every team needs a little during a championship campaign but Cushendall, without being brilliant, did enough.  Joseph McLaughlin in fine form, moreso in the first half while Dominic Delargy’s influence had a major say in the outcome of the contest.  His battle with the Rossa defence under high ball was a spectacle. 

The winning of this game came from Eoghan Campbell however.  You can look at his ability to stay calm in a cauldron of pressure in the dying embers of the game within his own ’21, soloing clear and firing over a brilliant point.  But Campbell’s second half performance was outstanding and while the levels of others around him may not have peaked, Eoghan showed the way.  He had plenty of support from Fred McCurry on the day as his reputation within the game in the county continues to burgeon.    

Rossa had threats in Aodhan O’Brien and Dominic McEnhill with Gerard Walsh and Stephen Shannon excellent in defence.  Chris McDonnell used the mercurial talents of James Connolly, Eoghan McMenamin and Conall Shannon off the bench, he has options and with Michael Armstrong closing in on a return from injury, I expect Rossa to up their levels this weekend.

As expected, Loughgiel had a bit to spare against Naomh Eanna in the opening match of Group 1.  James McNaughton making a welcome return from injury to score the Shamrock’s two second half goals and Paul Boyle show casing his talents, especially in the second half.  Just three points separated the sides at half time and despite playing into the wind, Loughgiel moved through the gears to pull clear.  They had 10 different scorers with 2-16 of their total coming from play – impressive statistics for the Shamrocks while Naomh Eanna will be disappointed at coughing up so many chances.  They themselves had six different scorers with 0-15 from open play but they were second best to the visitors and the 10 point difference on the day could have easily been much more.

This weekend, Naomh Eanna will be looking to get back to winning ways against Ballycastle with The Town opening their championship campaign.

The last time these sides met, Ballycastle took the league points on offer with 11 points to spare over the Hightown Road side.  Two goals from Seamus McAuley and one from Joe McToal gave Ballycastle an eight point half time advantage before they would see out the second half.

Naomh Eanna will be hoping that the fact they have a championship match already in their legs will give them an edge against a Town side coming in from the cold.   The free taking of Cormac Jennings will be crucial while they will be hoping for more scores from open play with Eddie and Luke O’Connor expected to lead the fight.

While Ballycastle do come in from the cold, if they can get enough quality ball into the likes of McAuley and Tiernan Smyth, I’d expect them to be too much for Naomh Eanna.

On Sunday, Dunloy and Rossa will match up at Dunsilly.  This promises to be an intriguing encounter where Rossa will be looking to build upon their impressive yet ultimately losing first outing while the Cuchullains will be looking for another level from their St John’s match.

Both sides have had to contend with players involved in the senior football championship while the Cuchullains have some injury concerns.  Conal Cunning is expected to miss the game with Eoin O’Neill also a major doubt.  Both missed the Naomh Eanna match with the big ball while Oran Quinn picked up a nasty facial injury – he may need some further time to recover from that.

The Cuchullains will have options to turn to with Deaglan Smith and Anton McGrath both pushing for a starting position while Aodhan McGarry will also be giving the Dunloy management team something to think about when finalizing their starting 15.

Dunloy will start as favourites but a performance akin to that against St John’s and Rossa will be leaving with a scalp that you just know they would relish.

A short trip at the final whistle from Dunsilly across to Ballymena where Cushendall and St John’s will do battle.  The availability of Neil McManus remains to be seen, he missed the Rossa game through injury while Andrew Delargy had to be replaced during the game.  Fred McCurry didn’t look like he was firing on all cylinders at the full time whistle and was receiving treatment, given his performance and work ethic, Fred not starting would be a serious blow to the Ruairi’s.

The Johnnies could welcome back Michael Bradley from injury while Domhnall Nugent, Oisin Donnelly and Ryan McNulty are expected to be in contention.  Michail Dudley and Oisin MacManus both came off the bench against Dunloy and will be pushing for a starting place.

When thinking on these two in the championship, thoughts turn to matches in the recent past where there wasn’t more than a puck of the ball between them.  Cushendall denied St John’s on more than one occasion at the semi-final stage and while they have the capability to match the Ruairi’s, I see the champions setting out to improve on their last outing where they almost let the win slip through their hands.  If they do that, they’ll have a bit to spare against the Johnnies.