Armoy won the Junior Feis Cup when they beat Cushendun in Saturday evening’s final at Feis na nGleann in Glenarifffe.
Cushendun got the first score of the game when corner forward Conor Bannon knocked over a point inside 30 seconds, and after Armoy levelled through Eoin O’Boyle the Emmets edged in front again, Bannon again on target. However Armoy began to find their stride and when Trevor Linton hit their first goal in the seventh minute they were never again headed.
Linton’s goal was added to by points from Eoin O’Boyle, Timothy Burns, Ciaran Coyles and a double from Tarlach McBride which put them 1-07 to 04 ahead after thirteen minutes.
Connor Bannon kept the Cushendun scoreboard ticking over and centre back Thomas Scally added one from play but Armoy finished the half strongly and after Linton got his second goal on twenty minutes they followed it with two point from Linton and one from PJ McBride to lead by 2-11 to 0-08 at half time.
Scally added another for the Emmet’s at the start of the second half to reduce the gap, and though Ciaran Colyle replied with one for the Glen Rovers men on 35, further points from Conor Bannon and substitute John V Morgan brought Cushendun within seven.
The gap was down to six by the 17th minute after Bannon slotted over two more, in reply to on from Tarlach McBride for the winners, and Cushendun were back in contention. However two by Trevor Linton and one from Tarlach McBride pulled Armoy clear of the danger again and when Linton competed his hat-trick of goals in the 57th minute the cup was on its way to Armoy.
North Antrim PRO Darrach O’Mullan presents the Junior Feis Cup to Armoy captain Arthur Devlin after his team’s win over Cusheundun at Feis na nGleann in Glenariffe
For more of Sean Paul’s pics from the final click on the link below
St Brigid’s claimed the vacant spot in the League final with Cargin after powering through a depleted All Saint’s side at Dunsilly this afternoon.
The nature of the time of year told on the Saint’s – who were only able to muster a squad of 16 and whilst St Brigid’s were also missing players, they were much stronger in options to call upon.
The Musgrave outfit were ahead within two minutes after being awarded a penalty that was dispatched low to the corner of the net by Conor McAleer.
Patrick Finnegan could have doubled the goal tally minutes later, but Conor Brennan stood tall to deny him.
They would extend their lead through points from James Smith and a fisted Finnegan effort before All Saint’s hit back.
Michael McCarry flighted a high ball on top of Sean McVeigh- who claimed the mark and converted it.
The sides traded scores as Enda Downey landed a free and Kavan Keenan tried to find McVeigh with a long pass inside that bounced over the bar.
St Brigid’s pulled clear with five unanswered scores in the aftermath, Finnegan dropped over his second point and then slipped an off the shoulder pass to John Toner to shoot over.
Conor McAleer landed a point from Jack Dowling’s lay-off, Rory McErlean converted a free and Shea Downey swept over to ensure that their side were 1-08-0-02 ahead by the 21st minute.
The Saint’s briefly halted the momentum as Michael McCarry kicked the first of three first half frees, the other two following four further St Brigid’s scores without reply.
McErlean converted his second free of the half and then landed his first from play, Patrick Finnegan shot over his third and James Smith doubled his personal tally.
McCarry’s successive replies momentarily narrowed the margins, but St Brigid’s ended the half with a further goal and a point.
Their second goal arrived on the 29th minute when Niall Duffy popped the ball across to James Smith in space and he swept a shot into the corner to make it 2-11-0-05.
Rory McErlean kicked his third free of the half before it was out as St Brigid’s were in cruise control at the interval.
The Musgrave men picked up where they left off before the break as Shay Campbell guided a shot over and four minutes after the restart their third goal arrived when Niall Duffy palmed across for McErlean to touch home.
Michael McCarry kicked his fourth free in response, though Michael Cummings slipped in Patrick Finnegan to take a fisted point.
A move off the training ground saw John Toner sweep the ball to Jack Dowling in space and he added to the scoreboard before Shay Campbell rolled home a fourth goal to move his side 4-16-0-06 to the good.
To their credit, All Saint’s battled with Sean McVeigh proving tough to deal with on the edge of the square- one of his knock downs almost resulted in a goal opportunity, though Darach Bradley opted to split the posts instead and McCarry converted a further free in the aftermath.
Patrick Finnegan would add another score before departing and substitute Conan McNicholl then added his name to the increasing list of scorers.
Both sides spurned glorious goal opportunities within seconds of each other, Sean McVeigh knocked the ball down for Oliver O’Rawe who was twice denied in quick succession and after St Brigid’s sprung the counterattack; Aodhan McNicholl could only watch on as his low effort clipped the outside of the post.
Fortunately for St Brigid’s they wouldn’t rue their missed chance as they grabbed their fifth of the afternoon through Rory McErlean after a nice interchange with Conan McNicholl.
Aodhan would join sibling Conan on the scoresheet with a fine point from range with Conan doubling his personal tally a minute later and fellow substitute Peter Lundy popping over another as their advantage continued to increase.
A converted 45’ from Brian McGurk followed and further scores from Rory McErlean (free) and Peter Lundy ensured that St Brigid’s had amassed 1-08 without reply.
Free-takers McCarry and McErlean would kick placed balls before the contest was brought to its conclusion as St Brigid’s booked their place in the League decider against Cargin for a chance to lift the Eddie Fitzsimons trophy next weekend.
St Brigid’s: D Heery, J Toner (0-01), J Finnegan, C King, B McGurk (0-01 45’), S Downey (0-01), S Campbell (1-01), M Cummings, J Dowling (0-01), N Duffy, P Finnegan (0-05), J Smith (1-02), E Downey (0-01f), C McAleer (1-01, 1-00p), R McErlean (2-06, 0-05f). Subs: C McNicholl (0-02) for N Duffy (39), A McNicholl (0-01) for J Smith (40), P Lundy (0-02) for J Dowling (40), C Downey for P Finnegan (45).
All Saint’s: C Breenan, A McGreevey, M Read, R Thom, D Bradley (0-01), K Keenan (0-01), E Walsh, E Kilough, P McNicholl, P Mitchell, M McCarry (0-06f), P O’Boyle, O O’Rawe, S McVeigh (0-01m), R McVeigh. Subs: J Rocks for O O’Rawe (HT), O O’Rawe for P O’Boyle (42), P O’Boyle for S McVeigh (53), S McVeigh for P Mitchell (60).
Referee: Mark O’Neill (Glen Rovers, Armoy)
For more pics from the game click on the link below
Con Magee’s Glenravel 1-12 St James’ Aldergrove 3-09
A chance to dine once more at the top table of Antrim football was the incentive for both Glenravel and Aldergrove in Ballymena on Saturday evening. In what was a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining encounter, it was Naomh Seamus who emerged victorious in dramatic style. Despite being in arrears for 55 minutes of football, the Crumlin side took the lead when it mattered most as marksman in chief, Seamus McGarry, netted the all-important goal in the dying minutes of the game to ensure another year of topflight football for the men in red.
Glenravel came flying out of the traps in the opening exchanges and fired themselves into an early five-point lead. The potent pair of Eoin Hynds and Eamon Fyfe both split the posts before the latter put the finishing touches to an intricate move, unleashing one of his signature piledrivers to the Aldergrove net in the process and the Con Magee’s seemingly had their tails up.
Perhaps this shocked their opponents to life as they sought about finding a foothold in proceedings, step forward Seamus McGarry. The Aldergrove number 15 hit the next four unanswered points demonstrating his predatorial instincts in front of the posts, foraging for any spillages or breaks in possession. His brother Cormac made it a family affair and levelled matters after twenty minutes with a well-taken score ably assisted by Brian McQuillan.
Glenravel then finished the half the same way they started it; with a flourish and vigour to their play. County man Callum Higgins sent over two superb points in reply to yet another McGarry free before Eoin Hynds closed out the half with a free from close range leaving the score 1-06 to 0-06 in favour of the men in green and white.
The second period was the epitome of an end-to-end game with both teams pushing forward to gain the ascendancy. It was however, Glenravel who got the scoreboard ticking over again. A pinpoint pass from Rian Lennon was despatched with aplomb by Eamon Fyfe before his partner in crime, Eoin Hynds came to the fore again curling over an outstanding effort from an extremely acute angle to extend their lead.
Aldergrove needed a response as it appeared Glenravel were cantering to the finish line. Adrian Dougan’s half-time instructions must have been ringing in his charges’ ears and most certainly may have centred around driving the high ball into substitute Ronan Hanna in full forward as the dominating number 25 gave the Aldergrove attack a different dynamic and commanding aerial presence. Midway through the half, they executed this ploy to perfection as Hanna rose highest to claim Declan Gough’s lobbed ball in, before offloading to Cormac McGarry who finished to the net tidily to raise his side’s first green flag.
McGarry’s major, however, only paved the way for yet another Glenravel onslaught who were in no mood to relinquish their lead. Yet again it was Hynds who was at the forefront of their attacks and the Con Magees number 11 reinvigorated his team with a well-taken free. From the resulting kick-out, Conleth O’Loan commandeered possession of the size five before offloading to that man Hynds, who unleashed a monster effort from range over the bar.
In what was a recurrent theme of the game, just when Glenravel looked to be inching closer to the win, Aldergrove sparked into life. Yet again, it was Hanna who spearheaded their revival as he latched onto Gerald Mallon’s pass before thundering an effort on the turn from close range to the Glenravel net and with merely a point separating them with ten minutes to go, it was all to play for.
With both teams displaying such resiliency and character, the game was now being played at such a frantic and frenetic pace. The men from the tenth glen again asserted their authority through the familiar prowess of Fyfe and Hynds with inspired points from play and it really did look as though this time, they would hang on.
Their counterparts had other ideas and with Glenravel going down to 14 men for a second-bookable offence, they capitalised immediately. Substitute Fergal Burke announced his arrival in style with an excellent point before top-scorer Seamus McGarry dealt the hammer blow four minutes before the final whistle. With Aldergrove pressing high on the Glenravel kickout they managed to steal possession as Hanna reassumed his role as provider paving the way through on goal for his partner in crime, who blasted home his side’s third and game-clinching goal.
Glenravel desperately sought for penetrative avenues of attack and peppered the Aldergrove defence with an endless barrage of high ball in. Unfortunately, it just wouldn’t stick and when it eventually did, Eamon Fyfe was exceptionally unlucky to see his shot flash wide of the post in the dying embers as their opponents held out for the win.
Credit to both sides for a great game. St James’ will be delighted in securing their Division One status for next year. Their never say die attitude stood them well and they can take great heart from this performance and perhaps carry some of this momentum into their Championship campaign.
For Glenravel, they will be wondering how this one got away. Their performance perhaps didn’t warrant coming out on the losing side but such is the cruel nature of sport. They will no doubt dust themselves down and ready themselves for the challenge of Moneyglass to see which side will make the drop to Division Two in what should be a thrilling game.
Teams:
Con Magee’s Glenravel:
S O’Boyle; E Ward, E McCusker, D Carey; N Swann, C Henry, D McQuillan; C Higgins, (0-02) D Higgins; R Lennon, E Hynds (0-07,) C O’Loan; A O’Donnell, E Fyfe, (1-03,) S McKay
St James’ Aldergrove
C Totten; M Burns, E Irvine, A Irvine; C O’Toole, C McVeigh, E Gough; B McQuillan, O Graham; D Gough, A Flood, G Mallon; C McGarry (1-01,) K Toner, S McGarry (1-07)
Feis na nGleann 2024 will be hosted by Oisin Glenariff CLG this weekend of
Dé Sathairn 13ú July & Dé Domhnaigh 14ú Iúil
Saturday 13th July & Sunday 14th July
With a rich history in culture and sport, we are grateful to be back in Glenariffe for the 120th anniversary Feis Weekend. This historical event is also part of the celebration of 120 years of Oisíní Gleann Aireamh CLG
Sceideal Cluichí Game Schedule
Imeachtaí Eile Other Events
Dé Sathairn 13 Iúil13/07/2024 Saturday 13th July
5.00pm Corn Sóisearach Iománaíochta Junior Hurling Final Fhánaithe an Ghleanna v Eiméid
Taispeántas na Feise. Ealaíona, Ceardaíocht & Stair Feis Exhibition of Arts, Crafts & History
Dé Domhnaigh 14 Iúil14/07/2024 Sunday 14th July
1.00pm Iománaíocht Corn Mhic Mhaoláin McMullan Cup Final Seamróga Loch gCaol v Cúchulainn Dhún Lathaí Réiteoir Ryan O Reilly Maor Líne Pete Hyndman Maor Líne Shane McDonnell 3.00pm Camógaiocht Senior Camogie Final Cúchulainn Dhún Lathaí v Ruairí Óg Réiteoir Mark O’Neill 5.00pm Iománaíocht Senior Hurling Final Seamróga Loch gCaol v Cúchulainn Dhún Lathaí Réiteoir Kevin Parke Maor Líne Fergus McAllister Maor Líne Paul McSparran
Rince Gaelach Irish Dancing Taispeántas na Feise. Ealaíona, Ceardaíocht & Stair Feis Exhibition of Arts, Crafts & History Ceol le CCÉ Ghlinntí Aontroma Music with Glens CCÉ
Ealaíona, Ceardaíocht & Stair – Arts & Crafts will be displayed throughout the community centre with the Garron Suite Hall as the main display area.
Rogha Gach Bia agus Togha Gach Dí
Food and drink will be available throughout the weekend upstairs in the Garron Suite.
There will be a ground floor tuck shop for snacks and refreshments.
The Give Respect, Get Respect campaign has been a success and continues. GAA Games would not be possible without the huge work of our Referees and Match Officials. The thanks of the Association is due to all of our Referees and Match Officials who enable our Games to thrive
Feis na nGleann is a shared cultural community festival, open to all and crossing political and religious boundaries. The venue changes each year so that all areas of North Antrim have an opportunity to host it.
Ferdia Mac Domhnaill, Naomh Éanna, has been awarded a Scholarship from Aontroim Thuaidh CLG to assist with the cost of attending a Gaeltacht course at Coláiste Bhríde – Rann na Feirste
The North Antrim and Feis na nGleann committees are working together to reintroduce and expand the Arts & Crafts in the programme of Feis after the pause that was created by Covid19.
The old Irish word feis (meaning ‘a recurring feast or festival’) was used in the 1890s for the annual festivals organised by branches of Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League). Competitions were typically held for arts and crafts, dancing, singing and playing music, Gaelic games and Athletics, storytelling and writing and they quickly became established throughout the country.
Feis na nGleann (The Glens Feis) was established in 1904 in the Glens of Antrim to harness and display the talents of the Glens folk and promote the Irish language, traditions, songs, music, games and pastimes for future generations. Industrial and arts exhibitions were a part of the original Feis. It displayed the craftwork of the Glens people, helped generate much needed employment and, in those days, consisted of 46 sections.
Local Industries; spinning, quilting, furniture making and shoemaking.
Arts and Crafts; Wood, metal and other Craft;
Kitchencraft and Needlecraft; baking, knitwear, sewing, woodwork, lace making, embroidery, and crocheting
Field Events included Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, Poc Fada, Ground Skills and Childrens Sports.
Many tales were related round glen firesides during the long winter nights as people recounted the events of that wonderful day in 1904 when Feis na nGleann became a reality. They were proud that it represented what they stood for all down the years. They were also determined that the Feis would not end with one demonstration of their national outlook but would continue as an annual event and so it has. Feis na nGleann 2024 will be held in the glen that is generally recognised to be the home of the Feis agus tá bród ar Oisín CLG as Feis na nGleann a cheiliúradh – Oisín CLG Glenariffe are proud to host Feis na nGleann and celebrate with them 120 years
That this traditional sporting and cultural occasion has survived for so long is a great tribute to the unselfish commitment and endeavour of the Feis Committees through the years and this year the people of Glenariffe are delighted to once again be associated with the Feis Committee in organising the event.
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Dunloy progressed to the McMullan Cup final with an eight point victory over Cushendall on Thursday evening. It was an entertaining contest where there were plenty of similarities to the senior contest between the same two sides 24 hours earlier with the home side holding a decent half time advantage and having to withstand a Ruairi Og comeback, it was the Cuchullains scoring power and stronger finish to the hour that proved to be the difference.
Dunloy fired over five of the last six points in the final quarter with Anthony Cochrane, Jay McAlonan and Daire Elliott all prominent in attack. Cochrane would finish with an impressive six points from open play for his hour while Daire Elliott’s goal midway through the second half gave Dunloy some breathing room on the scoreboard. Defensively, Jack McQuillan and Ollie McClements were excellent while James McGarry and Eunan Curry formed a strong midfield pairing with a great understanding.
Cushendall were best served by Dylan McNaughton, Nicholas McLaughlin and Cahir McCambridge in attack while Conor McCann excellent in defence but they couldn’t curtail a Dunloy attacking unit who had more threats and that little extra.
Playing with the help of the breeze, the home side raced into 4-2 lead after 10 minutes. Jay McAlonan’s free taking excelling for the Cuchullains while John Ferguson landed the home sides first score from open play. The Cushendall response came from Dylan McNaughton and McCambridge and but for the upright, could have had the first major of the game. A strong run from Shane McQuillan had him through on goal but his effort deflected off the right hand post.
Those two points remained the difference between the sides until Cochrane scored four points unanswered in the space of three minutes. The young Cuchullain showed an array of attacking skill with some super touch and ingenuity to put six between the sides with five minutes of the half remaining.
Cushendall finished the half strongly with Dylan McNaughton and McLaughlin (free) splitting the uprights to leave the half time score 0-10 to 0-6 in favour of the home side.
Despite trailing by four points, Cushendall made the best possible start to the second half. Charlie McNaughton finding the back of Eunan Brogan’s net after a mix up in the Dunloy defence. A point followed by the impressive McLaughlin to tie the scores, McLaughlin would add six frees along with that score to finish top of the scoring charts for the Ruairi’s and while Daire Elliott fired over to briefly halt the Ruairi’s momentum, a brace of frees from McLaughlin gave Cushendall the lead for the first time in the match in the 41st minute.
The Dunloy response proved to be match winning however with two goals in the space of just under three minutes. Eanna McGuckian collecting the sliotar down the Dunloy right and showed super skill and speed to evade the Cushendall defence before firing beyond Shane Coulter in the Cushendall goals from the most acute of angles.
With the next Dunloy attack, they forced a turnover deep in the Cushendall defence and recycled the ball to Elliott. He got the half yard needed to fire home from close range to put five points between the sides once again.
A free from McLaughlin rekindled the Cushendall challenge once more but the Cuchullains found another gear in those closing stages with McAlonan’s move to further out the field paying dividends.
Scores from Cochrane (two), Elliott (two) and McAlonan (free) where answered by a solitary pointed free from McLaughlin as the Cuchullains saw out the time that remained.
Dunloy will face Loughgiel in the final in what will be the opening match to Feis Sunday with a 1pm throw in at Glenariffe.
TEAMS
Dunloy: Eunan Brogan; Joseph Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Seamus McMullan; Jamie McMullan, Jack McQuillan, Ollie McClements; Eunan Curry, James McGarry; Damian McMahon, John Ferguson, Anthony Cochrane; Daire Elliott, Jay McAlonan, Eanna McGuckian
Subs: Padric O’Neill for E McGuckian (54)
Scorers: A Cochrane 0-6; D Elliott 1-3; J McAlonan 0-5 (5fs); E McGuckian 1-00; J Ferguson 0-1; J McQuillan 0-1 (1f)
Cushendall: Shane Coulter; Jake Laffan, Patrick Morgan, Cormac Burke; Charlie McAllister, Conor McCann, Eoin Quinn; Dylan McNaughton, Brian McNeill; Cahir McCambridge, Nicholas McLaughlin, Shane McQuillan; Charlie McNaughton, Connlaodh McNaughton, Conall Og Trainor
Subs: Eoin Lorcan Bradley for C Og Trainor (50); Oliver Mooney for C McNaughton (59)
Scorers: N McLaughlin 0-7 (6fs); C McNaughton 1-00; D McNaughton 0-2; C McCambridge 0-1; S McQuillan 0-1
Referee: Anthony McAuley (Ballycastle)
to see more photos from the game by Brendan McTaggart and Mickey Morgan click on the link below
