by thesaffrongael

Champions Cargin hit All Saints for six

ACFL Division 1

All Saints 1-13 Cargin 6-10

When Connell Lemon drilled the ball to the Cargin net in the 19th minute of the second half to close the gap to four there was an air of excitement amongst the home support at Quinn Park on Wednesday night.

Up to this point in the game a young and inexperienced All Saints had performed admirably and as they broke with pace from defence they had caused the county champions defence plenty of problems.

Three minutes later the Quinn Park side conceded a penalty that Mick McCann tucked away with precision and while Ronan McKillop replied immediately with a point it would be the Ballymena side’s final score.

From that point Ronan Devlin’s Erin’s Own showed just why they are county champions and current league leaders as they produced a clinical finish to the game with Conan Johnston and Ronan Devlin adding further goals to put a slightly flattering look to the final score-line.

Tom Shivers who was excellent on the ’40’ for Erin’s Own

It was All Saints who started well as they welcomed Erin’s Own to Quinn Park for the first time and they led 0-2 to 0-1 after 8 minutes with Michael McCarry (0-2 f’s) for the home side and John McNabb from a free for the visitors, the marksmen.

The home side were sitting deep and attempting to break at pace but they were hit with the game’s opening goal when Michael McCann placed Conan Johnston in the clear to the left of goal and he drilled his shot low to the net.

Michael McCann added a point in the 18th minute to move Cargin three ahead but a great point from Shaun O’Callaghan and a couple of Michael McCarry pointed frees had it back to the minimum with five minutes remaining to the break.

Indeed All Saints had an opportunity to regain the lead when Connell Lemon broke clear but his shot at goal was well saved by Cargin net minder John McNabb.

It would prove costly as Ben McLarnon fisted over twice in quick succession at the other end and the mercurial McCann got in for his side’s second goal in injury time to leave Cargin 2-6 to 0-5 ahead at the end of an entertaining opening half.

The impressive Tom Shivers increased the Cargin lead with a point on the restart and Ronan McKillop had an attempt at goal deflected over for a point at the other end before Shaun O’Callaghan got forward for his second of the evening for the home side.

Ryan Stewart, Ciaran Campbell and Connell Lemonlook on as Conan Johnston’s shotends in the net

Jimmy Gribbin responded with a point for the Toome side and when Tom Shivers drilled a low shot to the corner of the All Saints net in 12th minute it looked a long way back for Liam Bradley’s young side.

They kept battling however and McNabb in the Cargin goals denied Michael McCarry and Ciaran Campbell with Michael McShane on hand to execute another goal line clearance.

Persistence finally paid off as Lemon found a way past John McNabb to bring the score to 1-11 to 3-9 in favour of the visitors but McCann’s successful conversion from the spot and those late goals from Conan Johnston and substitute Ronan Devlin saw the county champions safely home.

The final score of the game fell to All Saints raiding half back, Patrick Ferris with a point in the 31st minute but it is Cargin who continue to look the part and are the side that those with ambitions of silverware will have to beat while All Saints will continue to improve with games against opposition of this class.

John McNabb gets down to deny Michael McCarry

All Saints: 1 Ryan Stewart, 2 Rian Tom, 3 Michael Read, 4 Joe Rafferty, 5 Patrick Ferris, 6 Shaun O’Callaghan, 7 Cal O’Brien, 8 Peter McNicholl, 9 Emmet Killough, 10 Connell Lemon, 11 Michael McCarry, 12 Ronan mcKillop, 13 Ciaran Campbell, 14 Charlie Metrustry, 15 Eoin Walsh

Subs: Oliver O’Rawe for Rian Tom, Darragh Bradley for Michael Read, Benny McDonnell for Eoin Walsh

Cargin: 1 John McNabb, 2 Sean Og Quinn, 3 Kevin McShane, 4 James Laverty, 5 Justin Crozier, 6 Ronan Gribbin, 7 Jamie Gribbin, 8 John Carron, 9 Gerard McCann, 10 David Johnston, 11 Tom Shivers, 12 Conan Johnston, 13 Colm Gribbin, 14 Michael McCann, 15 Ben McLarnon

Subs: Ronan Devlin for Colm Gribbin, Charlie Mccann for Gerard mcCann, Enda McGrogan for Ben McLarnon, Jack Harney for Ronan Gribbin

Referee: Mark O’Neill (Armoy)

by thesaffrongael

Late O’ Neill point earns Ahoghill a share of the spoils

ACFL Division 1

St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-11 Tir na nOg Randalstown 0-11

Honours were shared at the end of a close hard fought division one league encounter in Clooney on Wednesday evening last as a late point by Danny O’ Neill in added time earned St. Mary’s Ahoghill a share of the spoils.

O’Neill was certainly a contender for the man of the match award as he ensured his side took something from a close fought encounter involving Ahoghill and their opponents, Tir na nOg, Randalstown.

A close encounter from start to finish was the pre-ordained script already forecast for the meeting of Ahoghill and their fellow South West rivals as they came together on a pleasant Wednesday evening in the division one football league.

The Whitehill men arrived as favourites on their visit to Clooney being well ahead of the St Mary’s men in the table. The visitors held a four point advantage over their hosts in the league and when they led by two with time almost up they looked set for victory.

Tir na nOg’s Ciaran McGrellis
Aaron McNeilly drive forward for Tir na nOg

The Clooney men showed their character in the dying minutes however and an

excellent Ronan Graham point in the 58th minute reduced the deficit to the minimum before centre forward Danny O’ Neill stepped up to add the equaliser, much to the delight of the home support.

Having struggled in recent outings, Chris McGlone’s St Mary’s Ahoghill sought a change of fortune as they lined out against an in form Tir na nOg on Wednesday evening.

A good start to proceeding looked essential for the home side and indeed such was delivered during the first quarter.

Ronan Graham, who was to figure prominently in the dramatic ending, opened account for the home side with an eye catching  point in the 5th minute and when a precise delivery by centre back Danny O’ Neill opened the door for an Eamon Brady follow up the home side were on top it seemed.

The Randalstown side were finding the posts an elusive target in the opening minutes and a pointed free by James O’ Connell ensured a 0-03 to 0-00 advantage for St. Mary’s at the end of the first quarter.

The visitors finally got off the mark in the 16th minute as full forward Darryl Feagan despatched a 30 metre free between the posts and by the 22nd minute they had nipped into the lead.

Cathair O’Kane who had a good game in the Ahoghill goals

Emmett Murray and the fleet footed Aaron Mc Neilly added points apiece to square the issue and when mid fielder Cormac Devlin added another from distance the visitors were ahead for the first time.

The home side responded and James Magee, and Fionnbar O’ Neill led the way from free kicks in the closing minutes to ensure the Clooney men had earned a slender 0-05 to 0-04 lead at half time.

The Ahoghill lead was short lived as their visitors were to dash away from the start traps at the start of the second half and early points by the towering Darryl Feagan and Christy Sheerin saw them regain their lead by the 38th minute.

Ahoghill responded with a point from Danny O’ Neill but the Randalstown side replied through Darryl Feagan and Aaron McNeilly to move 0-08 to 0-06 ahead as the game entered the final quarter

Ronan Graham added a point to the home side’s total with a precision based delivery in the 46th minute after Ahoghill net minder Cahir O’ Kane made a smart save to deny Ryan O’ Neill at the other end to leave it finally balanced at 0-08 to 0-07.

As the game moved into the last quarter the Whitehill men seized control and Ryan Crilly dashed forward to add a point to the visitors total before Christy Sheerin followed suit and the visitors had gone three points clear 0-10 to 0-07.

Tir na nOg looked on their way to victory but St. Mary’s replied with back to back points from James O’ Connell to reduce the deficit to the minimum but a superb delivery by Christy Sheerin suggested the points were Randalstown bound.

Ahoghill refused to concede however and a superb late Donal Graham point was quickly followed by another from the excellent Danny O’ Neill just on the long blast to earn his side a share of the spoils.

Ahoghill: Cahir O’ Kane, Harry 0’ Donnell, Barry Magee, Sean Mc Keever, Paddy Dougan, Fionntan O’ Neill, Diarmuid Graham, Tom Mc Glone, Neil O’ Connell, Eamon Brady (0-01), Danny O’Neill (0-02),Conor Crossey, Ronan Graham (0-04), James O’ Connell (0-04)

Subs

Colla Mc Donald

Tir na n Og: S P Mc Atamney, Ryan Crilly (0-01), Ciaran Mc Grellis, Brandon Mc Larnon, Paul Mc Cluskey, Ciaran O’ Neill, Ethan Higgins, Josh Higgins, Cormac Devlin (0-01), Eamon Murray (0-01), Eamon Og Mc Allister (0-01), Ryan O’ Neill, Aaron Mc Neilly (0-03), Darragh Feagan (0-03), Christy Sheerin (0-03)

Subs

Barry Mc Cormick

Referee: Ray Matthews (0’ Donavan Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Great win for St. Paul’s moves them up to third in the table

O’Neill’s Sportswear Antrim Football League Division Two

St Teresa’s 0-12 St Paul’s 3-15 

Pics by Martin Brunty

St. Teresa’s suffered their first defeat of the season when they lost to an impressive St. Paul’s at MhicDhomnaill/UiDhoctairtigh Park on Wednesday night.

The home side went into this encounter with a six game unbeaten run under their belts but had no answer to a slick moving St. Paul’s side who now climb to third place following this win.

The Hoops found the net three times over the hour that exemplified their attacking display as they kicked some excellent points throughout and had that cutting edge to find the goals.

Lorcan Phillips was in superb form with three points, while Caoimhin Duffy netted in each half and Ruairi Hamill got the third as they narrowed the gap on St Teresa’s who still command top spot despite this, their first loss of the campaign.

The visitors were on the front foot right from the throw in with Ruairi Hamill kicking them into the lead within 30 seconds but they had to thank their keeper Jonathan Rodgers who pulled of a point-blank save to deny Eoghan Hamill as St. Teresa’s tried to respond.

The Shaw’s Road side attacked again and doubled their lead when Conall Duffy kicked an excellent point and at this stage the majority of the traffic was towards the St. Teresa’s goal.

St Teresa’s finally opened their account after seven minutes through Mark Small following a slow build-up, before Darren McCann fired over the equaliser from the right.

Just when it looked like the home side were getting a foothold in the game St Paul’s produced a decisive response with the game’s opening goasl in the 9th minute.

Miceál Duffy collected the ball in midfield and he found Caoimhin Duffy whose initial effort was saved by Ciaran Murtagh, but Duffy was on hand to finish to the net from close range.

Lorcan Phillips then opened his account from a free, but St Teresa’s rallied with points from Niall McCann (free) and an excellent John Mallon effort to bring them back into contention.

Phillips was beginning to stamp his influence on the game and he kicked the next three points to move the visitors five ahead, but St Teresa’s would respond again and John Mallon and Eoghan Hamill replied from frees.

Caoimhin Duffy for St. Teresa’s and Mark Munce for the visitors exchanged points after Mallon kicked a free, but a Hamill 45 in added time left a goal between them at the end of a top-quality half with St Paul’s leading 1-8 to 0-8.

St Paul’s extended their lead at the start of the second half as Phillips kicked a free and then Caoimhin Duffy finished soccer style on the ground for their second goal to put the visitors seven ahead.

Conor O’Rawe replied with a point for the hosts, but the game was effectively wrapped up after 40 minutes as Phillps kicked another free, before turning provider for Ruairi Hamill to fire home.

The league leaders tried to respond and they would kick three of the next four points through Mallon and McCann and another from O’Rawe but it was not enough as Hamill replied with a superb point from out on the right.

The hosts were then reduced to 14 with McCann shown a second yellow, but both would finish with 14 as Caoimhin Duffy was shown red after an altercation between both sets of players.

That came after Ciaran Murtagh pulled off a superb save to deny Niall McStravick at the expense of a point while a late Phillips point brought his personal contribution to 0-8 for the evening.

St. Teresa’s: C Murtagh; E Connolly, P Johnston, A Dugan; C McGoldrick, S Carey, C Mallon; D McCann (0-1), C O’Rawe (0-2); E Hamill (0-2, 1f, 1 45), J Mallon (0-4, 3f), P McGoldrick; M Small (0-1), N McCann (0-2f), A Taylor

Subs: P Fagan for M Small (39), L Cassin for S Carey (42), R Mallon for A Dugan (47), F Duggan for P McGoldrick (55).

St. Paul’s: J Rodgers; A Kavanagh, G McGroarty, D O’Sullivan; M Duffy, J Farrell, N Ward; M Munce (0-1), S Mac Corraidh; R Hamill (1-2), P Magee, Caoimhin Duffy (2-1); N McStravick (0-2), L Phillips (0-8, 6f), Conall Duffy (0-1).

Subs: N McKenna for M Duffy (50), B Burns for R Hamill (50), C Finnegan for Conall Duffy (55), D Magee for N Ward (60).

Referee: Colin Thompson (St John’s) 

by thesaffrongael

Creggan take the points at Fr Maginn Park

Antrim Football League – Division 1

Glenravel 1-10   Creggan 0-16

Creggan continued their rich vein of form with a three point victory over Glenravel but they will feel they got away with it after the home side grazed the upright with a goal chance deep in added time that would have left honours even for both sides had it got in. The visitors made a great start to the game going five point ahead in the opening thirteen minutes. Glenravel actually won the remainder of the game from they but couldn’t close the gap enough to gain victory.  Dominic McAteer and Conor Small recorded fourteen of Creggan’s sixteen points giving a masterclass in finishing. 

Con Magees Eamon Ward slumps to his knees after his late goal attempt slipped narrowly wide

Creggan played with the slight breeze in the first half and used it to good advantage to go five clear with Dominic McAteer, Conor Small and Joe McAteer the providers. Eamon Fyfe and Small would trade points before Niall Hynds treated us to the game’s only goal when his persistence in front of goal paid off. Fyfe pointed again for the home side but Creggan finished the half stronger with three points all from placed balls off the boot of Conor Small so the sides retired on scoreline of 1-02 to 0-10 in favour of the visitors.

Creggan’s Conor Small in action against Glenravel’s Charlie Henry

Eamon Fyfe and Dominic McAteer were first to raise white flags in the second half maintaining the five point advantage for Creggan but then Glenravel closed the gap to two as Eamon Ward, Aiden O’Donnell and Sean McKay all scored from play. But back came Creggan with three in a row to once again lead by five entering the final quarter. Glenravel were beginning to gain the edge in possession at the stage and they tagged on four more points in exchange for Creggan’s two to leave a three point game. A goal would have levelled the game and that chance fell to Eamon Ward who had an excellent hour’s football but his shot grazed the wrong side of the post and drifted wide. 

This was an entertaining game of football with both sides fielding bereft of a lot of  regular players so I don’t think too many conclusions can be drawn on the evening in relation to the overall competitiveness of either team. 

by thesaffrongael

Can Ruairi McCann extend his recent record against Wexford?

Tailteann Cup Round 2

Wexford v Antrim

Chadwick’s Wexford Park-Saturday
4-00pm

Antrim travel to Wexford Park on
Saturday for the second game in this year’s Tailteann Cup hoping to build on
their opening round win over Tipperary at Corrigan Park on Sunday past.

Wexford lost their opening group game
away to Sligo and will be hoping to get their first win in the competition or
their Tailteann campaign will be as good as over.

Andy McEntee’s side will travel in
confidence and recent results against the ‘Treaty’ have been good.

Indeed the sides met at the same
venue in the same competition in 2023 and a double from Aghagallon’s Ruairi
McCann propelled the Saffron’s to a convincing win.

Significantly McCann returned to the
Antrim starting line-up on Sunday and showed why he has been so badly missed
during their league campaign and weighed in with another double.

Antrim keeper, Mick Byrne weighed in
with 0-4 (2 f’s-2 45’s) that day and Dominic McEnhill 0-8 (5f’s) and Marc
Jordan were all on the score-sheet at Chadwick’s Wexford Park.

The above scorers were all in action
against Tipperary on Sunday past and McCann’s Aghagallon colleague, Adam
Loughran returned to action as a second half substitute after a lengthy
lay-off.

Of the Antrim team who opened this year’s
Tailteann Cup with a good victory, 11 of them experienced action away to
Wexford last year so the Antrim lineout for Saturday should have a familiar
look about it.

A repeat of last year’s performance
would put Antrim in a strong position going into their final game against Sligo
at a destination yet to be decided and Ruair’s McCann for one is likely to come
in for some close attention.

The big full-forward also got two
goals when the same sides met in the NFL in Glenavy so Wexford will surely be
sick of the sight of him and hopefully that will still be the case when they
face Antrim on Saturday evening.

Tailteann Cup Round 2

Chadwicks Weford Park

Wexford 0-14 Antrim 2-15

Pics by Noel Reddy

Wexford must be sick of the sight of Antrim’s Ruairi McCann. If they’re not they should be as the big Aghagallon full-forward added two goals to his recent haul against the Leinster men.

In 2020 he hit two against today’s opponents in a NFL Division 4 game in Glenavy and in 2019 he rattled the net in Wexford Park in the same competition and he continued that impressive form today as Antrim came from behind to move top of the group and have qualified for the quarter-finals with one round remaining

Antrim centre forward Adam Loughran steps inside the challenge of Wexford’s Conor Carty during Saturday’s Tailteann Cup game at Chadwick’s Wexford Park. Pic by Noel Reddy

McCann struck with two second half goals within two minutes to inspire Antrim to an eventual comfortable seven point victory but it didn’t appear to be heading that way for much of the opening half.

Wexford had shown enough through the opening period, with some splendid flowing football, to suggest they were capable of backing up their draw with Fermanagh, but they were total eclipsed through the second period by a now dominant Antrim outfit, who restricted the home side to just three second half points.

Wexford had been the better of the two sides through the opening twenty minutes at the end of which they led by five points, 0-9 to 0-4, but it was Antrim who finished the half strongest with some well taken scores, giving them the confidence to go on and dominate the second period.

Liam Coleman and Paraic Hughes gave the home side the ideal start with two points inside the opening three minutes. They went on to add further points through Hughes, Mark Rossiter and Kevin O’Grady, while Antrim managed two points in between from Marc Jordan and Dominic McEnhill to remain in touch.

Antrim’s Cathal Hynds in action during the Tailteann Cup win over Wexford. Pic by Noel Reddy

Wexford then had a dominant spell with Michael Furlong, Rossiter and O’Grady adding further points and by the twentieth minute they had stretched into a 0-9 to 0-4 lead.

Antrim began to assert themselves at Mid-field with Conor Stewart dominating and finished the half with points from a Michael Byrne ‘45’ and a free from the Antrim keeper. Patrick Finnegan added another and two from McEnhill reduced the deficit to two at the half way stage.

The visitors carried that momentum into a second half which they dominated and they struck with the game’s opening goal in the 7th minute when Patrick Finnegan sent a searching delivery towards the Wexford goal which was fielded by full-forward Ruairi McCann who rifled a tremendous shot to the net from twelve metres.

Before Wexford had a chance to recover the Aghagallon man struck with a second as he got on the end of a delightful move to beat keeper Darragh Brooks with a well-placed shot to the corner of the net, giving his side a 2-9 to 0-11 lead.

Antrim shut up shop in defence after this and Wexford had to wait until the forty-seventh minute for their opening second half score, a Ben Brosnan point, but it was evident they faced a real struggle to haul themselves back into contention.

Odhran Eastwood in action against Wexford’s Kevin O’Grady. Pic by Noel Reddy

The pressure continued from the visitors and it was only excellent saves from keeper Brooks that denied them further goals, but in the end they have managed to put back to back victories together and have qualified for the quarter finals with one game remaining.

That game is against Fermanagh, who beat Leitrim in Carrick on Shannon and will be played at a neutral venue.

Wexford: D Brooks (1f, 1, 45), M Furlong, P Hughes, K O’Grady, B Brownan (1f), M Rossiter 0-2 each; L Coleman, M Rossitger 0-1 each.

Antrim: R McCann 2-0; D McEnhill (5f) 0-8; M Byrne (2f, 2, 45s) 0-4; P Finnegan 0-2; M Jordan 0-1.

Wexford: D Brooks, B Molloy, P Hughes, M Furlong; E Porer, G Malone, C Walsh; L Coleman, N Hughes; C Carty, E Nolan, K O’Grady; R Brooks, M Rossiter, B Brosnan. Subs: R Waters for P Hughes (inj. 11); J Tubritt for R Brooks (49), C Kinbsella for Brosnan (49), D Lyons for Walsh (54), S Nolan for Waters (61).

Antrim: M Byrne; R Boyle, P Healy, P McCormick; P McBride, J Finnegan, D McAleese; C Hynds, C Stewart; P Finnegan, A Loughran, R McCann; M Jordan, R McCann (St. Mary’s), D McEnhill. Subs: D Lynch for Healy (58), O Eastwood for Loughran (65), O Doherty for Finnegan (66), C Higgins for Jordan (69).

Referee: D Marnane (Cork)