by thesaffrongael

Biddies hold on for two precious points

ACHL Division 3

St. Brigid’s 1-14 Glen Rovers 2-10

In a rematch of last year’s junior championship final, St. Brigid’s Cloughmills held on to win by the finest of margins against old rivals Glen Rovers in Armoy on Sunday to record their second win of the season.

Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, Odhran McCurdy opened the scoring for the Cloughmills men with a fine long range effort but Armoy replied with a well taken score from Emmet O’Hara to tie the game.

Cloughmills started to find their rhythm and with the strong wind in their favour they hit a purple patch, scoring 1.08 without reply, the major coming from James Doherty.

However Armoy recovered well, scoring 1.02 in quick succession, their goal coming from Emmet O’Hara to bring themselves back into contention. Cloughmills responded with two points from Callum McKendry to leave the score 1.11 to 1.03 in favour of Cloughmills at the interval.

After the restart and with the wind now in their favour Armoy immediately began to eat into the Cloughmills lead with scores from Turlough McBride and Trevor Linton to leave six between the sides.

The home side were then awarded a penalty after Colin Liordan was fouled inside the small rectangle but Emmet O’Hara’s well struck shot sailed over.

The visitors to the Glen were coming under more and more pressure but Eoin Dobbin relieved the pressure with a point at the other end.

Both teams were finding it difficult to get to grips with the worsening conditions as the rain poured down but Armoy continued to chip into the Biddies lead and only 4 points separated the sides with 5 minutes remaining. Glen Rovers continued to press and Kieran McToal got on the end of a ball across the square to send it to the Cloughmills net to leave it a 1 point game. Armoy pushed hard for an equaliser in the dying minutes but the Cloughmills defence held out to secure the win.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim book their place in the Ulster final

Ulster U16 Camogie Championship 

Down v Antrim at Liatroim Fontenoys

Antrim 8-14 Down 1-6

Antrim qualified for the 2024 Ulster U16 Camogie final with an impressive victory over Down in Leitrim on Sunday. The seeds of victory were sown in an explosive opening half from the girls in saffron and white. A long, early ball from Caoimhe McErlain caused confusion in the Down defence where Cliodhna Thompson was on hand to flick the ball to the net for an Antrim goal in the second minute. Amy McAlister and Marie Laverty soon followed with a point each to open up a five point gap. Antrim registered a second goal in the opening ten minutes when centre forward Eva McNeill soloed through and finished brilliantly to the back of the net. The Antrim forwards were moving well and there was no let up for the Mourne girls. Eimear McCaughan hit two points in quick succession and when McNeill plundered her second goal of the day the writing was on the wall. Down did get some respite when Catlain Faye struck a goal for the home side. But it was only temporary relief because straight from the puc-out Aiofe Fitzsimmons worked the ball upfield to Cliodhna Thompson who rounded her marker and crashed the ball to the down net. Thompson added two points either side of a free from Caitlin Faye for Down and credit to the home side they hit three frees in a row. However at the other end Antrim continued to score at will with points from Caoimhe McErlain, Amy McAlister, Marie Laverty and Eva McNeill they held a commanding advantage at half time 5-8 to 1-5. 

   In the second half Antrim emptied the bench with the maximum number of subs permitted getting game time. Eva McNeill got her third goal of the game after five minutes. Marie Laverty and Cliodhna Thompson hit a point a piece. Eimear McCaughan then hit two fine goals in a row and Louise McBride finished the scoring for Antrim with two pointed frees against a solitary point for Down in the second half from Aiofe Gilmour. Final score Antrim 8-14 Down 1-6.

Antrim team 1. Mya McKinley 2. Laura Scullion 3. Carly McNamee 4. Laoise Stone 5. Erin McMullan 6. Maeve McAlister (capt) 7. Erinmae Mitchell 8. Caoimhe McErlain (0-1) 9. Aiofe Fitzsimmons 10. Louise McBride (0-2) 11. Eva McNeill (3-1) 12. Marie Laverty (0-3) 13. Amy McAlister (1-2) 14. Eimear McCaughan (2-2) 15. Cliodhna Thompson (2-3).

Subs used: Cara Delaney, Amelie Annette, Cora Pierce, Anna Smyth, Eimear McCloskey, Brid O Kane, Brianna McCloskey, Cara Lynch.

by thesaffrongael

Goals make the difference as Glenariffe-Glenravel prevail

Antrim Minor Hurling Championship – Division 1

Glenariffe-Glenravel 4-16 Cushendall 1-15

Two goal in each half were the key scores as Glenaiffe-Glenravel beat neighbours Cushendall in the opening game if the Minor Hurling season at Waterfoot on Sunday.

The key scores came in the second quarter, the first from Cathair McNaughton on 18 minutes while the second one came just on the stroke of half time through top scorer Orrin O’Connor. Goal number three came midway through the second half, O’Connor striking again while Peadar McDonnell got the fourth in the final ten minutes. Thomas McLaughlin pulled on back near the end for Cushendall, but it was a case of too little-too late as the home side was home and dry by that stage.

Orrin O’Connor, Colla Ward and Calum McIlwaine got the first three points of the game for Glenariffe-Glenravel but Cushendall came back strong with five in a row through Callagh Mooney and two apiece from Thomas McLaughlin and Fionntan Bradly to move two ahead. Two from Peadar McDonnell brought the home side level before Orrin O’Connor grabbed the first goal of the game.

Thomas McLaughlin closed the gap to two but three from O’Connor and one from Peadar McDonnell saw some daylight appear between the sides. Two pointed frees by Fionntan Bradley cut the deficit down to four, but Orrin O’Connor’s goal left seven between them at the break.

Three from Orrin O’Connor frees at the star off the second half stretched the gap to nine but one from play by Callagh Mooney and three from frees by Bradley cut the gap back to five.

Cushendall were still in the hunt but Orrin O’Connor’s second goal closed the door for the Ruairi Ogs and when Peadar McDonnell got the home side’s fourth goal the destiny of the points was well and truly decided.

The next round of games are in two weeks’ time when Glenariffe-Glenravel travel to Ballycastle while Cushendall host Dunloy.

Rossa host Ard na Rí that same day while Loughgiel have a bye.

PICS BY MICKEY MORGAN

by thesaffrongael

Castle hold on to deny Loughgiel

Antrim Minor Hurling Championship – Division 1

Loughgiel 1-10 Ballycastle 2-8

Ballycastle withstood a late rally by Loughgiel to edge out their opponents by a single point in the opening game of the Antrim Minor Hurling League Division 1 at Fr Healy Park on Sunday.

In a game where both teams were guilty of a series of missed chances the Ballycastle boys apeeared to have it wrapped up when they five clear going into the final quarter, but they failed to score again despite a number of excellent chances and had to hold on grimly at the end to get the win.

A Cadhan Crawford goal early in the game gave the visitors the upper hand, but Dan O’Mullan hit back with one for the Shamrocks and just a point separated the sides at half time.

A smart save by Ballycastle goalkeeper Anthony Mullan denied Loughgiel’s Conan Johnston early early in the second half and Ballycastle took advantage as they hit four of the next five points two of them from Crawford and one each from Cathair Donnelly and Conor Connelly .

Liam Glackin and Ballycastle’s Conor Donnelly exchanged points entering the final quarter when Ballycastle struck a telling blow with a goal from Oisin Coyles, who was sent clear by Conor Donnelly. That score put the visitors five ahead, but they failed to score again, despite having a series of good chances and Loughgiel closed to within a point as Liam Smyth, Roan Mcgarry, Ronan Fitzgerald and Conan Johnston left just a point between the sides going into injury time.

The home side did have other chances but some great hooking and blocking by the Ballycastle defence held them at bay.

by thesaffrongael

Na Magha come back strongly to take the points

ACHL Division 3

Na Magha 5-9 All Saints 3-6

All Saints travelled to the Maiden City on Sunday to meet a Na Magha side making their first appearance in this year’s ACHL Division 3. The Ballymena side started well and with the elements in their favour led 2-4 to 1-2 at the break.

A good Na Magha came back strongly in the second half however, hitting four second half goals to take the points and look like a side who can hold their own in division 3 this season.

Aidan Rankin got Na Magha off to a good start with an early goal but the visitors came back strongly with goals from Liam Cassley and Damian Gillan and Gillan then pointed a free to move his side four ahead.

Na Magha were looking a little rusty in their first outing this year but a couple of points from Crossan gave them a foothold but it would be the Ballymena side who continued to edge the opening exchanges.

Jack Magill replied with an All Saints point and Damian Gillan added two before the break to leave ‘Dorney’s’ men 2-4 to 1-2 ahead at the break but with the elements to face in the second half.

The impressive Damian Gillan extended the visitors lead with a point on the restart but Na Magha came back strongly with a goal from McAdams and points from Foley and Doherty to close the gap to one.

A Jack Magill goal edged the Slemish Park side four in front once more but the Derry City men were growing into the game and would finish strongly.

The excellent Foley began the comeback with a point and the same player struck his side’s fourth goal with Gallagher adding two points to put Na Magha in control.

Damien Gillan replied with All Saints final point but it was Na Magha who finished strongly as Doherty grabbed their fifth goal.

A good win for a strong Na Magha side who played some excellent hurling and look capable of giving any side in division 3 a run for their money this year.

For All Saints the rebuilding job continues and their side on Sunday contained a handful of youngsters who will improve as the season goes on and that first win might not be too far away given their performances to date.

Na Magha:  A Grant  C O Donnell  D Shiels  A Campbell  C Durey  C McGoran  M McCloskey  T Rankin  R Mclaughlin  T Gallagher D Foley capt  K Doherty  A Rankin  R McAdams  R Crossan  B Quigley  C Murphy  A McSteen  C O Donovan  A Breslin  K Ponsonby  O ÓDonghaile