by thesaffrongael

Glen Rovers Armoy secure top-half finish after pulsating win over St. Mary’s Rasharkin

ACHL Division 3

Glen Rovers Armoy 1-23 — 2-17 St. Mary’s Rasharkin

Glen Rovers Armoy secured their spot in the top half of the league table before the split after emerging victorious from a phenomenal, high-scoring ACHL Division 3 thriller against St. Mary’s Rasharkin. In a match defined by relentless attacking quality, tactical discipline, and a masterclass in long-range point-taking, Armoy’s late composure proved just enough to edge a resilient Rasharkin side by three points.

The battle lines were drawn from the first whistle as Armoy enjoyed a blistering start, racing into a four-point lead within the opening two minutes. Tommy Burns, Emmet O’Hara, Trevor Linton, and Liam O’Hara all raised white flags in a devastating opening salvo. Rasharkin refused to be rattled, slowly growing into the game. Points from James Higgins, Tiernan O’Boyle, and Donagh Quigg, followed by a well-taken effort from Conan McMullan, drew the side’s level at four points apiece after eight minutes.

The remainder of the opening period evolved into a high-octane, point-for-point shootout. Trevor Linton and Emmet O’Hara struck fine scores for Armoy, but they were matched instantly by Rasharkin’s John Kelly and Conan McMullan. Armoy’s Turlough McBride hit his first of the afternoon, only for Donagh Quigg to respond with a point from play and a beautifully struck free, pushing Rasharkin into a 0-09 to 0-07 lead. McBride and Emmet O’Hara continued to spearhead the Armoy resistance, trading scores with Quigg and Conor McKillop to leave Rasharkin leading 0-11 to 0-10 by the 26th minute.

Armoy then found another gear as Conor Christie and Marcas Christie clipped over consecutive points to edge their side ahead. Rasharkin answered immediately when Conan McMullan pointed, before Donagh Quigg produced a moment of magic, racing through the heart of the defence to bury a brilliant goal. McBride responded with an Armoy point, and though Quigg hit back with another score for Rasharkin, the final major say of the half belonged to Armoy. In the 32nd minute, Trevor Linton found space and rifled a crucial goal past the Rasharkin keeper, ensuring Armoy retreated to the dressing rooms with a razor-thin 1-13 to 1-12 advantage.

The second half began at the same frantic tempo. Donagh Quigg split the posts early to level it for Rasharkin, but Armoy hit back with a point from Marcas Christie and a superb long-range free from Turlough McBride. Jack Quinn responded with a fine point for Rasharkin, but a PJ McBride score kept Armoy ahead, 1-16 to 1-14. Quigg then landed a spectacular 70-meter free for Rasharkin, only for Armoy to reply through Ciaran McKenna and another McBride point, leaving it 1-18 to 1-15 after ten minutes of the restart.

Rasharkin struck a massive blow soon after when Conan McMullan found the back of the net to level the game at 1-18 to 2-15, setting up a grandstand finish. The teams traded heavy blows in the closing stages; Tommy Burns put Armoy ahead, but Quigg hit back with a free. Trevor Linton and Quigg swapped points once more before Armoy’s superior finishing began to tell.

In a frantic final few minutes, Emmet O’Hara and Trevor Linton fired over consecutive points from play to give Armoy a vital cushion. With the clock hitting the 29th minute, Turlough McBride showed nerves of steel to slot over a long-range free, putting the game out of reach and good an exceptional 1-23 to 2-17 win for the home side.

Glen Rovers Armoy:  1 Conor Waterson, 2 Colm Mort, 3 Liam Dillon, 4 Timmothy Burns, 5 Kieran McToal, 6 Conor Christie, 7 Ciaran McKenna, 8 PJ McBride, 9 Tarlach McBride, 10 Emmet O’Hara, 11 Ciaran Coyles, 12 Tommy Burns, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Liam O’Hara, 15  Marcas Christie,

St. Mary’s Rasharkin: Liam Tunney, Daniel Hasson, Conor Doherty, Aidan McKeever, Jason McGregor, Tiernan O’Boyle, Connaire Doherty, Aidan McKeever, James Higgins, Donagh Quigg, Conan McMullan, Jack Quinn, John Kelly, Thomas McMullan, Conor McKillop,

Subs: Conor McKeever

Referee: Paul McSparran (Cushendun)

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by thesaffrongael

St Louis Fall Just Short in McFarland Cup Thriller

Danske Bank MacFarland Cup Final:

St Mary’s Magherafelt 6-9 St Louis Ballymena 2-15

Despite a heroic display of skill and resilience, St Louis Ballymena narrowly missed out on MacFarland Cup glory in Portglenone yesterday, falling to a St Mary’s Magherafelt side whose ruthless eye for goal ultimately proved the difference.

In a cruel twist of irony for the Ballymena faithful, it was a fellow Antrim man who did the most damage. Kickhams Creggan clubman Conan Devlin was the tormentor-in-chief for the Derry school, netting four times to break St Louis’ hearts in a gripping 6-9 to 2-15 decider.

St Louis burst out of the traps, playing the better hurling in the opening exchanges. They capitalised on a hesitant St Mary’s start to build a deserved 0-4 to 0-1 lead, with the sharp-shooting Oscar Bradley floating over two excellent early points.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Devlin pounced for his first goal against the run of play. St Louis refused to rattle, and Cayden McGuckien quickly responded with a well-taken point to cut the deficit to 0-5 to 2-2.

Unfortunately for the Antrim lads, St Mary’s found a sudden purple patch. Daniel Turner rattled the Ballymena net, and Devlin followed up with his second in the 20th minute. True to their character, St Louis dug deep. Bradley, Conan McKeever, and Cillian Gillespie all raised white flags to claw their way back into the tie.

A second Turner goal threatened to derail the comeback, but Lorcán Doherty showed superb predatory instincts to strike a vital goal for Ballymena just before the break, keeping them firmly in the hunt at 4-4 to 1-10 at the turnaround.

St Louis were hit with an early setback in the second half when the clinical Devlin completed his hat-trick, stretching the Magherafelt lead to 5-5 to 1-10.

Yet, the defining feature of this St Louis team is their refusal to yield. They steadily chipped away at the deficit, dominating long stretches of play and putting the Convent defence under immense pressure. The breakthrough their hard work deserved came in the 52nd minute when Cayden McGuckien fired home a brilliant Ballymena goal.

With the scoreboard now reading 5-7 to 2-14, the gap was down to just two points. The momentum was entirely with Ballymena, and a famous comeback looked to be firmly on the cards.

In the dying minutes, however, St Mary’s managed to weather the storm. Crucial points from Michael Kearney and substitute Oisín McNicholl deservedly gave the Magherafelt side breathing room, before that man Devlin struck a fatal blow with his fourth goal mere minutes from the final whistle to seal the win.

Alexandra from Ulster Schools GAA presents the McFarland Cup to St Mary’s captain Daniel Turner after the Magherafelt team’s win over St Louis Ballymena at Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen

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St Mary’s Magherafelt celebrate their win over St Louis Ballymena in the final of the McFarland Cup in Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen
Alexandra Johnston from Ulster Schools GAA presents the McFarland Cup to St Mary’s captain Daniel Turner after his team’s win over St Louis Ballymena at Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen
by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks win Táin Og Division 1 title

Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-13 v Toreen, Mayo 1-02 at Breffni Park, Cavan

Loughgiel Shamrocks U14’s travelled to a blustery Breffni Park in Cavan to take on Connacht Champions Tooreen in the Division 1 Táin Og Final. With the wind in their favour in the first half, Loughgiel started at a blistering pace and in the opening minute got the first score of the game through half forward Iarla Gillan after good work from Caolan McGuckian. Not long after, Gillan got his second of the day and points followed from Danny McMullan and Brendan Murtagh, after good work from Tom Quinn, to give the Ulster Champions a 4 point lead. In their first meaningful attack, the Mayo side nearly hit the net but were thwarted by Olly McConville in goals making a great high catch under intense pressure and clearing his lines.

Loughgiel were unfortunate not to extend their lead when the Tooreen keeper made an excellent save to his left to stop a certain goal and Dáire Kearney struck the post after a great catch in a congested midfield. Full forward Caelan Patterson got off the mark with two quickfire points as Loughgiel asserted their dominance again. Tooreen began to settle and applied pressure but found a determined Loughgiel half backline of Kevin Gillan, Matthew Barr and Noah McAuley tough to break down. Tooreen did manage to get off the mark with a fine score midway through the first half. The first half ended with midfield duo of McMullan and Kearney getting a score apiece and a well struck 65 from Gillan to leave the half time score 0-7 to 0-1 to the Shamrocks in a wet Breffni Park pitch.

The second half began with Tooreen asking all the questions and belief that goals were needed but full back Oisin O’Connell was inspired at the back clearing everything that came at him, with Conor Irvine and Oisin McCaughan on hand to further frustrate the opposition attack. Into a strong breeze, it was Loughgiel’s Oisin Butler who was next to point and extend the lead, that was followed up by Patterson’s third of the game after a superb catch and ball forward by Barr. Kearney and McMullan combined again with the latter scoring from distance to move 9 clear. Tooreen weren’t giving up but again McConville pulled off a superb save from close range to maintain the Shamrocks advantage.

As the game reached the last five minutes, the Connacht Champions finally found the net with an unstoppable low shot past McConville and followed up with another score. As time ticked away, Kearney got his second of the day and Archie McGarry made a great run and drew a foul from which Gillan comfortably pointed to round off the scoring with his fourth of the game. As the final whistle went Loughgiel celebrated a comprehensive win 0-13 to 1-2.

by thesaffrongael

St Patrick’s PS Loughgiel complete a unique double

St Patrick’s Loughgiel won, the LGFA section of the Cumann na mBunscol county finals at St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena on Monday, despite the fact they never played the game until six weeks ago. Run off on a round-robin basis St Patrick’s beat runners up South Antrim Champions St Anne’s Belfast, and South West winners Ballymacrickett PS from Glenavy. In doing so they girls completed what might be a unique double, after winning the Camogie title three days earlier at the same venue. The Loughgiel teams also picked up the Player of the tournament award which went to Caelagh Connolly.

Henry Duffin presents the LGFA Cup to the St Patrick’s Loughgiel captain
Ballymacricket PS
Player of the tournament Caelagh Connolly receives her award from Henry Duffin
Runners-up St Anne’s PS, Belfast
by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks first half dominance set them up for victory

Countess of Antrim Cup Final

Final Score: Loughgiel Shamrocks 3-20 Cushendall Ruairí Óg 4-10

Venue: Cushendun

Shane O’Boyle who starred for the Shamrocks

Loughgiel Shamrocks put on a blistering display of attacking hurling to claim the Countess of Antrim Cup on Monday evening, defeating a resilient Cushendall Ruairí Óg side that ultimately left themselves with a mountain too tall to climb.

A Blistering First Half by the Shamrocks set their intentions from the very first whistle. Shane O’Boyle opened the scoring just 29 seconds in, quickly following it up with a second point before Roan McGarry rattled the net from a free at the two minute mark. Cushendall struggled to cope with the early onslaught, managing only a single point from Christy McNaughton by the 7th minute.

Loughgiel’s relentless pressure, highlighted by accurate shooting from McGarry and a well-taken point from Paddy Laverty, saw them open up a commanding 1-07 to 0-01 lead after just eleven minutes. This electric start effectively laid the foundation for their victory.

Cushendall eventually found their footing. Points from Charlie McAuley and Callagh Mooney, along with a much-needed goal from Joe McNaughton in the 19th minute, briefly stemmed the tide. However, Loughgiel’s attack was too fluid. Shane O’Boyle grabbed a goal of his own, and with players like Ryan Hill, Tiago McGarry, and Ronan Fitzgerald all adding points, Loughgiel entered the dressing room at half-time with a comfortable eleven-point cushion (2-14 to 1-06).

Cushendall corner forward Fintan McKillop who scored 2-02 of his team’s total

To their credit, the Ruairís came out fighting in the second half. Fintan McKillop sparked hope with an early goal, but Loughgiel quickly extinguished the momentum. Within minutes, Shane O’Boyle found the back of the net for his second goal of the game, reasserting Loughgiel’s dominance.

Cushendall undeniably fared better in the latter thirty minutes. McKillop managed to secure a second goal to keep his team in the fight, and Callagh Mooney added a fourth green flag for the Ruairís late in the game. Christy McNaughton also kept the scoreboard ticking over with consistent frees and ’65s. Despite winning the second-half goal battle, Cushendall simply couldn’t close the massive gap established in the opening quarter.

Loughgiel managed the game out expertly, with late points from Ronan Fitzgerald ensuring they crossed the finish line as deserved 3-20 to 4-10 winners.

The standout players of the evening wore the Loughgiel colours. Roan McGarry was the Man of the Match, dictating the play and punishing Cushendall with incredible accuracy from both placed balls and open play. Shane O’Boyle was equally devastating, providing a massive attacking threat with two crucial goals and early points that set the tone, while Ronan Fitzgerald also starred.

For Cushendall, Fintan McKillop, Callagh Mooney and Christy McNaughton carried the main threat. McNaughton’s reliability on dead balls and Mooney’s constant drive and late goal ensured the Ruairís fought proudly until the final whistle, even when the game was drifting out of reach.

North Antrim chairman Martin Magee presents the Man of the Match award to Roan McGarry of Loughgiel Shamrocks
Martin Magee presents the Countess of Antrim Cup to Loughgiel captain Eddie Smyh.

Loughgiel Shamrocks John Francis Connolly; Liam Glackin, Eddie Smyth, Ashdon McGarry; Tiago McGarry, Ben McGarry, Conall McCloskey; Ronan Fitzgerald, Patrick Laverty; Finn Henry, Shane O’Boyle, Pearce Patterson; Roan McGarry, Ryan Hill, Conan Johnston.

Scorers: Roan McGarry 1-08 (1-04 frees), Shane O’Boyle 2-03, Ronan Fitzgerald 0-04, Patrick Laverty 0-01, Ryan Hill 0-01, Tiago McGarry 0-01, Paddy McGarry 0-01, Damien Quinn 0-01.

Cushendall Ruairí Óg Shane Coulter; Senan Black, Aodhan Campbell; Stephen Walsh, Paddy Sharpe; Callagh Mooney, Charlie McAuley; Ed McQuillan, Joseph McNaughton, Darach Bradley; Ciaran Neeson, Christy McNaughton, Fintan McKillop.

Scorers: Fintan McKillop 2-02, Christy McNaughton 0-05 (0-02 frees, 0-02 ’65s), Callagh Mooney 1-01, Joseph McNaughton 1-00, Charlie McAuley 0-01, Ed McQuillan 0-01.

Roan McGarry who won the Man of the Match award

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