Ulster Council GAA

Ulster Senior Hurling Championship Final:
Antrim 3-20  Down 4-15

In the best Ulster Senior Hurling Final for years Antrim survived a stunning second half comeback by outsiders Down to clinch a thrilling game by two points on a scoreline of 3-20 to 4-15, at sunny Casement Park.

During the first half the game appeared to be following the expected pattern as goals from Shane McNaughton and Joey Scullion helped the Saffrons to a 2-10 to 0-9 half-time lead.

However the favourites were rocked back on their heels early in the second half as Down hit back in style with goals from Paul Braniff (2), Stephen Clarke and Andy Savage to take the lead for the first time.

Shane McNaughton scored a brilliant second goal to restore the Saffrons lead but Down were undaunted and regained the lead once again.

The Ards men led by a point and looked like they could end the Saffrons run as Ulster champions, but three late Antrim points from the Cushendall trio of Karl McKeegan, Neill McManus and Shane McNaughton saw them clinch their eight title on the trot.

Report:  antrim.gaa.ie

Related:

- Video: Goalfest at Casement as Antrim beat Down
- Video: Antrim Hurling Captain Neil McGarry says Antrim footballers can also become Ulster Champions
- Video: Antrim Chairman Dr John McSparran looks to build on a dream weekend for the county
- Photo Gallery: USHC Final – Antrim v Down

This entry was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 3:30 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster Senior Football Championship Final:
Antrim 0-13 Cavan 1-07

Antrim caused a sensation at Clones on Saturday evening when they beat Cavan by 0-13 to 1-7 to reach their first Ulster final since 1970.

Liam Bradley’s side played an energetic and attractive brand of football that left Cavan floundering in their wake at times to move into the provincial decider against the All-Ireland champions, Tyrone.

Antrim had heroes all over the pitch, but man of the match Terry O’Neill, giant half-forward Niall McKeever and the always-accurate Paddy Cunningham [pictured] played pivotal roles in a day of great celebration for the county.

McKeever’s dominance around the middle third ensured that Antrim led 0-7 to 0-3 shortly before the break. Seanie Johnston scored all of Cavan’s points to that point before the Breffni men, thanks to scores from Ray Cullivan and Martin Reilly, put in a late surge and trailed by the minimum at half-time.

However, Antrim powered out of the blocks after the break, and when Justin Crozier scored a fine individual point after 52 minutes, they led 0-12 to 0-6.

Cavan pulled a goal back in the 58th minute when Mountnugent clubman David Gibney got on the end of a Martin Reilly ’45 to bundle the ball home. Martin Reilly then added Cavan’s first point of the half two minutes later and Tommy Carr’s side looked to be on the verge of a superb comeback.

However, Antrim had the final say and Paddy Cunningham’s late free gave them the breathing space they needed at the death.

Related:

- Video: Final whistle scenes at Clones as Antrim reach their first Ulster Final since 1970
- Video: The story of the game – Antrim 0-13 Cavan 1-7
- Video: Antrim captain Paddy Cunningham praises their supporters
- Video: Antrim manager Liam Bradley after the defeat of Cavan
- Video: Antrim Hurling Captain Neil McGarry says Antrim footballers can also become Ulster Champions
- Video: Antrim Chairman Dr John McSparran looks to build on a dream weekend for the county
- Video: Saturday night could be the start of something big for Antrim and Cavan
- Video: Antrim goalkeeper Peter Graham has come from nowhere to face Stevie O’Neill & Co
- Video: Ciaran McKenna from St Mary’s, Aghagallon and Eoin Campbell from All Saints, Ballymena played for Antrim in Clones
- Photo Gallery: USFC – Antrim v Cavan

This entry was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 9:33 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster GAA Minor Hurling Championship Final:
Antrim 4-16  Derry 0-09

Antrim coasted to their seventh consecutive Ulster Minor Hurling title at Casement Park yesterday with a convincing victory over a disappointing Derry side.

A goal from right-half forward Stephen Beattie, after Derry ‘keeper Killian McDermott was stranded out of his goal, followed by a superb effort from from full-forward Conor McCann on 18 minutes left the young Saffrons 2-7 to 0-5 ahead at the half-time.

Antrim continued to dominate after the break and a goal from substitute Ciaran Clarke and a second from Conor McCann sealed the deal for the Saffron lads who had nineteen points to spare in the end.

SCORERS –
Antrim: C McCann 2-3, S Beattie 1-3, M Devlin 0-4, (2f, 0-1 pen), C Clarke 1-1 (1f), M Lismore 0-2, D McKinley, S Shannon, C Duffin 0-1 each.
Derry: C O’Kane 0-3 (2f), S Farren 0-2, P Kelly, O O’Doherty, M McGlade, D McCusker 0-1 each.

ANTRIM — M Donaghy; R McCloskey, M Donnelly, C McGuinness; C Morgan, C McClelland, J McLister; C Laverty, S Smyth; S Beattie, M Devlin, D McKinley; M Lismore, C McCann, S McAfee. Subs: S Shannon for Morgan (half-time), C Clarke for Mc-Afee (half-time), C Duffin for McKinley (55), D McPeake for McCloskey (58), R O’Neill for Lismore (59)

DERRY — K McDermott; C Convery, D O’Neill, C Conway; K McKaigue, B Herron, B Og McGilligan; C Gilmore, G O’Neill; S Farren, P Kelly, O O’Doherty; C O’Kane, E McKillion, M McGlade. Subs: D McCusker for Herron (37), A Armstrong for O’Neill (37), C Cassidy for Gilmore (42), C Farren for Kelly (59).

Referee — D Magee (Down).

Related:

- Video: Hurling captain Conor McClelland after victory in the Ulster Final
- Photo Gallery: UMHC Final – Antrim v Derry

This entry was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 9:10 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster Minor Football Championship Semi-Final:
Donegal 1-08 Down 1-10

Down secured a place in the Ulster GAA ESB MFC final for the first time since 2005 by beating Donegal 1-10 to 1-8 at Clones.

Down led early on but Donegal fought back with a goal by Dermot Molloy and trailed the Mournemen by just one point, 0-7 to 1-3, at the interval.

Ross McGarry’s second-half goal helped Down to a five-point lead and although Donegal pegged them back, Down ran out two-point victors.

Armagh and Monaghan will contest the second semi-final next Saturday.

Report:  bbc.co.uk/ni

Related:

- Video: The story of the first Ulster GAA ESB MFC Semi-Final
- Video: Ross McGarry and Ryan Doran reflect on the Ulster MFC defeat of Donegal and look forward to the Final
- Photo Gallery: UMFC – Donegal v Down

This entry was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster SFC Semi-Final:
Tyrone 0-15 Derry 0-07

A dogged effort from Tyrone saw them easily overcome Derry in Casement Park on Sunday.

Although Tyrone performed reasonably well on the day, their overall quality was well below their best but Derry simply didn’t perform and they never seriously threatened the All-Ireland champions.

Tyrone led from the early stages and never relinquished it, going in three points ahead at half-time after a patchy opening period.

It took a long time for a score to be registered in the second half but when Brian Dooher finally kicked one over, Tyrone kicked into a higher gear and powered to victory.

Derry’s Kevin McGuckin was given a straight red at the arc of Tyrone’s second half blooming and it was a blow that essentially signalled the end of the game as things turned pedestrian thereafter.

The first half was far from a dynamic affair but Tyrone’s fast-paced attacks just did enough to shade the opening period.

Derry got onto the scoreboard first, Barry McGoldrick kicking over an early free.

However, Tommy McGuigan hit three points without reply for Tyrone as they began to establish themselves. One of the three came from play, a fine technical effort from distance.

Derry were struggling to create chances from play and Tyrone were beginning to blossom, an astute Martin Penrose brace making it six points to two in favour of Mickey Harte’s men.

Derry were hanging in there though and an Eoin Bradley free, followed by a blockbuster effort from substitute Seamus Bradley from play, put two between them.

Seamus’ score was a masterful effort, a high effort from way out brushing the clouds and flying straight between the posts.

However, Tyrone finished the half the stronger as they hit two fine late points.

Stephen O’Neill hit the first, a classy effort which he won in the corner before turning Sean Marty Lockhart and racing in and fisting over the bar.

Eoin Bradley hit a sweet response from 30 yards but then Tyrone midfielder Kevin Hughes thumped over an accomplished score to leave the Red Hands a goal ahead at the break.

If the quality of the first half had not been of the superior variety, the opening fifteen minutes was a few notches further below.

It took until the 50th minute for the half’s first score to be registered, a typically abrasive effort from captain Dooher, who came on as a substitute at half-time.

From there, things improved significantly and Tyrone’s increasing fluidity of movement in attack reaped rewards on the scoreboard.

Eoin Bradley and Davy Harte traded scores but then two quick points from Tyrone, first a free from Penrose and then a magical individual effort from Sean Cavanagh had them at double scores, 0-12 to 0-6.

As Cavanagh ran out after scoring, there was a skirmish amongst the players and Derry’s Kevin McGuckin was given a straight red.

Tyrone were unflustered by the melee and Hughes went straight up the field and extended the lead was a point, with substitute Sean O’Neill quickly adding another.

Eoin Bradley kicked one for Derry before the end but substitute Brian McGuigan had the last part to play, clipping over a neat effort to cap a seal on an easy victory.

Related:

- Video: John Devine says sound defence was the key for Tyrone against Derry
- Video: Tyrone beat Derry in front of a great crowd at Casement Park
- Video: Tony Donnelly is the man behind Mickey Harte
- Video: Tony Donnelly says Tyrone are on course for their next target : back-to-back All Irelands
- Photo Gallery: USFC – Derry v Tyrone

This entry was posted on Monday, June 22nd, 2009 at 8:58 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Nearly 50 years after their historic first Sam Maguire success, the heroes of Down’s 1960 All Ireland winning team and management have been reliving the glory days in the Cardinal O Fiaich Library and Archive in Armagh.

James McCartan, Paddy Doherty, Sean O’Neill, Maurice Hayes and Barney Carr were among a large crowd attending the special night of nostalgia on Monday, June 15.

They were treated to a series of extended cinema newsreel and television footage of major Down games between 1959 and 1968. Some of the excerpts have not been shown on television in the subsequent five decades. The highlights included the 1959 All Ireland Semi-final against Galway, the three All Ireland winning Finals, and the 1961 Wembley Tournament Final with Kerry.

In a series of interviews specially for the Ulster GAA website, the Down stars rolled back the years with stories and anecdotes.

Barney Carr explains how he came to be the first Down manager and he has strong opinions about modern football. “Teams hold onto the ball for five minutes, they’re too afraid to lose. Our Down team lived on the edge”. 

Sean O’Neill told the captive audience at the event how he had come onto the team in the late ’50s as it’s youngest member.

“I was fortunate because I got on the end of a rocket that took off”, says Sean, who went on to win three All Ireland medals and was named on the GAA Team of the Century.

O’Neill paid tribute to the ‘tremendous back-up’ in the Down set-up and in particular the role of Maurice Hayes in bringing the Sam Maguire cup over the border for the first time. “We were streets ahead of any other county in Ireland”. 

Hayes regaled the crowd with tales of yesteryear and he listed the merits of Down’s three All Ireland winning captains from 1960,1961 and 1968 – Kevin Mussen, Paddy Doherty and Joe Lennon. The master organiser compares Doherty with hurling great Christy Ring. “Paddy was an instinctive, natural footballer, a bit like Ring in hurling”.

Doherty himself thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and reminded everyone that Down won all of their All Irelands in ’60s through the ‘Front Door’, unlike the current Tyrone team!

Like the others, James McCartan preferred football in the ’60s. “It was more honest back then. I enjoyed the physical challenges, it was all part of the game”. McCartan talks about fatherly pride in Sam Maguire victories by Down in 1960s and the 1990s, and he offers reasons for the esteem with which the Down teams are held throughout the land.

The occasion marked the opening of the second phase of the O Fiaich Library’s Ulster GAA 125 Years history exhibition, from the 1960 to the present day. The exhibition contains many items relating to the Down teams of the ’60s, including photographs, newspaper reports, awards and playing gear.

It is hoped that anyone with other footage from the era will come forward with it and contribute to the production of a 50th anniversary documentary DVD in 2010.

Related:

- Video: Maurice Hayes praises Down’s All Ireland winning captains from the ’60s – Kevin Mussen, Paddy Doherty and Joe Lennon
- Video: The mastermind behind Down’s historic successes isn’t a fan of modern day Gaelic Football
- Video: Triple All Ireland winner Sean O’Neill pays tribute to Down’s management set-up
- Video: Barney Carr – Down’s first Gaelic Football Manager
- Video: Down’s 1961 All Ireland winning captain Paddy Doherty
- Video: Down legend James McCartan talks about the glory days

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at 12:59 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

- Sunday 21st June -
Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Derry v Tyrone, Throw In 2.00pm at Casement Park, Belfast

Ulster Minor Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Derry v Down / Fermanagh, Throw In 12.15pm at Casement Park, Belfast

Please note this is Not an All-Ticket match.
The Stand is TICKETED, all other areas on sale on match day.

UNDER 16’s will get FREE ENTRY to Terrace Areas.

Stand: €25/£20 Terrace: €15/£13
OAP Stand: €15/£13 OAP Terrace: €10/£8

Tickets are on sale through County Board Offices in
Derry (028) 7774 2990 and Tyrone (028) 8225 7573

Travel & Parking

• Supporters are asked to allow extra time for their journey. It is recommended that they should arrive at the venue no later than 1.15pm.
• Patrons are advised to lock their cars and not leave valuables in sight.
• Patrons should respect the residents in the area in respect of parking and litter.

Event Information

• Gates will be open from 11.00am
• Patrons are asked to co-operate with stewards at all times and to adhere to the ground regulations, which will be printed in the match programme.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 9:00 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster SFC Quarter-final:
Donegal 0-12 Antrim 1-10

Antrim pulled off a major shock in Ballybofey by clinging on for victory against a wasteful Donegal in the Ulster Championship on Sunday.

The Saffrons now progress to a semi-final clash with Cavan in Clones.

The game was extremely tight throughout but Antrim led for almost the entire first half, John Joe Doherty’s Donegal only sneaking into a 0-6 to 0-5 lead on the stroke of the half-time whistle.

Donegal’s shooting was awful and it didn’t improve after half-time, with a plucky Antrim pegging them back.

Antrim then moved in front thanks to Tomas McCann’s superb goal. The attacker raced forward and had his initial shot saved before rippling the net to send his side four clear.

Donegal got within one just before the end but Antrim substitute Kevin O’Boyle struck a superb point from the right wing which gave the unfancied visitors a landmark win.

Antrim began the game brightly and were 0-3 to 0-2 up within 15 minutes, Paddy Cunningham knocking over an early brace.

Donegal’s young attacker Michael Murphy was in superb form in the first half and his accurate shooting from frees and abrasive attacking style kept his side close to Antrim. However, Donegal’s wide count was already worryingly high as they dominated midfield but failed to register much on the board.

Nonetheless, Murphy’s brilliantly executed placed ball just before the break sent them in a point ahead.

Donegal looked to have finally found their rhythm after the break and went two ahead with Ciaran Bonner’s point but Antrim kept battling, helped especially by the sturdy qualities of the McCann brothers, Tomas and Michael.

Indeed, it was Tomas who put Antrim back in the lead at 0-9 to 0-8 when he took Michael’s pass to slot over.

That was a decisive moment as suddenly, Antrim began to stifle Donegal at midfield and win more possession. McCann had a glorious chance for a goal which was brilliantly blocked by Donegal defender Michael McGuire, but seconds later the corner-forward got his reward.

He raced clear down the left wing before cutting in and firing at Paul Durkin who saved, only to see the ball rebound to McCann who finished well.

Two quick Colm McFadden frees reduced the gap to two and after plenty more wides, Donegal cut the gap to one with Christy Toye’s elegant, cool point.

However, Antrim found the character to see off the late charge from the struggling favourites and O’Boyle’s magnificent score gave them a crucial two-point buffer, which Rory Kavanagh’s last-gasp point couldn’t extinguish.

Scorers for Antrim: M McCann 0-1 (0-1f), A Gallagher 0-1, K Brady 0-1, P Cunningham 0-4 (0-3f), T McCann 1-2 (0-1 ’45), K O’Boyle 0-1.

Scorers for Donegal: C Bonner 0-1, R Kavanagh 0-2, C McFadden 0-2 (0-2f), M Murphy 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 ’45), C Toye 0-1.

Donegal: P Durcan, E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey, B Dunnion, K Cassidy, M McGuire, N Gallagher, B Boyle, C Bonner, M Hegarty, R Kavanagh, C McFadden, M Murphy, C Dunne.

Subs: C Toye for Dunnion (HT), B Roper for Hegarty ‘50, D Walsh for Dunne ‘52, F McGlynn for Boyle ‘59.

Antrim: S McGreevy,C Brady, A McLean, D McCann, T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey, M McCann, A Gallagher,T O’Neill, K Brady, N McKeever, P Cunningham, S Burke, T McCann.

Subs: K O’Boyle for D McCann ‘49, K Niblock for Burke ’50, C Close for Brady ‘54, B Hasson for McKeever ‘63.

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).

Related:

- Video: Antrim’s win was no surprise to Liam Bradley
- Video: Paddy Cunningham captains Antrim to a famous victory
- Video: Goalscorer Tomas McCann and midfielder Aodhan Gallagher after victory in Donegal
- Video: Sean McGreevy had a bitter-sweet day in Ballybofey
- Video: Peter Graham came off the bench and made history
- Photo Gallery: USFC – Donegal v Antrim

This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 8:59 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster SHC Semi-Final:
Down 2-17 Derry 1-15

Down overcame the sending-off of Simon Wilson late in the first half to beat Derry 2-17 to 1-15 in Sunday’s Ulster SHC semi-final at Casement Park.

A James Coyle goal helped Down to a 1-10 to 0-8 lead at half-time but the Mournemen lost Gabriel Clarke who was carried off with a compound fracture.

Wilson was then dismissed for a second yellow card offence before the break.

Gareth Johnson scored Down’s second goal and Ruairi Convery netted Derry’s goal but Down prevailed to win.

Coyle scored the opening goal of the game in the 10th minute and Down’s second goal helped Derry into a five-point lead.

Paul Braniff was in prolific form for Down, accumulating six points and, although Derry twice got to within two points of their opponents, the men from Mourne were always in control.

Derry: D McDermott, R McCloskey, S McCullagh, S McNicholl, P O’Kane, S Henry, M Craig, K Hinphey, O McCloskey, B Dodds, D Leahy, S Dodds, E McGuckin, P McCloskey, R Convery.

Down: Graham Clarke, F Conway, S Murray, S Ennis, Gabriel Clarke, R McGrattan, M Ennis, A Savage, C Woods, S Wilson, P Braniff, K Courtney, J Coyle, G Johnson, E Clarke.

Report: bbc.co.uk/ni

Related:

- Video: Down’s Jim McKernan and Martin Coulter after the defeat of Derry
- Photo Gallery: USHC – Derry v Down

This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 8:58 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster Minor Football Championship Quarter-Final:
Donegal 0-14 Antrim 0-11

Donegal minors defeated Antrim 0-14 to 0-11 at Ballybofey on Sunday.

Donegal raced into a six-point lead early on, with Michael McEniff scoring three points, but Antrim responded to trail 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time.

The Saffrons got to within a point at 0-11 to 0-10 but Dermot Molloy scored his fifth point of the game to help Donegal take a three-point advantage.

James Lafferty scored a late point but 10 wides proved too costly for Antrim as Donegal secured a three-point win.

Donegal now face Down at the last four stage.

Report: bbc.co.uk/ni

Related:

- Video: Manager Martin Regan and captain Peter Devine after defeating Antrim
- Photo Gallery: UMFC – Donegal v Antrim

This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 8:57 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

- Sunday 14th June -
Ulster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Donegal v Antrim, Throw In 3.30pm at Mac Cumhaill Park Ballybofey

Ulster Minor Football Championship Quarter-Final
Donegal v Antrim, Throw In 1.45pm at Mac Cumhaill Park Ballybofey

Please note this is Not an All-Ticket match.
The Stand is TICKETED, all other areas on sale on match day.

UNDER 16’s will get FREE ENTRY to Terrace Areas.

Stand: €25/£20 Terrace: €15/£13
OAP Stand: €15/£13 OAP Terrace: €10/£8

Tickets are on sale through County Board Offices in
Donegal (086) 2949 381 / (074) 9738 410 and Antrim (028) 9060 5868

And online at www.ticketmaster.ie

Travel & Parking

• Supporters are asked to allow extra time for their journey. It is recommended that they should arrive at the venue no later than 2.45pm.
• Patrons are advised to lock their cars and not leave valuables in sight.
• Patrons should respect the residents in the area in respect of parking and litter.

Event Information

• Gates will be open from 12.30pm
• Patrons are asked to co-operate with stewards at all times and to adhere to the ground regulations, which will be printed in the match programme.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster Camogie hosted the 2009 Provincial Championship Finals launch on Friday evening at the finals venue at Pairc Esler Newry.

Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Colman Burns was present to help launch the Ulster Finals.

Mayor Burns said: “The Ulster Council should be commended for their dedication to making the Ulster Final a festival of camogie which could be enjoyed by all the family.
“The hard-work that has gone in by all those involved should be commended, this will be the best final Ulster Camogie has witnessed. The teams, players and officials are lucky to be taking part in such a momentous occasion.”

Catherine O’Hara Chairperson of Ulster Camogie said: “The GAA has to be congratulated for giving us the opportunity to create what we hope will be the finest Ulster Final. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that we have a pitch and date which we can build around. Danny Murphy and Tom Daly have to be thanked for giving us this unique opportunity, we hope with their continued support and help to make the Ulster Final an annual event which will be placed in every GAA calendar.
“It’s now up to us, as an association, in a Province with a unique history to get behind our own sport and be visibly seen supporting the game we are so proud to be part of. It’s about respecting ourselves first.
On behalf of the Council I would like to wish all the finalists and officials the best of luck. Pairc Esler on 4th July is where we should all be.
Two fabulous finals and the buzz that goes hand in hand with finals day is one not to be missed.”

Also present at the Launch was Ulster Secretary Danny Murphy . The Provincial GAA Director spoke of the need to support Camogie. Danny Murphy stated that the time has come for Camogie to receive the respect and recognition it deserved saying: “For some time now the Camogie Association has been saying that it should get more respect. I’m a big believer that respect is not given but earned and you only have to look at what Ulster Camogie is trying to achieve with this Final to know that they are worthy of our respect.”

The Ulster Finals will take place on the 4th July, with Tyrone facing Monaghan in the Junior Final, whilst neighbours Derry and Antrim will battle it out for the Senior title.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster SFC Quarter-Final:
Cavan 0-13 Fermanagh 1-9

A gutsy performance from Cavan saw them beat a surprisingly out of sorts Fermanagh team in damp conditions in Breffni Park on Saturday evening.

Tommy Carr’s men led for more or less the whole game, and although the match was of moderate quality, the home side deserved their win if only for Fermanagh’s lack of acoring ability.

Sean Johnston was easily Cavan’s best player, knocking over five points in a fine display, and crucially securing the home team’s last score with a cool effort which settled their nerves just as Fermanagh seemed on the brink of clawing their way back.

Cavan looked lively right from the off, and Sean Brady raced up the field and pointed right from the throw-in, only for it to be ruled out for over-carrying.

However, Cavan managed to get the first score of the game seconds later when Ray Cullivan did well to play in Johnston, who skillfully clipped the ball over with his left foot from an acute angle. The Cavan Gaels man added a free soon after to give the home side an early advantage.

Fermanagh were struggling, and their tactics were assisting Cavan as they persisted with playing centre-half-forward Ciaran McIlroy in defence. However, some quick thinking by Daryl Keenan from a free allowed corner-forward Eamon Maguire to fist the ball over the onrushing James Reilly and into the net to edge the Erne Men in front.

Malachy O’Rourke’s men weren’t clicking though and a superb 45′ from Cavan attacker Martin Reilly levelled things up. The former Burnley defender showed his exquisite technique as he powered the placed ball over.

Cavan’s scrappiness, coupled with Fermanagh’s tactics, meant there was very little open play. However, Cavan were at least trying to attack in numbers and Cian Mackey’s controlled effort pushed them back in front.

However, every time Cavan threatened to move away, Fermanagh countered and a fine score from Mark Little brought things level.

Sean Brady and Ryan Carson then exchanged good points, before another Johnston free pushed Cavan back in front.

Both sides then carved out a few clear-cut goal chances.

Johnston fisted against the post when he should have squared the ball and then Mackey saw his goalbound shot blocked. Seconds later, Maguire almost grabbed his second goal with another fisted effort.

With time running out on a disappointing half, Reilly showed his superb freetaking skills again with a controlled clip to put Cavan two clear, but just before things were blown up, Ryan McCluskey curled one over the bar, using the wind perfectly.

Fermanagh had an increased brightness after half-time but their freetaking curse remained, Daryl Keenan kicking an easy chance at levelling inexplicably wide, with Carson then placing an easy free into James Reilly’s hands .

Johnston punished Fermanagh for their slackness with a superb point of the highest class, weaving and dipping fluently in the corner, brushing off defenders before thumping confidently between the posts.

And then the accomplished Martin Reilly further punished Fermanagh’s lack of ruthlessness by putting over two pristine placed balls to put Cavan four points ahead.

The visitors seemed to be running out of ideas but Carson reacted well after some carnage around the Cavan goal to fire over to reduce the gap to a goal.

Cavan then structured a score which epitomised their strengths and showed exactly what Fermanagh were failing so to do. The brilliant Mackey broke from the half-back line and set up an attack which ended with the Castlerahan man running 70 yards to retake possession and slot over.

Fermanagh’s lack of a freetaker highlighted itself again on 58 minutes when the latest to step up, Maguire, pushed it wide from 30 yards. They finally converted seconds later when Mark Little put one over and then Carson tapped one from the 13m line to reduce the gap to just two.

Cavan had been relinquishing a lot of possession and an edginess seemed to be entering the young team’s game as the finish line loomed. Fermanagh, for all their weaknesses, fed off it and despite another free that was left short by Little, substitute Barry Owens managed to get a fist to it and put the minimum in it.

But at the testy moment, class told in the form of Johnston. He picked up possession in the left corner and placed a superb ball over the bar to ease Cavan fears.

Little added a free just before the final whistle, but it was far too late for a Fermanagh team who simply hadn’t turned up.

Scorers for Cavan: S Johnston 0-5 (2f), M Reilly 0-4 (3f, 1 45′) C Mackey 0-2, S Brady 0-2

Scorers for Fermanagh: E Maguire 1-0, M Little 0-3 (2f), R Carson 0-3 (1f), R Keenan 0-1 (1f) R McCluskey 0-1, B Owens 0-1.

Cavan: J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides; J McCutcheon, E Keating, P O’Reilly; N Walsh, C Galligan; S Brady, R Flanagan, C Mackey; S Johnston, R Cullivan, M Reilly.

Substitutes: Rory Dunne, David Gibney, Larry Reilly.

Fermanagh: C Breen; N Bogue, S Lyons, H Brady, R McCluskey, S McDermott, T McElroy, M McGrath, J Sherry, R Keenan, C McElroy, M Little, D Keenan, R Carson, E Maguire.

Substitutes: Peter Sherry, Mark Murphy, Barry Owens.

Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)

Related:

- Video: Tommy Carr wins his first game with Cavan in the Ulster SFC
- Video: Malachy O’Rourke after defeat in Breffni
- Video: Martin Reilly proved a point to Cavan fans
- Video: Ray Cullivan on Cavan’s semi-final chances
- Photo Gallery: Cavan v Fermanagh USFC

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 10:18 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The venues for the Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi Finals were decided at tonight’s Comhairle Uladh CCC meeting.

In the first semi-final on Sunday 21st June, Tyrone and Derry will meet at Casement Park, with throw-in being at 2.00pm.

In the second semi-final on Saturday 27th June, Donegal / Antrim will face Cavan / Fermanagh at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones with a throw-in time of 7.00pm.

The Ulster Minor and Senior Football Championship Finals will take place at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones on Sunday 19th July.

The Ulster Minor and Senior Hurling Championship Finals will take place at Casement Park on Sunday 28th June.

Related:

- Video: Ulster President Tom Daly explains the choice of grounds

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

- Saturday 6th June -

Ulster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Cavan v Fermanagh, Throw In 5.30pm at Kingspan Breffni Park Cavan

Ulster Ladies Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Armagh v Tyrone, Throw In 3.45pm at Kingspan Breffni Park Cavan

Please note this is Not an All-Ticket match
Covered Stand is TICKETED, all other areas on sale on match day

UNDER 16’s will get FREE ENTRY to Open Seating and Terrace Areas

Stand: €25/£20 Terrace: €15/£13
OAP Stand: €15/£13 OAP Terrace: €10/£8

Travel & Parking

• Supporters are asked to allow extra time for their journey. It is recommended that they should arrive at the venue no later than 4.45pm.
• Conventional Car Parks in the town centre will be available for use.
• Patrons are advised to lock their cars and not leave valuables in sight.
• Patrons should respect the residents in the area in respect of parking and litter.

Event Information

• Gates will be open from 2.30pm
• Patrons are asked to co-operate with stewards at all times and to adhere to the ground regulations, which will be printed in the match programme.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.