Armagh Club football & hurling

[el_cuervo_fc]

Crazy odds for St Pats

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

St Patrick's 0-11 Whitecross 0-10

After months of preparation, the Senior side finally got down to the serious business of the Armagh championship this week. Their opening fixture was subject to an unusual scheduling decision with Cullyhanna and Whitecross having to wait until Monday evening under lights at the Athletic Grounds to get their campaigns underway. Despite the unusual surroundings, it was St Pat's who settled the better as Eugene Casey opened the scoring with a 4th minute pointed free. Enjoying the early midfield advantage, St Patrick's seized control of the game however a couple of wides meant that eight minutes had elapsed before Robbie Tasker secured his side's second point after profiting from a great burst and pass from Liam O'Hare. A long range Whitecross point halved the lead before Liam O'Hare exhibited his pace again to leave his marker with no option other than to haul him down for a free which was pointed by Kyle McEvoy.

Cullyhanna's early dominance was not to continue however as Whitecross responded in style, managing three quality points in a row to put themselves into the lead. Parity was restored when Liam O'Hare combined with Pearse Casey, the latter sending an excellent shot over the crossbar from 35m. Another pointed Kyle McEvoy free edged the Pat's back into the lead on 22 minutes however only a wonderfully timed interception from Stephen Reel prevented a Whitecross goal. On 24 minutes, a Whitecross attack was nullified in impressive fashion by Peter McKeever but a point from the resultant 45 levelled matters again. Another fine effort from long range secured Whitecross the half-time lead as St Pat's suffered from their insistence on an overly elaborate style of attacking play. As the whistle blew for half-time Whitecross led by 0-6 to 0-5. The score at the break was a reasonably fair reflection on the first half hour's play. St Patrick's may have had slightly more of the ball however Whitecross made better use of their possession and were more clinical in front of goal.

Whatever manager Christopher Murray said to his Cullyhanna charges at half-time appeared to work as St Pat's emerged after the break a much more impressive outfit. Eugene Casey again grabbed the opening score of the half after only a minute's play while Kyle McEvoy followed this almost immediately with a 45 which the goalkeeper had to punch over the bar. After only three minutes, the half-time deficit had been turned into a two point lead when Niall McShane marauded forward from defence to land a magnificent score from distance. A downpour of rain then ensued which made conditions very difficult however St Patrick's were entirely dominant throughout the third quarter and had better decisions been made in front of goal, a match winning advantage could have been opened. Robbie Tasker was next on the scoresheet as he collected the ball near the corner. The tight angle was no deterrent as Tasker floated over a superb score to increase the lead to three. More wides were to follow as Cullyhanna failed to put the match to bed and with thirteen minutes remaining a debatable free earned Whitecross a point. The lead was only the minimum with 9 minutes remaining when a flowing Whitecross movement resulted in a point. The result was now firmly in the balance and a sense of anxiety swept across the Cullyhanna support. Their nerves were settled somewhat after 23 minutes when Liam O'Hare won possession in front of goal and despite pressure from his markers worked the ball out to Gary McCooey who pointed. With four minutes of normal time remaining, great vision from Robbie Tasker gave Barry McConville an opportunity in front of goal and when his high kick went between the posts, St Pat's looked to have the match well in hand. However despite the introduction of Ciaran McKeever, Whitecross were in no mood for lying down and a well taken point narrowed the deficit again. A minute into injury time, a well worked short free allowed Whitecross another score and with only a point between the sides, St Pat's were in dangerous territory. The opportunity to force a replay did arrive for Whitecross however the shot was mishit and as full back Stephen Reel emerged in style from defence with the ball, the full time whistle sounded to signal Cullyhanna's safe passage to the quarter finals.

While St Pat's just about merited their victory, the manner of their performance was far from impressive at stages and indeed with a touch more fortune Whitecross could have grabbed a draw or better. Certainly there can be little doubt that without an improved performance, Cullyhanna's championship run is unlikely to be long extended. There were some positives to take from Monday night's match with some good individual displays which will give the players in question confidence as the season reaches its crucial stages. Peter McKeever managed a sterling performance at corner-back while Pearse Casey also produced a superb hour's effort, particularly in light of the fact that this was his championship debut. Liam O'Hare was probably the man-of-the-match as he presented the Whitecross defence with a constant threat thanks to his speed in possession and tireless effort. Next up for St Pat's in the championship is a quarter-final against 2009 champions Pearse Ógs who will no doubt enter the match as strong favourites given their impressive opening victory over perennial challengers Dromintee. The match is to take place in the Athletic Grounds at 8pm on Saturday 3rd September.

Starting XV: C O'Neill; P McKeever, S Reel, M Murray; E McArdle, P McCreesh, N McShane (0-1); M Mackin (0-1), B McConville; R Tasker (0-2), E Casey (0-2), L O'Hare; G McCooey, K McEvoy (0-3), P Casey (0-1). Subs Used: S McKeever, C McKeever

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Junior Championship: St Patrick's II 0-14 Dromintee II 1-6

The Seconds team's magnificent season continued with a superb victory over Dromintee on Saturday evening. Given the sides respective League positions, Cullyhanna entered the game as favourites however in the heat of championship football, nothing could be taken for granted. In front of a decent sized crowd, St Patrick's started the brighter with Ciaran Nugent opening the scoring after two minutes with a fine point. Their early dominance continued when Micky Mone outfoxed his defender and was fouled after 4 minutes. Cathal O'Neill pointed the resulting free to put his side two points clear. A good score under severe pressure from Brendan Nugent increased the lead to three points before Dromintee registered their first score through a pointed free. Brendan Nugent, who was a constant threat throughout the first half, was fouled after 12 minutes but brushed himself down to point the free while the lead was stretched to four points soon after when Genie McCooey fed Cathal O'Neill whose goal bound shot was tipped over the crossbar by the Dromintee netminder. A fine Dromintee point followed on 20 minutes but Cullyhanna seized control of the match again as Brendan Nugent cut inside his man and was bearing down on goal before being hauled unceremoniously to the floor. The fouled player pointed the free himself and was relied upon again to score another free two minutes later when Micky Mone was fouled at the end of a move which was initiated by a Peter Loughran interception. Brendan Nugent pointed his third free in a row on 27 minutes to give his side a comfortable six point advantage. Dromintee edged slightly closer late in the half thanks to an expertly taken point with the outside of the boot.

The half ended with St Pat's leading by 8 points to Dromintee's 3. The Cullyhanna men were fully deserving of their lead having dominated possession and territory throughout the first however Dromintee showed enough in patches during the half to suggest that they remained dangerous opponents. The second half began in great style for St Pat's as Micky Mone pointed a great shot on the turn after only ten seconds. A minute later, the advantage was seven points as Patsy McKeever added a good point. A brace of Dromintee points from frees kept them in touch as St Pat's began to tire in the vast expanses of the Crossmaglen pitch. Midway through the half, Ciaran Nugent managed a point after a shot from Rory O'Neill had been blocked but Dromintee replied almost immediately with a point of their own. Dromintee were handed a lifeline with 8 minutes remaining as they hammered the ball into the roof of the Cullyhanna net. The concession of a goal meant that the two point St Patrick's lead appeared extremely fragile however Dromintee were unable to build on their goal with further scores. The Cullyhanna ship was steadied when Micky Mone expertly picked out Patsy McKeever who beat his man and fisted a point while a Cathal O'Neill pointed free on 27 minutes gave his side the relative security of a four point lead. Try as they might, Dromintee could not manage another score as St Patrick's defended manfully  and Cullyhanna finished in style when Paul Donnelly produced a superb effort deep into injury time, soloing the most of 50 yards before kicking a magnificent score to put his side 0-14 to 1-6 in front at the death.

The final whistle was met by great scenes of jubilation by the Cullyhanna players, mentors and supporters. While there were one or two awkward moments in the second half, this was a victory which was fully merited. To suggest that this side has exceeded expectations this season would be very much an under-statement as even the most optimistic of Cullyhanna supporters could scarcely have imagined that the Seconds would mount a serious challenge for promotion and reach the latter stages of the Championship. With a number of crucial League matches in the coming weeks, there will be little respite for the lads however they have shown this season that they are well fit for whatever the schedule throws at them. On the night, the best individual performers were Mark Mone and Conor McShane in defence while Genie McCooey and Brendan Nugent also had excellent games.

Starting XV: F Murphy; C McShane, D Mackin, M Rowland; P Loughran, P Donnelly (0-1), Mark Mone; K Toner, P Mackin; C Nugent (0-2), C O'Neill (0-3). G McCooey; B Nugent (0-5), Micky Mone (0-1), P McKeever (0-1) Subs Used: R O'Neill, C O'Neill, F Nugent, B Murray

[Onion Bag]

Nab beat Maghery today in the league

[passedit]

Any of you orangemen able to give directions to St Pauls Lurgan? Know it's in Taghnevan somewhere, just don't want to end up in Mourneview.

Cheers

[IVEDECIDED]

Its actually very easy not to end up in Mourneview - as Soon as you see the red, white and blue flags and paving and the LVF murals - stop and turn around. 

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Minor Championship Quarter Final – St Patrick's 1-12 Crossmaglen Rangers 1-10

The highlight of the week's football was certainly the pulsating Minor championship match which took place at St Patrick's Park last Monday night. Our neighbours and great rivals Crossmaglen were the visitors and the two sides served up a match of great skill and intensity, exhibiting all the best traditions of the Association. The opening stages were fairly even in nature with the opening Crossmaglen being cancelled out by an Anton McCooey score. Two Crossmaglen points gave them an early lead as the away side began to dominate however a magnificent score from Aidan Nugent kept Cullyhanna in touch. Things looked ominous for the home side after 8 minutes when Crossmaglen cut through the Cullyhanna defence with ease before finishing to the net. Cullyhanna began to get to grips with the pace of the match around ten minutes in when a long range Aidan Nugent point reduced the deficit to three. After 12 minutes, Colm Hoey burst forward after a fine catch before laying the ball off to Conor Nugent who struck a sweet score from a tight angle. Two minutes later Kevin Hoey assisted Aidan Nugent who completed his hat-trick of first half points however a Crossmaglen score soon after extended their lead to two points again.

On 22 minutes, a great Cullyhanna move which again involved Kevin Hoey and Aidan Nugent sent Conor Nugent through on goal and he made no mistake in pointing. As St Pat's continued to dominate the play, a superb Colm Hoey point brought them back level with 5 minutes remaining in the half. A further pointed free from Conor Nugent completed the revival and left St Pat's ahead at the break on a scoreline of 0-8 to 1-4. In truth the one point lead appeared to be a poor reward for the efforts of the side in the final twenty minutes of the first half. Having seized the initiative at midfield and produced some excellent football, Cullyhanna were unfortunate not to be further ahead and will be have been mindful of the fact that Crossmaglen sides are rarely easily defeated.

The slender half-time lead was soon extended as St Patrick's commenced the second half in perfect fashion. 50 seconds after the throw in, the ball was nestling in the Crossmaglen net when Conor Nugent put Aidan Nugent through on goal. Aidan made no mistake as he coolly slotted the ball through the goalkeeper's legs for a crucial goal. Crossmaglen responded almost immediately with a point but with four minutes gone in the half, the Cullyhanna advantage was five thanks to points from a Conor Nugent free and a terrific solo run and long range score from Sean Connell. This was to be as wide as the margin was to develop however as Crossmaglen showed great resilience to get themselves back into the match with two points in the 5th and 7th minutes. Only for a fine save from St Pat's goalkeeper Gary Keenan the match would have been level after 12 minutes but Cullyhanna responded to this scare in style as Colm Hoey produced an inspirational 50 yard run before landing a magnificent point. The result was almost put beyond doubt midway through the second period when Aidan Nugent fooled his marker before slipping the ball to Shane Conlon whose goalbound effort forced a great save from the Crossmaglen custodian.

Inevitably the final quarter saw some intense Crossmaglen pressure and they sought to cut the Cullyhanna advantage. A point with 12 minutes to go brought the Rangers within a goal. However despite Cross dominating possession in this period, it was Cullyhanna who managed the next score as great vision by Sean Connell found Gareth Mackin in space who kicked a badly needed point. A long range Crossmaglen effort was tipped over the bar a minute later to leave only a major score between the sides again. As was to be expected, Crossmaglen attacked in waves in the final stages as they desperately sought to engineer the goal which would force a replay. It took some heroic defending to repel Rangers in the closing minutes however St Pat's were equal to the task. With a minute of injury time played, a Crossmaglen effort on goal from distance collided against the crossbar and bounced over for a point. This was to be as close as the visitors were to come and the final whistle was met with rapturous applause from the Cullyhanna faithful as St Pat's secured their semi-final berth on a score-line of St Patrick's 1-12 Crossmaglen Rangers 1-10.

This was a magnificently enthralling match which Cullyhanna just about deserved to win. However both teams can take pride in their efforts throughout the hour as the two sides played their part in a very enjoyable contest. The scoring exploits of the two Nugents, Aidan and Conor, in attack was perhaps the difference between the teams while county stars Colm Hoey and Sean Connell were integral to the Cullyhanna victory. The entire squad and the management team of Barry McConville and Sean Nugent deserve immense credit however they will be fully aware that the tests will only become more difficult as the competition enters its later stages.

Starting XV: Gary Keenan; Phelim Savage, Sean Connell (0-1), Neil Donnelly; Shane Conlon (0-1), Ciaran McCooey, Cathal Donnelly; Gareth Mackin (0-1), Colm Hoey (0-1); Conor Connolly, Aidan Nugent (1-3), Kevin Hoey; Phelim McArdle, Conor Nugent (0-4), Anton McCooey (0-1) Subs Used: Aodhan Conlon

ACL Division 4: St Patrick's II 2-16 Clady 0-8

Cullyhanna's hopes of promotion to Division 3 were kept firmly on track on Saturday evening when a tricky looking trip to Clady resulted in a comprehensive victory, the manner of which appeared extremely unlikely during certain stages of the match. All away matches in this division tend to be difficult affairs and the home side opened the scoring in this one with an early free. Cullyhanna responded to the concession of the opening point in fine style as a good move resulted in a second minute point by Brendan Nugent. Cullyhanna seized the advantage in the third minute when full forward Brendan Quinn pounced on a loose ball in the Clady penalty area before transferred to Brendan Nugent who made no mistake in firing the ball past the keeper for a goal. A pointed free from Cathal O'Neill and a Ciaran Nugent score presented Cullyhanna with a useful early lead however Clady regained a foothold in the match with a couple of pointed frees and indeed they missed a decent goal chance which would have left the sides level. With 19 minutes played, Brendan Nugent steadied the Cullyhanna ship when he turned smartly close to goal before being fouled. The fouled player pointed the resulting free himself and was on the scoresheet again a minute later when profiting from a Patsy McKeever pass to kick another score. Despite facing a five point deficit, Clady were in no mood to lie down and accept defeat and the home side rallied impressively in the final ten minutes of the half kicking three unanswered points before half-time to get within two points at the break as St Pat's led on a score-line of 1-5 to 0-6.

Although the first half St Patrick's performance was by no means impressive, having secured a lead despite playing against the slope in the first thirty minutes, Cullyhanna would have been strong favourites heading into the second period. And so it proved as the defining score of the match arrived two minutes into the half when a long hopeful ball from Kevin Toner was dropped by a Clady defender. Brendan Nugent was ideally placed to seize the loose ball and a superb finish to the corner of the net handed his side a five point advantage. Clady replied with a pointed free but 5 minutes into the half Ciaran Nugent combined well with Patsy McKeever to allow Ciaran to kick a fine score. A good point from midfielder Peter O'Neill followed before Clady responded with a point after 7 minutes. However this was to prove to be the final score of the match for the home side as a Brendan Nugent pointed free after 10 minutes signalled a period of almost unrivalled dominance for Cullyhanna in the final third of the match. St Pat's produced some quality football in the final stages as they put their opponents to the sword in fine style producing some magnificent scores. Between the 11th and 13th minutes Ciaran Nugent, Cathal O'Neill and Patsy McKeever appeared to having a private battle to see who could manage the most impressive score as each delivered his own point of real quality. Further points followed from Cathal O'Neill and Patsy McKeever before team mentor Anthony Quinn marked his welcome return to playing action with a fine score. With 8 points to go, a Paul Donnelly point laid on by Patsy McKeever put Cullyhanna 13 points in front as the match petered out, having long been finished as a competitive contest. There was time for one final flourish however as strong work from substitute Conor Durnin allowed him to work the ball to James Thompson who fired over the final point of the match.

At the final whistle, St Patrick's were comfortable victors on a scoreline of 2-16 to 0-8. The wide margin of victory can probably be attributed to the additional fitness of the Cullyhanna side who have been involved in championship action in recent weeks. Certainly this was a closely fought affair for the opening two thirds of the match and while St Pat's certainly did not produce their finest form of the season, it was a creditable win given the absence of a number of key players. Tougher tests lie ahead however and this level of performance will need to be improved upon if the aspirations of promotion are to be realised.

Starting XV: F Murphy; M Rowland, C McShane, Mark Mone; P Loughran, P Donnelly (0-1), C Thompson; K Toner, P O'Neill (0-1); C Nugent (0-3), C O'Neill (0-3), F Nugent; B Nugent (2-4), B Quinn, P McKeever (0-2). Subs Used: O Carragher, A Quinn (0-1), B Murray, C Durnin, J Thompson (0-1)

[bennydorano]

Minor Championship Semi finals are as follows
Div 1
Armagh Harps v St Patricks
Silverbridge v (P'Og/Kdy)/Killeavy
Div 2
Ballymacnab v Carrickcruppen
Corraghill Blues v Mullaghbawn
Div 3
St Pauls v Maghery
Madden v Derrynoose

These games are scheduled for the 5th Sept

[crossfire]

ACL Division 1

Granemore sent their B team to Cross on Friday night for the league game against us.

What was this all about.?

Hardly ideal preparation for either club ahead of their respective senior championship fixtures this weekend.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

ACL Division 1

Granemore sent their B team to Cross on Friday night for the league game against us.

What was this all about.?

Hardly ideal preparation for either club ahead of their respective senior championship fixtures this weekend.

Presumably they wanted to get some hard training in their legs before the championship weekend. Avoids the possibility of injuries too. Ourselves and Ballymacnab postponed our fixture as well. Its debatable whether this is the right strategy.

[crossfire]

Time will tell.

[illdecide]

Paul Grimley replaces Donal Murtagh in the county setup...

[armaghniac]

Paul Grimley replaces Donal Murtagh in the county setup...

The same Bainisteoir bib should just about fit! 

[GAA_Punter]

Crossmaglen Rangers V Armagh Harps, 8pm Friday

The all-conquering Crossmaglen Rangers are odds on favourites, not just to dispose of former Club Championship finalists Armagh Harps this Friday evening at St. Oliver Plunkett Park, but to retain their crown as Armagh Club Champions.

This is a repeat of last year's quarter-final and although the Harps scored 3-4 to Rangers 1-12, two of those goals against Cross came in the last two minutes of the game and was not a fare reflection on a match dominated by Rangers.

Crossmaglen comfortably lie top of Division one, losing only twice during this campaign. They have scored an average of 3-12 a game for the past five games and most worryingly for Harps, put 7-20 past Granemore only last week in the league. They put out a weakened side against Division Two leaders Clann Eireann in the last round of the championship and still hammered them 2-17 to 0-10.

The Harps, beaten finalists in 2009, overcame Mullaghbawn in their last round 2-10 to 1-10 with star performer Ultan Lennon helping himself to 2-6 in the process. The second half of that game saw Harps concede 1-7 and only score five points to snatch victory. Their defence will need to be on top form if they are to have any chance of stopping Rangers.

It's hard to see past the reigning Armagh Club, League and All-Ireland club champions with their current crop of county stars being bolstered by new and ever emerging talent from the youth ranks. Expect a high scoring, one-sided encounter from the Cross men as they will no doubt advance to the semi-finals with consummate ease.
By Paraic Collins

Maghery Sean MacDermott's v Granemore, 6pm, Saturday
This club championship quarter-final pits two of the outside favourites, expected to give reigning Armagh club champions Crossmaglen a run for their money, head to head on Saturday evening in the small village of Maghery, in south-west of the county.

Maghery enter this game on the back of some good league form, winning three out of their last four games, most noticeably against defending champions Crossmaglen Rangers.

This time last year, Sean Macdermott's were knocked out at the same stage of the championship to St. Pat's on a score line of 1-9 to 0-9– But injury's and an array of suspensions for the Blue and Gold, played a major part in that defeat– This year's championship saw them record a slim victory over local rivals Sarsfields in the previous round by a single point. Despite notching up 13 points, their forward line needs to start reaching their potential if they are to advance to the next round.
Granemore reached the semi-final last year and were widely tipped to go all the way but a miss-firing forward line could only muster a paltry eight scores over the hour and were eventually dumped out by the aforementioned St. Pats. In the last round the White and green, for the second year running, defeated St. Michaels by only two pints and will need to vastly improve if they are to overcome the Loughshore men.

Granemore will look to brothers Toner, Kieran and Barry, to dominate possession in the mid-field and supply good ball to their forwards who have the ability to cause trouble to any defence.
Expect Maghery to shade this tight encounter. Their current league form gives them too much momentum and Granemore shipped a whopping 7-20 against Rangers recently.
By Paraic Collins

Pearse Og V St Patricks, Armagh, 8pm Saturday
There is a very interesting senior football tie down for decision in the Armagh Senior football championship this Saturday evening when Pearse Og take on St Patricks of Cullyhanna. While on paper, this looks like a simple enough win for Pearse Og, one can certainly not write off St Patricks and many punters are bound to be tempted by the odds of almost 2/1.

rest on
http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/gaa/47810/

[Ulick]

Ronan Clarke back for the Ogs?