Senior League A
Crossmaglen 1-16 Ballymacnab 1-8
Crossmaglen got back to winning ways on Thursday evening with an 8 point triumph over visitors Ballymacnab. A strong surge in the first 15 minutes of the game saw the Rangers take a dominant lead and although the Nab got the game back to one point, Crossmaglen pulled away once again in the second half.
Rian O’Neill opened up a two point lead for the hosts with the game six minutes old before Oisin O’Neill and Aaron Kernan doubled the margin. Colm McKee’s defence splitting pass saw Jack Grugan knock over Ballymacnab’s first but points from Cian McConville, Oisin O’Neill and Rian O’Neill gave Cross a 0-7 to 0-1 ahead.
Ballymacnab then hit a purple patch just before the interval with their defence beginning to get on top and their forward line starting to find their range. A speculative shot on goal from Jack Grugan bounced off the post before being punched home by Brendan Toner to close the gap while Pauric Gribben, Jack Grugan and Rory Grugan all split the posts to level the game before Oisin O’Neill’s point put Cross 0-8 to 1-4 in front at half time.
Rian O’Neill once again opened the scoring for the second period while Paul Hughes stretched the margin to three. Brendan Toner saw his effort from the 45 metre line sore over the crossbar while Jack Grugan shared points with Rian O’Neill and Cian McConville to keep the Nab in contention.
But it was all Cross for the final 15 minutes as they rallied off a further 1-3 with Mel Boyce raising the green flag while Rian O’Neill, Cian McConville and Oisin O’Neill chipped in with the points. Cormac Gribben struck the final score of the game with a long range effort but the Rangers had already confirmed victory and ran out 1-16 to 1-8 winners.
Armagh Harps 0-15 St Patrick’s 1-9
Cullyhanna lost for the second time in 6 days as hosts Armagh Harps bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Dromintee last weekend. The early signs were good for St Pats as Aidan Nugent rattled the net after just two minutes when a long ball from Barry McConville found Nugent in behind his marker with the corner forward left one-on-one with the keeper.
Tom O’Kane replied within 60 seconds before Cullyhanna put three between the sides again, Ross McQuillan splitting the posts after a patient build up from the south Armagh men. Kevin Kelly exchanged points with attacking wing back Barry McConville while Aidan Nugent and Joe McElroy also raised white flags for their sides with the goal still the difference after 15 minutes of play.
The Harps were so close to tying the affair when Joe McElroy’s palmed effort zipped past the keeper and crashed off the crossbar. Harps continued to try and close the gap but a great interception from Mickey Murray saw the visitors counter attack at pace, with Murray charging forward to put St Patrick’s four points ahead. Conor White fisted a score before turning provider as he played a one-two with Charlie Vernon and Vernon done the rest, striking a point to close the margin to one.
Nugent and Vernon traded scores while the Harps really got on top, dominating the Cullyhanna restarts for the final 5 minutes with great success as points from Mark McCoy, Conn Stevenson, Tom O’Kane and Declan McKenna shot the home side into a two point lead at the break, Armagh Harps 0-10 St Pats 1-5.
Eugene Casey narrowed the gap to one with an early free but three points in as many minutes through Kevin Kelly (2) and Tom O’Kane saw the Harps take a four point lead. Ross McQuillan’s brilliant catch and driving run through the heart of the Harps defence burst some live into Cullyhanna and saw Karol Loughran sent to the line for a head high tackle. Nugent duly tapped the ball over the bar from the resulting free to bring his men back to within three.
Harps dictated possession in the final 15 minutes, keeping the ball and forcing Cullyhanna out of their defence shell. Tom O’Kane and Charlie Vernon swapped scores with Conor Nugent and Aidan Nugent but the Harps held on to their three point lead to see out the game Armagh Harps 0-15 St Patrick’s 1-9.
Also on Friday night Killeavy continued their good run of form with a seven point win over Silverbridge who remain in the relegation zone heading into the July break. The sides couldn’t be separated for the first 30 minutes as they tied Killeavy 0-7 Silverbridge 1-4 before the home side drove into a 1-16 to 1-9 victory in the second period.
Senior League B
Madden 3-14 St Peter’s 2-9
Madden propelled themselves into the top four, leaping over St Peter’s who now trail the Raparees by one point. It was a tough week for Madden as they lost their club president Charlie McGuinness with his funeral taking place on Thursday, the same day as the game, his grandson Neil McGuinness bravely making a second half appearance for the hosts.
Madden flew into the lead, which they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game, in the third minute as Ciaran Rafferty hit the back of the net with Aron McKenna furthering the home sides advantage with a point. St Peter’s replied with two scores which were soon cancelled out with a pointed free from Niall Grimley and a Colin Mallon score.
Niall McConville and Niall Creaney struck for the visitors but it was all Madden until the end of the half as they rattled off 1-7 before the break. Ciaran Rafferty hit 1-2 with Niall Grimley, Niall Smith (2), Liam Grimley and Aron McKenna all hitting the target to fire Madden into a 2-11 to 0-4 lead at half time.
Ciaran Rafferty put Madden 14 points in front at the beginning of the second period before Niall McConville struck a three-pointer from the penalty spot, following it up with another point. St Peter’s continued their early second half promise with two more points but any hope of revival was demolished when Niall Smith struck Madden’s third goal.
Full Forward Ciaran Rafferty brought his personal tally to 2-4 with another point while Niall Grimley also raised a white flag for his men. St Peter’s hit two more points in the final few minutes but Maddens dominant first half performance saw them victorious on a score line of 3-14 to 2-9.
Intermediate League
In the top sector of the Intermediate League Whitecross visited Shane O’Neill’s on Friday evening, with the home side losing out on the night, 2-14 to 1-13 while in the Intermediate League B Tullysaran saw off Ballyhegan, winning 4-12 to 1-15 to sit at the top of the table with 20 points after 11 games, losing just one game all season.
Junior League
Clonmore’s winning streak continued on Wednesday evening with their 16th win of the campaign, Corrinshego the team this time on the losing side, the score line on the night Clonmore 2-17 Corrinshego 0-9. St Patrick’s II climbed above Redmond O’Hanlon’s to sit third in the table with a 1-5 to 0-7 win over Lissummon while Killeavy II were defeated by Collegeland 2-17 to 1-14.
