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An Riocht Notes - 2nd August 2005

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Seconds Clonduff v An Riocht

Played at Derrylecka, Clonduffs greater experience and physical strength told in the end with a four point margin of victory. We included ten minors in the starting fifteen and brought three more on during the match. Senior players Finbar McConville and Damian Fearon dominated the early scoring for Clonduff but they were pegged back by a predatory Declan Ross goal and at the break we trailed by the minimum,1:3 to 0:7. We actually went ahead on the restart with our second goal but had another goal bound shot hacked off the line. Clonduff played well on the counter attack and our failure to put the ball dead saw Clonduff develop some sweeping length of field moves which they finished with points for a 0:14 to 2:4 win, Ross Carr coming on in a sweeper role to ensure we would not poach another goal

U16 Mitchels v An Riocht

In Newry An Riocht took a big step towards the League Title with a ten point victory over third placed Mitchels. The home side started strongly but gradually An Riocht got on top and a Kyle Morris goal helped put daylight between the teams. Christopher Cunningham in defence, Christopher Killen at midfield and Paddy Gartland (0:3) in attack were key players in the success.

U18 Burren v An Riocht

The minor footballers warmed up for the Championship with an impressive 2:18 to 0:6 win in Burren, 2:16 of it from play. Their recent run outs in the seniors and seconds certainly cleared the cobwebs with An Riocht starting at a blistering pace and going four nil up by the tenth minute. Burren hit two frees during the half but we finished with a Conor Sloan goal after the home keeper could only parry Paddy Cordells block buster into his path for a 1:9 to 0:2 interval lead. The second half followed in similar fashion with Sean Clarke grabbing a classic full forwards goal, catching high and shooting low in one movement. Wing backs Damian Sherry and Christopher Killen shared five points which was also what Noel McArdle scored.

U14 An Riocht v Drumgath  

In the Championship semi-final An Riocht won in wintry conditions before a fair sized support huddled against the wind and rain which hampered the playing of attractive football. We led six nil when Drumgath grabbed a goal which brought them right back into contention but they struggled to build on this score and before the break Diarmuid Flanagan seized on a ball over the top to race goal ward and net. At half time we led 1:9 to 1:0. It was more difficult on the restart and Drumgath edged the second half but we had done enough to go through adding odd scores during the half. Declan Doyle made a sound debut in goals with three great saves; Paul Allen and Stephen McVeigh were the pick of the defenders; while Michael Spiers was outstanding in mid field, ably assisted in the second half by Ethan Burns. Team: D Doyle C Clarke P Allen S McVeigh D Bowater M Keenan D White S Corr M Spiers 0:5 J McCulla P Rooney C O’Rourke 0:1 R Donnelly 0:3 D Flanagan 1:3 E Burns 0:1. Subs A McLoughlin A Donnelly R Clarke.

Senior Castlewellan v An Riocht

An Riocht traveled to Castlewellan on Friday and were unlucky not to take something from the game. Kevin Flanagan was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty early on when he was felled bearing down on goal before Stephen Poucher opened for Castlewellan with two pointed frees. On the quarter hour Neill Doran had a free for us but our passing in the forwards was over ambitious and lots of ball was intercepted by the home defence. Tony McAtamney’s fisted effort was the first score from play and Aidan Burns seized on a loose clearance for another. Just before the break Richard Annett scored a spectacular second for us to leave it four two.

On the restart Michael Harper forced a good save from the Town keeper before Paddy Cole left the minimum in it. Paul Hanna and Michael Harper exchanged scores as the pace picked up and frees from Neill Doran and Paddy Cole put us ahead for the first time. Hanna and Burns swung it back in Castlewellan’s favour before Neill Doran equalized again in the fifty first minute. Both teams had chances to win it in the nine scoreless minutes which followed before the experienced Martin McKibben edged Castlewellan ahead and with the last kick Hanna flattered them by doubling their lead, 0:9 to 0:7.

U12 An Riocht v Shamrocks

In the ‘A’ Championship quarter-final the An Riocht youngsters found Division One side Shamrocks a bit too good and went out after a battling performance.

Seconds Castlewellan v An Riocht

The Reserves drew in Castlewellan on Sunday eleven points apiece. We opened the scoring with a Brian Sloan point but Castlewellan were soon level and Gavin Finnegan saved well to deny them a goal. It was level again at two then three all, Kevin Flanagan scoring from play and a free, but we failed to take any of three goal chances that came our way and despite an Aidan Cunningham point we trailed five four at the break.

The home team extended their lead on the restart but replies from Brian Sloan and Kevin Flanagan squared it again at six all. Castlewellan then pointed three in a row before Aidan Cunningham converted a fifty and Liam Fitzpatrick and Marc Taylor (2) put us back ahead. Castlewellan leveled for the seventh time but there was still time for James Cunningham to edge us in front. Then we had two chances cleared off the line before Castlewellan pointed on full time to draw the match. Michael Rodgers, Sean Clarke and later Fergal Doyle were tight in defence, Brian Sloan caught well at midfield, and up front Kevin Flanagan, Aidan Cunningham and Conor Sloan got through a lot of ball.

Thirds An Riocht v Saint Michaels

This game was put off to suit St. Michaels and will now be played on Wednesday 17^th August.

U12 Camogie Ballycran v An Riocht

The league semi-final with the Ards girls did not take place due to holiday and other absentees from our team.

 

Fixtures

Tuesday 2^nd August U16 FC An Riocht v Mayobridge; Executive Committee Meeting.

Wednesday 3^rd August U18 FC Mayobridge v An Riocht

Thursday 4^th August U14 Tullylish v An Riocht

Friday 5^th August Seniors Shamrocks v An Riocht

Saturday 6^th August U14 Drumgath v An Riocht; U14 Camogie League semi-final An Riocht v Ballycran in Kilclief.

Sunday 7^th August U12 An Riocht v Annaclone; Seconds An Riocht v Longstone; Thirds Glenn v An Riocht.

Monday 8^th August U10 Ballymartin v An Riocht; U14 An Riocht v Annaclone.

Tuesday 9^th August U16 An Riocht v Annaclone

Thursday 11^th August Senior Championship Burren v An Riocht in Rostrevor; U10 Atticall v An Riocht.

 

Summer Scheme

Highlights this week include Fishing on Tuesday, Beauty Promotion on Wednesday, Pitch & Putt on Thursday, Camp Out on Friday, Dance Workshop on Monday, Culinary Treats on Tuesday (9^th), Storytelling on Wednesday (10^th). Details from Sheila at the Club.

 

Camogie Fixtures

Camogie continues and remaining Junior matches to be arranged are Home v Ballycran, Away v Darragh Cross, Away v Liatroim, Home v Newry plus the Championship. Remaining U16 (minor) matches are Home v Atticall, Away v Portaferry, Home v Kilcoo, Away v Ballyholland, Home v Liatroim plus the Championship.

Fund Raising has started for the Kilmacud Camogie weekend, 17^th and 18^th September.

 

Hurling

Mourne Hurlers four mile ‘pier to pier’ puck last Saturday was a popular and unusual method of fund raising and attracted great interest. Well done to all involved. On Wednesday at Dunavil in the absence of any official fixtures they played Ballella in a friendly. The Down Hurling Development Coaching Academy takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays in August at the various Mourne GAA grounds.

 

 

 

 

Reports

Seconds Clonduff v An Riocht

Played at Derrylecka, Clonduffs greater experience and physical strength told in the end with a four point margin of victory. We included ten minors in the starting fifteen and brought three more on during the match. Senior players Finbar McConville and Damian Fearon dominated the early scoring for Clonduff but they were pegged back by a predatory Declan Ross goal and at the break we trailed by the minimum,1:3 to 0:7. We actually went ahead on the restart with our second goal but had another goal bound shot hacked off the line. Clonduff played well on the counter attack and our failure to put the ball dead saw Clonduff develop some sweeping length of field moves which they finished with points for a 0:14 to 2:4 win, Ross Carr coming on in a sweeper role to ensure we would not poach another goal

U16 Mitchels v An Riocht

In Newry An Riocht took a big step towards the League Title with a ten point victory over third placed Mitchels. The home side started strongly but gradually An Riocht got on top and a Kyle Morris goal helped put daylight between the teams. Christopher Cunningham in defence, Christopher Killen at midfield and Paddy Gartland (0:3) in attack were key players in the success.

U18 Burren v An Riocht

The minor footballers warmed up for the Championship with an impressive 2:18 to 0:6 win in Burren, 2:16 of it from play. Their recent run outs in the seniors and seconds certainly cleared the cobwebs with An Riocht starting at a blistering pace and going four nil up by the tenth minute. Burren hit two frees during the half but we finished with a Conor Sloan goal after the home keeper could only parry Paddy Cordells block buster into his path for a 1:9 to 0:2 interval lead. The second half followed in similar fashion with Sean Clarke grabbing a classic full forwards goal, catching high and shooting low in one movement. Wing backs Damian Sherry and Christopher Killen shared five points which was also what Noel McArdle scored.

U14 An Riocht v Drumgath  

In the Championship semi-final An Riocht won in wintry conditions before a fair sized support huddled against the wind and rain which hampered the playing of attractive football. We led six nil when Drumgath grabbed a goal which brought them right back into contention but they struggled to build on this score and before the break Diarmuid Flanagan seized on a ball over the top to race goal ward and net. At half time we led 1:9 to 1:0. It was more difficult on the restart and Drumgath edged the second half but we had done enough to go through adding odd scores during the half. Declan Doyle made a sound debut in goals with three great saves; Paul Allen and Stephen McVeigh were the pick of the defenders; while Michael Spiers was outstanding in mid field, ably assisted in the second half by Ethan Burns. Team: D Doyle C Clarke P Allen S McVeigh D Bowater M Keenan D White S Corr M Spiers 0:5 J McCulla P Rooney C O’Rourke 0:1 R Donnelly 0:3 D Flanagan 1:3 E Burns 0:1. Subs A McLoughlin A Donnelly R Clarke.

Senior Castlewellan v An Riocht

An Riocht traveled to Castlewellan on Friday and were unlucky not to take something from the game. Kevin Flanagan was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty early on when he was felled bearing down on goal before Stephen Poucher opened for Castlewellan with two pointed frees. On the quarter hour Neill Doran had a free for us but our passing in the forwards was over ambitious and lots of ball was intercepted by the home defence. Tony McAtamney’s fisted effort was the first score from play and Aidan Burns seized on a loose clearance for another. Just before the break Richard Annett scored a spectacular second for us to leave it four two.

On the restart Michael Harper forced a good save from the Town keeper before Paddy Cole left the minimum in it. Paul Hanna and Michael Harper exchanged scores as the pace picked up and frees from Neill Doran and Paddy Cole put us ahead for the first time. Hanna and Burns swung it back in Castlewellan’s favour before Neill Doran equalized again in the fifty first minute. Both teams had chances to win it in the nine scoreless minutes which followed before the experienced Martin McKibben edged Castlewellan ahead and with the last kick Hanna flattered them by doubling their lead, 0:9 to 0:7.

U12 An Riocht v Shamrocks

In the ‘A’ Championship quarter-final the An Riocht youngsters found Division One side Shamrocks a bit too good and went out after a battling performance.

Seconds Castlewellan v An Riocht

The Reserves drew in Castlewellan on Sunday eleven points apiece. We opened the scoring with a Brian Sloan point but Castlewellan were soon level and Gavin Finnegan saved well to deny them a goal. It was level again at two then three all, Kevin Flanagan scoring from play and a free, but we failed to take any of three goal chances that came our way and despite an Aidan Cunningham point we trailed five four at the break.

The home team extended their lead on the restart but replies from Brian Sloan and Kevin Flanagan squared it again at six all. Castlewellan then pointed three in a row before Aidan Cunningham converted a fifty and Liam Fitzpatrick and Marc Taylor (2) put us back ahead. Castlewellan leveled for the seventh time but there was still time for James Cunningham to edge us in front. Then we had two chances cleared off the line before Castlewellan pointed on full time to draw the match. Michael Rodgers, Sean Clarke and later Fergal Doyle were tight in defence, Brian Sloan caught well at midfield, and up front Kevin Flanagan, Aidan Cunningham and Conor Sloan got through a lot of ball.

Thirds An Riocht v Saint Michaels

This game was put off to suit St. Michaels and will now be played on Wednesday 17^th August.

U12 Camogie Ballycran v An Riocht

The league semi-final with the Ards girls did not take place due to holiday and other absentees from our team.

 

Fixtures

Tuesday 2^nd August U16 FC An Riocht v Mayobridge; Executive Committee Meeting.

Wednesday 3^rd August U18 FC Mayobridge v An Riocht

Thursday 4^th August U14 Tullylish v An Riocht

Friday 5^th August Seniors Shamrocks v An Riocht

Saturday 6^th August U14 Drumgath v An Riocht; U14 Camogie League semi-final An Riocht v Ballycran in Kilclief.

Sunday 7^th August U12 An Riocht v Annaclone; Seconds An Riocht v Longstone; Thirds Glenn v An Riocht.

Monday 8^th August U10 Ballymartin v An Riocht; U14 An Riocht v Annaclone.

Tuesday 9^th August U16 An Riocht v Annaclone

Thursday 11^th August Senior Championship Burren v An Riocht in Rostrevor; U10 Atticall v An Riocht.

 

Summer Scheme

Highlights this week include Fishing on Tuesday, Beauty Promotion on Wednesday, Pitch & Putt on Thursday, Camp Out on Friday, Dance Workshop on Monday, Culinary Treats on Tuesday (9^th), Storytelling on Wednesday (10^th). Details from Sheila at the Club.

 

Camogie Fixtures

Camogie continues and remaining Junior matches to be arranged are Home v Ballycran, Away v Darragh Cross, Away v Liatroim, Home v Newry plus the Championship. Remaining U16 (minor) matches are Home v Atticall, Away v Portaferry, Home v Kilcoo, Away v Ballyholland, Home v Liatroim plus the Championship.

Fund Raising has started for the Kilmacud Camogie weekend, 17^th and 18^th September.

 

Hurling

Mourne Hurlers four mile ‘pier to pier’ puck last Saturday was a popular and unusual method of fund raising and attracted great interest. Well done to all involved. On Wednesday at Dunavil in the absence of any official fixtures they played Ballella in a friendly. The Down Hurling Development Coaching Academy takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays in August at the various Mourne GAA grounds.