Strength & Conditioning
21/12/2006
Michael Mc Keever,
Ulster Rugby, will be
coming down to the
refurbished fitness
suite to initiate a
programme of activities
for those interested.
Any player over eighteen
should attend for 6:30pm
on Friday 29th
December. The U18 & U16
boys teams will be able
to avail of a modified
approach. Michael will
be in attendance every
Friday until Easter
which is when Friday
night football starts.
Adult
Footballers Meeting.
11/12/2006
There was a good turn
out of Senior
Footballers to meet the
management on Friday
past to plan for our
return to Division One
in 2007.
Seniors v Atticall 
Last week it was
congratulations on
gaining promotion,
this week it’s
congratulations on
winning the league
title.
The playoffs allowed
our team display great
resilience. We came
back from an opening
day loss to
Ballyholland to win
the JC May Cup three
weeks later. In
Sundays decider we
came back from the
loss of a first minute
goal to dominate for
the remaining fifty
nine minutes and win
comfortably by five
points, 0:12 to 1:4,
whilst kicking some
twenty wides. While
the team has
collectively come of
age, several players
will look back on the
playoffs as the time
they each individually
found their feet in
the senior ranks after
glittering underage
successes. Paul
Sherry, Liam
Fitzpatrick, Aidan
Flanagan, James Colgan
and Neill Doran
enjoyed a brilliant
play off series to
firmly establish
themselves. While Jim
Clarke, Deaglan O’
Reilly, Liam Mc Veigh
and John Clarke
provided hitherto
lacking on field
leadership.
Atticall goaled in
their first attack but
we held our nerve and
were soon dictating
the play, laying siege
to their goals and
leading by 0:7 to 1:0
at half time. Atticall
pointed twice on the
restart and it seemed
the wind might be
significant, but again
we steadied ourselves
and shot five points
in a row by the
sixtieth minute. Two
injury time scores
were of mere
consolation value to
Atticall.
Photos by Kieran
Clarke
Team B Mc Veigh J Mc
Veigh Jim Clarke P
Sherry L Fitzpatrick D
O’Reilly L Mc Veigh A
Flanagan 0:1 J Colgan
0:2 John Clarke 0:4 K
Mc Veigh N Doran 0:1 R
Annett 0:1 P Murney J
Cunningham 0:1. Sub P
Cole 0:2.
Seniors v Warrenpoint 06/11/2006
Congratulations to everyone, players and officials, involved with the Senior team who have bounced back to the Senior League at the first time of asking, a very rare occurrence indeed. Enjoy this achievement but also see it as a means to an end, getting into a position (the First Division) to win something worth winning. Learn from others experience, the players are here if we apply ourselves.
We played really well on Sunday against a good Warrenpoint side that has now missed out on promotion. We got off to the best possible start when Paul Murney got under James Colgans high ball and played it across the square for the inrushing Kieran Mc Veigh to intelligently fist to the net in the opening seconds. We could have had another goal almost immediately but James Cunningham caught the ball and the chance was blocked. Neill Doran and John Clarke (2) added points for five nil before the ‘Point replied with frees from opportunities limited mainly due to a commanding performance from Jim Clarke at full back. Though we were at times slow in passing the ball forward, further points from Kieran and Liam Mc Veigh helped us to a 1:5 to 0:4 half time lead.
Warrenpoint halved the deficit on the restart but never got the better of Paul Sherry, Deaglan O’Reilly and Joe Mc Veigh on the full back line. Three points from John Clarke, the middle one a huge score from a sideline ball almost on the end line, and two from a very much in form Kieran Mc Veigh, the second just grazing the crossbar on the way over, opened a five point gap with a quarter hour to play. With the midfield pair of Aidan Flanagan and James Colgan on top, the ball was delivered long and often and Paul Murney had the beating of his man and set up several chances some of which were not taken. Eventually in the fiftieth minute Richard Annett got on the end of one of Murneys flicks on and drilled a low shot past the keeper for our second goal. Paddy Cole soloed through to fist a point, Liam Fitzpatrick raided up the wing to fire home a thunderous goal and Noel Mc Ardle completed our scoring with a free. Warrenpoint sub Damian Morgan brought a great save from Brendan Mc Veigh but they were held to two further pointed frees as we ran out winners 3:12 to 0:10.
Seniors v Atticall 30/10/2006
The result was what this was all about. The necessary win to keep our promotion hopes alive was delivered in near perfect conditions at Ballymartin last Sunday afternoon. Now victory is required next Sunday against Warrenpoint and promotion is assured. Team B Mc Veigh J Mc Veigh Jim Clarke P Sherry 0:1 L Fitzpatrick D O’Reilly L Mc Veigh J Colgan 0:1 A Flanagan N Doran 0:1 K Mc Veigh 0:2 John Clarke 1:4 J Cunningham 0:2 P Murney R Annett. Subs C Sloan, P Cole.
Seniors v Ballyholland 23/10/2006
We lost the opening playoff game in Rostrevor by 1:12 to 0:14. In a pacy, tough affair the result could have gone either way. Ballyholland got the breaks with two disputed (by the neutral umpires) points both given for them. After a close first half the Newry men opened a five point gap on the restart and looked liable to pull clear but some astute changes worked for us and we battled back at them and can count ourselves unlucky not to have come away with at least a draw. Brendan Mc Veigh was in top form in nets making at least two top class stops; Jim Clarke did well on Ronan Murtagh after the break while Joe Mc Veigh was better in a less confined role and Liam Fitzpatrick got forward from wing back to score two points; Aidan Flanagan did well at midfield; but up front only John Clarke (0:10) was up to the challenge.
Seniors
In Saul the Seniors completed our league programme with another win and now await the three playoff games. On Saturday Jim Clarke, Joe Mc Veigh, Aidan Flanagan, Paul Murney, Michael Harper and the Minors sat out the match.
Team: B Mc Veigh; P Sherry L Mc Veigh M Trainor; J Cunningham D O’Reilly L Fitzpatrick; J Colgan N Doran; P Cole K Mc Veigh John Clarke; N Mc Ardle B Sloan R Annett.
The playoffs take place on, 22nd October v Ballyholland or Saval; 29th October v Atticall; and 5th November v Warrenpoint.
Seniors v
Glasdrumman 04/10/2006
Glasdrumman
visited Dunavil on
Saturday and got off
to a good start going
three one up. However
our defence got on top
and easily contained
their attack for the
remainder of the match
while we kicked nine
unanswered points
before the break. The
second half was more
low key with Paddy
Coles late goal the
highlight as the match
finished 1:14 to 0:7.
Martin Clarke came on
for a farewell
appearance before he
heads to Australia and
lit up the game with
some visionary passes.
With only one game to
play before the
playoffs expect Jim
Clarke, James
Cunningham, Aidan
Flanagan, Kieran Mc
Veigh and Paul Murney
to figure in Saul
while the Minors will
be reavailable after
Sundays Final. Team: B
Mc Veigh P Sherry J Mc
Veigh M Trainor D
O’Reilly L Mc Veigh
0:1 L Fitzpatrick J
Colgan 0:1 M Harper
0:2 P Cole 1:2 N Doran
0:1 John Clarke 0:3 N
Mc Ardle 0:2 B Sloan R
Annett 0:2. Sub M
Clarke. Our last
league game is this
Saturday away to Saul.
The playoffs take
place on, 22nd
and 29th
October and 5th
November.
Seniors v
Warrenpoint 27/09/2006
The Senior
footballers drew in
Warrenpoint on
Saturday, ten points
each. Dara Mc Meel
opened the scoring
with a point from play
but this proved to be
Warrenpoints only such
score, Gary Boyle
converting the
remainder from frees.
Warrenpoint went three
nil up and their
tenacious tackling
gave us little time on
the ball. Frees from
John Clarke and James
Colgan settled us some
but we struggled to
judge the flight of
the ball and there
were few clean
catches. Richard
Annett and Paddy Cole
added points as we
went in six four down
at the break.
There were ten minutes
remaining when Martin
Clarke came on to level
the match for the first
time at eight all,
Richard Annett, Noel Mc
Ardle and John Clarke
our other scorers. Gary
Boyle put the ‘Point
back in front before
John Clarke after a late
tackle on Martin
equalised and Neil Doran
put us ahead for the
first time in the
sixtieth minute. In
added time however Boyle
squared it with his
ninth free.
This is the type of game
that awaits us in the
play offs –windy, wet,
slippery underfoot
conditions, stop start,
lots of frees, scores at
a premium.
Team B Mc Veigh P Sherry
J Mc Veigh Jim Clarke D
O’Reilly L Mc Veigh L
Fitzpatrick M Harper J
Colgan 0:1 John Clarke
0:3 N Doran 0:1 P Cole
0:1 R Annett 0:2 P
Murney N Mc Ardle 0:1.
Subs M Trainor M Clarke
0:1.
Our
next league game is this
Saturday at home v
Glasdrumman and on 7th
October we are away to
Saul. The playoffs take
place on, 22nd
and 29th
October and 5th
November.
Seniors 19/09/2006
At Kilmacud we
beat Castleisland of
Kerry and Father
Brackens of Wexford
and drew with Bellaghy
of Derry but failed to
qualify for the knock
out stages on score
difference. Team
Brendan Mc Veigh Liam
Mc Veigh Jim Clarke
John Clarke James
Colgan Martin Clarke
Neill Doran Paddy Cole
Deaglan O’Reilly Paul
Murney.
Our
next league game is this
Saturday away v.
Warrenpoint and then on
Saturday 1st
October at home v
Glasdrumman and on 7th
October away to Saul.
The playoffs take place
on 15th, 22nd
and 29th
October.
Seniors 12/09/2006
We play in Kilmacud on
Saturday in a group
with Bellaghy Derry,
Castleisland Desmonds
Kerry, and St. Brigids
Roscommon. Bellaghy
need no introduction
with five Derry
seniors including
Fergal Doherty and
Gavin Diamond in their
side. Castleisland are
a famous Kerry Club
with two current Kerry
stars in Mossy Lyons
and Kieran Brennan.
Saint Brigids have two
players who were
regulars for Roscommon
all season, John
Tiernan and Karl
Mannion. They are the
reigning Roscommon SFC
holders and are
through to their
County semi final this
season again.
Our
next league game is on
Saturday 23rd
September away v.
Warrenpoint and then on
Saturday 1st
October at home v
Glasdrumman and on 7th
October away to Saul.
The playoffs take place
on 15th, 22nd
and 29th
October.
Seniors v Kilclief
06/09/2006
The
seniors won comfortably
in Kilclief on Saturday
4:22 to 2:9. After a
recent dip in form it
was important to get
back to winning ways
again. The result was
everything on Saturday.
We got off to a good
start and were six one
up when Paul Murney
crashed in the opening
goal from close range.
Martin Clarke soloed in
for a spectacular second
to move us 2:14 to 0:4
clear by the break.
Kilclief had pointed
just once from play.
They had a good start to
the second half grabbing
a goal and another point
but were soon
steamrolled as points
from Martin Clarke and
Chris Killen were
followed by a John
Clarke goal and after
Martin Clarke had
converted two fifties
Noel Mc Ardle scored the
fourth goal with a low
drive. Kilclief battled
away and former Down
minor Ricky Kerr goaled
again for them but it
proved too little too
late. Team B Mc Veigh
Jim Clarke J mc Veigh P
Sherry L Fitzpatrick L
Mc Veigh D O’Reilly A
Flanagan 0:1 J Colgan N
Doran 0:3 M Clarke 1:7
John Clarke 1:5 C Killen
0:1 P Murney 1:3 R
Annett 0:2. Subs N Mc
Ardle 1:0 P Cole M
Rodgers D Sherry M
Trainor.
Senior v Rostrevor
28/08/2006
The Senior
Footballers edged a
challenge in Rostrevor
on Sunday morning
coming from three down
to go six up before
finishing two points
to the good.
Photos by Pat O'Hare
Action shots from Round 1 Down SFC 2006: Bryansford 1-12 An Riocht 0-07
12/08/2006
Down Senior Football
Championship: v
Bryansford 12/08/2006
In the Championship
we fell away after a
decent start and were
well beaten by the
finish.
John Clarke opened the
scoring after good
aggressive play from
Paul Murney before Chris
Branagan ran through
unopposed to equalise.
Brian Mc Veigh then took
advantage when two
defenders collided to
scoop up the ball and
put Ford ahead. Martin
Clarke levelled and
Paddy Cole restored our
lead after more direct
play from Murney. Ciaran
Branagan ran short to
take a Shane King free
and point and moments
later Johnny Cunningham
advanced to collect
another short free and
put Bryansford ahead.
John Clarke fisted over
another equaliser before
Chris Branagan from a
free put Ford in front
again. However even at
this stage we were
becoming loose at the
back, some great high
catches at midfield were
being spoiled by wayward
distribution, and our
front line of attack
were being beaten to the
ball by their direct
opponents. Then on
eighteen minutes a high
ball from Ciaran
Branagan was fumbled
about the square and Ger
Morgan latched on to
shoot a goal low at the
left post. Ciaran
Branagan from play and a
free extended the lead
with Ciaran Walsh
chipping over on the
whistle to give us some
second half hope. The
game was shortly
restarted when John
Clarke pointed a free
but despite enough
possession we failed to
make any inroads into
the Bryansford lead
kicking wides and losing
the ball in tackles as
Ford dropped deep and we
followed them in. From
lesser ball in more
space the more clinical
Bryansford players
pointed four in a row to
end the game as a
contest with a quarter
hour still to play. As
proceedings fizzled out
Deaglan O’Reilly pointed
and both Liam and Kieran
Mc Veigh had hard luck
for consolation goals
and the subs too made a
difference but it was
all too late in the day.
Good Luck to Bryansford
in the quarter finals
and best wishes to the
Referee who took unwell
during the game. We were
never going to win the
SFC and Promotion
remains our objective
for this season but
Friday night clearly
illustrated just how far
off First Division pace
we remain individually
and as a team. Team B Mc
Veigh; J Mc Veigh Jim
Clarke A Flanagan; D
O’Reilly 0:1 L Mc Veigh
L Fitzpatrick; J Colgan
P Murney; P Cole 0:1 M
Clarke 0:1 John Clarke
0:3; C Walsh 0:1 K Mc
Veigh R Annett. Subs C
Killen F Doyle C Sloan.
Seniors v Atticall
12/08/2006
Another
disappointing result,
1:12 to 1:11, though at
this stage performance
is of greater importance
than result, not that
the performance offered
much comfort. A slow
start saw us trail by
eight points, 1:9 to
0:4, after forty
minutes. The goal the
result of some kamikaze
defending while our
tally of wides, which
eventually reached
seventeen, was steadily
growing at the other
end. Then the
predicament we had
allowed ourselves drift
into hit home and we
injected greater urgency
into our play drawing
level quite easily
inside fifteen minutes.
Then with the scores
tied we went for a
second goal when a point
was all that was needed,
missed another close in
free and had a point
disallowed. Atticall who
were prolific from
placed balls moved back
in front and despite
having ample late
opportunities to take
something from the game
we spurned them. Team B
Mc Veigh; Jim Clarke J
Mc Veigh L Fitzpatrick;
D O’Reilly L Mc Veigh
0:1 A Flanagan; J Colgan
0:2 M Harper; C Walsh
0:2 K Mc Veigh 1:1 John
Clarke 0:3; P Cole 0:1 R
Annett C Killen 0:1.
Seniors v Ballyholland
12/08/2006
Harps won 1:13 to
1:11 but our goal came
in added time at the end
and Brendan Mc Veigh had
made several good saves
at the start of the
second half. It all
started so well. We were
four nil up after ten
minutes though
Ballyholland had
equalised by the
twentieth and the teams
were level again at
five, six and seven
points apiece before
Matty Shields advanced
from centre half back to
flick Harps goal with
the last play of the
first half. Brendans
heroics prevented
Ballyholland from
finishing off the match
as they bombarded us on
the restart but we were
never able to cut into
their lead which in fact
grew as the second half
progressed. A late goal
and a point indicated we
never gave up but really
we never looked like
winners after the first
quarter hour. Team B Mc
Veigh; L Mc Veigh J Mc
Veigh Jim Clarke; D
O’Reilly 0:1 John Clarke
0:3 A Flanagan; P Murney
J Colgan; P Cole K Mc
Veigh N Doran 0:1; C
Walsh M Clarke 0:4 R
Annett 1:2. Subs L
Fitzpatrick C Killen C
Sloan.
Martin Clarke enjoys his time Down Under
02/08/2006
Seniors v Saul
30/07/2006
John Clarke opened
the scoring with a point
and following a defence
splitting Jim Clarke
solo Richard Annett
blazed wide with only
the keeper to beat.
Paddy Cole made it two
nil but fluffed the next
chance and Saul counter
attacked to score their
first point in the
eighth minute. A John
Clarke free followed by
a well taken score from
Michael Trainor moved us
four one ahead. A couple
of long range frees kept
Saul in contention as
our lead was reduced to
the minimum by the end
of the first quarter.
Conor Sloan (2) and
Richard Annett points
reasserted our
superiority on the
scoreboard before in the
twenty third minute a
brilliant pass from
Michael Harper picked
out Ciaran Walsh and he
slipped the ball inside
to Conor Sloan who
picked his spot for the
first goal. Two minutes
later Ciaran Walsh
latched onto a loose
ball to fire in an
unstoppable second goal.
In a loose finish to the
half Saul pointed twice
for a 2:7 to 0:5
interval score line.
On
the restart Christopher
Killen placed Paddy Cole
for the opening point
and within eight minutes
further goals from John
Clarke and Conor Sloan
ended the game as a
contest. Richard Annett,
John Clarke, Killen,
Annett again, sub Noel
Mc Ardle and Cole all
pointed before Saul
managed their solitary
second half score.
Richard Annett scored a
well taken fifth goal in
reply with Jim Clarke
chipping over the final
point for a 5:15 to 0:6
win. Team: B Mc Veigh; P
Sherry Jim Clarke L
Fitzpatrick; M Trainor D
O’Reilly A Flanagan; J
Colgan M Harper; C Walsh
John Clarke P Cole; R
Annett C Sloan C Killen.
Subs B Sloan, M Rodgers,
C Walsh, N Mc Ardle, G
Small.
Seniors v Downpatrick
24/07/2006
The Seniors lost
their first game in the
league at Downpatrick on
Sunday. Holidayitis
cannot disguise a poor
performance in which our
best player was goalie
Brendan Mc Veigh who
made at least four top
class saves as Hoops
poured through our
porous backline which
was overrun as our
midfield faded and our
forwards only wanted to
attack and not fulfil
their defensive duties.
A huge improvement will
be needed before the
playoffs with real
competition for places
required to stimulate
the necessary
improvement among the
players. We had early
chances but shot tamely,
fumbled the ball and
generally took the wrong
option. Still we led two
nil but were punished
for our wastefulness
when Downpatrick against
the run of play bundled
in two goals. While we
continued to pick off
some good scores from
distance, Downpatrick
continued to tear
through for goal
chances. At the break we
led 1:9 to 2:3, ten
scores to five. Eight
second half frees proved
enough to win the game
for Downpatrick on a
2:12 to 1:10 score line,
with our play
deteriorating
dramatically as we
managed a solitary point
from a free in the forty
third minute. Team: B Mc
Veigh P Sherry Jim
Clarke M Trainor A
Flanagan D O’Reilly L
Fitzpatrick J Colgan 0:2
P Murney N Doran John
Clarke 0:5 P Cole R
Annett 0:2 C Sloan
Ciaran Walsh 1:1. Subs
Conor Walsh C Killen G
Small.
Photos and Match
Report from An Riocht
Seniors vs Glenn
12/07/2006
Photos and Match
Report from Carryduff
vs An Riocht Seniors
12/07/2006
Senior Football v
Ballymartin 26/06/2006
The Seniors won
handily enough on a 3:14
to 0:9 score against
Ballymartin at Dunavil.
First half goals from
John Clarke and Kieran
Mc Veigh and a third
after the break from
Martin Clarke set us up
for the win. The
visitors had a few good
moments of their own but
found Brendan Mc Veigh
unbeatable both from
play and from the
penalty spot.
Photos and Match
Report from An Riocht
Seniors vs Glasdrumman
12/07/2006
Senior Football v Saval
19/06/2006
The Seniors created
a new Club record on
Thursday with their
eleventh straight win in
the league, bettering
the record set in 1982
when the then Seniors
won ten in a row to pip
Longstone for the
Division Two title. Two
of the current
management were involved
then also, Tom
Cunningham was the man
in charge and Sean
O’Rourke played full
forward.
In
Saval we began well.
Michael Harper, Martin
Clarke and Ciaran Walsh
had early scores. Saval
hit back with two from
Gavin Quinn but further
points from Martin (two
frees) and Kieran Mc
Veigh moved us six two
ahead. Saval enjoyed a
brief spell on top with
three Fergal Mc Conville
points, two from poor
clearances, before James
Cunningham returned a
weak kick out over the
bar and Martin Clarke
added another point to
make it eight five at
the break.
Paddy Donnelly and
Kieran Mc Veigh
exchanged scores on the
restart before Saval had
their best spell of the
match. Niall Devlin and
Gavin Quinn both pointed
and by the fortieth
minute only the minimum
separated the teams.
Then Saval were awarded
a penalty. Gavin
Finnegan dived low to
his left to cover his
line and the ball flew
outside of the posts and
wide. From the kick out
Liam Fitzpatrick secured
possession, played the
ball on to Martin Clarke
and then to Michael
Harper and into Kieran
Mc Veigh who steered his
shot inside the far post
for an An Riocht goal!
In again moments later
Martin saw his low drive
cannon out off a post as
we upped the pace.
Fergal Doyle pointed
twice, Kieran Mc Veigh
fisted over on the run
and Martin Clarke scored
his fifth as the gap
stretched to double
scores, 1:13 to 0:8.
Saval meanwhile had two
men lined and finished
with an injury time
consolation from Niall
Devlin.
This was a creditable
display at the home of
our nearest rivals minus
four first choice
players and our second
game in seventy two
hours. Gavin Finnegan
performed soundly in
goals fisting away
whatever was too
dangerous to catch.
Aidan Flanagan performed
well when pulled out the
field and linked the
play well. Jim Clarke
had another stormer at
the heart of the
defence. Paul Murney and
Kieran Mc Veigh got
through a lot of ball at
mid field. Of the front
men Fergal Doyle
probably made the
biggest impression while
the half forwards worked
tirelessly for the team
when they hadn’t the
ball.
Photos from
An Riocht Saval ACFL Div 2 Game 23/06/2006
Photos and Match
Report from An Riocht
Seniors vs Warrenpoint
12/07/2006
Senior Football v
Carryduff 29/05/2006
The seniors made it
seven straight wins with
a comprehensive
dismantling of visiting
Carryduff on a 3:18 to
1:8 score line. The
under strength city side
were eleven nil down
after twenty minutes and
when they did score a
point we replied with
our first goal, a
cracker from Paddy Cole.
Carryduff did net before
the break and at half
time we led 1:12 to 1:2.
There was no let up on
the restart and three
quick points were
followed by a Ciaran
Walsh goal in the forty
second minute and a
Martin Clarke penalty
goal five minutes later.
To their credit
Carryduff plugged away
adding four late points.
Team B Mc Veigh; J Mc
Veigh, A Flanagan, Jim
Clarke; D O’Reilly, L Mc
Veigh, L Fitzpatrick
0:1; P Murney, J Colgan
0:1; John Clarke 0:6, M
Clarke 1:5, P Cole 1:0;
C Walsh 1:1, M Harper, R
Annett 0:3. Subs P
Sherry, C Annett, M
Trainor, B Sloan, S
Flanagan 0:1.
Photos and Match
Report from An Riocht
Seniors vs Kilclief
12/07/2006
Photos from
An Riocht Kilclief
ACFL Div 2 Game
23/06/2006
Senior Football v
Ballyholland 22/05/2006
Playing in
Ballyholland who were
unlucky to go down last
season many saw this as
the first real test of
progress this term and
on a miserable wet night
the team came through
with flying colours.
We
started sharp racing
into a three nil lead
and denied a goal by
some last ditch
defending. From the
throw-in James Colgan
fisted the ball some
twenty yards and Richard
Annett collected to
shoot a point. John
Clarke converted a free
and from a Jim Clarke
solo Annett added
another. In between time
John Clarke was denied a
goal after a strong run
through the home defence
by a diving block from
Paddy Mc Anulty.
Ballyholland settled and
Ronan Murtagh drew them
level with two scores
from play and a free and
then in the tenth minute
Shane Mulholland slotted
a fifty to put Harps
ahead. A Martin Clarke
free briefly levelled
before Murtaghs fourth
edged Ballyholland back
in front. Then in the
eighteenth minute Liam
Mc Veigh darted in to
break up a home attack
and carried the ball
forward, three
lightening quick passes
later it was in the
Harps net, Richard
Annett providing the
final touch. Robbie
Quinn replied but Martin
Clarke from play and a
free put a goal between
the teams. Murtagh and
County colleague Paul
Murphy pulled back those
two points to leave the
minimum in it with
Brendan Mc Veigh saving
well from attacking half
back Paddy Mc Anulty.
Half time Ballyholland
0:8 An Riocht 1:6.
On
the restart Paddy Cole
on the turn and James
Colgan on a surge from
centre field opened the
gap again with Shane
Mulholland replying from
a free. Two from John
Clarke were met by
points apiece from Paul
Murphy and Ronan Murtagh
(f) as the second half
seemed to be following a
similar trend to the
first. Then in the forty
third minute John Clarke
lobbed high into the
square and under
pressure from Michael
Harper the ball ended up
in the net, a goal born
of the wet slippery
conditions. Paddy Coles
switch to the half
forwards for the final
quarter hour added
another dimension to our
play and Ballyholland
were torn asunder by the
dominance of our
midfield and the
movement of the three
quarter line. Eight
points in a row were
scored as the home side
were left chasing
shadows. Cole soloed in
for the first, John
Clarke swung over the
second from distance and
then Ciaran Walsh and
Martin Clarke combined
for another Cole point.
Walsh placed Annett for
the next one and then
Cole picked up a loose
ball in his own half and
skipped through tackles
before firing over a
great point. Walsh and
Martin Clarke added the
next couple and Colgan
stormed through from
midfield to make it 2:18
to 0:11. Two late
strikes were of mere
consolation value for
the home side. Team: B
Mc Veigh J Mc Veigh A
Flanagan Jim Clarke D
O’Reilly L Mc Veigh L
Fitzpatrick P Murney J
Colgan 0:2 J Cunningham
M Clarke 0:4 John Clarke
0:4 P Cole 0:4 M Harper
1:0 R Annett 1:3. Subs C
Walsh 0:1 B Sloan S
Flanagan. Ballyholland:
R Murtagh 0:7 P Murphy
0:3 S Mulholland 0:2 R
Quinn 0:1.
Photos from
An Riocht Ballyholland
ACFL Div 2 Game
23/06/2006
Photos
from An Riocht Seniors
vs Atticall Game
20/04/2006
Senior Football v
Atticall
15/05/2006
The Seniors
won by double scores,
1:15 to 0:9. After a
nervous start during
which we went behind two
nil, the team settled
and shot seven points in
a row. At half time we
led eight points to
four. Atticall enjoyed a
brief resurgence on the
restart narrowing the
deficit to the minimum
but as in the first half
once our team got into
its stride the visitors
had no answer to our
power and we added 1:7
without interruption,
Ciaran Mc Veigh hitting
a cracking goal and
Martin Clarke
contributing a couple of
huge points. Atticall
finished with two injury
time scores. Team: B Mc
Veigh; J Mc Veigh, A
Flanagan, Jim Clarke; D
O’Reilly 0:1, L Mc Veigh,
L Fitzpatrick; P Murney,
J Colgan; John Clarke
0:5, C Mc Veigh 1:1, M
Clarke 0:6; P Cole 0:1,
M Harper, R Annett 0:1.
Sub N Doran.
Senior Sevens
15/05/2006
We began well
deposing the reigning
champions Rostrevor 1:4
to 0:4 in the quarter
final and followed with
a 1:6 to 0:8 victory
over favourites
Longstone in the semis
but let ourselves down
in the Final, played
none and lost to Burren
1:9 to 2:2. Team R Doran
N Doran S Clarke P Cole
C Sloan M Trainor N Mc
Ardle M Rodgers P Murney
D O’Reilly.
Photos and Match
Report from An Riocht
Seniors vs Downpatrick
12/07/2006
Senior Football
Glenn 3:8 An Riocht
5:13
An Riocht won this our
third game in the
league
and the first
'starred' fixture with
plenty to spare. We
got off to a great
start with Neil Doran
pointing after ten
seconds and Michael
Harper following up
with a second minute
goal from a near
impossible angle. The
quick hands and swift
transfer of the ball
forward allied to some
terrific support play
left Glenn chasing
shadows and the flood
gates should have
opened.
Glenn though threw
themselves into it and
two frees kept them in
touch. Martin Clarke
and Paddy Cole replied
with points apiece.
There followed the
first of several
elementary errors
which against better
opposition could prove
costly. Gavin Finnegan
saved brilliantly and
was fouled in the
follow through but in
his urgency to move
the ball passed the
free straight to a
forward who goaled
from ten yards.
Refusing to panic An
Riocht shot a further
2:6 before the break.
Some of the play was
exceptional. Ciaran Mc
Veigh (2), Richard
Annett (2), Martin
Clarke and Paddy Cole
hit the points with
Paul Murney and Paddy
Cole striking
spectacular goals.
Half-time Glenn 1:2 An
Riocht 3:9
Had half time not come
An Riocht would have
went on to win by a
huge amount. However
the break disrupted
our flow and though we
had chances to extend
our lead the earlier
fluency was missing.
Glenn kicked three
handy frees and then
following another
error in the square
poked home a goal.
Though the result was
never in doubt it did
make for an
uncomfortable few
minutes. Paddy Cole
and Michael Harper
replied with points
before Paddy Cole got
a flick on a long pass
from Harper to guide
the ball over the
advancing keeper for
our fourth goal.
Glenn goaled again
when a long ball
eluded everyone and
bounced into the roof
of the net but in the
final ten minutes we
banged in 1:3 with
Michael Harper scoring
his second goal and
Deaglan O’Reilly and
Neill Doran adding
points.
Team G Finnegan J Mc
Veigh A Flanagan J
Clarke D O’Reilly 0:1
L Mc Veigh L
Fitzpatrick P Murney
1:0 C Mc Veigh 0:2 C
Walsh M Clarke 0:2 N
Doran 0:2 P Cole 2:3 M
Harper 2:1 R Annett
0:2. Subs N Mc Ardle J
Cunningham.
Senior Football v
Ballymartin
24/04/2006
The Seniors made it
the perfect start with
two wins from two when
we visited Pats Road on
Thursday. This game
lacked the intensity of
the Saval match and from
a very early stage An
Riocht were in control
in every position on the
field. Ahead 1:8 to 0:2
at half time, the final
score line was 1:16 to
1:2 in our favour after
a very powerful display.
Richard Annett grabbed
the goal in the sixth
minute when he touched
the ball over the
advancing keeper off a
long delivery from Paul
Murney. There were some
well taken if unopposed
points and only three of
the sixteen were from
frees. A scrappily given
away goal ten minutes
from time was the only
blemish on a good
all-round team
performance. Clarke, Mc
Veigh and O’Reilly were
best at the back, Colgan
and Murney dominated in
midfield while all six
forwards scored. Team: B
Mc Veigh J Mc Veigh A
Flanagan Jim Clarke 0:1
D O’Reilly L Mc Veigh L
Fitzpatrick P Murney J
Colgan 0:2 N Doran 0:1
Ciaran Mc Veigh 0:3 John
Clarke 0:3 P Cole 0:3
Martin Clarke 0:3 R
Annett 1:0.
Senior Football v Saval
24/04/2006
The Seniors got the
season off to a winning
start with a tricky
success over Saval, 1:10
to 0:8. In a fast, tough
tackling affair a lot of
the scores were from
frees with some
spectacular efforts
landed. Brendan Mc Veigh
made two good saves in
the early stages but
once we settled we moved
six three ahead by the
break. A penalty goal
from Neill Doran on the
restart after Martin
Clarke was hauled down
helped spread the gap to
seven points before
Saval rallied and frees
from Daniel Hughes and
Darren Cunningham left
it close. Though Saval
were awarded a late
penalty Mc Veigh was
equal to it and there
was still time for
Ciaran Mc Veigh to
finish the scoring at
the other end. Mc Veigh,
Flanagan and Fitzpatrick
were best in defence,
Murney got in some good
catches at midfield, and
Mc Veigh, Cole and Doran
took the scoring
plaudits. Team: B Mc
Veigh J Mc Veigh A
Flanagan Jim Clarke D
O’Reilly L Mc Veigh L
Fitzpatrick P Murney J
Colgan N Doran 1:4 C Mc
Veigh 0:2 John Clarke P
Cole 0:1 M Clarke 0:2 R
Annett. Subs C Walsh J
Cunningham 0:1
Senior Football
v Longstone.
19/04/2006
The Seniors
got in a final
practice match
ahead of the
league start when
Longstone visited
Dunavil last
Monday. The ‘Stone
started best
racing into a
three nil lead
before we settled
and by the break
we were seven four
ahead. That
stretched to
fourteen seven
before a late
‘Stone flurry
brought our
advantage down to
a point, 0:14 to
1:10. Team Brendan
Mc Veigh, Joe Mc
Veigh, Aidan
Flanagan 0:1, Jim
Clarke, Deaglan
O’Reilly, Liam Mc
Veigh 0:1, Liam
Fitzpatrick, Paul
Murney 0:1, Ciaran
Mc Veigh 0:1, John
Clarke, Neill
Doran 0:2, James
Cunningham,
Richard Annett
0:2, Martin Clarke
0:4, Paddy Cole
0:1. Subs Noel Mc
Ardle 0:1.
Senior Football
v Mayobridge
11/04/2006
The Seniors
played Mayobridge
on Friday at
Dunavil losing by
a point, 1:10 to
0:14. Both teams
were short. Having
played with the
wind we led seven
four at the break
thanks to a fine
Gavin Finnegan
save denying Noel
Sexton a goal. The
‘Bridge seized on
every loose pass
to counter attack
with deadly
accuracy. The
breeze
strengthened on
the restart as the
rain lashed down
and six successive
scores from the
visitors
threatened to end
the match as a
contest before
Ciaran Mc Veigh
nipped in with a
goal to level
things. However
some mighty long
range frees from
Padraig Bradley
swung the result
in Mayobridge’s
favour. Paddy Cole
(5) and Neil Doran
(4) were our top
scorers.
Games & Coaching
27/03/2006
The Seniors lost
a game in Rostrevor,
1:10 to 1:6. The
defenders stood up
well in the tackle
but handling was
poor and forwards
were too often found
behind with few of
the twenty five
players
participating
staking claims for
automatic selection.
The best that could
be said in the heavy
conditions was that
we stuck at it and
almost goaled at the
finish to add to a
great strike from
Ciaran Mc Veigh
midway through the
first half.
Games & Coaching
20/03/2006
The Seniors
had two games v.
Castleblaney Faughs
and Derrytrasna
Sarsfields. In
Monaghan some twenty
seven players
participated while
the five Down men
and some others were
unavailable. We were
fitter but rusty
with handling
particularly poor
and the home side
had six points to
spare at the finish.
Against the Lurgan
side a different
line up took to the
field. This was a
most enjoyable game.
The visitors were
impressive and we
had a few noteworthy
performances
ourselves. Some
players are
certainly taking the
opportunity to stake
claims for inclusion
once the whole
selection process
settles. Sarsfields
won with a late
second goal, 2:7 to
1:9. Thanks to those
who helped with the
catering. The PRFL
game v Mayobridge
will now take place
at 6:45pm on Tuesday
11th
April. Hard Luck to
St. Louis in the
MacRory Cup final.
Commiserations to
our Down U21
players.
Photos -
Seniors training - Top
of the Mountain
06/02/2006
Photos -
Sunday Morning Training at Kilbroney Park 30/01/2006
McGrath takes over management of An Riocht Seniors
13/01/2006
