13/12/2009 * The adult footballers had a major gym work session on Wednesday past.

30/11/2009* The adult footballers gym test took place on Wednesday. The next session is on Monday in the fitness suite.

16/11/2009* An Riocht won the Senior football final v Ballyholland at Newry by three points. A Chris Killen goal in the third minute gave An Riocht a lead they held until the final whistle. The Mourne men always looked likely winners though Harps did enough to keep the contest interesting for the good sized attendance. Martin Clarke was pulling the strings on the forty and John Clarke was winning everything which came his way as An Riocht threatened to end the match by the break. Ballyholland enjoyed a better start to the second half but up the other end An Riocht tagged on a response and so the half developed as the team which led the league all year went home with the cup. The winners half back line of Liam and Joe McVeigh and Deaglan O’Reilly were superb throughout.

James Cunningham

John Clarke takes on Damien Campbell

Martin Clarke

Martin Clarke V Ballyholland

James Colgan

Paul Murphy, James Colgan, Shane Mulholland

Raymond Tumelty of 0 Neills Sports sponsors of Down Leagues presents trophy to An Riocht Captains John Clarke and D O'Reilly

19/10/2009* Banbridge were well beaten at Dunavil on Sunday, 4-18 to 2-5, by a home side minus five regulars.

An Riocht led from the start and were soon five points to one up. Michael McAllister made a great save to deny Martin Clarke a goal but a major score was coming and following good approach play Chris Killen netted in the fifteenth minute and Richard Annett added a second goal two minutes later. Bann battled back and Gavin Finnegan turned away a Rory Hill shot. Bann did find the home net in the twenty second minute when John Paul Gartland came through the centre to place a shot wide of Finnegan but An Riocht responded with four points to cancel that goal out and just on half time McAllister was again in action spreading himself to deny James Cunningham.
Paddy Cole added a point on the restart before Richard Annett blasted the third goal and following an exchange of points Joe McVeigh advanced to score the fourth. Mal Magee managed a late consolation for Bann before Michael Rodgers rounded off the scoring with a long range point.
Scorers R Annett 2-0, C Killen 1-2, J McVeigh 1-0, M Clarke 0-6, P Cole 0-4, J Cunningham 0-3, J Colgan 0-1, M Rodgers 0-1, N McArdle 0-1.

12/10/2009* In a Senior Football challenge at Newcastle Bryansford beat An Riocht seventeen points to eleven. An Riocht led eight points to seven at the break but a combination of the loss of Liam McVeigh injured, a wipe out at midfield and a failure to convert even one of four decent goal chances contributed to our decline. Scorers J Clarke 0-3 M Clarke 0-3 L McVeigh 0-1 C Killen 0-1 S Clarke 0-1 J Colgan 0-1.

04/10/2009 *In the Senior Football at Glasdrumman, An Riocht showed seven changes to the team which beat Annaclone last Saturday but still had too much for the locals, running out comfortable winners 2-14 to 0-12. An Riocht had wind advantage in the first half and built up a ten point half time lead with Martin Clarke scoring both goals and the pick of the points coming from Joe McVeigh. An Riocht produced several good sweeping length of the field moves during the half. Points from James Cunningham and Christopher Killen extended the lead on the restart before Glasdrumman hit a dominant period of play and though they shot some good points they found Gavin Finnegan unbeatable in the An Riocht goals. Conor Doyle rounded off the scoring for An Riocht with a great score having been involved in the build up play on several occasions. Team and scorers G Finnegan, C McVeigh, M Rodgers, M Trainor, J McVeigh 0-1, L McVeigh, C Doyle 0-2, J Colgan, J Cunningham 0-3, R Annett, M Clarke 2-4, C Killen 0-2, P Gartland, P Cole 0-1, D Doyle 0-1.

Senior Football v Annaclone 28/09/2009
With top spot already secured An Riocht entertained Annaclone at Dunavil and came away with a 1-13 to 1-10 win. Annaclone failed to score from play in the first half, Colm Fegan struck two long range frees and the same player finished off a penalty goal after Brendan McVeigh had got his hand to his spot kick. That goal overturned An Riocht’s three points to two advantage, but the home side went on to lead by double scores 1-7 to 1-2 by the break. There was a healthy variation in scores and scorers from An Riocht and the goal from Paddy Gartland followed some great approach play. They should have had a second goal before Liam McVeigh extended the lead on the restart and that six point gap remained until five minutes from time when the visitors put three or four points together and forced Brendan McVeigh into a couple of fine saves. Team B McVeigh M Trainor M Rodgers C McVeigh P Sherry 0-1 L McVeigh 0-1 D O’Reilly P Murney J McVeigh 0-1 J McBurney C Killen 0-5 R Annett 0-1 N McArdle 0-2 J Clarke 0-2 P Gartland 1-0.

Senior Football 20/09/2009
An Riocht Senior Footballers played in the Kilmacud football sevens on Saturday. An Riocht cruised through the first game winning 8-6 to 0-6. It was a less assured first half in the second match against Corofin and we trailed by six points before two John Clarke goals in quick succession drew the team level and Paddy Gartland added a third to see An Riocht through 3-10 to 2-8. In a winner takes all final group game v Colmcilles, An Riocht came from behind yet again with two Patrick Cole goals helping us to a 3-3 to 0-3 interval lead and a controlled second half saw the game finish 3-5 to 0-5. In the quarter final v Crossmaglen we missed too many early chances but only trailed by a point at the break, 1-4 to 1-5. We were always chasing the result and even second half goals from Patrick Cole and Liam McVeigh could not get us through with Cross progressing on a 3-6 to 3-10 score. Team B McVeigh D O’Reilly 0-3 L McVeigh 3-2 J McVeigh 0-1 M Trainor 2-0 Jim Clarke 1-1 A Cunningham 1-1 P Gartland 2-2 P Cole 4-7 John Clarke 4-10. Thanks to everyone who supported the players fund raising raffle, Liam McVeigh won the two tickets and weekend in Dublin.

Senior Football 14/09/2009
An Riocht Senior Footballers played in a challenge in Longstone on Sunday losing 0-15 to 2-10. Team and scorers B McVeigh C McVeigh M Rodgers D O’Reilly M Trainor Jim Clarke P Sherry J Colgan P Murney R Annett 0-2 C Killen 0-3 J Cunningham 0-2 P Cole 0-2 John Clarke 0-2 N McArdle 0-2. Sub J McBurney 0-2.

Kilmacud 14/09/2009
An Riocht are paired with Colmcilles, the Longford county champions; Naomh Aban of Ballyvourney Cork, who are reigning Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta champions and include inter-county players Anthony Lynch and Miceal O’Croinin; and Corofin of Galway the current Connacht champions whose county men include Alan Burke, Damien Burke, Gary Sice, Kieran Fitzgerald and Michael Comer.

Senior Football 07/09/2009
The Senior footballers got back to winning ways with a convincing 2-12 to 1-6 success over visiting Kilcief on Friday evening. An Riocht played against the breeze and this led to a lot of possession play from the home side and an early piece of play begun by Brendan McVeigh ended seven passes later with Joe McVeigh netting at the other end akin to Meaths goal which beat Dublin in the ’91 marathon. Kilclief won most of the break ball around midfield and had an accurate long range kicker in Ciaran Polly and he insured they kept in touch with four first half points. An Riocht almost had a second goal but John Clarkes shot was cleared off the line by a defender and Kilclief took a shock lead when after Brendan McVeigh made a good save the ball ricocheted off a defender and spun into the net. Two points from play by Noel McArdle restored parity at 1-4 apiece by the break.
An Riocht were much more direct on the restart and John Clarke shot the opening two points of the half in as many minutes as a lead was opened. An Riocht were comfortable now and some fine points were scored before Paddy Cole took a James Colgan pass and rifled an unstoppable shot to the net. The pick of the points was probably the last one when subs Rory Cunningham and Conor Cole combined for the latter to shoot over from some distance. Scorers P Cole 1-3, N McArdle 0-4, J McVeigh 1-0, J Clarke 0-3, C Killen 0-1, C Cole 0-1.

30/08/2009 Senior Reserve Football
An Riocht travelled to play Burren on Monday past in the quarter finals of the Senior Reserve football championship.

30/08/2009 Senior Football
Ballymartin were visitors to Dunavil on Saturday evening in the Senior football league. The late change of day deprived An Riocht of five players but those coming in should be trying to force their way into the full team for the league playoffs which are now about six weeks away. An Riocht dictated the early exchanges but had only a Noel McArdle free to show for it. Ballymartoin were certainly up for the game but were not making many inroads until a loose An Riocht clearance presented Cathal Doyle with the ball eight yards out in front of an empty net and he made no mistake with his chance. An Riocht replied instantly with Liam McVeigh pointing but a well worked second goal from the visitors again dispatched by Cathal Doyle gave them a commanding lead, 2-0 to 0-2. Kieran O’Hare (2) then exchanged frees with Noel McArdle before John Clarke from play left it 0-4 to 2-2 approaching the break. A Paddy Cole shot on the restart which was touched over by Gavin Joyce in the Ballymartin nets was answered by James Doran’s point before Ballymartin substitute Cathal McDowell made it double scores. An Riocht had a spell around the three quarter mark when Liam McVeigh and John Clarke pulled back points apiece but McDowell stretched the gap to two scores before Noel McArdle left a goal separating them again with just under ten minutes remaining. An Riocht needed the next score but it was two Kieran O’Hare frees which widened the gap beyond An Riocht. Nooel McArdle converted one in reply but McDowell hit back. An Riocht pressed for the last five minutes but the closest they came was a Paddy Gartland shot which Joyce turned away for a fifty.

24/08/2009Senior Football v Loughinisland
Plenty of endeavour and not a little controversy failed to disguise a lack of quality in this Powerade Senior quarter final at wintery Castlewellan on Saturday evening. An Riocht probably kicked too many wides to progress but will look to a disallowed ‘goal’ and ‘point’ in the second half as being enough to get them through had both decisions not been overturned. We went two up early on with points from John Clarke and Noel McArdle (f), but were already wasteful in attack. Blues settled and five points, four of them Ryan Stranney frees, between the tenth and twenty fifth minutes gave them a good lead. We came closest to a goal when John Clarke twice fisted onto the bar and Deaglan O’Reilly went down under a heavy challenge in the Island square. The woodwork came into play again when a Paddy Cole shot went up and over off the bar and another free from Noel left us trailing by just the minimum at the break, 0-4 to 0-5.
The teams were level four times during the third quarter, Christopher Killen pointing three in a row from play, before Islands John McCarthy went narrowly wide with a toe poke after a loose clearance. An Riocht then thought they had scored but with the ball set up on the twenty metre line for a kick out the referee changed his decision and gave a square ball. Five minutes later An Riocht were again frustrated when they thought they had scored and from eight all the match slipped away with Dan Gordon influential in the closing stages and Seamus O’Hare popping up with two late points to put last years beaten finalists into the semis. An Riocht C Killen 0-3, N McArdle 0-3, J Clarke 0-1, P Cole 0-1.

Football 16/08/2009*An Riocht Senior footballers lost their second game of the season when beaten in Atticall on Thursday. Despite a fine start after which we led five points to one it all went downhill with Atticall eventually winning 1-14 to 0-12

Football 09/08/2009* In the Senior football championship An Riocht played Banbridge in Castlewellan and progressed to the quarter finals after a comfortable win 1-14 to 0-8. An Riocht were slow to settle and snatched at their shots allowing Bann to lead early on. Once we settled however it was pretty straight forward. Paddy Cole leveled at one all, then Aidan Cunningham drew it two all. Richard Annett forced a save from Michael McAllister before putting An Riocht ahead in the next attack while Paddy Cole (free) and Richard made it five two. Bann pulled a point back but had a player red carded and James Colgan and Deaglan O’Reilly added further first half points to leave it seven three at the break. On the restart Christopher Killen pointed three in a row before in the fortieth minute John Clarke fired in the only goal of the game. Good play from Conor Doyle, Paddy Gartland and Paddy Cole resulted in John getting the ball twenty yards out and he ran through to put the keeper the wrong way. Liam McVeigh and Jim Clarke came on for Michael Rodgers and Richard Annett both injured as play became ragged and both replacements made telling contributions. John and Paddy moved An Riocht eleven points clear, 1-12 to 0-4 before Paul Sherry replaced Deaglan O’Reilly. Bann were awarded four close in consolation frees before John and Paddy rounded of the scoring with points apiece. Team B McVeigh, M Trainor, M Rodgers, C Doyle, J McVeigh, A Cunningham, D O’Reilly, P Murney, J Colgan, L Harper, J Clarke, R Annett, P Gartland, C Killen, P Cole.

Football 02/08/2009
* In the Senior football league at Dunavil An Riocht beat Shamrocks 2-9 to 0-5. Driving wind and rain made it near impossible to play football but both teams battled on with the ten point winning margin probably flattering the home side. Shamrocks played with the wind in the first half but hit too many wides. They came close to a goal but Paddy Gartland took the ball off the line. The only score of the second quarter came in injury time when James Colgan finished a good move to the net to give An Riocht a 1-2 to 0-3 half time advantage.
Even with the wind An Riocht found it tough to get scores but with ten minutes remaining and leading by 1-7 to 0-5 Chris Killen found the net to put the result beyond Shamrocks. Scorers C Killen 1-3, P Cole 0-5, J Colgan 1-0, N McArdle 0-1.

Senior Football 26/07/2009
An Riocht won in Darragh Cross 2-15 to 0-9. We played with the breeze and got off to a good start with a Paddy Cole goal off an Aidan Cunningham pass. He should have had a second but hit the post with John Clarke finishing the rebound over the bar. John Clarke forced a good save from the home keeper at the expense of a point as we led 1-8 to 0-4 at the break. Even with the wind Darragh struggled to get into the game. Following a Jim Clarke solo Paddy Cole took a pass to blast home his second goal and in the next attack beat the keeper to the ball but punched narrowly wide. 2-9 to 0-4 down Darragh enjoyed a spell midway through the half bringing their tally to 0-8 including six frees but An Riocht replied with six points in succession and Liam Harper had a shot roll inches wide. Scorers P Cole 2-3, J Clarke 0-6, C Killen 0-5 J Colgan 0-1.

Senior Football v Downpatrick 12/07/2009
On Thursday at Dunavil An Riocht responded in the best possible way to last weeks setback in Ballyholland with a nine points win, 2-11 to 0-8. The game was played at a frantic pace from first whistle to last, a welcome relief from the passionless affairs we have endured over the past few matches. The referee only stopped the match when he had to and let the players get on with playing fully committed hard and mostly fair football. Downpatrick were a big strong side which included some decent footballers and for much of the first half put it up to An Riocht. Their full forward, Peter McKenna, had a great first half opening the scoring from a free and adding four more points, three from play, during the half. Chris Killen playing his first game of the season leveled from play before good play from Andrew Telford let McKenna in to restore the lead. John Clarke fisted a second equalizer and James Cunningham after a storming solo by Jim Clarke put An Riocht ahead for the first time. When John Clarke and Killen swapped positions the home players who had begun to play square really began to go long with the ball and realized there was no time to dwell. Killen converted a free after a foul on himself for four two. Hoops hit back with a McKenna free and then he drew them level with a brilliant shot on the turn after seventeen minutes. The first goal followed and again it was Killens direct play which carved the chance when he ran in on goals, drew the defence and squared for John Clarke to fist to the gaping net. Moments later a similar move with a similar outcome was ruled out for a square ball. Though An Riocht were on top now Downpatrick still had chances and with McKenna stealing in behind the defence he forced a fine save from the advancing Gavin Finnegan who was deputizing for County keeper Brendan McVeigh. John Clarke and Killen combined for Richard Annett to point from distance. Later in added time McKenna brought his tally to five when his rising shot cleared the bar.
Killen got the important first score after the break and Deaglan O’Reilly added another. Hoops chances were fewer this half though that man McKenna dribbled in to thread his shot past the keeper only for Joe McVeigh to take the ball off the line. John Clarke fired over from distance to put An Riocht six clear entering the final quarter hour. Downpatrick then managed their first score of the half a long range effort from number six, Ger Collins but the home side replied with frees from Killen and Clarke before James Cunningham intercepted a loose clearance and played in Killen who rounded the keeper and lashed the ball to the net. Cunningham added a point as An Riocht went eleven points clear. To their credit Downpatrick kept trying and despite losing Joe Starkey to a red card they added points apiece by the final whistle from Telford and Galbraith.
Patrick Gartland and Chris Killen were in top form for An Riocht and were well supported by Deaglan O’Reilly, Liam McVeigh, James Colgan and John Clarke in a good team performance.
Kingdom Gavin Finnegan; Michael Trainor, Michael Rodgers, Liam McVeigh; Joe McVeigh, Jim Clarke, Deaglan O’Reilly; James Colgan, James Cunningham; Aidan Cunningham, John Clarke, Richard Annett; Liam Harper, Chris Killen, Patrick Gartland. Subs Patrick Cole, Paul Sherry, Michael Harper, Conor McVeigh. Hoops James Deeney; Neil Cunningham, Damian Turley, Damian Braniff; Sean Bell, Gerard Collins, Liam Kearney; Caolan Boyd, Joe Starkey; John Connolly, Peter Telford, Andrew Telford; John Smith, Peter McKenna, Jarleth Branagan. Sub Stevie Galbraith

Senior Football Sevens 12/07/2009
An Riocht took part in the Ambrose Rogers seven-a-sides at Longstone on Sunday.

Senior Football v Ballyholland 05/07/2009
On Friday night at Fr Lynch Park An Riocht lost their 100% record to a hungrier home side by 3-7 to 0-11. However An Riocht had the chances to win this match but were wasteful in the extreme including a saved penalty, several frees and other chances from play. Lack of bite in the tackle, lack of strength on the ball, wayward passing and zero penetration are all ailments to be remedied before the business end of the season. For all that this was an entertaining game of football which flowed from end to end. Each team prospered when playing a pacey direct style and faltered when slowing the game down with horizontal overpassing.
In a real ding dong contest An Riocht could have goaled twice before Harps eventually opened the scoring with a Kevin Dunne point. Indeed the adventurous play of the home wing backs was to be a feature of the contest. John Clarke leveled for the visitors in the eighth minute but the impressive Paddy McNulty at full forward restored Harps advantage. Again Clarke tied it up but Ballyholland struck for their first goal when McNulty collected a Tommy Kane pass and fired an unstoppable shot to the net. Clarke from play and John Barry (free) maintained that three point gap but the visitors were coming more into the game. A series of misses from play and frees including a tame penalty easily saved by Shane Maguire prevented An Riocht making inroads into the Harps lead which McNulty increased with his second point. Just before the break Darren White pulled one back for the visitors who trailed 0-4 to 1-4 on the restart. They introduced James Colgan and James Cunningham and by the fortieth minute were ahead, Cunningham and Paddy Cole, pointing twice each. Harps struck the post in a by now rare attack after unforced fumbling in the visitors square and from a fifty John Barry equalized. Barry and Clarke then exchanged frees and with five minutes to play it was 0-9 apiece. An Riocht were now running at the Harps but lacked the strength and guile to penetrate their defence. In a role reversal Harps were now going long and after the ball was spilled in an An Riocht attack they quickly transferred it upfield where Shane Fitzpatrick had ghosted in and from close range he picked his spot for their second goal. In a frantic finale Clarke was hauled down while bearing in on goals and converted the free, Cunningham picked off his third score of the half, Paddy McAteer from distance gave Harps breathing space, Paul Sherry forced a save from Maguire and in a length of the field counter attack McNulty played in Kane who slipped the ball to Dunne who ran into the empty net for his second and Harps third goal in the fifth and final minute of added time.

Senior Football v Carryduff 28/06/2009
An Riocht took a long time to come to terms with Carryduff’s basketball type play. Keeping only one man in the home half of the field the city side smothered the An Riocht attack by sheer weight of numbers and broke at a leisurely pace keeping possession and drawing fouls. Eighteen minutes had passed before there was a score and by the thirtieth minute Carryduff led four nil. Paddy Cole finally raised a cheer from the home support with a point in added time. Positional and personnel changes did the trick for An Riocht on the restart and with some fine long range points picked off, the visitors were forced to come out and make a game of it and that left gaps at the back. On forty four minutes John Clarke capitalized when he shrugged off his markers and shot low to the net. An Riocht went on to win by 1-7 to 0-6. Team B McVeigh, M Trainor, M Rodgers, C Doyle, J McVeigh, D O’Reilly, P Sherry, J Cunningham 0-1, P Murney, A Cunningham, R Annett 0-1, P Cole 0-2, D White, J McBurney, J Clarke 1-1. Subs L Harper 0-2, N McArdle, C Sloan, L Fitzpatrick, C McVeigh.

Senior Football v Clann Na Banna 21/06/2009
In Banbridge on Friday An Riocht retained their 100% record but undoubtedly performances have dipped over the past four matches, still that's eleven straight wins, a seven point lead over second place and a score difference thirty points better than anyone else in the league. Hard to please or what?

Bann got off to a dream start with a goal and a point inside five minutes. Two minutes later Paddy Cole netted for An Riocht with a deft touch under the advancing keeper and then in the next attack forced a fine save from Michael McAllister. It took the visitors until the sixteenth minute to get level through frees from Paddy Cole and Noel McArdle. Paddy Cole and Paudi Bradley then exchanged scores before Richard Annett with our third free edged An Riocht back in front. Bann scored twice more to lead at the break 1-5 to 1-4.

An Riocht pointed four times on the restart through Paddy Cole, Richard Annett and substitute John Clarke (2) before Paddy Cole fired a screamer to the net giving McAllister no chance. The goal was simplicity itself with Brendan McVeighs kick out caught by James Colgan and played first time forward ahead of Paddy who cut in from the right and let fly, two passes and the back of the net. An Riocht failed to press their advantage with McAllister making spectacular saves from John Clarke and Johnny McBurney. A six point lead became two when Bann goaled from the penalty spot though John Clarke hit three on the trot in response. Three frees in response from Bann left a goal between them until late in the game Michael Trainor advanced to point the insurance score, An Riocht comfortable if unconvincing winners 2-12 to 2-8.

Senior Football v Glasdrumman 16/06/2009
An Riocht won comfortably 2-11 to 0-8 against local rivals Glasdrumman at Dunavil on Thursday night, though it was not a performance that will live long in the memory with too many unforced errors littering the home sides play. After a close enough opening quarter the introduction of Paddy Gartland swung things in An Riochts favour though play rarely improved on its early pedestrian pace. Unconvincingly ahead six points to three, An Riocht goaled for the first time right at the end of the half with Gartland drawing the defence before placing Johnny McBurney for a tap in. The visitors enjoyed a good little spell shortly after the restart and at one stage had the lead cut to four points but An Riocht always looked like outscoring them and minutes after Johnny McBurney had crashed the ball off the bar, Paddy Gartland slipped a shot low to the net for a second home goal. Glasdrumman were awarded a penalty late on but Brendan McVeigh dived to his right hand post to turn the spot kick away. Thanks to Glasdrumman for switching the match to facilitate the Kingdom Golf Classic. Scorers J Clarke 0-5, P Cole 0-3, N McArdle 0-2, J McBurney 1-0, P Gartland 1-0, P Sherry 0-1.

Senior Football v Annaclone 09/06/2009
An Riocht won in Annaclone, again amassing a healthy tally of 1-16 to 0-11. An Riocht led three nil early on but trailed seven three by the twentieth minute. Carrying the ball into tackles and losing it An Riocht retreated deep and handed the initiative to Annaclone for a period but with Paul Murney superb at centre field they clawed back to eight all by the break. Though Annaclone added a pointed free on the restart An Riocht were back in full swing and outscored the home side 1-8 to 0-2 in the remainder of the match. Michael Rodgers, Aidan Cunningham and Deaglan O’Reilly were resolute in defence while Paul Murney dominated back in his old stomping ground around the middle of the field. Upfront Paddy Cole and John Clarke carried the main threat well supported by Richard Annett. Scorers P Cole 1-3, J Clarke 0-4, J Cunningham 0-3, R Annett 0-2, N McArdle 0-2, J McBurney 0-1, P Sherry 0-1.

Senior Football v Kilclief 31/05/2009
Not one of our better performances, a combination of very poor support play and taking too much out of the ball against a team which played with thirteen men behind the ball, but with Paddy Cole (8) and John Clarke (4) upfront opponents will have to be very good to outscore us. Lively throughout, the game seemed well within An Riocht’s control, four points to one ahead after the first quarter hour. That then became six three before a big, strong home side leveled at six all. James Colgan pointed in added time to give An Riocht a minimum half time lead. Though Kilclief leveled again on the restart, An Riocht replied with six points in a row between the thirty fifth and forty fifth minutes to put the game beyond them and Johnny McBurney (2) crashed a shot off the base of the post. Trailing 0-17 to 0-10 Kilclief goaled two minutes from time and Deaglan O’Reilly went full length to block another on target effort. Damian Sherry (2) claimed the final point in the sixty second minute for a 0-18 to 1-10 win.

Senior Football v Ballymartin 24/05/2009
The Seniors won in Ballymartin on Friday night by 0-16 to 1-7 and but for a ten minute period at the start of the second half were always in control of proceedings. The home side had no answer to the high catching of Paul Murney in defence and James Colgan at centre field or to the ball wining ability of John Clarke in attack ably assisted throughout the field by Conor and Joe McVeigh at the back and Paddy Cole and Paddy Gartland up front.

It was Clarke who opened the scoring off a long accurate delivery from Colgan and though Ryan O'Hare equalized from a free, a like score from Paddy Cole restored the visitors lead. Colgan put two between the teams with a great score from distance as An Riocht led three points to one at the end of the first quarter.
A Kieran O'Hare free doubled Ballymartins tally but two quick points from Joe McVeigh moved An Riocht a goal clear, the second after Paul Sherry had crashed a shot off the bar.
Ballymartin came close to an equalising goal when Conor O'Hares cross shot forced Brendan McVeigh to scramble back and claw the ball out for a fifty, injuring himself in the process in a collision with the goal post.

The goal did come in the next attack however after a hanging ball became a loose ball and was poked home in the square by Cathal Doyle to tie the match. An Riocht responded well with John Clarke fisting a point from a tight angle and then Paddy Gartlands lob just tipped over for a point by a back peddling Gavin Joyce.
In added time the impressive Kieran O'Hare pointed Ballymartins first from play to leave the interval score Ballymartin 1-3 An Riocht 0-7.

Ballymartin enjoyed a great restart with frees from Kieran and Ryan O'Hare putting them in front for the first and only time in the match but they fluffed other chances. This seemed to shake the visitors from their lethargy and they injected some pace into their play pointing six in a row between the forty second and fifty seventh minutes, some of which were top quality. Cole, Cunningham, Clarke from play and placed ball, Gartland and Clarke again from play the scorers.

Two minutes from time and against the run of play Cathal McDowell replied with a Ballymartin point but An Riocht were playing with great energy and Clarke (2) and Cole finished off sweeping moves with points to put seven between the teams. Later still sub Charlie O'Hare claimed the final point for the home side.

Senior Football v Shamrocks 17/05/2009
An Riocht defeated Newry Shamrocks by 1-10 to 1-6 at sunny Pairc Esler on Monday evening. The Mourne men got off to a dream start when Sean Clarke soloed beyond the home backs and soccered the ball to the net. Shamrocks replied with a point from Noel Heaney but this proved their only score of the half. Paul Murney and Aidan Cunningham were sound up the middle of the Kingdom defence in the first half and the visitors went on to lead 1-6 to 0-1 by the break. Getting the ball in quickly to twin strikers John Clarke and Patrick Cole yielded four points with James Cunningham firing over the other two.

Ten scoreless minutes into the restart Paddy Cole extended the lead but the winning formula of the first period was abandoned by the visitors in favour of a short passing horizontal game which resulted in too many turn overs in a crowded midfield and eventually Shamrocks with three County men in their ranks found their range and ate into the deficit. Stand in keeper Johnny McBurney did well to tip over one effort but was helpless to prevent Eoin McGuinness goaling to leave three points between them before John Clarke finished the scoring with a point for a relieved An Riocht side whose failure to stick to a game plan almost cost them their 100% record.

Senior Football An Riocht 0-11 Atticall 0-6
In a tame Mourne derby lacking the cut and trust usually associated with such encounters and dampened by the constant drizzle An Riocht looked winners from the first whistle to the last. Atticall remained tantalizingly close but never close enough to threaten the outcome.

Paddy Cole and Kevin Quinn exchanged quality opening points before the home side gradually took control moving six one clear. John Clarke with a quite brilliant score, Noel McArdle, Paddy Cole again, Deaglan O'Reilly and Sean Clarke were the An Riocht marksmen with Martin Magee replying in added time to give Atticall some hope going in at the break six two in arrears.

On the restart it was An Riocht kicked the important first score with Paddy Cole bringing his tally to three points, Martin Trainor responded with two converted frees before Cole and John Clarke fired over points apiece. Daniel Sloan and Mark Sloan kept Atticall hopes alive with quick fire points but the latter's fifty second minute score proved their last.

Noel McArdle moved An Riocht ten six ahead then saw his 'goal' ruled out for a square ball while Atticall sub Johnny Morgan forced a fine save from Johnny McBurney in the home goals. The goalmouth incidents continued as Cole put Clarke through but with the keeper beaten Clarke's low drive rebounded off the inside of the upright. McArdle eventually concluded the scoring with his third point.

Teams: An Riocht J McBurney; M Trainor, P Murney, C McVeigh; D O'Reilly 0-1, A Cunningham, L McVeigh; J McVeigh, J Colgan; J Cunningham, Jim Clarke, S Clarke 0-1; N McArdle 0-3, P Cole 0-4, John Clarke 0-2. Subs P Gartland, R Annett, D Sherry. Atticall J Sloan; Philip Sloan, B Sloan, Aaron Sloan; B McAlinden, S Fitzpatrick, R Sloan; L Sloan, M Sloan 0-1; M Magee 0-1, Paddy Sloan, D Sloan 0-1; Andrew Sloan, M Trainor 0-2, K Quinn 0-1. Subs P Trainor, Phillip Sloan, J Morgan.

Senior Football v Darragh Cross 03/05/2009
Darragh were first time visitors to Dunavil on Thursday evening but found their hosts not very hospitable as the An Riocht team powered to a 1-4 to nil lead after just six minutes. Jim Clarke kicked the opening point, James Colgan fisted the second and then Conor McVeigh arrived on cue to shoot the first goal. Two points from play from Paddy Cole made it seven nil as the pace and direct play of the home side left Darragh chasing shadows.

However to their credit the visitors settled and buoyed by a goal in their first serious attack shared the scoring plaudits for the remainder of the half which finished An Riocht 1-8 Darragh 1-5, Paddy Cole (2), John Clarke and Jim Clarke with the additional home scores.

An Riocht blitzed Darragh on the restart. Paddy Cole (2) and John Clarke shared three points before John Clarke goaled to put nine points between the teams. Darragh converted a free but Cole (2) and Clarke replied to stretch the lead to eleven points.

Darragh enjoyed a good spell around the three quarter mark scoring four points in a row before James Cunningham and John Clarke popped up with points apiece. Seven minutes from time Darragh got in for their second goal but An Riocht went straight down the field to equal that with three quick points from John Clarke, Paddy Cole and Noel McArdle to leave the final score 2-19 to 2-11. Gavin Finnegan in goals played well, with Conor Doyle and Aidan Cunningham best in defence. The midfield duo of James Colgan and Joe McVeigh were on top throughout while up front Paddy Cole 0-9 and John Clarke 1-5 shared the scoring honours with good support from Jim Clarke.

Senior Football Sevens 03/05/2009
After an absence An Riocht participated in the Feis An Duin Senior Sevens and while falling short of previous successes at this important traditional event, the seven gave a good account of themselves losing by a point in the semi-finals to Championship opponents Clann Na Banna 1-5 to 1-6. Team C Sloan, A Cunningham, M Trainor, J Colgan, J McVeigh, P Cole, S Clarke, N McArdle, J Cunningham, C Doyle.

Senior Football An Riocht v Ballyholland 27/04/2009
An Riocht accounted for a disappointing Harps side at Dunavil. Ahead seven points to two, An Riocht scored the only goal of the game when Paul Sherry was put through by John Clarke and placed his shot wide off the keeper. Ballyholland never got closer than five points as An Riocht dominated to the finish. Conor McVeigh, Liam McVeigh and Aidan Cunningham were outstanding in the winners defence.

Senior Football Downpatrick v An Riocht 27/04/2009
An Riocht retained their 100% start to Division Two with this four point win over previously unbeaten Downpatrick. Playing quick, direct ball the Mourne men raced into a three nil lead before Hoops plundered a goal in the fifteenth minute against the run of play. At the break An Riocht led 0-7 to 1-2.

Six minutes into the restart the sides were level on eight points apiece, then after fifty minutes it was nine points each before An Riocht finished strongly with four unanswered points for a 0-13 to 1-6 victory. An Riocht could have had four goals but failed to test the keeper on each occasion. Best for the winners were James Colgan in midfield, John Clarke at full forward and Paddy Cole at centre half forward. Scorers P Cole 0-5, J Colgan 0-3, J Clarke 0-3, N McArdle 0-1, S Clarke 0-1.

20/04/2009 Senior Football Carryduff 0-7 An Riocht 0-9
The Senior League finally got underway on Friday and while An Riocht got off to a win it was not a satisfactory start, a traffic accident meant some players did not arrive until half time. Positives to take from the match for An Riocht were not conceding a goal, the high catching of James Colgan at centre field, the scores from play of Darren Doyle (3) and Sean Clarke (2), and the ability to win ball and hold onto it as shown by John Clarke and Johnny McBurney. There’s a long way to go but then there’s a long time to get there.

30/03/2009 *Senior Football v Bryansford.
Once again An Riocht came from behind in the closing stages to pip Bryansford 1-14 to 1-13 in Newcastle on Friday night. Liam McVeigh impressed in his first outing of the season while Joe McVeigh shone at centre field. Up front John Clarke and Paddy Cole shared the scoring plaudits. Team: G Finnegan; C McVeigh, P Murney, L McVeigh; M Trainor, Jim Clarke, D O’Reilly 0-1; J McVeigh, J Colgan; N McArdle, John Clarke 0-8, L Harper; P Gartland, D Doyle 0-1, P Cole 1-4.

30/03/2009 *Senior Football v Whitecross
On Sunday morning the seniors again left it late to edge visiting Whitecross 3-8 to 3-7. The Armagh side was full of running and caused An Riocht problems on the overlap but a storming finish saw the unbeaten run continue. Team: B Allen; M Trainor, P Murney, C Doyle; D O’Reilly, Jim Clarke, R Cunningham; J McVeigh, J Colgan; D White, John Clarke 0-5, C Cole; P Gartland 1-0, P Cunningham, P Cole 1-3. Subs D Flanagan 1-0, F Doyle, D Bowater, J McBurney.

Activities 23/03/2009
* Forty footballers took part in two matches with Loughinisland at Dunavil on Sunday. Thanks to Brendan and Roy for refereeing and James for the food.

In the first game An Riocht backed by the breeze shot some fine points to lead 0-9 to 0-1 at the break. Loughinisland came more into it on the restart but goals from Damian Sherry and Pearse Cunningham were enough to keep An Riocht far enough in front to record a win 2-12 to 2-6. Brendan Allen did well in goals; with Michael Murney solid at centre back and Shane Sloan and Daryl Bowater impressive when introduced to the defence; Conor Sloan picked up lots of break ball on the forty while Stephen Flanagan proved an able target man on the edge of the square.

Team ‘B’ was B Allen; P Allen 0-1, M Rodgers, M Clarke; D Sherry 1-1, M Murney, R Cunningham 0-1; M Harper, S Clarke 0-1; C Cole, C Sloan 0-4, D White 0-1; S Annett, S Flanagan 0-3, S McArdle. Subs S Sloan, C Cunningham, S Corr, D Bowater, P Cunningham 1-0, D Morgan.
In the second game both teams were minus a few key players and An Riocht won 0-10 to 0-8. At half time it was all square 0-4 apiece and it was level on three further occasions with the visitors leading eight points to seven and seven minutes remaining. A storming finish saw a more direct An Riocht hit three unanswered points to claim the victory.

Team ‘A’ was G Finnegan; C McVeigh, P Murney, C Doyle 0-1; D O’Reilly, A Cunningham 0-1, M Trainor; J McVeigh 0-1, J Cunningham; L Harper, P Cole 0-1, N McArdle 0-1; P Gartland 0-1, J McBurney 0-1, D Doyle 0-3. Subs P Sherry, Jim Clark.

16/03/2009* Thirty eight footballers took part in two matches with Saint Johns at Corrigan Park Belfast on Sunday. Team ‘A’ was G Finnegan; M Rodgers, P Murney, C Doyle; M Trainor, D O’Reilly, P Sherry; J Colgan, A Cunningham; M Spiers, John Clarke, N McArdle; D Doyle, J McBurney, Jim Clarke. Team ‘B’ was B Allen; C McVeigh, M Murney, S Corr; D Sherry, R Annett, R Cunningham; S Clarke, M Harper; L Harper, C Sloan, D White; S Annett, C Cole, S McArdle. A number of other players were unavailable for a variety of reasons. An Riocht won the first game 0-6 to 0-4 and lost the second 0-4 to 1-3.

09/03/2009* Thirty four footballers took part in two matches with Saval on Sunday with some good performances in each game. Team ‘A’ which won 1-8 to 0-8 was G Finnegan; C McVeigh, P Murney, C Doyle; M Trainor, D O’Reilly 0-1, J McVeigh; J Colgan 0-1, S Clarke; N McArdle, John Clarke 1-2, A Cunningham; P Cole 0-2, J McBurney 0-2, Jim Clarke. Team ‘B’ which drew 0-9 apiece was B Allen; S Sloan, M Murney, C Cunningham; L Harper, P Sherry, R Cunningham; D Doyle0-1, J Cunningham; C Cole 0-3, S McArdle 0-1, D White 0-1; S Annett 0-1, S Flanagan 0-1, P Gartland. Subs P Cunningham 0-1, E Quinn, R McCartan, M Harper. There were a number of players unavailable for selection on Sunday

08/02/2009* There were two games, Senior & Senior Reserve, played in near blizzard conditions at Dunavil on Sunday. The stew afterwards was much appreciated. An Riocht teams were Team ‘A’ Gavin Finnegan; Conor McVeigh, Richard Annett 0-1, Conor Doyle; Paul Allen 0-1, Deaglan O’Reilly, Aidan Cunningham 0-1; James Colgan 0-1, James Cunningham; Darren White 0-2, Darren Doyle, Paddy Cole 1-5; Conor Cole 1-1, Michael Harper, Diarmuid Flanagan. Subs Eamon Quinn, Stephen Corr, Chris Cunningham, Declan Ross 0-2; & Team ‘B’ Brendan Allen; Michael Rodgers, Jim Clarke, Michael Trainor; Paul Sherry, Michael Murney, Damian Sherry; Paul Murney Rory Cunningham 1-1; Sean Clarke 0-2, John Clarke 0-4, Paddy Gartland 0-1; Sean McArdle, Stephen Flanagan 2-2, Stephen Annett 0-3. Subs Kevin Matthews, Shane Sloan, Michael Clarke.