Antrim SFC: Lámh Dhearg deny Creggan in extra-time to set up Portglenone semi-final clash

Lámh Dhearg captain Terry McCrudden and Creggan captain Ricky Johnston pictured with referee Mark O'Neill before Sunday's Antrim SFC quarter-final at Glenavy
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC: Lámh Dhearg 0-15 Creggan 0-13

Lámh Dhearg took the lead for the first time in extra-time, but they held it when it mattered most to edge out Creggan in a gripping quarter-final battle at Glenavy on Sunday.

This was a proper, hard-hitting Championship contest with several borderline challenges coming in from either side.

Yet, Ricky Johnston was probably unfortunate to pick up a late red for a high challenge on Owen McKeown which gave Paddy Cunningham the chance to kick the insurance point.

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In truth, Kickhams had ample chances to put daylight between the teams, but their failure to do so kept the door ajar enough for Lámh Dhearg to pounce late in the game.

Kickham owned possession in the early stages and raced into a 0-3 to no-score lead with the Hannahstown men struggling to get their hands on the ball.

Jamie McCann (free), Marty Johnston and Joe McAteer were all on the board for Creggan before Lámh Dhearg finally got off the mark via a Conor Murray free after 14 minutes.

Ryan Murray followed suit with a good point from play before Cunningham converted a free moments after McCann landed his second.

Creggan landed back-to-back points from Sean Duffin and Tiernan McAteer to restore their three-point cushion before Gerard Smith made a fine save to deny Ethan Carey-Small after great build-up from Ricky Johnston and Conor Small.

Instead of taking a six-lead lead, Creggan went in with only the kick of a ball between the teams as a trademark Cunningham free with the outside of the boot was followed by a fine effort from Conor Murray as the Hannahstown men trailed 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

A Ruairi McCann free on the restart was soon followed by another from Carey-Small as Creggan sought to make another strong start.

However, their efforts were undermined by four wides in quick succession as Cunningham converted a free for Lámh Dhearg.

Paddy Cunningham scored 0-7 for Lámh Dhearg against Creggan on Sunday
Paddy Cunningham scored 0-7 for Lámh Dhearg against Creggan on Sunday -Credit:©INPHO/Philip Magowan

The Kickhams got back on track when excellent play from Ricky Johnston engineered a free for Ruairi McCann to convert shortly after midfielder Kealan Can had split the posts.

Leading by four inside the final quarter, Joe Cassidy’s men failed to raise a white flag for the remainder of normal time.

A stunning score from Declan Smyth kickstarted Lámh Dhearg’s revival before back-to-back Cunningham frees left the minimum between the sides in the closing minutes.

Great work from Marc Jordan set up centre-back Declan Lynch for the equalising point on 58 minutes.

Indeed, the Hannahstown men could have nicked the game in stoppage-time as Smyth dropped one effort short while McKeown shot wide when off-balance.

In extra-time, substitute Mark Lowe converted two brilliant efforts from distance, one from a 45 and one from a free from the same range, to give his side the lead for the first time.

Creggan levelled before half-time via Ruairi McCann (free) and substitute Tiernan McLarnon before McKeown and Jamie McCann traded scores on the restart.

With five minutes of extra-time remaining, Cunningham’s sixth free nudged his side ahead once more.

Johnston’s foul on McKeown late on saw him sent off and Cunningham’s seventh and final score gave Lámh Dhearg a hard-earned two-point win.

They’ll now take on Portglenone in the last four after Casement’s defeated St John’s 2-10 to 1-12 on Saturday.

On Friday night, defending champions eased past Ahoghill 2-20 to 0-5 and they’ll face St Brigid’s in a repeat of last season’s semi-final after the south Belfast men defeated Dunloy 1-15 to 2-9 on Sunday.

Lámh Dhearg scorers: Paddy Cunningham 0-7 (0-7fs), Conor Murray 0-2 (0-1f), M Lowe (0-2, 0-1f, 0-1 45), Owen McKeown 0-1, Declan Lynch 0-1, Declan Smyth 0-1, Ryan Murray 0-1.

Creggan scorers: Ruairi McCann 0-3 (0-3fs), Jamie McCann 0-3 (0-1f), Marty Johnston 0-1, Ethan Carey-Small 0-1, Kealan McCann 0-1, Sean Duffin 0-1, Tiarnan McAteer 0-1, Joe McAteer 0-1, Tiernan McLarnon 0-1.

Antrim SFC semi-final draw: Lámh Dhearg vs Portglenone; Cargin vs St Brigid’s

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