Posts Tagged ‘Conor Coulter’

Hamill points Antrim through to semi-final clash with Tipp

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Antrim 0-21
Armagh 0-16
By John Martin

ANTRIM will face Munster champions Tipperary in the All-Ireland U21 hurling championship semi-final after overcoming a skilful Armagh side at Casement Park last night.

The Orchardmen trailed by just three points by the 58th minute of a game that was level on five occasions. Antrim can thank the score-taking of man of the match Darren Hamill who finished with a tally of 10 points, six of which came from open play, and full back Cormac Donnelly who played a captain’s role in the second half.

A sluggish Antrim side took a while to get into gear and gradually got into the game with Hamill slotting over two points in quick succession

After Antrim led 0-9 to 0-8, just before the break, Donnelly extended their lead after the restart but a brace each from accurate free-taker Kieran McKernan and the excellent Conor Coulter had Armagh back in the lead.

Playing with the second half breeze, Antrim began to get on top with senior star PJ O’Connell landing two fine points from range to cut the gap.

After sustained Antrim pressure, Martin Maguire pointed Armagh’s first score for 12 minutes, but the Saffrons added two further points to retain their title and set up an All-Ireland semi-final with Munster champions Tipperary.

ANTRIM: E Gillen; K Molloy, C Donnelly (0-4, 0-4f), L McAuley; C Corvan, S Shannon, J Campbell; PJ O’Connell (0-2), E Laverty; M Devlin, T McCann (0-1), C Rocks; M Armstrong (0-3), D Hamill (0-10, 0-4f)), C Quinn

Subs: M Lynch for E Laverty, G Laverty for M Devlin, T McAlister for L McAuley, S Woulahan for C Rocks

ARMAGH: P Kelly; R Comiskey, P Gaffney, JJ Hughes; S McNaughton, N Curry (0-1), D Carville; K McKernan (0-7, 0-6f), M Maguire (0-2); P Monaghan, M Lennon (0-2f), D Carville; C Corvan (0-1), C Coulter (0-3), M Moan

Subs: T Duffy for P Monaghan

Referee: D Magee (Down)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Review | No Comments »

Ulster Final Preview – Antrim v Armagh

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Final
Antrim v Armagh
Casement Park, 7.30pm

For Armagh, the Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Final represents a chance to add another chapter to what has already been a remarkable year for hurling in the Orchard County.

With an Ulster final appearance already under their belts at minor level, not to mention their last gasp win in the Nicky Rackard Cup, regardless of the U-21 result, 2010 will already live long in the memory of all those involved with hurling in the county. But a first ever title would be even sweeter.

Based on their strong showing against Fermanagh and even better showing against Derry, much will be expected of captain Nathan Curry and his men. In the semi final against a much fancied Derry team they lead 2-6 to 0-2 at half time and should Antrim allow the likes of Conor Coulter and Michael Lennon to build up a similar head of steam, they will be a tough team to contain.

Antrim hurling on the other hand has also had a good Summer under the stewardship of Dinny Cahill. A famous win for their seniors against Dublin was followed up with a more than decent showing against the Rebels last weekend in Croke Park.

A number of those Antrim senior players line up for the U-21s and their man mountain of a captain Cormac Donnelly will be raring to go having been rested for the semi final win and having given Aisake Ó hAilpín plenty to think about last weekend.

Without doubt, Antrim are the kings of U-21 Ulster hurling and while they will be more than wary of the threat posed by Armagh, their experience at this level should see them over the line. 

Antrim: TBC

Armagh: TBC

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Preview | No Comments »

Dominant Armagh Reach First Final Since 1979

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Derry 0-10
Armagh 2-12
By John Martin

Armagh ran rampant against Derry at a rain-lashed Casement Park last night to claim their first place in the Ulster under-21 hurling final since 1979.

The history-making Orchard men were in control all over the park and will now face Antrim in next week’s decider at the same venue.

First half goals from man of the match Conor Coulter and Michael Lennon sealed a superb first half performance in which Armagh bossed every line on the park.

The game was as good as over at half-time when Armagh led by 2-6 to 0-2 against a disappointing Derry outfit who failed to register a score until the 15th minute.

They led by 0-5 to no score with Kieran McKiernan (0-3f), David Carville and Coulter all on target in the opening quarter of an hour. Patrick Henry replied for Derry but by the 20th minute the Oak Leafers trailed by 10 points when Coulter and Lennon raised green flags.

Coulter’s goal arrived on 17 minutes when the full forward fired past Darryl McDermott after weaving his way through the Derry defence. Three minutes later Coulter broke a high ball for Lennon to pull home on the ground for a 2-5 to 0-1 lead.

Henry and Coulter swapped scores before the break to give Armagh a 2-6 to 0-2 half-time lead.

Referee Garrett Duffy had to be replaced by fellow Antrim man Ray Matthews at the break due to injury but it was the same story for Derry after the restart.

Martin Moan, Martin Maguire, Conor Corvan and Coulter all added points and although Henry chipped away at the lead from dead balls, the game was long over before stand-by ref Matthews blew the final whistle.

The final takes place at Casement Park next Wednesday when Armagh will be contesting their second Ulster championship final of the year, having lost to Antrim in the minor decider last month.

The Orchard county have enjoyed a superb year on the hurling field, contesting two Ulster finals and winning the Nicky Rackard Cup for the first time.

Derry: D McDermott; C Mackle, L Hawkins, D Flanagan; S Cassidy, D McCloskey, C Murphy; B Glass, G O’Neill; A Grant (0-1), D O’Neill (0-2), P Henry (0-6f); C McSorley, P Kelly, C McElhinny

Subs: B Og McGilligan for C Murphy, P Cleary (0-1) for C McSorley, C Crossan for L Hawkins

Armagh: P Kelly; R Comiskey, P Gaffney, JJ Hughes; S McNaughton, N Curry, D Carville; K McKiernan (0-4f), M Maguire (0-1); J King, M Lennon (1-0), D Carville (0-1); F Woods, C Coulter (1-4), M Moan (0-1)

Subs: C Corvan (0-1) for F Woods, P Monaghan for S McNaughton
Referee: G Duffy (Antrim) replaced by R Matthews (Antrim) at half-time

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Review | No Comments »