October 24, 2017 by thesaffrongael

Brid Og Draco floodlight tournament a great success

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Brid Og Floodlight Tournament Finals

By Conor Barnes

The Bríd Og Draco Floodlight tournament proved to be a great success. Two great finals in the Cup & Shield with Bríd Og coming out winners in the cup final in a match that was as tense as any All Ireland with Bríd Og snatching victory from Lamh Dearg in the last minute with two well taken goals. St Galls were winners in the shield final overcoming Creggan in another tight game. The tournament was over 3 weeks and all sides displayed a very high level of hurling. A big thank you to Kieran Megraw for bringing Lamh Dearg across and Gareth Bellew and Dave Sheehan for bringing the St Galls boys and to Tom McCann for bringing his Creggan team all the way down from the South West over the last month.

October 23, 2017 by thesaffrongael

St Louis book McNamee final spot

Danske Bank MacNamee Cup semi-final – Ulster Colleges Year 9 Hurling

St Louis Kevin O’Boyle in action during Monday’s Danske Bank McNamee Cup semi-final win over Cross & Passion College at Cloughmills. Pic by John McIlwaine

St Louis Ballymena 7-5 Cross & Passion Ballycastle 1-2

By Seamus McAleenan

St Louis Ballymena set up a derby final with St Killian’s Garron Tower in the Danske Bank MacNamee Cup by defeating another north Antrim school Cross & Passion Ballycastle in Cloughmills on Monday.

In difficult enough conditions St Louis dominated the semi-final but found CPC’s defence hard to break down, despite opening with a goal from the excellent Ronan McCollum after three minutes’ play.

However a second quarter hat-trick of goals from Jack McCloskey helped put a bit of daylight between the teams before the break. Indeed defender Tony McCann followed a ball through just before half-time to score his side’s fifth goal – and still no points from either side.

Jack McCloskey hit a screamer of a goal on the re-start before Tiago McGarry eventually opened Ballycastle’s account with the first point of the game.

A few minutes later Ronan McCollum fired home directly from a free for Ballymena’s seventh goal. Conal Elliott responded with a point and then played a short free to Tiago McGarry for a Ballycastle goal.

However St Louis finished strongly with points from Tom McFerran and Oisin McCamphill to comfortably make the final.

St Louis : C McQuillan, N McIlhatton, M Traynor, T McCann 1-0, C Gormley, A McGarry, C Patterson 0-1, O McCamphill 0-2, K O’Boyle, P Patterson, R McCollam 2-0, T McFerran 0-2, D Martin, J McCloskey 4-0, C Duffin.

Cross & Passion : E Richmond, R McLoughlin, S Mathers, S McKay, T McGarry 1-1, B McGarry, C Donnelly, L Walker, O Donnelly, C Sheridan, D Kelly, C Elliott 0-1, E McGarry, C McGarry, A Hamilton.

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October 22, 2017October 22, 2017 by thesaffrongael

Devestation for Shamrocks as Slaughtneil hit back to retain title

NWP Ulster senior club camogie final

Devestation and despair in equal measure as Loughgiel players try to take it all in while Slaughtneil show their delight at the final whistle Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

Slaughtneil Emmett’s (Derry) 2-11 Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) 3-5

By Seamus McAleenan

The first time that All-Ireland champions Slaughtneil were in front of Loughgiel Shamrocks in this intense exciting NWP Ulster senior club camogie final was in the 57th minutes when Therese Mellon bundled the sliotar over the line. Two early goals from Racquel Murphy certainly put it up to the holders and then when substitute Roisin McCormick flicked home their third goal to put Loughgiel 3-5 to 0-11 ahead after 51 minutes it seemed that the champions were going to lose their crown.

Joint captain Aoife Ní Chaiside believed that the composure and character of the team came through during this game. “Loughgiel came at us at the start and we didn’t settle until after those two early goals went in. It was really tough and we worked really hard to get back into the game before half time. Eilís (Ní Chaiside) and Louise (Dougan) took a lot of pressure off our defence in the first half.” “One thing we have in this team is composure and we knew there was plenty of time to get back into it. Even after the third goal, we still had time and the fresh legs gave us a lift near the end.”

Offaly native Tina Hannon transferred to Slaughtneil in April and made a huge impact during this final to finish with 10 points divided equally between play and frees.

“That was some game. The girls had talked about the intensity that wewould get from Loughgiel and we needed to dig very deep out there particularly during the first half. This is brilliant.”

Team manager Damian McEldowney also hailed the composure of the team and the brilliance of the new recruit.

“At the start of the season, it was mentioned that we were All-Ireland champions. The girls decided not to mention that again. This is a new season, a new challenge and while what we achieved last year is bound to give us confidence, we still have to work our ways through games and today we did that.

“Tina contributed well – and she has been doing this all year. Yeah we will be working away now for the next challenge.”

But what a challenge the Antrim champions put to them today. The Shamrocks defence time and again in the opening half attacked the ball and put Slaughtneil on the back foot with Racquel Murphy a real handful at full-forward. Racquel posted two frees in the opening five minutes before Emma McMullan brilliantly caught a high ball and her handpass put Murphy in the clear to hit the Slaughtneil net.

Although Tina Hannon responded with a point, Lucia McNaughton’s great run down the left wing resulted in a great catch and a second goal for Murphy after nine minutes. The Shamrocks appeared to be in control, just as Dunloy hurlers had been two weeks earlier against Slaughtneil. But just as their hurlers did, the camogs eventually gained the upper hand and from then until the break, they took control.

With Hannon gaining more influence by the minute, and Louise Dougan dominant at midfield they chipped away at the Loughgiel lead until the gap was down to a single point just before the break. However Racquel Murphy stopped the Loughgiel slide with another excellent score as she fired over from a long way out on the right wing to give the Antrim champions as 2-3 to 0-7 lead at the break.

Loughgiel knew they faced a major task as they came out for the second half and with the All Ireland champions playing ‘down the slope’ they were going to be hard to repel. The Derry champions were soon level but Loughgiel showed great battling qualities as they pulled clear again with points from Aisling McFadden and Racquel Murphy. Slaughtneil were creating chances though and Megan Coyles pulled off a few sharp saves to keep her goal intact.

Then in the 51st minute a long free from Racquel Murphy dropped in around the goal line and sub Roisin McCormick, who had lifted her team’s fortunes when introduced, flicked it home to give Loughgiel a 3-5 to 0-11.

Slaughtneil introduced star forward Shannon Graham for her first game since last season’s All Ireland final and though she was well marshalled by full back Laura Connolly the pressure was starting to build on the Antrim champions’ defence. Five minutes from time that pressure produced results as Aoife Ní Chaiside transferred possession to Tina Hannon who off-loaded to Graham inside the area and as Graham headed for goal, a penalty was signalled.

Midfielder Louise Dougan stepped up and drilled the ball low to the leftleft corner of the Loughgiel net to bring her team level once again and they hit the front for the first time in the match soon afterwards when Tina Mellon burst through on goal. Mellon was being closed down and while she couldn’t get a strike at goal she lobbed the ball towards the target and when it was fumbled by under pressure Loughgiel goalkeeper Megan Coyles, corner forward Therese Mellon forced it over the line.

Loughgiel were shattered but they made a gallant effort to get back on terms and after good pressure they won a free about twenyty five metres out. With only seconds remaining on the clock there was only one option for full forward Racquel Murphy, but though her shot was well struck the Slaughtneil defencive wasll held firm and deflected it to safety.

Another heartbreaking defeat for Loughgiel, and yet another reverse for an Antrim team at the hands of Derry opponents. The Shamrocks gave it all they had and in the early stages they appeared to be on course to gain revenge for last year. However there is something in the DNA of these Slaughtneil gaels that means they find a way back, and against the odds they done it again to extend their unbeaten run to two years.

Slaughtneil : J Bradley, B McAllister, B Ní Chaiside, Dervlagh McGuigan,

G Ní Chatháin, A Ní Chaiside, C McGrath, Denise McGuigan, L Dougan 1-0

pen, E Ní Chaiside, T Hannon 0-1, 0-3 45s, 0-2 frees, S McKaigue, S

Mellon, J McMullan, T Mellon 1-1

Subs : S Graham for J McMullan (41), C McEldowney for S McKaigue (53).

Loughgiel : Megan Coyle, Aine Connolly, Laura Connolly, Ciara Boyle,

Finvola McVeigh, Emma McFadden capt, Maeve Connolly, Christine Laverty,

Amy Boyle, Caitrin Dobbin, Chloe Higgins, Lucia McNaughton, Aisling

McFadden 0-1, Racquel Murphy 2-4, 0-3 frees, Emma McMullan 1-1.

Sub : Úna McNaughton for C Higgins (40), Roisin McCormick 1-0 for E

McMullan (40).

Referee : Philip McDonald (Cavan)

October 22, 2017October 22, 2017 by thesaffrongael

Gorts Ulster dream ended by slick Setanta

AIB Ulster Junior Hurling Championship

Semi-Final

Gort na Móna 1-6 Setanta 1-20

Sunday October 22

Celtic Park, Derry

By Brendan McTaggart

Setanta and the Ulster Championship proved to be a step too far for Gort na Móna as the men from Tír Chonnail crushed the Turf Lodge men’s provincial dreams in Celtic Park. Under the strong autumnal sun in the Maiden City, the Gorts had no answer to a slick Setanta side who were worthy of their 14 point win after the hour.

The Donegal men were more sharp and efficient throughout the pitch but it was their attack that had the Gorts chasing shadows for the majority of the game. Declan Coulter and Kevin Campbell did the majority of the damage on the inside forward line, scoring 1-12 between them but centre half forward Colm Melaugh and Bernard Lafferty also chipped in. Setanta had too many threats all over the pitch for Gort to contend with and were on top from the first whistle to the last.

Gort na Móna showed two changes from the side that edged past Derrynoose in the quarter-final, Thomas McGoran and Sean Doyle replacing Dermott McVeigh and Gareth Armstrong in the Turf Lodge sides forwards.

The organisation and game plan for Setanta was evident from the early stages. Coulter was being used primarily alone on the inside forward line with Campbell never far from his shoulder but it was in their engine room where they held all the aces in the first half. Rich Kee and Danny Cullen in midfield were instrumental with Martin Bonner leading the Setanta defence from centre half.

The Gort defence were being worked over and under huge pressure in the first 30 minutes but they were a match for their counterparts. Once they got to grips with Setanta’s style of hurling they were able to counter but it was their lack of any fluidity or creativity in attack that harmed their chances.

The Donegal men opened the scoring with Coulter and Campbell splitting the posts in the first four minutes but Gort got off and running when they scored the first goal of the match in the sixth minute. A free from Patrick McCaffrey landed short and caused consternation in the Setanta defence. The Donegal men scrambled the ball clear only for referee Colin Murray to be notified that Martin Ward’s flicked effort breached Gary McGettigan’s line. A goal in fortuitous but welcome circumstances for the Turf Lodge men and as midfielder McCaffrey pointed a free three minutes later, everything was going to plan for the Antrim champions.

The Donegal men hit back though and scored eight points unanswered though to reinforce their authority on the game. Lafferty and Melaugh contributing to leave six points between the sides as the semi-final approached half time. Gort were struggling for fluidity and some uncharacteristic missed frees were hampering their chances of gathering any momentum. They did manage the last two points of the half, McCaffrey scoring his second free of the match before Sean Doyle split the posts to reduce the deficit to four points at the interval.

With whatever wind there was blowing in Celtic Park now in their favour, Gort would have been content with the score line at the interval. Their efforts would have worried them as they were outplayed for the majority of the opening 30 minutes, but they knew they were capable of more and needed a strong start to the second half. Martin Ward and Darren Boyd provided the start they required. Points apiece for the Gort duo halved the Setanta advantage and breathe fresh impetus into the Gort challenge but it acted as merely a wobble in the road for the Donegal men.

Three unanswered points, one each for Melaugh, Campbell and Coutler stemmed the Gort challenged once more but it was the 39^th minute that proved to be the pivotal moment of the semi-final. Gort na Móna had introduced Gareth Armstrong into the full forward line and he made his presence known straight away, giving the Setanta defence a headache and allowed Boyd the space to get an effort at goal away. Diesel drilled his shot but the sliotar cannoned back off the crossbar with Gary McGettigan beaten in the Setanta goals.

A chance missed for the Turf Lodge men and their dismay was turned to anguish when Setanta made no mistake at the other end. Campbell providing the assist for Coulter who applied a smart finish to beat Connor McCann in the Gort goals. Gort’s luck let them down when they needed it most and it turned a potential two-point deficit into an eight advantage for Setanta and they never looked back.

Five further points for the Donegal senior hurling champs in the space of seven minutes all but ended Gorts hopes of making the provincial decider. They laid siege on the Setanta goals in the closing minutes to get a goal that would reignite their Ulster championship aspirations but the Setanta defence thwarted any and all Gort attacks with a Patrick McCaffrey pointed free all they had to show for their efforts.

Campbell and Melaugh added further gloss to the score line for Setanta to stretch their advantage to 14 points and book a place in the Ulster Junior hurling final against Derry champions Na Magha.

TEAMS

Gort na Móna: Connor McCann; Christopher Devlin; Gavin McKenna; Conor Donnelly; Padraig McHugh; Mark Rea; Gary Doyle; Patrick McCaffrey; Declan Hughes; Sean Doyle; Martin Ward; Thomas McGoran; Thomas McCaffrey; Padraig Fryers; Darren Boyd

Setanta: Gary McGettigan; Brendan Tourish; Simon McMenamin; Mark Callaghan; Sean Anderson; Martin Bonner; Niall Cleary; Richie Kee; Danny Cullen; Bernard Lafferty; Colm Melaugh; Mark Kane; Shane Flynn; Declan Coulter; Kevin Campbell

SCORERS

Gort na Móna: Martin Ward 1-1; Patrick McCaffrey 0-3 (3 frees); Sean Doyle 0-1; Darren Boyd 0-1

Setanta: Declan Coulter 1-6 (4 frees); Kevin Campbell 0-6 (4 frees); Colm Melaugh 0-4; Bernard Lafferty 0-3; Danny Cullen 0-1

Ref: Colin Murray (Co. Down)

PHOTOGRAPHS: Ciaran O’Brochain

Pic by Brendan McTaggart

October 22, 2017October 23, 2017 by thesaffrongael

Lamh’s Clinch U16B all county honours

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Lámh Dhearg 2-11-2-10 Loch Mor Dál

By Kevin Herron at Crumlin

Lámh Dhearg were crowned U-16 B all county hurling champions after a pulsating encounter with Loch Mor Dál at Crumlin 3G on Sunday saw the red hands run out 2-11-2-10 winners.

The sides were tied 1-04 apiece at the interval and despite Lámh Dhearg twice going three-points to the good, Loch Mor Dál twice fought back as it looked as though extra-time might be required.

But Lámh Dhearg captain Niall McGuigan stepped up to the plate and struck an injury-time free to ensure another Sunday of celebration at Hannahstown.

Loch Mor Dál started the brighter at the bitterly cold Crumlin and took the lead through an Anthony Gallagher point.

Daniel Murray almost responded instantly for Lámh Dhearg; however his shot tailed wide in the breeze, while Aaron Monaghan’s free at the other end caused havoc before it was eventually scrambled clear by the Lámh Dhearg defence.

Daniel Murray levelled the game after a free that fell short was recycled back into his path and within a minute Ethan Monaghan edged the Lámhs 0-02-0-01 ahead with ten minutes gone.

Gallagher drew Loch Mor level almost instantly and just before the midway point in the half Loch Mor Dál landed the first decisive blow, the Lámh Dhearg defence failed to clear their lines adaquetly and Gerard Pickering Jnr lashed low past Michael Clarke in the Lámhs goal to give his side a 1-02-0-02 lead.

Pickering almost claimed his second goal on 17 minutes, but credit to Clarke who repelled the full-forwards drive, while team mate Ruairi Cunningham had to stay alert to make a terrific hook from Anthony Gallagher who was advancing towards the Lámh Dhearg goal three minutes later.

Cal Burke extended Loch Mor Dál’s lead on 21 minutes, however Lámh Dhearg responded well and hit back through a Daire Cunningham point after Niall McGuigan’s free fell short.

The sides were then level for the second time on 23 minutes as Lámh Dhearg full-forward Patrick Braniff rifled low past Bailey Graham to make it 1-03-1-03.

It looked as though Loch Mor Dál would edge ahead at the break as Cal Burke hit his second score on the bounce, but Patrick Braniff’s offload picked out Ethan Monaghan who popped the ball over to make it 1-04-1-04.

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Indeed both sides may have added a goal to their tally at the break; Michael Braniff saw his low drive travel inches wide and at the other end Michael Clarke showed bravery to cut out Anthony Gallagher’s dangerous opportunity.

Lámh Dhearg started the second period confidently and raced into a three-point lead within the first four minutes.

Ethan Monaghan conjured up his third point of the afternoon to start a run of three scores on the trot, he would also end it and in between times Paddy Braniff ran onto a loose ball and fired between the posts to give Lámh Dhearg a 1-07-1-04 lead.

However, Loch Mor Dál hit back and were back on terms within a minute of Monaghan’s second point, Anthony Gallagher charged forward and his offload picked out Tiarnan Lee’s who poked the ball past Michael Clarke and into the Lámh Dhearg net to level the scores at 1-07-2-04.

Lámh Dhearg didn’t let their heads drop though, Corey Donnelly picked out Ethan Monaghan who was chopped down before he could have a drive for goal, referee Eamonn Hamill awarded the Lámhs a free and Daire Cunningham floated his effort over Bailey Graham in the Loch Mor goal and into the net to restore his sides lead, 2-07-2-04.

Niall McGuigan then landed a superb free to increase his sides lead to four, but the Lámhs then wilted slightly under intense pressure from Loch Mor Dál.

Cal Burke converted a free and quickly followed it up with a point from play within sixty seconds to half the deficit, Sean McGuiness then popped the ball over to put the bare minimum between the sides midway through the half and by the 52^nd minute the game was level through a second converted free by Burke to level the game for the fourth time at 2-08 apiece.

Lámh Dhearg didn’t panic and edged ahead again through a Paddy Braniff point after McGuigan’s 65’ fell short and McGuigan converted a free to give his side a two-point cushion heading towards the home straight.

But Loch Mor Dál fought back and levelled for a fifth time, Cal Burke hit fourth point of the half and a Conor Jones score on the 60^th minute had the scoreboard 2-10 apiece and extra-time looked to be on the cards.

Two minutes into injury-time referee Hamill awarded Lámh Dhearg a free just inside the Loch Mor Dál half and Niall McGuigan took responsibility, with two points to his name already the Lámh Dhearg captain calmly stroked his pressure shot over the bar to make it 2-11-2-10.

The Hannahstown men weathered a further minute of Loch Mor pressure before the final whistle sounded the red hands could celebrate further success after claiming the South Antrim Championship two weeks ago.

Lámh Dhearg: M Clarke, P McCrarren, J Brady, C Boyd, T McKenna, C Slack, R Cunningham, N McGuigan (0-03f), C Donnelly, E Monaghan (0-04), D Murray (0-01), M Braniff, D Cunningham (1-01,1-00f), P Braniff (1-02), B O’Neill. Subs: C Megraw for P McCrarren (31 mins), C Smyth for B O’Neill (35 mins).

Loch Mor Dál: B Graham, O O’Boyle, J McKenna, D Phillips, T McDonald, D Dixon, A Monaghan, M Morgan, C Burke (0-06,0-03f), M Branniff, A Gallagher (0-02), C Jones (0-01), S McGuiness (0-01) , G Pickering (1-00), T Lees (1-00).

Referee: E Hamill (St Teresa’s)