Month / January 2018

by thesaffrongael

Creagh going where no Ulster firm have gone before

All-Ireland Inter Firms Junior Hurling ChampionshipCreaghThe Creagh Concrete team who will play Romaquip of Galway tomorrow in Offaly

Semi-Final

Creagh Concrete vs Romaquip Ltd (Offaly)

Venue: Faithful Fields (Offaly GAA Training Centre), Tullamore

Throw In: 1.30pm

Referee: Eamonn Mansfield (Kilkenny)

By Brendan McTaggart

A new year and a new competition for Saffron fans of the wee ball.  Antrim and Ulster have a representative in the All-Ireland hurling inter-firm series for the first time with Creagh Concrete making the journey to the Faithful County on Saturday morning in search of glory.

Managed by St Brigid’s clubman Geoffrey Laverty, the Toome based firm will face Romaquip Ltd for a place in the All-Ireland Final.  The Birr based company come into Saturday’s semi-final having competed and successfully defended their Leinster championship and will start as favourites having lost in last years decider to Galway firm Supermacs.

Creagh have already competed in the football inter-firms competition in 2017 and it is from their participation in that competition that their interest was born.  An application was put into the Ulster council to look into participation and because there are no other participants within the province, the lads from Creagh now find themselves within reach of an All-Ireland final. Cloughmills 2Team manager Geoffrey Laverty

From what started as a bit of a joke within the Creagh ranks and banter after their footballers lost out to eventual Ulster winners Heron Brothers, a few training sessions later and a couple of challenge matches have Laverty’s side soon realising that they’re in an All-Ireland semi-final.  With plenty of the Creagh workforce coming from north Antrim, they should have the makings of a strong team and it was after Dunloy’s participation in the Ulster club championship that the office banter turned to out to be something more.  Speaking with James McKeague, he told us that it was during their first match against Jordanstown that they took the competition more seriously: “We played Jordanstown in a friendly back in November and we were poor in the first half.  It was nothing to write home about and there were more than a few choice words at half time.  The boys were told that we are taking this seriously and this isn’t just a knock about for the craic.  We managed to turn the game around and won it in the end but we’ve noticed a change in attitude since.”  McKeague continued: “The intensity was there and that match showed in itself that we have the calibre of player who could do well in a competition like this.”

Laverty will have help along the side lines from Paddy Martin, Martin McNaughton and Joe Tippot while Dunloy man Michael McClements has been helping with trainings at differing times.  They will be able to call upon talent from Cushendall, Loughgiel, Dunloy and Cloughmills but will be without the services of two of their main performers on Saturday: “James McNaughton and Eoin O’Neill are playing for Antrim in the McGurk Cup Final on Saturday night in the Dub and while its good for them and I hope they win, its obviously a blow for us to lose players of their quality but we still have a decent side.”

Creagh will be able to call upon the likes of the McKeague brothers and Paul Shiels, with the Laverty brothers from Cloughmills and Bernard Graham from Clooney Gaels all having tasted success on the club stage in recent times, they have built a side of players who know how to win.  McKeague told us however that they are also looking at the bigger picture and Ulster hurling: “We’re hoping that this could be the start of inter-firm hurling within Ulster.  When some other firms see us playing then they might join in next year.  It would be good to have another form of hurling when the club season is over, the winter is long enough so to be playing in a competition like this would be good for all concerned.”

With different firms in the south amalgamating for participation, the lads from Creagh could just have got a few CEO’s within Ulster stirring with thoughts of the 2018 Ulster Inter-Firms a possibility.  For now, McKeague’s attentions are firmly set on Romaquip in Tullamore: “We have no idea about them to be honest.  We’re going down there and we’ve just been making sure we’ll be doing what we can to compete.  Like anytime you play in the south it’s going to be a tough match and after five or ten minutes we’ll soon know what sort of contest we’re in for but there’s been a real buzz about the place for the last couple of weeks and we’re looking forward to it.”

Ruairi Laverty (left) and Paul Shiels who will line out for the Creagh Concrete team

by thesaffrongael

All Saints GAC “Saints & Slimmers” Up and Running

 

Ballymena’s All Saints GAC award winning health and well-being programme, Saints & Slimmers, returned for a 3rd successive year this week. Started in January 2016 the 6 week project sees 150 participants teamed with fellow “Slimmers” in a bid to be crowned overall champions. With health and well-being at its heart Saints & Slimmers provides opportunities for regular team exercise, promotion of positive mental health, development of teamwork skills, dance and many social activities. Participants have been assigned to a team and are following a 6 week programme of activity. Those involved will be spin cycling in the early morning before winding down with Pilates that evening. Circuit training, aerobic workouts and the all-important team challenges will keep everyone entertained while the finale dance-off in the splendour of the Tullyglass House Hotel will provide a fitting celebration of the participant’s efforts.

Earlier this year the programme was recognised at the Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards when it was awarded the prestigious award for best Club Health & Well Being initiative. This year’s programme sees participants range in age from 18 to 80 years of age and activities are tailored to individual need and fitness.

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by thesaffrongael

Creggan tournament gets under way this Saturday

Angela Callan, Bank of Ireland and Colm McLarnon, Creggan secretary with six of the captains from teams taking part in this year’s Bank of Ireland-Paddy McLarnon Cup which gets under way on Saturday in Creggan when Rossa meet Ghaoth Dobhair in a preliminary game at 12-30

Bank of Ireland-Paddy McLarnon Cup Preview

One of the great early season events on the GAA calendar gets under way this Saturday and the Saffron Gael will be there to cover all the games and bring you reports and photographs as the Ulster club U21 football championship unfolds.

The Ulster U21 tournament, ran by the Kickham’s Creggan club is one of the most eagerly awaited event on the local GAA calendar and attracts good crowds year after year. I had the pleasure of attending this year’s launch at Kickham’s Staffordstown Road clubrooms and despite very poor weather six of the nine clubs taking part were represented.

Present at the launch were this year’s Antrim champions, O’Donovan Rossa who are taking part for the first time and they will be first in action when they face Ghaoth Dobhair of Donegal in a preliminary round game this Saturday, 13th January 2018 at 12.30. Like Cavan, Fermanagh’s championship had not been completed at the time of the draw but their winners will come up against Carryduff, the Down champions the same day at 2.15 in the first of the quarter-finals.

The next day, Sunday 14th January Crossmaglen, last year’s beaten finalist take on the Cavan champions at 12.30 followed by the third quarter-final at 2.30 where Lavey from Derry will come face to face with Galbally of Tyrone, both sides making a first appearance at the tournament. A week later Donnaghmoyne from Monaghan face the winners of Rossa and Ghaoth Dobhair in the last of the quarter finals.

This will be Rossa’s first time at the tournament and they will face stiff opposition in Ghaoth Dobhair who defeated Antrim champions, Aghagallon in last year’s event and will be returning for a second time. Rossa have impressed in winning this year’s Antrim championship where they beat Lamh Dhearg in a good final and look well capable of going forward to a place in the quarter final.

Clockwise: Dominic McEnhill Rossa. Action from Ghaoth Dobhair and Aghahallon in last year’s tournament and Rian O’Neill from last year’s beaten finalists, Crossmaglen who should line out again against the Cavan champions on Sunday at the same venue.

by thesaffrongael

Students’ goals give them the edge over Antrim in exciting McKenna Cup tie

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna CupCRLL9012 copy Antrim’s Patrick McBride in action against St Mary’s Aaron Duffy during Wednesday night’s Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup game at Woodlands. Pic by John McIlwaine

By Geordie McGuckin

The students of St Mary’s proved the masters in the third round of the Mc Kenna Cup competition when they proved just too good for the Saffrons under the bright illuminations of a floodlit Woodlands on Wednesday evening breasting the winning line good value for a 4-08 to 0-15 winning margin.

Lenny Harbinson’s Antrim side entered the fray with a chance of making the semi finals of the competition but although the opportunity was lost the Antrim supremo will not be too disheartened with research of his panel and the upcoming National League most likely occupying his mind.

This was most certainly a game of two halves with the opening period littered with unforced errors and although the Antrim men did lead the way on the scoreboard for most of the way a late goal from wing half back Ciaran Mac Iomhair ensured St Mary’s edged ahead.

The 2017 Sigerson cup winners had opened account with a 4th minute Darragh Kavanagh point but they lost their way in front of the posts for a time thereafter and as Colum Duffin, Ryan Murray, and Gareth Magee raised white flags in the Antrim cause they held a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage by the 25th minute.

St Mary’s had been forced into changes early into proceedings when mid-fielder Jarlath og Burns was stretchered out of the game.

The big mid fielder seemed to fall awkwardly after rising high in pursuit of possession causing a lengthy halt to proceedings being replaced by Stephen Mc Conville who was to prove a huge influence on the game thereafter completing with a personal haul of 1-03 and the ‘man of the match’ award.

St Mary’s continued to impress on approach but were wayward in the finish but after a bye ball tally which reached double figures they did get it right as a slick approach involving Darragh Kavanagh and the fleet footed Ryan Mc Sherry opened the way for Ciaran Mac Iomhair to fire to the net. The wing half back’s major strike  gave his side the lead and replacement Mc Conville added a point shortly afterwards. Antrim had the last say on the scoreboard as Paddy Mc Aleer broke forward to split the posts, though St Mary’s were still a couple ahead at the break, 1-03 to 0-04.

 

A poor enough opening period was to be followed by a better second portion and although early replacement Stephen Mc Conville had the opening score with a 36th minute point to increase the students’ advantage, the home side were quick to draw alongside. Ruairi Mc Cann raced up the wing to fire between the posts in the 37th minute before Antrim replacements CJ Mc Gourty and Connor Murray signalled their arrival with points apiece and it was all square, 0-07 to 1-04 at the 42nd minute. The second half was most certainly progressing in stark contrast to the opening thirty-five minutes and a second Ruairi Mc Cann point gave the Saffron’s the lead, but it was to be short lived as back came the students and another slick approach opened the way for a second goal for wing half back Ciaran Mac Iomhair.

A precision based approach with Ryan Lundy and the pace laden Darragh Kavanagh chief conspirators sent the defender away to beat Antrim net-minder Chris Kerr from close range and ensure a two point advantage. Antrim were quick to return fire again however and back to back points from Patrick Mc Bride and Matthew Fitzpatrick squared the issue again. The St Mary’s side having been reeled in again were not to dally alongside their hosts and a 53rd minute Liam Devlin goal put them back in front. Stephen Mc Conville was again central to the score assuming the role of provider  and when Connor Convery added a pointed free they had opened up a four point lead.

Antrim hit back as Patrick Mc Bride and Ryan Murray split the posts in turn but that provoked similar replies from Stephen Mc Conville and Charlie Carr for the students. St Mary’s appeared to have it all wrapped up at this stage but Lenny Harbinson’s men were not about to raise any semblance of white as they battled back. Ryan Murray was quick to despatch a close free over the bar after a foul on his sibling Connor who had been upended in transit towards the posts and when the impressive Paddy Mc Aleer was similarly dealt with the former added another from the placed effort. The home side were on the march and when CJ added another point after a well worked approach only the minimum separated the sides and Antrim seemed to have the impetus.

St Mary’s were holding on, but only just and they had to look to the diligence of their net minder Mark Reid to come to the rescue in the 69th minute. Late replacement Christian Healey broke down the right wing to send the upcoming Mc Aleer in on goal but as the fans held their breath the Students’ keeper Reid made a fine smothering save to keep his team a point ahead. Worse was to come for Antrim as the visitors were quick to counter after their keepers heroics and returning to the offensive in the twinkling of an eye Stephen Mc Conville grabbed a 71st minute goal supplemented by a super long range Paul Mc Atamney point a minute later to see them claim a 4-08 to 0-15 victory.

Antrim

Chris Kerr, Conor Hamill, James Laverty, Niall Delargy, Ruairi Mc Cann (0-02), Sean Mc Veigh, Paddy Mc Aleer (0-01), Ricky Johnston, Niall Mc Keever, Stephen Beatty, Patrick Mc Bride (0-02), Peter Mc Nicholl, Gareth Magee (0-01), Colum Duffin (0-01), Ryan Murray (0-04).

Subs

Conor Murray (0-01) for P Mc Nicholl

CJ Mc Gourty (0-02) for G Magee

Patrick Brannigan for C Hamill

Kevin O’ Boyle for James Laverty

Matthew Fitzpatrick (0-01) for S Mc Veigh

Christian Healey for C Duffin

St Mary’s

Mark Reid, Kyle Mallon, Gerard Walsh, Miceal Rooney, Ciaran Mac Iomhair (2-00), Caolan Mc Conville, Ryan Lundy, Liam Devlin (1-00), Jarlath og Burns, Aaron Duffy, Conor Meyler (0-02), Aaron Boyle, Paul Gunning, Joe Colton, Ryan Mc Sherry.

Subs

Stephen Mc Conville (1-03) for J og Burns

Conor Burns for R Lundy

Paul Mc Atamney (0-01) for A Duffy

Jack Hannigan for R Mc Sherry

Charlie Carr (0-01) for P Gunning

Conor Convery (0-01) for J Colton

Referee Paul Faloon (An Dun)

 

 

 

by thesaffrongael

St Killians secure a place in Leonard Cup final

Danske Bank Leonard Cup semi-finalCRLL7607

St Killian’s Garron Tower 1-18 St Louis Ballymena 1-5

St Killian’s Garron Tower reached their first ever Danske Bank Leonard Cup final with a comfortable semi-final yesterday in Ballymena over the local St Louis team.

This game was scheduled for mid-November but postponed because of snow, then the state of pitches and pre-Christmas exams and the delay showed with plenty of handling mistakes from both sides – although there was no disputing that the Tower boys were a much stronger outfit both physically and as a team unit.

Cathal Hynds and Mark Emerson had a great battle in midfield with Paudie McGilligan and Paddy Duggan, but the Tower defence controlled St Louis’ attack with only Colla McDonnell posing a threat.

At the other end, St Killian’s applied plenty of pressure and, but for Conor Dickson and Rory McCloskey’s hard work, they would have racked up a lot more scores than they did.

In first half fog, St Killian’s hit the opening two points through Ciaran Magill and Fintan McQuillan and, although Colla McDonnell pulled one back for St Louis, it was the glens’ outfit that went on to dominate the first half with a series of points to lead by 0-13 to 0-1 at the break with McQuillan and full-forward Shea McDonnell (0-3) firing over some nice scores.

Indeed their only score from a placed ball came right on the break with Pearse McKeegan firing over a 65 to put 12 points between the teams.

Ciaran Magill hit two points on the re-start and then waltzed through for a goal in the 35th minute that was the signal for his management team to ring the changes.

Paudie McGilligan lifted St Louis with 1-1 inside 90 seconds, but Fintan McQuillan fired over a nice point in response.

The last quarter was well contested with McGilligan (0-1 from a free) and Colla McDonnell (0-2) breaking through for Ballymena points and sub Sean O’Boyle adding to St Killian’s total with a late free.

St Killian’s now face Cross and Passion in the final on Monday in Ballymena.

St Killian’s : James McAllister, Declan Magill, Liam McLaughlin, Conor McCollam, Pearse McKeegan 0-1 free, Aidan Scullion, Euan McSparron, Cathal Hynds capt 0-1, Mark Emerson, Fintan McQuillan 0-3, Ciaran Magill 1-5, Calum Kilgore 0-1, Colm McKeegan 0-1, Shea McDonnell 0-3, Seanie McIntosh 0-1.

Subs : Sean O’Boyle 0-1 free for S McIntosh, Niall McGarrel for C Kilgore, Daniel Kearney for C McKeegan, Dara Mort for C McCollum, Shea McNaughton for S McDonnell, Shane McKenna for C Magill.

St Louis : Colm McCloskey, Aodhan McGarry, Kevin O’Boyle, Ronan Doherty, Ryan Mort, Conor Dickson, Rory McCloskey capt, Paudie McGilligan 1-2, 0-1 free, Paddy Duggan, Eoin O’Kane, Colla McDonnell 0-3, Conal McCloskey, Thomas O’Kane, Ben Friel, Sean Higgins

Sub: Aidan Scullion for R Doherty.

Referee : Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)