Month / September 2018

by thesaffrongael

Late Hamill goal seals Glenarm’s final place

EVB - textAntrim Junior Hurling Championship sem-final

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm 3-15 Naomh Treasa 2-10

Glenarm secured their place in the final of the Antrim Junior Hurling Championhip for the second year in a row when they beat St Teresa’s in Friday night’s semi-final at Quinn Park, Ballymena.

When St Teresa’s fired in their second goal to grab a one-point lead, midway through the second half  it looked like they Belfast men could be on their way to avenging their defeat at the hands of the same opposition last year, but the men in blue soon regained their composure and they had the better of the final quarter to seal a second final appearance in a row.

Glenarm made the better start and a point from a Daniel Black free plus two from play by Dylan McLaughlin had them three clear, before centre forward Phillip Maguire got the Belfast men on the scoreboard.

As both teams struggled with the unfamiliar conditions under lights they gave a way a series of frees which free-takers Daniel Black for Glenarm and Philly Maguire for St Teresa’s made good use of  to keep their respective scoreboards ticking over.13

Glenarm were holding a slender lead when Conor McCann grabbed the first goal of the game for St Teresa’s following hesitancy in the Glenarm full back line and when Phillip Maguire added two points from frees the West Belfast men were suddenly four ahead. Glenarm needed a response as the St Teresa’s momentum grew and they got it when Dylan McLaughlin grabbed a high ball on the edge of the St Teresa’s square before turning and blasting a low shot to the corner of the net.  A Daniel Black point brought Glenarm back on terms and when the talented centre forward won possession from the puc-out and dispatched it back between the posts, they were back in front with half time fast approaching. The accurate Black put the Feystown men two clear but in first half injury time St Teresa’s got a great chance to grab a half time lead when they were awarded a penalty. Maguire was the man to take it and judging by the way he had been hitting his free during the first 30 minutes most spectators were expecting to see the net ripple. However the St Teresa’s man failed to connect properly with his shot and goalkeeper Liam Mulvenna was able to police the ball wide.

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After an early exchange of points from Black and Maguire the second half really came alive when St Teresa’s substitute Jordan McAllister grabbed his team’s second goal but Glenarm hit back with a point from Conal Ward thirty seconds later, a fine finish on the run. Ward added another to edge his team in front but Colm McGoldrick restored parity with a well taken St Teresa’s point at the other end. Just who would advance to the final was far from clear as the game entered the home straight but Glenarm got a decisive break when a Daniel Black shot which appeared to be going over the bark deceived James Burns in the St Teresa’s goal and ended up in the back of the net, the keeper’s judgement no doubt impeded by the floodlights

Three clear now Glenarm held sway in the final minutes and after Maguire and Black had again exchanged points once again, Mark Petticrew put Glenarm four clear. The smart money was on the Feystown men at this stage and when corner forward Barry Hamill grabbed a brilliant goal from a narrow angle on the right there was no way back for St Teresa’s

ST TERESA’S

James Burns, Phillip Glennon, Gerard O’Rawe, Aodhan Dugan, Pierce O’Rawe, Paul McGoldrick, Ciaran Rouse, Sean Maguire, Colm McGoldrick (0-01), Christopher Turley, Phillip Maguire (c) (0-02, 0-07f), Conor McCann (1-00), Darran McCann, Kevin Burns, Brian Curran.

Substitutes: Jordan McAllister (1-00) and Conor O’Rawe

GLENARM

Liam Mulvenna, Martin Ward, Sean Moran, Ciaran Flannagan, Jake Hamilton, Darren Hamill (c), Rory Mulvenna, Patrick McAuley, Liam Mitchell, Conal Ward (0-02), Daniel Black (1-03, 0-07f), Dylan McLaughlin (1-02), Mark Petticrew (0-01), Christopher Matthews, Barry Hamill (1-00).

Referee: John Carson (Ruairí Óg Cushendall)

EmMartin Hurls copy

 

by thesaffrongael

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

The Bathshack Senior hurling championship round robin stage comes to its conclusion this weekend with two matches in the City.  Cushendall travel to the Bear Pit to face 2017 Intermediate Champions Sarsfiels on Saturday evening before two worlds collide on the Whiterock Road with Rossa and St John’s vying for a semi-final berth.

Both ties are effectively quarter-finals with the winners facing Loughgiel and defending champions Dunloy in the last four.  Both the Shamrocks and the Cuchullains came through their two round robin matches with 100% records and will have a keen eye on the weekend’s matches.  Brendan McTaggart previews the two ties as the senior hurling championship reaches knockout…..All Dalled Up banner

CRLL3992 copyCushendall travel to the Paddies with all to play for

Sarsfields vs Cushendall

Saturday September 14

Venue: Bear Pit

Throw in: 5:15pm

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)

The final game of group one see’s Sarsfields welcome the Ruairi’s to the Bear Pit on Saturday afternoon with both sides searching for their first win of the campaign.  Both endured defeat to defending champions, Dunloy in match day one and two but the manner of the defeats couldn’t have been more different.  The Ruairi’s were edged out in the latter stages of their contest, just one point separating the sides while the Cuchullains showed the full force of their attacking prowess against Sarsfields in Pearse Park two weeks ago with 25 points separating the sides.

It was a chastening return to the senior championship for the Paddies who were outclassed on the day.  They are faced with another gargantuan task against Cushendall but the Paddies will be hoping to take advantage of home comforts.  The Bear Pit is no easy place for any team to travel to and while Cushendall will start this one as raging hot favourites, Sarsfields will be hoping for a much improved performance than their first outing.  They will relish the challenge of facing a team the calibre of the Ruairi’s in the heat and battle of the championship on home turf.  It’s a huge day for the club and another step for a club who are looking to make progress.

Cushendall have had their injury worries for the majority of the season and the news coming out of the Ruairi’s camp is that it isn’t getting any easier.  It is expected Ciaran Kearney and Eamon Gillan will be without the services of ‘keeper Eoin Gillan with defenders Martin Burke and Arron Graffin also side lined.  Saturday’s match is looking like coming too soon for Sean McAfee as well but the Ruairi Og’s will welcome back Eunan McKillop and the considerable talents of one Neil McManus to bolster their chances.  Both men missed the first match against Dunloy with a suspension carried over from last year’s championship final but are in line to make the starting 15 in the Bear Pit.

LURIG MURAL copy 3Sarsfields came unstuck against Dunloy, concedeing 2-32 with 2-21 of that total coming from open play.  They played Darragh McGuinness as a sweeper in Pearse Park, whether they opt for the same tactic against Cushendall remains to be seen.  Kevin and Daniel McKernan shone for the Paddies on their return to the senior championship, combining to score nine points of the Stewartstown Road sides 1-10.  They have the speed, agility and trickery to cause any team in the county problems, even a defence as good as the Ruairi’s.

It’s hard to build a case for anything other than a Cushendall win on Saturday.  The Paddies battled for the 60 plus minutes against Dunloy and there is no doubt they will have learned from that experience.  The one thing that outing did show us though is the size of the gap between Intermediate and Senior isn’t getting any smaller, if anything it’s increasing.  Cushendall to reach the last four.

Verdict: CushendallConnolly's Logo copy 3

 

10Old rivalries renewed in Corrigan Park

St John’s vs Rossa

Sunday September 15

Venue: Corrigan Park

Throw in: 3.30pm

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)Walsh ScaffoldingA copy

The hurling equivalent of the Old Firm.  Who’s who in that analogy I’ll leave up to your own discretion.  When St John’s and Rossa meet at any level more often than not it catches the eye and the interest of many neutrals throughout the county.  Sunday will be no different.

It’s the first time the Big Two from the City will have faced each other in the championship since a late Paul Close goal saw Rossa over the line in Hannahstown in 2016.  Coming off the back of their 2015 All-Ireland success at the intermediate level, the Jeremiah’s edged their rivals who had Jimmy Peoples and Ger Cunningham sent off during the hour.  If anything though, the sides have swapped roles in the build-up to what effectively is a quarter-final.  In 2016 Rossa were on the upward curve, momentum and progress while St John’s were enduring more difficult times.  Fast forward two years and the Johnnies have cemented their place as the number one team in the City and have proven to be a match for any teams in Antrim while Rossa have had an ‘annus horriblus’ with injuries and the lure of foreign shores for their players.

Jim Close’s men were second best first day out against Loughgiel, shipping six goals in a 33 point defeat to the Shamrocks and the sight of losing the talents of Eoghan O’Neill to a torn calf muscle wouldn’t have helped the mood around the Shaws Road.  A defeat to Portglenone in the football championship wont have helped the Jeremiah’s cause either but they will have been lifted by the return of Chris McGuinness and Mickey Armstrong in that same fixture.  Cricky had been side lined with a finger injury while Armstrong came on a second half substitute in the defeat.  Two huge additions with a gulf of experience to a depleted Rossa side will do them no harm at all.

The Johnnies came up short against Loughgiel themselves although just three points separated the sides at the end of the hour.  Sunday will be the Corrigan Park sides fourth outing in this year’s championship after their two legged win against Ballycastle in the preliminary round and the round robin format of the 2018 championship has served the Johnnies well.  They have a group of young talented players who didn’t have much championship experience under their belt.  Now they have wins and momentum, despite coming up short in Healy Park a fortnight ago.

When these two take to the pitch anything can happen and more often than not it does.  Discipline will be crucial, with a derby match and the knockout championship nature there won’t be any landslide victories.  I fancy St John’s to progress but this will tie will certainly be worth a dander to Corrigan Park on Sunday.

Verdict: St John’s

by thesaffrongael

Glenavy Og’s Training Programme a great success

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

St Joseph’s GAC has celebrated the end of another successful Glenavy Ogs training programme 2018. This year’s nursery group for under fours ran for 22weeks and was based in the Sports Hall in Ballymacrickett Primary School Glenavy. Almost 50 children enrolled on the programme that took place every Monday night 6.30-7.15pm.  Organisers were delighted to secure sponsorship from Oaktree Nursery (Shane and Catherine Murphy) for the third year which enabled the nursery group to have their very own training top designed and made.

The Children took great pride in their tops and this gave them a sense of club identity.  A clear structure was established for training which covered areas including agility, co-ordination, running, balance and jumping with around four weeks spent on each area. There were assessment nights every 4 weeks, which gave the children a focus on each area, the children received a sticker and a healthy snack on these nights and were told how important healthy eating was as well as training to become a great sports person.

On the final presentation night each child received their certificate and a medal.  Terence Doran from the Chip Factory supplied complimentary pizza’s and Chips, which enabled the children to have a little celebration meal after their presentation.

All four coaches enjoyed working with the children, meeting the parents and forming friendships.  There is a fantastic community feel around the hall each week.  The club is currently looking more parents to get involved as volunteer coaches and has planned a great line up of training over the winter months.  If anyone is interested please contact the Club directly (Glenavy GAC)

We as coaches love to see the children progress, watching them grow and develop new skills for the future.

 

Coaches: Aiveen Kavanagh, Theresa Mulholland, Damien McCabe Sean Dolan

 

by thesaffrongael

Darryl Heatley R.I.P.

Darryl Heatley R.I.P.

By Seamus McAleenan:

The Tír na nÓg club in Randalstown and the wider GAA community in Antrim

has been plunged into shock and sadness as news spread on Wednesday

evening of the sudden death of Darryl Heatley at just 38 years of age.

Darryl had represented the club in both hurling and football right

through the age-groups to senior level, and captained many of their

teams through his career.

His potential as an outstanding under-age hurler was recognised in his

early teens and he represented Antrim through to minor level. At

schools’ level he was a leading player for St Louis Ballymena in both

codes, winning a Colleges’ All-star at left-half back in hurling in

1998, the same year that he wore the same number 7 in Croke Park for the

school in the All-Ireland Colleges’ Senior B football final.

Alongside his brothers Cathal and Connor he was the mainstay of the Tír

na nÓg senior team for almost two decades, following in the well-worn

footsteps of their father Leo, their uncles and of course their

grandfather Bobby who was one of the key men keeping hurling going in

the club more than half a century ago.

Darryl made huge contributions through campaigns that netted an Antrim

Intermediate football title at the turn of the Millennium, an Antrim

Junior hurling title in 2002 and latterly in 2013 an Ulster Division 2

hurling title. He was the 2002 winning hurling captain.

When he stepped away from the playing, he coached the Creggan camogie

side to the Antrim Intermediate final in 2015 alongside his father Leo

with whom he enjoyed a special father-son relationship centred around

the camán and sliotar. He was most recently involved with his cousin

Robert Graham in taking the Tír na nÓg minor hurlers.

The Heatley name is closely linked to the game of hurling in Tír na nÓg

and they have made a big contribution to the GAA. Before Leo had

finished his playing career he was a respected referee, officiating at

all levels in Antrim and on the Ulster schools’ circuit in all codes.

Leo also served several terms as club chairman, Chairman of south-west

Antrim GAA Council and delegate to the County Board. Darryl seemed to be

preparing to make a similar contribution before his untimely passing.

Darryl will be missed by the whole Tír na nÓg club and the wider GAA

community, but will be more sorely missed by his family, his wife of

less than four years, Oonagh (née Kearney), his parents Leo and

Geraldine, brothers Cathal and Connor, sister Leona (Doran), the wider

Heatley, Kearney, O’Loan and Walsh families and his many friends.

Darryl’s funeral Mass will take place on Sunday at 2pm in St MacNissi’s

Church Randalstown with burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining

Graveyard.

We at the Saffron Gael extend our sympathy at this sad time.

Leaba i measc na laochra Gael go raibh aige.

 

 

by thesaffrongael

“Scór Galore” at Gate Inn Aghagallon

St. Mary’s Aghagallon would like to invite you to “Scór Galore” This is a night for fellow Scór enthusiasts, locals and friends to join us for a night of all things Scór… and more of course. Orla Hamill will also ensure there’s plenty of craic with a game or two of “Play your cards right” and there’ll be a supper for everyone during all the craic agus ceol. Everyone welcome!  Over the years, we have built some great friendships with some lovely people and this is a chance for us all to get together. We would love to see all of our Scór friends and local community there. Great night of culture and craic guaranteed.  Scór is 50 years old this year so what better way to celebrate than with our friends on the shores of the lovely Lough Neagh. Saturday 15 September in the gate inn at 8pm