Month / January 2019

by thesaffrongael

Management appointments in Antrim Division 1 for 2019

By Geordie McGuckin

A new year, and with a noticeable lengthening of the day most clubs are looking forward to the challenges of 2019 and making appointments as to management.

The resumption of the leagues is only a matter of weeks ahead and most have made appointments as to those who hold the reins in charge of their senior teams.

Erin’s Own Cargin having secured the senior championship for the third time in the past four seasons have secured the same management again for the season ahead with Damien Cassidy returning to the top job.

The Erin’s Own side were involved in possibly one of the best games seen last year when a late, late Tomas McCann goals saw them come from behind to gain access over intense rivals St Gall’s in the championship semi- final before edging out near neighbours Creggan in a dour county decider.

The Bellaghy man, who also enjoyed success with the Wolfe Tones minor team both in gaining county and provincial will again be assisted in his duties at Toome by Ronan Devlin and Kevin Doyle, and they may well prove contenders again as they are about to kick start another season.

  • Damien cassidy is back in charge of Erin’s Own Cargin after delivering the Senior Championship in 2018

Kickham’s Creggan, although denied in their attempts to secure the county title had a great season nonetheless bringing home the Division One league title and  have installed the same management structure for another term with Kevin Madden, Gerard Mc Nulty, and Odhran McCann back in charge.

The Kickham’s club enjoyed an excellent season with victory in both the O’Cahan cup and the Reserve Cup accompanying the Eddie Fitzsimmons Cup in residence at the Staffordstown road venue.

Creggan have showed a steady improvement during Madden’s tenure and may well be offering strong challenge again this term.

  • Kevin madden had a successful season with Creggan which saw them lift the Division 1 League, O’Cahan Cup and Reserve League title and is in charge of the Kickham’s again in 2019

St John’s have also retained the same management structure with Gearoid Adams, and John Kelly in charge again at Corrigan.

The Whiterock road side, having endured defeat in the 2017 senior decider, losing out to the Hannahstown men on the Glenavy sod, endured the same fate in the semis last term when they were beaten by Creggan.

The Corrigan side is usually up there in the mix and although their dual nature which ensures ambition in both hurling and football may not be ideal the Johnnies may well be contenders.

They contested both football and hurling semis last term and came mighty close in both only bowing out in the former following a replay with the eventual winners and are likely to be in there with a shout again in 2019.

St Gall’s were back in the groove again last term after a couple of seasons when they were not at their best, and the Milltown men came within a few seconds of making another senior championship decider until Tomas Mc Cann’s late wonder goal dashed their hopes.

The former provincial and national champs will look to retain such regained positivity again this term and Sean Kelly will again assume control to lead the Milltown Blues on another offensive, assisted by Paul Mellon, Paul Pollock, and Paul Walsh.

The Lower Fall’s residents will most certainly be well prepared for action again in 2019 and they will again be contenders.

Lamh Dhearg come up short in their quest to retain the title hard earned in 2017 when losing to champions Cargin in a replay last term.

The Hannahstown men did look on their way to another semi-final appearance when they came from behind to lead Cargin in the quarters but the Toome men added a couple of late points to earn a second chance and proved six points superior in the replay.

Lamh Dearg have installed Mairtin Lynch and Terry Mc Crudden for another season in the management roles, and with Conor Murray and Declan Lynch set to return to duty after long term injuries they the Red Hand side may well fancy their chances.

Casement’s Portglenone had a good 2019 season and although the Bannsider’s were put to the sword by a rejuvenated St Gall’s in their championship quarter final assignment they did lower the colours of the Milltown men in both their league meetings.

The Portglenone side have made new appointment in the managerial role with former Derry player Barry Dillon taking the reins at O’ Cahan Park.

The new man in charge will be assisted by Eoin Doherty, and although they will not be burdened by the favourites tag they have a strong talented squad and if they continue to show improvement in 2019 they may well be capable of making a challenge.

St Enda’s have been the real stars of 2018, and now into 2019 and after booking a place in a Croke Park final in three weeks’ time the buzz continues.

  • Frank Fitzsimmons has had a great season in charge of St. End’a which saw them reach an All Ireland Intermediate club final in 3 week’s time

Frank Fitzsimmons and his second in command Pat Hughes have led the Glengormley men to County and Provincial success thus far and it would come as a huge surprise if they are not to be reinstated.

St. Enda’s had a useful first season back  in division 1 which included a win over Erin’s Own Cargin and creditable performances against all the top sides and will be hoping to push on in the league in 2019 and a first tilt at the Senior Championship.

St Enda’s will move into another category in the season ahead as they will enter the draw for the senior championship and on evidence produced in a youth based squad they are more than well enough equipped to take the uplift in their stride.

St Mary’s Aghagallon struggled to make impact last term but with a strong youth based panel at disposal the men from the Antrim-Armagh border are certainly capable of better.

They have retained the services of Hannahstown man Kevin Murray in the managerial role with John Devlin included in the hot seat positions.

Aghagallon will more than likely soon benefit from the large number from the club who were included on the St Ronan’s side which impressed on the college scene during 2017, and may well be up there offering stern challenge for senior honours sooner, rather than later.

St Teresa’s did seem to be occupied in a mainly rear guard action for most of last term but the Glen road men can mix it with the best when in the mood.

Sean Mc Goldrick has been appointed in the senior management role with further appointments to be made.

They had to dig deep in the latter stages of the 2018 league to retain their Division 1 status and may well be hampered by strength and depth.

St Teresa’s are more than capable of causing problems for the best but although it is more than evident that character is in abundance within it is difficult to envisage them in the role of strong challengers.

St Mary’s Ahoghill have secured former Cargin stalwart Dualtach Johnston to take the reins at Clooney.

Having gained experience aplenty in the green and white of the Erin’s Own men Johnston was part of the John Brennan back room staff which guided the Toome men to back to back senior titles is to be assisted in his new role by Noel Crossey.

Ahoghill appeared to be on the downward trail last term with relegation seemingly looming large on the horizon with only a couple of points secured in the league at the half way juncture. However a strong character laded finish saw them remain unbeaten in their last five assignments to secure their place in the top flight.

The St Mary’s men will not start 2019 cast as favourites to collect silverware but they are more than capable of ruffling a few feathers along the way.

  • Eunan Conway who led St. Brigid’s to promotion in 2018 and is back at the helm for their 2019 journey

St Brigid’s took the upward path last term and the South Antrim men ensured a return to the top grade following an excellent 2018 season in which they also captured the under-21 title.

Eunan Conway has been reappointed as manager with Andy Magill, Anthony Carleton, and Colly McGuckian assuming roles on the selection committee.

Conway has been involved with the Musgrave Park side for quite a number of years and the bursar at St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt brings a wealth of knowledge to the job.

Strength and depth is apparent within at St Brigid’s, and although the central ambition may well in consolidation in the short term it is more than likely that they will soon be up there making a challenge for honours.

Gort na Mona have returned to the top table again after more than twenty years. One of the youngest club in the Saffron county, founded early in the 70s made it to the first division in 2007, but such was a short flirtation for the dual club, but following a generation in exile they are back as division two league champions.

  • Sean McKenna will again take charge of Gort na Mona after leading them to promotion from division 2 and a place in the Intermediate championship final in 2018

Sean Mc Kenna guided the Gorts back to the top with an excellent 2018 season ensuring progress to the intermediate championship decider, and although they were to be edged out by an excellent St Enda’s side in that one they gained fully merited compensation with promotion secured as league champs.

McKenna is back at the helm and although consolidation and the retention of their hard earned status will be their priority, Gort na Mona are more than capable of causing a few upsets.

    by thesaffrongael

    Pairc Tailteann engulfed in a sea of Black & Amber as Enda’s advance

    As the final whistle sounded and St. Enda’s supported raced onto Pairc Tailteann yesterday, turning the green sward of the Meath ground into a carpet of black and amber it was hard not to think that we were witnessing something special.

    As the Glengormley players turned on a virtuoso performance to overcome the challenge of An Spideal of Galway in this All Ireland Intermediate club semi-final with something to spare their supporters had outnumbered and out cheered their rivals throughout.

    A crowd of youngster counted down the seconds prior to Niall Cullen’s full-time whistle before being given access to the pitch and adding to what was a carnival occasion. This was the first time an Antrim team had won Ulster at Intermediate level and their heroes were one step from All Ireland glory.

    Hundreds remained on the Pairc Tailteann pitch for nearly an hour after the game hugging and congratulating their heroes while big Joe Maskey was signing autographs for a group of youngsters on another part of the pitch after an interview with tg4.

    Prior to this season Joe had been making a name for himself with his performances for Antrim hurlers but it has been during St. Enda’s run to a first Antrim and Ulster success that a growing reputation as a serious footballer has grown.

    His goal against Mullahoran in the Ulster final earned his rave reviews and his very special goal on Sunday has propelled him to the status of a God in the eyes of these youngsters. Maskey struck an unbelievable goal from 60 meters after An Spideal keeper Maghnus Breathnach was turned over on an ill-fated solo run. It was a goal that the Galway men never recovered from.

    A colleague who had attended a St. Enda’s training session on the week leading up to yesterday’s game told me that St. Enda’s had spent an hour on turn over and it was obvious that Frank Fitzsimmons, Pat Hughes and Thomas McNulty had done their homework on An Spideal and reaped the rewards.

    • Joe Maskey with his growing band of fans at Pairc Tailteann yesterday

    Big Joe was only one of a team of heroes who performed out of their skin with Damian Gault taking his place at full-back for the first time in this year’s championship and never putting a foot wrong despite his lengthy lay off due to injury.

    Over the years I’ve followed the fortunes of Antrim clubs in the Ulster Intermediate championship and shared in the disappointment suffered by Dunloy and Moneyglass in Ulster final as well as semi-final defeats for All Saints and Rasharkin so St. Enda’s success and the way they have conducted themselves has been very rewarding.

    Undoubtedly there were a few pints consumed at their Hightown club last night and why not but they are a very level headed bunch of young men and will keep their feet firmly on the ground. Kilcummin stand between them and ultimate All Ireland success on February 9th and the Kerry and Munster champions are likely to pose a stiffer challenge than An Spideal but it is one that St. Enda’s are more than capable of overcoming.

    Croke Park will provide them with the expansive surface to express their very special brand of football and I would expected the Hogan stand to be turned into another sea of black and amber as James McAuley lifts the cup while big Joe could be busy again signing autographs for his growing band of admirers.

    • St. Enda’s chairman, Steven Jennings and secretary Paul McKeown present a cheque for £500-00 to Paddy McIlwaine (who received it on behalf of the Saffron Gael) at Pairc Tailteann yesterday prior to the All Ireland semi-final against An Spideal
    by thesaffrongael

    Tir na nÓg kick off Centenery celebrations

    Tír na nÓg is a club with a long and successful traditions.  This year 2019, the Randalstown based club celebrates its Centenary year, a marvellous achievement for any club. 

    The club was formed by Cork native Maurice Bogue who came to work in the area just over a Century ago. He introduced hurling to the area and along with Arthur and Tommy Martin, the Dornans, Paddy and Hugh, Paddy McCann, Dan Carville and WJ Davitt Tír na nÓg began in 1919.  The first championship match was played against O’Donovan Rossa in August of that year in a field off the Craigstown Road.

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    Although formed as a hurling club in 1919 within a year Tír na nÓg were playing in the South Antrim Football League.  Camogie had taken root by the late 1920’s while in 1924 Tír na nÓg were instrumental in forming the South West Antrim Schools Hurling League with all three of our local feeder schools of the time participating.  The social and cultural aspect of the club was not neglected either as within the first decade of our formation Irish Dancing classes and ceili dances were organised as too was the formation of a drama group.  Annual excursions were organised to Glenarm and Portaferry with transport in the form of two charabancs.

    In hurling Tír na nÓg has a rich tradition and many people within the county may not be aware that the club can boast three Senior Championship titles, in 1922, 1926 and 1939. In later years the won junior hurling championships in 1960, 1985 and 2002. Success in the big ball game came when they won the Junior Football Championship title in 1986 and two Intermediates in 1988 and 2000. The camogie team won a junior championship in 2000, an intermediate in 2006 and a county and Ulster intermediate championship in 2010.  That same year the ladies footballers were victorious in a junior championship final in Casement Park. 

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    With facilities to rival any club in Ulster, two playing fields, a training pitch and an indoor 4G, the four codes continue to thrive and grow from strength to strength, with numbers flourishing at underage. The cultural aspect of the club also grows year on year with Irish dancing. music, language, drama, Scor na nÓg and Scor all featuring strongly within Tír na nÓg.

    The club have major plans to celebrate such a prestige year and have put in place a programme of events and festivities from February through to October. 

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    Loosely following the ancient Irish festivals of Imbolg, Bealtaine, Lunása and Samhain.  The first of these Imbolg, the beginning of Spring festival, takes place around St Brigid’s Day (1st February). A full programme of St Brigid rush cross making, storytelling with Patsy O’Hagan, Irish Language for the novice, Hurling stick making, tradition music and dancing, performances from our County and Ulster Scór na nÓg champions, wool and flax spinning, decorative straw-work (Corn Dolly Making),  patchwork quilting and American woodcraft (3 legged stool making).

    Tír na nÓg GAC Randalstown: 100 Years in the Making 1919-2019

    Opening Weekend:

    Thursday 31st January– St. Brigid cross making

    Venue: Tír na nÓg clubrooms

    Time: 7-8.30pm

    Everyone welcome.  Tea and refreshments will be available.

    Friday 1st February– Story Telling with Three Time Bard of Armagh, Patsy O’Hagan

    Venue: Tír na nÓg clubrooms

    Time: 8.30pm- late.     Price: £5 (at the door)

    Everyone welcome.  Refreshments available

    Saturday 2nd February– Gaeilge Gan Stró (Effort Less Irish)

    Venue: Tír na nÓg clubrooms

    Time: 11.30am-2pm

    Who: Beginners and novices- young and old.  Everyone is welcome.  You are guaranteed to leave this session with 300 words of Irish along with 2 songs.  You will also be provided with a certification of recognition.  This session will be led by Malachy Duffin.

    Price: £2 per person or £5 per family.

    Saturday Night Vigil Mass

    Venue: St. MacNissi’s Church Randaltown, Time: 6pm

    Sunday 3rd February– Cultural Day and Ulster Football League fixture

    Venue: Tír na nÓg pitches and indoor 4G facility.

    Time: Football fixture: 12pm- Cultural Day: 1.30-4.30pm

    What: Ulster folk Museum exhibition of old world trades and craft, hurley stick making, tradition music and dancing and performances from our County and Ulster Scór na nÓg champions.

    Please note: In celebration of 100 years a nostalgia and memorabilia museum has been created in the foyer of our main building.  It will be officially opened on Saturday 2nd February 11am-4pm and Sunday 3rd February.  We would encourage all of our members, their families and everyone from our community to visit this exhibition.  A guest book will be present at the door and we would ask all visitors to comment and sign.

    Go Raibh maith agat

    Tír na nÓg

    Go raibh maith agat

    Tír na nÓg Centenary Commitee

    by thesaffrongael

    The Naomh Éanna dream continues

    AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship

    Semi-Final

    Sunday January 20

    Naomh Éanna 3-9 An Spidéal 0-11

    Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Tailteann, Navan

    And so the fairy-tale continues.  Naomh Éanna have booked a date at Croke Park in three weeks time after a resounding victory over Galway and Connaught champions An Spidéal at Páirc Tailteann.  Seven points separated the sides at the end of the hour with the Hightown Road side’s ability to score goals the difference.

    Three goals in the opening 30 minutes put Naomh Éanna in control.  Kristian Healy’s effort settling them into the game before Ruirái Scott opened daylight in the 20th minute.  The third goal however was the game changer.  The An Spidéal ‘keeper Maghnus Breathnach had made the headlines for his exploits during the Connaught championship whether it was saving penalties or converting match winning frees.  Breathnach looked to join in further up the field when he was turned over close to 60 yards from goal.  The ball to Joe Maskey and the ‘Big Sleep’ did the rest.  Outside of the boot, into the wind, no problem.  Joe Maskey sent the big support from Naomh Éanna in attendance into hysteria and the Antrim and Ulster champions never looked behind them.

    Despite An Spidéal threatening a comeback at the start of the second half, Naomh Éanna always remained in control.  Their defence were immense throughout and the only occasion the Galway men broke carved open a goal scoring chance, Paddy Flood was equal to the task.  Damien Gault returning at full back was immense while Conan Lyttle and Conor McAuley’s breaks from deep were tiring to watch.  They never stopped and An Spidéal couldn’t deal with the variation in Naomh Éanna’s play. 

    Upfront, Odhran Eastwood top scored with 0-7 for his hours work but again the work rate and tenacity from which the whole attacking unit defended with from the front set the tone.  Eoin Nagle and Ruirái Scott, a partnership made in heaven while the speed of Kristian and Peter Healy coming off the wings is a defenders nightmare.

    An Spidéal had their moments and looked threatening when attacking in numbers through the middle, especially in the first half with Antaine Ó Laoi and Cormac Lee pulling the strings.  Both men finished with 0-7 between them with all scores coming from frees but the Naomh Éanna defence were immense.  An Spidéal finished with 14 men, their captain Ciarán Ó Laoi seeing red for a dangerous tackle on Kristian Healy in the 58th minute but An Spidéal’s race was run by then with Naomh Éanna cruised the closing stages.

    If Naomh Éanna needed any inspiration beforehand, they got it the moment they took to the Páirc Tailteann surface.  The roar from the travelling hoards bedecked in amber and black was something special and hair raising.  A moment every club in the country aspires for.  To see their team take to the field in their first All-Ireland semi final.  In a nervy opening, both sides searched for form with Eoin Nagle and Antaine Ó Laoi swapping scores.  An Spidéal were well organised in defence with Dara Mac an Rí sweeping while breaking at pace but a run of wides let Naomh Éanna off in the early exchanges. 

    Naomh Éanna’s first major came in the eighth minute thanks to Kristian Healy.  Ethan Gibson breaking the line before passing to Nagle who in turn fed Healy to put the Hightown Road men in control.  An Spidéal responded with Antaine Ó Laoi dancing his way through the heart of the defence to carve open a goal chance but Killian Jenning’s produced a superb block to deny a certain goal.

    Eastwood pointed his first free of the match in the 10th minute as Naomh Éanna began to ease their way into the semi-final.  Any nerves shown in the early exchanges were now gone and they were warming to the challenge An Spidéal were bringing their way.

    The Galway men responded with a  brace of points from Séan Ó Curraoin and an Ó Laoi free from distance but any An Spidéal attacks were sporadic.  Naomh Éanna were well on top and deserved to be further ahead than the two point difference suggested midway through the half.

    Naomh Éanna looked capable of creating goal chances at every opportunity and in the 18th minute they had a glorious opportunity more by accident than design.  Kristian Healy’s pointed effort came back off the upright where Nagle collected the loose ball.  Showing composure to get the yard required by jinking one way and another, his shot was somehow blocked by Conal Ó Caoimh with the goal at Nagle’s mercy.

    They didn’t have to wait long before they found the back of Breathnach’s net though.  Just two minutes later Joe Maskey made a surging run through the heart of the defence before laying the ball off to Kristian Healy.  With a point the easy option, the Naomh Éanna man played a sublime pass into the path of Scott who made a run behind the An Spidéal defence.  One on one with the keeper, Scott’s shot was partially blocked by the An Spidéal keeper but crossed the line.

    Naomh Éanna were six clear after 20 minutes and loving life in Páirc Tailteann.  Their excellent start was briefly halted by another Ó Laoi free before Scott re-established the Naomh Éanna six point lead to take his tally to 1-1.  A good half was about to become a dream come true for the Hightown Road side however when Maskey landed their third goal of the match.  Breathnach was caught in possession with Naomh Éanna forcing a turnover for the umpteenth time during the half.  Maskey collected the ball and struck.  It seemed to spend an eternity in the air as the crowd in the Navan stadium held their breath.  He couldn’t.  Could he?  Yes he did.  Joe Maskey.  Take a bow.  Páirc Tailteann went into hysteria and Naomh Éanna were playing their own version of sexy football.

    An Spidéal responded by firing over the last three scores of the half with Ó Laoi (free), Eoin Ó Droighnéain and Cormac Lee finding the target but the six point deficit flattered the Galway side.  Some soft, if not dubious decision went against Naomh Éanna during the half with Ó Laoi’s free taking capabilities keeping An Spidéal in the game.

    The short whistle came at a bad time for the Galway men.  Three points in as many minutes unanswered was their best scoring performance of the half and the break would have taken that momentum but two minutes after the restart Pádraig Eoin Ó Curraoin made it four white flags unanswered and the Naomh Éanna lead was reduced to five.

    It was as close as they would get to Naomh Éanna though with the Antrim and Ulster champions maintaining control.  An Eastwood point in the 36th minute got them off and running after the restart before the post and crossbar contrived to deny them a fourth goal in the space of 10 seconds.  Eastwood cutting inside the An Spidéal defence beat the keeper but his shot came back off the post and while Kristian Healy was first to the rebound, his effort cannoned back off the crossbar with the An Spidéal defence all at sea.  Eastwood fisted over to ensure Naomh Éanna got something for their attack but it was a bizarre sequence of events when the Antrim champions did everything but find the back of the net.

    Eastwood’s third of the half and fifth overall left eight between the sides with a quarter of the game remaining.  This was a scenario they would have been dreaming about in the seven long weeks building to the semi.  Their destiny was in their own hands and they weren’t going to let it slip.  They have become a well-oiled machine and are well versed in game management.  They reined in their attacking instincts and protected what they had.  Every time An Spidéal raised a white flag they ensured the responded.  Eastwood and Cormac Lee swapping frees twice before Ciarán Ó Laoi saw red for a shocking challenge on Kristian Healy.  Aodán Ó Curraoin split the posts in the fifth minute of injury time with what was the last poc of the game but by that stage the gates to enter the Páirc Tailteann pitch were already loaded with the Naomh Éanna faithful.  The final whistle blew and the roar went up, louder than anything that had preceded it during the 60 minutes and rightly so.  A simply awesome performance when it mattered most.  The Naomh Éanna men now have an All-Ireland final to look forward to with Kilcummin from Kerry the next obstacle on their crusade.  The history makers and ground breakers continue on their merry way though and it’s going to take something special to stop them.

    Naomh Éanna: Paddy Flood; Killian Jennings, Damien Gault, Mick McNamee; Conan Lyttle, James McAuley, Conor McAuley; Ethan Gibson, Joe Maskey; Peter Healy, Ruiraí Scott, Kristian Healy; Michael Morgan, Odhran Eastwood, Eoin Nagle.

    Subs: Ciarán O’Neill for M Morgan (HT); Philly Curran for E Gibson (60); Donal Walsh for O Eastwood (60)

    Scorers: Odhran Eastwood 0-7 (6 f’s); Ruirái Scott 1-1; Joe Maskey 1-00; Kristian Healy 1-00; Eoin Nagle 0-1

    An Spidéal: Maghnus Breathnach; Eoin Ó Droighneáin, Éamon Ó Conláin, Liam Kelly; Ciarán Ó Laoi, Michéal Ó Curraoin, Séamus Ó Droighneáin; Dara Mac an Rí, Pádraig Eoin Ó Curraoin; Séan Ó Curraoin, Antaine Ó Laoi, Liam Ó Conghaile; Brian Connolly, Cormac Lee, Conal Ó Caoimh.

    Subs: Brian Mac Cathmhaoil for E Ó Droighneáin (black card 44); Aodán Ó Curraoin for L Ó Conghaile (54); Aodán Ó Croighneáin for C Ó Caoimh (black card 60)

    Scorers: Antaine Ó Laoi 0-4 (4 f’s); Cormac Lee 0-3 (3 f’s); Eoin Ó Droighneáin 0-1; Pádraig Eoin Ó Curraoin 0-1; Séan Ó Curraoin 0-1; Aodán Ó Curraoin 0-1.

    Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)