Month / June 2019

by thesaffrongael

Monster Bingo to Descend on Dreen

By Liam Tunney

There will be revving-room only in Rasharkin next Sunday afternoon as St Mary’s GAC hold a unique fundraiser in the form of a mass outdoor game of bingo.

Dubbed Monster Bingo by organiser Odhran Darragh, the event hopes to raise money for ongoing development at the club’s Dreen Road site.

“The club has plans for development and there is a great deal of work involved in any that. The plans have been in discussion for a number of years but have been gathering speed in recent months.”

St Mary’s will be hoping the more unconventional nature of their latest event will raise eyebrows, interest and much-needed development funds.

“It’s an event that is rather different than our usual weekly bingo,” chuckles Darragh, who has been calling bingo regularly in different areas over the last ten or eleven years.

Sean O’Kane calls the numbers at the Rasharkin bingo

“These events attract a wide range of people because it’s unusual to be able to play bingo from the comfort of your car. If you have a check, you simply beep your horn and one of our members will collect your book – and hopefully bring back your money!”

As well as the seasoned Monday-night regulars, the club is hoping to attract a wide spectrum of players due to the event’s undoubted novelty factor.

“It’s great for families and friends to come together, have fun and enjoy themselves,” enthuses Darragh, “and even if they’re struggling for childcare we have that covered.”

“Some children aren’t keen on sitting in the car for long periods so we have decided to hire a bouncy castle and provide some entertainment for the children.”

Life-long club stalwart John McAuley has generously funded the children’s entertainment for the afternoon and Odhran is quick to praise him along with the club’s other volunteers.

“We are lucky here at the club to have such a dedicated Grounds Committee who work tirelessly in keeping our entire site in such good condition and this is a great way to showcase their work by bringing everyone together in such a well-kept area.”

Darragh has been delighted by the support the event has received in the local and wider community.

“St Mary’s has a history of running successful events and that is in part thanks to continued support from the local community. VCar Kilrea, CLS Windows, Hassons, PJ Carey Architects, Wedded Bliss, Stephanie McLean Hair, Dougans, RDC Contracts, BPH Engineering, Etherson’s Meats and Joanne’s Barber Shop have all kindly agreed to sponsor the games and we thank them for that.”

The punters will be hoping that the fields around Dreen will be echoing with car horns next Sunday as they collect their monster winnings.

The event will take place on Sunday 30th June at 3pm with the Dreen gates opening at 2:15pm. Books can be purchased at £10 for a full book, while there are prizes of £50 per line, £100 per book and Last House seeing a huge £500 up for grabs.

For more information, visit www.rasharkingac.ie, contact the club via their Facebook and Twitter accounts, or contact Odhran on odhdar@hotmail.com or 07999304445.

by thesaffrongael

Derby Win For Table Topping Tir na Nog

All County Minor Football League Division 1

Kickham’s Creggan 0-09 Tir na Nog Randalstown 3-12

High Flying Tir na Nog retained top spot in the ratings and continued their unbeaten run in the All County Minor Football League Division 1 when they took the short trip out to the residence of their parish rivals, Kickham’s Creggan on a fine Tuesday evening and returned to Whitehill with the points secured.

The Creggan lads having only lost once this season started with a couple of early points through Dominic McAteer but it wasn’t to last and back to back goals in the opening quarter saw the ‘Blues’ nip into a 2-0 to 0-3 lead.

Tir na Nog were in charge but despite mid field dominance enjoyed, and chances aplenty created, they were not to trouble the scoreboard attendant for the remainder of the period.

Tir na nÓg’s Eamon Og McAllister goes high to win the ball during Tuesday evening’s win over neighbours Creggan.

The home side took advantage, as their wasteful visitors lost their way in attack, and with the middle men gaining in confidence and full forward Dom Mc Ateer causing problems to the Tir na Nog rearguard, they closed the gap on the Randalstown men to 2-03 to 0-05 at the break.

The Kickham’s lads started in the second half still very much in contention but it was to be the Whitehill Blues who were to hit the pristine sod on the positive and when Josh Higgins added a third goal in the 34th minute, to follow a brace of earlier points, they were in control.

Tir na Nog were to dominate the remainder of the game with the impressive Ciaran O’ Neill leading the way, and although the home side were to have their moments the Randalstown lads crossed the winning line, twelve points to the good. 3-12 to 0-09.

Tir na Nog started on the positive and an early point from the high fielding Eamon og Mc Allister in the 3rd minute edged them ahead.

The home side responded with back to back points from full forward Dom Mc Ateer to take the lead. The lead was to be short lived as Eamon og Mc Allister and Ciaran O’ Neill opened the way for corner man Culla Mc Donnell to finish to the back of the net in the 10th minute for Tir na nÓg

The visitors were in charge and when Culla Mc Donnell and Conor Hastings added points apiece and a smart Conor Crossey interception opened the way for Emmett Murray to add a second goal they had moved 3-03 to 0-02 ahead and looked in control.

Creggan corner-back Dylan Hinfey in action during Tuesday evening’s league clash with Tir na nÓg

However the Whitehill boys lost their way somewhat and the home side regained their composure with Leigh Johnston starting to win some ball at midfield while their visitors conspired to miss opportunities and often choosing wrong options in the offensive.

Dom Mc Ateer added a 20 the minute point to the home side’s total and when Cian Walker, who had replaced Joe Mc Ateer a few minutes earlier, announced his arrival with a point the former added another and by the break they had closed the gap to just four.

The Randalstown side possibly with a few choice words from their management team ringing in their ears started the second half in a better place and an early point from mid-field general Ciaran O’ Neill was to signal better things to come.

Emmett Murray added another point in the 33rd minute and when the pace laden centre forward turned provider shortly after his neat lay-off opened the way for a special Josh Higgins goal.

Three goals to the good Tir na Nog were in charge again and although Creggan net-minder Joe Dudley stood tall to deny Eamon og Mc Allister in the 39th minute he was unable to prevent Culla Mc Donnell and Ciaran O’ Neill splitting his posts shortly afterwards.

Cian Walker did step forward to add a further point to the Creggan total in the 42nd minute but when the ever impressive Ciaran O’ Neill strode forward to raise back to back white flags in reply, and Eamon og Mc Allister followed suit the visitors had moved 3-09 to 0-06 ahead as the last quarter commenced.

Creggan backs were firmly against the wall and they looked to their keeper again as another Ciaran O’ Neill inspired approach opened the way for replacement Oliver Mc Atamney who was denied by another excellent save from the home side’s custodian.

Further points from Eamon og Mc Allister further secured the Tir na nÓg advantage and even though Declan Mulholland did grab a couple of late scores for the home side it was a case of too little, too late as the winners secured a 3-12 to 0-09  win.

Creggan

Joe Dudley, Dylan Hinfey, Aaron Hughes, Jack Moore, Oran Hampsey, Ethan Carey Small, Sean Donnellan, Morgan Nelson (0-01), Lee Johnston, Joe Mc Ateer, Sean Duffin, Michael Murray, Declan Mulholland (0-04), Dominic Mc Ateer (0-02), Rory Mc Veigh

Subs

Cian Walker (0-02) for J Mc Ateer (black card)

Peter Mc Cluskey for S Donnellan

Tir na Nog

Adam Reid, Shane Hinfey, Brandon Mc Larnon, Cormac Mc Camphill, Ryan Crilly, Ethan Higgins, Cormac Devlin, Ciaran O’ Neill (0-04), Josh Higgins (1-00), Conor Crossey, Emmett Murray (1-01), Eamon og Mc Allister (0-03), Culla Mc Donnell (1-02), Paddy Dougan (0-01), Conor Hastings (0-01)

Subs

Danny O’ Neill for C Hastings

Oliver Mc Atamney for C Mc Camphill

Ricardo Carpidio for C Devlin

Referee Karol Doherty (Rasharkin)

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall Senior Hurlers Golf Classic

Cushendall Senior Hurlers are proud to announce the ‘Ruairí Óg Senior Hurlers Golf Classic’ taking place @ Cushendall Golf Club on Friday 2nd August 2019.

This event is being organised & run by the players with all proceeds raised going towards the players training fund.

Please note a price reduction will be offered for members of Cushendall Golf Club taking part on the day.

We are delighted to have Gillan’s Pharmacy as our main sponsor and all support for this event will be greatly appreciated.

Ryan McCambridge & Paddy Burke launch the Ruairí Óg Senior Hurlers alongside main sponsor Eamonn Gillan of Gillans Pharmacy and Cushendall Golf Club Captain Joe O’Neill.

*Contact us to book a 4ball or to sponsor a tee box/green. Please book early as 4ball spaces are limited*

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall stay unbeaten but big challenges loom

Antrim Under 16 Hurling League – Division 1

Cushendall 1-13  Ballinascreen 0-2

Cushendall’s unbeaten run in the Under 16 Hurling League continued on Monday evening when they had an emphatic win over visitors Ballinacreen at Pairc Mhuire. Going into the game this was expected to be a tough challenge for the Ruairi Og, with both teams sitting on six points, but the home side were dominant from start to finish.

Ballinascreen opened well with a point from a Conor Murtagh free in the second minute, but incredibly they did not score again until Murtagh added another from play in the final minute of the game.

Fiontan McQuillan got Cushendall up and running in the fifth minute with a point from a free and by the 20th minute he had added a goal and two points more. Padraig McKillop grabbed one while Shane McKenna, Joseph McLaughlin and James McAlister also chipped in to help the Ruairis to a 1-8 to 0-1 lead at the end of a low scoring half.

The second half continued in a similar pattern with Ballinascreen defending well, but unable to make an impression up front. They restricted Cushendall to just five points in that second half (Shane McKenna, Matthew McCann, Padraig McKillop (2) and Joshua Schnell the scorers) but they could only manage one score of their own through Murtagh in the 58th minute.

This win puts Cushendall on eight points, four behind league leaders Rossa, but the Ruairis do have two games in hand.

On Sunday Rossa had a 5-18 to 3-11 win over Slaughtneil at Rossa Park to keep their 100% league record intact so there will be great interest when the sides meet next Wednesday evening in Belfast. Before that Cushendall face a trip to near neighbours Oisins in what also promised to be a keenly contested game.  

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks secure semi-final spot

Antrim U21 Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

O’Donovan Rossa 1-9 Loughgiel Shamrocks 3-14

Loughgiel booked their place in the semi-final of the Under 21 Hurling Championship when they overcame a disappointing Rossa side at Shaw’s Road on Monday evening to set up a semi-final meeting with holders Dunloy in a week’s time.

The Shamrocks were always on top against a Rossa side who were short two of their star men, Dominic McEnhill and Eoin McMenamin. They led by 2-7 to 0-5 at the break, both goals having an element of good luck about them it has to be said. A Rossa goal just after the restart brought the home team back into contention but the Shamrocks reacted really well when challenged and they hit back to grab their third goal and from then on they looked winners all the way.

The Shamrocks started well and were a point up early on and on five minutes they got their first goal when and attempted clearance from a goalmouth scramble bounced back off the stick of Loughgiel corner forward Paddy Laverty and rolled over the line. Michael McGarry added a point before Conor O’Neill got the home side on the scoreboard with a fine strike.

McGarry continued to cause problems for the Rossa rearguard and by the quarter mark he had pulled his team 1-4 to 0-1 clear. Tiernan Murphy pulled one back for Rossa but Loughgiel struck for goal number two when a shot for a point by Paddy Laverty dipped at the last moment and dropped to the back of the Rossa net. With the breeze and the slope in their favour Loughgiel continued to prosper and despite losing centre back Odhran McMullan to what appeared to be a hamstring injury they pushed on to lead to by 2-7 to 0-5 by half time.

Rossa struck early in the second half when Adam Aicken batted a rebound to the Loughgiel net inside a minute but they never really got the chance to see the benefit of the score as the Shamrocks hit back within two minutes as Odhran McGrath poked a rebound home after Patrick Laverty’s initial effort had been well saved by McGurk in the Rossa goal.  

Loughgiel picked off some excellent points as the half progressed and though Ryan O’Neill and Tiernan Murphy came back with some good scores for Rossa they were never really threatened and booked a semi-final space with a bit to spare.

ROSSA: J McGurk; M Cunningham, M McGreevy, J Morris; M Close, C Shannon, M Smith; C McGettigan, O O’Callaghan; C Mac Parthalain (0-1), T Murphy (0-6, 4 frees), D Matthews; C O’Neill (0-1), R O’Neill (0-1), A Aicken (1-0).

LOUGHGIEL: C Dallas; C Blair, D McCloskey, C Dickson; C McKay, O McMullan, C McFadden; S McFadden, C McMullan; C Hargan (0-2), C McKendry (0-3), P Boyle (0-1); P Laverty (1-1), M McGarry (1-6, 0-4 frees), O McGrath (1-1). Subs: S O’Boyle for O McMullan (22), C Deery for C Hargan (48), C Henry for C Dickson (48), R Hill for S McFadden (53), R Watt for C Blair (53).

REFEREE: Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)