Month / June 2019

by thesaffrongael

Tower tops in Thompson Cup

Danske Bank Thompson Cup – Ulster Schools Year 8 Hurling

St Killian’s 2-4 Cross & Passion College 1-0

St Killian’s won the Thompson Cup at Slemish Park Ballymena on Saturday when they beat Cross & Passion in the final. Six teams took part and after a series of round-robin games St Killian’s CPC, St Mary’s CBGS and Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock qualified for the semi-finals. The Garron Tower boys got the better of St Mary’s in their semi-final while CPC came out on top against Knock to set up a showdown with their north coast rivals.

In a game of ten minutes each way CPC were first to strike when Conor Donnelly got in behind the Tower defence in the second minute and kicked the ball to the net. However that was to be their only score of the half and with the wind at their backs you felt at half time that it might not be enough.

Joe Cassidy presents the Thompson Cup to St Killian’s captains Alex McCambridge and Ryan McAuley after their team’s win over CPC in the final.

In the opening minute of the second half an goal attempt by St Killian’s was thwarted by Anthony Mullan in the CPC goals who bravely blocked the ball with his feet but Callagh Mooney picked up the ball and sent it over the bar to open the Garron Tower scoring. Callum McIlwaine added a point two minutes later to cut the gap to a single point before Dairi Higgins got in for a goal on six minutes. CPC battled hard to get out of defence but the St Killian’s tails were up now and Cahir McNaughton pointed to put them three clear before Thomas McLaughlin delivered the killer blow by firing in his team’s second goal. There was no way back for CPC now and Callagh Mooney put the seal on the victory with an injury time point to spark scenes of celebration among the Garron Tower followers.

  • CPC full forward Conor Donnelly celebrates after scoring his team’s goal
  • Dairi Higgins celebrates after scoring St Killian’s opening goal
  • Thomas McLaughlin jumps for joy after scoring St Killian’s second goal

ST KILLIAN’S: Joseph McKay, Oran McClintock, Oran McCambridge, James Kearney, Aodhan Campbell, John Scullion, Colla Ward, Charlie McAuley, Callum McIlwaine, Fintan McKillop, Daniel Douthart, Callagh Mooney, Thomas McLaughlin, Dairi Higgins, Cahir McNaughton.

Subs – Alex McCambridge, Ryan McAuley, Eoghan Robbin, Padhraic O’Boyle, Michael Fury, Gerard Burns, Oisin McKeown, Padraig McIlhatton, Liam McGhee

Cross & Passion College

CPC: Anthony Mullan, Conor Boylan, Cian Budant, Thomas McNulty, Niall McClean, Liam Glackin, Ardan Kelly, Roan McGarry, Dara Donnelly, Kalechi Agola, Calum Kane, Ronan Fitzgerald, Dan O’Mullan, Conor Donnelly, Conal Lynn

Subs – Con McCormick, James McNeill, Dara McGivern, Aidan Hughes, Cahir McMullan.

by thesaffrongael

Football League Fixtures (Sunday 16th June)

A depleted list of football league fixtures for Sunday as the Saffron’s prepare for the visit of Kildare in the next round of the All Ireland Qualifiers.

The ‘Lily Whites’ are the guests of Lenny Harbinson’s side at Corrigan on Saturday next, 22nd and those sides with players involved in that one will not be involved in Sunday’s list.

The postponed games are to proceed on Tuesday 25th June as the completion of the first phase approaches.

Sunday 16th June (3.00pm)

Division One

Gort na Mona v Erin’s Own Cargin

Cargin lost their opening game of the 2019 season when beaten at Hightown by St Enda’s but the Toome men have continued unbeaten since that one.

Damien Cassidy’s side have been held to a draw on a couple of occasions when finishing on par with both St John’s and St Gall’s but the Toome men will take the road to Belfast and this visit to Gort na Mona leading the way in the ratings.

The Gorts, having gained promotion at the end of last term took time to adjust to life in division 1 after a lengthy period in exile.

The West Belfast men have gained three wins to date and no doubt they will be keenly anticipating the visit of the current county champions.

The home side will give this one their best shot but Cargin will start as firm favourites and they should collect the points.

Division Two

Patrick Sarsfield’s v St James Aldergrove

Sarsfield’s have had a fair season thus far but after a good start and three wins from their first four games the Stewartstown road residents have not been as successful in their recent outings.

They were beaten in their last two games against Dunloy and Tir na nOg and they will return to base looking for better.

Aldergrove have proved quite enigmatic this term as they struggle for consistancy. Paddy Nugent’s charges defeated their neighbours from Glenavy last time and will take the road up to Belfast in a feel good mode.

This could be a close one which could go either way but the Crumlin men are given the nod and an away win is anticipated.

Michael Davitt’s v Con Magees Glenravel

Glenravel were halted in a winning run last time when they lost to the visiting Rossa and will travel to Davitt’s looking for a return to form.

The Con Magees, having won promotion last term have gained a foothold in division 2 and have recorded some good results to date.

Davitt’s have struggled in the present season and they will be looking for improvement if they hope to move up the table.

The Falls Road side have just a couple of wins to date and points are required if they are to move out of the relegation zone.

This looks another close one but the present climate suggests an away win and another couple of points for Glenravel.

O’ Donovan Rossa v Tir na nOg

Rossa lead the way in this division without a blemish on their record to date having suffered relegation at the end of a poor 2018 season and the Shaw’s road side seem intent on a quick return to the top flight.

They gained the verdict over Con Magees down in the South West last time and will return to familiar terrain as they play hosts to the Whitehill men.

Tir na nOg having collected the Ulster Intermediate league in what proved a successful preseason campaign have proved a trifle hit and miss this year but a nine point win over the visiting St Patrick’s last time will have boosted their confidence as they make the journey to Shaw’s Road.

Rossa are the in form team in the division and anything other than a home win looks unlikely.

 St Patrick’s Lisburn v Cuchullian’s Dunloy

St. Patrick’s Lisburn gained promotion from division 3 last term but have struggled to gain foothold in division 2.

They have failed to collect a point and will look for better in this one as they welcome Dunloy to Kirkwood park.

The Cuchullian’s have proved a little erratic to date but they have loads of ability and can be a match for anyone on their day. They will look to make it three wins in a row  following wins over Aldergrove and Sarsfield’s and will start as firm favourites here.

St Patrick’s will give it their all but anything other than an away win is difficult to envisage.

Division Three

St Paul’s v Eire Og

Although it took a while for St Paul’s to get going this year the Shaw’s road side are the in form side in the division at present and they look set to continue in winning ways here as Eire Og visit.

Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Patrick Pearses

O’ Donnell’s endured a reversal last time when well beaten by promotion favourites Ardoyne and they will hope to return to winning ways in this one as Pearses pay a visit to their Mc Crory Park venue. Pearses have been going well however and an away win would keep them in the promotion race while a draw is not out of the question.

St Agnes v St Comgall’s Antrim

With just a single defeat to date Antrim based St Comgall’s lead the way in the ratings and they should have too much in the tank for the Aggies at Woodlands.

Kickham’s Ardoyne v Mc Quillan’s Ballycastle

Ardoyne remain in contention for promotion with St. Comgall’s and St. Paul’s and anything other than another win here against the visiting McQuillan’s would be a shock.

by thesaffrongael

Cloney men running into form in division 2

ACHL Division 2

Cloney Gaels 2-24 Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh 0-10

Cloney Gaels followed up last Friday’s Abbey Cup success with a good home win over visitors, Eoghan Ruadh in Ahoghill on Wednesday night and after a couple of early season setbacks the newly promoted Ahoghill side looked to have established themselves in division 2.

Those early season defeats included a one point loss to St. Enda’s and fairly heavy losses to Creggan and Glenariffe but as players have returned from injury the Cloney band wagon has gathered momentum and pace.

After falling behind to an early Damian Casey point the Cloney side responded through points from Owen Neeson, James O’Connell but the Tyrone men, who have been going well this season kept in touch with the sides level after 12 minutes.

Cloney Gaels should have been ahead however at this stage but the Eoghan Ruadh net-minder pulled off an excellent save to deny Ronan Graham in the 10th minute. Pearse Downey hit a couple of points to edge the home side ahead and they stepped it up a gear in the second quarter.

Owen Neeson, who had an excellent hour for the Ahoghill side led the way with three points and he added a goal in the 25th minute while James O’Connell (0-2), Ronan Graham and PJ O’Connell all found the target to leave Hugh Dobbin’s side 1-12 to 0-6 ahead at the break.

Owen Graham, PJ O’Connel (0-2) and the impressive Neeson extended the Cloney lead further at the start of the second half and while the visitors continued to battle hard they had no answer to the slick movement of the home side.

The scores started to flow freely as Fionnbar O’Neill, Owen Neeson and three on the trot from James O’Connell put matters out of reach for the visitors by the 50th minute and then PJ O’Connell looked in for his side’s second goal but was denied by an excellent point blank save by the Eoghan Ruadh custodian.

James O’Connell had taken over as scorer in chief in the closing stages and he added two more with PJ concluding the home side’s scoring with two more to leave Cloney Gaels convincing winners by 20 points.

Cloney Gaels: Aiden Graham, Diarmaid Graham, Bernard Graham, Sean McMahon, James Magee, Neil O’Connell, Eamon Brady, Francis Neeson, Donal Graham, Donach Graham, James O’Connell, Owen Neeson, Ronan Graham, Pearse Downey, Dan O’Neill. Subs: Owen Graham, Fionnbar O’Neill, Dominic Neeson, James McMeel, Stephen O’Connell.

by thesaffrongael

Orlagh Laverty wins Ulster Poc Fada

There was success for Antrim at yesterday evening’s Ulster Poc Fada when Orlagh Laverty of Loughgiel Shamrocks won the Under 16 Camogie title. Antrim champion Orlagh gave a top class display to emulate her club colleague Roisin McFadden who won the title in 2017. The event, which was once again hosted by Shane O’Neill’s in Glenarm, covered the course on Gowkstown Hill in Feystown.

The mens event was won by Ballygalget and Down star Gareth Magic Johnston who was first man off, and from his first poc of the ball it was clear he would be hard to beat. Louise Dougan of Slaughtneill and Derry retained the Senior Camogie crown while Oisin Marley of Donegal retained his Under 16 Boys title.

After the event the competitors and spectators returned to the Shane O’Neill’s clubroms where Ulster GAA vice President Ciaran McLaughlin and Ulster Camogie President Jennifer Cultra presented the awards

Orlagh Laverty in action during the Ulster Poc Fada in Glenarm
  • Gareth Magic Johnston receives the Ulster Poc Fada cup from Ulster GAA vice-president Ciaran McLaughlin.
  • Louise Dougan of Slaughtneill and Derry receives the Senior Camogie Cup from Ulster Camogie president Jennifer Cultra
Oisin Marley of Donegal retained his Under 16 Boys title
Orlagh Laverty receives her medal from Ulster Camogie President Jennifer Cultra
Aidan Scullion of the host club Shane O’Neill’s represented Antrim in the Under 16 Boys event
Antrim champion Christopher Murray in action in the Ulster finals
Antrim Senior Camogie winner Aisling O’Reilly in action in last night’s Ulster finals at Feystown.
by thesaffrongael

Shane O’Neill make the long journey worthwhile

Shane O`Neills made the arduous midweek trip to Pearse Park, Armagh on Wednesday evening and “robbed the Orchard”.

On a fine evening with a damp sod underfoot, and after a delayed throw in both teams exchanged points over the course of the first half, Darren Hamill, Dan Black, Kevin O`Boyle, and Chrissy Matthews being on target for the Glensmen as they raced to a 0-10 to 0-9 half time lead. The second half saw a transformed Glenarm team in their attitude take to the field, running fast and hard at the hosts defence, whilst also defending stoutly. Cuchulainns lost a player to a red card on 45 mins, but the men in blue by this stage had already stamped their authority on the game. Further points from Dylan McLaughlin and Paddy McAuley eased the visitors ahead. With 3 mins remaining Kevin O`Boyle made a brave block on the home keeper and Darren Hamill had a `tap in` to ensure a well deserved victory.

In defence for the winners Paul Magill and Ben O`Boyle were best, Paddy McAuley did well at midfield while in the forwards Darren Hamill and Kevin O`Boyle were best.

Shane O’Neill’s scorers Darren Hamill 1-7; Dylan McLaughlin 0-4; Daniel Black 0-6; Kevin O`Boyle, Chrissy Matthews, Paddy McAuley 0-1 each.

Shane O`Neills: Liam Mulvenna, Paul Magill, Barry Hamill, Sean Moran, Rory Mulvenna, Jake Hamilton, Ben O`Boyle, Daniel Black,Paddy McAuley, Ryan McLaughlin, Darren Hamill, Dylan McLaughlin, Kevin O`Boyle, Chrissy Matthews, Sean O`Hare. 

Subs, Darryl McMullan, Aidan O`Neill, Ciaran Matthews, Decky McDermott, Matthew Killough, Gerard Scullion.