Month / September 2019

by thesaffrongael

Cunningham doubles sees Lamhs prevail

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship semi-final replay

Portglenone 0-09-2-08 Lamh Dhearg

From Kevin Herron at Slemish Park, Ballymena

Lamh Dhearg prevailed from this evenings third and final semi-final instalment with Portglenone thanks to a second-half double from go-to man Paddy Cunningham.

Despite narrowly trailing 0-05-0-04 at the interval a quick-fire double from the reliable corner-forward saw his side through to Sunday’s Northern Switchgear decider with Cargin on a scoreline of 2-08-0-09 after over 200 minutes of drama and ecstasy over the course of nine days.

Paddy Cunningham and Ryan Murray celebrate after Cunninghams second goal in Monday evenings second replay at Quinn Park, Ballymena.

All roads led to Quinn Park in Ballymena after Ciaran McCavana called a premature halt to Thursday evenings free-kick drama at the Dub with an action plan of penalties should this evenings game go the distance again.

A converted Paddy Cunningham free nudged his side into an early lead at the rainswept Woodside Road venue.

Kieron McKenna restored parity for Casements and back to back converted frees from Ronan Kelly saw the Portglenone men lead 0-03 to 0-01. At this stage the Bannsiders were on top and could have added a few more scores, but a combination of wayward shooting and some tigerish defending by the Hannahstown men meant they failed to add their lead.

Conditions hampered any notion of a free flowing game as both sides battled on a heavy surface and despite Portglenone having the better of the opening quarter the sides were level for a second time on the 20th minute.

Paddy Cunningham converted back to back frees to make it 0-03 apiece as the only score from play belonged to McKenna.

Lamh Dhearg edged ahead for the second time through a smart Terry McCrudden point with two minutes to the interval.

Casement’s midfielder Niall McKeever clears the ball from his owns goalmouth late in the game. The big man has covered a lot of miles up and down the field during this season’s championship campaign.

However McKenna doubled his account for the half with a smart angled point and a late Patrick Kelly free had Portglenone ahead by the bare minimum at the break, 0-05-0-04.

The sides were level for the third time within three minutes of the restart – Conor Murray burst forward with possession and hoisted the ball over the bar.

The next two scores would prove crucial in finally deciding the epic trilogy as two Lamh Dhearg goals gave them a solid platform going forward.

Towering midfielder Declan Dunne broke the ball at midfield and sent his side on the front foot, Paddy Cunningham slipped the ball inside to Marc McGarry who fisted the ball on to Marc Jordan and an intelligent through ball from Jordan sent Cunningham in the clear and a goal was the end result as Ryan O’Neills resistance was finally broken and Lamh Dhearg took a 1-05-0-05 lead.

Lamh Dhearg left half forward M Jordan in action during his team’s repaly win.

Within three minutes there was double joy for Cunningham and his side, Kevin Quinn hustled the ball in midfield and popped it forward to Cunningham – the goalscorer switched the ball to Conor Murray and set-off towards the target, Murray found the overlapping run of Terry McCrudden who squared the ball to Cunningham for a simple second to make it 2-05-0-05 and give the Ports a mountain to climb.

Midway through the second-half a fourth converted free from the ace corner-forward extended his sides advantage, whilst Portglenone hit a series of wides from promising scoring opportunities.

 Patrick Kelly eventually responded through a converted 50th minute free and a further free was followed by a Ronan Kelly point from play as Casement’s cut the lead from seven to four (2-06-0-08) as they attempted to sow that seed of doubt in the Lamhs mind.

Any lingering fears were soon cast aside though as Conor Murray popped the ball over and an outstanding point Declan Dunne restored his sides two-goal advantage.

The gallant Ports pushed for a late goal that might have provided a grandstand finish – though Fearghal O’Kane could only reply with a converted free.

In the end it was Lamh Dhearg who saw the game out to book a place in Sunday’s decider with Cargin at Corrigan Park.

Joe Casey and his team kept us up to date with the scores

They say that a week is a long time in football but that was before the conclusion to this semi-final which took three games, over 200 minutes and nine days at three different venues to finally settle. Lamh Dhearg are through and nobody who witnessed the three games can deny them their victory, but spare a thought for the Casement’s men who have given us all great entertainment throughout the championship. Two epic games with St John’s and three with Lamh Dhearg have had us all on the edge our seats as they provided top class entertainment throughout.

Portglenone: R O’Neill, J Convery, R McGuigan, R Convery, R Delargy, D McAleese, C Tierney, N McKeever, M Kelly, C Delargy, N Delargy, K McKenna (0-02), R Kelly (0-03f), M Donnelly, P Kelly (0-03f). Subs: M Hagan for C Delargy (40); F O’Kane (0-01f) for M Kelly (45); G McAleese for C Tierney (54); O Odherty for R Kelly (59).

Lamh Dhearg: J Finucane, C Nolan, P Mervyn, M McGarry, D Lynch, M Herron, B Rice, D Dunne (0-01), K Quinn, E McKeown, C Murray (0-02), M Jordan, P Cunningham (2-04, 0-04f), R Murray, T McCrudden (0-01). Subs: C McIlvenny for C Nolan (45); R Straney for T McCrudden (black card – 53); P Larkin for M McGarry (black card – 55); M Lowe for D Dunne (62).

Referee: Sean Laverty (Moneyglass).

  • Lamh Dhearg left half forward M Jordan in action during his team’s repaly win.
  • Casement’s midfielder Niall McKeever clears the ball from his owns goalmouth late in the game. The big man has covered a lot of miles up and down the field during this season’s championship campaign.
Hero of the hour Paddy Cunningham greets his son Padraig after all the after match interviews are complete
by thesaffrongael

‘History maker’ Ethan benefits from Cry screening

The importance of Cry Screening in the Gaelic community.

Everyone in the Gaelic world knows of the sudden death of Tyrone footballer Cormac Mc Anallen in 2004 from an undetected heart condition. This is all the more tragic as with some modern non invasive tests this might have been prevented. CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) is a London based organisation that provides screening, counselling and research into the cause of these cardiac conditions.

While the screening is detailed it is a relatively easy, non-invasive procedure which provides immediate results with a care pathway for ongoing procedures. The screening is for anyone aged between 14 and 35 to identify who might have a precondition that might need further investigation. The scary statistics are that 12 young people every day in the UK die from an undiagnosed cardiac condition. Of these most are fit, healthy and involved in regular sporting activities.

CASE STUDY

Ethan Higgins from County Antrim club Tír na nÓg was just 15 in April 2017 when he went to his club along with 240 others for testing. At the time Ethan was an integral part of the clubs Under 16 and Minor Football and hurling teams and was in the local press as the “History Maker” as the first person to score at the new Antrim Training Grounds when he scored the first point in his teams U16 County Championship victory.

The club had invited CRY Screening to the pitch with the Child Protection Officer Collette Fitzgerald driving the initiative forward. After a short 10 minute consultation Ethan and his parents were informed that Ethan had a condition that needed further investigation and he should stop playing all sport from that point on. This as we all know was very difficult to tell a young “fit” lad to stop playing and initially it was hard to take in especially as his teams where depending on him and they were being successful. Ethan felt 100% and had no other symptoms.

A referral was made to see a Cardiac consultant in July 2017 and he confirmed that Ethan needed a Heart procedure and until carried out he had to refrain from any sport. The condition highlighted was Wolff-Parkinson-Whyte Syndrome which causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time – the cause is an electrical connection in the heart. He expressed upon the family the risks were just too high to continue playing sport.

Fast forward September 2017 and Ethan was admitted for his operation. After approx. 45 minutes using Key hole surgery the operation was complete and the surgeon thankfully was able to confirm that the operation was a success and that with a bit of rest there was no reason for Ethan not to get back to playing sport.

Initially the recovery was difficult as naturally Ethan felt he had lost ground within the team and perhaps felt that he would not get back to the levels he had played before the diagnosis. By November 2017 (only 2 months after the operation) Ethan was back on the team although still clearly not himself as his confidence was low. Thankfully by February 2018 the signs were good and the “Old” Ethan was emerging and he got a call up to the Antrim U16 Development Squad. The season continued and by the end it was as if he had never been away.

Fast forward to May 2019 and Ethan has just finished up with the Antrim U17 team having played in every match and even Captaining them in a pre-season match against Meath and is an important member of the Tír na nÓg Minor Hurling and Football teams.

Without CRY this story might not have such a happy ending. No one wants to see another Cormac Mc Anallen situation and surely it is better to get screened and get the all clear than find out when it’s too late.  Ethan is proof that prevention is better than the alternative. Tír na nÓg will be holding another CRY event on October 26th and 27th 2019 and would encourage clubs to get involved.

  • Ethan Higgins in action for Antrim U16 footballers against Armagh
  • Ethan Higgins who was diagnosed with a heart condition through Cry screening, in action for Tir na nOg hurlers against Glenarm
by thesaffrongael

Glenravel girls run riot in pulsating second half

Ulster Ladies Junior Football quarter final

Glenravel 5-09   Claudy 2-06

Glenravel’s Senior Ladies Footballers booked their ticket for the Ulster Junior Championship semi finals in what looks like a comprehensive victory going by the scoreline but for the first thirty minutes,  this game was very much in the balance. Indeed the talk along the touchline at half time was that the home team were fortunate enough to be one point ahead at the short whistle. However the green and whites ran on to the field with a steely determination in the second half and took total control of the game. 

The first half was a low scoring affair largely down to the rain which made slick passing very difficult and shooting at each end was mostly a war of attrition. The visitors started brightly though and opted for a running game which paid dividends on four minutes when Eimhear McNicholl found the net following a great move. Glenravel edged in front with a goal and a point before McNicholl goaled again to restore the lead for Claudy. Niamh McKay pointed a free for the locals and there then followed a  seven minute period with out  a flag being raised before Ciara White pointed for Claudy to give them a three point advantage. With four minutes left on the clock Glenravel’s Laoise McKenna levelled the game with a well taken goal and when Niamh McKay pointed from a free two minutes into injury time the local ladies led by a point. Shortly after, referee Chris Morgan from An Riocht called time and both teams retreated to the shelter of the changing rooms with the home side somewhat fortunate to be on the right side of a 2-03 to 2-02 scoreline. 

As with the first half, Claudy were quickly on the scoresheet with a point from Daire White getting them back on level terms in the thirty third minute but their next score would be a point from Caomihe McNabb in the forty ninth minute. During that sixteen minute spell though Glenravel took control of the game scoring one goal and five points and with ten minutes left on the clock they led by 3-08 to 2-04. Claudy’s luck had run out and when one of their defenders was unfortunate enough to deflect the ball into her own net with only four minutes left their fate was sealed. Even though Kate Hargan and Eimhear McNicholl collected a couple of points in injury time for Claudy, their hosts had done enough to secure a place in the semi finals, ending up victorious on a 5-09 to 2-06 scoreline. 

Glenravel:: Orla Donnelly, Eimhear McAleenan, Emma Dillon, Bronagh McKay, Bronagh Laverty, Colleen McNeill, Caoimhe Duffin, Maeve Mulholland, Kirsty Laverty, Clare Emerson, Ellen Hynds, Niamh McKay, Laoise McKenna, Torie Edgar, Drevla Donaghy,  Aimee Traynor, Shauna McDonnell, Ailisha McPeake, Aisling Kerr, Angela Duffin, Caoimhe McColgan, Caoimhe McKeown, Clodagh McCann, Kiera O’Neill, Lauren Edgar, Lianne Kerr, Lucy Carey, Niamh Donnelly, Niamh O’Donnell, Una McAleenan, Nicole Laverty.

Claudy:: Catherine Mulan, Kady Brunker, Bliathin Donnelly, Aine McCloskey, Cara White, Kate Hargan, Natasha Gormley, Michelle Feemey, Ciara White, Daire White, Caomihe McNabb, Cait White, Maria McDermott, Danielle McCloskey-Hargan, Eimear McNicholl, Beth McKinney, Brid Peoples, Caoimhe O’Neill, Cara Doherty, Dearbhla Harkin, Megan Doherty, Niamh Peoples, Orla McGinley, Sarah Hargan, Sarah McKeever

  • During the half time break the Under 14 girls team who had won last weeks B championship and the U12 boys who had won their South West title that moring were intorduced to the crowd
by thesaffrongael

Together again….The men of ’89

The Antrim team who reached the All Ireland final in 1989 were back together again on Sunday in Ballycastle where they were presented to the crowd during the half time break in the Senior Hurling final. They met early in the day down at the Marine Hotel where they dined together and there were rumours that there may have been some alcohol taken afterwards in some of the bars in the town.

  • Team captain Ciaran Barr is still looking after his team as he puts a special commemorative tie on Gary O’Kane
  • and Beaver
  • Clute and Sean Paul have a chat about old times
  • The bold Blaster
  • Leonard McKeegan with Dr Alasdair McDonnell and his son Oisin
  • Team captain Ciaran Barr
  • Niall Patterson
  • Gary O’Kane
  • Terence Hippy Donnelly
  • Dessie Donnelly
  • Anne McNaughton who received the medal on behalf of her late husband James.
  • Dominic Woody McKinley
  • Leonard McKeegan
  • Paul ‘Humpy’ McKillen
  • Dominic ‘Jew’ McMullan
  • Brian Donnelly
  • Aidan Beaver McCarry
  • Olcan Clute McFetridge
  • Donal Armstrong
  • Terence Sambo McNaughton
  • Gerard ‘Blaster’ Holden
  • Emmet McNaughton who received the medal on behalf his late father Danny.
  • Gerard Rogan
  • Noel Murray
  • Sean Paul McKillop
  • Declan McKillop
  • PJ O’Mullan, selector
  • Team physio Dan Turley
  • Team doctor Alasdair McDonnell
  • Barry Quinn who accepted the medal on behalf of his dad Frankie, who is on holiday
by thesaffrongael

All Saints GAC Parking arrangements for tonight’s game

All Saints GAC have issued the following arrangements for tonight’s second SFC replay between Lamh Dhearg and Portglenone at Quinn Park.

Senior Football Championship Replay

Lamh Dhearg v Casements

Quinn Park

All Saints GAC Ballymena

Monday 30th September

8.00pm

On behalf of All Saints GAC we look forward to welcoming supporters to the game tonight. Please find arrangements detailed below that will help to ensure everyone gets to the game on time and enjoys the occasion.

Starting Time:

The game starts at 8.00pm. We would ask those attending to get to the venue early to ensure parking as close to the ground as possible.

Parking Arrangements:

Players and officials will park at Quinn Park (left hand side of the road as you travel up the Woodside Road). This car park will close at 7.15pm.

Supporters will be directed to park in the All Saints Slemish Park car park on a 1st come – 1st served basis (main clubhouse car park). Parking will also be available in the Ace Fixings car park just below the club on the Woodside Road on the right hand side as you travel towards the club. Further additional parking is available in the industrial estate on the left hand side of the road just past the Michellin Social Club. Stewards will be on hand to direct traffic.

Parking is not permitted on the main Woodside Road.

Disabled parking is available at Quinn Park.

Cars parked in either the Quinn Park or Slemish Park car parks will remain parked for a period of time after the game has finished to accommodate those who are crossing the road and walking to the lower car parks on the Woodside Road.

Please follow directions of our volunteer stewards at all times and please use the bins provided.

Enjoy the game!