The first part of the Ruairi Og juvenile awards was held in Cushendall Golf Club on Saturday. Sean Paul went along for the Saffron Gael.
The Under 15 team who won this season’s Karen Coyle Memorial tournament in Ballcastle received their trophies at the Ruairi Og juvenile presentation in Cushendall Golf Club
Senior team player Laura McMullan presents the Under 16 Canogie player of the Year to Naimh Graham
Laura McMullan presents the U16 Camogie Most Improved Player award to Monique O’ Boyle
Louise Mullholland receives the Most Improved Under 14 Camog award
The Ruairi Og U14 camog team who were winners of the League, Regional Feile and the O’Connor Gillan Memorial Tournament this season
Laura McMullan with U14 joint Camogs of Year Orlaith McAlister and Abi McNeil
Ruairi Og cub chairman Dan Delargy with U14 Hurler of Year Sean McKay (left) and most improved U14 Hurler Charlie McAuley
Dan Delargy with U16 Hurler joint Hurlers of the Year Shane McKenna and Colin McKeegan and Micheal Quinn most improved U16 Hurler
U12 joint Hurlers of year Oran McCambridge and Callagh Mooney and most improved U12 Hurler Aodhan Campbell with club chairman Dan Delargy
It was a great year for the Ruairi Og U12 Camogs who travelled the country far and wide to become winners of U12 League, Jim Nelson tournament, Greenlough tournament, Glenulin tournament, Carrickmore and Castlewellan tournament
Laura McMullan with Joint Under 12 Players of the Year Naimh and Kathy McNeill
Laura McMullan presented the Under 12 Most Improved Player award to Eilish Emerson
Winners of the local Primary School Awards at the Ruairi Og juvenile presentation were – St Mary’s Meabh McAlister & Conor McCann Glenann p.s Amy McAlister and Fontan Bradley
The Annual South West Convention will take place tonight, Monday 2nd December at the club rooms of Tir na nOg, Randalstown commencing at 7.30pm.
This has been another good year for
South West clubs in the pursuit of silverware and the continuing completion on
time of all their competitions.
In football all the senior football
titles came to the division with Erin’s Own Cargin taking both senior and minor
titles, a feat which was replicated in hurling by Cuchullian’s Dunloy.
Aldergrove took the Intermediate
title with St Patrick’s bringing the junior back to Lisburn.
The South West board continued with
their usual efficiency in their completion of all their competitions in both
adult and juvenile level and it is no surprise that all of the resident
committee has been returned unopposed for another term in office.
Those nominated to return to office
for another term as follows;
Chairman…Jim Mc Grath
Vice Chairman…Stephen Graham
Secretary James…Mc Veigh
Asst Secretary…Frances O’ Neill
Treasurer…Columb Walsh
P R O…Jerome Mc Allister
Cultural Officer…Shane Mc Stocker
Football Development…Officer…Paddy Mc
Quillan
Hurling Development Officer…Tommy Mc
Cann
Referees Officer…Gerard Dougan
Delegates at the Convention will be
asked to consider one recommendation:
That the incoming South West Executive
consider the establishing of a focus group to review the current structures of
the South West with a view to making recommendations on future development on
all aspects….
Alice Kirkpatrick Memorial Ulster Minor Club Camogie Tournament Final
Dunloy (Antrim) 3.13 – 0.04 Eglish (Tyrone)
Report by John McArthur – Photos by Mark Doherty
On Sunday the 1st December 2019, Dunloy minor camogs powered their way to victory over challengers Eglish (Tyrone), in the inaugural Alice Kirkpatrick Memorial Ulster Minor Camogie Tournament Final, on a score-line of 3.13 to 0.04. Hosted by Michael Davitt GAC, Swatragh, the competition was held in honour of their longstanding committee member and gael. This was the first hosting of the tournament and both Dunloy and Eglish had progressed to the final, after resounding semi-final victories over Laragh Utd. (Cavan) and St. Eunan’s (Donegal) respectively. With fine dry weather on the day and the pitch ever drying, a good crowd was in attendance, anticipating the meeting between the two teams. Dunloy advanced to the final as favourites, but the Eglish team was the sharper out of the blocks and raced into a two-point lead without reply – within the first 5 minutes. Indeed, Eglish were to battle gamely throughout and fought for every ball until the end.
Playing with a slight breeze, Eglish dominated the opening exchanges, deploying their No. 12 (and current Ulster Colleges Camogie All-Star), Reagan Fay, as a ‘third mid-fielder’. Cassie Mc Arthur opened the Dunloy scoring with two points in the 6th and 9th minutes, with Reagan Fay restoring the Eglish lead at 0.2 to 0.3 in the 12th minute. Dunloy’s centre three-quarters, Caitlin Crawford, levelled matters on the 18th-minute mark with a well-taken point; and with the Dunloy half-back line of Eimear Mc Mullan, Katie Laverty and Katie Molloy, now getting on top, the forward threat posed by Eglish was curtailed.
Indeed, any ball breaking through this line, was cleared-up by Eilish Kearns at full-back and Sarah Mc Illhatton and Amy Johnston in the corners. From the18th-minute until the end-of-the-first-half, Eglish would fail to register any further score. The last ten minutes of the first-half, would see the game turn in Dunloy’s favour – after a spirited showing by Eglish – with Dunloy’s Ulster Colleges Camogie All-Star mid-field pairing of Aine Magill and Caoimhe Molloy, dominating broken-play, and providing quality ball to the inside forward-line. With the Dunloy forwards now on the front-foot, amid determined tackling by the Eglish defence, goal-chances start to open up. Corner-forward Clodagh O’ Kane opened Dunloy’s goal-account on the 22-minute mark; quickly followed by points apiece, from Kyra Doherty and team-captain Erin Traynor; with Cassie Mc Arthur goaling in the 28th minute – to conclude the first-half scoring. At the break, Dunloy turning around on an 8-point lead – 2.05 to 0.03.
Dunloy opened the second-half more purposely, reeling off four points without reply: two from the stick of Mc Arthur; one from a ‘45’ from Caoimhe Molloy; and one from a 35-yard free from Aine Magill. With the Eglish defence now under constant pressure, little ball was being transferred into their forward-line, and it was not until the 45th minute, that Eglish recorded their only score of the half – a point from a free by Reagan Fay. Dunloy were to score a further 1.04 in the last 10 minutes of the half: with Mc Arthur scoring a point, to bring her tally to 1.05 from play for the day; and Caitlin Crawford, Aine Magill and Kyra Doherty scoring further points apiece – Doherty’s a fine individual effort, cutting in from the right hand-side and scoring from distance. Indeed, the Dunloy management was able to ‘empty the bench’ in the concluding stages and wing half-back, Katie Molloy, concluding the scoring in the 58th minute – with a goal from distance.
Overall, a comprehensive display from Dunloy – after a slow start – and Eglish lost nothing in defeat, valiantly fighting for every ball and possession until the end. Yet, Dunloy just had too much fire-power up front and dominant players in defence and midfield, and have proved them-selves worthy winners of this inaugural Ulster Minor Club Camogie Tournament. This now draws to a conclusion the minor club camogie season and within the next two weeks, it is hard to believe, that no fewer than 18 of this Dunloy panel, will be opposition to each other, as they line out for their respective colleges, in the Ulster Colleges Camogie Senior A semi-final between Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle and St. Louis, Ballymena.
N.B. Congratulations must be forwarded to Michael Davitt GAC, Swatragh, on the hosting of this tournament and in the catering for all teams and supporters, throughout the period of the tournament.
DUNLOY
Kirsty Mc Ferran, Sarah Mc Illhatton, Eilish Kearns, Amy Johnston, Katie Molloy, Katie Laverty, Eimear Mc Mullan, Aine Magill, Caoimhe Molloy, Brid Magill, Caitlin Crawford, Kyra Doherty, Clodagh O’ Kane, Cassie Mc Arthur, Erin Traynor (Capt.)
Subs: Jessica Blaney, Eimear Johnston, Bronagh Magill, Orla Mc Mullan, Blaithin O’ Kane, Caitlin Cochrane, Jane O’ Boyle, Caoimhe Mc Colgan
St Galls ran out comfortable winners in a one sided U-21 B
final at Colásite Feirste this morning after defeating Lámh Dhearg 5-22-0-09.
Both sides progressed through difficult semi-finals last
weekend – St Galls accounting for Aghgallon by a goal and Lámh Dhearg
eventually putting Aldergrove away in the second last-four clash.
The Milltown Row side wasted no time in their pursuit of
dominance and led through Niall Burn’s early point. John McCaffrey was well
placed to double his side’s advantage after some lovely football and on five
minutes the Galls had the game’s opening goal.
Marc McKenna bore down on the Lámh Dhearg goal and opted for
a pop across to the back post where Niall Burns was waiting to apply the finish
and make it 1-02-0-00.
St Galls increased their lead through points from Caolan
Chada and Burns before Lámh Dhearg responded through their talisman in
full-forward John Boyd.
Mark Finnegan top scored for his side in last weekend’s
victory over Aldergrove and tapped over a straightforward free to ensure that his
side had woken from their early slumber.
Burns responded from the same scenario with Conn Doherty
splitting the posts from play. Mark Finnegan converted his second free of the
afternoon but at the midway point in proceedings his side were 1-06-0-03 in
arrears.
Three further points from McKenna, McCaffrey and Burns stretched
St Gall’s advantage further- with their runners in attack causing the Lámhs
considerable problems.
With 19 minutes on the clock it was game set and match for
the Milltown side as Burns claimed a kick-out from Daniel Hartley and burst
forward, before playing a one-two with Conn Doherty who rifled to the net to
make it 2-09-0-03.
Lámh Dhearg were in big trouble but registered the next two
scores through Jack Summersgill and Declan Smith.
They should also have netted after Ross Murray cut inside
and unleashed a low shot that was blocked in the area, a scramble ensued but
Declan Smith saw his close range shot turned off the line and St Galls keeper
Niall McCurdy was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Niall Burns increased his personal tally and back to back
McKenna points had their side in almost complete control.
A third Mark Finnegan free had ensured his side were just
about hanging in with Burns scoring his sixth point of the half to give St
Galls a healthy 2-13-0-06 lead at the interval.
St Galls picked up where they left off at the break as Niall
Burns popped the ball over and substitute Kevin Bradley got in on the act.
Mark Finnegan replied for Lámh Dhearg and scores were then
at a premium for a ten minute period in the aftermath.
Lámh Dhearg were unable to engineer a goal that would have
given them some confidence as John Boyd’s shot was deflected and smothered by
McCurdy.
Eventually St Galls ended the scoreless period through a
Niall Burns free 10 minutes from time and sixty seconds later they had their
third goal of the afternoon.
Kevin Bradley popped the ball into the path of fellow
substitute Callum Derby who picked his spot low in the net to make it
3-16-0-07.
Conn Doherty added a further point and back to back Lorcan
O’Ciarnan points opened the deficit further.
With four minutes remaining Callum Derby outmuscled
goalkeeper Daniel Hartley and steered the ball to the empty net to claim his
second goal in the space of five minutes.
Jack Summersgill and Mark Finnegan (free) ended their sides
scoring from the afternoon in response to Derby’s strike.
But St Galls emphatically closed out proceedings on the
front foot ; O’Ciarnan added his side’s fifth goal with a bullet of a strike,
in-between points from Kevin Bradley, Mark McKenna and Callum Derby as the
Milltown side received the B championship from county chairman Ciaran McCavana.
St. Gall’s: N
McCurdy, E McCurdy, R Gilligan, R Mallon, C Chada (0-01), E McCabe, J McCaffrey
(0-02), C Murray, T Bunting, D Murray, M McKenna (0-04), L McIllroy, N Burns
(1-08, 0-02f), C Doherty (1-02), M Donnelly. Subs: O McIlhatton for C Chada (22); K Bradley (0-02) for L
McIllroy (HT); C Ferguson for R Mallon (HT); C Derby (2-01) for C Murray (32);
L O’Ciarnan (1-02) for N Burns (47); D Widsom for D Murray (50).
Lámh Dhearg: D
Hartley, S McCullough, R Fegan, A Ferris, J Summersgill (0-02), D Smith, R
Murray, E Matassa, D Dunne, E Mervyn, M Finnegan (0-05f), C Keating, JJ
Hawkins, J Boyd (0-01), A Cunningham. Subs:
D Larkin for A Ferris (16); B Cunningham for A Cunningham (HT); T Nelson for C
Keating (HT); M Pettigrew for JJ Hawkins (43).
Referee: Jarleth O’Donnell (Glenravel)
County chairman, Ciaran McCavana presents the U21B Championship cup to St. Gall’s captain, Thomas Bunting
Goals from James Smith and John Blaney in the opening five minutes of the second half turned this game on its head as St. Brigid’s pushed on to retain their U21A Championship title at a cold but sunny Colaiste Feirste this afternoon.
John Blaney celebrates after scoring St Brigid’s second goal
Their opponents Tir na nOg, Randalstown had looked the
better side for most of the opening half and led by two at the half way stage
but that lead could have been much greater had the Whitehill side taken a
bigger proportion of the opportunities they created during the opening 30
minutes.
The Randalstown lads dominated possession during that
opening period and spurred on by a goal from their outstanding performer, Darren
McCormick in the 25th minute they looked to be taking control.
Significantly though, they had a goal ruled out for a ‘square ball’ infringement soon after while they will surely reflect on the number of silly frees they conceded which kept the Musgrave Park side in touch with Peter Henvey punishing them with his accurate place kicking off the ground.
It was Tir na nOg who made the brighter opening and Eamon Og
McAllister pointed them in front after five minutes but St. Brigid’s responded
and Peter Henvey squared the contest with six minutes on the clock.
Tir na nOg pushed forward again but Rory Griffin shot wide
after a promising build up and the Whitehill Blues then breathed a sigh of
relief as St. Brigid’s countered but James Smith’s palmed effort sailed wide of
the target with the goal at his mercy.
The South West side were certainly enjoying a lot of
possession at this stage of the game with Declan Mallon playing deep in a
sweeper’s role as Darren McCormick pointed them ahead again in the 7th
minute but Ciaran O’Neill and Ciaran Dobbin both shot wide as they took control
around mid-field.
St. Brigid’s rode the early storm but slowly came more and
more into the game with Peter Henvey levelling the contest for the second time from
a close range free in the 17th minute and the same player gave them
the lead for the first time from another free with 18 minutes gone.
Ethan Carleton increased that lead to two as he got his fist
to the ball in a challenge with Ricardo Conceicao and the favourites appeared
to be getting on top for the first time but Tir na nOg were quick to find a
response.
Spurred on by the excellent Darren McCormick they began to
take the game to the opposition once more and Rory Griffin cut the gap to one
again before McCormick got on the end of an excellent move to fire to the net
in the 25th minute.
Darren McCormick celebrates after scoring Tir na nOg’s opening goal
The Whitehill side were in full swing as Dobbin sent over an
excellent point to put them three in front and a minute later the Randalstown side looked to
have put themselves in the driving seat when a long searching delivery from a
sideline finished in the net.
However the score was ruled out for square ball and in the
closing minute Ethan Carleton pointed at the other end to close the gap to two
at the break and as the sides headed to the dressing room there was little
indication of what was to come in the second half.
The big Tir na nOg support would have been looking for more of the same as the second half got under way but whatever was said in the St. Brigid’s dressing room certainly worked as the Musgrave Park side came storming out of the starting blocks.
Double strike
Tir na nOg score what they thought was their second goal late in the opening half but it was ruled out by match referee Karol Doherty for a ‘square ball’.
John Blaney fired over an early point and James Smith
finished to the net from close range and before Tir na nOg could regroup Blaney
got in for a second goal and a two point deficit had been turned into a five
point lead and the holders were flying.
Patrick Finnegan increased that lead to six with a well
worked point before Ciaran O’Neill replied with Tir na nOg’s first point of the
half with ten minutes gone. As the Whitehill side battled to get back into
contention they became increasingly vulnerable to the counter attack and Henvy
punished a late tackle to restore St. Brigid’s six point advantage.
Tir na nOg continued to battle and enjoy plenty of
possession with McCormick and Darragh Fegan driving them forward and Fegan took
a smart pass from Emmet Murray to keep his side in touch with a good point in
the 13th minute.
Even at this stage it was becoming clear that Tir na nOg
would need a goal if they were to turn this one around but the St. Brigid’s
defence was standing strong and turning over a lot of possession and Patrick
Finnegan edged his side further ahead with a point at the other end.
Tir na nOg were still giving it everything but were hit with
a killer blow on the break as Henvey’s cross was palmed to the net by James
Smith and the same player followed with a point to leave ten in it with 14
minutes remaining.
Patrick Finnegan increased the gap to eleven before Ciaran
O’Neill pulled one back for the Randalstown side but the goal they so badly
needed quite simply wouldn’t come with Emmet Murray’s attempt turned for a ‘45’
that came to nothing.
Peter Henvey increased the St. Brigid’s lead with five
minutes remaining but still Tir na nOg continued to battle but when Eamon Og
McAllister’s well struck effort came back of the crossbar and the ball was
cleared to safety in the scramble that followed it was clear it wasn’t going to
be their day.
Substitute Ryan Tweety and Joe Finnegan added late points
for an excellent St. Brigid’s with Jack O’Mahoney tagging on a consolation
point for the gallant losers.
In the end the better side won though the margin of victory flatters
them and doesn’t do justice to the efforts of the Tir na nOg side who gave it
everything but lacked the guile and knowhow of their opponents.
St. Brigid’s: Ryan Murtagh, Brogan Austin, Daniel Foster,
Daire McGarvey, John Morgan, Oran Boyle, Ryan Tweedy, Peter King, John Toner,
John Blaney, Joe Finnegan, Patrick Finnegan, Ethan Carleton, James Smith, Peter
Henvey. Subs: Brian McCarthy for Daire McGarvey, Rory Brolly for Ethan
Carleton, Ryan Tweety for John Morgan, Peter Heaney for Oran O’Boyle
Tir na nOg: Ricardo Conceicao, Mark Porter, Peter Cullen,
Oliver McAtamney, Rory Griffin, Darren McCormick, Aaron McNeilly, Darragh Fegan,
Ciaran O’Neill, Eamon Og McAllister, Aodhan Tolan, Ciaran Dobbin, Declan
Mallon, Joseph Webb, Emmet Murray. Subs: Jack O’Mahoney for Aodhan Tolan,
Daniel Hastings for Emmet Murray, Stephen Carey for Joe Webb.
