Year / 2019

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons stroll to McGurk Cup final

QUB Hurling tournament – McGurk Cup Semi-Final

Antrim 4-26 Q.U.B 0-11

Sunday December 29

Brendan McTaggart reports from the Dub Arena, Belfast

Antrim made serene progress to the McGurk Cup final on Sunday afternoon with a comfortable victory over Queen’s.  Two goals in either half with just 1-3 of their total score coming from placed ball, it was a solid performance from the Saffrons.  All six starting forwards had their names on the scoresheet by half time and a watertight defence yielded no goal chances and conceded just three points from open play.

The Saffrons were too slick and strong all over the pitch for Queens and hit enough wides to win the match, the only note for concern throughout the 70 minutes but it was another solid display for Darren Gleeson’s men.  Ronan Molloy (0-7) and Niall McKenna (1-4) top scoring for Antrim with Dan McCloskey, Alex Delargy and Domhnall Nugent grabbing the other goals.

Antrim centre back Eoghan Campbell

A five point lead after ten minutes was converted into an 18 point lead by half time.  Molloy, McKenna and Michael Bradley doing the bulk of the scoring in the first half while Alec Delargy’s goal in the 17th minute was the score of the opening 35 minutes.  Niall McKenna collecting the sliotar high and passing into Del’s path.  The Cushendall man sped clear and finished smartly to continue his rich vein of goal scoring form in recent times.  Delargy turned provider for the second Saffron major with Dan McCloskey squeezing the sliotar over the line despite the best efforts of Malachy Campbell on the line for Queens.  Half time score, Antrim 2-16 QUB 0-4

The second half lacked any real fluency with changes made and the wind picking up.  Niall McKenna hit the third Antrim goal four minutes after the restart after collecting a long pass from Ryan Elliott wide on the left.  He raced clear of the Queen’s defence and shortened his grip before sending the sliotar to the bottom corner.

The final Antrim major came with three minutes of the 70 remaining.  Domhnall Nugent was introduced in the 47th minute and he stood over a 21 yard free with five on the Queen’s line.  Just like against Meath in the Kehoe Cup, the St John’s man rifled the ball high to the net with a thunderous drive.

The Saffrons are back in action next Saturday where they will face Down in the final of the McGurk Cup with the match doubling up as the Keohoe Cup semi-final.

Antrim’s Sean Duffin and QUB’s Caolan McCaughan battle under a dropping ball

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott, Phelim Duffin, Ciaran Johnston, Stephen Rooney; Sean Duffin, Eoghan Campbell, Matthew Donnelly; TT Butler, Nicky McKeague (0-2); Michael Bradley (0-5 1 ’65), Ronan Molloy (0-7), Ryan McCambridge (0-5); Dan McCloskey (1-00), Niall McKenna (1-4 2 frees), Alex Delargy (1-3)

Subs: Conor Boyd for N McKeague (47); Domhnall Nugent (1-00 free) for N McKenna (47)

QUB: Conor Owens; Eoin Maguire, Tom Murray, Mal Campbell; Cathal McMullan, Aaron Fox, Ruairi McCollum; Ciaran Steele (0-8 frees), Eamon Conway (0-1); Caolan McCaughan (0-1), Tim Rankin, Oisin Donnelly (0-1); Fergus McCambridge, Chris Hynes, Conal Shannon

Subs: Aidan McNuaghton for C McMullan (HT); John McGurk for C Shannon (HT); Cathal Donnelly for E Magee (49); Simon Healy for C Hynes (56); Tiernan Carry for E Conway (59); Lorcan Donnelly for T Rankin (59)

by thesaffrongael

Cargin’s Turkey Chase

Erin’s Own Cargin held their annual 5k Turkey Chase on Stephen’s Day on a wet and windy Shore Road. It was well supported event despite the inclement conditions with participating runners from many running clubs near and far including Carrickmacross, Glasgow, North Belfast Harriers, East Down, Loup Running Club, Magherafelt Harriers, Termoneeny, Pace running club, Ballymaguigan, Moneyglass and District Runners, Ballymena Runners, Acorns and the Shore Road Sprinters. The turkey was crowned champion again and couldn’t be caught despite the best efforts of Sinead Sweeney from East Down Running Club and Aidan Doyle from Moneyglass & District Runners. Sinead and Aidan split the £100 prize money evenly which was presented by Tony Scullion. Many thanks to everyone who participated and to all the members of Cargin club who helped make this event a success especially those who helped with preparing the goodie bags, the marshals and the girls who helped out at registration and those who assisted in catering for the hungry runners upon their return. Special thanks to Centra Toome who generously sponsored the water and chocolate bars and to Boyds Service Station Moneyglass who kindly sponsored the bananas. Final word of thanks to Tony Scullion for agreeing to be the turkey and for being the most wanted man in Cargin today! Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year in hopefully better weather conditions.

Bert Trowlan was there for Saffron Gael to capture some of the action.

No catching this turkey. The ageless Tony Scullion sets off ahead of the pack in the Cargin Turke Chase
by thesaffrongael

Rossa’s Divis Walk raises fund for Sands charity

The weather may have been atrocious but the annual O’Donovan Rossa St Stephen’s Day Divis Walk still attracted large numbers of supporters. Each year the West Belfast club nominate a charity and this year Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death) were the benificiary.

When Ellen and Aidan Carabine were expecting their third child three years ago, everything appeared to be going well until scans revealed a serious genetic disorder called Trisomy 13. Ellen carried baby Joseph until full term, but sadly their little boy lived less that 24 hours and passed away on December 7th 2016. Since then they have supported the Sands charity organising a couple of small events but with the support of Aidan’s Rossa clubmates it was decided to donate the proceeds of this years Divis walk to this very worhty cause. When we spoke to Ellen she was quick to point out that it was the Rossa club, and Colly Murphy in particular, who had done the bulk of the work and they can not thank them enought for their support.

Ellen and Aidan Carabine with their daughters Anna, Una and Aoife plus Ellen’s parents Anne Marie and Tony Duffy at the Rossa Divis Walk
  • Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Daniel Baker lines up with the Rossa hurlers as they get proceedings underway in cold, wet and foggy Divis
by thesaffrongael

First half goals Termon-ate Kilcoo

St Paul’s FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament

Termon (Donegal) 2-4 Kilcoo (Down) 1-06

From Kevin Herron at Shaws Road
First-half goals from Bobbie McGettigan and substitute Conor Black were enough to see Termon edge out Kilcoo and book their place in next Wednesday’s St Paul’s FonaCAB Ulster Minor football final with a 2-04-1-06 win at Shaws Road this afternoon.
McGettigan hit the net with almost a quarter of an hour gone and substitute Black tapped home a second before the break to give their side a 2-02-0-02 lead at the midway point.
Kilcoo Subsitute Shealan Johnston led his sides fight back with four points from frees but it wasn’t until Jason Morgan hit the net that their comeback started to gather momentum. It wouldn’t be enough to force extra-time though as the Donegal champions held out to book their place in the decider against Derry champions Lavey.

Kilcoo’s Jamie Grant in action during his team’s win over Kilcoo


The first quarter of the game was rather cautious as it took 13 minutes for the first score to arrive.
It wasn’t for the want of trying though and Termon almost found the net after four minutes as Jack Alcorn was snuffed out by Kilcoo keeper Adam Curran as the Donegal champions probed the opening score.
Caolan Gallagher was twice off target for Termon while Jamie McKee and Anthony Morgan couldn’t land a score with Kilcoo’s opening opportunities.
Eventually the opening score arrived on the 13th minute and it would prove unlucky for Kilcoo.
Termon midfielder Ryan McFadden slipped the ball across the box to Bobbie McGettigan who slammed the ball to the net.
Sean Og McCusker responded with a converted free at the other end though Conor Black crafted a score within two minutes of his introduction.
Black then doubled his sides lead on the 24th minute. The substitute cut inside and saw his initial shot parried by Adam Curran- though Black’s persistence paid dividends and he on was hand to tap-home and make it 2-01-0-01.
He then added a marvellous point before the break to bring his tally to 1-02 since his introduction with McCusker replying for Kilcoo with a converted free to make it 2-02-0-02 at the interval.
First-half substitute Shealan Johnston converted an early Kilcoo free at the beginning of the second-half, though scores were again at a premium.
It took Termon until the 45th minute to reply as Conor Black popped the ball to twin-brother Stephen who pointed.
Aaron Reid extended his sides lead from a converted free sixty seconds later and with a 2-04-0-03 lead things were looking good for the Donegal side.


But on the 47th minute Kilcoo hit back, Mark Toye conceded possession cheaply and Kilcoo took advantage as Jason Morgan rifled the ball to the net past Emmett Maguire.
Johnston just about converted a free in the aftermath and added his third with 3 minutes remaining to make it a two-point game approaching the dying embers at the Shaws Road (2-04-1-05).
Johnston added a further free four minutes into added time and the Down side may have clinched extra-time but Jamie McKee shot inches wide of the post with the last opportunity.
Emmett Maguire’s kick was followed by the full-time whistle of referee Brendan Toland as Termon celebrated a hard fought victory which secures a New Years Day clash with Lavey.
Kilcoo: A Curran, C Rodgers, T Fettes, C Madine, L Clarke, A Morgan, M Hynes, N Doyle, R Tumelty, J Morgan (1-00), T McEvoy, J Devlin, C O’Reilly, S O McCusker (0-02f), J McKee. Subs: S Johnston (0-04f) for T McEvoy (25).
Termon: E Maguire, M Trearty, J Grant, M Toye, C Gallagher, M Steele, E Coleman, J Alcorn, R McFadden, B McGettigan, S McDaid, L McGarvey, M Gallagher, A McElwaine, C Cassidy. Subs: C Black (1-02) for A McElwaibe (15); S Black (0-01) for M Gallagher (24); A Reid (0-01f) for L McGarvey (38); C McFadden for E Coleman (54).
Referee: Brendan Toland (Lamh Dhearg)

    by thesaffrongael

    Second semi-final could be a closer affair

    St. Paul’s-fonaCAB Tournament semi-final

    Termon (Donegal) v Kilcoo (Down)

    St. Paul’s 1-00 Boxing Day

    Donegal champions, Termon and Down champions Kilcoo meet in the second semi-final of the St. Paul’s-fonaCAB tournament on Boxing day and this looks a harder one to call than Sunday’s meeting of Erin’s Own, Lavey and Enniskillen Gaels.

    As we predicted in our preview, the Derry champions had too much pace, power and skill for an Enniskillen side who battled right to the end but were never able to breech a Lavey defence for the goal that might have given them a chance.

    The men from Gulladuff eased to an 0-11 to 0-5 victory over the Gaels but their management will surely reflect on the number of wides they kicked over the hour which stretched well into double figures and it’s something they will be looking to address in an otherwise flawless performance.

    On Boxing Day Termon and Kilcoo meet at the same venue and I would expect this one to be much closer with both sides impressive in the run up to Thursday’s clash on Shaw’s Road.

     It was Kilcoo who set the ball rolling back on the 7th December when they defeated Killyclogher of Tyrone at Shaw’s Road. The Down champions took the first step in matching the achievement of their senior side when they proved too good for a battling Killyclogher in the opening game of the St. Paul’s minor tournament.

    In a game that took some time to come to life, first half goals from Jimmy Magee and two from man of the match, Justin Clarke put the Magpies in a commanding position at the break but Killyclogher grabbed a lifeline in the final moments of the half with Oran Toal intercepting a stray pass and playing in Potter who fired to the net.

    Justin Clarke was outstanding for the Mourne side throughout as his side controlled the opening half and had a lot of the hard work done by the half way stage. The Tyrone side will rue the concession of those first half goals however with the second and third the result of poor defending and when Gavin Potter was sent off two minutes after the restart it was always going to be a big ask for the Tyrone side.

    Kilcoo ran out 3-6 to 1-4 winners over a spirited Killyclogher side and will have the advantage of already having played at Shaw’s Road while their opponents on Boxing Day, Termon have played both of their games to date at Colaiste Feirste.

    Termon were involved in a preliminary round game against Silverbridge Harps of Armagh at Colaiste Feirste on the same day of the Kilcoo v Killyclogher clash. The Tir Connaill champions had it mostly their own way throughout though they did survive a mighty goalmouth scramble.

    The Donegal side led 0-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes and a goal from the penalty spot from Ryan McFadden saw them push on to a commanding 1-7 to 0-4 lead at the halfway stage and they were good value for that lead.

    Despite having a second penalty attempt saved, Termon and McFadden pushed on to win comfortably enough to set up a quarter-final meeting with Emmyvale of Monaghan at the same venue on Sunday 15th December.

    Emmyvale came into this game at something of a disadvantage having played their football in Monaghan at U17 level but they did complete a league and championship double in the Farney County.

    The Donegal champions dominated from first whistle and had matters pretty much in the bag by the half way stage when they had established a healthy 1-6 to 0-1 lead.

    It took Emyvale thirty minutes to get a score and by that time they were six points down.

    Ryan McFadden then scored a fortuitous goal and Termon led by 1-6 to 0-1 at half-time.

    McFadden would grab a second goal after the restart and Bobby McGettigan, Stephen Black, Conor McFadden, and Jack Alcorn also hit the net in an impressive victory for the Donegal champions.

    Termon have certainly impressed to date. They are a big, strong and mobile side who move the ball about well and as they showed in that rather facile victory over Emmyvale, know where the posts are.

    They are strong and disciplined in defence when they don’t have possession and will have benefited from having played two games to date but both of these were on Colaiste Feirste’s artificial surface.

    Jamie Grant and Marty Steele spearhead a solid looking defence where wing half; Stephen Black carries a scoring threat. Jack Alcorn and Ryan McFadden are both excellent players at mid-field who both made substantial scoring contributions in the win over Emmyvale.

    Alcorn hit 1-5 while McFadden added 2-3 while Bobby McGettigan, Steve McDaid and Evan Coleman form a potent half forward line and Adam McElwane and Mark Gallagher look strong in the last line of attack.

    Justin Clarke was Kilcoo’s top performer against Killyclogher on the opening day win, hitting 1-5 (1-3 frees) while Shealan Johnston, Jamie McKee and Sean McCusker all carry a serious threat in a mobile attack.

    The Down champions were tight in defence where Fettes, Clarke and Morgan gave nothing away and they will travel to Belfast on Thursday confident of progressing a step closer to an Ulster double, their senior side having already claimed an Ulster title this year.

    The Down men will have to be at their very best however if they are to overcome the considerable hurdle of the Donegal champions and on what I’ve seen to date I would give Termon a tentative nod to progress to the New Year’s Day final against Lavey.