Month / February 2020

by thesaffrongael

Eoghan Rua too strong for Cargin

Ulster Club League (senior)

Erin’s Own Cargin (Antrim)1-09 Eoghan Rua (Derry) 5-13

Coleraine based Eoin Rua drew first blood in their opening game in the Ulster League when they travelled to Toome on Sunday morning and returned with the points secured at the expense of an experimental Cargin side.

The Oak Leaf side signaled their intent right from the outset and an opening goal from the very impressive Colm McGoldrick after only six minutes play secured a firm foothold as the home side struggled to open their account until Paul McCann raised a white flag after 20 unproductive minutes.

The hard grafting McCann, who was impressive throughout, opened the Toome men’s account although David Johnston’s added a point within a minute the visitors quicky returned to the positive and were almost out of sight at the break when a 29th minute Shay Mc Laughlin major ensured them a 3-11 to 0-02 interval advantage.

Cargin gained a bit of composure in the third quarter as the introduction of Tony Scullion added impetus and they proceeded to dominate the third quarter with a well constructed Ryan Mc Kiernan 43rd minute major hinting at the possibility of a Lazarus like revival.

However Coleraine still maintained a 3-12 to 1-07 advantage and they were not about to let go.

A Barry Daly 55th minute goal ensured no return for the home side and the issue was put to bed and a late addition from Ciaran Mc Goldrick quickly followed as the Oak Leaf side eased over the winning line full value for a 5-13 to 1-09 victory.

Referee (Ciaran Eanetta) Tir Eoghan

Cargin

Oran Mc Auley, Sean og Quinn, Justin Crozier, Brendan Laverty, James Laverty, Gerard Mc Corley, Mark Keegan, Kevin Mc Shane (0-02), John Carron, PJ Quinn, Ciaran Bradley, David Johnston (0-01), Enda Mc Grogan, Ryan Mc Kiernan (1-00), Paul Mc Cann (0-04)

Subs

Tony Scullion (0-01) for PJ Quinn

Shay Bovill for E Mc Grogan

Eoghan Rua

Cillian Butler, Barry Daly (1-01), Ciaran Lagan, Thomas Magee (0-02), Ciaran Lenehan, Barry Mc Goldrick, Sean Quinn, Paul Daly, Shay Mc Laughlin (1-00), Devlin Donnelly (0-01), Sean Leo Mc Goldrick, Liam Ferris (0-03), Aiden Mc Gonigle, Colm Mc Goldrick (2-05), Ciaran Mc Goldrick (1-01)

Subs

Gavin Mc Williams (0-01) for S Mc Laughlin

Jamie Boyle for L Ferris

PICS BY BERT TROWLEN

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons see off poor Mayo team in tough conditions

Allianz Hurling League – Division 2A

Antrim 4-19 Mayo 0-7

Sunday February 2

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel

Antrim made it two from two on Sunday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of Mayo.  The Saffrons had 24 points to spare in the end as they pulled away in the second half but after a slow start, they never looked troubled by the visitors to Healy Park.

The stats will show nine different scorers and just five points from placed ball over the 70 minutes but this was a match played in the trenches for the most part of it.  The conditions in Loughgiel weren’t conducive for fast flowing and free hurling while the heavy down pour in the first half just added to what was already tough conditions.

Antrim’s conor Boyd in action during his team’s win over Mayo in Loughgiel.

Antrim showed enough glimpses of quality throughout though to ensure it was a comfortable afternoons work.  Defensively they always looked in control and coughed up no goal chances.  Paddy Burke at home in the heart of the defence while Matthew Donnelly in full back was commanding and authoritive.  Mayo never really troubled the Antrim defence but to concede just two points from open play in 70 minutes of hurling shows the work rate and intensity they brought to the game. 

Eoghan Campbell and Conor McHugh dovetailed well in midfield with the Ruairi Og man scoring four points from play in another 70 minutes that seemed effortless.  In attack all six starting forwards scored from play, a stat that will have pleased Darren Gleeson and his backroom team.  Alex Delargy, the man with the goal-den touch once again.  Goals in either half from ‘Del’ before Dan McCloskey’s major in the 48th minute lit up the contest.  McManus sending the sliotar to the edge of the square from wide on the left.  McCloskey stole in from behind his marker and doubled on the sliotar in mid-air.  A brilliant piece of forward play by the Loughgiel man.

The fourth Antrim goal came in injury time and rounded off what was an excellent performance from Niall McKenna.  The Sarsfields man already had three points to his name in a strong display and he was certainly deserving of his major.  Collecting the pass from Delargy, McKenna burst past two defenders before somehow getting his shot away and high to the back of the Mayo net.

Antrim’s Conor McHugh gets away from his marker during Sunday’s NHL Div 2A game in Loughgiel.

Antrim made full use of their squad once again and made five changes from half time along with a senior county league debut for Aodhan O’Brien and a match where the Rossa man rarely put a foot wrong.  Antrim are beginning to develop that are pushing each other for places but with a mounting injury list.  A few marquee forwards missing in Conor Johnston, Conal Cunning, Keelan Molloy and Ciaran Clarke while Ciaran Johnston was a late withdrawal before the start of the Mayo game.

As far as competitive matches go, the result was never in doubt.  Antrim came with two points on the line and did what they needed to do.  The remaining three fixtures were always going to be pivotal however and with the news of Kerry defeating Offaly, two week’s time in Tullamore has become a bit tastier.  In the meantime, a meeting with Tipperary to mark the opening of the new facilities at Davitt’s GAC and the Fr Reid Trophy is next for the Saffrons.  Playing the All-Ireland champions isn’t a bad way to prepare for a huge match when they return to league action.

Alex Delargy scores Antrim’s opening goal during the first half.

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Matthew Donnelly, Conor Boyd; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Aodhan O’Brien; Eoghan Campbell, Conor McHugh; Niall McKenna, Neil McManus, James McNaughgton; Dan McCloskey, Conor McCann, Alex Delargy

Subs: Ryan McGarry for P Burke (46); Domhnall Nugent for C McCann (46); Ronan Molloy for C McHugh (54); Joe Maskey for M Donnelly (58); Michael Bradley for C Boyd (60)

Scorers: Niall McKenna 1-4; Alex Delargy 2-00; Neil McManus 0-6 (5 f’s); Dan McCloskey 1-2; Eoghan Campbell 0-4; Conor McCann 0-1; Gerard Walsh 0-1; James McNaughton 0-1

Mayo: Gerald Kelly; Adrian Brennan, Tony Sweeney, Conor Murray; Conor Henry, Sean Mulroy, Mark Phillips; Daniel Huane, Brian Hunt; Callum Gardner, Shane Boland, Zak O’Toole; Eoin Delaney, Adrian Phillips, Sean Kenny

Subs: Jason Coyne for C Gardner (ht); Cormac Phillips for Z O’Toole (ht); Eanna Varley for A Brennan (53); John Geraghty for C Henry (57); Shane Nugent for T Sweeney (67)

Scorers: Shane Boland 0-3 (3 frees); Sean Kenny 0-2 (1f); Gerald Kelly 0-1 (1f); Eoin Delaney 0-1

by thesaffrongael

Shane O’Neill’s celebrate 1995 double championship success

Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm celebrated their championship double success in 1995 when the club won both the Intermediate and Intermediate Reserve Hurling championships on the same day at an event to commemorate the occasion in the Tullyglass House Hotel on Satuday night. Kilkenny legend, Eoin Larkin and his wife Anne were the guests of honour while BBC sports commentator, Mark Sidebottom was the MC for the night.

Mark Sidebottom interviews Kilkenny Legend Eoin Larkin and Johnny Campbell of Loughgiel who won an All Ireland club championship with his club and coached Glenarm last year.

Mark Sidebottom interviews Eoin Larkin

Eoin Larkin with his wife Anne.

Ciaran Black receives an U14 Leinster Championship award on behalf of his brother Matthew.

Niall McGarel, who was a Hibernian trophy winner with Antrim receives his award from Eoin Larkin.

Aidan Scullion and Ciaran Magill receive their Celtic trophy awards from Eoin Larkin.

Eoin Larkin presents the Minor Hurler of the Year award to Dan O’Boyle.

Eoin Larkin presents the Junior Hurler of the Year award to Ben O’Boyle.

Eoin Larkin presents the Senior Hurler of the Year award to Paul Magill.

Club Person of the Year, Kathryn Bradley receives her award from Kilkenny legend, Eoin Larkin.

Senior Reserve championship winning captain, Kevin Davey receives his award from Eoin Larkin.

The Glenarm team who won the Intermediate Reserve Hurling Championship in 1995 with special guest, Eoin Larkin at the club’s presentation evening in the Tullyglass House Hotel on Saturday night.

Intermediate winning captain, Sean Waide receives his award from Eoin Larkin.

The Glenarm team who won the Intermediate Hurling championship in 1995, completing a memorable double.

Eoin Larkin makes a special presentation to Mary Forsythe who received it on behalf of her late father, Arthur Forsythe R.I.P.

Eoin Larkin makes a special presentation to Chris Matthews who received it on behalf of his brother Eddie who was chairman in 1995.

Una Donnelly receives an award on behalf of Colm Mulvenna who was club secretary in 1995.

Mary Mulvenna receives a special award on behalf of her father Tony who was county secretary in 1995 and a member of the Glenarm club.

Seamus O’Kane receives a special award on behalf of Bronagh O’Kane who was club physio in 1995

Brendan Ward makes a special presentation to Terence Mulvenna, organiser of the evening.

Brendan Ward makes a special presentation to Pat Hamill in recognition of his life time service to the Shane O’Neill’s club

  • Brendan Ward, Shane O’Neill’s treasurer presents a cheque to Paddy McIlwaine who received it on behalf of the Saffron Gael
The Glenarm committee who organised Saturday night’s dinner in Tullyglass Hotel with thier guests of honour. Back row, L-R, Mark Sidebotton BBC, Brendan Ward, Kathryn Bradley, Terence Mulvenna, Pat Hamill. Front, L-R, Roisin McAllister, Eight time All Ireland Hurling Championship winner and Kilkenny legend Eoin Larkin, Shauna McKinley.
by thesaffrongael

Devlin hat-trick set Antrim up for win

Ulster Minor Championship semi-final : Antrim 5-12 Armagh 3-1
A semi-final in the Ulster championship to start February! This game in Ahoghill had all the hallmarks of a first game of the season, first touch a little off for half the players, more individual effort than team play and errors all over the pitch.

Nevertheless Antrim was the more assured team although they struggled at times for scores in the opening half despite dominating the play. Nuala Devlin however broke through from half-forward on several occasions and scored 3-1 so that the Saffrons led by 3-4 to 1-1 at the break.

Antrim had gifted Sinéad Quinn a goal in the 24th minute, but Devlin cancelled that out with her third goal a couple of minutes before half time.

Although Caitlin Heggarty and Aoife Delargy pointed on the resumption, goals from Katie Comiskey and Melissa Hughes pulled Armagh right back into contention at 3-6 to 3-1.

However the comeback quickly faded with Katie Laverty getting on top at midfield, sub Brid Magill making an immediate impact with a 46th minute goal and a string of points from Riana McBride putting Antrim out of sight.

Aoife Delargy scrambled a last minute goal to gloss the score-line from an Antrim perspective with Magill adding an excellent point in injury-time.

Brigid Delargy was sound at full-back, carrying her school form through the county, while Riana McBride did a lot of damage from placed balls and frees. Nuala Devlin in the first half was excellent but the Ballycastle forward had to retire just after the break with a back injury. Her replacement Brid Magill didn’t waste time in getting involved.

Meanwhile Derry overwhelmed visiting Down in Bellaghy with Caitriona Toner scoring five goals in the opening half alone as the home side led by 8-7 to 0-0 at the break.

Down scored three points in the second half, but they were well off the pace and couldn’t stop Derry from progressing to next week’s semi-final with Tyrone.

The final will take place on February 22nd and is likely to have Derry as Antrim’s opponents.

    Before then Antrim will face Clare in the All-Ireland championship at a halfway venue on February 16th, just 24 hours after Cross and Passion play Loreto Kilkenny in the All-Ireland schools’ Junior semi-final in Kilkenny.

    Antrim : Orla Donnelly, Katie Rose Bell, Brigid Delargy, Cara Shannon, Anna McNeill, Enya McShane, Riona Matthews, Katie Laverty, Roisin Ward, Aoife Delargy (1-1), Nuala Devlin (3-1), Caitlin Heggarty (0-2), Eimear Shannon, Riana McBride (0-7, 0-4 frees), Rachel Bonnes

    Subs : Brid Magill (1-1) for N Devlin, Niamh Neeson for E Shannon.

    Armagh : Maeve Callaghan, Aideen Carroll, Clodagh Gaffney, Maeve O’Hare, Kate Crilly, Anita McKearney, Clara O’Kane, Éabha Lennon, Katie Comiskey (1-1 frees), Shannon Morgan, Caoimhe Donnelly, Sinead Quinn (1-0), Aoife Forker, Hannah Duffy, Melissa Hughes (1-0).

    Referee : Malachy McToal (Derry).

    by thesaffrongael

    Adrian Mc Closkey (R I P)

    By Geordie McGuckin

    It is with heartfelt sympathy that The Saffron Gael have learned of the untimely, and tragic death of Adrian Mc Closkey.

    We extend our utmost condolences to his children Ella Jo, Naoishe, Fionn, and Dara, his parents Sean and Lizzie and his brothers and sisters, his partner Lisa, as well as the entire Mc Closkey and Brady families, and his many friends who will mourn his passing.

    Although Adrian started his love affair with Cumann Luthcleas Gael in the green and white of Erin’s Own Cargin before completing his juvenile career with Tir na nOg he moved on to find a spiritual home wearing the blue and Gold of St Ergnat’s Moneyglass.

    Adrian served the Marian Hill side with distinction both as a fiery wing half back and in various managerial roles.

    Adrian was taken from our midst as the result of a tragic accident on Friday morning and he will be sorely missed.

    May Mary Queen of the Gael smile on a brave soul taken away from our midst much too soon.

    • Adrian McCloskey, front row 4th from right before the 2008 IFC Final between Moneyglass and All Saints at Casement Park in 2008