Month / March 2020

by thesaffrongael

Dromore advance at Creggan -2019

This time last year-Paddy McLarnon semi-final

Today we were due to visit Creggan for the first semi-final of the Paddy McLarnon semi-final. As you all know, Gaelic Games across the country have been suspended owing to the Coronavirus outbreak so we at the Saffron Gael are taking a look back to last year’s semi-final where St. Dympnah’s Dromore defeated O’Donovan Rossa of Derry and bringing you a report and photographs from that game.

Strong second half sees Dromore progress

Bank of Ireland Ulster U21 Club Football Tournament

Paddy McLarnon Cup-Semi-Final

St Dympnah’s, Dromore 1-14 O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt 1-8

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Chiceam

A strong second half performance paved the way for Dromore to book their place in the Paddy McLarnon Cup final on Sunday afternoon.  The Tyrone champions saw off the challenge of O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt coming from behind to run out comfortable winners over the hour.

Despite trailing by a point at the short whistle, Dromore dominated after the restart keeping the Derry champions scoreless for over 20 minutes while building a match winning lead in the process. 

Like their semi-final win, Dromore’s victory was built on a strong defensive foundation with the midfield duo of Peter Teague and Cahir Goodwin pivotal to their success.  Both men imperious in the middle of the park while the pace of Emmett McNabb and Ryan McCusker meant they could counter and create havoc in the Magherafelt defence.

The Derry champions didn’t reach the heights shown in their quarter-final win over Enniskillen Gaels.  Conor McCusker did a man marking job on the dangerous McNabb, restricting him to two points over the hour while Eoghan Hawe and Declan Martin were always a threat in attack.  A bright start was curtailed however by a strong Dromore side who were thoroughly deserving of their six point win.

Showing one change from their last outing, Hawe coming in for Liam Óg McElhone, the Derry champions started strongly.  Ben McErlain fired over the opening point of the half and although Dromore split the uprights with scores from Andrew McGrath and Caolan McCarron, the Magherafelt men fired the opening goal in the 10th minute.  Declan Martin with the finish to a fine move that gave his side the lead they deserved for their efforts in the opening exchanges.

Michael Lynch (free) and McGrath swapped scores in the 15th minute before Cormac Murphy and Hawe split the posts to give Magherafelt a four point lead mid-way through the first half.  The Tyrone men finished the half strongly though.  Tiernan Sludden, McCarron and McGrath all split the uprights in the space of five minutes to give Dromore their most profitable period of the match.  Hawe’s second white flag of the half stopped the rot for Magherafelt but McCarron’s third point of the match left one between the sides in favour of Magherafelt at the short whistle.

Both sides would have been reasonably happy with their efforts in the first half.  Neither had hit the heights shown in their quarter-final victories but both were well set for the second half.

First half goal scorer Declan Martin fired over the opening score of the second half in the 33rd minute but that was to be his sides last score for 23 minutes as Dromore went through the gears.  Dominant in midfield, resolute in defence and breaking with lightning pace in attack, the Tyrone men took the game away from their Oak Leaf neighbours.

McNabb, a peripheral figure in the first half managed to escape the clutches of Conro McCluskey to score his first point of the match before McGrath scored Dromore’s goal in the 35th minute.  Sludden collecting the long ball before laying off to McGrath and the Dromore man made no mistake with his smart effort despite the diving effort of Odhrán Lynch in the Magherafelt goals.

Half back Oisin Gallogly opened a three point lead for Dromore midway through the second half, blasting over the bar after a strong run from Cathal Colton and with the next attack Dromore should have had another goal.  Ryan McCusker denied by the diving Lynch in the Magherafelt goals and with Sludden sniffing for the rebound, Diarmuid Kielt cleared the danger.

Dromore continued to dominate though with substitute Odhran Rafferty raising the white flag and McGrath taking his personal tally to 1-4 before McNabb landed the outstanding score of the match from distance with the outside of his foot.

Magherafelt finally stopped the rot with Lynch scoring his second free of the match but it wasn’t happening for the Derry men in attack.  A series of shots dropping short and missed frees hurt their chances of reeling in their Tyrone counterparts and while Séan Og Monaghan hit a sumptuous point to leave four between the sides with two minutes remaining, Dromore never looked like losing their lead.

Declan McNulty and Tiernan Sludden split the posts to add further gloss to the score line for the Tyrone champions as they booked a final date with Carryduff in two weeks time.

TEAMS

O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt: Odhrán Lynch; Diarmuid Kielt, Conor Maunsell, Patrick McLarnon; Conor McCluskey, Simon McErlain, Guisseppe Lupair; Michael McEvoy, Séan Og Monaghan (0-1); Declan Martin (1-1), Cormac Murphy (0-1), Eoghan Hawe (0-2); Ben McErlain (0-1), Michael Lynch (0-2, 2f’s), Ronan Young.

Subs: Ciaran Shields for D Martin (50); Johnny McErlain for S McErlain (inj).

Dromore: Mark McGale; Cathal Colton, Ruairi Teague, Caolan Slevin; Nathan McCarron, Ryan McCusker, Oisin Gallogly (0-1); Peter Teague, Cahir Goodwin; John MacRory, Andrew McGrath (1-4), Caolan McCarron (0-3, 1f); Declan McNulty (0-1), Tiernan Sludden (0-2), Emmett McNabb (0-2).

Subs: Odhran Rafferty (0-1) for C McCarron (44); Eoghan McShane for O Gallogly (60); Tiernan McDermott for J MacRory (inj); Gavin Teague for C Goodwin (inj).

Referee: Ronan Barry (Tullylish, Down)

by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg were Ulster champions-2019

If, like me you are twiddling your thumbs and suffering from GAA withdrawal owing to the wide sweeping effects of the Coronavirus and, worse still no or little news from the Saffron Gael, then I really feel for you.

Yes I know there are more important things than sport and I recognize and agree with all the precautions that we are collectively taking to minimize the effects of this very serious pandemic but that doesn’t mean you cannot have a wee read on your favourite GAA site.

At this time on a Sunday for more years than I care to remember, like many of you I would have been heading to a game, trusty camera and notebook on tow and earlier this week my plan was to be in Aughrim, hoping to catch the best of the action from Wicklow v Antrim in the Allianz NFL Division 4 and confident of an Antrim victory but Covid 19 has put those plans on hold for now.

Like my fellow Saffron Gael reporters and photographers I join the rest of you praying that this awful illness will pass and that the majority of us will survive the worst of it but unfortunately some of us will not.

As I stated earlier we are not going to be able to participate or view Gaelic Games for some time so I thought we might take a look back at what was happening at this time last year-old news is better than no news!

Around this time in 2019 I made the trip to Balinderry, a wet and cold day as I recollect with wind and sleet beating down-no change there then, but the trip turned out to be worthwhile.

Tir na nOg, Randalstown had participated in the Ulster Intermediate Football league and performed admirably to reach the final where they were to meet St. Patrick’s Gortin of Tyrone.

The Whitehill side went into this game as underdogs but turned in a top class performance to beat the favourites. This is the report and some of the photographs we posted from that game.

Tir na nOg keep their cool to collect first Ulster title

Ulster Intermediate Football League (final)

                  Tir na nOg (Antrim) 2-10 St Patrick’s Gortin (Tyrone) 2-02

Tir na nOg kept their cool against an indisciplined St. Patrick’s, Gortin to collect their first Ulster Intermediate football league title at cold and windy Balinderry today. The Tyrone side were very much architects of their own downfall, losing two players to straight reds during an opening half where they played into the driving wind.

The Tyrone side had entered the game as strong favourites but the dismissal of midfielder Ruairi Kennan at the end of the first quarter and team captain and full forward, Brian Mc Garvey in the 29th minute left them facing an uphill battle.

Tir na nOg had the strong breeze behind them in the opening period but the concession of a fifth minute goal and another in the latter stages of the half looked likely to cause them problems.

Early replacement Ciaran Dobbin made quick impact after being introduced for Ryan O’Neill who had suffered a facial injury, when he signalled arrival on the scene with a 25th minute point before quickly making the addition of a goal.

The Whitehill lads did have numerical advantage and a four point lead,1-07 to 2-00 at the short whistle but conditions, and the strength of the breeze against ensured nothing could be taken for granted.

Despite being reduced in numbers the Red Hand side started the second half on the offensive but Damien Hagen had the Whitehill men ready for action and although a 41st minute Ciaran Brolly point reduced the deficit that was to be as close as they were to get.

Tir na nOg were fully primed for rear guard action with team captain Christy Sheerin and the pace laden Sean Redmond leading the way.

The Antrim lads stood strong in defence and used their extra men to good effect. Their slick counter attacking produced points from Leigh Martin, Ciaran McKeown, and Ciaran Logan before minor star Ciaran O’ Neill, a second period replacement, blasted to the back of net to ensure the silverware was on the way to Randalstown.

In far from ideal conditions Tir na nOg and Gortin took to the field in Balinderry today to decide the destination of the Ulster intermediate football league title.

St. Patrick’s had impressed en route to the decider with eye catching wins over Castledawson and Tir na nOg, Portadown  and entered today’s final as firm favourites

Tir na nOg, with the gale force westerly breeze in their favour the opening half got off to a good start with mid-field general Christy Sheerin firing between the posts seconds into proceedings.

The Antrim side added a second point via Leigh Martin in the 3rd minute but despite the positivity offered from a good start Tir na nOg were in arrears by the 6th minute as Gortin corner man Sean Og McAleer rose to punch a Sean McKenna cross to the back of the net.

Brian McGarvey who had been assigned a ‘go anywhere role’ linked up with Sean McAleer and Tony Mossey to open the way for the corner forward to fist into the net.

Tir na nOg regained the initiative as back to back points from a Daniel Martin long range effort and a sweetly struck Leigh Martin delivery ensured they sneaked ahead, 0-04 to 1-00 and their chances were further enhanced when the opposition were reduced to 14 when Ruairi Keenan was shown red for an off the ball incident.

Another well delivered Leigh Martin score increased the Tir na nOg lead but the advantage was soon to become deficit when the Tyrone men grabbed a second major.

A strong interception from corner back Cormac Bradley initiated the score but it was a sublime inch perfect pass from Ciaran Brolly which opened the way for Sean Og McAleer to grab his second goal and make it 2-00 to 0-05 after 25th minutes.

The Whitehill side had been forced into replacing Ryan O’ Neill with what looked a bad facial injury but his replacement, Ciaran Dobbin was about to signal arrival.

The fleet footed substitute took up position in the corner and had the ball over the bar in the 27th minute after Darren McCormick interception in the central zone.

Dobbin was soon to add a second score as Christy Sheerin rose to collect the resultant kick-out before transferring to the former who quickly rounded his marker before firing firmly into the corner of the net.

The Randalstown men had regained advantage and an interception and adept delivery from Sean Redmond opened the way for a further score as Michael Dempsey split the posts.

The Antrim side had gone four points clear in the latter stages, but with the elements to face in the second half that lead looked precarious.  Gortin’s tackling was reckless at times and the Tyrone men were further reduced in number when Brian McGarvey was shown red following a strike on an opponent.

Gortin started the second half on the offensive and it was only a last minute intervention by Aaron McNeilly on his own goal line that prevented Shane Clarke finding the net.

Fiachra McNulty sent Ciaran Brolly in to raise white in the 40th minute for Gortin to reduced the gap to three but Damien ‘Scotchy’ Hagen’s men were soon back in formation and standing tall in defiance.

Christy Sheerin and Sean Redmond led by example and a fast counter and a foul on Aaron McNeilly led to the ever accurate Leigh Martin dispatching the resulting free over the bar in the 47th minute.

Martin’s score was negated at the other end a few minutes later when Sean Mc Aleer strode forward to finish in style but the Whitehill Blues quickly responded with team captain Christy Sheerin to the fore.

Ciaran Dobbin was denied by the base of the post when he shot low and hard in the 54th minute but Ciaran McKeown came strong on the right hand side to fist between the posts a minute later.

Tir na nOg had a four point advantage as the decider moved into the last five minutes and the Whitehill Blues were now in control all over the field.

Gortin kept battling but the Antrim side were immoveable and when Ciaran Logan added a 57th minute point they looked in charge.

St Patrick’s continued to battle but the Tir na nOg defence stood firm and another well laid counter attack saw replacement Ciaran O’Neill place Ciaran Logan who fired to the net and the die was cast.

Despite the addition of six minutes of injury time there was no further employment for the scoreboard attendant as Tir na nOg kept possession as they ran down the clock.

The silverware was Randalstown bound and to Whitehill and the club rooms of Tir na Nog in their centenary year as they passed the post full value for a 2-10 to 2-02 winning advantage’

Tir na nOg: Sean P McAtamney, Daniel Martin (0-01), Niall Cassidy, Sean Redmond, Barry McCormick, Caoimhinn Duffin, Darren McCormick, Ryan O’ Neill, Christy Sheerin (0-01), Malachy Og Duffin, Aaron McNeilly, Peter Cullen, Darragh Fegan (0-02), Leigh Martin (0-02), Sean Duffin

Subs

Ciaran Dobbin (1-01) for Ryan O’Neill

Michael Dempsey for Ronan O’Neill

Ciaran Logan (1-01) for M Duffin

Ciaran O’Neill for D Martin

Ronan O’Neill for S Duffin

Gortin: Cathal McCullagh, Cormac Bradley, Patrick McCullagh, Peter Bradley, Peter Keenan, Fiachra McNulty, Sean McKenna, Ruairi Keenan, Paddy Northern, Tony Mossey, Ciaran Brolly, Laurence Hollywood, Sean Og McAleer, Brian McGarvey, Shane Clarke.

Referee Enda McFeely (Dun na nGall)

Over the coming days and weeks we will continue to look at games from the past and keep you updated on what is happening at present and, God willing, the Coronavirus will pass and we will be able to get back to normality.

by thesaffrongael

Hyland led Laois to big win at Casement Park in 2010

With the GAA in total shut-down, and to give our readers something to occupy a few minutes, we are taking a look back at some of the games over the years. We start off with Antrim v Laois in Division 2 of the National Hurling League which was played on this weekend ten years ago, March 14th, 2010. Dinny Cahill had just taken over the reigns for a second time, and with ‘Dick’ O’Kane as his his assistant. However Laois were to prove too strong that day with Willie Hyland pulling the strings they were too good for Cahill’s Saffron side.

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2 – CASEMENT PARK MARCH 14th 2010

Antrim 1-12 Laois 2-19

Winger Willie Hyland rifled over a dozen points for Laois as the O’Moore County were too good for Antrim at Casement Park.

The teams were level at three points apiece after eight minutes but two goals from Neil Foyle in eight minutes from the 10th were major setbacks to Antrim who then trailed by 2-5 to 0-4.

Both goals were set up for Foyle by Tommy Fitzgerald.

Willie Hyland proved too hot to handle for Antrim that day in Casement Park

A criss-cross passing movement in the 42nd minute ended with the ball dropping to McManus who pulled on the sliothar and it slid under ‘keeper Eoin Reilly’s caman into the net to close the gap to 2-10 to 1-9.

Reilly made up for that slip three minutes later when he brought off a flying save from Ciarán Herron’s angled drive but he wasn’t really bothered again.

With Laois completely on top, Hyland tossed over a series of frees from various angles and distances with only McManus managing to hit the target for the hone side.

ANTRIM: G McGhee; A Graffin, C Donnelly, B McFall; S McCrory, K McKeegan, C Herron; P Shiels (0-2, 0-1 free), S McNaughton (0-3); L Watson (0-2, 0-1 free), N McManus (1-5, 0-3 frees), P McGill; D Hamill, T McCann, PJ O’Connell. Subs: N McAuley for B McFall (24), C McFall for McGill (39), E McCloskey for Hamill 43), C McAllister for McCann (59). Red Card: L Watson (28).

LAOIS: E Reilly; C Dunne, D Maher, B Stapleton; M Whelan, B Campion, JA Delaney; J Walsh (0-1), M McAvoy; O Holohan (0-1), C Healy, W Hyland (0-12, 0-6 frees, 0-1 a ’65’); E Costello (0-2), T Fitzgerald (0-2), N Foyle (2-0). Subs: J Purcell (0-1) for Foyle (46), B Dunne for Walsh (59), S Dollard for Holohan (68), J Prior for Stapleton (69).

Referee: G Devlin (Armagh).

by thesaffrongael

Kickhams GAC Creggan semi-final postponed

 A chairde,

It is very regretful that we have to issue this postponement of the 2019/20 Premier Electrics Ulster U21 Club Football Tournament Semi-Finals scheduled for this Sunday. We have received the message below from Antrim County Board and take our responsibilities seriously with regard to players, families and wider communities.

We will continue to take advice from our Governing Bodies and will seek to get the games played at an appropriate future date.

Trust you understand

Go raibh maith agaibh

by thesaffrongael

St. Patrick’s back in Nolan Cup final

Danske Bank Nolan Cup semi-final

St. Patrick’s Ballymena 2-6

Trinity College Belfast 1-6

St. Patrick’s College Ballymena put the disappointment last year’s final behind them when they overcame the challenge of Trinity College Belfast in the Danske Bank Nolan Cup semi-final on Thursday. The same sides met in last year’s final in Castlesawson but the game was abandoned midway through the second half following an unseemly flare up with the Ballymena side leading by two points.

Thankfully there were no such nonsense this time around and in a tight game it was St. Patrick’s who held their nerve to emerge victorious by three points.

Despite playing with the breeze in the first half the Broughshane Road side looked in a bit of trouble when they trailed by a point at the interval but they produced a controlled game of football for the second half, working the ball up the pitch and biding their time for a shot at target.

A goal from Aaron Marrs proved the difference in the end as St. Patrick’s got on top of their Belfast opponents and they were determined not to let this one slip as they went on to control the remainder of the contest.

The Ballymena defence was well marshalled by Dawid Piwowarski and Ryan Martin in front of Jason Givens who brought off an excellent stop midway through the half to keep his side ahead. Up front Cory Little and Cal O’Brien were always a threat for St. Patrick’s.

Sean Hagans, McCarthy, Sean Óg Gallagher and Paul Donnelly all played well for Trinity especially during the first half by the end of which a goal and two points from Ryan McCarthy had nudged them into a 1-5 to 1-4 lead with the Ballymena goal coming directly from a free by Cory Little.

St. Patrick’s played their best football during the second half, moving the ball around confidently and holding on to possession while Trinity lost their way and could only register a single point and that came from a Paul Donnelly penalty.

The second semi-final between Lagan College and Dominican Portstewart is scheduled for next week but just when this will go ahead is uncertain following the postponment of games across the Island due to the Coronavirus.

St Patrick’s : Cory Little (1-1), Aaron Marrs (1-0), Oisin O’Mullan (0-2), Cal O’Brien (0-1), Niall Esler (0-1), Callum Montgomery (0-1).

Trinity: Ryan McCarthy (1-2), Paul Donnelly (0-2), Conor Mowbray (0-10, Lee McKinney (0-1).

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