Month / March 2020

by thesaffrongael

Positive contribution of young sports volunteers recognised at GoldMark Awards

Young sports volunteers took centre stage at the GoldMark Awards ceremony in Belfast this week.

The event, which was jointly organised by Ulster GAA, the Irish FA Foundation and Ulster Rugby, highlighted the huge volunteering effort across the three sports among young people aged 14-24.

The young people heard first-hand from three sports stars about their experiences of volunteering and the impact volunteers made on their sporting careers – David Jeffrey (Ballymena United manager), Connor McCann (Antrim GAA Hurling captain) and Alan O’Connor (current Ulster Rugby and Ireland player).

Thomas Niblock interveiw’s Kilcoo’s Eaelan McEvoy

The packed audience at the Crowne Plaza Hotel also heard from Caelan McEvoy of Kilcoo GAA who gave a powerful overview of his experience volunteering in sport after his playing career was cruelly cut short due to a severe illness.

More than 100 young people were presented with a GoldMark Millennium Volunteers Award for 50, 100 and 200 hours of volunteering.

BBC Sport NI commentator Thomas Niblock compered the event.

Congratulating the young volunteers, Ulster Rugby President Gary Leslie said: “To see so many young volunteers taking the time and effort to make a difference in supporting their local clubs is what we as sport administrators are screaming out for.

“All three sports represented here are definitely on the right pathway to ensure that local clubs continue to be the lifeblood of the local community across the whole of the province.

“For years the club volunteer was an ever-ageing phenomenon with the only one likely outcome if nothing changed.

“With so many young volunteers coming through the next opportunity is how we maintain the enthusiasm and provide the additional skills to make them the future leaders of their clubs.”

Acknowledging the role of youth volunteering in sport, Ulster GAA vice-chairperson Ciaran McLaughlin said:

“The GAA is built on the support of our volunteers. There is a role for everyone, whether it be as a player, administrator or coach. Our clubs rely on the dedication and commitment of many volunteers to achieve on and off the field.

“Our young people make a major contribution to their clubs through their volunteering efforts. The energy and enthusiasm they bring is infectious and our clubs are all the better for having young people playing a full part “.

Irish FA vice-president Crawford Wilson pointed out:

“Through Department for Communities funding the Irish FA Foundation, Ulster Rugby and Ulster GAA are able to work together to increase participation in volunteering – promoting and recognising our volunteers and also developing their skills and knowledge.

“We also appreciate the ongoing support of Volunteer Now, supported by the Education Authority, in this work. Through this programme the spotlight shines on the positive contribution of young people to clubs and their wider communities.”

Jamie Greer of Volunteer Now added:

“Sport provides some of the best quality volunteering opportunities for young people allowing them to give back within their own communities, develop essential skills and have a positive experience all at the same time. Volunteers inspire each new generation to get involved and keep that sport alive. It’s fantastic to see the recognition growing over the years and we commend the support provided by each of the governing bodies.”

by thesaffrongael

All games cancelled until March 29th

The GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association have announced on Thursday 12th March that all activities at club and county level are to be suspended from midnight tonight.

All games throughout the country have been postponed for the next two weeks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After meeting with government officials on Thursday morning the GAA released the following statement.

“In light of this morning’s Government announcement, the GAA, An Cumann Camógaíochta and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association have decided to suspend all activity at club, county and educational levels until March 29 (inclusive) from midnight.

“This is to include all games, training and team gatherings at all ages and all grades.

“We will continue to liaise with Government officials and review the situation between now and the end of the month, assessing the impact of these measures on our competitions.

“In the meantime, the Association is encouraging all members to continue to follow the guidelines which have been provided by the Health Authorities.”

by thesaffrongael

Another appeal to P.R.O’s

Last week we got a good response from PRO’s as the Antrim division 2 and 3 football leagues got under way and we thank all those who took the time to send us reports. Statistics on our website tells us that club members look for their own club reports first each week so your report helps to promote your club.

I know from experience that it is much easier to do a report when your team has won but I would urge PRO’s to send their reports regardless of whether you have won or not.

We have a limited number of photographers and reporters of our own and these men and women do a fantastic job, often for little or no reward other than their love for Gaelic games and being part of our efforts to promote Gaelic games in Antrim.

Once again we find our resources stretched with Antrim hurlers facing Kerry in the Division 2A final in Croke Park while the footballers face a difficult away fixture against Wicklow in Aughrim, a game that could go a long way in deciding their promotion chances.

Add to that, the first of the Premier Electrics-Paddy McLarnon semi-final between Dungiven and Letterkenny is scheduled for Sunday and we hope to have reporters and photographers at all these games.

The Antrim football Leagues continue on Sunday and again the Saffron Gael will be striving to cover as many games as possible. Unfortunately we do not have the man power to cover all games and we again make an appeal to all club P.R.O.’s to send us a short report on their games.

Media exposure helps to promote your club and it doesn’t take a lot of time to write a wee report. If your club P.R.O. is too busy why not appoint someone to take notes at your game and send them to us.

If your team’s report wasn’t included last weekend it was because we didn’t receive one from your PRO so ensure that they send us one this weekend so your club’s game can be included on the Saffron Gael site.

All we need is teams, scorers, times of scores and half time and full-time scores. Add a wee bit about who played well and (Please) avoid criticising referees and avoid controversy. Send your report to:

ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk or john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk

There is also an App available to download to your phone which makes taking scores, statistics and other info easy and we have included details on this report.

Looking forward to hearing from you on Sunday evening. Keep up the good work and hopefully we will be at one of your games this weekend or in the coming weeks.

by thesaffrongael

A repeat of Limereick performance should do the trick for Antrim

Allianz Football League Division 4

Wicklow v Antrim

(Aughrim 2-00pm)

Antrim travel to Wicklow this weekend knowing that anything less than a win will probably not be enough if they are to keep their hopes of promotion from division 4 alive.

Antrim’s promotion chances received a major boost when they defeated league leaders Limerick last day out and they will be hoping for a repeat of that performance when they travel to Aughrim on Sunday with throw in scheduled for 2.00pm.

Manager Lenny Harbison stated at the start of the season that promotion from division 4 was his primary ambition this season and that ambition is very muck within the Saffron’s reach as they make the long journey to Wicklow for the penultimate game in their league campaign.

It has been a mixed season for the Antrim footballer. They started with a good win over visitors Wexford in Glenavy and an away win in Ruislip on day two augured well for this season’s campaign but a one point defeat to Sligo at Markievicz Park in round 3 threw a spanner in the works.

The visit of Carlow in round four offered Antrim an opportunity to get their division 4 promotion bid back on track. The visitors had defeated Wicklow on day one but had struggled for results after that, losing to Wexford and Limerick.

They arrived at Glenavy knowing that only a win would do and when they went 1-3 to 0-0 ahead after 15 minutes it wasn’t looking good for the home side. Antrim finally got their game together to trail by a goal at half time and pushed hard for the win in the second half but had to settle for a draw.

Going into the Limerick game in Portglenone last day out, Antrim trailed league leaders Limerick by three points. Anything less than a win and it was good bye to promotion for another season but the Saffrons produced their best performance of the season to comprehensively beat previously unbeaten Limerick.

Two weeks earlier in that game against Carlow the introduction of Odhran Eastwood at half time proved an inspired substitution and it was no surprise when the St. Enda’s ‘Pocket Rocket’ was handed a starting birth against the league leaders.

Eastwood was outstanding, leading the Limerick defence a merry dance with his speed and movement and ended top scorer with 2-3 in a man of the match performance. The game also saw Paddy McBride produce his best performance of the season with the St. John’s man contributing 0-7 and looking more like his old self.

Fintan Burke was also handed a first start and put in a workman like performance around mid-field before being called ashore late in the game and over all there appeared to be a better balance to the Saffron side.

Sunday’s lineout is unlikely to show many changes to the one who started against Limerick. The defence has pretty much picked itself throughout the league with Eastwood’s St. Enda’s colleagues Peter Healey and James McAuley turning in consistent performances all year and forming a solid half-back line with team captain Declan Lynch.

At mid-field Colum Duffin was outstanding against the Treaty men and has formed a hard working mid-field partnership with Marc Jordan while Conor Murray has been consistently good in attack and with Niall Delargy has been an ever present.

The return of Michael McCann, Paddy Cunningham and Martin Johnston to the panel has added experience and knowhow to the Antrim cause and whether any or all of them start or are introduced can only enhance Antrim’s chances.

                                                   WHAT ABOUT WICKLOW

As we have seen, there is no such thing as an easy game in division 4 and Wicklow have mixed good performances with bad this year but are more than capable on their day. They lost to Carlow on day one, beat Waterford on day two and then raised a few eyebrows when they beat Sligo by five points at Sunday’s venue.

On day four Wicklow travelled to Limerick and were hammered by the league leaders who scored 5-10 against them but a week later they made the journey to London where they hit five goals themselves.

Wicklow’s best performances seem to have been at home and significantly they are one of three sides on six points, one behind Antrim with Wexford and Sligo the others hoping for an Antrim slip up.

Both Wexford and Sligo face difficult games when they travel to Limerick and Carlow respectively this weekend but for now Antrim will be concentrating on the Wicklow game and letting the other results take care of themselves.

The Saffrons need to produce another high intensity performance like they did against Limerick. They moved the ball with pace and always seemed to have an option when attacking while they dropped back affectively as a unit when defending and the Treaty men couldn’t cope with that intensity.

A win in Aughrim would set Antrim up nicely for their final game of the league campaign at home to Waterford and would ensure a bumper crowd in Glenavy but for now all thoughts must be concentrated on Sunday’s visit to Wicklow.

Antrim team v Limerick: Andrew Hasson, Patrick Gallagher (0-01), Ricky Johnston, Mark Gardiner, Declan Lynch, James Mc Auley, Peter Healey, Colum Duffin (0-02), Marc Jordan, Martin Johnston, Patrick Mc Bride (0-07), Niall Delargy, Odhran Eastwood (2-03), Fintan Burke, Conor Murray (0-03)

by thesaffrongael

First Semi-Final set for Creggan on Sunday

Premier Electrics-Paddy McLarnon Cup

Sunday 15th March, 12.30pm, at Kickhams GAC Creggan

St Eunan’s Letterkenny (Donegal) V St Canice’s GAC Dungiven (Derry)

The first of the Premier Electrics Ulster U21 Club Football Tournament 2019/20 Semi-Finals will take place between St Eunan’s Letterkenny (Donegal) and St Canice’s GAC Dungiven (Derry) this Sunday, 15th March at Kickhams GAC Creggan.

The tournament has been disrupted this season owing to wide ranging changes in the National schedule list but the Creggan club have worked tirelessly to find a way around this fixtures congestion, playing all four quarter-finals last weekend.

Three of those were played last Sunday at Creggan’s Staffordstown Road ground with Clann Eireann of Armagh defeating O’Rahilly’s GAC Latton of Monaghan in the opening game. The second quarter-final provided a real thriller as St. Brigid’s of Antrim took on their near neighbours, Carryduff from Down. For the second year running Carryduff pipped St. Brigid’s by a single point and will now meet Clann Eireann in the second semi-final on a date yet to be decided.

The third quarter-final of a busy schedule saw St. Eunan’s, Letterkenny prove too strong for Carrickmore of Tyrone, setting up a semi-final meeting with the winners of Dungiven and Enniskillen Gaels.

That fourth quarter-final was scheduled under the floodlights at St. Mary’s Ahoghill on Monday night but had to be hurriedly rearranged when the Cloney venue was deemed unplayable and the game was rescheduled to Bellaghy where Derry champions Dungiven overcame the challenge of Enniskillen Gaels in terrible conditions.

An injury time brace from Feargal Higgins and Conor Kelly tipped the balance in Dungiven’s favour after an absorbing hour of football in the incessant Bellaghy rain.

St Canice’s played three quarters of the game with 14 men, Daire McKeever dismissed for his involvement in the scenes directly after Conor Love’s 16th minute goal had put the Gaels ahead.

In a cagey encounter, the Derry side battled back to go in at the break one point ahead, but only after Enniskillen missed a glorious goal chance on the stroke of half-time.

A 39th minute Cahir Higgins free left just one between the sides and when a 44th minute Richie Mullan free levelled matters, the stage was set for a tense final ten minutes.

Enniskillen’s Brandon Horan rattled the post from range as his side looked to make their patient build-up count, but with extra time looming, St Canice’s found a winner.

Feargal Higgins collected the ball in the full-forward line, held off his marker and squeezed over a right-footed effort on 60 minutes almost from the end line.

Conor Kelly fired over the insurance point on the stroke of the final whistle and ensured Dungiven’s progress to an intriguing semi-final meeting with St Eunan’s of Letterkenny.

St Eunan’s were impressive in their win over Carrickmore and brushed their opponents aside on their way to an Ulster U21 Paddy McLarnon Cup semi-final.

The Donegal side were three points up inside two minutes as the strong Loughshore breeze sucked the ball back towards Niall McKenna’s goal on each kick out.

Despite Carmen settling towards the end of the half, the Tír Chonaill men led by double scores at the break and continued in the same vein without wind advantage to seal an 8-point win.

A blistering start saw Conor O’Donnell, Brian MacIntyre and Sean Breen all register points before Stephen Grogan could get Carrickmore off the mark in the 5th minute.

That score didn’t stem the Donegal men’s attacking tide as points from Oisín Toal, Shane O’Donnell and a further Conor O’Donnell free stretched the lead to five points.

The lively Conor O’Donnell then found the net after an audacious through ball from Cormac Finn landed perfectly in his arms, allowing him to roll it past Niall McKenna and into the net.

The Donegal champions led by six at half time but, given the strength of the breeze still looked to have it all to do in the second half. They continued to dominate matters after the break however with Brian McIntyre dropping deep to dictate matters from around mid-field.

Up front Conor O’Donnell impressed and his tally of 1-4 earned him the Premier Electrics man of the match award and marks him down as one to watch but this was a solid all round team performance from the Letterkenny side

Sunday’s semi-final has all the ingredients of a cracker but games in this competition over the years have been notoriously hard to call. Both sides showed in their respective semi-finals that they can play football and in the case of Dungiven it was their ability to dig deep in bad conditions to dig out the win.

A wide ranging inter-county fixture list coupled with club fixtures in Antrim could affect the attendance but I would urge anyone who wants to see a good game of open football to make their way to Creggan on Sunday-I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.