May 15, 2020May 16, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Ruairi Ogs Lift First Minor Title

Back in 2014 Cushendall caused a shock when they won the Minor Camogie Championship. They had beaten pre tournament favourites Loughiel in the opening round in Cushendall and went on to beat Dunloy in the semi-final in Ballycastle. Geralines Portglenone came through the other section during the opening half it appeared that they were in with a good chance of victory, but the Cushendall team (managed by Sean Pual McKillop, John Carson and Bill Cosgrove) really hit form in the second half to secure the club’s first title at this grade.

ANTRIM MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2014

Ruairi Og Cushendall 3-8

Geraldine’s Portglenone 0-5

The first club championship title was decided on Easter Monday at a sun kissed All Saints Ballymena as Cushendall and Geraldines Portglenone contested the Minor A final. A dominant second half ensured the Ruairi Og girls would see their name engraved on the Joe Herald Memorial Cup on Monday night.

The opening half was a very close affair and little was to separate both teams throughout. Geraldines ‘keeper Aoibhin Agnew was called on early in the game as she had to make a double save in the second minute before Sinead Cosgrove registered the first score of the game and Niamh O’Neill followed this up a minute later with a fine point from play. Geraldines had the game level by the eight minute through Roisin Kelly and Emma McAleese. A Jane McAleese free from the sideline found Roisin Kelly and the corner forward turned and pointed from play. Niamh McKee was fouled three minutes later and Emma McAleese pointed the resultant free from an acute angle. Geraldines then took the lead for the first time as the superb Aine Mulholland started the move in her own full back line. Niamh McKee and Emma McAleese combined up front to set Jane McAleese up to point from twenty metres out. Roisin Kelly was on hand again to extend the Geraldines lead half way through the first half as she was again on the receiving end of a long free from her defence, rounded her marker and pointed from play. Just when Paul McKee’s side looked to be gaining a slight edge over Cushendall, they were dealt a harsh blow as a Niamh O’Neill’s 13^th minute shot came off one of the Geraldines defenders hurls and slipped past Aoibhin Agnew. This edged Cushendall back in front 1-2 to 0-4. Sinead Cosgrove was quickest to react to a Dervla Cosgrove free as she collected possession and pointed from distance in the 16^th minute. This point was quickly cancelled out by Roisin Kelly who scored her third point from play to keep it a one point game. Cushendall began to get on top in all areas of the pitch and Geraldines defence was under a lot of pressure. A strong run from Tierna Carson five minutes before half time could have killed the game off but Una Doherty timed her tackle to perfection to block Tierna’s goal bound effort. Cushendall did have the final say of the half as Sinead Cosgrove and Niamh O’Neill combined to turn over possession in the Geraldines back line and Niamh pointed her second point of the half which saw her side lead 1-4 to 0-5 at half time.

The second half belonged to Cushendall and they had tagged on another point courtesy of Tierna Carson as quickly as the 23^rd second of the half as her side went on the attack straight from the throw in. When Niamh O’Neill was fouled two minutes later, Dervla Cosgrove’s free opened up a four point gap between the teams. Geraldines did have two goal chances in quick succession but Cushendall ‘keeper Sarah Kane did well to save from Kirsty McLeod and Roisin Kelly. Geraldines needed a score at this stage but Cushendall gradually pulled away from their opponents. Another Dervla Cosgrove free (35^th minute) was quickly followed by a second Cushendall goal. Aoibhin Angew reacted superbly to stop Tierna Carson’s shot but substitute Clodagh McAllister was on hand to push the ball to the net. Cushendall now led 2-7 to 0-5 and despite having the majority of possession, they did not score for the next ten minutes of the game. Geraldines defence was under a huge amount of pressure but Niamh Kelly, Aine Mulholland and Una Doherty worked tirelessly to deny the girls in maroon and white more scoring opportunities. 1-1 from play in the last two minutes of the game from Clodagh McAllister ensured the Minor championship title would be making its way to the Glens for the first time as Cushendall emerged victorious on a score line of 3-8 to 0-5.

Credit to the Geraldines team who never gave up but were simply beaten by a stronger and more powerful Cushendall side. Aine Mulholland was the stand out player for the Geraldines and was ably assisted by Una Doherty, Niamh Kelly and Jane McAleese throughout the game. Once the Ruairi Og’s got their hold on the game, they were dominant and denied Geraldines any scores in the second half. They were very worthy winners. Tara O’Neill was solid at the back and her defence was the catalyst for many Cushendall attacks from which Niamh O’Neill, Sinead Cosgrove and Tierna Carson caused Geraldines problems throughout the game.

Ruairi Ogs who defeated Geraldine’s in the 2014 Minor Camogie final in Ballymena

Geraldine’s team & scorers: Aoibhin Agnew, Aine Mulholland, Una Doherty, Niamh Kelly, Sephora O’Connell, Kirsty McLeod, Jane McAleese (0-1), Geana Convery, Erin Henry, Emma McAleese (0-1 f), Roisin Kelly (0-3) & Niamh McKee. Subs: Lauren Craig for Sephora O’Connell, Rebecca Morrison and Niamh Dobbin.

Cushendall team & scorers: Sarah Kane, Clodagh McKillop, Tara O’Neill, Siobhan McKillop, Clare Kearney, Annie Leech, Dervla Cosgrove (0-2 f), Orla McNaughton, Niamh O’Neill (1-2), Tierna Carson (0-1), Molly McLaughlin, Sinead Cosgrove (0-2), Aimee McDonnell. Subs: Mary Kane, Sinead Convery, Clodagh McAllister (2-1), Orlaith McAllister, Cliodhna McManus, Fiona McDonnell & Leah Cosgrove.

Referee: Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)

Mary Herald presents the Joe Herald Memorial Cup to Ruairi Og’s captain Sinead Cosgrove

May 15, 2020March 16, 2021 by thesaffrongael

The Town’s last title came in 1986

Ballycastle’s last Senior County title came back in 1986 when they beat St John’s in the final in Dunloy. Anyone who witnessed the Town tear through all their opponents that year would never have thought it possible that this famous club, who still sit second behind Loughgiel in the roll of honour, would not lift the Volunteer Cup again, for 36 years later they are still waiting. The win marked the end of an era for one of the greatest team of our times.

**Dessie Donnelly who was top scorer with 1-12 in the ’86 final win over St John’s**

1986 was their eighth final in nine years (their ninth if you count the 1981 replay). They won the title in 1984, beating Cushendall in the final, but the Ruairis had gained revenge in 85, beating the Town by four clear goals in the semi-final on their way to lifting their second county title. When the sides met again the following year in Cushendall, in the quarter final of the 1986 championship Ballycastle were out for revenge, and with Dessie Donnelly leading the line they dethroned the ‘Dall in emphatic fashion, Dessie scoring a remarkable 3-7 in a 7-11 to 3-5 win. St Paul’s were the opposition in the semi-final in Casement Park and once again the Castle scoring machine was running on all cylinders, running up 6-23, with Brian Donnelly this time taking the scoring honours with 3-3.

**Eddie Donnelly in action against St John’s in the 1986 final**

The Ballycastle team still carried a massive scoring threat going into the 86 final, and three weeks earlier their players had scored 1-19 of Antrim’s total of 1-24 against Cork in the All Ireland semi-final defeat in Croke Park. The final was set for Dunloy on August 31^st against St John’s, the earliest final date I can remember. The Johnnies were trying to bridge a 13 year gap back to when they beat the same opposition in the 1973 decider at the same venue, but in a bad tempered game the Belfast men could never get their game going properly.

Once again team captain Dessie Donnelly was the man to do most of the damage for Ballycastle, hitting 1-12 in a 1-20 to 0-7 victory, and in doing joined brothers Kevin, Dessie and Brian and Eddie as he became the fourth of the Donnelly brothers to lift the famous trophy. Eddie and Kevin also set a record that day by winning their eight title, his first one coming 22 years earlier in1964 . With the early final they celebrated in style at the Lamas Fair.

**Eddie McToal and Neill Peden of St John’s plus Paul McKillen and Peter Boyle of Ballycastle get ready to pounce as referee Martin Brogan throws in the ball to start the 1986 county final in Dunloy**

They went on to beat Middletown of Armagh in the Ulster semi-final before accounting for a very good Lavey team in the Ulster final in Gulladuff. The champions gave Ballycastle their fill of it that day but the greater experience told in the end as again Dessie Donnelly got a vital goal in a 1-13 to 1-8 win.

The team that won the last county title for the Town back in 1986 were – Paul Smith, Kevin Boyle, Terence Donnelly, Pat Kinney, Kevin McShane, Liam Gallagher, Charlie McVeigh, Peter Boyle, Paul McKillen, Damian McAfee, Brian Donnelly, Edie McHenry, Dessie Donnelly, Eddie Donnelly, Olcan Laverty.

**The St John’s team who played Ballycastle in the 1986 final**

May 13, 2020May 13, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Defeat in Dundalk, but Antrim fans still have fond memories of a dizzy day in the sun

After watching the video of this game over the past week (thanks to Edmond Rowsome for sending it our way) I thought I would look up some of the photos from that famous day in Dundalk. The fact that it was in Dundalk was a big talking point at the time, but he GAA authorities didn’t want to reschedule the minor game in Croke Park which was the curtain raiser for the other semi-final between Galway and Tipperary. You have only to look at the cover of the programme of the Antrim v Kilkenny game to see just how much thought they had for Antrim hurling at the time. It must the one and only match programme in history, ( since the introduction of photos on the cover) that doesn’t carry a photo of the team taking part. Instead they used one from the Kilkenny v Offaly Leinster final instead.

However it has to be said that fixing it for St Brigid’s Park Dundalk probably done us all a favour, for the beautiful little ground created unique atmosphere, and though Antrim were beaten it is a game we all still look back on favourably. When you study the game Antrim really lost it in the first half when playing with the fresh breeze at their backs. They dominated play for long peroids in that opening half, but shot a lot of wides, 12 in all the first period, and many of them were just inches wide of the target. I remember a goal attempt by Dessie Donnelly just before the break skimming the outside of the post, with Kevin Fennely in the Kilkenny goals, well beaten.

What stands out from the game are Danny McNaughton’s two superb goals, when he doubled overhead and sent the ball flying to the net. Our hearts were bursting with pride when the second one went in and we started to believe that maybe the impossible was possible after all. To borrow a line from my old friend Kevin Cashman, the doyen of hurling reporters, “It ended in defeat of course, as the poets and Gods prefer” but that August day in Dundalk let the Antrim team see that they were not far away from the big boys, and for the next seven or eight years they were constantly proving that point. They won promotion to Division 1 the following season and what followed was a golden period in Antrim hurling. Of course the rising tide lifted all boats and the re-introduction of the Ulster Championship in 89 heralded that championsphips greatest ever period with Down’s great team taking the honours in ’92, ’94 and ’97 and Derry breaking through in 2000 and 2001. Great days for Ulster hurling which sadly have gone.

On August 16th in St Brigid Park Dundalk Antrim lost in the end by seven points, all seven of those coming in the last eight minutes after Danny McNaughton’s point had brought us level in the 62nd minute. Harry Ryan was the man who did the damge with 2-5 overall and Richie Power with 0-10. However ask any Antrm fan who was there about their memories of that game and 99% of them will be positive.

If there is one game I had the chance to go back to it would be that hot August day, only this time those twelve first half wides would all go over. The platform set by James in the half-back line, plus Humpy and Skinner in midfield, would get its just reward and we would all go home looking forward to a final meeting with Galway.

This a report by Gerry McCarthy which appeared the following day in the Irish Press. (Many thanks to our good friend Jim Whelan for sending it and the programme on)

**The Antrim team who played Kilkenny in Dundalk. Back row, L-R, Terence Donnelly, Tony McGrath**, **Brian Donnelly, Paul McKillen, Niall Patterson, Fergus McAlister, Dominic McKinley, Danny McNaughton, Terence McNaughton. Front L-R, Ger Rogan, Leonard McKeegan, Dessie Donnelly (capt), Jimmy Darragh**, **James McNaughton, Olcan Laverty**
**Team mascot Mark Kearney (Cushendall)**

**The Antrim fans were there in big numbers that day in Dundal, enjoying the tea and sandwiches, the odd beer, ths sunshine and the hurling**

**Barry Quinn, dressed and ready for action**

**Olcan Lavery and John Henderson stand for the anthem**

**Antrim’s Danny McNaughton and Kilkenny’s Paddy Prendergast stand to attention**

**L-R, Brian Donnelly, Pat Henderson, Tony McGrath and Liam Walsh**

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Rasharkin’s Dylan runs to Support Mental Health Awareness

St. Mary’s GAC Rasarkin’s Dylan O’Doherty has just completed a 48 mile run to raise money for Mental Health Awareness. Dylan ran 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. In total he ran 48 miles, with other senior players taking turns to accompany him, observing social distancing. He has raised almost £2500 so far with the total still rising, for Action Mental Health.

Dylan O’Doherty began his run on May 8th at 8pm. He began his 4x4x48 challenge to raise money for action mental health. Basically running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. Completing 48 miles in total. He estimated his 4 miles run would take 36 minutes giving him 3 hours and 24 minutes to recover and prepare for the next. All donations appreciated! Give what you can, thanks.

Meanwhile the St. Mary’s club held their first zoom online bingo at the weekend. Some of their members had been missing their weekly Monday night session at Dreen so the club brought it to their homes! No fee was asked for but participants were encouraged to make donations towards Senior footballer Dylan O’Doherty’s running challenge for Mental Health Awareness.

The zoom online bingo, was the idea of the club’s chairman, Thomas Doherty. This was to help the community who were used to coming to Dreen every Monday night for their weekly fix of bingo. This was the first time some of the community had seen each other during recent times via the zoom technology. With the help of resident bingo caller & club committee member, Odhran Darragh, the evening went well with 50 players online.

To date Dylan has raised nearly £2500 for Action Mental Health. To donate to this very worthwhile charity go to Dylan O’Doherty JustGiving page or follow the link on the St. Mary’s GAC facebook page.

Man on the run! Rasharkin’s Dylan O’Doherty breaks clear in his team’s opening day win over St. Patrick’s Lisburn. A win on day 2 for the men from Dreen augered well for their chances of a quick return to division 2 but unfortunately those plans have been put on hold for now. Lets get behind his appeal for Mental Health Awareness.

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 by thesaffrongael

Dunloy edged out Shamrocks in 1988 minor final

They didn’t make the senior debut until 1990 but during the 80s Dunloy were on the rise and in 88 they won their fifth minor title of the decade and their second in a row, but they were pushed to the limit by arch rivals Loughgiel in a thrilling final at Leyland Road, Ballycastle

Antrim Minor Hurling Championship Final 1988

Dunloy 3-13 Loughgiel 1-09

Though he was well held in the first half the class and scoring power of Dunloy star Alister Elliott shone through in the second, and in the end proved to be the difference as Dunloy captured their fifth minor title of the 80’s at the expense of old rivals Loughgiel in a great minor decider at Benmore Park, Ballycastle.

During that first half Loughgiel full back Joe Butler had put the shackles on the Dunloy scoring ace restricting him to just two points from frees, but when Elliott moved to the half forward line in the second half he revelled in his new found freedom, scoring five lovely points from play and two from placed balls as his side fought off the great hearted challenge to take their second title in a row.

But do not think that this was a one man show by Dunloy, far from it, for they had many stars in their ranks like goalkeeper Shane Elliott, full back Declan Heggarty, midfielder Alister McGilligan and corner forward Gregory O’Kane.

The Loughgiel team also had their stars like full back Joe Butler, centre half Martin McGarry, midfielder Enda McGarry and my man of the match, team captain Seamus Dobbin.

The diminutive Dobbin covered every inch of the field in his attempt to lead his team to victory and particularly in the second half he gave his marker a testing time.

**Brendan ‘Chopper’ McGarry in action for Loughgiel during the 1988 minor final against Dunloy**

Tame start

The opening quarter was surprisingly tame as both teams found it hard to settle, with nerves obviously playing a big part. Nicolas McMullan opened Dunloy’s scoring after three minutes but with their danger man Alister Elliott being kept on a tight reign by Joe Butler the Dunloy forwards line lacked power and squandered several chances.

Elliott notched his first point from a free in the eleventh minute to put Dunloy 2-0 ahead but a well struck free by Enda McGarry soon afterwards brough Loughgiel to life and further points from Niall O’Hagan and Brian Gillan put the Shamrocks ahead.

Allister Elliott was again on target from a placed ball in the eighteenth minute to level scores but Loughgiel hit the front again with a well struck point off the ground by Donal Gillan. John Nolan put them two ahead with a nice point in the twenty third minute but within thirty seconds Dunloy hit back with a vengeance when centre half forward Nicholas McMullan struck a great goal off the ground to give them a lead which they were never to lose.

Gregory O’Kane put them two clear in the twenty fifth minute but Loughgiel fought back with points from Enda McGarry and Sean McIlhatton (a lovely score on the turn) to gain parity at the interval 0-07 to 1-04.

**Alastair Elliott started to make his presence felt when he move out to the half forward line at the start of the second half.**

Dunloy with Alister Elliott now operating at left half forward started the new half brightly with a point from Gregory O’Kane and one from an Elliot free inside two minutes.

Elliot was now starting to make his presence felt and he increased Dunloy’s lead when he kicked over a point in the ninth minute. Straight from the puck-out team captain Gary O’Kane collected and sent a long clearance to his brother Gregory who rifled in a great goal to put the holders six up. But within sixty seconds Loughgiel responded when an Enda McGarry solo run set up his brother Brendan for a lovely point.

The pace was now fast and furious as Elliott restored Dunloy’s six-point advantage from a free but Enda McGarry (who was now playing some inspired hurling despite a bad hand injury) brought it back to five again within a minute.

With McGarry and Dobbin in tremendous form Loughgiel had a great spell of pressure but they missed several chances as a solid Dunloy defence held out. They did however make the breakthrough in the nineteenth minute when corner forward Niall O’Hagan took advantage of a rare defensive mix up to hand pass a goal past the advancing Shane Elliott to cut their arrears to just two points.

It looked anyone’s game at this stage as Dunloy struggled to contain their challengers but just when the crown seemed to be slipping Elliot’s class shown through.

**Loughgiel’s** **Enda McGarry in action against Dunloy’s Gary O’Kane.**

Between the twenty fifth and twenty ninth minutes he slotted over four great points to kill off the Loughgiel challenge and just to put the icing on the cake for the champions Sean Stewart slammed in a goal in injury time following a goal mouth melee to leave them winners by nine points.

Apart from those already mentioned Dunloy had good players in Damien McKee, Gary O’Kane, Nicholas McMullan and Sean Stewart. Loughgiel’s other stars were Paul Carey, John Nolan, Niall O’Hagan and Brendan McGarry.

DUNLOY

S Elliott, D McKee, D Heggarty, G Cunning, A McIlhatton, G O’Kane, M Gillan, A McGilligan, M Maguire, S Stewart (1-00), N McMullan (1-01), P Traynor, G O’Kane (1-03), A Elliott (0-09), C Reilly Subs – P Molloy

LOUGHGIEL

P Carey, P McMullan, J Butler, M McNaughton, S Connelly, M McGarry, P Dillon, J Nolan, E McGarry (0-03), B Gillan (0-01), S Dobbin, B McGarry, S McIlhatton (0-01), D Gillan (0-01), N O’Hagan (1-01) subs – P McGarry, P McGarry

Ref – Tom Donnelly (Gael Uladh)