Month / November 2020

by thesaffrongael

Glenarm recorded a historic double in 1995

Down Memory Lane

Twenty-five years ago Glenarm hurlers completed a historic double when they beat Carey in the Intermediate Reserve Hurling final and St Enda’s in the Intermediate final. What made it extra special was they did in on the same day at Casement Park, one of the greatest days in the club’s history.

Intermediate Hurling Championship final

Glenarm 2-10 St Enda’s 1-8

St Joseph’s Glenarm won their third Intermediate Hurling Championship when they beat St Enda’s in the final at Casement Park in September 1995, to complete a unique double. Earlier in the day their Reserve team set the tone for a historic day when they beat Carey Faughs in the Intermediate Reserve decider.

Hurling Board secretary Tony Mulvenna, himself a proud Glenarm man, presents the Intermediate Championship Cup to Sean Waide

Having beaten St Enda’s twice in their league campaign the Glenarm men went into the Intermediate final as favourites and they went in front early on with a point from Hugh Marin McKay. Liam Valllely brought St Enda’s back on terms when he sent over from close range but Glenram regained the lead when Seamus O’Kane pointed in the fifth minute and when Oliver Mulvenna added another one minute later they were two clear.

Two more pointed frees by Vallely restored parity once again before man of the match Sean Waide soloed forward from the half back line to send one over and give the Glenarm men back the lead in the sixteenth minute. Vallely scored another point from a free but Waide again began the charge to lead them to a 1-6 to 0-4 interval lead. He sent over a long range points and soon after Sean O’Neill showed his football skills when he kicked the ball the St Enda’s net, then Waide added another point to give his team a five point cushion at the break.

Paul McGarry gave St Enda’s fresh hope when he sent over a point

Immediately after the break Paul McGarry gave St Enda’s fresh hope when he sent over a point, but Liam Magill restored Glenarm’s five point cushion with a similar score at the other end. Tony Morgan responded with one more for the Glengormley men but Glenarm took a giant stride towards victory when a Kevin McKay point was followed by a John Rossborough goal. Oliver Mulvenna and Sean O’Neill stretched the gap even further, and though Vallely and Brendan Prenter grabbed too late points for St Enda’s the Intermediate trophy was on its way back to Feystown.

Hugh Magill, Seamus Dobbin, Francis Magill, Brendan Ward, Sean Waide, Seamus O’Kane, Liam Magill, Kevin McKay, Jim Petticrew, John Rossborough, Pat O’Neill, Oliver Mulvenna, Paddy O’Kane, Sean O’Neill, Hugh Martin McKay.

Subs – Gareth McLaughlin, Eamon Matthews, Kevin Davey, Bryan O’Neill, Owen McGarrell, John Magill.

Manager Liam McAuley

Glenarm legend Frank Ward hand passes the ball to safety during the Intermedite Reserve Final win over Carey Faughs

Intermediate Reserve Final

Glenarm 5-6 Carey Faughs 1-2

That victory for the Intermediate side completed a historic double for the Glenarm men as before the that final their Intermediate Reserve side had beaten North Antrim rivals Carey Faughs in their final by 5-6 to 1-2.

Owen McGarrel got them off to the perfect start when his delivery from a 65 went all the way to the Carey net. Carey pulled a point back through Gerard McAuley but when Kevin Mulvenna soloed through for Glenarm’s second goal they were in a strong position. However Sean McCormick pulled a point back for the Faughs it was game on again. Glenarm got back a bit of control again with points from Kevin Mulvenna and Donal McAuley as they went three clear.

When Donal McAuley dropped in another high ball around the Carey square it also ended in the net and with and when Dessie Matthews got a fourth goal for the Feystown men they were in control at half time, leading by 4-4 to 1-1

The second half saw more of the same as Glenarm pushed on to victory, with Carey registering just one score in the second half.

GLENARM

Lawrence McKenna, Kevin Robinson, Frank Ward, John Magill, Michael Mulvenna, Kevin Davey (captain), Neil Morgan, Bryan O’Neill, Owen McGarel, Donal McAuley, Dessie Matthews, Jock Mellon, Terence Mulvenna, Kevin Mulvenna, Willie Mitchell.

Subs – Gareth McLaughlin, Eamon McAuley, Martin Davey, Charles Mulvenna, Eamon Matthews.

Manager – Sean Waide

by thesaffrongael

Local businesses support Antrim Camogs

The Antrim Camogie Board chairman Vincent Boyle this weekend accepted two sponsorship cheques towards the provision of gear for the senior camogie team ahead of next Saturday’s liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate camogie final.

The Glenshesk Bar in Ballycastle and McAtamneys Butchers had come on board before the semi-final win over Laois and Vincent thanked them very much for their support.

Ciarán McIlroy of the Glenshesk Bar presenting a cheque for body tops to Antrim team manager Paul McKillen and player Niamh Ann Donnelly with county chairman Vincent Boyle in attendance

“2020 has been a very difficult year for everyone and particularly for those in business. McAtamneys are a very popular business in the north Antrim – east Derry area and they have had to adapt to all the changes that COVID 19 has thrown at them.

Declan McAtamney of McAtamney Butchers presents a cheques for training coats to top-scoring Antrim forward Nicole O’Neill in the Ballymoney branch of the business accompanied by Vincent Boyle, Camogie Board chairman.
 

“The Glenshesk Bar, like all businesses involved in the hospitality sector, has suffered more than most this year and has not been able to open its door for a good part of 2020.

“This means that it is all the more commendable that Ciarán McIlroy was quick to come on board as we progressed through the championship.

“We sincerely thank both sponsors for their support and we ask that our clubs and their friends support both these local businesses.”

by thesaffrongael

Club Presentation evenings up and running

This week we launched this feature offering clubs the opportunity to select their various internal award winners from 2020 and Wolfe Tones got us on the way with their selections. During the week I emailed every club in Antrim to remind them of our initiative and we look forward to hearing from you in the coming week.

We would also appeal to clubs who have not made a donation to the Saffron Gael website this year to do so as we need your donations to keep the site going.

I have again included the article which was published last week and look forward to your response. This is an opportunity to highlight your club’s achievements in very difficult circumstances in 2020 and while there is no substitute for the annual dinner, this is the next best thing

Club Presentation evenings cancelled but we offer you the next best thing

Saffron Gael offers club player of the year opportunity

As we head into this period of the year where we at the Saffron Gael would be getting ready for the club Annual Dinner@ Presentation evenings we are saddened by the fact that those presentation are very unlikely to happen this year.

The scourge of Covid19 has had a devastating effect on life in general throughout the world and here in Ireland and while we are all grateful that we have been able to have a restricted season on the GAA playing field, our presentation evenings are likely to fall foul to the pandemic.

Since our launch, over four years ago the Saffron Gael has attempted to attend as many of those presentation evenings as possible and subsequent viewing figures suggest that the annual dinner and presentation is one of the most popular events in the club’s calendar year.

While those awards are now put on hold we at the Saffron Gael offer each and every club in Antrim the next best thing but for it to be a success we need the full co-operation of each and every club.

Here is what we want you to do:

  1. Select your player of the year in every code.
  2. Send us a photograph of that player and a short write up about each individual award winner.

We will publish those photographs, club by club as we normally do when we attend club dinners and while there is nothing like the real thing, we think this will prove to be a very popular feature.

So club committees, chairperson, secretaries get in touch with your football, hurling, camogie and ladies football team mentors and ask them to select the various award winners from each team.

  1. Player of the Year
  2. Sports-person of the year
  3. U21 Player of the Year
  4. Minor Player of the year
  5. Club Person of the Year
  6. Any other category you would like to add

Forward your award winners names and photographs with a few lines as to why they were selected for the award and the name of your club. (In some instances we may have a photograph of your player should you be unable to get a photograph)

Send your selections and photographs to ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk or to john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons sail to final after shaky start

Joe McDonagh Cup – Round 4

Antrim 2-30 Meath 3-10

Saturday November 28

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pairc Tailteann, Navan

Job done.  After a shaky start where the Saffrons looked edgy and nervy, Antrim put in a near complete performance under the winter sun in Navan.  They outscored, outmanoeuvred, overpowered and dominated Meath.  Relentless yet controlled aggression.  Massive intensity and skill with touches from heaven as they took apart the Meath challenge. 

On a day where there was a possibility of the unthinkable, Darren Gleeson’s side fought some early inner demons before warming to the challenge.

Some stats. Everyone loves a good stat. 2-30 scored, 2-20 from play. 10 different scorers with three of the changes coming off the bench adding their name to the score sheet. Just eight wides throughout the 70 minutes and while goal chances came and went, this was an efficient, economical and powerful performance that showed the Saffrons have little sign of dropping their standards.

Man of the match Michael Bradley who hit eight points from play

If anything they’re raising them.  In McDonagh Cup campaigns gone by, they had the odd performance that gave us hope.  Kerry in Dunloy, Offaly in Tullamore, Meath in Pairc Tailteann.  This year, they’re building.  A crescendo of saffron and white that has taken them to the grandest stage of them all.  Croke Park on the biggest hurling day of the year.

In Pairc Tailteann, they were unyielding.  Once they got on top, Antrim didn’t look like lifting the proverbial foot from their opponents throat.  There was the odd moment after the opening quarter where the home side looked threatening but those could be counted in one hand such was the dominance of the Saffrons.  Ciaran Clarke was at his impish best once again top scoring with 0-12 (10f) while Michael Bradley was immense.  Five points in a breath taking first half and a further three after the half time whistle, the St Johns man played his best match of the year in a performance the Royals couldn’t live with.  Conor McCann failed to score a goal for the first time since February and while he had a couple of chances, the Antrim captain’s tussle with Shane Brennan was fascinating.  More for the lack of frees McCann received than anything but another strong performance with two points and in the thick of the action at all times.

Mattie Donnelly breaks out of defence to clear the danger

Nine points unanswered either side of half time proved to be the pivotal moment for Antrim and they racked up their biggest score of the year to send a message to the Kingdom, they are up for the challenge.

It was an uncertain start by the Saffrons as Meath took the fight to them in the opening quarter.  Jack Walsh and Ciaran Clarke opened the scoring but the home side scored the opening goal in the fifth minute.  James Kelly sending the sliotar long and with Walsh and Mattie Donnelly contesting on the edge of the square, the sliotar dropped into the net.

Antrim couldn’t find their fluency and Meath were quick to take advantage where they could.  James Kelly, Darren Kelly (free), Patrick Potterton and Patrick O’Hanrahan (free) got their scores to open a three point lead at the water break.  Clarke (two), James McNaughton, Conor McCann and Michael Bradley getting their names on the scoresheet for the Saffrons.

Antrim were still looking for fluency and Meath opened a four point lead before McKenna and McNaughton combined for the piece of magic the Saffrons required to spark them into life.  Combining beautifully to cut through the Royal’s defence, McKenna applied the finish to the bottom corner in the 25th minute.

Meath responded with O’Hanrahan’s second free of the game but Antrim and Bradley took over.  A run of six points unanswered, three from Bradley, two frees from Clarke and one from McCann gave the Saffrons a four point lead at the interval – 1-13 to 1-9.

Niall McKenna’s goal ten minutes before half time really settled the Saffrons

The Saffrons continued their vein of form after the restart with McNaughton, Campbell and Clarke (free) extending their lead to seven.  Meath brought an end to their scoring drought in the 42nd minute with their second goal.  Stephen Morris collecting the sliotar after a fumble in the Saffron defence and drilling home from 25 yards.

That was their last score for 23 minutes however as Antrim went through the gears.  A trio of points from Ryan McGarry, Clarke (free) and Bradley preceded their second goal in the 49th minute.  The sliotar was sent across the pitch where Dan McCloskey’s first touch in the air took him away from two Meath defenders and through on goal.  A delightful touch from the Loughgiel man that put him clear and he made no mistake with his chance.

Ciaran Clarke sends over his twelfth point of the game

A further run of seven unanswered points with Clarke’s accuracy from frees (three) along with scores from Michael Bradley and substitutes Nicky McKeague, Damon McMullan and Domhnall Nugent ensured the Saffron exhibition continued.

Daithi McGowan pointed in the 65th minute to give Meath their only white flag of the second half but Antrim continued in their pursuit of hurling happiness.  Bradley scoring his eighth before a brace from Clarke (one free) and McKeague’s second took them to 2-30.

Meath finished the scoring with substitute Damien Healy’s 21 yard free deflecting into the net but it was a mere blip in what was a quite superb second half by the Saffrons. 

A fourth meeting with the Kingdom in two weeks time, a chance to get their hands on the McDonagh Cup for the first time and their first time to play at All-Ireland final Sunday in 31 years.

The season goes into additional time, eyes still fixed on the main prize.  Croke Park awaits.

Substitute Domhnal Nugents breaks through the Meath defence before popping a hand pass out to Ciaran Clarke

TEAMS

Antrim: Conor McAllister; Phelim Duffin, Matthew Donnelly, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry; Eoghan Campbell, Aodhan O’Brien; Niall McKenna, James McNaughton, Michael Bradley; Dan McCloskey, Conor McCann, Ciaran Clarke

Subs: Damon McMullan for G Walsh (45); Domhnall Nugent for C McCann (45); Nicky McKeague for N McKenna (50); Eoin O’Neill for D McCloskey (60); Conor Johnston for R McGarry (65)

Scorers:  C Clarke 0-12 (10f); M Bradley 0-8; N McKenna 1-00; D McCloskey 1-00; C McCann 0-2; N McKeague 0-2; J McNaughton 0-2; E Campbell 0-1; R McGarry 0-1; Domhnall Nugent 0-1; D McMullan 0-1

Meath: Charlie Ennis; Sean Geraghty, Shane Brennan, Michael Burke; Shane Whitty, Darren Kelly, Ben McGowan; Alan Douglas, Padraic O’Hanrahan; James Kelly, Stephen Morris, Daithi McGowan, Patrick Potterton, Keith Keoghan, Jack Walsh

Subs: Patrick Conneely for S Geraghty (29); Damien Healy for J Walsh (47); Jack McGowan for S Morris (51); Nicholas Potterton for P O’Hanrahan (65);  Eamon O’Donnchadha for K Keoghan (65)

Scorers:  J Kelly 1-1; S Morris 1-00; D Healy 1-00 (1-00 f); A Douglas 0-2; P O’Hanrahan 0-2 (2f); P Potterton 0-1; K Keoghan 0-1; J Walsh 0-1; Darren Kelly 0-1 (1f); Daithi McGowan 0-1

Referee: David Hughes (Carlow)