In his latest 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐈 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 video, Peter McNicholl interviews his All Saints club-mate, former Antrim county captain and Northern Ireland International footballer Clare Timoney. Clare is a woman with a story to tell as among her list of achievements is winning All Ireland Junior Title in 2009 & 2012 with Antrim, which included All Ireland Junior Player of Year in 2012. Representing Ulster in Interprovincials 2008,2009 and 2010 , winning four Down Ladies Senior Championships with Bredagh in 2009, 2010, 2016 and 2019. A North American Championship in 2010 with Mairead Farrells (Philadelphia) Football, Women’s Premiership League Champions with Linfield 2016 and 2019 – Representing Linfield in UEFA Champions League in 2018 and 2019, scoring a goal in 2018. Represented N.Ireland from Under 17, Under 19, Senior, finishing with 10 senior caps. Peter’s HOW I GOT THERE series is designed to show young people the journey and habits that local sportspeople have taken, to get to an elite level in sport. Hopefully, you or your kids can get some tips from it.
The winners of the 2020 Camogie Association Volunteer Awards have been announced and Rachel Neeson of Ahoghill is the Antrim winner.
These awards acknowledge the huge effort put in by our volunteers all over the country throughout the year. The winners of these awards will be honoured at an online event at 7pm on February 20th in conjunction with the Camogie Association Media Awards. The event will be streamed on the Camogie Association Facebook page.
Eileen Dunne will be the MC for the event in honour of her father Mick Dunne who three of our Media Awards are named after.
Five years ago today Cushendall hurlers recorded the biggest win in the club’s history when they beat Sarsfields of Galway in the All Ireland Club Hurling semi-final at Pairc Tailtieaan, Navan. They Ruairis had fallen at the semi-final hurdle many times over the years and despite coming so close on a number of occasions they just come up short. However the hurt of those defeats were all washed away on that February day in Navan when they beat the Galway champions with a bit to spare. They were two points to the good at half time but brilliant goals from Sean McAfee and Karl McKeegan sealed a fantastic victory. Reports of the game said Karl McKeegan poked the ball over the line into and empty net for the third goal, but in the Lurig Inn that night it was reported by a player wearing the 17 shirt that he soloed through from midfield, beating ten men on the way, to crash the ball home.
This is Brendan McTaggart’s report from the County Antrim Post.
Neill McManus gets Cushendall off to a flying start with a goal from a penaltyin the third minute. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
So often described as the ‘nearly men’ and a history of ‘also rans’, Cushendall have been here before and on eight occasions have come up short. Ruairi Og’s, the class of 2015-16 not only lifted the curse that has seemingly hung around the North Antrim men at this stage, they produced one of the best performances by an Antrim club in the All-Ireland series.
Let’s just put this into perspective before we delve into a glorious hours hurling for the Ruairi Og’s. The Galway hurling championship is one of the most competitive championships in the 32 counties, if not thee most. You have to go through hell and come back again to earn the right to be kings of the West and we’re talking about a county that has the most All-Ireland club winners among their ranks. Sarsfields are a fine side and on their journey to Navan, they never conceded one goal. On Saturday they conceded three to the runaway juggernaut that was, is, Cushendall.
Superior in every position, outplayed their opponents for the full hour and the score line probably flattered Sarsfields more than it did the Antrim Champions. All year, the Ruairi Og’s have fought tooth and nail but showed glimpses of brilliance which ultimately got them to this stage. At Páirc Tailteann Cushendall produced 60 minutes of brilliance.
No show without John! Wee John greets match referee Paud O’Dwyer before the game.
From the first whistle they had leaders everywhere on the pitch. A long ball into the heart of the Cushendall defence in the opening minutes was met superbly by Ryan McCambridge, winning a ball he probably had no right to do he burst out through the defence. Imperious, majestic and confidence boosting, it was the perfect start for him and his side. A minute later, Eoghan Campbell met the much vaunted Joe Cooney with a perfectly timed shoulder and unceremoniously put the Galway star on the turf with his legs in the air. Referee Paud O’Dwyer waved play on and the tone for the afternoon was set. The Antrim men were here for the fight and were ready for anything Sarsfields could throw at them, returning it with interest.
From the loose ball after Campbell dispossessed Joe Cooney, Shane McNaughton sent a delivery to the far side of the pitch. Sean McAfee rose above Cathal Murray and caught the sliotar with a glimpse of goal. The Cushendall forward was hauled to the ground by Murray before he could get his shot away, penalty. Three minutes in and the start that the Ruairi Og’s faithful were dreaming about on Friday night was transpiring in front of our very eyes. Neil McManus stepped up and fired his penalty low beyond Ciarán Dolan to give Cushendall the lead and one that they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the match.
Sarsfields got their first score of the match when Niall Morrissey converted a huge free two minutes later but they were living off the scraps if you could even call it that. The Cushendall defence was dominant while Joe Cooney was being given the fight of his life by Conor Carson. The Cushendall man was Cooney’s shadow for the majority of the first half and the Galway star was coming a distant second in that duel. Carson and Paddy McGill landed two points to increase the Cushendall advantage to four at the mid-way point of this Semi-Final and all this while playing into a substantial wind.
Sarsfields were being run ragged by the lively Cushendall forward line and the Cushendall defence, McCambridge in particular, were doing their best Gandolf impression – ‘You Shall Not Pass’. Another Morrissey free was cancelled out by a huge point from distance by the roaming McGill and everything was going to plan for the Antrim champions.
Two more frees from Morrissey cut the Cushendall advantage to two before McManus scored his first point from a free after 28 minutes. Corner forward Alan Ward scored Sarsfields first score from play in first half injury time and at the end of a pulsating half of hurling, the Antrim champions lead by two points.
Cushendall centre-back Eoghan Campbell in action against Sarsfields Kerril Wade.
As the wind and rain hammered down onto the carpet like surface at the short whistle, the Ruairi Og’s faithful rose to their feet and acclaimed their heroes as they disappeared down the into the bowels of the Páirc Tailteann stand. A thoroughly absorbing half of hurling, the questioned remained though, could Cushendall replicate their efforts in the second half? All through their Championship run, they went into the interval trailing whoever they have played. On Saturday they were in new territory. Two points up, playing with the wind and their supporters were beginning to dream of Croke Park. The Green Glens of Antrim was bellowing through the ground from the travelling Cushendall supporters as we prepared ourselves for 30 minutes of make or break hurling.
The first ten minutes of the second half was always going to be crucial. Keep things tight and take the game deep. Keep asking questions of the Galway men and keep the dream alive. What was to happen in the next five minutes was beyond the Ruairi’s wildest dreams.
McManus pointed a regulation free to settle the Antrim champions into the second half before they scored their second goal with the next attack. Again, Shane McNaughton sent a long delivery into McAfee who looked second favourite and had no right to catch the sliotar over Darren Skehill. McAfee managed to get free and bore down on the Sarsfields goal. Shortening his grip and raising his hurl, McAfee lashed the ball beyond Dolan to give Cushendall a six point lead. Another McManus free soon after made it a seven point lead and the Ruairi dream was becoming a reality.
YESSSS! Cushendall full-forward Sean McAfee celebrates after scoring a brilliant individual goal during the win over Galway champions Sarsfields in the AIB All Ireland Club Hurling Championship semi-final at Pairc Tailteann in Navan. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
Sarsfields had moved Joe Cooney to the edge of the square to free him from the shackles of Carson and it almost paid immediate dividends. A long ball from Morrissey was falling into the Cushendall six yard box and Eoin Gillan blocked the sliotar straight out into a crowd of players. Cooney grabbed possession and was swarmed but managed to find Ian Skehill whose effort from an acute angle was brilliantly saved by Gillan. From the resulting ’65 though, Sarsfields caught a break. Morrissey’s effort dropped viscously and Joe Cooney swung his hurl in mid-air deflecting the sliotar beyond Gillan.
Four points ahead with 20 minutes remaining, Cushendall’s reply was something that we’ve seen all year. Resilience personified. Two McManus points from placed ball, one from the brilliant Alec Delargy and Paddy McGill’s third of the afternoon put Cushendall into the driving seat once more. Sarsfields started the aerial assault that was always coming seeing how they scored their goal. Time and again they launched the ball towards Cooney on the edge of the square but Cushendall were simply immense. Blocking and hooking like their life’s depended on it, throwing their bodies on the line and doing everything they possibly could to deny Sarsfields. There were moments that even the most ardent of Cushendall supporter would have had their heart in their mouths, Sarsfields came close to breaching the Ruairi’s rear-guard but Cushendall defended like heroes.
With eight minutes remaining, the Galway champions scored their first point of the second half through Morrissey’s fifth free of the afternoon but it looked like too little too late. Eoin Gillan denied them a second goal when he superbly saved a Niall Quinn 21 yard free but Cushendall finished the match superbly. Two further McManus points, taking his tally to 1-7 for the hour opened a nine point cushion before substitute Karl McKeegan sealed the victory with an injury time goal.
Three goals against a team who just don’t concede goals, 12 point winners over the best that Galway has to offer and the dream lives on in Cushendall. Next stop Croke Park, where dreams become reality.
Man of the match Ryan McCambridge celebrates his team’s victory. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
STAR MAN – Ryan McCambridge
The Cushendall defence was immense for the hour on Saturday and every one of them could have easily taken this accolade. To keep a side with the attacking talent of Sarsfields to just 1-1 from play is a super human effort but in all fairness, I could have been writing this after ten minutes of Saturday’s match. McCambridge was outstanding form the first whistle and I lost count of the number of times he came clear with the ball for his side. You will go far to see as fine an individual performance as McCambridge put in on the biggest club game he has played for Cushendall. Tenacious, tough, outstanding in the air and oozed confidence. Sensational performance.
Cushendall
1. Eoin Gillan
2. Ryan McCambridge 3. Martin Burke 4. Aaron Graffin
5. David Kearney 6. Eoghan Campbell 7. Sean Delargy
Subs: 17. Karl McKeegan for C McNaughton (44) 19. Cormac McAllister D McNaughton (59)
Sarsfields
1. Ciaran Dolan
4. Eamonn Cleary 3. Darren Skehill 2. Cathal Murray
5. Niall Quinn 6. Kevin Hynes 7. Ronan Quinn
8. Joseph Cooney 9. Ian Fox
15. Alan Ward 12. Kerril Wade 10. Niall Morrissey
13. Ian Skehill 11. Noel Kelly 14. Kevin Cooney
Subs:
20. Ivan Kenny for I Skehill (45) 17. Joseph Burke for Wade (50) 18. Sean Kelly for Morrissey (52) 19. Eoghan Spellman for K Cooney (60)
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)
Cushendall manager John McKillop celebrates his team’s great victory. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
THE FANS
Cushendall fans who made the journey to Slane to cheer on their team
Fans mingle around on the field long after the final whistle
Sean McAfee celebrates with a young fan after the game
Ruairi Og fans pose for a pic
Assistant manager Barney Reid and his wife Rose
Ruairi Og fans in happy mood after their team’s great win
Former Cushendall and Antrim star Aidan AD Delargy with his wife Catriona, daughters Aoife, Naimh, Erin and Claidhna and father in law John Blaney in celebration mood
Three Antrim Players won All-Stars at the Gaelic Life virtual awards on Thursday night. The winners were Loughgiel’s Amy Boyle for her performances in the Shamrocks championship winning season. Boyle was steady throughout the 2020 championship campaign and was excellent in the final. A level headed performance around midfield helped Loughgiel win by 3-11 to 2-5. The other nominees were Ballycastle’s Maeve Kelly and Loughgiel’s Róisín McCormick.
Maeve Kelly, Ballycastle.
Roisin McComrick Loughgiel
The Antrim hurling All-Star went to Dunloy’s Paul Shiels. The Dunloy captain went off injured in the semi-final, but came back for the final and played a starring role. He’s still got it all. He can score, defend, and leads the team by example. The other nominees were Loughgiel’s Donal McKinley and Dunloy’s Ronan Molloy.
Donal McKinley, Loughgiel
Ronan Molloy, Dunloy
In football, Justin Crozier was named as the 2020 Gaelic Life All-Star. Crozier was reliable on the ball during this year’s championship and was a steadying influence in the full back line. Creggan’s full forwards only managed two points in the decider. The other nominees were Cargin’s James Laverty and Creggan’s Ruairi McCann.
Ruairi McCann, Creggan.
James Laverty, Cargin
A number of Antrim’s ladies footballers will be singled out for commendation for their part in last year’s championships in next week’s digital publication. The Gaelic Life All-Stars celebrated their tenth anniversary this year. Due to the coronavirus pandemic the publication could not hold its annual event as it usually would, with a gala ball and 600 guests. Instead the event was held digitally, with winners being announced online, and named by the GL team live via their social media platforms. Viewers who missed the live event streams can catch up by visiting the Gaelic Life Facebook page. The format also changed. In previous years, All-Stars would be presented in a team format based on performances from county and provincial competition. As there were no completed provincial competitions in 2020, the Gaelic Life team awarded four All-stars to each county, one for each code based on performances in their official senior knockout championship. Three nominations were presented, and fans voted online as to who they thought was best. Our journalists used those votes along with advice from well-placed individuals in each county to decide the outright winners. Gaelic Life Editor, Ronan Scott said: “We were disappointed that we could not mark our tenth anniversary in person, but we are living in difficult times, and everyone has had to adapt to change. So we had to as well. “We did want to make sure that we celebrated the effort of all those club players who worked so hard to compete and win their county titles. “From speaking to so many people involved in the GAA, the club championships across the province were a huge success and they provided so much enjoyment for fans. “Therefore it was only right that we made sure to mark their efforts, and we did our best to do so with the awards for the 2020 season. “Everyone on the Gaelic Life team want to thank those who took part in the voting, and to all those who have supported our publication in these difficult times. A special word of thanks to the team at McKeever Sports for their continued sponsorship of our awards. “We have also agreed that, all being well, our gala event will return in January 2022 to mark the 2021 club championship season.”
In 2011 we attended a game with a difference at Feystown, home of Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm where the home club were hosting the Dalriada Shinty/Hurling and what a day it turned out to be.
The event included a Camogie select v a Hockey select, a poc fada and skills competition, an under- age blitz competition a minor hurling game between the local club and neighbours Latharna Og from Larne while the big event on the Saturday was a hurling/shinty challenge between Shane O’Neill’s and Oban Celtic from Scotland
Swift, sea-going curraghs from the north-east coast of Ireland first shipped the caman and the ball, with Christianity and the Gaelic language, to Scotland. (Hutchinson, R. 1989. Camanachd: The Story of Shinty)
The game of shinty is known as Camanachd in scots Gaelic and the stick used in the game of hurling is called a Caman in Irish Gaelic, which shows just how much in common these games still have despite their geographical separation. Many of the rules and features within these games would be similar, although many people unfamiliar with the codes would liken them to field hockey, or even ice hockey. Shinty and hurling are considered to be the forebear of Ice Hockey, as a result of Gaelic immigrants travelling to Nova Scotia where the first recorded game was played in 1800.
The 2011 Dalriada Shinty/Hurling competition was hosted by the Shane Ui Neills Gaelic Athletic Club at their grounds, Pairc Fearsaith in Feystown on Saturday 18th June 2011. The similarities of the game of hurling and shinty were on display over the two days, with games between Shane O’Neills and Oban Celtic from Argyll taking place. There was also select Camogie teams playing games against an opposition from the hockey code, again demonstrating the similarities in skills between these two sports. Various skill competitions between the two codes took place prior and during interludes in the games, these included a poc fada (longest hit), ground striking and overhead striking.
Players at the time played in the intermediate leagues in their respective codes and it was anticipated that there would be a good blend of experience and youth on display in the fifteen man teams and the men from Shane O’Neill’s and Oban Celtic certainly didn’t disappoint. Games consisted of two halves of thirty-five minutes each and the compromise rules were used, which are common to both sports.
Over the course of the weekend there was an array of sporting talent on display, with underage blitzes, seven a side games, camogie and hockey matches, hurling and shinty games, minor and senior hurling league games taking place over the two day event.
Special guests on the day was Broadcaster Micheal O Muircheartaigh’s, the renowned GAA commentator who addressed the crowd in a specially erected marquee, Maeve Kyle the former Olympic runner and Kathleen O’Hara representing camogie, and tea and food was served to all at an event that proved to be an outstanding success.
This was the programme for both days:
Programme for Pairc Fearsaithe, Feystown Glenarm.
Saturday 18th June 2011
1pm – Camogie Select Vs Hockey Select
2.30pm – Poc fada & Skills competition
3pm – Under age blitz competition
3.30pm – Senior Shinty/Hurling – Shane O’Neills Vs Oban Celtic
5pm – Minor Hurling – Shane O’Neills Vs Latharna Og
Parking available and admission is free
Sunday 19th June
3pm – Shane O’Neills Vs McQuillans
Glenravel legend Tony M<cAuley, the man who brought Michael O’Muircheartaigh to Feystown
