The Saffron Gael were out and about again yesterday evening to catch some of the action of team’s preparing for the new season. Dee McConville went along to Corrigan Park to get the Johnnies Senior Hurlers and new boss Brian McFall
We are delighted to hear the news that Aghagallon’s Bronagh Lennon has been appointed to the National Scór committee in Croke Park by newly appointed GAA President Larry McCarthy. This is a fantastic opportunity for Bronagh and a great privilege for the club and County. To serve on a National committee is a huge honour and a testament to the hard work and dedication that Bronagh has given to Scór in Antrim over the last number of years.
Bronagh is no stranger to Scór. She has competed at both Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsir levels, having great success as a member of our Ballad Group and even took part in the quiz and Rince Foirne competitions. As well as being a competitor, before her involvement at County level, she was a mentor for younger scór competitors within the club. She holds 7 County titles, 5 Ulster titles and a coveted All Ireland medal in the ballad group section. Following the success of the ballad group in 2015, they performed at the Senior All Ireland Hurling Final in Croke Park and they also received an Ulster President’s Award.
After being appointed as County Cultural Officer for County Antrim in 2015, Bronagh served on the Antrim County Board and Ulster Scór and Irish Language Committees, bringing a new lease of life to Scór in Antrim and taking the competition levels in the County to new heights. During her period as Cultural Officer, Antrim hosted a number of Ulster semi -finals as well as the All Ireland Final in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall in 2017. Antrim Scór competitors saw much success during this time, winning a number of Ulster titles in both Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsir, including 3 All Ireland Scór na nÓg titles. Over the lockdown period, she continued to keep Scór alive with a wide range of online activities such as Culture week, a six week Scór singing programme, virtual scór and an online concert for Seachtain na Gaeilge as well as the virtual performance of the green glens of Antrim. We wish Bronagh every success in her 3 year term on Coiste Náisiúnta Scór in Croke Park. Ádh mór ort!
Like most dual clubs Tir na nOg split their panels with the hurlers taking preference on Tuesday night and the footballers doing the same on Friday. When I was there last night hurling manager JP McLarnon has the bulk of the squad while Mick O’Kane was working withe the squad members who play only football.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
All Ireland Hurling Championship Round 2 2011
Antrim 1-13 Carlow 2-9
Another day out in Championship 2011 with the Saffrons entering this encounter on the back of a nine-point win over Westmeath last weekend.
Carlow, on the other hand, had not seen action since their Leinster Championship defeat to Westmeath on 22 May.
With the Ulster side at home, the odds favoured their progression to Phase III, and a chance to have a cut at some of the bigger fish.
In 2010, Antrim shocked Dublin to set up an All-Ireland quarter-final date with Cork.
Reaching the last eight again would be another huge achievement for Dinny Cahill’s side.
Against Westmeath the previous week the northerners were always in control, with Neil McManus again their scorer in chief, helped by Conor McCann’s early goals.
Carlow, with home advantage, were expected to get their Leinster campaign off to a winning start on home soil, but they gave away three soft goals against a Westmeath outfit, who had just come off a pointless campaign in the League.
The performance by Kevin Ryan’s side on the day was well below par and the manager would have a huge job in getting his charges motivated for the trip north.
Nine points from Neil McManus were the difference between Antrim and their opponents in this encounter. The sides were level at 0-9 apiece at the break and while the score line remained
Relatively close throughout the second period, the Saffrons had just enough between McManus and his colleagues to stay ahead.
Having lost to Donegal in the first round of the Ulster football championship in 2011, things weren’t looking too bright for Liam Bradley’s Saffron’s but Antrim picked themselves up of the ground to put a couple of descent results together in the qualifiers before falling heavily to Down in Round 3.
We were at Casement Park for Antrim’s opening game in Round 1 against Westmeath. It was a good day for Antrim Gaels with their hurlers featuring in a double bill which saw them defeat Carlow in Round 2 of the All Ireland Hurling Championship to record a memorable double.
All Ireland Football qualifiers-Round 1
Antrim 0-16 Westmeath 1-7
All Ireland Football Qualifiers 2011
Longevity is something that always impresses me about GAA men and as I looked back at some of the photographs from this game I noted that players like Michael McCann, Paddy Cunningham, Conor Murray, Kevin O’Boyle Tomas McCann, and Ricki and Martin Johnston were in the Antrim side that defeated Westmeath that day and all were involved in last year’s panel while Justin Crozier has returned to the panel following a few years absence.
Antrim’s footballers came back from conceding an early goal against Westmeath at Casement Park to win their first-round qualifier in style. The Lake County couldn’t take advantage of their promising start but Antrim reacted well and led 0-8 to 1-3 at the break. Westmeath did level matters in the second half but, despite the introduction of Dessie Dolan, the Saffrons had enough to hold on.
