Month / May 2021

by thesaffrongael

Two out of two for St. Comgall’s

ACFL Division 3

St. Comgall’s Antrim 0-15 Eire Og 1-6

Having beaten Pearses in their opening league game St. Comgall’s Antrim made it two out of two when they travelled to Belfast and recorded a six point win over a battling Eire Og. It was tough going at times and the Antrim town men didn’t get it all their own way against an Eire Og side who were set up well defensively and hard to break down.

St. Comgall’s stuck to their task however with Miles Devine converting a free and Paddy Quinn (0-2), Dylan Murdock, Dannan O’Hara and Ruairi Griffen all on target to leave them leading 0-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle but it was still all to play for at this stage.

St. Comgall’s got on top during the second half and with ten minutes remaining they had moved ten points ahead and appeared to be coasting to victory but the home side refused to give up and came back with a great goal to momentarily lift their hopes.

It was too little too late however as the damage had been done and a late point from Caolan O’Loan saw St. Comgall’s cross the line 0-15 winners. It looks like being a tight league however as they now join O’Donnell’s, Rasharklin, Naomh Padraig Lisburn and St. Agnes on four points from two starts and they face a tough away fixture at Kirkwood Park on the 30th May in their next fixture.

Naomh Comgall: A Watson, C McAuley, C McCabe, C McKeown, P O’Connor, D O’Hara, D Murdock, J McCabe, A McGaw, T Patchett, M Devine, C O’Loan, R Griffen, J Webb, P Quinn

Referee: Barry Hotchkiss (Glenavy)

Division 3 Results

Pearses 3-12 O’Donnell’s 6-13

Laochra Loch Lao 2-8 St. Agnes 1-13

Ballycastle 0-6 Rasharkin 0-12

Eire Og 1-6 St. Comgall’s 0-15

St. Malachy’s 2-7 Naomh Padraig 2-10

Reminder to PRO’s if you wish to have your games included on the Saffron Gael site then send your report to ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk or john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk

by thesaffrongael

Aldergrove claim the bragging rights

ACFL Division 2

St.James’ Aldergrove 2.10 v 0.06 St.Joaeph’s Glenavy

Aldergrove gained the bragging rights against their local rivals with a 10-point winning margin in Crumlin last night. Glenavy could have finished closer if they had taken their scores, particularly in the first half. Even though the hill side finished with 12 players the game was played in the right spirit. There was man the match performances from James Trowlen with seven points (6 frees) and Gerard Mallon with two goals.

James Trowlen was first on the score sheet with a pointed free before Fergal Henry levelled matters when he slotted over at the other end. James Trowlen added two more points from frees before Gerard Mallon scored his first goal to put the home side in a strong position. The ever-reliant Trowlen extended the lead with another point from a free as the home side enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and while Glenavy were creating plenty of chances they were throwing away chance after chance because of their wayward shooting. Fergal Henry stopped the flow with an excellent point from play and Fergal Green split the posts from a placed ball. Fittingly man of the match James Trowlen brought the half to a close with a pointed free.                                                              

Halftime score St.James’ 1.05 v 0.03 St.Joseph’s

The second half started with a point from a Fergal Henry free as Glenavy closed the gap to four but they were struck a blow when they had a player red carded soon afterwards. Glenavy continued to enjoy the better of the early second half exchanges however and Fergal Green split the posts from a long distance free to leave just three between the sides. Aldergrove were in need of a score to reignite their challenge and once again that lad Trowlen delivered, knocking over two more frees. Aldergrove responded and Gerard Mallon closed the game out when he found the net for his second goal. The ‘Orangemen’ then lost a second player for a second yellow card as Eoin Gough joined the scorers with a point from play. Already down to 13 men Glenavy’s problems were compounded when they had compound when they had a player black carded and Chris O’Kane and Glen Dunham took advantage with their sides final two points before Fergal Henry finished the scoring with a pointed free just before the final whistle.                                             

 Referee Fionatan McCotter

Aldergrove: S. O’Neill; E. Irvine S. Gorman; T. O;Callaghan; E. Gough; C. McVeigh; C. Browning; R. Owens; G. Mallon; E Masterson; J. Trowlen; C. O’Kane; R. McCarthy; C. Jones; G. Dunham; L. Fleming; O Graham; F. Burke.

Glenavy: L. Murphy; O. Brankin L. D. Henry; S. McGirr. D. Doherty; C. Gallagher.   R.  Forester; O. Hamill; M. Johnston; P. Gallagher; M. Doherty  F. Green; F. Henry; P. Treanor;  C. Loney; F. Cunningham; C. Grant; F. Malley; E. McGarry; R. Phillips 

referee – Fiontan McCotter.

by thesaffrongael

McGarel leads the Oisin’s to victory

North Antrim Minor Hurling Championship – Darragh Cup

Cushendalll Ruairi Og 1-7 Glenariffe Oisins 2-18

Glenariffe Oisins made a good start to their Darragh Cup campaign when they travelled to the other side of the Red Arch and beat Cushendall in Wednesday evening’s opening round-robin game at Pairc Mhuir.

Ahead from as early as ten seconds into the game, when corner forward John V Morgan grabbed a goal, the Oisins were always sin command of the game and when they added a further three points through Odhran Gillan and Nial McGarel (2) they were six clear.

Cushendall hit back when Darach Bradley found the net at the other end two more from McGarel had the visitors five up on the ten minute mark. McGarel added another point on 18 minutes, this time from a free, before the home team replied with points from Killian McNaughton and Padraig McKillop to stay in touch. McGarel continued to pick off the scores, adding two more, and Brogan O’Connor also chipped in with one and by half time they were 1-9 to 1-3 to the good.

Joseph McAuley got the opening score of the second half for Cushendall but the Oisins hit back with three in a row from McGarrel. McLaughlin interrupted the flow of scores with another point for Cushendall but once again the Oisins full forward hit three without answer to all but take the game away from the ‘Dall

Killian McNaughton came back with a Cushendall point but their slim chances were sunk when Brogan O’Connor grabbed Glenariffe’s second goal.

by thesaffrongael

ACFL Div One and Two (reserve) Previews

Friday 21st May (All games at 7.15)

The third round of the reserve football leagues continue on Friday evening with a full list of fixtures scheduled for both divisions.

Division One

St Mary’s Ahoghill v St John’s

St John’s retain an unbeaten record to date after gaining the points at the expense of their close rivals Rossa in round one before sharing the spoils with St Galls in their second outing and they will travel out to Clooney expected to gain the day.

Kickham’s Creggan v St Mary’s Aghagallon

Creggan have claimed the points in their sole outing to date when they proved too strong for Ahoghill and they may well continue in winning ways again in this one as Aghagallon, without a positive return to date visit.

Erin’s Own Cargin v Gort na Mona

Having started with a win over the visiting Casement’s,  Cargin failed to make it a double when they lost out to St Brigid’s in their second game but they may well return to winning ways in this one.

O’ Donovan Rossa v St Brigid’s

Rossa having failed to earn a point from their outings to date will most likely face another severe test again in this one as they play hosts to the previously unbeaten St Brigid’s.

St Gall’s v Casement’s Portglenone

After their opening demise at the hands of Cargin Portglenone proved too strong for Rossa in their second outing and they may face another stern test in round three when the Bannsider’s pay a visit to Milltown and meet up with St Gall’s.

Division Two

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Paul’s

Moneyglass have gained back to back wins to date and although they may well face a stiff test in this one as the similarly undefeated St Paul’s viisit the Marian Hill side may well gain the points.

All Saint’s Ballymena v St Comgall’s Antrim

Ballymena based All Saint’s were impressive in their single outing to date with a big win at Whitehill and they will start as strong favourites in this one as St Comgall’s pay a visit in search of an opening win.

Tir na nOg Randalstown v Con Magees Glenravel

Having failed to cope with the visiting All Saint’s in round one Tir na nOg will seek a better return this time as Con Magees pay a visit and ground advantage may well tip the balance in favour of the Whitehill men.

St Mary’s Rasharkin v St. James Aldergrove

Having failed to gain a win from their two games to date Rasharkin may well struggle in this one as the unbeaten Aldergrove visit Dreen and an away win does look in prospect.

by thesaffrongael

Teamkit are the new sponsors of the Antrim Senior Camogs

Teamkit Ballymena are absolutely delighted and proud to be the new sponsors of the Antrim Senior Camogie Team. We have been involved sponsoring equipment for a few years but have been keen on linking up with the Antrim County Board to formalise an arrangement for the seniors for some time and are delighted with the result.

The atmosphere within the panel and management has been super and with last years vast improvement on the pitch ,  Teamkit want to put the shoulder to the wheel and add our help and expertise to the group and help the Board/Team and help them in their preparations.

The jerseys, which have a unique watermark featuring all the clubs in the county, were launched at a famous Antrim landmark, Red Bay Castle on the north Antrim coast, last Friday evening

Niall and Brian Kearney of Teamkit Ballymena present one of the new Senior Camogie jerseys to team captain Lucia McNaughton at last week’s launch at Red Bay Castle. Included are L-R, Katie McKillop, Maeve Kelly, Maeve Connolly, Niamh Donnelly, Chloe Drain, Coleen Patterson and Emma Laverty

Our main focus is to help raise the profile of the Camogie with in Antrim , but particularly the senior Team, we believe that the senior teams have been under invested in over the years in comparison to the men’s teams and the help we will provide will be Player Driven. If Teamkit can make committing to Antrim Camogie a more enjoyable experience we will be delighted.

As a Brand we feel that Teamkit fits in perfectly with Antrim Camogie, we are in close proximity to the clubs and want to help grow with the support of the clubs, The positivity from County team, will hopefully filter down to the clubs benefiting all!!

We wish Paul, Jim and Elaine and the Team every success in 2021

At last week’s launch at Red Bay Castle. L-R, Coleen Patterson, Niamh Donnelly, Emma Laverty, Maeve Connolly, Lucia McNaughton, Maeve Kelly, Chloe Drain and Katie McKillop.
Team members, plus Niall and Brian Kearney of Teamkit Ballymena with team coach Elaine Dowds (front left), county board secretary Claire Toal, county PRO Seamus McAleenan (back left) and county chairman Vincent Boyle (back right)