Month / June 2021

by thesaffrongael

Murphy’s late trio wins it for Rossa

Antrim Hurling League Division 1

Ballycastle 0-21 Rossa 2-16

Three points in injury time by top scorer Deaglan Murphy seen Rossa snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Ballycastle in Sunday’s Doherty Woodshavings Division 1 league game at Pairc MacUilin. Rossa had held a slight edge for a good part of the game but when Ballycastle staged a alter recovery with points from Conor Boyd, Feargal McKiernan and Lorcan Donnelly to move two points clear nearing the end of normal time, it appeared they had done enough to secure the points. However Rossa hit back and a point from play and one from a free from Murphy tied things up. It looked odds on to end a draw but there was still time and when the chance presented itself Murphy kept his cool to cut through and tap over the winner.

Ballycastle started well and went four points up after six minutes with points from Mark McClean, Tommy McIlroy, Lorcan Donnelly and Ronan Laverty. It could have been even better had the home side not shot as many wides as well and they were made to pay when Daire Murphy soloed through and fired the ball to the Ballycastle net.

Dominic McEnhill and Ryan O’Neill added points to put Rossa ahead and they went on to lead by 1-5 to 0-6 at the first half water break and when centre forward Seaghan Shannon cut through for their second goal soon after the restart they appeared to be in control of the game.

However Shannon’s goal was to be his team’s last score of the opening half and Ballycastle fought back with a series of excellent points from Seamus McAuley and Conor Boyd to trail by just a point at half time.

A fantastic save from Ryan McGarry early in the second half prevented Rossa stretching their lead, thought they Shaw’s Road men did pull three ahead with two more Murphy points.  Ballycastle hit back with two well taken points from Ciaran Butler and for most of the second half it was score for score with just a point separating the sides.

When Ballycastle staged what they thought was a late comeback to move two clear they were well placed for the win, but Murphy’s three late points gained his team the win and ended a really exciting game.

BALLYCASTLE

Ryan McGarry, Oran Kearney, Cormac Donnelly, Mark McClean, Conor Boyd, Neal McAuley, Ronan Laverty, Jack Magowan, Rueben McClean, Lorcan Donnelly, Ciaran Butler, Seamus McAuley, Eamon Elliott, Tommy McIlroy, Feargal McKiernan.

ROSSA

Donal Armstrong, Dylan Magee, Eoghan O’Neill, Darragh Murphy, Conall Shannon, Stephen Shannon, Ciaran Orchin, Cormac McGettigan, Eoin Trainor, Dominic McEnhill, Seaghan Shannon, Daire Murphy, Owen May, Ryan O’Neill, Deaglan Murphy

REFEREE – Michael Hardy (Rasharkin)

by thesaffrongael

Erin’s Own GAC Cargin Presentation evening

Erin’s Own GAC, Cargin held their 2020 Presentation at their Toome club-rooms this evening. With Covid restrictions still in place the event was held outdoors with those in attendance treated to a barbecue with social distancing guidelines adhered to. It was a momentous event for the Cargin club who were celebrating a treble of senior football championship success and a minor football double.

  1. Volunteer award winners who were recognised at the Erin’s Own GAC presentation evening.

  1. The Cargin Minor team who were celebrating a famous two in a row.
  1. The U14 girls football team who were the 2020 county champions
  1. Minor footballer of the year, Paudie McLaughlin receives his award from the Minor management team, Pat McCann, Darren Craig and Brian McCann.
  1. Minor football team management team, Breian McCann, Darren Craig and Pat McCann receive awards from Cargin chairman, Gerard Laverty.
    1. Gerard Laverty presents the Minor Football Championship cup to team captain, Sean O’Neill
    1. The Cargin senior football side who celebrated a famous 3-in-a-row at the clubs presentation evening.
    1. Senior footballer of the year, Justin Crozier receives his award from senior team manager, Damian Cassidy.
    1. 2020 championship winning captain, Michael McCann receives the trophy from team manager, Damian Cassidy.
    1. The senior football management team, Damian Cassidy, Kevin Doyle and JC Devlin recieve awards from club chairman, Gerard Laverty at the club’s presentation evening. Missing from the photograph is Ronan Devlin.

    Cargin chairman, Gerard Laverty presents a cheque to Paddy McIlwaine who received it on behalf of the Saffron Gael at the Erin’s Own GAC Presentation evening

    by thesaffrongael

    Antrim are Ulster Junior Champions after final win over Derry

    TG4 Ulster Junior Football Championship Final 

    Antrim 4-17- 0-08 Derry 

    Kevin Herron reports from Davitt Park 

    Antrim hit 1-08 without reply in a blistering second half display to defeat neighbours Derry in this evenings TG4 Ulster Ulster Junior Ladies Final at Davitt Park.

    Goals from Cathy Carey and Meabh McCurdy proved the difference at the break as Antrim led 2-03-0-06 against a Derry side that needed to rely on their free taking to keep in touch.

    But the Saffrons stepped up the gears in the second period and further strikes from Caitlin Taggart and Thresea Mallon along with some excellent points in-between saw the hosts make it back-to-back junior successes.

    The scene was set for the Ulster neighbours to contest the first junior final in two years- after Covid prevented a decider last year and Davitt Park was a fantastic host venue.

    Antrim settled quickest and hit the front inside of sixty seconds. Ciara Brown and Emma Ferran worked the ball into the path of Grainne McLaughlin who picked out Cathy Carey for the opening point.

    They increased their advantage through a converted Caitlin Taggart free and Taggart notched up a point from play shortly after- thanks to some nice interchange from Meabh McCurdy.

    Derry hit back when Deirbhle McNicholl was fouled and converted the resulting free, moments after Brenna O’Loughlin had missed from a similar position.

    The opening goal arrived after eight minutes, Grainne McLaughlIn’s shot seemed to be initially dealt with by Derry keeper Louise Gunn, but the ball spilt, and Cathy Carey stabbed home from close range to give her side a 1-03-0-01 lead.

    Deirbhle McNicholl converted a free in response and the Oak Leaf girls had their third courtesy of McNicholl who swung over from play.

    The visitors closed the gap to two-points after Brenna O’Loughlin was fouled and she converted the resulting free.

    In the aftermath of the first half water break the Saffrons had their second goal.

    On 17 minutes Aine Tubridy ran onto a neat interchange with Ciara Brown and picked out Meabh McCurdy whose high shot dropped into the corner of the net past Gunn to make it 2-03-0-04.

    Derry ended the half on the front foot with Ella Rose Sainsbury charging forward and directing her shot between the posts and a converted Lead McGonagle free ensured that just three points separated the sides at the interval (2-03-0-06).

    Antrim started the second period brightly with three points on the spin from substitute Theresa Mallon, a Meabh McCurdy point from Aine Tubridy’s slipped pass and an Aoife Taggart score from in-front of the posts.

    Back-to-back frees were converted by Cathy Carey and Grainne McLaughlin swung over a terrific point a few minutes later.

    The hosts were well on top and Meabh McCurdy split the posts for her second point and from the resulting kick out the hungry hosts had their third goal of the evening.

    Cathy Carey read Louise Gunn’s kick-out and switched it to Aoife Taggart who quickly found sister Caitlin in space and Caitlin slipped the ball low to the net to make it 3-10-0-06.

    Carey popped over her third of the half to make it 1-08 unanswered with Derry replying through their fourth free taker of the afternoon- substitute Emma Doherty.

    But Antrim responded with another three scores in succession. Aine Tubridy burst forward and shot over with Caitlin Taggart and Theresa Mallon picking off further points between the water break. 

    Derry almost had a lifeline when Ciara McGurk went through on goal- but Anna McCann made herself big and turned away McGurk’s goal-bound effort.

    Cathy Carey extended the lead at the another over and Antrim found their fourth goal of the evening, after turning Derry over coming out of defence Theresa Mallon shot low to the net to make it 4-15-0-08.

    A fifth may have followed but Louis Gunn was equal to Meave McCurdy’s shot as the full forward was denied her second goal.

    Deirbhle McNicholl (free) and Meabh McCurdy traded points and the last score was a well taken Grainne McLaughlin point as Antrim ran out 4-17-0-08 winners to make it sucessive Ulster Junior successes. 

    Antrim: A McCann, N McIntosh, O Corr, R Hemsworth, A McFarland, M Blaney, A Tubridy (0-01), E Ferran, C Brown, N Enright, C Carey (1-05, 0-02f), G McLaughlin (0-02), A Taggart (0-01), M McCurdy (1-03) C Taggart (1-03,0-01f). Subs: N Webb for R Hemsworth (16), T Mallon (1-02) for O Corr (21), E Morgan for A Taggart (45), C Stewart for A Tubridy (51), N Coleman for C Taggart (54).

    Derry: L Gunn, N Brown, A McGough, G Conway, A Frizzelle, D Kivlehan, C Kirkpatrick, A McAllister, R McAllister, C McGurk, E-Rose Sainsbury (0-01), E Doherty, B O Loughlin (0-01f), D McNicholl (0-04, 0-02f), L McGonagle (0-01f). Subs: E Doherty (0-01f) for L McGonigle (35), K Lynn for E Doherty (45), C Moore for B O’Loughlin (48), B McMullan for C Kirkpatrick (48), A O’Loughlin for A Frizzelle (48).

    Referee: Kieran McKeever (Armagh)

    by thesaffrongael

    Saffrons defeated in return to Leinster Championship

    Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

    Antrim 0-22 Dublin 3-31

    Saturday June 26

    Brendan McTaggart reports from Pairc Tailteann

    It was a chastening return to the Leinster championship for Antrim as they succumbed to a 18 point defeat to Dublin.  The Dubs proved to be a step above what the Saffrons could produce on the day as they dominated after a close opening quarter.

    Dublin’s ability to win primary possession was remarkable on the day with their half forward line imperious, captain Danny Sutcliffe, my man of the match Donal Burke and Conor Burke in particular the heartbeat of a hugely impressive Dublin side.

    Conal Cunning shoots for goal near the end of the opening quarter but his shot is turned over the bar by Dublin goalkeeper Alan Nolan

    Dublin had 12 different scorers on the day with Donal Burke top scoring with 0-12 while their three goals came from the inside forward trio of Cian Boland, Ronan Hayes and Cian O’Sullivan.  Antrim’s defence struggled with the movement of the Dublin attack but the delivery into them from deep was measured and precise.  Dublin manoeuvred the sliotar expertly, intelligently and created chances at will throughout.

    Ciaran Clarke was Antrim’s top scorer with two of his nine points coming from play while Neil McManus finished with 0-6 beside his name.  Some of his scores in the opening half in particular enough to grace any pitch in the country.

    Trailing by eight points at the short whistle, Antrim competed well at the start of the second half but in nine minutes either side of the second half water-break Dublin kept Darren Gleeson’s men scoreless and scored 2-4 themselves to effectively end any hopes of a dream return to the Liam McCarthy for the Saffrons.

    Antrim manager Darren Gleeson reflected after the game that his side now know exactly where they need to be if they want to continue their upturn in fortunes.  He told us: “It was a difficult afternoon but we’ve been saying it all along and it’s not trying to play things down.  That’s a serious high level when you go into the Liam McCarthy.  The Joe McDonagh last year was a nice level and suited us maybe with the pace of play.”  The Tipperary native continued: “The League was another step up from that and we handled that well at times but that’s the level we need to get to and we didn’t get there today.”

    The Dubs were slick with their running off the shoulder and moved the Saffron defence from one side of the Navan pitch to the other as they manoeuvred the sliotar superbly.  Antrim just couldn’t reach those levels and Gleeson said it’s another massive step on this team of players journey together: “Our ball handling wasn’t at the level it needed to be.  Our ball handling was way off and our speed of thought.  Planting your feet to strike, you get away with that at a certain level.  You don’t get away with that at Liam McCarthy.”

    Antrim corner back Damon McMullan in action against Dublin’s Cian Boland

    Having suffered an eight point defeat to Dublin five weeks ago, there was hopes that the Saffrons would have learned from that outing in Parnell Park.  Gleeson told us they had prepared for the challenge: “The learnings was there but it wasn’t for the want of planning.  It’s just the execution didn’t happen today.  So for whatever reason, we’ll reflect and look at ourselves first as a coaching team and what we brought to the table then we’ll bring it to the players.  We’ll ask them the questions on Tuesday night and see how we can get back.

    “The boys have to experience that (intensity).  When was the last time an Antrim team experienced that level of intensity in a championship setting?  They’ll learn from it.  They have another game in two weeks’ time and let’s see what happens there.  A win brings you back into the championship so we’ll have to learn from this and get back at it on Tuesday night.”

    Neil McManus breaks clear of two Dublin defenders

    That match on July 10th will be against Laois who lost out to Wexford.  A play-off that will decide if Antrim’s season continues or if they will return to the McDonagh Cup in 2022.  After such a defeat, Gleeson and his backroom team will have a job on their hands to lift their side once more but the Antrim manager reiterated the faith he has in his squad: “It (lift the spirits) won’t be difficult at all.  This isn’t our first defeat, it isn’t my first defeat.  Teams get beaten and teams get the opportunity to bounce back.  Sometimes teams have to wait 12 months for it, this time we only have to wait 14 days.  There’s no one dead, it was a massive learning day for the lads.  Maybe we thought we could come out and turn it on but it doesn’t work like that.”

    That match in a fortnights’ time is scheduled for Portlaoise no matter the result.  Gleeson said they will do their homework no matter who they come up against: “Whatever opposition comes now is irrelevant.  If we don’t have ourselves right for the next day, it won’t matter.”

    TEAMS

    Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Gerard Walsh, Damon McMullan; Eoghan Campbell, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; James McNaughton, Keelan Molloy; Michael Bradley, Neil McManus, Niall McKenna; Seaan Elliott, Conal Cunning, Ciaran Clarke

    Subs: Conor McCann for S Elliott (27); Domhnall Nugent for N McKenna (49); Shea Shannon for M Bradley (49); Ryan McGarry for E Campbell (58); Ciaran Johnston for J Maskey (58)

    Scorers: C Clarke 0-9 (6f 1’65); N McManus 0-6; K Molloy 0-3; C Cunning 0-1; M Bradley 0-1; J McNaughton 0-1 (1f); C McCann 0-1

    Dublin: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell, Cian O’Callaghan; Daire Gray, Liam Rushe, James Madden; Rian McBride, Conor Burke; Danny Sutcliffe, Donal Burke, Chris Crummey; Cian Boland, Ronan Hayes, Cian O’Sullivan

    Subs: Jake Malone for Riain McBride (58); Oisin O’Rorke for C O’Sullivan (58); Fergal Whitley for D Sutcliffe (58); Sean Moran for C Burke (60); Paul Crummey for C Crummey (63)

    Scorers: D Burke 0-12 (4f); R Hayes 1-3; C O’Sullivan 1-2; C Boland 1-1; D Sutcliffe 0-3; C Crummey 0-3; R Burke 0-2; E O’Donnell 0-1; C Burke 0-1; O O’Rorke 0-1; F Whitley 0-1; S Moran 0-1

    Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)

    by thesaffrongael

    Sad day for Carey Faughs as Barnish PS closes it doors for the last time

    Carey Faughs senior player James Rocket Black and club treasurer Chris Campbell address the pupils at Barnish Primary School

    On Friday Carey Faughs player James Black and club treasurer Chris Campbell presented Barnish PS pupils with a farewell gift as they will be the last pupils to use the school before it closes. Barnish PS has a close connection to the Carey Faughs club as so many of their hurlers have come through the school over the years. As a token of the club’s gratitude, the club have provided the children with Carey backpacks and Sliotars so they can take a piece of Barnish PS and Carey Faughs wherever their education takes them next. Carey Faughs club wish all the staff and pupils the best of luck in the future and thank you for the school’s support of the club through the years. The club will be eternally grateful and we’ll no doubt see a few of those pupils wear the green and white in the not too distant future!