Month / August 2021

by thesaffrongael

Antrim are in All Ireland semis, despite five point loss to Wicklow

TG4 All Ireland Ladies Junior Football Championship

Wicklow 1-17 Antrim 1-12

Despite losing by five points to Wicklow in Sunday’s Round 4 game at Mullahoran Co Cavan in the All Ireland Junior Championship, Antrim have secured a place in the semi-finals of the All Ireland championship. Last year’s beaten finalists Wicklow looked to be heading for a big win when they moved eight clear early in the second half, but Antrim battled back to cut the gap to just five at the final whistle. 1-17 to 1-12.

Aoife Taggart got Antrim off to a good start with the first point of the game on two minutes but Wicklow came back with points from Marie Keeley and Maebh Deeney to edge ahead by the fourth minute. Antrim were holding their own with last year’s finalists and they got a great boost on nine minutes when a brilliant move from midfield saw Aoife Taggart weave her way through the Wicklow defence and fire the ball to the net to give her team a two point lead.

However Wicklow took control of the game at this stage and during the next ten minutes added a series of excellent points, two from Sarah Delahunt, and one each from Maebh Deeney Catherine Dempsey and Laurie Ahern to move three clear by the 19th minute. Grainne McLaughlin and Caitlin Taggart kept Antrim well on track with two points in the 20th and 25th minutes but Wicklow finished the half strongly and points from Kealy, Dempsey and Ahern had them four ahead at half time. (0-11 to 1-4)

A goal just two minutes after the restart by Wicklow left half forward Clodagh Fox was to prove a bad body blow for the Saffrons, but the fought their way back into the game as Grainne McLaughlin hit two excellent points. Maebh Deeney grabbed two points for Wicklow in the 39th and 40th minutes and the gap was out to eight by the second half water break.

During the final quarter Antrim upped the pace, holding Wicklow to just two more points while up front the forwards set about reducing the gap. Grainne McLaughlin started the fightback with a point on 48 minutes, but it was a further nine minute before Cathy Carey got the next score on 57 minutes. She added another a minute later and when Michelle Magee and Grainne McLaughlin added two more in injury time, the gap was down to just five. However time had run out and Antrim’s brave bid had come up just short, but the management will be pleased with their overall performance

ANTRIM

Julie Curran, Duana Coleman, Orla Corr, Ashling McFadden, Maeve Blaney, Maria Hannah, Aine Tubidy, Emma Ferran, Ciara Brown, Niamh Enright, Cathy Carey, Grainne McLaughlin, Aoife Taggart, Theresa Mellon, Caitlin Taggart.

Subs – Ciara Austin for Orla Corr – 14 Mins

Michelle Magee for Theresa Mellon – Halftime

Niamh Webb for Áine Tubridy – 44 Mins;

Ellie Murphy for Aoife Taggart – 48 Mins;

Rebekah Hemsworth for Caitlin Taggart – 54 Mins

by thesaffrongael

Carey win Countess of Antrim Cup

Carey Faughs 1-20 – Loughgiel Shamrocks – 0-14

Carey Faughs won the Countess of Antrm Cup when they beat Loughgiel in Sunday evening’s final in Cushendall. Leading by four points at half time the men from Ballyvoy started the second half with three more without reply, which turned out to be enough in the end to get them over the line.

Enda Og McGarry gave Loughgiel an early lead with a point from a free in the opening minute but Fiachra McVeigh and Conor McBride replied for Carey to edge them ahead. Michael McGarry brought Loughgiel level with a pointed free in the fifth minute, but points from James Black and Conor McBride and a goal from full forward Caolan McCaughan, which he batted down into the net, put the Faghs five to the good by the eleventh minute.

Three points on the trot from Enda Og McGarry, Shane O’Boyle and Michael McGarry brought Loughgiel right back into the game, and for a while it was score for score, but two from Carey’s Fiachra McVeigh helped them to a four point cushion at the interval. (0-8 to 1-9)

When Carey started the second half with three in a row through James Black, James McCouaig and Daniel McBride they went seven ahead and it was clear they would take a lot of catching. And so it proved to be for though Michael McGarry hit three from frees, Carey had an answer each time with Zach McCaughan, James Black and Conor McBride finding a reply.

Loughgiel battled hard to close the gap but the Carey men were in control and they ran out winnings in the end by nine points.

CAREY

Cathal McAuley, Eoin Hill, Sean McBride, Daniel Hill, Michael McVeigh, James McCouaig, Peadar McVeigh, Zach McCaughan, Daniel McBride, James Black, Fiachra McCveigh, Conlith McKinley, John McBride, Caolan McCaughan, Conor McBride

LOUGHGIEL

Conor Gillan, Caolan Blair, Daniel McPeake, Conor Henry, Declan Gillan, Christy McGarry, OD Laverty, Paul Boyle, Shane O’Boyle, Aodhan McFadden, Nicholas McNaughton, Cormac McFadden, Christy McGarry, Michael McGarry, Damien Quinn.

REFEREE – Ryan O’Reilly (Con Magees)

by thesaffrongael

Creggan edge high scoring encounter

U15 Football League Division 1

Creggan 5.11 v Con Magee’s 4.09

Pics: Joe Rice

Staffordstown was the venue for a very entertaining, competitive and good natured game of football with both sides battling to the bitter end.   If it hadn’t have been for deflections of the upright and cross bar it could have finished level.   Con Magee’s were the first to score a point, 3 minutes in from Peadar McDonald.  Fintan Close responded for the home side winning the kick-out and scoring the next 2 points.  With 8 minutes gone, the home side lead by a single point.  At the first water-break Creggan lead 2.04 to 2.03  – a goal apiece for Ronan McGuckian and Conor Johnston followed by 2 points from Shea McCann.  The visitors were on target too equalling Creggan’s goal tally – Joseph McKay and Daire Higgins raised the green flag while their team mate, Harry Fyfe got his first score of the game.  McKay pointed again to leave the minimum between the sides going into the second quarter.    Creggan’s Conor Johnston popped over 2 points, one from play at the 22nd minute followed by a free minutes later.  Harry Fyfe levelled for the visitors on the 28th minute running through the Creggan’s defence giving their net minder, Paul McNally, no chance as he rattled the back of the net.  Con Magee’s got their head in front for the 2nd time in the game with a fine point from Daire Higgins from 20 metres out.  Tristan McCann levelled for the home side while his younger brother took possession 30 metres out, criss-crossing through the defence and pulling the trigger leaving Deagle Carey, the visitor’s goalkeeper, no chance.  With 5 points up to the short whistle, Creggan’s confidence grew and in the dying seconds of the first half, Magee’s Joseph McKay put the visitors back in contention raising the green flag as the whistle blew. 

Half Time Score:        Creggan 3.07 v Con Magee’s 4.03.

Referee, John Moran, got proceedings underway for the second half.  Peadar McDonald for the Glen’s men put his side within a point of the Lough shore lads.  Creggan’s Antoin Martin kicked 2 over the bar giving his side a 3 point margin.  The visitors rallied heading towards the second water break but they couldn’t break down the Creggan defence and luck wasn’t on their side either as they hit the cross bar, upright and side netting in search of goals.  Almost 40 minutes had passed before Colla Ward registered Glenravel’s first point of the second half.  Both sides exchanged points with the home sides, Conor Loughran and Conor Johnston scored on the 41st and 43rd minute.  Daire Higgins increased his tally with another point from play, as the momentum turned in favour of the home side.  Loughran’s second score of the game, a goal on the 48th minute, putting some daylight between the teams.  The home side’s Conor Johnston scored their last point of the game as his team mates moved into defensive mode.  The visitors increased the pressure on Creggan’s back line adding 3 further points – Harry Fyfe 0.01 and Peadar McDonald 0.02 – but this just wasn’t enough as Creggan retained possession as the clock ticked away.  Referee, John Moran, allowed the game to flow freely while at the same time keeping a disciplined grip on proceedings.

  CREGGAN: No.1 Paul McNally, No.2 Darragh McCann, No.3 Eoin McLernon, No.4 Matthew Donaghy, No.5 Peter Shore, No.6 Cillian McIldowney, No.7 Ailbe McKeown, No.8 Fintan Close (0.02), No.9 Aidan McIlwee, No.10 Antoin Martin (0.02), No.12 Tristian McCann (0.01), No.13 Ronan McGuckian (1.00), No.14 Conor Loughran (0.01), No.15 Shea McCann (2.01), No.17 Conor Johnston (1.04), No.19 Sean Daly, No.20 Callum McTeague.

CON MAGEE’S:  No.1 Deaglan Carey, No.2 Eoin Duffin, No.3 Nial Dickson, No.4 Oisin McKeown, No.5 Conn Fyfe, No.6 Oran McClintock, No.7 Colla Ward (0.01), No.8 Callagh Mooney, No.9 Daire Higgins (1.02), No.10 Ronan McCormick No.11 Peadar McDonald (1.04), No.12 Joseph Leech, No.13 Harry Fyfe (1.02), No.14 Phelan Ward, No.15 Joseph McKay (1.00), No.16 Thomas McLoughlan, No.18 Feargal McKay, No.19 Luke McQuillan, No.20 Luke Campbell, No.21 Gerard McFadden.

by thesaffrongael

Cargin win in the rain

                                                 Under-17 Football League

Cargin 6-10 St. Enda’s 1-00

Cargin under-17s posted championship intent when they defied conditions at a rain lashed Toome to overcome a hard working St Enda’s to run out impressive winners on Sunday.

The Glengormley side opened their account when Conor Bradley found the Cargin net in the opening minutes but despite the efforts of the impressive Patrick Doran and Sean Murray that was to be their only score of the game.

Tom Shivers and Conhuir Johnston raised green flags in the opening few minutes before the St Enda’s full forward grabbed his major at the other end and the Toome side looked set for an easy victory.

Conhuir Johnston increased his tally with a second major in the 13th minute and Tom Shivers followed with a point but the visitors resisted stubbornly and although the former added another point in the second quarter the home side had to be content with a 3-03 to 1-00 interval advantage.

The second half started in unkind conditions with replacement Cahir O’ Boyle signalling his return from a long term injury raising back to back points in sequence in the 31st and 33rd minutes for the home side.

The Glengormley side battled hard with the impressive centre forward Patrick Doran working his socks off but the home side’s defence stood firm and a well worked counter attack involving Ciaran McPeake and Callum Gribbin sent Tom Shivers away to split the posts at the other end.

St Enda’s were performing well in defence under extreme pressure but Conan Johnston sent Conhuir Johnston through for a 14th minute goal and then Craig Thornton and Ryan O’ Neill opened the way for Tom Shivers to add another and Cargin were 5-06 to 1-00 ahead and on course for victory.

It was as good as over at this stage but the St. Enda’s defence kept battling hard with Ruairi Hamilton and Malachy McGibbin working their socks off but Cargin continued to press with Tom Shivers adding a point before being placed by Conhuir Johnston’s to add a 56th minute goal.

Cahir O’ Boyle weighed in with his third point and fellow substitute Dylan Gallagher had the final score of the game with his last minute point securing a 6-10 to 1-00 victory for the Cargin lads.

Cargin: Shea Laverty, Eoin Scullion, Cahir Donnelly, Hugh O’ Donnell, Caoimhinn Kennedy, Craig Thornton, Ciaran Mc Peake, Conan Johnston, Charlie Mc Cann, Callum Gribbin, Ben Mc Larnon, Kian Scullion, Diarmuid Quinn, Tom Shivers (3-03) Conhuir Johnston (3-03)

Cahir O’ Boyle (0-03) for E Scullion

Ryan O’ Neill for C Kennedy

Dylan Gallagher for C Gribbin (0-01)

St Enda’s: Eoin Doherty, Daniel O’ Kane, Malachy Mc Gibbin, Caolan Mc Cormick, Leo O Loingsigh, Ruairi Hamilton, Rory Donaldson, Sean Murray, Ryan Ferguson, Ryan Kelly, Patrick Doran, Ciaran Mac Fhionaliie, Conal Walsh. Conor Bradley, Darragh Connolly.

Subs

Matthew Girvan

Ronan Bradley

by thesaffrongael

Deirdre Hargey MLA attends St Malachy’s re-launch event

On Friday evening St Malachy’s GAC in South Belfast held a get-together and mural unveiling in an attempt to get the club up and running again at something near the levels it once did. At the reception held at St George’s Market club chairman Ciaran Galway welcomed special guests, all of whom have a direct connection with the famous Markets area in the city. Top of the list was Minister of Communities Deirdre Hargey MLA, former club stalward Seán Flynn plus two members of the Antrim Senior Hurling team, Neil McManus of Ruairi Og Cushendall whose father and grandfather were ex Markets men and Domhnall Nugent of St John’s GAC whose granda came from the same area. Domhnall’s granda Eamon Boyle is a brother of Liam Boyle who captained the Antrim All Ireland Under 21 winning team of 1969.

Deirdre Hargey MLA, herself a former St Malachy’s Camog, is seen here with club chairman Ciaran Galway, plus guests of honour Neil McManus (left) and Domhnall Nugent (right)

The following is the speech delivered by the club chairman at the function.

Dia dhaoibh a chairde, agus fáilte romhaibh go léir anocht – hello everyone and welcome to this St Malachy’s GAC reception which will be addressed by Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey MLA.

As most but not all of you will know, I’m Ciarán Galway, current Chair of St Malachy’s GAC. Firstly, I’d like to say it’s great to see so many familiar faces and club veterans here tonight.

I’d like to begin by welcoming our four speakers this evening – Deirdre Hargey, Neil McManus, Domhnall Nugent and Seán Flynn. We know that you’ve given up your time to join us this evening and it’s very much appreciated. Thank you.

I’d also thank everyone involved in organising tonight’s reception – especially Fionntán, Ciarán and Siobhán from the Market Development Association, the St Malachy’s GAC committee and club members, particularly Seán Kelly who couldn’t be here tonight. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Before we hear from our panel of speakers, I’d just like to say a few words about the current challenges faced by the club, our ambition, and how we achieve it.

As most of you know, St Malachy’s GAC is the oldest GAA club in south Belfast. Established in the Market in 1936, it has served as a vehicle of sporting and cultural expression for the people of St Malachy’s Parish for close to 90 years. Today, our catchment area extends from the Market to the Ormeau Road and the Short Strand.

Like many clubs grounded in inner-city, working-class communities, since its foundation, St Malachy’s GAC has endured much hardship and, with characteristic resilience, achieved many successes.

Now, however, it is no exaggeration to say that proud legacy of this club is in jeopardy.

A tailing off in participation and a failure by the club to provide opportunities to young people in the areas has created a disconnect from the local community.

On top of this, we have failed to secure the support of local women – the backbone of our communities.

Tonight, therefore, must mark a turning point in this decline. This reception marks the grassroots relaunch of this club.

Across the world, the GAA is the bedrock of each and every Irish community. It is a community-based organisation promoting Gaelic games, culture and lifelong participation and crucially, it is built and underpinned by volunteers.

Allied with efforts to reconnect with the community, including through collaboration with St Malachy’s Primary School, Gaelfast, QUB Public Engagement team, the MDA, and others, we are seeking to re-establish our underage structures and ultimately revitalise the club.

Club stalwart Sean Flynn cuts a ribbon to mark the rededication of the St Malachy’s GAC at Welsh Street in the Markets as guest of honour Deirdre Hargey MLA and club chairman Ciarán galway look on.

Mól an óige agus tiocfaidh sí!

To achieve this, St Malachy’s GAC is proactively seeking volunteers to take on the mantle up and help nurture the next generation of St Malachy’s Gaels who will lead the club into its centenary and beyond.

External organisations are lining up support us. We must seize the opportunity and stand on our two feet. If you are willing and able, please fill in the registration sheets at your tables and we will be in contact in the coming weeks.

Let tonight be a turning point. The future is in our hands. Bígí linn!