December 11, 2021December 11, 2021 by thesaffrongael

Tir na nÓg denied as Glen fight back to take title

Ulster Junior Camogie Championship Final

Tír na nÓg 0-9 Glen (Derry) 1-11

Derry champions Glen Magera produced a strong second half performance at Ahoghill on Saturday to snatch victory from Tir na nÓg, Randalstown in the final of the Ulster Junior Camogie Championship.

The Randalstown girls had performed well in the opening half to open up a four-point lead, the bulk of the scores coming from full forward Aine Devlin’s whose accuracy from frees punished the Derry side’s mistakes. However after the break the Glen girls got the upper hand in the second half and after drawing level by the second water break, went on to take victory by a five point margin.

Tir na nÓg were ahead within seconds of the start thanks to Emily Falloon, and held the upper hand right through the opening quarter to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 at the first water break

They continued to edge the exchanges after the restart, outscoring their opponents opponents by 0-3 to 0-1 in the second quarter to build up a commanding lead by half time.

However the Derry champions got themselves back into contention in the third quarter, and they were back on terms at the begining of the fourth. The Magera girls took the lead for the first time in the 47^th minute, though Tir na nÓg stayed in contention until a goal from Glen’s Leanne McCrystal dealt the Antrim champions a real body blow. To their credit the Whitehill girls kept battling to the end, but they could not find a way back as Glen held out to take the Ulster title.

TÍR NA nÓG: Aimee Sheerin, Susan Shannon, Orla McKeown, Emma Louise McAreavey, Dervla Johnston, Bronagh Devlin (0-1), Síofra O’Dolan, Shauna O’Neill, Michaela Heggarty, Emily Falloon (0-1), Caithlin McGaughey, Cameron McGaughey (0-1), Niamh Martin, Aine Devlin (0-6, 0-5f), Orlaith Prenter

SUBS: Carla O’Neill for Orlaith Prenter (20), Caitlin Martin for Niamh Martin (46)

YELLOW: M Heggarty (22), C O’Neill (24)

GLEN: Laura Coyle, Aoife McGuckin, Claire McGroggan, Nuala Convery, Caoimhe Glass, Rebecca Kirkpatrick (0-8, 0-5f, 0-3 – 45s), Dearbhla McGuckin, Aisling Porter, Ciara Mulholland, Caoimhe Mulholland, Leanne McCrystal (1-1), Clare Gunning, Bronagh Gallagher (0-1), Aoife Molloy, Meabh McGirr

SUBS: Niamh Gallagher (0-1) for Aoife Molloy (30+2), Sorcha Higgins for Dearbhla McGuckin (62), Hannah Ferguson for Claire McGroggan (63), Aoibheann Molloy for Meabh McGirr (65), Catherine McKenna for Aisling Porter (65)

YELLOW: L McCrystal (23), C Gunning (50), A McGuckin (63)

REF: Paddy McGrath (Down)

December 11, 2021December 12, 2021 by thesaffrongael

Slick Naomh Padraig write another chapter in their history

Antrim U20 B Football Final

Naomh Padraig Lisburn 1-12 St. Mary’s Rasharkin 0-4

A slick Naomh Padraig, Lisburn wrote their own little bit of history when they proved too good for Naomh Muire, Rasharkin in the U20 B football final at Crumlin Leisure centre today. Stephen Brannigan’s well organised side had too much pace, power and knowhow for a St. Mary’s Rasharklin side who never really got going.

The Dreen side did take an early lead when Jacek Kedzierski fired over in the third minute but it would be the only time they would lead in the contest as the Lisburn side came back strongly.

Eoin Dixon, who was excellent throughout, levelled matters within a minute and when the same player fired to the net with nine minutes gone the momentum was all with a Naomh Padraig side who were growing into the game.

With Conor Ewing lying deep and doing a great job as sweeper, Naomh Padraig took the game to their opponents and James Morgan and Eoin Dixon added further points to leave them 1-3 to 0-1 ahead at the first water break.

Tiernan O’Boyle gave Rasharkin a bit of hope when he pointed a 40 meter free on the restart but wing half, Oisin Gormley raced forward with a quick reply for the Lisburn side and Niall Dixon added a couple more before Eoin Dixon finished the first half scoring with a late point to leave his side 1-7 to 0-2 ahead at the break and good value for that lead.

Eoin Dixon who top scored for the Lisburn side

With the slight wind now behind them, Rasharkin needed a good start to the second half if they were to get back into contention but after Tiernan O’Boyle fired wide in the opening minute it was Naomh Padraig who edged further ahead as Niall Dixon pointed in the third minute.

A well drilled Naomh Padraig were moving the ball around at pace and always seemed to have a man in support of the player in possession and Rory Kennedy extended their lead before Ruadhan McKenna stepped out from goals to direct a ‘45’ between the uprights.

Odhran McGarrell opened Naomh Muire’s second half account with a point from a free but the Dreen side were in need of goals, even at this early juncture but didn’t possess the key to unlock a well organised Naomh Padraig defence.

Instead it was Naomh Padraig who came storming back with a good point from Oisin Gorman as the Lisburn side began to empty their bench, confident that they were well on their way to completing the job.

McGarrell, who had been Rasharkin’s best forward, added his second free of the game after the second water break and the same player opted to go for goal from another close range free shortly after but it was deflected wide for a ‘45’ that came to nothing.

After that Naomh Padraig controlled possession as the clock ticked down with Eoin Dixon’s pointed free with five minutes remaining proving to be the game’s final score and Fionntan McCotter’s full time whistle was greeted by a mini pitch invasion as Naomh Padraig celebrated their first title in this age group.

Odhran McGarrell who provided Rasharkin’s main threat in attack

A great win for Naomh Padraig and one that augers well for the future of the club. Stephen Brannigan and his backroom team deserve a lot of credit for entering a side in the competition at the start of the season and he has kept his side busy and focused during a competition that has been dogged by cancelled fixtures.

He has unearthed some fine talent with many of them looking capable of pushing on to represent their senior side in the years to come and Antrim committee member and Rasharkin man, Paddy Kelly was wholesome in his praise for the club and their performance on the day before presenting the cup to captain, Collie Burns.

Naomh Padraig: Ruadhan McKenna, Jude McMullan, Jack Broderick, Liam McCutcheon, Luca Mulholland, Sean Burns, Oisin Gorman, Colm Burns, Adam Patterson, Che Smyth, Niall Dixon, James Morgan, Rory Kennedy, Eoin Dixon, Conor Ewing. Subs: Daniel Nelson, Joseph Mulholland, Peter Lenaghan, Lewis Collins, Calum Loney, Logan Mallon, Noel McGuigan, Liam McKeown, Matthew McDermott, Vital Zuwala

Rasharkin: Oisin Johnston, Ethan McAfee, Connor Higgins, James Higgins, Colm Kennedy, Callum Montgomery, Darach Duffin, Tiernan O’Boyle, Ruairi O’Boyle, Ruairi Hawthorne, Liam Quigg, Jacek Kedzierski, Cathal Darragh, Sean Condron, Odhran McGarrell. Subs: Ethan McMullan.

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

Paddy Kelly presents the UI20 B Cup to Naomh Padraig captain, Mollie Burns

December 11, 2021December 11, 2021 by thesaffrongael

Craobh Rua secure final spot

AIB Ulster Junior club hurling semi-final

Craobh Rua (Armagh) 0-14 Con Magee’s (Antrim) 0-11

Con Magees’ bid to make their first Ulster Club Hurling final came up short once again when they were beat by Armagh champions Craobh Rua in Saturday’s semi-final at Davitt’s Park, Belfast. The Glenravel men started well enough and were three points ahead early in the second quarter but Craobh Rua clawed their way back, thanks to some excellent free taking from Tiarnan O’Hare, and the Armagh men were only a point in arrears at half time. (0-7 to 0-6)

Playing with the slight breeze in the second half Craobh Rua went ahead but Con Magees came back to level with another pointed free from O’Loan and they retook the lead with a point from substitute Sean McKay. However the final quarter saw Craobh Rua get a grip on the game and they pushed on to win by three.

Craobh Rua full forward Ryan Lewis gave his team and excellent start when he found an early opening and pointed from play, but two in a row from Conleth O’Loan frees had Glenravel in front. Tiernan O’Hare pulled one back from a free but two excellent scores from play by Declan Traynor helped the Antrim champions to a three point lead by the first water break.

The second quarter saw O’Hare close the gap from another free and though Declan Traynor hit a couple of top class points from play for the Con Magees, O’Hare’s accuracy saw Craobh Rua eat into the gap and by half time just a point separated the sides. (0-7 to 0-6)

Another point from a placed ball by O’Hare restored parity, and the Camlough men went ahead for the first time with another O’Hare score. Sean McKay brought Con Magees level with twelve minutes of normal time to play with a neat point from a snap shot from the 45 metre line but Craobh Rua were controlling possession around the middle of the field and they were getting on top. O’Loan was off target from a couple of difficult frees late on and the Armagh champions went two clear with two more points from the excellent Tiarnan O’Hare, before sealing the one with another deep in injury time.

An excellent win for the Armagh champions, who were forced to field without football star Jarly Og Burns. Glenravel will be bitterly disappointed but when they look back on their season in a few days’ time they can reflect on what was overall a very good year for the club.

Craobh Rua Camlough

C Rowantree; D McCloy, S O’Keefe, B McKevitt: M Garvey, O O’Hare, M Doran; P Garvey, F Burns 0-1; F Bradley 0-1, T O’Hare 0-10 (f), S Watters; R Casey, R Lewis 0-1, C McKevitt 0-1.

Subs: D Harris for F Bradley (21), F O’Callaghan for R McKevitt (40), F McCann for R Casey (41), F Bradley for S Watters (54), C Brannigan for D Harris (60)

Con Magee’s Glenravel

Ronan Donnelly, Brian O’Neill, Shanlee Kerr, Johnny Fyfe capt, Padge O’Neill, Eoin McCusker, Michael McDonnell, James Duffin, Charlie Henry, Delan Traynor 0-4, Niall Donnelly, Cathal Hynds, Conleth O’Loan 0-5 (4f) Rian Lennon 0-1, Damien O’Hagan.

Subs: Sean McKay 0-1 for D O’Hagan (HT), Sean Burns for N Donnelly (57)

Referee: A McAleer (Donegal)

December 10, 2021December 15, 2021 by thesaffrongael

Ruairi Og Cushendall Camogie Awards

Under 16 team captain Cara O’Boyle with the Feis Cup

Sinead Cosgrove receiving the Danny McNaughton Award for most dedicated Senior player from Aidan Delargy.

December 10, 2021December 10, 2021 by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg can claim the title

Ulster Junior Camogie championship final

1-00pm. Ahoghill

Glen Maghera v Tir na nOg Randalsatown

Tir na nOg, Randalstown are one game away from an Ulster title but to succeed they must overcome the challenge of Glen Maghera in Ahoghill tomorrow. The Maghera girls will be no pushovers as they demonstrated when they dethroned reigning champions, Ballymacnab in Maghera last Saturday on a heavy pitch.

The home side dominated the opening half with centre half, Rebecca Kirkpatrick leading by example in defence and the Mulholland’s, Aisling Porter and Leanne McChrystal all to the fore in conditions that were far from ideal.

Despite a wet forecast for tomorrow Cloney should be much firmer than the Glen Pitch last week and this should suit Tir na nOg who have the players to benefit from a faster sod.

Tir na nOg have played their camogie in division 1 of the Antrim leagues this year and this has obviously sharpened the Whitehill girls and they finished a very creditable fourth in the league and it has proved good preparation for what is a delayed 2020 championship.

They opened with wins over Cavan champions Crosserlough by 2-9 to 1-5 and they followed it up with a win over Ballyholland of Down in last week’s semi-final.

Aine Devlin at full-forward has been in sparkling form this year and has recorded some big scores while Michaela Heggarty and Shauna O’Neill form a strong mid-field partnership. Devlin’s twin sister Bronagh has been a rock at centre-half with Dervla O’Neill and Siofra O’Dolan completing a strong half back line.

The McGaughey sisters are others who have shown form in a sharp Tir na nOg attack and if they can perform to their potential then they should have too much for a Glen side who’s battling qualities will make life difficult but might just fall short against the Randalstown side.