Main Photo above – Senior Manager Tomás Ó Néill, Player of the Year Seán MacMuralain, Senior Assistant Manager Gerry Ross
Patrick Pearses GAC closed the curtains on a successful and encouraging year of Gaelic Football within the club. On a Senior Men’s Level, the club competed on all fronts with a Division 3 League Final appearance, followed by a Junior Championship Semi-Final appearance and topped off with a South Antrim Division 2 League Winner’s Trophy. On a Senior Ladies’ Level, the club formed their first ever Seniors Ladies Team (G4M&O) and are preparing for the season ahead. On a Juvenile level the club grew massively completing at Go-Games levels and founding the first all-girls team looking to compete in the league in the coming year.
All new members welcome at every level! Contact the club’s social media channels!
Saturday 27th November 2021 seen Cliftonville Bowling Club play host to a wonderful day for junior and senior players in the annual presentation and annual dinner, celebrating the effort put in by every player and member of the club throughout the year.
Junior Prize Winners:
Under 8 Most Improved – Ethan McVeigh
Under 8 Player of the Year – Carter Holmes
Under 10 Most Improved – Mollie McGarry
Under 10 Player of the Year – Caleb Donaghy
Under 11 Boys Player of the Year – Oisin McCallan
Under 12 Girls Most Improved – Orla Hale
Under 12 Girls Player of the Year – Aoibhea Stanton
Senior Prize Winners:
Player of the Year – Seán MacMuralain
Player’s Player of the Year – Piaras Donaghy
Young Player of the Year – Thomas McFarlane
South Antrim Player of the Year – Junior Goodall & Jack McKeown
South Antrim Player’s Player of the Year – Barry Harper
South Antrim Player of the Year – Ruairaí Bannon
Ladies Player of the Year – Niamh McCullagh
Ladies Most Improved – Rhiannan McVeigh
Club Person of the Year – Hilary O’Neill & Michael Bannon
Under 12 Most Improved Player Orla Hale with team Coach Michael Bannon
Coach Liam Kelly, Under 11 Boys Player of the Year – Oisin McCallan, Coach Manuel Donaghy
Under 12 Girls Player of the Year – Aoibhea Stanton & Coach Michael Bannon
Under 10 Player of the Year Caleb Donaghy with team Coach Ruairi Cash
Under 10 Most Improved – Mollie McGarry & Coach Ruairí Cash
Under 8 Player of the Year – Carter Holmes & Coach Cormac O’Neill
Under 8 Most Improved – Ethan McVeigh & Coach Cormac O’Neill
South Antrim Coach Piaras Donaghy, Players of the Year Junior Goodall, Jack McKeown and South Antrim Coach Eamonn McKenna
South Antrim Young Player of the Year – Ruairaí Bannon
Senior Manager Tomás Ó Néill, Player’s Player of the Year Piaras Donaghy, Senior Assistant Manager Gerry Ross
Club Person of the Year – Hilary O’Neill
Ladies Most Improved Rhiannan McVeigh & Ladies Player/Mum Bronagh Mullan
Liam Kelly, Maureen McKenna, Phil Parker – In Memory of Seamy McKenna RIP
With leagues and championships completed in Antrim, Ulster provides the platform for GAA supporters and club loyalty for most Gaels switches to the sides who are representing their county on the Ulster stage. Not always the case I know but certainly for this Gael it is the way it should be.
So it was with my blue scarf around my neck I travelled to Ahoghill on Saturday to cover the game between All Saints conquerors, Tir na nOg as they took on Carricruppen in the Ulster Intermediate football quarter-final and the Whitehill men certainly didn’t disappoint.
In far from ideal conditions the Randalstown side took the game to their opponents from early in the game and led 0-9 to 0-3 at one stage before the Armagh side staged a late rally with the last three points of the opening half to leave it 0-9 to 0-6 at the break.
The second half was even more spectacular than the first and Carrickcruppen were still hanging in there until late in the game when county keeper Blain Hughes went A.W.O.L. and the Antrim champions took full advantage with two opportunist goals from Ciaran Dobbin and Eamon Og McAllister to set up a semi-final meeting with Moortown of Tyrone who defeated Erin Gaels in their quarter-final contest.
And so it was on to Corrigan yesterday, suitably impressed by Tir na nOg the day before and now wearing my green and yellow scarf and hoping that the men from just down the road from Randalstown could make it a memorable double.
Kickham’s Creggan were excellent in the opening half as they led Clan Eireann by 0-9 to 0-3 at the short whistle and they were good value for that lead but as the sides emerged for the second half there was a lingering notion that there might be more to come from the Lurgan side.
My fears were realised as Clann Eireann took the game to Creggan and a goal from substitute Ruairi McDonald in the 44th minute brought the sides level. The introduction of Kevin Rice and Fergal Burke stemmed the Clan Eireann tide for a time and Ruairi McCann and Jamie McCann looked to have done enough with late points to see Gerard McNulty’s side through.
The Armagh champions were relentless however and a massive free from Tiernan Kelly, deep into injury time sent the game into extra time. A Daniel Magee goal in the opening half of extra time finally killed off the brave challenge of the Kickham’s though they fought to the final whistle.
Ulster keeps the hungry GAA fan fed at this time of year and with fans from Glenravel, Tir na nOg, Loughgiel, Dunloy and St. John’s there is still plenty on the menu in football, hurling and camogie for the Saffron Gael as we head into the festive season.
We have one outstanding final in Antrim to look forward to this weekend when Rasharkin and Naomh Padraig Lisburn meet in the U20 B football final in Crumlin while Glenravel, buoyed by their U20A final win over St. Galls on Saturday past, take on Craobh Rua in the Ulster Junior Hurling semi-final this Saturday at the same venue.
Creggan fans smiling despite their side’s defeat
st John’s reezzed through the first round of the Bridie McMenamin Shield
On Sunday there’s a real heavyweight encounter on the cards when Dunloy attempt to wrestle the Ulster senior club hurling title away from Slaughtneil when the sides meet again at the Athletic Grounds in this year’s semi-final and I fancy them to do just that and move on to meet Ballycran of Down in the Ulster final seven days later.
St. John’s (Bridie McMenamie), Tir na nOg (Junior) and Loughgiel in a repeat of last weekend’s Ulster senior replay against Slaughneil have all important dates on the camogie front while Tir na nOg footballers face Moortown St. Malachy’s in the Ulster semi-final on the 13th of December at a venue and time to be announced.
As always we at the Saffron Gael will be there to cover these games and we wish all the Antrim clubs competing the best of luck in their forth coming encounters so go out and do the business so we will have something to write about in the build up to Christmas and into the new-year.
A FEW PICS FROM YESTERDAY’S CREGGAN V CLANN EIREANN GAME
LGFA Ulster Minor Football Championship (semi-final)
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass (Antrim) 3-06Carrickmore (Tyrone) 2-12
Antrim minor champions Moneyglass left the Ulster trail when they lost out to an excellent Carrickmore side in a fiercely contested semi-final at Ahoghill on Sunday.
The Antrim girls started confidently, and with their quick getaway they held a nine point advantage 3-02 to 0-02 at the opening water break and looked on their way to victory.
The Tyrone champions did open account first when mid fielder Cloda Mc Namee split the posts in the third minute but after back to back wides the impressive Maria O’ Neill fired between the posts to level the contest.
The Antrim champions continued to press and a precision based Alicia Boyd delivery opened the way for full forward Lea Cassidy to finish to the net and they were on the way.
Carrickmore tried to respond but the Moneyglass girls stood tall in defence and a fine Molly McCoy intervention and an Aoife Kelly dash and delivery opened the door for full forward Lea Cassidy and St. Ergnat’s were calling the shots.
The Marian Hill side continued to dominate the opening exchanges and a Mollie McCoy interception and a Saoirse McErlaine clearance found Maria O’ Neill and the flying centre forward planted the leather in the net before Alicia Boyd sent Ciara O’ Boyle away to raise white.
Moneyglass were utterly dominant in the opening phase but they were halted in progress as Carrickmore added to their meagre tally in the 15th minute with a Maeve Mc Crystal point which was to signal a revival in the ranks of Carmen.
The Tyrone champions were having problems finding the target in the first quarter but such wayward tendencies were not to continue. Sorcha Gormley led the offensive and provided the inch perfect cross for Clodagh Munroe to finish to the net in the 23rd minute before helping herself to another, a couple of minutes later and unanswered points from Alanagh McCallan, Siofra Loughran and Sorcha Gormley moved them 2-07 to 3-02 ahead at the interval.
The second half prove a close encounter with both sides giving their all in search of a place in the decider as score at one end provoked swift reply at the other. With the score level and 12 minutes remaining Moneyglass suffered back to back body blows as they lost the services of both Maria O’ Neill and Alicia Boyd. Centre forward O’ Neill, who had grabbed a couple of goals in the first period and was central to the Moneyglass cause was sent to the sin bin and wing half forward Alicia Boyd, who had what looked an excellent goal ruled out just previous, followed her team mate a few minutes later.
St Ergnat’s battled hard in the closing stages with Sarah O’ Neill and the strong running Aoife Kelly rallying to the cause, but the Tyrone champions had the bit firmly between their teeth as the end approached and late points by their best on view, Sorcha Gormley saw them over the winning line and into the Provincial decider at 2-12 to 3-06.
Carrickmore: Rosie Kerr, Clare Donnelly, Aobhinn Daly, Rionach Mc Callan, Caoimhe Coyle, Clara Gormley, Balthnait Kerr, Cloda Mc Namee, Caitlin Gormley, Aine Grimes, Clodagh Munroe (1-00), Alanagh Mc Callan (0-02) Siofra Loughran (0-01), Maeve Mc Crystal (0-02), Sorcha Gormley (1-05)
Moneyglass: Emily Mc Coy, Erin Duffin, Molly Mc Coy, Niamh Neeson, Sarah O’ Neill, Saoirse Mc Erlaine, Aoife Kelly, Ciara Griffin, Ciara Scullen, Ailisa Boyd (0-01), Maria O’ Neill (1-02), Ciara O’ Boyle (0-03), Nicole Cassidy, Lea Cassidy (2-00), Hannah Murray Subs: Lea Stewart for C Griffin
The newly formed Countess Markievicz Camogie Club from the Finn Valley, who became County Donegal champions following an uncontested final against Burt, faced Antrim Junior champions St. Johns in an early throw-in game at Corrigan Park.
Their lack of game time seemed evident despite taking the lead with an early point thorough Laura McGuinness as the home side soon replied with two quick goals from Maédhbh Laverty and Eimhear Costello soon followed by Costello, Mulholland and Debbie Boyd points which took control of the game. Markievicz only managed one more point by the water break at which stage St.Johns led by 3-02 to 0-02 .
Aishling Hawkins converted three frees and a point from play before half time with only a Ciara Coulter point raising a flag in reply for the visitors. HT 3-08 to 0-03 fir St. Johns
The second half saw another Coulter point from a free for the Donegal girls while Aishling Hawkins increased her tally with a point from play and four frees. The visitors fought hard and showed some nice touches of skill but a fine goal by Hannagh McGuigan and two Hawkins points from play for St.Johns saw a final score of Naomh Eoin 4-14 Markievicz 0-04
Creggan exited the Ulster Club Championship at the first juncture after Clann Eireann fought back from a six-point deficit at the break to force extra-time and then complete the job in the additional period and claim a spot in the last four.
The Antrim Champions impressed in the first half hour and led 0-08-0-02 before their Lurgan opponents got to grips with things and levelled prior to the midway point in the second half – thanks to a Ruairi McDonald goal.
Creggan regained their advantage and looked to have redeemed themselves, but they made a few bad decisions at a vital time with the finishing line in site and Tiernan Kelly landed a terrific free from range and force extra-time on the Whiterock Road.
It was then that Clann Eireann stepped things up with a few scores from Armagh forward Conor Turbitt, despite Creggan restoring parity a few times the killer blow came in the form a Daniel Magee goal that the Staffordstown Road side failed to recover from and in the end they fell to a 2-14-0-17 defeat at the end of an entertaining Championship clash.
Clann Eireann’s Daniel Magee fires in his team’s second goal in extra time despite the best efforts of Odhran McLarnon.
Gerard McNulty named the same starting 15-players that began their Antrim final win over Aghagallon in mid-November.
On a crisp winters afternoon in west-Belfast it was Clann Eireann who drew first blood after Barry McCambridge fisted the ball into the path of Aodhan McConville to swing over the opener.
Kevin Small hit back from a narrow angle after good work from Odhran McLarnon and McLarnon himself would nudge his side ahead after a patient passing move.
Scores were at a premium in the opening quarter and just before the first water interval Aidan Maguire claimed an advanced mark and stroked it over to move his side 0-03-0-01 ahead.
The Antrim Champions were in confident mood and stretched their led through nice scores from Tiernan McAteer and Jamie McCann.
At the other end they were equally as hungry and dogged with Eunan McAteer stepping in to prevent Daniel Magee from picking out a team-mate in the small square.
The experienced Paddy Coey dinked one over the bar and Martin Johnston side-footed the next score to give their side a commanding 0-07-0-01 lead.
Just before the break Clann Eireann responded when Conor Turbitt’s free dropped into Daniel Magee to conjure up his sides second score of the half.
Creggan’s Sean Duffin in action during Sunday’s Ulster Championship game at Corrigan Park
Creggan hit back through Kevin Small to put six between the sides again, although Oisin Kerr needed to remain focused and cut-out a floated pass from Barry McCambridge with almost the last action of the half as the Antrim outfit were 0-08-0-02 ahead.
Kevin Small picked up where he left off before the break with an impressive score extending the lead and brining his personal tally to three for the afternoon.
Armagh forward Conor Turbitt kicked his first point of the afternoon from a free and then followed that up with a delightful, angled effort almost immediately.
Half-time substitute Ruairi McDonald landed his sides third point in succession as the Lurgan men were gaining momentum.
On the 40th minute a goal chance fell to them after they streamed forward and worked the ball into the path of Ryan Henderson who bore down on goal and saw his effort repelled by Oisin Kerr and eventually scrambled to safety.
Tiernan Kelly landed a point after good build-up play between substitute Jack Conlon and Daniel Magee to leave it a three-point game.
60-seconds later Clann Eireann restored parity, Jack Conlon picked out the run of his fellow substitute McDonald who shot across the face of Oisin Kerr and into the bottom corner to level at 0-09-1-06 at the second half water break.
The small break may have assisted Creggan as they regained the lead through a first Ruairi McCann free of the contest and another from namesake Jamie followed.
Daniel Magee reduced arrears to a single point with his second point of the half but Ruairi McCann kicked his second point from a free to move his side 0-12-1-07 ahead in injury-time.
Four minutes into additional time substitute Oran McCafferty picked up a loose ball and fired it across the face of goal where Ruairi McDonald was waiting- he tried to palm home his second of the half and what would surely have been the winner, but his attempt rose over the bar rather than under.
His side would be afforded the chance to level as play continued and they earned themselves a free from range and with almost the final action of the game Tiernan Kelly landed a pressure kick to level at 0-12-1-09 and ensure that extra-time would be required to settle things.
Clann Eireann midfielder Tiernan Kelly punches the air after landing the equalising point deep into injury time of Sunday’s Ulster Senior Football Club championship win over Antrim champions Creggan at Corrigan Park. The Armagh champions went on to claim victory in extra time.
Extra-time:
Conor Turbitt kicked his side ahead for the second time with a converted free inside the first two minutes of added time.
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Clann Eireann almost found their second goal shortly after when Jack Conlon intercepted possession, but Oisin Kerr made himself big and denied him.
Jake McAteer steered over a leveller under pressure the sides would trade further scores in the aftermath.
Adam Kelly played a short pass to Turbitt who squeezed a shot over at the near post, only for Ruairi McCann to guide over an angled shot and restore parity again.
The crucial moment of extra-time came towards the end of the first period when Daniel Magee drove at the Creggan defence and rifled low into the corner past Kerr to give his side a 2-11-0-14 lead.
Clann Eireann corner back Conan McCarroll was in the wars during Sunday’s Ulster Club Football final with Antrim champions Creggan at Corrigan Park. McCarroll was involved in an accidental collision with a Creggan player and had to leave the field for treatment. However he was soon back in action to help his team to a great comeback win.
A tremendous Kevin Small point was Creggan’s response but at the midway point in extra-time they trailed by two.
Dominic McAteer steered over a magnificent point to make it a one-point game early in the second period- however Conor McConville swung one over at the other end and then Ruairi McDonald slipped in Jack Conlon- who opted to fist over when a goal chance was on.
Oisin Kerr kept his side alive when he denied Oran McCafferty but with time ticking down, they needed a goal to salvage a shoot-out at the very least.
Ruairi McCann narrowed the deficit with his fourth point of the afternoon and third from frees.
But Clann Eireann moved three ahead again through a Magee point and then saw the game out to claim a 2-14-0-17 win and advance to the last four of the AIB Ulster Championship.
Creggan’s Conor McCann gets in a tangle with a Clann Eireann defender during Sunday’s Ulster Senior Club Football Championship game at Corriagn Park. Pic by John McIlwaine
Creggan Kickhams: O Kerr, E Carey-Small, R Johnston, E McAteer, A Maguire (0-01 advanced mark), M Johnston (0-01), J McCann (0-02, 0-01f), K Small (0-04), C McCann, T McAteer (0-01), P Coey (0-01), S Duffin, M Rodgers, R McCann (0-04, 0-03f), O McLarnon (0-01). Subs: C McCann for S Duffin (45), K Rice for P Coey (45), F Burke for C McCann (49), S Maguire for A Maguire (50), J McAteer (0-01) for M Rodgers (59). Subs in Extra-time: K McCann for E Carey-Small (67), T McCann for J McCann (67), K Burke for M Johnston (76).
Clann Eireann: E Mulholland, C O’Carroll, B McCambridge, D Leathem, S McCarthy, S Heffron, A Kelly, C Bell, T Kelly (0-02, 0-01f), D Magee (1-03), R Henderson, C McConville (0-01), D McCarthy, C Turbitt (0-04, 0-02f), A McConville (0-01). Subs: R McDonald (1-02) for A McConville (HT), J Conlon for D McCarthy (40), O McCafferty for C Bell (56). Subs in Extra-time: O Downey for S McCarthy (75), J McLaughlin for D Magee (80+2).
