Month / January 2022

by thesaffrongael

Strong finish seals Fr Davies Cup win for St Killian’s

Ulster Colleges Camogie B Championship – Fr Davies’ Cup final

St Killian’s College Garron Tower 4-7 St Patrick’s, Keady 1-11

St Killian’s won the Fr Davies Cup at the Loup on Saturday when they beat St Patrick’s Keady in a highly exciting final, to regain the trophy for the first time since 2016.

Ahead by 1-3 to 0-5 in a low scoring first half the girls from the Tower hit their stride in an absorbing second half, but they were pushed to the limit before getting over the line against an excellent Keady side. After opening a five point gap going into the second half water break St Killian’s were pegged back when Keady full forward Sinead Quinn grabbed her team’s only goal of the game and when Katie Doyle and Katie Crilly added points the Co Armagh school were back on terms.

It looked like anyone’s game at this stage, but the girls from the Tower dug deep and when left half forward Kady McNeill put Cara O’Boyle clear, the midfielder grabbed her team’s fourth goal and they added three more points to seal the Fr Davies cup for the fourth time.

Keady went ahead in the early stages of the game with a point from a free by Katie Doyle, but right half forward Orlaith McAlister had St Killian’s level soon afterwards. The north Antrim school edged ahead but Keady were back on terms at 0-2 apiece by the first half water break.

When Monique O’Boyle got St Killian’s opening goal early in the second quarter it looked like they were starting to gain the upper hand, but that was not the case and Keady came back to trail by just a single point at half time. (1-3 to 0-5).

The Keady girls were level early in the second half when top scorer Katie Doyle sent over, but St Killian’s got their second goal soon afterwards when Kady McNeill fired home after being set up by Niamh Graham and when Graham got in for her team’s third goal there was a bit of daylight between the sides.

There was to be no relaxing for the St Killain’s fans however as boosted by Quinn’s goal Keady fought back to level, but when Cara O’Boyle got the Tower’s fourth goal they drove on to victory and now face Scoil Cháitríona in the All-Ireland quarter-final in Dublin next weekend.

Niamh Graham celebrates after scoring St Killian’s third goal

St Killian’s: O Donnelly, R Black, E McMullan, Ú McAlister, Catherine O’Boyle, A McNeill, E McCambridge, Cara O’Boyle 1-1, L Haughey, O McAlister 0-1, S Woodhouse 0-2, K McNeill 1-1, M O’Boyle 1-2, C McPeake, N Graham 1-0.

Subs: A Mulholland for Catherine O’Boyle (HT), L Black for E McCambridge (HT), EJ Butler for Ú McAlister (37).

St Patrick’s: S Connolly, Á Rafferty, M Crilly, C Loughran, E Gilmartin, M O’Hare, O O’Connor, K Crilly 0-1, É Lennon 0-1 free, Á Mallon 0-1, T White, K Doyle 0-7 frees, S Quinn 1-0, S Burke 0-1, N McKee

Subs: L Loughran for N McKee (29), C Richards for Á Mallon (45)

Referee: O Elliott

St Killian’s celebrate with their manager Mrs Cosgrove.
by thesaffrongael

Good showing by Antrim against Galway

Leinster Hurling Walsh Cup, Group A

Antrim 1-17 Galway 1-23

Antrim wrapped up their Walsh Cup campaign on Saturday at the Louth Centre of Excellence at Darvar where they faced Galway in game three, and though beaten by six points in the end the Antrim management will take plenty of positives out of the game.

Once again Darren Gleeson rang the changes and introduced no less that eleven subs during the game and will go into the opening game of the league against Kilkenny in two weeks’ time in a better frame of mind than he was a week ago, following their defeat to Offaly.

The Saffrons got away to a good start this time out and Keelan Molloy had them ahead inside fifteen seconds as her race through and split the uprights, but Galway responded well and hit back with two without reply through Tom Monaghan and Gavin Lee.

With Neill McManus again showing well Antrim responded and four on the trot from McMcManus (2), Seaan Elliott , Keelan Molloy and James McNaughton and it could have been even better had it not been for a brilliant point blank save by the Galway goalkeeper from the McManus goal bound shot.

Antrim opened up a 0-5 to 0-3 lead coming near the end of the opening quarter, but Henry Shefflin’s new charges responded well and drew level at 0-6 apiece by the first water break.

There were worrying signs when Galway started the second quarter impressively, but to their credit Antrim hit back and some excellent scores from Seaan Elliott and James McNaughton and with Elliott really catching the eye they closed the gap to 0-10 to 0-11 just minutes before half time, though Galway again finished strongly and two without reply brought them three clear at the short whistle. (0-13 to 0-10)

Galway extended their lead early in the second half but two on the trot from James McNaughton frees kept the Saffrons in touch. A goal on 44 minutes by Galway’s Conor Wheelan put a bit of daylight between the sides but Antrim hit back with a cracking goal of their own. Seaan Elliott cut in from the right wing and found Eoin O’Neill in space. O’Neill fired in a rasping shot which Murphy in the Galway goal did well to parry, but as the ball rebounded Michael Bradley reacted brilliantly to turn the ball home and close the gap to four again.

Still four in arrears entering the final quarter Antrim fell further behind as Caulfield and Mannion pointed for the Tribesmen. The gap was out to eight nearing the end but Antrim finished strongly with points from Ciaran Clarke and the St John’s duo of Conor Johnston and Conal Bohill to finish just six in arrears at the end.

ANTRIM: R Elliott; A Crawford, G Walsh, D Kearney; P Burke (0-1), E Campbell, J Maskey; D McKernan, K Molloy (0-2); N McManus (0-2, 1 65), E O’Neill (0-1), M Bradley (1-1); S Elliott (0-3), C McCann, J McNaughton (0-4, 3 frees).

Subs: N O’Connor for D Kearney (29), S Rooney for A Crawford (64), S Walsh for M Bradley (63), R McCambridge for P Burke (67), D Murphy for S Elliott (67), C Johnston (0-1) for C McCann (HT), C Clarke (0-1 free) for J McNaughton (52), C Cunning for E O’Neill (52), A Bradley for N McManus (67), C Bohill (0-1) for D McKernan (58)

GALWAY: E Murphy; D Cronin, D Burke, J Grealish; T Killeen, P Mannion (0-1 65), M Gill (0-1); Joseph Cooney (0-1), C Caufield (0-2); C Mannion (0-5, 3 frees, 1 65), N Burke (0-1), T Monaghan (0-3); C Whelan, J Fleming (1-3), G Lee (0-1).

Subs: J Coen for C Caulfield (50), J Hastings (0-2) for N Burke (52), G Thomas (0-2) for J Fleming (58), S Ryan for M Gill (59), C Killeen for C Mannion (67), D Nevin for G Lee (69), John Cooney for T Killeen (69), S Loftus for Joseph Cooney (70+2), D Kilcommins (0-1) for T Monaghan (70+2)

REFEREE: Kevin Brady (Louth)

by thesaffrongael

Cross & Passion find that little bit ‘Extra’

Corn Uan Uladh final

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 2-14 St. Louis 2-9 a.e.t.

When substitute, Maria Gatley flicked a Ciara O’Boyle cross to the Ballycastle net with time almost up and the side’s level, St. Louis Ballymena looked to have bridged a 71 year gap to claim the Corn Uan Uladh title with a win over Cross & Passion at Quinn Park today.

Referee, Mickey Quigg disallowed the score for a ‘square-ball’ infringement and the full time whistle sounded shortly after the decision, sending the game into extra time.

The decision clearly deflated the Ballymena girls as Cross & Passion took control during the opening half of extra time to race into a three point lead before a goal from Cassie McArthur early in the second period put the game beyond reach of the Kintullagh girls.

CPC celebrate their win over St Louis in the Corn Uan Uladh final in Ballymena

A large crowd attend this eagerly awaited final in Ballymena on Saturday and certainly would not have been disappointed by the fare produced by both sides with favourites Cross & Passion making the better start with points from Cassie McArthur and Orlagh Laverty in reply to one from Katie Molloy for the Ballymena side.

McArthur and Laverty combined again with points for the Ballycastle girls to move their side 0-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 12th minute but St. Louis were growing into the game and responded with points from Niamh Neeson and an Anna McKillop free to close the gap to one at the first water break.

Cross & Passion started the second quarter as they had started the first and Cassie McArthur raced through before placing Orlagh Laverty who fired to the net to move her side four ahead with 18 minutes gone.

St. Louis were coming more and more into the game however with Anna McKillen getting to grips with Cassie McArthur and Katie Molloy excellent in a sweeper role and they replied through two well struck frees from Anna McKillop to trail by two as the half time whistle sounded.

Niamh Neeson closed the gap to one with St. Louis third score on the bounce, two minutes into the second half but a Cassie McArthur point at the other end move Ballycastle three ahead again by the 5th minute.

The intensity of the game had risen a notch with the St. Louis defence starting to turn over a lot of Cross & Passion attacks and when Eimear Johnston drilled the sliothar low past Caitie Connolly in the Ballycastle goals the sides were level and we certainly had a game on our hands.

St Louis Erin Coulter in action during the final against CPC

Orlagh Laverty from a 10th minute free edged the North coast girls ahead once more but St. Louis were starting to edge most of the individual battles and hit the front for the first time as Anna McKillop converted two frees in quick succession to leave her side 1-8 to 1-7 in front at the second water break.

The game was being played at breakneck speed with no quarter being asked or given and Orlagh Laverty took advantage from a couple of quick frees on the restart and the favourites had hit the front again by the 25th minute but their lead was not to last.

The Ballymena side had the bit firmly between their teeth and when Anna McKillop capped a good individual display with her side’s second goal with only three minutes of normal time remaining a little bit of history looked to be in the making.

Cross & Passion were not about to throw in the towel however as Orlath Laverty pointed a free before Janey McIntosh fired over the equaliser with time almost up.

There was still time for one last attack however and from the resulting puck-out St. Louis quickly moved the sliotar up the field and when Gatley won the race with Caitie Connolly to finish to the Ballycastle net they looked to have won the game.

St Louis Katie Molloy in action against CPC’s Cassie McArthur and Shannagh Heggarty

Their celebrations were short lived hopwever as Referee Mickey Quigg immediately signalled for square ball and it was Cross & Passion who took full advantage of the decision in injury time as Cassie McArthur, Orlath Laverty and Nuala Devlin pointed them into a three point lead at the halfway stage.

Cassie McArthur’s goal at the start of the second period of time added on ensured there would be no way back for St. Louis whose fate was completed when Anna McKillop’s penalty sailed over the bar with time almost up.

A fine game of camogie played at real championship intensity and a credit to both sides and it is Cross & Passion who have added to their previous successes in 1945, 1964, 2008, 2017, 2018 and 2019 to make it 7 in total.

A lovely little touch at the final whistle as CPC Eva Graham takes time at the end of the game to console St Louis Niamh Neeson before joining in her team’s celebrations

Cross & Passion: Caitie Connolly, Eva Graham, Brid Magill, Noelle Connolly, Elen McIntosh, Fay McIntosh, Bronach Magill, Fionnuala Kelly, Orlath Laverty, Nuala Devlin, Janey McIntosh, Aoibheann Donnelly, Shannagh Heggarty, Cassie McArthur, Caoimhe McMullan.

St. Louis: Orlath Convery, Anna McKillen, Susan Shannon, Grace Kearns, Erin Coulter, Dearbhail Dobbin, Sarah Fyfe, Eimear Johnston, Katie Molloy, Kyra Doherty, Carlina Sullivan, Cliona Griffin, Niamh Neeson, Anna McKillop, Ciara O’Boyle. Subs: Maria Gatley

Referee: Mickey Quigg: Derry

  • Twin town. The Magill and McIntosh twins who played on the winning CPC team. L-R, Brónach Magill, Bríd Magill, Elen McEntosh and Fay McIntosh. Pic by Sean Paul McKillop
by thesaffrongael

Fionntan McGarvey R.I.P.

We at the Saffron Gael are deeply saddened at the untimely death of St. Brigid’s and Queen’s footballer, Fionntan McGarvey, a talented young player with a bright future.

A statement on the St. Brigid’s GAC website read:

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Fionntan McGarvey, a member of our U20 & Senior Football Panel. The club passes on its condolences to Fionntan’s parents, Lorcan and Aveen, his brothers Caolan and Daire, and his sister, Sorcha

Tributes to Fionntan poured in from clubs in Antrim and further afield including one from Queen’s University where he was a member of the Fresher’s team

“Heartbreaking news relayed to us this morning. Fionntan was a polite and likeable young man and a valued member of our Fresher’s footballers. His outrageous point away to Letterkenny IT in November will stick in the memory. Praying for all of his family and friends.

We at the Saffron Gael had the pleasure of watching Fionntan in action for his club St. Brigid’s on a number of occasions. He was a young man with a bright future.

To his parents Lorcan and Aveen, his brothers Caolan and Daire, his sister Sorcha and to his club St. Brigid’s we extend our sincere sympathy

go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam

by thesaffrongael

Tower can edge a potentially exciting decider

Fr. Davies Cup final

St. Killian’s Garron Tower v St. Patrick’s Keady

Loup 1-00 (Saturday)

Tomorrow’s Fr. Davies final in the Loup has all the ingredients to make it an exciting decider with both contestants, St. Killian’s Garron Tower and St. Patrick’s Keady recording big totals in their respective semi-finals.

Both sides are unbeaten in the competition to date so something has to give at the county Derry venue.

St Killian’s Garron Tower proved much too strong for their opponents, St. Catherine’s Armagh in their semi-final at Meadowbank, in Magherafelt where they avenged a final defeat against the same opposition back in 2018

The Tower were always in control and raced into an interval lead of 4-7 to 0-0 and were never troubled. The North Antrim girls went on to run out 6-10 to 1-0 winner with Clodagh McPeake 2-2, Monique O’Boyle 2-1, Caitlin McKeown 1-0, Louise Mulholland 1-0, Orlath McAlister0-3, Niamh Graham 0-2, Sine Woodhouse and Kady McNeill 0-1 all on target for the Tower.

In the other semi-final St. Patrick’s Keady were even more impressive as they outscored and out thought Our Lady & St. Patrick’s Knock, running out 5-18 to 4-8 winners with Sinead Quinn leading the way with a personal tally of 4-9 for the Armagh girls.

St. Patrick’s are no strangers to Fr. Davies success, having won the most recent of their three successes back in 2017 and have other outstanding performers in Katie Boyle and Shannon Burke while Meabh O’Hare played a vital part in her sides win over Knock when switched to mark the dangerous Ciara Fitzsimmons.

Orla Donnelly, Sine Woodhouse, Monique O’Boyle and Laura Haughey were all member of the Antrim All Ireland Minor B success back in September and that experience could be an important factor if the St. Killian’s girls are to collect the silverware.

A tight watch on the dangerous Sinead Quinn is vital if the Tower girls are to overcome the challenge of a good St. Patrick’s side but if they can re-produce the form they displayed against St. Catherine’s in the semi-final they can collect the silverware tomorrow.