Month / April 2022

by thesaffrongael

O’ Neill Goal proves the difference as Cargin end Casement’s winning run

Geordie McGuckin reports from Kelly Park

A 45th minute goal, the product of fine approach work by John Carron and Jamie Gribbin and finished by Sean og O’ Neill proved the decisive score as Cargin ended the unbeaten run by Casement’s in a close hard fought contest at Kelly Park  Portglenone on Tuesday evening.

Little had separated the sides from the start and it was that major score from the young centre back which saw the Cargin men  move into the clear water of a three point lead.

The Toome men, having gained the advantage did not let it slip, and an excellent long range point  by the home side’s Michael Hagen in the 56th minute was as close as the Casement’s were to get.

Cargin stood strong in defiance in the latter stages with James Laverty and the ever excellent Michael Mc Cann leading from the front to ensure the points were going to Toome.

An unbeaten trail from the start of the season and the visit of the current league champions on a fine early spring evening with the Portglenone sod bathed in sunshine ensured a big gathering was in attendance.

The crowd gathered in anticipation and in the event they were not to be disappointed with the fare produced in a close fought end to end encounter which proved good value for money.

Casement’s were first to give employment to the scoreboard attendant with an early white flag raised by Oisin Doherty who despatched a 2nd minute free between the posts.

Cargin were quick to make reply as Jamie Gribbin fully punished an indiscretion on Tom Shivers, enjoying his first ever start in the Erin’s Own jersey, when he despatched the award between the posts.

The home side spurned a couple of chances in the early minutes and were made to pay when Gerard Mc Cann broke through the Casement’s rearguard to blast to the back of the Casement’s net.

The Portglenone men were not found wanting however and soon afterwards Michael Hagen was quick to pounce on a breaking ball to drive to the back of the Cargin net.

The tit for tat activity of the opening minutes was to establish the trend for most of the opening period and after twenty minutes of endeavour the sides remained on terms.

Back to back points from Paul Mc Cann and Jamie Gribbin saw the visitors gain slight advantage before another Michael Hagen point from a placed effort brought the hosts back on level terms at 1-03 apiece.

Similarly when a fine James Laverty point saw the Toome men get a view from the front, it provoked a swift reply from the home side when Oisin Doherty was quick to pounce when Cargin netminder John Mc Nabb parried away a Paddy Kelly shot to fire the rebound home.

Casement’s enjoyed a two point lead as the short blast drew near but Cargin were to finish strongly with late white flags raised in turn by Justin Crozier and James Laverty to ensure the visitors were alongside their hosts again as the sides took respite at 2-03 to 1-06.

Cargin hit the front again shortly into the second period with a point from Jamie Gribbin but their advantage was to prove short lived as back to back points from Paddy  Kelly, and an excellent follow up from full back Shane Delargy regained advantage for the home side.

Cargin had been forced into change at the interval as Kevin McShane was introduced to replace the ailing Ciaran Bradley, and the newlywed marked his arrival with a fine point. The key score of the game followed soon afterwards when Sean Og O’ Neill raced through and combined with John Carron and Jamie Gribbin to fire home a great goal, which gave the Cargin men an advantage which they were not to relinquish.

It was end to end stuff in the last quarter as Oisin Doherty and Michael Mc Cann swapped points before back to back white flags, raised in succession by the impressive Michael Hagen, reduced the Cargin lead to just two points, and it looked like the Portglenone men had the wind in their sails.

However a smashing finish from Sean Og O’ Neill saw the visitors stretch three ahead again and the Casement’s men had to be content with a late Michael Hagen point from long range.

The home side pressed to close the gap but the visitors managed the game well in those tense final minutes to seal the win by a two point advantage 2-11 to 2-09 and bring the home side’s winning run to a close.

Referee B Toland (Lamh Dhearg)

Teams

Casement’s

Rian O’ Neill, Ronan Delargy, Shane Delargy (0-01), Jonny Convery, Ryan Convery, Paddy Carey, Ruairi Hagen, Dermot Mc Aleese, Paddy Kelly (0-01),Coary Mc Laughlin, Conal Delargy (0-01), Aiden Mc Aleese, Oisin Doherty (1-02), Ronan Kelly, Michael Hagen (1-04).

Subs

Michael Donnelly for P Kelly

Cargin

John Mc Nabb, David Johnston, Kevin O’ Boyle, Cahir Donnelly, Justin Crozier (0-01), Sean og O’ Neill (1-01), Ronan Gribbin, Gerard Mc Cann (1-00), James Laverty (0-02), John Carron, Ciaran Bradley, Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Tom Shivers, Michael Mc Cann (0-02), Jamie Gribbin (0-03)

Subs

Kevin Mc Shane (0-01) for C Bradley

Michael Clarke for P Mc Cann

Brendan Laverty for G Mc Cann

by thesaffrongael

Four goal Donnelly seals the win for Ballycastle

Under 15 Hurling League – Division 1

Ballycastle 4-11 Ard na Rí 3-9

Ballycastle came from four points down at half time to beat Ard na Rí in Tuesday evening’s Under 15 Hurling League Division 1 game at Paric MacUíllin. Ballycastle full forward Darragh Donnelly was the difference between the two sides, scoring all four of his team’s goal in a man of the match performance.

The Belfast boys were first to strike and a goal and a point from from Ard na Rí centre forward Segda Mac Adhiamh  gave them a great start, but a Darragh Donnelly goal got Ballycastle going and they added the next four points through Conor Donnelly, Nial McClaean  and Darragh Donnelly to move three ahead.

Ard na Rí came back strongly with a goal from Conn Flathery, two points from the excellent Donncha Donnelly, and one each from Jay McKeown Conn Flaherty to lead a by 2-6 to 1-5 at half time.

Darragh Donnelly’s second goal early in the second half put Ballycastle in a strong position and when he completed his hat trick on 46 minutes they were in command. Cadhan Crowford added a point from a free before Donnelly got his fourth goal, but to their credit the Ard na Rí side battled away and a were rewards when substitute Cuan Polley got a goal in injury time

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Hurlers say thank you to their sponsors

Thank you to all our golf sponsors and businesses that supported the Golf Classic
The Antrim Senior Hurlers and management would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors, players and businesses who contributed last Friday to our Golf Classic and made it the huge success it was at Balmoral Golf Club:
Premier Electrics
3D Contracts (NI) Ltd
3D Personnel Ltd
AC Drylining Dunloy
Angela Cunning Photography
Anzac Wines and Spirits
Arrow Travel
Autoparts Direct
b4b Group
Ballycastle Sea Tours
Bannside Pharmacy Ltd
Ben’s Ice Cream Studio
Bennett Construction
Blaney Hurley Repairs
Bourke Sports
Bradley’s Barbers
Bridge Bar Dunloy
Budore Grounds Services
C & S Painting & Decorating
Café Cova
Caman Hurls
Casement Social Club
Casement Social Club Raymondos
Casey Oils
Central Bar Cushendall
Chip Inn, Loughgiel
Christie McCauley
CMK Plumbing and Heating
Cobec Engineering
Commercial Catering Solutions CCS (Brian Delargy)
Contact Marketing
Corner Shop Loughgiel
Creagh Concrete
Creevx
Crumlin Road Gaol
Cycle to Lourdes
DAC Construction (NI) Ltd
Danaan’s Barber Shop
Darren Gleeson
DG Dillon Building Contracts
Diamond Bar, Ballycastle
Doherty Woodshavings (Sean Doherty)
Donnelly’s of Rathkenny
DSM Sports Marketing Agency
Dublin Saffrons’ – Denis McFerran
Duffin Transport
E&D Drywall Ltd
EG Freight
Elevation Design
Event Bar Solutions
FC Tiling
Feile an Phobail
Fire Pro-Tec
Flow Masters Plumbing
Gary Brogan
Giveaway Competitions
Glen View
Glenbio (Johnny McIntosh)
Glens e Cyro
Glens Farm Supplies
Glens Glamping
GMG Body Repairs
Go Box Self Storage
Granny Annies
Gregory O’Kane Building Contractor
Gullion Golf
H&J Martin Construction
Harry’s Restaurant
Haughey Electrical
High Coat Roofing Company
Horse & Jockey Hotel
Hugh Hitchen
Hugh Jordan & Co
J.S. Construction
Jade Holistic’s & Skincare
James Close Surveying
Joey Campbell
John Donnelly Buildings
John McCurry & Sons Ltd
Justin McCormick
Kearneys supermarkets
Kelly’s Mace, Dunloy
Kevin McCann
Kilwee Kitchen Company
KRW Law
Lagan Electrical (Paddy Lagan)
Laverty Hurls
LC Solictors
Let’s Face It
Lilly’s kitchen & Bar, Glenavy
Lir whiskey
Lisnamanny Beef Shorthorn
Louis Boyd
LW Fire Stopping
Main Mechanical Services LTD
Marksman Industrial Company
Marlborough Place Independant Financial Advice
Marrion’s Bar & Off Licence
Martin Doherty Contracts
Mauds, Ballycastle
McAtamneys Traditional Butchers Kilrea
McCann Fuels
McCarroll McConnell Insurance (Malachy McAleese)
McCormack Demolition
McCrudden & Trainor Solicitors
McCurdy Surveying
McMullan Construction Limited
McMullan Shellfish
Mercury Security
Michael McGovern
Missile Fitness
Mooney Mechanical Installations Ltd
Necto Search and Selection
Newbridge Joinery Limited
Northern Switchgear
O’Neills
Outsource
Pappy’s Bakery Dunloy
Peter Doherty Services
Physiotherapy Now
Pilgrims Food Masters
Podium 4 Sport
Precision Automation (Dan McKillop)
Premier Finishes Ltd
Premier Wealth Management (NI)
Pure Fit Out
Quarter accountants
R O’Neill Electrical
Radius Corporate Finance
Red Bay Boats
Richmond Mechanical
RPM Motors
RST Electrical limited
Saffron Bar, Waterfoot
Sean McIlhatton Accountant
Sperrin bakery
Sperrin Switchgear
Springfield Autos
St Agnes CLG
St Marys Grammar School Belfast
St Pauls GAC Sports Bar
Stranded Burger
T McCann Plasterers and Sons
T&T Electrical Services NI Ltd
TC Electrical
The BlackBull Bar
The Devenish
The Glen Bar, Glenbush
The Grub Hub
The Lurig Inn & McNaughton Guestrooms
The Mortgage Shop
The Pepper Mill
The Pizza Place
The Pound Bar Loughguile
The Pump House
The Rock Bar
The Sultans Turkish Barbers
The Unit Fitness & Performance
The Village Inn Dunloy
Thompson Petroleum Installations
Transport Supplies
Tullamore Court Hotel
Tullyglass House Hotel
Tumbledown Bar
Turn Back Time
Ulster Hurling New York
Value Oils.com
Westway Bingo
Wilson’s
Workforce

by thesaffrongael

 Football League Fixtures (Tuesday 26th and Wed 27th April)

The football leagues continue with a single fixture set for tonight (Tuesday) with the remainder of games in all of the divisions on Wednesday.

Following the Saffron exit from the championship ensures those previously on county duty are again available to their respective clubs.

Tuesday 26th April

Division One (7.15pm)

Casement’s Portglenone v Erin’s Own Cargin

Casement’s are flying high in the league thus far with John Cheever’s men unbeaten in the competition.

The Bannsider’s travelled up to Milltown last time to complete six wins on the trot easing over the winning line with a ten point advantage over St Gall’s and they will be looking forward to the visit of Cargin.

Cargin have improved in the league of late and the Toome men dismissed the challenge of the visiting Tir na nOg last time and with their county players back in harness they are more than capable of asking stern questions of Bannsider’s.

Wed 27th April

Division One (7.15 pm)

St Brigid’s v O’ Donovan Rossa

Rossa have been a bit hit and miss in the league to date but the Shaw’s Road impressed on their penultimate start  when they travelled out to Creggan and held the reigning champions to a draw, and they went on to prove a point superior to their close rivals St John’s last time.

St Brigid’s gained a draw at Aghagallon last time and they will return to home base in search of their third win of the season.

St. Brigid’s at home will provide another stiff challenge but Rossa look capable of providing them with a stern test.

St John’s v Kickham’s Creggan

St John’s are have been disappointing recently and although they are more than capable a loss to their closest rivals Rossa last time will have hurt.

They return to home base again for this one as a visit of Creggan looms large on the horizon.

Creggan have been in good form in the league fare to date and they will take the road to Corrigan in a positive mood.

The home side are more than capable of causing upset but the Kickham’s will start as favourites and they may well gain the verdict.

St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Gall’s

Ahoghill have a couple of wins to date but need some more to gain a measure of safety in the top grade.

The Cloney men lost out by a couple of points last time at Hightown with several on the injury list and have home advantage for the visit of St Gall’s.

St Gall’s lost heavily to the visiting Casement’s last time and they will travel to Ahoghill seeking improvement.

St Gall’s will possibly start this one as favourites but the home side can gain a couple of valuable points with a win over their visitors.

Gort na Mona v St Mary’s Aghagallon

Gort na Mona are without a win to date and look destined for life in the second grade next season unless radical improvement is forthcoming.

The Enright Park side showed improvement last time when they ran Lamh Dhearg to half dozen points and will aim for further from the visit of Aghagallon.

Last year’s beaten county finalists Aghagallon shared the points with St Brigid’s last time and they will travel to Belfast with prospects of a full return of the points from this one.

Tir na nOg v Lamh Dhearg

Tir na nOg returned to the top grade this term as Intermediate and division two league champions and the Whitehill men have settled well in their new niche.

They found Cargin too hot to handle last time in Toome and they will return to Whitehill this time for the visit of Lamh Dhearg.

Lamh Dhearg have been inconsistent this season but they are more than capable of making a mark in the top grade.

The Whitehill side will aiming for another couple of points and indeed Michael O’ Kane’s charges are more than capable if a lengthy injury list eases they may well sneak a share of the points.

Division Two (7.15 pm)

St James Aldergrove v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass lead the division with an unbeaten run to date and they will travel to Aldergrove full of confidence.

The Marian Hill men were forced to dig deep to earn a draw with the visiting St Paul’s last time and they will hope to get back to winning ways this time.

Aldergrove have started their league campaign slowly but have gained in momentum lately and away wins at Ballymena and Dunloy suggests they will be in the shakeup come the end of the season and they will provide a stiff test as the league leaders visit Crumlin.

All Saint’s Ballymena v St Mary’s Rasharkin

All Saints have continued to blow hot and cold in their games to date and they endured a poor return last time when they visited Glenravel where they were well beaten.

Rasharkin gained promotion from division 3 last time and shared the points with Davitt’s up in Belfast before losing by a point to Ardoyne at Dreen last time but are capable of testing an inconsistent All Saints.

The home side will start as favourites but they are likely to be pushed to the wire.

Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Teresa’s

Ardoyne seem to have picked up the pace after a tepid start and they gained a full return of the points from a visit to Dreen last time and will look forward to the visit of St. Teresa’s.

St Teresa’s  have recorded a couple of home wins but have not travelled well this season but will see this one as an opportunity to gain a first away win.

Michael Davitt’s v Cuchullian’s Dunloy

Davitt’s have enjoyed a strong start to the 2022 season and remain in close proximity at the top of the division.

The Fall’s Road men recorded another win last time on the Glen Road will return to Davitt’s Park as Dunloy pay a visit.

Dunloy have started the season well with three wins to date but they may well struggle to add another couple of points this time as they visit the in-form city men.

St Paul’s v St Joseph’s Glenavy

Having led the way in the division for a while St Paul’s have slipped down the table slightly.

They earned a good draw at  Moneyglass last time, the first point St. Ergnat’s have dropped this season while visitors Glenavy recorded a home win against Sarsfields but this looks a stiffer test for the St Joseph’s men with ground advantage probably tipping the balance in favour of St Paul’s.

Division Three (7.15 pm)

Bhulf Ton v Eire Og

Eire Og have recorded three victories to date and may well pick up another couple of points in this one as they take on Bhulf Ton.

St Gall’s (b) v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s

O’ Donnell’s have performed well to date and they may well add another brace of points in this one as they take on St Gall’s third string.

St Agnes v St Comgall’s Antrim

St. Comgall’s lost to St. Gall’s and dropped another point at MacRory Park but remain one of the favourites to top this division and should earn a full return in this one as they visit Woodlands to play St. Agnes.

St Malachy’s v Patrick Pearses

Pearses have been going well this year and they should retain winning ways here as they visit St Malachy’s.

Laochra Loch Lao v St Patrick’s Lisburn.

The Lisburn men sit at the top of the table and they should gain a full return of the points as they visit Laochra Loch Lao.

by thesaffrongael

Carey just edged out Creggan

ACHL Division 2

Creggan 0-18 Carey 1-19

Report and Pics: Joe Rice

It was an early start on Sunday Morning for the men from North Antrim as they found themselves on their way to Creggan for a 10am throw in.  The punters would have had Carey firm favourites as they had defeated Creggan in last year’s Intermediate Championship Final.  The home side had their County players away and had a few missing with injury problems to contend with.  Creggan started the better with the first two scores of the game but it took Carey 9 minutes to register their first point.  The home side had the assistance of a strong breeze and managed to go 5 points in front with 20 minutes on the clock in the first half but Carey fought back hard to close the gap with only the minimum separating the sides at half time – Creggan one point up.

With the second half under way the visitors now had the breeze at their backs and it was beginning to pay dividends with 3 unanswered points and one goal in the 35th minute, putting some distance between the sides.  It took the home side 40 minutes to register their first score of the second half, nevertheless, it was Carey’s goal that sealed their victory.

Kealan McCann got Creggan up and running with the home sides’ first 2 scores within the first minutes.  Carey’s response was from Conleith McKinley with a free dropped over the bar, one of many he would add to his tally.  Oran McCann, Creggan’s free taker, was on target almost 100% turnover with his frees putting the home side 2 points ahead. The visitors’ Conleith McKinley then popped one over to leave them one point adrift.  Caolan McAughan’s first effort levelled proceedings heading towards the short whistle.  Both sides were well matched cancelling out point-for-point with the home side’s scores coming from 3 points from Sean Duffin, 2 apiece for Oran and Kealan McCann and one each for Liam McCann, Aidan McKeown and Michael Maguire.  Carey were also on target with 3 further points from Conleith McKinley, and one each for Caolan McAughan and Patrick McBride.

HALF TIME SCORE:          CREGGAN 0.11 v CAREY 0.10.

Carey came out eager to get going again and hoped that the strong breeze would continue to assist them in their efforts, which it did.  Three unanswered points within the first 5 minutes, 2 points from Conleith McKinley and one from Patrick Gillan.  This looked to set the visitors up for a comfortable victory after Fiachra McVeigh was more than fortunate to put one past Creggan’s keeper, Brendan Prenter, who managed to get a touch on the ball but wasn’t enough to stop it from creeping over the line.  As we edged towards the 40th minute the home side were pressing on and not giving up hope.  It was 40 minutes in but Oran McCann got their first point of the second half and they only had themselves to blame for conceding the next 3 points with some poor passes that gave the visitors’ some very easy scores with a point a piece from James Black and Caolan McAughan and 2 quick points in succession from the visitors’ No.20 substitute.  Oran McCann was the only scorer for Creggan in the second half with 7 points – 3 frees and 4 from play but it wasn’t enough to catch the Ballyvoy men and it was McKinley who scored the final point for the visitors although his points tally was one less that Creggan’s McCann.

CREGGAN: No.1 Brendan Prenter, No.2 Aidan Maguire, No.3 Thomas McCann, No.4 Jake McAteer, No.5 Liam McCann (0.01), No.6 Aidan McKeown (0.01), No.7 Dannan O’Hara, No.8 Kealan McCann (0,02), Tiernan McLarnon, No.10 Nial McAuley, No.11 Oran McCann (0.10), No.12 Sean Duffin (0.03), No.13 Michael Maguire (0.01), No.14 Cormac Rice, No.15 Aaron Hughes, No.17 Joe James Smyth, No.19 Michael Carey Small, No.20 Callum McCann, No.22 Mark McCann, No.26 Oliver Duffin, No.29 Owen Grant.

CAREY: No.1 Darren McGovern, No.2 David McBride, No.3 Sean McBride, No.4 Daniel Hill, No.5 Michael McVeigh, No.6 James McCouaig, No.7 Peter McVeigh, No.8 Conleith McKinley (0.09), No.9 Fionntan McCarry, No.10 Caolan McAughan (0.03), No.11 Fiachra McVeigh (1.01), No.12 James Black (0.01), No.13 John McBride, No.14 Patrick McBride (0.01), No.15 Patrick Gillan (0.02), No.20 Substitute (0.02).