Month / October 2022

by thesaffrongael

McQuillan: “Two years ago hurt and today was about putting that right”

Victorious Dunloy manager Anthony McQuillan speaks with Brendan McTaggart amidst the celebrations at Dunsilly

There aren’t many out side of maybe Glenravel who would begrudge this man a winners medal.  Dunloy manager Anthony McQuillan has lived and breathed the big ball in a hurling dominated village and there were fewer wearing a bigger smile than he at the final whistle.  We had a very different conversation two years ago when the Cuchullains were beaten by Moneyglass in the decider and ‘Anto’ said the memory of that defeat was never far from their minds in the build-up to Saturday’s final: “When we say finally over the line, no one understands that more than me.  Two years ago against Moneyglass we left this pitch heartbroken.  In years gone by, Glenavy, Aghagallon and St Brigid’s beat us but that was a different team and not the current squad.  Two years ago hurt and today was about putting that right for the boys.  I’m absolutely thrilled.”

In a first half that Dunloy dominated, the six point interval lead they had was the bare minimum they deserved.  The Cuchullains midfield dominated and their pace from deep meant they had threats all over the pitch.  McQuillan said he knew after the first few plays it was going to be their day: “That was the dream start.  The first two or three balls, we turned them over and broke at pace.  I knew then.  That was the moment I knew we were onto a good thing.  When we start winning the second ball and attacking at pace, we’re trailing defenders out of position and our pacey forwards were running in behind.

“I’ve no idea how we didn’t get a goal today.  Their goal keeper was absolutely unreal.  The first half we were absolutely superb.  We had two goal chances that if we had of taken, it wouldn’t even have glossed the score line.”

Chrissy Brogan who was part of the last Dunloy team to win the Intermediate Football championship in 2007 with Declan McGeehan, a Ballinderry native who has trained the Cuchullains this year after spending the two years before that with Glenravel

In those recent, previous finals, the Cuchullains were never in a similar position. They were in the game and competitive but to have been so dominant and in control was new ground. McQuillan said they hadn’t really prepared for such a scenario when they formulated a half time team talk: “We went in at half time and I turned around to the management team and said ‘we haven’t had that before.’ I was caught on the hop a little, I normally have something positive and negative to say and I was searching for a negative. I just challenged then to do the same again for the next 30 minutes.”

With 11 dual players in the starting 15, the Dunloy men are on a role this championship season.  McQuillan said the prospect of winning trophies at both hurling and football has driven the club on in recent times.  The ‘dual problem’ isn’t seen as much as a problem any further but more a chance to further enhance Dunloy club as a whole, he continued: “It’s starting to work (dual).  No doubt about that.  When I came in four years ago, my main aim was to have everyone playing football for Dunloy.  Not just senior, every age group.  Boys have football training and hurling training, the whole club is now working together trying to progress it forward.  We built an Academy together, we built the 4G together, we’re now working together to make it work.

“This weekend, we had this today, the camogs tomorrow and the hurlers next Sunday.  That’s what dreams are made of, that’s what kids dream about.”

For now, the Intermediate Championship resides in Pearse Park for the first time in 15 years.  Having been part of the panel that secured the trophy in 2007, McQuillan struggled to put it into words the emotion of it all: “This actually does mean the world.  I can’t put it into words. All I wanted to do when I came in to this job was to make this team a Senior team, not an Intermediate team.  This is the championship we had to win to make us a Senior team.  We’ll be playing Division 2 next year, we’ll have boys away on county duty but that’s up to the rest of the lads to progress us forward into Division One senior team.  But next year we’re a fully-fledged Senior dual club and that was the aim.

“I’ll have a few jars for sure but not for everyone.  A few of the lads will have ice-baths, they have a championship to win next Sunday and we’ll need it over the line as well but there’ll be celebrations.  There’s about 20 of us who aren’t dual so we’ll be celebrating this for sure.”

by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains Cruise to Intermediate Title 

OB Construction Intermediate Football Final

Dunloy 0-14 Glenravel 0-10

Saturday 8 October

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

The bridesmaid finally became the bride.  Dunloy have been knocking on the door for the Intermediate crown for the last eight years, on Saturday they finally got over the line.  Four points the difference at the end of the hour, much of that down to the heroics of James McEvoy between the sticks for Con Magees.  Five saves, three in the first half, McEvoy was outstanding for the Glenravel men and it was his efforts that kept the score line respectable, especially in the opening 30 minutes.

Dunloy’s Seaan Elliott is closed down by Glenravel’s Calum Higgins

In a first half that the Cuchullains dominated, much of that was down to their dominance in midfield.  Despite missing the talents of Deaglan Smith from injury, Ryan McGarry and Eoin McFerran were superb.  Winning clean ball, primary possession then recycling or giving to runners off the shoulder and Dunloy had plenty of them.  Seaan and Nigel Elliott left the Con Magees chasing their shadows on countless occasions, Keelan Molloy and Conal Cunning with the scores.

Defensively, Dunloy had their homework done.  Aaron Crawford was given the unenvious task of keeping tabs on Eamon Fyfe.  The Con Magees man finished with eight points beside his name, three of those from play but he had little in the way of support as the Cuchullains controlled this game from the first whistle.

The opening minutes were cagey with Con Magees having the lions share of possession.  Dunloy set up well to counter and opened the scoring through Keelan Molloy’s effort after just two minutes.  Eamon Fyfe replied with a free in the fifth minute but Dunloy’s midfield dominance began to pay dividends and they turned the screw on the Con Magees defence.  A brace of scores from Conal Cunning (one free) edged Dunloy ahead by two but scores weren’t easy come by.  Despite not winning the aerial of ground battle from restarts, the Glenravel men had created a white and green wall that the Cuchullains took some time to adapt to.  

Glenravel goalkeeper James McEvoy kept his team in the game with a series of outstanding saves

Another point from Cunning put three between the sides before Dunloy created their first chance for a major.  Cunning judging the flight of the ball and rolling his marker but his effort went just wide.  Referee Darren McKeown had called advantage for an infringement on Cunning and Molloy converted to put the Cuchullains ahead by five midway through the first half.

Any attacks from the Con Magees were fleeting with Fyfe living off scraps.  They were forced into shooting from difficult angles and from distance.  McEvoy was in action again when he denied Cunning from close range but another lightning Dunloy counter resulted in Molloy splitting the posts.

Eamon Fyfe converted a free to register Glenravel’s second point of the final in the 22nd minute but Dunloy were starting to cut loose.  Seaan Elliott thundering through the heart of the Glenravel defence but his rasping drive was turned over the bar.  McEvoy with a save right out of the top drawer.  Seaan Elliott (free) and Fyfe (mark) swapped scores before Keelan Molloy fired over his fourth point of the half to leave the half time score 0-9 to 0-3 in favour of the Cuchullains.

Conal Cunning sends over a Dunloy point from a free

It was pretty much a one sided affair in the opening half and a six point lead was the minimum the Cuchullains deserved.  The Glenravel men were second best all over the pitch and needed something special to get back in to the final and Fyfe was doing his best to accommodate.  He scored the opening point of the second half from wide on the right and off balance.  The Con Magees faithful were celebrating before Fyfe managed to get back to his feet.  A wonderful point that should have breathed life into the Glenravel challenge.  It didn’t.  What followed was more of the same precision from the Dunloy forwards with James Scally and Cunning (free) getting the scoreboard going again in the second half for Dunloy.

Seaan Elliott and Fyfe swapped frees before Fyfe added his second from play, scoring his and Glenravel’s sixth point of the game midway through the second half.

The Con Magees challenge was seriously dented when Conor McNeill was sent off for an overzealous challenge on Seaan Elliott.  Cunning executed the resulting free but the Dunloy numerical advantage was short lived with Eoin Gillan seeing black just three minutes later.

Eamon Fyfe sends over a Glenravel point

McEvoy was once again on his game to deny substitute Caolan Gillan before Fyfe (free) and Daniel McQuillan reduced the Dunloy lead to five points.  The first time in the game the Con Magees registered back to back scores, coming eight minutes from time.

Another McAvoy save denied Seaan Elliott before Cunning took his tally to six points for the final with five minutes remaining.  That would be the Cuchullains last score but they had enough on the score board to see out the time that remained.

Eoin Hynds (free) and Fyfe split the uprights for Glenravel, Fyfe’s effort just clipping the crossbar before going over but they never got the major they needed to worry the Dunloy defence.

At the final whistle the cheers went up.  Among the shouts of congratulations and hugs, a sigh of relief could be heard.  A mix of ecstasy and relief on faces young and old.  In recent times Dunloy have flattered to deceive in the Intermediate decider but today was their time.  The side have matured together and if the old saying goes, you have to lose on to win one, you got the feeling that Dunloy were never going to let this one slip.  The Cuchullains bridge a 15 year gap from their last Intermediate title and take the cup to Pearse Park.

TEAMS

Dunloy: Christopher Brogan; James Scally, Aaron Crawford, Conor Kinsella; Oran Quinn, Kevin McQuillan, Anton McGrath; Ryan McGarry, Eoin McFerran; Nigel Elliott, Eoin Gillan, Christopher McMahon; Conal Cunning, Keelan Molloy, Seaan Elliott 

Subs: Caolan Gillan for C McMahon (34); Michael Smith for A McGrath (56); Ciaran McQuillan for R McGarry (59); Anthony Smith for N Elliott (60); Ryan McFarline for K Molloy (60)

Scorers: C Cunning 0-6 (3fs); K Molloy 0-4 (1f); S Elliott 0-3 (2fs); J Scally 0-1; 

Glenravel: James McEvoy; Charlie Henry, Sean Higgins, Conor Carey; Rian Lennon, Niall Swann, Daniel McQuillan; Calum Higgins, David Higgins; Aidan O’Donnell, Eoin Hynds, Connor McNeill; Declan Traynor, Eamon Fyfe, Ryan McQuillan

Subs: Eoin McCusker for A O’Donnell (22); Kieran McKeown for C Henry (HT); Sean McKay for R Lennon (HT); Conleth O’Loan for S Higgins (36); Martin McCarry for D McQuillan (60)

Scorers: E Fyfe 0-8 (4fs, 1m); D McQuillan 0-1; E Hynds 0-1 (1f)

Referee: Darren McKeown (St Galls)

Dunloy players and subs jump for joy at the final whistle. Pic by Bert Trowlen
Nigel Elliott receives the Saffron Gael Man of the Match award after the game
by thesaffrongael

Brídíní Óga get over the line after tough battle with Portglenone

Doherty Wooshavings Antrim Intermediate Camogie Final

Brídíní Óga Glenravel 2-9 Geraldine’s Portglenone 0-11

If first you don’t succeed!

Bridini Oga Glenravel finally got their hands on the Antrim Intermediate Camogie title when they held off a determined fightback by Geraldine’s Portglenone in Saturday’s final at Slemish Park Ballymena. The Glenravel girls had fell three times at the final hurdle in recent times, but this time they got over the line by four points, though they were made to work to the final seconds before securing the win. When they turned around at half time with a slender one point lead the new champions probably felt they were in a very strong position, but Portglenone fought tooth and nail for every ball, and had lady luck been a little kinder they it could well have been them, and not their opponents who were lifting the cup.

First half goals from corner forward Ashing Millar and centre forward Molly Woulahan were to probe decisive for Bridini Oga, Millar striking early in the game with a low shot which found the back of the Portglenone net. Erin Coulter had given Glenravel an early lead but with Roisin Kelly and free taker Shannon Darragh in fine score taking form, Portglenone edged ahead with twenty minutes on the clock.

Midfielder Erin McAleese put Molly Woulahan in on goal on 23 minutes and though the centre forward had her initial shot saved, she picked up the rebound and shot high to the net for goal number two for the Glenravel girls to give her team a 2-2 to 0-7 lead.

When Torie Edgar got the first score of the second half the signs were good for Glenravel, but two more frees from Shannon Darragh brought Portgleone level.  Scores were at a premium, but Niamh McKay got Glenravel back in front and when Eimhear McAleenan added two from frees, and Aimee Traynor got one from play it eased the pressure. Twice in the closing stages Portglenone closed the gap to three as Anna Kelly and Aoibhinn McCloskey found the target, but points at the other end from McAleenan and Edgar restored that four point cushion.

Portglenone made a last despearte bid to save the game in injury time, and were unlucky to see a shot come back of the upright and a relieved Glenravel held on to seal the win.

Brídíní Óga Glenravel: O Donnelly, M Mulholland, M McKenna, A Mulholland, E Coulter 0-1, L McKenna, B Laverty, E McAleese, E McAleenan 0-3 (fs), V Edgar 0-2, K Laverty 0-1, S Fyfe, A Traynor 0-1, M Woulahan 1-0, A Millar 1-0.

Subs: N McKay 0-1 for S Fyfe (24), M Law for A Millar (60).

Portglenone: P McCarry, M Mooney, A Convery, D Dobbin, M McLarnon, K Duffin, C O’Kane, Á Mulholland, L McAleese, A McCloskey 0-1, A Kelly 0-1 (f), S Darragh 0-6 (5fs), R Kelly 0-3, O Convery, E McKee.

Referee – Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

by thesaffrongael

Shamrock bid for 9-in-a-row

Travel Ireland Coaches Antrim senior final

Sunday 2pm in Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel : Loughgiel v Dunloy

EVENTS over the past month strongly suggest that Loughgiel Shamrocks will extend their record run in the Travel Ireland Coaches Antrim senior championship to a ninth successive title.

There was much speculation before the first of the group games as to how they would measure up this year given that they were missing four from last year’s winning team (Maeve Connolly, Emma McMullan, Emma McFadden and Racquel Murphy) and with injury worries over Róisín McCormick.

The club made their statement on the field with three comfortable victories that has taken them into the final. Admittedly they looked a bit rusty in the opening game against Ballycastle. In the second game Dunloy put it up to them in the first half, but completely faded after the break and a fortnight ago they powered past Cushendall.

That final game also marked a return to action for McCormick, albeit with a heavily strapped ankle. The Antrim county star was just ten minutes on the field and scored three points. A fortnight further on, she will definitely see action for more than ten minutes, but the question will be whether or not her management team will name her to start. She would definitely add to the scoring power up front.

Caitrin Dobbin was the star against Ballycastle but Dunloy managed to curtail her during the second game. Loughgiel got through that because they had a fair distribution of scorers across the forwards with Lucia McNaughton also weighing in from midfield.

Should Dunloy force McNaughton to play at the back of midfield, the Shamrocks won’t be as effective in accumulating scores and McCormick could give an extra dimension whether from the start or off the bench.

Dunloy though look to have a number of issues to solve – not least their erratic form during each of the three group games.

From being average against Cushendall for the opening 20 minutes, they burst into life and ran riot for the rest of the game. It was the opposite in the Ballycastle match; brilliant as they went 1-7 to 0-0 ahead over the first 20 minutes and then very average for the rest of the game. 

Then there was the middle game with Loughgiel – on a par for the whole of the first half and failing to score during the second. The Shamrocks’ took control at half back and midfield and Dunloy couldn’t break through. Despite that, only three points separated the teams going into the final seven minutes.

In a way, Dunloy have created a scenario where they could ambush the champions. No-one is expecting them to win and their form is not good. That is in contrast to last year when they beat Loughgiel in the group stages, but were swamped in the final – and McCormick only lasted the first ten minutes of that final as she sustained a serious injury.

If Dunloy can match the Shamrocks as they did during the first half of the league game, it will come down to how much game time McCormick gets. She will make a difference while on the pitch, if only to create a distraction!

However the question remains whether Dunloy can get enough scores from a teenage forward line up against an experienced defence.

It may be a low-scoring final and that would give the challengers a chance. But the indicators are all pointing to Corn Uí Dhubhthaigh returning to the Lough Road.

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall bridge 50 year gap as they take Junior Camogie title

Antrim Junior Camogie Championship final

Cushendall: 5-13(28) Loughgiel: 2-1(7)

Cusehndall won their first Junior Camogie Championship title since 1972 when they beat Loughgiel 3rds in Friday night’s final at Portglenone. After a great start which brought them four points in the first three minutes Cushendall were rocked back on their heels as the Shamrocks came back with two goals and a point to lead by three, but from that point on Cushendall regained control to dominate all over the field and in the end were convincing winners.

Backboned by their recent underage teams the Ruairiettes started like a steam train and four unanswered points from Niamh Conlon, Lara Haughey, Niamh Graham and Ellie Jo Butler, but two quick goals from the Shamrocks full forward Rebecca Higgins and a point rom right half forward Neal Clarke turned things around.

Rebecca Higgins scores a Loughgiel goal

Those scores left the Cushendall girls reeling for a while, but when corner forward Niamh Conlon ended a twelve minute scoreless spell with a well taken goal, things began to click again. Ellie Jo Butler brought them level with a point from play on fifteen minutes and they pushed on with further points from the excellent Conlon, Lara Haughey (2) and Monique O’Boyle, plus a goal from top of the left Caoimhe O’Hara to lead by 2-10 to 2-1 at the half time break.

It was all one way traffic in the second half as a buoyant Cushendall pushed on toward the title. Niamh Graham, Ellie Jo Butler and substitute Orla McAlister added points during a low scoring twenty minutes play, before the floodgates opened with three goals inside two minutes, Lara Haughey, Orla McAlister and Monique O’Boyle and a last minute point from Conlon.