June 18, 2023June 18, 2023 by thesaffrongael

St Pauls stage fightback at the Cricky

O’Neill’s Sportswear ACFL Division 2B

Ardoyne 1-11-2-08 St Pauls

Kevin Herron reports from Fennell Park

St Pauls battled back from seven points down in the first half and six at the beginning of the second period to claim a point in a 1-11-2-08 draw with Ardoyne at Fennell Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Shaws Road outfit were only ahead once over the course of the afternoon through an early Lorcan Philips point.

The hosts replied with the game’s opening goal through Aidan McNeill- who reacted quickest after his sides first shot came off the large post and he was waiting to thump the rebound into the roof of the net.

Conor McLaughlin would swing over his sides first point following Kevin Lynch’s layoff and Cormac Mullan then converted a free to open up a four-point advantage after 10 minutes.

Philips would double his tally through a converted free, but Ardoyne then responded with four unanswered points that saw them 1-06-0-02 ahead approaching the break.

Three of the scores came in close proximity as Kealan McCallin and Oisin McVicker produced fine points and a fisted effort from Eoghan Corrigan followed.

Kevin Lynch was then illegally held up as he attempted to get his shot away and Cormac Mullan would double his tally from the placed ball.

St Pauls hit back on the 23^rd minute through a fortuitous Tiernan Auld goal. Auld dropped a high ball in and Ardoyne keeper Tiernan Hughes lost sighting as he attempted to compete with the St Pauls attacker in front of him- the ball evaded both and snuck underneath the crossbar to make it 1-06-1-02.

Philips would add a further point before the break from the placed ball as St Pauls had wiped the deficit by more than half.

Despite conceding the goal and point without reply before the break, Ardoyne regained the initiative and extended their lead with three unanswered points at the beginning of the second period.

Goal scorer Aidan McNeill swung over a point from close range, Cormac Mullan dropped over his first from play and Conor McLaughlin clipped over his second of the afternoon to give the hosts a 1-09-1-03 lead.

James Farrell and Liam McLarnon got St Pauls up and running with back-to-back scorers in response, though a converted 45’ from Mullan gave Ardoyne a five-point cushion with little over a quarter of an hour remaining.

McLarnon converted a close range free and then dropped a 65’ over the bar to make it a three-point game.

The hosts had the chances to extend their lead- though were guilty of wastefulness in front of goal and they would pay the price five minutes from time when Seán MacCorriadh was gathered in front of goal and swept his low drive into the corner to draw the sides level at 1-10-2-07.

Ardoyne inched ahead again through Mullan’s third free of the contest, but they couldn’t hold out and in injury time Niall Ward popped the ball off to Pearse Magee to grab the equaliser and ensure St Pauls would salvage a point for their afternoon’s effort.

Ardoyne: T Hughes, O McVicker (0-01), M McGreevy, C McLaughlin (0-02), J McNeill, E Corrigan (0-01), K McCallin (0-01), SJ Rooney, D McCormick, A McNeill (1-01), B O’Neill, C Mullan (0-05, 0-03f, 0-01 45’), K Lynch, C McDowell, C McNeill. Subs: M McAuley for SJ Rooney (40), O McKee for C McDowell (56).

St Pauls: J Rodgers, A Kavanagh, T Auld (1-00), P Magee (0-01), M Duffy, N McStravick, D O’Sullivan, S MacCorraidh (1-00), N Ward , M Munce, C Hughes, J Farrell (0-01), L Philips (0-03, 0-02f), L McLarnon (0-03, 0-01f, 0-01 45’), P Doyle. Subs: C Killyleagh for N McStravick (22), P Lowe for C Hughes (HT), S Rooney for M Duffy (38), F Ireland for L McLarnon (53).

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Creggan back in the race for the title

ACFL Division 1

St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-11 Kickham’s Creggan 0-14

Reigning league champions Creggan moved up into third place in their attempt to reclaim the Eddie Fitzsimmons trophy with a win over St. Mary’s Ahoghill in Clooney on Saturday.

The Kickham’s have a way to travel if they are to reclaim that hard earned title but this victory in Clooney was a first step over the in-form St Mary’s side and they will look to continue in such positivity until they run out of road.

Ahoghill may well have anticipated more of the same following victory over today’s opponents, a few weeks ago but in the event it was their visitors who opened their account quickly with a point from Conor Small after only a couple of minutes.

The centre forward, who has recovered from a long term injury was cool in the precision based finish but when the home side’s central defender James ‘Bobby’ Magee was fouled on his way forward Ronan Graham sent the resultant award firmly between the posts to bring the sides level.

It was the visitors who enjoyed the better start to proceedings with Tiernan Mc Larnon fully employed in the fetch and carry role and he opened the way for Paddy Coey to split the posts in the 7^th minute and Sean Duffin following suit to see the Kickham’s lead 0-03 to 0-01 at the end of the opening quarter.

The visitors were working hard to reduce the influence of the home side in the central zone as they broke the ball to hinder the high fielding abilities of Tom Mc Glone and his partner Patrick Graham and it led to the next score as a long range Conor Small finish moved them 0-04 to 0-01 ahead by the 20^th minute.

Ahoghill replied and a superb long range kick out by Noel Crossey sent Bernard Graham away on a solo run before fisting between the posts and when James O’ Connell pointed a free following a foul on Tom Mc Glone, the home side were right back in the contest.

Creggan replied with a ‘mark’ yielding the opening for a clever Dominic Mc Ateer point but in the event it was to be the home side who were to finish the period in the positive.

Ronan and Gerard Graham added back to back points and when the pace laden Eamon Brady advanced to add another in time added only a point separated the sides at the half way stage with Creggan 0-06 to 0-05 ahead.

All still to play for as the second half commenced and it was Creggan who were first to strike with a 32^nd minute Dominic Mc Ateer point delivered in style. The Clooney side replied however through back to back points from Patrick Graham to level the contest.

Odhran Mc Larnon added a point to the visitor’s total, but Ahoghill responded again and Danny O’ Neill nipped clear to finish in style.

Only a point separated to sides as the last quarter got under way but the complexion of the game was about to change as Creggan kicked three points on the bounce through Paddy Coey, Sean Duffin, and the hard grafting Dominic Mc Ateer to move 0-12 to 0-08 ahead.

The home side rang the changes as the clock counted down as Martin Graham, Colla, Mc Donald, Paddy Dougan, and Joseph Downey were all given game time.

Ahoghill battled hard to take something from the game in the latter stages and Danny O’ Neill pointed before Donal Graham added another but Creggan finished on top and late points from Conor Small and Tiernan Mc Larnon eased the Kickham’s men over the winning line.

This win moves Creggan into third place in the table with 15 points from 13 starts, one place behind Cargin and one ahead of Aghagallon who have the same number of points but have played a game less.

Aghagallon and Cargin meet on Sunday in Aghagallon while league leaders Portglenone are on 19 points from 12 starts but face a difficult away fixture against Lamh Dhearg on the same day.

Ahoghill: Noel Crossey, Seamus Mc Keever, James Magee, Harry O’ Donnell, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Eamon Brady (0-01), Diarmuid Graham, Paddy Graham (0-02), Tom Mc Glone, Danny O’ Neill (0-02), Donal Graham, Bernard Graham (0-01), James O’ Connell (0-01), Ronan Graham (0-02), Gerard Graham (0-01)

Referee R Matthews (Rossa)

Subs

Colla Mc Donald

Martin Graham

Joe Downey

Paddy Dougan

Creggan: Oisin Kerr, E Carey Small, Ricki Johnston, Jake Mc Ateer, Sam Maguire, Aidan Maguire (0-01), Joe Mc Ateer, Dermot Mc Cann, Kealan Mc Cann, Sean Duffin (0-02)Conor Small (0-02), Liam Quinn (0-02), Pat Coey (0-03), Dominic Mc Ateer (0-03), Odhran Mc Larnon (0-01) Tiernan Mc Larnon

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Saffrons secure place in knock out stages

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior Camogie championship – Group 3:

Antrim 3-16 Offaly 1-12

Antrim secured their place in the knock-out stages of the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship when they beat Offaly in Saturday’s round robin game at Portglenone. Although there was ten points to spare in the end it did not always look as comfortable as that, and there were times when they struggled to press home their undoubted advantage They trailed by three in the early stages, but hit back with 1-6 without reply to go six clear. All seemed comfortable, but Offaly hit back to draw level, but to their credit Antrim found a response and 2-10 to 1-7 ahead at the break.

***Caitirin Dobbin grits her teeth as she breaks past the challenge of an Offlay defender***

The forwards, who had been brilliant in the first half, suddenly found scores hard to get, and during normal time they only added three more to their total. Luckily the defence stepped up to the mark and contained the visitors and when the trio of stars up front Roisin McCormick, Aine Magill and Caitrin Dobbin did get going again they worked their magic with a goal and three in injury time to seal the win.

After Caitrin Dobbin had opened the scoring for Antrim in the second minute Offaly hit back to hit four in a row through centre forward Rachel Brennan (2), wing forward Becky Bryant and full forward Sarah Harding to go three clear. Things were getting a little worrying for the home side but Roisin McCormick settled things down with three pointed frees and when Aine Magill was put clear by a deft pass by McCormick she race in to fire in the first goal of the game and suddenly things were suddenly a lot more positive.

However the pendulum swung once again Offaly’s favour as Bryant added two points and Brennan one to level the score, and when Lisa Gorman got in for a goal on 22 minutes the Leinster girls had the upper hand again. Antirm needed a response before the break and it came when most needed as they hit back with a goal and three before the break, the goal coming from Caitrin Dobbin, while midfielder Amy Boyle chipped in with a point, with Dobbin and McCormick getting one apiece to send the Saffrons in at the break with a 2-10 to 1-7 lead.

**Roisin McCormick in a race for possession with Offaly’s Aoife Liffey**

When they stretched that lead to eight by the tenth minute of the second half it appeared to be plain sailing, but they would not raise another flag for the next twenty minute, and while Offaly weren’t exactly prolific either, they did manage three in a row to close the gap to five. They could have been closer had it not been for very good work by the Antrim defence and there was a feeling of frustration among the fans. However they need not have worried and as the game ticked into overtime the terrific trio kicked back into life. McCormcick started it with a point from play before Dobbin made a brilliant block and found McCormick with an inch perfect pass at the far post, and her Loughgiel colleague delivered the killer blow. Magill got in on the act with a lovely point from play, and though Bryan pulled one back for the visitors, McCormick brought her personal tally to 1-7 when she pointed a 45 with practically the last poc of the game.

***Lisa Gorman (22) fires the ball to the Antrim net in the 21st minute.***

The win qualifies Antrim for the knock-out stages and secures them a a game in Croke Park, but next weekend’s game against group leaders Waterford with determine what the pairings are going forward.

Antrim: C Graham, C Patterson, K Laverty, M Lynn, N Cosgrove, C Conlon capt, L McKenna, A Boyle, A Connolly, S McKillop, M McKillen, K McKillop, Á Magill, R McCormick, C Dobbin

Subs: M McGarry for C Patterson (50), E McShane for M Lynn (50), F Kelly for S McKillop (51)

Offaly: L Gallagher; L Mannion, A Roddy, O Gorman; S Walsh, O Phelan, A Liffey; G Dolan capt, S Moore; B Bryant, R Brennan, L Glynn; L Gorman, S Harding, C Leahy.

Subs. A Feeney for S Moore (32), C Maher for L Gorman (42), A O’Donovan for L Glynn (49)

Referee: P McDonald (Cavan)

***Birthday girl Caoimhe Conlon gets the ‘treatment’ from a couple of her team-mates as she leaves the field at the end of the game.***

The Portglenone ground staff do a spot of gardening during the half time break

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Dobbin points Cloughmills to Junior Feis glory

Junior Feis Hurling Final

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 0-19 Glen Rovers Armoy 1-9

A master class of point taking by St. Brigid’s Eoin Dobbin inspired the Cloughmills’ club to Feis glory when they overcame the challenge of neighbours, Glen Rovers Armoy in the final in Dunloy on Saturday evening.

The talented number 13 finished the game with 0-12 to his name and displayed unerring accuracy on a day when both sides missed a bucket full of scoring opportunities.

Only two of Dobbin’s total came from play but his free taking was right out of the top drawer as he struck at least three from 70 meters or more on a night when little went right for the men from ‘The Glen’.

**Eoin Dobbin who scored 0-12 in Cloughmill’s win over Armoy in the Junior Feis Hurling final is seen here in a race for possession with Armoy’s Liam Dillon**

Liam Kearns pointed Cloughmills into an early lead with Turlough McBride replying for Glen Rovers from a free but points from Ruairi Laverty and Dobbin’s first score from a free in the 6^th minute put the village 0-3 to 0-1 ahead with 6 minutes gone.

The same player added a second from play before Owen Kinney replied for Armoy but a great long range effort from Odhran McCurdy had the men in orange three in front by the 9^th minute.

Christopher McKernan in the Cloughmills’ goal brought off an excellent save to deny Trevor Linton before Conor Christie struck from play but another from Ruairi Laverty and Dobbin’s third of the game had Naomh Brid 0-7 to 0-3 ahead by the 20^th minute.

Glen Rovers were battling hard to get into contention but too often their passes were going astray or being intercepted but Turlough McBride did find the target in the 21^st and 24^th minutes but on each occasion Eoin Dobbin replied with a point for the ‘Biddies’.

**‘Clash of the Ashe’ Armoy keeper, Conor Devlin gets down to collect the sliotar as Stephen Smyth’s stick breaks across the leg of defender, Arthur Devlin**

A strong run from deep by ‘Rocky’ Dillon saw him finish with a fine point but Reece Watt replied with the final score of the half to leave Cloughmills 0-11 to 0-6 ahead at the short whistle.

With the slight breeze in their favour for the second half Armoy would have fancied their chances of as comeback but it was Cloughmills who opened sharply with Eoin Dobbin converting three frees in the opening 4 minutes to move his side 8 ahead.

A great point from Tommy Burns and another from Trevor Linton got the Glen Rovers on their way but again Dobbin replied from a free in the 9^th minute with PJ McBride striking a great long range effort for the Hoops and Dobbin responding once more from a free and another from play.

Armoy were still battling hard to get themselves into contention and when Owen Kinney fired to the corner of the Cloughmill’s net with 12 minutes remaining they looked to be in with a shout.

It was as good as it got however with Ruairi Laverty relying for the eventual winners and Owen Kinney concluding the scoring with a consolation point for the Glen Rovers.

In the end the better team won on the day and there was little doubt about the outcome from early in the game though on another day Armoy’s efforts might have brought about a better return.

After the game North Antrim PRO, DarachO’Mullan presented the Junior Feis Cup to Cloughmill’s captain Liam Kearns and the team was joined in a celebration photograph by their young fans after the presentation

**Cloughmill’s celebrate with their supporters after beating Armoy in the Junior Feis Hurling final in |Dunloy on Saturday evening.**

Cloughmills: 1 Christopher McKernan, 2 Seosamh MacGabhann, 3 Sean McKendry, 4 Stephen Martin, 5 Johnny Duffin, 6 Kevin O’Boyle, 7 Corey Blair, 8 Odhran McCurdy, 9 Martin Dobbin, 10 Liam, Kearns, 11 Ruairi Laverty, 12 Michael Devlin, 13 Eoin Dobbin, 14 Reece Watt, 15 Stephen Smyth. Subs: Michael Reid for Reece Watt, 17 Rian Dobbin, 19 Conor Laverty, 20 Timothy McNeill, 21 Shemus Duffin, 22 Stephen McKendry, 23 Oran Corrigan24 Jack McDowalll, 25 Pearse Smyth

Armoy: 1 Conor Devlin, 2 Callum Coyles, 3 Shane Devlin, 4 Arthur Devlin, 5 Eoin Doyle, 6 Emmet O’Hara, 7 Liam Dillon, 8 Tommy Burns, 9 Ciaran McKenna, 10 PJ McBride, 11 John Dillon, 12 Conor Christie, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Owen Kinney, 15 Turlough McBride. Subs: 17 Colin Lordan, 18 Joseph McFetridge, 19 Conor Watterson, 20 Ciaran Coyles, 21 Daniel Connolly, 22 Timothy Burns, 23 Cormac Doherty, 24 Frank McCaughan, 25 John O’Kane

Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023 by thesaffrongael

A day of joy at the Friendship games

Cluichí na gCarad. The Dublin-Antrim Friendship Games. 1932-2023.

A glorious June day welcomed the travelling hordes from the capital as the Dublin schools select teams arrived to do battle with their Antrim counterparts in what was the 91^st edition of the ‘Friendship Games’ between Dublin and Belfast/Antrim primary schools. Dating back to 1932 when the first games took place in McCrory Park Belfast followed in 1933 to the first return games in Croke Park the games have been restored to their brilliant best in recent years. There was a great buzz in the air as the teams arrived in the same parish as the first games, when the Dublin juggernaut arrived in Corrigan Park, only a few hundred yards away from McCrory Park where the inaugural games took place. The day was opened by organiser in Chief and Cumann na mBunscol Aontroma, all-county secretary Paudie Shivers as he commenced proceeedings by thanking his organising committee and welcoming the visit of Dublin.

The day commenced with Amhrán na bhFiann echoing through the Whiterock and Ballymurphy skies as Bunscoil Phobal Feirste music teacher Ciara McElheran sang the National Anthem. Then it was game on! All codes were catered for as the Dublin Handballers commenced battle against the Antrim select at the fantastic Gort na Móna facility where multiple All-Ireland, World senior champion as well as Ulster GAA Handball Development officer Fiona Shannon officiated proceedings.

On the hallowed turf of Corrigan Park at the same time, the Antrim boys crossed swords or Camáns with their Dublin counterparts as the boys hurling select teams then battled it out. Then it was the chance of the boys’ footballers followed by the Camógs and Girls footballers of both counties. A brilliant day of GAA was had and the standard of play across all codes was a joy to behold and a great credit to the work going on in the schools and clubs of Baile Átha Cliath and Aontroim.

Top class officiating from Antrim GAA top referees Brendan Toland and Sean Elliot ensured a great flow to games as the action was end to end with never more than a score or two between the teams. But the real focus of the day was maintaining and strengthening the wonderful historical links between Ireland’s two biggest cities and building friendships for life as we already look forward to next year’s visit to Dublin and Croke Park.

Indeed whilst the tremendous venue of Corrigan Park was the perfect setting and facility for this year’s games, it continues to be the aspiration of Cumann na mBunscol Aontroma that the future friendship games, particularly with centenary games approaching in 2032, be held at a state of the art Casement Park and we look forward with great hope and excitement to this being realised soon.

Many people and organisations work in tandem to help ensure a brilliant day was had by our young Gaels and all-county chairperson Seán McManus brought the day to a close heaping praise and special thanks to the various groups who helped make the day special, including, Naomh Eoin CLG, Colin Glen Leisure Facility, Black’s Road Dome facility who provided additional activities for our visitors between games and a huge go raibh maith agat also went to the Balmoral Hotel for the exceptional hospitality, providing hot food and refreshments for all players and coaches/organisers and of course to Bourke Sports GAA equipment for their continued and generous ongoing sponsorship, as they continue to help promote primary school GAA in Antrim, determined to ensure that each player have their own custom made Antrim kit to play in during the games and to keep as a lifetime memory of the fantastic honour of representing their county. Go raibh mile maith agaibh a chairde.

The day also included a historical visit to McCrory Park, the site of the inaugural ‘Friendship Games’ in 1932. This visit was facilitated by Cardinal O’ Donnells GAC and arranged by Cumann na mBunscol Aontroma South West Chair and All-County committee member, Jim Brady, for the Dublin Cumann na mBunscol Committee members, who included Croke Park announcer and avid GAA Historian Jerry Grogan. Jerry’s voice can be heard over the tannoy at Croke Park each year during championship games when announcing teams, news, as well as addressing the crowds. Jerry met his match however as he was greeted by Joe McVeigh of O’Donnells, who updated Jerry and the committee members on the fascinating history of McCrory Park from 1932 to the present day and everything in between.