Month / June 2023

by thesaffrongael

League leaders Cuchullian’s too strong for All Saints

ACHL Division 3

Cuchullian’s 4-21 Ballymena 1-13

All Saints travelled to Armagh on Sunday to face league leaders Cuchullian’s, in search of much needed points to help them move away from the relegation zone but once again it was a case of a good performance but no points.

The Ballymena side looked to be well in contention at the halfway stage when they trailed 2-13 to 1-10 with their goal coming from talisman, Ciaran Neeson who once again finished as the visitors top scorer.

The Armagh city side showed just why they are topping the division during the second half when they outscored their visitors 2-8 to 0-3 with All Saints unable to contain a rampant Saffron attack.

Manager Chris Dornan will have been pleased with aspects of his side’s play, particularly in the opening half and it is encouraging that a number of young players have made the breakthrough to senior with Archie McGreevey, Conor O’Rawe, Fintan Brady, Joseph O’Rawe, Tiernan McGurk and Diarmuid Casey lending their shoulder to the All Saints’ cause.

All Saints face another tough challenge tonight (Wednesday) when they travel to Armoy while league leaders Cuchullian’s travel to Fr. Maginn Park where they face Glenravel and will be hoping to continue their rich vein of form against the Con Magee’s

All Saints: 1. Anthony Mitchell 2. Dwayne McKee 3. Colum Neeson 4. Archie McGreevy 5. Conor O’ Rawe (0-1) 6. Luke O’ Rawe 7. Daniel Grey 8. Jack Magill 9. James O’ Boyle 10. Fintan Brady 11. Eoin McGuigan (0-2) 12. Ciaran Neeson (1-5 4f) 13. Damien Gillan (c) (0-3 1f) 14. Liam Cassley (0-2) 15. Joseph O’ Rawe

Subs used: Diarmuid Casey for Ciaran Neeson Tiernan McGurk for Liam Cassley Luke Walsh for Fintan Brady

by thesaffrongael

Castle beat Dunloy in extra time to book their place in Sunday’s Feis final

Senior Feis Cup Camogie semi-final

Dunloy 2-18 Ballycastle 3-19 AET

Ballycastle booked their place in the final of the Senior Feis Camogie when they beat Dunloy in Tuesday evening’s semi-final in Dunloy, but it took extra time to separate the sides.

With both teams having to field without their Intermediate and Senior County players because of All Ireland games this weekend it was new looks sides that fielded, but each and every one of them played their part in a great game

Dunloy had the better of things in the early part of the game and boosted by a goaol from Eva Molloy, which completely deceived the Ballycastle goalkeeper Becky Ellis, they went 1-2 to 0-2 after four minutes, but Ballycastle hit back with a Jamey McIntosh point, before the same player got through for a well taken goal.

With Heggarty, McKillen and Aine Donnelly all adding to the scoreline Ballycastle had a good period of play and went on to lead by 1-9 to 1-8 at the interval. A second goal early in the second half from Ballycastle’s Noelle McAuley gave them the upper hand and they led by six at the second half water break. However just when it seemed they were on their way to victory Dunloy came storming back and driven on by the brilliant Katie Molloy they fought back to close within three points with time almost up.  Dunloy had another kick in them though and in one final attempt to save the game substitute Michaela Elliott celebrated her first game back after having a baby by hitting the Ballycastle net to bring the game to extra time.

Ten minutes each way were decided on and Caoimhe Molloy put Dunloy in front inside the first minute, but Ballycastle hit back and a goal from substitute Faye Roddy following an almighty goalmouth scramble, put them back in front, a lead they held to half time in extra time.

The visitors pushed on after the change of ends and three pointed frees from Aine Donnelly, who had been brilliant all evening, and one from the dangerous Janey McIntosh saw them through to Sunday’s final against Loughgiel, back at the same venue.

by thesaffrongael

Danny Dougan R.I.P.

The GAA Community in Antrim and further afield were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Kickham’s Creggan stalwart, Danny Dougan at the weekend. A post on the club’s website read:

‘The Committee and Members of Kickhams GAC Creggan are saddened to learn of the passing of Danny Dougan.

Danny was the regular Creggan Senior Goalkeeper in the 1960s and was on the Senior Football League winning team of 1960 and 1961. He had a safe pair of hands, and was renowned for shouting instructions to the defenders to ensure they were always on their toes.

A great clubman, he was always active – serving on the committee for many years and was Club Chairman for a number of years. He was to the fore in reviving hurling in the club and his work along with many others, bore fruit with the tremendous achievement of winning the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Title in 2013/ 14.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to his children, siblings, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the wider Dougan family at this difficult time’.

Danny’s was laid to rest at St MacNissi’s Church Randalstown on Sunday following Requiem Mass.

We at the Saffron Gael extend our sympathies to the Dougan family and his friends and colleagues at Kickham’s Creggan.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

by thesaffrongael

Feast of football at St. Louis, Ballymena

On Monday, St Louis hosted a festival of football with 18 teams from all over Ulster competing for the Year 8 Connor Marron Cup and Aidan Walsh Shield. Up for grabs was also the Conall Gould Player of the Tournament. All trophies were named in memory of 3 former pupils of St Louis and great Gaels within Antirm.  

Groups  

A  B  
SLG 1  SLG 2  
Aquinas  Coláiste Feirste 1  
SJ Donaghmore 1  SJ Donaghmore 2  
St Pauls Bessbrook 1  St Patrick’s Keady  
St Malachy’s 1    St Mary’s CBS 1  
C  D  
Rathmore 1  Rathmore 2    
St Malachy’s 2  St Patrick’s Ballymena  
St Pauls Bessbrook 2  St Mary’s CBS 2  
St Ciaran’s Ballygawley  Colaiste Feirste 2  

The shield final was a show down between Colaiste Feirste and Donaghmore. It was a brilliant game of skill and determination with the Gaeilgeoirí taking the silverware.  

The cup final was an exciting battle between St Marys CBS and St Joseph’s Donaghmore. The Belfast boys showed great grit, but it was the Tyrone side that would lift the cup.  

There were a lot of players that caught the eye throughout the day. Sionnan Norney from Colaiste Feirste certainly showed the boys how to play the game with skill and pace but it was Eamonn Jordon of Donaghmore who consistently performed to win the Conall Gould Player of the Tournament.  

Photos  

Paddy McAleer presents Eamonn Jordan with the Conall Gould Player of the Tournament.  

Mrs Toner (Head of Year 8) presenting St Joseph’s Donaghmore with the Connor Marron Cup.  

The family of Aidan Walsh with Colaiste Feirste the Winners of the Shield competition and below, Brian Walsh presents the Aidan Walsh Shield to the Colaiste Feirste captain  

St Patrick’s who won their three group games in the Shield before losing out to St Mary’s in the quarter finals. Aidan Walsh R.I.P. was a former coach to this group of players and a strong promoter of Gaelic Games in the Ballymena College

by thesaffrongael

Official Antrim GAA Schools Cup Hurling Year 8 All-Star Nominations 2023

 

The Winners will be announced on Thursday 15th June 10am via email to Schools & on our Social media Channels (Antrim & Gaelfast Facebook & Twitter). 

These players were recommended by School Teachers/Coaches, Antrim GAA Gaelfast staff and Match day Officials throughout the competition. The process to select our Antrim Schools Cup All-Stars was extremely difficult due to the high levels of performance from our players over the blitz days and knockout phases of the competitions. We had over 13 schools and over 300 pupils taking part in our Antrim Schools Cup Hurling Year 8 Competition from March to May.

I would like to thank and congratulate our Parents/Guardians, Academy squad mentors, Schools & Club coaches for providing our children with opportunities to develop, take part in our games and be surrounded in the overwhelming Physical, Psychological, Social and Emotional Health & Wellbeing benefits associated with playing GAA Sports.

The winners will be invited to St Marys University College on Wednesday 28th June as part of the Antrim Schools Cup Hurling All-Star Awards Event.  Other details to follow.  

GoalkeeperMidfield 2
Daniel RobbSt MarysDaire Gault St Mary’s
Ciaran Hennessey  Cross and PassionConor StewartSt Malachys
Harry Mc Kay St LouisDarragh ConwayOLSPCK
Corner BackHalf forward
Odhran Marley St MarysRonan Elliott  Cross and Passion
Owen MorganRathmoreRian Laverty St Killian’s
Damien Laverty Cross & PassionOisin O BrienSt Louis
Full BackCentre Half forward
Cormac Bailey Cross & PassionBrian Mc Neill  St Killians
Noah CarlinOLSPCKCodhran O’RourkeSt Malachys
Cabhan Mc KeeganSt KilliansSe WhitakerSt Malachys
Corner BackHalf forward
Ciaran Óg BúiteachColaiste FeirsteSean Ó Cuinneagáin Colaiste Feirste 
Cahir Mc Erlean  Cross & PassionLorcan MurtaghCross and Passion
Gerard DelaneyDe La SalleCaolan CosgroveSt Mary’s
Half BackCorner forward
PJ Kelly St KilliansSean McMullan St Mary’s
Aidan Johnston St MalachysCarl MervynColaiste Feirste 
Ronan Mc Garry Cross & PassionJoe Casey St Louis
Cente half backFull forward
Jude Gamble St Mary’sPadraig Kelly St Marys
Cody McGarrySt LouisCaoimhín Mac Gafraidh Colaiste Feirste 
Aiden Mc Nally St MalachysConall KellyCross and Passion
Half backCorner forward
Seán Ó Riain  Colaiste FeirsteEoin Lorcan Bradley st Louis
Ronan DowneyRathmoreJohn Taggart St Killians
Eoin Clearly St BenedictsKyron ShannonSt Benedicts
Midfield 1
Padai O’Kane  Cross and Passion
Brendan HerdmanSt Malachys
Cormac McMullanSt Killians