November 12, 2023November 13, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Brilliant Bradley leads Glenullin to decisive win

Ulster Intermediate Football Championship

Glenravel (Antrim) 0-07 Glenullin (Derry) 3-13

Glenravel were totally outclassed in this Ulster GAA Intermediate Championship quarter final but having said that, the scoreline flatters Glenullin who finished strongly adding 2-02 in the closing minutes. Ahead by three points at half time the Derry side goaled in the opening minute of the second period and when they followed up with a point two minutes later the seven point gap they opened was enough to throttle any comeback hopes their opponents may have had. Indeed Glenravel will look back on some wayward shooting in the first half having squandered five scoreable attempts in the opening period which enabled Glenullin to go in ahead at half time.

***Glenravel’s Eoin Hynds wins this race for possession***

However the second half ended up one way traffic in a game unimpacted by the elements. The Antrim champions can only really reflect on what went wrong with their own game as an Eoin ‘Skinner’ Bradly inspired Glenullin piled on relentless pressure on the Con Magees side who just never got going on the day. Approaching his 40th birthday the Glenullin wizaard shows no sign of slowing up. Over the hour he scored a goal and seven points, 1-3 of that from play, the goal palmed to the net after a good flowing move by his team. Bradley and his Glenravel opponent Eamon Fyfe had both scored for Portadown FC the day before in the N.I. Championship league win over Dergview, and he carried on his rich vein of form on Sunday at Celtic Park.

***Eoin ‘Skinner’ Bradley gives his team mate the thumbs up after scoring one of his team’s three goals in Sunday’s win over Con Magees.***

The lively Cormac Hasson put Glenullin in front on three minutes and that was added to by Glenullin’s main threats of Eoin Bradley and Neil McNicholl so Glenullin found themselves three up after ten minutes. Glenravel had squandered some early chances but finally put some scores on the board from Eamon Fyfe and Ryan McQuillan, astride of a fourth point for Glenullin from Eoin Bradley, to retain their three point lead. Cormac McKeown and Eamon Fyfe added for the Antrim men but McNicholl and Bradley responded to leave three in it at half time. In reality there was little to separate the sides in that opening period and had Con Magees been a little more clinical in front of goal it could well have been them leading at the short whistle.

***Ryan McQuillan lands an early Con Magees point***

The game was turned upside down in the opening minutes of the second half when Glenullin goaled through captain Traglach Bradley and when Donal O’Kane followed with a point one minute later the dark clouds overhead in Celtic Park seems so much blacker for Glenravel. Cormac McKeown settled their nerves a little later but a brace of points from Neill McNicholl put Glenullin into a 1–10 to 0-05 lead with twenty minutes to play. Callum Higgins and Eamon Fyfe brought Glenravel back into the game and with ten minutes remaining they trailed 0-07 to 1-11 so needed a strong finish. Again the Antrim men squandered a few chances that could have closed that gap and the disappointment of that, combined with a goal from from Bradley from close range effectively sealed the game in Glenullin’s favour with just five minutes remaining. With their tails up, Glenullin went on to add gloss to the scoreline with a further 1-02 to close out convincing victors on a scoreline of 3-13 to 0-07.

***Eamon Fyfe sends over a Glenravel point***

Over time Glenravel will look back on 2023 as a very positive season with wins in both League and Championship but on Sunday the game ran away from them in the second half. But no doubt this young side will have learnt a lot that should help them on their journey in the year ahead.

Glenullin: Niall O’Kane; Daniel O’Kane, Eunan O’Kane, Diarmuid McNicholl; Cormac Hasson (0-1), John O’Kane, Conor Rafferty; Traglach Bradley (1-0), Neil McNicholl (0-2); Cathal Hasson. Ryan McNicholl, Donal O’Kane (0-3); Eunan Boylan, Eoin Bradley (1-7, 4f), Fearghal Close
Subs: Dermot O’Kane for F Close (INJ 12), Rónán Close for Cathal Hasson (41), Eamonn Hasson for E Boylan (57), Christopher Dempsey for C Rafferty (59), Eoin McIlvar (1-0) for Donal O’Kane (61),

Glenravel: Jonathan Fyfe; Charlie Henry, Connor McNeill, Conor Carey; Rian Lennon, Niall Swann, Declan Traynor; Callum Higgins (0-1). Cathal Hynds; Conor McKeown (0-2), Eoin Hynds, Ryan McQuillan (0-1f); Aidan O’Donnell, David Higgins, Eamon Fyfe (0-3, 1f)
Subs: Conleth O’Loan for A O’Donnell (38), Daniel McQuillan for C McNeill (40), Sean McKay for D for Traynor (50), Eoin McCusker for A O’Donnell (56),

Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)

Con Magees Cormac McKeown who scored two points from play

November 12, 2023November 13, 2023 by thesaffrongael

13 man Cargin bow out with their heads held high

Ulster Club Senior Football Championship quarter-final

Glen Maghera (holders) 0-11 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-07

Antrim champions Cargin bowed out to the defending Champions, Glen Maghera at Celtic Park before a good attendance on Sunday.

The Toome men finished four points in arrears of the Derry champions but not before they asked questions despite having their ace forward Tomas Mc Cann side-lined in what most observers felt was a harsh red card in the 22^nd minute. Sean Og O’Neill followed after being issued black with nine minutes remaining with the Antrim champions finishing with 13 men.

***Cargin’s Mick McCann takes a tumble as hs is challenged by Glen centre back Ciaran McFaul***

The Antrim champions faced a tough assignment as they travelled to Celtic Park to take on last year’s Ulster champions and beaten All Ireland finalists Glen and most observers gave Cargin little hope but in the event the Erin’s Own men gave it a real lash.

A slight breeze blew towards the town end of Celtic Park as Conor Dourneen got matters on their way and the Cavan based official would gain few friends amongst the Antrim contingent as the game Proceeded. Cargin had the breeze in their favour in the opening period but it was Glen who were to prove quicker out of the start traps with a couple of points in the early minutes.

Jack Doherty raised the first white flag just seconds into proceedings after Emmett Bradley claimed the opening throw in and when Danny Tallon added a point from a 30 metre free a couple of minutes later, the strong favourites looked on course for victory.

Pat Shivers punished an indiscretion on Tomas McCann with a 6^th minute point from a free to open the Cargin account but Tallon replied with his second of the day at the other end before Paul Mc Cann came forward to split the posts following interchange with net minder John McNabb to leave only a point separating the sides at 0-03 to 0-02.

***Glen’s Ethan Doherty cuts in off the left wing to set up a chance during the second half***

Watty Graham’s increased their advantage again in the 16^th minute via another Danny Tallon conversion following a foul on the advancing Eunan Mulholland but Cargin were quick to respond when Pat Shivers punished another foul on the advancing Tomas McCann, a couple of minutes later.

McCann was causing the panic button to be pressed each time he moved forward in the direct route to posts but disaster struck when he was issued a somewhat harsh red following a coming together with a Glen defender.

Mc Cann’s challenge on Conor Convery didn’t look too harsh to most observers, but the man who mattered most had a different view and the centre forward was shown his first ever red card.

***Cargin’s Tomas Cann challenges Glen’s Eunan Mulholland in the incident that led to McCann’s red card***

The dismissal of the talismanic centre forward left the Toome men with a mountain to climb and a late Jack Doherty point insured a two point advantage of 0-05 to 0-03 for the reigning champs as the shrill blast signalled half time and a short rest period for the protagonists.

Glen started the second half with the breeze in their favour but despite owning possession the dogged attention of the Cargin rear guard insured approach to the target was not easy with Glen off target a couple of times before centre forward Ciaran McFaul extended their lead with an excellent 43^rd minute point to increase their advantage to three.

A superb Emmett Bradley strike from 50 metres, which yielded a point in the 47^th minute, extended the Glen lead, but Cargin were quick to return fire and back to back points from Pat Shivers and Michael Mc Cann saw the gap reduced to two as the travelling Cargin support roared their approval.

McCann’s score from a close free followed a heavy foul on Conhuir Johnston which was punished by the production of a yellow card which looked lenient in the extreme in light of earlier decisions.

***Cargin’s Justin Crozier is challenged by Glen’s Eunan Mulholland as he wins possession.***

Having looked vulnerable for a time Glen soon recovered to regain control and they kicked three unanswered points through Michael Warnock, and Emmett Bradley (2) to move 0-10 to 0-05 ahead.

In the interim the Antrim champions were dealt another blow as Sean O’ Neill was shown a black card to end his involvement in proceedings.

Cargin looked to be in trouble as they were reduced to thirteen, but to their credit the Erin’s Own men battled hard to the end as replacement Kieran Close and Michael McCann replied with points, However the goal they needed just wouldn’t come and a late Danny Tallon point eased the Derry representatives over the finish line and into the semi-finals on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-07.

***Glen’s midfielder Conor Glass rises high to win a dropping ball.***

Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Justin Crozier, Kevin Mc Shane, Kevin O’ Boyle, James Laverty, Paul Mc Cann (0-01), Sean O’Neill, Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron, Mark Kelly, Tomas Mc Cann, Ronan Gribbin, Pat Shivers (0-03), Michael McCann (0-02), Conhuir Johnston

Subs

Benen Kelly for G Mc Cann

David Johnston for M Kelly

Cahir Donnelly for P Mc Cann

Paudie Mc Laughlin for J Crozier

Kieran Close (0-01) for P Shivers

Glen: Conleth Bradley, Michael Warnock (0-01, Ryan Dougan, Connor Carville, Eunan Mulholland, Ciaran Mc Faul (0-01), Cathal Mulholland, Conor Glass, Emmett Bradley (0-03), Ethan Doherty, Jack Doherty (0-02), Conor Convery, Alex Doherty, Donal Tallin (0-04), Danny Mc Dermott

Subs:

Tiernan Flanagan for C Mulholland

Alex Doherty for C Convery

Tiernan Higgins for J Doherty

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)

Paddy’s Pics

Cargin v Glen

November 11, 2023November 11, 2023 by thesaffrongael

All Saints GAC Annual Dinner & Presentation evening

Brian McCambridge receives the Clubman of the Year award (The Alistair McWilliams memorial trophy) from Clare Ferris. Brian was joint recipient of the award with Stephen McAffee and Sean Gallagher

Hurling Players Player of the Year, Ciaeran Neeson receives his award from Hurling manager, Chris Dornan

Camogie manager, John Sayers presents the Senior Players Player of the Year award to Roisin Ward

Club president, Dennis Martin with Canon Paddy McKenna at the All Saints Annual Dinner in Galgorm Manor on Friday night

Senior Players Player of the Year, Sinead McLaughlin receives her award from Senior LGFA Football manager, Cormac McGreevey

Senior Players Player of the Year, Cal O’Brien receives his award from Gerard O’Callaghan

Club Chairman, Jim Brady presents the U21 Hurler of the Year award to Archie McGreevey

Ladies U21 Footballer of the Year, Cliodhna Metrustry receives her award from Jim Brady

Antrim Rose and All Saints senior ladies footballer, Mollie O’Brien who respresented Antrim at the Rose of Tralee this year is seen her with her parents and brothers at the All Saints Annual Dinner in Galgorm Manor on Friday night

**All Saints Ladies Football team and mentors at the club’s dinner in Galgorm Manor**

**Liam Martin presents the Minor Hurling Players Player of the Year award to Sean McDermott**

November 11, 2023November 11, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel’s 1983 Legends honoured

Loughgiel Shamrocks celebrated their great 1983 All Ireland victory at a tribute Legends dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel on Friday night. In a really well organised event the men of 83 were honoured for their record breaking campaign four decades ago with a series of videos spread throughout the evening highlighting different part of their great success.

Sadly not all of the team were able to attend the event, Eamon Connolly having sadly passed away just a few weeks ago, while three of the others were unavailable on the night. Just McCormick was the man on the mic for the evening, and what a great job done introducing the players as they were called on stage to receive their awards.

A night to remember for this record breaking group of men who wrote their names in the history books on April 24^th 1983.

Pics by Michael Corcoran

Team captain Niall Patterson leads his team into the Clock Tower Suite at the start of the evening.

Tony McCloskey presents a bouquet of flowers to Ita McGarry who represented her late husband Liam

Doiminc Casey, who was part of the team management, receives and award from Gerard McCloskey

November 11, 2023November 11, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Former Dublin player and manager Pat Gilroy was guest speaker at the Antrim Business Forum breakfast

Most GAA fans would have know about the sporting exploits of former Dublin Gaelic footballer and manager Pat Gilroy, who was guest speaker at the Saffron Business Forum business breakfast at the new Ulster University New Campus Building in York Street Belfast on Friday morning. However many would not have been aware of the man’s business exploits which ran in tandem with his great sporting career.

The St Vincent’s clubman who led Dublin to their first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title in 16 years back in 2011. Gilroy, who also spent a year as Dublin hurling manager, proved a highly entertaining and engaging guest at Friday’s function, which was attended by more than 100 guests and Saffron Business Forum members.

Gilroy, who studied at Trinity College Dublin, is currently the Chief Executive of Breedon Ireland, but has been involoved in a wide range of companies over the years

The Saffron Business Forum facilitates Businesses local or national with an affinity to Antrim GAA with a forum to promote their business interests and gain access to a wider market by association with a large sporting organisation.