Month / February 2024

by thesaffrongael

St Dominic’s dominate second half to take first Gaelfast Year 9 LGFA Cup

Gaelfast Year 9 LGFA Cup Final

St Dominic’s Grammar School 5-9 Colaiste Feirste 4-4

PICS BY BERT TROWLEN

St Dominic’s Grammar School became the first winners of the Gaelfast Year 9 LGFA Cup when they beat Colaiste Feirste in Wednesday evening’s final at Dunsilly. In a game of high quality Colaiste Feirste matched their opponents well, but after the change of ends St Dominic’s gained the upper hand and pulled away to win by eight in the end.

St Dominic’s were first off the mark and a goal and a point from Niamh Murray gave them a good platform, but Colaiste Feirste eventually got going as they hit back with goals Ava Lemahien and Chloe Nig Oric to take the lead on 22 minutes.

The finish to the first half was hectic as both teams scored freely but by the time match referee Fionnuala Murray had sounded the half time whistle St Dominic’s had opened a 3-3 to 2-1 lead.

A goal, which was poked over the line by St Dominic’s right half forward Eva Nic Eoghain, following a goalmouth scramble and when full forward Emma Rís followed with another excellent strike the girls in maroon were well in charge. Midfielder Roisin Ni Bradiagh pulled a goal back for Colaiste Feirste on 37 minutes but St Dominic’s were now in control and four points without reply were followed by a goal number five, Aoibhinn Nic Abhastain firing home to seal the win.

St Dominic’s could have been further ahead at the end had it not been for a series of excellent saves by Colaiste Feirste goalkeeper Naoimh Groves who showed great skill and courage to deny her opponents on a least four occasions.


 St Dominic’s Grammar School		 
1 (GK) 
Grace Ní Choileáin		 
2 
Aoibheann Ní Ghallchóir		3
Seána Nic an Phaoire		4
Carragh NíFhloinn
5
Grace Ní Chuinneagáin		6
Lucy Ní Mhearthaile		7
Niamh Ní Chléirigh
8
Sadhbh Ní Dhreain		9
Niamh Ní Mhuirrigh
10
Aoibhinn Nic Abhastain		11
Aoife Connalláin		12
Eva Nic Eoghain
13 
Emily Rís		14
Emma Rís		15
Ciara nic criosta
16 (GK)Saorlaith Ní Chathail 
17Emer Rís 
18Siofra Ni fhionnail 
19Róise Nic Lochlainn 
20Lucia Ní Mhuirrigh 
21Holly Ni Mhianain 
22Isla Nic Gabhann 
23Remi Sanni 
24Laureen Soda 
25Mia Baiccir 
26Katie Ní Chléirigh 
27Aoibheann Ní Riabhaigh 
28Aoife Ni Ghael 
29Brooke Ni Bhuaigh 
30Caoimhe Tracey 
Colaiste Feirste 
1 (GK) 
Naoimh Groves		 
2 
Naoimhnín Debrun 		3
Erin Nic Eoghain  		4
Ceadagh Ní Mhuiris 		 
5
Charlotte Ní Aoláin		6
Leila Ní Éifnigh 		7
Ava Lemahieu 		 
8
Roisin Ní Bradiagh  		9
Chloe Nig Oric 		 
10
Sionann Norney  		11
Saorlaith Ní Mhuiris  		12
Ella Hughes 		 
13 
Orlaith Ní Leogain 		14
Rioghnach Ní Chonghaile 		15
Holly Mae Nic An Ghoill 		 
16 (GK) Megan Furber  
17 Jennifer Nic Mathúna  
18 Penny Streight  
19 Fionnuala Nic Cana   
20 Clara Nic Cionaoith   
21 Cainneach Keenan  
22 Una McCavana  
23 Naoise Heaney  
24 Eimear Nic Grifin  
25   
26   
27   
28   
29   
30   
by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s late push not enough as Sligo take the points in 2020

As Antrim travel to Markievicz this Sunday for a game that could prove vital for both sides if they are to maintain their promotion hopes following a first defeat in their respective campaigns at the weekend, we look back at their last meeting at Sunday’s venue back in 2020.

Paddy Cunningham who scored 0-8 against Sligo back in 2020 in the NFL Division 4 but still managed to finish on the losing side

Allianz NFL Division Four 2020

Sligo 0-15

Antrim 0-14

Antrim suffered another narrow defeat at the hands of old adversaries Sligo at Markievicz Park today. The Saffrons pushed hard in the closing stages and a Paddy Cunningham pointed free in time added on brought them to within a point of the Westerners but that was as close as they got.

With the allotted four minutes of stoppage time already played, Cunningham knocked over a 35-metre free to following a crude challenge on Declan Lynch which earned the Sligo skipper a black card.

However, McKenna blew the full-time whistle after Aidan Devaney’s kick-out with the Antrim players venting their anger at the full-time whistle.

Lenny Harbinson claimed that the Monaghan whistler had indicated he would play an additional 30 seconds after the free but blew from the resulting kick-out.

Antrim on reflection will however look to a number of missed chances, particularly a Paddy McBride attempt on goal from close range in the opening half which was blocked down with the ball cleared to safety in the ensuing scramble.

Dermot McAleese in action against Sligo in 2020. The Portglenone man will captain Antrim this Sunday at Markievicz Park

In truth though Sligo were the better side with keeper Aidan Devaney finding his men with relative ease from his kick-outs while at the other end they pressed up on the Saffron kick-outs and when Oisin Kerr was forced to go long it was the Sligo mid-field pair of Paddy O’Connor and Paul Kilcoyne who dominated.

It took the home side less than a minute to open their account with O’Connor on target before Cunningham replied for Antrim following good work from Eunan Walsh.

Back-to-back points from Sligo corner-forwards Liam Gaughan and Red Og Murphy saw the hosts move two ahead but both sides also missed good chances to score goals in the opening 35 minutes with Oisin Kerr denying Red Og Murphy on eight minutes while Devaney came off his line well to deny Paddy McBride in the 19th minute.

Antrim began to settle and enjoy a bit of success however and Conor Murray, Declan Lynch and Eunan Walsh were all on target to keep the visitors in touch as the game approached half time.

Conor Murray’s second point of the day moved Antrim 0-8 to 0-7 ahead as the clock counted down to half time but the impressive O’Connor relied from the kick out to bring matters level. A misplaced kick-out from Oisin Kerr almost gifted Sligo a goal, but Darragh Cummins opted for the point to move the home side 0-9 to 0-8 ahead at the break.

Eunan Walsh lined out in Antrim’s half forward line in 2020. He is likely to retain the full-back jersey against the Yates County on Sunday

Both sides showed changes at the start of the second half with Kevin Quinn replacing Mark Gardiner in the Antrim side and Gerard O’Kelly Lynch replacing Neil Ewing in the Sligo line out.

The third quarter was scrappy with Peter Healey producing a number of fine blocks to deny the home but the visitors were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when Quinn was received a black card.

Paddy O’Connor (two) and Keelan Cawley hit three unanswered point to move the home side further ahead as they took advantage of the extra man but points from Cunningham and Colum Duffin kept the visitors in touch as Quinn returned to the fray.

Cunningham had the opportunity to level matters but screwed his shot badly wide in the 56th minute before the impressive O’Connor replied at the other end to extend the gap to two once more. Odhran Eastwood announced his arrival with a fine mark and point but Sligo started to run down the clock with some time-wasting with Murphy picking up a second yellow for kicking the ball into the dug-out.

O’Connor was shown a black for hauling down Lynch with time almost up and Antrim threw everything at their opponents with Cunningham’s last-ditch free leaving just one in it but it was too little too late as the home side survived to take the points.

Conor Murray who scored 0-2 against Sligo in 2020

·  Sligo scorers: P O’Connor (0-6, 0-4fs), R Murphy (0-3), L Gaughan (0-3, 0-2fs), S Carrabine (0-1), D Cummins (0-1), K Cawley (0-1).

Antrim scorers: P Cunningham (0-8, 0-6fs), C Murray (0-2), D Lynch (0-1), E Walsh (0-1), C Duffin (0-1), O Eastwood (0-1, 0-1OM).

SLIGO: A Devaney; J Carr, E McGuinness, M Gordon; N Mullen, P McNamara, S Carrabane; P O’Connor,  Kilcoyne, K Cawley, N Ewing, D Cummins; L Gaughan, C Lally, R Murphy.

Subs: G O’Kelly Lynch for Ewing (HT), P Hughes for Lally (43mins), J O’Reilly for Cawley (54mins), S Coen for Cummins (59mins), A Marren for Gaughan (71mins).

ANTRIM: O Kerr; P Gallagher, R Johnston, M Gardiner; D Lynch, J McAuley, P Healy, R McCann, M Jordan; E Walsh, P McBride, N Delargy; P Cunningham, C Duffin, C Murray.

Subs: K Quinn for Gardiner (HT), C Small for McBride (42mins), O Eastwood for Walsh (54mins), D McAleese for Duffin (60mins), E Nagle for McCann (66mins).

REFEREE: N McKenna (Monaghan).

by thesaffrongael

Ulster GAA welcomes €50m partner funding from the Irish Government for Casement Park

Ulster GAA welcomes ‘the hugely significant and important contribution of the Irish Government to the re-development of Casement Park,following the announcement today that it will be investing €50m in the landmark West Belfast stadium.

Announced as part of a wider investment package within the Shared Island Fund, the Irish Government’s support for the re-development of the stadium is a further boost to the project which has seen maintenance and pre-enabling works commencing on site this week.

Named as one of the ten host venues for the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships, Ulster GAA is confident that the stadium will be built in line with the UEFA timelines with GAA games being played at the stadium in 2027.  

Commenting Tom Daly, Ulster GAA Stadium Board Chairperson said: “We welcome, and thank, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Government for the hugely significant and important contribution to support the construction of Casement Park which will leave a legacy not only for the Gaels of Antrim and Ulster, but for all of society.

“We have been working closely with the Taoiseach’s office to bring the Irish Government on board to contribute to the Ulster GAA’s overall partnership funding package for the stadium which reflects its ambition to foster long lasting sporting, cultural and economic opportunities in the province. Throughout the process the Taoiseach and all of Government have been steadfast and consistent in their support for, and commitment to, helping Ulster GAA deliver a modern fit for purpose GAA stadium for the whole community.

“We also recognise that this will contribute significantly to both North South and East West relationships.”

Ulster GAA President, Ciaran McLaughlin said: “This is a tremendous boost for all GAA members today.  Following on from successful bid by the UK & Ireland to secure the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships and the recent return of the Assembly and Executive we now have a once in a generation opportunity, to further advance community reconciliation and showcase this great city to the world.”

Commenting Seamus McMullan, Chair of Antrim GAA, said: “This is a very important announcement, and we would like to thank the Taoiseach and the Government for their committed support. Anticipation, and excitement, is palpable amongst players and members in our County as we take another step closer to rebuilding Antrim’s home ground.  With initial works having commenced on site, we look forward to the project now moving at pace as we plan for an exciting new future for Antrim, both on and off the field.”

Ulster GAA confirmed last week that they written to residents and updated the local voluntary, business and tourism community about pre-enabling works taking place on site throughout February and March, followed by site clearance from April to June, including the removal of the old terracing.

ENDS

Caption: Ulster GAA representatives pictured with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in August 2023

by thesaffrongael

Antrim beaten by Derry in Ulster Minor Camogie final

Armagh City Hotel Ulster Minor Camogie Championship Final

Derry 3-10 Antrim 3-8

Pics by Sean Paul McKillop

Antrim minors’ bid for a fourth Ulster title in a row came unstuck at Swatragh on Sunday when Derry staged a late comeback to claim he honours in a really exciting final.

The Saffrons appeared to hold the upper hand when a great goal from Kady McNeill was followed by an Aimee Ferris goal, which put the visitors four clear.

Ulster Camogie chairperson Karen McCormick presents the Ulster Minor Camogie cup to the Derry captains after their win over Antrim in Sunday’s final at Swatragh.

To their credit Derry bounced back and a Leah Cassidy goal in the 42nd minute put them back in charge and when Antrim had a player sent off soon afterwards the tables had well and truly turned, and the Oak Leaf girls pushed on to take victory.

Derry: Aimee Hughes, Lucy McKaigue, Eimear Murray, Grace Draine, Ellie Griffin, Paige Bell, Orla McCartney, Connla Kerr joint-capt, Connie McBride 1-0, Leah Cassidy 1-0, Jemma Shivers 1-1, Grace Kelly joint-capt, Ceallach Mailey, Carla Collins 0-8, 6 frees, Aoibh Mulholland 0-1.

Subs: Orlaith Henry for L McKaigue (45), Caoimhe Ferris for C Mailey (45), Caitlín Campbell for O McCartney (50), Natalie McKenna for G Draine (56).

Antrim: Erin O’Hara, Casey Crawford, Aisling O’Donnell, Rihanna Black, Cara Burns, Janey McIntosh capt, Laura Black, Éobha McAllister 0-1, Kady McNeill 1-1, Katie McCloskey 2-0, Mary McArthur 0-2 frees, Shanna Derry 0-2, Marie Laverty, Dearbhail McAulfield 0-1, Aimee Ferris 0-1.

Subs: Eimear McCaughan for D McAulfield (49), Eimear McGivern for E O’Hara (50)

Referee; P McDonnell (Cavan)