February 19, 2024February 19, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Oisins celebrate 120 years

Glenariffe Oisins, who were foundedin 1904, celebrated 120 years of club history when they held a Gala dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel on Saturday night. Guests of honour were incoming GAA president Jarlath Burns and Antrim county chairman Seamus McMullan, while BBC’s Mark Sidebottom, an Oisins man through and through, was MC for the evening. Mark interviewed some of the club ‘legends’ as well as conducting the auction for a variety of special prizes.

Club chairman Johnny McIntosh welcomed the guests and had a special word of thanks for hard working committee who put it all together.

The annual club awards were handed out to the hurlers and LGFA stars and the highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Under 19A Hurling Championship trophy to Daniel Kearney, who captained the Glenariffe-Glenravel side to victory in October.

GAA President Elect Jarlath Burns with Oisins legends Martin McKillop, Dermot McMullan Niall Wheeler and Randal McDonnell at the club’s 120th anniversary Gala dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel.

**Most Improved LGFA Player Rosa McCrudden received the Larragh Lodge Trophy from Dolores McDonnell at the Oisins 120th anniversary dinner.**

Chloe Mitchell receives the LFGA Player of the Year award from Dolores McDonnell at the Oisins dinner.

**Eddie Haughey presents the Danny McAlister Cup for Senior Hurler of the Year to Michael Haughey at the Oisins 120th anniversary dinner in Tullyglass Hotel.**

Chris Ward presents the Willie Bob Memorial Cup for Most Improved Hurler of the Year to Cathan Graham

***Artie Harvey presents the Clubperson of the year award to Paul Gillan at the Oisins Gala dinner***

Hugh McIlwaine received the Supporter of the Year award from Artie Harvey and also picked up the Team Assistant of the Year award on behalf of Brendan Murray

The Glenariffe members of the Glenariffe-Glenravel team who won last season’s Under 19A Championship at the club’s 120th anniversary Gala dinner in Tullyglass Hotel. Included is Antrim county chairman Seamus McMullan.

Geordie Wheeler presents the Under 19A Hurling Championship Cup to team captain Dan Kearney at the Oisins Gala dinner

Club legends Martin McKillop, Dermot McMullan, Niall Wheeler and Randal McDonnell are interviewed by Mark Sidebottom

February 18, 2024February 18, 2024 by thesaffrongael

First half treble sees Castledawson claim victory

Ulster Senior Football League, Section A Round 2

Lámh Dhearg 1-06-3-11 St. Malachy’s Castledawson

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown

Three first half goals helped Castledawson on their way to victory over Lámh Dhearg at Hannahstown on Sunday afternoon in their Ulster League clash.

The Derry outfit didn’t waste any time in flexing their authority and hit the net within the first 60-seconds with Pearse Keenan squeezing a low shot into the net.

Fearghal McKenna opened his account for the afternoon with a free before Adam Murray replied for the hosts.

Murray claimed a mark and swung the shot over and two minutes later converted a free after a foul on namesake Ross.

Castledawson doubled their goal tally on the 12th minute. Scorer of the first Keenan played a pivotal role, confidently carrying the ball from defence and laying it off to Aidan Keenan and he in turn found Colman Bradley to apply the finish and make it 2-01-0-02.

Points were traded in the aftermath as Jody Quinn kicked an adavanced mark and Rian Connaire replied with a wonderul free off the deck.

The visitors found the net for the third time by the quarter-hour mark. Aidan Keenan cut-out Rhys Camlin’s kick-out and quickly found Sean Mac Oscar to sweep home and make it 3-02-0-03. A further goal may have arrived moments later, but Connaire’s fisted effort rose over the bar for a point.

Aidan Keenan added a close-range point to finish his sides scoring for the half. There was still time for a brief Lámhs rally before the half time whistle.

Ben Rice dropped in a high ball and the towering Jody Quinn managed to get a touch on it and steer the ball to the net.

Padraig Mervyn then swung a fine shot over the bar in added time as Castledawson held a 3-04-1-04 lead at the midway stage.

Fearghal McKenna extended his sides advantage with the opening two points of the second period. He guided over a free before blasting over from play minutes later.

Adam Murray was on-hand to open his sides account from a close-range free on the 41st minute, but it failed to shift the momentum.

Castledawson added another three unanswered points. Rian Connaire and Odhran Mac Oscar hit quickfire scores.

Fearghal McKenna may have added his sides fourth goal in the last ten minutes, breaking forward at pace- though Lámhs keeper Gerard Smyth turned the goal bound effort past the post at the expense of a 45′ whic Connaire converted.

Lámh Dhearg hit their final score of the afternoon after substitute Conall Breen was fouled and Adam Murray kicked his fourth free of proceedings.

Tallisman Fearghal McKenna added two further scores to his personal tally before the conclusion, dropping over anangled free and then kicking an excellent point to ensure his side ran out 3-11-1-06 winners at the conclusion and earn their first win of the campaign.

February 18, 2024February 18, 2024 by thesaffrongael

South West Underage Hurling Blitz at St. Patrick’s

South West Antrim underage indoor hurling blitzes commenced last Saturday in St Patricks College Ballymena.
It was great to see clubs back out in action and enjoying the games.
Any clubs wishing to participate please contact Thomas Mcacann via the South West Antrim secretary email address.

Participating clubs were:

St. Mary’s Ahoghill GA&CC
Rasharkin GAC
Glenravel – Gleann Fhreabhail GAA
Naomh Éanna CLG
Shane Uí Néill GAC

February 18, 2024February 18, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Strong finish makes it two from two for All Saints

Ulster Intermediate Club Football league- Group D

All Saints 1-13 Moneyglass 1-6

All Saints staged a strong finish to overcome the spirited challenge of Moneyglass in round 2 of the Ulster Intermediate Club league to make it two wins from two starts at Slemish Park this morning.

The visitors fell behind to early points from Benny McDonnell and Michael McCarry, and with Emmet Killough, Joe Rafferty and Charlie Metrustry working hard around mid-field, the home side moved into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead.

The Marian Hill men began to get a foothold in the game with Colm Duffin getting them on their way with a couple of converted frees and a goal from Shanaghan Duffin at the end of the opening quarter saw the visitors level at the break 1-2 to 0-5.

Colm ‘Smilie’ Duffin moved Moneyglass ahead at the start of the second half from a free after being fouled himself with Ronan McKillop bringing it all square with a point at the other end.

The visitors then lost a player to a straight red card, ten minutes into the second half as matters became a little heated and when Martin McErlain got things going again it was the Ballymena side who took advantage of the extra man to finish strongly.

Ciaran Campbell got on the end of a turnover to lob the Moneyglass keeper who found himself in no man’s land and Benny McDonnell, Darach Bradley and a couple of converted frees from Michael McCarry saw them run out comfortable seven point winners.

All Saints now travel to Greenlough next Sunday morning where they are likely to face their toughest test to date while Moneyglass entertain Desertmartin who drew 1-12 to 1-12 with Sarsfields in the other group D game played today.

February 18, 2024February 19, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Strong last quarter sees Down win with a bit to spare

Allianz Football League Division Three:

Antrim 1-6 Down 1-15

***Paddy McAleer (9)fires in his team’s goal***

When Antrim goalkeeper Mick Byrne sent over his second point of the game from a free, fifteen minutes into the second half to bring his side back on terms at 1-5 to 0-8 it looked like the big crowd inside Corrigan Park were in for a thrilling finish. The Saffrons actually had a chance to take the lead for the first time soon afterwards but as was so often the case throughout the game the final pass did not get to hand and Down were soon back ahead, a lead they would not lose.

That final quarter saw the Mourne men produced their best play of the game and after being denied a goal by a brilliant Mick Byrne save the men in red and black pushed on to win with ease, outscore Antrim by 1-7 to 0-1 during the run in to keep their 100% league record intact.

The visitors won the toss and with the breeze at their backs they dominated the early stages, hitting three unanswered points through Pat Havern, James Guinness and Havern again to pull three ahead after 14 minutes.

Things were getting worrying for Antrim but they got back into the game when a good move involving Eoin Hyndes and Marc Jordan was fired to the Down net by midfielder Paddy McAleer to bring the home side level. However Down took over again and went back ahead with a point from a free by goalkeeper John O’Hare and with the visitors enjoying the Lions share of possession Pat Havern and Liam Kerr put the gap out to three again.

Antrim goalkeeoer Mik Byrne sends over a point from a free.

Soon afterwards Antrim goalkeeper Mick Byrne came up the field to hit a free from out on the stand sideline, and cleverly found Joseph Finnegan with a pin-point pass, and the St Brigid’s man sent over an excellent point. Soon afterwards the gap was back to the minimum when Paddy McAleer won a kick out and set Dominic McEnhill away for a well taken point, but Down had the last say of the opening half when Havern sent over another free to give his side a 0-7 to 1-2 lead at the short whistle.

Down stretched their lead to three early in the second half but Antrim scores from the Rossa duo of Mick Byrne and Dominic McEnhill closed the gap to the minimum. and the signs were promising for the home fans. When goalkeeper Mick Byrne brought the home side back on terms the scene was set for a great contest, but Down were able to lift the tempo when it was needed and they clicked into gear in going down the home straight.

***Down’s Odhran Murdock in action against Antrim’s Colm McLarnon***

Murdock and Havern increased their lead though Antrim kept in touch with a another point from Mick Byrne to close the gap to two with fifteen minutes left to play. That however was as close as the Saffrons would come and Down finished with a flourish picking of a series of excellent points before adding the cherry to the cake with an injury time goal from their excellent substitute Ceilum Doherty to seal an impressive win.

A big dent in Antrim’s promotion hopes, but they can bounce back next weekend when they travel to Markievicz Park in Sligo to take on their old adversaries.

**Antrim centre back Joseph Finnegan sends over a point**

Antrim scorers: Paddy McAleer 1-0, Dominic McEnhill 0-3 (0-2fs), Mick Byrne 0-2 (0-2fs), Joe Finnegan 0-1.

Down scorers: Pat Havern 0-6 (0-4fs), Ceilum Doherty 1-1, James Guinness 0-2, Oisin Savage 0-2, Danny Magill 0-1, John O’Hare 0-1 (0-1 45), Liam Kerr 0-1, Odhran Murdock 0-1.