Month / April 2024

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy beat Cushendall with late scoring burst

Antrim Minor Hurling League – Division 1

Cushendall 2-19 Dunloy 2-22

Three late points, one from substitute Reece Cunning and two from midfielder Jack Martin were the decisive scores that sealed Dunloy’s win over Cushendall in Sunday’s Minor Hurling League game at Pairc Mhuire. The sides had been level on 2-18 apiece at that stage but those three scores were decisive, eve though Fiontan Bradly pulled one back in the last minute to leave just two between the sides.

The first ten minutes saw them level on three points apiece. Cahir McCambride pointed to put Cushendall in front but Dunloy took over at this stage and hit 1-7 without reply, the goal coming from full forward Oisin McCamphill while Luke McFerran, Paudie Martin and McCamphill shared the points   

At this stage Cushendall looked dead and buried but to their credit they battled back before the break and points from Fiontan Bradley (2), Ryan McAuley and a goal direct from a free by Thomas McLaughlin left them just three adrift at the half time whistle.

Jack Martin pointed to put four between the sides, but it was Cushendall’s time for a spell of dominance and they hit six of the next seven points, four of them from Bradley and two from Charlie McAuley to level matters once again.

It stayed that way as both teams added two apiece but Dunloy got back in top and points from Ryan Scott and Paudie Martin and a goal from Aidan Richmond. Six behind Cushendall fought back again and incredible spell of scoring from Fiontan Bradley, which yielded a goal and three points brought them back level on 2-18 apiece.

It looked anybody’s game at this stage but Dunloy steadied the ship and sealed the win with the late run of points

by thesaffrongael

Football League Fixtures (Previews) Wed 1st May

The mid-week setting remains for the football league fixtures in the interim as a full list of games is scheduled in all of the senior divisions on Wednesday evening.

Division One (all games at 7.00pm)

All Saint’s Ballymena v St James Aldergrove

With three wins recorded to date All Saints will be striving to keep their winning run going and having gained their third victory up at Hannahstown the Baker Boys will welcome Aldergrove to Slemish Park on Wednesday evening.

The Saint’s will return to base seeking to keep the winning show firmly on the road as Aldergrove visit.

The Crumlin men have struggled to date in the top grade with only a point but have a good record over the Ballymena side and will see this as an opportunity to record a first win.

All Saints have shown improvement within the ranks as the season has progressed and they may well gain another couple of points from this one.

O’ Donovan Rossa v St Johns

The Johnnies travel up to Rossa Park for another meeting with possibly their most intense rivals and it usually means that a game worth watching is imminent.

Both gained respective victories last time out as St John’s proved too strong for the visiting Ahoghill whilst Hugh McGettigan’s Rossa side brought the points home from a trip to Aghagallon.

Little separates this duo when they cross swords and this may well follow in the same direction.

Ground advantage may well prove the difference, and this could aid Rossa to victory but it should be close.

St Mary’s Ahoghill v Kickham’s Creggan

Both these Southwest rivals lost last time out with the Clooney side going down to St. John’s at Corrigan park whilst Creggan lost out by a couple of points to their visitors from St Gall’s.

St Mary’s will return to Clooney for this one and Chris Mc Glone’s charges will seek a more profitable return as Joe Cassidy leads his charges down to Ahoghill.

A close encounter does look probable and in a game which could go either way ground advantage may possibly aid the St Mary’s men to victory.

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Erin’s Own Cargin

Very much a local derby in this one as St Ergnat’s Moneyglass play hosts to their parish rivals as Erin’s Own Cargin in a contest that is likely to attract a good crowd to the Marian Hill venue.

The St Ergnat’s took a time to get things together this season but an excellent victory in Crumlin over Aldergrove last time will help their confidence but although they will strive to get the better to their visitors it is difficult to envisage anything other than an away win.

St Gall’s v Casement’s Portglenone

Having remained undefeated following their fifth win in succession last time out over Creggan, St Gall’s will return to Milltown for this one as they welcome Casement’s.

This does look an intriguing encounter with the 2023 division one league winners travelling up to Milltown holding a similar unbeaten record as their hosts.

This one will attract a good attendance to Milltown and a close one looks in prospect with the experience gained last year possibly holding the key to victory will John Mc Keever’s Casement’s given the nod.

Con Magees Glenravel v St Mary’s Aghagallon

Con Magees have a strong youth based panel but lacking in experience has cost the Glensmen to date in their journey in the top division.

They struggled against Cargin last time but a strong finish when the battle looked lost hinted at better to come and with home advantage they could get their first points of the season.

Aghagallon, with just a single win to date have been hampered by injuries this term and although anything is possible, a tentative vote is awarded to the Glensmen.

St Brigid’s v Tir na nOg

St Brigid’s are faring well this term and they remain unbeaten to date as they play hosts to Tir na nOg with eyes possibly fixed on a league title.

Randalstown based Tir na nOg are enjoying a positive run to date with three wins and a draw and only a single defeat thus far.

St Brigid’s will start this one as firm favourites and look likely to gain another couple of points but the Randalstown men will give them a game.

St Enda’s v Lamh Dhearg

St Enda’s enjoyed a couple of victories in the early stages of the league but seem to have lost their way of late having suffered three defeats in a row after opening with wins over St John’s and Aghagallon.

Lamh Dhearg have really limped away from the start traps this year and the Hannahstown men still await their first win of the season.

This may well prove a close one with ground advantage possible aiding the Lamh’s to victory.

Division Two (all games 7.00pm

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v St Patrick’s Lisburn

Last year’s beaten senior championship finalists have gained two wins from three to date and will be expected to regain the winning habit in this one from the visit of the in-form St Patrick’s.

The Lisburn men have recorded a couple of wins from their four starts but although they will travel in confident mood Dunloy are given a firm nod.

Gort na Mona v St Mary’s Rasharkin

Gort na Mona, with just one win to date are back on their home sod for this one as they play hosts to St Mary’s Rasharkin in a city v country affair.

Rasharkin enjoyed an excellent 2023 season as they recorded a Junior championship and division 3 league double but they have not started well in division 2 and remain without a win to date as they travel to Gort na Mona.

Gort na Mona have a single win to date but although their visitors are capable of improvement a home win is probable.

Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Teresa’s

Kickham’s Ardoyne remain without a win to date but are more than capable of improvement but their visitors St Teresa’s are very much the in-form team in the division.

The Glen Road side are on maximum points to date and they may well add another couple as they travel to Cliftonville.

Patrick Sarsfield’s v Michael Davitt’s

Nothing at all separates this duo in the ratings as both have five points apiece to date with two wins and a drawn each and such would suggest little will separated them in competition with a share of the spoils possible.

St Joseph’s Glenavy v St Paul’s

Although pipped at the post last time out when St Teresa’s recorded a 2-10 to 0-15 victory, St Joseph’s still remain very much on the promotion trail and will hope to return to winning ways again in this one as St Paul’s visit Chapel Hill.

Little separates this duo in terms of league form with both having gained six points from four games but ground advantage with the familiar terrain of Chapel Hill may well ensure a win for Glenavy.

Division Three (all games 7.00pm)

St Agnes v Eire Og

St. Agnes, with a couple of wins to date may well add another from the visit of Eire Og who are seeking their second win.

St Comgall’s Antrim v St. Malachy’s

St Comgall’s, now under the management of Barry Burns have really flown out of the start traps for the present season remaining undefeated to date and they may well add another couple of points with victory over the visiting St Malachy’s.

Wolfe Tones v Patrick Pearses

Pearses have a couple of wins to date and are expected to add another brace to their total when they pay a visit to their neighbours from Wolfe Tones.

Laochra loch Lao v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s

Cardinal O’ Donnell’s really enjoyed an excellent 2023 season and were only pipped at the post by Rasharkin in both championship and league. They have started the present season without reversal to date.

This does not look an easy one for the MacRory Park side as they travel to Laochra Loch Lao but they may well return with points secured

by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle and Oisins share the spoils

Antrim Minor Hurling League – Division 1

Ballycastle 0-19 Glenariffe Oisins 2-13

Ballycastle and Glenariffe shared the spoils in Sunday’s Minor hurling League game on the second pitch at Pairc MacUílin after a highly entertaing game. When Conor Donnelly and Cadhan Crawford hit two superb late points to edge Ballycastle ahead in injury time it appeared that the Town had grabbed the win, but there was still time for the Oisins to save the game and free taker Phelim Ward grabbed the equaliser with the last poc of the game.

Ballycastle’s Conor Donnelly in action against Glenariffe’s Niall Magee

With Crawford and Donnelly in top form Ballycastle had the better of the things in the early stages and they went 0-7 to 0-2 ahead, with the two top scorers grabbing two apiece and Niall McClean getting the other, while the Oisins two points came from Phelim Ward frees.

The visitors were in need of a lift and it came in the form of a goal from centre back Niall Magee who soloed out of defence, laid off a pass and got the ball back before firing low to bottom corner of the Ballycastle net, and with Ward adding two more from frees the sides were suddenly level. Ballycastle pushed on again however before the break and two more from Conor Donnelly and one from Crawford had them three ahead at the interval. 0-12 to 1-6

Oisins’s centre back Niall Magee fires a low shot to the Ballycastle net

Matthew Donnelly increased the Ballycastle lead to four when he pointed in the second minute of the new half, but the Oisins were thrown a lifeline when Calum McIlwaine fired in a goal soon afterwards. Three points in a row followed from the Glenarife boys which put them two in front, but Conor Donnelly, Cadhan Crawford and Arden Kelly came back with points apiece to tie things up again. The late points from Donnelly and Crawford appeared to have won it for the Town with two great points but Ward tied it all up with a late free to earn his team a share of the spoils,

Ballycastle’s Cadhan Crawford soloes towards the Oisins goal
by thesaffrongael

Burns goal swings it St. Paul’s way

ACMHL Division 2

All Saints 1-7 St. Paul’s 1-11

St. Paul’s visited Slemish Park on Sunday morning and left with both points after an excellent game of hurling with an All Saints side who were in contention right up to the final minutes.

A superb goal from Shea Burns, midway through the second half swung it St. Paul’s way and with Odhran Donnelly in great form from the placed ball the visitors pushed on for the win.

In the end the Shaw’s Road side were good value for their victory as they struck the woodwork on several occasions while All Saints keeper, Pearse Martin was in fine form for the home side.

It was All Saints who got off to the perfect start when Jakub Kaczmarek fired to the St. Pauls net in the opening minute but the visitors failed to panic and slowly played their way back into the game.

Darragh De Brun and Odhran Donnelly led the visitor’s comeback and by half time the sides were level at 1-3 to 0-6 with Conor O’Hara and Conall Boyd on target for the home side.

It was the Ballymena youngsters who made the better start to the second half as Keeper, Pearse Martin stepped forward to send a 60 meter free between the uprights and when Conall Boyd followed with another from a free they were two ahead

Another Boyd free extended that lead to three but St. Paul’s were quick to respond and Shea Burns soloed 40 yards before firing an unstoppable shot to Pearse Martin’s net and bring his side level for the second time

Odhran Donnelly edged the Shaw’s Road side ahead from a free and it was a lead they would not lose as the Red &White hoops started to take control with Donnelly striking a number of excellent frees.

Darragh De Brun and Donnelly added points going down the home straight and the flying De Brun saw a well struck goal attempt come back of the crossbar while All Saints continued to fight but were wasteful in their shooting.

They were finally rewarded when Conall Boyd pointed a 27th minute free to leave just a goal in it but the excellent De Brun replied with a point at the other end to conclude the scoring and ensure there would be no way back for the boys in black.

All Saints: 1 Pearse Martin, 2 Finn Connon, 3 Patrick Murphy, 4 Oisin Doherty, 5 Caolan Laverty, 6 Robert Crooks, 7 Conan McKeown, 8 Sean McDermott, 9 Harry Connon, 10 Ciaran Logan, 11 Jakub Kaczmarek, 12 Connor O’Hara, 13 Michael Connolly, 14 Jason McGregor, 15 Antoin Martin, 16 Conall Boyd, 18 John Ireland, 17 Sean O’Brien

St. Paul’s: Ciaran O’Carrol, 2 Conor Daley, 3 Bobby Jack Bennett, 4 Padraig Keenan, 5 Cian McCann, 6 Padhraic McKevitt, 7 Liam Murray, 8 Ewan McGreevey, 9 Garett Cowan, 10 Nathan O’Neill, 11 Micael Valley, 12 Odhran Donnelly, 13 Oisin De Brun, 14 Shea Burns, 15 Darragh De Brun

Subs: Ciaran De Brun, Gerard Maguire, Brogan McEvoy, Daire Maguire, Ronan Smith

by thesaffrongael

Moneynick do the double

Allianz Cumann na mBunscoil South West girl’s 7’s

Moneynick Primary School are the South West Antrim Allianz Ireland 7-a-side winners for 2024 after navigating their way through an excellent days football in St Comgall’s. Having already secured the indoor title earlier in the school year the Moneynick girls were impressive all over the field to secure the double. Their teamwork and composure on the ball were among the highlights for those looking on.

9 schools arrived at the Antrim venue hoping to emerge victorious and unlike last week for the boy’s competition the weather played its part (for a change!).

Participating teams were St Brigid’s Ballymena, Creggan, St Mary’s Portglenone, Mount St Michael’s Randalstown, St Colmcille’s Ballymena, St Comgall’s Antrim, St Joseph’s Crumlin, Mary Queen of Peace and Moneynick.

The day began with two group’s played in a round robin basis, qualifying for the cup semi-finals were St Comgall’s, St Mary’s Portglenone, Mary Queen of Peace and Moneynick, with the remaining schools battling it out for the shield.

All semi-finals were nip and tuck in both competitions with Creggan and St Joseph’s Crumlin qualifying for the final in the shield. The final itself was tight and tense with some great scores taken and play flowing from end to end, eventually the Creggan girls came out on top and were awarded the shield, well done to them.

The final of the cup saw a strong, skilful and determined St Comgall’s side go up against Moneynick. The game ebbed and flowed and in keeping with the theme of the day was contested by two determined and outstanding teams. Moneynick, displaying their range of skills and abilities emerged victorious in an absorbing final. They progress to the county final carrying with them the best wishes of SW Antrim Cumann na mBunscoil.

A big well done not only to Moneynick and Creggan but to all the participating teams who yet again highlighted that LGFA is going from strength to strength in SW Antrim.