We at the Saffron Gael are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of Antrim’s great Gaels, Seamus O’Hare. We remember him at the gates of Casement Park and indeed at grounds throughout Ireland where he would always ensure we gained entrance if there was a problem with other stewards.
Indeed Curly and I were speaking this morning about Seamus and how he had arranged a parking spot for us at a house of a friend, opposite the back entrance to Casement during big county games more than a decade ago.
The true example of a volunteer, Seamus served his club and county with distinction and was warm and courteous to those who met him and will be badly missed by friends and colleagues at St. John’s, Antrim and much further afield.
Seamus was a well-known figure in Antrim GAA circles, working first with the former St Colmcille’s GAA Club in East Belfast in the 1950s and subsequently with St John’s as he dedicated his life to the Association where he served a number of roles in administration including chairperson and secretary of his club, while also chairing the South Antrim board.
He was a referee of distinction for decades, but also was involved in the preparation of teams including Tommy Hall’s backroom when Antrim won the 1969 All-Ireland U21 football title, right up until the mid-200s under Micky Culbert’s tenure as senior manager.
Throughout the years, Seamus was a presence on the turnstiles at Antrim games and also with the Ulster Council and acted as a steward at Croke Park – just one of the countless roles he held throughout his life.
His dedication to the GAA was rewarded in 2018 when he received a a GAA President’s award for ‘outstanding contribution to Gaelic Games and Culture’.
“CLG Aontroma are sad to learn the passing of Seamus O’Hare, who was a familiar face on the gates of Casement Park and held the same role at Ulster Council matches and as steward at Croke Park among various positions at all levels of the GAA across six decades,” Antrim GAA said in a statement.
“Hardly a match went by without Seamus at the turnstiles. The true meaning of volunteerism.”
His club, St John’s, also paid tribute, saying: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of our esteemed member Seamus O’Hare.
“Seamus worked tirelessly for club and county over many years, proudly receiving Gradam an Uachtaráin as a result. Our sincerest condolences are offered to the O’Hare family at this sad time.”
Our Lady of the Gaels pray for him
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A busy week-end of Football Championship action with fixtures in all of the grades, senior, Intermediate, and Junior from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th of August to keep the followers of the big ball game more than well catered for.
Friday 16th August
SFC (Group One)
St James Aldergrove v Lamh Dhearg (Aldergrove) at 7.15pm
Friday 16th August
Lamh Dhearg certainly underlined the difference between league and championship in their opening round victory over St. Enda’s.
The Hannahstown men won only three league games but with a number of their star performers back on board they swept aside the challenge of St. Enda’s.
Although some may well have had cause to cast doubt of their championship credentials it was to prove ill-founded when Paddy Cunningham led them to a resounding victory over the Glengormley men.
St James travelled to Dunloy for their opening game in group one and although they looked up against it as they faced last year’s beaten finalists Cuchullian’s, they gave their hosts a run for their money, finishing just seven points in arrears of their hosts at conclusion.
Aldergrove will return to their own base for this one and they may well gain in momentum with home support behind them but Lamh Dhearg will start as firm favourites and anything other than an away win looks difficult to envisage.
Saturday 17th August
SFC (Group 1)
St Enda’s Glengormley v Cuchullian’s Dunloy (Hightown) at 5.00 pm
Last years beaten senior finalists Cuchullian’s Dunloy opened their 2014 campaign with a good win over the visiting Aldergrove and they will hope to continue on the winning trail in this their second assignment when they travel to St Enda’s.
This looks like a tougher game for Dunloy but St. Enda’s were poor in their opening game away to Lamh Dhearg and will need to show improvement.
St Enda’s have lost several players over the past year or two and they have been seen to struggle in their absence and confidence does seem at a low ebb at the minute.
Dunloy will start as firm favourites to gain a victory which may well ensure a place in the next stage of the competition unless the home side can show marked improvement.
SFC (Group 2)
O’ Donovan Rossa v Tir na Nog (Randalstown) at 5.00 pm
Rossa lost to reigning champions Cargin in their opening game in Toome as
Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men failed to hit the ground running in that one and were hit by three early goals.
In the event their hosts gained a big advantage on the score board to gain in confidence and finish with a ten point victory.
Rossa improved in the latter stages of that one and back on their own sod they are likely to be more focused from the start as Tir na nOg visit Shaw’s Road.
Tir na nOg enjoyed a good league campaign but that was not to be replicated in the championship as they lost to the visiting St John’s in their first Group 2 game and better is required in this one as they take the road to West Belfast to meet O’ Donovan Rossa.
Rossa will start as slight favourites and unless Tir na nOg can regain the positivity of their league performances in championship a win for the home side looks probable.
SFC (Group 4)
St Gall’s v St Mary’s Aghagallon (Milltown) at 5.00pm
St Gall’s play hosts to Aghagallon with both the contestants badly in need of a win following opening day defeats.
St Gall’s lost to St Brigid’s at Musgrave in their opening game while St Mary’s men failed to cope with their first round visitors, Creggan who claimed a six point victory.
There will be no holding back by either side as a positive result is required by both contestants if they are to keep respective interest in the championship alive.
St Galls seem to have taken a stride forward this year and if they can produce the form they showed in the second half against St Brigid’s then they should gain the win over a struggling Aghagallon men.
SFC (Group 4)
Kickham’s Creggan v St Brigid’s (Creggan) at 5.00 pm
A contender for ‘match of the day’ as Creggan welcome St Brigid’s in a game that is sure to attract a big crowd to the Staffordstown Road venue.
Both gained opening day victories with Creggan proving winners at Aghagallon whilst St Brigid’s held on to defeat St Gall’s at Musgrave Park.
This one has the making of a real cracker with a close, hard fought contest likely but at conclusion ground advantage may be enough to give the Kickham’s the win over the reigning league champions.
SFC (Group 2)
St John’s v Erin’s Own Cargin (Corrigan Pk) at 2.00pm
Reigning champions Erin’s Own had a big opening day win over Rossa and were in control a few minutes into proceedings with three goals in the opening five minutes.
That blistering start assured them victory but this looks like a tougher one as they travel to Corrigan Park to meet St. John’s.
St John’s failed to figure very prominently in the league but championship is, and always was, the favoured route to follow for the Corrigan men and they were out of the traps smartly in the 2024 edition with an impressive victory over Tir na nOg at Whitehill.
This looks likely to be a close one with St John’s hoping to lower the reigning champion’s colours but the Toome men may well gain the verdict.
SFC (Group 3)
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Casement’s Portglenone (Moneyglass) at 2.00 pm
Moneyglass, buoyed by their opening day win at Glenravel welcome high riding Casements to Marian Hill and will have taken confidence from that win over Con Magee’s.
Both the combatants have already made their respective marks on the championship as the home side confounded the pundits with that win in Glenravel while Casement’s emerged from what was expected to be a close game with Ahoghill as winners by 17 points.
The Portglenone men will start as hot favourites but although John McKeever’s side are shaort odds to gain a second win, St Ergnat’s will not go down without a fight.
SFC (group 3)
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Con Magee’s Glenravel (Clooney) at 2.00 pm
St Mary’s Ahoghill were extremely poor in their opening day loss to Casement’s but the Cloney side are capable of much better and like their visitors, are still capable of gaining a place in the knock out stages.
The Con Magee’s failed to cope with the visiting Moneyglass in their opening game and like their hosts, need a win if they are to retain any hope of qualification for the Knock-out stages.
This one could go either way but Ahoghill are never easily beat in Cloney and ground advantage may well tip the balance in their favour with Chris Mc Glone’s charges given the nod
IFC
IFC (group 1)
St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Teresa’s (Dreen) at 5.00 pm
St Teresa’s are amongst the fancied sides to claim the Intermediate title and the city side will start as favourites as they travel to the South West and cross swords with St Mary’s Rasharkin.
The Dreen residents have gained in momentum over the past few years and after a spell in the bottom grade they are striving to step up the ladder again and regain the place they once held in the top grade.
This one could be close and ground advantage will add impetus to the St Mary’s challenge but St Teresa’s may gain the day.
IFC (group 1)
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Patrick’s Lisburn (Fennel Park) Sunday 2.00 pm
This could be close as Lisburn based St Patrick’s travel to meet Ardoyne at Fennel Park.
Ardoyne have lost their opening two games in the competition while Naomh Padraig fell to group favourites St. Paul’s in their only outing to date.
Those defeats would appear to rule Ardoyne out of a place in the play-offs while a win would leave Naomh Padraig in with an outside chance of qualification and that may be enough to inspire the Lisburn side to victory.
IFC (group 2)
Gort na Mona v St Joseph’s Glenavy
(Pairc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh) Sunday – 2.00 pm
St. Joseph’s Glenavy travel into the city to meet Gort na Mona and despite the Gorts enjoying home advantage, the visitors will start as favourites.
Gort na Mona have failed to gain a win to date, losing at Ballymena and at home to Sarsfield’s whilst Glenavy did had a good opening day win away to Davitts.
The home side have nothing but pride left to play for and St. Joseph’s greater need should inspire them to another win.
IFC (group 2)
Patrick Sarsfield’s v All Saint’s Ballymena (Bear Pit) Saturday – 2.00 pm
This one looks the pick of the round in the Intermediate grade, as Sarsfield’s play hosts to All Saint’s Ballymena at the Bear Pit.
The Paddies have impressed in the championship to date running out winners over Davitt’s and Gort na Mona while All Saints didn’t reach the levels expected in their win over the Gorts, but still had 10 points to spare in the end.
Sarsfield’s pose a serious threat to Baker Bradley’s side and anything less than a strong performance could see them struggle against a Paddies team firing on all cylinders.
Junior Football Championship
Friday 16th August – 7-15
JFC (group 1)
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Patrick Pearses (Woodlands) at 7.15 pm
Pearses lost their opening game to St. Agnes finishing seven points in arrears while Cardinal O’ Donnell’s had a good victory over Laochra Loch Lao at MacRory Park.
This is a must win for Pearses but they will have to improve on their last performance if they are overcome the O’Donnell’s challenge.
Laochra Loch Lao v St Agnes (Pairc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh) Friday – 7.15 pm
St Agnes impressed on day one with a resounding victory over Pearses at fennel Park and they may well continue on the winning trail as they take on Laochra Loch Lao at Pairc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh.
Their opponents lost by the minimum to O’Donnell’s at MacRory Park and will pose a serious challenge but St. Agnes can win again if they can produce a performance like last week’s.
Saturday 17th August
JFC (group 2)
St Malachy’s v St Comgall’s Antrim (Hightown) at 5.00 pm
Having claimed the division three title without losing a game, St Comgall’s are amongst the favourites to claim the Junior Championship and can continue with a win over St Malachy’s at Hightown on Saturday.
St Malachy’s did get their championship off on a positive note with a good win over Wolfe Tones but this looks a more difficult task and Naomh Comhghall should gain another win.
Wolfe Tones v Eire Og (Mac Crory Park ) Saturday – 5.00 pm
Both the contestants in this one lost their opening games as Eire og lost out to the competition favourites St Comgall’s while Wolfe Tones were well beaten by St Malachy’s.
A close one is anticipated with Eire Og, who enjoyed a better league performance given the nod.
An injury time point from a free by Cushendall centre forward Cahir McCambridge gave his team victory over neighbours Glenariffe in Tuesday evening’s Under 16 A Hurling League game in Glenariffe.
With the game two minutes into injury time it looked like the honours would be shared but Cushendall produced one more chance and McCambridge, who has struck some very good frees throughout the game, stepped up and slotted over to end a hard fought contest.
An early goal from Nicholas McLaughlin and a point from Conlaodh McNeill had Cushendall four clear by the sixth minute, but Glenariffe hit back with five points in a row from Ronan Magee (2), Oisin Gillan (2) and Ben Duncan to move a point ahead by the 11th minute. Shane McQuillan and Cahir McCambridge came back with two points to restore the Ruairi’s one point advantage, though Eunan Harvey cut it back to just one when hit a fine point on 17 minutes. A goal from Brian McNeill a minute later put the visitors four ahead on 18 minutes, but the Oisins hit back with two points from Ronan Magee and two from Oisin Gillan to draw level on 29 minutes, but a point from a Nicholas McLaughlin free just on half time gave the Ruairis at one point lead at break.
Two points inside the opening minute of the second half from Canice McIntosh put the Oisins back in front, but Cushendall regained the lead with two pointed frees by Cahir McCambridge but a point from a long range free by Ben Duncan tied the scores again by the 40th minute. A well worked goal which saw Ciaran McCann put Oisin Gillan clear for fire home from close range appeared to have put the Oisins in a strong position but within thirty seconds Cushendall had the ball in the net at the other end when Conal Og Traynor rattled the net.
Two points from Canice ‘Tosh’ got Glenariffe back front again but Cahir McCambridge pointed again toe bring the Ruairis level and Dylan McNaughton hit a great individual score to put his side a point ahead with just two minutes of normal time on the clock. With less than a minute of normal time left to play the Oisins thought they had earned themselves a share of the spoils when Magee sent over the equaliser, but there was still time to find a winner and Cahir McCambridge did just that give his team a vital two points.
The win brings Cushendall back to within two points of league leaders Loughgiel, but with three games in hand so it is all to play for over the next couple of weeks.
TO SEE MORE OF MICKY MORGAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
It was with deep sadness that we at the Saffron Gael heard this week of the sad passing of one of the GAA’s greatest characters and personal friend, Jamesy ‘Joey’ McAtamney. Trips to Portglenone to cover games haven’t been quite the same recently owing to his absence owing to long term illness.
‘Joey’ was an acquired taste. He took a deep delight in insulting me from the first time I covered a game in Portglenone but after the initial shock I came to realise that he greeted everyone in the same manner and came to look forward to the banter.
There is much more I could say about Jamesy but a facebook article by his nephew, Paul McCann perhaps sums him up better than anything I could say:
I think this photo sums up Uncle Joey in the best way possible. All Ireland final 2013, I turned round and there was Joey sitting behind me and that was the way he greeted me. If you knew Joey and you weren’t on the receiving end of one of these greetings or similar ones then I’m sorry to say but he just didn’t like you . The most ignorant ill-bred man to walk this planet, but all done with love and banter. He always loved the craic, slagging people and getting slagged by people was without doubt some of the things he loved most. Aimee McAtamney summed up Joeys brother John using the 3 ‘F’s’, Faith, Family and Football, and those very same ‘F’s’ could be used to sum up Joey as well, however I have to say there is also a 4th ‘F’ to describe Joey too, but that word isn’t for Facebook . There will never be another like my Uncle Joey and without doubt he will be missed by so many people. Portglenone and we in the McAtamney family have lost a real character and gentleman, but his memory will be held fondly by all for generations to come.
The Committee and Members of Roger Casement’s GAC deeply regret the death of our esteemed President James McAtamney and offer our deepest condolences to the McAtamney family circle.
A long life of service to both our Clubs, Roger Casements and Geraldines CC and the wider GAA across Antrim and Ulster.
A larger than life character, Jamesy was never shy to offer his advice and opinion, whether asked for or not!
Coming from a family steeped in GAA tradition, Jamesy was the definition of a GAA club stalwart, dedicating his life to Casements and Geraldine CC.
He held virtually every position in the club from player, manager, treasurer, secretary and referee. In 1952 at the age of 19 he was elected treasurer, beginning a lifelong involvement in the running of the club. One of his proudest moments was being elected Club President in 2002. Another being awarded the Irish News Club Vounteer Award in 2011.
Joey also held positions in SW Antrim committees and was a selector in the Antrim U21 team that won the All Ireland in 1979.
A huge loss to Casements & Geraldines, the craic on the sidelines and social club won’t be the same again. Jamesy will now be reunited with his great friend and sparring partner Mickey Kelly, who we lost a few months ago.
We offer our sincere condolences to the McAtamney family
A Thiarna, deán trócaire air
One of my most treasured photographs is one I had taken with Jamesy back at the opening of their club’s new pitch ‘Kelly Park’ back in 2018 where I added the caption ‘The day I met the President’
Jamesey’s remains will leave the Funeral Home, 43 Glenone Road, Clady (Corner), Portglenone, on Friday 16th August at 10.20am for 11am Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Church, Portglenone (which can be viewed via the parish webcam), burial immediately afterwards in Aughnahoy Cemetery.
All Saints Senior footballers ran a 3 day development camp for their young footballers in the club from U12 right through to Minor. The camp aimed to develop their knowledge of the tactics in Gaelic football, inform them on the correct Strength and Conditioning to focus on for their age group, provide an insight into what their diet should consist of for performance on the pitch and also progress their technical skills of the game.
Day 1 consisted of mobility and stretching routines for the players followed by an S&C workshop by Damian from Healthy Kidz who also ran individual age group fitness sessions. Gaelic football skills were developed on the pitch along with conditioned games. AFL balls were introduced to the lads for kicking games and to practice for Friday’s special guest…
Day 2 was a packed day including more skill development and games. There were also tactical workshops breaking down positions and roles in Gaelic football. The main attraction on Thursday was Patrick Sweeney. Patrick, a Level 7 Sports Nutrition graduate, hosted workshops for all age groups. He provided specific information for the boy’s balanced diet and also how to maximise their potential on the field through correct fuelling. Patrick noted how social media can be dangerous through misinformation but guided the lads on positive social media influencers / nutritionists to help their own nutrition.
Conor Glass with some of the coaches who took part in this weeks ‘Future Stars’ camp at All Saints GAC
Day 3 started with a very special guest. Conor Glass, Derry captain and Glen Maghera All Ireland winning midfielder, took time out of his busy schedule to meet the lads at the camp and gave an in depth talk about his youth footballing experience and how it led to becoming a Professional Athlete in AFL and one of the best current midfielders in the country. His takeaway non-negotiable for the lads was to make sure you “take someone else along with you”. Conor explained that individual development is important but you have to be looking after your team mates too so that they can become their best selves. Conor didn’t rush away and took the time to chat to the different age groups, sign jerseys / boots and of course – Get a Selfie with our Minor Manager Eamon McKillop!C
Day 3 ended with Skills competitions including shooting and solo challenges. U12 Runner Up – Conor U12 Winner – Oscar U14 Runner Up – Shane U14 Winner – Joshua U16-Minor Runner Up – Conan U16-Minor Winner – Sean Sportsman of the Week – Daniel.
The senior footballers would like to thank all the lads for their enthusiasm and effort throughout the camp, the future in Black and White is definitely exciting! We would also like to thank all of the coaches and club men at the pitch who helped to facilitate the days. Of course we thank Saffron Gael for being present to capture the memories. A final note of thanks to the parents/ guardians for signing up their children. This was a club fundraiser so please know that all funds for sign-ups are going back into the club for development.
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