Month / August 2024

by thesaffrongael

Race for the Volunteer Cup begins…..

Brendan McTaggart shares a few thoughts ahead of this weekend’s senior hurling championship.

The highs and lows of the county season have come and gone; the rollercoaster ride of the championship is on our doorstep.  This. Is. Life.

2023 champions Cushendall who beat Loughgiel in the final at Corrigan Park.

Clubs are the lifeblood of the GAA and their championships are the jewel in the GAA crown.  This weekend, one senior club will begin their journey, their odyssey.  The weeks of planning and battle plans are readied.  The draws have been made, more about that later, and courses through stormy weather has been identified.

Given the draw, some courses into the knockout phase may be a little easier or less choppy, than others.  No fault of the clubs involved.  An 11th hour change of heart from Creggan and seven teams ply their trade in the senior championship and the race for the Volunteer Cup. 

Ballycastle have to sit this one out and won’t be in ation for another two weeks

Loughgiel, Naomh Eanna and Ballycastle will shadow box their way through one group while St John’s, Rossa, Dunloy and reigning champions Cushendall will compete with one fading into the championship abyss.

Before we look at the matches ahead, the overriding feeling after the draw was one of disappointment.  The current format had been working well since its inception in 2021.  With the numbers involved this year, it just doesn’t work as well.  A little bit of brainstorming and a group of seven could have been brought in.  Three home fixtures and three away.  Top two straight into the semi-finals, places three to six into quarterfinals.

Someone put the motion forward and mark as ‘in case of emergencies’ from this day forward.

Back to the games this weekend. 

St Enda’s host Loughgiel Shamrocks at Hightown- A repeat of last years’ opening game

Naomh Eanna host last years’ beaten finalists Loughgiel on Sunday afternoon with a 2pm throw in.  The Glengormley side have been an emerging force in recent years and while the Shamrocks will start as favourites, Naomh Eanna will be looking to take a scalp.  They pushed Loughgiel all the way last year, coming up short in the closing stages against 14 men.  A game that reinforced Naomh Eanna’s credentials at senior level, if it were needed but a game that showed the battling qualities of a young Loughgiel side.

Cushendall begin the defence of the title they won in 2023 by travelling to Rossa.  The Ruairi’s impressed by winning Ulster and pushed Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels to their limits in the All-Ireland semi’s.  They will start the championship as favourites and while meeting Rossa in their backyard is far from an easy starter for 10, it’s hard to look beyond a Cushendall victory on Sunday. 

Dunloy and St John’s gets the 2024 SHC underway on Saturday evening at Pearse Park, Dunloy

The opening match in that group is on Saturday evening with St John’s making the journey to Dunloy for a 7pm throw in.  The Corrigan Park men have looked like a different side this year and after a strong league campaign will relish the challenge of facing the Cuchullains.  Dunloy will start this one as favourites with the bookies but if they don’t rise to meeting the challenge of a rejuvenated St John’s under the tutelage of Mickey Johnston, they could be in trouble.

One game on Saturday evening, two on Sunday.  The chances of making all three are non-existent.  Bringing a game forward an hour or the other later an hour would have been the ideal scenario for those among us who would be mad enough to take in all three games.  Someone put it forward with the ‘in case of emergency’ motion pencilled above….

Before I go, I’ll leave you with this thought.  I attended a funeral recently of Maura McCloy (RIP), a cousin of my mum’s, Maura was a Bellaghy woman who was camogie and GAA to the backbone.  After the funeral, I was stood having a yarn with a referee who was also in attendance to pay his respect, I won’t name him.  We had a yarn about the championship and schedules when he dropped a wee gem on me before we parted company.  “The schedule for referee’s wouldn’t be any busier but it get’s tougher.  All sense of reasoning and civility goes out the window when the championship begins from all concerned.  The league is all hugs and kisses, everyone loves each other but as soon as the championship begins its insanely different.”

It got me thinking some more.  I attend a lot of games on either side of the Bann, camera in hand and the notebook makes the journey the odd occasion.  You have yarns with officials, craic and banter.  You get to know a bit more about them.  On a couple of occasions this year, the son of a referee has come up to me and asked, “why are all these people shouting at my daddy”.  That’s a tough, awkward and heart-breaking question that I’ve skirted and joked my way around. 

Give respect, get respect?  Remember the man in the middle is human.  The speed of the game is such that the chances are he will make a mistake, just like a player, a manager or even the odd journo will throughout this year.  They are also a brother, a son, a father, an uncle who are proud of their role as a volunteer.  It’s worth remembering when we go to attend any games in the coming days and weeks.

See you all pitch side folks….

Saturday 10th August

Group 2

Dunloy v St Johns

Throw in: 7pm

Referee: Tarlach Conway

Sunday 11th August

Group 1

Naomh Eanna v Loughgiel

Throw in: 2pm

Referee: Colum Cunning

Group 2

Rossa v Cushendall

Referee – Barry Winters

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Masters face Kerry in Saturday’s Play-Off

With unbeaten counties Dublin and Roscommon already safely through to the semi-finals of the elite top four All Ireland Gaelic Masters Dr Loftus Cup, this weekend sees four counties play off for the right to join them at the top table. The winners of Antrim versus Kerry, and Cork versus Tyrone, will automatically go into the top four – the losers will join Derry and Mayo who wait in the wings to compete in the Plate Competition for counties finishing between fifth and eighth place, decided by points earned during a recently concluded six match league programme.

With the Gaelic Masters Series growing from strength to strength, Antrim have been the surprise packet this season, defeating Monaghan, Louth, Armagh, Derry and Down – their only loss a narrow defeat to Donegal in June.

The reward for this considerable progress is a nothing to lose trip to Tyrrellspass GAA Club (Mullingar Rd, Templeoran South, Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath, N91 FND3) on Saturday at 2pm when the Saffrons face off against a very experienced Kerry side that includes numerous multiple all Ireland winners amongst their ranks. Despite this glamour tie, Antrim manager, Frank Delargy has no plans to do anything differently. “Timmy (Connolly) and I had a chat about how we go about this one, and we ended up agreeing not to do anything different at all. We had thought about putting a coach on, and having extra training, but in the end we decided to stick to our routine and see where it takes us” said Frankie Delargy.

Lamh Dhearg’s Michael Herron, one of the players who have been in outstanding form for Antrim Masters this season

When asked if he thought Antrim if were in bonus territory he was equally non-committal.

“No. I knew we had the talent to achieve a top eight finish, and we have already ticked that box. I don’t see why we need to be surprised at that.  I leave that to others, but when you have players like Sean Kelly, Tony Convery, Michael Herron Colin Brady and Tony Scullion around, that rubs off on others. I wouldn’t be swapping these guys for any player, Kerry or otherwise” said Delargy.

“I`d be confident we can give a good account of ourselves, but sadly we have a higher than ideal missing list for this one. We will be missing our esteemed goalkeeper Seanie McGreevy and thankfully Lamh Dhearg legend John Finucane has put his hand up to go between the sticks. Teak tough full back Adrian Scullion has been immense for us all year and our first choice midfield partnership of Kevin Gallagher and Brendan Etherson are both out. Sean Mc Veigh is club tied with a view to playing for All Saints next week. Two of our better known forwards Kieran Close and Mark Dougan are also on the injury list. This makes the job more difficult… but we have good players lined up to fill those positions who we can depend on, and I`m sure all counties including Kerry will be missing their fair share too.”

Antrim Masters have raised more than a few eyebrows this year and Saturday’s stern test against last years runners up will offer further evidence of the road travelled and the hard yards that lie ahead if Frankie Delargy,  Timmy Connolly and their extended panel are to deliver on their ambition to deliver Antrim to the top tier of this increasingly prestigious competition in the next few years.

Panel available for Saturday

John Finucane, Ryan Boyd, Ryan Daly, Kevin McAllister, Mark Graham, Damien Casey, Michael Herron, James McGreevy, Liam Magee, Sean Kelly, Laurence Higgins, Declan McLarnon, Colin Connolly, Colin Brady, Thomas Doherty, Ken Golden, Barry McMahon, Niall Sweeney, Tony Scullion, Michael Donnelly, Declan Hassan, Aidan Dunlop.

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall win in Dunloy to keep league hopes alive

Under 16 Hurling League – Division 1

Dunloy 1-16 Cushendall 4-16

Cushendall scored a convincing victory over the Cuchullains when they travelled to Dunloy on Tuesday evening and came away winners by 4-16 to 1-16 to keep their league hopes alive.

Cushendall were dominant in the early stages and opened up a 1-06 to 0-1 lead after thirteen minutes, the goal coming from Conlaoith McNaughton on seven minutes, while Shane McQuillan (2), Conlaoith McNaughton (2), Conal Og Traynor, Cahir McCambridge and Brian McNeill

Dunloy pulled a couple of points back through Jay McAlonan but Cushendall were dominating throughout the field and they pushed on to lead by 3-10 to 0-05 at half time, the other two goals coming from Conlaoith McNaughton and Cahir McCambridge.

Dunloy opened the second half with two unanswered points from McAlonan and James McGarry but Cushendall hit back with two points and when Conlaoith McNaughton completed his hat-trick of goals on 42 minute they were back in full control. The gap was out to 4-14 to 0-09 by the 48th minute, but Dunloy never gave up the fight as they produced a storming finish.

A goal in the fiftieth minute gave the home team they boost they need and they followed up with eight points without reply with Jay McAlonan, Eunan Curry and John Ferguson all hitting excellent scores in the run-in.

FOR MORE PICS FROM THE GAME BY MICKEY MORGAN CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/PqK3jMTHJtCcK7/?invite=fc6eb169-df05-43fb-98bd-3b1103525666

by thesaffrongael

Half Way House welcomes Paul Butler

Pat Hamill welcomed Paul Butler back to the Braid as the ex All Saints footballer returned to Irelands green countryside for a visit to family and friends.

Paul runs the Baileys Smokehouse in Blauvelt  NY.  A few months back he hosted the Shane Uí Neill’s panel and entourage who where on a two game trip to the Big Apple.
Needless to say everyone appreciated the gesture from Paul, and left the USA with fond memories from the Smokehouse, and gained friends for life.

A few players and some committee members arrived at the Halfway House to welcome Paul home to the Glens for a few days. He was telling us of his days when he lined out for the All Saints Gaelic Team where he would have been a thorn in the side of many a defender when  he would have scored  many a point!!

We would like to wish Paul and his wife Cheryl a big Céad Mile Failte  to Co. Antrim and wish them a safe journey back to the US on Thursday.

by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel impress in win over Ballycastle

Antrim Camogie Senior Division 1

Ballycastle v Loughgiel 6th Aug 2024

Report and photo album from Michael Corcoran at Pairc Mhic Uilín, Ballycastle

Driving into Pairc Mhic Uilín, Ballycastle on Tuesday evening, Dunloy were favourites for the league title, playing at home on their final encounter with Cushendall. Loughgiel were in Pairc Mhic Uilín in case Dunloy didn’t get the job done, though the game had an air of mystery about it as a strong Ballycastle squad might offer an upset to mark the Shamrocks’ cards ahead of the championship.

As it happens, Dunloy delivered 3-23 to 4-11 against Cushendall and having scooped up two interesting pieces of camogie silver (Feis na nGleann and the League), announce their confidence going into this year’s Antrim championship.

An unexpected swap of referees had Shane McDonnell taking charge and with Ballycastle winning the toss and choosing to play to the north nets with the breeze on their backs, McDonnell rolled in close to the half hour on the second pitch and a fierce battle for possession witnessed Amy Boyle dragging the sliotar away to a waiting Katie McKillop to register the first point in the game.

For the following ten minutes or so, both sides entered into a period of trading points up to 0-05 each, with only one free being awarded to Ballycastle as McDonnell spotted a slap on a stick and had Elen McIntosh making good of the opportunity.

Close to thirteen minutes into the first half, Loughgiel’s Roisin McCormick offloaded to a pressing Annie Lynn and at close quarters to keeper Becky Ellis, the Shamrocks had their first goal of the evening.

Less than a minute later, Amy Boyle ground out another sliotar and offered it to Katie McKillop. McKillop spotted a moving McCormick and Ballycastle’s net rippled to signify a second goal.

Ballycastle would reply with a point from a free awarded due to a clip on a helmet and that was enough to keep heads high and minds focused, but at twenty-six minutes an awarded free seen Loughgiel’s Emma McFadden drop the sliotar into Katie McKillop. McKillop offloaded to McCormick and weighing up her options, slipped the sliotar to Amy Boyle for Boyle’s goal to make that Ballycastle 0-07 Loughgiel 3-06.

At almost thirty on the clock, Annie Lynn fired in a high ball from outside the 20m line. Keeper Ellis had the hot sliotar covered but somehow it dropped out of her hands and rolled into the back of the net to register a half time score, Ballycastle 0-07 Loughgiel 4-06.

Despite the half time score ladened with Shamrock goals, Ballycastle were grinding out the puck outs and at times were directing balls into Loughgiels defence with some promise and had Clare McKillop and Emma McFadden working harder than they’d liked. This though would prove to be Ballycastle’s demise as McKillop and McFadden would run out with the sliotar and deliver to a tenacious Anna Connolly, who if she wasn’t pointing for herself, played a role in Loughgiel’s sequence of passes that amassed a further six goals and ten points in the second half.

Ballycastle had no significant answer to this pressure from Loughgiel, though Ballycastle’s Nuala Devlin had an exemplary point when team mate Fionnuala Kelly won the Loughgiel puckout and actioned the turn over for Devlin’s point. Kelly would be rewarded for her engagement with the last point for the Town after winning the sliotar from a long and tiring ruck.

McDonnell blew for full time with Loughgiel posting a decisive scoreline 10-16 to Ballycastle’s 0-09. That also concludes the league for 2024 with Dunloy rising to the top of the table and the Shamrocks tucking in below in second place. Loughgiel won’t have time to reflect on ‘what ifs’ as everyone’s attention now swings over to what many supporters eagerly await every year for, namely the championship season.

Loughgiel Scorers:

Clare McKillop 0-01, Amy Boyle 1-00, Anna Connolly 1-03, Christine McCloskey 0-01, Annie Lynn 2-02, Katie McKillop 2-01, Roisin McCormick 4-05 (3f), Marie Laverty 0-03

Ballycastle Scorers:

Fay McIntosh 0-01, Fionnuala Kelly 0-02, Nuala Devlin 0-03, Elen McIntosh 0-03

Photos from Tuesday evening’s game can be found in the photo album by clicking on the link here.

https://myalbum.com/album/UfqCeiFpQppmm2/?invite=a57c72b0-c280-48e9-a39a-0631c197e589

Follow Michael G Corcoran @keep_clickin on X (formerly Twitter) for match Gifs when available.

Follow The Saffron Gael @TheSaffronGael on X for links to match reports