The Gaelic Masters association enters its championship play off phase this weekend, with counties across the country playing off for places in their various grades.
Last year Derry won the plate competition, for counties rated between fifth and eighth on league form, and are seeking to double up on that achievement this year. For that to happen they need to navigate a way past a resurgent Antrim Masters combination who have aspirations of their own to reach their first final in this grade.
Swatragh is the venue, and a large crowd is expected for the 2pm throw in, where Derry will be hoping to reverse their recent defeat at the hands of the Saffrons in their hotly contested league encounter at Slemish park in July.
The Antrim men will need to be at their very best to get a result, as it is expected Derry were without some of their proven performers on that occasion, and with home advantage and that little bit of additional experience, the oak leaf county will be confident about their chances of progressing to another final.
Antrim don’t plan to make up the numbers though, and will take confidence from the fact that they pushed Kerry to the absolute limit in Tyrellstown two weeks ago losing out narrowly on their bid for top four status, and look forward to welcoming back a couple of players who were unavailable on that occasion.
Assistant Manager Timmy Connolly was upbeat about the Saffrons chances. “We know we can mix it in this grade, but have a late sweat on the availability of a couple of key players who picked up knocks recently. Its all about panel depth at this level and if a couple don’t make it we have the players who can step up and give it everything they have”, said Timmy. “It would be fantastic to meet the winners of Cork and Mayo in the final, but we will have a real battle on our hands before that happens…we are not going there short of confidence, it will all be down to who performs best on the day!”
Timmy and manager Frank Delargy have got a great response from Antrim Masters this season, raising the profile of this increasingly prestigious competition, and Saffron Gael send their best wishes to the entire panel and management in advance of Saturdays contest which may well be their toughest test to date.
Timmy Connolly and Frank Delargy, hoping that Antrim can repeat their league success at Slemish |Park over Derry when the sides meet again in the Plate semi-final in Swatragh on Saturday
Brendan McTaggart looks forward to this weekend’s Senior Hurling Championship games
SO what did we learn from the opening round of fixtures? Not a huge amount if we’re honest. St John’s gave Dunloy their fill of it in a bruising encounter in the Cuchullains back yard. The Corrigan Park side were shorn of a couple of regulars and will take plenty of positives from the performance. While discussing the match with punters since, I got the feeling that the Johnnies were more content to stop Dunloy from playing than exerting their own game. It was a contest that pretty much mirrored the clash between the two sides in the 2023 group stage, the Cuchullains looked a bit off the pace in the early exchanges but when they clicked into gear, St John’s didn’t have many answers.
The usual suspects were leading the Dunloy charge, Keelan Molloy who at this stage must wish he could play St John’s every week given how he terrorizes their defence while Paul Shiels is like a fine wine and improves with age.
Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston and Conal Bohill were influential for Mickey Johnston’s side while Aaron Bradley and Peter McCallin where always a threat in attack.
The Cuchullains managed to pull away in the second half, thanks largely to a 10 minute period where they really went through the gears. Scoring six points and creating goal scoring chances at will in a ten minute period where the Johnnies couldn’t live with them.
In Rossa Park, the hosts gave Cushendall a run for their money as the Ruairi’s opened the defence of their crown with a narrow win. I described this contest as a match that Cushendall had to win three times, but from a Rossa perspective it was a match that they showed they have plenty of fight, determination and guts. Perhaps all they were missing was a little bit of lady luck? It’s easy carried and every team needs a little during a championship campaign but Cushendall, without being brilliant, did enough. Joseph McLaughlin in fine form, moreso in the first half while Dominic Delargy’s influence had a major say in the outcome of the contest. His battle with the Rossa defence under high ball was a spectacle.
The winning of this game came from Eoghan Campbell however. You can look at his ability to stay calm in a cauldron of pressure in the dying embers of the game within his own ’21, soloing clear and firing over a brilliant point. But Campbell’s second half performance was outstanding and while the levels of others around him may not have peaked, Eoghan showed the way. He had plenty of support from Fred McCurry on the day as his reputation within the game in the county continues to burgeon.
Rossa had threats in Aodhan O’Brien and Dominic McEnhill with Gerard Walsh and Stephen Shannon excellent in defence. Chris McDonnell used the mercurial talents of James Connolly, Eoghan McMenamin and Conall Shannon off the bench, he has options and with Michael Armstrong closing in on a return from injury, I expect Rossa to up their levels this weekend.
As expected, Loughgiel had a bit to spare against Naomh Eanna in the opening match of Group 1. James McNaughton making a welcome return from injury to score the Shamrock’s two second half goals and Paul Boyle show casing his talents, especially in the second half. Just three points separated the sides at half time and despite playing into the wind, Loughgiel moved through the gears to pull clear. They had 10 different scorers with 2-16 of their total coming from play – impressive statistics for the Shamrocks while Naomh Eanna will be disappointed at coughing up so many chances. They themselves had six different scorers with 0-15 from open play but they were second best to the visitors and the 10 point difference on the day could have easily been much more.
This weekend, Naomh Eanna will be looking to get back to winning ways against Ballycastle with The Town opening their championship campaign.
The last time these sides met, Ballycastle took the league points on offer with 11 points to spare over the Hightown Road side. Two goals from Seamus McAuley and one from Joe McToal gave Ballycastle an eight point half time advantage before they would see out the second half.
Naomh Eanna will be hoping that the fact they have a championship match already in their legs will give them an edge against a Town side coming in from the cold. The free taking of Cormac Jennings will be crucial while they will be hoping for more scores from open play with Eddie and Luke O’Connor expected to lead the fight.
While Ballycastle do come in from the cold, if they can get enough quality ball into the likes of McAuley and Tiernan Smyth, I’d expect them to be too much for Naomh Eanna.
On Sunday, Dunloy and Rossa will match up at Dunsilly. This promises to be an intriguing encounter where Rossa will be looking to build upon their impressive yet ultimately losing first outing while the Cuchullains will be looking for another level from their St John’s match.
Both sides have had to contend with players involved in the senior football championship while the Cuchullains have some injury concerns. Conal Cunning is expected to miss the game with Eoin O’Neill also a major doubt. Both missed the Naomh Eanna match with the big ball while Oran Quinn picked up a nasty facial injury – he may need some further time to recover from that.
The Cuchullains will have options to turn to with Deaglan Smith and Anton McGrath both pushing for a starting position while Aodhan McGarry will also be giving the Dunloy management team something to think about when finalizing their starting 15.
Dunloy will start as favourites but a performance akin to that against St John’s and Rossa will be leaving with a scalp that you just know they would relish.
A short trip at the final whistle from Dunsilly across to Ballymena where Cushendall and St John’s will do battle. The availability of Neil McManus remains to be seen, he missed the Rossa game through injury while Andrew Delargy had to be replaced during the game. Fred McCurry didn’t look like he was firing on all cylinders at the full time whistle and was receiving treatment, given his performance and work ethic, Fred not starting would be a serious blow to the Ruairi’s.
The Johnnies could welcome back Michael Bradley from injury while Domhnall Nugent, Oisin Donnelly and Ryan McNulty are expected to be in contention. Michail Dudley and Oisin MacManus both came off the bench against Dunloy and will be pushing for a starting place.
When thinking on these two in the championship, thoughts turn to matches in the recent past where there wasn’t more than a puck of the ball between them. Cushendall denied St John’s on more than one occasion at the semi-final stage and while they have the capability to match the Ruairi’s, I see the champions setting out to improve on their last outing where they almost let the win slip through their hands. If they do that, they’ll have a bit to spare against the Johnnies.
A last minute point by corner forward Brian Mc Ateer was to prove the difference and ensure a place in the next round of the competition as Creggan gained the verdict over their hosts from Cargin in a close fought affair in the Reserve Cup competition at Toome on Wednesday evening.
Little had separated the near neighbours and the close rivals throughout but after the combatants had shared goals apiece in the latter stages a Shea Laverty point from a ‘45’ saw the home side nip ahead. However back came the visitors in the final minutes and after a Teddy Mc Keown point brought Creggan level before another from corner man Mc Ateer sealed a semi-final spot.
Despite the incessant rain which had prevailed for most of the day the sod at the Toome venue was in good nick as the Cargin second string played hosts to their counterparts from Creggan in the Reserve Cup competition on Wednesday evening.
A fresh Southerly breeze which swept the arena favoured the visitors as the tie commenced with the home side first to trouble the scoreboard attendant as Tom Shivers raised white in the 3rd minute. The Toome men started with a spring in the step but despite well laid advancement in search of ‘major’ scores the Creggan net minder Peter Graham was not to be passed making a couple of good saves in the opening minutes as Tom Shivers and Paudie Mc Laughlin were both thwarted in their respective efforts to find the net.
The visitors did gain parity when Diarmuid Mulholland delivered a 30 metre free between the posts in the 10th minute but although the home side made quick reply via net minder Shea Laverty’s ‘45’back to back white flags raised in sequence at the other end saw the Creggan men enjoy a two point advantage via Oisin Mc Ateer and Paddy Cooey’s points delivered by the 20th minute to make it 0-04 to 0-02.
The home side returned fire again in the latter stages as Conan Johnston came forward to send Tom Shivers in for a point and when Diarmuid Quinn added another shortly before the break parity was restored at the short blast with the score tied at 0-04 apiece.
The home side having faced the southerly based breeze in the opening period enjoyed the favours of it in the second, but in the event it was to be the visitors who were first out of the blocks at the start of the second half.
As the home side dallied and the Kickham’s continue rule the roost in the central zone back to back gains in the middle made by Teddy Mc Keown and Sean Donnelly heralded scores by Diarmuid Mulholland despatching between the posts in the 21st and 24th minutes to ensure a 0-06 to 0-04 advantage.
Having struggled to regain the upper hand in the second period, despite wind assistance, the home side hit back and after back to back points delivered in style by Brendan Laverty in the 36th and another from Tom Shivers a couple of minutes later.
The home side with the favours of the elements, took advantage on the scoreboard and looked on course in the 47th minute as Conan Johnston’s advance and cross-field delivery opened the way for Enda Mc Grogan to fire to the corner of the Creggan net.
Cargin appeared to be on their way with a three point lead but I was the visitors who were quick to regain composure as Teddy Mc Keown’s fetch in the middle and strike towards the posts was diverted on its course and into the home side’s net to earn parity on the scoreboard, 1-06 apiece with the game clock ticking into the last ten minutes.
A Paddy Coey pointed free saw the visitors edge ahead in the 43rd minute but Tom Shivers replied for Cargin as he sent one over at the other end shortly afterwards.
With the breeze in their favour and replacements Marty Kane and Michael Clarke proving positive changes Shea Laverty delivered another ‘45’ between the Creggan posts to see the Cargin men get their noses ahead at 1-08 to 1-07.
Replacement Michael Clarke did come close to close the door on the visitors in the 58th minute as his left sided delivery following a Tom Shivers pass whizzed just the wrong side of the far post.
The end was in sight with the home side just ahead but Creggan were not to be outdone and after Teddy Mc Keown’s soccer style delivery went over the bar Brian Mc Ateer who had a good game throughout, followed suit to ensure victory to the Kickham’s crossing the winning line at 1-09 to 1-08.
Cargin
Shea Laverty (0-02), Jack Harney, Gerard Mc Corley, Donnach Mc Keever, Ben Mc Larnon, Brendan Laverty (0-01), Conan Johnston, Odhran Molloy, Charlie Mc Cann, Diarmuid Quinn (0-01), Enda Mc Grogan (1-00), Ronan Devlin, Ryan D O’Neill, Paudie Mc Loughlin, Tom Shivers(0-04)
Subs
Martin Kane
Michael Clarke
Cillian Scullion
Creggan
Peter Graham, Odhran Hughes, Dermot Mc Cann, Peadar Mc Guckian, Sean Mc Auley, Jake Mc Ateer, Fintan Close, Teddy Mc Keown (1-01)Sean Donnelly, Diarmuid Mulholland (0-01), Paddy Cooey (0-05), Oisiin Mc Ateer (0-01), Brian Mc Ateer (0-01), Hugh Mc Nulty, Conor Johnston
Referee S Elliot (Lamh Dhearg)
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
All Saints produced a sensational finish at Quinn Park on Wednesday evening to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Trailing 1-9 to 1-5 with the clock ticking down, the home side struck with goals in the 29th and 31st minutes to win by two.
Even then It took a great block from Joe Rocks as the Musgrave Park side went looking for the goal they needed to turn this one back in their favour with Sean McVeigh’s late clearance bringing a loud blast from Joe McCavana’s final whistle, much to the delight of the home side.
For long periods in the game it looked like the visitors were the more likely side to advance to the semi-finals as they led 1-6 to 0-3 in the period leading up to half time after playing with the wind in their backs with Peter Lundy firing home after a defence splitting build up in the 15th minute.
Things threatened to boil over just before half time and when things settled, the home side struck with a Darach Bradley pointed free and a goal from youngster, Harry Connon to leave just two in at the break.
St. Brigid’s withdrew keeper, Fearghus Canning at the break and pulled Brian McGurk back into goals with Oisin McDonnell entering the fray.
It was the home side who might have been level or indeed ahead in the opening minute but Darach Bradley was off target from a close range free and then fired just wide of an upright when a goal looked eminent.
Harry Connon drills home All Saints opening goal
They were misses that they looked like regretting as St. Brigid’s controlled possession for long periods of the second half and added points from Conor Slevin, Shane Boyle and a Brian McGurk ‘45’ in response to All Saints only response from a Darach Bradley pointed free.
It had been 25 minutes since All Saints last raised a flag as move after move broke down through poor handling and misplaced passes when Sean McVeigh, who had been withdrawn to mid-field early in the first half, decided to go route one.
His long delivery from, midfield dropped invitingly into the danger area and Oliver O’Rawe climbed above keeper McGurk to fist the ball to the net and suddenly there was only one between the sides with time almost up.
Spurred by their success the Quinn Park side forced a turnover from the resulting kick-out and Darach Bradley made amends for his earlier miss as he drilled his shot low to the net as the game edged into time added on.
The Musgrave Park side launched one final assault in an effort to manufacture the goal that would salvage the victory that had looked certain for most of the half but Joe Rocks and Connor Brennan combined to deny Fergal Sherry.
All Saints: 1 Connor Brennan, 2 Archie McGreevey, 3 Michael Read, 4 James Gillan, 5 Conall Killough, 6 Joe Rocks, 7 Charlie Metrustry, 8 Peter McNicholl, 9 Rian Tom, 10 Matthew Downey, 11 Ciaran Campbell, 12 Harry Connon, 13 Darach Bradley, 14 Sean McVeigh, 15 Oliver O’Rawe.
Subs: Ciaran McQuillan, Paul O’Boyle
St. Brigid’s: 1 Fearghus Canning, 2 Conn Gilleece, 3 Cathal Conway, 4 Thomas McCarney, 5 Ben Doherty, 6 Finn McKernan, 7 Aodhan McNicholl, 8 Brian McGurk, 9 Conor Slevin, 10 Shane Boyle, 11 Jack Toner, 12 Peter Lundy, 13 Deaghlan O’Hagan, 14 Fergal Sherry, 15 Ryan |Tweedy
A couple of weeks back we appealed to clubs to make a donation to Saffron Gael and a number of clubs have already responded. As the site is free to readers we depend on sponsorship and club donations to keep us afloat as we attempt to carry the widest possible coverage of Gaelic Games in Antrim.
It isn’t easy at times and with the championships in full swing over the past month or so, we are attempting to cover all championship games and to date we have succeeded.
To those clubs who have already contributed through Bank transfer or have made their donations directly to us by cheque at games we are once again indebted to you generosity.
To those who donate to us annually at your presentation dinners, keep doing so and we look forward to covering those events when possible but to those who have not contributed, we again make this appeal.
Brian Smyth, Lamh Dhearg Chairman, presents a sponsorship cheque to Saffron Gael Reporter, Kevin HerronNicky Bonnes, Chairman of Tir na nOg presents a sponsorship cheque to Paddy McIlwaine of the Saffron GaelGerard McGarry, Chairman of St. Mary’s Ahoghill presents a sponsorship cheque to Dylan McIlwaine, Saffron Gael Photographer
If you have a championship game coming up we are likely to have someone there covering you game. Come to us and we will have a photograph taken making the presentation.
Hugh ‘The Mariner’ McIlwaine presents a sponsorship cheque on behalf of Glenariffe Oisins to the Saffron Gael. Many thanks to the Oisns cub for their continued support
Today we carry a few photographs of those who have made donations recently and we thank them and all those who have donated and look forward to hearing from those clubs who haven’t, in the coming weeks
