Month / August 2024

by thesaffrongael

“Heaven has one more angel today, and he’s carrying a hurling stick”

Report and pics by John ‘Curly’ McIlwaine

Six year old Joseph Heggarty was laid to rest today after Requim mass in St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s Church Ballycastle. Joe, who died in a tragic accident on Friday last was a fanatical fan of Carey Faughs Hurling club and was one of the team mascots who led the team out for their Intermediate Hurling Championship win over Glenarm just over a week ago.

Joe was loved by all who knew him and as Fr Con Boyle said during his homily Joe was known for his boundless enthusiasm, inquisitiveness and fearlessness”.

The green of the famous Carey Faughs and the purple and gold of their feeder juvenile club Naomh Padraig, (which features Carey and their neighbouring clubs Armoy and Cushendun) were  prominent among the mourners and the three clubs hurlers formed a guard of honour as Joe’s body was carried from the church for burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Martin Dempsey, a cousin of Joe’s mum Andrea, delivered a moving homily before the end of the service speaking fondly about his little cousin and about how they all loved him deeply.

“Andrea and Michael, and the Hegarty and McIlroy families have asked me to thank all of you for coming to this funeral mass this afternoon, and for all of the prayers, love, care and support over the recent days.

Joe Hegarty was a force of nature. Five minutes after you’d met Joe, you knew him – and he knew you. He was relentlessly enthusiastic and when you made Joe laugh, he made everyone else laugh for you.

He was 6 years old but he was an oversized member of every team and tribe that he belonged to – whether that was the Hegarty and McIlroy families, or his beloved Carey Faughs.

He was the heartbeat of so many get-togethers. He asked a question or two…..or three. His energy and joy were infectious and he had that special personality that could make a quiet room loud, or make a loud room quiet.

He was a wonderful son to Andrea and Michael – he even let them live in his house. He was a rascal and made his fair share of fun. Joe was fortunate to have two wonderful, loving parents and they were repaid with a son who adored them in return.  He loved so much and he was so much loved.

He was a perfect brother and had a perfect sister. Katie and Joe were a double act – and that will never change because their special relationship is part of who Katie is and she will carry Joe forever within her.

He was a beautiful grand-son, nephew, cousin and friend. We all loved being with him and as we cope with our sadness, it’s our duty to share the funny memories we had with Joe. For my part, my mum is an amputee and my favourite conversation with Joe was about how she lost her legs in a shark attack at the black rock on Ballycastle beach. Joe’s response makes me smile even in a moment like this. You can ask me about it outside – his answer is maybe not appropriate for inside the church.

It was a heartbreaking honour to be asked to stand here this afternoon and speak for Joseph Hegarty on a day like today. None of this is fair, and grief feels insurmountable right now.

But, I will try my best to speak for Joe.

Joe lived with boundless enthusiasm, inquisitiveness and fearlessness. He was a little hero.

My reflection for us all is this. When we face moments of grief, sadness or doubt next week, next month or next year, think of Joe:

  • If Joe didn’t know, he always asked the question. We should all do that.
  • Joe never implied that he loved you. He told you, and he showed you. We should all do that.
  • Joe never failed at anything – he tried his best and if it didn’t work out, he just tried harder. We should all do that.
  • When Joe cried, he sought comfort with the people he loved the most, and they wiped his tears, and he went back to whatever he was doing with even greater energy and enthusiasm. Somehow, we need to find a way to do that too.

We all need to be a little bit more Joe Hegarty.

“Heaven has one more angel today, and he’s carrying a hurling stick.”

by thesaffrongael

St Pat’s secure win to keep qualification hopes alive

IFC Group 1

Ardoyne 0-9 Naomh Padraig 2-13

St Patrick’s Lisburn kept their qualification hopes alive but will know that they made collecting their first points in this year’s IFC a more difficult assignment than need be. While they will take some encouragement from having 10 different players on the scoreboard, the number of wasted chances and poor shooting, particularly in the first half will be a source of concern.

Ardoyne will have other more serious issues to try to resolve as the first half saw them raise the white flag on only two occasions.

While Ardoyne were first to score, this was the only time in the game that Lisburn were behind. Francis McMeel opened the scoring for St Patrick’s followed shortly after by Paul Law.

McMeel looked to be through for a goal but was thwarted by Marley in the Ardoyne full back line with a great block just as McMeel pulled the trigger. This was a game that in truth should have been put to bed by St Patrick’s by half time only for wayward shooting and a great performance from O’Neill in the Ardoyne goal.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-02 St Pat’s Lisburn 1-07

The second half was a much more evenly contested affair, but Ardoyne never looked like pulling back St Pat’s half-time lead. Ardoyne led in scores by 5 points to 4 before Kennedy put an end to any hope of an Ardoyne revival with a shot fired to the back of the net.

Cormac Mullan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Ardoyne with 4 points from frees, but other than that Ardoyne lacked any substantial firepower.

Both teams will have a lot of thinking to do before their next game. While St Pat’s must fancy their chances of advancing to the next stage of the Championship, the month long break at this stage of the season before Ardoyne’s next game is certainly not going to do them any favours.

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Conor O’Neill Pearse Marley Conor Magee Oisin Hickey Eogan Corrigan Micheál McGreevy Odhran McKee Daniel Moore Finnén O’Brien Kealan McCallan Ethan Magill Aodhán Quigg Cormac Mullan Paul Baker Joe Gibson Tiernan Hughes

St Pat’s Lisburn: Ruadhan McKenna Conor Doran Thomas Burns Paul Law Jack McMullan Ben McMullan Che Smyth Colm Burns Eoin Dixon Rory Kennedy Josh McMullan Adam Patterson Rudi Smyth James Morgan Francis McMeel Peter O’Neill Owen Drayne Conor Ewing Jude McMullan Rory McFlynn Sean Burns Aaron Thompson Conor Dixon

FOR MORE OF BRIAN McKEE’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/hGMpUQLqHNvWe4

by thesaffrongael

Excellent weekend double for Dunloy minors as they close in on back to back league titles

Dunloy followed their victory over Loughgiel on Friday night by making it a weekend double with another hard fought win over Cushendall.  A narrow 3 point success over a very good Ruairi Og side on Sunday means the young Cuchullians return to the minor hurling league summit with just one game remaining.

The large crowd at Pearse Park, Dunloy, enjoyed an entertaining game with point taking of the highest quality from both teams.  The boys in Green & Gold held the upper hand throughout with Luke McFerran, Aidan Richmond, Paudie Martin and the two Oisin’s (McCamphill & McCallin) all firing over some wonderful scores.  Ultimately it was the greater spread of scorers that proved the difference in the teams as Oran McCambridge and Fiontan Bradley shone for the Ruairi’s up front.

Dunloy raced into a 6 point lead by the 10th minute, playing with a reasonable wind they looked to take full advantage, however with Callagh Mooney dropping into a sweeper role Cushendall soon got to grips and narrowed the margin to 2 points by the short whistle.

Indeed the Dall could even have gone in leading at the break as Damien McMahon saved well when Thomas McLaughlin went for a major nearing half time.

The second half started much the same as the first, despite facing the wind Dunloy extended the lead out to seven points, but some smart saves by Liam Magee prevented the goal required to put real distance between the teams.

Cushendall rallied once again in the final quarter of the game with some top class scores closing the gap to four points. A late free was rifled over the bar to leave a final score line of Dunloy 0:24 Cushendall 0:21.

Victory over Ard na Ri in the final league game next weekend would be enough to retain the league title for the young Cuchullains

TO SEE MORE OF MICKY MORGAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/BEnqDax63ZVvtw/?invite=31aa7ef0-9889-4858-9467-110d2c942157

by thesaffrongael

Na Magha retain their Division 3 status

ACHL Div3/4 Promotion/Relegation playoff

Na Magha 0-21 Davitt’s 1-15

Some days you set off to cover a game with no great expectations. Sunday was one of those days but thank God I was appointed to cover Na Magha and Davitt’s at Dunsilly.

Division 3 survival was the prize for the Derry City side – promotion from division 4 was the prize for the men from West Belfast and what an entertaining hour’s hurling these two excellent combatants produced.

Na Magha made the early running at Dunsilly and for 13 minutes of the opening half looked like the side who had been playing their league hurling at a higher level as they sprayed the ball around with great accuracy.

They opened with points from Padhraig Nellis and Deaglan Foley but Davitt’s responded with a pointed free from Donn Whelan and another from play from Jay Maguire to draw level with five minutes gone.

Slowly though the greater accuracy of Na Magha began to tell and they would hit four on the bounce through Keelan Doherty 0-2, Aaron Campbell and a superb effort from Mark McCloskey.

At this stage the Derry side had hit half a dozen wides and it looked like those misses might come back to bite them as a dogged Davitt’s started to deny them space and time as they slowly clawed their way back into the game.

Free specialist, Donn Whelan began the comeback and Jay Maguire followed with another before Alan Grant in the Na Magha goals brought off a good save to deny Anthony Rowntree.

Whelan from another free and Marcas Toner closed the gap to two and the momentum had changed dramatically as Davitt’s began to get on top and a pointed ‘65’ from Whelan and two more from Jay Maguire saw the Falls Road side hit the front by the 24th minute.

Michael Davitt’s were now calling the shots as Grant again came to Na Magha’s rescue with another splendid stop to deny Anthony Rowntree as Na Magha continued to add to their wide count at the other end.

Deaglan Foley finally found the target with the Derry side’s first point in 15 minutes to level the contest but the final score of the half would fall to ace free taker, Whelan who edged his side to a 0-8 to 0-7 lead at half time with a superb effort from 70 yards.

Fifteen seconds into the second half Colm McKee brought a loud roar from the big Davitt’s followers who had made their way to Dunsilly and a Na Magha side who had disappeared looked badly in need of some inspiration.

The excellent Deaglan Foley got them up and running again from a free in the third minute and this score seemed to settle them as points from Mark McCloskey and Ryan Adams saw them retake the lead by the 7th minute.

Donn Whelan brought it level once more as he sent over from play at the other end but Na Magha had found their rhythm again as Padhraig Nellis and Tomas Gallagher split the posts.

Stephen McGivern closed the gap to one again and Foley and Whelan exchanged further points to leave just one in it with ten minutes remaining and it still looked anybody’s game.

The Derry City men found another gear at this stage however with the free taking of Deaglan Foley proving vital as they began to assert control. Foley converted three frees and Padhraig nellis and Keelan Doherty were all on target with Davitt’s only reply coming from a Donn Whelan free as Na Magha moved five ahead with six minutes remaining.

Davitt’s were still battling and Anthony Rowntree pointed before Alan Grant pulled off another good save to deny Cormac Maguire with Ryan Adams and Foley responding with another converted free to put the contest out of reach.

The Belfast men continued to battle to the end and were finally rewarded for their effort when Colm McKee finally found a way past the excellent Alan Grant but it will be Na Magha who will be playing their hurling again in Division 3 of the Antrim league next season while an excellent Davitt’s will reflect on what might have been..

Na Magha: 1 Alan Grant, 2 Odhran Clenaghan, 3 Conor Murphy, 4 Aaron Campbell, 5 Oisin Glass, 6 Daniel Doherty, 7 Mark McCloskey, 8 Padhraig Nellis, 9 Ruaidhri McLaughlin, 10 Adam Cutliffe, 11 Deaglan Foley, 12 Ryan Adams, 31 Keelan Doherty, 14 Timothy Rankin, 15 Tomas Gallagher.

Davitt’s: 1 Gearoid Cosgrove, 2 Jason Park, 3 Thomas Toland, 4 Caoinhin Rainey, 5 Peter Og Carelton, Caoimhin Heaney, 7 Deaglan Mooney, 8 Michael Og Rowntree, 9 Colm McKee, Marcas Toner, 11 Stephen McGivern, 12 Donn Whelan, 13 Jay Maguire, 14 Anthony Rowntree, 15 Christopher Gallagher.

Referee: Niall Clifford (Armagh)

https://myalbum.com/album/5v7ckrFoMCxA9n

by thesaffrongael

Antrim GAA for All Cúl Camp a great success


Players from St Mary’s Aghagallon All Stars team had a fun-filled 3 days when they participated in the first ever GAA for All inclusive Cúl Camp held in Co. Antrim.

The Aghagallon club hosted the pilot programme in collaboration with Gaelfast and it proved to be a phenomenal success from the outset.  24 players from a wide range of ages and abilities registered for the camp and they were supported by over 20 coaches throughout. Players took part in Gaelic football drills, games and fundamentals. They also got to have fun in the specially created sensory and games area and the icing on the cake was a visit from the ice cream van as a special treat on the last day.

All Stars coach Claire Mulholland states, “This is the first time that the majority of our players have ever participated in a Cúl Camp. We are privileged to have been given the opportunity to host it in our club and are delighted that the players have gained a lot from the experience. Our players are learning new skills, making friendships and having fun and that’s what it’s all about!”

St Mary’s would like to thank Gaelfast for all their invaluable help and support with the running and organisation of the Cúl Camp. Gaelfast coordinator Paul Law stated “This week we had the pleasure of coaching at the All-Inclusive Cúl Camp hosted by St Mary’s Aghagallon CLG. We had 6 full time staff and 5 casual coaches working at the camp delivering fun GAA based games to the best group of ‘All Stars’. It was such a rewarding and enjoyable experience and we look forward to working with Aghagallon in the future to further develop this amazing programme. Special mention to Bronagh McCavigan and her team who started the programme last year and have taken it from strength to strength.  To give the boys and girls an opportunity to participate in their own unique Cúl Camp was fantastic and a joy to be involved in. The Aghagallon club coaches were outstanding and worth their wight in gold. Our Gaelfast coaches have expressed how enjoyable the camp was and the relationships they built with the participants was something very special. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Aghagallon All Stars. Thanks again for the invite and see you again at next year’s Cúl Camp.”

Both Gaelfast and St Mary’s would also like to thank Bert Trowlen from the Saffron Gael who attended the camp everyday to take photos of the action and capture the memories. Thanks also to Tony McCollum from Antrim All Stars, based at Creggan, who has been a great support to the Aghagallon club.

The next big day in the GAA for All calendar is the Ulster Games for All Day which will be held on 7th September in Creggan Kickhams. Many teams from around the province will gather to play Gaelic games, learn new skills, meet friends and have fun. No doubt it will be another fantastic day for all.

If any Antrim clubs are interested in the GAA for All programne and would like to start a team please get in touch with Tony McCollum on 07752 700309

https://myalbum.com/album/WCmDEdkmup4BMo/?invite=03da84cd-01c3-4eb1-95d1-9ed71a4bb1f2