Month / October 2024

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon win Disability Sport Inclusive Club of the Year

Above – Janet Gray and Jim Rose of Disability Sport NI with members of the Aghagallon winning team

St Mary’s Aghagallon have been awarded the Disability Sport NI Inclusive Club of the Year Award (Mainstream) for 2023 / 2024. The award recognises and celebrates sports clubs that have made significant improvements or taken noteworthy measures to positively include disabled people within the club environment. It was presented to club chairman Columb Walsh, as well as player and coach representatives from the Aghagallon GAA for All ‘All Stars’ team at the Disability Sport Ni AGM on Tuesday night. St Mary’s All Stars team was launched in April 2023 and has gone from strength to strength with almost 50 players registered. The training sessions are held on a weekly basis, every Saturday morning, for all age groups and the aim of the team is to promote fun, fitness, friendships and fundamental GAA skills.

Aghagallon club chairma Columb Walsh with the award

Club chairman, Columb Walsh states, ‘When the idea of introducing an All Star section was first mooted we had no idea of the impact it would have for young people within the Parish who previously had no access to our games or opportunity to represent their club. Over the last 2 years it has been incredible to see the enjoyment within this group, but also to see these young people, not only develop their sporting skills, but grow in confidence and independence. The Disability Sport NI Inclusive Award is recognition of the dedication, commitment and support given by our All Star coaches, our parents and our All Stars.’

Indeed, plenty of fantastic work is going on behind the scenes within our overall Antrim GAA for All set up. Creggan Kickhams, home of the Antrim All Stars, recently hosted the Ulster GAA for All day which was a phenomenal success. Aghagallon, in collaboration with Gaelfast, hosted the first ever GAA for All Cúl Camp in the county this summer. St Brigid’s have recently formed a team in Belfast and St Teresa’s are currently in the process of setting up. Of course our own county photographer, Bert Trowlen, has been instrumental in publicising the good work going on throughout the county and beyond. Bert, a proud granda of a GAA for All player, never misses an event or occasion, and is dedicated champion for all GAA for All teams. His photography showcases the pure and infectious joy that GAA for All brings to so many.

Antrim GAA for All county representative Tony McCollum says, ‘GAA for All throughout Ulster is thriving and it has been wonderful to watch the growth of this sector, not only throughout the province but in Antrim too. It is wonderful for a club in our own county, St Mary’s Aghagallon, to receive deserved recognition for their efforts with the establishment of their team last year. The benefits and enjoyment that GAA for All brings to players, their families and the wider community is beyond measure. I would encourage every club in the county to strongly consider getting involved and establish their own GAA for All team.’ 

Any interested clubs who wish to be involved in GAA for All or who want to find out how to get started should contact Tony McCollum on 07752 700309. 

by thesaffrongael

CPC off to a flyer

Danske Bank Mageean Cup

Thursday 3rd October at Fr Healy Park, Loughiel

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 4-27 St Patrick’s Maghera 0-15

Cross & Passion College got their Mageean Cup campaign off to the perfect start when they beat St Pat’s Maghera in the opening round robin game at Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel on Thursday. The Ballycastle college had to withstand a stern challenge from St Pat’s during the opening quarter when the Derry school hit five points without reply, but they soon responded and hit back to lead by 2-13 to 0-08 at the interval, despite having played against a strong breeze.

A couple of CPC scores in the opening minutes seemed to suggest the ‘Convent’ were in for an easy ride, but once they settled Maghera started to pick off some excellent scores, and five without reply had them ahead, despite Conor Donnelly getting the first of his three goals. However their potent forward line began to click into gear and they started to find their range with a series of excellent scores and with Donnelly adding another goal and Paudi Martin, Caeden Crawford and Oisin McCallin picking off some top class points the pushed on the lead by eleven points by the time match referee Owen Elliott sounded the half time whistle. (2-13 to 0-08)

St Pat’s showed a bit more urgency when they came out for the second half and they closed the gap with a couple of points, but with the breeze now favouring CPC the task facing the Maghera side was massive. Caedan Crawford, Paudi Martin and Oisin McCallin relied with points apiece to put them on top once again, and though St Pat’s hit a couple great points from frees the pendulum had now swung decisively to the CPC side. With team captain Liam Glackin chipping in with a couple of long range efforts to add to those by the forwards the gap stretched even further and the size of the winning margin is another indications of just why the Ballycastle school are firm favourites to go all the way this season.

CPC: C Donnelly 3-3, C Crawford 1-4, O McCallin (2 frees) and P Martin (5 frees) 0-7 each, R Fitzgerald 0-3 (1 free), L Glackin 0-2 (1 free), O Conway 0-1.

St Patrick’s: R Collins 0-5 (frees), C óg McCloskey 0-3 (2 frees), O Doherty and G McIvor 0-2 each, D O’Neill, J McCloy and A McGill 0-1 each.

CPC: Anthony Mullan, ⁠Cathair McMullan, Reece Cunning, Eunan Johnson, Dara Kinney, Liam Glackin, Ardan Kelly, Niall McClean, Ronan Fitzgerald, Conan Johnson, Conor Donnelly, Aidan Richmond, Oisín McCallin, Paudie Martin, Caedan Crawford.

Subs: Liam McGarry for C Johnson (37), Oisin Conway for A Richmond (45), Tomás McNulty for E Johnson (45), Logan McConville for D Kinney (54)

St Patrick’s: Dara Hasson, Danny Gallagher, Odhrán Burke, Niall McNicholl, Phelim óg Diamond, Pádraig O’Kane, Darragh O’Neill, Daithí McCloskey, Odhrán Doherty, Cathal Quinn, Cormac óg McCloskey, Rian Collins, Anthony McGill, Jack McCloy, Gabhan McIvor.

Subs: Cathal Mulholland for P óg Diamond (42), Kevin Barry Mullan for O Burke (45), Charlie Friel for J McCloy (45), Pádraig McAreavey for A McGill (50)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/ePNenDUwbPsBts

by thesaffrongael

Ports take Breslin Cup honours

The South West Antrim competitions continued at the weekend with Casement’s Portglenone collecting the Breslin Cup with a good win over St. James Aldergrove. The same sides had met in the Laverty Shield final earlier in the season and many of those on duty had featured in that game.

Portglenone once again proved too strong for the boys from Crumlin who never the less put up a strong performance against a Casement’s side who have already collected the All County U16A league title with a win over favourites St. Brigid’s.

Most of Sunday’s U16 side will be back in action this weekend as part of the Casement’s side who face St. Gall’s in the Minor B Football Final in Toome on Sunday at 12-00, noon and will be hoping to add another title in a season that has been a resounding success for this group of players.

SHIELD SUCCESS FOR CREGGAN

In the Breslin Shield it was Kickham’s Creggan who recorded a good win over neighbours, Tir na nOg Randalstown in an entertaining final and once again the South West Board should be congratulated as they bring their season to a successful conclusion despite the difficulties in finding suitable dates for their competitions,

TO VIEW BRESLIN PICTORIAL CLICK ON LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/mLiYNwVUQCcAxH

by thesaffrongael

Naomh Padraig claim first county title

Antrim Minor B Hurling Championship Final

Naomh Padraig (North Antrim) 3-16  St Pauls 2-13

A spirited performance from Naomh Padraig  in Ballymena on Sunday afternoon saw them claim their first ever county title in their short 10 year history in an excellent game of hurling.

This Naomh Padraig team included the first set of fellas to have come the whole way through the clubs juvenile structures from primary school level.

There were jubilant scenes at the final whistle when the family and friends from the four parent clubs of Cushendun. Carey, Cloughmills, & Armoy joined their minor hurlers on the field to celebrate.

Naomh Padraig played with the wind in the first half and went in at the break leading on a scoreline Naomh Padraig 2-8  St Pauls 0-7 after first half goals from Donnacha Laverty and Ryan Watson.

St Pauls Sean Mc Larnon and James Mc Donnell had been keeping the Shaws Road men in touch throughout the half and with their strong attacking running and if it hadn’t been for a few excellent point blank saves from

Liam Magee in the Naomh Padraig nets things could have been a lot closer at the short whistle.

The second half saw St Pauls narrow the gap to a single point mid-way through the half after a goal from play by Sean Mc Larnon and then a second goal from the same player from the penalty spot after some robust defending by the Naomh Padraig defence.

It was certainly game on at this stage with both sets of supporters getting behind their teams as every ball became more important than the last as both teams scrambled to get the advantage.

It was high ball into the St Pauls box that broke out to the Naomh Padraig second half substitute Charlie Mc Auley who doubled on it the rattle the net giving his team a 4 point lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.

The continued accuracy of the Naomh Padraig Captain Calum Kane from frees in those final minutes saw his team push on and secure the first county title for the North Antrim Club.

The majority of this talented group of St Pauls minors will have little time to rest as they also contest this weekends Minor A Football Final v St Brigids, proof of the large amount of coaching work ongoing at juvenile level within the St Pauls club.

Naomh Padraig were however worthy winners on the day and with many of these minors now going back next year to play for their parent adult clubs of Armoy, Carey Cushendun & Cloughmills it was a great way to finish off their juvenile careers by lifting the silverware.  

Naomh Padraig (North Antrim)

Liam Magee, John Magee, Andrew Mc Garry, Shea Mc Gowan, Charlie Douthart, Adam Hughes, James Mc Neill, Callum Kane (C) , Shea Mc Ginley, Cathair Mc Caughan, Kieran Mc Toal, Callum Magee, Ryan Watson, Ryan Mc Quaid, Donnacha Laverty

Subs Used: Eoin Bailey, Charlie Mc Auley, Corey Quinn, Aran Callan

Scorers: Calum Kane 0-10 (frees), Donnacha Laverty 1-2, Ryan Watson 1-1, Charlie Mc Auley 1-1, Cathair Mc Caughan 0-2

St Pauls

Ciaran O Carroll, Patrick Crawford, Pauric Mc Kevitt, Padraig Mc Donnell, Garrett Cowan (C), Cian Mc Cann, Liam Murray, Miceal Valley, Ewan Mc Greevy, Nathan O Neill, Sean Mc Larnon, James Mc Donnell, Ordhan Donnelly, Darragh Brown, Shea Burns

Subs Used: Osin Mc Greevy, Ciaran Brown, Padraig Keenan

Scorers: Sean Mc Larnon 2-5, James Mc Donnell 0-5, Darragh Brown 0-1, Shea Burns 0-1

Referee: Piarais Mc Caffery (St Galls)

TO SEE MORE IMAGES FROM THE FINAL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/M67t4bkbNNE2MV/?invite=98899c6e-52d5-464b-8838-f7d36a7a03df

by thesaffrongael

Strong finish sees St Pat’s pip St Killian’s in Camogie sevens final

WITH just 60 seconds left in the FMC Appliances Ulster Schools’ Camogie Sevens Cup final on Monday in Portglenone, St Patrick’s Maghera’s three-in-a-row hopes hung by a thread. They trailed St Killian’s Garron Tower by 2-4 to 1-4. But they conjured up a goal and a point to make the cut once more.

Emma Quinn opted to go for goal from a 35m free and somehow the ground shot made it into the net off a defender. The Maghera defence returned the poc out and Quinn grabbed glory by flashing an angled shot between the posts.

The score-taking of Quinn as well as Eva McNeill for St Killian’s was outstanding. McNeill scored 2-3 while Quinn’s late salvo brought her final tally to 2-4. They were well supported by Laoise McCollam, Emer Ward, Tamara Black and Cliodhna Thompson for the Tower and Grace McCartney, Eimear Conway and Róisín McAtamney for the winners.

St Mary’s Magherafelt, St Louis Ballymena and Cross & Passion Ballycastle also competed for the Cup and all gave a good account of themselves, CPC unlucky not to reach the decider after a 4-3 to 1-3 win over St Killian’s in a group game. However they were beaten by St Louis Ballymena in the next game and missed out on a play-off for a spot in the final.

The final of the FMC Appliances Shield competition also went the distance with a very late goal from Áine Young snatching victory (3-5 to 4-1) for St Pius X Magherafelt at the expense of Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock.

The teams had drawn during the group stages and when Caoimhe Dorrian and Emer Kelly each bagged two goals in the final, it seemed that the Shield was going to East Belfast for the first time.

St Conor’s Clady, Assumption Ballynahinch and St Patrick’s Keady also competed in the group stages.

Both St Pius X and St Patrick’s Maghera will now go forward to take part in the All-Ireland series in the Meath Centre of Excellence in Dunganny on Wednesday 16th October.

Panels and scorers in the Cup final :

St Patrick’s: A McWilliams, E Quinn(2-4), R McAtamney, E Conway capt., G McCartney (0-1), B Donaghy, GM Bradley, G Diamond, E Diamond, O McKenna, I Martin, R McNally

St Killian’s: L McNaughton, L McCollam, E Ward, E McNaughton, E McNeill (2-3), T Black, S Carey, M McKeegan, K McLaughlin, N McCollam, A Campbell, C Thompson (0-1)

TO SEE MORE PICS BY PAUL KEALY OF SIDELINE PHOTOGRAPHY CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/eYU7EHjj3anskX/?invite=10f4f046-8d92-428c-a72d-315e588ea7a1