Ruairí Óg hosted their annual Juvenile Presentation on Saturday, a special occasion to celebrate the remarkable achievements of their young players both on and off the field from the season past.
The event spanned all age groups, from the Fundamentals group to the Under-16 hurlers and camogs, recognising the dedication, hard work, and progress made throughout the season.
Funamental award winners Under 6 Hurling awards winners with Ruairi Og senior hurler Christy McNaughtonUnder 6 Camogie awad winnersUnder 8 hurlers who recieved their awards from Antrim county star Fred McCurry
Successes included the U12 Gael na Glinntí hurling team winners of the A section of the North Antrim festival of hurling, U14 Tain Óg winners Gael na Glinntí, U15 Camogie Féile winners & All Ireland finalists, U16 hurling league champions and U16 camogie league, feis & championship winners.
Players were applauded for their sporting achievements, while off-field contributions such as commitment and teamwork were equally highlighted.
Under 8 Camogie winners Under 10 hurling winners Under 10 hurling winners with Fred McCurry
Individual camogie awards were presented across all levels from Under 12 up, with special mentions for those who demonstrated exceptional growth and performances this season.
The Presentation day was a fitting tribute to the talent and spirit of the club’s youth, reflecting Ruairí Óg’s strong commitment to nurturing both athletic and personal development in its players.
To see more photos from this event click on the link below
Michael Geoghegan has been elected the 39th President of the Ulster Council GAA at the recent Provincial Convention held at the Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence, Garvaghey in Co. Tyrone.
Michael takes over from outgoing President Ciaran McLaughlin who has served as President for the last three years.
Born in Cavan Town, Michael’s family were involved with the Drumalee club before moving to Castleblayney where he played U16, Minor, U21 and Junior Football for Castleblayney Faughs. After getting married in 1983 Michael moved to Middletown, Co Armagh, where he joined the local club and played Junior and Senior football for Eoghan Rua, as well as serving on the club committee and becoming involved in fundraising.
In 2003 Michael began stewarding at County level, then at Provincial and National level, where he has been involved since. In 2011 he became a member of Armagh’s fundraising committee and was elected Vice-Chairman of Armagh County Committee in 2013. In 2015 he was elected as the Armagh delegate to the Ulster Council and was also appointed to the Central Competitions Control Committee.
Outgoing Ulster GAA President Ciaran McLaughlin and new Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan, at the recent Provincial Convention held at the Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence, Garvaghey in Co. Tyrone.
In 2016 he took up the position of Ulster GAA Public Relations Officer, serving in this role until January 2019, before serving as Ulster GAA Treasurer until 2022 and then as Vice Chairperson for the following three years. He has also been a member of the National Hearings Committee and the National Games for All Committee.
In 2020, Michael was appointed by Central Council as the first Chairperson of the new Development Competition Control Committee.
He becomes the fifthArmagh representative to hold the position of Uachtarán Comhairle Uladh, following in the footsteps of Patrick Fearon (1932-34), Alfred Murray (1946-48), Con Short (1977-80) and John O’Reilly (2001-2004).
Also at Convention, Declan Woods (An Cabhán) was elected to the position of Vice President, Michael McArdle (An Dún) was elected to the position of Treasurer and Garrett Coyle (Muineachán) was elected the PRO for the incoming year.
BELOW – Pictured from left, Garrett Coyle, Ulster GAA Public Relations Officer, Michael McArdle, Ulster GAA Treasurer, Michael Geoghegan, Ulster GAA President, Declan Woods, Ulster GAA Vice-Chairperson, and Brian McAvoy, Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary.
Antrim Minor Camogs booked their place in the Ulster final when they convincingly beat Down in Sunday’s semi-final at Ballela.
Down actually started the brighter of the two sides and had two points on the board in the 2nd and 4th minutes, but once the Saffrons got going they soon were back on terms and by the time the home team got their next score the visitors were 0-10 ot 0-02 clear.
Eva McAlister opened the scoring with a point on five minutes and Mary McArthur had them level by the 9th. Further points followed from Eva McNeill in the 12t and 13th minutes and after Amy Ferris hit on in the 16th minute McNeill came again with three in a row in the 16th, 19th and 24th minutes. Ferris got her second point in the 26th minute and after Down hit their third score of the game Eva and Kady McNeill came back with late points to put Antrim 0-12 to 0-03 in front at half-time.
Three minutes into the second half Aimme Ferris struck the first goal of the game and it was clear there was no way back for the Down girls. Antrim scores followed from player of the match Eva McNeill who hit a goal and seven in the last twenty minutes, the goal coming five minutes from time.
A great win for the Saffrons but they will face a much sterner test in the final where they face an excellent Derry side, a team that is backboned by the St Pat’s Maghera Corn Uan Ulahh winning side.
On Sunday the Antrim girls were well served by Orlaith Johnston, Eva Lee, Maeve Devlin, Kady McNeill, Eobha McAlister, Eva McNeill and Aimee Ferris
All Ireland winner Ciaran Higgins, who has family connections with Glenravel, brought the Sam Maguire Cup to the Con Magees club on Sunday. It was a day that will live long in the memory of young and old as they queued to get their hands on the iconic trophy. 22 years since Sam last made an appearance in the parish but I’m not sure that it ever received such a warm welcome as it did on Sunday. The club was packed to capacity and the excitement on the children’s faces was a sight to behold. Family photos with Sam was the order of the day and memories that will be cherished for years to come. There were two signed Armagh jerseys up for grabs and these were won by young Callaí Mc Toal and by Paul Hughes. Thanks to Armagh for facilitating the event and to Ciaran Higgins for his time and patience throughout the day.
To see all the photos from this event click on the link below
Antrim got their National League campaign of to a blistering start when they travelled to Kilkenny on Sunday and over ran the ‘Cats’ in a one sided contest which will have gave the new management team of Mickey Devlin and Chris Scullion great satisfaction.
Lara Dahunsi got the Saffrons of to a great start with the game’s opening point after 30 seconds and the St. Paul’s girl added a second with three minutes on the clock.
Antrim continued to take the game to Kilkenny with the opening goal arriving after five minutes from the boot of Anna Mulholland and the impressive Dahunsi followed with a second to move the visitors 8 clear by the 9th minute.
Kilkenny had been under constant pressure from the throw in but Louisa Gilmore game them a glimmer of hope when she breeched the Antrim defence for a goal in the 10th minute but those hopes were quickly extinguished.
Lara Dahunsi, Nicole Jones and Maria O’Neill replied with three unanswered points before O’Neill struck with Antrim’s third goal at the end of the opening quarter and even at this stage it looked a long way back for the home side.
Lara Dahunsi continued to impress as she added two more points and goals from Aoife Turley and Nicole Jones put this one to bed by half time. Antrim finished as they had started with Maria O’ Neill, Lara Dahunsi and Aoife Kelly adding points to leave it 6-10 to 1-0 at the break.
The Saffron continued to dominate during the second half and Maria O’Neill hit two early points before bringing the Saffron goal tally to seven by the 12th minute after Louisa Gilmore had kicked two quick points for Kilkenny.
The girls in Green would add only one further point and while the Antrim goal scoring dried up at this stage they continued to kick some excellent points as they moved out of sight of their hosts.
Aldergrove’s Nicole Jones led the way as she notched up a further 0-5 and substitute Aine Lynch got her name on the scorecard to wrap up a thoroughly satisfactory win for the new look Saffrons which will have delighted the new management team.
Antrim are on the road again next Sunday when they travel to Sligo where they are likely to face a much stiffer test but will travel with confidence and a win there would set them up for a tilt at the league title.
Kilkenny: Katie Fitzpatrick, 2 Riona Crawley, 3 Ailbhe Galwey, 4Kerie Hennesy, 5 Rebecca Roche, 6 Sarah Smith, 7 Sarah Dunne, 8 Amy King, 9 Ruby Roche, 10 Louisa Gilmore, 11 Ellen Lawlor, 12 Jennifer O’Keeffe, 13 Kate Purcell, 14 Laura McDowell, 15 Aoibhe Ryan
Antrim: 1 Aine Devlin, 2Caoimhe Finucane, 3 MNiamh Blaney, 4 Niamh McIntosh, 5 Sarah O’Neill, 6 Ciara Brown, 7 Orla Ni Corra, 8 Aoife Turley, 9 Ana Mulholland, 10 Aoife Kelly, 11 Lara Dahunsi, 12 Maria O’Neill, 13 Bronagh Devlin, 14 Nicole Jones, 15 Luisne Adams. 17 Aine Lynch
TO VIEW ELAINE KELLY’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
