Month / February 2025

by thesaffrongael

Nugent’s late goal earned Antrim a draw with Carlow in 2020

It has been almost four and a half years since Antrim last visited Cullen Park. On that day in Octorber 2020 Carlow appeared to have that Joe McDonagh Cup game in the bag until a late burst by the Saffron, which brought a goal from a Ciaran Clarke penalty and one from play by Domnhal Nugent ,earned us a late draw. That point was to prove signifcant as the Saffron’s went on to beat Kerry in the final of the Joe Mac, in Croke Park in December, the Kingdom edging out Carlow for that place in the final.

Main pic – Domnhal Nugent fires the ball to the Carlow net to earn his team a late draw

Joe McDonagh Cup – Round 2

Saturday October 31 2020

Antrim 5-16 Carlow 2-25

Brendan McTaggart reports from Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

A goal in the fourth minute of injury time from Domhnall Nugent gave Antrim a share of the spoils at the Netwatch Dr Cullen Park.  Carlow had carved out a four minute lead as the 70 as the game went into the additional time thanks to second half goals from Edward Byrne and John-Michael Nolan but the Saffrons dug deep and grabbed a draw in the face of defeat.

Conor McCann who scored one of the Antrim goals in Cullen Park

In a free flowing contest, the sides went toe to toe in the early exchanges with the Barrowsiders taking a one point lead at the water break with Martin and Jack Kavanagh doing the damage while Ciaran Clarke and Keelan Molloy looked dangerous for the Saffrons.

The first goal of the game came in the 22nd minute with Clarke finishing to the net after strong work from Conor McCann and Clarke returned the favour just two minutes later to give the Saffrons their second goal and a three point lead.

The home side continued to chip away however with Jack Kavanagh leading the fight  and with Edward Byrne and Kevin McDonald ably assisting him, the cut the Antrim lead to 2-10 to 0-15 at the short whistle.

The Saffrons had the wind at their back in the second half but the introduction of Chris Nolan to the inside forward line looked to be a piece of tactical genius from Colm Bonnar.  He would finish the match with five points having entered the fray at half time but it was Edward Byrne’s 48th minute goal that really swung the momentum in favour of Carlow. 

Carlow looked to be holding all the spades going into the final quarter but Antrim continued to fight.  They restored parity to the scoreboard in the 56th minute thanks to Clarke’s penalty after Niall McKenna was fouled in the square but the Barrowsiders found another gear.  Chris and Jon Nolan with points before Jack and Martin Kavanagh split the uprights to give Carlow a four point lead for the first time in the match with seven minutes remaining.

Ciaran Clarke who scored 2-7 in the win over Carlow

The Saffrons fourth major came in the 69th minute with substitute James McNaughton with a piece of individual brilliance to evade the Carlow tackles before hammering home but the home side scored what felt like the decisive score with their second goal just moments later.  John-Michael Nolan with the finish after Chris Nolan and Edward Byrne combined to set him through on goal.

Antrim dug deep one more time however with Paddy Burke splitting the uprights from distance before they got their rewards with the last meaningful action of the game.  A long ball was claimed by Niall McKenna who passed to Nugent and he gave Brian Tracey no chance in the Carlow goals.

Both sides will feel like they left this one behind them but a share of the spoils is probably the right result on the balance of play.

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Matthew Donnelly, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke (0-1), Joe Maskey; Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McGarry; Niall McKenna (0-3), Keelan Molloy (0-2), Conal Cunning (0-1); Dan McCloskey (0-1), Conor McCann (1-1), Ciaran Clarke (2-7, 1-00 pen, 5 f’s, 1’65)

Subs: James McNaughton (1-00) for D McCloskey (46); Domhnall Nugent (1-00) for R McGarry (52); Aodhan O’Brien for G Walsh (62); Damon McMullan for P Duffin (57)

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Michael Doyle, Paul Doyle, Gary Bennett; Ger Coady, David English, Richard Coady; Jack Kavanagh (0-4), Paul Coady; John Michael Nolan (1-1), Diarmuid Byrne (0-1), Edward Byrne (1-2); Martin Kavanagh (0-7, 4f’s), Kevin McDonald (0-2), Ted Joyce (0-2)

Subs: Jon Nolan (0-1) for R Coady (HT); Chris Nolan (0-5) for T Joyce (40); Cathal Treacy for J Kavanagh (inj)

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons must improve as Carlow test comes next

Allianz Hurling League

Roinn 1B – Round 5

Antrim v Carlow

Date: Sunday 2 March

Venue: Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

Throw in: 2:30pm

Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to Antrim’s away match with Carlow on Sunday afternoon.

Antrim’s search for a second league win of the season continues on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Carlow.

The Barrowsiders sit on three points after drawing with Offaly on the opening weekend and impressively, defeating Waterford in their two matches played so far.  While the Saffrons have played four, Carlow have seen their other game fall foul of the elements with their match against Laois cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch last weekend.

From an Antrim perspective, they are entering squeaky bum time.  Two matches remain and if they want their fate to remain in their hands, they must leave Carlow with two points.  A defeat will serve up all sorts of permutations ahead of the Laois game and given there are still a round of fixtures the following week while Antrim have a bye.

Man of the match James McNaughton in action against Carlow’s Kevin McDonald during the 2024 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship round robin game at Corrigan Park. Pic by John McIlwaine

Going to Carlow while in top form is never easy but going in search for league points to the Barrowsiders backyard on the back of suffering chastening defeats to Offaly and Waterford is far from ideal.  It’s probably the polar opposite of the preparations you would want to face a side who have been the talk of the country in recent times given their exploits against the Déise and against Kilkenny in the Leinster championship last year.

Casting my mind back to Antrim’s last visit to Netwatch Cullen Park and coming away with a draw after a contest where we looked dead and buried for long periods.  It was the late, late show from Domhnall Nugent that came to the rescue and a share of the points that day. Leaving Carlow that day we felt sure we would meet them again in the Joe McDonagh final, but it didn’t work out that way and it was Kerry we beat in the final.

Off course, the sides have met much more recently with Antrim’s status in the Leinster Championship confirmed after a 4-22 to 2-22 win at Corrigan Park.  Antrim went into that game shorn of form also and were helped with the dismissal of Chris Nolan just before half time.

Seaan Elliott in action against Carlow in last year’s Leinster Championship at Corrigan Park at Corrigan Park

In that famous win over Waterford, Nolan scored 2-3 while Marty Kavanagh was at his best from placed ball with seven of his 10 white flags coming from frees but with eight different scorers and 2-14 coming from open play, they are a team who are far from reliant on one or two individuals.

With Conor Johnston, Ryan McGarry and Paddy Burke rumoured to be back in contention after injury, it’s not all doom and gloom for Davy Fitzgerald’s men as the Sixmilebridge native looks for that winning combination.

Paddy Burke, seen here in action against Carlow last year at Corrigan Park, could be line for a starting slot in Sunday

With ‘plus one’ being used against Offaly, Dublin and Waterford and to a lesser extent, Westmeath, you would imagine he will go down that road again for what promises to be a stern test against Carlow.  The jury is still out if it is the way Antrim need to go about their business.  Fitzgerald has a plan and in recent interviews has put the ‘collapses’ against Offaly and Waterford down to a psychological block of sorts with a sports psychologist now part of his backroom team.  Off course, getting ‘it right’ between the ears is important, but playing a style and/or system that suits the players you have available is equally as important.

Food for thought?

A trip to the Barrow County hasn’t been one for the faint of heart for the Saffrons in recent times and Sunday will be no different.  This side have shown impressive powers of recovery in the not-too-distant past.  Memories of those occasions will be required along with a serious uplift in form.

Is it possible?  Absolutely.  Is it likely?  I’m leaning towards my head saying one thing and my heart saying another. We’ll travel to Carlow in hope of a performance and two points.  Anything less will leave us looking over our shoulders tentatively and a return to Division 2 with one match remaining

by thesaffrongael

Saffron Gael speaks with CPC manager Joe Cassidy

Paddy Buggy semi-final previw – Cross & Passion Collge v CBS High School Clonmel

SAFFRON GAEL – Is everyone on the squad fit and raring to go?

JOE CASSIDY – Yes thankfully we have a fully fit squad for the first time this year, with no one injured or carrying an injury. The lads are in great shape and can’t wait for the game.

SG – It’s been a long wait for the team since the Mageean Cup win back in Decemeber. Did you get straight back to training or did you take a break until after Christmas?

JC – We took a break over Christmas as the lads had a long year both with county, club and school commitments so they needed a few weeks to get away from it. Though a number of them were called into County u20 panel which meant their break was limited. We got ourselves back into it in early January and have put in a big effort over last 7 weeks.

SG – Who have you played in the challenge games during the build-up?

JC – With the county commitments and also our location, it is always a challenge getting games at this time of year. However we have played 3 games – Down U20s, Dublin u-19s and Ballycastle Seniors. Along with that a number of in house games.

Cross & Passion celebrate their win over St Killian’s in the Danske Bank Mageean Cup final at the Dub Arena QUB in December. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

SG – I assume quite a few of your team have been involved with Mickey McShane and Gabriel Crawford with the Under 20 and Minor county teams, which must have been a distraction. How have the two sides managed to work together?

JC – Yeah we have 9 lads involved with County u20s and another 5 involved with county minors, so it has definitely been a challenge. To be fair to Mickey and Gabriel – they have been easy to work with, we all want the same thing, which is our players flying and in the best shape for the battles ahead. So when the lads have been with county we know they are getting the best training and coaching and likewise when the lads are with us, the county know the lads are getting the best of training and coaching. So we have worked it out the best we could and hopefully we will see the benefits come the weeks ahead.

SG – Having watched Clonmell in action in the Munster B final you will no doubt have a few of their players down for special attention on Saturday. They won the game convincingly but Scarrif were very disappointing

JC – Yeah they were very impressive in their Munster final beating big favourites Scariff. They lost last year’s Munster final, similar to us, and they brought a savage intensity and hunger to that final, which Scariff were not able to match. They certainly have a number of exciting players who will take a bit of watching come Saturday.

SG – There must be a great buzz around the school this week. It has been a few years since you played in an All Ireland semi-final and while the current players may not have any experience at this level, yourself and few other members of the management team have gone through it all a few times…and won a couple of All Ireland titles. That must be a help!

JC – It’s been 5 years – too long to be honest! We lost semi final just before Covid lockdown gripped the world to St Brendan’s Birr. These lads were all in second year and a number of them were at the game. Conor O’Mullan whose part of our management team, actually played in this game. But this is new territory for them. I suppose for every school it’s new territory as every year it’s a new group of lads. Within school we have been lucky to have reached 5 All Ireland finals since 2007, so a few of us have been down this road before. The big message we are driving is that it’s so important they turn up and make the most of this chance. School hurling is special and unique as it brings lads that you spend so much time in school with together. They have a fantastic bond between them, the buzz about school has been great. It’s now about turning up and delivering that big performance

SG – Will the late change of venue upset your plans much? The pitch at Belfield is a 4G surface. Have you trained or played much on 4g during your preparations?

JC – Yeah it certainly changes things for both teams, the speed of the ball will now increase and there will be less rucks due to this. We have trained a good bit in Dunloy 4G and hopefully it shouldn’t be an issue come Saturday.

SG – Have your travel plans been upset much by the change of venue. I assume you will travel down on the morning of the match? Travelling to Belffield will probably be easier to negotiate than going to Cavan?

 JC – No our travel plans are very much similar. We were in Dublin 2 weeks ago on 4G and we know the journey. To be honest we would travel to Cork to play this game. All Ireland semi-finals don’t come around every year, so we are fully focused on getting the big performance that will hopefully get us into another final

Joe and his old sidekick Oran Kearney during the 2009 Mageean Cup win over St Mary’s at Casement Park

SG – Who is in your full backroom team Joe?

JC – Dominic Bradley – Coach, Conor O Mullan – Coach, Dominic McKinley Coach, Oran Kearney and Jamie McCann

by thesaffrongael

Clonmel were highly impressive in Munster final win

Paddy Buggy semi-final preveiw – Cross & Passion v CBS High School, Clonmel

CPC’s opponents in tomorrow’s Pady Buggy semi-final, High School Clonmel, defeated Scariff Community College by 2-19 to 2-7 in the 2024/2025 TUS Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm (Under 19 B Hurling) Final on Saturday February 1st at Ballyagran, Co Limerick.

This is the report from Tipperary Live

TUS Thomais Choilm Cup Munster PPS U19B Final

Clonmel High School 2-19

Scariff Community School 2-7

CBS High School Clonmel put last year’s disappointment behind them in emphatic fashion, securing a resounding twelve-point victory over Scariff Community College in the Corn Thomáis Mhic Cholaim final in Ballyagran. Scariff had been impressive in their run to the final, putting up a series of high scores on the way, but on the day they were no match for the Tipperary side who dominated throughout the game.

The stronger, hungrier, and more clinical team on the day, Clonmel boasted a wider array of scoring options and dominated proceedings in the Limerick venue despite the challenging windy conditions. Their superiority in almost every facet of the game saw them claim a well-deserved title. Clonmel had reached last seasons’ final but were beaten in the final by Blackwater from Waterford, the team that St Killian’s beat in last season’s Paddy Buggy final.

However it soon became clear they were not going to miss out this time around, and right from the start they looked a cut above their Clare opponents.

Scariff, facing their toughest test of the season, managed to lead twice early on but struggled to regain parity after falling behind in the twelfth minute. Before this contest, they had cruised through their previous four games with an average winning margin of 22.5 points, including a 26-point hammering of another South Tipperary school in Carrick CBS, as well as a 19-point semi-final win over Bishopstown Community School.

A key tactical decision saw Scariff leave two of their primary attacking threats, Eoghan Gunning and Paul Rodgers, in the full-forward line, where they received little possession. 

As Clonmel began to assert their dominance, a shift bringing Gunning into the midfield might have helped Scariff’s cause. Instead, he found himself isolated and in a tough battle with Clonmel’s outstanding Michael McMaugh.

Scariff started brightly, with Rodgers showing his class in the opening minute, turning sharply to fire over the first score of the game. 

However, Aaron Cagney quickly leveled matters with a free before a Ben Sweeney 65, won by Gunning, put Scariff back ahead. Moments later, Gunning earned another free, which Sweeney attempted to convert into a goal, only for Clonmel’s Peter Boland and his defensive colleagues to clear the danger.

Right-half forward Mikey McGuire, using his physical presence effectively, equalised on the ten-minute mark, and Clonmel took the lead for the first and final time when Conall Morrison split the posts three minutes later. 

Cagney then added three of the next four points, including two frees, extending Clonmel’s advantage as the game entered the second quarter. Scariff’s final first-half score came via a Sweeney free on sixteen minutes, while Clonmel surged ahead, registering 1-5 without reply.

The game’s first goal arrived fortuitously for Clonmel, with Cagney’s effort falling into goalkeeper Cormac Doyle’s hands, only for the sliotar to slip over the line. Despite this error, Doyle’s distribution throughout the match was otherwise strong.

Leading 1-9 to 0-3 at the break, Clonmel were in a fantastic position for the resumption, and while Scarriff did manage to hit the net twice in the second half, those goals arrived late in the game when the result was beyond doubt. 

Clonmel continued their dominance, restricting Scariff to just two Sweeney frees in the third quarter while adding 1-6 of their own. Their second goal came through Jamal Yousif, who capitalised on a Cagney delivery to flick the sliotar home one handed, after a great move involving brilliant centre forward Aaron Cagney.

To their credit, Scariff battled to the end, refusing to surrender. Late goals from Matthew Crotty and Ben Sweeney showcased their ability to move the ball and link up play effectively, but by that stage, Clonmel’s victory was all but confirmed.

For Clonmel, standout performances came from Aaron Cagney, Conall Morrison, Michael McMaugh, Mikey McGuire, and Jamal Yousif. This historic win secures their first-ever Munster PPS hurling title, and they will undoubtedly be a formidable force in the All-Ireland series.

Scorers: Clonmel HS: Aaron Cagney (1-10, 0-9f), Jamal Yousif 1-1, Conall Morrisson, Ben Roche 0-3 each, Mikey McGuire, Harry Lawlor 0-1 each.

Scariff CS: Ben Sweeney (1-4, 0-3f, 0-165), Matthew Crotty 1-1, Paul Rodgers 0-1, Kalum Fahy 0-1 65.

Clonmel HS: Peter Boland (Moyle Rovers); Andrew Ryan (Fourmilewater), Micheal McMaugh (Fourmilewater), Max O’Dwyer (St Mary’s); Paddy Spelman (Fourmilewater), David McSweeney (St Mary’s), Tadhg McGuire (Kilsheehan/Kilcash); Conall Morrisson (Moyle Rovers), Jamie O’Keeffe (St Mary’s); Mikey McGuire (Kilsheehan/Kilcash), Michael Bates (Kilsheehan/Kilcash), Aaron Cagney (St Mary’s); Ben Roche (Kilsheehan/Kilcash), Jamal Yousif (Clonmel Óg), Finn Napier (St Mary’s).

Subs used: Harry Lawlor (St. Mary’s) for Bates (43); Dara Beckett (St. Mary’s) for Napier (57).

Scariff CS: Cormac Doyle (Bodyke); Cathal McCaul (Scariff), Seán Óg Kilkenny (Bodyke), Cormac Gunning (Broadford); Michael Heffernan (Whitegate), Kalum Fahy (Whitegate), Mikey Bogenberger (Whitegate); Harry Bogenberger (Whitegate), Matthew Crotty (Scariff); Colin O’Grady (Scariff), Ben Sweeney (Scariff), Jake Gibbons (Scariff); Michael Vaughan (Scariff), Eoghan Gunning (Broadford), Paul Rodgers (Scariff).

Subs used: Sean Reilly (Ogonnelloe) for O’Grady (39); Dylan Joyce (Bodyke) for H Bogenberger (43); Edan Buckley (Bodyke) for Vaughan (46).

Referee: John O’Halloran (Limerick)

by thesaffrongael

New rules but the old hands still hold all the aces

Above – Big Pat Shivers was in top scoring form as he hit Aldergrove for 1-10 in their O’Cahan Cup win over Aldergrove in Toome

South West Antrim O’ Cahan Cup (Round One)

Erin’s Own Cargin 3-18 St James Aldergrove 2-10

Erin’s Own Cargin oft times custodians on the South west premier trophy, the O’ Cahan Cup, ensured they remained on the trail of the recapture of the silverware when they gained passage into the second phase of the expense of the visiting Aldergrove at their Toome venue on Wednesday evening under the floodlights.

The home side moved onwards at the expense of the Crumlin men in what was a historic occasion, under the ‘new rules’ with a margin in double figures at conclusion but their visitors gave their all in combat and will depart for the season ahead under John Rafferty in positivity.

Cargin started very much on the positive and were on the scoreboard a minute after the new styled throw-in claimed by Kevin Mc Shane before a combination involving Jamie Gribbin and Tomas Mc Cann opened the way for Pat Shivers to find the net. The big man fired to the net at ease on the way to a super performance and a double number return on the scoreboard.

The home side were to look to change shortly into proceedings losing the services of Paul Mc Cann before the 5th minute being replaced by Benen Kelly and again a few minutes thereafter change was required as a stricken Sean og O’ Neill endured injury to be replaced by Callum Gribbin with the 18 year old making impression in his senior duty.

A swift getaway by the home side and the reigning county champions looked to be on the way to success from an early stage with big Pat Shivers causing problems galore for the Aldergrove rearguard and Kevin Mc Shane ruling the roost in the central zone. Replacements Callum Gribbin and Benen Kelly were quick to seize hold of the bit and the home side were not to be knocked out of stride.

Aldergrove were not to readily give up the ghost and with Ronan Hannon and Coary Fogarty getting to grips in the middle of the park and Seamus Mc Garry causing problems up front. the visitors remained positive and only a handful of points in arrears at the end of the opening period. 

All the three front men, Seamus Mc Garry, Ronan Hanna, and Ryan Mc Carthy raised white flags in the latter stages as Callum Gribbin, who impressed from introduction, David Johnston Tomas Mc Cann and the indomitable Pat Shivers(3), were raising similar and the visitors were still in the hunt at the interval with the home side at 1-09 to 0-07.

Tomas McCann

Aldergrove started the second half with an early score as Seamus Mc Garry raised an early white, but the home side were prompt in reply as a Jasmie Gribbin cross was volleyed to the net with a superb strike form Tomas Mc Cann who quickly added a further point. The home side added further scores via Shivers and Jamie Gribbin, both from a distance, to earn (2), with John Mc Nabb and Pat Shivers quick to follow suit and the Toome residents had further ahead.

Ronan Hanna gave the visitors some hope after finishing to the back of the Cargin net following a smart approach from Seamus Mc Garry but although that revitalised the visitors cause Cargin were hit back quickly when Benen Kelly fired to the back of the net at the other end following a stylish right sided approach with David Johnston.

The home side had gone clear with the end in sight and although John Carron and Tom Shivers increased the Cargin advantage with back to back points the visitors still retained and appetite in front of the posts as Seamus Mc Garry raised a further white flag, but it proved to be too little to late and Cargin crossing the line with a 3-18 to 1-10 advantage, and a place in the next round.

A moment in history at the Shore Road venue, learning exercise for both the teams in playing under the ‘new rules’ as well as those onlookers who braved the elements to witness that little bit of history.

Cargin

John Mc Nabb (0-01), Conan Johnston, Kevin O’ Boyle, Gerard Mc Corley, Ben Mc Larnon, Paul Mc Cann, Sean O’ Neill, Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron, David Johnston (0-02), Jamie Gribbin )2*), Tomas Mc Cann (1-02), Pat Shivers (1-10) Tom Shivers (0-02) 

Subs

Callum Gribbin (0-01)

Charlie Mc Cann

Brendan Laverty

Sean og Quinn

Ben Mc Larnon

Aldergrove

Oisin Mc Garry, Ronan Wilkinson, Cayden Lagen, Emmet Magee, Conan Browning, Oisin Mc Veigh, Eoin Gough, Oisin Graham, Coary Fogarty(0-02), Chris Mc Steen, Cormac Mc Garry, Kian Jones, Ronan Hannon (2-02), Seamus Mc Garry (2*)4)

Subs

C Browning

Shay O’ Connor

Seamus Faye

Lewis Smith