Month / June 2025

by thesaffrongael

CARRYDUFF TAKE THE POINTS BUT HAD TO WORK HARD FOR THEM

ACHL Division 2

SHANE UÍ NEILLS   2-19      CARRYDUFF  1-27

Report and Pics: Pete Hyndman

Possibly a bit of a dead rubber game, but try telling these two teams who supplied the sizeable crowd with a hammer and tongs contest, with a no quarter given attitude!!

Both clubs stood strong and pressured their opponents into needless fouls which were punished by two excellent free-takers. For the hosts Dylan McLaughlin shot 7 free’s from a 11 point tally.

Donal Rooney for the visitors was also in superb form shooting 7 frees, a “65” in a 12 point salvo from the young midfielder.

Both clubs also had 7 different scorers each, which would be a pleasing performance for any manager to enjoy.

Carryduff grabbed this game by the scruff of the net and shot 1-02 without reply in the first 4 minute’s.  Oran Teague was the first point taker, a few moments later a few bodies in the box fighting for a loose ball resulted in a foul on a Carryduff player which the referee awarded a penalty. Ronan Beatty stepped up and drove the ball beyond Michael Abram for a “major” score.

Donal Rooney followed up with a fourth minute free.

Glenarm hit back immediately as Conor McLornan in the Carryduff goals fumbled a high ball and Liam Mulvenna was quick to react and pulled a ground stroke with the ball nestling nicely into the corner of the nets.

Sean O Callaghan hit the next score before team-mate Donal Rooney slotted over his second free of the afternoon.

Glenarm where trying hard to find a score, and it came from a tight angle out on the wing where Aidan Scullion drove over a lovely effort. Glenarm’s centre half forward Dylan McLaughlin started to win a few tussles and fought to get the ball and tagged over a point before Rooney pointed another free for the visitors.

Declan McDermott reacted next to a ball up the wing and hand passed to McLaughlin to hit Glenarm’s third point.

Sean O Callaghan rifled over a point for Carryduff, before another impressive effort from the home side’s Aidan Scullion.

Tit for tat seemed to be the order of the day because Donal Rooney replied almost immediately with a 40 yard free.

On 21 minute’s Dylan McLaughlin split the uprights with another free for the Feystown boys before Donal Rooney replied from play and   Sean O Callaghan added to the Carryduff tally.

On 23 minute’s Dylan McLaughlin sent another free over the bar. On the puck out, the ball was delivered back towards Mc Laughlin who rolled a couple of tackles and sent a high speculative effort over McLornan’s bar.

In the second quarter of this exciting game Darragh Goodwin hit a point, with his colleague Rooney adding another free to his collection of place ball efforts.

Glenarm’s Ben O Boyle working in the half forward position slotted over a nice point as the clock was reading 25 minute’s.

Carryduff’s Rooney pointed again from a needless free by the home side, following up was Ronan Beatty with a point from the wing.

A hat-trick of points from the home team gave them a small bit of respite with two long range frees from the stick of McLaughlin and another strike from County player Aidan Scullion.

Sean O Callaghan responded with an away point just before the short whistle.

HALF TIME    Shane Uí Neills    1-11    Carryduff   1-14

Dan Black entered the fray at the start of the second half as Declan McDermott had been carrying a leg injury for the boys in blue.

Ronan Beatty and Sean O Callaghan added to the south Belfast side’s tally with a point a piece.

Dylan McLaughlin was proving to be a crucial asset to the home side as he hit three points without reply, a pair of frees and after a piercing run he pointed a superb effort reducing the deficit to two points.

Back came the opposition with Rooney hitting a “65”, and a free, and a fine solo effort from Conor McAllister.

The score’s were coming thick and fast and back came McLaughlin for Glenarm as he tagged onto a breaking ball and struck it from all of 30 yards, the ball flew beyond the Carryduff keeper for Glenarm’s second green flag effort. 

Oran Teague responded with a point from out near the side-line before Rooney lobbed over another free.

Ryan Mc Loughlin collected a ball and before being hooked, shortened his hurl and hit a nice effort for the boys from North Antrim before Gareth Lynch replied for the visitors.

Entering the final quarter Glenarm’s McLaughlin again reduced the arrears to 3 points with a converted free but points by Beatty and McAllister increased their lead to five.

Darren Hamill judged a “65” to perfection in the swirling wind across the pitch.

Carryduff’s Sean O Callaghan’s work rate in this game was rewarded with a great point from near the centre of the field.

On 54 minute’s Aidan Scullion kept the score board ticking over for the home side with a mighty point from distance, with Dan Black dissecting the uprights from distance also.

Time was near up but young Rooney held his nerve to point twice from free’s  to keep the 5 point lead for Carryduff to conclude the scoring.

A great match for the purists and hurling fans alike. Both clubs deserve massive credit as the fielding, stick-work, scoring and blocking was in abundance throughout the 60 minute’s.

This game should stand both teams well as they now enter the hard training as Championship begins in about 3-4 weeks.

Glenarm: Michael Abram, Aidan O Neill, Joshua Quinn, Ciaran Mc Loughlin, Ryan Mc Loughlin(-01), Darren Hamill (1 “65”), Ciaran O Boyle, John Scullion, Ben O Boyle (-01)Aidan Scullion (-04), Dylan Mc Laughlin(1-11, 7f) Conal Ward, Liam Mulvenna(1-00)Sean O Hare, Declan Mc Dermott.

30 mins Daniel Black(-01) for Declan Mc Dermott,  51 mins Sean Mc Dermott for Liam Mulvenna, 56 mins Paddy Mc Auley for Sean O Hare.

Carryduff: Conor McLornan, Fearghal Casey, Conor Cassidy, Ciaran Goodwin, Darragh Goodwin(-01) James Woods, Michael Conway, Donal Rooney(-12, 7f,1″65″)Lorcan Mc Caughey, James Lavery, Conor Mc Allister(-02) Oran Teague(-02) Gareth Lynch(-01) Sean O Callaghan( -06)Ronan Beatty( 1-03) 

 56 mins. Ronan Kelly for Conor Mc Allister. 

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy discover their Goal-den touch in Corrigan

Senior Hurling League – Division One

St John’s 1-19 Dunloy 4-19

Sunday 29 June

Brendan McTaggart reports from Corrigan Park, Belfast

Dunloy proved too strong for St John’s on Sunday afternoon as they ran out comfortable nine point winners at the end of the hour.  The Cuchullains ran in four goals, all in the first half when they cut through the St John’s defence at will.  In truth, they could have had more but for the reflexes of Domhnall Nugent between the posts for the home side and the uprights on other occasions.

Dunloy had 10 different scorers throughout the hour with just three points coming from placed ball while Keelan Molloy top scored with seven points despite playing in a deeper role.

Donall Carson finished top of the scoring charts for St John’s, ending the hour with an impressive 1-5 – all his white flags coming in the first half while Shea Shannon’s accuracy from placed ball added five of his seven points overall.  Conor Johnston and Aaron Bradley went through plenty of work but they were chasing shadows in a second half which Dunloy dictated.

The home side would finish the match with 14 men, substitute Daire King seeing red for a scuffle involving Phelim Duffin but it had no bearing on the result with the Cuchullains worthy of the size of victory.

St John’s actually started this contest superbly and after six minutes held a four point lead.  Paul Shiels opened the scoring but five points in four minutes from Shannon, Johnston, Aaron Bradley and Carson (2) had the home side well in control.

They sustained their four point advantage with a brace of Shannon frees coming after white flags from Nicky McKeague but two goals in the space of a little over 60 seconds put Dunloy in the driving seat.

Luke McFerran with the first major, coming from a cross field pass from Shiels to McKeague.  McKeague would find McFerran with the pass and while he had three St John’s defenders for attention, McFerran still found the back of the net.

The second Dunloy goal was something we’ve seen countless times from Nigel Elliott.  Collecting loose ball in the middle third, Elliott burst through and found the bottom corner with the Johnnies trailing in his wake.

The home side replied to the Dunloy goals with three unanswered points from Danaan McKeogh, Aaron Bradley and Conor Johnston but the Cuchullains clicked into another gear in the final quarter.

The third goal came from another Nigel Elliott run from midfield but this time he found O’Neill in space.  Despite the best efforts of Nugent in goals, ‘Sammy’ hit the back of the net.

Keelan Molloy and Conor Johnston swapped scores before Tom McFerran was denied another Dunloy major in the 20th minute, Nugent with a superb stop but Dunloy would score four of the next five points to extend their lead to five points.  Scores coming from Shiels, Ryan McGarry, Seaan Elliott (free) and a trademark point from Keelan Molloy from wide on the right on the stand side – a solitary point from Shannon the response from the home side.

A brace of points from Carson reduced that lead to three points before a fourth Dunloy goal came in the 27th minute.  Shiels and Luke McFerran both involved in the buildup before Nigel Elliott broke through and found the back of the net.

Scores from Carson and Keelan Molloy finished the scoring for the half with the half time score 4-9 to 0-15 in Dunloy’s favour.

After the scoring fireworks of the first half, the second half started slowly.  Both sides registering a couple of wides each and O’Neill denied a second major with his effort coming back of the bottom of the post.

The visitors did score the opening three points of the half, Keelan Molloy, Seaan Elliott (’65) and McKeague extending the Dunloy lead and but for some last gasp defending from Ryan McNulty, Seaan Elliott would have added to Dunloy’s goal tally in the same period.

The lead was extended to 10 points going into the final six minutes when St John’s scored their goal.  Donal Carson with the finish that owed much to his determination and perseverance despite the presence of the Dunloy defenders.

Four minutes remained when Daire King was sent off, much to the dismay of the home crowd but it had little effect on the outcome of the game.  Dunloy finished with a flourish with Ryan Mort, McKeague and Keelan Molloy firing over with a Shannon ’65 the only response for the home side by the time referee Patrick Tumelty called time.

The hunt for league honours goes into the last round of matches with nothing decided yet.  Dunloy will host Loughgiel on Friday evening while the Johnnies league is over and they turn their attention to the championship.  They will hope for their long list of absentees to shorten before these two sides face each other in the championship.

TEAMS

St John’s: Domhnal Nugent; Odhran Carleton, Conall Morgan, Jack Bohill; Darragh McGuinness, Ryan McNulty, Enda McGurk; Shea Shannon, Caoimhin Hanna; Aaron Bradley, Conor Johnston, Danaan McKeogh; Donall Carson, Michael Bradley, Ruairi Galbraith

Subs: Adrian Downey for M Bradley (10); Michael Napier for D McKeogh (47); Daire King for R Galbraith (54)

Scorers: D Carson 1-5; S Shannon 0-7 (4fs 1 ’65); C Johnston 0-4; A Bradley 0-2; D McKeough 0-1

Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Conor Kinsella, Eoin McFerran, Oran Quinn; Keelan Molloy, Ryan McGarry, Kevin Molloy; Nigel Elliott, Aodhan McGarry; Tom McFerran, Nicky McKeague, Luke McFerran; Eoin O’Neill, Seaan Elliott, Paul Shiels

Subs: Ryan Mort for P Shiels (38); Oisin McCallin for T McFerran (44); Phelim Duffin for C Kinsella (44); Deaglan Smith for L McFerran (50)

Scorers: Keelan Molloy 0-7; N Elliott 2-00; N McKeague 0-4; S Elliott 0-3 (2fs 1’65); L McFerran 1-00; E O’Neill 1-00; P Shiels 0-2; O Quinn 0-1; R McGarry 0-1; R Mort 0-1

Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lámh Dhearg)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/XGGrJD3BmfVSwq/?invite=5f76b620-ddf4-4817-9395-fe84a0d37b4b

by thesaffrongael

Saints hit Naomh Comhghall for seven

U18 Football League Division 2

All Saints 7-7 Naomh Comhghall 0-7

All Saints climbed to fourth place in division 2 of the U18 Football League division 2 with a convincing win over St. Comgall’s at Slemish Park on Sunday morning.

The Ballymena side ran out convincing winners against a youthful but talented St Comgall’s side. 

The early exchanges were tight with missed opportunities on both sides. Conall Boyd got Saints off the mark but Comgall’s responded with a nicely taken equaliser, and followed with a 2nd to take the lead. 

This seemed to prod the Saints’ boys into action with 2 well taken goals from the boot of Eddie Smith and a point from Sean O’Brien. 

The Saints defence were standing firm marshalled by Watt, Connon, Henry and Anderson, restricting the Antrim town lads to shots from distance. Torin Hodkinson fired over a superb 2 pointer with the outside of the boot to reduce the gap. 

A fine team move involving King, Patterson and Croskery sent Sean O’Brien through for a well taken goal and another point from Boyd stretched the lead further.

Antrim responded with a well taken point after a few near misses caused by some good defending by Devlin and Murphy. 

When they finally got in for a goal chance Alex Crawford made a fine double save.

Bradley and Patterson were working hard around the middle of the park and they combined for Bradley to point the final score of the 1st half. 

The 2nd half began with Comgall’s starting well and got an early point on the board. O’Brien got on the end of another swift move to fire over the crossbar. Aodhan McGarry then found himself free at the back post to round the keeper and fire to net. Comgalls responded with 2 well taken scores but were unable to breech the Saints defence for a goal. The young Antrim lads, a few of which had played Feile the day before, kept on battling with some great work form McAleer, Floyd and Hodkinson they were keeping the Saints defence honest. 

As the teams entered the final 15 minutes the Saints boys introduced Crooks and Mulholland who worked hard to create chances. A point from King and McGarry pounced to get his 2nd goal after a fine save by the Antrim keeper. In the final few minutes Smyth broke through for his 3rd goal and Balmer also got in on the act with a well taken finish. 

A convincing win for the Ballymena men, the final score perhaps flattered the home side a little but Comgall’s gave a good account of themselves.

The sides meet again in the Laverty shield in a few weeks.

Gort na Mona are in the driving seat at present with 12 points from 6 games while Sarsfields and Rossa have 12 from 8 games played with the Ballymena on 11from 8 played

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

https://myalbum.com/album/J8dQrNKuyaXE8a

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Camogie All County U10 Go Games creates games, memories and laughs

Report and photos from Antrim County PRO Michael Corcoran in St. Mary’s GAA and Camogie Club, Ahoghill

No one needed a coat or brolly. That’s a great starting position for any sporting event. In fact, sun cream was, for the latter portion of the day, in order. Starting with a parade around the top pitch with smiling faces and eager camogie players, Antrim’s Development Officer, Rachel Neeson managed to dial in the perfect blend of game time, organisation and memorabilia for the girls to take home as keep sakes.

Under the supervision of Antrim Camogie’s Carla McGrogan, the starting and finishing hooter bellowed around Ahoghill’s grounds synchronising everyone to a perfectly timed chorus of camogie. There was no shortage of eagerness to get to the ball or score or just enjoy the game.

The day kicked off with a parade around the top pitch, games that were aimed at maximising game time and then to finish the day, the all important prize distribution of medals to say thank you for coming along to play camogie and we hope you had a terrific experience. And there was a nice surprise as two of Antrim’s senior county players, Dearbhail Dobbin and Caitrina Graham showed up to hand out the medals and a souvenir programme to everyone.

Teams attending today’s blitz were in order of the programme:

St. Brigids, Lámh Dhearg, Geraldines Portglenone, Erin’s Own, Cargin, St Mary’s Ahoghill, Tír ná nÓg, Creggan, Dunloy, Naomh Eoin, St Mary’s Rasharkin, Pádraig Sarseil, Naomh Gall, Ruiarí Óg, Naomh Pól, Brídíní Óg, Naomh Éanna, Mhic Uilín, Ballycastle, Loughgiel Shamrocks and St. John’s, Carnlough.

We have a bumper album of photos for you to flick through and you can find that here…

https://myalbum.com/album/XTGxhBVsGLjf8U/?invite=085462f7-a8d7-45a0-8bac-ce54682b8ace

by thesaffrongael

Stop-over in Antrim for Hertfordshire GAA

English boys in Feile action in Swatragh

Hertfordshire GAA will be one of the sides taking part in Saturday’s Feile in Swatragh and Saffron Gael caught up with their team and management after an overnight stay in Co. Antrim.

The Hertfordshire side flew into Dublin on Friday night and made the trip to Antrim where they were greeted by Slemish Barn owner Maeve Bird and suitably catered for by local woman, Cecilia McDermott.

The Hertfordshire team chose Slemish Barn, in Aughafatten for their stopover prior to their pickup on Saturday morning and the relatively short journey to the Co. Derry venue where they will be taking part in division 5 of the football Feile.

The Hertfordshire side is made up of players from St. Vincent’s, St. Dympna’s, St. Colmcille’s and Eire Og and Keith Jackman, Community Development Officer for the county brought me up to date on the state of Gaelic games in the English County.

Hertfordshire GAA who took part in the Football Feile in Swatragh on Saturday

Keith visits schools in the county to coach Gaelic games and tells me that they have upwards on 350 children participating in the coaching sessions.

The panel who will be taking part in Saturday’s session at Swatragh are made up entirely of English born boys, an indication of the growth of our games across the sea.

Amongst the management party was Rebecca Carroll, the Hertfordshire Feile Co-ordinator who has been in the post for 16 years and her enthusiasm for her job and her knowledge has been a major factor in development in the county.

John Gaughan and Tony Crawley made up the backroom team accompanying Hertfordshire and they have promised to keep the saffron Gael updated on today’s Feile proceedings.

Maeve Bird, owner of the Slemish Barn in Aughafatten, Co. Antrim with Herttfordshire GAA’s Rebecca Carroll and Keith Jackman and local man, Seamus Dobbin