Month / June 2025

by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel rally late to snatch the points

Main pic above – Conor Boyds shot for a late game saving goal is defeltectd wide by Loughgiel defender Conall McCloskey in Thursday evening’s thriller at Fr Healy Park. Pic by David Humphreys

Antrim Hurling League Division 1

Loughgiel 1-14 Ballycastle 1-12

Loughgiel produced a strong last quarter to come from behind and beat Ballycastle in Thursday evening’s Antrim Hurling League Division 1 game at Fr Healy Park. Ballycastle appeared to be in a strong position when they led by three points at the end of the third quarter, despite missing a penalty and a couple of simple frees, but the Loughgiel defence stepped up to the mark, despite losing a defender to a straight red card, restricting the visitors to a single point, while the forwards sent over six points to end winners by two.

Loughgiel’s ‘Bicky’ McGarry’s (9) fires in a goal in the opening minute of the game. Pic by Bert Trowlen

Christy McGarry gave the Shamrocks a dream start with a goal in the opening minute, but the Town hit back strongly with four points in a row from Seamus McAuley, Conor Donnelly and Niall McKenna (2) before McKenna set up Conor Donnelly for a goal in the 13th minute. Loughgiel got going again in the 16th minute when top scorer James McNaughton sent over a free, and the left half forward added three more in the next seven minutes, in reply to one from Tiernan Smyth for the visitors, to cut the gap back to a single point.  Niall McKenna pushed the gap out to two again five minutes before the break, but points from Ryan ‘Betty’ McKee and James McNaughton drew the Shamrocks level, but Seamus McAuely edged the visitors back in front in first half injury time to give them a 1-07 to 1-06 lead

Ballycastle stretched the lead with two points from Niall McKenna and Daragh Kelly early in the second half to put three between the teams but points from Bubbles McMullan and Jack McCloskey brought back to a single point again in the 39th minute.

Ballycastle’s Conor Donnelly turns away in celebrations after scoring his team’s goal. Pic by Bert Trowlen

Two minutes later Ballycastle had the chance to take a grip on the game again when they were awarded a penalty, but Neal McAuley’s well struck shot was brilliantly saved by Cormac McFadden in the Loughgiel goal and the gap remained at one. Cormac Donnelly and Seamus McAuley did add the next two points to put the visitors three clear again but the scoring started to dry up. Loughgiel. Two by James McNaughton and one from Ryan McKee brought the Shamrocks level by the 22nd minute, but Conor Donnelly sent one over from out on the wing to edge Ballycastle back in front. However that was to be their last score and James McNaughton levelled a minute later. McNaughton put his team in front with time almost up and substitute ‘Rosie’ Fitzgerald increased the lead to three from distance in injury time to seal the win.  Ballycastle did have a late chance of salvaging the game when Conor Boyd’s shot whizzed through a packed goalmouth, but it was deflected wide for a 65 by defender Conall McCloskey and match referee Colm Cunning sounded the final whistle.

Rian ‘Bubbles’ McMullan holds off the challenge of three Ballycastle opponents during his team’s win at Fr Healy Park. Pic by David Humphreys

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by thesaffrongael

Glenavy build on win over Naomh Padraig

ACFL Division 2

Moneyglass 3-10 Glenavy 1-23

Glenavy travelled on Sunday looking to build on their win last time out against St Patricks, Lisburn, to play Moneyglass who have only suffered one defeat in the league all year. That defeat saw Sarsfields pip Moneyglass to secure the league and the automatic promotion spot meant that this game carried less importance in the league standing. However, that didn’t stop both sides serving up an exciting and entertaining hour of football, where Glenavy’s cutting edge made the difference and earned them the win.

With both sides starting line ups missing a number of regular players, there was a few last minute positional adjustments before the referee threw the ball in to start the game. It was Glenavy that started the better and raced into a 1-3 to no score lead in the first quarter. At this point, Glenavy’s retention of the ball and dominance around the middle and half back line was causing the home team problems and when Glenavy cut through the Moneyglass defence for Patrick Gallagher to finish the move palming the ball into the net, the home supporters could have been forgiven for thinking that the game was already up. However, the young Moneyglass side got to grip around midfield and were soon back in the game with two, 2 pointers and a goal to turn the game around in their favour. The second quarter was end to end with both sides trading scores. Glenavy’s full forward line and quick ball was causing problems, while at the other end, Moneyglass’s running from deep and overlaps was creating space which Glenavy found difficult to pick up.

At half time it was game on with Glenavy holding a narrow 1-9 to 1-8 lead.

The second period started slowly with both sides looking to gain control of the football, however it was a Glenavy mistake forced by the Moneyglass press that presented a clear opening to the Moneyglass attacker who made no mistake and finished to the net.

Glenavy to their credit didn’t panic however they were struggling to make the ball stick in the full forward line and the Moneyglass pressure forced several turnovers. Despite their defence being on top, Moneyglass failed to capitalise in the forward line and Glenavy eventually punished them with a number of impressive 2 point scores. At this stage the Glenavy midfield had gain control again and were putting huge pressure on the Moneyglass kick outs and created several scoring opportunities which their impressive full forward line took to open up a lead going into the last quarter.

Both teams made several substitutions and with the game entering the final stages, Moneyglass struck back with a tally of 1-2 in the closing stages to narrow the gap. However, Glenavy saw the game out and finished with a final score to win on a total of 1-23 to 3-10.

Both teams will take positives from the game and no doubt will have their sights firmly fixed on the forth coming Intermediate championship.

Referee: Cathal McDermott

by thesaffrongael

Four goal Corey paves way for emphatic Biddies win

ACHL Division 2

St Brigid’s 5-19 Cloney Gaels 3-16

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills produced their best performance of the season when they overcame the challenge of Cloney Gaels in a high scoring fest of hurling in Cloughmills on Wednesday night.

A goal from Corey Blair in the 20th minutes sent the ‘Biddies’ to a 1-10 to 0-8 half time lead before the game sprang into life in the second half as the home side hit four more majors to win comfortably in the end.

Dan O’Neill 0-2, James O’Connell 0-3, Owen Neeson, Fionnbar O’Neill and Patrick Graham shared the Cloney first half scores with Ruairi Laverty converting three frees for the hosts and it was the Cloughmills side who held the upper hand at the break when they led by five.

Corey Blair was in imperious form for the home side and he added a second goal, five minutes into the second half before completing a glorious hat-trick with ten minutes gone and it was as good as over.

The big man could do no wrong as he fired home goal number 5 in a man of the match performance and when Seamus Dobbin made it five majors for the evening on 21 minutes the Biddies were home and hosed.

An out of sorts and for long periods, off the pace Ahoghill side never gave up and in a strong finish Fionnbar O’Neill rattled the Cloughmills net and Patrick Graham added two more that put a better reflection on the final score-line.

A great performance for the home side and something to build on for next season. With one game left they sit free from the fear of relegation.

Cloughmills travel to Oisin’s for that final game with the Waterfoot men having already collected the division 2 title but the ‘Biddies’ will want to finish with a bang and a repeat of Wednesday’s performance could see them do just that.

by thesaffrongael

Rossa snatch it at the death after Corrigan thriller

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Naomh Eoin 2-21 Rossa 3-19

Pics by Bert Trowlen

St John’s and Rossa served up a real thriller at Corrigan Park on Wednesday evening with Rossa edging a high scoring game to move above their West Belfast rivals in the league race. The old adage that goals win games proved true in this case with Deaglan Murphy getting two for the Shaw’s Road side and Eoin Trainor one to give them the edge. The visitors were actually five points up going into injury time but the Johnnies hit late scores, a Michael Bradley point and a goal by Ruairi Galbraith, to leave just a point in it at the end.

Daire Murphy got the first score of the game for Rossa as he fired over but St John’s came back strongly with points from Conor Johnston, Michael Dudley, Donal Carson and Danann McKeogh to move three clear. Deaglan Murphy pointed a free to get Rossa going again but Aaron Bradly came back with a beauty for the Corrigan Park men and Oisin McManus hit back with a quick double.

The first goal of the game came from Aaron Bradley whose shot was fumbled by the Rossa goalkeeper and ended in the net on 14 minutes to move them ahead and Donal Carson added another for the home side to move them two clear by the 21st minute. Johnston and McManus added points, but the pendulum swung again in the visitors’ favour when Deaghlan Murphy fired a ground shot to the net, However

HALF-TIME: St John’s 1-11 Rossa 1-09

The second half started at a similar pace to which the first had ended and Dominic McEnhill cut the visitors’ deficit to one with a well taken point, but the gap was soon back at two when McManus fired over the home side. Rossa were soon level again though as Liam McEnhill and Daire Murphy sent over points and and an exchange of scores between St John’s Aaron Bradley and Rossa’s Eoin Trainor kept it that way.

Conor Johnston pointed for the home side on 45 minutes and Ryan McNulty added a beauty from play soon afterwards put his team three clear, but a real beauty from out on the wing by Tiernan Murphy kept Rossa within two but after and exchange of points between Deaghlan Murphy and Donal Carson but with eitht minutes of normal time still to play Rossa hit the front again when Eoin Trainor found the St John’s net.

The tension was at fever pitch as the teams exchanged scores, but with just two minutes left to play a great run by Dominic McEnhill set up Murphy for his team’s third goal to move them five clear. St John’s came back with a Shea Shannon point to cut the gap to four but it was out to five again a minute later when Murphy fired over. It appeared to be all over bar the shouting but Braldey cut the gap back to four before Ruairi Galbraith fired a shot to the Rossa net to leave just a point between the side. However St John’s never got the chance of adding the equaliser they needed as he final whistle sounded to end a remarkable game of hurling.

ST JOHN’S

D Nugent, R Donelly, J Bohill, D McGuinness, C Morgan, R McNulty, E McGurk, M Dudley, C Hanna, C Johnston, A Bradley, D Carson, S Wilson, D McKeogh, S Shannon, O McManus,

ROSSA D Armstrong, O McVicker, J Mulholland, N Crossan, D McCartney, A O’Brien, S Shannon, C Walsh, D Murphy, D Murphy, D McEnhill, L McEnhill, E Trainor, J Connolly, T

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by thesaffrongael

Home win for the boys in blue.

ACHL Division 2

Shane Uí Neills   0-19

  Sarsfields           0-09

Report & Pics: Pete Hyndman

A sizeable crowd attended Fhearsaithe Pairc for this league fixture as a slight wind blew from the pavilion end towards the Feystown Rd.

Shortly before the throw-in, the pitch fell silent as both clubs and supporters stood for a minute silence in memory of  Liam Reid who passed recently.

 Liam was a dedicated hurler, former member and great supporter of the club.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. 

With both teams fielding without a few seniors it was up to the others to stake their claim into the starting 15 respectively.

Dylan McLaughlin was a main threat for the hosts hitting 9 score’s, in defence Kieran O Boyle, Darren Hamill and Joshua Quinn stood strong and cleared the Sarsfield threat.   For the visitors Anthony McGarrigle was their top scorer with 5 points and they had their young keeper Jay Ward to thank for pulling off three excellent saves.

Glenarm stormed out of the starting blocks in rip roaring form and pointed twice in quick succession. Young Gerard Burns and Declan McDermott got a point each, with Dylan McLaughlin slotting over a free. Conal Ward was next to score after he evaded a tackle and scored a point for a 4 point cushion. Mc Laughlin got his second point when he split the uprights from play from 45 yards before Anthony Mc Garrigle got a Sarsfield point from a free on 6 minute’s.

Then came another purple patch for the hosts with Darren Hamill converting a “65” and an 80 yard free.   Hamill then turned provider and fed the sliotar to Dylan McLaughlin who got his third white flag effort. Back from a long term injury Daniel Black “Magic” rifled over a free and one from play, giving the home side a 9 point lead.

The “Paddies” then had a brief spell as they hit five score’s on the bounce as Anthony Mc Garrigle hit another free, and then hit Sarsfield’s first point from play on 21 minute’s.

McGarrigle got his third in a row with another converted free and Noah Mc Givern got the next with sharpshooter McGarrigle slotting over another placed ball effort on 27 minutes.

Both sides cancelled each other out before the short whistle for half time.

Shane O Neills  0-10     Sarsfields  0-06

The Bear Pit team started this third quarter with a point off the stick of James McKernan and Jay Maguire scored a nice effort over his shoulder for the Belfast team.

Glenarm hadn’t scored since the 20th minute and were thankful as Dylan Mc Laughlin responded with a free from 35 yards. 

In the 40th minute Enda Mc Cartin scored a point for the visitors which turned out to be their last score in the game.

Aidan Scullion and Ben O Boyle kept the scoreboard ticking with points each for the home side and entering the final quarter Declan Mc Dermott won a high ball before hitting the ball right over the black spot.

McLaughlin converted a free and followed with two more free conversions as Shane O’Neill’s began to put a bit of distance between the sides as the hosts eased their way to victory.  

The visitors were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty but McGarrigle’s effort sailed wide of Michael Abram’s goals.

Late into injury time McLaughlin converted another free and Dan Black concluded the scoring with a nice solo effort, with Glenarm running out winners by 10 points.

Shane Uí Neills: Michael Abram, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Ciaran Mc Loughlin, Joshua Quinn, Michael Fury, Darren Hamill  (1″65″,1 f.) Kieran O Boyle, John Scullion, Ben O Boyle (01) Aidan Scullion(01) Dylan Mc Laughlin (08,6f) Conal Ward (01), Gerard Burns (01), Daniel Black (03, 1f) Declan Mc Dermott (02)

Liam Mulvenna for Gerard Burns 55 mins, Aidan O Neill for Josh Quinn and   Paddy Mc Auley for Declan McDermott 56 mins.

Sarsfields: Jay Ward, Oisin Coleman, Daragh Coleman, David Johnston, Michael Johnston, Nicholas O Mullane, Daniel Smyth, Anthony Mc Garrigle (05,4f) Enda Mc Cartin (01) Noah Mc Givern (01) James Mc Kernan(01), Jay Maguire (01) Oisin Coleman, Jack Daniels, Niall Cardwell

Aidan Mc Kernan for Jack Daniels 43 mins, Daniel McKernan for Jay Maguire 54mins.

Referee: Shane McDonnell