Month / July 2025

by thesaffrongael

Antrim LGFA managers Mickey and Chris look forward to Sunday

At last week’s meet and greet night at Chapel Hill, Glenavy, the Saffron Gael spoke with Antrim’s joint managers Mickey Devlin and Chris Scullion ahead of Sunday’s All Ireland LGFA Junior final against Louth in Croke Park. At the time it was intended to be a video interview but unfortuately my video skills came up short once again so it was back to the keyboard to get it all down

Saffron Gael

Before you took the county job had you two managed at club level ?

Mickey

Yes we had managed Glenavy for two years and then we took a break for a year before applying for the county job. We had been involved in management for a few years and because we were managing in Division 1 we knew a good bit about the Ladies Football in the county. We actually took over in November 2024. We held four trials (where clubs were ask to send along their best player) and we picked our panel out of that.

SG

Was there many new players joined the squad since you two took over.

Mickey.

Eighteen! With us being involved in Division 1 League football for a long time we had a good idea of what was in the county. Things went a bit astray last year so we intived players we knew were good enough for this squad and when they all turned up in force were delighted

SG

You have had a pretty good run so far, you have to be pleased with how things have gone.

Mickey

Yes it has been as good as we could ask far so far but to be honest the big prize is on Sunday week when we play Louth.

SG

Have you played Louth in the league this year?

Chris

No, Louth are in Division 3 and have finished 3rd in that division, so they are a very good side. They were beaten by Fermanagh in last year’s final and they have come out of Leinster this year as champions so they are in the final because they deserve to be.

SG

How are things going in the Antrim camp lads? Have you any injury worries ahead of the game?

Chris

Pretty much. We have a few wee niggles but our physio Sean has done great work with the girls and of course the girls know how to look after themselves as well. They do their own recovery work and they know how to act when they go to their own club training as well, so we are almost there!

The Antrim team with some of the young fans who attended the meet and greet night at Chapel Hill

SG

Have you played any games since the win over Sligo in the semi-final?

Chris

We have 32 players in the panel and every one of them have played their part this season. They have all played their part and we have used as many substitutions as we could during it all.

Mickey

All the girls have played some part in the league, 24 of them played in the Ulster Championship and in the All Ireland series we have used 27, and as a result of that we have belief in them all.

No Sligo were the last side we faced, that was in the semi-final. They were a very good team and we had to be at our very best to get past them. Ok I know there were patches of that game when we weren’t at our best, but you are not going to play the perfect game from start to finish.

SG

Maybe that was a good thing, it was stand your team in good stead going into the final. If you look at Cork hurlers, they probably got it too easy against Dublin and look what happened them!

SG

Have you played any challenge games since the semi-final?

Mickey

No we just carried on with the same training as we had been doing all along, same nights, same times, nothing extra. At the end of the day we want to keep it as low key as we can. You just look forward the next game….and that is our next game. 

SG

What are your plans for the weekend? I assume you will be travelling down the on the Saturday?

Chris

Yes because we are the first of the three games on the day (which has a throw-in time of 11-45) we need to be down on the Saturday evening and travel in to Croke Park in the morning.

SG

What about yourselves, have you even managed a team in Croke Park before?

Laughter from Mickey and Chris before Mickey says

No, but we have been at plenty of games in Croke Park.

SG

That will be a thrill for you both

Mickey

Yes of course, any manager will tell you that it is always their dream to manage there. It is the pinnacle of every Gael’s career to do so and as a manager it is no different.

Chris

It is every Gael’s dream who walk out onto Croke Park and for us to so as managers of our county it is an absolute honour and privilege to do so

Young Antrim fans with the Division 4 League and Ulster Junior Championship cups at the Meet & Greet night. They will be hoping the girls add the All Ireland trophy on Sunday

by thesaffrongael

Countdown to Saturday’s unique Gaelic matches

Hulring/Shinty/Camogie games to be played at Corrigan Park

30 July 2025

The countdown is on for a unique Gaelic sporting encounter this Saturday (2 August), when Select Antrim Hurling and Camogie teams face two shinty teams from Scotland using composite rules. The two matches are part of the 140th celebrations of Antrim GAA and organised by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) and the County. They will take place at Antrim’s current home ground, Corrigan Park in west Belfast.

Part of the West Belfast Festival, Féile an Phobail, the initiative for the matches comes from an unusual source – PCI minister, Rev David Moore, who is leading the Church’s special ministry in the west of the city known as An Tionólann, or The Gathering.




Picture by William Cherry / Press Eye

Launching ‘Between the Sticks’ when Select Antrim Hurling and Camogie teams will meet two Scottish Shinty teams on 2 August in a composite rules match at Antrim GAA’s current ground, Corrigan Park in West Belfast. Part of Antrim’s 140th anniversary celebrations and Féile an Phobail, the Shinty teams, from Stirling and the Isle of Skye, are being brought to Belfast by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s minister in West Belfast, Rev David Moore. Pictured at the launch, which took place at Corrigan Park are (LtoR) Antrim’s County Chairman, Séamus McMullan and Rev David Moore.

“There is a long tradition of Gaelic games in these islands and the coming together of these sports from Scotland and Ireland will be something special. As they are playing composite rules, we have called the event ‘Between the Sticks’ or ‘Idir Camánaibh’, as it paints a picture of the two Gaelic games coming together. It is also symbolic of much more besides, as we seek to reconnect with the west of the city as a church,” Mr Moore said.

“We could not have done it without the support of Antrim GAA, and I want to thank them, especially Collie Donnelly, former County hurler and chairman, who has got us to this point. Antrim is providing the special teams’ kits, County facilities on the day, and has just been really engaged and supportive,” he said.

The men’s shinty squad is drawn from a team from Stirling in Stirlingshire and Uddingston in Lanarkshire, with the women’s team coming from the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, north west of the Scottish mainland.

There is a history of the two games coming together, with the first shinty-Hurling match between Irish and Scottish Gaelic teams taking place in 1896 in London. Annual international fixtures in both countries have become a regular fixture, with 2024’s international between Ireland and Scotland resulting in an Irish victory. Jenna Beaton, who has been playing shinty since primary school is the coach of Skye Camanachd.

In 2013 she played for Scotland in the women’s international and is looking forward to Saturday’s match. “In 2013 we won that match, but win or lose it’s good craic and we are all looking forward to Saturday. Half of the team have played combined rules, and I hope that everyone watching will enjoy it.

“For us it is always a tough game, because we use different rules, and you have to get used to that, which makes it more exciting to play and, I hope to watch. I might make a wee appearance up front, depending on how things go,” she said.

Playing shinty-Hurling-Camogie composite rules, with 14 players aside, aspects of each sport are involved, which means that both sides are equally disadvantaged. Each half will last for 35 minutes, with teams using their own sticks. Like the scoring, the goal to be used is the goal used for hurling.

Al Reed, who is captain of the joint men’s shinty team has been playing for 17 years. In 2018 he played for Scotland at university level against Maynooth University in the County Kildare town. “Shinty is a Highland sport that was brought to the central belt of Scotland, and has a special place in Scottish Gaelic culture. It was actually brought here by the Irish centuries ago, and has developed into its own local game. All the guys are looking forward to Saturday’s match and a big shout out to the organisers for having us over,” he said.

As for tactics, both Scots were keeping their cards close to their chests, although Mr Reed said, they’d be aiming “to get to the ball first from the throw in and then get it away quickly, but not too high.”

The gates open at 3pm with the men’s game starting at 4pm. The women’s match is scheduled for 6pm. The two friendlies are free for everyone and will have a ‘carnival atmosphere’ with a Photo Booth opportunity for the children with some of Antrim’s Hurlers, which is being provided by County sponsor, Fibrus. Antrim’s half pace hurlers will also be showing their skills, and pace, during the half-time game providing entertainment for all the family.

County Chairman, Séamus McMullan, will be at the match and is looking forward to it as part of Antrim’s 140th year of celebration, “This event is a powerful reminder of the enduring ties between Antrim, particularly the Glens of Antrim, and the Highlands of Scotland – links rooted in Gaelic language, culture, and sport. As we celebrate 140 years of the GAA in Antrim, it’s fitting to honour that shared heritage through our ancient games of hurling and shinty. In coming together across traditions and communities, we’re not just marking history – we’re continuing it.”

Mr McMullan continued, “The bond of friendship developed between Collie and Rev David has brought this game into being. We really thank them for that and wish the teams the best for Saturday’s games.”

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland once had several congregations in west Belfast, which closed during the 1970s and 1980s for various reasons. On the first Sunday of each month, Mr Moore holds a service in An Chultúrlann, the Irish cultural heritage centre on the Falls Road – which from 1882 for 100 years was Broadway Presbyterian Church.

“There is a link with west Belfast that has been lost and as Presbyterians we’re trying to re-establish it through An Tionólann. In reconnecting we have held a number of events during recent Festivals as a way of initially reconnecting and ‘Between the Sticks’ is very much part of that,” Mr Moore said.

Talking about people’s perceptions, he continued, “In the north of Scotland, you have people who speak a Gaelic language, they play a Gaelic game, they’re in a Gaelic culture, but their background is probably, but not always, Presbyterian. In some ways, what we are doing here is a kind of ‘narrative disruption’ and we think the matches are a great way to do this, as it may not fit with what most people ideally see as ‘Presbyterian’. We would like as many people to come along as possible on Saturday. It’s a free family-fun day out and I’m looking forward to it,” Mr Moore said.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim beat Louth in 2012 All-Ireland Junior Final

Antrim last played Louth in an All Ireland final in 2012. Ahead of Sunday meeting with the Wee County we look back on that result 13 years ago

29th July 2025

Antrim 3-09 Louth 0-07

TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Junior Football Championship Final
Croke Park

Antrim were crowned TG4 All-Ireland junior champions for the second time in four seasons with a composed and clinical performance at Croke Park in 2012.

A dominant first half laid the groundwork for an 11-point victory that sees the Saffrons return to the intermediate ranks. They led by 2-03 to 0-02 at the break and never looked in danger thereafter, as Louth failed to replicate the form that had seen them inflict a nine-point defeat on Antrim earlier in the campaign.

This result turned the tables emphatically and secured a second West County Hotel Cup for Antrim, who last won the title in 2009.

Louth came into the game having racked up 15-79 across their four previous championship outings, but their attack faltered on the big stage and they fell to a second final defeat in three seasons. They were also beaten in the 2010 decider by Limerick.

Kirsty McGuinness stepped up as the match-winner, scoring a goal in each half. Her first came from the penalty spot after Anna Finnegan was fouled by Louth goalkeeper Una Pearson midway through the first half. Referee Seamus Regan showed Pearson a yellow card, and McGuinness calmly converted past substitute keeper Kelly Cunningham.

Three minutes later, Finnegan added a second goal, finishing low from close range after good work by Mairead Cooper, who had netted twice in the 2009 final.

Cooper got the scoreboard moving in the tenth minute with the game’s opening point, and though chances came for more goals before half-time – with Cooper going close and Finnegan striking the crossbar – the two-goal lead proved a solid cushion against the breeze.

Louth registered their first point in the 22nd minute but failed to build momentum. Their best first-half opportunity fell to Lisa Kelly, but Antrim goalkeeper Ciara McCoy produced a fine stop.

McCoy would go on to be named player of the match, and her second-half saves from Rosanna Heeney – twice – kept Louth at bay as they chased an unlikely comeback. Even when the gap was narrowed to seven points, McCoy stood firm, denying a third Louth goal chance when Ann-Marie Murphy pulled a shot wide.

Antrim lost Cooper to the sin bin late on, but it mattered little. In the final minute, McGuinness added her second and Antrim’s third goal, beating Pearson at her near post to seal a deserved win.

Antrim’s return to the intermediate championship comes off the back of a composed, well-structured display built on defensive discipline, accurate finishing, and big-game composure.

Scorers for Antrim: K McGuinness 2-00, A Finnegan 1-01, C Timoney 0-04f, M McCurdy 0-02, C Mullan & M Cooper 0-01 each.

Scorers for Louth: M O’Connell, G Lynch, S Lynch, A.M. Murphy (f), K Flood, J McGuinness & S Byrne 0-01 each.

ANTRIM: C McCoy; B Scullion (N Cooper 50), E Kelly, S Haughey; C McHugh (D McAteer 56) , N Kelly, A Tubridy; C Mullan, G McGinley; C Carey, K McGuinness, C Timoney; A McAtamney (M McCurdy h.t.), A Finnegan (R Fulton 57), M Cooper.

LOUTH: U Pearson; A.M. Lynch, A Carney, A McGee; M McMahon, M O’Connell, P Marmion (V McGinn h.t.); G Lynch, S Lynch; L Kelly, A.M. Murphy, C O’Connor, C O’Connor; R Heeney, K Flood (S Byrne 40), J McGuinness (K Cunningham 15, J McGuinness 23, E Conlon 54).

Referee: S Regan (Roscommon).

by thesaffrongael

First half goals pave the way for Glenavy win

IFC Group 2

Gort na Mona 1-15 Glenavy 2-20

Goals from James Gallagher after 7 minutes and another from Fiontan O’Boyle, following a defensive mistake in the 23d minute saw Glenavy lead their hosts, Gort na Mona by 7 at half time in this IFC Group 2 opener at Enright Park on Wednesday night.

Gort na Mona had played second fiddle for the greater part of the opening half but were still in contention thanks to the long distance kicking of Shane Scullion and Tarlach Enright who both raised the orange flag.

Enright accounted for 7 of his sides total in the opening half with visitors Glenavy always in control and James Gallagher added 0-3 to his opening goal with their other goal scorer, Fiontan O’Boyle 0-2, Fergal Henry 0-3, Michael Johnston, Paddy Gallagher and Conor Hamill all raising white.

Gort na Mona needed a good start to the second half but instead it was the Chapel Hill side who exerted their authority again on the restart with James Gallagher 0-2, Fergal Henry 0-2 and Owen Gallagher adding 5 unanswered points by the 9th minute.

Jack Thompson raised Gort na Mona’s first flag of the second half with 11 minutes gone but this was quickly negated by a Fergal Henry fisted point at the other end.

Manus McMullan hit a second point for the men from the Mona Bye-Pass but again St. Joseph’s responded through a Fiontan O’Boyle point and a Fergal Henry free and it looked all over with 9 minutes of normal time remaining.

A fisted goal by the towering Christopher Carson  after 23 minutes gave the home crowd something to cheer about and when Tarlach Enright pointed from distance to raise another orange they had closed the gap to eight with five minutes remaining.

It would be as close as they got however with Glenavy replying through a Fergal Henry free and a point from Owen Gallagher with Enright putting the gloss on a fine individual display with his third 2 pointer of the evening.

A great start for Glenavy who move top of Group 2 as St. Teresa’s and Naomh Comhghall played out a draw in their opening game on the Glen Road. Glenavy now meet St. Teresa’s at Chapel Hill on Saturday and a win there would put them in a strong position for qualification.

In the other game in the group, Naomh Comhghall entertain Davitt’s at Dunsilly and will feel they need a win after throwing away a four point lead with only minutes remaining against St. Teresa’s.

Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Michael Savage, 4 Sean Campbell, 5 Tiarnan Morton, 6 Ciaran Donnelly, 7 Padraig Mulvenna, 8 Caoimhin Magee, 9 Dessie McClean, 20 Jack Thompson, 11 Christopher Carson, 12 Brendan Burns, 13 Shane Scullion, 14 Matthew McConnell, 15 Tarlach Enright

St. Joseph’s: 1 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Timmy Honeyford, 3 Ryan Malley, 4 Johnny Phillips, 5 Pearse O’Neill, 6 Conor Hamill, 20 Ruairi Forester, 8 Ciaran Loney, 9 Michael Johnston, 10 Owen Gallagher, 11 Fiontan O’Boyle, 12 Patrick Gallagher, 13 Finn Shannon, 14 James Gallagher, 15 Fergal Henry

Referee: Richard Leahy

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

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by thesaffrongael

Naomh Éanna edge out Lisburn in tight Championship opener

Intermediate Football Championship – Group 1 – Round 1

Wednesday 30th July

Report by Niall Kelly from Pairc Éanna 

Naomh Éanna 0-13    Naomh Padraig 0-11

A trio of points in the dying embers of this engrossing encounter from Sean Murray, Conor Eastwood and the talismanic Stephen O’Connor helped salvage an opening win for St Enda’s at Hightown on Wednesday evening. With the visitors six to the good at half time after a dominating first half performance, the forecast wasn’t looking overly promising for the hosts. However, they emerged from the changing rooms for the second half a totally rejuvenated and hungrier side and produced a commanding display of football in the second half to seal the win. Three consecutive two-point efforts in the opening exchanges of the second period provided the fulcrum for their comeback, aided further by the fact they limited their opponents to a solitary score. There can be little doubt that the influence of Stephen O’Connor had a huge sway in proceedings as the Naomh Éanna centre forward contributed a total of 0-09 to his side’s 0-13 and was composure personified in front of the uprights.

In yet another tale of two halves, it was Naomh Padraig who maintained a stranglehold of proceedings for the first thirty minutes. Indeed, they made their intentions known straight from Seamus Shannon’s throw in as the towering Adam Patterson commandeered possession of the size 5 and bustled his way forward before despatching well from close range.

St Enda’s responded well though through O’Connor and his cultured right foot had reversed arrears with two superbly taken frees. However, this would be pretty much all the hosts could muster in front of goal in the first period as they lacked the same potency and poise in front of the posts that their counterparts had in abundance.

St Patrick’s were winning the battle in the middle third and their physicality and guile was coming up trumps. A flowing move involving Colm Burns and Che Smyth was finished off superbly by Eoin Dixon to level matters with ten minutes on the clock. The Kirkwoods Road side were purring nicely now and an incisive high ball in from Brendan McGarr was latched on to by Dixon again who doubled his tally to give his side the lead.

McGarr was at the heart of everything positive from Lisburn and his distribution would prove pivotal once more as another pinpoint long-range pass paved Jude Rafferty in on goal and despite a goal looking the more likely, he had to settle for a point as there was just a little too much loft on his close-range effort.

The hosts desperately sought to assert themselves on the game but couldn’t quite get to grips with the intensity and purpose of the men in blue. The few opportunities they did manage to create seemed to drop short or go the wrong side of the sticks.

Lisburn were in no mood to relent though, and it was Ben McMullan who was next to get his name on the scoresheet thanks to a marauding run which he then added the gloss to. McGarr then demonstrated that his shooting could certainly match his range of passing as he converted a monster two-point effort from range.

St Enda’s managed a reply with their next attack though thanks to that man O’Connor again form the placed ball on the twenty second minute. They looked to capitalise on this and bridge the gap further as the whistle approached but were perhaps a little too patient in their probing approach as Lisburn gained yet another turnover to launch a sweeping counterattack which McGarr finished with a beautifully angled effort. Che Smyth then followed this up instantly to open his account for the evening to leave the score at half time 0-03 to 0-09 in favour of the visitors.

Whether it was the hairdryer treatment or calming words of wisdom that the St Enda’s players were in receipt of during the interval from management, it certainly had the desired effect as they transformed into a different team for the second half. There was a spring to their step and more purpose to their attacks right from the outset. It was of course Stephen O’Connor who got them stirring, steering an outrageous two point effort from the outside of his boot over the bar. Perhaps inspired by his team-mate, Conor Eastwood then took responsibility on to his shoulders as he fired over another two pointer from range. Buoyed by these crucial scores, the hosts began attacking with a greater pace and precision and suddenly it was Lisburn on the back foot.

O’Connor would pounce yet again as he converted his second two point effort, this time from the placed ball, and suddenly the sides were level with twenty minutes still to play. Shell-shocked by the blitz they were under, Lisburn frantically sought respite with a score of their own but lacked the same authority in front of the posts as they had in the first as their wide count began to grow.

St Enda’s then edged into the lead midway through the half and yet again it was their trusty number 11 who did the damage. Brushing off tackle after tackle, O’Connor negotiated himself just enough space to curl over to the delight of the home fans.

With the game now approaching the business end, it was anyone’s guess who would emerge the victor as both went hammer and tongs to gain the ascendancy. With only five minutes remaining, it looked as though the pendulum may have swung in Lisburn’s favour as goalkeeper Ruadhan McKenna converted a long range free off the deck from outside the arc as they edged ahead once again.

However, an inspired finish from St Enda’s would prove the difference. Substitute Sean Murray angled his effort to perfection to level matters with only two minutes of normal time remaining before the hosts seized possession of the resulting kick-out. Conor Eastwood was then on hand to double his tally and regain a slender lead in the process.

With the game into time added on, Naomh Padraig pushed bodies forward in a last gasp attempt at salvaging something. As is usually the case, such an approach leaves you vulnerable to the counter and that is exactly what materialised and it seemed appropriate that Stephen O’Connor would rubber stamp the win with the final score of the game.

All in all, both teams deserve credit for a thoroughly entertaining display. This one had the feel and heart of a Championship game. Blood and thunder, heavy hits and above all the passion for victory. Despite the loss, St Patrick’s should be proud of their performance. Admittedly, the second half perhaps got away from them a little, but they proved in the first half exactly what they are capable of and will look to maintain this level of performance over the sixty when they meet Rasharkin on Saturday. For the hosts, their level of resilience will give them a springboard for their next game. The first half may certainly have fallen short of their expectations but the grit and determination displayed to get over the line in the second, will surely stand them in good stead.

Teams:

Naomh Éanna:

O Kennedy; J Lewis, D McNulty, C Browne; S McBride, K Jennings, E O’Hare; P O’Hare, F O’Connor; Z Kyle, S O’Connor (0-09) – (0-05 & 2 t.p,) O McKenna; P Doran, M Morgan, C Eastwood (0-03) – (0-01 & 1 t.p)

Substitute Scorer:

S Murray (0-01)

Naomh Padraig:

R McKenna (0-02) (1 t.p;) J McMullan, T Burns, L McCutcheon; J McMullan, B McMullan (0-01,) S Burns; B McGarr (0-03) (0-01 & 1 t.p,) A Patterson (0-01;) C Burns, C Ewing, J Morgan; J Rafferty (0-01,) C Smyth (0-01,) E Dixon (0-02)

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

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