Month / October 2025

by thesaffrongael

Cargin race into Quarter Finals

Under-21 A Football Championship (round one)

Erin’s Own Cargin 1-22 St James Aldergrove 1-04

Cargin defied the weather and the challenge of the men from Crumlin to claim a place in the next round of the under-21 football championship when they proved too strong for the visiting Aldergrove in a one sided affair in Toome on Sunday.

The home side, under the guidance of Tomas McCann, Justin Crozier, and Kevin Mc Shane entered this one as firm favourites and were quickly into their stride.

Tom Shivers and Charlie McCann proved dominant in the central zone from the outset and the former helped himself to several scores in the early stages and such dominance ensured a 0-14 to 0-1 lead at the halfway stage.

A couple of early scores in the second period including a converted penalty from Chris Campbell offered hope to the visitors but the home side were quick to respond with Cillian Scullion converting a penalty and Cargin had gone well clear by the final whistle.

The Erin’s Own lads, with a number of players who had been part of the ill-fated senior championship panel on duty, started as firm favourites and were quickly on their way, despite facing a cold northerly breeze in the first period they soon gave employment to those on umpire duty.

The irrepressible Jack O’ Neill split the posts after a couple of minutes and Ben McLarnon was quick to follow suit with a couple of white flags raised by the 6th minute.

A Fiontan Hardy clearance opened the door for Jack Harney to raise a further white flag before Cillian Kennedy pulled the trigger from away out on the right wing to add another and the home side were 0-06 to 0-00 ahead a couple of minutes later when Tom Shivers sent a free between the posts,

The visitors were rewarded for their labours as the game passed the half way juncture with wing half back Cormac Morris answering the call when he despatched a 35metre free between the posts in the 17th minute.

This score failed to inspire his colleagues however and the home side returned to the positive to add a further supply of scores in a dominant ten minutes with Tom Shivers, Ben Mc Larnon, and Caomhin Kennedy raising white flags apiece in as many minutes.

Cargin continued to dominate and Cillian Scullion, Jack Harney, and a two pointer from Tom Shivers, his second of the afternoon, ensured a 0-14 to 0-01 lead for the home side at half time.

Erin’s Own started the second half as they had finished the first and Jack O’ Neill split the posts in the 32nd minute.

The St James men looked in serious trouble but an excellent approach and finish by mid fielder Delany raised their second white flag of the afternoon.

Delaney’s score brought an immediate reply from the home side when Hugh O’ Donnell pointed at the other end a couple of minutes later.

The visitors kept battling against what looked impossible odds and after Cormac Morris sent a free between the posts they were awarded a penalty after Ronan Aiken was adjudged to have been fouled inside the area and Colan Hanna duly delivered the award to the back of the net.

Although still well in arrears of their hosts on the score board Aldergrove had been handed a lifeline but that hope was soon to be dashed as the home side resumed control.  

Cargin dominated the closing stages and points from the impressive Jack O’ Neill and another from Cillian Scullion and a goal from the same player put the contest out of sight and sent Cargin trough to a quarter-final meeting with St. Brigid’s next weekend.

Cargin: S Laverty, Fiontan Hardy, Cahir Donnelly, Cahir O’ Boyle, Callum Gribbin, Ben Mc Larnon (0-03), Jack O’ Neill (0-04), Charlie Mc Cann (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-6), Hugh O’ Donnell, Jack Harney (0-03), C Kennedy (0-01), Cillian Scullion (0-03), Diarmuid Quinn (0-01)

Subs

Dara Mc Auley

Niall Quinn

Jack Meatchick

Aldergrove:David Mc Cutchen, Jamie Scallan, C Lagan, Adam Mageda, Cormac Morris (0-03) Liam Magee, Shea Cormon, Luke Delaney (0-01), Aiden Erwin,  Dara Maguire, Adam Conway, Jude Keenan, Fionbar Murbans, Jude Keenan, Liam Mc Carry, Ronan Aiken

Subs

C Hanna

Chris Campbell

Conal Hanna (1-01)

Referee: P Nugent

by thesaffrongael

Goals the difference as Creggan advance to the quarter-final

U21A Football Championship

All Saints 0-7 Creggan 3-7

Goals proved the difference between these two sides at Quinn Park in Ballymena on Sunday with All Saints trailing by two points at the break despite conceding two bad majors to Kickham’s Creggan during a first half where they failed to take advantage of their wind advantage.

It was the home side who were first on target when Paidin Mitchell pointed a 2nd minute free but that lead was short lived as Sean Daly  advanced along the by-line through a porous home defence to set up Shea McCann for the game’s opening goal in the 5th minute.

Both sides were finding scores hard to come by  though a Darrach Bradley pointed free for the Ballymena side reduced the gap to the minimum with 13 minutes gone but All Saints were defending too deep and inviting the opposition on.

Kickham’s were much more direct in their approach and Finn Connon in the All Saints goals pulled off a smart save to deny Sean Daly but was then forced to watch in despair as a Shea McCann  ‘45’ sailed directly to his net.

The home side attempted to respond but Conan McKeown’s attempt at goal was wide of the target before Darrach Bradley pointed a couple of frees to leave it 2-0 to 0-4 for the visitors at the end of a low scoring opening half.

Bradley pointed within 30 seconds of the restart to leave just one between the sides but All Saints were punished for a breach of the 3-Up rule and McCann converted the resulting free.

A point from a free by Darrach Bradley and another converted free from the same player had it all square at 0-7 to 2-1 by the 6th minute and it looked like we were in for a tight second half but All Saints would not score for the remainder of the contest as the visitors took control.

Finn Connon came to his side’s rescue with a good save from Aidan McIlwee with the impressive Shea McCann pointing the resulting ‘45’ to give his side back the lead and it was a lead they would build on as he game progressed.

Eunan Johnston got in for a third goal for the visitors as the home defence got themselves in a tangle and McCann followed with a point before the home side lost a player to a second yellow card.

The Kickham’s pressed home their advantage going down the home straight with Fintan Close, Sean Daly and Shea McCann tagging on late points to see them safely through to a meeting with Dunloy in the quarter-finals next weekend.

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

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by thesaffrongael

All Saints at the double

Junior B Camogie Championship final

All Saints 3-7 St. Gall’s 2-4

All Saints produced a strong second half performance to overcome the spirited challenge of St. Gall’s in a keenly contested Junior B Camogie final in Rasharkin on Sunday afternoon.

The Ballymena girls went into this one as firm favourites, having already claimed the league title which included a comprehensive win over today’s opponents at Milltown.

The Falls Road side had other ideas however and produced a spirited performance that at one stage threatened an upset but two quick-fire goals from Johanna McKeown put the Ballymena side back in control.

A smart switch by the All Saints management saw them withdraw Sianeese Maybin from attack to a sweeping role and the talented Maybin produced a masterful class to turn everything that came her way.

Niamh McAllister sets up a St. Gall’s attack

Johnny Sayers’ side made an impressive start at Dreen and raced into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead after 9 minutes with Ciara Devine pointing and Anna O’Kane’s low shot deceiving St. Gall’s keeper, Sorcha De Bhail.

It took St. Gall’s a while to get up to the pace of the game but Niamh McAllister got them off the mark with an excellent point in the 11th minute before Sianeese Maybin replied with a similar effort at the other end after being set up by Keely O’Mullan.

The Milltown Row side were beginning to enjoy a bit of success and responded with a points from Gemma Rose Mullan and Caitriona Ni Broichain and a goal from Mullan to take the lead with four minutes remaining to the break.

St. Gall’s were now dictating matters and Maebh McCurdy moved them 2 in front before Ciara Devine replied with the final score of the half to leave the Belfast side one ahead at the break.

Sianeese Maybin fired over the equaliser within three minutes of the restart and Sorcha De Bhail pulled off a smart save to deny the Ballymena number 11 as All Saints pressed.

They were rocked back on their heels however as Niamh McAllister struck St Galls second goal after the All Saints defence failed to clear the danger and an upset look on the cards.

Slowly though the Slemish Park side began to reassert control and two goals from Johanna McKeown in the 14th and 15th minutes gave them back a lead they would not relinquish.

All Saints, Sianeese Maybin sweeps up the danger

With Sianeese Maybin now operating very effectively as sweeper controlling matters going down the home straight, McKeown was afforded the luxury of pointing a penalty and adding another from play before Keely O’Mullan concluded the scoring with a late point for the Ballymena side.

All Saints were joined in their celebrations at the full-time whistle by the good crowd who had travelled to Dreen to cheer on their heroes with County Chair, Emma Kelly presenting the Cup to captain, Roisin Ward.

Johanna McKeown, who has been a constant scoring threat throughout the league and championship campaign, received the top scorer award from Emma Kelly while referee’s representative, Ryan O’Reilly presented the player of the match award to Cliodhna Metrustry, one of several players who were in contention for the award.

County Chair, Una Kelly presents the Junior B Championship cup to All saints captain, Roisin Ward

TO VIEW MORE OF PADDY’S PICS FROM THE FINALCLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Con Magees start well but Lisnaskea prove too strong

AIB Ulster intermediate club quarter final 

Con Magee’s Glenravel 3-6 Lisnaskea Emmetts 3-14

ALTHOUGH Con Magee’s started this Ulster LGFA quarter-final with a goal and a point inside the first minute, the more experienced visitors from Fermanagh quickly settled into the game, took control and dominated the exchanges to reach next week’s semi-final.

Aisling Mulholland buried that early goal and Leona Gillan quickly added a point for a dream start. But within two minutes, Lisnaskea were level; Maeve Mulligan hit the first of her four first-half points and from the kick out, Sharon Murphy was one third of the way to her hat-trick of goals.

Glenravel however hit back over the next five minutes with three fine points from Molly Woulahan, Niamh McKay and Aisling Mulholland.

The Fermanagh defence closed up shop after those scores and they broke forward to create space and scoring opportunities for Caroline Kerins, Mulligan and Murphy. By half time they were 2-7 to 1-5 ahead with Niamh McKay pointing a late free for the home team on the half time whistle.

Kerins started the run of scores with two frees, Mulligan added two from play, each added a point each from play before combining to send Murphy through for her second goal in the 29th minute.

Kerins pointed on the re-start before the home side got a break when a free from Niamh McKay dropped into the Lisnaskea net.

However it was quickly cancelled at the other end with Kerins again providing the final pass for Murphy’s hat trick.

Mulligan and Kerins (two) added points before Aimee Traynor pulled a points back from a free.

During the final quarter Lisnaskea added three more points through Murphy (two) and Jessica Connolly before sub Clodagh McPeake poked home a late consolation goal for Con Magee’s.

The home side can point to some wayward shooting particularly during the second half. But overall Lisnaskea were the more accomplished team, comfortable in possession and able to get inside for the big scores.

Con Magee’s: C McKeown, A McPeake, A Donnelly, M Mulholland cat, C McCann, E McCann, O Gould, M Law, J Woulahan, A Traynor 0-1 (f), S Fyfe, N McKay 1-2 (1-1 fs), L Gillan 0-1, A Mulholland 1-1, M Woulahan 0-1.

Subs used: C Law, C McPeake 1-0

Lisnaskea: Á Murphy, S McCormack, C McElhinney, S Owens, K Pennell, T Little captain, C Teague, S McCrystal, E Shannon, J Connolly 0-1, M O’Donnell, M Mulligan 0-5, S Murphy 3-2, C Kerins 0-6 3fs), E O’Donnell.

Subs used: E Prunty, K Pennell, L Clarke

Referee: A Campbell (Derry)

Glenravel LGFA team ended the season in defeat against a very good Lisnaskea team but they gave it everything they got, dispite the majority of the team having played in Ulster Camogie Championship the previous day

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

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by thesaffrongael

Dunloy snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

U21A Football Championship – Preliminary Round

Sunday 26th October

Report by Niall Kelly from Father Maginn Park

Con Magee Gaels 1-09        Dunloy 2-08

Dunloy’s good fortunes in the ‘big ball’ code continued again today with a last gasp goal from substitute Jay McAlonan getting them over the line against Con Magees in the U21 Championship. With Eamonn Ward establishing a two point lead on the sixty-third minute for the hosts, the sea of umbrellas packed along the permiter of a damp and miserable Fr Maginn Park would’ve been forgiven for thinking surely that was that. However, on the sixty-sixth minute, a long, hopefull ball in from Oisin McCamphill met a sea of bodies on the edge of the square with McAlonan leaping highest to fist goal-bound and wrong-foot substitute Fergal McKay in goal, who was powerless to stop the net rippling. The resulting kick-out was commandeered by Dunloy as Tom McFerran then pointed his fourth of the day before Kevin Park’s full time whistle sounded to seal an incredile turn-around. The men from the Glens cut forlorn and puzzled figures as they trudged off.  For much of the game, it was they who seemed most likely to progress and although it was a tight encounter, they were usually a step ahead on the scoreboard but the Cuchullain’s resilience made the difference in the end.

To be frank, conditions were horrendous in this one.  A stiff, swirling breeze packed with plenty of incessant drizzle played havoc with player’s ball-handling. The surface fell victim to conditions as the game progressed with slips a plenty.  Free-flowing football was a serious ask in this one and it would be the team who made the least mistakes who would prosper.

Both made a positive start but it was Dunloy who drew first blood as Ben O’Kane got his bearings right on the fourth minute. The Glenravel response was an emphatic one though as Harry Fyfe set Daire Higgins on a path towards goal. The young full-forward bided his time before rifling low and hard as his effort nestled in the bottom right of Eoin O’Kane’s net, kissing off the post for good measure.

Fyfe then popped over one of his own finishing off a fine move before Higgins pointed from an incredibly tight angle, judging the wind to perfection as it nudged the ball to the left of the post.

The visitors sought to respond and were mixing things up in their offensive pursuits as they weren’t afraid to go direct. One such flighted ball in caused problems as Daire McMullan jumped highest and was desperately unlucky when his fisted effort came back off the post when he looked certain to dispatch.  Glenravel then came inches to doubling their goal tally as Shea O’Broin outjumped netminder O’Kane to fist an effort goalbound only to be thwarted thanks to a heroic block on the line from Sean Óg Blaney who collided with the post for his bravery.

O’Broin did open his account on the twenty-seventh minute though. A sycthing cross-field ball from Cormac McKeown gave him the space required to blast over from range as the Glenravel lead was now five points with the short whistle approaching.

Dunloy though were not to be fazed and they finished the half in spectacular fashion. A curling effort from Tom McFerran on the twenty-ninth minute reduced arrears before Reece Cunning embarked on a bustling run forward which opened up the host’s rearguard. The fleet-footed number seven then thumped his effort low and hard to give Deaglan Carey no chance in goal as the teams retreated for shelter with a single point the difference at 1-03 to 1-02 in favour of the home side.

The introduction of Glenravel’s Niall Hynds at the interval paid dividends immediately from the throw in. The towering midfielder stole possession before assisting Fergus Donaghy who made no mistake with his effort as it sailed over the black spot.

Again though, the Cuchullains would respond in positive fashion. A superb two pointed effort from Tom McFerran levelled matters once again before they took the lead with Oisin McCamphill opening his account thanks to an improvised attempt over his shoulder midway through the half. 

With the game finely balanced, Glenravel then brought Colla Ward to the fray and his pace and trickery was beginning to find openings in the Dunloy defence. Ward offloaded to Shea O’Broin on the fiftieth minute who unleashed a towering effort from well beyond the arc. It didn’t have the legs to go directly over but such was the height of his effort, it bounced in front of the keeper before dropping over the bar.

With the lead back in control of the hosts, they sought to push higher on the Dunloy kick-out and this bore fruit. A barrage of Glenravel bodies smothered the midfield and provided the fulcrum of further attacks. A superb invidual effort from Niall Hynds extended the lead before O’Broin pointed from a free on the fifty-fifth minute and it all seemed rosy for the men from the tenth glen.

In what would be the over-riding theme of the game, Dunloy battled back once again. Aodhan McGarry judged the distance to perfection as his two pointed effort from the placed ball soared over the bar to reduce the lead to one as the game went into added time. Glenravel were first to the resulting kick-out though to set Eamonn Ward on his merry way. The pacy number seven finished off his bustling run in style splitting the posts to trigger a roar from the home-faithful as it appeared for all the world, they were home and hosed with the referee’s whistle imminent.

However, with the last two kicks of the ball. Dunloy would deal dagger blows to their hosts. Oisin McCamphills hail-mary ball in to the edge of the square was met by Jay McAlonan’s fist and the trajectory of the ball changed paths, navigating its way to the Glenravel net. Dunloy completed the heartbreak with the Tom McFerran providing the last action of an incredible finish.

Hard luck to Con Magee Gaels. Beaten finalists last year, they harboured genuine hopes of going one better this year. The manner in which it was taken from them will sting for a bit but they maintain the nucleus of their sqaud for next year where they will seek to rectify things.

For the Cuchullains, winning is a hard habit to shake. Their never say die attitude is admirable and they will be formidable opponents for Creggan next week. With many of their panel involved in their victorious senior set-up, today’s game will have provided great fuel for their battle with Newbridge next Saturday evening. It is clear to see that Gaelic Football is in a great place in the village of Dunloy.

Teams:

Con Magee Gaels:

D Carey; E Carey, R McCormick, N Dickson; C McIlhatton, S McAuley, E Ward (0-01;) C McQuillan, L McQuillan; C McKeown, S O’Broin (0-04 – 0-02 & 1tp,) F Donaghy (0-01;) H Fyfe (0-01,) D Higgins (1-01,) P McDonnell

Substitute scorer:

N Hynds (0-01)

Dunloy:

E O’Kane; M Traynor, S Óg Blaney, A Doherty; D Kinsella, A McGarry (0-02 – 1tp,) R Cunning (1-00;) JM McShane, L McFerran; T McFerran (0-04 – 0-02 &1tp,) D Laverty, B O’Kane (0-01;) B McCloskey, D McMullan, O McCamphill (0-01)

Subsitute scorer:

J McAlonan (1-00)

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

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