Month / November 2025

by thesaffrongael

St. Mary’s GAC Ahoghill Annual Dinner & Presentation

St. Mary’s GAC Ahoghill held their Annual Dinner & Presentation evening in the Wild Duck in Portglenone, attended by a large crowd and the following were the award winners on the night.

(20)
  1. Bobby Magee presents the U10 Hurler of the year award to Padraig McErlain & Cillian McGlone.
  2. Ronan Graham presents the U10 Footballer of the year award to Dermot Scullion.
  3. Aoibheann McGregor receives the U10 Camog of the Year award from Maura Downey.
  4. James Bobby Magee presents the U12 Hurler of the Year award to Pearse McFall.
  5. Joseph Scullion receives the U12 Footballer of the Year award from Neil O’Connell.
  6. Maura Downey presents the U12 Camog of the Year award to Eva Neeson.
  7. James O’Connell presents the U14 Hurler of the Year to Joss Gordon.
  8. Joint U14 Footballer of the Year, Connor Duffin & Sean O’Reilly receive their award from Ronan Graham.
  9. James O’Connell presents the Alistair Breslin Skills award to Conell McMaster.
  10. Maura Downey presents the U14 Camog of the Year award to Eimear Blaney.
  11. Bobby Magee presents the Joint U16 Hurler of the Year award to Calum Gordon and Brian Agnew.
  12. Anne Martin presents the Mary Martin Perpetual Shield to joint winners, Grace McGarry & Lucia Devlin.
  13. Lughan Hardy, Kieran O’Reilly and Brian Agnew who were part of the St. Ergnat’s U16 B Football championship winning side are presented with their medals by |Ronnan Graham at the St. Mary’s Ahoghill Dinner.
  14. Ronan Graham presents the U16 Footballer of the Year to Lughan Hardy.
  15. Maura Downey presents the Tommy Downey Memorial award for Minor Camog of the Year to Molly Horan.
  16. The St. Mary’s Minor Camogie side who won division 2 of The ACL receive their awards at the St. Mary’s Presentation evening.
  17. St. Mary’s hurlers who were part of the Slemish Gaels combination side, Christy McDonnell, Brian Agnew and Calum Gordon with James O’Connell and James ‘Bobby’ Magee at the St. Mary’s presentation evening,
  18. Chris McGlone presents the Senior Footballer of the Year award to Dan O’Neill.
  19. Fionbarr O’Neill presents the Danny O’Neill Memorial trophy for Senior Footballer of the Year to Dan O’Neill.
  20. St. Mary’s Camogs who were successful at the Kilmacud 7’s receive their medals.
  21. Francis Neeson presents the Lilly Scullion Cup for Junior Camog of the Year to Niamh Graham.
  22. Chris McGlone presents the Frances Agnew Mwmorial trophy for Senior Camog of the Year to Aine Graham.
  23. Maura Graham makes a presentation to Senior Camog management members, Francis Neeson and Nuala Graham. (Missing from the photograph is Nicola Doherty)
  24. Bernie Graham presents the Moya Forde Shield for Most Dedicated Camog to Cara Swann.
  25. Tracey and Dessie McGuigan present the Claire McGuigan Memorial Cup for Junior Spirit of the year to Michelle McErlain, who received it on behalf of Conleth, Cormac and Conan Magee while Catherine Murray presents the Carmel Murray Cup for Senior Spirit of the Year to Bobby Magee who received it on behalf of Paul Magee.
(12)
(25)
(24)

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE REST OF THE AWARDS PRESENTED ON THE NIGHT

https://myalbum.com/album/N6st9mhWt8CbWd

by thesaffrongael

O’Loughlin hat-trick helps Maghera to Leonard decider 

Danske Bank Leonard Cup, Semi-Final 

St. Mary’s CBGS 2-14-4-13 St. Pat’s Maghera (AET)

Kevin Herron reports from the Dub 

Pics from Bert Trowlen 

St. Pat’s Maghera finished strongly in the second period of extra time to claim a spot in the Danske Bank Leonard Cup Final after defeating St. Mary’s CBGS 4-13-2-14 at the Dub on Friday afternoon. 

Matthew O’Neill’s late goal looked to have seen St. Mary’s complete a superb second half comeback in normal time, but Aodhan McCloskey kept his cool at the other end and drew the teams level at 2-11-3-08 to force extra time. 

Three scores in succession from Joseph Conway and Ronan O’Loughlin (2) had Maghera in the ascendancy during the second period of extra time but it wasn’t until O’Loughlin added his third goal of the afternoon that the game was put to bed as St. Mary’s were unable to lift themselves for the second time in a thrilling and energy zapping semi-final encounter. 

St. Pat’s were quickest off the mark in the early stages and had established a two-point lead before St. Mary responded through free-taker Padraig Kelly. 

Kelly tied things up with a fantastic point from play and then moved his side in front for the first time shortly after. 

The games opening goal fell to Maghera when Ronan O’Loughlin took possession and fired low past Dylan Hand to give his side a 1-2-0-3 lead. 

O’Loughlin added a point from play in the aftermath with Kelly replying from the placed ball. Playing against the wind St. Mary’s would have been hopeful of taking a four-point deficit at the interval, but Maghera tagged on further scores before the break. 

O’Loughlin shot over a fantastic curling shot from play, Sionan McCormack added another and on the stroke of half time O’Loughlin flashed home his second goal of the half to ensure his side held a healthy 2-5-0-4 advantage at the midway point. 

Maghera extended their advantage after the break with O’Loughlin clipping over a free, but St. Mary’s began to make inroads with Padraig Kelly sending over two points from play between a converted free. 

Both sides free-takers traded further placed balls in the aftermath and another two Kelly frees in quick succession had St. Mary’s within three=points with 12 minutes remaining (2-7-0-10). 

With little over seven minutes remaining St. Mary’s tied things up when Matthew O’Neill was placed to divert a shot low to the Maghera net and restore parity. 

Talisman O’Loughlin edged Maghea back in front from a converted free- it was cancelled out less than two minutes later though when substitute Daire Gault flicked a shot over as things remained a knife-edge. 

St. Mary’s looked to have stolen things a minute into added time when the ball was passed across goal and Matthew O’Neil steadied himself and rifled to the net to put his side 2-11-2-08 ahead. 

There was to be one last twist however as Aodhan McCloskey ran clear of the St. Mary’s defence deep into added time and showed no signs of pressure as he powered a shot past Dylan Hand to make it 2-11-3-8 and ensure extra time would be required. 

Extra time: 

The first period of extra time was a cautious affair and yielded a score a piece from either side with Matthew O’Neill’s third minute score cancelled out by a Harry McCloskey shot that dropped over to ensure things were delicately poised with the second period to play. 

Maghera stole an early march in the second period with Joseph Conway finding time and space and shoot his side ahead for the first time since the 55th minute. 

Then Ronan O’Loughlin clipped over back-to-back scores in the space of 60-seconds to make a weary St. Mary’s task a little bit tougher. 

Padraig Kelly reduced arrears with a converted free but the next score would prove the games winning in the 80th minute when Ronan O’Loughlin bore down on goal and his shot squeezed away from Dylan Hand- despite the keepers best effort and trickled over the line. 

A point from Ryan Murphy in the aftermath put six between the sides with St. Mary’s late penalty was in vein in any instance- Padraig Kelly’s attempt rose over and the final whistle immediately sounded from referee Lorenzo McMullan as Maghera jubilantly celebrated after an outstanding afternoon of hurling. 

They now met St Louis’ Ballymena in the decider with Maghera hoping to clinch their second Ulster Colleges honour at this year group – having tasted success in the Thompson Final back in Year 8. 

by thesaffrongael

St. Mary’s edge out St Malachy’s secure top-spot 

Danske Bank McLarnon Cup, Group C 

St. Mary’s CBGS 0-10-0-09 St Malachy’s 

From Kevin Herron 

Pics by Bert Trowlen

St. Mary’s CBGS topped Group C of the Danske Bank McLarnon Cup with a hard fought 0-10-0-09 win over St Malachy’s in the final group game at the Dub on Friday afternoon, 

Going into the last round of fixtures, all teams were deadlocked on two-points after St. Mary’s defeated Leacle Trinity and St. Malachy;s accounted for Our Lady and St Patrick’s College Knock on MatchDay 2. 

Leacle and Knock met on Thursday evening with the Downpatrick side running out 1-15-1-07 winners to take top spot and pole position for a passage straight into the quarter-final unless St. Mary’s could defeat their Belfast neighbours and top the group on head-to-head. 

The Glen Road side played with a strong breeze in the opening half and were ahead within five minutes as Sean Og McLaren shot over a two-pointed score to get his side up and running. 

Odhran McAuley then kicked a free in the aftermath before Aaron Rafferty carried the ball forward and superbly guided an angled shot inside the near post to reduce arrears after 10-minutes (0-3-0-1). 

Further scores were traded as Sean Og McLaren laid the ball off for Fintan McKinney to pop over and in response Cathair McKenna offloaded to Cormac Trainor to kick a fine point midway through the half. 

Back-to-back converted frees extended St. Mary’s lead, the first a straight forward effort from in front of the posts from Matthew Murray, but two minutes later he himself was fouled on the edge of the arc and he notched his sides second two-pointed score of the half. 

Their scoring for the half was complete by the 27th minute with another two scores arriving before the interval. 

Odhran McAuley swivelled and kicked a magnificent angled point and then Cormac McCann added another a few minutes later as their side had hit four unanswered. 

Just prior to the break Aaron Rafferty swung over a free to narrowly reduce the deficit at the break, as St. Mary’s held a 0-9-0-3 advantage at halfway. 

St. Malachy;s made the perfect start to the second period with a two-pointed score. Thomas Mooney popped the ball out to Cormac Trainor to swing over a fine point from outside of the arc and reduce arrears by a third. 

Aaron Rafferty was then in a great position to capitalise and take possession after a slip from a St. Mary’s player coming out of defence and Rafferty shot over to half the interval deficit. 

St. Mary’s only second half score came after Fintan McKinney was fouled as he went to shoot and Matthew Murray clipped over the resulting free in the 37th minute. 

Midway through the second period St. Malachy;s fightback gathered further pace when Michael Jennings dropped an angled shot over to make it 0-10-0-7. 

In the final ten minutes Cathair McKenna kicked two close range frees that reduced the deficit to the bare minimum but St. Mary’s closed the game out, playing the possession game effectively to secure the win that saw them top the group and head straight for the Quarter-finals in the New Year.

St. Malachy’s will meanwhile occupy third spot in the Group and face a play-off tie with the team that finishes third in Group A for a place in the last eight.

by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass take on Kilmacud Crokes in their own backyard

All Ireland LGFA Senior Club semi-final

Kilmacud Crokes v Moneyglass at Kilmacud, Dublin

Newly crowned Ulster Champions Moneyglass are under no illusions about the task the face when they travel to Dublin on Sunday to take on Leinster champions Kilmacud Crokes of Dubliin…..in their own back yard.

Someone, somewhere will have a logical explanation as to why the Antrim and Ulster champions have to play the Dublin champions in their home ground but it escapes me why Antrim’s first ever Senior Champions are forced the journey to Dublin in their first venture outside the province of Ulster.

However if they are aggrieved about that decision they haven’t let it occupy their thoughts and the look forward to their new challenge in good spirits, and with high hopes.

Niamh McIntosh from Glenariffe who captained the Moneyglass team who became the first Antrim team to win the Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football Championship when they beat Errigal Ciaran of Tyrone in Sunday’s final in Brewster Park, Ennikillen. Pic by Elaine Kelly d

Kilmacud Crokes Leinster final win over Tinahely of Wicklow earned them their fourth provincial title on the trot, all four of them convincing wins which brought high scores….5-13 this year, 4-14 last year against Eadastown of Kildare, 4-14 against Naomh  Ciaran of Offaly in 2022 and 4-15 against Tinahely in 2021. They reached their first All Ireland final last year but were beaten in the decider by Kilkerrin-Clonberne of Galway who that day won their fourth All Ireland title in a row.

As well as having a good few Dublin players in their ranks Kilmacud also have Galway star Ailbhe Davoren, who works in the capital, so they are a formidable outfit.

After adding yet another Antrim title to their roll of honour this year Moneyglass went into the Ulster campaign with mixed feelings after having lost to Armagh champions Clann Eireann in the past two years. The started off well in Ulster with a big win over Down champions Bredagh, but were still probably regarded as outsiders when they met the Armagh champions for the third year in a row. However they turned the table on their rivals that day and booked their place in the Ulster final for the second time in their history, where they faced newcomers Errigal Ciaran of Tyrone. The Tyrone champions made a promising start but Moneyglass slowly got to grips with the Ballygawley outfit and went on to win with a bit to spare.

On Sunday they take another step on their journey, a new challenge and a new adventure. Kilmacud will provide stern opposition, of that there is no doubt, but Moneyglass have players who can match it with anyone on their day.

It is a big ask for the Antrim champions, but so too was Clann Eireaan and Erigal Ciaran so give it your best girls and who knows what will happen.

by thesaffrongael

Brídíní Óga face tough task in Abbotstown

Above – Team captain Tori Edgar

All Ireland Junior A Camogie semi-final

Abbottstown, 3pm: Brídíní Óga (Antrim) v Patrickswell (Limerick)

It is back to the scene of their greatest triumph for Brídíní Óga Glenravel on Saturday as the travel to Abbotstown in Dublin to take on Munster champions Patrickswell of Limerick in the All Ireland Junior A Camogie semi-final.

Bronagh Laverty
Molly Woulahan

Three years ago the Glenravel girls beat another Limerick team at the same stage of the competition, edging out Adare in a thriller at the same venue with what most of their fans would rate as their best ever display. Two weeks after that victory they beat the Wicklow champions Knockananna in the final, in what was their greatest ever achievement, but they didn’t have to produce as a good a performance that day to get over the line.

It is their second Saturday in a row visiting the capital city as last week they beat British Champions Fullen Gaels in the quarter final at Whitehall Colmcille. The did the bulk of the work in the early stages and built up a nine point lead and as things turned out they needed it all before getting over the line by 3 in the end.

Sarah Fyfe
Eimhear McAleenan

Patrickswell impressed in the Munster final win over Clare champions Cloney-Quinn, running up a big score in the process as they won by 2-15 to 1-05. It is clear Brídíní Óga will have to be at their best if they are to make back to the final but they have great run of wins behind them to get to this stage, wins against good teams like Cushendall, in the opening round, Loughgiel in the Antrim final and Dungiven in the Ulster final. They will not want all that good work go to waste as they bid for another final spot. They will have to be at their best to get over the line, just as they were in those wins, so the will go in with no fear, knowing that if the produce their best they have every chance of making it through.

The Bridini Oga management team of Chris Dornan and Ronan Donnelly