February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Strong second half comeback sees Kilrea win comfortably

Ulster Football League Division 1

Group D Round 3

All Saints 2-12 Kilrea 4-13

Kilrea staged a strong finish to sweep aside the challenge of All Saints in a free scoring Ulster League encounter at a floodlit Quinn Park on Wednesday night.

Both sides were understrength for this final Group D encounter with the Derry men worst affected with a host of first choice regulars absent but when they introduced their big guns during the second half the floodgates opened.

It was the Ballymena side who made all the first half running and despite missing a host of chances they looked on their way to victory when they led 2-6 to 2-1 at the break.

Indeed the home side dominated the opening exchanges with Jack Patterson and Darrach Bradley their goal scorers but Diarmuid Bradley’s goal for the visitors late in the half kept Kilrea in touch.

Their opening goal had come from Daniel Madden, both splendid individual efforts, but Baker Bradley would have been reasonably happy with his side at the break though the amount of chances they had missed would surely have given him some concern.

All those concerns seemed to have been unfounded when Darrach Bradley kicked the first three points of the second half with only four minutes gone and when Sean O’Callaghan added another, the home side were 8 ahead.

Their Achilles heel was exposed again as Cathaoir Bradley netted for Kilrea in their first attack of the second half and suddenly the visitors had found another gear.

A superb exhibition of long range shooting saw Cathaoir Bradley, and Paddy Quinn raising a series of Orange flags and when Quinn weighed in with their fourth goal it was all over.

A good workout for both sides with Cathaoir Bradley, Paddy Quinn, Ryan Oliver, Darmuid Bradley, Daniel Madden and Louis McCormick in sparkling form for a Kilrea side who can still qualify for the knockout stages.

James McDonnell, Darrach Bradley, Ciaran Campbell, Sean O’Brien and Michael Read were best for an All Saints side who started well but faded as the game progressed.

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February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Antrim new referees appeal

Antrim referee’s committee are holding a foundation course for new referees. The course will be held at St. Enda’s, Glengormley on Saturday the 21^st March and will start at 10-00am with registration.

Anyone who would like to take part or want further information can contact Brendan Toland at tolandb15@gmail.com

February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Antrim young guns beat Derry in Ulster Minor Hurling Cup

Ulster Minor Hurling Championship

Derry 1-13 Antrim 3-19

At Owenbeg

Antrim produced a commanding performance at the Derry Centre of Excellence in Owenbeg to book their place in the Ulster Minor Hurling Cup final against Wicklow, defeating the hosts on a scoreline of 3-19 to 1-13. Despite playing against the wind in the second half, the Saffrons (who are made up of the Under 16 Development squad) showed their quality with a clinical display of finishing, particularly from full-forward Joe Casey and a high-impact bench.

With wind assistance in the first half, Antrim made a lightning start. Connlaodh McNaughton opened the scoring after just ten seconds, followed quickly by a point from Jude Gamble in the first minute. Although Karl Friel responded with a point for Derry on two minutes, Antrim hit a devastating purple patch shortly after. In a blistering thirty-second spell around the tenth minute, Antrim rattled off 1-02, including a goal from Joe Casey and another point from McNaughton, putting them firmly in the driving seat early on.

Derry settled as the half progressed, with their number ten, Callum McLaughlin, finding his range from frees. Antrim kept the scoreboard ticking over with a long-range effort from midfielder Gerard Delaney, but Derry began to find gaps in the defense. Peadar Kelly pointed well after a solo run, and a goal from Callum McLaughlin helped the Oak Leaf county drag themselves back into contention. By the halftime whistle, Antrim held a five-point lead, going in 1-10 to 1-05 ahead.

With the wind at their backs for the second half, Derry would have fancied their chances of overturning the deficit. However, Antrim extinguished those hopes almost immediately. Joe Casey remained in fine form, hitting the first score of the half in the opening minute, followed by a point from Cody McGarry. When Casey pointed again in the fourth minute following good approach work by McNaughton, Antrim had stretched their lead to eight points, effectively killing Derry’s momentum before it could build.

Derry continued to battle, relying heavily on the excellent free-taking of Callum McLaughlin, who slotted over a series of placed balls, including a superb effort from the sideline. However, Antrim’s attack remained potent. Good movement created an opening for Joe Casey to blast home his second goal of the game, cementing Antrim’s grip on the tie.

As the game entered the final quarter, Antrim’s substitutes made a significant impact, highlighting the depth of their squad. In the 19th minute, a flowing move involving four players ended with substitute Cillian Cunning firing home a great goal just minutes after entering the fray. Fellow substitute and Dunloy clubmate Ronan Elliott also impressed, scoring two excellent points shortly after his introduction, while Damian Laverty also chipped in with a fine score. Despite late resistance from Derry, Antrim ran out comfortable 12-point winners, finishing 3-19 to 1-13 to set up a decider with Wicklow this weekend.

Antrim –

1 Aidan Johnston, 2 Matthew O’Neill, 3 Oran Baudant, 4 Cormac Bailey, 5 Seàn Cunningham, 6 Lorcan Murtagh, 7 Lorcan Martin, 8 Cahir McErlean, 9 Gerard Delaney, 10 Jude Gamble, 11 Connlaodh McNaughton, 12 Cahir McCloskey, 13 Cody McGarry, 14 Joe Casey, 15 Rian Laverty, 16 Sean Vasille, 17 Ruairi McIlhatton, 19 Cillain Carabine, 20 Damian Laverty, 21 Daire Rainey, 22 Cillian Cunning, 23 Conan Digney 24 Ronan Elliott.

Derry

1 Pádraig Campbell, 2 Cathal Duggan, 3 Ben Douglas, 4 Pearse Murphy, 5 Odhran Clark, 6 Conor McCloskey, 7 Anton Farren, 8 Conan Gillan, 9 Cormac O’Kane, 10 Callum McLaughlin, 11 Eoin McGuigan, 12 Eoghan Murray, 13 Peadar Kelly, 14 Karl Friel, 15 Davin Hassan, 16 Ciaran Crawford, 17 Killian Doyle-Kennedy, 18 Fionn Connery, 19 Ryan McKenna, 20 Cody McCullagh, 21 Sean O’Neill, 22 Ben Haran, 23 Cathair Mullan, 24 James Óg O’Kane, 25 Ruairi Haran, 26 Johnny McKenna, 27 Dara Cassidy, 28 Shea Kearney, 29 Eoghan Smith 30 Liam O’Kane.

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February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm awards night

Above – The Under 12 Hurling team, who won the Brendan McGarry Cup received their medals at the Glenarm Shane Ui Neill’s awards dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough.

A group of young men dressed in formal attire posing together, with one holding a trophy, in front of a backdrop of blue and black balloons. — Members of the Glenarm team who won the Under 21 B Hurling Championship in 2025, at the Glenarm Shane Ui Neill’s awards dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough.

Two boys holding awards, standing in front of a shiny, mirrored backdrop. — Ronan O’Loan and Tomas Mattews who last year won Year 8 Gaelfast All Stars, were presented with their trophies at the Glenarm Shane Ui Neill’s awards dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough

A young boy in a white shirt holding a trophy stands next to a man in a suit at a festive event with a glittery background. — Ronan O’Loan and Tomas Mattews who last year won Year 8 Gaelfast All Stars, were presented with their trophies at the Glenarm Shane Ui Neill’s awards dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough

A man and a teenage boy dressed in formal attire, posing together with an award trophy. The background features decorative balloons and a shiny wall. — Under 14 Most Improved Hurler of the Year Zac Drummond received his award from county chairman Seamus McMullan at the Glenarm dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough.

A young boy in a suit holding a trophy and an award statue, smiling against a shiny background. — Under 14 Most Improved Hurler of the Year Zac Drummond received his award from county chairman Seamus McMullan at the Glenarm dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough.

Two men stand side by side, one holding a trophy and a sports award statue. They are dressed formally, with the man on the left in a suit and the young man on the right in a tuxedo. The background features decorative balloons and a shiny, sequined backdrop. — Under 16 Hurler of the Year Kian McGarel with county chairman Seamus McMullan.

A man in a suit poses alongside a young boy holding a trophy at an award event, with blue balloons in the background. — Under 16 Hurler of the Year Kian McGarel with county chairman Seamus McMullan.

A group of eight women stand together, each holding floral arrangements in decorative boxes, in front of a backdrop of blue balloons and mirrored decor. — ***Members of the Glenarm GAC ladies committee who were presented with flowers at the club dinner in Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough.***

A formal photo of two men shaking hands at an event. The older man, dressed in a suit, smiles while the younger man, also in a suit, holds a trophy in his right hand. Balloons in shades of blue are visible in the background. — Under 21 Hurler of the Year John Scullion receives his award from county chairman Seamus McMullan at the Glenarm dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough.

A young man in a suit holding two sports awards, standing in front of a shiny backdrop with blue balloons. — Under 21 Hurler of the Year John Scullion receives his award from county chairman Seamus McMullan at the Glenarm dinner in the Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough.

A smiling man holding a large wooden shield award with engraved plaques, standing in front of a backdrop of blue and silver balloons. — Jim Petticrew received the Clubman of the Year award at the Glenarm GAC dinner.

Group photo of 18 people celebrating an event, posing together with drinks. The setting features decorative balloons in blue and light blue, and a festive backdrop. — Jim Petticrew received the Clubman of the Year award at the Glenarm GAC dinner.

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February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg GAC Annual Dinner

The following were award winners on the night:

**Chairperson, Nicky Bonnes makes a special presentation to Ashlene McLarnon at the Tir na nOg, Randalstown Annual Presentation evening in the Tullyglass House Hotel on Saturday night.**

Dylan McLarnon receives the Senior Footballer of the year award from Nicky Bonnes.

**Nick Bonnes presents the Senior Camogie Player of the year to Emma Louise McAreavey**

Ladies Football, Senior Player of the Year, Niamh McKinley receives her award from Nicky Bonnes and team manager, Eddie Higgins and the Senior Dual Player of the Year to Cara Bonnes.

Nicky Bonnes presents the Reserve Footballer of the Year to Daniel Hastings and Nicky Bonnes and Emmet Martin (Team manager) presents the Junior Hurler of the Year award to Lusanda Ncube.

Tiarnan Bonnes receives the Kerr family award from chairperson, Nick Bonnes and Manus Smith and Sean Duffin receive the Joint Senior Hurler of the year award .

Connlaith Martin, team captain receives the Abbey Cup from club chairperson, Nicky Bonnes and the 2025 Abbey Cup winning team.

Stephen Higgins presents the James McVeigh Memorial award to Kevin Sheerin while Brandon McLarnon receives the Dual Player of the Year award from Michal McAtamney and Nicky Bonnes.