Month / April 2026

by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s second half heroics comes up just short

Leinster Minor Hurling Championship

Laois 2-17 Antrim 1-18

Laois secured their place in Tier 1 of the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship after a hard-fought, dramatic victory over a resilient Antrim side in Portlaoise, the O’Moore County winning in the end by two. In a game defined by the elements and shifting momentum, the young Saffrons put in a brilliant display against the wind in the second half but ultimately fell just short following a tense finale.

Antrim, playing with a strong wind at their backs in the opening half, started brightly. Their sharpshooter, Oisin McLaren, opened his account in the very first minute with a free, quickly following it up with another point from play. The Saffrons’ early dominance was highlighted by a superb sideline cut from brilliant midfielder Logan McConville, giving them an early edge. However, Laois were dangerous on the counter. After Callum Jones responded to another McLaren free, the home side struck for the game’s first goal in the 9th minute. A powerful run by corner-forward Bobby O’Connor tore through the Antrim defense, setting up Oisin Gilligan to finish clinically to the net.

The sides traded blows, with Dan Downey pointing against the wind for Laois before Antrim raised a green flag of their own. Great work from Lewis Rafferty unlocked the Laois defense, allowing Jay Gault to smash the ball into the net, putting Antrim briefly back in control. As the half drew to a close, Antrim’s Eunan Curry popped over a brilliant point to put them three clear, but disaster struck for the visitors just moments later. A long clearance against the wind by Laois hung up on the wind and when the Antrim defence was caught off his lineere caught out Laois full forward pounced to fire in his side’s second goal. Late scores from John Ferguson for Antrim and Killian James for Laois left the home side taking a narrow 2-7 to 1-9 lead into the dressing room.

Given the strength of the wind they were about to face, Antrim appeared to be in deep troubl as they emerged for the second half but they played brilliantly to stay in contention right to the end The second half largely turned into a shootout between the two primary free-takers: Laois’s LJ Cuddy and Antrim’s Oisin McLaren. Antrim leveled the game early in the half through full-forward Connlaodh McNaughton, setting the tone for a gripping final quarter. The sides were level on three separate occasions in the closing 15 minutes. McLaren battled incredibly well against the elements, stringing together a trio of consecutive points at one stage to keep the pressure firmly on the hosts.

With the game entering injury time, Laois’s efficiency in front of the posts proved decisive, as Cuddy added crucial scores to open up a two-point lead. However, the drama wasn’t over. In the dying moments, Antrim engineered one final, desperate chance to snatch victory. Oisin McLaren found himself with a sight of goal, but his blistering shot was met with a spectacular, match-winning save by Laois goalkeeper Ryan Keeshan. Laois held on to the final whistle to take the victory and secure their spot in Tier 1 of the Leinster Championship. For Antrim, the disappointment of the narrow defeat will be tempered by the pride in their second-half performance. Their season is far from over as they now regroup to take part in the Leinster B competition, where they will undoubtedly be a formidable force.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim get the better of Down, and the woeful conditions, at Dunsilly

All Ireland Under 23 Camogie Championship

Antrim 4-08 Down 0-04

Antrim secured a commanding victory in the All-Ireland Under 23B Camogie Championship on Friday evening, overcoming both a resilient Down side and treacherous weather conditions at Dunsilly. The match was defined by a biting wind chill and driving rain, making ball handling a significant challenge for both sets of players under the floodlights. Despite the elements, the Saffrons’ clinical finishing ensured a 4-8 to 0-4 win, effectively sealing their progression toward the semi-finals ahead of their final group game against Wexford in May.

The opening stages were surprisingly competitive as Down adapted better to the initial gale. Grace Cunningham opened the scoring for the visitors, and despite an early response from Éobha McAllister, Down built a 0-3 to 0-1 lead within ten minutes thanks to scores from Cunningham and Caileigh McConnell. Antrim struggled to find their rhythm early on, though McAllister forced a brilliant save from Niamh O’Toole before converting the resulting 45. When Emily Fitzpatrick pointed for Down in the 25th minute to give them a 0-4 to 0-2 lead, the visitors looked well-placed to cause an upset.

However, the momentum shifted violently in the closing minutes of the first half. Antrim struck two quick-fire goals through Aimee Ferris and McAllister, punctuated by a McAllister free, to completely turn the game on its head. These “hammer blows” allowed the Saffrons to retreat to the dressing rooms with a 2-3 to 0-4 lead and the advantage of the wind to come in the second period.

The second half began with a stroke of fortune for the hosts when a long-range point attempt from Janey McIntosh deceived the Down goalkeeper and dropped into the net just three minutes after the restart. Despite the ten-point deficit, Down defensive units set up effectively to prevent a total collapse, frustrating Antrim for long stretches of the half. Antrim found it difficult to add to their tally in the middle period, with McAllister providing the bulk of the scoring through a display of individual skill that saw her finish the day with an impressive 1-7.

The Saffrons added late gloss to the scoreline during injury time. Elen McIntosh reacted quickest to a ground ball following a pass from McAllister to strike Antrim’s fourth goal, before captain Katie Molloy capped a Player of the Match-contesting performance with a fine point from distance. While Down will look to regroup for their upcoming fixtures against Limerick and Clare, Antrim moves forward with significant momentum, their sights firmly set on a trip to Wexford and the knockout stages beyond.

Antrim: M Gately, E Coulter, A O’Donnell, D Dobbin, C Crawford, K Molloy capt 0-1, S O’Neill, S Heggarty, J McIntosh 1-0, C O’Boyle, A Ferris 1-0, E McIntosh 1-0, C Griffin, O McAlister, E McAllister 1-7 (0-4fs)

Subs used: F Kelly, S Fyfe, E Lee, C Burns (all 46), L Black (53)

Down: N O’Toole, K Morgan, C Savage, O Brown, E Shields, N McConville, T Savage, E Fitzpatrick 0-1, O McCusker, S Fettes, S McGrath, K Quinn, C McConnell 0-1, G Cunningham 0-2 (1f), N McGrath.

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

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by thesaffrongael

St. Gall’s impress in opening day win in Ballymena

ACFL Division 1 Reserve

All Saints 2-5 St. Gall’s 2-11

An experienced and more physical St. Gall’s proved too good for a youthful All Saints in the opening game of the Division 1 Reserve league at Quinn Park on Friday evening.

The Belfast side with the elements in their favour cruised into an early 1-2 to 0-0 lead by the 11th minute with Niall Fallon and Conor Burke pointing and Niall McCurdy getting forward for their goal.

The visitors continued to dominate with further points from Simon Dowds, Conor Burke and a pointed free from Niall Fallon following a breach.

A young All Saints were battling hard to get their own game together and after kicking a number of wides were finally rewarded when Daniel Henry forced the ball home from close range as half time approached.

The final point of the half belonged to St. Gall’s Anto Healey as the former All Ireland winner split the posts to leave his side 1-6 to 1-0 ahead at the break.

All Saints introduced a number of more experienced players for the second half with Sean McVeigh coming into mid-field and Cal O’Brien and Darrach Bradley joining the action but it was the Milltown side who continued to call the shots.

Anto Healey, Matt Shannon and Simon Dowds added points in the opening six minutes to move them 9 ahead before the battling Archie McGreevey got forward for an All Saints point.

St. Galls responded with a decisive score when Niall McCurdy fired past Jason Givens for his second goal of the evening at the other end and when Niall Fallon added a point it looked all over.

To their credit All Saints battled to the end and Cal O’Brien pointed and followed with a 2 pointer before Healey replied with the visitors final score as he split the posts for the third time with 9 minutes remaining.

Damian Kelly marked his introduction with a fine point for the Ballymena side and Darrach Bradley added a late goal to put a much better look on the final score-line but All Saints never looked like clawing back the St. Gall’s lead.

All Saints: 1, Jason Givens, 2 Matthew Watt, 3 Finn Connon, 4 Paddy Murphy, 5 Oliver O’Rawe, 6 Sean McDermott, 7 Archie McGreevey, 8 Rian Tom, 9 Charlie Metrustry, 10 Sean O’Brien, 11, Michael McCarry, 12 Corey McKillop, 15 Michael Connolly, 14 Daniel Henry, 13 Conan McKeown.

Subs: Damian Kelly, Sean McVeigh, Darrach Bradley, Joseph Rocks, Paidin Mitchell, Michael Read, Cal O’Brien

St. Gall’s: 1 Louisa McCormick, 2 Oisin O’Callaghan, 3 Aidan McDonagh, 4 Eoghan McCurdy, 5 Gerard O’Neill, 6 Ruairi Wilson, 7 Matt Shannon, 8 Conor Burke, 9 Manus McCrossan, 10 Jarlath Mervyn, 11 Michael Hopkins, 12 Odhran Delaney, 13 Niall McCurdy, 14 Niall Fallon, 15 Simon Dowds, 17 Anto Healey

Referee: Francis Neeson (Ahoghill)

RESULTS:

In the other games played in the Division 1 Reserve League last night Cargin defeated neighbours Creggan on a score-line of 4-8 to 1-2 Casements defeated Aghagallon 3-13 to 3-6 and St. Brigid’s defeated Rossa 1-10 to 2-5

by thesaffrongael

‘We Are Antrim’

Antrim’s newest media outlet hits the airwaves next week with a weekly podcast beginning.  Fronted by journalists Maghnus Dunne (Belfast Media Group), Brendan Crossan (formerly The Irish News) and our own Brendan McTaggart, the ‘We Are Antrim’ podcast will be a free podcast on all things GAA in the Saffron County.

The initial podcast will focus on the county championships with Mark Doran’s men facing Derry in the Ulster Senior Championship Quarter Final in Celtic Park while Davy Fitzgerald’s men face Down at a home venue in the opening round of the McDonagh Cup.

The premier episode will feature interviews from both camps, talking points in the 2026 season so far and what lays ahead as the lads look ahead to the games, both on Saturday 18th April.

It will be something different and great to have a free to air podcast focussing on gaelic games within the county.  The first episode should be a great listen with the promise of podcasts more focussed on the club games to come.  It will be a great addition to the social media channels within Antrim.

The Saffron Gael wishes the three lads all the best with the venture and we look forward to listening to their content in the weeks to come.

by thesaffrongael

Glenavy come strong in game of two halves to beat St. Teresa’s

ACFL Division 2

Glenavy 1-18 St. Teresa’s 1-11

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

In the proverbial game of two halves, St. Joseph’s Glenavy came strong in the final quarter to outscore visitors St. Teresa’s and collect their second win of the season at Chapel Hill on Wednesday evening.

It was the men from the Glen Road who made the early running however and inspired by their free taker, John Mallon they led the contest 0-9 to 0-6 at the halfway stage with Mallon very much to the fore.

The St. Teresa’s wing half forward contributed 0-7 to his side’s first half total including a couple of well struck 2 point frees with Roan Hamill opening their account after Ciaran Loney had pointed Glenavy into an early lead.

Michael Morgan, who was prominent for the home side exchanged points with John Mallon to leave it all square after 12 minutes and Anton Taylor replied for St. Teresa’s before the Chaple Hill side briefly led through Darragh Brown and Fiontan O’Boyle after 17 minutes.

John Mallon, who top scored for St. Teresa’s moves clear of Odhran Arthurs, Glenavy

The visitors went on to dominate the second quarter with John Mallon to the fore and his free taking was exemplary  as he added 0-6 to his total though they had to thank their keeper, Mark Small who pulled off a couple of fine saves as St. Joseph’s briefly threatened.

Glenavy finished the half strongly however and points from Finn Shannon and James Monaghan closed the gap to three at the interval and the Chapel Hill side would have been fairly satisfied at this stage despite trailing by three.

The second half opened in spectacular fashion with Owen Gallagher being branded Yellow after 30 seconds and then quick thinking from the visitors saw Ronan Hamill collect a short free before firing to the net and move his side 1-9 to 0-6 ahead with 8 minutes gone.

The home side failed to panic however and went on to dominate the remaining exchanges with their superior fitness and speed slowly wearing down the opposition.

Finn Shannon and Ciaran Loney pointed before Michael Morgan swivelled and fired to the net under pressure and the same player followed with a point to leave it all square at the end of the third quarter.

Odhran Arthurs edged them in front for the first time with talisman, Mallon briefly levelling matters once more.

Fiontan O’Boyle, Glenavy is close down by Mark Small, Phillip Glennon and Diarmuid McTaggart, St. Teresa’s

And it would be brief as Owen Gallagher and a Fiontan O’Boyle treble strike and two more from the superb Monaghan had it all wrapped up by the 26th minute.

John Mallon continued to fight for a visitor’s team who had run out of steam with his side’s final point with Darragh Brown and Fiontan O’Boyle concluding the scoring with late points for St. Joseph’s.

Two wins from two for St. Joseph’s Glenavy and even at this early juncture Division 2 looks to have all the ingredients for an intriguing league campaign with St. Enda’s and Ahoghill, Davitt’s and Naomh Comhghall and St. James Aldergrove all having aspirations of success.

Glenavy: 1 Matthew Lawlor, 2 Tim Honeyford, 3 Darrach Doherty, 4 Ruairi Forester, 5 Pearse O’Neill, 6 Padhraic McKevitt, 7 Odhran Arthurs, 8 Ciaran Loney, 9 Owen Gallagher, 10 James Monaghan, 11 Patrick Gallagher, 12 Finn Jack Shannon, 13 Michael Morgan, 14 Darragh Brown15 Fiontan O’Boyle

St. Teresa’s: 1 Mark Small, 2 Phillip Glennon, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Diarmuid McTaggart, 5 Colm McGoldrick, 6 Ryan Mallon, 7 Liam Connolly, 8 Sean Maguire, 9 Niall McCann, 10 John Mallon, 11 Conor Mallon, 12 Jack Morgan, 13 Ronan Hamill, 14 Anton Taylor, 15 Phil Maguire

Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)

TO VIEW MORE OF BERT’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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