Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

Photographer and GAA writer who has been covering hurling, football and camogie for almost forty years
by thesaffrongael

Cushendall claim the last silverware of 2025

Leadon Timberframe Ulster Minor Hurling Championship Final

Ruairí Óg, Cushendall 3-17 Séan Mac Cumhaill, Bealach Féich (Donegal) 0-4

Sunday 28 December

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Shéamuis Mhic Fhailí, Baile na Scrine

Cushendall cruised to a 22 point win against Séan Mac Cumhaill on Sunday afternoon and claim the Ulster Minor Hurling Tournament Cup at Ballinascreen.  It was a dominant display from the young Ruairí Ógs who led from start to finish and amassed all but one of their scores from open play.

Fiontan Bradley fires the ball to the Séan Mac Cumhaill net inside the first minute

Fiontan Bradley and Ryan McAuley got the goals, Bradley with one in either half while early substitute Fintan McKillop claimed the man of the match award from the sponsors (Leadon Timberframe).  McKillop was brought on after just four minutes of the final after Brian McNeill failed to shake off an injury picked up in the semi final.  He would finish with six white flags and put in a quite brilliant performance for his side.

Conor McCann and Callagh Mooney excelled at the heart of the Ruairí’s defence while McLaughlin brothers Thomas and Nicholas were pulling the strings in midfield.

It was always going to be a massive ask for the Ballybofey side who had performed so well in causing a massive upset last Sunday defeating Ballygalget in the semi final but they found Cushendall in no mood to let lightning strike twice. Daniel Donnelly, Jacob Malone and Pauric Kelly all had good games for Séan Mac Cumhaill but they struggled with a sharp and more cohesive Cushendall side.

Ryan McAuley in action during the Ulster Minor final in Ballinascreen

Cushendall made a fast start to the final and had the first goal of the game inside the opening 60 seconds.  Callagh Mooney sending the sliotar towards Bradley and breaking the delivery into space, the Cushendall full forward drove a ground shot home from close range.  Points followed from Connlaodh McNaughton, Nicholas McLaughlin and Alex McCambridge while Bradley added to his goal to leave the Ruairi’s 1-4 to no score ahead after 10 minutes.

Séan Mac Cumhaill played Daniel Donnelly in a deeper role but the delivery into the forwards and ability to take a score from distance meant Cushendall were able to transfer their pressure into points on the board.

Daimhin Byrne opened Séan Mac Cumhaill’s scoring when he intercepted a loose pass before splitting the uprights in the 11th minute.  That would be their only score from open play however as the Cushendall defence remained on top throughout.

Cushendall were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute when Bradley was hauled to the ground as he made his way towards goal.  Séan Mac Cumhaill claimed Bradley had overcarried but their complaints fell on deaf ears. Nicolas McLaughlin took the resulting penalty but his effort was well saved by Fionn Mac an Ultaigh.

The Ruairi’s continued to find the target from various ranges with Bradley and Mooney firing over along with scores from Thomas McLaughlin, Cahir McCambridge and a brace from Fintan McKillop.  A free from Dylan Patton the sole response from the Ballybofey side as Cushendall took a time lead of 1-10 to 0-2 into the half time interval.

Fintan McKillop who excelled for Cushendall after being introduced as a sub early in the game

Séan Mac Cumhaill started the second half with more intensity and tackles started to increase in ferocity yet ultimately, it started the same way as the first – a Cushendall goal.  Collecting the sliotar in the right hand corner, Cahir McCambridge got clear of the tackles along the end line before finding Ryan McAuley.  McAuley was under pressure but managed to get enough on the sliotar from close range and beat Mac an Ultaigh in the Séan Mac Cumhaill goals.

A free from Donnelly was responded with Fintan McKillop’s third point of the final before Séan Mac Cumhaill were reduced to 14 men.  Substitute Sean Og Hannigan receiving his marching orders for a strike with his hurl on Thomas McLaughlin, giving referee the easiest decision of the final.  A tackle borne out of frustration given what had happened before when McLaughlin had superbly robbed him of possession but a clear breaking of the laws.

With the game opening up, Cushendall began to put even further daylight between the sides with Fintan McKillop, Bradley and Shane McQuillan finding their range.  Donnelly would split the uprights for his second free  with 12 minutes remaining but that was the last score by the Ballybofey men.

The third Cushendall major came in the 55th minute through a piece of individual brilliance.  Bradley gathered the sliotar and rounded his man.  The Séan Mac Cumhaill closed in and starved him of space but he managed to hammer the sliotar to the back of the net one handed.

Nicholas McLaughlin had the final say with the last score of the final as Cushendall romped home to claim the last silverware of 2025.

The win see’s Cushendall join St John’s and Kevin Lynch’s on three wins each at the Tournament and Antrim joining Derry with winning the competition on 11 occasions.

TEAMS

CUSHENDALL: Shane Coulter; Paddy Morgan, Conor McCann, Brian McNeill; Alex McCambridge, Callagh Mooney, Aodhán Campbell; Thomas McLaughlin, Nicholas McLaughlin; Shane McQuillan, Connlaodh McNaughton, Ryan McAuley; Cahir McCambridge, Fiontan Bradley, Dáire Higgins

Subs: Fintan McKillop for B McNeill (4); Diarmuid McManus for S McQuillan (51); Sean Pol McNaughton for R McAuley (53); Calum Quinn for A Campbell (57)

Scorers: F Bradley 2-3 (1f); F McKillop 0-6; R McAuley 1-00; N McLaughlin 0-2; A McCambridge 0-1; C Mooney 0-1; T McLaughlin 0-1; C McNaughton 0-1; C McCambridge 0-1; S McQuillan 0-1

SÉAN MAC CUMHAILL: Fionn Mac an Ultaigh; Ultán Coyle, Shay Bradley, Adam Byrne; Patrick McElhinney, Oisin Mullen, Lorcan Byrne; Pauric Kelly, Tomás McNulty; Rory Doherty, Daniel Donnelly, Jamie Gallen; Dylan Patton, Jacob Malone, Daimhin Byrne

Subs: Sean Og Hannigan for A Byrne (28); Matthew Dowds for J Gallen (40); Shay McNulty for R Doherty (44); Ultan O Giollagáin for L Byrne (48); Liam Gallen for D Patton (51)

Scorers: D Donnelly 0-2 (2fs); D Patton 0-1 (1f); D Byrne 0-1

Referee: Sean Curran (Derry)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/Wg8iSad7k5FaB6/?invite=8cd04400-d89d-47bb-90b4-e4ff26ef3805

TO SEE MORE OF CURLY’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/CEJCYx6sdiwcym/?invite=1b3c692b-3c2b-4f9a-80a3-4ab90c7e1ffe

TO SEE SEAN PAUL’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THIS LINK

TO SEE BERT#S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THIS LINK

by thesaffrongael

Hot favourites Cushendall must be wary of the Sean MacCumhaills challenge

Ulster Minor Club Hurling final at Ballinascreen

Ruairi Og Cushendall v Sean MacCumhaills Ballybofey – Throw-in 1pm

Cushendall must not be complacent when the take on Donegal champions Sean MacCumhaills in Sunday’s Ulster Minor Hurling final in Ballinascreen. Last Sunday the boys from Ballybofey made history by becoming the first Donegal side to reach the final of this great tournament and they are determined to write another chapter tomorrow when the face the Antrim champions.

Sean MacCumhaills manager Jamesie Donnelly is hoping they can end the year on a high after already upsetting the odds twice. The Tir Connell side were outsiders when they took on Tyrone champions Carrickmore in the Ulster Shield final, but depite having a depleted squad, they came out on top.

Sean MacCumhaills, Ballybofey

Winning the Shield put them through to the semi-final of the cup competition where they faced Down champions Ballygalget and low and behold they upset the odds again to set up Sunday’s showdown with Cushendall.

In their semi-final Cushendall had a hard earned win over Dungiven in a really competitive game. The Derry champions matched the Ruairis score for score for most of the game and when they edged ahead going down the home straight the Antrim champions appeared to be in trouble. However they battled on and after Fiontan Bradley hit the equalising score in the last seconds, Nicholas McLaughlin won the game when his attempt for a point dropped in below the crossbar in injury time for the match winning goal.

Cushendall full forward Fiontan Bradley in action during last week’s semi-final win over Dungiven

Cushendall goalkeeper Shane Coulter was man of the match last week with a series of outstanding saves while in a solid full back line Conor McCann stood out. Although named in the forwards Callagh Mooney did a lot of defending last week and was a vital cog in the Cushendall team as were the McLaughlin brothers Nicholas and Thomas. Connlaodh McNaughton and Shane McQuillan hit vital scores while Fiontan Bradley was a constant danger, despite being closely marked throughout the hour.

Sean MacCumhaills manager Jamesie Donnelly is confident his team will not be found wanting “We’re here on merit, we’re in uncharted territory but we’ll go to Ballinascreen and give it one hell of a lash. We’re not going up to take part in the occasion, we’re going up to play hurling and we might never get this chance again.”

Cushendall will go in as strong favourites but sometimes that is not a good thing and they will need to be on their toes to capture the club’s third Ulster title and their first since 2013.

by thesaffrongael

Camogie 2025 through the Nikon lens of Michael Corcoran

It’s hard to believe we are now fast approaching the end of 2025, and what a good year it has been for the camogs from Antrim Clubs and County. As you know, our team of snappers annually try their best to bring you the action from the Saffron county games across the four codes. It’s a big task but somehow it gets done and although you look forward to a rest over the festive period, cabin fever quickly sets in and you long for the lengthening evenings and the thud of leather on ash. So, in the meantime, we thought it would be a bit different to have ex Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran give us his select pick of photos that defined the year of 2025 for him behind his lens.

“The feature picture at the head of this post is a great starting point. Antrim Minors winning the All Ireland A Shield against Laois in April down in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny set us all off into early celebrations but not before they won the Ulster against Derry in Ahoghill, early March.”

You can read the original Minor All Ireland match report and view the photo album here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/04/28/antrim-camogie-minors-all-ireland-a-shield-champions/

You can read the original Ulster match report and view the photo album for the Ulster Minor final here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/03/31/antrim-regain-the-ulster-camogie-cup-from-derry/

“Antrim’s Seniors winning the Very League against Clare just a day ahead of the Minor’s Ulster win was great fuel for the younger camogs to demonstrate their own capabilities when the stakes are high.”

Antrim faced tough opposition in the form of Clare in the Very League final. This photo captures the essence of the game, where nothing was easy for either side and in the end, gave the Antrim win extra signficance.

“Having access to the squad on the return bus journey allowed for a terrific group photo opportunity and then there was the traditional winners’ walk over the county border from Louth into Down.” Again, you can relive the match through the match report and view the photo album here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/03/30/antrim-on-their-way-up-after-their-league-final-win/

Miles of smiles as we journeyed back from the National Games Development Centre with the Very League Cup.

Louth to Down, pitch black and cold wouldn’t deter the squad from this tradition.

“Antrim continued with their winning ways and enjoyed an Ulster win against Derry during an early summer spell of fine weather in May. I like this photo as it captures the squad enjoying the result, the fine weather and also has an element of enormity about it, complementing the significant win.”

Antrim fill in time just before the official Ulster trophy is awarded to Antrim in Dunloy.

You can read the original match report and view the photo album here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/05/11/antrim-prevail-despite-an-early-threat-from-derry/

“In June, Antrim travelled to play Westmeath in spells of atrocious downpours of rain. This photo captures the moment Katie Molloy went on a solo run with Lucia Mc Naughton running off the shoulder. I think you get the sense of just how difficult that game was, considering the weather.”

You can reread the match report and view the photos from the game here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/06/15/antrim-avoid-dire-straits-playing-sultans-of-swing-in-the-second-half/

Katie Molloy weathers the storm with Lucia McNaughton running off the shoulder against Westmeath.

“Sometimes a photo tells a story without the action of a stick or sliotar. This photo of Katie Lynn applying sunscreen to Sarah O’Neill’s face is a great example of the camaraderie that existed in the squad but that day Antrim were baked in the July sun, Offaly holding out the better for their pathway to an eventual All Ireland Intermediate win.”

A pitch temperature above thirty degrees proved to be an unforeseen challenge that would hamper Antrim’s passage to the All Ireland final.

“That loss pretty much wrapped up county action on the big stage, but there were other photo assignments ongoing in the club scene. June marked an interesting initiative between the LGFA and Antrim Camogie for a joint club championship launch. It proved to be a colourful event down Belfast’s Commercial Court, the scene lining up to help promote the Camogie Associations Pride campaign.”

Players from the LGFA and Camogie club scene joined forces for a dual photoshoot to launch the club championships.

You can delve back into this if you missed the original Saffron Gael post here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/06/22/antrim-lgfa-and-camogie-dual-launch-for-championships/

“The club championships created so many wonderful photo opportunities but it’s hard to include so many, so here’s my shortlist of seven, only for the following reasons.”

“First up, Laura Brady from Patrick Sarsfield’s Junior win. It’s hard not to see the sheer delight in her face after a great game up in St. Enda’s against Loughgiel.”

Match report and photos from that Junior final can be read and seen here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/10/26/sarsfields-make-history-with-first-junior-camogie-championship-win/

Laura Brady from Sarsfield’s enjoys a moment of history for her club.

“This is an opportunity for me to include two players that I’ve enjoyed watching playing for their county. Here’s Clare McKillop in action against Cushendall. Clare has just pinched the sliotar off the end of Amy McAlister’s stick. Clare has been doing that all season, especially with the county with quiet aplomb. In my humble opinion seen through the lens, Clare has been one of the stand out players from 2025 with a level of consistency that was always dependable at times of need.”

Loughgiel’s Clare McKillop quietly takes possession of the sliotar in one of the Antrim Championship games.

“You’ll forgive me if I tell you that the next photo is nothing special but the player is. Róisín McCormick, Antrim and Loughgiel. It’s easy to run out of superlatives in your match report when covering one of her games.”

Loughgiel’s taliswoman, Róisín McCormick, in this year’s club championship action against Cushendall.

“The Antrim County final gave us a game we’ll remember. Looking through the photo gallery, one stands out. Here’s a photo of Dunloy’s Brid Magill. You’ve got to marvel at the angel she has created for propulsion in attempting to out pace Loughgiel’s Maria O’Hara, who incidentally has matched Brid.

Elite athletes in action during the Antrim County final in Portglenone, Brid Magill and Maria O’Hara.

“That same final seen Loughgiel’s Anna Connolly chaperone the sliotar under severe pressure from Dunloy’s Mary McArthur and Nicole McAtamney, with player of the match Eimear Johnston, ready to turn up the heat. Terrific skill under immense pressure.”

You can revisit that game’s match report and photos here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/10/13/shamrocks-secure-stunning-streak-12-in-a-row/

Loughgiel’s Anna Connolly balances the sliotar away whilst under pressure from Dunloy players in the Antrim County final.

“My last two photos exemplify the thrills and spills you see in this marvellous game. Here we see Annie Lynn catching the sliotar tossed forward from Amy Boyle out of the side line ruck that would end in the back of Clonduff’s net, courtesy of Róisín McCormick to propel Loughgiel safely onto their fourth Ulster Win.”

Catch the action in words and photos from that game again here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/11/17/brilliant-shamrocks-bring-it-home-for-four-in-a-row/

Annie Lynn’s fortuitous catch is about to put the game beyond Clonduff in the Ulster final.

“My last photo sums up the emotion this game can create as Loughgiel’s Megan McGarry drops to her hunkers in disbelief, so close but not enough to move into another All Ireland final. Thanks to Megan for being a sport and allowing this pic to be used.”

Words and photos from that titanic semi final that went into extra extra time can be found here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/11/30/loughgiel-dreams-sink-in-titanic-all-ireland-semi-final/

St. Finbarr’s scrape past Loughgiel in this year’s All Ireland Senior semi final by one point. Disbelief and disappointment are uneasy companions for one team, especially at this elite level.

“That’s my pick from 2025, it’s by no means a review but the albums might have captured something you prefer, and that’s okay. It only remains for me to thank Carl McCormick, Martin Coulter and the players for unprecedented access to the Antrim senior squad, where nothing was a bother, also to the Antrim club management teams who trusted me to be impartial along the side line when it mattered. Finally a special thanks to Loughgiel’s Johnny Campbell for permission to shoot in and around the squad as I tried to capture the special moments from a serious journey. What photo assignments will come calling in 2026? Can Antrim make up for last year’s narrow miss on the Intermediate scene? How will they go in the top league? Can Loughgiel maintain their dominance and visit Croke Park again? Can Brídíní Óga make it three All Irelands? I don’t have the answers yet but hopefully the Saffron Gael will continue to get ring side and bring you those and much more in 2026.”

Happy New Year!

by thesaffrongael

Dromintee prevail after second half comeback win over St Canice’s. 

St Pauls, FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament semi-final 

Dromintee 1-13-1-10 St Canices, Dungiven 

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Pol 

DROMINTEE booked their place in the final of the FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament at St Paul’s with a 1-13-1-10 comeback win over 2022 winners St Canice’s Dungiven on the Shaws Road on St Stephen’s Day. 

Paddy Higgins 23rd minute goal had helped the Derry side to a 1-6-0-5 lead at the break, but after extending their half time advantage within the first ten minutes of the second half, they then went 22-minutes without a score. 

Dromintee’s stylish corner forward Oisin Byrne swings over a point midway through the opening half

In the intervening period Dromintee hit 1-5 without reply, Michael O’Neill’s scuffed shot finding the net in the 48th minute to draw his side level for the first time since the 12th minute. 

The Armagh natives three-point lead was whittled down to a point after back-to-back Padraig Hagan frees in added time, but late points from Oisin Byrne and Calvin Mooney booked their sides place in the final next Thursday when they will take on Clontibret. 

Dromintee were first off the mark after seven minutes in the St Stephens Day clash with Diarmaid O’Rourke clipping a shot over following a patient move from his team-mates in the build-up. 

Parity was restored three minutes later, a quickly taken Kevin Barry Mullan free found Paddy Higgins to swing over. 

The Derry natives hit the front for the first time through a two-pointed Michael McVeigh score after Peader Pio Peoples shot came off the large post and play was recycled. 

Midway through the half they extended their lead through a Sean O’Kane point, but Dromintee replied through an angled Jarleth O’Neill score. 

Further points were traded through Higgins (free) and Diarmaid O’Rourke before the games opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute. 

Dungiven full forward Paddy Higgins fires to the net in the 23rd minute. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

Daithi McCloskey played a neat pass into the path of Paddy Higgins and he was able to squeeze a low shot past James McBennet at the near post to move his side 1-5-0-3 in front. 

In response, Fergus Toale’s high shot dropped over and Toale then turned provider for Ronan Martin to finish his sides scoring for the half- though at the other end Darragh O’Neill shot over to give his side a 1-6-0-5 lead at the interval. 

Dromintee reduced arrears through a Ronan Martin point five minutes after the restart, but Kevin Barry Mullan shot over and 60-seconds later he saw a low goal bound shot blocked by the foot of James McBennett in the Dromintee goal. 

A converted Padraig Haran free moved his side 1-8-0-6 ahead by the 40th minute though it would be St Canice’s last score for 22-minutes. 

Dromintee’s fightback began when Calvin Mooney dropped an impressive angled shot over and Diarmaid O’Rouke did likewise from the other side, either side of the midway point in the half. 

Dungiven defenders look back in horror as Michael O’Neill’s scuffed effort rolls over the line for the goal that brought the Armagh champions level. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

In the 48th minute parity was restored on the Shaws Road when Michael O’Neill’s attempt to shoot on the turn was scrappily deflected into the net to make it 1-8 apiece. 

Trailing since the 12th minute, Dromintee took the lead for the second time after 53-minutes when Fionn Toale popped the ball over. 

Toale’s score separated the sides until the hour-mark when he let fly with a two-pointed effort that dropped over the bar ahead of five additional minutes. 

The 2022 winners St Canice’s ended their scoreless period through a close-range Haran free and he added another within 60-seconds to leave the bare minimum separating the sides with two minutes remaining. 

Any hopes of forcing extra time were extinguished as Dromintee finished strongly with Oisin Byrne and Mooney added points in the last minute to ensure their side ran out 1-13-1-10 winners at the conclusion and booked their place in the New Year’s Day decider. 

DROMINTEE: J McBennett, J O’Neill (0-1), C Dunne, D O’Rourke (0-3), Fergus Toale (0-1), T Fox, M O’Neill (1-0), C Laverty, K McArdle, C Mooney (0-2), Fionn Toale (0-3, 1×0-2pt), M Walker, R Martin (0-2), O Carnegie, O Byrne (0-1). SUBS: S Harris for K McArdle (39), 

ST CANICE’S: T McCloskey, C McKenna, P O’Kane, E Og McKeever, D O’Neill (0-1), R McGilligan, D Colgan, D McCloskey, KB Mullan (0-1), M McVeigh (0-2, 1×0-2pt), P Haran (0-3f), PP Peoples, M Harkin, P Higgins (1-2, 0-1f), S O’Kane (0-1). SUBS: U McCloskey for C McKenna (HT), D McKenna for PP Peoples (HT). 
REFEREE: Colm McDonald (ST GALLS)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/iduiw4YYYUVd8K/?invite=572b49da-8d18-49ea-99f0-196739b9f35e

Paddy has added a second album. Click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/7k4NnpSZTaKpWM

by thesaffrongael

Paul Quinn R.I.P.

It was deep sadness that we at the Saffron Gael learned of the death of former Naomh Comhghall former player, Paul Quinn. Paul, the son of good friend and Naomh Comhghall past chairman Paddy Quinn was laid to rest, following Requiem Mass in St. Comgall’s Church, Antrim in Belmont Cemetery on Christmas Eve.

Paul Quinn was born into a family who are deeply involved in St. Comghall’s GAC and served them as a player, coming through the juvenile ranks to participate in two McCormack Cup campaigns.

Paul played for 10 years at Senior Level, and was on the St Comgall’s 2020 Gymco Junior Football Championship Final team. 

Latterly Paul trained with St Comgall’s reserves and played with St Comgall’s Dads and Lads.

A notice on the club’s Facebook page read:

CLG Naomh Comhghall  ·

It is with deep sadness that the Committee and members of CLG Naomh Comhghall learn of the sudden passing of Paul Quinn.

Paul was the beloved son of our esteemed past Chair Paddy Quinn and his wife Siobhán, and a much-loved brother of Paddy Jnr., our underage coach, and Danielle, our former Children’s Officer and assistant treasurer.

Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with the Quinn family at this very difficult time.

Mary Queen of the Gaels, pray for him.

Pictured below is Paddy Quinn Senior and his two boys, Patrick and Paul💚

Rest in Peace Paul 🙏🏼

To our good friend Paddy, his wife Siobhan, Paddy Jnr, Danielle, Emma and all the family circle we at the Saffron Gael extend our sincere sympathy.

Mary, Queen of the Gaels pray for him