Lámh Dhearg hosted a special social hurling game between the minor panels from ‘92 of Loughgiel and themselves in honour of club stalwart Daryl Fegan who sadly passed away in January . A repeat of the classic all county minor final.
It was great to see so many players tog out , dust the cobwebs of helmets and sticks and roll back the years. Both teams deserve full credit for serving up an exhibition of exciting hurling in a sporting spirit showing they still have the passion, skills and stick work and prove the old adage that you never lose it. The big turnout clearly reflects the esteem Daryl was held in and special mention to Owen O’Neill who flew in from Holland to play and Ciaran Herron who travelled up from Donegal .Thanks to referee Mark McDonald for refereeing the game although the pace would have been a bit slower than the pulsating ‘92 final.
After the whistle both teams retired to the clubrooms and enjoyed the craic and ceol as their aching limbs earned a deserved and relaxing break. Club PRO Paul Buchanan thanked Loughgiel for travelling and playing and everyone for contributing to such an enjoyable day making it a fitting poignant tribute to Daryl. He commented that the game sums up the true essence of the Gaa family and community in supporting each other . Paul paid a glowing tribute to Daryl and acknowledged that the day will bring much solace and support to the Fegan family. Paddy Tumelty organiser of the day made a special presentation of a framed Loughgiel jersey to Pj Mullan as a momento of them participating while PJ presented Daryl’s wife Sarah with a gift to acknowledge the game . PJ spoke so highly of Daryl as a former county player and as an opponent , thanked the club for the invite and hospitality and acknowledged Loughgiel were privileged and honoured to be asked and thoroughly enjoyed the day and the craic.
Interdisciplinary essays of the history of an Irish County
IN the late 1970s the GAA approached academia to discuss how the association’s upcoming Centenary celebrations could be recognised in academic publications. A plethora of mostly historical publications resulted that has since filtered down through county, provincial and club histories.
Academia also responded in adopting a project that would publish a volume of inter-disciplinary essays on each of the 32 counties exploring their diversity. The first volume, Tipperary History and Society, was edited and published by Willie Nolan and Thomas G McGrath in 1985. In their preface to the volume the editors stated that they hoped the essays would “embrace the collateral disciplines of archaeology, history, geography, Irish literature, folklore and planning” to thereby contribute to a greater understanding of the regional dimension of county’s history.
Over the next 40 years Willie Nolan and his wife Teresa have overseen a steady drip feed of publications from each county. On Friday evening both were in attendance in The Great Hall of Queen’s University for the publication and launch of the 32nd and final volume of essays, Antrim History and Society.
Seamus McAleenan, who contributed the Camogie section of the book, is seen here with the husband and wife team of Professor Eileen Murphy and Dr Colm Donnelly at last week’s launch at QUB
The editors are husband and wife team Professor Eileen Murphy and Dr Colm Donnelly, both of the School of Natural and Built Environment in Queen’s. Murphy, a native of Fermanagh, was involved in the publication of that county’s volume in 2004. Donnelly is a native of Ballintoy but now domiciled in Belfast where he is an active member of Gort na Móna CLG through which he became involved as Fixtures’ Secretary on the Antrim Camogie Board.
It was in this capacity that he met Séamas McAleenan and asked him to contribute an essay on the “History of Camogie in Antrim”. McAleenan, a founding member of the Brídíní Óga camogie club in Glenravel and at one period full-time Ard rúnaí of the Camogie Association, had helped research and write the MacNamee-award winning history of his home club Liatroim Fontenoys for its centenary in 1988 and also the subsequent 125 years’ publication in 2013.
This is the first time that a camogie history has been included in a county volume. McAleenan’s condensed essay extends to more than 12,500 words across 36 pages and is one of 31 essays in the publication that runs to an impressive 884 pages. It is illustrated with photographs from the Ardoyne GAA and Camogie History and Creggan Kickham’s GAA History publications as well as a number of photographs from John Curly McIlwaine’s personal collection.
In it, the author explores the first written evidence of camogie in the county: “There were girls ‘practising at Seaghan’s Park, Belfast’ in the summer of 1906”. The development of a camogie league in the city followed with references to various trips to games at Dundalk Feis, Armagh, Clones and a challenge match between Greenan’s Cross (Monaghan) and Ardoyne as a curtain raiser to the Ulster hurling semi-final on April 10th 1910.
However there were many obstacles to the development of camogie in the city and county and it wasn’t until the 1930s that there were county-wide organised leagues and championships. As a result a county board was formed and an inter-country team followed.
Each of the six senior All-Ireland winning campaigns are described in detail with reference to interviews the author had carried out over the past three decades with key players, Cella Quinn, the Dooey twins, Moya Forde, Máiréad McAtamney-Magill and Fr Paddy Delargy, coach to the 1979 winning team.
The troughs and peaks since 1979 at inter-county and club level are raked through to bring the history up to the end of the 2023 season. The essay concludes with a list of achievements by Antrim teams at inter-county and club level, including the names and scoring stats of each player on All-Ireland winning inter-county teams at senior, intermediate, junior, national league, under 18 and under 16 levels as well as those on the Rossa (senior, 2008) and Brídíní Óga Glenravel (junior, 2022) club teams. Provincial winning years for Antrim inter-county teams at all levels and club teams are also chronicled.
Many of the other essays in the volume will also be of interest including Brian S Turner’s “The surnames of County Antrim”, Frances Kane’s and Mícheál B Ó Mainnín’s “The place-names of County Antrim” or Patricia Lysaght’s exploration of folklore collecting in the early part of the last century. A full list of chapters is included BELOW.
Going into Saturday’s game against next door neighbours Sarsfields, St Paul’s could still have qualified for the semi-finals of the Intermediate Hurling Championship, but to achieve that and overhaul Cloney Gaels the Shaw’s Road men would have needed a 26 point win over their neighbours. Technically possible, but highly unlikely, especially as they had to travel down the hill to the Bear Pit.
With the wind at their backs in the first half they gave it their best, but the Paddies were giving nothing away and at half-time there was just three points between the sides with St Paul’s leading by 0-10 to 0-07, Caolan Duffin, Caolan Crossan and Lorcan Phillips grabbing the majority of the scores, while Brendan Jackson, Caolan McKernan, Anthony McGarrigle and Fionn Jemfrey were on target for the Paddies.
At the beginning of the second half St Paul’s were still going for goals to try and bridge the yawning gap, but when it came apparent that it was not going to happen, and Sarsfields were posing a serious threat of actually winning the game, the attitude changed. Jackson began to go for points from his frees and that paid dividends as they edged a bit further ahead. There were some great scores from both side in a game where there was no place for the weak hearted, one exceptional score from Sarsfields goalkeeper Daniel McKernan who sent one over from a free on his own 45. However as the game went into the last ten minutes St Paul’s had edged six clear before Stephen Rooney sealed the deal with a great individual goal, his initial shot brilliantly saved by Dan McKernan, but Rooney followed up to sweep the rebound home and give his team a nine point win.
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Glenariffe Oisin 1-16 St Brigid’s Cloughmills 2-19
Pics courtesy of Christian Ghio Photograhy
Cloughmills wrapped up their 2025 championship campaign in style, securing a well-earned victory over a much-changed Oisins side in Glenariffe on Sunday afternoon. With Glenariffe already assured of top spot in the group, their management opted to rotate the squad, but Cloughmills were determined from the outset and battled for every ball.
Despite playing into a strong breeze in the first half, Cloughmills edged ahead at the break, leading 1-7 to 0-9. Glenariffe missed a few early frees before Phelim Ward took over the duties, finishing with an impressive 8 points. The first half saw a fascinating duel between the free-takers, with Cloughmills’ Liam Kearns notching up 9 points by the final whistle. Glenariffe’s Niall Murray was the standout in the opening period, scoring 4 points from play in the first 20 minutes. The teams were evenly matched, but a goal from Seamus Dobbin—one of three sons of Glenariffe manager Hugh Dobbin on the Cloughmills team—gave the Biddies the edge at halftime.
The second half was a point-for-point contest until Dobbin struck again, netting his second goal to open up a four-point lead for Cloughmills. Further points from Eoin Dobbin, Ryan Watson, and the evergreen Kearns put Cloughmills in a strong position. Glenariffe responded with a goal from Conor Kerr, narrowing the gap, but they struggled to build momentum. As Glenariffe pushed forward in search of another goal, Cloughmills capitalized on the counterattack, picking off points to finish the game strongly.
This result gives Cloughmills plenty of positives to take into next season. For Glenariffe, the match provided valuable championship experience for fringe players as they now look ahead to a semifinal clash with Ahoghill in two weeks’ time.
Glenariffe Team: S McToal, S McMullan, M Haughey, J Leech, C Graham, N Magee, J Kearney, P Ward (0-8, 7 frees), R Leech, A Cosgrove, C Kerr (1-0), N Murray (0-4), B O’Connor (0-2), D Kearney (0-2), B O’Boyle. Subs: D McKillop for J Kearney, M McAllister for B O’Boyle.
Cloughmills Team: M Morrison, J McDowell, C Blair, R Dobbin, J Duffin, R Laverty (0-2), G Laverty, K O’Boyle, E Dobbin (0-3), C Mullan (0-1), M Devlin (0-2), C Laverty (0-1), L Kearns (0-9, 6 frees), S Dobbin (2-0), R Watson (0-1). Subs Used: S McKendry, S Smith, A McGuckian.
Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Quarter final
Loughgiel 1-20 Ballycastle 0-11
Sunday 21 September
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Loughgiel sealed their place in the last four of the championship on Sunday afternoon with a solid performance to see off Ballycastle. In a game that lacked any fluency with referee Colum Cunning having a busy afternoon, it was the Shamrocks who showed enough cohesion to get over the line.
The quarter final was built upon a strong first half from Loughgiel who played into the elements and held a two point lead at the interval. While Ballycastle started the second half with plenty of intensity and vigour, it was a five minute spell midway through the second half that proved to be the winning of the game. The Shamrocks hitting 1-5 without response to put daylight between the sides and gave them control of a contest Ballycastle rarely looked like getting back into.
On a day where free taking was far from easy, James McNaughton led the way. A couple may have gone to the wrong side of the posts that you would normally expect the Antrim star to nail, McNaughton’s tally of nine points all came from placed ball. Paul Boyle was a constant threat throughout and his battle in the first half with Cian Baudant was fascinating. The Shamrocks star forward would land three points from open play while it was Roan McGarry who landed their goal in the 46th minute.
This game was won in the Loughgiel defence however with the Shamrock’s defensive unit excellent throughout. They yielded just seven points from open play with just two of the Town’s six starting forwards getting on the scoresheet, it was ultimately the difference between the sides.
Rory and Declan McCloskey along with Ben McGarry formed an excellent half back line turned the majority of Ballycastle ball when it came their way. Liam Glackin had another top game in the full back line while Cormac McFadden produced the goods between the sticks when called upon in the later stages of the game.
Seamus McAuley was a shining light for the McQuillan’s. Four of his eight points coming from open play and despite missing a penalty early in the game, the Ballycastle midfielder had a top game. Defensively, Eoin McAlonan and Conor Boyd caught the eye while Ryan McGarry’s performance between the sticks looked to be keeping Ballycastle in the game.
They were guilty of overplaying the ball on too many occasions however and with the Shamrocks defence on top form, once Loughgiel hit their purple patch, Ballycasyle never looked like getting back into the game.
Playing with the wind Ballycastle made an excellent start to the game. Ben McGarry may have struck the opening point but a brace of frees from Seamus McAuley lifted the Town and gave their sizeable support in Pearse Park plenty of ammunition to get behind their side in the early exchanges.
Loughgiel created the first goal chance of the game when McNaughton sped through but his effort was well saved by ‘Charlie’ McGarry between the sticks. Ballycastle had a glimpse of Cormac McFadden’s goal in the eighth minute when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ronan McCarry. Seamus McAuley drove the sliotar to the bottom left hand corner but McFadden deflected his effort wide.
Seamus McAuley showed lovely stickwork to hit his third point of the day and first from play in the 12th minute but it was their last score for 10 minutes as Loughgiel came to grips with the elements.
A fine score from distance from Ben McGarry halved the Ballycastle lead before McNaughton’s first free of the day restored parity. The Shamrocks created another goal scoring chance when Boyle found a yard of space but his effort was sensationally blocked by Ronan Laverty with the goal at Boyle’s mercy.
‘Rambo’ McCarry restored the Ballycastle lead in the 22nd minute but Loughgiel finished the half strongly. Points from Roan McGarry, Boyle and three frees from McNaughton with a brace of points from Seamus McAuley the only response from Ballycastle to leave Loughgiel ahead 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
While they were far from out of the game at half time, it was going to take something special from Ballycastle to keep their championship hopes alive. They started the half superbly and when Tiarnan Smyth reduced the deficit to the minimum, they looked like they were up for the fight. They were playing with plenty of intensity and not letting Loughgiel settle in the early exchanges of the second half but a couple of poor wides hurt their chances of building momentum.
Once the Shamrocks clicked into gear, they weathered that initial Ballycastle storm. Points from McNaughton (free) and substitute Shan McGrath were answered to by a Seamus McAuley free in the 41st minute.
The Shamrock’s turned the screw however, firing over 1-5 in a little less than five minutes. Points from McNaughton (two frees), Boyle, Rian McMullan and Ruairi McCormick with Roan McGarry scoring their goal. Paul Boyle’s intelligence creating the space for McGarry as the Ballycastle defence looked to swarm, Boyle popped the sliotar into the young Shamrock’s direction and he gave Ryan McGarry no chance with a riffled effort.
10 points separated the sides going into the final 10 minutes and while Seamus McAuley (free) and substitute Diarmuid McShane split the posts to give the Town hope of reeling in the Shamrocks, Loughgiel didn’t let up.
Ballycastle were pushing up on the Loughgiel defence and leaving space in their own as the Shamrocks looked to soak up any pressure that came their way. They landed a further three unanswered scores from McNaughton (free), Boyle and Ryan McKee while McMullan was denied a goal by a brilliant save from Ryan McGarry.
Ballycastle laid siege on the Loughgiel goal in the closing stages with a series of 21 yard frees from Seamus McAuley and substitute Ciaran Clarke going close while Ronan McCarry and Diarmuid McShane brought the best out of Cormac McFadden.
Loughgiel rounded off the scoring with McNaughton’s ninth free and McGrath’s second of the match to round off a comfortable win for the Shamrocks.
They look ahead now to a repeat of the 2024 semi final against Dunloy in two weeks’ time as the race for the Volunteer Cup reaches the last four.
TEAMS
LOUGHGIEL: Cormac McFadden; Ruairi McCormick, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Ben McGarry, Rory McCloskey, Declan McCloskey; Ryan McKee, Darragh Patterson; Rian McMullan, James McNaughton, Ronan Fitzgerald; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Dan McCloskey
Subs: Shan McGrath for R Fitzgerald (36); Conal McCloskey for E Og McGarry (47); Donal McKinley for D McCloskey (60); Caolan Blair for B McGarry (60+2)
Scorers: J McNaughton 0-9 (9f); R McGarry 1-1; P Boyle 0-3; B McGarry 0-2; S McGrath 0-2; R McCormick 0-1; R McKee 0-1; R McMullan 0-1
Subs: Diarmuid McShane for R McCook (HT); Darragh Donnelly for C Baudant (HT); Ciaran Clarke for Cathair Donnelly (38); James McShane for D Kelly (48); Lorcan Donnelly for D Donnelly (50)
Scorers: S McAuley 0-8 (4f); R McCarry 0-1; T Smyth 0-1; D McShane 0-1
Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
