St Killian’s won the FMC Appliances Camogie Shield competition at Portglenone on Tuesday when they beat St Conor’s Clady/Kilrea in the final, The teams met in the group stages with the Co Derry school coming out on top on their way to winning the group game on a score-line of 3-2 to 2-3.
St Killian’s were up against it in the final bu Cushendall’s Cliodhna Thompson prouved to by the heroine with two goals to give a half-time lead of 2-0 to 0-1 at the break. On the re-start St Conor’s drew level with a goal from Cara Rose Griffin and points each for Aoife McGroggan and Amy Downey.
However Thompson edged St Killian’s ahead once more with a point and then clinched the Shield with her third goal of the game. The Tower team eventually won by 3-3 to 1-3.
Both St Mary’s and St Killian’s will represent Ulster schools in the All-Ireland series in Dunganny Co Meath on Wednesday 15th October.
St Killian’s: Ellen McAllister, Laoiseach McNaughton, Ceoilin McKeown capt, Niamh Higgins, Clíodhna Thompson 3-3, Dervla McMullan, Emily Elliot, Clodagh McAuley, Aoife Campbell, Katie Burns, Orlaith Quinn, Anna Birt
St Conor’s: Clíodhna Molloy, Aoife McGroggan 0-1, Cora Quinn, Feina Kerr, Grainne Campbell, Mia McAleese, Niamh McAleese, Niamh Martin 0-1, Amy Don=wney 0-1, Isla Rose Rodgers, Cara Rose Gribben 1-0, Niamh McNally
ST Mary’s Magherafelt are the new holders of the FMC Appliances Ulster schools’ Sevens Cup after a titanic battle in the final with last year’s All-Ireland champions St Patrick’s Maghera in Portglenone yesterday.
The two schools met in the round robin group games when St Mary’s defeated St Patrick’s by 0-8 to 1-2. Both schools however made it through to the final for a re-match.
The final seemed to following a similar pattern, despite a goal from Rose Quinn edging St Patrick’s ahead by 1-0 to 0-2 at half-time. Points from Gráinne Doherty and Eva Forbes moved St Mary’s into a 0-6 to 1-0 lead. However with just seconds remaining, Rose Quinn again hit the net to bring the tie to extra time.
Once again St Mary’s moved ahead with points from Forbes and Rachel Gribben and were leading 0-11 to 2-2 when Quinn again found the net for Maghera. However in the 40 seconds remaining, Rachel Gribbin raced through for a goal for St Mary’s to take their first title at this level in a dozen years.
St Mary’s (with scores in the final): Tara Kelly, Eva Forbes 0-6, Ellen Cullen 0-1, Ella Rafferty, Emma McVey 0-1, Emma McGuckin, Rachel Gribbin 1-2, Kate McErlean, Gráinne Doherty 0-2, Catherine Doherty capt., Grace McCloskey, Gemma McAuley.
St Patrick’s: Karen Birt, Niamh Duggan, Iona Tohill, Ríonach McNally, Caoimhe Roche, Charlotte O’Hagan, Eva Scullion, Clodagh McIlvar, Rose Quinn 3-2, Eva Diamond, Orla McKenna, Gracie Diamond.
TO SEE MORE OF BERTS PICS FROM THE SCHOOLS CAMOGIE SEVENS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
In a year when we have been busier than ever at the Saffron Gael it was nice to attend both football semi-finals where I could watch the games without the added pressure of taking notes and preparing to write the reports.
The day before we received a few donations from clubs and sponsors in response to our appeal for financial assistance and we thank those involved and again appeal to clubs who have not donated, to do so.
For the ‘Spare Wheel’ or ‘Third Sub’ if you like it was amazing to observe Antrim’s four best teams bidding for a place in the final in 2 weeks-time with Dunsilly providing an excellent venue for both games.
The stewards on duty did a superb job in parking cars and getting them safely out of the ground when the game was over, scanning tickets and all the thankless tasks that are necessary on such an occasion.
Meanwhile the ‘Spare Wheel’ took his place inside the wire to soak up the atmosphere and try to capture some of the action and listen to the different comments of spectators from all sides outside the wire.
Dunsilly was packed on both occasions with the large and vociferous crowd certainly adding atmosphere to both games and what a feast they were treated to on Friday night and Sunday evening.
As I listened to the comments, sometimes heated, I came to the conclusion that the man in the middle’s decisions is usually right for 50% of the crowd, half of the time and right with the other 50% on the other half of the time.
We have already carried reports and photographs on both games and will be previewing the final next week but for now here are a selection of photographs from both semi-final and I hope you enjoy them.
‘The men and women behind the wire’ soak up the action as they shade their eyes from the blinding sun at Dunsilly on Sunday
TO VIEW ‘Spare Wheel’s’ PICS FROM BOTH GAMES CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW
On Saturday St Brigid’s Cloughmills held their annual Mothers and Others blitz in aid of ‘Mums the Word’. They were pleased to welcome Ballymena, Aldergrove, Ballycastle, Glenravel, Glenarm and Portglenone to Father Leonard Park for what turned out to be a great day of football topped off with entertainment and refreshments in the Corner House. The mothers and others have built a great community with the surrounding clubs with friendships evident both on and off the pitch.
The Saffron Gael wen along to capture some of the action
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Cuushendall secured a place in the Antrim Minor Hurling Championship when they beat Dunloy in Sunday’s semi-final at Pairc Mhuire, in an absolutely absorbing contest.
There were signs of nerves on both team in the early stages of the game and it was five minutes before McCallin raised the first flag of the game. Dylan McNaughton brought Cushendall level a minute later but McCallin came back with a goal soon afterwards and for the remainder of the first half they held the upper hand. Cahir McCambridge and Callagh Mooney pointed to leave just a point between the sides but Dunloy looked the livelier side and points from Damian Kinsella, Oisin McCallin and two by Emmet McKendry saw them move 1-05 to 0-04 ahead by the end of the opening quarter. A run of scores from Fiontan Bradley (2), Thomas McLaughlin and Cahir McCambridge steadied the ship for Cushendall and they were just couple of points between the sides with half time fast approaching. However a goal by Damian Kinsella just before the break helped Dunloy open a five point gap at the short whistle.
Five points in arrears at half time Cushendall set about reeling Dunloy in and by the 55th minute they drew level with an Oran McCambridge point. With the game level entering injury time Cushendall were awarded a penalty but Fiontan Bradley’s well struck shot was brilliantly saved by Dunloy keeper Damian McMahon. Dunloy had a chance at the other end seconds later but when the ball was cleared back up the field Cahir McCambridge appeared to have hit the winner for the home side when he fired over, but there was still time for Oisin McCallin to bring Dunloy back level and bring the game to extra time.
The Ruairis dominated the first half of extra time and hit the first five scores but McCallin closed the gap to four just before the change of ends. The Dunloy full forward brought his team closer with another point four minutes into the second half of extra time as the tension grew more intense, but Nicholas McLaughlin settled the nerves of the home fans a little with two quick points to put them five clear.
In the final minutes Dunloy pulled two back, McCallin getting the first and substitute Daire Elliott getting the other, but that was as close as they would get and the Ruairis held on the secure a place in the final against neighbours Glenariffe-Glenravel.
TO SEE MORE OF MICKY MORGAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON HTE LINK BELOW
Erin’s Own Cargin and Kickham’s Creggan served up a real championship cracker of a semi-final in front of a large attendance at Dunsilly on Sunday.
60 plus minutes and two periods of extra time failed to separate the neighbouring parishes and deadly rivals and it took penalties to decide the issue and send Cargin through to their fourth final in row.
Games between this pairing is usually a fixture to pay close attention to and indeed this meeting under a blazing sun in early autumn was to proceed in a supercharged high octane manner.
Creggan claimed the Division One league title at the expense of All Saint’s on the same location a few weeks ago before progressing to the semi-final of the championship, coming through the group stage undefeated.
A quarter-final victory over Rossa saw them progress to a semi-final meeting with reigning champions Cargin and that meeting brought added pressure to the occasion.
Erin’s Own were unbeaten in their journey to Sunday’s semi-final and recorded a one sided quarter-final victory over St. Mary’s Aghagallon where they scored an impressive 4-20 and went into Sunday’s game as firm favourites.
Despite the underdogs tag it was Kickham’s Creggan who opened at breakneck speed at Dunsilly and raced into an early 0-6 to 0-00 lead with Conor Small firing between the posts in the 2nd minute to settle his side’s nerves.
Matthew Rogers and mid fielder Patrick Mc Auley added two more to give Kickham’s a 0-03 to 0-00 advantage with the game clock at 6 minutes and Cargin visibly struggling to get it together.
Cargin were struggling to lay their hands on the ball and it was a situation that was to prevail in the early stages as Creggan continued to attack at pace and with purpose.
They were ruling the roost and their dominance of the breaking ball was paying dividends and Jamie McCann, Matthew Rogers, and the lively Conor Small moved them 0-06 to 0-00 ahead.
Indeed it could have been even better for Creggan but Small’s penalty attempt rose over the bar but at that stage the challengers would have been more than happy with their six point lead.
Having been silenced for a time the Cargin support were soon in good voice as Paul McCann approached from the left hand side to deliver to the back of the Creggan net with the Creggan defence nowhere to been seen.
Sean Og O’ Neill was quick to follow with a point but the relief felt within the ranks of the Erin’s Own crowd was soon to be silenced again as Creggan returned to the offensive and three unanswered points from the impressive Conor Small had them back in control and five points ahead.
The champions looked in trouble but not for long as John McNabb left his goal line to come forward and despatch a ‘two pointer between the posts.
Matthew Rodgers was quick to add a point to the Creggan advantage but the Erin’s Own men returned fire prior to their domination of the latter stages of the opening period.
Tom Shivers added a point to the Cargin tally and when John McNabb, James Laverty and Shivers again raised further white flags it was parity on the board at the short whistle and Creggan’s early dominance had been wiped away.
The second half commenced with Cargin moving full back Kevin McShane into the central zone to combat the Creggan dominance in that department.
Creggan were first to strike as the second half got under way with a couple of early points but Cargin were quick to reply as Michael McCann opened the door for Conhuir Johnston to score a stunning goal.
Creggan responded with a point at the other end through Dominic Mc Ateer but Cargin were beginning to exert control and struck another decisive blow with Tom Shivers finishing to the net for their third goal and the balance of play looked to have swung in their favour.
Ruairi Mc Cann for Creggan, in the 51st minute and Paul McCann for Cargin exchanged further points but as the end approached points from Conhuir Johnston and a Tomas McCann converted free looked the final nail in the Creggan coffin.
Time still remained however and although a late Callum Gribbin point seemed to ensure victory with Creggan four points in arrears back to back points from Conor Small and Jamie McCann before a hotly disputed 67th minute two pointer by the former sent the game into extra time.
The first ten minute period was a low scoring affair with Creggan gaining minimum advantage with a 66th minute point but a Sean O’ Neill fisted effort and another from replacement Eunan Quinn moved the Champions ahead of a fiercely contested opening period.
Kickham’s looked in trouble but came back strongly as the second period of extra time got under way with Ruairi McCann edging them ahead with time almost up.
There would be one final twist in this already compelling drama however when Cargin were awarded a free around mid-field and referee Kevin Parke moved the ball forward for dissent, and Tomas McCann tapped over to tie the contest and send the game into a penalty shootout.
A cruel end to decide the outcome but in the event it was Cargin who were to emerge as winners with a two goal advantage to keep their hopes of 4 in a row very much alive.
They will meet Cuchullian’s Dunloy in two weeks-time in a repeat of the 2023 final with Dunloy hoping to gain revenge for that defeat and it promises to be another compelling contest with the Toome side starting as favourites.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-03) 1 2pt 1 f) Ronan Gribbin, Kevin Mc Shane, Conan Johnston, Benen Kelly, James Laverty (0-01) Sean Og O’Neill (0-2), John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston. Michael Mc Cann, Paul McCann (1-1) Conhuir Johnston (1-1), Thomas McCann 0-3 1f) Tom Shivers (1-1),
Subs
Jack O’Neill
Callum Gribbin (0-01),
Eunan Quinn (0-02)
P Shivers
K O’Boyle
Creggan: Oisin Kerr, L Mc Larnon, R Johnston, E Mc Ateer, D Mc Ateer (0-01), E Carey Small, J Mc Cann (0-01), P Mc Auley, S Duffin, (0-2), F Close 0-1, C Small (0-7), R Mc Cann (0-03 1*tp) J Mc Ateer, M Rogers (0-03 1 tp)) K Small (0-1)
Subs
L Quinn (0-03)
K Small
S Mc Cann
C Johnston (0-01)
M Johnston
D Mc Ateer3
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
