Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Goal-den Cuchullains retain Feis title

Feis na nGleann 2025

Senior Camogie Final

Dunloy 6-18 Ballycastle 0-9

Sunday 13 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Oisin’s, Glenariffe

Dunloy retained the Feis camogie title on Sunday afternoon in a 60 minute performance that saw them hit six goals and put a Ballycastle team, who stepped in for finalists Cushendall, to the sword.

Full forward Aine Magill would finish with a hat-trick while livewire forward Eaobha McAllister finished with 1-8.  The remaining two goals came from the inside forward line also with Mary McArthur and the excellent Erin McMullan as Ballycastle struggled to curtail the Dunloy forwards.  But for some outstanding saves from Ballycastle goal-keeper, Becky Ellis, it could have been much more.

Camogie chairperson Una Kelly presents the Feis Cup to Dunloy captain Katie Laverty after her team’s win over Ballycastle at Feis na nGleann

Defensively, Brid Magill and Katie Laverty shone for Dunloy with any scores coming for Ballycastle hard earned.

Ellen McIntosh and Rianna McBride shared six points between them while Janey McIntosh and substitutes Eva Graham and Maria Bakewell also raised white flags while defensively the Town were over-worked.  Ellis was outstanding between the sticks while Shannon Heggarty and Fay McIntosh also caught the eye.

The opening 10 minutes was all one way traffic with Dunloy firing in goals from Aine Magill and Mary McArthur to leave 12 between the sides.  Caoimhe Molloy and Eaobha McAllister were causing plenty of problems and had registered scores in the opening exchanges.

By the time Ellen McIntosh scored Ballycastle’s first point, Dunloy already had 2-8 on the board midway through the half.

Aine Magill’s second goal came from more direct play with Katie Laverty clearing the sliotar in her direction.  Magill made no mistake with her effort just before the first half water break.

Dunloy continued their dominance with points from Erin McMullan (two) and three from McAllister to leave the half time score 3-13 to 0-1 in the Cuchullains favour.

Points from Ellen and Janey McIntosh came either side of Aine Magill’s second point of the final before McAllister would score their fourth goal.  Standing over a free from 25 yards, McAllister fired low catching those along the line by surprise and when Casey Crawford and Molloy (’45) fired over, any thoughts on a spectacular comeback from the Town were soon quashed.

21 points was the difference just after the second half waterbreak when Aine Magill completed her hat-trick.  Collecting a lovely wee pop-pass from Erin McMullan, Magill stole in behind the Ballycastle defence and fired to the back of the net.

With a little under five minutes remaining, Dunloy hit their sixth goal.  With the sliotar dropping from a McAllister pointed effort, Ballycastle ‘keeper Ellis pushed the sliotar away only for Erin McMullan to be first to the sliotar and pulled to the back of the net.

This was a comprehensive victory by the Cuchullains who were excellent throughout.  Ballycastle competed much better in the second half and credit should go to the McQuillan’s for coming in to the final on late notice after the withdrawal of Cushendall but it’s the Cuchullains who remain the Feis Queen’s for 2025.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Clodagh O’Kane; Sarah McIlhatton, Brid Magill, Kathryn Boyle; Casey Crawford, Katie Laverty, Eilis Kearns; Eimear McMullan, Bronach Magill; Kyra Doherty, Caoimhe Molloy, Eaobha McAllister; Mary McArthur, Aine Magill, Erin McMullan

Scorers: E McAllister 1-8 (1-1f); A Magill 3-2; Erin McMullan 1-3; C Molloy 0-4 (2 ’45’s, 1 f); M McArthur 1-00; C Crawford 0-1

BALLYCASTLE: Becky Ellis; Ann Donnelly, Kathryn Mullan, Emma Laverty; Enya McShane, Shannon Heggarty, Catherine McShane; Faye Roddy, Fay McIntosh; Meabh O’Neill, Fionnuala Kelly, Rianna McBride; Eimear McCaughan, Ellen McIntosh, Janey McIntosh

Scorers: R McBride 0-3 (2fs); E McIntosh 0-3 (3fs); J McIntosh 0-1; Eva Graham 0-1; Maria Bakewell 0-1

Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/yZudiXqijjgVL8/?invite=ba166441-1214-43f1-9417-0a6400cc4ef2

by thesaffrongael

Late scoring burst seals Feis Cup for Cushendall

Feis na nGleann 2025

Senior Hurling Final

Cushendall 1-24 Loughgiel 1-16

A strong scoring burst late in the game gave Cushendall an eight point victory over holders Loughgiel in the Senior Hurling final final Feis na nGleann in Glenariffe. Just minutes earlier it looked like it was going to be a close finish when the Shamrocks closed the gap to just two with time almost up. However the Ruairis finished with a flourish and quick points from Neill McManus, Joseph McLaughlin and Ed McQuillan, plus a McManus goal, pulled them clear of the danger.

Feis na nGleann member Alastair McAllister presents the Senior Feis Cup to Cushendall captain Eoghan Campbell after his team’s win ovver Loughgiel
North Antrim chairman Paddy Gray presents the Senior Feis Player of the Match award to Cushendall’s Austin Birt

With the temperature in the mid-twenties Cushendall started quickly and point from Scott Walsh and Joseph McLaughlin put them two up in as many minutes. Declan McCloskey pulled one back for Loughgiel with a great strike from distance but McLaughlin sent another one over from a placed ball and Fred McCurry added another from play to put the 0-04 to 0-01 in front.

Paul Boyle sent over for Loughgiel to keep them in touch but three in a row from Woodhouse, McLaughlin and Ronan McKillop stretched the lead to 0-08 to 0-03 by the end of the first quarter. The Ruairis appeared to be in complete control but a pointed free by James McNaughton started a run of scores for the Shamrocks which saw Bubbles McMullan, Declan McCloskey, Jack McCloskey and McNaughton again left them trailing by just a single point at the break. (0-11 to 0-10).

Loughgiel’s James McNaughton finds and opening in the Cushendall half back line

The second half developed a similar scoring pattern to the first and with Cushendall now aided by a fresh breeze they hit four of the first five scores through Eoghan Campbell, Dominic Delargy, Joseph McLaughlin and Ronan McKillop, in reply to one from Ronan McKillop for the Shamrocks.

Just like in the first half it appeared that Cushendall were in command, but Loughgiel hit back strongly with a scoring burst that brought a goal from Paul Boyle and a point direct from a sideline cut by Betty McKee which boosted the Shamrocks challenge. When James McNaughton pointed on 31 minutes there was just two between the sides but the county champions finished strongly with three quick points from Joseph McLaughlin, Ed McQuillan and Neill McManus before McManus delivered the killer blow with a brilliant goal.

Cushendall’s Paddy Burke and Loughgiel’s James McNaughton battle for possession during the Feis Cup final

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

https://myalbum.com/album/J7zgw5MCXFeBxK/?invite=9aa93cfa-5722-499c-bb60-8e0b698faf0f

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half gives Dunloy the parish bragging rights

Feis na nGleann 2025

Dunloy 1-17 Cloughmills 1-09

A strong second half saw Dunloy win the Junior Feis Hurling title at Waterfoot on Saturday at the expense of parish neighbours St Brigid’s, Cloughmills.

The Biddies had a good first half and went in leading by 1-06 to 0-08 at the break but the Cuchullains got their measure in the second period and a goal from midfielder Padraig McGilligan five minutes into that second period gave them a lead they would not lose.

North Antirm chairman Paddy Gray presents the Junior Feis Cup to Dunloy captain Francis McMullan. Pic by Black Sparrow Media

An early exchange of points by Dunloy’s Oisin McErlane and Cloughmills Niall McNaughton set a good early pace. Top score Liam Kearns put the Biddies in front soon afterwards but again the Cuchullains drew level, this time with a point from Francis McMullan, Cathal Mullan got the Biddies noses back in front with a well taken point and though Aidan Richmond replied for Dunloy a goal from Cloughmills corner forward Timmothy McNeill gave his team a two point lead on eleven minutes. It was score for score for the remainder of the first half with three more pointed frees by Kearns being answered by Dunloy’s by Padraig McGilligan, Ryan McFarlane, Francis McMullan (2) to level the scores late in the half, but Cloughmills got their noses in front going into half time when Niall McNaughton grabbed a late score.

Liam Kearns who finished top scorer for Cloughmills

McGoilligan and McMullan got the first two points of the second half and when midfielder McMullan grabbed a goal in the 35th minute the Cuchullains were in control. Two more McMullan points from frees stretched the lead before Cloughills got their first score of the second half through a Liam Kearns free on 42 minutes. Four in a row at the other end by Francis McMullan pulled Dunloy clear of the danger, and though Kearns added two more from placed balls the Dunloy men were not to be denied as they won with eight to spare in the end.  

Match reforee Shane McDonnell with the team captains Seamus Duffin and Francis McMullan before the game

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

https://myalbum.com/album/bydCSNQPYoc9n8/?invite=3ff9fd0e-1d84-4dbb-adc4-240c67134890

by thesaffrongael

Agony for Antrim as the championship curtain drops on a superlative performance

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Championship Cedral St. Conleth’s Park, Kildare

Antrim 2-12 Offaly 1-16

Report and photos from Antrim County PRO, Michael Corcoran in Kildare

Antrim’s winning streak came abruptly to an end yesterday in blistering heat that matched the intensity of the game. It’s a competition and someone had to loose, only it gets harder to handle the longer you taste success. Offaly won the toss and decided to play with the summer breeze, that essential element that we never stop factoring into the reports; because it is essential to master that and Offaly did it in margins. Offaly’s first half gave them a two point lead at the break, the crucial moment came from a free taken by Clodagh Leahy that allowed Offaly to draw up beside Antrim for the first time in 27 minutes. Antrim were looking the part up to this point, a goal from Caitrín Dobbin fed in from Annie Lynn, showing persistence, as she struck at the sliotar three times in a goal mouth scramble. But as the heatwave persisted with pitch temperatures close to 32 degrees, Offaly kept their composure and flew two additional points from play at 31 minutes over Antrim’s bar to enjoy a lead and mark Antrim’s copy book.

Antrim’s Katie Molloy chases down the sliotar with a tracking Orlagh Phelan eyeing the prize

The second half witnessed Offaly hit another switch around five minutes into the restart as their ace striker, Mairéad Teehan drove the sliotar at pace past Antrim’s goalkeeper, Caitriona Graham, and suddenly Offaly were drifting away by six points. The Saffron’s replied with a rallying goal from Roísín McCormick as Katie Molloy extracted the sliotar from a gruelling scrum.

Maeve Kelly from Antrim stretches to gain possession in Saturday’s championship game

Antrim inched their way back up the scoreboard and a blistering solo run from substitute Erin Coulter ending in a point hauled Antrim back into the game with hope at two points the difference. But a simple point from Offaly’s Teehan pushed the gap back to three at twenty four on the clock as Offaly now went into survival mode, with Antrim making recurrent visits to float the sliotar over two more times from McCormick and Dobbin. Dobbin was held in the box and still managed to score whilst referee Joe Mullins’ arm was stretched in the air. The point stood. Desperation was crying out in the stands, supporters’ voices went up several decibels, Antrim’s game went up several paces but the sands of time ran out and Antrim were unable to find that last point to force extra time.

Offaly’s Faye Mulrooney finds a challenge from Katie Molloy to hot to handle

Saffron fans will have been gutted as this was a year where no one practised losing. It has been a superlative Antrim performance all season. A very league win, an Ulster championship and a championship table topping performance all to be immensely proud of. Next year, players, management and supporters will get to experience playing ‘up’ into division 1a, something the players have striven for all season. We look forward to reporting from far away venues in 2026.

To see more photos from Saturday’s game, follow this link…

https://myalbum.com/album/kSFuySftWSy5mD/?invite=7fce8227-d44b-4024-b8a9-b178e0ae6d14

Antrim starting panel, substitutes and scorers

Caitriona Graham, Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Janey McIntosh, Sarah O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty 0-01, Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney 0-01, Maeve Kelly, Roísín McCormick 1-07 (6f), Lucia McNaughton, Annie Lynn, Katie Molloy, Caitrín Dobbin 1-02

Becky Ellis, Dearbhail Dobbin, Katie Rose Bell, Erin Coulter 0-01, Sarah Fyfe, Niamh Neeson, Eimear Johnston, Aisling O’Donnell, Dervla Cosgrove, Orlaith McAllister, Fionnuala Kelly, Cassie McArthur, Eavanne Martin, Colleen Patterson

Offay programme starting panel, substitutes and scorers

Emer Reynolds, Aoife Liffey, Amy Byrne, Cathy Fogarty, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Roisin Kinsella, Hannah Feenane, Christine Cleery 0-01, Clodagh Leahy 0-04 (2f), Grace Teehan 0-05 (4f), Ciara Maher 0-01, Fianait Dooley 0-01, Niamh Sheehy, Mairéd Teehan 1-02, Kate Pilkington 0-01

Leah Gallagher, Orlagh Phelan 0-01, Sharon Shanahan, Megan King, Faye Mulrooney, Karla Mannion, Aoife Hoctor, Caoimhe O’Donovan, Grainne Kennedy, Aine Rigney, Ellen Regan, Orla Kilmartin, Elizabeth Kilmartin, Emma Buggy, Aoife O’Donovan

by thesaffrongael

St Olcan’s beat Glenarm to take their first Feis trophy

Feis na nGleann 2025

Under 16 B Hurling Final

St Olcan’s 4-18 Glenarm 3-11

St Olcan’s won their first ever Feis trophy at Glenariffe on Saturday, the Tir na nÓg-Creggan-Naomh Comgall’s combination beating Glenarm in a highly entertaining Under 16 B hurling final.

When Glenram’s top marksman Kian McGarel brought his team level with a goal in the 21st minute it looked like we were in for a real ‘ding-dong’ battle but driven on by their excellent midfielder Ronan Colgan, St Olcans came back with three goals in the next four minutes, and with Colgan adding a point the south west Antrim side opened a ten point gap, one which was going to take a lot of bridging. McGarel, who was the real heartbeat of the Glenarm team, got two quick goals early in the second half to close the gap to five, and suddenly it seemed possible for the boys from Feystown, but St Olcan’s shut up shop, and with Colgan picking off the points they pulled away again to win by ten in the end.

Colgan opened the scoring for his side in the first minute and after McGarel brought Glenarm level a strong run from full forward Oisin Mooney set up a goal for corner forward Oisin Devlin. Three points from Colgan were answered by McGarel and Aaron Maguire to keep Glenarm in touch and when McGarel sprinted through from midfield so score a brilliant goal the sides were level.

Unfortunately for Glenarm they didn’t get any time to build on McGarel’s major as the next four minutes saw St Olcan’s hit the net three times, two of them from Michael Sloan and on from Colgan and by half time they were they had stretched their lead to 4-09 to 1-07, Colgan hitting four of their five points, and Sloan the other.

Two points by McGarel early in the second half gave Glenarm a bit of hope but McKay and Colgan hit back with two of their own to restore that ten point gap. When McGarel came back with goals in the 41st and 42nd minutes there was renewed hope for the Shane O’Neill side, but that was as close as they would get and the south west side steadied the ship to wrap up the silverware and collect their first Feis trophy.

Darrach O’Mullan of North Antrim GAA presents the Under 16 Hurling Shield to St Olcan’s captian Ronan Colgan after his team’s win over Glenarm in Saturday’s final

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

https://myalbum.com/album/rqK2w4dCoKW3fR/?invite=fcc17fe0-4bff-4230-9877-27a263bac81b