Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Dazzling St. Brigid’s too good for Ahoghill

SFC Group 4 Round 2

St. Mary’s Ahoghill 3-11 St. Brigid’s 2-26

A dazzling opening half performance and three 2 pointers from the sweet striking Reuben Carleton paved the way for a convincing victory for St. Brigid’s over St. Mary’s Ahoghill at Cloney on Friday night.

The home side had surprised a few when they travelled to Pairc Na Gael in their opening game of this year’s championship and recorded a one point win over their namesakes, St. Mary’s Aghagallon while St. Brigid’s had swept aside the challenge of St. Paul’s in round 1

The Ahoghill side would have hoped to build on that opening day victory but in truth they never looked like repeating that performance against a smart moving and extremely fit St. Brigid’s.

St Brigid’s James Smith appeared to have found the net but Ahoghill ‘keeper Aidan Graham managed to keep it out

The visitors played with the wind in the opening half with mid-fielder Jack Dowling pointing them ahead after 20 seconds and while Colla McDonnell levelled matters for the home side in the 4th minute, it would be the only time they were on level terms.

Dominating the kick-outs from both keepers through Jack Dowling and Patrick Finnegan and moving the ball at pace, St. Brigid’s took the lead again through Joe Finnegan and added further points through Paul Bradley, Jack Dowling and a Reuben Carleton 2pointer free to lead 0-5 to 0-1 after 13 minutes.

The Musgrave Park side were denied a goal by a last ditch block by an Ahoghill defender but minutes later Ronan Boyle fielded a side-line delivery and placed Patrick Finnegan who finished to the net from close range.

By half time the Musgrave Park side had moved 1-12 to 0-2 ahead thanks to two more 2pointers from Carleton and points from Joe Finnegan and Paul Bradley with the St. Mary’s point coming from Diarmaid Graham.

With the wind at their back the Cloney side were expected to do much better and eventually they did but not before Ryan Tweedy and Paul Bradley had extended the St. Brigid’s lead with points in the opening minutes.

St Brigid’s corner forward Ryan Tweedy holds of an Ahoghill challenge.

Patrick Graham gave St. Mary’s a glimmer of hope with a goal in the 3rd minute but the visitors were managing possession well and were pressing in numbers when Ahoghill gained possession.

They increased their lead with points from Tweedy and JJ Higgins before Ronan Graham was shown Black for dissent as a bit of frustration crept into the St. Mary’s side.

A James O’Connell 2pointer and another single effort from the same player brought his sides total for the evening to 1-5 but the visitors replied through another super Reuben Carleton effort and another from Ronan Boyle moved the visitors 13 ahead with 17 minutes of the second half gone.

The Musgrave side began to empty their bench at this stage but it didn’t disrupt their rhythm as the scores continued to mount with James Smith and Niall Duffy reacting to another 2pointer from James O’Connell.

Shea Downey, James Smith, Paul Bradley and Duffy again brought their total for the evening to 1-23 before Conan McNicholl announced his arrival with a second goal.

Carleton pointed a ‘45’ after Aiden Graham in the Ahoghill goals had brought off a superb save and it was well and truly over at this stage but Ahoghill quite simply refused to roll over.

Dan O’Neill replied with their 4th 2pointer of the evening with Calum Downey and McNicholl replying to increase the gap to 20 points but again the home side made a belated response.

Diarmaid Graham struck a fine 2pointer and goals from Donal Graham and Fionnbar O’Neill in time added on only served to put a better look on the scoreline, but it will give the Cloney men a bit of confidence going into their final game against St. Paul’s.

Ahoghill never gave up and two late goals by Donal Graham and Fionnbar O’Neill gave the scoreboard a better look

A polished performance by an excellent St. Brigid’s whose speed of movement posed questions for the home side that they quite simply could not answer and they look certain to top Group 4 with their final game coming at a neutral venue against Aghagallon on the 30th August.

Should St. Brigid’s win that one then Ahoghill can still finish in second place in the group if they can overcome the challenge of St. Paul’s in their last group game.

Ahoghill: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Dan O’Neill, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Conor Crossey, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Patrick Dougan, 10 Robnan Graham, 11 Noel Crossey, 12 Fionnbar O‘Neill, 13 James O’Connell, 14 Neil O’Connell, 15 Colla McDonnell

Subs: Donal Graham for Neil O’Connell

St. Brigid’s: 1 Declan Heery, 2 Oran Downey, 3 John Toner, 4 Conor King, 5 Shay Campbell, 6 Shea Downey, 7 Reuben Carleton, 8 Patrick Finnegan, 9 Jack Dowling, 10 Ronan Boyle, 11 James Smith, 12 Paul Bradley, 13 JJ Higgins, 14 Joseph Finnegan, 15 Ryan Tweedy,

Subs: 20 Finn McKernan for Oran Downey, 24 Niall Duffy forJJ Higgins, 25 Calum Downey for Ryan Tweedy, 23 Conan McNicholl for Shay Campbell, 19 Brian McGurk

Referee:  Richard Leahy

St Brigid’s JJ Higgins gets past the challenge of Ahoghill full-back James Magee

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by thesaffrongael

Championship Continues tonight (Friday)

The second round of group games in the Senior Football Championship are scheduled for this weekend with the action getting underway tonight (Friday) when Ahoghill entertain St. Brigid’s and Aghagallon travel to St.Paul’s.

Group 4

Friday 15th August 7-00pm Cloney

St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Brigid’s (Ahoghill) at 7.00pm

St Mary’s Ahoghill failed to complete their league programme and accepted relegation and were cast in some quarters as ‘no hopers’ when they travelled to Aghagallon in round 1 of the championship.

Eamon Brady’s charges won that one by the minimum as their fighting spirit burned brightly.

St Mary’s have home advantage for their second group game when St. Brigid’s visit Cloney and will again start this one as outsiders with the Musgrave Park side fancied in some quarters to go all the way in the competition.

They will be expected to win this one with something to spare but they should be wary of the fighting spirit of the home side who will give it everything and cannot be ruled out.

St. Brigid’s had a big opening day win over St. Paul’s and should have enough to record another win against the Ahoghill side but it could be much closer than some may expect.

Group 4

St Paul’s v St Mary’s Aghagallon (Shaw’s Rd) Friday 7.00pm

Aghagallon lost to St. Mary’s Ahoghill at Pairc naGael in round 1 in a game they were expected to win and find themselves in the ‘last chance saloon’ as they travel to Shaw’s Road to meet a St. Paul’s side in a similar position.

St Paul’s suffered a heavy defeat to St Brigid’s in the first round and anything less than a win here may not be enough to keep their qualification prospects alive.

A close one looks in prospect and although Aghagallon have a bit to prove they might just have enough to edge this one with a draw not to be ruled out.

IFC Group 2

Pairc MhicDhomhnaill 7-00pm Friday

St. Teresa’s v Gort na Mona

St. Teresa’s have one point from two outings in Group 2 while Gort na Mona lost their opening game in the group to St Joseph’s Glenavy who look to have already got one foot in the quarter final following two win from two outings.

Both sides desperately need the win to keep their championship hopes alive but home advantage could swing it St. Teresa’s way.

Senior Football Championship (round two)

Section One

Saturday 16th August 6-30pm

Tir na nOg v Cuchullian’s Dunloy  Whitehill (6.30 pm)

Cuchullian’s recorded an impressiove opening round victory over the visiting St John’s and announced they were well prepared for this year’s championship and they will travel to Whitehill to meet Tir na nOg as firm favourites.

The win over the Johnnies certainly served notice that the former beaten finalists mean business this term, having brushed aside their Corrigan Park visitors with the minimum of fuss passing the finish line with a 2-30 to 1-11 verdict.

The winning score did in fact include a super total of nine 2 pointers and their ability to produce such scores would suffice as an ingredient to enable further passage in the championship.

Tir na nOg lost to reigning champions Erin’s Own in their opening game in Toome but put in a fighting performance before losing by six points.

The Ogs were given little chance in that one by most observers but performed admirably and a repeat of that performance would put them in with a fighting chance.

Cuchullian’s will start this one as favourites however and a repeat of that impressive performance against St. John’s could see them edge what could be a close encounter.

JFC Group Group 2

St Agnes 5-00pm Saturday

Laochra Loch Lao v Pearses

Laochra lost their opening game when they fell to an Eire Og side who scored 5-5 on the night while Pearses had an opening day win over Wolfe Tones.

This one fixed at the neutral venue of Pairc Una could be close but if Laochra can tighten things up in defence then their greater need could see them win.

JFC Group 2

St. Paul’s Saturday 5-00pm

Eire Og v Wolfe Tones

Eire Og recorded an impressive win over Laochra Loch Lao at Colaiste Feirste in round 1 where they hit the net on five occasions and if they can produce something similar on the Shaw’s Road then they can top the group come Saturday night.

Saturday 16th August

SFC Group 2 Saturday 6-30 Pairc Rossa

Having endured a poor league season, Hugh Mc Gettigan’s charges showed improvement late in their campaign.

That improvement continued in the championship with an opening day win over St James Aldergrove in Crumlin and they return to home base for the visit of Casements.  

Casement’s opened their championship account in an eye catching 5-22 to 0-08 victory over the visiting Con Magee’s.

Last year’s beaten finalists will go into this one as favourites and although they may be asked a few questions by the home side, Casement’s may just gain the win which will secure a place in the quarter finals.

SFC Group 3

Sat 16th August – 6-30pm Milltown

St Gall’s v All Saint’s Ballymena (Milltown) 6.30 pm

St Gall’s are amongst the front runners in the race to gain the silverware this term as their league form and their opening win over the men from Lamh Dhearg in the championship would strongly suggest and they will have obvious home advantage in this one as they play hosts to All Saints.

The Ballymena men, having earned a place in the division one league final gave a good Creggan side a run for their money in their opening championship game and will travel to West Belfast in the knowledge that a positive result is a must but they will have to be at their very best to get that win and the nod goes to St. Gall’s.

IFC Group  6-30pm- Chapel Hill

Glenavy v Davitt’s

Both sides are unbeaten to dater with St. Joseph’s defeating Gort na Mona away and St. Tersa’s at home in their 2 games to date while Davitt’s travelled to Dunsilly and recorded a good three point win in their only fixture to date.

This one could be close but home advantage could swing the way of an in form Glenavy

SFC Group 2

Sunday 2-00pm Fr Maginn Park

Con Magee’s Glenravel v St James Aldergrove

Both Glenravel and Aldergrove lost their opening games in Group 2 and a win looks a must for both sides if they are to retain any hope of qualification.

Glenravel lost heavily to Casements whilst the men from Aldergrove suffered a similar fate at home to Rossa.

Glenravel have home advantage for this one and it could be a factor in swinging it the way of the Con Magee’s but this one could go either way.

SFC Group 1 (Corrigan Pk)

Sunday 3-30pm

St John’s v Erin’s Own Cargin

Reigning senior champions Cargin are on the trail of four in a row as travel to West Belfast to meet the challenge of St John’s at Corrigan Park.

The home side failed to cope with Dunloy in the opening round of the competition but despite the superiority of the Cuchullian’s in than one the Johnnies did chalk up 1-11 and with home advantage this time they will line out against their South West rivals in a more confident mode.

Cargin failed to impress in their opening round meeting with their Randalstown visitors but Ronan Devlin’s men are more than capable of better and although their hosts will ask questions aplenty the Toome men may well provide the answers.

SFC Group 3

Creggan- 4-00pm

Lamh Dhearg v Kickham’s Creggan

Lamh Dhearg lost to the visiting St Galls in the opening round and will travel to Creggan in the knowledge that a win is a must if they are to maintain their championship ambitions.

Kickham’s Creggan are amongst the favourites in this year’s championship and gained an opening day 7 point victory over the All Saint’s at Quinn Park.

The Kickham’s will start this one as firm favourites and although the Hannahstown men will battle to the end, the vote goes to Creggan.

IFC Group 1

Hightown 4-00pm- Sunday

St. Enda’s v Moneyglass

This is only St. Ergnat’s second game in Group 1 after defeating

Sarsfield’s in their opening game back on the 30th July. Sarsfield’s have had 2 further fixtures since then and top the group with four points including a win over St. Enda’s last weekend.

St. Enda’s won their opening game against Naomh Padraig and have home advantage for this one but the visiting Moneyglass men have the ability to make it two from two.

JFC Group 1

Rossa Park 3-00pm Sunday

St. Agnes v St. Malachy’s

League winners, Naomh Una collected the division 3 title this year and recorded an opening day win over Ardoyne in Group 1 of the JFC. St Malachy’s drew with O’Donnell’s at Cherryvale on the same day and will give this one a real lash but the ‘Aggies’ should gain the win to remain top of the group.

JFC Group 1

Davitt’s Park – 3-00pm Sunday

Ardoyne v O’Donnell’s

Ardoyne lost to an in form St. Agnes at Pairc Una in their opening championship game and really need to win this one again O’Donnell’s if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.

O’Donnell’s fought out a hard earned draw against St. Malachy’s on the same day in their opening game but the Kickham’s may just edge this one but it could be close.

by thesaffrongael

Paddies boost semi-final chances with convincing victory 

OB Construction Antrim Intermediate Football Championship, Group 1 

Sarsfields 3-18-1-07 Rasharkin 

Kevin Herron reports from the Bearpit 

SARSFIELDS made it back-to-back victories and boosted their chances of advancing to the semi-finals of the OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship with a comfortable 3-18-1-07 win over Rasharkin at the Bear Pit on Thursday evening. 

Having clocked up 8-unanswered scores without reply in the opening half, the hosts hit three goals in a three minute spell to pile more misery on Rasharkin- who showed a glimpse of life in the last quarter but it was far too late to affect the outcome of proceedings. 

The Paddies came into the game off the back of a hard fought victory over one of their rivals for a semi-final berth in the form of Náomh Eanna after defeat to newly installed group favourites Moneyglass in their opener. 

Rasharkin meanwhile made the trip to Stewartstown Avenue looking for some positivity after their late rally against St Patrick’s Lisburn came up short at Kirkwoods. 

Sarsfields were forced into an early change when Sam Walsh went down clutching his ankle and was unable to continue, being replaced by Daniel Smyth. 

It was the hosts who got the scoring under way in the form of a two-pointed Brian Healy free and Healy added a second free, this time only a one-pointed effort when Philip McPeake was hauled down as he was about to get a shot away. 

Se Ferris shot over his sides first from play after combining with Tomas Skillen and Gary Lennon then shot over on the turn to make it five unanswered. 

A sustained rain shower made conditions difficult for the remainder of the half and there was no let up in the Paddies scoring either. 

Ferris was pushed in the back and that allowed Healy to kick his third free of the half, he clipped over his first from play 60-seconds later after Smyth’s quick thinking from a free and then dropped over an angled effort. 

In truth things could have been a lot of worse for Rasharkin- however goalkeeper Tiernan O’Boyle pulled off a string of impressive saves to keep the hosts at bay. 

Talisman Healy should have tapped home the opening goal after Conor Glenholmes slipped him in but O’Boyle parried his attempt. 

He would add a second two-pointer, this time with an excellent angled shot that dropped over. 

O’Boyle was on hand to superbly deny Conor Laverty before the half to a conclusion as Sarsfields held a 0-10-0-00 lead. 

Sarsfields picked up where they left off prior to the interval as Healy converted his fourth free of the contest and Tomas Skillen then joined the scoresheet moments later. 

A fourth Brian Healy score from play followed before the Dreen side finally got off the mark in the 39th minute, Killian O’Boyle popping over from an advanced mark. 

It was brief respite for the visitors as Sarsfields extended their advantage with a quickfire three goal salvo. 

 The first coming in the 41st minute when Glenholmes seized upon O’Boyle’s skewed kickout and he sent Healy in the clear to find the net. 

Less than 60-seconds later their second arrived after a flowing move that saw Gary Lennon thump home and it wasn’t too long before Se Ferris curled the ball home off the post to give his side a 3-13-0-01 lead. 

To their credit, Rasharkin rattled home a goal in reply as Brian Og O’Neill swept the ball high past Michael Brady after Eamonn McNeill had squeezed an angled shot between the posts. 

A further goal may have followed with little under a quarter of an hour remaining- though Philip McPeake opted for a fisted point instead. 

An excellent Conor Glenholmes angled score saw him join the increasing list of scorers, and in the aftermath of that score Eamonn McNeill was black-carded for dissent to referee Paddy Tumelty for a grievance in the build-up. 

Rasharkin added a further score from an Oisin Casey free, with Healy replying a few minutes later from the same scenario in his last act before departing. 

Casey landed a two-pointed free for the visitors, but successive points from Gary Lennon and McPeake cancelled the brief  cut in the deficit. 

Upon his late introduction back to proceedings, Eamonn McNeill struck a fine two-pointer in added time, it proved mere consolation as Sarsfields were long home and hosed and are potentially a victory from securing their place in the semi-final when they make th short trip to Kirkwoods in September. 

SARSFIELDS: M Brady, M McPolin, C Laverty, P Murray, P McPeake (0-2), L Mitchell, C Loughran, C Murray, C McKernan, T Skillen (0-1), S Walsh, S Ferris (1-1), G Lennon (1-2), C Glenholmes (0-1), B Healy (1-11, 1×0-2pt, 0-6f, 1×0-2ptf). SUBS: D Smyth for S Walsh (3), N McAlea for C Glenholmes (490, J McNally for C Laverty (49), J Maguire for B Healy (54). 

RASHARKIN: T O’Boyle, D McGurk, C Higgins, P McTague, C Kennedy, F Quigg, J Higgins, C McMullan, O McMullan, D Quigg, E McNeill (0-3, 1×0-2pt), O Casey (0-3, 1f, 1×0-2ptf), B Og O’Neill (1-0), R Lynch, K O’Boyle (0-1m). 
REFEREE: Patrick Tumelty (LÁMH DHEARG)

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by thesaffrongael

St Paul’s clinch the U16 Football League title

Antrim Under 16 Football League – Division 1

St Paul’s 4-10 Portglenone 0-10

St Paul’s wrapped up the Under 16 Football Division 1 League title when they beat Portglenone in Thursday evening’s game at Shaw’s Road.

St Paul’s dominated the opening half and playing down into the Sarsfields end of the ground they opened with two goals in the early stages, the first from Matthew O’Neill and the second from Daire Thornbury. The points flowed freely as the home side stacked up the points and by half time they led by 2-07 to 0-01, the visitors point coming from their excellent midfielder Tom Convery.

The Portglenone boys fared much better in the second half and after O’Neill added another point for St Paul’s Convery came back with two in a row in the 40th and 41st minutes.

Mattew O’Neill got his second goal of the game for the hosts, curling the ball in off the outside of his right foot and substitute Odhran McKeown added a point from play soon afterwards. Jude Gamble got his team’s fourth goal midway through the half with another fine finish before Thornbury tacked on another point.

St Paul’s fans run on the field at the final whistle to celebrate their team’s league success

To their credit Portglenone never gave up the fight and had their best spell of the game between the 40th and 45th minutes when they hit five points without reply, a 2pointer and a single point from Convery plus point from Cillian McKenna and Frank McAleese.

However the evening belonged to this top class St Paul’s side and it was fitting their final score came from their brilliant centre back Oisin McLaren, who gave a masterful display throughout the game.

After the game team captain Eamonn Kearney was presented with the league trophy by Paul Law of Gaelfast, which sparked of scenes of well-deserved celebrations.

Paul Law of Gaelfast presents the Under 16 Football League trophy to St Paul’s captain Eamonn Kearney

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by thesaffrongael

Excitement building for Lámh Dhearg Golf Classic sponsored by Hannahstown Credit Union

Lámh Dhearg Golf-Classic committee member Sean McElhatton has paid tribute to the many sponsors of the clubs upcoming Golf-Classic- which will take place at Balmoral Golf Club on Friday 22nd August.

The club were able to secure Hannahstown Credit Union as the main sponsor of the increasingly popular event, which continues to grow year-on-year and Tyrone native McElhatton is pleased with the support they have received in order to continue to develop the club facilities in Hannahstown.

“It is a hugely important fundraising source. The Lámh Dhearg annual golf classic has now almost become a feature in the calendar. This year, we have been very blessed and very grateful to so many sponsors- we are now somewhere in the region of 50-sponsors for our tee’s and greens as well as somewhere in the region of about 29-30 four-balls.

“All of these are people from our community who understand the importance of Lámh Dhearg in the Hannahstown community and what we contribute to the social, physical and GAA development of all our community. They are very, very faithful in supporting us over the years.

“This year we have managed to secure the main sponsor of Hannahstown Credit Union and and we are looking forward to having the Credit Union with us this year and hopefully the years to come because as we try to develop of our club as a community base and community strength- the Hannahstown Credit Union is a big part of the funding of our community as well.

“It is a great voluntary organisation, which lends so much to the development of community capital and we are delighted and very grateful to them for their funding. It is the number of four-balls and teams that we have every year; faithfully coming back to play in our tournament. Clearly, they understand the benefit that the Golf-Classic brings to our club.

“The development of our second pitch is a huge, huge asset to our club and an absolutely essential one that was necessary for us to develop. As a committee of the club and the golf organising committee, we have been working hand-in-hand to raise the funds to pay off the money that we have outlayed on the club and we have done this entirely through the generosity and the great spirit of our Hannahstown Community and the families and patrons who support us.

“We got absolutely zero from government funding of any description towards our second pitch. When you look at that and think of what it means to the footballers, camogs, hurlers and the community – with the festival days for instance, its just a huge asset to the vision and strength of GAA in Hannahstown”.

Commenting in the recent arson incident which saw a fire started that destroyed facilities at the club, Sean believes it has galvanised members of the club and revealed there were many messages of support locally, nationally and world-wide. The support shows the strength of feeling of GAA people that understand the importance of Hannahstown Lámh Dhearg in our local community

“It was heart-breaking to see the vandalism destroying what is a club and community asset. We know how hard working every one in the club works to make sure the amenities are up to scratch. That hut was a coffee shop and tea-room for matches, but it has actually galvanised the club much stronger together and I think it is one of the factors as to why so many sponsors have come back readily to support us this year.

“It’s been hard going at times and a lot of hard work on the committee members who have got to deal with the after effects of the fire and insurance and all of that. We will come back and we will build, bigger and better. It has taught us a lesson about improved security about our club premises- which we are actively working upon at the moment”.

This year, the winner of the Golf-Classic will take home the Ryan Straney memorial trophy in honour of deceased member and keen Golf enthusiast Ryan- who tragically passed away last year. Sean spoke warmly of Ryan and his uncle Daryl Fegan- who also tragically passed away at the end of January this year.

“Ryan and Daryl epitomise the very best of what GAA players and GAA people are about. They understood the importance of our national games, they practiced from when they were kids in football and hurling and they were two young men that have tragically lost their lives so early and so unfairly.

“As they say, God always takes the good first and you couldn’t have got two better role models for our players and for our community than Ryan and Daryl. It’s great to see their friends and team members that have played with them over the years come out and support the Golf-Classic in the way that they do.

“Many of those friends are playing on the 22nd of August and no doubt the Ryan Straney trophy will be treasured by someone who will win it on the day, and we are looking to do something for Daryl in association with the family. I can’t think of two finer young men who sadly have gone, they are an inspiration even now in their absence to the players and supporters of our club today and we will never forget them”.