Posts by thesaffrongael

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

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025 by thesaffrongael

St Pauls edge home in close encounter

Antrim Football League – Division 1

Glenravel 2-14 St Pauls 1-20

St Pauls had a good win against Glenravel in Fr Maginn Park on Wednesday evening when they recorded a three point victory over the hosts. The game was won and lost in the final five minutes of the opening period as the home team led by three points after twenty five minutes, but their opponents finished the half strongly with 1-04 scored without reply. That gave them a four point lead going into the break and they effectively held that lead to the end of the game despite a see-saw second half.

Ryan McQuillan opened for Glenravel but a 2-pointer from Lorcan Phillips followed by a score from Caoimhin Duffy edged St Pauls in front. Two points apiece for each side, Sean McKay for Glenravel and Ciaran Rogers-Duffy for St Paul’s retained the lead for the visitors. Callum Higgins and Ryan Lennon restored parity for the hosts before Niall Ward gave the lead back to St Pauls. However Glenravel were starting to find some accuracy and points from Eamon Fyfe and Aiden O’Donnell followed by a sublime goal from Ryan McQuillan gave Glenravel a four point lead. Rogers-Duffy and Conall Duffy got St Pauls back on track before Fergus Donaghy scored Con Magee’s final point of the half on twenty five minutes and they led by three points. St Pauls hit the turbo boost at that stage and would score 1-04 in this final five minutes as Ciaran Rogers-Duffy became supplier in chief with 1-02 and he was ably assisted by Conall Duffy and Bairre Burns to give St Pauls a half time lead 1-12 to 1-08

St Paul’s started where they had left off with a point from James Farrell but points from Daniel McQuillan, Colla Ward and Ryan McQuillan brought Glenravel back to within two points. Rogers-Duffy and Ryan McQuillan would exchange points before a brace from Conall Duffy and a point from Rogers-Duffy stretched the lead to five once more 1-17 to 1-12 with ten minutes to play. two Ryan McQuillan frees and a free from Rogers-Duffy left four between the teams. With seven minutes left Glenravel needed a major and Sean McKay provided it from close range to reduce the gap to a single point but the visitors were in no mood for late drama and recorded the final two points of the game to secure victory 1-20 to 2-14

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

https://myalbum.com/album/4d9s2HYx5pZ5cX/?invite=93fd3a2b-9bd3-4e72-9777-83ef5ed533c3

June 18, 2025June 19, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Cuchullian’s Impress in Ahoghill

ACFL Division 1

St Mary’s Ahoghill 0-08 Cuchullian’s Dunloy 8-13

Cuchullian’s Dunloy made the journey to Ahoghill on Wednesday evening and left with points secured following a hugely impressive performance over the St Mary’s men at Cloney.

The Cuchullian’s arrived in positive mood and as the home side stood aside their visitors opened sharply and before five minutes had elapsed they had three major scores on the board.

The home side seemed unable to stem the tide as the green and gold wave rolled all over them and by the end of the opening quarter their visitors had claimed 4-03 without reply from their hosts.

Keelan Molloy got the Dunloy scoring show on the road with goals in the 3^rd and 4^th minutes supplemented by another from Kevin Mc Quillan in the 5^th and as the home side continued under pressure another major from Karl Fitzpatrick was followed by points from Deaglan Smith, James Scally, Dara Quinn, and Keelan Molloy to see them in complete control at the end of the opening period.

Despite the honest efforts of Diarmaid Graham, Tom McGlone and Fionnbar O’ Neill to get the Cloney show on the road their visitors were not about to ease their foot off the accelerator.

Ahoghill improved for a time following a poor start to proceedings with Patrick Graham making his presence felt but Dunloy had moved into a 4-08 to 0-00 advantage as the short whistle approached.

The hard grafting Tom Mc Glone finally opened the home side’s account with a fine 28^th minute point supplemented by another from Diarmuid Graham but that was the sum of their first half scoring with Dunloy taking respite from their first half labours holding a 4-08 to 0-02 lead and the points looked in the bag barring a miracle in the second half.

If the home contingent were looking for a quick start as the second period got under way they were to endure disappointed as it was their visitors who were quickest out of the start traps and a 34^th minute goal from the hard working Karl Fitzpatrick after the home side had opened with points apiece from James O’Connell and the pace laden Danny O’ Neill.

The home side had certainly gained in confidence as the second half progressed with the Cuchullian’s possibly easing on the accelerator and Danny O’ Neill added back to back points.

Deaglan Smith replied with a point for Dunloy and another goal by the dangerous Karl Fitzpatrick further extended the Dunloy advantage as the end looked in sight.

Both sides introduced replacements as the game passed the three-quarter marker but the visitors stood tall, despite the honest endeavours of the Clooney men to finish positively.

That was a tall order and further goals from Ryan Mc Fairlane and Karl Fitzpatrick saw the advantage extended to 7-08 to 0-07 as the floodgates opened.

Patrick Graham, who had his shoulder to the wheel for the home side added a good point in the 54th minute but it brought a quick reply from the visitors as a lofted delivery by Deaglan Smith was despatched to the net by Ryan McFarlane and the visitors had earned a 8-13 to 0-7 advantage .

The home side did have the last say on scoring matters however as Patrick Graham raised that flag in consolation with the dominant Dunloy crossing the finish line full value for their 8-13 to 0-08 win.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/PEBzhXRCxBdb22/?invite=2ff8f4fc-6857-4256-934d-e847337d10ef

June 18, 2025June 19, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Creggan take a step closer to a play-off place

ACFL Division 1

Kickhams 0-20 Tir na nOg 1-12

Kickham’s Creggan climbed above All Saints into second place in the table following this win over neighbours Tir na nOg and the Ballymena side’s defeat to Rossa in Belfast.

In a match lacking urgency, Kickham’s stormed out of the blocks, racing into a 0-12 to no score lead after 21minutes. Points from Jamie McCann and 2 points from young Connor Johnston got the home side on their way and an excellent 2 pointer from Connor Small who followed that up with another point got them on their way.

Connor’s younger brother Kevin then kicked a superb 2 pointer of his own in the 13th minute as the one way traffic towards the visitors’ goal continued.

With Mathew Rodgers again winning a lot of ball he took his point and set Connor Small up for his 4th of the evening.

The excellent Fintan Close finished a great individual run with a nicely taken point in the 21st minute and at this stage it wasn’t looking good for the Whitehill side who hadn’t registered a score.

Tir na nOg’s finally came to life however and Josh Smith got them on heir way with a well taken goal and they followed with a point each for Aaron McNeilly and Darragh Fagan.

McNeilly concluded the first half scoring in the 29th minute with a 2 pointer. To leave Kickhams leading by 0-12 to 1-04 at halftime.

Inspired by their strong finish to the opening half it was Tir na nOg who opened the second on the front foot and Darragh Fagan got them on their way with a point in the 7th minute.

Kickhams responded with 3 points on the bounce from Jamie McCann and one each from Conor and Kevin Small. Oliver McAtamney replied with the visitor’s second point of the half in the 14^th minute but it brought another response from the Staffordstown Road side.

Sean Duffin split the posts and Conor Small added 2 more and another Jamie McCann point had them back in total control by the 25th minute.

Tir na nOg hadn’t finished however and after Oisin Kerr pulled off his second great save of the night they hit 2 excellent 2pointers, one from Ciaran O’Neill and one from Darragh Fagan followed by points from Aaron McNeilly and Darragh Fagan to close the gap to four.

It would be their final score of the night however and Sean Duffin kicked the game’s final point to leave Kickham’s with a 5 point victory and a step closer to the end of season play-offs.

TO SEE MORE OF CLAIRE FAWL’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/8NLNt7KivJUavK/?invite=a522895b-dc9e-4abd-9b63-c9d6941c0cca

June 18, 2025June 18, 2025 by thesaffrongael

McGrath’s late point seals the win for the Shamrocks

McCaughan Cup final at the Brustin Braes, Larne

Loughgiel 0-23 Armoy 0-22

An injury time point from top scorer Cahir McGrath gave Loughgiel victory over Armoy in Tuesday evening’s McCaughan Cup final at the Brustin Braes in Larne. It looked like the Glen Rovers men had had earned themselves extra time when Thomas Burns and Conor Christie landed two late points to tie the scores as the clock ticked into injury time, bu McGrath, who had shown great accuracy all through the game, landed a late point to secure the victory.

The sides were level at the end of close fought opening quarter, Cahir McGrath hitting all of the Shamrocks five points while the Armoy scores were shared by Charlie Douthart, Emmet O’Hara and Arthur Devlin who hit one apiece with the other two coming from Conor Christie.

Loughgiel forged back ahead Aodhan McFadden, Cahir McGrath, Mark McFadden and Odhran McMullan, in reply to jst one from Armoy centre forward Emmet O’Hara, but Armoy put in a strong finish to the opening half to close within a point by the short whistle.

The second half continued in a similar vein with PJ McBride and Conor Christie getting scores to edge Armoy ahead but one by Patrick Bradley and two more from McGrath got the Shamrocks back ahead. Conor Christie was keeping Armoy in touch with a series of excellent scores, but McGrath always had an answer. With the Shamrock leading by three two quick points by Emmet O’Hara and Thomas Burns cut the deficit back to a single point but Eddie McCloskey came back with one for the men in red to put them two ahead, but Burns and Christie squared things up entering injury time, before Cahir McGrath sealed the win.

A great game of hurling, played in a great spirit and Armoy will count themselves unlucky to get nothing out of the game.

Five of the Loughgiel team who won All Ireland Senior Club medals in Croke Park thirteen years ago when the Shamrocks beat Offaly champions Coolderry in the final added McCaughan Cup medals to their roll of honour at the Brustin Braes in Larne on Tuesday evening. Two venues and two occassions which are worlds apart, but the joy getting out there and playing the game is still there.

The beauty of sport

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

https://myalbum.com/album/ECNnbcuHRVFNLd/?invite=4c021d06-0705-4e3a-a781-a8a8390b7b7c

June 18, 2025June 19, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Portaferry’s Pearce Smyth wins the Ulster Poc Fada

Ulster Poc Fada at Gowkstown Hill, Glenarm

Pearce Smyth of Portaferry won Tuesday evening’s Ulster Poc Fada at Gowkstown Hill, Glenarm when he edged out Antrim’s Sean Og McLaren of St Paul’s by one shot in a great contest, the Down man setting a new record of 23 pocs into the bargain. Smth and McLaren both go through to the All Ireland finals in the Cooley Mountains on August 4^th.

Ellen Leech of Ruairi Og Cushendall who won the Senior Ladies Poc Fada at Gowkstown Hill, Feystown on Tuesday evening. Ellen will represent Ulster in the All Ireland finals in August. Pic by John McIlwaine

Ellen Leech of Ruairi Og Cushendall won the Senior Ladies event while her club mate Eimear Ward made it a club double when she won the Girls Under 16 section. The Under 16 Boys section was won Donnacha Collins of Derry, the Lavey clubman edging out Cadhán Graham of Oisins and Antrim.

After the contest, everyone went back to Shane O’Neill’s GAC clubrooms at Forsythe Park where wall were treated to tea and sandwiches before the presentations by Declan Woods of Ulster GAA and Ulster Camogie Chairperson Karen McCormick.

A word of praise for the host club Shane O’Neill’s for another excellently organised event. The only down side was the midges, but Terence Mulvenna says he will have that sorted for next year.