Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

First half goals send Wexford on their way to convincing victory

Wexford 5-23 Antrim 2-21

Tailteann Cup

First half goals from Sean Nolan and Ben Brosnin put Wexford in a strong position at half time in this preliminary Tailteann Cup quarter final at Wexford Chiswicks Park on Sunday and left Antrim with a mountain to climb in the second half.

The Saffrons started well in Wexford and took an early lead through a Conor Hand point and might have had a second but a long distance free from Mick Byrne came back of a post.

It was as good as it was to get for the Saffron in the opening half as Wexford, aided by the stiff breeze replied directly from a Darragh Brooks ‘45’, one of three the big keeper would kick during the opening half.



Martin O’Connor took advantage of a quickly taken short free to move the Chadwicks Park side ahead though Dominic McEnhill restored parity for the Saffrons with a good finish with 8 minutes gone.

Eoin Porter had obviously been handed the task of containing Antrim’s perceived danger man, Ryan McQuillan and the two players were shown yellow following an altercation as slowly Wexford assumed control.

Aided by the strong breeze they would go on to kick a number of 2 pointers with keeper, Darragh Brooks striking one from 55 meters and Ben Brosnan adding another to put the home side 0-8 to 0-6 ahead by the 21st minute.

Wexford were winning the majority of prime possession from the kick-outs and Sean Nolan put them in a strong position when he fired to the net in the 23d minutes, McQuillan and McEnhill having poster points for the visitors.

Nolan, Jack Higgins, Robbie Brooks added to the Wexford total with Mick Byrne striking a good 2 pointer into the wind to keep the visitors hanging on but still very much in the game.

McQuillan added a point but a strong run from Martin O’Connor just before half time saw him set up Ben Brosnin who palmed to the net for Wexford’s second goal to put his side 2-12 to 0-7 ahead at the break.

Given the strength of the breeze that lead certainly didn’t look unsurmountable but it was Wexford who made the better start to the second half as they kept possession before extending their lead through Pauric Hughes and Jack Higgins.

The game was then halted for six minutes following what looked like a serious injury to Martin O’Connor and after being assessed on the field he was replaced by Kevin O’Grady.

When play resumed, Dominic McEnhill, who with Ryan McQuillan were Antrim’s best forwards, kicked a 2 pointer and Glen Malone and McQuillan exchanged further points before Jack Higgins and Glen Malone combined to place Sean Nolan for his side’s third goal.

The scores continued to flow for the homeside as Sean Nolan added his sides fourth major of the evening while Mark Rossiter added another on fifty-seven minutes that had them leading 4-10 to 0-11.

As Wexford relaxed their grip on the game, Antrim replied through a Patrick Finnegan goal ten minutes from the end and Dominic McEnhill added another to reduce the deficit to 4-23 to 2-14.

The Saffrons enjoyed their best spell in the game at this point with Mick Byrne 2pts, Conor Hand, Ryan McQuillan, Byrne with another 2 pointer and Euan Quinn from deep in his own half added unanswered scores but just to show their control, Wexford finished with a Robbie Brooks goal giving them a real boost for the tougher test that lies ahead.

For Wexford it was a welcome victory over the Saffron county who on their previous two visits to the model county had come away with victories, but there was never going to be a repeat as the home side took control in the second quarter to go on to a comfortable victory.

Scorers for Wexford: S Nolan (2-3, 0-1 f); D Brooks (0-6, 2tpf); B Brosnan (1-2, 1tp); M Rossiter (1-1); R Brooks (1-0); M O’Connor (1tp), P Hughes, J Higgins (0-3 apiece); G Malone (0-2).

Scorers for Antrim: D McEnhill (1-4, 1tp, 1 ’45); M Byrne (0-7, 3 tpf); R McQuillan (0-5, 2f); P Finnegan (1-0); C Hand and E Quinn (1tp) (0-2 apiece); E McCabe (0-1) 

WEXFORD: D Brooks; M. Furlong, G Sheehan, E Porter; M O’Connor, G Malone, D furlong; L Coleman, N Hughes; M Kinsella, P Hughes, M Rossiter, J Higgins, S Nolan, B Brosnan. 

Subs: K O’Grady for O’Connor (inj.43); R Brooks for Brosnan (54), C Walsh for Nolan (59), R Martin for Rossiter (66), C Carty for Kinsella (72).

ANTRIM: M Byrne; E McCabe, K Keenan, E Walsh; R Boyle, J Finnegan, D McAleese; C Hand, C Stewart; P McBride, A Loughran, M Jordan; R McQuillan, R McCann, D McEnhill. 

Subs: N Burns for Jordan (53), P Finnegan for McBride (53), E Quinn for Stewart (56), J McAuley for McCabe (62).

Referee: C Lane (Cork).

by thesaffrongael

Ruairi Og convining winners in Darragh Cup semi

Darragh Cup semi-final – North Antrim Minor Hurling

Cushendall 3-23 Glenariffe-Glenravel 0-08

Ruairi Og will host Loughgiel in the final of the Darragh Cup after scoring an emphatic win over Glenariffe-Glenravel in Friday evening’s semi-final at Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall.

The home team were on top for most of the game and were 1-14 to 0-04 ahead at the interval after a dominant first half. They continued to hold the upper hand during the second and were runaway winners by the end.

Glenariffe-Glenravel took an early lead through a Niall McKeown point and after Fiontan Bradley and Cahir McCambridge came back with points, they drew level when Christy Leech pointed on seven minutes.

The remainder of the first half was mostly one way traffic as Cushendall pressed home their advantage as Bradley, Oran McCambridge, Cahir McCambridge and Thomas McLaughin fired over points, Bradley adding a goal in the eleventh minute. Oisin Gillan pulled a point back for Glenariffe-Glenravel on twenty minutes but Bradley and co kept sending over the scores and by half time they were leading by 1-14 to 0-04, Gillan also adding the visitors other point.

Despite missing a good few chances just after half time Cushendall stretched their lead with points from Bradley and McLaughlin. Ronan Magee and Oisin Gillan pulled a couple back for Glenariffe-Glenravel but it was merely token resistance as Cushendall kept piling on the scores on their way to a convincing win.

The will play the winners of the other semi-final, Loughgiel, next weekend in what promises to be a great contest

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

https://myalbum.com/album/gBLVTnEEDvMyXh/?invite=ed468397-bb59-4869-81d6-cb86d740c646

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks seal their place in the Darragh Cup final

Darragh Cup semi-final – North Antrim Minor Hurling

Loughgiel Shamrocks 3-16 Dunloy Cuchullains 3-11

Loughgiel set up a Darragh Cup final meeting with Cushendall next Friday evening when they beat Dunloy in the semi-final at Fr Healy Park. In a great game of hurling Dunloy started the stronger and held the upper hand for most of a tight first half. The Shamrocks edged ahead for the first time in first half injury time and dominated for the first twenty minutes of the second half to move ten clear. Dunloy were not done though and they came flying back in the last seven minutes, scoring three goals to get right back into contention. However, driven on by man of the match Ryan O’Boyle the home team held their ground to win in the end by five.

A great game of hurling between two very good teams, and the good is they will do it all over again tomorrow (Sunday) when they meet again in the league at Pearse Park ,Dunloy.

Duloy had the better of an intense opening period and led 0-4 to 0-02 after six minutes, but three in a row from Cian Higgins, Oisin Connolly and Ryan O’Boyle put Loughgiel ahead. Dunloy’s Oisin McCallin and Loughgiel’s Ryan O’Boyle exchanged points in the 22nd minute to keep the gap at two, but three in a row for the Cuchullains from Jay McAlonan, Daire Elliott and McCallin got their noses back in front entering first half injury time. However O’Boyle’s influence in the game was growing by the minute and the right half forward landed two excellent points, one from a free and the other from play, to give the home side a 0-09 to 0-08 lead at the interval.

A goal within two minutes of the restart from midfielder Domnhall McKay, and a point seconds later from substitute Caolan McCollum stretched the Loughgiel lead to three. Sean Ferguson and Oisin McCallin got two back for Dunloy in the 37th and 38th minutes but Loughgiel held the visitors scoreless for the next fifteen minutes, and added 1-04 themselves to take a firm grip on the game. Ryan O’Boyle started the run with a point and after Conon Johnston got his team’s second goal O’Boyle added three more to stretch the lead to ten by the 52nd minute.

It appeared to be all over bar the shouting but a brilliant Dunloy goal from an Oisin McCallin penalty gave them new hope. Loughgiel hit back right away with a Logan McConville point and a goal by Caolan McCollum, to nip the comeback in the bud, and though Dunloy came back with two more goals in the last five minutes, Loughgiel had things in hand as they secured a final place.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/wEjK7T4VNtVM4S/?invite=699582ca-3679-48f2-a8bc-6399c4554e0d

by thesaffrongael

Sperrin hold the upper hand in Corn Cuchullain final

Danske Bank Corn Cúchulainn final

Sperrin Integrated Magherafelt 2-12 St Benedict’s Randalstown 0-9

Sperrin Integrated College Magherafelt won the Danske Bank Corn Cúchulainn title when they beat St Benedict’s Randalstown in Friday’s final at Moneyglass. The Magherafelt school, who had six Antrim players in their starting line-up, were in command for most of the game, but St Benedict’s gave it their all and deserve great credit for contributing to an entertaining game.

Sperrin started strongly and were 0-04 to 0-01 by the end of the opening quarter and it could have been more had St Benedict’s goalkeeper Kyron Shannon not turned a goal bound shot by Charlie Neely over the crossbar.

Midfielder Corey Dowie and corner forward Ryan McCann settled the Randalstown school with two good points but Sperrin were holding the upper hand and further points from centre forward Josh McQueen and right half forward Jayden Henry pulled them clear before Joe Connolly delivered a killer blow when he found the net before the interval.

Sperrin started the second half where they left off in the first and two quick points from the excellent McQueen stretched their advantage but St Benedict’s stayed in touch when Oisin Neeson came back with a point. However the writing was on the wall when Sperrin got through for their second goal when James McCann found the net soon afterwards and there was no way back for the Randalstown school.

To their credit they kept battling away and added five more points during the final quarter, but the day belonged to Sperrin who went on to win their first title and spark great scenes of celebration.

Sperrin College, Magherafelt who beat st Benedicts Randalstown in the final of the Corn Cuchullain Cup at Moneyglass. Pic by John McIlwaine

Sperrin: J Connolly 1-2, J McCann 1-0, J McQueen 0-5, 2 frees, J Henry 0-3, D Maguire and C Neely 0-1 each.

St Benedict’s: R McCann 0-3, 2 frees, C Dowie (1 free) and T Neeson 0-2 each, O Neeson and C Letters 0-1 each

Sperrin: Milowz Witowski, Lewis McNamee, Ryan McKay, Harris Davison, Riley Cooke, Conleith Bradley, James McCann, Daniel Maguire, Alexa Smadrjic, Jayden Henry, Corey McMullan, Joe Connolly, Conree Muldoon, Josh McQueen, Charlie Neely

Sub used: Leo Purvis

St Benedict’s: Kyran Shannon, Patrick O’Boyle, Oisin Sisk, Conan Lemon, Odhran O’Neill, Cadhan Letters, Ciarán Redmond, Corey Dowie capt, Ethan McLaverty, Oisin Neeson, Dillon Loughran, Freddie Perks, Eoin Carey, Thomas Neeson, Ryan McCann

Subs used: Sean Convery, David Iheanetu, Daniel McAreevy, Rory Martin

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

https://myalbum.com/album/fsFJdSPC9StYBd/?invite=c8873b74-7ef3-46d1-8ae4-298016b9ee78

by thesaffrongael

Can lightning strike again at Chadwicks Park

Tailteann Cup quarter-final

Wexford v Antrim,

 Chadwicks Wexford Park, Wexford, 1pm

 Antrim make the long journey to Chadwicks Park to take on Wexford in the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup. They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place but can it strike again at Chadwicks Park on Sunday?

The Saffrons travelled to Wexford in the group stages last year and recorded a good win over Sunday’s host to finish in second place on score difference to Sligo after drawing with the Connaught side and defeating Tipperary.

A Ruairi McCann goal at Chadwicks Park would prove the important score as Antrim ran out 1-15 to 0-17 winners. The Aghagallon man’s goal after 5 minutes gave Antrim a lead they would not lose for the remainder of the game.

The big full-forward has made a habit of getting goals against Sunday’s opponents over the years and undoubtedly would like to add to his impressive record against the Leinster men.

McCann, like some of his colleagues has been hampered by injuries and a dip in form this year but has been named in Andy McEntee’s side to face Wexford after missing the Saffrons excellent victory over London in Newry last week which earned them a place in Sunday’s quarter-final.

Patrick Finnegan was also missing for the London clash but with McCann, is one of two changes to the starting line-up against the Exiles with Conor Stewart and Ryan Murray making way.

Croke Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Wexford so far this year.

They lost the Division 4 league final there, to Limerick, and were beaten by Fermanagh at GAA HQ in their final Tailteann Cup group game last weekend so will be hoping that a win on Sunday will give them another opportunity to put that right.

There would not appear to be much between this weekend’s opponents though Wexford gained promotion from division 4 while Antrim were relegated from division 3

Niall Burns will be disappointed not to start but can make a big impact of the bench if called upon at Chadwicks Park

Robbie Brooks came on against Fermanagh last Sunday in Dublin for Wexford and has kept his spot in the starting team, the only change to John Hegarty’s line-up.

Despite that relegation, Antrim showed just how aggressive and potent they can be in the first-half of their Ulster SFC clash with All-Ireland holders Armagh and carried some of that form into the London game.

That win over London was their first of the Tailteann Cup campaign and secured them the last preliminary quarter-final spot. Andy McEntee will be hoping that lightning can strike again at Chadwicks Park and can call upon a strong bench if needed.

Niall Burns was excellent when introduced in the second half and scored 1-1 in Newry and may feel unfortunate not to have earned a starting spot while Conor Stewart and Ryan Murray did little wrong and will be champing at the bit if called upon.

 Only a point separated Sunday’s opponents last time they met but if Antrim can produce their best form then I expect them to advance to a third Tailteann semi-final in a row.

WEXFORD: Darragh Brooks; Michael Furlong, Gavin Sheehan, Liam O’Connor; Eoin Porter, Glen Malone, Pairic Hughes; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Martin O’Connor, Tom Byrne, Mark Rossiter; Kevin O’Grady, Robbie Brooks, Sean Nolan.

Subs: Colum Feeney, Sean Barden, Ruairi Martin, Dylan Furlong, Cathal Kehoe, Cathal Walsh, Jack Higgins, Conor Carty, Michael Kinsella, Ben Brosnan, Sean Ryan.

ANTRIM: Michael Byrne; Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; James McAuley, Dermot McAleese, Patrick Finnegan; Conor Hand, Marc Jordan; Ronan Boyle, Adam Loughran, Patrick McBride; Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill.

Subs: Luke Mulholland, Calum Higgins, Conor Stewart, Daniel McNicholl, Eunan Quinn, Fionn Nagle, James McDonnell, John Morgan, Joseph Finnegan, Niall Burns, Ryan Murray.