Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Antrim book final place against Louth after hard fought win over Sligo

LGFA All Ireland Junior semi-final

Antrim 3-10 – Sligo 1-10

Antrim senior ladies are into the All Ireland Tg4 Junior Championship final following their 3-10 to 1-10 semi final victory over Sligo at a sun drenched St Tiernach’s Park, Clones on Sunday and now play last years’ beaten finalists Louth at Croke Park on Sunday 3rd August with a 11-45 am throw-in. 

Sligo opened the scoring with a point after two minutes though Ellen Kelleher but Lara Dahunsi with a superb effort from long range brought the Saffrons level. The Yeats county girls went in front again with a point but Sarah O Neill had Antrim back on terms by the fifth minute. By this stage it was becoming clear just what a challenge Sligo presented and when they hit two on the bounce through Duffy to lead 0-04 to 0-02 the challenge was becoming more obvious.

However that was to be their last scores of the first half as the Antrim rear-guard shut up shop and defended magnificently for the remaining 22 minutes of the half.

The Saffrons then took control with Bronagh Devlin, Maria O’Neill and Lara Dahunsi all raising white flags to edge ahead with 10 minutes of the half remaining, and they stretched their advantage when Aine Lynch, who had a superb game over the hour, added a great point after brilliant approach work from Ana Mulholland, Aoife Kelly and Theresa Mellon.

Things got even better when Laura Agnew broke clear and put the ball over the bar with a magnificent strike and just before the half time whistle Ciara Brown broke out from the back and cleverly found Dahunsi who was pulled back.  From the resulting free Maria O’Neill hit a magnificent score and the Ulster side went in at the break with a 0-08 to 0-04 advantage.

The second half opened with a Sligo point from Anna McDaniels but Aine Lynch restored the 4 point lead and after beating 4 Sligo players Maria O Neill raised the first green flag of the day as she fired home from a tight angle.

Bronagh Devlin then got her second score of the day to stretch the Antrim advantage and two minutes later, after being put through on goal by Dahunsi, the Moneyglass star unselfishly laid the ball of for Oneill to raise her second green flag of the day. 

Things appeared to be done and dusted but Sligo’s young team hit back strongly scoring 1-2 without reply  to leave a goal between the sides with just three minutes to go. 

The pressure was then on the Ulster champions but they reacted brilliantly when Niamh Mc Intosh which saw her release Sarah Oneill, who combined with her sister Maria who sent Aiobheann Monaghan through to hammer home the game clinching goal.

Indeed it was a terrific strike from the 17 year old was a carbon copy of the one she scored in the National league final way back in April… 

That rounded off the scoring for the day and Antrim can now look forward to an All Ireland final in August… 

Scorers – Antrim: M O’Neill 2-2 (0-1f), A Monaghan 1-0, A Tubridy, B Devlin (1f), L Dahunsi 0-2 each, S O’Neill, L Agnew 0-1 each.

Sligo: L Duffy 1-4 (3fs), A McDaniel, R Smith 0-2 each, E Kelleher (f), S Curley 0-1 each.

ANTRIM: Á Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O’Neill, C Brown, C McKenna; A Mulholland, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, M O’Neill, A Kelly; B Devlin, L Dahunsi, L Agnew. Sub: O Ni Corra for McKenna (55), A Monaghan for B Devlin (57), D Boyd for Agnew and O Todd for Kelly (60).

SLIGO: E Maguire; J Creegan, C Dunne, H Walsh; C King, C Walsh, T Breheny; S Regan, R Kennedy; M McCormack, A McDaniel, S Feeney; L Duffy, C Gilligan, E Kelleher. Subs: N Brennan for Kelleher 38, C Gorman for McCormack 44, S Curley for Creegan 46, R Smith for Gilligan 50, L Normanly for Kennedy 60.

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).

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

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by thesaffrongael

McGarry points Cuchullains to McMullan Cup glory

Feis nan nGleann 2025

U16 McMullan Cup Final

Dunloy 1-18 Loughgiel 1-8

Sunday 13 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Glenariffe

A strong second half performance from Dunloy helped the Cuchullains to victory over Loughgiel in the McMullan Cup on Sunday afternoon.  10 points separated the sides at the end of the hour and while Dunloy were well worthy of their win, not many could have foreseen what transpired in the second half.

Just two points separated the sides at the half time interval with the Shamrocks playing with whatever wind there was after the interval.  A defensive masterclass from the Cuchullains half back line at the start of the second half that saw them hem Loughgiel in their half for long periods and keep them scoreless for over 20 minutes.  Led by captain Eunan Curry and ably assisted by Oisin O’Brien and then Ollie McClements who moved out from his full back position in a swap with Seamus McMullan, Loughgiel got little or no answer.

North Antrim chairman Paddy Gray presents the McMullan Cup to Dunloy captain Eunan Currie after his team’s win ovver Loughgiel in Sunday’s final at Feis na nGleann in Glenariffe.

Midfielder James McGarry top scored for the Cuchullains, finishing with 10 points for the hour – seven of those coming from placed ball while the excellent Euan Molloy grabbed the goal that put daylight between the sides for the first time nine minutes into the second half.

Logan McConville had an excellent game for the Shamrocks at the heart of their defence but putting him on the three-quarter line didn’t yield the reward the Shamrocks had hoped for when chasing the game.  Joe Casey and Joe Deery shared six points between them while substitute Damien Laverty scored their goal at the death.

With the match played in sweltering heat, it wasn’t a surprise to see the first half failing to catch fire.  Dunloy scored the opening two points of the final through Damian McMahon and Euan Molloy before the Shamrocks hit back with a brace of frees from Deery.

McGarry and Molloy pointed again to open the two point lead for the Cuchullains but they wouldn’t add another score for 10 minutes.  Loughgiel added points from Cahir McCloskey, Joe Casey and Deery’s third free of the final to give their side the lead for the first time in the 18th minute.  They wouldn’t add to their tally in the time that remained of the first half however and while Dunloy were far from firing on all cylinders, they began to find their range with scores coming from McGarry (two) and Eanna McGuckian to leave them ahead 0-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle.

While Loughgiel battled hard, Dunloy could have been further ahead at the interval.  A number of missed frees looked to hurt their challenge while Caolan Christie could have had the opening goal of the final but he was denied by a Dunloy defence that scrambled to deny him.

McMahon opened the scoring in the second half with his second white flag but the Shamrock’s hit back with a brace of points from Joe Casey – the first off which from wide on the left and a ridiculous angle to breath fire into the Loughgiel challenge.

The Cuchullains turned the screw however and while the kept Loughgiel from scoring for over 20 minutes, they went on to open a 12 point lead.  Scores coming from John Ferguson, six white flags from McGarry and PJ Molloy.

Dunloy’s goal came from a brilliant run by Euan Molloy as hit ran from deep, drawing in the Loughgiel defence.  Showing skill and awareness, Molloy drilled the sliotar low as the bounce beat Loughgiel ‘keeper Ciaran Hennessy.

The Cuchullains could have added to their goal tally in that same period of time with Euan and PJ Molloy going close on difference occasions but a mix of brilliance from Hennessy and last gasp defending from the Shamrocks denied them.

With the game going into the final five minuets, Loughgiel went in search of goals.  A point from Cody McGarry reduced the Dunloy lead to 11 points before McConville had a sight for goal from a 21 yard free but his effort was well saved by Dunloy ‘keeper Euan Brogan.

James McGarry pointed a free in the last minute of the hour to take his personal tally to double figures but Loughgiel continued to push for majors. 

They finally got their reward in the second minute of injury time when Damien Laverty was first to a rebounded effort.  The initial shot coming from Joe McFadden and while Brogan saved his effort, Laverty was first to the sliotar and made no mistake.

Eanna McGuckian rounded off the scoring with his second point of the final with what was the last action of the game as the Cuchullains ran out comfortable winners.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Euan Brogan; Shane McGilligan, Ollie McClements, Cailean Hughes; Seamus McMullan, Eunan Curry, Oisin O’Brien; James McGarry, John Ferguson; Lorcan Martin, Damian McMahon, Eanna McGuckian; PJ Molloy, Euan Molloy, Ronan Elliott

Scorers: J McGarry 0-10 (6fs 1’65); E Molloy 1-2 (1f); D McMahon 0-2; E McGuckian 0-2; J Ferguson 0-1; PJ Molloy 0-1

LOUGHGIEL: Ciaran Hennessy; Lorcan Murtagh, Joe McFadden, Conor McCann; Aaron Gillan, Logan McConville, JJ McGarry; Domhnall McKay, Cahir McErlean; Joe Deary, Caolan Christie, Joseph Kinney; Cahir McCloskey, Joe Casey, Cody McGarry

Subs: Aidan Barr-Laverty for J Kinney (44); Damien Laverty for C Christie (59)

Scorers: J Casey 0-3; J Deary 0-3 (3fs); D Laverty 1-00; C McCloskey 0-1; C McGarry 0-1

Referee: Shane McDonnell (Oisin’s, Glenariffe)

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

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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

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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

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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

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