Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Strong second half sees St Enda’s through to final meeting with Aldergrove

Antrim Intermediate Football Championship – semi-final

St Enda’s 1-23 Gort na Móna 1-14

St Enda’s advanced to the Antrim Intermediate Football Championship final against Aldergrove after defeating Gort na Móna 1-23 to 1-14 in perfect conditions at Glenavy. The sides were deadlocked at 1-7 apiece at the end of a fiercely contested first half, but a dominant second-half display saw St Enda’s pull away to secure a nine-point victory.

The match opened with a quick point from play by St Enda’s James McAuley in the second minute but Gort na Móna responded shortly after when Tarlach Enright fired a 45 over the bar to level the scoring. St Enda’s regained the lead through a 30-meter strike from Fionn Nagle, but Gort na Móna drew level again at 0-2 apiece when Jack Ireland fisted the ball over the bar.

The game burst into life in the seventh minute when St Enda’s Padhraig O’Hare finished off a well-worked move by firing past the goalkeeper to put his side 1-2 to 0-2 ahead, but Gort na Móna issued an immediate response less than a minute later, driving down the field before Matthew McConnell blasted the ball into the net from the left corner. St Enda’s rebuilt their advantage with a point from Conor Eastwood and two scores from Kristian Healy and Fionn Nagle following a hard-won kick-out. However, Gort na Móna fought back as Desi Mc Clean slotted two excellent points from play, followed by a point from Matthew McConnell to tie the game at 1-5. St Enda’s edged ahead again with points from Kristian Healy and James McAuley, before Gort na Móna leveled the match at 1-7 heading into the break with a two-pointer from a free by Tarlach Enright.

St Enda’s took complete control immediately following the restart. Mickey Morgan gathered a low pass and turned to put St Enda’s ahead in the second minute. Odhrán Eastwood then converted a two-pointer from a free, which was quickly followed by a solo effort from Fionn Nagle who shot just over the crossbar to stretch the lead to seven. Conor Eastwood nearly found the net shortly after, but his close-range effort was tipped over the bar by Gorts goalkeeper Anton Farelly and Fionn Nagle curled over another point to widen the gap to 1-14 to 1-7.

Gort na Móna registered their first score of the second half in the ninth minute with a free from Tarlach Enright, but St Enda’s maintained unrelenting pressure. Odhrán Eastwood fisted a point and then tapped over a free, while Stephen O’Connor scored within 30 seconds of the resulting kick-out to push the lead to nine points. Gort na Móna’s Michael Savage managed a point from play, and Tarlach Enright added another two-pointer from a free to keep his side in contention. However, St Enda’s answered immediately as Padhraig O’Hare, Stephen O’Connor, and Kristian Healy all picked off points to make it 1-21 to 1-12.

In the closing stages, Gort na Móna goalkeeper Anton Farelly made a fantastic save to deny St Enda’s a second goal, turning the ball wide for a 45 which was subsequently pointed by Odhrán Eastwood. Tarlach Enright and the Gort na Móna attack managed two final points, but St Enda’s closed out the game confidently with late scores from Fionn Nagle and substitute Ruairi Doran to finalise the 1-23 to 1-14 victory.

St Enda’s: 1 Senan Nagle, 2 Cillian Browne, 3 Diarmuid McNulty, 4 Eoghan O’Hare, 5 Conan Lyttle, 6 James McAuley, 7 Sean McBride, 8 Padhraig O’Hare, 9 Mickey Morgan, 10 Michael McKenna, 11 Stephen O’Connor, 12 Kristian Healy, 13 Odhrán Eastwood, 14 Fionn Nagle, 15 Conor Eastwood,

Subs – 16 Ryan Kennedy, 17 Ronán O’Neill, 18 Zac Kyle, 20 Sean Murray, 21 Killian Jennings, 22 Cathair McKenna, 23 Odhrán McKenna, 24 Darragh Rooney, 26 Ryan Kelly, 27 Niall McKeown, 28 Ruairi Hamilton, 28 Seán Neilan, 30 Conor McAuley, 32 Cormac Morgan, 33 Tomás Gilmour, 34 Ruairi Doran, 35 Eoin Nagle, 36 Jude Stewart, 37 Ruairí McBride, 38 Sé Steele, 39 Oisin O’Hare.

Gort na Móna: 1 Anton Farelly, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Ciaran Donnelly, 4 Padraig Cournane, 5 Tiarnan Morton, 6 Michael Savage, 7 Niall De Brun, 8 Jack Ireland, 9 Christopher Carson, 10 Eogan Corrigan, 11 Ruairi O Scollain, 12 Daire Keenan, 13 Tarlach Enright, 14 Desmond Mc Clean, 15 Matthew McConnell,

Subs – 16 Marcus Austin, 17 Caoimin Magee, 18 Rian Brown, 19 Manus McMullan, 20 Caoimhin Beck, 21 Ryan Donnelly, 22 Michael Brady, 23 David McKeown, 24 Padraig Mulvenna, 25 Cormac Fegan, 26 Gavin McKenna, 27 Sean Campbell, 28 Jude Reilly, 29 Paul Lawlor, 30 Liam De Brun, 31 John McIlroy, 32 Tim Scannell, 33 Conor Scannell, 34 Jack Thompson, 35 Patrick Mallon, 36 Conal Keenan, 37 Barry Chambers, 38 Conchuír Clarke.

Referee – Paul Burns

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

https://myalbum.com/album/K9FBfexwCX7KqX/?invite=b433b247-a1ec-4b2d-b02f-07bacaf4077b

by thesaffrongael

Ruairi’s Dethrone The Shamrocks

IN2 Engineering Senior Camogie Championship

Semi Final

Cushendall 1-12 Loughgiel 1-09

Saturday 3 October

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Loughgiel’s reign as Camogie Queens in Antrim came to an end at Pearse Park on Saturday afternoon as Cushendall dethroned the Shamrocks.  Three points separated the sides by the end of an hour of gripping championship action that saw the Ruairi’s withstand a late Loughgiel rally but run out worthy winners in the end.

Much of the talk coming into the game was if Cushendall could improve on their showing between the sides in the group game or if the experience and knowhow of the Shamrocks would win the day.  In the end it was the hunger, desire and tenacity of the Ruairi’s that was the winning of the game along with the brilliance of Eva McNeill.

The Cushendall star finished with 1-7, three from placed ball and while she may have missed a few, Eva McNeill was quite brilliant for the Ruairi’s.  But she did have plenty of support with Kady McNeill putting in her best performance of the championship to date while Orlaith McCurry and Cara O’Boyle were also excellent.

Much has been made about the defensive efforts of Cushendall in recent games, Saturday was no different.  The Shamrocks score 1-4 in the second half, all came from placed ball as the Cushendall defensive unit shut out both space and chances.  Dervla Cosgrove and Siobhan McKillop excelled in midfield with their delivery of ball into the Cushendall forwards always keeping the Shamrock defence on their toes.

Roisin McCormick was a shining light for Loughgiel and went through a serious mountain of work for the Shamrocks.  She was a constant threat for her side but she won’t have many days leaving the pitch having not scored from open play, such was the efforts of the Cushendall collective defence.  Megan McGarry showed serious leadership from full back while Amy Boyle was excellent throughout. 

The Shamrocks laid siege on the Cushendall goal late in the game but the Ruairi’s were not to be denied a deserving victory.

Cushendall started the game at 100mph, tackling with ferocity and playing with serious intensity.  The thought that they might slow down as the half progressed was soon diminished as they never let Loughgiel settle.

Cushendall had three points in the opening 10 minutes with Eva McNeill, Cara O’Boyle and Orlaith McAlister all registering scored while a free from McCormick was the sole response for the Shamrocks.

McCormick added another free before the opening goal of the game came in the 11th minute with Caoimhe McNaughton sending the sliotar into the path of Eva McNeill.  The Cushendall forward rose highest to claim the sliotar in the air before haring for goal.  She fired low and to the corner to give Emma McAllister no chance in the Loughgiel goal.

The goal came at the perfect time for Cushendall and gave the Ruairi’s belief although Loughgiel did hit back to back points in response.  Scores from Annie Lynn and Lucia McNaughton bringing the Shamrocks to within two.

Eva McNeill fired over her second free of the half before scoring her first from open play to put four between the sides with six minutes of the half remaining.

The Shamrocks challenge was hurt with a couple of rare missed frees from Roisin McCormick before Annie Lynn fired over her second of the half.

Eva McNeill had the last say of the opening 30 minutes when she fired over to leave the half time score 1-6 to 0-5 in Cushendall’s favour.

The opening exchanges to the second half saw Loughgiel cancel out that Cushendall lead and be back on terms after seven minutes.

Their goal came just two minutes after the restart and while it came in fortuitous circumstances, it was exactly what the Shamrocks needed at the time.  McCormick seemed to mishit her free from 40 yards out and the sliotar dipped below the crossbar deceiving the Cushendall players on the line and into the back of the net.

Cara O’Boyle responded by opening Cushendall’s account but a brace of McCormick frees brought the Shamrocks on terms.

Loughgiel wouldn’t register another score for almost 15 minutes, however.  Cushendall managed three further scores at the other end of the pitch and while it wasn’t an insurmountable lead, it was enough for the Ruairi’s to keep the champions at arms length.  Kady McNeill raising the white flag before a brace from Eva McNeill (one free) the scorers for Cushendall.

McCormick’s third free of the half gave Loughgiel a glimmer of hope and raised the hopes of their support in Dunloy before a brilliant score from Kady McNeill restored Cushendall’s three point advantage.  McNeill showing great footwork and a lovely drop of the shoulder to create space for her strike.

McCormick and Dervla Cosgrove swapped frees by the 57th minute and while Loughgiel laid siege on the Cushendall goal looking for another major, they came up short.  Marie Laverty going close with a double in midair that Orlagh Burke did superbly to stop going into the back of the net while going close when through on goal but the Cushendall defence scrambled superbly.

The Shamrocks couldn’t get the vital score that would see them continue their remarkable dynasty within Antrim camogie.  Their amazing run of 12 consecutive championships comes to an end and for Cushendall, they’ll be hoping that they can transfer all the promise within their ranks into silverware next weekend against Dunloy.

TEAMS

Cushendall Starting XV: Orlagh Burke; Tamara Black, Anna McNeill, Caoimhe McNaughton; Colleen Patterson, Abi McNeill, Laura Black; Dervla Cosgrove, Siobhan McKillop; Rhianna Black, Orlaith McCurry, Cara O’Boyle; Kady McNeill, Eva McNeill, Orlaith McAlister

  • Subs: Amy McAlister for R Black (39)
  • Scorers: E McNeill 1-7 (3f); C O’Boyle 0-2; K McNeill 0-1; D Cosgrove 0-1 (1f)

Loughgiel Starting XV: Emma McAllister; Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Clare McKillop; Katie Lynn, Amy Boyle, Ciara Laverty; Anna Connolly, Lucia McNaughton; Katie McKillop, Annie Lynn, Christine McCloskey; Kirsty Adams, Roisin McCormick, Shanna Deery

  • Subs: Marie Laverty for K Lynn (HT); Aoibheann Gillan for A Connolly (44); Orlagh Laverty for S Deery (46)
  • Scorers: R McCormick 1-6 (1-6f); A Lynn 0-2; L McNaughton 0-1

Referee: Sean McLaren (St Pauls)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THE GAME, CLICK ON THE LINK….

https://myalbum.com/album/mwLDtdjesYje4o/?invite=acc0df35-137f-44fd-b3bd-7c26ea582ae6

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy dethroned as St Brigid’s reach their first senior final

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship Semi Final

St Brigid’s 0-17 Dunloy 0-8

Saturday 3 October

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

Pic by PMC.JPEG

A clinical, dominant second half performance from St Brigid’s was enough to dethrone Dunloy and seal their place in the senior final for the first time in their 28 year history.

With the sides tied at five apiece at half time, the game was evenly poised.  The Musgrave Park men had also dominated the opening half for long periods and the Cuchullains would have been more than happy to go in at the interval on terms.

The second half saw an increase in St Brigid’s intensity, creativity and pressure on the Dunloy midfield.  With Niall Duffy and JJ Higgins showcasing skills in attack, the pressure on the Dunloy defence was unrelenting.  The introduction of underage starlet Joe Logan giving St Brigid’s another string to an already talented bow.  Still minor, Logan played with the freedom that comes from belief and confidence and a swagger that is rarely seen at senior level.

The middle third is where St Brigid’s lay the foundations to their dismantling job of the champions.  Jack Dowling, Ronan Boyle, Patrick and Joseph Finnegan all outstanding.  If they didn’t win clean ball from kick-

outs, they were by far the hungrier when it came to the breaking ball.  To say they dominated would be an understatement.  Any Dunloy attacks and there were few in the second half, the majority came from turnover ball or on the rare occasion, a St Brigid’s wide.

It was an evening where the Cuchullains misfired to the point where they couldn’t get started.  Conal Cunning showed glimpses and moments of brilliance, knocking over a couple of points with his left and looking the more likely to kick-start a Dunloy revival.

Eoin McFerran was another in green and gold who left with pass marks, but there weren’t enough from a Dunloy perspective to follow suit.

For ten minutes at the start of the second half, St Brigid’s were camped in the Dunloy half and built a five point lead that put them one foot into the final.  The other foot and door was confirmed there by the time Higgins hit his sixth point of the night.

From the first whistle St Brigid’s dictated the game.  Cunning did open the scoring and while it was a further 10 minutes before Dunloy would add another score, St Brigid’s weren’t exactly shooting the lights out at the other end of the pitch.  Joseph Finnegan, Niall Duffy and JJ Higgins did split the posts but a number of wides looked to derail the St Brigid’s momentum.

Seaan Elliott hit the opening two pointer of the game, a shot that was a classic effort from the Dunloy man.  No back lift, no looking at the posts but straight between the uprights.  Points followed from Cunning and Keelan Molloy to give Dunloy a two point lead by the 16th minute.

JJ Higgins swings over a point late in the game.

The Cuchullains wouldn’t register another score for the remainder of the half, however.  Joseph Finnegan fired over his second point of the half, running half the pitch unopposed before dissecting the posts.  Higgins first point of the evening typified the St Brigid’s play – chasing a lost cause and splitting the posts despite the presence of two Dunloy defenders to tie the sides in the 22nd minute.

Neither side would add to their tally in an end to the first half that was a game of chess.  Neither side really taking the game by the horns and registering a number of wides.

The second half is where St Brigid’s came to life.  Where they may have been cautious or misfired in the first half, they found another gear after the restart.

Duffy and Cunning swapped scores before the Musgrave Park men went through the gears.  Higgins with a brace of points before Logan split the uprights in the 39th minute.  A quite brilliant point that saw the young St Brigid’s player sell two dummies before firing over.

Shay Campbell added his name to the list of scorers before Higgins landed his fourth of the night to put five between the sides and St Brigid’s in pole position.

Eoin McFerran responded for Dunloy in the 46th minute, the Cuchullains first score for almost 15 minutes reducing the St Brigid’s lead to four points but that was as good as it got for the champions.

James Smith fired over a brilliant score, lifting the voices of the St Brigid’s attack before Paul Bradley landed a crucial two pointer.  Higgins pointed in the 57th minute to leave eight between the sides as the end of the hour loomed but St Brigid’s showed no signs of relenting.

.

Dunloy looked for ways to potentially score a major, Seaan Elliott with a moment of brilliance but the St Brigid’s defence never looked like coughing up the opportunity.  Elliott did fire over but St Brigid’s had the final say with Smith and Higgins landing the final points to add further gloss to the scoreline.

A strong performance from the south Belfast side who have reached their first senior final with a statement performance.  A ghost laid to rest from 12 months ago and the wind at their sails ahead of a meeting with either Cargin or Rossa.  Dunloy will be disappointed with their showing and to lose their grasp on the McNamee Cup.  For the vast majority of the squad, they will turn their attentions to a semi-final meeting with Glenariffe in the hurling championship next Saturday.

Pic by PMC.JPEG

TEAMS

St Brigid’s Starting XV: Declan Heery; Oran Downey, John Morgan, Shay Campbell; Shea Downey, Joseph Finnegan, Patrick Finnegan; Jack Dowling, Ronan Boyle; Dara Quinn, Ronan McGrady, Paul Bradley; Niall Duffy, James Smith, JJ Higgins

  • Subs: Joe Logan for R McGrady (HT); Peter King for O Downey (56); Conor King for N Duffy (59)
  • Scorers: JJ Higgins 0-6; N Duffy 0-3 (1f); J Smith 0-2; P Bradley 0-2 (1tp); J Finnegan 0-2; S Campbell 0-1; J Logan 0-1

Dunloy Starting XV: Chrissy McMahon; Reece Cunning, Aaron Crawford, Conor Kinsella; Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McGarry, Luke McFerran; Eoin McFerran, Conal Cunning; Eoin O’Neill, Seaan Elliott, Tom McFerran; Barry McCloskey, Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott

  • Subs: Eoghan McGrath for T McFerran (52); Padraig McGilligan for E O’Neill (52)
  • Scorers: C Cunning 0-3; S Elliott 0-3 (1tp, 1f); E McFerran 0-1; K Molloy 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/wwDZmEvrmdRfu2/?invite=1a8e4d47-4996-4957-a377-e7e6c8815941

by thesaffrongael

Bright start and strong finish sees Rasharkin advance to the final

P GRAHAM TARMAC JFC Semi-Final

Rasharkin 3-12 O’Donnell’s 1-12

A bright start and a strong finish powered St. Mary’s Rasharkin to victory over a determined O’Donnell’s in this P GRAHAM TARMAC Junior Football Championship encounter at Dreen on Saturday.

Rasharkin got off to a lightning start with Cormac McMullan pointing after 20 seconds and before the opening minute had elapsed, Eamonn McNeill took advantage of a defensive mix-up to force the ball to the net.

Any notion that the home side were in for an easy evening were soon dismissed however with the Whiterock Road side settling into the game and their strong aggressive play had them soon back in contention.

Jonathan McKenna and Fionbar McKernan replied with points before a couple of pointed frees from Brian Og O’Neill moved the hosts four ahead by the 13th minute.

O’Donnell’s continued to push forward and it took an excellent save from Ryan Doherty to deny Richard McAvoy with McAvoy converting the resulting ‘45’ to leave a goal between the sides with 8 minutes remaining to the break.

Eamonn McNeill for Rasharkin and Jonathan McKenna exchanged further points before Rasharkin wasted a couple of excellent opportunities to put further distance between the sides when Killian O’Boyle fired wide from close range and McNeill saw his shot rebound of an upright and cleared to safety.

The visitors were sharp in the tackle and depriving St. Mary’s space to play but a strong run from the excellent James Higgins opened up their defence and he placed Brian Og O’Neill for the final point of the half to leave it 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

The second half was only 30 seconds old when Fionbar McKernan sent over a good point from a difficult angle to cut the deficit to three again but Higgins raced clear at the other end to fist over and move the gap to four once more.

It was end to end at this stage and Jonathan McKenna fired over from distance for the visitors and two more excellent scores from Richard McAvoy had it back to one by the 6th minute as O’D’s enjoyed a period of supremacy.

Brian Og O’Neill replied for the Dreen side before Rasharkin were punished for dissent when the ball was brought forward and Padraig McKissock converted the resulting free.

O’Donnell’s continued to battle and a smart delivery deceived Fergus Quigg and the excellent Ryan McAvoy stole in behind to fire to the net from close range and the sides were level.

Just when it looked like the game was swinging in favour of the MacRory Park side, St. Mary’s countered from the kick-out and a sweeping move from deep in defence saw Brian Og O’Neill fire past Conor Murphy and restore the home side’s three point advantage.

A point from substitute, Pearse McTeague extended the Rasharkin lead to four but the home side then suffered a setback when they had a player dismissed for a second yellow card.

O’D’s fought to take advantage of the extra man and Fionbar McKernan pointed another free that was moved forward for dissent and Richard McAvoy and Paul Moors added further points and the gap was back to a goal with four minutes remaining.

Misfortune struck the Belfast side as the game edged into time added on when Stephen Seawright was caught in possession and was penalised for over carrying with Fearghal Kennedy taking a quick bounce and go before setting up Oisin Casey who finished to the net from close range.

McKernan for O’Donnell’s and Cormac McMullan for Rasharkin exchanged late points as the home side ran out winners by six points and the league champions are still on course for the double as they await the outcome of the other semi-final between Ardoyne and Eire Og on Sunday at Cliftonville.

Rasharkin: 1 Ryan Doherty, 2 Liam Quigg, 3 Fergus Quigg, 4 Pearce Kelly, 5 Thomas Hasson, 6 Fearghal Kennedy, 7 Colm Kennedy, 8 Tiernan O’Boyle, 9 Oran McMullan, 10 Cormac McMullan, 11 Eamonn McNeill, 12 James Higgins, 13 Killian O’Boyle, 14 Brian Og O’Neill, 15 Andrew Hasson.

Pearse McTague (0-01) for Killian O Boyle, Oisin Casey (1-0) for James Higgins Daniel Doherty for Éamonn McNeill Daniel McGurk for Fergus Quigg

O’Donnell’s: 1 Conor Murphy, 2 Kevin Kennedy, 3 Stephen Seawright, 4 Sean Smylie, 5 Jonathan McKenna, 6 Scott Thompson, 7 Patrick Meenan, 8 Gerard McKernan, 9 Paul Moors, 10 Richard McAvoy, 12 Cailean Walsh, 13 Fergal McNerney, 14 Fionbar McKernan, 15 Padraig McKissock, 27 Sean Laverty

Subs: Joseph Wilson, John Rafferty

Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/hKKYJ8iaFtzt9B

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Camogie TV Launches with Historic Semi Final Weekend

Antrim Camogie is delighted to launch Antrim Camogie TV, giving supporters across the world the opportunity to watch club championship action live and on demand.

This weekend marks a first for Antrim Camogie as all four semi finals in the IN2 Engineering Senior Championship and Doherty Group Intermediate Championship will be streamed live.

Antrim Camogie PRO Sean Kelly said:

“The launch of Antrim Camogie TV is a hugely exciting development for our association and one that will help us bring our games to a wider audience than ever before. For the first time, we will be streaming all four Championship Semi Finals, allowing supporters at home and across the world to follow the action live.This is just the beginning for Antrim Camogie TV. We fully intend to stream our county finals and continue expanding our coverage in the future, bringing our games to a wider audience and creating new opportunities to promote Camogie across Antrim.”

Live Stream Fixtures

IN2 Engineering Senior Championship Semi Finals

🏑 Cuchullains Dun Lathaí v Mac Uílín CLG
📅 Saturday, 3 October, 1.00pm
🎥 Watch Live

🏑 Na Seamróga v Ruairí Óg
📅 Saturday, 3 October, 4.00pm
🎥 Watch Live

Doherty Group Intermediate Championship Semi Finals

🏑 Kickhams Creggan v Cuchullains Dun Lathaí
📅 Sunday, 4 October
🎥 Watch Live

🏑 Loughgiel Shamrocks v Erin’s Own Cargin
📅 Sunday, 4 October
🎥 Watch Live

Supporters can access all live and on-demand coverage via Antrim Camogie TV.