Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Creggan prevail in the early derby

Antrim Football League Division 1

Tir na n0g 3-08 Creggan 2-17

Creggan had six points to spare over neighbours Tir na nÓg in Sunday’s early game at Whitehill as the Kickhams maintained their perfect start to the league campaign. The game, which had a 10-45 throw-in due to the funeral of former Creggan player Bosco Murray, was played in a variety of weather conditions, but provided good entertainment for those who had made the effort to attend.

With Creggan leading by 0-02 to 0-01 after ten minutes Dominic McAteer grabbed the first goal of the game to stretch  the visitors lead to four and centre forward Liam Quinn pushed it out to five soon afterwards with a well taken point.

Tir na nÓg kept in touch with points from Oliver McAtamney, Emmet Murray and free taker Darragh Fagan but Creggan still held the upper hand and led by 1-06 to 0-05 at half time.

A half time hail shower sent the spectators running for cover but by the time they returned to the field conditions had thankfully improved. Tir na nOg got themselves back in the game when Oliver McAtamney finished off a good move by palming the ball to the net to close the gap to just two, Creggan hit back right  away and three quick points, one  from Conor Johnston and two from Liam Quinn to stretch the gap to five again.

Creggan then took control and the gap was out to nine when Eunan McAteer fisted over from close range before Shea McCann stretched the gap to ten when he popped over a free.

It appeared the contest had petered out when Creggan led by ten with just three minutes of normal time to play but quick thinking by the home side’s full forward Darragh Fagan fired a low shot to the corner of the Creggan net. Less than a minute later Tir na nOg grabbed another goal and suddenly the gap was down to just four, but Creggan went straight up the other end and were awarded a penalty which Shea McCann fired past the diving Tir na nÓg goalkeeper Sean Paul McAtamney to seal the win.  

1-Sean Paul McAtamney 2–Declan Mallon 3–Brandon McLarnon 4–Manus Smith 5–Ciaran O’Neill 6–Ciaran McGrellis 7–Aodhan Tolan 8–Ryan O’Neill 9–Oliver McAtamney 10–Padraig Redmond 11–Joshua Higgins 12–Sean McKeown 13–Ryan Crilly 14–Darragh Fagan 15-Emmet Murray

1 – Mark Dougan 2. Aidan Maguire 3. Ricky Johnson 4. Liam McLernon 5. Sam Maguire 6. Ethan Carey Small 7. Dominic McAteer 8. Jamie McCann 9. Eunan McAteer 10 Shea McCann 11 Liam Quinn 12 Ruairi McCann 13. Joe McAteer 14. Aidan McKeown 15. Conor Johnson

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

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by thesaffrongael

Limerick Hold Firm to Deny Antrim in Cushendun

All-Ireland Under 23B Camogie Championship

Antrim 0-11 | Limerick 2-10

Antrim were left rueing missed opportunities in Cushendun on Sunday evening as a resilient Limerick side weathered a second-half storm to secure a five-point victory. After a narrow opening-round loss to Clare, the Saffrons faced another bitter pill to swallow in a game defined by a strong wind and clinical finishing from the visitors.

Playing with a significant wind at their backs, Limerick dominated the opening period. Despite Antrim taking an early lead through Éobha McAllister and Aimee Ferris, the visitors soon found their rhythm. The momentum shifted early when Limerick’s Amy Foley was forced off with an injury; her replacement, Donna Kenny, proved to be the game’s decisive factor, immediately settling into her stride with accurate free-taking.

Limerick’s Donna Kenny who scored a goal and five points, all from frees, to swing the game in the Munster team’s favour

The turning point of the half came when Ella Hession intercepted a short poc out, driving forward to rifle the ball into the net. By the interval, Limerick led 1-9 to 0-5. However, Antrim remained optimistic; not only would they have the wind in the second half, but Limerick were reduced to 14 players after midfielder Claire Power received a second yellow card just before the whistle.

Antrim emerged with intent, dominating general play as they looked to chip away at the seven-point deficit. Points from Ellen McIntosh, Cara O’Boyle, and substitute Fionnuala Kelly narrowed the gap. The Saffron defence was immense, restricting Limerick to just a single point from play for the vast majority of the half.

Amy Ferris comes within inches of levelling the game in the 57th minute

With three minutes remaining on the clock, the home side looked destined to level the scores. A loose ball bouncing in the Limerick square fell to centre-forward Aimee Ferris. She pulled hard on the strike, beating the goalkeeper’s hurley, but the ball agonisingly appeared to strike the keeper’s leg and rebounded out for a ’45’.

The missed chance proved to be the final roll of the dice for Antrim for although Katie Mollo pointed the resultant 45 to close the gap to just two you sensed it wasn’t to be the Saffrons’ day and the momentum shifted back to the visitors. Just a minute later, Limerick clinically ended the contest when a long-range free from the prolific Donna Kenny dipped under the crossbar for their second goal, sealing the win.

Antrim’s Casey Crawford breaks out of defence during the opening half

Antrim must now regroup quickly as they prepare to host Down this Friday, while Limerick move forward with momentum to face Clare.

Teams and Scorers

Antrim: O Johnson, E Coulter, A O’Donnell, D Dobbin, C Crawford, K Molloy (0-1), S O’Neill, S Heggarty, J McIntosh, C O’Boyle (0-1), A Ferris (0-1), C Griffin, E McIntosh (0-3), O McAlister, E McAllister (0-4, 3fs).

  • Sub: F Kelly (0-1) for O McAllister.

Limerick: C Mulqueen, C Ryan, C O’Riordon, A Foley, T Dore, E Woulfe, E O’Donovan, E O’Halloran (0-1), C Power, C Curtin, S O’Brien, L Boylan (0-1), R Molloy, E Hession (1-1), C Griffin (0-2fs).

  • Subs: D Kenny (1-5fs) for A Foley, M Geary for R Molloy, L Southern for C Griffin, A Boyle for S O’Brien.

This photo sums up the efforts that all players and their families make to succeed in the game. Theresa Dore’s parents left Limerick at 7am on Easter Sunday morning to make an almost 300 miles journey to watch their daughter face Antrim in Cushendun Co Antrim, a ‘stone’s throw’ from the Mull of Kintyre on the Scottish coastline. Their journey was worthwhile as Theresa and her teammates went home with the points, facing a return journey of the same distance

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

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by thesaffrongael

Dominant St. Mary’s make it two from three

ACFL Division 1 League 

St Ergnat’s GAC Moneyglass 0-10 St. Mary’s Aghagallon 1-19

Report by Brian Hamill


Aghagallon produced a dominant display to make it two wins in three starts when they proved too good for Moneyglass,

St. Mary’s produced their best performance of the ACFL Division 1 season so far, dismantling a game Moneyglass side by a comprehensive 12-point margin on Saturday afternoon at St. Ergnat’s new pitch, running out 1-19 to 0-10 winners in a display of clinical, free-flowing football.
From the opening whistle, it was Aghagallon who dictated the tempo, and Moneyglass never found an answer to the visitors’ work rate, movement and accuracy in front of the posts. The result was never really in doubt after the first quarter, and St. Mary’s will take enormous confidence from this performance as the Division 1 campaign gets into full swing.

Moneyglass made the brighter start in what was a lively opening exchange, with Aidan McErlain displaying his threat from placed balls by converting a two-pointer from a free on just two minutes to give the home side a rapid foothold. It was a signal of intent from the St. Ergnat’s men, and McErlain would prove to be their most dangerous outlet all afternoon. Jonny Hannon, however, was quick to reply for the visitors. The left corner-forward, who has become one of Aghagallon’s most reliable marksmen, landed a free to open his account and set the tone for what was to be a productive afternoon in front of the posts. McErlain and Hannon traded frees in the opening exchanges before Pauric Maginnis provided the decisive moment of the first half, with a long range shot, from his right midfielder berth that ended with the ball in the net in the 10th minute to give Aghagallon a lead they would not relinquish.

The goal settled any lingering nerves in the Aghagallon ranks. Marc McAfee and Enda McCartan began to impose themselves at centre half-forward and left half-forward respectively, and the supply line from midfield, where Pauric Maginnis and Jack Lenehan were dominant throughout. Aghagallon’s free-taking, landing three converted frees in quick succession, while McCartan underlined the visitors’ attacking ambition with a magnificent two-pointer from play in the 25th minute. Moneyglass’ Seanchan Duffin and McErlain kept the scoreboard ticking over for the home side, but Aghagallon’s lead continued to grow with each passing phase of play. Steven Devlin, operating at right half-back, showed admirable attacking instinct by pushing forward to land a point from play, a score that encapsulated the all-round contribution running through the entire St. Mary’s team.

The second period was more of the same. Aghagallon stretched their lead to double figures and beyond, with a series of well-worked scores from play underlining the depth of quality in the visiting panel. Substitute Gareth Magee made an immediate impact on his introduction, landing a point from play to augment an already impressive tally, while fellow substitute Odhran Rooney was truly outstanding off the bench, firing over two spectacular two-pointers from play to kill any remaining hope Moneyglass harboured of a comeback. It was the kind of impact off the bench that managers dream of and Rooney’s contribution underlined that. strength in depth St. Mary’s now possess.

Despite losing a man late on, the home side never threw in the towel. They had two goal chances that put Aghagllon’s keeper, Gabhan Blaine and his defenders, under severe pressure. McErlain adding two further points from play in the closing stages and Tyler Cassidy registering a late effort to give the final score-line a slightly more respectable look. But ultimately Aghagallon were a class apart on the day.


Scorers — Naomh Ergnat Moneyglass: Aidan McErlain 0-5 (0-3f), 1 two-pointer from free; Seanchan Duffin 0-2 (0-1f); Tyler Cassidy 0-1.

Scorers — St. Mary’s Aghagallon: Jonny Hannon 0-5 (0-4f, 0-1 from play); Odhran Rooney (sub) 2 two-pointers from play; Enda McCartan 0-1 from play, 1 two-pointer from play; Pauric Maginnis 1-0; Ruairi McCann 0-1; Marc McAfee 0-1; Steven Devlin 0-1; Eoin Brankin 0-1; Jack Lenehan 0-1; Gareth Magee (sub) 0-1.

TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Clinical St. Mary’s run out convincing winners

Featured image: Patrick Dougan, who’s first half double sent St. Mary’s to a comfortable victory over Gort Na Mona

ACFL Division 2

St. Mary’s 5-12 Gort Na Mona 3-3

A clinical St. Mary’s Ahoghill disposed of the challenge of Gort Na Mona in this ACFL Division 2 clash at Cloney on Sunday. The Ahoghill side were relegated from division 1 last year and were expected to make a quick return to the higher grade but came unstuck on day one at Davitt’s.

A point separated them and their opponents on that occasion and Gort Na Mona were expected to provide another stiff challenge but in truth it never materialised as St. Mary’s put them to the sword.

Fielding the majority of the side that made the drop at the end of last season, Ahoghill set about business in a wind assisted opening half with goals from Patrick Dougan in the 2nd and 12th minutes and a 2 pointer from Ronan Graham.

Colla McDonnell (13) who scored 2 second half goals for St. Mary’s celebrates

They didn’t get it all their own way during the opening half with the Turf Lodge side hitting back with two goals of their own from Matthew McConnell and Daire Keenan at the end of the first quarter, both the result of excellent approach play.

We looked to be in for a contest but in truth that was as good as it got for the visitors and it seemed to act as a wakeup call for the home side as they began to find their range.

James O’Connell, making his return to action after a lengthy absence, replied with a point and Noel Crossey (2pt) and Donal Graham followed with a double from range before O’Connell struck his second point of the contest to leave his side 2-11 to 2-00 ahead at the break.

Given the strength of the wind the visitors would have been expected to stage a second half comeback but it never materialised as St. Mary’s put together a display of clinical possession football that continued to produce an end product.

Colla McDonnell, who had been quiet in the opening half, came to life with an opening point and the same player finished to the net in the 7th minute and followed immediately with another as the flood gates opened.

tthew mcConnell who top scored for Gort Nas Mona

The home side then put another excellent move together which culminated in Noel Crossey finishing to the net from close range with 17 minutes gone and it was as good as over.

St. Mary’s were content to hold onto the ball after that but, to their credit a youthful Gort Na Mona didn’t give up and were rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot from Matthew McConnell with four minutes remaining.

The visitors finished with a point from Padraig Cournane to conclude the evening’s scoring but never really looked like mounting a serious challenge to a very gifted Ahoghill side.

The winners had fine performers in James Magee, Diarmaid Graham, Fionnbar O’Neill, Parick Dougan, Patrick Graham, Ronan Graham, Dan O’Connell, Colla McDonnell and Noel Crossey and will be delighted to have James O’Connell back in action.

Gort Na Mona were best served by Ciaran Donnelly, Padraig Cournane, Michael Savage, Ruairi O’Scollain, Matthew McConnell and Daire Keenan but on the day never really got going and are capable of much better.

Noel Crossey, scorer of Ahoghill’s 5th goal

St. Mary’s Ahoghill: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Shea Neeson, 5 Diarmaid Graham, 6 Fionnbar O’Neill, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Ronan Graham, 9 Patrick Graham, 10 Dan O’Neill, 11 Donal Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 James O’Connell

Subs: Ryan martin for Colla McDonnell, Ben Friel for James O’Connell

Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Ciaran Donnelly, 4 Padraig Cournane, 5 Sean Campbell, 6 Michael Savage, 7 Brendan Burns, 8 Conchuir Clarke, 9 Tiarnan Morton, 10 Padraic Mulvenna, 11 Ruairi O’Scollain, 12 Caoimhin Beck, 13 David McKeown, 14 Matthew McConnell, 15 Daire Keenan.

Subs: Dessie McClean, Manus McMullan, Anton Farrelly, Joseph Austin.

Referee: Eamonn McAuley (Erin’s Own)

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM TODAY’S GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

St Pauls withstand Con Magee’s pressure to continue solid start 

ACFL Division 1 

St Pauls 3-13-1-14 Con Magees 

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Pól 

ST PAUL’s made it two wins from their first three league games with a hard fought 3-13-1-14 victory over 14-man Con Magee’s in an entertaining Easter Sunday clash on the Shaws Road. 

Playing a strong breeze that was blowing towards the Shaws Road the hosts made the breakthrough through Lorcan Philips two-pointed shot from range after Niall McKenna’s lay-off. 

Con Magee;s got off the mark following Rian Lennon’s free that dropped short and was helped over the bar by Sean Og O’Neill. 

Midway through the half the visitors hit the front with the games opening goal, Harry Fyfe floated a pass across the face of goal to the back post where Fergus Donaghy was primed and palmed the ball to the net. 

Their lead lasted a mere 60-seconds though as St Pauls replied with a goal of their own. Conleth O’Loan’s kick-out failed to lift in the breeze and was gobbled up by Ciaran Ó Dufaigh who in turn slipped in Caoimhin Duffy to round O’Loan and slot to the net making it 1-2-1-1. 

An angled Aidan O’Donnell free restored parity briefly before Shea Burns clipped over to restore his side’s lead and Ó Dufaigh doubled his tally from a close range free. 

The hosts made the use of their wind advantage and surged ahead with successive two-pointed scores from play courtesy of Ciaran Ó Dufaigh. 

Con Magee’s were dealt a huge blow when they were reduced to 14-men, Declan McAuley seeing the line for two bookable offences in quick succession. 

They did see the half out with a two-pointed free converted by Rian Lennon to ensure they trailed 1-8-1-4 at the interval, despite being a man down they did have the wind advantage to look forward to after the break. 

It didn’t take the visitors long to force their first two-pointed score courtesy of the breeze as an angled O’Donnell shot from outside the arc was pushed over the bar. 

St Pauls looked to have taken a huge grip on proceedings with two-goals inside of 60-seconds in the early stages of the half. 

In the 34th minute Shea Burns popped the ball across and Ciaran Ó Dufaigh touched the ball home, then James Farrell slammed home a second goal shortly afterwards to make it 3-8-1-6. 

Rian Lennon converted his second free of the afternoon and a quickfire point from Harry Fyfe was the perfect response from the visitors who would narrow the deficit further through a two-pointed Aidan O’Donnell free. 

O’Donnell added another conversion- this time a free from within the arc- nonetheless they moved to within three-points of St Pauls. 

With little under a quarter of an hour remaining O’Donnell landed his third two-pointed score of the half and second from the placed ball to ensure the bare minimum separated the sides (3-8-1-13). 

Without a score since their 35th minute strike through James Farrell, the Shaws Road side eventually conjured a much needed score through Mark Munce and a further two points followed through Caoimhin Duffy and Ó Dufaigh with a second close range free of the afternoon that gave them a four-point cushion heading into injury time. 

There was plenty of time for further drama in time added on, Con Magee’s substitute Sean Paul McKenna was denied a goal with a great block at the near post by St Pauls keeper Jack McAufield. 

McKenna fisted over to reduce arrears but back-to-back points from Lorcan Philips in the closing stages ensured his side would see the game out as St Pauls made it two wins from their first three league encounters. 

ST PAULS: J McAufield, A Kavanagh, E McGreevy, M Duffy, C Burke, C Trainor, N McKenna, J Farrell (1-0), M Munce (0-1), C Killyleagh, Conall Duffy, L Philips (0-4, 1×0-2pt), Caoimhin Duffy (1-1), S Burns (0-1), C Ó Dufaigh (1-7, 2×0-2pt, 0-2f). SUBS: C Finnegan for C Burke (330, B McMorrow for S Burns (36), C Hughes for Conall Duffy (43), D Quinn for N McKenna (56), N McStravick for C Killyleagh (56). 

CON MAGEES: C O’Loan, N Dickson, S Higgins, E McCusker, D McAuley, N Swann, R Lennon (0-3f, 1×0-2ptf), D McQuillan, C McQuillan, J Martin, A O’Donnell (0-7, 0-5f, 2×0-2pft), F Donaghy (1-0), S Og O’Neill (0-1), H Fyfe (0-1), D Higgins. SUBS: SP McKenna (0-1) for F Donaghy (51), L McQuillan for J Martin (58). 

REFEREE: Ritchie Leahy (ST ERGNAT’S, MONEYGLASS)

More photos can be found at https://myalbum.com/album/37BMbU7SYSBBCY