Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Antrim stars shine in the QUB Future Stars Awards

It was a night of immense pride for Antrim GAA at the Whitla Hall on Wednesday evening, as players from across the Saffron County took centre stage at the annual McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars gala dinner.

While talented athletes from across Ulster were recognised, it was the staggering achievements of Belfast and North Antrim schools that truly stole the headlines, headlined by a historic, unprecedented treble for Rathmore Grammar’s Aodhán O’Hanlon.

Here is how Antrim’s brightest young talents dominated the 2025-26 Future Stars across all codes.

A Historic Treble for Gort na Móna’s O’Hanlon

Last year, history was made when a player collected two Future Stars awards. This year, Rathmore Grammar and Gort na Móna clubman Aodhán O’Hanlon went one better.

O’Hanlon was the undeniable star of the evening, picking up an incredible three Future Stars awards across Hurling, Gaelic Football, and Soccer. A driving force for Rathmore in all three codes, O’Hanlon notably racked up 1-10 in the Danske Bank Kirk Cup hurling final against St Malachy’s Belfast just before Easter.

Queens Future Stars 2026 – Antrim hurlers who received award

Saffron Stranglehold on the Hurling Team

Antrim’s traditional hurling powerhouses absolutely dominated the Future Stars hurling selection, claiming a massive portion of the starting fifteen.

  • Cross & Passion Ballycastle: Following their victory over St Mary’s CBGS in the Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup final, CPC secured three spots through Aaron Gillan, Oran Baudant, and Charley McCauley.
  • St Mary’s CBGS Belfast: The beaten finalists were rightfully represented by defensive duo Ben McCaul and Conall Dempsey.
  • St Malachy’s Belfast: After retaining the Kirk Cup, Ollie Gregory and Harry Feeney (who hit 1-4 in the decider) became the first-ever hurlers from St Malachy’s to be selected for a Future Stars team.
  • St Louis Ballymena: Goalkeeper Jack McQuillan and forward Éanna McGuckian ensured Ballymena was well represented.
  • Rathmore Grammar: Aodhán O’Hanlon took his rightful place in the forward line.
  • St Mary’s Magherafelt – Ronan Colgan (Kickhams Creggan)
Queens Future Stars 2026 – Antrim Camogs

Camogie: Antrim’s Production Line Continues

Antrim’s future in senior camogie looks incredibly bright, with several breakout stars from the county picking up awards.

Clíodhna Thompson, who led St Killian’s Garron Tower to the Liatroim Fontenoys’ Cup with a stunning 1-7 in the final, took her place in the forward line alongside St Louis Ballymena’s Cliodhna McKeever. Meanwhile, Coláiste Feirste collected their first-ever camogie award thanks to the standout performances of midfielder Róisín Nic Bhrádaigh.

There was also a nod to Antrim Camogie royalty. Rose McMullan from Cross & Passion Ballycastle—who helped shock St Patrick’s Maghera in the Corn Uan Uladh final—was selected. She is the daughter of Róisín Duffin, who famously starred for Antrim in the 2001 All-Ireland Intermediate final.

Ulster schools’ secretary Méabh Cassidy noted the direct pathway these awards provide, pointing out that Antrim senior stars like Sarah O’Neill, Erin Coulter, Shannagh Heggarty, Janey McIntosh, Orlaith McAlister, Laura Black, and Eobha McAllister all previously came through the Future Stars ranks.

Queens Future Stars 2026 – Male and Female Football winners

Breaking New Ground in Gaelic Football

Rathmore Grammar was the story of the night in the boys’ football selection, claiming three spots. Joining the ubiquitous Aodhán O’Hanlon were Darragh Cross clubman Connor Sheridan in goals and St Brigid’s midfielder Liam Carson.

Antrim schools also celebrated several historic “firsts” in the football categories:

  • Nathan Burns became the first player from Edmund Rice College Glengormley to win a Future Stars award.
  • Fintan McArdle proudly put Aquinas Grammar Belfast on the roll of honour for the very first time.

In Ladies Football, the Saffron representation remained strong. Evie McAllister from Dominican College Fortwilliam picked up an award, as did Rathmore Grammar forward Anna Adams, daughter of former Antrim senior footballer Gearóid Adams.

In the Handball category, Edmund Rice College Glengormley was represented once again, with Mia Carlin taking home one of the three female awards.

Queens Future Stars 2026 – Handball award winners including Mia Carlin (left) of Edmund Rice College
Queens Future Stars 2026 – St Mary’sCBGS winners

The Antrim & Belfast Roll of Honour

NameSchoolSport
Aodhán O’HanlonRathmore GrammarHurling & Boys Football
Aaron GillanCross & Passion BallycastleHurling
Oran BaudantCross & Passion BallycastleHurling
Charley McCauleyCross & Passion BallycastleHurling
Ben McCaulSt Mary’s CBGS BelfastHurling
Conall DempseySt Mary’s CBGS BelfastHurling
Ollie GregorySt Malachy’s BelfastHurling
Harry FeeneySt Malachy’s BelfastHurling
Jack McQuillanSt Louis BallymenaHurling
Éanna McGuckianSt Louis BallymenaHurling
Connor SheridanRathmore GrammarBoys Football
Liam CarsonRathmore GrammarBoys Football
Nathan BurnsEdmund Rice College GlengormleyBoys Football
Fintan McArdleAquinas Grammar BelfastBoys Football
Clíodhna ThompsonSt Killian’s Garron TowerCamogie
Cliodhna McKeeverSt Louis BallymenaCamogie
Róisín Nic BhrádaighColáiste FeirsteCamogie
Rose McMullanCross & Passion BallycastleCamogie
Evie McAllisterDominican College FortwilliamLadies Football
Anna AdamsRathmore GrammarLadies Football
Mia CarlinEdmund Rice College GlengormleyHandball (Female)

by thesaffrongael

Mount St. Michael’s Cross Country Event a Major Success

There was a fantastic display of athleticism and community spirit at Tír na nÓg, Randalstown today as Mount St. Michael’s Primary School hosted their inaugural Cross Country Event in association with Favour.

Pupils from a number of local schools took to the course in what proved to be a superbly organised and highly enjoyable day of competition. Both races were keenly contested, with participants showing great stamina and determination throughout.

A special word of congratulations goes to all the winning individuals and school teams, whose performances set a very high standard, while every child who took part deserves enormous credit for their effort and enthusiasm.

The event marks another significant step in the growth of cross country running within the area, supported by the ongoing work of Michael McKillop (Team McKillop Coaching) whose coaching influence has helped inspire a new generation of young runners.

Speaking after the event, Mount St. Michael’s Principal Paudie Shivers paid tribute to those who made the day possible:

“It was fantastic to see such a high standard on display today and more importantly, the clear benefits an event like this bring to our young people in terms of confidence, wellbeing and enjoyment of sport.
A huge thank you to Favour Foods for their amazing sponsorship and support of this event, to Michael McKillop for his expertise, to Mrs McMullan for coordinating everything so well, and to Tír na nÓg GAC Randalstown for the use of their excellent facilities and a big well done to all the staff and schools who took part today. We hope to build on the success of this event and establish it as an annual fixture.”

With strong community backing and such a positive response from schools, this event looks set to become a key date in the primary school sporting calendar for years to come.

TO SEE MORE OF BERT TROWLEN’S PICS FROM THIS EVEN CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Five-Goal Blitz Sees Aghagallon’s confidence grow at Pairc Na nGael

Antrim ACFL Division 1

St Mary’s Aghagallon 5-15 Naomh Pól 2-05

Report and photos by Brian Hamill

St Mary’s Aghagallon sent out a clear statement of intent in the ACFL Division 1 on Wednesday evening, dismantling a shell-shocked St Paul’s side with a ruthless display of attacking football at Pairc Na nGael. The home side’s ability to find the net at crucial intervals proved the difference, as they finished with a massive nineteen point winning margin.

From the throw-in, Aghagallon looked sharp, utilizing the wide expanses of their home turf. Ruairi McCann was the orchestrator-in-chief, finishing the day with an incredible 2-01. While his finishing was exemplary, it was his ability to link play with onrushing forwards and midfielders that caused the Belfast men endless headaches.

Aghagallon’s goal-scoring spree was spread across the forward line. Jack Lenehan showed his engine by getting forward from midfield to raise a green flag, while Gareth Magee, Ruairí McCann and Tommy Mallon also found the net to put the game out of reach. Enda McCartan, Marc McAfee, Jamie Lamont and Jack Lenehan pulled the strings from the ‘forty,’ in a dominant middle-third performance.

St Paul’s did find some joy through Conall Duffy, who managed to breach the Aghagallon goal twice, but these scores proved to be mere consolidations against the home side. Brendan McMorrow fought a lonely battle in the full-forward line, hitting five points, but the supply line was frequently cut off by impressive performances from Cormac Mulholland and Kieran Hamill.

The victory moves Aghagallon further up the Division 1 standings, leaving St Paul’s with plenty of defensive questions to answer before their next outing.

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN HAMILL’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Ward brothers strike late to seal Glenravel win

Antrim Football League – Division

Glenravel 2-10    All Saints 1-08

Con Magees finish strongly to secure the win

Glenravel had five points to spare over local rivals All Saints in this sometimes tempestuous affair which Darren McKeown did well to control as the man in the middle.  Both sides had periods of dominance but over the hour Glenravel were the hungrier for victory and despite some wayward shooting in the opening half they were well worth the five point win in the end. A shout out to the ground staff at Fr Maginn Park that the game could be played at all. Throw-in followed a torrential downfall of biblical proportions but luckily the weather Gods granted us dry conditions throughout actual game time. Indeed quite a few other games needed to be called off very late.

Glenravel absolutely dominated possession in the opening quarter but shot choice in soft underfoot conditions led to them not troubling the umpires perhaps as much as they should have. Harry Fyfe opened for the home side with five minutes gone and that was levelled by All Saints veteran Sean McVeigh one minute later. the spectators had to wait another eighteen minutes before Matthew Downey put the visitors in front. That was followed by a point from Emmet Killough and a wonder score 2-pointer from Sean McVeigh to open up a four point gap. All Saints were certainly a lot more ruthless in front of goal in that four minute segment but that was really their only period of dominance in the entire game. As we approached half time Glenravel were awarded a penalty when Eamon Ward was pulled to the ground as he was about to pull the trigger. Rian Lennon found the net from the spot and both teams went in at half time of a low scoring game with the visitors slightly ahead 0-05 to 1-01.

The local side came out of the blocks faster in the second half with three scores in the opening minutes supplied by Aiden O’Donnell and Rian Lennon and were now two points to the good. Benny McDonnell pointed a free but back came Con Magees with scores from Harry Fyfe and Colla Ward. Matthew Downey and Ciaran Campbell reduced the score to the minimum and with one quarter of the game to play the contest was neatly balanced. In that closing quarter Glenravel displayed a hunger for victory  evidenced by a combination of dogged defence and enterprising forward play. Eamon Ward and Rian Lennon put Con Magees ahead 1-08 to 0-08 but having their attack smothered and turned over, All Saints chose the aerial route and it paid dividends when Emmet Killough rose high to punch to the net and level the game with one minute of the thirty left to play. Darren McKeown ignored the calls for a square ball from the local supporters and we headed into a period of six minutes added time. During that time Glenravel broke at pace and the Ward brothers Colla (1-01) and Eamon (0-01) put the final nails into All Saints coffin so when McKeown blew the final whistle the local led by five points, 2-10 to 1-08.

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

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Con Magees:

1 Conleth O’Loan, 2 Conor Carey, 3 Conor McQuillan, 4 Niall Dickson, 5 Declan McAuley, 6 Niall Swann, 7 Rian Lennon, 8 Sean Higgins, 9 Daniel McQuillan, 10 Eamon Ward, 11 Colla Ward, 12 Joe Martin, 13 Aiden O’Donnell, 14 Harry Fyfe, 15 Fergus Donaghy.

All Saints

1 Ryan Stewart, 2 James Gillan, 3 Michael Read, 4 Sean Mc Dermot, 5 Patrick Ferris, 6 Connell Lemon, 7 Matthew Downey, 8 Peter Mc Nicholl, 9 Sean Mc Vaigh, 10 Sean O Brian, 11 Emmet Killough, 12 Charlie Matrustry, 13 Darach Bradley, 14 Brendan Mc Donnell, and 15 Ciaran Campbell.

Referee – Darren McKeown

by thesaffrongael

Hannahstown Credit Union sponsor Lámh Dhearg Minor Hurlers

Lámh Dhearg minors got their league campaign off to a winning start on Sunday with a 3-19-1-7 win over Davitts on Sunday morning.

The Hannahstown outfit were sporting their brand new jerseys sponsored by Hannahstown Credit Union.

Lámh Dhearg are delighted to announce that Hannahstown Credit Union have generously broadened their partnership of the club and will be sponsors of our under 18 Hurling panel.

Under 18 manager Gary Murray commented he is very appreciative of the valuable partnership of the Hannahstown Credit Union and their support is a great boost to the Minor Hurlers and the club.
Bernie Murphy from the Board of Directors of the Hannahstown Credit Union added “We are delighted to broaden our partnership of Lámh Dhearg. The club like ourselves are an integral part of the community who invest great time and energy in meeting and serving the needs of the local community. I wish the u18 hurlers all the best .
The club would encourage all members to support Hannahstown Credit Union or any of our other many generous partners if the opportunity arises as they are all vital in facilitating the successful organisation of the club.