Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Antrim can get back to winning ways at Corrigan

Tailteann Cup Round 2

Antrim v Limerick

Corrigan Park-Saturday 4-30

Following last weekend’s defeat to Westmeath in Mullingar, Saturday’s meeting with Limerick tomorrow (Saturday) at Corrigan Park is one that Antrim must win if they are to retain any ambitions of being involved in the later stages of the Tailteann Cup.

Westmeath at Cusack Park was always going to be a tough ask for the Saffrons and so it proved to be as a Luke Loughlin inspired home side ran out convincing winners in the end.

For 40 minutes though Andy McEntee’s side were performing well and looked to be still in contention but they would eventually concede 4 goals over the course of the game and ended up losing by 16 points.

It goes without saying then that Antrim will need to tighten up in defence for the visit of Limerick, who defeated London the day previous to Antrim’s meeting with Westmeath, but wholesale changes would not be the answer.

Niall Burns (21) may have done enough in Mullingar to merrit a starting place against Limerick tomorrow

Antrim’s last meeting with tomorrow’s opponents was back in January 2024 in division 3 of the National League when the Saffrons travelled to Rathgael and recorded a good win over the home side.

Antrim had a descent season in the league in 2024 with three wins that maintained their division 3 status while Limerick were relegated and played their football in division 4 last year.

A year on its Antrim who are heading to the lower division after a season where they played well in spells but too often were unable to maintain it for the full 70 plus minutes.

Limerick are going in the opposite direction and will play their football in division 3 again in 2026 after finishing second to Wexford in division 4 and following last week’s win over London, will travel to Belfast with confidence.

It’s a game that Antrim should win if they can perform anywhere near the level they are capable of and Limerick at home is a different proposition to Westmeath in Mullingar but there is no margin for error.

LIMERICK 0-25 LONDON 1-15 (Tailteann Cup – Round 1)

A dominant third quarter propelled Limerick to a vital seven point victory in the Tailteann Cup as they got the better of London in Newcastle West.

Division Four runners up Limerick were slow to settle and it was the visitors who were able to find their feet early in the game. Ciarán Diver kicked two early points before Shay Rafter (free) put them 0-3 to 0-1 early on.

Jimmy Lee’s charges had a great 8 minute spell which pulled them well clear. Darragh O’Hagan landed the first two-pointer, before another youngster, Rigter, added a free from near the sideline – for another two.

Iain Corbett, Danny Neville and Naughton put the foot on the gas with accurate kicking as Limerick dominated the Andrew Walsh kick-out.

The Exiles rallied and Liam Gallagher (45), as well as a pair from Shay Rafter either side of a fine goal from Ruairí Rafferty saw the gap cut to just two at the interval.

It was 0-14 to 1-8 at half time but, London would only register six further points as the Limerick defence tightened considerably.

Substitute Barry Coleman and veteran Iain Corbett both kicked two pointers with Joshua Obahor and Shay Rafter replying in between.

The Treaty finished strongly and keeper Josh Ryan kicked a monster 2 pointer as they eventually won by 7 points in Newcastle West.

Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, James McAuley, Dermot McAleese, Marc Jordan, Conor Hand, Paddy McBride, Ryan McQuillan, Dominic McEnhill and substitute Niall Burns all did enough in Mullingar to get the nod for a start against Limerick and I wouldn’t expect the side not to show too many changes for a game that Antrim should win.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s campaign up and running in Rathkeale

As Antrim await the visit of Limerick to Corrigan Park tomorrow (Saturday) for what is a ‘Must win game’ for the Saffrons if they are to maintain interest in the Tailteann Cup, we take a look back at the last time these sides met on the 28th January 2024 and we will be hoping for a similar outcome tomorrow

Allianz NFL Division 3

Limerick 2-7 Antrim 2-14

Antrim got their Allianz NFL Division 3 campaign of to a great start at Rathkeale, Limerick on Sunday with an excellent seven point win over a Limerick side who were playing their football in division 2 last year.

The Saffrons were the better team for most of the game and dominated from early in the contest to lead 1-7 to 0-4 at the halfway stage but were hit by a 1-4 blast from the home side, either side of half time and looked in trouble early in the second half.

Their response was decisive however with a great goal from Creggan’s Ruairi McCann steadying the ship and an excellent exhibition of point taking from Dominic McEnhill would see the Saffrons home comfortably in the end.

Dominic McEnhill who scored 1-5 against Limerick in Rathkeale

The Saffrons were forced into two changes in their starting line-up before throw-in with Colm McLarnon and Cormac McGettigan replacing injured pair, Cathal Hynds and Ruairi McCann of Aghagallon.

Antrim got off to a bright start in  Rathkeale with Eoin Hynds pointing them into an early lead and the Saffrons would go onto dominate the early exchanges with goalkeeper, Mick Byrne edging them into a two point lead.

Ian Corbett’s reply for Limerick was quickly cancelled out by the returning Dermot McAleese who captained the side today in the absence of Peter Healy who remains on the Antrim injured list.

Peter Nash briefly closed the gap to two but the visiting Saffrons were growing in confidence and Niall Burns marked his debut with an Antrim point and Dominic McEnhill followed from a free before the impressive Rossa man stroked home a penalty to put Andy McEntee’s side in a strong position.

McEnhill, who was involved in a lot of the Antrim play, added a point and Creggan’s Ruairi McCann got his name on the score-sheet to move the visitors 1-7 to 0-2 ahead.

However, Limerick’s Tommy Childs and Robbie Childs struck late points to close out the scoring in the first half and serve notice that they were still in contention.

Paddy McBride who played in Antrim’s win over Limerick in Rathkeale

That was bourne out as the second half got under way as Aaron Sullivan kicked Limerick’s third point on the bounce on the restart and when Ian Corbett fired home from the penalty spot in the 10th minute it wasn’t looking good for the visitors.

Antrim’s appeals that the Rossa keeper had been fouled in the build-up fell on deaf ears and Antrim had now conceded 1-4 without reply and appeared to have lost control.

They showed tremendous character however as Ruairi McCann kicked a great point, their first for nearly 20 minutes, and Mick Byrne came forward to add another from a 40 meter free as the visitors reacted in the best possible manner.

Dominic McEnhill followed with another and Antrim seemed to have weathered the Limerick storm but were rocked back on their heels again as the hosts struck with their second goal of the game at the other end.

However, Antrim weren’t to be denied, and the key moment came on 57 minutes when Ruairi McCann scored Antrim’s second goal of the day, before the visitors closed out the win by scoring four of the game’s last five points.

Limerick received a setback when Brian O’Sullivan was Black carded and the Saffrons pressed home their advantage as Dominic McEnhill kicked three late points with Ronan Boyle getting his name on the scorecard as Andy McEntee’s side get their Division 3 campaign up and running.

A good win for the Saffrons and while McEntee will surely lament that spell just before and after halftime when his side conceded 1-4, he will be delighted with their response.

Antrim now have home games against Offaly on the 4th February and Down on the 18th and will hope to build on their opening day win and will hopefully have a few of the missing injured back in harness for those games.

Antrim: Mick Byrne, Ronan Boyle, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, Marc Jordan, Joe Kennedy, Dermot McAleese, Paddy McAleer, Eoin Hynds, Colm McLarnon, Niall Burns, Ruairi McCann (Creggan), Paddy McBride, Cormac McGettigan, Dominic McEnhill.

Subs: Declan Lynch for Dermot McAleese, Conor Hand for Ronan Boyle, Benen Kelly for Paddy McAleer.

Limerick: Aaron O’Sullivan 2. Tony McCarthy 3. Seán O’Dea 4. Brian O’Sullivan 5. Colm McSweeney 6. Robbie Childs 7. Paul Maher 8. Tommie Childs 9. Cathal Downes 10. Iain Corbett (Capt) 11. Emmet Rigter 12. Cillian Fahy 13. Barry Coleman 14. James Naughton 15. Peter Nash

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by thesaffrongael

Please join the Walk for Truth

Bellaghy Wolfe Tones are asking club’s throught the country to join the Walk for Truth tomorrow Friday 16th May in Bellaghy in support of the Brown family and thier pursuit of a public inquiry into the terrible murder of Sean Brown. They are asking Gaels to meet at St Mary’s Church for the walk which sets off at 6.30pm before making its way to Páirc Seán de Brún, which are named after their former chairman

Sean Brown was chairman of the club when he was attacked and beaten as he locked the club gates before being abducted and later shot dead near Randalstown, Co Antrim, on May 12, 1997.

by thesaffrongael

McCann goal paves the way for St. Teresa’s victory 

ACFL Division 2

St Patrick’s, Lisburn 0-12 St Teresa’s 1-11

Pics: Martin Brunty

A goal from Neil McCann in the 12th minute was the score that would prove the difference when St. Teresa’s travelled to Lisburn on Wednesday night and recorded a two point win over previously high riding Naomh Padraig at Kirkwood Park.

The West Belfast men took an early lead and maintained it throughout but the Lisburn side continued to press them hard throughout in what was a well-contested encounter.

St Teresa’s settled immediately and recycled the ball until Eoghan Hamill injected a bit of pace to get free and fist over.

Darren McCann then rose to help John Mallon’s dropping shot over, but both teams were guilty of some misses in the early stages.

However, St Teresa’s were looking that bit more threatening and this was exemplified in the 12th minute as Mallon put Niall McCann in to crash to the net.

St Patrick’s finally opened their account when goalkeeper Ruadhan McKenna came up to convert a two-point free before Mallon and Jude Rafferty traded further minors.

St. Teresas were starting to get on top and moved further ahead when  Mallon curled over superbly from outside the mark for a 2 pointer with Conor Mallon adding one soon after before Oisin Gorman replied from a free, but Pierce O Rawe replied to restore the six-point lead for St Teresa’s with 25 minutes gone.

Naomh Padraig finished the half strongly however as Oisin Gorman kicked his second free with Adam Patterson following from play, while in added time, McKenna came forward again to convert another long-range free to cut the St. Teresa’s lead to two at the break.

 Both sides missed opportunities at the start of the second half with the cross-field breeze making scoring difficult but Naomh Padraig looked to be in for a goal that would have edged them ahead but Gorman’s attempt rebounded of the bottom of the post.

The visitors replied immediately through Eoghan Hamill who pointed at the other end before Jude Rafferty hit back and the sides traded again through Conor O’Rawe and a Gorman free as the gap remained at two.

Gorman continued to provide a threat for the Kirkwood Park side and he came close again to finding the net but this time it was St Teresa’s goalkeeper Mark Small who would deny him before Rafferty floated over his third of the evening in the 53rd minute and the gap was down to one.

With five to play, the frame of the goal would again come to the visitors’ rescue as substitute Conuir Ewing’s firmly struck effort rebounded of the crossbar and it looked like it wasn’t going to be Naomh Padraig’s day.

St Teresa’s gave themselves a bit of breathing space late on as Darren McCann advanced to score and then Conor O’Rawe swapped passes to put a goal between them.

The last score would fall to Oisin Gorman who closed the gap to two with a fine point but that would be as close as the home team got with the visitors defence holding firm in the closing stages to earn their side two valuable points.

Naomh Padraig: R McKenna (0-4, 2xtpf); L Mulholland, Jack McMullan, JBroderick; Josh McMullan, B McMullan, S Burns; B McGirr, C Smyth; R Kennedy, O Gorman (0-4, 4f), C Burns; J Rafferty (0-3), A Patterson (0-1), E Dixon.
Subs: R Smyth for C Smyth (HT), C Ewing for E Dixon (58)

St. Teresas: M Small; P Johnston, C McGoldrick, A Dugan; C Mallon (0-1), E Connolly, C O’Rawe (0-2); D McCann (0-2), P O’Rawe (0-1); J Mallon (0-3, 1xtp, 1f), S Maguire, E Hamill (0-2); P McGoldrick, N McCann (1-0), A Taylor.
Subs: P Glennon for P Johnston (34), M Mallon for A Taylor (59), F Dugan for P McGoldrick (60+1).

Referee: Sean Elliott 

TO VIEW MORE OF MARTIN BRUNTY’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/XvyLLQaK3hk27R

by thesaffrongael

Contact Marketing maintain their support for the Saffron Gael

Steven and Neil from Contact Marketing are delighted to continue their support of The Saffron Gael, having been loyal supporters of our endeavours right from the start.

They are thrilled to be standing outside their new offices and warehouse extension, completed in April of this year.

As Ex Loughgiel Shamrocks and Antrim Gaels they both keep a keen eye on the development of all age groups of these hurling and camogie teams.

Neil and Steven of Contact Marketing presents a sponsorship cheque to John Curly McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael as they continue their support for the website

To support the work of The Saffron Gael and the Saffron Business Forum, they want to offer to all Gaels and non-Gaels pet owners/lovers the following discount offer;

When you use the following code at the checkout of the below websites SAFF10 not only will you receive a 10% discount off the normal retail price, but Contact Marketing will ring fence a further 10% of the purchase value to be accrued and split evenly between the efforts of the Saffron Gael and the Saffron Business Forum. We hope all pet owning Saffron Gaels see the merit in moving their pet food and treat purchases to www.favour.co.uk and www.clinivet.com ***code available to use at all times except when goods are on promotion***