Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Top of the Table Clash Sees Points Shared

ACHL Division 4

Ardoyne 0-23 St. Brigid’s 1-20

This highly anticipated top of the table clash at Fennell Park between Naomh Bríd and Ciceam Ard Eoin was an entertaining encounter, without ever really igniting for the gathered crowd. Twenty nine scores coming from frees in what was never an over physical encounter tells a tale.

The game got off to a good start with the home side firing ahead with a point from Matt McKillen. James Kelly soon replied for Naomh Bríd with his first of ten points from frees in the opening half. While Kelly will be pleased with his contribution, Naomh Bríd will reflect that not a single point of their scores came from opening play.

Ciceam Ard Eoin scored four points from open play in the first half but the continual stoppages in play prevented either side getting anything resembling a rhythm into their play. Patrick McGreevey for Ciceam Ard Eoin also had his signs lined up, managing to pick up seven scores from frees along with two from open play.

The opening half came to an close with only two points between the two sides and the crowd looked forward to a more free flowing second half.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-11 Naomh Bríd 1-10

Kelly opened up the second half scoring for Naomh Bríd with another point from a free before Cormac Barnes struck the sliothar over the bar following a clever free from McGreevy. Oisin McDonnell came more into the game for Naomh as the second half progressed and picked up three points from play.

McGreevy was the target man for Ciceam Ard Eoin with Paddy Heaney increasingly making his presence felt, but they were frustrated by the free count that continued to mount in the second half.

The sides were never far apart and Ciceam Ard Eoin drew the gap even tighter as the game entered its final quarter. They sensed the win that would bring them level with Naomh Bríd but were let down by a lack of discipline that saw their numbers reduced and were unable to overcome the disadvantage of a player short.

The excitement increased in the final 10 minutes as it was clear that this was anyone’s game. The sides were nip and tuck and while Ciceam Ard Eoin drew level they were unable to press ahead. Both sides had opportunities to win this match, but neither will be too disappointed as a draw was a fair result on the day.

Full-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-23 Naomh Bríd 1-20

Ciceam Ard Eoin:   Conor O’Neill, Sean Searle, Caolan Wallace, Eamonn Mac Lochlainn, Dan Moore, Martin McLaughlin, Christopher McShane, Piarais Hull, Paul McGuigan, Aran Stewart (0-01), Paddy Heaney (0-04), Matt McKillen (0-01), Enda Slattery, Fionntain Lagan, Padraig McGreevy (0-13, 11f), Cormac Barnes (0-03), Kealan McCallan, Fiachra McVicker, JP Agnew, Cahal Clarke, Stephen Hill, Micheál McGreevey (0-01)

Naomh Bríd: Michael Burke, Peadar Middleton, Garrett Gilleece, Jack Massingham. Jack Pardy, Conor McElhatton, Peter Heaney, Niall Murtagh, James Kelly (0-16, 13f) Donncha McGurk, David Prenter (0-01), Cuan Polley, Oisin McDonnell (1-03), Brian McGurk, Owen McCarney, Matthew Madden, Finlay Blockley, Oliver Liggett, Dara Sidebottom, John McGuckian, Chris Lundy, Pearse

TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN MC KEE’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/AkqnQFGHoH8EVu

by thesaffrongael

Oisins pushed all the way by Bredagh

Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Glenariffe 3-23 Bredagh 4 -17

Sun 11 May 2025

In near perfect conditions for hurling Glenariffe and Bredagh both fielded with a number of regulars missing but still produced a very entertaining game which was in the balance right to the end.

Oliver Kearney who scored 2-3 in the Oisins league win over Bredagh

Both teams started brightly and matched each other score for score. Glenariffe opening up with points from Seanie McIntosh and Aaron Cosgrove, but were pegged backed by the hard working Bredagh team with points from Joe Hanrahan and John Dougan. Glenariffe then opened up a gap when Oliver Kearney scored a goal and a point within 60 seconds but once again Bredagh fought their way back into the game with a well worked goal of their own from Ben Christie. Glenariffe who were playing against the breeze in the first half kept their noses in front with scores from Seanie McIntosh, Calum McIlwaine and Brogan O’Connor but they couldn’t shake off Bredagh who where able to pick off scores from Sean McCollum and Ben Christie. Glenariffe where then guilty of a number of wides before Aaron Cosgrove got their second goal of the game to ease the pressure. However we didn’t have to wait long before Bredagh hit back with their second goal from Joe Hanrahan. Both sides traded points for the remainder of the half, Glenariffe’s scores coming from three Seanie McIntosh’s frees and points from play from Odhran Gillan and Brogan O’Connor, to go in at halftime with Glenariffe a point up on 2-12 to 2-11.

Glenariffe started the second half well with scores from play from Seanie McIntosh, Brogan O’Connor and Niall Murray but they continued to miss a number of opportunities which helped to keep Bredagh in the game, with their scores coming from John Dougan and Ben Christie. Glenariffe were now beginning to get on top and using the ball better out of defence, and when Oliver Kearney got his second goal of the game you thought they would push on from there. But once again Bredagh came back with their own points and then they were awarded a penalty which was well placed, by John Dougan, in the corner past Seanan McToal, who lined out in goals for the second half. It was now game on again, but Glenariffe responded really well to push on and have their best spell in the game with some great scores. Aaron Cosgrove replied for Glenariffe followed by an Orrin O’Connor point, who had now taken over the free taking duties. Oliver Kearney took his tally to 2-3 for the day with another good point, before his cousin Calum McIlwaine hit two good points in a row to push the gap out to 5 points. Seanie McIntosh who started the second period with a point for Glenariffe got their final point of the half to bring his total to 0-7. That should have been game over at this stage but Bredagh got a consolation goal at the end to finish the game on a scoreline of Glenariffe 3-23 to Bredagh 4-17.

Paul McMullan (right) of McMullan Shellfish presents a new set of jerseys to Glenariffe managers Shay O’Hagan and Hugh Dobbin, plus team captain Conor Patterson before Sunday’s league game with Bredagh

Both team will be pleased with their performances as they were both missing a number of regulars. Glenariffe stay top of the league and remain unbeaten with 6 wins from 6, and Bredagh are a much better team than their league position would suggest and will be a real handful when at full strength.

Glenariffe – P McMullan, P McIlwaine, M Haughey, C Devlin, B O’Connor(0-2), N Magee, C Graham, O Gillan(0-1), C McIlwaine(0-3), O Kearney(2-3), N Murray(0-2), D Kearney, A Cosgrove(1-2), S McIntosh(0-7, 3 frees), O O’Connor(0-3, 2 frees). Subs used – S McToal for P McMullan, R leech for O Gillan.

Bredagh – I Galway, E Browne, M Woods, L Hogan, E Maguire, O McFlynn, E Curran, M Lavery(1-1), T Sheehan, O Morgan Lyttle, J Hanrahan(1-1), J Dougan(1-6, 1 penalty, 4 frees), S McCollam(0-2), B Christie(1-3), F Blaney(0-1). Subs used – C O’Neill for L Hogan, S Hughes for T Sheehan, M Corry for J Hanrahan.

by thesaffrongael

Cushendun win by five against Sarsfields

Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Cushendun 0-27 Sarsfields 0-22

Cushendun moved up to fourth in Division 2 of the Antrim Hurling League when they beat Sarsfields in Sunday’s game at CushLig an Airgid. In a high scoring game the home side led by 0-14 to 0-10 going into injury time but three late points by the Paddies but the deficit to a single point at the break. Cushendun regained the upper hand during the second period but they were never really comfortable, and it took two late scores from the home side to put them five clear at the end.

Mark McSparran got the home side on the scoreboard inside the opening minute, but three in a row from the ever accurate Donal McKernan put the Paddies two clear by the sixth minute. Tom Scally brought the gap back to a point before two from Conor McHugh and one by ‘Loaf’ McNeill moved the home team two ahead.  

Another pointed free by Donal McKernan and two from play by Enda McCartan brought Sarsfields level by the 13th minute, and though Loaf McNeill edged the home side ahead again, McKernan and McCartan replied with points to give the Paddies back the lead. Five points on the trot from Loaf McNeill, Jack McKay, Aidan Corbett, Andrew Breslin and Conor McHugh gave Cushendun a bit of a cushion as half time approached but the Paddies finished the half strongly and two injury time points from Donal McKernan and one from Oisin Coleman left them just one in arrears by the time match referee Mark O’Neill sounded the half-time whistle.

Kilgore, McHugh, McNeill and O’Hara hit four of the first five points of the second half, the other one coming from Coleman for the visitors, and the gap was out to four.

McKernan, McCartan and Coleman closed the gap with well taken points, but the home team hit the next five to give themselves a five point cushion. They held that five point lead with just a minute of normal time to play, when Sarsfields closed to within one score with points from Daniel Smith and Caolan McKernan but the home team sealed the win with late points from Conor McHugh and Conrad McDonnell to win by five in the end.  

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

https://myalbum.com/album/ZbgNYHYSsiGuvE/?invite=517e5bf0-f953-4189-9b58-e984fdfa9383

by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s opener doesn’t go to plan

Tailteann Cup Group Three

Westmeath 4-24 Antrim 1-17

Antrim’s opening game in this year’s Tailteann Cup didn’t go to plan when they were comprehensively beaten by a Luke Loughlin inspired Westmeath in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Sunday.

Loughlin finished the game with a personal tally of 1-17 which matched the visitors total for the afternoon and Antrim looked a dejected side as the clock counted down to conclusion.

Andy McEntee’s side made a promising start in Mullingar with full-back Eunan Walsh getting forward to point them ahead in the 3d minute with Sam McCartan levelling for the home side before Ryan Murray wasted an opportunity to restore the Antrim lead.

McCartan edged Westmeath ahead for the first time and Antrim hit a couple of wides before Dominic McEnhill edged them ahead for a seconds time with a well struck 2 pointer in the 10th minute.

It got even better for the Saffrons when Paddy McBride hit a second 2 pointer from distance to move them 0-5 to 0-2 ahead before Luke Loughlin made his first contribution on the score board when he pointed a free in the 14th minute.

Loughlin followed with another 2 pointer from a free to level the contest with 16 minutes gone but 30 seconds later Marc Jordan struck a fine point at the other end to edge the visitors ahead once more.

Up to this point Andy McEntee’s side had given as good as they got but Sam McCartan started and finished a move to fire home the game’s opening goal and things went from bad to worse for Antrim as Mick Byrne seemed to lose the flight of a Danny McCartan shot and it ended in the net.

That was in the 19th minute and Adam Loughran replied with a point at the other end and Antrim then had what looked like a legitimate claim for a close range free and possibly a penalty waved aside when Marc Jordan was dragged down as he bore down on goal.

McEnhill for Antrim and Loughlin for the home side traded points before fortune finally seemed to favour the visitors as Kavan Keenan was on hand to collect a rebound shot from Paddy McBride and fire past McCormick in the Westmeath goal and reduce the gap to the minimum.

Loughlin moved the home side three in front as he fired over from outside the arc and then Westmeath were awarded what seemed a very harsh penalty when Eunan Walsh got back to deny Ronan Wallace but referee Tommy Murphy pointed to the spot, much to the despair of the Antrim defender.

Luke Loughlin made no mistake from the spot and Westmeath could have had a fourth goal only for Byrne to do well to smother Danny McCartan’s effort as Antrim went upfield and won a free, which McEnhill converted.

Marc Jordan followed with one from play, but another from Loughlin, which brought his first-half tally to 1-7, ensured his team led 3-9 to 1-10 at the break.

McEnhill pulled two back straight after the restart from a free, but Eoghan McCabe hit back with a two from play immediately and Westmeath again went close to another goal, but Ronan Wallace’s shot rebounded off the crossbar.

It was a let-off for Antrim but they responded at the other end when Mick Byrne converted from distance for 2 points but Robbie Forde replied at the other end and Loughlin landed another two pointer to move his side six ahead.

Westmeath were starting to get on top as the Antrim resistance began to falter and Loughlin fisted over before Whittaker waltzed through for a fourth Westmeath goal and put the contest out of reach.

Substitute Niall Burns pulled one back, before the crossbar again came to Antrim’s rescue with the frame of the goal this time denying Lorcan Dolan but once again the hosts were able to cut Antrim open with their direct running.

The scores were now coming thick and fast and Stephen Smyth opened his account while the superb Loughlin continued to add to his personal tally with three, including a two-point free.

Ryan McQuillan (free) and Lorcan Dolan exchanged points as he game entered the final 10 minutes, but at this stage Westmeath were out of site and Antrim were looking deflated.

Niall Burns responded with a point and was then denied a goal by McCormack before Loughlin kicked a two with the lasts score of the game to finish with 1-17 and cap a spectacular performance.

Antrim now meet Limerick, who defeated London on Saturday, in Belfast next week and can still qualify if they defeat them and follow it with a win over the Exiles in their final game.

Westmeath: C McCormack; D Giles, Sam Smyth, J Gonoud; J Moran, R Wallace, S McCartan (1-2); K O’Sullivan, E McCabe; M Whittaker (1-0), D McCartan (1-0), B Cooney; L Loughlin (1-17, 1-0 pen, 3xtp, 2x2pf), Stephen Smith (0-1), N Harte (0-2, 1xtp). 
Subs: R Forde (0-1) for B Cooney (11), L Dolan (0-1) for D McCartan (41), K Martin for Stephen Smith (52), T Baker for R Wallace (55), D Scahill for S McCartan (64).

Antrim: M Byrne (0-2, 1xtpf); E McCabe, E Walsh (0-1), K Keenan (1-0); J McAuley, D McAleese, P Finnegan; C Hand, M Jordan (0-2); R Boyle, A Loughran (0-1), P McBride (0-2, 1xtp); R McQuillan (0-1f), R Murray, D McEnhill (0-6, 1xtp, 1xtpf, 1f) 
Subs: N Burns (0-2) for A Loughran (HT), Fionn Nagle for R Murray (HT), C Stewart for C Hand (48), C Higgins for R McQuillan (60), J Morgan for J McAuley (60).

Referee: T Murphy (Galway)

by thesaffrongael

Antrim prevail despite an early threat from Derry

Antrim winners of the Ulster Camogie Senior Championship Final Sunday 11th May 2025

Match report and photos from Antrim PRO Michael Corcoran at Pearse Park, Dunloy

As the sun beat down on Dunloy for today’s Ulster camogie senior final, few would escape its intensity or that from today’s thrilling final. The first half witnessed Antrim grinding out a draw into the wind against a slightly uphill turf, where Derry just couldn’t make their hay whilst the sun shone. The second half oozed drama as Pearce Park fell into the doldrums for the first ten or so minutes but was arguably Antrim’s most productive phase, setting them on a course destined for the win. When an injury time goal from Antrim’s Orlaith McAllister was slammed into Derry’s net, that was the curtain puller that effectively shut Derry out of the game and handed the win to Antrim. 

Our match referee, Philip McDonald from Cavan, got proceedings underway after the parade around the grounds lead by piper Eamon Downey, a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the recent passing of Kitty O’Neill, mother of Ulster Camogie’s administrator and the national anthem. 

Antrim would be the first to activate the scoreboard with a point from Lucia McNaughton after Roisin McCormick delivered a tidy short range hand pass from winning the sliotar in a ruck from a McAtamney free. Derry weren’t fazed by the early score and when Orlaith Hull dropped over a free due to an Antrim over carry, Derry announced they were now in the game. 

Derry’s Aoife Ni Chaside, gathering up the sliotar under threat from Antrim’s Amy Boyle and Roisin McCormick

Antrim’s Lucia McNaughton would be influential in setting up Eimear Johnston for her point in under three minutes and when McCormick pointed from an in off the upright, Antrim were three up with no reply from Derry. As eight minutes elapsed, Antrim dealt an early blow to Derry’s campaign when Nicole McAtamney dropped an awkward ball into the path of Derry goalkeeper, Niamh Gribben. Gribben, feeling under pressure from an advancing Maeve Kelly misjudged the bounce and the sliotar rolled over the line to raise Antrim’s first green flag of the day. 

Derry sensed the need to draw Antrim back and three points from Orlaith Hull (2) and Aimee Lennon neutralised the early goal. For the last fifteen minutes of the first half, both sides went toe to toe, trading scores until the short whistle froze the scores at Antrim 1-06 Derry 0-09, however Antrim’s right half back, Erin Coulter’s point is a mentionable, having took possession from close to her half back position, solo ran deep into Derry’s scoring zone and pitted her strike against the wind for a fine point. 

With the second half underway, the wind dropped offering Antrim no advantage but undeterred, the Saffrons mounted several attacks amassing five points compared to Derry’s point from a free taken by Orlaith Hull. 

Anna McDaid takes possession in today’s Ulster Senior Championship final

Excitement erupted in the Oak leaf County bench as a Derry sideline ball caught Antrim off guard when a patrolling Sinead McGill at close quarters to the square picked up the loose sliotar and tucked it neatly past Caitriona Graham. But Antrim’s McCormick and McArthur were about to change Antrim’s luck with three points, two of those from McArthur, before Derry mounted a one-point reply. 

Derry’s reply would prove to be too little and too late as Antrim’s Janey McIntosh and Player of the Match, as selected by the streaming team, Roisin McCormick, clipped a point and 45 respectively over Derry’s bar. And things were about to get even better for Antrim as an alert Orlaith McAllister stepped aside to allow Janey McIntosh a shot to goal, the rebound coming under McAllister’s powerful pull and as she returned a minute later for her point, McDonald blew for the end of play and Antrim had secured their back to back Ulster Senior Championship. 

Roisin McCormick receiving Player of the Match as selected by today’s Quinn Media streaming team
Ulster Chairperson, Karen McCormick, presents the Ulster Camogie Senior Championship trophy to Antrim’s captain, Amy Boyle

Antrim panel and scorers 

Caitriona Graham, Dearbhail Dobbin, Clare McKillop, Caoimhe McNaughton, Erin Coulter 0-01, Sarah O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty, Amy Byle, Nicole McAtamney 1-00, Lucia McNaughton 0-02, Roisin McCormick 0-07 (2×45, 3f), Eimear Johnston 0-01, Cassie McArthur 0-03, Katie Molloy, Maeve Kelly 0-01, Becky Ellis, Katie Lynn, Katie Rose Bell, Sarah Fyffe, Niamh Neeson, Janey McIntosh 0-01, Eavanne Martin, Aisling O’Donnell, Annie Lynn, Orlaith McAllister 1-01, Fionnuala Kelly, Caitrin Dobbin, Dervla Cosgrove, Colleen Patterson 

Derry Panel and scorers 

Niamh Gribben, Eimear Doherty, Roisin Cassidy, Leah Lennon, Anna McDaid 0-01, Niamh Quinn, Rebecca Bradley, Aine McGill, Aoife Ni Chaside, Sinead McGill 1-01, Rachel McAllister, Eabha McElhinney, Jackie Donnelly 0-01, Aimee Lennon 0-01, Orlaith Hull 0-07 (6f), Caoimhe McCloskey, Conka Kerr, Cliodhna Ni Mhianain, Rachel Keenan, Caoimhe Higgins, Mary Doran, Laura Coyle, Meabh Boylan, Natalie McKenna, Cliodhna McElhinney, Shannon Scullion, Lauren McKenna 

Photos from today’s game can be found here… 

https://myalbum.com/album/WyiXqSbZ6pzmtb/?invite=5335f797-77be-4a92-a34e-840d53fc3d28