Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

St. Paul’s take the points on Shaw’s Road

ACHL Division 2

 St. Paul’s 0-14 Emmet’s 0-12

St. Paul’s got their league campaign up and running with a good win over a strong Robert Emmet’s, Cushendun on the Shaw’s Road on Sunday.

It was nip and tuck for most of this excellent contest and it was Calum Kilgore who pointed the visitors ahead early in the contest but it would be the only time they led until late in the half.

John V Morgan in the Emmet’s goals pulled of a good save but it was a sign of what was to come as the home side hit the front with points from Sean Munce, Conall Finnegan and Caolan Duffin to take a 0-3 to0-1 lead.

Cushendun began to settle however and Dominic McQuillan, Conrad McDonnell and Andrew Breslin replied with points in answer to one from Declan Chapman and it was all square at 0-4 apiece with little to separate the sides at this stage.

A superb long range effort from inside his own half from Daire Stevenson restored the St. Paul’s lead and another from Caolan Crossan had the hosts two in front but two in reply from veteran Dominic McQuillan had it tied once more.

Once again it was the excellent Caolan Duffin who restored the ‘Hoops’ lead before a cfcouple in reply from Tomas Scally briefly restored the Emmet’s advantage but Caolan Crossan fired over at the other end to leave it 0-8 to 0-8 at the break.

It was St. Paul’s who were first off the mark in the second half as Caolan Duffin pointed to move them ahead once more before Chris Murray pulled of a great save at the other end as the visitors attempted to respond.

Back came the North Antrim side again and Eoin Magee brought the sides level once more with a good point but Thomas Duff split the posts at the other end to put the hosts in front once more.

It was obvious this one was going to go right down to the wire as Dominic McQuillan pointed a ‘65’ for the Glens men but again the home side found a reply and it was Caolan Duffin who pointed from play and then added another from a free to move his side two clear.

Dominic McQuillan was going all in his power to keep the Emmet’s in contention as he converted another free but a superb point from deep in his own half from Daire Stevenson would prove to be the score that would finally break the Cushendun resistance.

John V was at hand as he once again came to his side’s rescue with Paul Magee making the points secure and Conor McHugh responding with a consolation point for Robert Emmet’s.

St. Paul’s: 1 Chris Murray, 2 Mark Munce, 3 Fionntan Gamble, 4 Tiarnan Auld, 5 Thomas Duff, 6 Daire Stevenson, 7 Liam Walsh, 8 Sean Lawell, 9 Caoimhin Killyleah, 10 Caolan Duffin, 11 Declan Chapman, 12 Conall Finnegan, 13 Pol MacAoidh. 14 Caolan Crossan, 15 Sean Munce

Cushendun: 1 John V Morgan, 2 Mark McSparran, 3 Donal O’Hara, 4 Pearse McKeegan, 5 Matthew McCartin, 6 Aidan Corbett, 7 Jack McKay, 8 Aidan McSparran, 9 Andrew Breslin, 10 JohnJoe O’Connell, 11 Archie McSparran, 12 Michael McHugh, 17 Eoin Magee, 21 Calum Kilgore, 14 Shay McGinley, 18 James Morgan, 20 Conor Bannon, 22 Conor McHugh, 23 Conrad McDonnell, 24 Dominic McQuillan, 25 Tomas Scally, 26 Pierce Bannon, 27 Gareth Magee, 28 Colm McKeegan

Referee: Shane McDonnell

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

https://myalbum.com/album/c2Z4FFW7iD8okD

by thesaffrongael

Oisins hold on for the win

O’Neill’s Antrim Hurling League Division 2

Tir na nOg 2-16 Glenariffe Oisins 0-24

A late fightback by Tir na nOg came up just short in the opening game of the Antrim Hurling League Division 2 at Whitehill as visitors Glenariffe held on for a two point win. When the Oisins opened up an eight point gap with just twelve minutes of normal time remaining it all appeared to be plain sailing for the men from the Glens, but Tir na nOg upped the pace and had the Oisins defence at sixes and sevens down the home straight, grabbing two goals from penalties by substitute Sean Duffin. The gap was down to a single point entering injury time, but a late point by top scorer Alex O’Boyle got them over the line to the great relief of their travelling support.

The game got underway in bright sunny conditions, with the home side playing with the aid of a slight breeze. The early stages were evenly matched with Ciaran Logan and Kevin Sheerin hitting two apiece while Orrin O’Connor, Alex O’Boyle were sending them over for Glenarife. The visitors hit a purple patch Conor Patterson and Brogan O’Connor getting in on the scoring act and O’Boyle sending over two points from sideline ‘cuts’ in quick succession, in reply to points at the other end from Declan Mallon and Kevin Sheering which kept the home side in touch. However the Oisins finished the half strongly and two more Alex O’Boyle points and one from his brother Michael gave them a 0-14 to 0-09 lead by half time.

Despite playing against the breeze in the second half Tir na nOg started strongly with points from Darragh Fagan and Joshua Higgins ( who was to prove very influential in that second half) cut the gap back to three. However Conor Patterson, Michael Haughey and Alex O’Boyle came back with four in a row to leave seven between them.

A magical spell by Higgins, which saw him hit four brilliant points from play, in reply to one from an O’Boyle free closed the gap back to just four as the the Glenariffe defence began to struggle. Two more by O’Boyle and one by Seanie McIntosh appeared to settled matters, but the introduction of substitute Sean Duffin swung things back in the home team’s favour. A goal from a Duffin penalty had the gap back to four again and when he fired in a second one five minutes later there was just a point between the sides. With three minutes of injury time added it looked like it was anyone’s game, but O’Boyle settled it with another point after good work by Brogan O’Connor.

TIR NA nOG

Michael Higgins, Brandon McLarnon, Ciaran O’Neill, Manus Smyth, Ryan O’Neill, Colm Duffin, Caoimhin Duffin, Darragh Fagan, Conor McCamphill, Ciaran Logan, Kevin Sheerin, Joshua Higgins, Niall Davlin, Declan Mallon, Emmet Martin.

Subs – Sean Duffin, Daniel Martin, Dylan McLarnon

OISINS

Paul McMullan, Patrick McIlwaine, Niall Murray, Cailin Devlin, Brogan O’Connor, Michael Haughey, Daniel Kearney, Odhran Gillen, Oliver Kearney, Phelim Ward, Conor Patterson, Alex O’Boyle, Orrin O’Connor, Michael O’Boyle, Seanie McIntosh.

Subs  – James Kearney for Michael O’Boyle. Ronan Leech for Michael Haughey

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

https://myalbum.com/album/WJgCiuDrUStSQU/?invite=faf862f9-796c-4841-a6f0-05e18c0e3475

by thesaffrongael

Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm shade opening day clash

ACHL Division 2

St. Brigid’s 1-14 Shane O’Neill’s 1-16

Last year’s Division 2 runners-up, Shane O’Neill’s Glenarm, kicked off their 2025 campaign with a hard-fought two-point victory over newly promoted St. Brigid’s Cloughmills in a keenly contested encounter in Cloughmills on Sunday.

Both teams came out strong, trading early scores in a fast-paced opening. Glenarm’s Niall McGarel led the way with some fine points, showcasing his accuracy from play and placed balls. St. Brigid’s, however, were up for the challenge, with Eoin Dobbin in impressive form, keeping the scoreboard ticking over for the ‘Biddies.’

Niall McGarel who was in fine for for Glenarm in their win over Cloughmills

It was Gerald Burns who opened the scoring with a point for the visitors in the 2nd minute with Liam Kearns replying immediately for the host club.

Two more from McGarel and Daniel Black moved Shane O’Neill’s two in front and Dobbin and McGarel exchanged further points before Niall McNaughton and Dobbin with a great long range effort tied the contest for a second time.

Gerald Burns and John Scullion moved Glenarm two in front and Dobbin and McGarel exchanged further scores before Cloughmills finished strongly with Kevin O’Boyle, Eoin Dobbin, Seamus Duffin and O’Boyle again adding points.

Ben O’Boyle and McGarel replied for the Feystown side and at the half way mark it was nine each and all still to play for in the second half.

The intensity carried into the second period, with Daniel Black edging the visitors ahead once more and Eoin Dobbin bring it all square for the 5th time but Glenarm responded with renewed energy.

They hit a purple patch as McGarel continued to shine, knocking over three of the next four scores which sandwiched a  Daniel Black goal and suddenly Shane O’Neill’s had moved six in front.

Dobbin replied with his sixth point of the afternoon and the Cloughmill’s number 11 had the opportunity to bring his side right back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty but his effort sailed wide of the upright.

Eoin Dobbin who top scored for St. Brigid’s

Cloughmills rang the changes as they introduced three substitutes and it was of them, James O’Boyle who scrambled the sliotar over the line from close range to put his side right back into contention with 10 minutes remaining.

A couple from Dan Black at the other end had Glenarm four clear and they appeared to have rode the storm but the ‘Biddies’ were battling hard to keep in touch and it took a couple of smart saves from Michael Abram to keep the visitors in front.

As the game entered the final stages, Glenarm’s experience proved vital and despite two more points from the impressive Dobbin they held on for a two point victory as they got their first points for 2025 on board.

Glenarm will look to build on this hard-fought win in their next fixture against Tir na nOg while Cloughmills will aim to bounce back when they travel to Carryduff on the 13th April.

TO VIEW MORE PHOTOGRAPHS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/XPXLzDFDBgjxPZ

by thesaffrongael

Antrim on their way up after their league final win!

Very Div 1B National League Final, NGDC Abbotstown 29th March 2025 

Antrim 3-10 Clare 1-11 

Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran 

Today’s league final encounter proved to be everything camogie fans had hoped for. Windy conditions with just a light sprinkling of rain failed to dampen the intensity of today’s game. Clare chose to play with the wind in the first half, but it was Antrim that took charge from the whistle and the effective communications between Caitrin Dobbin and Katie Molloy had Clare on the ropes in the first quarter of the game as two goals wreaked havoc before Clare’s Ellen Casey restored some order with a goal on the eighteenth minute.  

Dobbin ran her marker into the ground for her first goal as Clare’s Michelle Powell dropped her stick and let Dobbin through, staring down the eyes of keeper Rachael Daly and placing the sliotar far right of Daly’s reach.  

Katie Molloy’s goal came from a Dobbin pass and looked too easy but that was simply a reflection on the quality of play from these two full forwards. 

Katie Molloy’s shot to goal was unstoppable in Saturday’s Very Div 1B League final

Dobbin was in superlative form and pulled on her second of the game and a third for Antrim, from a dropped in ball from player of the match, Nicole McAtamney, rolling out after a spill from the goalkeeper that would give Antrim a slender two-point lead at the break, Antrim 3-03 to Clare’s 1-07, but a distinct advantage from the elements in the second half. 

Clare though had their chances as a nimble footed Ziyan Spillane wrong footed her marker, Caoimhe McNaughton but eventually drilled the sliotar wide and a rasping shot from Ellen Casey was bravely diverted over the bar for a point by Antrim’s alert goalkeeper, Caitriona Graham. 

Today’s referee, Patrick Murphy, had little to do in the way of bookkeeping in the first half, with only six fouls but that was about to change as the second half increased in intensity and physicality. Antrim’s Cassie McArthur would stir the scoreboard into action with her point in the first four minutes, but Clare would now enter a period of domination for upwards of ten minutes, preventing Antrim from returning a score as they dropped three points over the bar before Roisin McCormick brought that to a halt with a fine point on the fifteenth minute.  

Antrim’s Nicole McAtamney collected Player of the Match in today’s Very Div 1B league final

Clare were frustrated once again by the adept goalkeeping skills of Graham and could only point three minutes later as Áine O’Loughlin found substitute Aisling Cooney but that’s when Antrim pulled the shutters down on Clare and for the remaining seven minutes plus four added on, clipped five points over Clare’s bar, one of those coming from Antrim’s Eavanne Martin as she picked up a ball from Cassie McArthur. McArthur would be justly rewarded for her unselfish play with her own fine point being the last of today’s final and stopping the scoreboard at Antrim 3-10 Clare 1-11. 

Antrim will now enjoy promotion up into division 1A next year but in the meantime, a five-point difference in favour of Antrim at the end of a hard day’s work should give onlookers much to consider as this McCormick and Coulter developing team now look forward to an Ulster campaign in a couple of week’s time. 

Antrim starting panel and scorers 

Caitrin Graham, Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Erin Coulter, Sarah O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty, Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney, Maeve Kelly, Roisin McCormick 0-03 (2f), Dervla Cosgrove 0-01, Cassie McArthur 0-03, Katie Molloy 1-01, Caitrin Dobbin 2-01. 

Eavanne Martin 0-01 

Clare starting panel and scorers 

Rachael Daly, Susan Daly, Michelle Powell, Cliodhna Queally, Lynda Daly, Abby Walsh, Clare Hehir, Niamh Mulqueen, Grace Carmody 0-01, Aoife Anderson, Caoimhe Carmody 0-01, Áine O’Loughlin 0-01, Caoimhe Cahill 0-01, Ellen Casey, 1-00 Ziyan Spillane 0-05f 

Jennifer Daly 0-01, Aisling Cooney 0-01 

Photos from today’s play can be found in the album here… 

https://myalbum.com/album/PgzCnApjHoEnFa/?invite=67979030-50a2-4b8b-93bc-2d12a923c4dd

by thesaffrongael

McCloskey and Bradley Shine as Saffrons See off Westmeath Challenge

O’Neills Leinster U20 Hurling Championship – Tier 2

Antrim 2-23 Westmeath 1-15

Saturday 29 March

By Brendan McTaggart

Antrim put in a strong performance in Mullingar to get their Leinster u20 championship off to a winning start on Saturday afternoon.  11 points was the difference between the sides at the end of an hour that saw the Saffrons start slowly in both halves but such was their recovery from that, it will merely be seen as a footnote to the game.

Fiontan Bradley top scored with 1-9 in Antrim’s win over Westmeath in Mullingar

Fiontan Bradley maintained his excellent form at this level by top scoring for the Saffrons with 1-9 beside his name and just five of those coming from placed ball but he was edged out of the Man of The Match accolade by the returning Jack McCloskey.  In his first start of the campaign, McCloskey was at his electric best.  He finished with seven points beside his name and tortured the Westmeath defence with his pace and trickery and was part of an inside forward line that shone.

The two Antrim goals came in either half from Bradley and Aodhan McGarry, the latter coming seven minutes into the second half that gave Antrim an eight point lead but the concession of a soft goal for the home side gave Westmeath a glimmer of hope.  The Saffrons went through the gears in the final quarter however and finished superbly, adding 10 points with six unanswered before the long whistle.

The home side got off to a fast start and had four points on the board inside the opening five minutes – one each for Cormac McKeogh and Calum McKeogh either side of a brace of frees from Dylan Corrigan.  Corrigan would finish top scorer for his side with six of his eight points coming from placed ball.

Antrim began to find their feet in the game and restricted Westmeath to just another five points in the time that remained in the half and a period of dominance for 20 minutes that saw them turn the screw.

Aodhan McGarry got in for Antrim’s second goal seven minutes into the second half

Four points in as many minutes from Oran Donnelly, Niall Magee, Bradley and McCloskey were answered by a Cody Ward point in the 12th minute before the first goal of the game.  Donnelly and Bradley combining before the Cushendall man fired to the back of the net and give the Saffrons the lead.  It could have been even better with the next attack when Donnelly deflected the sliotar into the back of the net from a long delivery but he was penalised for a square-ball infringement but scores from McCloskey (two) and Thomas McLaughlin stretched the Antrim lead to five.

Antrim were creating chances and space in the Westmeath defence and could have had another couple of majors but Bradley and Joseph McLaughlin were both denied by some last-gasp defending.

Westmeath seemed to have weathered the Saffron storm and outscored Antrim four points to three in the time that remained of the first half to leave the half time score 1-10 to 0-9 in Antrim’s favour.

It was largely an excellent from Antrim who played with huge intensity.  Their slick passing and movement nullified the elements, the four point margin at half time was the minimum they deserved and gave Antrim an excellent platform for the second half.

Thomas McLaughlin at full stretch to win the ball.

The lead was stretched to five before McGarry found the back of the Westmeath net in the 37th minute.  Collecting a sideline from Joseph McLaughlin, McGarry’s touch took him beyond the Westmeath challenges before he produced an expert finish.

The home side responded superbly however.  Another point from Calum McKeogh was followed by a fortuitous goal in the 41st minute.  Ivan Smyth making the most of a spill from Eoghan Richmond in the Antrim goals and punished the error to leave four between the sides going into the final quarter.

While it may have been easy to put their head down following the sucker-punch, Antrim found another gear and were relentless to the final whistle.  They outscored Westmeath 10 points to three with just three of those white flags coming from placed ball to give Antrim a comfortable win in the end.

The pleasing aspect of the finish has to be the intensity levels the whole team showed right to the end.  They were relentless and never gave Westmeath an inch with their tackling and press all over the pitch.  McCloskey and Bradley will take the plaudits but there should be a nod in the direction of the work this side have done off the park with the strength and conditioning preparation work.  Outside of the first five, maybe 10 minutes of this game, this was a top performance from a talented group of players.

They turn their attention now to a game with Meath in two week’s time knowing that a win will see them into the top tier.

Antrim centre back Sean McKay in action in Mullingar

TEAMS

Antrim: Eoghan Richmond; Malachi McGibbon, Cian Baudant, Niall Magee; Charlie McAuley, Sean McKay, Ben O’Kane; Calum McIlwaine, Ronan Fitzgerald; Aodhan McGarry, Joseph McLaughlin, Thomas McLaughlin; Jack McCloskey, Oran O’Connor, Fiontan Bradley

Subs: Cormac McKeown for R Fitzgerald (46); Callagh Mooney for J McLaughlin (52); Cian O’Connor for C Baudant (53)

Scorers: F Bradley 1-9 (5fs); J McCloskey 0-7; A McGarry 1-00; O Donnelly 0-2; C McKeown 0-2; N Magee 0-1; J McLaughlin 0-1; T McLaughlin 0-1

Westmeath: Padraig Casey; Conor Daly, Jack Murtagh, Darragh Smyth; Sean Hayes, Brian McCabe, Peter Murphy; Calum McKeogh, Cody Ward; Dylan Corrigan, Conor Leech, Conor Heffernan; Cormac McKeogh, Ivan Smyth, Nathan Cornally

Subs: Connaire Martin for B McCabe (44); Caolan Ready for C Leech (46); Adam Cassidy for C Heffernan (50); Sean Jackson for I Smyth (55)

Scorers: D Corrigan 0-8 (6fs); I Smyth 1-00; Cormac McKeogh 0-2; Calum McKeogh 0-2; C Ward 0-2; C Heffernan 0-1

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

https://myalbum.com/album/95z7RTjf5BEofJ/?invite=c09a1517-3e84-4e60-9dfa-ec7579ef1237