Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

First win of the season for Rasharkin

ACFL Division 2

Rasharkin 2-10 Davitt’s 1-8

Both teams started cagey in the opening 5 minutes, with Davitt’s settling first and both teams failing to create any significant chances.

Davitt’s took the lead with an early point but Rasharkin settled and during the early exchanges there was little between the sides.

The first 20 minutes was a low scoring affair with Davitt’s retaining possession around the 45 but creating little in the way of scoring opportunities while Rasharkin were wasteful in their attacking play giving away easy possession in the final third.

Rasharkin were working hard and denying Davitt’s possession and it was the home side who were first to register with two early points. They were made to pay for their wastefulness however when the visitors struck for the game’s opening goal to take the lead.

 Both sides exchanged points as the visitors maintained their one point advantage as St. Mary’s continued to hold the upper hand but were wasteful in their shooting.

The home side worked an excellent turnover however to break away and score a well worked goal of their own with Oisin Casey applying the finish after a move from defence to attack.

 They followed quickly with a point and then in the final minute of the half Tiernan O’Boyle got through for a second goal with the big mid-fielder finishing from close range.

 O’Boyle’s goal put the men from Dreen in a strong position going into half time when they led by six on a score-line of 2-7 to 1-4 as they finished the half on top.

 The second half continued in the same vein as the first as Rasharkin came out strong but Davitt’s created a few early chances to get on the scoreboard but failed to convert.

Rasharkin were dominating the kick-out and allowing the opposition little space to attack and create any significant chances.

Both sides traded points to keep the gap between the sides at 6 points before the visitors had a player dismissed as things got a little heated.

 The home side controlled the remainder of the second half and while it was a tense affair they ran out comfortable winners by 5 points.

A strong performance from the Dreen side who will be pleased to get their first win of the season and they will hope to build on it as the season progresses.

Rasharkin: Cahir Henderson, Pearce Kelly, Emmett McFerran, Connor Higgins, Colm Kennedy, Fergus Quigg, Pearce McTague, Jack Quinn, Tiernan O’Boyle , Killian O’Boyle, Daniel Doherty, Oran McMullan, Oisin Casey, Brian Og O’Neill, Cormac McMullan

 Subs 

Gerard O’Hagan replaced Pearce McTague

Daniel McGurk replaced Emmett McFerran

Ethan McAfee (not used) 

by thesaffrongael

A big weekend ahead for Antrim Camogie

Preview and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran

Sunday the 27th April won’t come quick enough for Antrim Camogie supporters. With the Minors travelling to the majestic setting of Nowlan Park in Kilkenny for their All Ireland final against Laois, and the Seniors enjoying a shorter trip to Loughgiel for their Ulster semifinal against old rivals, Down. 

Antrim’s Minors had a good run to the final but didn’t come through unscathed as they tip toed past Kildare by one point in round three. Their opponents, Laois, didn’t fare much better, slipping ahead of Kildare by two points in their semifinal game. Could that be an indication to the type of game ahead for both squads on Sunday? 

Antrim’s Eobha McAllister will patrol the midfield with some authority in Sunday’s All Ireland final

In Antrim’s favour will be that they have had an extra match, having been in a group of four as opposed to Laois in a group of three. In the respective semis, Antrim paired off against Waterford and enjoyed an emphatic win with twelve points the better (Antrim 2-13 Waterford 1-04), whilst Laois arguably are battle weary from their two-point semifinal win against Kildare. Sunday’s game could prove to be possibly one of the best minor camogie games this year. 

Antrim’s Cara Delaney sets to lift the sliotar as Aimee Ferris prepares to run off the shoulder

All Ireland A Shield, Antrim v Laois, UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny throw-in 2:30pm. Your ticket link is here… 

https://www.universe.com/events/electric-ireland-minor-a-cork-v-kilkenny-a-shield-final-antrim-v-laois-tickets-54QMVL

At the other end of the country, Antrim’s seniors will face old rivals Down, always considered to be a tough game and few will predict a result until after the whistle is blown!  

Antrim’s last game against Down was on the fifteenth of March in the Very National Div 1B league in Ahoghill. Down were sporting a temporary goalkeeper, Neisha McCullough, having stood the test very well letting in only one goal from Antrim’s Annie Lynn but later confessed that this was most definitely a temporary ‘thing’. Antrim too would exercise a change of goalkeeper, having Becky Ellis in goals as Catriona Graham took a short break. 

Antrim’s Erin Coulter and Shannagh Heggarty narrow the options for Down’s Gerra McGrattan in the recent Very League encounter in Ahoghill

That game will be remembered for Down’s persistence in the first half to trail on the short whistle by a goal and a point, but Antrim returned in the second half to display a degree of dominance for the eventual win by six points.  

Down’s Dearbhla Magee lifts the sliotar as Antrim’s Clare McKillop moves in for a sweep at the ball

Although Antrim’s Caitrin Dobbin picked up an injury during the Very league national final that will most likely require rest, the McCormick/Coulter bench will be jostling to fill that gap, such is the desire and competitiveness of this squad. This is an Ulster semifinal that should entertain camogie fans lining the Fr. Healy pitch in Loughgiel. 

Ulster Championship semifinal, Antrim v Down, Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel throw in 1pm 

Your ticket link is here… 

https://www.universe.com/events/antrim-v-down-armagh-city-hotel-ulster-senior-championship-sf-2025-tickets-C2MT3N?unii-trigger-open=C2MT3N&fbclid=IwY2xjawJ2RSlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlb3c2b24zRExjVHRSQmQ5AR7QoqZGCM_rMaWGgrC4vJBRLrhcVIJtK24JHC9MsazfWxYuifF79fCVLKBvWg_aem_3msovxHUqXrbio9xXgj7Nw

by thesaffrongael

Con Magees come close but Cargin take the points

Antrim Football League Division 1

Glenravel 2-10  Cargan 2-11

Cargin maintained their unbeaten start to the 2025 Div1 campaign but Con Magees made them fight every inch of the way with a strong finish in the closing ten minutes and had they taken one of the two by 2-pointer chances in added time they may well have returned victors. Both teams were reduced to fourteen men for two separate incidents in the second half. The home side can feel slightly aggrieved at what looked like an inocuous enough tackle resulting in one of their defenders being sent to the line early.  In the end Cargin just held on and bagged the points.

The Toome side started well and were three points to the good inside the opening five minutes as  Conhuir Johnson and a 2-pointer after Pat Shivers gave them the ideal start. Fergus Donaghy and Aiden O’Donnell reduced the gap to the minimum but Cargin were on the rampage at this stage and but for fine goal keeping from Johnny Fyfe they would surely have raised one or two green flags. The walls of Jericho did eventually tumble for the home side when Michael McCann used all his guile to find space in front of goal and laid on a short pass to  Sean O’Neill who wasn’t going to miss from point blank range. Benen Kelly followed up one minute later and it was starting to look ominous for Glenravel who now trailed 1-04 to 0-02. However from the kickout Con Magees moved the ball intricately through the hands which ended up in Fergus Donaghy goaling from close range and when Aiden O’Donnell followed with a 2-pointer suddenly the sides were level. The final ten minutes of the first half saw the Toome men regain a little control with frees from Conhuir Johnson and David Johnson preceded by a point from Pat Shivers as the home side managed a solitary score from an Aiden O’Donnell free. So both sides withdrew to the changing rooms at half time with Cargin ahead 1-07 to 1-05.

The second half became a game of two quarters with Cargin dominating the third quarter and Glenravel totally in charge in the final run in. Within the opening ten minutes of the half Cargin had tagged on three points from Sean O’Neill, Benen Kelly and Pat Shivers  as well as a goal from Conhuir Johnson and at that stage, ahead 2-10 to 1-05, they must have thought they were cruising to victory. Joe Martin for Con Magees and a Pat Shivers free for Toome maintained that eight point gap with as many minutes left on the clock. However two 2-pointers form Aiden O’Donnell and Niall Hynds halved that deficit and when David Higgins found Declan Traynor his rocket to the net reduced the gap to a single point. This is the fourth consecutive game across both codes that Traynor has found the net. Clearly the imminent prospect of wedding bells is working well for Deccy.  As we entered added time, Glenravel had the lion’s share of possession and at least two good chances of 2-point frees went a begging as they tried in vain to eke out a victory. It wasn’t to be in the end though and the match points headed towards the River Bann. 

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

https://myalbum.com/album/7xtHxo5yNW6drF/?invite=df4e3297-09c1-40e8-a9c9-2c2237b082c7

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons come up just short after great last quarter fightback

O’Neills.com Leinster under 20 HC Preliminary quarter-final: 

Dowdallshill, Dundalk

Antrim 4-10 Dublin 2-19

A late Antrim fightback came up just short in Wednesday’s evening’s Leinster Under 20 Hurling Preliminary quarter final at Dowdall’s Hill Dundalk, the Saffrons getting to within one score of their opponents after a brilliant fightback. The Ulster champions had done really well in the first half, but turned around four points in arrears, after having the use of the fresh breeze. Dublin came out after half time with all guns blazing, and when they produced a brilliant third quarter to stretch their advantage to eleven points, 2-16 to 2-05.

The faithful fans who had made the journey to Dundalk must have feared their young charges were in for a bit of a tanking, but on the field the Saffrons dug deep and dominated the final quarter, outscoring their opponents by 2-05 to 0-03 to come within the strike of a ball of forcing extra time. At the final whistle they were understandably devastated, but each and every one of them can hold their heads high, knowing they gave their utmost for the Antrim cause, and as they left the field the Antrim fans congregated at the gate to clap them off.

Antrim opened with two Fiontan Bradley points but the Dubs hit back through Daniel O’Kelly and Brendan Kenny, both of who had excellent games for the boys in blue. Slowly the Dubs got the upper hand and they stretched their advantage to 0-07 to 0-03 with 12 minutes on the clock, but Antrim got right back into the game when a long delivery from a sideline cut by Joseph McLaughlin was fired home by his Cushendall clubmate Fiontann Bradley who once again showed how dangerous he can be. It was nip and tuck during the next ten minutes but Dublin finished the half strongly with three unanswered points to lead at the break by 1-11 to 2-04.

Dublin’s four point half time advantage stretched by the minute during their excellent third quarter, corner forward O’Kelly grabbing his team’s third goal to put eleven points between the sides. Antrim were in need of a tonic and it came in the form of a goal from Jack McCloskey who fired a free home through a packed goalmouth. Suddenly it was game on again and what a finish Antrim provided with Bradley adding three more points and Cormac McKeown grabbing a goal with just seven minutes remaining. Keny put the gap out to six points again with a well taken point, but as the game entered injury time Jack McCloskey fired twenty metre free to the net. The pressure was really on as Antrim fought for the score that would bring the game to extra time, but the final whistle sounded to end their brave bid and the Dubs went through to meet All Ireland champions Offaly in next week’s quarter final.

It has been a great campaign for Mickey McShane and his great backroom team, which saw Antrim win their four games, which included an Ulster title, plus comprehensive wins in Tier 2 over Westmeath and Meath in Leinster. Wednesday’s game ended their great campaign, but only just, and with a bit of luck they could well have been getting ready to face Offaly.

Dublin: D Joyce, C Groake, D Lacey, B Lynch, J Shepherd 0-1, C Ó Riain, K Costello 0-2, C Kennedy 0-1, F Murphy 0-1, J Kinnane 0-1, B Kenny 0-5, D O’Kelly 2-5, 0-3 frees, O Gaffney 0-2, N Fitzgerald 0-1, C Graham.

Subs: D Mulqueen for N Fitzgerald (43), S Crosbie for J Kinnane (52), J Kavannagh for C Graham (53), F Donohue for F Murphy (60 + 2)

Antrim: E Richmond, M McGibbon, S McKay, D Patterson, C McAuley 0-1, L Glackin, B O’Kane, C McIlwaine, N Magee, A McGarry, J McLaughlin 0-1, T McLaughlin, F Bradley 1-6, 0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline, O Donnelly, J McCloskey 2-1, 1-1 frees

Subs: C Mooney for D Patterson (18), C McKeown 1-1 and R Fitzgerald for N Magee and T McLaughlin (both 37), O O’Connor for J McLaughlin (47), O McCallin for O Donnelly (51)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/s585X6Dhfb7eeS/?invite=5fb2ef1f-d408-4565-8b21-b4d404a39d71

by thesaffrongael

St. Gall’s withstand late rally to maintain 100% record

ACFL Division 2

St. Gall’s 3-13 Creggan 1-15

St. Gall’s withstood a late rally from Kickham’s Creggan to maintain their 100% record in division 1 and with Erin’s own Cargin, remain the only two unbeaten sides in the division after five rounds of games.

A young and superbly fit St. Gall’s held the upper hand for long periods of the game and with 11 minutes of normal time remaining led 3-11 to 1-8 and were good value for their lead.

The visitors had been slow and predictable in their build-up play and were being turned over too easily but suddenly they came to life with the returning Kevin Small leading the way.

Small raised a couple of orange flags to close the gap to two with five minutes remaining and the momentum was very much with the Staffordstown Road side at this stage of the contest.

Creggan’s Matthew Rodgers takes on Gairech MacAdhaimh

St. Gall’s weathered the storm however with mid-fielder Niall Burns responding with a good point from play and the same player ensured that there would be no way back for the visitors as he converted a late free to give them a deserved victory.

It was visitors, Kickham’s Creggan who were first on board with Sean Duffin pointing in the 4th minute and they might have had a goal in their next attack but Matthew Rodgers was closed down after a strong run and the danger cleared.

Barra McCaffrey brought the sides level from a free before Rodgers briefly pointed the visitors ahead in the 9th minute but St Gall’s replied with a goal from Eoghan McCabe to take a lead they would not relinquish again.

Kevin Small, returning to the Creggan side after a lengthy layoff due to injury,  closed the gap to the minimum with a good point but Burns replied at the other end before Niall O’Neill moved his side three in front.

The pace and direct running of a young St. Gall’s was beginning to cause the visitors problems and Daniel Quinn moved them four ahead with a good individual point and Shea McCann for the visitors and another exchange between Jamie McCann and  Niall Burns left the home side four ahead.

The Milltown Row men were edging the exchanges as they played with great intensity and pace and Barra McCaffrey and Eoghan McCabe exchanged points with Conor McCann and Dominic McAteer to leave four between the sides at the break.

St. Gall’s opened the second half on the front foot and Oisin Kerr came off his line to deny Niall O’Neill when a goal looked on before Shea McCann responded with a goal from close range at the other end to close the gap to the minimum with four minutes of the new half gone.

Matters got a little heated and Paul Burns showed Red to a player from both sides following an off the ball incident and when play resumed the home side struck for a second goal when substitute Con Doherty fired to the net with virtually his first touch after being set up by Niall Burns.

Burns followed with a point and might have had a goal but blasted over and points from a Barra McCaffery free and another from play by Niall O’Neill had St. Gall’s six in front after 14 minutes.

It looked all over when McCaffrey set up Daniel Quinn for St. Gall’s third goal with 11 minutes of time remaining but it finally brought a response from the visitors.

St. Gall’s Barra McCaffrey runs at the Creggan defence

Kevin Small, Conor Johnston and Matthew Rodgers replied with unanswered points and a couple of 2 pointers from the excellent Small had it back in the melting pot to leave just two between the sides.

It would be as close as the visitors got however with Niall Burns pointing from play and adding another from a free to conclude the scoring and give the Milltown side the win that their overall performance deserved.

St. Gall’s: 1 Kevin Niblock, 2 Sean McCaffrey, 3 Gairech Mac Adhaimh, 4 Christopher hale, 5 Ruairi Wilson, 6 Dubhaltach MacLiam, 7 Conall McGirr, 8 Niall Burns, 9 Conor Stinton, 10 Callum Walsh, 11 Brendan Bradley, 12 Eoghan McCabe, 13 Barra McCaffrey, 14 Niall O’Neill, 15 Daniel Quinn

Subs: 18 Con Doherty

Creggan: 1 Oisin Kerr, 2 Aidan Maguire, 3 Ricky Johnston, 4 Liam McLarnon, 5 Ethan Carey-Small, 6 Sam Maguire, 7 Fintan Close, 8 Jamie McCann, 9 Conor McCann, 10 Sean Duffin, 11 Kevin Small, 12 Joe McAteer, 13 Dominic McAteer, 14 Matthew Rodgers, 15 Shea McCann

Subs: 21 Conor Johnston

Referee: Paul Burns: Naomh Comhgall

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/ik5YGvyeJJKFgr