Author / thesaffrongael

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

Duffy Points St Paul’s to Victory 

Senior Football League

Division One

Dunloy 1-11 St Paul’s 2-11

Wednesday 13 May

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

A disciplined second half performance from St Paul’s ensured they would seal their second league win of the season.  The visitors held a three point lead at the interval but Dunloy had a considerable wind advantage at their back for the second period.  St Paul’s were excellent after the interval however and while the home side will be disappointed with a number of shots going astray as they chased the game, the Shaws Road men were deserving of their victory.

Caoimhin Duffy would finish top of the scoring charts for St Paul’s, finishing the hour with 1-5 while midfielder James Farrell scored their other major.  Ciaran Rogers-Duffy and Mark Munce excelled for the Shaws Road side while second half substitute Conall Finnegan gave them a semblance of control.  Dunloy were well into double figures for wides in the second half as they looked to make inroads into that St Paul’s lead but they were restricted to four points in the second half in the face of an organised St Paul’s defence.  Paudie McGilligan was their best performer, the Dunloy midfielder’s performance in the first half in particular outstanding with a series of high catches while Conor Kinsella and Nigel Elliott also excelled.

Despite playing into the strong wind, the Cuchullains made a bright start to the contest with Donnach Laverty splitting the uprights for the opening score of the game.  St Paul’s were content to soak up any Dunloy pressure but when they turned over the ball, they broke at speed and were willing to kick long into the forward line.  James Farrell’s goal came in the fourth minute and down to those circumstances as he played a one-two with Conall Duffy before lashing the ball to the back of the net.

A free from Rogers-Duffy followed and while Conor Hughes also added his name to the score sheet, a brace of points from Laverty kept Dunloy in touch by the 13th minute.

The Cuchullains goal came in the next attack and it owed much to the predatory instincts of Karl Fitzpatrick.  Tom McFerran looked to jink his way through the St Paul’s defence and while his effort looked to be dropping short, Fitzpatrick stole in on the blindside to palm the ball into the back of the net.

St Paul’s responded well however with Caoimhin Duffy restoring parity in the next attack.  The second St Paul’s goal came in the 19th minute and while it was taken well, it came as a result of Dunloy’s own doing.  A kickout from McMahon was collected inside the 40 meter arc and from the resulting free, St Paul’s went for the jugular.  Rogers-Duffy’s effort came back off the crossbar but Caoimhin Duffy was first to the rebound and made no mistake.

Dunloy responded well however with points coming from Nigel Elliott and Fitzpatrick either side of a two pointer from Caoimhin Duffy.

The home side added further points from McFerran and Fitzpatrick while Rogers-Duffy and Caoimhin Duffy found their range for St Paul’s before the interval.  It could have been a greater advantage for St Paul’s but Caoimhin Duffy’s effort was superbly saved by Chrissy McMahon between the sticks for Dunloy before the ball would spiral over the bar.

With only three points between the sides at the short whistle, Dunloy would have been content and well placed to take the league points.  They reduced the St Paul’s lead to the minimum when Jack Martin fired over from outside the 40 meter arc for the home sides first two pointer of the game in the second minute but incredibly, the home side would register just two further points in the time that remained.

A free from Tom McFerran restored parity to the score line in the 10th minute of the second half but as St Paul’s began to take a stranglehold of the game in the middle third and force turnovers, they began to make the score board tick once more.  Points followed from Rogers-Duffy, Conall Finnegan and Shea Burns as the Dunloy attack floundered.  

The home side continued to look for ways into a well drilled St Paul’s defence but their radar was off on the night and a number of efforts dropping short.

A free from Eoghan McGrath in the 49th minute was their last score of the contest and while St Paul’s didn’t fare much better at the other end of the pitch, they held the Cuchullains at bay.  Caoimhin Duffy taking his personal tally to 1-5 for the game with the last score of the contest to ensure a St Paul’s victory.

Dunloy will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they travel to Moneyglass next Wednesday while St Paul’s will welcome All Saint’s to the Shaws Road on the same evening.

TEAMS

Dunloy 

Starting XV: Chrissy McMahon; Michael Trainor, Sean Og Blaney, Cathair McCloskey; Aaron Crawford, Ryan McGarry, Conor Kinsella; Ciaran McQuillan, Paudie McGilligan; Jack Martin, Tom McFerran, Nigel Elliott; Eoghan McGrath, Karl Fitzpatrick, Donnach Laverty

Scorers: K Fitzpatrick 1-2, D Laverty 0-3, J Martin 0-2 (1xTP), T McFerran 0-2 (1f), N Elliott 0-1, E McGrath 0-1 (1f)

St Paul’s 

Starting XV: Jack McAulfield; Cian McCann, Aodhan Kavanagh, Micéal Duffy; Niall McKenna, Mark Munce, Ciaran Rogers-Duffy; James Farrell, Conor Hughes; Caoimhin Killyleagh, Conall Duffy, Pearse Duffy; Caoimhin Duffy, Lorcan Phillips, Shea Burns

Scorers: Caoimhin Duffy 1-5 (1xTP), C Rogers-Duffy 0-3 (2f), J Farrell 1-00, C Hughes 0-1, S Burns 0-1, Conall Finnegan 0-1

Referee: Paul McNally (Creggan)

To see more of Brendan’s images from the game, follow this link….

https://myalbum.com/album/3vzdGktfS5u8LH/?invite=aa6bea1c-6530-40ac-8a36-7815b38eb298

by thesaffrongael

Lavery’s Late Goal Seals Hard-Fought Win For Glenavy

ACFL Division 2

Naomh Muire Ahoghill 1-14 | Naomh Seosamh Glenavy 1-16

Venue: Ahoghill | Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Match report: Gerard Kelly | Photos: Dominic Kelly

Glenavy claimed a hard-earned two-point victory at Ahoghill on Wednesday evening,

running out 1-16 to 1-14 winners in a contest that had everything — a dramatic second-quarter comeback, a pulsating closing spell, and a Leon Lavery goal that effectively sealed proceedings with seven minutes to play.

With a stiff wind making conditions testing throughout, both sides had to adapt their game accordingly, and the match swung emphatically in both directions before Glenavy ultimately found the composure and the scores to see it through. Ahoghill will feel that a number of missed opportunities in the second half cost them dearly, but on balance Glenavy were the more consistent side across the sixty minutes.

Glenavy Hit the Ground Running

With the wind at their backs, Glenavy made an electric start and looked to have the home side on the ropes inside the opening quarter. James Monaghan opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, and quick-fire points from Pearse O’Neill (8th) and Finn Jack Shannon (10th) extended the visitors’ advantage before Ahoghill had time to settle. Fíontán O’Boyle added a fourth on 19 to make it 0-4 without reply, and early on, a comfortable Glenavy afternoon appeared to be in the offing.

A setback arrived for the visitors when Darragh de Brún was forced off inside the opening few minutes, with a substitute filling in, but it barely disrupted Glenavy’s rhythm as they continued to make the wind count.

Ahoghill Storm Back

What followed in the final ten minutes of the first half was a remarkable passage of play that completely transformed the contest. Donal Graham opened Ahoghill’s account in the 16th minute, and Fionnbar O’Neill reduced the gap further on 20. The home crowd were revived moments later when Ronan Graham produced a superb strike from outside the 45 for two points, a score that levelled the game in an instant and signalled that Ahoghill had well and truly found their footing. Colla McDonnell pointed on 22 and Graham added his second on 23 to put the home side two clear. Leon Lavery pointed on 25 for Glenavy to keep it competitive, but Ronan Graham

responded again on 26 before Fionnbar O’Neill delivered the moment of the half, finishing clinically to the net in the 27th minute to put Ahoghill well in command.

Michael Morgan pointed for Glenavy before the break, but Daniel O’Neill’s composed two-point score in the 35th minute stretched Ahoghill’s advantage further and ensured the home

side went to the interval leading 1-07 to 0-06. From four points down to four points up, a stunning turnaround in the space of fifteen minutes.

Glenavy Reel It Back In

The second half saw Glenavy take control, though Ahoghill made them earn every score. With conditions presumably more in their favour now, the visitors came out with renewed purpose and systematically set about overturning the deficit.

Shannon added his second point of the evening on 32, before Daniel O’Neill landed another two-pointer for the hosts on 35 to push the gap back out to five — a score that seemed to steady Ahoghill’s nerves temporarily. But Glenavy had the answers. Pearse O’Neill pulled back two with a superb score from distance on 38, and a brace from Leon Lavery in the 40th and 43rd minutes, both calmly taken, had the sides level with Ahoghill unable to pull clear. The home side will rue a number of wasted chances during this spell that might have altered the outcome significantly.

Odhran Arthurs edged Glenavy in front for the first time since the opening quarter with a point on 46, and though Noah Friel levelled matters from play on 48 to raise home hopes, Shannon immediately responded with a composed two-pointer to put the visitors two clear.Fionnbar O’Neill pointed to keep Ahoghill in the hunt on 51, and the game remained in the balance heading into the final stretch.

Lavery Puts the Game To Bed

The decisive moment arrived in the 53rd minute when Leon Lavery, outstanding all

evening and finishing with a match-winning 1-3, found the net to give Glenavy a four-point cushion that Ahoghill could not overcome. Donal Graham pointed for the hosts on 54 to keep the gap to three, but the vistors wrapped up the scoring on 57 to confirm a four-point win for the Glenavy men.

Ahoghill will be frustrated.

Their second-quarter display showed a side with genuine quality and the ability to hurt any team in this division, with Fionnbar O’Neill (1-2) and Donal Graham (0-3) both impressive throughout. But the failure to take their chances after the break, particularly during the period when the game was there to be won, proved costly. For Glenavy, it was a performance built on patience and character. Lavery’s contribution was the standout, but the supporting cast, Shannon Pearse O’Neill among them all played their part in an encouraging away win.

NAOMH MUIRE AHOGHILL: Ryan Martin; Shéa Neeson, Tom McAlone, Seamus McKeever; Fionnbar O’Neill Ronan Graham Eamonn Brady; Donal Graham Patrick Graham; Conor Crossey, Daniel O’Neill Patrick Dougan; Noah Friel Noel Crossey, Colla McDonnell Also used: Ben Friel for E. Brady (60), Stephen O’Connell, Eoin Graham.

NAOMH SEOSAMH GLENAVY: Luke Devereux; Ruairi Forester, Darragh Doherty, Jonathan Phillips; Pearse O’Neill, Padhraic McKevitt, Odhran Arthurs Fíontán O’Boyle Patrick Gallagher; James Monaghan Darragh de Brún, Finn Jack Shannon Michael Morgan Darragh Armstrong, Leon Lavery Also used: Branan Loughan Ethan Hotchkiss.

https://myalbum.com/album/5ogo5euKyhYNzW/?invite=228dedaa-e668-4d67-bed2-16acfaa3e73e

by thesaffrongael

Carey beat Glenarm in hard fought game

Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Carey 3-19 Glenarm 1-23

Pics and report by Pete Hyndman

Carey secured a hard-fought victory on Sunday after a fiercely competitive battle against north Antrim rivals Shane Uí Neills, Glenarm at St. Patricks Park, Ballyvoy. Played under a bright early afternoon sun with a light breeze sweeping across the pitch, this Division 2 clash was an entertaining spectacle from start to finish. The visitors arrived with a shuffled lineup, missing several senior players due to overseas work commitments, but they still contributed to a thrilling contest. Ultimately, the hosts had their lethal finishing to thank, with Connor McBride demonstrating incredible accuracy to knock over nine frees in a personal tally of 1-09, while John McBride proved a constant threat by bagging two crucial goals over the hour. For Glenarm, star forward Niall McGarel was a joy to watch, showcasing superb stickwork to slot ten points, including three from dead balls.

Carey exploded out of the starting blocks in buoyant form, raising the white flag in the very first minute through Conall McGlynn. Their early dominance continued moments later when a well-placed cross-field ball was collected by John McBride, who ruthlessly drove the sliotar into the Glenarm net. John McBride and Connor McBride quickly followed up with a point apiece, demanding a swift response from the visitors. Glenarm found their rhythm right from the resulting puck-out, with Niall McGarel winning possession and slotting over the bar. The nippy forward began to show immense early promise, rolling a tackle to launch a speculative effort over Carey goalkeeper Conlaith McKinley, and subsequently lofting over another brilliant solo point. Aidan Scullion also made his presence felt around the middle third, gathering a broken ball to split the posts from 55 yards. McGarel continued to torment the defense, robbing his opponent for a distance score before Scullion drilled over another, remarkably turning an early deficit into a two-point lead for the visitors.

The match developed into a tight, tit-for-tat tussle. Carey leveled the game in the 18th minute with converted frees from Connor McBride and James Black. The boys in blue edged ahead once more through a Ben O Boyle point and a McGarel dead ball, though James Black was quick to reply for the hosts. Glenarm then struck for a major of their own; a high, dropping ball into the Carey box was allowed to bounce, and Sean O Hare reacted fastest to overhead-bat the sliotar past the keeper into the net. Unfazed, Connor McBride kept the scoreboard ticking for Carey by punishing two needless Glenarm fouls before adding a green flag of his own, winning a scrappy ball and forcing it beyond Liam Mulvenna. As the halftime whistle approached, the intensity peaked. Scullion and McGarel landed excellent scores for Glenarm, but Connor McBride’s accuracy from frees and a massive second goal from John McBride ensured Carey took a 3-10 to 1-12 advantage into the break.

The second half resumed with the same competitive edge. Carey punished early indiscipline from Glenarm with another Connor McBride free, but Ben O Boyle and Niall McGarel quickly answered with a point each from play. Conall McGlynn continued to show great promise for the hosts, driving the ball over the Glenarm bar twice to maintain the pressure. At the other end, Scullion won vital early possession and expertly worked the space to shoot a fantastic point from 70 yards out. The teams traded further scores, with a Carey free and a Brendan McQuaid effort answered by Darren Hamill on the 38th minute. However, the game’s dynamic threatened to shift entirely on the 40th minute when a Carey player was shown a red card.

Despite being reduced to fourteen men, Carey responded to the setback with remarkable composure. McGlynn and Connor McBride converted three crucial frees to keep their opponents at arm’s length. Playing catch-up, Glenarm desperately needed a lift and found one through Darren Hamill, who sparked a revival with a free and a brilliant point from distance, accompanied by a score from Sean O Hare. Hamill added two more frees to reel in the hosts as the game moved into added time. In a fitting end to an epic battle, Niall McGarel floated over one final effort for Glenarm, but the relentless Connor McBride had the last word, pointing for the hosts just as the referee called time to seal a memorable Carey victory.

Carey Faughs

Conlith Mc Kinley, Eoin Mc Carry, Michael Mc Veigh, Daniel Mc Kinley, Shea Hunter, Sean Mc Bride, Peadar Mc Veigh, Conall Mc Glynn (0-05 3f), Cathair Brogan, James Black(0-02 1f), John Mc Bride(2-01), 

Patrick, Butler, Connor Mc Bride( 1-09 09f), Fiachra Mc Veigh, Brendan Mc Quaid (0-02).

Subs.   Caolan Mc Caughan, Eoin Mc Kinley, Ryan Mc Quaid, Oisin Healey.

Shane Uí Neills.

Liam Mulvenna, Liam Mc Loughlin, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Kieran O Boyle, Ciaran Magill, Michael Fury, Conal Ward, Aidan Scullion(0-04), Sean Mc Dermott, Niall Mc Garel(0-10 3f), Ben O Boyle ()-02), Paddy Mc Auley, Darren Hamill(0_05 2f), Sean O Hare(1-02 1f).

Subs.   Rory Mulvenna for Conal Ward 42 mins. Aidan O Neill, Gerard Burns, Ryan Mc Loughlin, Declan Mc Dermott.

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall in cruise control

Ruairi Og Cushendall vs. Ballycastle

Venue: Pairc Mhuir, Cushendall

Antrim Camogie League Division 1

Ruairi Og 3-19 (28) | Ballycastle 0-7 (7)

Ruairi Og Cushendall delivered a commanding performance at Pairc Mhuir, overpowering Ballycastle to extend their impressive unbeaten run to five matches. The home side was in total control from the throw-in, establishing a dominant lead by half-time and never allowing Ballycastle a foothold in the game.

Cushendall opened the scoring early, with Eva McNeill registering a point from play just over three minutes in, quickly followed by another from Kady McNeill. The home team’s attacking intent was rewarded in the 9th minute when Orlaith McCurry found the back of the net, giving Ruairi Og an early cushion.

The scoring momentum continued with a point from Cliodhna Thompson and successive points from Eva McNeill, both from frees and open play. Ballycastle finally got on the scoreboard in the 21st minute courtesy of a free converted by their number 11, Louise McBride. Eva McNeill answered immediately with two more points for Cushendall before Ballycastle’s Aoife McCaughan, wearing number 13, tapped over another free.

As the half drew to a close, Kady McNeill struck for Cushendall’s second goal, capitalizing on open play. A further point from Eva McNeill and a free from Dervla Cosgrove left the half-time score at a daunting 2-9 to 0-2 in favor of the hosts.

Ballycastle showed some renewed fight early in the second half, opening the scoring with another free from Louise McBride. However, Cushendall’s Eva McNeill was relentless, converting two more frees to keep the visitors at bay.

Ballycastle managed their first point from play in the 7th minute of the half, courtesy of Eimear McCaughan. Despite this brief rally, Ruairi Og’s lead was never genuinely threatened. Eva McNeill continued her spectacular scoring streak, while Brogan Abram added three points of her own to the tally.

Louise McBride kept the scoreboard ticking over for Ballycastle with three more frees in the final quarter, but Cushendall put the game definitively to bed when Cliodhna Thompson netted their third goal of the evening in the 26th minute.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/3J2NpWBzWh4kY6/?invite=9a5dd486-312f-4ab2-9213-7a6c5137bf06

by thesaffrongael

Storming Shamrocks: Six goal blitz warms supporters on chilly night

Antrim Camogie League Senior Div 1 Round 5

Ahoghill 0-05 Loughgiel 6-22

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. McGuigan Park, Ahoghill

It appears the summer isn’t knocking on our door anytime soon. This evening’s game between Ahoghill and Loughgiel had to endure an arctic blast running diagonally across the pitch from the scoreboard side towards Antrim, at times clouding over to threaten probably hail if it fell. Regardless, both sides knuckled down and made the best of a predominately dry evening. Loughgiel won the toss and opted to play with the wind, a strategy which benefited the Shamrocks as the elements eased in the second half, especially in the last fifteen minutes of the game.

Ahoghill knew what was ahead of them, having endured the force of a Shamrock blast in previous league encounters. Nonetheless, the red and black girls gave no quarter during the sixty minutes, despite the relentless offence from Loughgiel.

Referee, Shane McDonald, rolled in the sliotar just past the hour of 7pm and within a few minutes, both teams had scoring opportunities at close quarters diffused and forced back out. Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty would open the Shamrocks’ scoring for the evening with a simple point from just outside the box and looped back around to make that two before Ahoghill’s Katie McCloskey performed a dream catch of the sliotar followed by a solo run ending in a fine point.

Ahoghill’s Caoimhe Scullion bolts to find clear space in tonight’s league game

Loughgiel, however, would respond with three points on the trot, two from play before Marie Laverty with the sliotar sourced deep from Aoibheann Gillan found Shanna Deery and up went the first green flag of the game.

Loughgiel perservered running with the wind pushing the sliotar hard to the right and found four points with no reply before Annie Lynn scored goal number two, fed from Louise McKillop in a mid field role. Loughgiel’s Rose McMullan, playing up to senior this year, was alert to a loose ball on the edge of the box and lifted the sliotar nicely over the bar for her point before Ahoghill’s Noreen Graham successfully floated a free over Loughgiel’s bar as Marie Laverty closed out the first half with a point from a free. At the break, scores stood Ahoghill 0-02 Loughgiel 2-11.

The second half witnessed no let up in pace or determination and four Shamrock points preceded Marie Laverty’s goal as Anna Connolly and Annie Lynn chalked up two more points to bring Loughgiel’s tally to 3-17. Laverty would figure in Loughgiel’s forth goal as the young centre half forward dropped in a 45 that needed blocking down. A sharp Eimear McKinley, playing full forward from the bench, wasted no time in striding in and delivered the sliotar into the back of Ahoghill’s net for the fourth goal in tonight’s game.

Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty was too hot to handle in tonight’s league encounter

There wouldn’t be any let up from the Shamrocks’ at this stage; Laverty floating in a well intended point that dipped viciously under the bar for goal number five. Ahoghill’s Noreen Graham managed to get two sliotar’s over the Loughgiel bar before Ceala Dobbin recycled the sliotar for Loughgiel’s half dozen. Ahoghill would close out their scoring from Graham as she fired in a sliotar from the top dugout along the sideline for a magnificent point. McDonald blew sharply at the sixty minute mark, Ahoghill 0-05 Loughgiel 6-22.

The senior division 1 league now takes a break for four weeks, recommencing on the 9th June. We look forward to warmer evenings for the second half of the league.

To see more photos from tonights game, click on the following link…

https://myalbum.com/album/kN7gWXQNuSt55F/?invite=1694b339-941f-4f6d-bbd4-aef16df5a522

Ahoghill starting panel

Aine Graham, Orla Neeson, Bronagh Graffin, Dearbhaile Graffin, Niamh Graham, Éadaoin McGarry, Maeve O’Donnell, Caoimhe Scullion, Molly Horan, Noreen Graham 0-04 (3f), Katie McCloskey 0-01, Gemma O’Donnell, Alex Burns, Róisín Loughlin, Anne-Marie O’Neill

Loughgiel starting panel

Emma McAllister, Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Aoibheann Gillan, Finvola McVeigh 0-01, Katie Lynn, Ciara Laverty, Anna Connelly 0-02, Louise McKillop 0-01, Rose McMullan 0-01, Marie Laverty 2-06 (2f, 1×45), Shanna Deery 1-02, Ceala Dobbin 1-02, Annie Lynn 1-03, Anna McKillop 0-03

Eimear McKinley 1-01