Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Ciceam Ard Eoin take the points at Fennell Park

ACFL Division 3

Ardoyne 1-13 Eire Og 1-8

 Ardoyne and Eire Og met in a very entertaining Division 3 football league game at Fennell Park on Sunday afternoon. The first half was a very close affair with both teams enjoying periods of superiority, but it was the Northender’s who took the points after a dominant second half performance.

Ardoyne were first out of the blocks with Gary McKernan slotting over a point after 2 minutes followed by a second from Padraig McGreevy shortly afterwards. Fiontan Lagan was proving a thorn in the side of the Eire Og defence as the game unfolded, but they soon found their confidence and dominated the middle third of the first half. They could have gone ahead following a strong run through the Ardoyne defence, only to be thwarted by an in-form Tiernan Hughes in the Ardoyne nets.

It was only a matter of time before the points began to arrive for Eire Og with both Lorcan McIlroy and Stiofan Gallen knocking over two points apiece to take a one point lead with 20 minutes gone. It was nip and tuck as the first half moved into the final stages. Hughes kicked over a 45, followed by a point kicked from a difficult angle by Corrigan.

Eire Og again got a head of steam and exerted increasing pressure on the Ardoyne defence that eventually led to a penalty, duly converted by Gallan into the Ardoyne net. Just as it looked that Eire Og were taking the initiative, Ardoyne picked up the pace with a further 4 points in the closing minutes of the first half to leave one point between the sides at the short whistle..

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-08 Eire Og 1-04

The second half told a different story as Ardoyne took the upper hand from the whistle with 4 points from play before McIlroy slotted over a free to leave 5 points between the sides at the end of the third quarter.

Ardoyne went further ahead as a high tackle on James McAuley resulted in McGreevy sending over another free. Eire Og continued to battle, and were never that far away from the Ardoyne men. As the final whistle was drawing near, Cormac Barnes in the Ardoyne attack was left frustrated when a great run through the Eire Og defence rebounded off the post. This was not to be Eire Og’s day and a resulting penalty from the rebound saw the game come to a conclusion with a 5 point win for Ardoyne.

Referee: Sean Toal

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Tiernan Hughes (0-2, 2f), Cormac Curran, Micheál McGreevy, Conor Magee, Daniel Moore (0-1), Pearse Marley, James Og McAuley (0-2), Gary McKernan (0-1), Joe Gibson, Ethan Magill, Kealan McCallan, Eoghan Corrigan (1-4), Padraig McGreevy (0-3, 1f), Fiontan Lagan, Cormac Barnes, Odhran Mullan, Aodhán Quigg, Finnen Wall O’Brien, Diarmuid Martin

Eire Og: Simon Harney, Ciarán Rice, Paddy Loughran, Barry McDaid, Karl McKenna, Conor McKenna, Jarlath Devlin, Conor Erskine, Conall Smyth, Christopher Carberry, Ronan Donnelly, Stephen Erskine (0-2), Lorcan McIlroy (0-3, 2f), Mark Graham, Stiofan Gallan (1-3,1f)

TO VIEW MORE PICS BY BRIAN MC KEE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/9y6MfooJvR3wWy

by thesaffrongael

Airline industry expert Conor McCarthy was chief guest at the Saffron Business Breakfast

Conor McCarthy, who was guest of honour at the Saffron Business Breakfast at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge on Friday is an airline industry veteran with over 43 years of experience, a serial entrepreneur who has helped found several airlines and aerospace companies worldwide.

Based primarily in Dublin, Conor is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Emerald Airlines, Ireland’s newest regional airline, and the exclusive operator of the Aer Lingus Regional network. Founder of PlaneConsult, an aviation consultancy company. Over the past 19 years PlaneConsult has worked in many airlines including easyJet, Aer Lingus, AirAsia, Qantas, Jetstar, Air Deccan, Pegasus, Alaska Airlines, Copa, Thai AirAsia, AirAsia X, MAS, flyNAS, Saudia and vivaAerobus.

Dominic Kearns (left) and Aaron Carey (right) present a decorative hurl to guest of honour Conor McCarty at the Saffron Business Breakfast at the Crown Plaza

The Dublin man is also a Co-founder, shareholder, and former director of AirAsia and its affiliates in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and India. After graduating from Trinity College, Conor quickly rose to the level of EVP and was appointed Chief Executive of Aer Lingus Commuter at the age of 28. Conor was the Director of Group Operations & Safety for Ryanair from 1996-2000. During this time the airline tripled in size and Conor was responsible for the famous Ryanair 25-minute turnaround, new Base rollout, and successful delivery and introduction of the first Ryanair Boeing 737-800s. In 2009 Conor established Dublin Aerospace, parent company to Dublin Aerospace and Exeter Aerospace. Dublin Aerospace is now one of the world’s leading providers of Aerospace MRO services with capabilities in APU Repair & Overhaul, Base Maintenance, Component Repair and Landing Gear Overhaul. Dublin Aerospace has recently developed a state-of-the-art Landing Gear facility in Ashbourne, Ireland and started up Exeter Aerospace in the UK.

As is the norm at the Saffron Business Breakfasts three members were given the opportunity to ‘plug’ their own company and this time around we had Loughgiel man Aaron Carey of Finance giants Jullies Bar, who sponsored the event, Downpatrick’s Aidan Hughes of Insurace experts Brown & Brown, plus Rasharkin’s Helen Hardy of Human resources experts BEYONDHR

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

https://myalbum.com/album/JwCX85E7jU8k2Y/?invite=8f7657aa-1fba-470f-9541-a6107064e2d5

by thesaffrongael

St Brigid’s win the inaugural Seamus O’Hare Cup

O’Neill Sportswear Antrim Football League – Division 1

St Brigid’s 2-10 St John’s 1-12

St Brigid’s won the inaugural Seamus O’Hare Memorial Cup when they beat St John’s in Sunday’s Division 1 Leauge game at Musgrave Park. The former club and county legend was a Johnnies man through his long career in the GAA, while his daughter Geraldine married a St Brigid’s man whose sons ply their trade with the Musgrave Park side. The idea to put up a trophy is Seamus’s memory came from his lifelong friend Dr Alasdair McDonnell, former Antrim hurling team doctor, who always regarded Seamus as a father figure.

Seamus O’Hare’s daughter Geraldine presents the Seamus O’Hare Cup to her son Conán McNicholl who received the trophy on behalf of his club St Brigid’s after their win over St John’s

Sunday’s match turned out to be a really exciting game with St Brigid’s, with the assistance of the strong breeze, pull away in the first half to open up a seven point lead at the interval. After the turnaround however St John’s had the better of things and worked their way back into the game thanks to a Darragh McGuinness goal. They put themselves into a strong position and look set to get their hands on the coveted new silverware but St Brigid’s grabbed a late goal to clinch the victory and become the first holders of the Seamus O’Hare Cup.

The Musgrave Park men made a quick start with a point from Paul Bradley and a gaol from Eoghan Sherry but two quick scores from the Johnnies Conor McEvoy cut the gap back to two. St Brigid’s pushed on however and points from Dara Quinn, Ben Doherty, Aaron Bradley and Sonny Doyle (with a two pointer) helped the home to a 1-07 to a 0-03 lead by half time.

Geraldine presents her father’s President’s medal to St John’s chairman Aidan Kelly
Seamus O’Hare’s daughter Geraldine with her daughter and two sons
Geraldine makes a presentation to St John’s legend John Gough

The Johnnies were a transformed side in the second half and after Tierney sent over a point centre forward Darragh McGuinness got them right back into the game with well taken goal. Shea Downey replied for the home side but Seamus Mac Liam came back with two more for the Johnnies.

When Stiofan O’Tarnaig hit a 2 pointer for the Corrigan Park men the gap was down to just one, but two by Conan McNicholl gave the home team a bit of breathing space and a minute from time they grabbed their second goal to seal the victory.

Alasdair McDonnell of Arrow Travel who sponsored the Seamus O’Hare Cup

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

https://myalbum.com/album/n5vWnT5TiSN2mi

by thesaffrongael

All Saints up and running

ACHL Division 4

All Saints 4-15 Shane O’Neills 0-9

All Saints got their 2025 season up and running after a disappointing opening day two point defeat to St Brigid’s. They proved too strong for a Shane O’Neill’s second string who have joined the all county leagues this year.

With the breeze at their backs All Saints started strong opening up a five point lead mainly through three back to back points from Daniel Kelly. Glenarm to their credit were contesting every ball and pulled back the lead with a string of scores of their own.

The pace of Cormac Magill and Eoin McGuigan were causing the Glenarm defence major problems and along with points from Ronan McAllister they opened up a 0-11 to 0-5 lead at the break.

The introduction of Darach Bradley at the break was a major boost for the Ballymena side.  Playing into the wind he contributed 2-2 with his direct running opening holes in the home sides defence.

Bradley was also fouled for a penalty which Eoin McGuigan dispatched to the net before Cormac Magill scored the last goal of the game late on.  

All Saints: Ciaran Cassley, Kevin Brady, Paddy Murphy, Dwayne McKee, Archie McGreevey, Eoin McAllister, Dan Gray, Harry Connon, Jack Magill, Eoin McGuigan (1-4), Ronan McAllister(0-2), Niall Savage, Dan Kelly(0-3), Cormac Magill (1-4), Michael Connolly Subs Darach Bradley(2-2) Vinney Esler, Luke Walsh, Finn Connon, Diarmuid Casey, Dan McCoy

by thesaffrongael

McErlain’s 2 pointers significant as St. Ergnat’s take the points

ACFL Division 2

Gort na Mona 1-11 St. Ergnat’s 2-11

Dermott McErlain’s ability to kick 2 pointers proved significant in this win by St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass over Gort na Mona at Enright Park on Sunday. McErlain converted 2 from distance during the opening 30 minutes and a goal from his mid-field partner, Kevin McCann put their side in a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Gort na Mona got themselves right back into contention with a goal from Shane Scullion at the start of the second half and matched the visitors for most of the second period but Kevin McCann’s second goal of the contest swung it St. Ergnat’s way.

It took both sides a time to find their radar in the swirling breeze before Dermott McErlain got the visitors off the mark with a point in the 10th minute with Dessie McLean replying immediately with a point for the home side.

McErlain struck his first 2 pointer to put his side ahead again in the 12th minute and McCann’s first goal of the contest put St. Ergnat’s in a strong position at the end of the opening quarter.

The Mona bye-pass side kicked three further points through Padraic Mulvenna, Padraig Cournane and Caoimhin Beck but McErlain’s second Orange flag of the half put the visitors four in front at the break.

Gort na Mona made a strong start to the second half and threatened to take over as they recorded 1-2 in the opening four minutes with the goal coming from Shane Scullion and McLean and Sean Campbell getting the points to level the contest.

Niall Boyd restored the St. Ergnat’s lead and they added points through Boyd and Dermott McErlain to move three in front by the 12th minute but Gort na Mona replied through a Manus McMullan double to leave just one in it again.

The next two scores would prove significant as Sean Boyd split the posts and Kevin McCann got in for his side’s second goal to put the South West men five ahead with 11 minutes remaining.

Moneyglass would add only one more point for the remainder of the contest through Niall Boyd but their defence stood firm with Gort na Mona only able to hit 0-3 in reply through Shane Scullion, Manus McMullan and substitute David McKeown.

A good win for the visitors who make it two wins from two starts and on this early season form last year’s relegation from division 1 could be matched with a quick return to the top grade.

Gort na Mona lost narrowly last week at St. Teresa’s and will be disappointed not to have got something from this one but on the evidence of what we have seen, that first win will not be too long in coming.

Gort na Mona: 1 Jack Ireland, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Michael Savage, 4 Conal Keenan, 5 Brendan Burns, 6 Ciaran Donnelly, 7 Padraig Cournane, 8 Tiarnan Morton, 9 Shane Scullion, 10 Manus McMullan, 11 Christopher Carson, 12 Padraic Mulvenna, 13 Thomas McCaffrey, 14 Desmond McLean, 15 Caoimhin Beck.

Subs: 19 Sean Campbell, 18 David Mckeown

Moneyglass: 1 James McLaughlin, 2 Matthew Mullen, 3 James McCormick, 4 Damien Duffin, 5 Frank Duffin, 6 Seanchan Duffin, 7 Conor O’Kane, 8 Kevin McCann, 9 Dermott McErlain, 10 Callum Murray, 11 Aidan McErlain, 12 Conor Boyd, 13 Sean Boyd, 14 Tyler Cassidy, 15 Niall Boyd 22 PaulDuffin

Referee: Paul Burns

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

https://myalbum.com/album/bCZDeK4z2nBK9h