Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

St Marys GAC, Rasharkin raise funds for Friends of the Cancer Centre

The Heart of the GAA is its people and with that in mind giving back to Charities is never far from all Clubs the length and breadth of Ireland. 

Rasharkin GAC is no exception, with a recent weekends proceeds being raised for The Cancer Centre in Belfast City Hospital as thanks for the work they do helping people at such a critical time in their lives. 

Club Chairperson Thomas Doherty tells us “Quiz nights are one of the many events we do to give back and have been an enjoyable annual tradition with the Club for many years, raising much needed money for different Charities. A pause on these nights was needed due to guidelines around Covid. We are glad to be back able to bring the community together, a fun family friendly enjoyable night to raise money. One of our Esteemed Committee members, Eneas Boyle who recently finished treatment at the Centre approached the meeting with a vision of Giving back to a Charity which has helped many of our members. We were only too glad to get behind him and organise a weekend of activities. It was also a great excuse to invite other clubs to our grounds to share a fun day for all to enjoy.”

The Club in North Antrim, had their Quiz in the Parish Centre on a Friday 27th September hosted by Quizmasters Terry McCann and Danny McLernon and Sunday 29th a Fun Day with matches from Morning to late Afternoon from visiting clubs in all Juvenile ages in Football, Hurling and Camogie with inflatables and games for all the children to enjoy.

Eneas Boyle

Eneas Boyle stated “I saw at first hand the work the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at the Cancer Centre do for everyone who needs it and really wanted to put my time and effort in to giving back as I know from my time getting treatment there the money is much needed and its all for making Patients time there comfortable and with Cancer, no one knows when they like me get a diagnosis. The Club and the Community got behind us. I’m a member of my home club of Rasharkin but I have lived my married life in Randalstown with my wife and family, but Rasharkin Gac is still within every fibre of my being.

I am eternally grateful they got behind me and also to the people and businesses in Randalstown and Rasharkin for their support, also to all the visiting clubs and businesses who generously donated. A special Note of thanks to winning Quiz Team Broken Wing for donating the Prize money back to the Cause.

 I was delighted that a few weeks after my last treatment I was able to visit the Cancer Centre to hand over a cheque for £4100 which meant the world to me. An incredible amount of money which will do a lot for the patients. The Staff literally are lifesavers.”

by thesaffrongael

All Saints Launch Strategic Capital Project

Following many months of planning and several teaser social media releases All Saints GAC launched their ambitious capital development programme on Thursday evening. A packed St. Brigid’s PS hall listened intently as the club outlined the plans for enhanced facilities including a players gym (incorporating a community hub), a ball wall and a 3g juvenile playing area.

In the modern era the use of multi-media production to bring proposals of this type to life has been clearly recognised by the All Saints executive committee. Members and friends were treated to a video story covering the formation of the club in 1975 through to the present day with a focus on development of both facilities and the club’s presence in the town of Ballymena. U16 player Abigail McLarnon and Paddy Murphy who has just completed his juvenile playing days at minor outlined their experience of playing for All Saints along with their hopes for the future. Both stressed the need for the new facilities and the support they will provide in enabling all players to reach their full potential.

A number of founding members of the club were also in attendance to lend their support to the project and included Brian McCambridge and Sean Gallagher. Brian took to the mic and in his address outlined the various phases All Saints had travelled through from playing at Hugomont in the late 70s and early 80s to the purchase of the land for Slemish Park, the building of the club pavillion and the development of the floodlit pitch at Quinn Park, all achieved over the past 50 years. He commended the present club committee for their foresight in identifying the need for the proposed developments and encouraged all with an interest in Gaelic games in Ballymena to support the project.

All in attendance were delighted to welcome another founder member and current club President Denis Martin to the launch. Having also contributed greatly to the growth of the club over the last 5 decades Denis was delighted to hear about the next exciting phase on the night.

The club has made significant progress towards raising funds to support the project but as those gathered heard, there’s still a need for much financial support to bring the plans to fruition. An appeal to current and former members, supporters, parents and local business was made. Details of how to help can be found in the information leaflet attached to this message.
 
https://form.jotform.com/242982252759367

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by thesaffrongael

Sarsfields lift the Nipper Quinn Shield

Above – Sarsfields team wiht the Nipper Quinn Shield

Back row L-R. Conall Megaw, Eoghan McAllea, Darragh Ward, Dan Barr, Dara Ward, Paddy Og Robinson, Conan Drumm, Ronan Feeney, Cuan Brady, Darragh McCourt, Fionn McAllister, James McKernan, Adam Rowlands

Front row L-R. Ronan O’Toole, Jack Rowlands, Callum Carberry, Daire McCrory, Cameron Fleming, Conor McKernan, Bear Butler, Rohan Brady, James McCallum, Fionn Green

Paddy Quinn presents The Nipper Quinn Shield to Sarsfields captain Paddy Og Robinson

By James McKernan

Sarsfields made their way to the Shield Final after being narrowly defeated by 2 points by eventual Nipper Quinn Cup winners St Paul’s in a tight Quarter Final Cup match at St Paul’s.

Sarsfields then took on Davitts in the Shield Semi Final at Davitt Park with Sarsfields playing some great Hurling on the day and coming away with a well earned 8 point win. 

The young Paddies were in confident form and looking forward to playing St Endas in the Shield Final. Disappointingly for the Sarsfields boys, coaches & supporters, word came through that St Endas had been in contact with the organisers a few hours before the throw in for the Final and were unable to field.

Not the way Sarsfields wanted to lift the Shield but never the less the Stewartstown boys got their reward for all their hard work throughout the year. 

The Sarsfields team and mentors

by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg hold on to earn a place in the semis

Under-21 B Football Championship (Quarter final)

Tir na nOg 3-06 Casement’s 2-07 —at Whitehill

Tir na nOg defied miserable conditions and a late comeback from their visitors Casement’s to earn a place in the next phase of the under-21 B championship on a sodden Whitehill pitch on Sunday.

The home side looked on their merry way into the semi-finals at the break with a 2-05 to 1-02 advantage at the end of the opening period as they asked questions aplenty of their visitors.

Caolan Smith had found the net for the home side early in the game and the full forward over turned a short kick out in the latter stages of the opening period to return to the net to give his side a six point interval advantage.

Portglenone, faced a stern breeze in the first period but found the back of the home side’s net in the closing stages as Sean Burns finished soccer style on the greasy surface which paid dividends.

Casement’s having played second fiddle to their hosts for much of the opening period despite positive performances from Ryan Mc Allister, Ciaran McAleese, and Brian McKeever came back strongly with the breeze at their backs and Sean Byrne raised white in the opening phase with Ciaran McAleese adding another a few minutes later.

Casements continued to ask questions as the second half progressed but several chances were off target and when Caolan Smith was sent away by mid-fielder Pat Higgins to find the net the home side looked on the way to victory.

Casement’s were not about the accept what looked inevitable and continued to take the game to their opponents as they tested Tir na nOg’s net minder on a couple of occasions but Levi Thumann proved up to the task.

As the game moved into the final stages the visitors continued to press forward with wing half back Brian McKeever leading the charge.

The fame haired wing half back set up Conor McCann to deliver between the posts in the 59th minute to keep them within touching distance.

Questions were being asked of the home side and Portglenone’s James McAleese made a strong approach to finish stylishly to the back of the net at the eleventh hour to reduce the deficit to a couple of points but it was close as they got as the Whitehill side held on for victory and a place in the semi-final.

Tir na nOg: Levi Thumann, D Martin, B Devlin, O Loughran, S Gault, T Bonnes, P Higgins (0-01), Josh Higgins, C Mc Camphill, A O’ Donnell (0-02), C Mc Kenna (0-01), S Martin, C Smith (3-03), E Maguire

Casement’s: F O’ Connell, M Mc Garry, F Mc Cormick, C Mc Aleese, B Mc Keever, O Mc Auley, R Mc Allister, James Mc Aleese (1-00), Sean Burns (1-03), P Murray, C Mc Aleese (0-01), Ciaran Mc Aleese (0-03), C Mc Cann (0-01)

Referee: D Mc Keown (St Gall’s)

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

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by thesaffrongael

Gaels prevail in photo finish

Under 21 Football Championship – Quarter final

Con Magees Gaels 2-07 Cargin 0-11

Con Magees Gaels got over the line in this tough battle despite a final furlong flourish from rivals Cargin as they tagged on four unanswered points in the final five minutes to draw level but then yielded two scoreable frees in added time which the home team converted, much to the relief of the home support. Both teams defied the difficult playing conditions to deliver a fine brand of football with Glenravel just edging it in the end.

The Toome men opened through big full forward Eunan Quinn but that would prove to be the only time they led throughout the sixty minutes. A Shea O’Broin free followed by Cormac McKeown point  nudged the home team ahead only to be pegged back by a free from Cargin midfielder Odhrán Molloy to leave honours even after the first quarter. A superb move by the Glenravel men was finished to the net by Daire Higgins to put three between them but soon after Callum Cribbin reduced the deficit to two.  A lovely point from Fergus Donaghy extended the home team lead to three but the Toome men finished stronger with two points from Cian Scullion and Jack Harney to leave the minimum separating both teams at the break. 

Con Magee Gaels made a great start to the second half when a long speculative ball in was held by Cargin keeper Shea Laverty but the advancing posse of Glenravel players applied enough pressure and Eamon Ward got the final touch to play the ball over the line to open up a four point lead for the home team. Scores from Jack Harney and Odhrán Molloy were cancelled by Colla Ward and Daire Higgins to maintain the Glenravel four point lead with ten minutes remaining.  At this stage Cargin needed to go for broke and that started with a lovely point from keeper Shea Laverty who advanced upfield on numerous occasions aka Rory Beggan. That inspirational point spawned three further scores from Tom Shivers, Eunan Quinn and Odhran Molloy to level the game as we entered added time. But in the end Con Magee Gaels benefitted from indiscipline in the Cargin defence which gifted two scoring chances which Daire Higgins gladly accepted and converted to leave two between them when the final whistle blew. 

This was a hard fought game where both sides went at it but the skill and guile of the Glenravel men won out in the end and the now advance to the semi final stages. 

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

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