Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

In the lead up to Sunday’s Senior Championship final Portglenone’s Dermot McAleese speaks to the Saffron Gael

In the build up to Sunday’s Senior Football Champion ship final between reigning champions, Erin’s Own Cargin and Casement’s Portglenone, Paddy McIlwaine from the Saffron Gael speaks to Portgenone stalwart, Dermot McAleese.

Dermot has been an outstanding performer for both Portglenone and Antrim for many years and his experience and knowhow will be important if the Casement’s are to overcome the challenge of favourites Cargin on Sunday.

Paddy: As you head into Sunday’s final against Cargin what are your thoughts on the game?

Dermot: We are really looking forward to Sundays game, as we know all too well getting to a county final is a difficult task, so we want to make the most of the opportunity we have. Cargin are really difficult opponents, so if we are to give ourselves a chance on Sunday we will need to be on top of our game. It’s a really exciting time for everyone involved in the club, and seeing the support we have had from everyone in the community over the past two weeks has given us a real boost going into the final.

Paddy: Portglenone’s win over Lamh Dhearg in the semi-final was one of Casement’s best championship performances for some time. How relieved were you to get the monkey of five semi-final defeats off your back?

Dermot: It was nice to be able to put a performance together and match that up with getting the result as well. We had played some good football in the previous semi-finals but ultimately never got the result, which is the most important thing. There definitely was a feeling of relief after the final whistle against Lamh Dhearg, there were a lot of very disappointing days and nights after those semi-final defeats, but credit to our fellas they kept turning up year after year and got rewarded for that perseverance. At the same time we are well aware that nothing has been won, and that getting over that semi-final barrier will mean very little unless we can go a step further on Sunday.

Paddy: It’s been quite a while since Portglenone last contested a Senior County final. I was at that game at Casement Park against the great St. Gall’s side who won 14 titles between 2001 and 2015.

Dermot: Casements were beaten by St Galls in 2005/2007/2009.

Paddy: You were too young to have figured then but Portglenone had some excellent players at that time with Tony Convery, Owen Doherty Scotchie O’Hagan, John McKeever and Kevin Madden just some of the names I recall.

Dermot McAleese, Commercial manager at Ballymena Engine Spares presents a cheque for £500-00 to Paddy mcIlwaine who receives it on behalf of the Saffron Gael

What are your recollections of that game?

Dermot: I can remember the game was under lights in Casement Park. Casements had a very good team around that time with the lads you have mentioned and a few more, but unfortunately St Galls just seemed to be at another level and the scoreline wasn’t pretty viewing for anyone from Portglenone. That group of players were the first in the clubs history to reach a Senior Final so even though they never got over the line, it was still a massive step forward for the club.

Paddy: Back in 2011 you lost an Intermediate final against All Saints, a game where you had a goal disallowed that was probably the turning point in that final.

Casement’s lost again to St. Teresa’s when you were firm favourites before claiming the title against Moneyglass in (2014) and you have been playing Senior ever since.

Casement’s will start Sunday’s final as underdogs and rightly so, given Cargin’s recent record in the championship. Give me your thoughts on Cargin?

Dermot: Cargin have obviously been the team to beat in the county over the last 10 years. Their record speaks for itself, and so they deserve a lot of respect. They have serious quality all over the pitch and we know that we’ll have plenty to think about come Sunday.

Paddy: How have your preparations been going and what has the build-up been like since last week?

Dermot: We’ve had a good two weeks preparation for Sunday, there’s a really good buzz about the town at the minute and as players we are feeding off that too. The weather wouldn’t be powerful at the minute, but when you’ve that nugget of a county final to look forward to its not hard to get yourself up for training. The whole squad is really looking forward to the game.

by thesaffrongael

Cargin aiming for three-in-a-row as Ports aim to break their duck

SFC Final

Erin’s Own v Casements

3-00pm Sunday Corrigan Park

Erin’s Own Cargin are aiming for three-in-a-row as they take on a Casement’s Portglenone side hoping to break their duck when the South West rivals meet at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

Reigning champions Cargin will enter the game as firm favourites in the eyes of those who compile the odds but Ronan Devlin and his charges will be taking nothing for granted.

Cargin’s evergreen full-forward Michael McCann who was again prominent in his club’s Antrim SFC win over St Brigid’s at Dunsilly in the semi-final . Pic by Bert Trowlen

Casement’s got one monkey off their back when they defeated Lamh Dhearg in the semi-final after suffering defeat in the previous five semi-finals.

Possibly a record for the Casement’s but one they will be glad to forget about as they have finally knocked down the door to get the semi-final monkey off their backs.

Cargin are on a quest to add an elusive ‘three in a row’ and more than a few wearing the green will have already pocketed half dozen winnner’s medals and are on a quest to add more.

Casement’s are aiming to claim their first title after emerging as beaten finalists of 2005 and 2007 and they will be more than anxious to introduce the Padraig McNamee Cup to the Gaels of Portglenone.

Erin’s Own claimed their first title back in 1972 when they gained victory over Patrick’s Sarsfield’s in the final but the MacNamee Cup did not return again to their South West residence until 1995.

Cargin have emerged as the team to beat in the last decade with four wins in the last five years and success on Sunday would see them make it three in a row

Ronan Devlin, Fabien Muldoon, Kevin Doyle, and JC Devlin are the men in charge of the Toome side and have been working hard to prepare their side for Sunday’s decider and they have been fortunate that yhey have not had to deal with many injuries along the way.

Pat Shivers v Portglenone in the league

Attendance at training has been excellent with one individual rumoured to have travelled over 100 miles to report at least once a week.

The Toome men progressed through the group stages and after a facile victory over Ahoghill in the quarter-finals they faced a stiffer challenge in the semi-final.

St Brigid’s had already recorded a league final win over Ronan Devlin’s side and this ensured they needed to raise their game in windy conditions at Dunsilly with a late Paul McCann goal enough to ensure a place in the final.

John Mc Keever, with Scotchy Hagen, Tommy Devlin and Adrian McKeever have been working hard to prepare their side for Sunday’s decider and there have been no reports of injury in the Casement’s camp.

Casements were held to a draw by Glenravel in the group stages and were tested by Moneyglass at Marian Hill before earning a four point victory.

They overcame a tough challenge against rejuvenated St. John’s in the semi-final before emerging 2-10 to 1-12 winners at Dunsilly but survived a last minute penalty claim.

Mc Keever’s side put the pain of those five consecutive semi-final defeats behind them as they recorded a resounding win over Lamh Dhearg in the semi-final in Toome to stride confidently into Sunday’s decider.

Casements half back Fergal O’Kane

A big attendance is anticipated at the Corrigan park venue which is certain to be in superb shape and hopefully we will be treated to an entertaining final with both sides laced with players of quality.

There could be many key battles throughout the field with Gerard McCann and John Carron or Pat Shivers facing the threat posed by Niall Mc Keever and possibly Niall Delargy at mid-field.

The coming together of Jamie Gribbin and Fergal O’ Kane looks another tussle to savour as is how the Casement’s men cope with the threat always posed by the Mc Cann brothers, and Sean Og O’ Neill.

Cargin keeper John Mc Nabb rules supreme in both his kicking out and despatching free whilst his opposite number Kevin Mullan has relatively little experience at this level but has been sound since taking up the keeper’s jersey.

Mick McCann and his brother Tomas continue to have massive influences for the men from Toome and James Laverty and Justin Crozier add another layer of experience to a side with some emerging stars including Conhuir Johnston.

Ruairi Hagan, Fergal O’Kane, Deromt McAleese, Enda Lynn, Stephen Kelly and Oisin Doherty bring a wealth of talent to the Casement’s challenge as they face the formidable Erin’s own challenge.

Cargin will start Sunday’s decider as firm favourites and it is a title that they have earned but Casement’s have finally shaken off their semi-final hoodoo and this may allow them to play with the freedom that could see them push the champions all the way.

by thesaffrongael

In the lead up to Sunday’s Senior Championship final Cargin’s James Laverty speaks to the Saffron Gael

As reigning champions Erin’s Own prepare to face neighbours, Casement’s Portglenone in Sundays SFC Final at Corrigan, Cargin’s long serving defender, James Laverty shares his thoughts on the game with Paddy McIlwaine from the Saffron Gael.

Paddy: James how long have you been playing senior football for Cargin.

James: This will be my 16th year playing Senior football for Cargin. I made my Senior debut in 2009 when I was 17

Paddy: What honour have you won with Erin’s Own

James: I’ve won 7 Senior football championships and 3 U21 Football championships with Cargin.

Paddy: How long did you play for the County.

James: I played Senior for the county for 11 years. Unfortunately no honours but it was always my ambition to play for Antrim and it was a great honour to play for my county.

Paddy: Cargin are going for three in a row on Sunday has that been talked about in the weeks leading up to the final.

James: No there’s been no talk of it. Previous championship wins will have no bearing on Sundays result so we are just focussed on bringing the McNamee back to Cargin.

Paddy: Ronan Devlin took over from Damien Cassidy and the transition from trainer to manager seems to have run smoothly. Tell me about Ronan, Fabian Muldoon, JC and Kevin Doyle and the part they have played in that transition.

James: Damien did a fantastic job with us and was always going to be a tough act to follow. The transition was helped as Ronan, JC and Kevin were all involved with the club/team with Damien. Fabian added a new voice to the team and has been hugely influential in guiding the team back to another final. The amount of work these men put in behind the scenes is incredible and probably isn’t appreciated enough. They leave no stone unturned and have given us every opportunity to push ourselves further.

Paddy: Cargin face Portglenone in Sunday’s final. A new opponent for you but a team you will never the less be familiar with. Tell me your thoughts on Portglenone and the players you will have to contain if you are to win?

James: There has never been much between ourselves and Portglenone and we expect Sunday to be no different. I’ve played with a number of them over the years with the county and they always produce quality players. The likes of Niall Delargy, Dermot McAlease, Niall McKeever and Oisin Doherty will cause any team problems. Portglenone are a young ambitious team and have proven this year they can step up when required. We fully expect to come up against our toughest test this year on Sunday.

Paddy: Who are the players who have stood out for you this year and what new players have emerged to stake a claim for a regular place in the side?

James: We’re very fortunate as a club to have a lot of young talent coming through. I could name a whole bunch of players putting their hand up for a starting place so hopefully Sunday we’ll see a few of them make their mark on the game.

Paddy: Add anything else you feel is relevant and your thoughts on how you think the game will go and what will be the factors that might influence it.

James: I think it’s fantastic for both clubs to reach this stage of the championship. Portglenone and ourselves have made massive strides both on and off the pitch in developing the clubs and community. Hopefully on Sunday both teams can go out and put on a great final.

by thesaffrongael

St. Brigid’s goes two-tone for All Saints 

The staff and pupils of St. Brigid’s PS, Ballymena donned their black and white colours today for a very special morning assembly. They wanted to wish the players of the All Saints Senior Gaelic football team good luck as they try to land the title in Saturday’s Co. Antrim Intermediate Football Final. Many of the boys and girls (and staff) are players or have family connections with the club. So much so that several former St. Brigid’s pupils returned to their alma mater to receive the good luck wishes from the pupils of today. Cal O’Brien, Ciaran Campbell, Conal Killough, Charlie Metrustry, Ronan McKillop, Kavan Keenan and Jason Givens found themselves transported back in time as they received the cheers of the waiting children in the school assembly hall.

All Saints player, Kavan Keenan with his sister Cliodhna and son Tomas during his visit to St Brigid’s P.S. on Friday where he was a former pupil

The school had searched the archives and managed to find an array of photos of the former pupils taken during their time at the school and a power-point of memories ensured.  Special mention was made of Saints player Kavan Keenan to celebrate his recent announcement by the GAA as a Tailteann Cup All Star. Kavan will share this accolade with 14 others as one of the best 15 players across Ireland in this year’s competition. It was fitting that Kavan was able to receive the warmest of congratulations in the company of his younger sister Cliodhna who is a P7 pupil at the school and with his son Tomas who is in P1. 

Today’s event was a fitting way to link the old with the new and to celebrate the special relationship between both the All Saints Club and the school community in the parish.   

Back in 2011 All Saints players brought ther IFC trophy to St. Brigid’s. Emmet Killough (Back Left) is still playing while some of the children in the photograph will be part of All Saints team on Saturday. Can you spot them?

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by thesaffrongael

All Saints Conor Stewart looks forward to Saturday’s IFC Final

The 2024 version of county final week is different for Conor Stewart. He is on the inside looking out this time.

One of a handful of key players missing from All-Saints’ defeat to Glenravel, Stewart recalls being there but he wasn’t really in the room.

Injured players are like that. You are there at training, offering a word of support and wishing everyone well. But you are not there. Not really.

Just 17 minutes into last season’s Tailteann Cup quarter-final win over Carlow in Corrigan Park, Stewart’s game was over. A knee injury followed by pain followed by worry followed by the dreaded few words.  His cruciate was torn.

Like Dermot McAleese, who was replaced before him with a jaw injury, Stewart’s first game looking over the whitewash was a double whammy.

It was a trip to Croke Park. Missing a chance to play on the hallowed turf was doubled up by watching on as Meath took advantage of Antrim failing to maintain a hold on the game.

By August, Stewart was under the knife before getting on the bumpy road back to covering the grass as one of those box-to-box players for club and county.

He is indebted to Antrim and physio Jason McAnulla. The fact the Omagh man endured two ACL injuries left Stewart in good company.

“That helped as well, Jason was someone that knew the niggles and the feelings I was going to get,” Stewart said. “I got a bit cautious at the start and he was just reassuring me.

“Over the 12 months, I was just working away with him. Then it would be sessions with Antrim and he’d be giving me the strength the conditioning work to do…guiding me through the whole return to play, so every step of the way.”

By the time All Saints qualified for last season’s intermediate final, Stewart, Paddy McAleer and Kavan Keenan – who was a hit in his first season with the Saffrons this year – were amongst the key players on manager Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley’s injury list.

In their absence, Glenravel had a smoother path to glory and All Saints – like after their defeat to Tír na nÓg in 2021 –   were the bridesmaids.

Conor Stewart in action for Antrim aginst Down early in 2023 before picking up a serious injury that has kept him out of action for over a year. Stewart is looking forward to Saturday’s IFC Final against St. Teresa’s where the Ballymena side will be playing in their third final in four years

You have to go back to 2011 for the most recent of three intermediate titles. Liam Cassley’s goal was the key score as they came from two points down at half-time to have five points to spare on Portglenone by the final whistle.

A teenage Peter McReynolds kicked two points. Fast forward 13 years and he has shaken off a career threatening injury to returning to training, making him an option this weekend.

Emmett Killough and Paddy McAleer were young guns who are still on board. The experienced trio of Sean McVeigh, Peter McNicholl and Michael McCarry are still on board.

“Those boys are probably hungry for another one (championship) but for us young boys, this is our third final in four years,” said Stewart.

They crave their medal. A Tír na nÓg team managed by Baker’s nephew Michael O’Kane beat them in 2021 decider. Conor Stewart’s three points from midfield wasn’t enough.

And last year is still fresh in the memory. More emptiness. Defeat lasts longer. It cuts deep. That’s the nature of sport.

“Sometimes Baker would say ‘county finals don’t come down too often’ without really thinking and then he’d remember about the others,” Stewart jokes.

It’s not something the All-Saints squad shy away from. They use those painful memories enough to channel into a message of Saturday being a chance to right the wrongs.

“I definitely found last year’s defeat hard…just having to watch on,” Stewart recalls. “We probably were up against it; it was a strong Glenravel team and we were down a few men.

“Don’t get me wrong, we’d still be disappointed and still feel we had opportunities on the day to go on and win it but I’m sure Baker’s happier with the squad he has this year.”

Ahead of the 2021 final, there were knocks. There was last year and a handful of key men injured and on the outside looking in.

All the while, Stewart was a sponge as Jason McAnulla walked him down the road to recovery and coming on for Patrick Ferris in the last league game of the season, a win over Aghagallon on the familiar grass of Quinn Park.

Stewart’s point, with virtually his first touch put Ballymena six points up and on their way to a sixth win on the bounce to secure third spot in Division One and a semi-final against St Paul’s.

They’d more than met their target of staying clear of any relegation worries. With a mere 16 players available during the peak of holiday season, Ballymena came up short.

Now it was championship time. After hammering Gort na Mona, they came a cropper to Sarsfields and a hotly disputed disallowed goal in a one-point defeat at the hands of Sarsfields in the Bear Pit.

It was a wake-up call of sorts and All Saints’ championship odyssey took them to a semi-final win over Division Two champions St Paul’s after a blistering start.

Now they’re back where it matters. Its county final week and St Teresa’s stand in the way of a fourth title coming back to the shadow of Slemish.

“It’s sort of different from playing senior league and then going into the intermediate championship,” Stewart admits.

“We played St. Teresa’s a year ago in the semi-final but we haven’t seen them at all this year so you’re sort of not knowing what to expect.

“With that, you can only really look at your own group and your own performance so it’s all about us performing on Saturday.

St Teresa’s will give as much as we will but we’re just looking at a performance on Saturday. If we turn up, hopefully we can do the business and get over the line.”

Conor Stewart’s county final week is different. Twelve months on, he is on the inside now. All-Saints will hope their team’s fortunes will be different too.