Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Late start but good finish for Antrim Masters

Masters Ulster Football league

Antrim 0-14 Derry 1-8

This Masters game between Antrim and Derry was held up for nearly an hour when the Down referee got lost on his journey from Newry to Slemish Park but the Antrim search party finally located him and the action got under way.

Derry won the corresponding fixture last year but under the guidance of Portglenone man, Frank Delargy and his trainer, Timmy Connolly the Saffrons are a different animal this year.

They took an early lead through a Mark Graham converted free but that score was quickly cancelled out by Jimmy O’Connor with a good point at the other end.

Kevin Gallagher restored the Antrim lead following a strong run before Darren Cunning brought matters all square for the second time following a Mark in the 6th minute.

Antrim’s Tony Scullion evades the challenge of Derry’s Eugene Scullin

Rasharkin’s Brendan Etherson gave the home side the lead for the third time but the Saffrons were lucky when Colin Brady got back to clear a goal bound shot to Sean McGreevey’s net.

Spurred on by Brady’s intervention the home side started to get on top as they moved the ball around with confidence and they started to create a bit of space through their strong running half-back line of Tony Scullion, Michael Herron and Sean Kelly.

Points from Scullion, Mark Graham and Kevin McAllister saw them move four ahead by the 13th minute before Gavin Diamond briefly halted the run from a Derry free.

Sean Kelly extended the Antrim lead to four once more and Banty Mullin and Liam Magee exchanged further points to leave Antrim leading 0-8 to 0-4 at the break and good value for their lead.

The Saffrons extended their lead through Liam Magee with a point on the restart with Darren Mohan replying for the Oak Leaf County but it was Antrim who continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges.

Ryan Boyd replied from a free and Michael Herron got forward for a good point to extend the Antrim lead to six with ten minutes gone and Donal Brolly and Kevin McAllister exchanged further points as the men in Saffron continued to hold the upper hand.

Kevin McGuckin, Derry breaks clear of Antrim’s Mark Graham

Antrim were looking fairly comfortable at this stage but were rocked when Steven McGuigan was on hand to finish to the net from close range after the home defence failed to deal with a high delivery into the danger area.

Dunloy man, McAllister edged his side four ahead again with ten minutes remaining but Antrim were forced to endure a few anxious moments as the visitors went route one in search of another goal.

A pointed free from Gavin Diamond would be as close as Derry got however as Antrim held on for a three point win to maintain their great start to this year’s Ulster League campaign.

Antrim Panel: Sean McGreevey, Colin Connolly,Adrian Scullion, Colin Brady, Tony Scullionb, Kevin Herron, Sean Kelly, Brendan Etherson, Ken Golde, Liam Magee, Declan McLarnon, Kevin Gallagher, Kevin McAllister, Mark Graham, Ryan Boyd, Tony Convery, Niall Sweeney, Declan Hasson, Damien Casey, James McGreevey, Mickey Donnelly, Aidan Dunlop

Derry Panel: Pearse McCallan, Seamus O’Kane, Philly Mooney, Marty McGuinness, Paul Carlin, Brian Mullan, Donal Brolly, Kevin McGuckin, Eddie McLaughlin, Eugene Scullin, Jimmy O’Connor, Paul Mc Closkey, Darren Cunning, Gavin Diamond, Ciaran Mullan, 16 Joe Brady, 17 Liam McElhone, 18 Stephen McGuigan, 20 Daryl Mohan, 21 Brian Scullin, 22 C Murphy

For more pics from this game by Bert Trowlen and Paddy McIlwaine click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/CAUC72r9eAox6A/?invite=24b828eb-081f-4625-bda4-daaecd353583

A few anxious moments for Frank Delargy, Timmy Connolly and Ken Golde as Antrim come under pressure late in the game
Antrim’s Tony Convery, Declan Casey and assistant manager Timmy Connolly with today’s match ball that was sponsored by Advanced Roofline
by thesaffrongael

Excellent St Brigid’s collect their first Division One League title

 ACFL Division 1 Final                                                                          

 St Brigid’s 2-10 Erin’s Own Cargin 0-11

Goals wins prizes is the old adage and indeed such rang true at Dunsilly on Friday evening past as a couple of majors in the Division One league decider from Niall Duffy and Jack Dowing proved decisive as St Brigid’s took delivery of the Eddie Fitzsimmons memorial trophy for the first time in their history.

Both teams took a time to settle to the task on hand with the sides exchanging early scores with Tomas Cann’s opening point finding reply in kind from Conor Mc Aleer.

Both sides were guilty of missed opportunities but after Cargin net minder John Mc Nabb despatched a 13th minute ‘45’ between the posts the reply from the city lads was quick and decisive.

James Smith pointed to bring St Brigid’s back on terms and in the next few minutes they took the lead.

A Conan Mc Nicholl point gave them a two point advantage and a mix up in the Cargin defence opened the way for Jack Duffy to find the net before corner forward Mc Nicholl followed with a point to put St. Brigid’s a 1-04 to O-02 ahead.

St Brigid’s were now dictating matters and finished the half strongly with Paddy Finnegan and Rory Mc Erlean raising further white flags with an Enda Mc Grogan’s point at the other end for the Toome men their only reply and at the short whistle St Brigid’s led 1-06 to 0-03 and were good value for their lead.

Th second half saw the South Belfast men nip smartly out of the start traps with a Conan Mc Aleer point in the 33rd minute but a foul on Jamie Gribbin was punished when Tomas Mc Cann delivered the resultant free kick between the posts.

McCann added another following another foul on the lively Gribbin and the South West sidewere starting to look more up for the fight.

Jamie Gribbin added another in the 38th minute as Cargin enjoyed a spell of dominance but St Brigid’s responded with  a second major when corner forward Conan Mc Nicholl fired to the back of the net after fielding a cross from Reuben Carelton and the game had swung back in favour of the Musgrave Park side.

St Brigid’s now led 2-09 to 0-06 and looked to have secured their first league title unless Cargin could pull something out of the fire.

Another point from the accurate boot of net minder John McNabb offered some hope but St. Brigid’s replied with a point from  Conor McAleer before being reduced in number when centre back Shea Downey picked up a second yellow card.

Tomas McCann added a point from a placed effort following a foul on Ronan Devlin and Callum Gribbin followed with another and when his brother Jamie made it three on the bounce the Toome men had posted notice they were not about to quietly leave the stage.

Cargin, who were missing quite a number of regulars looked to the their bench in the latter stages with Gerard Mc Corley, Diarmuid Quinn and Michael Clarke entering the fray and a foul on Jamie  Gribbin saw John McNabb deliver between the posts.

That was as close as they got as St Brigid’s stood firm despite losing Conor Downey to a red card but by this stage the league title was on its way to Musgrave Park for the first time.

St Brigid’s: Declan Heery, John Toner, Joe Finnegan, R Boyle, Reuben Carelton, Shea Downey (0-01), Shay Campbell, Jack Dowling (1-00), Michael Cummings, Niall Duffy (0-01), Patrick Finnegan, James Smith (0-01), Conan Mc Nicholl (1-03), Conor Mc Aleer (0-02), Rory Mc Erlean (0-01)

Subs

Ben Doherty for Ronan Boyle

Brian Mc Gurk for Reuben Carleton

Conor Downey for R McErlean

FGergal Sherry for Patrick Finnegan

Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-03) Paudie Mc Laughlin, Kevin Mc Shane, Ronan Gribbin, Ronan Devlin, James Laverty, Jack Harney, Gerard Mc Cann, John Carron, Callum Gribbin (0-01), Jamie Gribbin (0-02), Enda Mc Groggan (0-01), Tomas Mc Cann (0-04),

Referee: Paddy Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

For more of Bert and Paddy’s photos from the game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/LE7E7jzFWcuJrk/?invite=adb4e1be-eb47-4da3-bce0-da54c0a252ff

by thesaffrongael

Kevin Cashman RIP

Just heard the sad news that my old friend Kevin Cashman passed away on Tuesday night. Many of the people reading this will probably never heard of Kevin, but those of a certain age will remember his writings about the game of hurling, to me the greatest ever scribe about the beautiful game.

I haven’t heard much of him for many years now but the day after the brilliant Cork v Limerick All Ireland semi-final my good friend Noel and I were saying what a pity it was that Kevin wasn’t still writing about the game, for he had such a great way of describing such days, especially when his native Cork were involved.

It was Noel who first brought Cashman to my attention when he showed me an article the Cork man had written in the Magill magazine about the 1980 Munster hurling final, when Limerick beat Cork in a classic game in Thurles. The standard may have been a good bit short of the classic fare we witnessed two weeks ago in Croke Park, but it was a great contest nonetheless, with great displays from Eamon Creggan, Ollie O’Connor and Joe McKenna for the Treaty men, who ran out winners by four points – 2-14 to 2-10.

Kevin Cashman with Antrim hurler Ger Rogan in the Grand Hotel, Mallahide after the Saffrons win over Offaly in the All Ireland semi-final in 1989 and below with Antrim goalkeeper Niall Patterson

Kevin didn’t study journalism and got into it in a roundabout way. When the Cork legend Christy Ring died Magill magazine carried an article on the hurling legend. When Cashman read it he was not impressed and contacted Magill venting his displeasure. The magazine’s editor Vincent Browne got back to him and told him if he thought he could do better go ahead and write one yourself. Cashman did just that and so started a great career writing exclusively about hurling… he was not a fan of the big ball game. After a while he joined the Sunday Tribune and for a spell the Irish Independent and wrote extensively about the game for many years, though he didn’t always get along with the editors he worked under.

Cashman with Gerry Burns and the late Rita Caulfield at Clute’s All Star celebration night in Armoy Parochial Hall in 1989

I first met Kevin Cashman at the north Antrim dinner in the Thornlea Hotel in October 1983. Loughgiel had won their first All Ireland title earlier that year and he came up to do a piece on the win. He was always a champion of the underdog and had a great grá for Antrim hurling. He had many trips up here after that and was great friends with Liam McGarry in the Pound Bar in Loughgiel. There were many late night discussions with Liam, Ita and the family in the kitchen after the bar had closed. The McGarry’s were great Galway followers and to be honest Kevin was not particularly fond of the Tribemen, so there were a lot of heated arguments, but everyone always parted as friends.

In 1989 after Antrim beat Offaly in the All Ireland semi-final he came out to the Grand Hotel in Malahide after the game along with the team and ended up coming up to Antrim for a week after the semis.

In Thurles 1984

He had many trips to the Pound over the years after that, and when Liam McGarry sadly passed away suddenly in January 2005 Kevin travelled up to the funeral. That was his last visit as far as I am aware and though I met him occasionally at big games in Croke Park they were only short chats now and then. In later years he fell into ill health and sadly he lost his fight for life just two days ago.

Kevin Cashman was a genius who wrote about the game of hurling better than anyone I ever read. Over the years when many of the southern scribes were taking a dig at Antrim hurling, Casman was always there, keeping up our corner. It is ironic that he passed away just days before Cork take on Clare in the All Ireland final.

To his family and friends we at the Saffron Gael offer our sincere condolences.

The bright light of heaven to you Kevin boy!

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Masters face Derry on Saturday in Ballymena

Antrim and Derry masters will lock horns in an eagerly awaited contest in Round 5 of the All Ireland Gaelic Masters Series at All Saints GAC on Saturday.

Both sides have only lost one match to date in this seasons campaign, and have sights firmly set on reaching the play offs in a few weeks-time. Antrims sole defeat was to Donegal, whilst claiming victories against Monaghan Louth and Armagh. The Oak Leafs only defeat was in Round 3 when Tyrone, back to back winners in recent years took the spoils.

Antrim Masters assistant manager Timmy Connolly is hoping for a large crowd to get behind the home county at his club pitch at All Saints, but was respectful of the threat posed by Derry, who won the Shield competition last year under the management of Ronan Rocks and James McGrath last season.

“Frankie and myself are trying to raise the profile of masters football in Antrim this year and we are making good progress, but Derry have been there and done it, so if nothing else Saturday will give us a clearer picture of how far we have come”.

Raymond Wilkinson, Paul McFlynn, Kevin McGuckian, Paddy Bradley and Gavin Diamond are just some of the big names that are expected to line out for the visitors, whilst this seasons new Antrim management team expect to be able to rely on the services of Antrim legends such as amongst others, Sean McGreevy, Kieran Close, Ryan Boyd, Michael Herron, Tony Convery, Sean Kelly, Colin Brady, and Tony Scullion.

Special thanks to Advanced Roofline who kindly sponsor the match ball.

Glenravel and Moneyglass play off in a division one relegation match afterwards… all roads leading to the All Saints Club on Saturday afternoon.

by thesaffrongael

Ballycran retain their place in Division 1 after a thriller at Dunsilly

Division 1-2 Relegation-Promotion Play-Off

Shane O’Neill’s 2-17 Ballycran 2-21

Ballycran and Glenarm served up a superb hours hurling in this Division 1-2 Relegation-Promotion play-off at Dunsilly on Wednesday night with the Down men retaining their division 1 status for next season.

They were pushed to the pin of their collar however by a Shane O’Neill’s side who were playing division 3 and Junior Championship hurling only two years ago and were still in contention for Division 2 honours going into the final game of their league campaign before being piped by Carey Faughs.

The men from the Ards peninsula found themselves in danger of relegation from Division 1 following a league campaign where they were forced to field without their county players but with these men back in harness they were expected to deal comfortably with the men from Feystown.

That notion was quickly dispelled when Glenarm raced into an early two point lead through Niall McGarel and Ciaran Magill by the third minute though Ballycran might well have taken the lead themselves but Christopher Egan struck an upright after 20 seconds.

The Ards men were back on level terms by the 5th minute as Scott Nicholson and Conor Woods split the posts but Shane O’Neill’s were growing in confidence and Conal Ward pointed them ahead once more.

Paul Sheehan drew the side’s level for the second time and Ciaran Magill set up Michael Furey for the game’s opening goal before Egan replied with a point at the other end as the intensity of the exchanges increased.

The Down men might have been back on terms but Michael Abram pulled off a fine save to deny Egan before McGarel edged the North Antrim men three ahead after 12 minutes.

Ciaran Magill added a point to move his side four in front and at this stage a minor upset looked on the cards but Ballycran hit back with a goal from Ayrton Gleeson after an astute hand pass from Christopher Egan.

The Ards side hit a purple patch with Conor Woods 0-2 and Christopher Egan adding points before Steven Gilliland followed up to finish to the net from close range after Michael Abram had denied Niall Breen.

It was the men from Feystown who would finish the half on the front foot as Dylan McLaughlin, Darren Hamill and Niall McGarel 0-2 closed the gap to two at the short whistle.

Glenarm might well have taken the lead in the opening stages of the second half but Kieth in the Ballycran goals brought off a good save to deny McGarel in the opening minute with Michael Furey denied in the follow up at the expense of a ‘65’.

McGarel was off target from the resulting award but Darren Hamill followed from a great long range effort to reduce the deficit to two once more.

Ballycran looked to be taking control when they hit four unanswered points through Steven Gilliland, Conor Woods, Ethan Bell and a Paul Sheehan free before Hamill interrupted the run with a point for the Feystown side.

It provided only temporary respite however with Ballycran replying through Scott Nicholson, Niall Breen and Paul Sheehan to move 8 clear by the 12th minute and the game seemed to be slipping away from the division 2 men but they quite simply refused to roll over.

Dylan McLaughlin instigated another comeback with two excellent points and McGarel pointed a 20 meter free before Ciaran O’Boyle got in for a goal in the 21st minute to cut the deficit to two.

Substitute David Gilliland moved Ballycran three ahead once more and Sean O’Boyle and Dylan McLaughlin for the Antrim side and Woods, direct from a sideline cut and Sheehan from a 60 meter free exchanged further scores as the excitement continued to rise.

Niall McGarel from a a ‘65’ closed the gap to two once more and it still looked anyone’s game but it would be the county Down side who finished the stronger as Paul Sheehan and Christopher Egan added unanswered points in injury time to see them secure their place in the top grade for another season.

Glenarm will be disappointed at the final result but can take great heart from their performance over the hour and will surely be strong contenders in the forthcoming Intermediate championship.

Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Michael Abram, 2 Joshua Quinn, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 JKohn Scullion, 5 Aidan Scullion, 6 Darren Hamill, 7 Declan McDermott, 8 Kieran O’Boyle, 9 Daniel Black, 10 Dylan McLaughlin, 11 Ciaran Magill, 21 Michael Furey, 13 Conal Ward, 14 Niall McGarel, 15 Sean O’Boyle.

Ballycran: 1 Stephen Kieth, 2 Brad Watson, 3 Cormac McAlister, 4 Aaron Dorrian, 5 Brett Nicholson, 6 Sean Ennis, 7 Michael Hughes, 8 Scott Nicholson, 9 Ethan Bell, 10 Niall Breen, 11 Conor Woods, 12 Paul Sheehan, 13 Steven Gilliland, 14 Ayrton Gleeson, 15 Christopher Egan

Referee: Tarlach Conway

FOR MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/fpLVtGNNFLYvUK