Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

First win could ignite St. Ergnat’s season

ACFL Division 1

St. James Aldergrove 0-11  St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass 2-14

It’s taken a time for St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass to collect their first points of the season but on Thursday night in Crumlin they did it in style as they overcame the challenge of St. James’ Aldergrove.

The visitors were keen to put a difficult period behind them as they took the game to the home side right from the start with Paul Duffin, Colm Duffin 0-2 and Aidan McErlain kicking them into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 12th minute.

McErlain added another to move St. Ergnat’s five ahead before Fearghal Hanna finally opened St. James’ account with a point in the 16th minute.

Aldergrove would manage only two further first half points through Hanna and a Seamus McGarry free as a rejuvenated Moneyglass continued to build up a lead with Connlaodh McCann 0-2, Colm Duffin, Seanchan Duffin, Jimmy McMeel and Conor Boyd all on target as they moved 0-10 to 0-3 ahead at the interval.

St. James needed a good start to the second half if they were to make inroads into the Moneyglass lead and when they kicked the first three points through Cormac McGarry 0-2 and Declan Gough things appeared to be going to plan.

Conor Boyd opened the Moneyglass second half account with a point in the 6th minute but Seamus McGarry reduced the deficit to four again as Sean Boyd replaced Eamon Kelly in the St. Ergnat’s side.

The visitors needed a lift at this stage and Kevin McCann provided it as he fired home the game’s opening goal in the 14th minute but Aldergrove replied with points from Cormac McGarry and Declan Gough to keep in contention.

Both sides were giving it everything as Colm Duffin and Seanchan Duffin on target for the visitors and Brian McQuillan, Declan Gough and Seamus McGarry keeping the Crumlin side’s fading hopes alive with points at the other end.

Then came a somewhat bizarre moment with time almost up and Aldergrove pressing forward in numbers in search of a goal. The visitors forced a turnover and with St. James’ keeper Ryan McCarthy stranded around mid-field, Dermot McErlain sent his shot into an empty net to conclude the night’s scoring.

A good win for Benny Marron’s side and one that will surely ignite their season and on this performance they look capable of climbing up the table.

Aldergrove: 1 Ryan McCarthy, 2 Conleith O’Toole, Emmet Irivine, 4 Eoin Gough, 5 Conor Browning, 6 Chris McVeigh, 7 Gerald Mallon, 8 Brian McQuillan, 9 Oisin Graham, 10 Declan Gough, 11 Fearghal Hanna, 12 James Trowlen, 13 Cormac McGarry, 14 Seamus McGarry, 15 Andy Flood.

St. Ergnat’s: 1 Daniel McErlain, 2 Colm McStocker, 3 Diarmuid Scullin, 4 James McCormick, 6 Paul Duffin, 7 Connlaodh McCann, 8 Connor O’Kane, 9 Dermott McErlain, 10 Jimmy McMeel, 11 Seanchan Duffin, 12 Eamon Kelly, 13 Conor Boyd, 14 Colm Duffin, 15 Aidan McErlain, 16 Rory Gribbon, 17 Matthew Mullen. 19 Sean Boyd, 23 Kevin McCann

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Gaelfast All Star LGFA and Camogie

Yesterday we released the last of this academic years All-Stars. We know it isn’t easy getting cover, transport and teams out. I would like to thank yourself and your school for the continued support, flexibility and drive to make our Antrim Cup competitions and celebrations a massive success.  

As highlighted in previous emails, we would like the school to bring their winning All-Stars (Year 9 LGFA and Camogie) to St Mary’s University College on Wednesday 15th May to be presented with their All-Star Jersey.  There will be tea & coffee available for teachers/school staff from 130pm – 1.50pm and the presentations will start at 2pm sharp.

We will have Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy in attendance to celebrate thew event with us all & photographer available to capture individual and team photos, these will be shared with schools after the event and posted on our social media (Official Antrim GAA, Gaelfast Facebook & The Saffron Gael Facebook pages).  The winners (See attachments) will bring their jersey back to school or home with them after the event.

Due building works in St Marys University College, we will have a limited capacity in the lecture theatre 3 (LT3), we are also currently unable to accommodate anyone who needs assisted access into LT3 (Chair lift waiting to be fixed)

Parking will be available at the back of the campus via Beechmount Ave entrance.

Please confirm your attendance via the link below and see attachments for other information.

by thesaffrongael

We Want a Reaction!

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Antrim v Wexford

Date: Saturday 27 April 2024

Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast – Throw In: 3pm

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to the Saffrons clash with Wexford in the Leinster Championship

Antrim’s Leinster Championship journey see’s them welcome Wexford to Corrigan Park on Sunday after what is certain to have been a soul-searching week for Darren Gleeson’s men.

While Antrim tasted defeat against Kilkenny, Wexford will have come away from their opening round match against Dublin with a feeling of loss given how their match ended.  Two goals in injury time at the end of the 70 minutes from Danny Sutcliffe and Cian O’Sullivan gave the Dubs a share of the spoils.  With Lee Chin looking at his ridiculous best and ably assisted by Rory O’Connor with the likes of Conor McDonald coming off the bench in that game, this is sure to be another huge task for the Saffrons.

Gerard Walsh makes a return from injury and lines out at right half back

When these sides last met at Corrigan Park, it was one of the great games of the modern day that had everything.  It finished in a draw with Keelan Molloy sending over an equalizing score in the depths of injury time to send the limited numbers in Corrigan Park into a frenzy and the teams with a share of the league points.  It was a helter-skelter game of hurling and one you daren’t take your eyes off.  Red cards, side line ‘discussions’, huge scores and brilliant turnovers.  It was a game that Antrim rallied in the second half having trailed by five at half time but looked to have lost their momentum with the second half water break (thank God they’re no longer in the game).

It was a match that no one really wanted to finish but a match that no one deserved to lose.  For all of Antrim’s brilliance in that second half, Wexford were equally as good in the first.

When the sides met in the Leinster Championship last year in Wexford Park, the home side took the honors with four points separating the sides (1-30 to 1-26).  It was another game where Antrim started poorly and trailed by nine at half time (1-19 to 1-10) but a super second half saw them reel the yellow bellies in and the home side had to rely on late scores from Rory O’Connor and Richie Lawler at the death to fend off the Saffrons charge.

Niall O’Connor moves from midfield to corner back

From the 15 that started that league game three years ago, Antrim will have seven changes for the weekend and three from the Kilkenny match.  Gerard Walsh and Conor Boyd come into the half back line with Keelan Molloy starting on the three-quarter line the changes from the last Sunday – Michael Bradley, Scott Walsh and Phelim Duffin taking their place on the list of substitutions named.

Having looked back and had some more time to digest the Kilkenny game, the home side’s execution of their own game plan was phenomenal whereas Antrim’s fell well short of what Gleeson and his backroom team would demand of them. 

Both teams set up similarly and went about their business likewise but where Kilkenny were excellent at finding the runners or man in space, too often Antrim’s delivery of ball into the final third was short or fumbled.  While you have to tip your hat to Kilkenny and Derek Lyng for how they went about their business, it just wasn’t good enough from an Antrim perspective.  It’s a game of risk and reward.  We’ve seen them get plenty of reward in recent times and when it comes off, it’s brilliant.  Last Sunday was the polar opposite.

Niall McKenna moves to full forward for the Wexford clash

There weren’t many who made the journey up the road again last Sunday with a plus mark beside their name.  James McNaughton, Eoghan Campbell and Nigel Elliott showed glimpses of quality but the manner of the second half capitulation was hugely worrying.

While Kilkenny were relentless, too many of those in a Saffron jersey were found wanting.  It was a chastening defeat and one that Gleeson will be looking for a reaction from.  It’s one that we all want to see a reaction from.   

Conal Cunning moves to corner forward for the clash with Wexford

Antrim Team vs Wexford: Ryan Elliott; Niall O’Connor, Ryan McGarry, Paddy Burke; Gerard Walsh, Conor Boyd, Conal Bohill; Eoghan Campbell, Seaan Elliott; Nigel Elliott, Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton; Conal Cunning, Niall McKenna, Conor McCann

Wexford team vs Dublin:

Mark Fanning; Shane Reck, Niall Murphy, Matthew O’Hanlon; Simon Donohoe, Damien Reck, Conor Foley; Conor Hearne, Liam Og McGovern; Cathal Dunbar, Kevin Foley, Rory O’Connor; Richie Lawlor, Lee Chin, Seamus Casey

Scorers: Lee Chin 1-12 (1-00 pen, 9f’s); Rory O’Connor 0-4; Mark Fanning 0-1; Conor Hearne 0-1; Cathal Dunbar 0-1; Conor McDonald 0-1; Cian Byrne 0-1

Keelan Molloy makes a welcome return against Wexford on Saturday
by thesaffrongael

Mickey Kelly R.I.P.

By Paddy McIlwaine

It was great sadness that we at the Saffron Gael learned this week of the death of one of Casement’s GAC, Portglenone’s great servants, Mickey Kelly. Trips to Kelly Park in Portglenone will not be quite the same for me and other members of our team.

Likely as not when I walked onto the pitch the first person to greet me was Mickey Kelly. Mickey would have been leaning over the fence, ready for a chat about the state of football in his beloved club and clubs around the county.

A knowledgable Gael who dedicated his whole life, first as a player, selector, committee member, chairman, County selector, groundsman and any other task he was asked to perform for his beloved Casements.

To his wife Morag, sons Patrick and Michael, daughter Anna, the extended family circle and his colleagues at Casements Portglenone we extent our deepest sympathy.

A Thiarna, deán trócaire air.

Mickey’s Funeral arrangements

https://www.funeraltimes.com/michael-mickykelly220147055?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1y4STvmRo1_FyvAHJLydZF1in-xiyi6F_JdSDIGYiCHudpf8WY5MQVO5o_aem_AfeStylcWTy7mqTO5ItRsh3IvGl4-_tm3p0Fa9Qc6L68ZEYrgMEzYVIWDtnNO8TV9MQaQ0IszALW5B8UIM_v6DOj

by thesaffrongael

Eamon Og points Tir na nOg to victory

ACFL Division 1

Tir na nOg 1-12 St. Enda’s 1-11

A point from Eamon Og McAllister in the 29th minute of the second half swung this evenly balanced contest at Whitehill in favour of Tir na nOg Randalstown and earned them both points against a St. Enda’s team who looked to be heading for victory earlier in the contest.

The Glengormley side had led for long periods and were four ahead with 16 minutes of the second half gone but the Whitehill side staged a late rally with Eamon Og applying the coup de grace with time almost up.

St. Enda’s opened brightly and led 0-4 to 0-1 after 8 minutes and were good value for that lead. Eamon Og McAllister was the man on target for the home side and a couple more from Darragh Fagan had it back to one with 11 minutes on the clock.

It looked to be turning in the Randalstown side’s favour when Fagan fired home the opening goal of the game to put his side ahead for the first time but St. Enda’s kept plugging away with only two separating the sides at the break.

The Glengormley side were back on terms a minute into the second half with the scores standing at 1-7 to 1-7 and at this stage they began to take control and would move four clear as the game entered the final quarter.

Darragh Fagan began the comeback and aided by the impressive Emmet Murray they had it back to one with 9 minutes of normal time remaining and the momentum was now very much with Ryan Jackman’s side.

Fagan brought it level from a free, 24 minutes into the second half and it looked like it was going to end that way but Eamon Og McAllister popped up with the winner with time almost up, much to the delight of the home support.