The team who won the Antrim Senior Reserve League in 2025 were the stars of the Ballycastle McQuillans dinner on Saturday night in the Marine Hotel and the team did not the side down as they celebrated their success with gusto . County chairman Seamus McMullan was there to hand over the trophy while County Camogie chairperson Una Kelly was there to hand over the individual awards to her own home club members. Club president John Sparrow Harkin was also in attendance, plus local Parish Priest Fr Daly.
Many thanks to club for presenting the Saffron Gael with a sponsorship cheque
Committee member Anthony Mcauley presents the Joe McDonagh Bronze Award for use and promotion of the Irish Language to his wife Patricia who is club’s Cultuaral OfficerCounty chairman Seamus McMullan presents the 2024 Most Improved U16 Hurler award to Luke Connolly.Antrim Camogie chairperson Una Kelly presents the 2024 Under 16 Camogie Player of the Year award to Cara Delaney at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Seamus McMullan presents the Most Improved Minor Hurler award to Tiernan Nagurski at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.County chairman Seamus McMullan presents the 2024 Under 16 Hurler of the Year award to Cadhan Crawford at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Seamus McMullan presents the Most Improved Minor Hurler award to Tiernan Nagurski at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Una Kelly presents the Most Improved Junior Player Award to Orlagh Mooney who accepted it on behalf of Grainne O’Neill who was unable to attendCounty chairman Seamus McMullan Presents the Senior Reserve Hurling League trophy to team captain Reuben McClean at the Ballycastle McQuillans dinner in the Marine Hotel.The Minor Hurler of the Year award was shared between three players in 2025. Receiving their awards from County Board Chairman Seamus McMullan and Camogie Board Chairperson Una Kelly are Darragh Donnelly, Niall McClean and Conor Donnelly.The Ballycastle two who won the Senior Reserve Hurling League in 2025, received their medals at the club’s annual awards night in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle. Included is team manager Barry Kelly.Una Kelly presents the Junior Camogie Player of the Year award to Shannon McQuillanUna Kelly presents the Senior Reserve Camogie Player of the Year award to Fionnuala Toner.Una Kelly presents the Most Improved Senior Camogie Player of the Year award to Eimear McCaughan at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Una Kelly presents the Senior Camogie Player of the Year award to Elen McIntosh,Senior Reserve team captain Reuben McClean serenades his team after picking up the trophy.Most Improved Senior Hurler of the Year Gavin MacToal is seen here with County Chairman Seamus McMullan.Anthony McAuley presents a sponsorship cheque to the Saffron Gael at the McQuillan’s Ballycastle dinner in the Marine Hotel.Seamus McMullan presents the Senior Hurler of the Year Award to Seamus McAauley at the Ballycastle dinner in the Marine Hotel.Anthony and Patricia McAuley family with their sons Seamus and Oisin at the Ballycastle dinner
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Despite missing a good fe regulars, Antrim Senior Champions St John’s relied on their experience and the dead-ball accuracy of Oisin McManus to edge out Belfast neighbours St Gall’s in a highly entertaining Hurling for Hunger pre-season final at the Bog Meadows on Sunday.
St Gall’s, who compete in the Intermediate Championship and Division 2, punched well above their weight. Refusing to be intimidated by the county champions, they delivered a stellar performance that went right down to the wire, ultimately falling just three points short by the final whistle.
The champions started brightly, registering two quick points in the opening minute through a James Wilson strike from play and the first of many Oisin McManus frees. St Gall’s settled quickly, however, with Dubhaltach Wilson opening their account in the 3rd minute.
What followed was a tit-for-tat opening quarter. Mark Napier proved a constant threat for St Gall’s, splitting the posts from play and from frees to keep his side right in the mix. Whenever St John’s threatened to pull away—buoyed by points from Tomas Adams and a magnificent long-range effort from Man of the Match Caolan Wilson inside his own half—St Gall’s found an answer.
Michael Marlow and Dubhaltach Wilson slotted crucial points for the challengers, but a late flurry from St John’s, featuring points from Aaron Bradley and a pair of McManus frees, ensured the Senior champions took a 0-13 to 0-10 advantage into the dressing room.
St Gall’s came out roaring after the restart. Fergus Donnelly ignited their second-half charge with an immediate point, and despite a response from St John’s full-forward Michael Bradley, the Intermediate side hit a purple patch. Donnelly struck again from distance, and Dubhaltach Wilson added another to tie the game up at 14 points apiece by the 9th minute.
When Mark Napier brought St Gall’s level in the 11th minute, an upset looked distinctly possible and when St Gall’ grabbed a great goal through Dubhaltach Wilson in the 24th minute they were back in contention.
However, true champions don’t panic. St John’s responded immediately with a phenomenal long-range point into the breeze from center-back Conall Morgan. Down the stretch, the game opened up in a frenetic climax. Napier and Ewan Rush kept the scoreboard ticking for St Gall’s, but St John’s dug deep. Caolan Wilson added another crucial point, and Oisin McManus held his nerve, punishing St Gall’s indiscipline with flawless free-taking.
The champions finished strong and sealed another piece of silverware, securing with a hard-fought three-point victory.
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Despite both sides being short a good few regular starters due to senior and Under-20 county commitments, Cushendall and Loughgiel served up a highly competitive and thoroughly enjoyable McAuley Cup pre-season semi-final in Armoy. Cushendall ultimately held off a spirited second-half comeback from Loughgiel to secure a two-point victory, winning 1-17 to 1-15.
Loughgiel was first on the scoreboard just ninety seconds in with a well-taken point from play by Christy McGarry. However, Cushendall responded emphatically moments later when Sean McAfee found the back of the net to give the Ruairi Og men an early lead. The game quickly settled into a shootout. Tiago McGarry pointed for Loughgiel to settle them down, but Cushendall’s Joe McNaughton began to exert his influence, knocking over a point from play and shortly after converting a free. Padraig McKillop and Fergus McCambridge added to Cushendall’s tally, keeping them comfortably in front. Midway through the half, Loughgiel’s Cahal Hargan found his rhythm, scoring from a 65 and converting two frees to keep his side in touch. Teammates Connal McCloskey and Eoin McGarry also registered scores from play. However, Cushendall finished the half strongly. Points from Nicholas McLaughlin and a brace from Oisin Woodhouse ensured they went into the break with a four-point cushion, leading 1-11 to 0-10.
Loughgiel came out firing after the restart. Declan McCloskey pointed from play in the opening minute, followed by another Hargan free, cutting the deficit to two. A pivotal moment came ten minutes into the half when Cushendall introduced the experienced Neill McManus for Ed McQuillan. McManus made an immediate impact, pointing from play less than two minutes after coming on to steady the Cushendall ship. Loughgiel refused to fade as Christy McGarry grabbed his second point of the day. The game was then blown wide open in the 46th minute when Cahal Hargan breached the Cushendall defense for a crucial Loughgiel goal, leveling the momentum.
The final quarter was a tense, tit-for-tat battle. Padraig McKillop notched his second for Cushendall, but Declan McCloskey stepped up massive for Loughgiel, converting a free and then scoring from play to keep the pressure on. In the dying minutes, Cushendall’s discipline and experience shone through. Joe McNaughton punished Loughgiel infractions by slotting two late frees, bringing his personal tally to an impressive haul. Midfielder Darragh Bradley then sealed the deal with a fantastic point from play in the 57th minute, putting Cushendall just out of reach before the final whistle.
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Antrim minors got their Ulster League campaign up and running when they entertained Donegal on Saturday at Dunsilly with the Saffrons producing a solid performance but in the end they were forced to share the points with the Tir Connaill outfit in a game they should have won.
Despite playing into the breeze, Mark McFerran and Daire Thornbury fired Antrim into an early two point lead before the visitor’s replied through Mark Anthony McGuinness, Danny Og Cooney and Callum Dorrian to take the lead with 7 minutes gone.
Tom Convery converted a ‘45’ into the stiff breeze and a fine point from the impressive Sean McCormack had the boys in Saffron ahead once more but again Donegal responded through Tadhd McDaid, Darragh O’Hare (f) and Lewis Cunnea to move two ahead by the 17th minute.
Dara Campbell, who had a fine game at mid-field for the hosts, responded for Antrim with Danny Og Cooney and Darragh O’Hare 2pt on target for the visitors and Tom Convery punishing a breech at the other end to leave Donegal 0-10 to 0-6 ahead at the break but with the breeze to face in the second half.
Antrim looked in a bit of trouble when Tadhd McDaid from play and then from a free extended the visitors lead at the start of the second half but they replied through Joey Griffin 2 pointer and another from Thomas Douthert to get their second half up and running.
The Saffrons were then punished as the ball was moved forward after a disputed free which O’Hare converted but they responded in the best possible way with Mark McFerran, Daire Thornbury and Aodhan O’Hanlon on target at the other end.
Indiscipline began to creep into the Antrim play though it has to be said that a number of the frees against them were of the soft variety and ace free taker, Darragh O’Hare took advantage with four on the bounce with Dara Campbell hitting a 2 pointer and a single from play to keep the home side in touch.
A great point from Sean McCormack had the side’s level going into injury time but again they were punished for an indiscretion, much to the annoyance of the home support, which O’Hare converted.
It looked as good as over at this stage but the young Saffrons showed tremendous fighting spirit and Daire Thornbury became their hero as he split the posts in the 34th minute to give them a share of the spoils.
Antrim: 1 Niall Quinn, 2 Braden O’Donnell, 3 Shea McLarnon, 4 Conor McArt, 5 Sean McCormack, 6 Thomas Douthert, 7 Conal Wilson, 8 Dara Campbell, 9 Sean McMullan, 10 Tiernan Lee, 11 Mark McFerran, 12 Joey Griffin, 13 Aodhan O’Hanlon, 14 Tom Convery, 15 Daire Thornbury.
Subs: 17 Sean McPeake for Joey Griffin, 23 Nathan Burns for Conal Wilson
Donegal: 1 Ronan O’Donnell, 2 Niall McBrearty, 3 Mark Wilkinson, 4 Raynne Rowan, 5 Thomas McHugh, 6 Conor Griffin, 7 Fionan Coyle, 8 Tadhd McDaid, 9 Shay McNulty, 10 Aaron McGinley, 11 Mark Anthony McGuinness, 12 Lewis Cunnea, 13 Darragh O’Hare, 14 Danny Og Cooney, 15 Callum Dorrian
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Waterford maintained their impressive momentum in the Centra National League Division 1A with a commanding ten-point victory over Antrim at All Saints. While the final scoreline of 1-16 to 0-9 suggested a comfortable outing for the Deise, the Saffrons put up a spirited performance that proved they can compete at this elite level. For the Antrim faithful, the most significant highlight was the second-half introduction of Roisin McCormick, who made her first appearance of the season to inject some much-needed energy into the home side’s attack.
The game began with Waterford firmly in control, despite Antrim having the advantage of a strong breeze. The visitors dominated possession and territory in the opening twenty minutes, while Antrim struggled to find their rhythm, registering five wides, one of them a clear goal chance, before Nicole McAtamney eventually opened their account from a free. A controversial goal after eight minutes set the tone for the half; Lorraine Bray’s shot appeared to be drifting over the bar, but after a goalmouth scramble involving Catriona Graham, the umpire raised the green flag to give Waterford a 1-1 to 0-0 lead.
Antrim showed great character to stay in touch, with McAtamney’s clinical free-taking reducing the deficit. There were missed opportunities for both sides to find the net before the interval; McAtamney saw a penalty loft over the bar, while Maggie Gostl was denied at the other end by a desperate Antrim defense. By the time the halftime whistle blew, Waterford held a steady 1-7 to 0-4 lead, though the home side remained within striking distance.
The second half saw a tactical shift for Antrim with the introduction of Roisin McCormick and Katie McKillop, which provided the hosts with more physical presence in the forward line. This paid immediate dividends as McAtamney added two further frees, and Lucia McNaughton notched Antrim’s only point from open play in the 43rd minute. At that stage, the gap stood at just six points, and it seemed a comeback might be on the cards as the game entered the final quarter.
However, Waterford’s depth and experience ultimately told. As Antrim’s energy began to wane, the Waterford bench provided a late surge that killed off any hopes of a home upset. The Deise rattled off a series of points to stretch their lead, while Antrim could only manage a single late free from Eobha McAllister. The result leaves Antrim at the bottom of a highly competitive table on score difference, but the performance—and the return of their star forward—provides plenty of optimism ahead of their next clash against Galway.
Scorers & Teams
Antrim: N McAtamney 0-8 (fs), L McNaughton 0-1, É McAllister 0-1 (f). Waterford: L Bray 1-2, N Rockett 0-5 (3fs), L Forrest 0-2 (1f), E O’Neill 0-2, B Carton 0-2, R Kirwan 0-2, K Corbett-Barry 0-1.
Antrim Team: C Graham, C Patterson, N Cosgrove, D Dobbin, C McKillop, K Molloy, S Heggarty, A Boyle, E McAllister, M Kelly, L McNaughton, N McAtamney, A Ferris, J McIntosh, C Griffin. Subs used: R McCormick, K McKillop, S O’Neill, C Conlon, O McAllister, A O’Donnell.
Waterford Team: B O’Regan, I Heffernan, C Carroll, A McNulty, R Walsh, K Corbett-Barry, O Hickey, L Bray, L Forrest, E O’Neill, B Carton, B Bowdren, N Rockett, M O’Brien, M Gostl. Subs used: A O’Sullivan, R Kirwan, S Lacey, C Sherlock, R Farrell.
Referee: G Donegan (Dublin)
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