Posts by thesaffrongael

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

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Lámh Dhearg announce new partnership and senior presentation takes place at Beechlawns Hotel

Lámh Dhearg are delighted to announce that Lagmore Shopping Village have generously become a partner of the club.
Brian Smyth club Senior Liaison Officer commented that support of sponsors like Lagmore Shopping Village are such a valuable help to the club in helping the promotion and development of games and their support is greatly appreciated.
Kerry Fitzsimons from Lagmore Shopping Village added “ As we provide a valuable hub of shopping for the community we are delighted to be a partner of such an established club as Lámh Dhearg who are an integral part of
the local community as well”
The club would encourage all members to support Lagmore Shopping Village or any of our other many generous partners if the opportunity arises as they are all vital in facilitating the successful organisation of the club.

Kerry and David Fitzsimons donating a cheque of £1000 to Lámh Dhearg’s Senior Liaison Officer Brian Smyth on behalf of their father Harry and Lagmore Shopping Village .

On Saturday 28th February, Lámh Dhearg held their senior presentation dinner at the Beechlawns Hotel, acknowledging personal achievements from the 2025 season. The award winners are listed below

Awards

G4M&O Joanne Reilly

Handball Gerard Lynch

Hurling

U18 Conor mc Conville

U21 Callum Lappin

Reserve Michael McGarry

Senior Adam Murray

LGFA

Minor Lila McCann

Reserve Tamara Daly

Senior Ciara Larkin

Camogie

Minor Laoise Stone

Senior Raicheal Mulholland

Football

Minor Tiarnan Lee

U21 Aaron Kennedy

Reserve Aaron Ferris

Senior Ross Murray

Special awards

All Ireland Camogie Shield Champions

Amelie Annett

Aoife Fitzsimons

Cara Lynch

Laoise Stone

McGuigan Shield winners

Referee of Year Award Lauren Smyth

Cultural Award Brenna Armstrong & Loise Stone

Club person of the Year Peter Kane

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Antrim face tough task against Waterford

National Camogie League – Division 1

Antrim v Waterford at Quinn Park, Ballymena

Throw in – 1pm

It’s a strange sight in Division 1A: the two teams currently sitting below Antrim in the table—Galway and Cork—are the exact same counties that contested the last two All-Ireland deciders and last year’s league final.

While Antrim’s sensational victory over Cork in their last outing is the primary reason for this standings shake-up, it also serves as a stark warning. With an inferior scoring difference, the Saffrons are far from safe from relegation. To stay up, they will likely need to claim a second massive scalp, as it’s inevitable that both Cork and Galway will find another gear over the next three weekends.

Antrim rightly dominated the headlines after their shock win in Cork a fortnight ago, earning them live coverage from the Camogie Association for Staurday’s clash in Ballymena, however Waterford will be a formidable test.

Formidable Form: The Déise have already beaten both Cork and Galway in their opening two fixtures.
Key Threats: Fielding close to full-strength panels, Waterford has relied on the firepower of Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, and Abby Flynn to punch holes in elite defenses. Waterford is the ultimate blueprint for a team that has successfully climbed from junior to highly competitive senior status over the past decade. Crucially, they rarely lose to other counties trying to make that exact same journey.

While the two sides aren’t total strangers—having met in a Loughgiel championship clash a couple of years ago on a much faster pitch—Waterford will be bringing largely the same experienced squad north for this encounter.

Manager Elaine Dowds previously highlighted a costly “switch-off” period at the end of each half against Tipperary, which leaked around 2-6. While she admitted there was little time to correct it on the training ground before facing Cork, the subsequent two-week break should have given the squad vital time to regroup.

In a welcome boost, Róisín McCormick has rejoined the panel. However, ongoing injury concerns mean her actual game-time will likely be limited, if she features at all. Ultimately, if Antrim wants to take any points off Waterford, they will need to replicate the relentless, exhaustive work rate they showcased in Cork.

ANTRIM

Catriona Graham
Colleen Patterson
Niamh Cosgrove
Dearbhail Dobbin
Claire McKillop.
Katie Molloy.
Shannagh Heggarty
Amy Boyle
Aobha McAllister
Maeve Kelly.
Lucia McNaughton
Nicole McAtamney
Aimee Ferris
Janey McIntosh
Cliona Griffin

March 6, 2026March 6, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg coast into next round

O’Cahan Cup

Tir na nOg 5-8 St. James Aldergrove 0-4

Both sides went into this game missing players but it was Tir na nOg who proved the much more clinical and decisive in the scoring zone who would advance with something to spare at Whitehill on Friday night.

It was visitors, St. James Aldergrove who got off to the better start however as they raced into an early three point lead with Matthew MacGeady pointing them ahead and Corey Foggarty adding a fine 2 pointer by the third minute.

The Crumlin side, who will be playing their football in Division 2 this year only flattered to deceive however and the impressive Connor Hastings replied with two points at the other end before Connor McCamphill gave them the lead with the game’s opening goal in the 17^th minute.

Tir na nOg were starting to move the ball around at pace and they breeched the visitors defence for a second goal and this time it was towering mid-fielder, Ciaran O’Neill who applied the finish.

The Randalstown side continued to press and Oliver McAtamney was on hand to finish to the net for their third goal after a mistake in defence and a point from O’Neill saw the home side lead 3-2 to 0-3 at the break.

It wouldn’t get any better for the Crumlin side on the restart with Aodhan Tolan splitting the posts in the opening minute and Connor Hastings converting a 4^th minute free.

Conor McGarry got Aldergrove going again from a free in the 6^th minute and the visitors were given a let-off when Hastings blasted wide with the goal at his mercy at the other end.

McGarry from another free brought the St. James’ tally to 0-5 for the evening but they were getting no change from a Tir na nOg defence where Brandon McLarnon and Ciaran McGrellis were sweeping up everything that came their way.

Back came Tir na nOg and a long delivery from Ciaran O’Neill deceived Oisin McGarry and ended in the net for the hosts fourth major of the evening and when Emmet Murray punished another defensive mix-up with a close range finish it was all over.

Connor Hastings from a free and Aodhan Toland with a good point from play concluded the scoring as the Whitehill men ran out winners by 19 points and they can be well pleased by a comprehensive performance that augers well for the season ahead.

They begin their division 1 campaign with a home fixture against St. Mary’s Aghagallon while St. James will play their football in division 2 this year and will hope to get a number of their missing players back into action for the league opener against St. Enda’s next weekend.

Tir na nOg: 1 Sean Paul McAtamney, 2 Manus Smyth, 3 Brandon McLartnon, 4 Daniel McLornan, 5 Ryan Crilly, 6 Ciaran McGrellis, 7 Aodhan Tolan, 8 Ciaran O’Neill, 9 Joshua Higgins, 10 Sean McKeown, 11, Oliver McAtamney, 12 Pauric Redmond, 13 Emmet Murray, 14 Connor Hastings, 15 Connor McCamphill

St. James: 1 Oisin McGarry, 2 Emmet Magee, 3 Aiden Ervine, 4 Lonan Magee, 5 Conor Totten, 6 Chris McVeigh, 7 Fearghal Hanna, 8 Corey Fogarty, 9 Conleth Hendron, 10 Sean Patrick Fay, 11 Oisin Graham, 12 Eoin Hamill, 13 Cormac McGarry, 14 Liam McGarry, 15 Matthew MacGeady

Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)

March 6, 2026March 6, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Nick Whelan chief guest at the Saffron Business Breakfast

It was another brilliant morning at the Saffron Business Forum breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, sponsored by OCO Global. The lead guest was the Dale Farm Group CEO, Nick Whelan, a Wexford man who arrived in Belfast in 2016 to take over the job of running one of the biggest co-ops on these islands. Under Nick’s leadership, Dale Farm now has a turnover of close to £750m and profits at twice the average industry margins. In interview with Paul McErlean, his stories about growing up on a farm in Wexford, his experiences with Kerry Group and Glanbia before his arrival at Dale Farm and the importance of family, greatly inspired the 160 people attending. The Forum wishes to thank OCO Global (www.ocoglobal.com) and Nick Watson, its UK&Ireland Director for the support this morning and well done to the three for three companies, Duality Healthcare, Belfast Commercial Funding and The Wine Rack who also pitched their wares very effectively. The morning was finished with Tony Shivers, the founder and Chairman of the Saffron Business Forum receiving belated recognition for his five years as Assistant Treasurer on the County Board from County Chairman, Seamus McMullan. Next up is the Forum’s big annual lunch on May 15^th – with Cork legend Jimmy Barry Murphy as the lead guest, it’s going to be another legendary afternoon.