Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Scoreboard Confusion at Páirc MacUilín

Final Score (Official): Ballycastle 0-17 | Loughgiel 1-14

Final Score (Saffron Gael notes ): Ballycastle 0-17 | Loughgiel 1-15

The Antrim Senior Division 1 Hurling League clash between Ballycastle (MacUilín) and Loughgiel (Seamróga) ended in confusion when match referee Darren McKeown, recorded a 0-17 to 1-14 draw. However, according to the notes taken by myself and a couple of others from both clubs on the night, Loughgiel had edged out a one-point victory. As both teams left the field players from each sides shook hands and assumed that the scoreboard reading of 0-17 to 1-15 was correct. It was only after one the Ballycastle selectors went to check the score with Darren that the mix-up emerged. Most of the spectators had left the ground assuming that Loughgiel had won the game.

Despite the official ruling, this report reflects the action and scores exactly as they were recorded from the sideline.

First Half: A Tightly Contested Opening

Loughgiel started the brighter of the two sides, opening their account with the first two points of the evening — one from play by Conor O’Mullan and a free from Rian “Bubbles” McMullan. Ballycastle got off the mark in the 6th minute when Ronan Laverty found space to score.

The sides quickly began exchanging blows. Ardan Kelly sent one over for Ballycastle, but Rian McMullan immediately responded for Loughgiel. Ballycastle then hit a purple patch, with Darragh Kelly and Cathair Donnelly firing over points, followed by a superb long-range free from Seamus McAuley.

Diarmaid McShane extended Ballycastle’s tally with a fine score from distance to make it 0-06 to 0-05, though Loughgiel’s Declan McCloskey quickly answered at the other end. Ballycastle maintained their momentum when Lorcán Donnelly sent a high shot over the bar, and Ronan Laverty burst through the defence for his second point of the night, pushing the home side to 0-08.

As the half drew to a close, Seamus McAuley and Rian McMullan traded points. Lorcán Donnelly tacked on another for Ballycastle, but Oisin Connolly replied for Loughgiel just before the short whistle, leaving Ballycastle with a narrow 0-09 to 0-08 lead at the break.

Ballycastle opened the second-half scoring in the 6th minute when Lorcán Donnelly converted a free, but Rian McMullan was on hand to pull one back for the visitors.

The game’s defining moment arrived in the 7th minute. Loughgiel centre-forward Oisin Connolly tore through the Ballycastle defence and unleashed a shot on goal. Ballycastle keeper Eamonn Elliott produced a fantastic initial save. However Conor O’Mullan was perfectly positioned to drill the rebound into the net, giving Loughgiel a 1-09 to 0-10 lead.

Ballycastle responded well to the setback. Lorcán Donnelly took control of the dead balls, converting frees in the 11th and 13th minutes to level the game at 0-12 to 1-09. Centre-back Conor Boyd then stepped up to launch a brilliant free from wide on the right, edging Ballycastle back in front (0-13 to 1-09).

The lead was short-lived. Oisin Connolly pointed for Loughgiel on 15 minutes, and Ruairi McCormick fired his team back ahead on 17 minutes. Conor Boyd answered again for the home side with a point from play to tie things up.

The momentum seemed to swing firmly in Ballycastle’s favor when Loughgiel was reduced to 14 men following a second yellow car for one of their players andLorcán Donnelly slotted over the resulting free to put Ballycastle back in front.

However, playing a man down didn’t deter Loughgiel. Rian McMullan took the game by the scruff of the neck, leveling the scores from a free on 23 minutes, and then putting his side back ahead on 25 minutes.

With time ticking away, Ballycastle’s second-half substitute Craoisti McAuley sent over a point from a free on 28 minutes, leveling the game once more. But it was Loughgiel who had the final say. Declan McCloskey stepped up and sent over a crucial late free, securing what the sideline tallies recorded as the winning point for a 14-man Loughgiel

Ballycastle: 1. Eamonn Elliott, 2. Cian Baudant, 3. Conal Colgan, 4. Patrick McAlonan, 5. Eoin McAlonan, 6. Conor Boyd, 7. Cathair Donnelly, 8. Ardan Kelly, 9. Ronan Laverty, 10. Darragh Kelly, 11. Seamus McAuley, 12. Neal McAuley, 13. Diarmaid McShane, 14. Lorcán Donnelly, 15. Niall McClean.

Loughgiel: 1. Cormac McFadden, 2. Rory McCloskey, 3. Enda Óg McGarry, 4. Liam Glackin, 5. Ruairi McCormick, 6. Declan McCloskey, 7. Ben McGarry, 8. Ryan McKee, 9. Conor Deery, 10. Rian McMullan, 11. Oisin Connolly, 12. Conor O’Mullan, 13. Conor Johnston, 14. Daniel McCloskey, 15. Charlie O’Hagan.

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/uKa3iTg6iv7YEY/?invite=dcf98f97-a817-4615-81df-cf43f958a537

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy Dazzle against Depleted ‘Dall

Senior Hurling League

Division One

Dunloy 2-28 Cushendall 2-11

Wednesday 10 June

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Dunloy overcame the challenge of an understrength Cushendall team on Wednesday evening to move clear at the top of the league.  The win was built on a brilliant first half from the Cuchullains that saw them come out of the traps quickest and play at a level that rarely dropped.  The intensity and work rate, especially in the forward unit that saw them score a high number of points from turnover ball will have pleased the Dunloy management.

Keelen Molloy shone, especially in the first half, scoring 1-7 overall and top scoring for the home side while Chrissy McMahon and Nigel Elliott shared six points evenly between them.  Nicky McKeague took over the free taking responsibilities and had five of his nine points from placed ball in a top performance.

Cushendall won’t have taken too much from this game given how many they were missing.  Ryan McCambridge and Conor McCann played well in an overworked defence while Joseph McNaughton and Fiontan Bradley always looked threatening in attack.  Bradely would top score for the Ruairi’s with seven points beside his name at the end of the hour while the goals came from Christy and Joseph McNaughton in either half but the second half was procession like.  Dunloy had nine different scorers over the hour with 2-23 coming from open play and could still afford to hit double figures in wides such was their overall dominance.

The home side had three points on the board inside the opening three minutes with Molloy (two) and McKeague (free) on target while it was the Ruairi’s who scored the first goal of the game.  Christy McNaughton’s long delivery into the danger area wasn’t dealt with by Ryan Elliott in the Dunloy goals and the sliotar went over the line.

The concession of the soft goal did little to deter the Cuchullains however as they scored six unanswered points in the next nine minutes, all from open play with Molloy excelling, McMahon and Ben O’Kane also getting in on the scoring act.

Christy McNaughton would score Cushendall’s first point of the contest in the 14th minute as they looked to finally get to grips with the Dunloy work rate.  A trio of Fiontan Bradley points in less than two minutes reduced the Dunloy lead to four points before the home side scored their first goal.  It came from a turnover ball deep in the Cushendall half and Molloy punished the error by the Ruairi’s with a tidy finish in the 22nd minute.

That lead was extended to 11 points going into injury time of the first half when the home side found the back of Conor McAllister’s net once more.  This time it was Eamon Smyth who was making his way towards the goal before finding Ciaran Elliott on the edge of the square.  Elliott’s effort was well saved by McAllister but Smyth was on hand to hammer the rebound to the back of the net giving Dunloy a 2-18 to 1-7 lead at the interval.

Cushendall made the perfect start to the second half with Joseph McNaughton scoring their second major.  Fiontan Bradley turning provider as he made inroads into the Dunloy defence before blind passing to McNaughton and while he still had work to do, his finish was emphatic.

McKeague and Bradley swapped frees before Dunloy went through the gears again.  Another run of six unanswered points in less than 10 minutes with Molloy, McKeague, O’Kane and Nigel Elliott all raising the white flag.

A brace of Bradley frees either side of McKeague’s ninth point of the evening put 17 between the sides with 10 minutes of the contest remaining.

The game rather petered out though with Nigel Elliott splitting the uprights on two occasions and Cushendall sending a number of high ball into the Dunloy defence in search for another major.

Neither side will have learned too much from this game as this fixture falls foul to holiday season.  One of the downsides to the split season as teams look to juggle game time and preparations for later in the summer.

The Cuchullains are back out in action on 21 June as they travel to Loughgiel with the league title within their grasp while Cushendall will travel to St John’s on the same afternoon hoping to get back to winning ways.

TEAMS

Dunloy starting XV: Ryan Elliott; Reece Cunning, Ryan Elliott, Sean Og Blaney; Eamon Smyth, Eoin McFerran, Aodhan McGarry; Ben O’Kane, Aaron Crawford; Nigel Elliott, Paul Shiels, Chrissy McMahon; Ciaran Elliott, Keelan Molloy, Nicky McKeague

  • Subs: Paudie McGilligan for P Shiels (43), Oran Quinn for S Og Blaney (52), Barry Scott for C Elliott (52), Jack Martin for A Crawford (52), Conor Mort for K Molloy (54)
  • Scorers: K Molloy 1-7, N McKeague 0-9 (5fs), N Elliott 0-3, C McMahon 0-3, B O’Kane 0-3, E Smyth 1-00, S Og Blaney 0-1, P Shiels 0-1, R Elliott 0-1 (1f)

Cushendall starting XV: Conor McAllister; Connor McCann, Liam Gillan, Alex McCambridge; Senan Black, Ryan McCambridge, Charlie McAuley; Callagh Mooney, Fergus McCambridge; Ed McQuillan, Joseph McNaughton, Thomas McLaughlin; Fintan McKillop, Christy McNaughton, Fiontan Bradley

  • Subs: Nicholas McNaughton for E McQuillan (24), Darach Bradley for F McKillop (45), Stephen Walsh for A McCambridge (49), Aodhan Campbell for S Black (49), Cahir McCambridge for F McCambridge (58)
  • Scorers: F Bradley 0-7 (5fs), J McNaughton 1-1, C McNaughton 1-1, E McQuillan 0-1, R McCambridge 0-1 (1f)

Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

To see more of Brendan’s photos from the game, click on the link below…..

https://myalbum.com/album/mrnwkgkPszCaMw/?invite=35bae4cc-4b38-4107-86be-5ca474499b9b

by thesaffrongael

Glen Rovers Armoy secure top-half finish after pulsating win over St. Mary’s Rasharkin

ACHL Division 3

Glen Rovers Armoy 1-23 — 2-17 St. Mary’s Rasharkin

Glen Rovers Armoy secured their spot in the top half of the league table before the split after emerging victorious from a phenomenal, high-scoring ACHL Division 3 thriller against St. Mary’s Rasharkin. In a match defined by relentless attacking quality, tactical discipline, and a masterclass in long-range point-taking, Armoy’s late composure proved just enough to edge a resilient Rasharkin side by three points.

The battle lines were drawn from the first whistle as Armoy enjoyed a blistering start, racing into a four-point lead within the opening two minutes. Tommy Burns, Emmet O’Hara, Trevor Linton, and Liam O’Hara all raised white flags in a devastating opening salvo. Rasharkin refused to be rattled, slowly growing into the game. Points from James Higgins, Tiernan O’Boyle, and Donagh Quigg, followed by a well-taken effort from Conan McMullan, drew the side’s level at four points apiece after eight minutes.

The remainder of the opening period evolved into a high-octane, point-for-point shootout. Trevor Linton and Emmet O’Hara struck fine scores for Armoy, but they were matched instantly by Rasharkin’s John Kelly and Conan McMullan. Armoy’s Turlough McBride hit his first of the afternoon, only for Donagh Quigg to respond with a point from play and a beautifully struck free, pushing Rasharkin into a 0-09 to 0-07 lead. McBride and Emmet O’Hara continued to spearhead the Armoy resistance, trading scores with Quigg and Conor McKillop to leave Rasharkin leading 0-11 to 0-10 by the 26th minute.

Armoy then found another gear as Conor Christie and Marcas Christie clipped over consecutive points to edge their side ahead. Rasharkin answered immediately when Conan McMullan pointed, before Donagh Quigg produced a moment of magic, racing through the heart of the defence to bury a brilliant goal. McBride responded with an Armoy point, and though Quigg hit back with another score for Rasharkin, the final major say of the half belonged to Armoy. In the 32nd minute, Trevor Linton found space and rifled a crucial goal past the Rasharkin keeper, ensuring Armoy retreated to the dressing rooms with a razor-thin 1-13 to 1-12 advantage.

The second half began at the same frantic tempo. Donagh Quigg split the posts early to level it for Rasharkin, but Armoy hit back with a point from Marcas Christie and a superb long-range free from Turlough McBride. Jack Quinn responded with a fine point for Rasharkin, but a PJ McBride score kept Armoy ahead, 1-16 to 1-14. Quigg then landed a spectacular 70-meter free for Rasharkin, only for Armoy to reply through Ciaran McKenna and another McBride point, leaving it 1-18 to 1-15 after ten minutes of the restart.

Rasharkin struck a massive blow soon after when Conan McMullan found the back of the net to level the game at 1-18 to 2-15, setting up a grandstand finish. The teams traded heavy blows in the closing stages; Tommy Burns put Armoy ahead, but Quigg hit back with a free. Trevor Linton and Quigg swapped points once more before Armoy’s superior finishing began to tell.

In a frantic final few minutes, Emmet O’Hara and Trevor Linton fired over consecutive points from play to give Armoy a vital cushion. With the clock hitting the 29th minute, Turlough McBride showed nerves of steel to slot over a long-range free, putting the game out of reach and good an exceptional 1-23 to 2-17 win for the home side.

Glen Rovers Armoy:  1 Conor Waterson, 2 Colm Mort, 3 Liam Dillon, 4 Timmothy Burns, 5 Kieran McToal, 6 Conor Christie, 7 Ciaran McKenna, 8 PJ McBride, 9 Tarlach McBride, 10 Emmet O’Hara, 11 Ciaran Coyles, 12 Tommy Burns, 13 Trevor Linton, 14 Liam O’Hara, 15  Marcas Christie,

St. Mary’s Rasharkin: Liam Tunney, Daniel Hasson, Conor Doherty, Aidan McKeever, Jason McGregor, Tiernan O’Boyle, Connaire Doherty, Aidan McKeever, James Higgins, Donagh Quigg, Conan McMullan, Jack Quinn, John Kelly, Thomas McMullan, Conor McKillop,

Subs: Conor McKeever

Referee: Paul McSparran (Cushendun)

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/9k4AwgpBvS5w2A

by thesaffrongael

St Louis Fall Just Short in McFarland Cup Thriller

Danske Bank MacFarland Cup Final:

St Mary’s Magherafelt 6-9 St Louis Ballymena 2-15

Despite a heroic display of skill and resilience, St Louis Ballymena narrowly missed out on MacFarland Cup glory in Portglenone yesterday, falling to a St Mary’s Magherafelt side whose ruthless eye for goal ultimately proved the difference.

In a cruel twist of irony for the Ballymena faithful, it was a fellow Antrim man who did the most damage. Kickhams Creggan clubman Conan Devlin was the tormentor-in-chief for the Derry school, netting four times to break St Louis’ hearts in a gripping 6-9 to 2-15 decider.

St Louis burst out of the traps, playing the better hurling in the opening exchanges. They capitalised on a hesitant St Mary’s start to build a deserved 0-4 to 0-1 lead, with the sharp-shooting Oscar Bradley floating over two excellent early points.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Devlin pounced for his first goal against the run of play. St Louis refused to rattle, and Cayden McGuckien quickly responded with a well-taken point to cut the deficit to 0-5 to 2-2.

Unfortunately for the Antrim lads, St Mary’s found a sudden purple patch. Daniel Turner rattled the Ballymena net, and Devlin followed up with his second in the 20th minute. True to their character, St Louis dug deep. Bradley, Conan McKeever, and Cillian Gillespie all raised white flags to claw their way back into the tie.

A second Turner goal threatened to derail the comeback, but Lorcán Doherty showed superb predatory instincts to strike a vital goal for Ballymena just before the break, keeping them firmly in the hunt at 4-4 to 1-10 at the turnaround.

St Louis were hit with an early setback in the second half when the clinical Devlin completed his hat-trick, stretching the Magherafelt lead to 5-5 to 1-10.

Yet, the defining feature of this St Louis team is their refusal to yield. They steadily chipped away at the deficit, dominating long stretches of play and putting the Convent defence under immense pressure. The breakthrough their hard work deserved came in the 52nd minute when Cayden McGuckien fired home a brilliant Ballymena goal.

With the scoreboard now reading 5-7 to 2-14, the gap was down to just two points. The momentum was entirely with Ballymena, and a famous comeback looked to be firmly on the cards.

In the dying minutes, however, St Mary’s managed to weather the storm. Crucial points from Michael Kearney and substitute Oisín McNicholl deservedly gave the Magherafelt side breathing room, before that man Devlin struck a fatal blow with his fourth goal mere minutes from the final whistle to seal the win.

Alexandra from Ulster Schools GAA presents the McFarland Cup to St Mary’s captain Daniel Turner after the Magherafelt team’s win over St Louis Ballymena at Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen

TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/v6WDsXiJhV2n5F/?invite=88c58282-3fb9-4861-8a19-2f30557715cf

St Mary’s Magherafelt celebrate their win over St Louis Ballymena in the final of the McFarland Cup in Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen
Alexandra Johnston from Ulster Schools GAA presents the McFarland Cup to St Mary’s captain Daniel Turner after his team’s win over St Louis Ballymena at Portglenone. Pic by Bert Trowlen
by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks win Táin Og Division 1 title

Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-13 v Toreen, Mayo 1-02 at Breffni Park, Cavan

Loughgiel Shamrocks U14’s travelled to a blustery Breffni Park in Cavan to take on Connacht Champions Tooreen in the Division 1 Táin Og Final. With the wind in their favour in the first half, Loughgiel started at a blistering pace and in the opening minute got the first score of the game through half forward Iarla Gillan after good work from Caolan McGuckian. Not long after, Gillan got his second of the day and points followed from Danny McMullan and Brendan Murtagh, after good work from Tom Quinn, to give the Ulster Champions a 4 point lead. In their first meaningful attack, the Mayo side nearly hit the net but were thwarted by Olly McConville in goals making a great high catch under intense pressure and clearing his lines.

Loughgiel were unfortunate not to extend their lead when the Tooreen keeper made an excellent save to his left to stop a certain goal and Dáire Kearney struck the post after a great catch in a congested midfield. Full forward Caelan Patterson got off the mark with two quickfire points as Loughgiel asserted their dominance again. Tooreen began to settle and applied pressure but found a determined Loughgiel half backline of Kevin Gillan, Matthew Barr and Noah McAuley tough to break down. Tooreen did manage to get off the mark with a fine score midway through the first half. The first half ended with midfield duo of McMullan and Kearney getting a score apiece and a well struck 65 from Gillan to leave the half time score 0-7 to 0-1 to the Shamrocks in a wet Breffni Park pitch.

The second half began with Tooreen asking all the questions and belief that goals were needed but full back Oisin O’Connell was inspired at the back clearing everything that came at him, with Conor Irvine and Oisin McCaughan on hand to further frustrate the opposition attack. Into a strong breeze, it was Loughgiel’s Oisin Butler who was next to point and extend the lead, that was followed up by Patterson’s third of the game after a superb catch and ball forward by Barr. Kearney and McMullan combined again with the latter scoring from distance to move 9 clear. Tooreen weren’t giving up but again McConville pulled off a superb save from close range to maintain the Shamrocks advantage.

As the game reached the last five minutes, the Connacht Champions finally found the net with an unstoppable low shot past McConville and followed up with another score. As time ticked away, Kearney got his second of the day and Archie McGarry made a great run and drew a foul from which Gillan comfortably pointed to round off the scoring with his fourth of the game. As the final whistle went Loughgiel celebrated a comprehensive win 0-13 to 1-2.