Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Ravel men win battle of the Glens – but only just!

Senior Reserve Shield

Glenravel 1-21  Glenavy 3-13 (AET)

As darkness descended over Fr Maginn Park, referee Colm McDonald called this game to a halt after ninety  minutes of football including extra time. At that stage Glenravel were two points ahead  and will be delighted to have got over the line with their noses in front. Ahead by seven points at half time and completely dominating the match, they allowed Glenavy back into the game and the lough siders didn’t need a second invitation. They drew level on the hour mark and whilst they never managed to get that vital score to nudge ahead they did stay within one or two points right to the end. Glenavy scored the final point of the first game two minutes into added time and indeed both teams had chances in the following four minutes but couldn’t convert so we headed into extra time as the game ended Glenravel 0-15  Glenavy 2-09.

Glenravel again dominated the first period of extra time opening up a four point lead with one minute remaining but the visitors managed a couple of score to reduce the gap to two points at half time in extra time; Glenravel 1-18  Glenavy 2-13. At this stage players were cramping all over the pitch and both teams emptied their respective benches bringing on fresh legs. Once again Glenravel started brightly and opened up a four point lead but with five minutes remaining Glenavy pounced for their third goal to reduce the gap to the minimum and it was certainly game on at that stage. However the visitors could not add to that tally and as light started to fade the home side notched up the final score of the  game to end up victorious by two points. 

An exciting game of football which both sides will look back on missed chances but over the hour and a half, Glenravel did look the sharper team and it is they who proceed to the next round.

Glenavy were well served by Niall McCann, Finn Shannon, Odhran Arthurs and Finn Malley but special mention to goal keeper Fergal Green who’s free taking was outstanding including a fifty five metre free from the sideline which was the score of the game.

Glenravel will be well pleased with the performances of Daniel McQuillan, Declan McKeown, Conleth O’Loan, Aiden O’Donnell and Shea O’Broin when he came on but a special call out to the quietly effective Adam Campbell who snuffed out numerous Glenavy attacks throughout the game. 

by thesaffrongael

Farewell the King of Cushendall

The people of the Glens turned out force on Wednesday to say farewell to the ‘King of Cushendall’, John McKillop.  

‘Wee’ John died on Sunday last in his home at 30 Coast Road, Cushendall, in the same room he was born in on February 4th 1963. Since the news of his death there has been widespread mourning in the village and in the surrounding glens, but most of all in the Ruairi Og club when John has been a legend throughout his life.

When the Ruairis made the major breakthrough by winning the Senior Hurling Championship back in 1981 John was in the photo, celebrating with the team and he has been in practically every team photo taken ever since. He was there in Monty Sion, Waterford in 1982 when they team played their first All Ireland semi-final and he was in Croke Park in 2016 when the Ruairis played in their first All Ireland final against Na Pairsaig of Limerick.

Each new generation took him under their wing where he was given pride of place at all their big games in both hurling and Camogie, meeting match officials before each game, making friends the length and breadth of Ireland. The recent decline in his health meant he was not in Corrigan Park for last year’s final against Dunloy and he was seldom seen in public since them.

They came from far and near to his wake on Monday and Tuesday to pay their last respects. Ulster GAA vice chairman Michael Geoghegan called at the house on Tuesday afternoon and GAA Director of Communications Alan Milton, who had got to know John during his many visits to Cushendall, even brought the Liam McCarthy Cup up from Dublin on Tuesday, where it sat on his coffin. Both gestures were greatly appreciated by all the family. Everyone who visited the house in those last couple of days had a story to tell about meeting John over the years. Everyone left a memory, but went away with so much more.

When they took him on his final journey on Wednesday morning the coffin was draped in the Ruairi flag as it was carried on high all the way to St Mary’s church, the route lined on either side by members of every team in the club, and all bedecked in their club colours. Gaels of north Antrim were represented and Antrim Hurling manager Darren Gleeson made the long journey north from his home in Tipperary to pay his respects.

Requiem mass was celebrated by Cushendall PP Fr Kieran Whiteford, who was assisted by Fr PJ McCamphill, a Dunloy native who has been a great hurling man all his life, and a great friend of the McKillop and McNaughton families. Afterwards John’s remains were interred in the adjoining ceremony, in the same grave as his mother and father, Eithne and Danny. When the Glens Choir, who had sang at the Requiem Mass, struck up the ‘Green Glens of Antrim’ at the graveside there wasn’t a dry eye in the place and when former Ruairi Og manager Philip Campbell read a poem he had had written for John, spontaneous applause broke out among the mourners.  

All of us who knew John will miss him dearly but the loss will be felt most deeply by those who loved and cared for him on a daily basis. To his family Maureen (McNaughton), Seamus, Amelia, Eamon and Dion to his nephews and nieces and the extended McKillop family we offer our sincere condolences.

Thanks for memories John.

May the sandy soil of his native Cushendall rest gently on him!  

by thesaffrongael

Cathal and Sean are fundraising for their trip to South Africa

Our good friend and regular contributor of photos the the Saffron Gael, Cahtal McOscar, is currently raising funds along with his Father In Law Sean Gribbin. They planning to return to South Africa with the Mellon Educate team on their 2023 building blitz in November. The aim of this blitz is to build more schools and essential facilities for deprived township children and communities.

Since 2013, Mellon Educate has set about improving access to better standards of education in African townships. To date, the charity has built/renovated 32 schools, providing over 50,000 young children with a better chance at life. The charity are building towards educational programmes throughout Africa that will benefit over 100,000 primary school kids.

Cathal and Sean are veteran volunteers with this being Cathal’s 5th time to return and Sean’s second. They have seen first hand the level of poverty in these townships and the positive change we can make with your help and donations. It is refreshing to work on a building blitz with Mellon Educate and see first hand where all donations end up and the immense impact it makes on people’s life’s – especially the children’s.

We know that times are difficult for everyone but any donation, no matter how small is very much appreciated.

Thank you

Cathal & Sean

https://www.justgiving.com/page/cathal-mcoscar-1683491085843?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=one_page&utm_content=page%2Fcathal-mcoscar-1683491085843&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=e6a5ce0fda384a0793ea60568d19a66e&fbclid=IwAR0bNj4_Qrp9Ggltmrmx7Dabkrid2rDzA_9lvjJcE9Mkp61aCiSyPlZAthI

by thesaffrongael

New kit sponsors for Loughgiel Shamrocks

Loughgiel Shamrocks launched their new Senior Hurling and Senior Camogie kits in the Fr Healy Park clubrooms on Monday evening with two new sponsors coming on board. Contact Marketing, which incorporates Clinivet and Favour Pet Foods, whose joint managing directors are Steven and Neilly McGarry, both ex Loughgiel Shamrocks hurlers, are the main sponsors. The Favour brand will be the front of jersey sponsor and the Clinivet brand will be the sleeve sponsor for the next 3 years. Óg Management, a Chicago based property management firm owned by Loughgiel ex-pat Maurice Óg Connolly are sponsoring the back of the shirt for the next 3 years, as well as sponsoring the Junior and U19 jerseys for a similar term.

Steven (left) and Neilly McGarry (right) of Contact Marketing N.I. with Loughgiel hurling captain Declan McCloskey, camogie captain Christine Laverty and club treasurer Tony McCloskey at Monday evening’s launch of the club’s sponsorship deal.

Club Treasurer Tony McCloskey outlined the return to the more traditional blood red jersey design for the hurlers and outlined the terms of the sponsorship package to the gathered members. He also paid tribute to the previous jersey sponsors (Laverty Haulage/Properties and Loughgiel Credit Union) and noted that he hoped the strong links with them could continue in future. Joint Managing Directors of Contact Marketing NI, Steven & Neilly McGarry outlined their pride at being involved with the senior teams and their hopes that the investment might assist the development of the coaching and players within the club.

Canon Sean Connolly and his brother Maurice Connolly, uncle and father of Maurice Og Connolly of Og Management, Chicago, Illinois with Loughgiel hurling captain Declan McCloskey, camogie captain Christine Laverty and club chairman Paul Glackin at the Loughgiel jersey launch

Canon Sean Connolly, an uncle to Maurice Óg Connolly outlined the work of the Óg Management company in Chicago and noted that this sponsorship was proof that Maurice Óg had never lost his grá for his home club. Representatives from both senior Camogie and Hurling management teams, Conor Higgins & Hugh McCann briefly outlined how their season had been going and looked forward to their respective senior championship campaigns. Senior Camogie and hurling captains Christine Laverty and Declan McCloskey were wearing the new look senior jerseys, with younger members keen to get a look up close at the new design. Club chairman Paul Glackin concluded proceedings, paying tribute to the families of the main sponsors past and present and to all for showing their support.

MC for the evening Justin McCormick chats with Conor Higgins of the Loughgiel Camogie management team and senior team manager Hugh McCann.

by thesaffrongael

It’s hurling this weekend

Last weekend saw the Football Championships get underway and this weekend it is the turn of hurling to make its debut with 14 championship games scheduled over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Last weekend the Saffron Gael covered all 15 football championship games and we are determined to do as many of the hurling games this weekend as possible but that coverage would not have been possible without the contribution of friends of the Saffron Gael who sent us reports and photographs.

It is therefore imperative that if we do not have a reporter or photographer at your game that you’re PRO or someone within you’re club sends us a report or stats from the game.

  1. Get a photograph of the team-sheets – Send the photos with your report
  2. Note scorers and times of scores (If you don’t know the name of the player just note the number – we can then match the number with the name on the team sheets)
  3. Note half time score-full time score
  4. In the case of a goal or an exceptional score add details of the build up to the score.
  5. If you wish to write the report yourself that would be great-Avoid controversy such as criticising referees.
  6. Send you report-stats to ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk or john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk
Aghagallon’s Colum Walsh makes a cheque Presentation to Saffron Gael’s Bert Trowlen before the Championship game between Aghagallon and St. Brigid’s at Pairc Na Gael on Saturday

Last week we appealed to clubs to make a contribution to the site and both Tir na nOg and Aghagallon made presentation to us at their weekend Championship games. We once again appeal to clubs who have not made their donation this year and to those who have never made a donation to do so if possible.

Your financial donations are essential if we are to keep the site going and growing.

To the many businesses and clubs who are regular sponsors we once again send our thanks and we would be glad to hear from anyone who wants to become a new sponsor. Just contact us on the above email addresses.

To all the teams setting off on their championship journey this weekend-Good Luck! And for those fortunate to go all the way to the final the Saffron Gael will be there with you on that journey