Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Antrim to get season up and running

McKenna Cup

Derry v Antrim

Wednesday night – Owenbeg

Weather permitting, Antrim should get their 2026 season up and running when they face Derry at Owenbeg on Wednesday night. The word is the match is going ahead, though the venue is still not certain. `

Heavy snowfall saw a number of weekend games postponed including Derry’s visit to Donegal and at the time of writing it is unclear when that game will be rearranged.

With quite a bit of snow still lying, Wednesday’s fixture is at the mercy of the weather but both sides will certainly be looking forward to get their season underway with a bit of competitive action.

Mark Doran (Featured Image) has taken up the Antrim management reigns and replaces Andy McEntee who managed the Saffrons from 2022 to 2025 where he led them to two Tailteann Cup semi-finals but also suffered relegation to division 4 in his final season.

Long serving Antrim stalwart, Michael McCann has been added to the Antrim management team and he brings a wealth of knowhow to the Antrim setup where he still turns out regularly for Erin’s own, Cargin.

McCann’s knowledge of players within the county should prove invaluable and his brother Tomas McCann and Cargin colleague, John Carron return to the Antrim panel along with All Saints Paddy McAleer who had stepped down last year.

Derry are under the guidance Ciaran Meenagh who returns to the Oak leaf setup following a previous spell as caretaker  and certainly in Antrim’s case promotion from the lower reaches will be the priority this season.

Wednesday night’s meeting at Owenbeg (weather permitting) will afford Mark Doran a first opportunity to take a look at his new side under competitive conditions.

The Antrim team to face Derry in the McKenna Cup has been named

by thesaffrongael

Antrim team to face Offaly in the Walsh Cup

Antrim manager Davy Fitzgerald has named his team for tomorrow’s season opener against Offaly in the Walsh Cup at Tullamore. With a few regulars stepping down from the sqaud at the end of last season there are a few new faces on show. Coby Cunning, who will share the captaincy with Niall O’Connor, makes a welcome return to the Saffron colours after missing all of last season through injury, a big boost to all concerned.

For those unable to make the journey to Tullamore the game will be streamed live on Clubber

by thesaffrongael

Antrim U20s beat Armagh in McGurk Cup opener

Conor McGurk Cup

Antrim U20s 1-16 Armagh 0-11

Antrim’s U20s got off to a great start in the Conor McGurk Memorial Cup when they beat Armagh seniors in far from ideal conditions at Dunsilly on Friday afternoon.

The young Saffrons got off to a good start and with four points in first four minutes through Thomas McLauglin, Nial McLean, Charlie McAuley and Jack Martin before Aaron Cullinane and Jack Loughran cut the deficit in half by the tenth minute.

Midfielder Callum McIlwaine fires in the only goal of the game near the end of the opening quarter

Antrim hit back with the only goal of the game, fired home from close range by Callum McIlwaine, after good approach work by Charlie McAuley and though Dylan McKenna came back with a point for the visitors, Fiontan Bradley hit back for Antrim with a neat finish to keep the gap at six. Three in a row from the Orchard county through Loughran and Carbine (2) cut the gap back to three but a point from Callum McIlwaine and two inside a minute by Thomas McLaughlin saw go in at the break with a 1-09 to 0-06 advantage.

Reece Cunning who had a fine game at corner back for Antrim

A heavy shower of sleet just before the break seemed the settle the breeze, which had all but gone when the sides resumed and the home team increased the lead to seven with an early point from centre forward Charlie McAuley. It was out to eight when Jack Martin and Callum McIlwaine replied to one from Caionn Hughes for Armagh. They never really looked to be under threat after that and though the visitors hit a couple of quick points, three inside two minutes, two of them from McIlwaine  and one from McAuley kept them in control. Two points from Armagh substitutes Rice and Richmond closed the gap to seven two long range efforts from the Saffrons, the second one a monster strike from full-back and team captain Liam Glackin put the seal on a fine victory which sets up meeting with Ulster University at Jordanstown on Wednesday evening.

Callagh Mooney who starred in the Antrim half back line

ANTRIM

Sean Og McLaren, Ronan Donnelly, Liam Glackin, Reece Cunning, Callagh Mooney, Ben O’Kane, Roan McGarry, Callum McIlwaine, Jack Martin, Oisin McCamphill, Charlie McAuley, Niall McLean, Fiontan Bradley,  Thomas Laughlin, Oisin Woodhouse.

Subs used – Colla Ward, Canice McIntosh and Jay McAlonan

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

https://myalbum.com/album/aBQqX6oK5LRF9T/?invite=44683e5e-5d2b-4246-a13d-82892163c4ef

by thesaffrongael

Colin ‘Buckey’ McCambridge R.I.P.

It was with deep sadness that we learned this week of the passing of Colin ‘Buckey’ McCambridge, former All Saints and later Glenravel player.

I had the pleasure of managing this excellent young man as a juvenile player at All Saints where his contribution to his side was always immense. An excellent footballer who competed fiercely and was well respected by both his management and playing colleagues.

Colin went on to represent All Saints at senior level and his father, Henry RIP was a regular attender at many of his games while his brothers Henry, Declan and Adrian all played juvenile football for the Ballymena club where his uncle Brain has been a member of the All Saints club committee since its formation, 50 years ago.

Later in his career Colin played for Con Magee’s, Glenravel for a number of years and there too he gained the admiration of his colleagues for his strong contribution to their side.

Colin is survived by his wife Marika, sons Kaiden and Aian, his mother Catherine, brothers Henry, Declan and Adrian and sisters Siobhan and Kathryn and to them and his wider family circle we at the Saffron Gael extend our deepest sympathy.

Our Lady of the Gael, pray for him.