Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

Dromintee prevail after second half comeback win over St Canice’s. 

St Pauls, FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament semi-final 

Dromintee 1-13-1-10 St Canices, Dungiven 

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Pol 

DROMINTEE booked their place in the final of the FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament at St Paul’s with a 1-13-1-10 comeback win over 2022 winners St Canice’s Dungiven on the Shaws Road on St Stephen’s Day. 

Paddy Higgins 23rd minute goal had helped the Derry side to a 1-6-0-5 lead at the break, but after extending their half time advantage within the first ten minutes of the second half, they then went 22-minutes without a score. 

Dromintee’s stylish corner forward Oisin Byrne swings over a point midway through the opening half

In the intervening period Dromintee hit 1-5 without reply, Michael O’Neill’s scuffed shot finding the net in the 48th minute to draw his side level for the first time since the 12th minute. 

The Armagh natives three-point lead was whittled down to a point after back-to-back Padraig Hagan frees in added time, but late points from Oisin Byrne and Calvin Mooney booked their sides place in the final next Thursday when they will take on Clontibret. 

Dromintee were first off the mark after seven minutes in the St Stephens Day clash with Diarmaid O’Rourke clipping a shot over following a patient move from his team-mates in the build-up. 

Parity was restored three minutes later, a quickly taken Kevin Barry Mullan free found Paddy Higgins to swing over. 

The Derry natives hit the front for the first time through a two-pointed Michael McVeigh score after Peader Pio Peoples shot came off the large post and play was recycled. 

Midway through the half they extended their lead through a Sean O’Kane point, but Dromintee replied through an angled Jarleth O’Neill score. 

Further points were traded through Higgins (free) and Diarmaid O’Rourke before the games opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute. 

Dungiven full forward Paddy Higgins fires to the net in the 23rd minute. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

Daithi McCloskey played a neat pass into the path of Paddy Higgins and he was able to squeeze a low shot past James McBennet at the near post to move his side 1-5-0-3 in front. 

In response, Fergus Toale’s high shot dropped over and Toale then turned provider for Ronan Martin to finish his sides scoring for the half- though at the other end Darragh O’Neill shot over to give his side a 1-6-0-5 lead at the interval. 

Dromintee reduced arrears through a Ronan Martin point five minutes after the restart, but Kevin Barry Mullan shot over and 60-seconds later he saw a low goal bound shot blocked by the foot of James McBennett in the Dromintee goal. 

A converted Padraig Haran free moved his side 1-8-0-6 ahead by the 40th minute though it would be St Canice’s last score for 22-minutes. 

Dromintee’s fightback began when Calvin Mooney dropped an impressive angled shot over and Diarmaid O’Rouke did likewise from the other side, either side of the midway point in the half. 

Dungiven defenders look back in horror as Michael O’Neill’s scuffed effort rolls over the line for the goal that brought the Armagh champions level. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

In the 48th minute parity was restored on the Shaws Road when Michael O’Neill’s attempt to shoot on the turn was scrappily deflected into the net to make it 1-8 apiece. 

Trailing since the 12th minute, Dromintee took the lead for the second time after 53-minutes when Fionn Toale popped the ball over. 

Toale’s score separated the sides until the hour-mark when he let fly with a two-pointed effort that dropped over the bar ahead of five additional minutes. 

The 2022 winners St Canice’s ended their scoreless period through a close-range Haran free and he added another within 60-seconds to leave the bare minimum separating the sides with two minutes remaining. 

Any hopes of forcing extra time were extinguished as Dromintee finished strongly with Oisin Byrne and Mooney added points in the last minute to ensure their side ran out 1-13-1-10 winners at the conclusion and booked their place in the New Year’s Day decider. 

DROMINTEE: J McBennett, J O’Neill (0-1), C Dunne, D O’Rourke (0-3), Fergus Toale (0-1), T Fox, M O’Neill (1-0), C Laverty, K McArdle, C Mooney (0-2), Fionn Toale (0-3, 1×0-2pt), M Walker, R Martin (0-2), O Carnegie, O Byrne (0-1). SUBS: S Harris for K McArdle (39), 

ST CANICE’S: T McCloskey, C McKenna, P O’Kane, E Og McKeever, D O’Neill (0-1), R McGilligan, D Colgan, D McCloskey, KB Mullan (0-1), M McVeigh (0-2, 1×0-2pt), P Haran (0-3f), PP Peoples, M Harkin, P Higgins (1-2, 0-1f), S O’Kane (0-1). SUBS: U McCloskey for C McKenna (HT), D McKenna for PP Peoples (HT). 
REFEREE: Colm McDonald (ST GALLS)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/iduiw4YYYUVd8K/?invite=572b49da-8d18-49ea-99f0-196739b9f35e

Paddy has added a second album. Click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/7k4NnpSZTaKpWM

by thesaffrongael

Paul Quinn R.I.P.

It was deep sadness that we at the Saffron Gael learned of the death of former Naomh Comhghall former player, Paul Quinn. Paul, the son of good friend and Naomh Comhghall past chairman Paddy Quinn was laid to rest, following Requiem Mass in St. Comgall’s Church, Antrim in Belmont Cemetery on Christmas Eve.

Paul Quinn was born into a family who are deeply involved in St. Comghall’s GAC and served them as a player, coming through the juvenile ranks to participate in two McCormack Cup campaigns.

Paul played for 10 years at Senior Level, and was on the St Comgall’s 2020 Gymco Junior Football Championship Final team. 

Latterly Paul trained with St Comgall’s reserves and played with St Comgall’s Dads and Lads.

A notice on the club’s Facebook page read:

CLG Naomh Comhghall  ·

It is with deep sadness that the Committee and members of CLG Naomh Comhghall learn of the sudden passing of Paul Quinn.

Paul was the beloved son of our esteemed past Chair Paddy Quinn and his wife Siobhán, and a much-loved brother of Paddy Jnr., our underage coach, and Danielle, our former Children’s Officer and assistant treasurer.

Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with the Quinn family at this very difficult time.

Mary Queen of the Gaels, pray for him.

Pictured below is Paddy Quinn Senior and his two boys, Patrick and Paul💚

Rest in Peace Paul 🙏🏼

To our good friend Paddy, his wife Siobhan, Paddy Jnr, Danielle, Emma and all the family circle we at the Saffron Gael extend our sincere sympathy.

Mary, Queen of the Gaels pray for him

by thesaffrongael

Dungiven and Dromintee battle it out in St Stephen’s Day semi

St. Paul’s/fonaCAB Ulster Minor semi-final

Sunday 26th December 2025

1pm @ St Pauls GAC

Dungiven (Derry) v Dromintee (Armagh) 

The second Minor Football semi-final of the St. Paul’s/fonaCAB Minor Football tournament is down for decision on St. Stephen’s Day when 2022 champions, Dungiven face Dromintee from Armagh.

The Derry champions, St. Canice’s were impressive last day out when they overcame the challenge of Donegal’s Four Masters who were aiming for three in a row on the Shaw’s Road.

In a game that was expected to be tight it was Dungiven who looked at one stage like running away with it.

The Derry champions turned round at the break leading by 10-points but at one stage Four Masters did cut the gap to the bare minimum. But they couldn’t find the score to edge them in front and it’s the St Canice’s who booked a semi-final place against Dromintee on Sunday.

Four Masters found scoring opportunities hard to come by in the second period and became over reliant on two-point frees from Lewis McCaughan, but fortune swung in their favour in the 45th minute when Tomás Carr’s effort deceived Thomas McCloskey in the  Dungiven goal to finish in the net to bring his side back into the contest.

Dungiven rallied and after McCaughan fouled Harkin in the square, Mullan finished high to the net to hand Dungiven a seven-point lead with 9 minutes to go.

The lead was cut to just one in the final minute when Gethin Mosby found the back of the Dungiven net, but the Derry side had the final say when Mullan spotted McCaughan off his line to find the net from 40 metres out and clinch a deserving four-point victory.

Key to Dungiven’s victory was the performance of their midfield diamond. Ryan McGilligan, Daithi McCloskey, Kevin Barry Mullan and Padraig Haran who all won more than their fair share of ball in the middle third while Mullan also contributed to 2-04 of his side’s total.

Their opponents on Sunday, Dromintee survived a twenty minute second half fightback from Ardboe in their quarer-final that saw their nine-point half-time advantage reduced to three at one point in their 2-15-1-11 win.

A lightning start saw them kick 2-5 unanswered in the opening 11-minutes- though Ardboe rallied after the break and a 48th minute Ruairi O’Neill goal saw the Tyrone Champions cut the gap to three. 

Scorer of Dromintee’s first goal- Ronan Martin, helped himself to three of his side’s last five scores in response and that eased any lingering doubts and ensured his side will make the return trip to West Belfast on Sunday.

Fionn Toale, Ronan Martin, O’Rourke, McArdle, Mooney and Byrne will lead the Dromintee challenge on Sunday and the Armagh side certainly look to have the power to put it up to their Derry counterparts.

Ryan Gilligan, Daithi McCloskey, Kevin Barry Mullan and Padraig Haran have the skill and power to punish any slip-ups and on the evidence of their win over Four Masters can shade matters on Sunday.

by thesaffrongael

Lámh Dhearg hosting Corn Daryl and Sciath Ryan hurling fundraiser on Sunday

SUNDAY morning will see Lámh Dhearg come together for a great cause with the Corn Daryl and Sciath Ryan hurling games. 

In memory of deceased members Daryl Fegan and Ryan Straney, senior hurler Odrán Waldron and his team-mates came together to organise an event that will pay tribute to Daryl and Ryan as well as raise vital funds for two charities- the Kell Bell Repatriation Trust and Prostate Cancer UK. 

Corn Daryl and Sciath Ryan event will raise vital funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and Prostate Cancer UK

It promises to be a fantastic event, raising money for two vital sources of support to families. If you need any further information please contact Odrán on 07759 635985  or if you wish to support the event and find out the ethos and further details click on the link below

https://www.gofundme.com/f/corn-daryl-agus-sciath-ryan