Author / thesaffrongael

Posts by thesaffrongael

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

JP Mone hopeful that Clontibret can create further history and follow in the footsteps of 2002 heroes. 

By Kevin Herron 

CLONTIBRET boss John Paul Mone admits that winning the FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament at St Pauls has always been the target and following in the footsteps of the class of 2002. 

The Monaghan outfit are the only club from the Farney County to have tasted success 23-years ago, with Mone’s brothers involved in that last success and he is hoping to end the Christmas period on a high by creating further history for the parish. 

“We’ve enjoyed our christmas” he acknowledged. 

“It has been that wee bit more special. I know this tournament incredibly well. I played here twice before, I’ve watched my own club teams and my brothers come up here and then actually win it- which is a very proud thing for our club. 

“We set our stall out at the start of this to say that we wanted to create our own bit of history within our own club. The boys run a fantastic tournament here and it’s very prestigious. We hold it in very, very high regard and we’re hoping that we can get our name on that trophy again come New Years Day”. 

A spectator back in 2022, Mone believes that success was a proud moment for Clontibret and the local community and has praised the backing the team of 2025 has received along their journey. 

“It was a very proud moment for our club after trying on a number of occasions” he explained. 

“We had played in the final three times at that point and this will be our fourth appearance in the final- so like I say, we know it very well. 

“You can see the crowd that comes up from our club. They’ve a great following this team and we’re looking forward to the final. 

“I’d a brother on the team that won it in 2002, I’ve two sons that play on this team. We’re no different from any other club- we’re very much family orientated and the local community”. 

Reflecting on their semi-final victory over Bredagh, Mone felt his side performed under their usual standard in the first half, but was pleased they brought more intensity in the second period. 

“It was a big turnaround,” he recalled. 

“We were probably disappointed in our first half performance. We felt that we didn’t get up to the standard that we set ourselves, part of that was ourselves but a lot of it was down to Bredagh and how they pressurised us as well. 

Monaghan county winners Clontibret

“We probably came in a little bit under the kind of standard that we set ourselves but it is about playing the full game, it is never about just the first half. We had to rectify a few things, get a little bit more organised and a little bit more intensity to our game- thankfully what the boys showed in the second half is what is in our artillery and came out and showed it in full spade”. 

The Clontibret boss described the concession of three goals in a five-minute spell as uncharacteristic- but is hopeful that they can turn it into a positive ahead of Thursday’s final.  

“It’s very uncharacteristic for us to let three goals in like that,” Mone admitted. 

“I always say the boys have always shown great heart and maybe that is something that will help us if we’re going to go on and try and achieve things in the final. 

“Maybe being put in that sort of situation, you can always put the positive on it- and that hopefully will help us when we do go into the final. We were faced with a titanic battle at that stage, and the boys were able to turn it round, dig deep and get the result”.

by thesaffrongael

Dromintee focusing on stepping stones rather than victory ahead of their first Ulster Minor Final appearance 

By Kevin Herron 

DROMINTEE coach Kevin Toale is adamant that their mindset ahead of their New Years Day decider of the FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament at St Pauls is not about winning, but putting stepping stones in place. 

The Orchard outfit are bidding to land the trophy for the first time in their competition against 2002 winners Clontibret. 

Ahead of the Thursday decider, Toale believes victory would be an enormous achievement and a reflection of the community effort within the club. 

“The mindset here is we are not thinking of winning it, we are putting the stepping stones in place to achieve that- as are Clontbret at this stage” said Toale. 

“What it would achieve would be enormous. It would be a very good reflection of the amount of work that has been put in by this team- not just this year but over many years. Also by parents, community etc – in Dromintee it is an absolute community effort”. 

Toale was not in attendance at Clontibret’s semi-final win over Bredagh though acknowledged that there was a lot of content online on their opponents. 

“I personally didn’t get down but there is that much online at the moment- I feel like I was” he admits. 

“Clontibret are a very well coached, very disciplined and physical team. You don’t get to these finals by chance; you’ve to earn it, you’ve to forget that everyone is a county champion here. 

“A small club like ourselves, a lot of people saying we are fighting above our weight, you don’t go into a final to lose”. 

Toale was more than aware that his side were being written off on social media in the build-up to their St Stephens Day win over St Canice’s but was determined that it wouldn’t come into the changing room and praised the self-belief of the team for their comeback win.  

“It was always going to be very much touch and go, I know coming in here we were the underdogs” he reflected. 

“I suppose the title of underdogs which was on many of the facebook, Tick-Tok etc- there was a lot of stuff saying that we didn’t have much of a chance. 

“That didn’t come into the changing room. We came down here with a lot of belief, a huge amount of respect for Dungiven and their coaches- I think their coaching especially- they deserve great credit. They presented a very formatable team for us. 

“Going in at half-time we were four points down and we had utter self-belief that we were going to do this. The character of those boys is beyond good coaching. Good coaching presents, but their character stood up at the end there, and full credit to them”. 

One of the many qualities that Toale was impressed with was his side’s discipline and structure throughout the game. 

“In this sort of Championship football, at this time of the year it can be the proverbial wild-west during a match and it’s a case of keeping discipline” Toale explained. 

“People were asking us are you motivated. Of course we are motivated, but it wasn’t motivation it was discipline and apply discipline and continue to the very end. They had a structured game plan, we stuck to it and it paid off for us”. 

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall claim the last silverware of 2025

Leadon Timberframe Ulster Minor Hurling Championship Final

Ruairí Óg, Cushendall 3-17 Séan Mac Cumhaill, Bealach Féich (Donegal) 0-4

Sunday 28 December

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Shéamuis Mhic Fhailí, Baile na Scrine

Cushendall cruised to a 22 point win against Séan Mac Cumhaill on Sunday afternoon and claim the Ulster Minor Hurling Tournament Cup at Ballinascreen.  It was a dominant display from the young Ruairí Ógs who led from start to finish and amassed all but one of their scores from open play.

Fiontan Bradley fires the ball to the Séan Mac Cumhaill net inside the first minute

Fiontan Bradley and Ryan McAuley got the goals, Bradley with one in either half while early substitute Fintan McKillop claimed the man of the match award from the sponsors (Leadon Timberframe).  McKillop was brought on after just four minutes of the final after Brian McNeill failed to shake off an injury picked up in the semi final.  He would finish with six white flags and put in a quite brilliant performance for his side.

Conor McCann and Callagh Mooney excelled at the heart of the Ruairí’s defence while McLaughlin brothers Thomas and Nicholas were pulling the strings in midfield.

It was always going to be a massive ask for the Ballybofey side who had performed so well in causing a massive upset last Sunday defeating Ballygalget in the semi final but they found Cushendall in no mood to let lightning strike twice. Daniel Donnelly, Jacob Malone and Pauric Kelly all had good games for Séan Mac Cumhaill but they struggled with a sharp and more cohesive Cushendall side.

Ryan McAuley in action during the Ulster Minor final in Ballinascreen

Cushendall made a fast start to the final and had the first goal of the game inside the opening 60 seconds.  Callagh Mooney sending the sliotar towards Bradley and breaking the delivery into space, the Cushendall full forward drove a ground shot home from close range.  Points followed from Connlaodh McNaughton, Nicholas McLaughlin and Alex McCambridge while Bradley added to his goal to leave the Ruairi’s 1-4 to no score ahead after 10 minutes.

Séan Mac Cumhaill played Daniel Donnelly in a deeper role but the delivery into the forwards and ability to take a score from distance meant Cushendall were able to transfer their pressure into points on the board.

Daimhin Byrne opened Séan Mac Cumhaill’s scoring when he intercepted a loose pass before splitting the uprights in the 11th minute.  That would be their only score from open play however as the Cushendall defence remained on top throughout.

Cushendall were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute when Bradley was hauled to the ground as he made his way towards goal.  Séan Mac Cumhaill claimed Bradley had overcarried but their complaints fell on deaf ears. Nicolas McLaughlin took the resulting penalty but his effort was well saved by Fionn Mac an Ultaigh.

The Ruairi’s continued to find the target from various ranges with Bradley and Mooney firing over along with scores from Thomas McLaughlin, Cahir McCambridge and a brace from Fintan McKillop.  A free from Dylan Patton the sole response from the Ballybofey side as Cushendall took a time lead of 1-10 to 0-2 into the half time interval.

Fintan McKillop who excelled for Cushendall after being introduced as a sub early in the game

Séan Mac Cumhaill started the second half with more intensity and tackles started to increase in ferocity yet ultimately, it started the same way as the first – a Cushendall goal.  Collecting the sliotar in the right hand corner, Cahir McCambridge got clear of the tackles along the end line before finding Ryan McAuley.  McAuley was under pressure but managed to get enough on the sliotar from close range and beat Mac an Ultaigh in the Séan Mac Cumhaill goals.

A free from Donnelly was responded with Fintan McKillop’s third point of the final before Séan Mac Cumhaill were reduced to 14 men.  Substitute Sean Og Hannigan receiving his marching orders for a strike with his hurl on Thomas McLaughlin, giving referee the easiest decision of the final.  A tackle borne out of frustration given what had happened before when McLaughlin had superbly robbed him of possession but a clear breaking of the laws.

With the game opening up, Cushendall began to put even further daylight between the sides with Fintan McKillop, Bradley and Shane McQuillan finding their range.  Donnelly would split the uprights for his second free  with 12 minutes remaining but that was the last score by the Ballybofey men.

The third Cushendall major came in the 55th minute through a piece of individual brilliance.  Bradley gathered the sliotar and rounded his man.  The Séan Mac Cumhaill closed in and starved him of space but he managed to hammer the sliotar to the back of the net one handed.

Nicholas McLaughlin had the final say with the last score of the final as Cushendall romped home to claim the last silverware of 2025.

The win see’s Cushendall join St John’s and Kevin Lynch’s on three wins each at the Tournament and Antrim joining Derry with winning the competition on 11 occasions.

TEAMS

CUSHENDALL: Shane Coulter; Paddy Morgan, Conor McCann, Brian McNeill; Alex McCambridge, Callagh Mooney, Aodhán Campbell; Thomas McLaughlin, Nicholas McLaughlin; Shane McQuillan, Connlaodh McNaughton, Ryan McAuley; Cahir McCambridge, Fiontan Bradley, Dáire Higgins

Subs: Fintan McKillop for B McNeill (4); Diarmuid McManus for S McQuillan (51); Sean Pol McNaughton for R McAuley (53); Calum Quinn for A Campbell (57)

Scorers: F Bradley 2-3 (1f); F McKillop 0-6; R McAuley 1-00; N McLaughlin 0-2; A McCambridge 0-1; C Mooney 0-1; T McLaughlin 0-1; C McNaughton 0-1; C McCambridge 0-1; S McQuillan 0-1

SÉAN MAC CUMHAILL: Fionn Mac an Ultaigh; Ultán Coyle, Shay Bradley, Adam Byrne; Patrick McElhinney, Oisin Mullen, Lorcan Byrne; Pauric Kelly, Tomás McNulty; Rory Doherty, Daniel Donnelly, Jamie Gallen; Dylan Patton, Jacob Malone, Daimhin Byrne

Subs: Sean Og Hannigan for A Byrne (28); Matthew Dowds for J Gallen (40); Shay McNulty for R Doherty (44); Ultan O Giollagáin for L Byrne (48); Liam Gallen for D Patton (51)

Scorers: D Donnelly 0-2 (2fs); D Patton 0-1 (1f); D Byrne 0-1

Referee: Sean Curran (Derry)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/Wg8iSad7k5FaB6/?invite=8cd04400-d89d-47bb-90b4-e4ff26ef3805

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

https://myalbum.com/album/CEJCYx6sdiwcym/?invite=1b3c692b-3c2b-4f9a-80a3-4ab90c7e1ffe

TO SEE SEAN PAUL’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THIS LINK

TO SEE BERT#S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THIS LINK

by thesaffrongael

Hot favourites Cushendall must be wary of the Sean MacCumhaills challenge

Ulster Minor Club Hurling final at Ballinascreen

Ruairi Og Cushendall v Sean MacCumhaills Ballybofey – Throw-in 1pm

Cushendall must not be complacent when the take on Donegal champions Sean MacCumhaills in Sunday’s Ulster Minor Hurling final in Ballinascreen. Last Sunday the boys from Ballybofey made history by becoming the first Donegal side to reach the final of this great tournament and they are determined to write another chapter tomorrow when the face the Antrim champions.

Sean MacCumhaills manager Jamesie Donnelly is hoping they can end the year on a high after already upsetting the odds twice. The Tir Connell side were outsiders when they took on Tyrone champions Carrickmore in the Ulster Shield final, but depite having a depleted squad, they came out on top.

Sean MacCumhaills, Ballybofey

Winning the Shield put them through to the semi-final of the cup competition where they faced Down champions Ballygalget and low and behold they upset the odds again to set up Sunday’s showdown with Cushendall.

In their semi-final Cushendall had a hard earned win over Dungiven in a really competitive game. The Derry champions matched the Ruairis score for score for most of the game and when they edged ahead going down the home straight the Antrim champions appeared to be in trouble. However they battled on and after Fiontan Bradley hit the equalising score in the last seconds, Nicholas McLaughlin won the game when his attempt for a point dropped in below the crossbar in injury time for the match winning goal.

Cushendall full forward Fiontan Bradley in action during last week’s semi-final win over Dungiven

Cushendall goalkeeper Shane Coulter was man of the match last week with a series of outstanding saves while in a solid full back line Conor McCann stood out. Although named in the forwards Callagh Mooney did a lot of defending last week and was a vital cog in the Cushendall team as were the McLaughlin brothers Nicholas and Thomas. Connlaodh McNaughton and Shane McQuillan hit vital scores while Fiontan Bradley was a constant danger, despite being closely marked throughout the hour.

Sean MacCumhaills manager Jamesie Donnelly is confident his team will not be found wanting “We’re here on merit, we’re in uncharted territory but we’ll go to Ballinascreen and give it one hell of a lash. We’re not going up to take part in the occasion, we’re going up to play hurling and we might never get this chance again.”

Cushendall will go in as strong favourites but sometimes that is not a good thing and they will need to be on their toes to capture the club’s third Ulster title and their first since 2013.

by thesaffrongael

Camogie 2025 through the Nikon lens of Michael Corcoran

It’s hard to believe we are now fast approaching the end of 2025, and what a good year it has been for the camogs from Antrim Clubs and County. As you know, our team of snappers annually try their best to bring you the action from the Saffron county games across the four codes. It’s a big task but somehow it gets done and although you look forward to a rest over the festive period, cabin fever quickly sets in and you long for the lengthening evenings and the thud of leather on ash. So, in the meantime, we thought it would be a bit different to have ex Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran give us his select pick of photos that defined the year of 2025 for him behind his lens.

“The feature picture at the head of this post is a great starting point. Antrim Minors winning the All Ireland A Shield against Laois in April down in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny set us all off into early celebrations but not before they won the Ulster against Derry in Ahoghill, early March.”

You can read the original Minor All Ireland match report and view the photo album here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/04/28/antrim-camogie-minors-all-ireland-a-shield-champions/

You can read the original Ulster match report and view the photo album for the Ulster Minor final here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/03/31/antrim-regain-the-ulster-camogie-cup-from-derry/

“Antrim’s Seniors winning the Very League against Clare just a day ahead of the Minor’s Ulster win was great fuel for the younger camogs to demonstrate their own capabilities when the stakes are high.”

Antrim faced tough opposition in the form of Clare in the Very League final. This photo captures the essence of the game, where nothing was easy for either side and in the end, gave the Antrim win extra signficance.

“Having access to the squad on the return bus journey allowed for a terrific group photo opportunity and then there was the traditional winners’ walk over the county border from Louth into Down.” Again, you can relive the match through the match report and view the photo album here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/03/30/antrim-on-their-way-up-after-their-league-final-win/

Miles of smiles as we journeyed back from the National Games Development Centre with the Very League Cup.

Louth to Down, pitch black and cold wouldn’t deter the squad from this tradition.

“Antrim continued with their winning ways and enjoyed an Ulster win against Derry during an early summer spell of fine weather in May. I like this photo as it captures the squad enjoying the result, the fine weather and also has an element of enormity about it, complementing the significant win.”

Antrim fill in time just before the official Ulster trophy is awarded to Antrim in Dunloy.

You can read the original match report and view the photo album here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/05/11/antrim-prevail-despite-an-early-threat-from-derry/

“In June, Antrim travelled to play Westmeath in spells of atrocious downpours of rain. This photo captures the moment Katie Molloy went on a solo run with Lucia Mc Naughton running off the shoulder. I think you get the sense of just how difficult that game was, considering the weather.”

You can reread the match report and view the photos from the game here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/06/15/antrim-avoid-dire-straits-playing-sultans-of-swing-in-the-second-half/

Katie Molloy weathers the storm with Lucia McNaughton running off the shoulder against Westmeath.

“Sometimes a photo tells a story without the action of a stick or sliotar. This photo of Katie Lynn applying sunscreen to Sarah O’Neill’s face is a great example of the camaraderie that existed in the squad but that day Antrim were baked in the July sun, Offaly holding out the better for their pathway to an eventual All Ireland Intermediate win.”

A pitch temperature above thirty degrees proved to be an unforeseen challenge that would hamper Antrim’s passage to the All Ireland final.

“That loss pretty much wrapped up county action on the big stage, but there were other photo assignments ongoing in the club scene. June marked an interesting initiative between the LGFA and Antrim Camogie for a joint club championship launch. It proved to be a colourful event down Belfast’s Commercial Court, the scene lining up to help promote the Camogie Associations Pride campaign.”

Players from the LGFA and Camogie club scene joined forces for a dual photoshoot to launch the club championships.

You can delve back into this if you missed the original Saffron Gael post here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/06/22/antrim-lgfa-and-camogie-dual-launch-for-championships/

“The club championships created so many wonderful photo opportunities but it’s hard to include so many, so here’s my shortlist of seven, only for the following reasons.”

“First up, Laura Brady from Patrick Sarsfield’s Junior win. It’s hard not to see the sheer delight in her face after a great game up in St. Enda’s against Loughgiel.”

Match report and photos from that Junior final can be read and seen here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/10/26/sarsfields-make-history-with-first-junior-camogie-championship-win/

Laura Brady from Sarsfield’s enjoys a moment of history for her club.

“This is an opportunity for me to include two players that I’ve enjoyed watching playing for their county. Here’s Clare McKillop in action against Cushendall. Clare has just pinched the sliotar off the end of Amy McAlister’s stick. Clare has been doing that all season, especially with the county with quiet aplomb. In my humble opinion seen through the lens, Clare has been one of the stand out players from 2025 with a level of consistency that was always dependable at times of need.”

Loughgiel’s Clare McKillop quietly takes possession of the sliotar in one of the Antrim Championship games.

“You’ll forgive me if I tell you that the next photo is nothing special but the player is. Róisín McCormick, Antrim and Loughgiel. It’s easy to run out of superlatives in your match report when covering one of her games.”

Loughgiel’s taliswoman, Róisín McCormick, in this year’s club championship action against Cushendall.

“The Antrim County final gave us a game we’ll remember. Looking through the photo gallery, one stands out. Here’s a photo of Dunloy’s Brid Magill. You’ve got to marvel at the angel she has created for propulsion in attempting to out pace Loughgiel’s Maria O’Hara, who incidentally has matched Brid.

Elite athletes in action during the Antrim County final in Portglenone, Brid Magill and Maria O’Hara.

“That same final seen Loughgiel’s Anna Connolly chaperone the sliotar under severe pressure from Dunloy’s Mary McArthur and Nicole McAtamney, with player of the match Eimear Johnston, ready to turn up the heat. Terrific skill under immense pressure.”

You can revisit that game’s match report and photos here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/10/13/shamrocks-secure-stunning-streak-12-in-a-row/

Loughgiel’s Anna Connolly balances the sliotar away whilst under pressure from Dunloy players in the Antrim County final.

“My last two photos exemplify the thrills and spills you see in this marvellous game. Here we see Annie Lynn catching the sliotar tossed forward from Amy Boyle out of the side line ruck that would end in the back of Clonduff’s net, courtesy of Róisín McCormick to propel Loughgiel safely onto their fourth Ulster Win.”

Catch the action in words and photos from that game again here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/11/17/brilliant-shamrocks-bring-it-home-for-four-in-a-row/

Annie Lynn’s fortuitous catch is about to put the game beyond Clonduff in the Ulster final.

“My last photo sums up the emotion this game can create as Loughgiel’s Megan McGarry drops to her hunkers in disbelief, so close but not enough to move into another All Ireland final. Thanks to Megan for being a sport and allowing this pic to be used.”

Words and photos from that titanic semi final that went into extra extra time can be found here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/11/30/loughgiel-dreams-sink-in-titanic-all-ireland-semi-final/

St. Finbarr’s scrape past Loughgiel in this year’s All Ireland Senior semi final by one point. Disbelief and disappointment are uneasy companions for one team, especially at this elite level.

“That’s my pick from 2025, it’s by no means a review but the albums might have captured something you prefer, and that’s okay. It only remains for me to thank Carl McCormick, Martin Coulter and the players for unprecedented access to the Antrim senior squad, where nothing was a bother, also to the Antrim club management teams who trusted me to be impartial along the side line when it mattered. Finally a special thanks to Loughgiel’s Johnny Campbell for permission to shoot in and around the squad as I tried to capture the special moments from a serious journey. What photo assignments will come calling in 2026? Can Antrim make up for last year’s narrow miss on the Intermediate scene? How will they go in the top league? Can Loughgiel maintain their dominance and visit Croke Park again? Can Brídíní Óga make it three All Irelands? I don’t have the answers yet but hopefully the Saffron Gael will continue to get ring side and bring you those and much more in 2026.”

Happy New Year!