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by thesaffrongael

Antrim surge into Electric Ireland Final

All Ireland Tier 3 Minor semi-Final

Saturday, 23 May 2026 at St Peregrine’s, Dublin

Antrim 3-19  Laois 1-13

When Antrim lost to Monaghan and Armagh in the Ulster championship it looked like their season was over but the young Saffrons, under the watchful eyes of Donal Laverty, Eoin Doherty, Ciaran Browne, Mark Carey, Che Connor and Eimear McCullagh have put all that behind them and have found a new lease of life in the Electric Ireland Tier 3 championship.

On Saturday they travelled to St. Peregrine’s in Dublin to face Laois in the All Ireland semi-final and their performance was stepped up another level when they proved too good for the O’Moore County youngsters.

Antrim surged into the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Tier 3 Championship (Seamus Heaney Cup) final after securing a dominant 3-19 to 1-13 victory over Laois. The semi-final clash, held at the neutral St Peregrine’s GAA grounds in Dublin, saw the Saffrons use their goal-scoring power to dismantle the O’Moore County by 12 points.

Proud Antrim and Moneyglass man, Donal Laverty with the St. Ergnat’s players who were part of Antrim’s success on Saturday: Brandon O’Donnell, Niall Quinn, Sionan McCormick and Joey Griffin

Laois opened with high intensity, taking an early two-point lead through well-taken scores from Dan Downey and Cian Murphy. Antrim quickly responded via ConorMcArt, but a follow-up point from Laois’s Will McGrath kept the O’Moore men ahead 0-3 to 0-1 after just six minutes.

The game shifted entirely when Antrim’s Tiernan Lee began dictating play. Lee reduced the gap with a fine individual point before assisting Colm Kane for the equaliser, and then struck a lethal blow by firing home Antrim’s opening goal. Despite continuous pressure, Laois found momentary relief through points from Eoghan Harris and McGrath to keep themselves within touching distance.

Second-Half: Saffrons Pull Away

Antrim put the game beyond reach in the second period, orchestrated by the lethal attacking duo of Shea McFernan and Joey Griffin. McFernan, Campbell, and Kane executed a clinical sequence of points to stretch Antrim’s lead to ten points (2-14 to 0-10) with 15 minutes left on the clock. Laois were handed a lifeline when Tadh Hughessaw his goal bound effort blocked at the expense of a foul, resulting in a Sean Maree point, but Antrim responded immediately.

A late surge cemented Antrim’s dominance as Joey Griffin slid home their third goal. Laois captain Fionnan Brennan managed to grab a late consolation goal for his team, followed by traded points from McFerran and Will McGrath before Eamonn English blew the final whistle.

This win sees Antrim advance to the Tier 3 final against Wicklow at a venue that has yet to be announced and hopefully the Saffrons can draw a big support to the final and witness their side put the icing on the cake of a season that has got better and better over recent weeks.

Team captains, Fionnan Brtena (Laois) and Shea McLernon (Antrim) with match referee, Eamonn English

Antrim 1. Niall Quinn, 2. Cillian McKenna, 3. Shea McLernon 0-1 (Captain), 4. Bradan O’Donnell, 5. Thomas Douthart, 6. Conor McArt 0-3, 7. Sionan McCormack 0-2, 8. Dara Campbell 0-4, 9. Tom Convery 0-1, 10. Conall Wilson, 11. Joey Griffin 1-1, 12. Sean McPeake, 13. Colm Kane 0-4, 14. Shea McFerran 1-3, 15. Tiernan Lee 1-0.

Subs: Nathan Burns for Sean McPeake, Sean McMullan for Conall Wilson, Ruairi O’Connell for Tiernan Lee, Dàire Thornbury for Colm Kane, Cillian McDonnell for Cillian McKenna

Laois: Mark Dowling, Dan Downey  captain,  Fionnan Brennan, Darragh Brennan, Dale Heffernan, Cian Murphy, Will McGrath, Cillin Hoey, Will Craig, Tom Lawler, Sean Maree, Tadhg Hughes, Ethan Neilon, David Timmons, and Eoghan Harris.

Subs: Michael Brennan for David Timmons (Half-time)

Nisun Balogun for Darragh Brennan (45 mins)

Referee: Eamonn English

by thesaffrongael

 Quids in, challenge accepted, game on !

All Saints chairman, Jim Brady, Laura McMullan and Eamon McKillop launch the All Saints ‘Quids in

So you reckon your hand-eye coordination is fairly impressive on the football pitch, but how do you think you’d fare trying to separate coloured balls faster than your opponent – with one hand behind your back?

Or maybe you fancy yourself as a player with nerves of steel when it comes to taking those penalty kicks – but would they hold out if you had a mere 45 seconds to build a ‘Tower of Tension’ that’s taller than your opponent’s – and which must stay free-standing for a quarter of the time after you complete your masterpiece? Or are they going to crumble faster than the wooden blocks you’ve composed this creation from?

Sound easy? Think you’ve got the communication skills, the problem-solving abilities, and the creative thinking to figure out how to beat your fellow contestants and be crowned inaugural winner of the first ever All Saints GAC Quid Game event?

This exciting, challenging, and set to be hotly contested fundraiser will take place on Saturday 29th August at the Tullyglass Hotel, and it promises to be a night of fantastic fun and entertainment for both contestants and supporters.

It’s based on the Netflix hit series Squid Game – minus the ‘life or death’ element, of course, and with a lot more laughs included, but equally as deadly a competitive element.

Contestants will compete against each other in a set of six skills based games, and face elimination until just two remain in the final round.

We’ve already began our own mission to find our participants, and all we’re asking you to do is give us your name, and commit to raising a total of £1,500, find a sponsor, and sell some tickets to the event.

And to make it even easier, all of us at All Saints are ready and willing to come on board to assist with your fundraising events over the summer; in fact, we have a list of  ‘here’s one we made earlier’ ideas to inspire you with your efforts.

We’ll commit to helping you every step of the way, with tips, ideas and advice, and can assure you that your journey will be as fun as it is rewarding.

So if you feel not-so-quietly confident that you could be crowned King or Queen of the All Saints Quid Games, then get in touch by contacting Eamon McKillop on eamon@sparfrysroad.co.uk.

We can’t wait to get started.

by thesaffrongael

Saffron Camogs make good start to their Intermediate campaign

Derry 0-7 Antrim 3-14

Glen Dimplex Intermediate Camogie Championship

Antrim Senior Camogs got their All Ireland campaign off to great start when they travelled to Derry on Sunda and came away with the a convincing win. The Saffrons set themselves up perfectly for a second-half surge in this first-round Glen Dimplex Intermediate Camogie Championship clash at Derrytrasna. Antrim went into the half-time break level at six points apiece, a commendable position given they were playing against a stiff breeze. Following the restart, the Antrim girls quickly gained the upper hand, a task made considerably easier when Derry was reduced to fourteen players following a crucial red card.

In the opening thirty minutes, Derry’s defense proved formidable, making it difficult for Antrim to break them down. The home side responded impressively every time the Saffrons edged ahead. Frees dictated much of the early scoring, with Róisín McCormick spearheading the Antrim attack by slotting over four frees, supplemented by scores from Maeve Kelly and Emma Wilson. Carla Collins led the home side’s resistance, matching McCormick with three frees and adding another fine score from open play to ensure the teams went into the dressing rooms deadlocked at 0-5 apiece

The defining moment of the match arrived just five minutes into the second half. Derry full-back Eimear McCloskey, who had already been booked shortly before half-time, received a second yellow card in the 35th minute. Even before the dismissal, Antrim had signaled their second-half intent with and early points from McCormick. Down to fourteen players and forced to reorganize for the final 25 minutes, Derry’s spirited resistance began to crumble against an Antrim side that now had both an extra player and the breeze at their backs.

Griffin, McCormick and Kelly grabbed apiece goals for Antrim

The Saffrons systematically pulled clear, further bolstered by two points from Éobha McAllister. Clíona Griffin finally cracked the game open in the 45th minute, firing a low shot across Derry goalkeeper Niamh Gribbin for the game’s opening goal. The unstoppable McCormick, who amassed a personal tally of eight points, broke clear in the 52nd minute to drill the ball into the top of the net. Following a late consolation free from Derry’s Collins, which proved to be their only score of the half, Kelly added a third goal for Antrim in added time. While Kelly’s late strike may have slightly flattered the visitors on the final scoreboard, Antrim’s dominant second-half display ensured a comprehensive and well-deserved opening-round victory.

ANTRIM

Catriona Graham, Colleen Patterson, Caoimhe Conlon, Caoimhe McNaughton, Claire McKillop, Katie Molloy, Shanagh Heggarty, Amy Boyle, Maeve Kelly, Roisin McCormick, Lucia McNaughton, Nicole McAtamney, Aobha McAllister, Cliona Griffin, Janey McIntosh

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons shine but bow-out as Davy steps down

Joe McDonagh Cup

Round 5

Antrim 3-26 Carlow 1-15

Sunday 24 May

Brendan McTaggart reports from Corrigan Park, Belfast

It wasn’t the ending to the county season we had hoped for but a winning one, nonetheless.  Antrim recorded a comfortable win against Carlow in a sun kissed Corrigan Park but it wasn’t enough to force their way into the final. 

Down held up their end of the bargain but it was too much to ask for a miracle from the Exiles against Laois.  Antrim’s win proved to be in vain in what has turned out to be Davy Fitzgerald’s last game in charge.  The Antrim manager announcing to the squad after the game that he was resigning with immediate effect.

Given the last month or so and what’s happened off the pitch, it’s not really surprising and when you add in the results from the last two years, perhaps today was inevitable.  The option for a third year was there, it wasn’t taken.  The Davy Experiment has come in for some criticism from media sources up and down the country, some of it warranted, some of it not so.  Was it the right time for such a high-profile appointment?  There’s pro’s and con’s to that.  Hindsight is, off course, 20-20.  But I maintain that it was impossible to not at least have the conversation and take the risk. 

Has it backfired?  Well, when you look at this match, that one is open for debate.  Antrim played with a more traditional ‘formation’ and when you’re hitting 3-26 you’re going to win most games.

Davy Fitz who stepped down from his managerial role with Antrim hurlers after the game

But it was the performance levels of the players that impressed me today.  They were on a hiding to nothing against a side who travelled to Belfast basically for a holiday with their place in the McDonagh Cup final already secured.  James McNaughton looked back to something close to his best while Keelan Molloy, Ryan McCambridge, Paul Boyle and Niall O’Connor all shone.  The whole team looked to be more at home with what was being asked of them and how they set up.  Attacking with variation, playing with intensity and seemingly a freedom that feels like it’s been missing for a while.

McNaughton top scored with 15 points beside his name.  A magician with a hurl in his hand and dancing feet Michael Flately would be impressed by, it was great to see James back to his unassuming brilliant best.

Antrim’s control of this contest was helped with early goals from Joseph McLaughlin and Keelan Molloy.  ‘Pep’ could have had an early goal but was denied by the brilliance of Kyle Foley in the Carlow goals and some last gasp defending.  His goal came in the 17th minute and come from much of his own doing.  Forcing a turnover in a danger area before finishing with the expert ease we’ve come to expect.

Keelan Molloy

There was time for another Antrim goal chance before Molloy’s major with substitute Ruairi Donaghy’s effort coming back off the upright and when Molloy found the back of the net in the 25th minute, this game was all but over as a contest.  Conall Bohill rising highest in the middle of the park to claim the sliotar before finding Maskey running through the middle.  He would find Molloy and with space to run into, the Antrim star made no mistake with a brilliant finish.  Keelan would finish the contest with 1-3 and each of his points seemingly better than the one coming before it.  There’s something about watching him play hurling in an Antrim shirt that makes you feel like we’re capable of anything.  A Keelan Molloy with confidence and playing with a smile of his face and that swagger is a sight to behold.

His major gave Antrim a nine point lead before the half hour mark, really it could have been twice that but a 12 point lead at the interval transpired.

The second half felt procession like with Donaghy’s goal coming inside the opening 20 seconds of the half.  Rising highest to claim the sliotar before hammering to the back of the Carlow net was the start Antrim would have wanted.  You got the sense that the players wanted to sign off from the county season with a performance as well as a victory.

The Barrowsiders scored their major in the 42nd minute through Ruairi Murphy and came as a result of a lovely move in the middle of the pitch involving Conaill Fitzpatrick.  It was a top finish and there wasn’t anything Cormac McFadden could do but a word on the Loughgiel and Antrim shot stopper.  His improvement as a goalkeeper over the last 18 to 24 months has been astronomical and his puck outs have become an excellent attacking weapon.  He and Domhnall Nugent vied for that number one shirt at the start of the season with Ryan Elliott unable to commit for the season and McFadden’s performances by and large, have been excellent.  His save in the 54th minute to deny Colm Kavanagh epitomised bravery, putting his body on the line while he denied Murphy a second goal with his stop from a 21 yard free late in the game.

The manner of victory and the deficit was added to with late scores from Molloy and substitute Scott Walsh while McNaughton did what he does with effortless ease.  17 points and worth everyone of them on a chapter ending day, not only for Davy but for one Saffron stalwart, Stephen Rooney.  The tenacious defender who has acquitted himself superbly in an Antrim shirt and was given the honour of leading the team out for the match, called time on a career that has saw him with a couple of promotions and a pair of McDonagh Cup’s.  A third would have been nice to sign out on, that fairy tale ending didn’t come for the Naomh Pól man and while he looks ahead to a club career, Antrim’s search for another manager will begin.

Stephen Rooney who played his last game for Antrim on Sunday is seen here with his wife Cliodhna and son Tadhg and again the extended family

TEAMS

Antrim Starting XV: Cormac McFadden; Ruairi McCormick, Niall O’Connor, Stephen Rooney; Oisin Donnelly, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Paul Boyle, Ryan McCambridge; Conall Bohill, Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton; Jack McCloskey, Conal Cunning, Joseph McLaughlin

  • Subs: Ruairi Donaghy for J McCloskey (12); Scott Walsh for C Bohill (50); Rory McCloskey for O Donnelly (56); Cormac McKeown for P Boyle (60); Ben McGarry for K Molloy (66)
  • Scorers: J McNaughton 0-15 (9fs, 1’65); K Molloy 1-3; J McLaughlin 1-1; R Donaghy 1-00; R McCambridge 0-2; P Boyle 0-2; G Walsh 0-1; C Cunning 0-1; S Walsh

Carlow Starting XV: Kyle Foley; Lorcan Doyle, Niall Bolger, Conaill Fitzpatrick; Tadgh O’Neill, Richard Coady, Paidi O’Shea; Eric English, Colum Beck; Jake Nolan, Ted Joyce, John Doyle; Paddy Bolan, John Michael Nolan, Ruairi Murphy

  • Subs: Colm Kavanagh for JM Nolan (24); Conor Carew for P Bolan (43); Kevin Kavanagh for T Joyce (48); Jamie Wall for P O’Shea (58)
  • Scorers: R Murphy 1-8 (4fs, 4’65’s); J Doyle 0-4; E English 0-1; C Beck 0-1; C Kavanagh 0-1

Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME BY PHILIP OF pmc.jpeg CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/4eYt6SeuG2ZezQ/?invite=f42c7d8b-d5dd-420d-a74f-bd87f3b2a2ed

by thesaffrongael

High scoring Ahoghill move into second place

ACFL Division 2

Ahoghill 4-24 St. Teresa’s 3-11

Both sides went into this division 2 league encounter at Cloney on 10 points but in the end it turned into a route for Naomh Muire as they totally out played a St. Teresa’s side missing a number of regulars.

Ahoghill led 2-19 to 2-5 at the halfway stage and even at this juncture St. Teresa’s looked a well beaten side but to their credit they kept battling to the final whistle.

Indeed it was the visitors who got off to the better start with goals from Conor Delaney and Liam Connolly in the opening quarter but Naomh Muire kept in touch with Patrick Graham, James O’Connell 0-3 and Dan O’Neill hitting points.

Immediately after Connolly’s goal for the Glen Road side, Ahoghill responded with a goal of their own through Colla McDonnell to hit the front and they would not again be headed as they began to play with pace and confidence.

Patrick Dougan, Ronan Graham, James O’Connell 0-4, Dan O’Neill brought their point count for the evening to 19 as the Cloney side scored at will and when Eoin Graham fired home their second goal on 30 minutes they were looking good.

Darren McCann did add to his opening point for St. Teresa’s and further points from Niall McCann and Conor Mallon left them trailing by 14 at the short whistle.

Zac Morgan got St. Teresa’s off the mark with a point in the opening minute of the second half and Niall McCann added two more as the visitors made a bright start but the Cloney side hit back with a vengeance and Dan O’Neill fired home their third goal of the evening in the 8th minute.

St. Teresa’s were still enjoying a fair bit of success at this stage with John Mallon adding two further points but just when they appeared to be getting up a head of steam, James O’Connell got in for Ahoghill’s fourth goal of the contest.

Colla McDonnell, Dan O’Neill and James O’Connell added to the host’s ever increasing points tally before Darren McCann finished to the net for St. Teresa’s third goal of the evening with 8 minutes of normal time remaining.

James O’Connell and Ronan Graham concluded the Naomh Muire scoring with Conor Mallon replying with a consolation point for St. Teresa’s.

This win keeps St. Mary’s in second place in the table and moves them onto 12 points, two ahead of Glenavy who have two games in hand and St Teresa’s who have one in hand but it is St. Enda’s who continue to set the pace following a resounding victory over Naomh Comhghall on Saturday night.

Ahoghill: 1 Rian Martin, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Tom McGlone, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Ronan Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Dan O’Neill, 10 Noah Friel, 11 Donal Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 James O’Connell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 Colla McDonnell

19 Ben Friel

St. Teresa’s: 1 Mark Small, 2 Philip Glennon, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Diarmuid McTaggart, 5 Conor Mallon, 6 Eoin Connolly, 7 Liam Connolly, 8 9 Darren McCann, 10 Conor Delaney, 11 Niall McCann, 12 Tony McGaharan, 14 Philip Maguire, 15 Zac Morgan, 16 Leo Morgan, 17 Gary McCann, 19 Tiarnan Heaney, 23 John Mallon