Category / Camogie

by thesaffrongael

A spirited Ahoghill take six of the best from Loughgiel

Antrim Camogie Senior Division 1 League

Loughgiel 6-24 Ahoghill 1-03

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran in Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel

With the glorious summer weather abating as the days tick by, tonight’s game in Fr. Healy Park brought us all back to earth with a chilly bump. A strong northerly breeze, keeping most spectators in their cars, hampered point scoring to some degree for the Shamrocks as they played from the club end. But that didn’t seem to bother them and instead Loughgiel focussed on goals for the better part of the first half, knowing the element would be on their backs later.

Many would have forecast a one sided affair for tonight’s game but a spirited Ahoghill squad dug deep and fought hard to limit the end result. Although the Shamrocks remained dominant throughout the game, the girls from Fr. McGuigan Park spoiled the green flag count with at least three magnificent collective efforts in and around the small box as Loughgiel pressed hard in the second half.

Loughgiel’s Ceala Dobbin was industrious scoring and assisting in tonight’s game

Orlagh Laverty opened up the major score count for the Shamrocks but that was equalled by Ahoghill’s Katie McCloskey when the opportunity arose to break behind Loughgiel’s defence. An industrious Ceala Dobbin made it two for Loughgiel within fifteen minutes from an intercepted Ahoghill sideline, then in less than three minutes made that three goals (Dobbin’s second) from an Anna Connolly – Orlagh Laverty setup. Annie Lynn got some of the action after recycling the Ahoghill puc out for her fine point. A sister act brought Loughgiel’s goal count to four when Orlagh Laverty fed through the sliotar to Christine McCloskey. McCloskey took the overhead bat option to rule out a hook from any chasing players. Tonight’s official, Paul O’Neill, blew for the break with scores Loughgiel 4-11 Ahoghill 1-01.

Maeve O’Donnell is denied a high ball as Loughgiel’s Louise McKillop takes the sliotar down from behind

The restart brought further pressure to Ahoghill as Loughgiel now had a full sail with the blowing breeze behind them. Five points fired over the bar before Ahoghill’s Noreen Graham replied with an excellent point from an acute angle, but Loughgiel’s Kirsty Mckendry would make it five goals as she made good use of a pass from Dobbin. Although Katie McCloskey moved Ahoghill’s score along after a fine point, Loughgiel made good of the turnaround and ran up six points in quick succession. And when Loughgiel’s Anna Smyth made a lunge for goal, O’Neill was quick to spot an infringement, setting up Loughgiel’s goalkeeper to take and score the penalty with a stinger high into the net.

You can see Emma McAllister’s penalty here…

That would bring tonight’s game to an end and essentially an end to the league. Although there are a few re-fixtures in the planning, essentially these will not alter Cushendall’s place at the top of the leaderboard.

You can see more photos from tonight’s game by following the link to the album here…

https://myalbum.com/album/3XpXaLxiExavon/?invite=580e5c70-9310-4326-8244-078e40bbcfbb

Loughgiel starters and scorers

Emma McAllister 1-0 (P), Charlene Campbell, Úna McGovern, Finvola McVeigh, Anna Smyth 0-01, Megan McGarry, Louise McKillop, Anna Connelly, Shanna Deery 0-02, Annie Lynn 0-06, Christine McCloskey 1-03, Katie McKillop 0-06 (3f), Anna McKillop, Orlagh Laverty 1-03, Caela Dobbin 2-01, Kirsty McKendry 1-00, Carlina Sullivan 0-02

Ahoghill starters and scorers

Aine Graham, Dearbhaile Graffin, Bronagh Graffin, Fiona Blaney, Niamh Neeson, Éadaoin McGarry, Orla Neeson, Caoimhe Scullion, Aisling O’Donnell, Niamg Graham, Katie McCloskey 1-02, Molly Horan, Maeve O’Donnell, Róisín Loughlin, Noreen Graham 0-01

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons start favourites, but they must be wary of resurgent Meath

All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship

Antrim v Meath in Breffni Park, Cavan

Antrim’s opponents for tomorrow’s All Ireland Intermediate Camogie semi-final are Meath, a team whose interest in the competition appeared to be dead and buried when they lost the first two games of the All Ireland campaign to Laois and Westmeath

It was backs to the wall time for the girls from the Royal county but the showed great resolve when beating Carlow in the last of the round-robin section by 4-15 to 1-12, a result that got them back on track, and thanks to superior scoring difference, earned them a quarter final place

That victory earned them quarter final against Derry where the driving runs of Aoife Minogue gave her team the edge against the Ulster side. In that clash with the Oak Leaf county their defence were rock solid and Derry never looked like breaching their rearguard.

Going into tomorrow’s game Antrim will probably start favourites but team manager Elaine Dowds will have them well warned that the Meath challenge is lot stronger than some of the pundits are predicting.

The Saffrons won their three games in the round-robin section with victories over Derry, Kerry and Down, and while they had a bit to spare in the first two, Down put them to the pin of their collar in Ballycran, holding them scoreless for 27 minutes of the second half, and had it not been for a brilliant Roisin McCormick goal then things could have been different. The got off to a flying start against Kerry and were ten points clear after just six minutes, but for the remainder of the game the girls from the Kingdom gave as good as they got, and ten points was the margin at the end.

Elaine Dowd’s charges will wanting to make a quick start again tomorrow against Meath and with the likes of Roisin McCormick, Maeve Kelly, Eobha McAllister, Nicole McAtamney, the McIntosh sisters Janey and Elen and Cliona Griffin they have unit with great potential. The newlywed Lucia McNaughton and her midfield partner Amy Boyle are formidable, but they will be well tested by the Meath duo. Team captain Catriona Graham wears the number 1 jersey and  is a vital cog in the wheel while the back six should be very similar to the side that faced Down last time out  with Colleen Patterson, Caoimhe Conlon, Caoimhe McNaughton; Clare McKillop, Katie Molloy, Shannagh Hegarty all figuring. Molloy has been a real tower of strength all through this campaign, and in the league.

One thing that would worry me a little is the length of the break from their last round robin game against Down. Meath have been involved in the quarter final two weeks ago and that quite often is a big boost to a team.

No doubt Dowdsie and her backroom team have had them all in tip top condition for the game and if they perform to their strengths they are in with a great chance of secure a final place in Croke Park. However they must not be complacent as Meath will provide a stern challenge.

by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel’s Club Day is a True Fun Day

Report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel

Saturday witnessed a fun and action packed afternoon of pitch and games activities ranging from fundamentals, underage blitzes against other clubs, Couch to 5K conclusion, Poc Fada, penalty shoot out, cross bar challenge, sliotar targets, and much more as everyone enjoyed the warm clammy air infused with the aroma from the BBQ running all day.

Underage blitz for hurlers and camogs occupied every inch of the pitch

The senior camogiers had a favourable outcome in the challenge match against All Ireland 2023 winners, Dicksboro and five time winners, Mitchell’s from Corkey, won the Benny McIlhatton Tug-O-War for the fifth year allegedly in a row! The McCrackens are hoping to better that tally next year.

The McCrackens’ hope to level up next year

Congratulations to everyone participating and enjoyed their activities leading up to and during the day. Sunday will see the conclusion of Club Day with a Senior hurling game against Slaughneil.

Senior camogs enjoyed a challenge game against All Ireland winners, Dicksboro

There’s three albums of photos to enjoy from Loughgiel’s club day. Remember that the photos are better enjoyed on a large screen like on a laptop, tablet or monitor. Click on any image to see a full size or flick between ‘Book View’ or ‘Screen View’.

To see the photos from the pitch activities follow this album link…

https://myalbum.com/album/u4xME4ZMa4oeWm/?invite=49dca1ed-61ea-44db-b111-6bfec9d77b48

To see the underage games at Fr. Healy, follow this album link…

https://myalbum.com/album/XoMLPBtR7SWdjM/?invite=21b966c1-b34c-40e1-882a-235ec8e53b98

And to see the photos from the challenge game against Dicksboro, follow this album link…

https://myalbum.com/album/DRKyKMWj7QCQmp/?invite=e51ee999-b905-4164-868b-621d28f5474d

by thesaffrongael

McNeill on the mark as Cushendall step closer to retaining their league title

Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Dunloy 2-05 Cushendall 0-17

Cushendall Ruairi Óg took a significant step toward retaining their Antrim Division 1 Camogie League title with a commanding six-point victory over Dunloy Cuchullains at Pearse Park on Tuesday evening. In a high-intensity encounter, it was a virtuoso performance from Eva McNeill that stole the headlines, with the sharp-shooting forward serving as the star of the show to guide the visitors to a well-earned win.

The game roared into life from the opening whistle. Eva McNeill laid down an early marker for Cushendall with a point inside the first minute, though Dunloy hit back immediately through an Áine Magill score just sixty seconds later. McNeill edged the visitors ahead with a beautifully struck ’45’ in the sixth minute, but Dunloy found the game’s opening major shortly after. Erin McMullan showed great predatory instincts to find the net in the eighth minute, and when Aileen McManus followed up with a quick point, the Cuchullains looked to be building serious momentum.

However, Cushendall’s response was emphatic. Dervla Cosgrove ignited the fightback with a magnificent long-range point, followed instantly by a Brogan Abram score. Siobhán McKillop then leveled proceedings in the 15th minute, showing superb balance to strike on the run from the left-hand side. While Áine Magill kept Dunloy in touch with an 18th-minute free, the remainder of the half belonged to the Ruairí Óg vanguard. Abram tallied her second of the evening with a fine score, McKillop loosed off another brilliant point, and Eva McNeill took dead-aim from placed balls, slotting two late frees before clipping over a fine score from play to give Cushendall a deserved 0-11 to 1-03 cushion at the break.

The visitors picked up exactly where they left off after the restart, Eva McNeill converting another free to stretch the gap. Áine Magill responded with a great point from play for Dunloy, but McNeill was in an unplayable mood, landing a free before drifting out to the left wing to fire over a spectacular point from a tight angle. Another McNeill free extended the lead, but Dunloy refused to lie down. After a chaotic 43rd-minute goalmouth scramble somehow failed to yield a major for the home side, they finally got their breakthrough two minutes later. Erin McMullan was again the provider, turning sharply to fire home her second goal of the match and breathe new life into the Dunloy challenge, cutting the deficit to four.

Sensing a shifting tide, the champions flexed their muscles. Just two minutes after the Dunloy goal, Eva McNeill steadied the ship with another precise free to re-establish a five-point cushion. The exclamation point on a masterful individual display came in the 49th minute. Anticipating a short Dunloy poc-out, McNeill brilliantly intercepted the clearance and casually tapped the sliotar over the bar. It was the definitive blow of the contest, sealing a comprehensive six-point victory and cementing Cushendall’s march toward back-to-back league honours.

Cuchullains Dun Lathaí

1 Clodagh OKane, 2 Casey Crawford, 3 Kathryn Boyle, 5 Eilis Kearns, 6 Katie Laverty, 7 Eimear McMullan, 8 caitlin crawford, 9 Bronach Magill, 10 Erin McMullan, 11 Bríd Magill, 12 Aine Magill, 14 Aileen McManus, 15 Adria McAllister.

Ruairí Óg

1 Ellen Leech, 2 Laoise McCollam, 3 Anna McNeill, 4 Tamara Black, 5 aoife mcclafferty, 6 Abi McNeill, 7 Laura Black, 8 Dervla Cosgrove, 9 Siobhan McKillop, 10 Brogan Abram, 11 Rhianna Black, 12 Cara O’Boyle, 14 Eva McNeill, 15 Kady McNeill.

Scorers

Cushendall:

  • Eva McNeill: 0-12 (0-8 frees, 0-1 ’45’)
  • Siobhan McKillop: 0-02
  • Brogan Abram: 0-02
  • Dervla Cosgrove: 0-01

Dunloy:

  • Erin McMullan: 2-00
  • Aine Magill: 0-04 (0-1 free)
  • Aileen McManus: 0-01

  • Referee – Declan McGarry (Loughgiel Shamrocks)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/Kuy6mpyejxf3L6/?invite=eebd79ad-bd35-4193-80b4-40fd1c3de8e8

by thesaffrongael

McNeill Magic Seals Feis Glory for Cushendall

Feis na nGleann

Senior Camogie Final

Cushendall 3-23 Loughgiel 1-9

Sunday 5 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Cushendall recorded a resounding victory over Loughgiel on Sunday afternoon to take the Feis crown for the first time in their history.  While the Ruairi ladies were good in the first half, they were awesome in the second as they blitzed a depleted Loughgiel side.

Eva McNeill was tormentor in chief for the ‘Dall, recording an eye opening 1-12 over the hour with 1-5 of that coming in the final 10 minutes of the contest.  Brogan Abram and Kady McNeill grabbed the other goals for Cushendall with Orlaith McCurry, Abi McNeill and Dervla Cosgrove all playing starring roles.

The Shamrocks were without many of their first team players given the match was played just 24 hours after the wedding of Lucia McNaughton, and many of the team that started had journeyed back from the wedding that morning to line out for their club. However they had plenty of strong performers.  Marie Laverty in particular was excellent and carried a serious threat with her direct running.  Louise and Katie McKillop always looked lively but they were up against a white and maroon juggernaut.

Cushendall were on top from the first whistle and were four points to one clear after the opening 10 minutes.  Siobhan McKillop, Brogan Abrams and Eva McNeill (two) with the Cushendall scores while Anna McKillop recorded the opening score for the Shamrocks.

A brace of Marie Laverty frees brought Loughgiel to within a single score by the 15th minute but that was as good as it got for the Shamrocks.

Eva McNeill added another point before Abram struck the opening goal of the final.  Her floated effort into the danger area was misjudged by Emma McAllister in the Loughgiel goal and dropped over the line.  Further scores followed from Siobhan McKillop and Cliodhna Thompson to stretch the Cushendall lead to eight points with six minutes of the half remaining.

Points from Marie Laverty either side of an Eva McNeill free were followed by scores from Cara O’Boyle and Abram in first half injury time.  Abram taking her tally to 1-2 for the half with her second point a highlight of the opening 30 minutes, splitting the uprights from wide on the right and next to no angle to work with.

With the score 1-12 to 0-6 in Cushendall’s favour, Loughgiel needed a fast start to the second half.  What they got was a wall of attacks from Cushendall from the get go.  Eva McNeill opened the scoring from a free before Kady McNeill produced a moment of magic with her first touch of the second half.  Abram delivered the sliotar high into the danger area and Kady deflected the sliotar to the back of the net with a brilliant touch in mid-air.  A piece of genius that ignited the Ruairi’s into a higher gear.

The lead was stretched to 15 points when Cushendall were awarded a penalty, Orlaith McCurry upended by Charlene Campbell when through on goal.  Eva McNeill took the resulting penalty but her effort was well saved by Emma McAllister.

Cushendall did add further brace of scores from Cosgrove (one ’45) before scoring their third goal of the contest.  Emma McAllister’s attempted clearance was blocked by Eva McNeill and the sliotar went to the back of the net.

It took until the 22nd minute of the second half for the Shamrocks to add to their half time tally, Marie Laverty splitting the uprights from a free to try and break the Cushendall momentum.

Laverty and Eva McNeill traded frees before McNeill hit four points in as many minutes to add further gloss to the score board for the Ruairi’s.

The Loughgiel goal came in injury time at the end of the game, Marie Laverty’s free deceiving the Cushendall defenders on the line and dropping behind the line but it did little to paper over the cracks of a disappointing afternoon for the Shamrock camogs.

Substitute Amy McAllister rounded off the scoring in injury time as Cushendall ran out comfortable winners.

With the league title in their hands, this could be the first of three major trophies going the way of the Ruairi Og camogs this season.  There will have tougher tests later in the year and there’s no doubting Loughgiel will be coming again with a much but on the evidence of this performance, Cushendall will take some stopping.

Cushendall celebrate their win over Loughgiel in the Senior Camogie final at Feis na nGleann. Pic by John McIlwaine

TEAMS

Cushendall starting XV: Orlagh Burke; Laoise McCollam, Anna McNeill, Tamara Black; Aoife McClafferty, Abi McNeill, Laura Black; Dervla Cosgrove, Siobhan McKillop; Brogan Abram, Orlaith McCurry, Cara O’Boyle; Cliodhna Thompson, Eva McNeill, Kady McNeill

  • Subs: Rhianna Black for S McKillop (HT), Ellen Leech for C O’Boyle (53), Amy McAllister for C Thompson (53), Aimee McDonnell for L McCollam (57), Erinmae Mitchell for E McNeill (60+4)
  • Scorers: E McNeill 1-12 (6fs), B Abram 1-2, D Cosgrove 0-3 (1f, 1’45), K McNeill 1-00, S McKillop 0-2, O McCurry 0-1, C O’Boyle 0-1, C Thompson 0-1, A McAllister 0-1

Loughgiel starting XV: Emma McAllister; Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Aoibheann Gillan; Finvola McVeigh, Katie Lynn, Sarah Flavin; Orlagh Laverty, Laoise McKillop; Kirsty McKendry, Marie Laverty, Katie McKillop; Anna McKillop, Annie Lynn, Caela Dobbin

  • Subs: Rose McMullan for M McGarry (17), Carlina Sullivan for C Campbell (44), Shanna Devlin for K McKendry (47)
  • Scorers: M Laverty 1-8 (1-6fs), A McKillop 0-1

Referee: Lee O’Reilly (Dunloy)

TO SEE MICHAEL CORCORAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/yQph27t6tyS7yZ/?invite=28ee4748-a365-441a-b783-9f3a54d102e8

To see more of Brendan’s photos from the final, click on the link below….

https://myalbum.com/album/qbVaL6Pyz3hesU/?invite=b9915422-fc53-469b-bcb3-d72a87435910