Category / Division 1

by thesaffrongael

Ruthless Ruairi Og too strong for Bridini Oga

Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Bridini Oga Glenravel 0-04 Ruairi Og Cushendall 4-25

Ruairi Og Cushendall continued their unbeaten run in the Antrim Camogie League Division 1 with a thoroughly dominant performance against Bridini Oga Glenravel at Fr Maginn Park. From the very start, Cushendall dictated the pace of the game, ultimately securing a comprehensive 4-25 to 0-4 victory. Bridini Oga, unfortunately missing a third of the squad that captured last year’s Intermediate championship title, fought hard but were ultimately no match for the sheer quality and attacking prowess of the visiting team. The gap in available personnel was evident as Cushendall controlled possession and created scoring opportunities at will throughout the contest.

The visitors made their intentions clear early on, with Eva McNeill converting a penalty for a goal just over a minute into the game. This was quickly followed by points from Kady Mcneill, Orlaith McCurry, and another from Eva McNeill. Bridini Oga managed to find a brief spell of resistance midway through the first half, registering a point from play by Sarah Fyfe, a free converted by Caoimhe Duffin, and another score from Sorcha Carey. However, this proved to be their most productive period of the match. Cushendall ruthlessly responded with a flurry of points from Cliodhna Thompson, Cara O Boyle, Dervla Cosgrove, and Brogan Abram, leaving the halftime score at a commanding 1-15 to 0-3 in favour of Ruairi Og.

The second half offered no respite for the Glenravel side. Within the opening minute, Cara O Boyle found the back of the net to extend Cushendall’s lead even further. While Ciara McCormick managed to secure a well-taken point from play for Bridini Oga a few minutes later, it would be their final score of the evening. Cushendall’s relentless attack continued as Eva McNeill added her second goal of the match, alongside a steady stream of points from Kady Mcneill, Brogan Abram, and Cara O Boyle. The dominance was underscored late in the game when Cara O’Boyle struck for her second goal, and substitute Lara Haughey immediately made an impact by pointing shortly after her introduction. Eva McNeill and Cara O Boyle tapped over the final points of the game, capping off a clinical display that highlighted Cushendall’s formidable form this season.

Bridini Oga: 1 Orla Donnelly, 2 Una Mc Aleenan, 3 Bronagh Laverty, 4 Ciara McCormick, 5 Erin Coulter, 6 Danielle Scally, 7 Sarah Fyfe, 8 Kirsty O’Doherty, 9 Orlaith Gould, 10 Emily Sharpe, 11 Sorcha Carey, 12 Shauna McDonnell, 13 Eimear Butler, 14 Caoimhe Duffin, 15 Niamh Donnelly.

Ruairi Og: 1 Orlagh Burke, 2 Laoise McCollam, 3 Anna McNeill, 4 Tamara Black, 5 Ellen Leech, 6 Abi McNeill, 7 Aoife McClafferty, 8 Dervla Cosgrove, 9 Rhianna Black, 10 Brogan Abram, 11 Orlaith McCurry, 12 Cara O’Boyle, 13 Cliodhna Thompson, 14 Eva McNeill, 15 Kady McNeill.

Ruairi Og Cushendall (4-25)

  • Eva McNeill: 2-9 (1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees)
  • Cara O’Boyle: 2-4
  • Kady McNeill: 0-5
  • Brogan Abram: 0-3
  • Orlaith McCurry: 0-1
  • Cliodhna Thompson: 0-1
  • Dervla Cosgrove: 0-1 (0-1 free)
  • Lara Haughey: 0-1

Bridini Oga Glenravel (0-4)

  • Sarah Fyfe: 0-1
  • Caoimhe Duffin: 0-1 (0-1 free)
  • Sorcha Carey: 0-1
  • Ciara McCormick: 0-1
  • Referee – Paul O’Neill (Creggan)
by thesaffrongael

Cushendall power home in second half

Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Loughgiel 2-09 Cushendall 3-17 at Fr Healy Park

League holders Ruairi Og Cushendall delivered an impressive statement of intent on Tuesday evening at Fr Healey Park, defeating county champions Loughgiel Shamrocks by eleven points in their Antrim Camogie League clash. While Loughgiel fielded without four or five regular starters due to county commitments, the nature of Cushendall’s 3-17 to 2-9 victory was nonetheless striking, especially given how tightly contested the opening period was.

The first half proved to be a fiercely competitive and high-scoring affair. Cushendall found their rhythm early with points from Cliodhna Thompson, Orlaith McCurry, and Eva McNeill. Kady McNeill emerged as a massive attacking threat for the home side, finding the back of the net twice in a devastating two-minute spell, while Cara O Boyle also raised a green flag later in the half. Despite conceding three goals, Loughgiel demonstrated tremendous resolve and championship pedigree. Anna Connolly registered an early point, and the reliable Marie Laverty kept them well in touch with accurate shooting from both play and placed balls. A crucial 25th-minute goal from Annie Lynn was instrumental in reeling the hosts back in, ensuring the teams went into the break deadlocked after a breathless and hard-fought thirty minutes.

After the change of ends, however, the complexion of the game shifted entirely. With a cold wind now on their backs, Cushendall took absolute control of the proceedings. Eva McNeill led the charge, tapping over vital frees and adding from play, while Brogan Abram and Siobhan McKillop also split the posts to stretch the home side’s advantage. Loughgiel fought hard to stem the tide, with Louise Mc Killop and Orlagh Laverty managing to point from play, and Marie Laverty adding another goal and a free to her personal tally. Ultimately, the elements and Cushendall’s relentless second-half pressure proved too much to handle. Kady McNeill, Orlaith McCurry, and Cliodhna Thompson all clipped over further points as Ruairi Og pushed on decisively to secure a comprehensive eleven-point win.

Loughgiel

1 Emma Mc allister, 2 Charlene Campbell, 3 Megan McGarry, 4 Aoibheann Gillan, 5 Shauna Devlin, 6 Lucia McNaughton, 7 Ciara Laverty, 8 Louise Mc Killop, 9 Anna Connolly, 10 Annie Lynn, 11 Marie Laverty, 12 Shanna Deery, 13 Orlagh Laverty, 14 Anna McKillop, and 15 Carlina Sullivan.

Ruairi Og

1 Orlagh Burke, 2 Laoise McCollam, 3 Anna McNeill, 4 Tamara Black, 5 Ellen Leech, 6 Abi McNeill, 7 Aoife McClafferty, 8 Dervla Cosgrove, 9 Siobhan McKillop, 10 Brogan Abram, 11 Eva McNeill, 12 Orlaith McCurry, 13 Cliodhna Thompson, 14 Kady McNeill, and 15 Lára Haughey.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/ykzexMdThJysx2/?invite=84bdba60-9ddd-42f5-9ff5-2ba17034d174

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy dominate the second half to beat Ballycastle

Antrim Camogie League – Division

Dunloy 4-13 Ballycaste 0-13

The opening game of the Antrim Senior Camogie League Division 1 delivered a classic game of two halves at Pearse Park, heavily dictated by a strong breeze. Visitors Ballycastle put on an excellent first-half display to build a commanding lead, but a ferocious second-half comeback from Dunloy—fueled by the wind and the introduction of key county players—saw the hosts run out comfortable winners with a final score of 4–13 to 0–13.

Playing with the aid of the wind, Ballycastle started exceptionally well and completely dominated the opening 20 minutes. Ellen McIntosh was in scintillating form for the visitors, expertly supported by Maeve Kelly. Kelly struck two early points from play, while McIntosh was lethal from placed balls, adding four from frees and another from play to give Ballycastle an early 0–7 to 0–1 advantage. The visitors kept the scoreboard ticking over, with Kelly and a McIntosh ’45 extending the gap to 0–9 to 0–3, despite Dunloy managing to get on the board through points from Áine McGill, Nicole McAtamney, and Eimer McAllister. By the 22nd minute, another McIntosh point from play made it 0–10 to 0–3. Dunloy finally found a lifeline a minute later when Aine Magill raised a green flag, pulling a crucial goal back, but Ballycastle responded immediately through McIntosh. Just before the break, Ballycastle nearly found the net themselves when full-forward Nuala Devlin fired a shot on goal, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Dunloy keeper Aileen McManus. McIntosh converted the resulting ’45, sending Ballycastle into the dressing rooms with a commanding 0–12 to 1–3 lead.

McIntosh opened the second-half scoring with a free to push Ballycastle’s tally to 13 points, but the tide was about to turn dramatically. Now playing with the wind at their backs and bolstered by the introduction of several county players, Dunloy began to claw their way back into the tie. Emier Johnson sparked the revival with a point six minutes into the half. The gap was quickly reduced to three as Nicole McAtamney knocked over three more points. The turning point arrived on 16 minutes when Áine McGill struck a well-taken goal to level the game. With the momentum entirely in their favor, Dunloy pushed ahead just a minute later through a Caoimhe Malloy point. McAtamney continued her fine form with another two points, and on 24 minutes, Eobha McAllister set up Áine McGill to extend the hosts’ advantage.

Ballycastle struggled to escape their own half against the breeze, and Dunloy put the seal on the win with a late flurry of goals. Two minutes before full time, Bronagh Magill found the back of the net, and in injury time, Eobha McAllister broke through the defense and unselfishly hand-passed to her sister Eimer, who finished the move with Dunloy’s fourth goal of the afternoon. Nicole McAtamney then capped off the remarkable turnaround with a final point from play, completing a spectacular 13-point victory for the home side.

DUNLOY

Aileen McManus, Sarah McIlhatton, Brid Magill. Kathryn Boyle, Eilis Kearns, Katie LavertY, Katharine Mullan, Magill, Caoimhe Molloy, Nicole McAtamney, Aine Magill, Carragh Boyle, Erin McMullan

BALLYCASTLE

Becky Ellis, Christina Hamilton, Enya McShane, Catherine McShane, Cara Delaney, Seanaigh Hegarty, Niamh Donnelly, Aoife Toner, Fay McIntosh, Maeve Kelly, Ellen McIntos, Janey McIntosh, Louise McBride, Nuala Devlin, Fionnuala Kelly

Referee – Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/HWtSib2C9n2pyo/?invite=633470bb-8aef-4c17-befd-efa80346606c

by thesaffrongael

Brídíní Óga book their place in the Ulster final

Armagh City Hotel Ulster Junior semi-finals: Saturday 25th October at 1pm

Brídíní Óga (Antrim) 1-19 Ballyholland (Down) 1-5

Brídíní Óga opened this Armagh City Hotel Ulster Junior semi-final in Glenravel against Ballyholland with points each from Kirsty Laverty, Sarah Fyfe and Torie Edgar inside four minutes and it was clear even at this early stage that the Down champions would struggle to stay in touch with the home side.

A point from Niamh Burns however seemed to slow them up and it was a further ten minutes before Molly Woulahan eventually found the net after Torie Edgar’s effort came off the post and Aimee Traynor’s follow up went across the goals.

Although Sarah Fyfe’s second score of the afternoon opened a gap of six points, the Newry side hit the next three points, two for Emma McIvor-Murtagh and one from veteran Karen Maginn.

However the winners then stepped up a gear with five of the next six points to leave it 1-9 to 0-5 at the short whistle. Edgar started the run and Sarah Fyfe and Kirsty Laverty added a point each with two Edgar frees finishing the first half scoring.

As in the first half, Brídíní Óga were quick out of the blocks with three points inside three minutes, one from each of the three full-forwards. Then there was a break before Shauna McDonnell fired over when a goal was a possibility.

When Edgar landed a 45 midway through the half, Glenravel led by 1-14 to 0-5. Karen Maginn then turned and fired low to the net, but it proved to be her side’s only score of the final 30 minutes.

The home team hit five points over the final 12 minutes, three of them from Edgar frees and one each from Erin Coulter and Kirsty Laverty while Danielle McCourt pulled off a couple of excellent stops from Edgar and substitute Niamh McKay.

In the other semi-final Cavan champions Lacken stifled favourites Dungiven to take the game to extra time, but, as they had done a week earlier in the Derry final, Dungiven hit the net to pull away and win comfortably with 12 points to spare.

The final will be in a fortnight at a neutral venue

Brídíní Óga: Orla Donnelly, Maeve Mulholland, Jaime Woulahan, Danielle Scally, Emer McCann, Brónagh Laverty, Erin Coulter 0-1, Leona Gillan, Orlaith Gould, Sarah Fyfe 0-3, Kirsty Laverty 0-3, Shauna McDonnell 0-1, Aimee Traynor 0-1, Torie Edgar 0-9, 6 frees, Molly Woulahan 1-1.

Subs: Eimhear McAleenan for S Fyfe (36), Niamh McKay for M Woulahan (44), Emily Sharpe for E McCann (49), Úna McAleenan for M Mulholland (53), Caoimhe Duffin for A Traynor (56).

Ballyholland: Ballyholland: Danielle McCourt, Brenna McAloon, Aimee O’Hanlon, Áine McParlan, Eve Mullen, Sarah Gorman, Sinéad Quinn, Méabh O’Hare, Aoibheann Quinn, Aoife Murtagh, Katie O’Brien, Niamh Burns 0-1, Darcy Rushe, Karen Maginn 1-2, 0-2 frees, Emma McIvor-Murtagh 0-2.

Subs: E Casey for McIvor-Murtagh (39), S Murphy-Rea for A Quinn (45)

Referee: Chris Hickson (Ballinascreen)

Pics by Sean Paul McKillop

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

https://myalbum.com/album/TJxYmmTb7c39qL/?invite=a40aa91c-1e17-4ade-821c-d0dedfbb5d81

by thesaffrongael

Red warnings in Ballycastle as a Shamrock storm passes through

Ballycastle 1-09 Loughgiel 6-18

Antrim Camogie Senior Division 1a league report and photos from Michael Corcoran

Two red cards coupled with a strong performance from Loughgiel left Ballycastle with an uphill battle for the duration of tonight’s game. And tonight’s game interestingly enough, would be the last in the Antrim senior division 1 league, but the first opportunity for returning County players to gather up some competitive club time ahead of the Championship starting on the 19th August.

In less than a minute of referee Jerome McAllister’s starting whistle, Loughgiel’s dynamic duo of Roísín McCormick and Caitrín Dobbin started to make their mark with the lifting of the game’s first green flag from Dobbin coming from a nifty ball dropped into Dobbin’s running path, after the striker had already pointed in less than twenty seconds. The Town made amends with points from sisters Janey and Elen McIntosh but four minutes later McCormick would return to the clubhouse end and strike into the heart of Ballycastle’s goals after a perceptive pass from full back, Charlene Campbell.

Ballycastle’s Maebh O’Neill feels the squeeze from Loughgiel’s Caela Dobbin and Roísín McCormick

Playing in a half back position, Loughgiel’s Lucia McNaughton started a move using McCormick to find Dobbin, who subsequently slotted the sliotar at pace past Ballycastle’s goalkeeper, Becky Ellis for Loughgiel’s third in the first half. Although Dobbin would feed Loughgiel’s Annie Lynn for a fourth Shamrock goal in fifteen minutes, Ellis would foil many Loughgiel attempts up to the short whistle, with one batch of saves coming from a torrent of shots from Dobbin within the 13 metre line.

Ballycastle replied with a goal from Eimear McCaughan after Sionainn Graham dropped in a free short of the goal mouth. An alert McCaughan reacted instinctively and found the back of the the net, for the Town’s only goal in the game. At the break, scores stood at Ballycastle 1-05 Loughgiel 4-09.

On the restart, the Shamrock’s would hold a dominant position for upwards of fifteen minutes; a goal coming from an Amy Boyle, Ceala Dobbin to McCormick move after only three minutes and a clutch of five points before Elen McIntosh brought the Town back to scoring from a well taken free.

Although Ballycastle would build another three points onto their 1-06 score, the Shamrock’s kept pressing to the end, and as McCormick cleverly fed a sweeping Emma McFadden well forward from her half back line, McFadden carried the sliotar all the way to the back of Ballycastle’s net for the sixth and final goal of tonight’s game. A further point from Caitrín Dobbin and two from a hard working Katie McKillop finished the game at Ballycastle 1-09 Loughgiel 6-18.

Loughgiel’s Emma McFadden jabs the sliotar ahead of a marathon goal run

Ballycastle starting panel and scorers

Becky Ellis, Emma Laverty, Enya McShane, Fiadh Sands, Maebh O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty 0-01 (1f), Catherine McShane, Aoife Toner, Fay McIntosh, Louise McBride, Sionainn Graham, Janey McIntosh 0-01, Eimear McCaughan 1-00, Elen McIntosh 0-07 (3f), Maria Bakewell

Loughgiel staring panel and scorers

Shauna McKillop, Charlene Campbell, Finvola McVeigh, Maria Lynn, Lucia McNaughton, Emma McFadden 1-00, Ciara Laverty, Amy Boyle, Anna Connolly, Katie McKillop 0-10 (5f), Mary McKillen, Annie Lynn 1-03, Ceala Dobbin, Roísín McCormick 2-02, Caitrín Dobbin 2-03

To see more photos from tonight’s game, follow the link here…

https://myalbum.com/album/gzpNZJWWNKoYXj/?invite=852d4acd-8f70-4ab9-8b08-1c9813f23157