With the championships in Antrim now reaching the semi-final stages we at the Saffron Gael are busier than ever as we continue to bring you reports and photographs from all the championship games.
Every club in Antrim will have seen our photographers and reporters at some of their games in 2025 while we have combined with club P.R.O.’s to bring you coverage of the games we have been unable to attend.
The increasing readership of the Saffron Gael would suggest that the site is as popular as ever and we are delighted but like all things in life, this coverage comes at a cost.
When we launched our initial appeal for financial support we got a great response and a combination of sponsorship, advertising and annual donations from clubs has enabled us to keep going for the 8 years since the Saffron Gael was launched.
Glenarm chairman Eamon Matthews presents a sponosrship to the Saffron Gael at the recent Glenarm v Oisins championship game at Feystown. Pic by Pete Hyndman
A dedicated team of like-minded photographers and reporters are out every mid-week and weekend to bring you coverage of our games. Our primary purpose when launching the site was not to make money but rather an effort by genuine Antrim GAA lovers to promote Gaelic games in Antrim.
We believe, and indeed you have told us that the Saffron Gael has been a great success and it would be sad if a lack of finance would lead to a much reduced coverage or indeed the demise of the site. The other option of course would be to put the site behind a pay/wall but this is something we do not want to do as it would greatly restrict the youth and lifeblood of our county from having access.
We carried comprehensive reports of every Antrim’s National football and hurling league game this year as well as reports on county camogie and ladies county football games. We have attempted to bring you coverage of Juvenile football, hurling, camogie and ladies football when it comes to the knockout stages.
As you may gather such coverage is time consuming and involves quite a large team of photographers and reporters which in turn incurs expense. We are extremely grateful to clubs who have made donations to the Saffron Gael to date and would encourage all clubs who have not done so to make a donation. This will enable us to continue our extensive coverage.
Finally if you are not in a position to support us through any of the above methods but would like to make a personal donation you can do so through the link on the site or by personally approaching John or myself (Paddy) at one of the games. No donation is too big or too small.
Good luck to all players and clubs who are still involved in the various championships and no doubt we will bump into some of you over the coming weekend.
If your club would like to make a donation to the Saffron Gael at one of the up-coming games just approach John or myself (Paddy) and we will get a wee photograph of you making the contribution.
Northern Properties Antrim Camogie Senior Championship 14th September 2025
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park
Loughgiel 3-09 Cusendall 1-07
Table topping Loughgiel move through to the final of the Northern Properties Antrim Camogie Senior championship for a twelfth consecutive turn at chasing silver. A dismal spell of wet and windy weather for all of the sixty plus minutes, had it’s hand on the game, but some good camogie was on show as players battled it out.
Cushendall took the road end and played the first half into the jaws of a gale, after winning Owen Elliot’s toss. It was always going to be an uphill battle against an on form Shamrock machine but today’s conditions, although favouring no one, allowed Loughgiel to minimise Cushendall’s role for all of the first thirty minutes. Loughgiel were first to score with a Caitrin Dobbin point from an Anna Connelly pass and although Cushendall’s Eva McNeill made good from a foul, it would be Loughgiel’s Kirsty McKendry that would raise a green flag with her goal in less than seven minutes.
Cushendall’s Eva McNeill inched the Dall on the scoreboard with another point from a forty-five just before team mate, Brogan Abram, recycled a fine save from Shamrock goal keeper, Emma McAllister. An over worked McAllister would go on to make several excellent saves, thwarting Cushendall, particularly in the second half.
With just a point between sides, Loughgiel’s Roísín McCormick pointed from an Emma McFadden pass that was gathered up from a Dall puck out and Loughgiel looked like they were starting to drift away after a goalmouth scramble in the Dall end found Marie Laverty chasing the sliotar safely over the line from a Dobbin first attempt.
Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty raised two green flags despite near atrocious conditions in Fr. Healy Park
In the closing stages of the first half, Loughgiel widened the gap with five successive points with no reply to take the short whistle at Loughgiel 2-06 Cushendall 0-03.
The second half witnessed no discernible change in conditions but offered a chance for the Dall to leverage the elements in their favour but those aspirations were dashed when Roísín McCormick’s free dropped short and was offered out to a waiting Marie Laverty. Suddenly Loughgiel were 3-06 with two minutes gone in the second half. McCormick would improve the Shamrock’s position with two back to back frees before Cushendall’s Amy McAlister pointed to bring the Dall back into the game. And back they came with three fine points from Eva McNeill.
Cushendall’s Eva McNeill managed a goal and three points but not enough to secure the win
Annie Lynn would close Loughgiel’s account with a point and very little left on the clock but just enough for Eva McNeill to drop in a free on the dugout side of Fr. Healy Park. The steep descending sliotar bounced in off a Shamrock, giving Cushendall a goal just before the long whistle brought the game to a close.
Loughgiel now go through to a twelfth final against the semi final winner of another Dunloy v Cushendall encounter on Sunday 28th September. Cushendall will hope to go one better in that match, remembering that Dunloy had a narrow win of two points at home in round four. That will be an exciting game to watch!
Loughgiel starters and scorers
Emma McAlister, Maria Lynn, Katie Lynn, Finvola McVeigh, Lucia McNaughton, Emma McFadden, Clare McKillop, Amy Boyle, Anna Connolly, Kirsty McKendry 1-00, Roísín McCormick 0-04 (2f), Katie McKillop 0-02, Caitrin Dobbin 0-02, Orlagh Laverty, Marie Laverty 2-00, Annie Lynn 0-01
Cushendall starters and scorers
Orlagh Burke, Anna McNeill, Caoimhe McNaughton, Tamara Black, Aoife McClafferty, Abi McNeill, Laura Black, Cara O’Boyle, Dervla Cosgrove, Kady McNeill, Eva McNeill 1-05 (4f, 1×45), Laura McMullan, Brogan Abram 0-01, Orlaith McAlister, Amy McAlister 0-01
To see more photos from today’s game, click on the following link to the album…
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran in Pearse Park
Tuesday’s thrilling encounter between Dunloy and Cushendall might have been won at the toss. An astute decision by Dunloy’s captain, Katie Laverty, on winning the toss to switch around and play the first half into the wind was a fortuitous decision, helping to keep the Dall from scoring into the strengthening wind for all of the second half. An all too familiar blast of autumnal air ran the full length of Pearce Park and made pointing into it from range, a thing of rarity.
Despite an early goal from Dunloy’s Aine Magill in the first five minutes, Cushendall carved a lead of four points at the short whistle, mainly due to the accurate free taking of Eva McNeill in challenging conditions. It could have been better for the Dall when on the twenty eighth minute, Kady McNeill was pulled to ground on a goal run and rather than take the point on the edge of the square, the Dall’s Eva McNeill opted for the goal with no success. The second half was full of frantic rucks and physical encounters, that had the supporters in an equally frantic state but despite being awarded a dozen fouls, the Dall couldn’t combat the wind and had to watch Dunloy eke out the win from an additional six points.
In less than two minutes from referee Paul O’Neill’s throw-in, two over carry infringements handed two points to Cushendall from Orlaith McAllister and Eva McNeill. A buoyant Dall crowd would have to tolerate a super clinical goal from Aine Magill from a mid field pass from sister, Bronach but that one point lead dissolved away quickly as Cushendall’s markswoman, Eva McNeill dropped three consecutive frees over the bar, whilst Dunloy replied with a free from McAtamney and a point from Katie Molloy from a Cassie McArthur assist.
Dunloy’s Aine Magill rattled the back of Cushendall’s net for the only green flag in the game
Cushendall would dominate the remaining fifteen minutes and clocked up another four points coming from Siobhan McKillop and Orlaith McAllister before team mate, Eva McNeill, cruised two more frees over the bar due to Dervla Cosgrove and Orlaith McAllister being infringed, Cosgrove’s foul attracting a yellow card for Bronach Magill well into added time. As the short whistle blew, Dunloy remained at 1-02 whilst Cushendall ran in with a four point lead, 0-09.
Six points for Dunloy in the second half was good enough to secure the win but the formula for success was also dependent on Cushendall not being able to make something happen from their twelve frees. Eleven of those were probably on the margin of ‘makeable’ given the wind but an uncharacteristic wide from Eva McNeill on the twenty second minute will have been one that could have changed the game.
Dunloy’s Eimear Johnston was a powerhouse in every corner of Pearce Park
Early points from McAtamney (2 off), Aine Magill and Katie Molloy allowed the Dunloy ship to pull alongside the Dall at nine apiece, and then when Aine Magill dropped to the ground in another goal run attempt, Cassie McArthur was there to point the remnant. The point of the night clearly fell to McAtamney as she struck her free from the clubhouse dugout in added time, splitting the uprights as the light fell rapidly under the heavy clouded sky, ending the game Dunloy 1-08 Cushendall 0-09.
On Sunday, Dunloy should have better odds against Ahoghill, and assuming they earn those three points, Loughgiel need to at least draw with Cushendall on Sunday to remain at the top of the table and earn a place in the final. What a finale in the last of the round robin stages.
Northern Properties Antrim Camogie Senior Championship Round 3 Dunloy 1-13 v Loughgiel 3-21 2nd September 2025
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran in Pearse Park, Dunloy
Tuesday’s round three senior championship game between Dunloy and Loughgiel had all the hallmarks of a championship encounter, with pacing mentors, an excited crowd and top table camogie. Dunloy looked the part for the first twenty minutes, being the first to raise a green flag but it only took six more minutes for Loughgiel to go equal in points before their own goal would catapult them ahead and soon five points the difference going into the break. Dunloy’s Katie Molloy proved a first half threat with her goal and three points but couldn’t reignite that fire in the second half. Equally seven minutes later, Loughgiel’s Katie McKillop set about raising Loughgiel’s green flag at the road end of the pitch and although didn’t revisit the scoreboard, was a constant threat in the second half, feeding the likes of Caitrin Dobbin and Roísín McCormick.
The second half entertained the Loughgiel supporters with two more goals and a haul of points to drift well ahead of their hosts, fourteen points the difference at the long whistle. Dunloy’s Eobha McAllister brought out the best in Loughgiel’s goalkeeper with rasping low sliotars needing diffused to the side and Dunloy’s Dearbhail Elliott maintained a presence needing all of the attention from marker Emma McFadden but the productive mix of Loughgiel’s McCormick, McKillop, Dobbin and McKendry was too much up front for the Cuchullain’s to tame. This was an engaging game to watch and just the recipe of distraction from the evening’s biting gnats.
It took almost the full two minutes from Owen Elliot’s throw-in before Pearce Park’s neon light scoreboard moved to register Dunloy’s Eobha McAllister’s point from a dropped in pass from Caoimhe Molloy. Dunloy would keep the charge flowing with a fine point from Dearbhail Elliott before her centre half forward counter part, Roísín McCormick, would make a free from a throw ball. Dunloy’s Katie Molloy and Elliott again, would improve the Cuchullain’s point status as the Shamrock’s drifted a few wides but once Loughgiel’s Amy Boyle got traction, two successive passes to Anna Connolly and Caitrin Dobbin had the Shamrock’s starting their way up the board and that would continue as McCormick clipped two frees over the bar, one for a foot on the sliotar, the other as Katie McKillop made a goal run but referee Elliot spotted an infringement.
Dunloy’s Katie Molloy raised green in the first half but couldn’t repeat her performance on the restart
Nineteen minutes had now elapsed and Loughgiel’s goalkeeper, Emma McAllister had a dilema on her hands, either to stay on the line and watch Dunloy advance to within striking range or come out and it was the latter, leaving the line empty, the gamble paid off as Katie Molloy opted to point. But Molloy hadn’t finished, with a taste for close encounters, Molloy got in behind Loughgiel’s defence and on the twentieth minute struck home for a goal and looped back around shortly after the puck out for her point.
Loughgiel responded almost instantly from the puc out as Caitrin Dobbin offered the sliotar to Kirsty McKendry for her point. Although McKendry wouldn’t get within scoring range again, that was largely due to driving assists – bridging clearances into forward opportunities.
Dunloy’s powerhouse, Katie Laverty, tracked by Kirsty McKendry who impressed with her ability to bridge between defence and attacking opportunities
Signs of what was to come was in the making by twenty three on the clock. McCormick dropped in a free and a 45 with a long haul pass from the half way line to Orlagh Laverty and suddenly Loughgiel were level in the game, Dunloy 1-06 Loughgiel 0-09. This was Loughgiel’s purple patch as Dobbin found Katie McKillop for the Shamrock’s first goal, then McCormick aided Dobbin for the point and a fouled goal run from Dobbin witnessed McCormick drill that sliotar over the bar to end the first half, Dunloy 1-06 Loughgiel 1-11.
Loughgiel’s Roísín McCormick top scored with an impressive 12 points on the night
On commencement of the second half, Loughgiel picked up where they left off, with a McCormick, McKillop, Dobbin combo that was well saved by Dunloy’s goalkeeper, Clodagh O’Kane. Four minutes later, Dunloy’s Nicole McAtamney struck at the heart of Loughgiel’s catch net before the Shamrock’s young full forward, Marie Laverty, proved her worth with a superbly placed low drilled ball into the back of the Cuchullain’s net.
Loughgiel kept the pressure applied and a jersey pull on Dobbin as she advanced into the goal scoring region resulted in a yellow carded free that McCormick tucked away. And a minute later McKillop to McCormick to Amy Boyle had the player with a head for numbers improve those with a fine point down the middle of the uprights. McCormick would take her own point from play after a tidy pass from Orlagh Laverty but Dunloy would make a dent in those as Cassie McArthur managed to turn inside Loughgiel’s Finvola McIntyre but could only manage the point.
Both sides would now trade four points amidst another yellow carded foul on a Dobbin goal run, whilst both Dearbhail Elliott and Eobha McAllister tested Loughgiel’s Emma McAllister, forcing two magnificent saves. But it would be Dobbin’s tenacity that would be Dunloy’s downfall at the twenty seventh minute as the Shamrock persevered to strike hard into the back of Dunloy’s net and a point straight after.
As the clock ticked into injury time, Loughgiel’s substitute, Annie Lynn picked up a pass from Lucia McNaughton and wasted no time in offering the sliotar to McCormick for her point before Katie Molloy won a great ground ball and finished over the bar by Dearbhail Elliott. Annie Lynn would have the honour of closing the scoreboard with her own point and the long whistle secured three more points for Loughgiel in their unbeaten run to date, currently residing at the top of the table.
RUAIRI OG CUSHENDALL 1-18 BALLYCASTLE McQUILLAN’S 1-08
In the other game in the Senior Championship Cushendall had a ten point win over Ballycastle at Pairc Mhuir. Eva McNeill led the line for the home side, hitting 1-07 over the hour, while Cara O’Boyle contributed 0-04, Orlaith Alister 0-02 and Siobhan McKillop 0-01.
Janey McIntosh was lead scorer for Ballycastle with 1-01, her sister Ellen got 0-02 with Fionnuala Kelly landing 0-1.
The result means Cushendall move up to second place in the league table on 6 points, but Dunloy’s defeat to Loughgiel means they are still on 3 points, so it will all be very interesting when the two sides meet next Tuesday evening.
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park
A last minute change of management for Ballycastle could have plunged the Town into disarray, but under the vocal sideline directive from stand-in manager, Barry Kelly, nothing could have been further from the truth as a high spirited black and amber army gave it everything in an attempt to prove they are still a force to reckon with in this year’s championship.
It was a game with as many fouls as points, keeping referee, Jerome McAllister, busy with his damp notepad that took its fair share of the showers. McAllister’s whistle had only finished blowing for the throw-in when Ballycastle’s Maeve Kelly carried out the spoils from a huge ruck and finding Janey McIntosh, the Town had their first point on the board, much to the approval of their supporters.
Loughgiel were quick to respond with points coming from Kirsty McKendry and Amy Boyle and then the game lapsed into a period of toe to toe points at five all before Loughgiel’s, Roísín McCormick, dropped four frees over the bar, almost in succession, to put four points the difference going into the break, Loughgiel 0-09 Ballycastle 0-05.
Ballycastle’s Maebh O’Neill runs out of luck with no stick despite surrounded by a four leaf shamrock
Despite the abundance of fouls in the first half, which had a staccato effect on the game, in between, the pace was frantic at times. Ballycastle’s McIntosh sisters, Elen and Janey persevered deep into Loughgiel’s defence, looking for the breaks and sisters Fionnuala and Maeve Kelly tirelessly gathered sliotars from mid field to feed forward with aid from the omnipresent Emma Laverty.
If Loughgiel had a game plan for the second half, it probably would have said, stick to the game plan. With tenacious composure, the Shamrock’s pointed away quietly with McCormick clipping the lion’s share of scores over the bar and points from Caitrín Dobbin, Orlagh Laverty and a fine point from Lucia McNaughton from a mid air pick pocket off Catherine McShane. Those points set the Shamrock’s on an eleven point difference going into the last minute of the game, before Ballycastle’s Fionnuala Kelly reaped her rewards pushing deep into Shamrock territory and with a simple lob into the top right of the net had the only green flag raised of the evening and the long whistle quickly followed, closing the game Loughgiel 0-22 Ballycastle 1-11.
Loughgiel’s Roísín McCormick reached for another gear to high score again
After tonight’s round of games, Loughgiel sit at the top of the table but there is still everything to play for in the race to securing that valuable slot in the final.
Loughgiel starters and scorers
Emma McAllister, Maria Lynn, Katie Lynn, Finvola McVeigh, Lucia McNaughton 0-01, Emma McFadden, Clare McKillop, Amy Boyle 0-01, Anna Connolly, Katie McKillop 0-01, Roísín McCormick 0-14 (10f, 1×45), Kirsty McKendry 0-01, Orlagh Laverty 0-01, Mary McKillen, Marie Laverty, Caitrin Dobbin 0-01
Ballycastle starters and scorers
Becky Ellis, Cara Delaney, Enya McShane, Aoife Toner, Maebh O’Neill, Niamh Donnelly, Emma Laverty, Fionnuala Kelly 1-00, Maeve Kelly 0-02, Shannagh Heggarty, Nuala Devlin 0-01, Riana McBride, Eimear McCaughan, Janey McIntosh 0-01, Elen McIntosh 0-07 (6f)
You can see more photos from the game by clicking on the link here…
