Category / Camogie

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks solid across both halves leads to a convincing league win

Antrim Camogie Division 1 League Loughgiel v Brídíní Óga 6th May 25 

Loughgiel 7-20 Brídíní Óg 1-04 

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

Another glorious early summer evening welcomed players and supporters around Fr. Healy Park for another league match from division 1. With just enough of a northerly chill to take the edge off any warmth of the sun, Brídíní Óga, having won the toss, opted to play the first half towards the clubhouse and match referee, Paul O’Neill threw in the sliotar sharply at 7pm to get the game underway. 

Loughgiel were first to find the catch net, with an on-form Orlagh Laverty taking the point after a hard-won ball out of a ruck. The Shamrocks would streak ahead to four points with points from Katie McKillop (2) and Marie Laverty to put four on the scoreboard before Brídíní Óga’s Aimee Traynor would reply with Glenravel’s first point after five minutes. 

Loughgiel would get their scoring back on track from a fine point by Marie Laverty but a surprise ball that worked its way behind the Shamrock’s defence seen Traynor tidy up the loose ball deep into Loughgiel’s net for the first green flag of the evening and offered promise of possible things to come, but Loughgiel were strong, persistent and consistent and when Katie McKillop offloaded to Orlagh Laverty, the Shamrocks had their first goal of the evening and soon to be two from Laverty at sixteen minutes on the clock. 

Brídíní Óga and Loughgiel fight for possession in the Antrim Camogie senior div 1 league match

Brídíní Óga’s Torie Edgar dropped a free over Loughgiel’s bar to keep momentum going, however Loughgiel’s Katie McKillop would play an influential role in feeding sliotars deep into Brídíní Óga’s back line and it wasn’t long before Kirsty McKendry and Marie Laverty were raising two more green flags along with a steady flow of points to close the first half Loughgiel 4-12 Brídíní Óga 1-02. 

On commencement of the second half, the Shamrocks picked it up right where they left off and a neat pass from Christine McCloskey to Marie Laverty eventually found the stick of Kirsty McKendry and into the back of the net for goal number five.  

McCloskey would return to the scoring zone again within minutes of the goal but on this occassion, goalkeeper, Orla Donnelly, diffused the sizzling sliotar out wide and away before leaving the field with a foot injury. 

Loughgiel’s markswoman, Katie McKillop losses possession to Brídíní Óga’s Ciara McCormick

With forty five minutes on the clock, Brídíní Óga’s Shauna McDonnell broke through and landed a score over the bar along with a fine point from substitute Oonagh ward but that would never be enough to stop the Shamrock machine from improving their scoreline with another two goals coming from Carlina Sullivan and Katie McKillop, McKillop getting her goal from a Orlagh Laverty pass. Over the second half, Loughgiel would also move the scoreboard along another eight points to close the game Loughgiel 7-20 Brídíní Óga 1-04. 

This was a strong performance from the Shamrock’s tonight and a game that offered both sides bench rotation but without a real threat to Loughgiel’s winning position. 

Loughgiel panel and scorers 

Emma McAllister, Charlene Campbell, Finvola McVeigh, Maria Lynn, Ciara Connolly 0-01, Louise McKillop, Maeve Shannon, Anna Connolly, Shanna Deery, Katie McKillop 1-08 (1×45, 6f), Marie Laverty 1-04, Christine McCloskey, Orlagh Laverty 2-02, Kirsty McKendry 2-00, Anna McKillop 0-04, Shauna McKillop, Zoe Cassley, Sarah Flavin, Erin Connolly, Anna Smyth, Megan McGarry, Aoibheann Gillan, Carlina Sullivan 1-01 

Brídíní Óga panel and scorers 

Orla Donnelly, Una McAleenan, Jamie Woulahan, Erin McAleese, Ciara McCormick, Bronagh Laverty, Danielle Scally, Órlaith Gould, Kirsty Laverty, Emily Sharpe, Shauna McDonnell 0-01, Torie Edgar 0-01f, Niamh Mckay, Caoimhe Duffin, Aimee Traynor 1-01, Niamh Donnelly, Oonagh Ward 0-01, Sorchá Carey 

To see more photos from tonight’s game, click on the following click… 

https://myalbum.com/album/9zUM5NHB7JEY98/?invite=289906ee-b809-4b3b-96d0-81d5db3fd832

by thesaffrongael

A night for the big teams in the Antrim Camogie League

Antrim Camogie League Division 1

It was a night for the big teams in tTuesday’s Antrim Camogie League Division 1 with Dunloy, Loughgiel, Cushendall and Ballycastle all running out convincing winners against Tir na nÓg, Bridini Oga, Ahoghill and Portglenone.

Caoimhe Molloy had her sights set well during her team’s win over Tír na nÓg at Pearse Park

The Randalstown girls did quite well in the first half of their game in Dunloy, but the flood gates opened in the second half as they added eight goals to the one they had scored in the first half, Derbhail Elliott and Caoimhe Molloy both netting hat-tricks.

Loughgiel hit seven in their win over Bridini Oga at Fr Healy Park, Ruairi Og hit 4-28 against Ahoghill in Cloney while Ballycastle ran up 7-13 in their win over Portglenone at Pairc MacUílin

Tír na nÓg centre back Emma Louise McAreavey battle it out with Dunloy’s Aoibhe McAllister

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THE DUNLOY V TÍR NA NÓG GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/ECN5Lgs2uzeQXg/?invite=41f908af-e696-4aa2-8aec-f6a52f7e0cda

by thesaffrongael

Derry too strong for Antrim in the U16 Ulster Camogie Final

Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran in Castledawson 3rd May ’25

Derry 3-17 Antrim 0-08 

A strong breeze, sweeping from a northerly direction, was on the minds of both teams as they began their activation phases in the pre-match warm up for today’s Ulster Camogie U16 Cup final. It wouldn’t be the only strong component of today’s game, as Derry worked the sliotar in both halves to build up an impressive lead that left Antrim always on the back foot throughout the sixty or so minutes of play. 

Kieran Rice from Down rolled the sliotar in at the top of the hour at 1pm and after winning the toss and choosing to play with the wind in the first half, Derry were already menacing in Antrim’s half with two successive shots placed wide within the first minute of play. 

But it would be Antrim to strike first after Anna Smyth was fouled on the 20m line and Cliodhna Thompson dispatched the sliotar into the heart of Derry’s catch net. Thompson would return again to place another free over the bar and Antrim now had two points on the scoreboard with ten minutes gone. 

But the Oak-leaf county wouldn’t be too far behind, as Derry’s Éadhaoin Bradley took possession of a diagonal ball, the half forward wasted no time in drilling that over Antrim’s bar. As the pressure mounted on Antrim, the full backs were forced to spill the sliotar over the line for back-to-back 45s, and Derry’s Eva Forbes converted both of those into points. With three points on the board, Derry were about to find another gear and raised a green flag from a loose ball in the back line that was easily pulled by  an unmarked Éadhaoin Bradley and a clutch of five points, three from Forbes, Clodagh McIlvar and Brianna Donaghy would leave Antrim unanswered at the short whistle and the half time scoreboard registering Derry 1-08 Antrim 0-02. 

Derry’s Eva Forbes takes the sliotar onto the stick as Antrim’s Anna Smyth tracks

Antrim would have been hopeful going into the second half of establishing a turnaround due to playing with the strong breeze, but Derry mastered the element and Ríonach McNally got their second half underway within the first minute with a fine point. Although Antrim replied quickly with a point from Caoimhe McErlain after winning a loose ball near the Derry box, Derry incremented their score with four consecutive points before Antrim’s Eimear Ward cruised a free over the Derry Bar around eleven minutes in. 

Derry’s Éadhaoin Bradley pointed from an intelligent pass from Eva Forbes as the mid fielder scanned the pitch for an unmarked Derry jersey before offloading the accurate pass. Antrim, however, would hit a streak of three points closing the score to Derry 1-14 Antrim 0-07 and goals were now the order of the day for Antrim, but after Clodagh McIlvar pointed at the twenty-minute mark, it would be Derry that would claim a goal as Ellen Cullen followed in to pick up the loose ball. Derry’s Brianna Donaghy would make the sixteenth point just before Ríonach McNally would raise the third green flag and put the game beyond Antrim, now late in the game. 

An Antrim point from Eimear Ward from a 45, heartened supporters before Derry’s Feina Kerr claimed the last point in the game, bringing scores at the long whistle to Derry 3-17 Antrim 0-08. 

Antrim met a strong opposition today and Derry would lift the Cup as a deserving squad but in the round, Camogie was the main benefiter as two young skilled teams entertained the crowd in St. Malachy’s GAA Club, Castledawson. 

The player of the match selectors unanimously chose Eva Forbes. The Derry midfielder clipped 5 sliotar’s over Antrim’s bar and was Derry’s powerhouse from the centre of the pitch.
Ulster’s Chairperson, Karen McCormick, presents the cup to Derry’s captain, Aoibheann O’Loughlin

Derry panel and scorers 

Karen Birt, Rionach Conlan, Gracie Mae Bradley, Aoibheann O’Loughlin, Aoibh Shivers, Aine Young, Gracie Diamond, Eva Forbes 0-05 (3f 2×45), Feina Kerr 0-02, Niamh McGuigan, Brianna Donaghy 0-03 (1f), Éadhaoin Bradley 2-02, Ríonach McNally 1-01, Ellen Cullen 0-02, Clodagh McIlvar 0-04 (2f), Grainne Oliver, Orla Mckenna, Annie Bradley, Emma McGarvey, Eva Diamond, Rose McKenna, Mya McAllister, Ava McIntyre, Aoife Gaile, Cassie Diamond, Orla Gunning, Rionach kearney, Cliodhna Moore, Ailise Musgrave, Kassie Maynes, Faye McGuickian 

Antrim panel and scorers 

Maeve Scullion, Kiera McLaughlin, Laoise McCollam, Isabelle Martin, Fiadh Sands, Eimear Ward 0-03 (2f 1×45), Amy Gault, Orla Munce, Anna Smyth, Tamara Black, Caoimhe McErlain 0-02, JoJo Darragh 0-01, Tegan Cassidy, Aedin Vallely, Cliodhna Thompson 0-02 (2f), Mia Carlin, Hannah Mead, Adria McAllister, Bronagh Doherty, Caela Casey, Sorchá Carey, Caragh McKinley, Molly McToal, Caoimhe McGarry, Ceolín McKeown, Maisie Monaghan, Mia McKeegan, Ciara McMullan 

Photos from today’s game can be seen by clicking on the album link here… 

https://myalbum.com/album/ewgcsotsrHwRWx/?invite=6cd2fc77-75d9-471c-bdea-870f47ed58f8

by thesaffrongael

Gaelfast Year 9 Camogie & LGFA All Star nominations

Please see our Official Antrim GAA Schools Cup Year 9 Camogie and LGFA All-Star Nominations 2024/25. The Winners will be announced on Friday 9th May 12pm via email to Schools & on our Social media Channels (Antrim & Gaelfast Facebook & Twitter).

These players were recommended by School Teachers/Coaches, Antrim GAA Gaelfast staff and Match day Officials throughout the competition. The process to select our Antrim Schools Cup All-Stars was extremely difficult due to the high levels of performance from our players over the blitz days and knockout phases of the competitions. We had over 17 schools and over 450 pupils taking part in our Antrim Schools Cup Hurling Year 8 Competition from March to May.

I would like to thank and congratulate our Parents/Guardians, Academy squad mentors, Schools & Club coaches for providing our children with opportunities to develop, take part in our games and be surrounded in the overwhelming Physical, Psychological, Social and Emotional Health & Wellbeing benefits associated with playing GAA Sports.

The winners will be invited to St Marys University College on Friday 16th May 1230pm as part of the Antrim Schools Cup All-Star Awards Event. Other details to follow.

by thesaffrongael

Maghera power through to final

St Clare Cup semi-final:

St Patrick’s Maghera 4-22 St Louis Ballymena 1-2

THERE will be a repeat of last year’s south Derry derby St Clare Cup final in a couple of weeks after St Patrick’s Maghera powered past St Louis Ballymena in the second semi-final on Friday. Holders St Mary’s Magherafelt had an equally resounding semi-final win over Cross & Passion Ballycastle on Tuesday.

Maghera’s biggest problem in the first half in Portglenone was St Louis Ballymena goalie Córa McClean who was in top-class form. Although Maghera dominated the opening half, they couldn’t get past McClean for goals and led by 0-11 to 1-1 at the turnover.

St Louis Ballymena

Five of the six Maghera forwards recorded points over the opening 11 minutes as they opened up a seven points lead. St Louis didn’t build a proper attack until the 14th minute – but it paid off. Midfielders Amber Anderson and Niamh Morgan combined to find Rose McVeigh unmarked and she hit the Maghera net. Within a minute Morgan pointed a 45 and the gap was down to two points.

Maghera’s progress was stalled and St Louis tried to push on. The Derry side still had most of the play but goalie McClean and inaccurate shooting kept them scoreless for nearly 15 minutes before Rose Quinn pointed a free and Hollie McErlean, Quinn and Bláthnaid McElhinney stretched the lead to six before the break.

McElhinney eventually found the net at the start of the second half and further goals followed for her twin sister Róisín, sub Erin McCann and top-scorer Rose Quinn with just a single point from St Louis in reply from Kilrea midfielder Niamh Morgan.

St Patrick’s: N McCullagh, A Lee, T Cartin, A McFerran, O Bradley 0-1, N Duggan, O McKenna, E Scullion 0-1, S McCullagh, C McCloskey 0-1, B McElhinney 1-4, R Quinn 1-7, 0-2 frees, H McErlean 0-1, A Faulkner 0-1, R McElhinney 1-1.

Subs used: E McCann 1-2, F McMullan 0-2, N Lagan 0-1, K McGrath, A Bradley

St Louis: C McClean, O McFaul, A McGilligan, C O’Boyle, A Kelly, A Convery, M Kelly, A Anderson, N Morgan 0-2, 0-1 free, E Blaney, E McCann, R McVeigh 1-0, A McCart, C Maguire, H Watson.

Subs used: N O’Mullan, K McLernon, L Cunning, O Czubinska.