June 14, 2026June 14, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Celebration of the opening of new Ball Wall at St. Patrick’s Primary & Nursery School, Loughgiel

Above – Damian McAuley (Crosshill Enviro) Aìne Doran (PTA) St Patrick’s Principal LiamKearney, Debbie Magill (PTA), Aidie McCamphill (Altarichard Concrete Solutions Ltd) and Neil McGarry (Favour Pet Foods) at the opening of the new Ball Wall at the school on Friday

A wonderful sense of community pride and excitement was evident at St. Patrick’s Primary & Nursery School, Loughgiel, as pupils, staff, and friends gathered to celebrate the official opening of the school’s new ball wall, an outstanding addition that promises to benefit generations of young learners.

The project stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision. The school extended heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organisations whose dedication and generosity brought the development to life. Special recognition was given to Crosshill Enviro, St. Patrick’s PTA, the SECAD Partnership and Neil and Steven McGarry for their vital support throughout the process. Their contributions, alongside the commitment, skill and expertise of Aidie McCamphill of Altarichard Concrete Solutions Ltd., were instrumental in turning the idea into reality.

Former pupils Eddie McCloskey and Emma McFadden, who addressed the crowd

***Margaret and Aidie McCamphill Altarichard Concrete Solutions Ltd***

***Some of the pupils at St Patrick’s PS Nursery peep over the fence to see what is going on***

The opening ceremony was made all the more memorable by the presence of a number of distinguished guests. Those in attendance included guest speakers and past pupils, Emma McFadden and Eddie McCloskey, who both highlighted the importance of education and sporting opportunities in nurturing confidence, teamwork, and community spirit among young people. They were joined by Paul Glackin, Chairman of Loughgiel Shamrocks, as well as Fr Patsy Mulholland and Fr Sean Connolly, who offered their support and blessings.

In a particularly meaningful moment, the school also welcomed the current parents of the members of the 2012 All-Ireland winning Loughgiel Shamrocks team and management, a gesture that underlined the strong sporting heritage within the area and served as an inspiration for the young pupils present.

The Primary 7 boys & girls were then put through their paces by past pupils and Loughgiel players, Emma McFadden and Paul Boyle, teaching them the tricks of the trade.

While speeches and acknowledgements formed an important part of the occasion, the true highlight of the day came from the pupils themselves. The boys and girls of St. Patrick’s proved to be the stars of the show, entertaining attendees with a delightful programme of songs and performances. Their enthusiasm shone once again as they eagerly took to the new ball wall, showcasing their skills and demonstrating just how valuable this new facility will be for both play and development.

The new ball wall is not only a physical addition to the school grounds but also a symbol of community spirit, collaboration, and investment in the future. It is certain to become a central hub of activity for pupils, encouraging participation in sport, enhancing coordination skills, and, most importantly, providing enjoyment for years to come.
St. Patrick’s Primary & Nursery School expressed sincere gratitude to everyone involved in making the project possible and to all who attended the opening day, marking it as a memorable and proud occasion for the entire Loughgiel community.

Members of the Loughgiel All Ireland winning team of 2012 and their children and the Ball Wall opening

Dominic Casey, who was a selector on the Loughgiel 1983 All Ireland winning team is seen here with his grandchildren Cormac, Grace and Odhran Hughes

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

https://myalbum.com/album/NXZSh228nYsHdQ/?invite=110d68ee-3b7d-450a-a266-d3e2821a3732

June 12, 2026June 12, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Geraldines overcome poor start to beat Cargin

Antrim Camogie League – Division 2

Erin’s Own 3-10 Geraldines 4-15

Portglenone secured two valuable league points following a hard-fought encounter against Cargin by the lough shore on Wednesday evening.

Missing a number of experienced players, Geraldines had their hands full with a Cargin side whose direct running through the middle ensured a goal threat throughout.

The home team made an excellent start, with Maria O’Neill opening her account from play before Maria and Sarah O’Neill’s powerful running and interplay resulted in two clinical goals inside the opening 12 minutes to put Cargin firmly in control.

Geraldines responded well and gradually worked their way into the contest, with points from Jojo and Shannon Darragh settling the visitors, while Niamh Martin also added to the scoreboard as they began to create more consistent attacking opportunities.

Maria and Sarah O’Neill continued to dominate proceedings for Cargin with Maria adding another score from play, but Geraldines found their rhythm as the half progressed.

Fortune perhaps favoured Geraldines a little when two goals in a minute from Hollie Martin and Shannon Darragh provided a major boost on the scoreboard as pressure turned into scores. Maria O’Neill added a further point for Cargin late in the half, but Geraldines finished strongly with scores again from Shannon and Jojo Darragh to take a 2-10 to 3-3 lead into the interval.

The second half remained closely contested. Cargin with the breeze now on their backs reduced the deficit through a series of placed balls from Maria O’Neill, who also added another point from play to keep her side in touch.

Geraldines, however, much like the first half began to gain greater control, crucially around the middle third, with Jojo Darragh Hollie Martin and Aoife McKenna particularly strong in possession, and their more cohesive passages of play increasingly putting pressure on the home defence.

In almost a carbon copy of the first half, a decisive period arrived midway through the second when Clodagh Convery struck for two goals in quick succession, giving Geraldines valuable breathing space.

Further points from Hollie Martin, Aoife McGrogan and Niamh Martin, combined with some excellent goalkeeping from Siobhan Doherty helped frustrate the Toome side and maintain the advantage as the game entered its closing stages.

Cargin continued to battle and remained a threat right until the end. The impressive Maria O’Neill added two further scores, including a converted 45, before Caoimhe McErlain found the net late on with a superb catch and finish. Geraldines remained composed in the closing minutes, however, and saw out the game to record a hard earned victory on a scoreline of 4-15 to 3-10.

Geraldines: Siobhan Doherty, Laura O’Boyle, Orlagh Convery, Annie Convery, Maria Mooney, Aoife McKenna, Ellie Tsang, Hollie Martin (1-2), Eimear McKee, Jojo Darragh (0-4), Shannon Darragh (1-6), Aoife McGrogan (0-1), Eva McCann, Clodagh Convery (2-0), Niamh Martin (0-2).
Cargin: Eimear McErlain, Alexandra Johnston, Laura Scullion, Caoimhe-Rose Johnston, Aimee Johnston, Orlaith Johnston, Grace O’Boyle, Sarah O’Neill (1-0), Caoimhe McErlain (1-0), Catherine McFadden (0-1), Alica Boyd, Gracie McLaughlin, Lucia Sidebottom, Maria O’Neill (1-8), Erin O’Neill.

Referee: Francis Neeson (Ahoghill)

June 7, 2026June 7, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Antrim All County Go Games Blitz a screaming success in Loughgiel

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

Saturday’s ‘Go Games’ blitz from the County was split over two venues, St. Enda’s, Glengormley and Loughgiel. Loughgiel set up both of their playing pitches in the Fr. Barrett complex according to the Go Games specification and with one eye on the weather, many sighed a relief when it proved to be dry and ‘almost’ warm if not for a steady breeze that kept everyone, for the most part, holding onto a top and hat.

The day was segmented into an under eight team parade of eleven teams throwing in at 10am, concluding with a medal presentation at 11:15am from County Chairperson, Úna Kelly. Likewise, nine under ten teams paraded at 11:45am, with matches throughout the day up until the medal presentation at 1:40pm, with County Development Officer, Clare Dowdall.

Both County officers gave a short talk to the girls lined out for their medals and the atmosphere was electric as teams energetically and synchronously screamed out their club names in a show of appreciation for the great day in Loughgiel.

**Under eight camogs line up to receive their medals after a great day of Go Games**

It was a full on morning and afternoon and our County officials thanked the players, mentors, families and Loughgiel for making this a great day for everyone.

**Brídíní Óga mentor, Sheena Murphy swaps one handful for another at Saturday’s Go Games Blitz**

**Ahead of Saturday’s All Ireland Intermediate qualifying round, Lucia McNaughton pictured with Paul from St. John’s, takes a visit to Fr. Barrett Park to see what all the noise was about.**

Under 8 teams present in Loughgiel

St. John’s, Belfast

Brídíní Óga

Loughgiel Shamrocks Red

Loughgiel Shamrocks White

Ballycastle

O’Donovan Rossa, Belfast

Patrick Sarsfield’s Green

Patrick Sarsfield’s White

St. Mary’s, Ahoghill Red

St. Mary’s, Ahoghill White

Tír na nÓg, Randalstown

St. Patrick’s, North Antrim

Photos from the Go Games under 8 blitz can be found here…

https://myalbum.com/album/Sd6Xk92EYcbEGJ/?invite=c05144d7-df0b-438c-a65d-322fe77c23ac

Under 10 teams present in Loughgiel

St. John’s, Belfast

Brídíní Óga

Geraldine’s Camogie Club, Portglenone

Loughgiel Shamrocks Red

Loughgiel Shamrocks White

O’Donovan Rossa, Belfast

Patrick Sarsfield’s Green

Patrick Sarsfield’s White

St. Mary’s, Ahoghill

St. Mary’s, Rasharkin

Photos from the Go Games under 10 blitz can be found here…

https://myalbum.com/album/ptfsnnvVXiV7nd/?invite=0ae3776e-73e5-46c8-8f8b-ba5e9da6e12b

June 6, 2026June 6, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Saffron Camogs Continue Winning Ways

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie

Intermediate Championship

Group 1

Round 2

Antrim 2-16 Kerry 1-9

Saturday 6 June

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr McGuigan Park, Ahoghill

Antrim recorded their second win of the campaign on Saturday afternoon with a 10 point win over Kerry. The win was built on a blistering start that saw Elaine Dowds’ side blaze into a 2-4 to no score lead inside the opening six minutes. It effectively was the winning of the game as the Saffrons held off any challenge and finished the contest strongly.

Roisin McCormick would finish top of the scoring charts, seven of her 10 points coming from placed ball while Eobha McAllister and Maeve Kelly found the back of the net. It was a top team performance however as the Saffrons showed little or no signs of weakness all over. Caitriona Graham was excellent between the sticks while Caoimhe Conlon, Katie Molloy and Clare McKillop formed a strong defence. The work rate of the forwards couldn’t be faulted as they pressurised the Kerry defence for the entirety of the game.

Kerry did well to settle after that opening salvo from Antrim and had top performances from Patrice Diggin and Amy O’Sullivan while the introduction of Kathryn Ryan, Norette Casey and Ann Marie Leen all gave impetus to their challenge but they never really looked like they would reel in the deficit throughout the hour.

To say Antrim made a quick start would be the understatement of the century. Two points from Eobha McAllister gave them a good start within the opening 80 seconds but two goals in a little over 60 seconds from Maeve Kelly and McAllister had Kerry reeling. Kelly’s major owing much to the work rate of Cliona Griffin in the build-up while McAllister’s goal came at the end of a breath-taking move that saw four handpasses in quick succession before the sliotar fell to the Dunloy star.

Scores from McCormick and Lucia McNaughton had Antrim 10 points ahead in the sixth minute and Kerry hadn’t seen the whites of Caitriona’s Graham’s eyes at the other end of the pitch.

Diggin scored the opening point for the visitors while O’Sullivan had a half chance for a major moments later. Racing on to a ball over the top, she was in a footrace with Graham but the Antrim ‘keeper got their first and bravely denied the Kerry star.

A brace of frees from McCormick came either side of another goal chance for O’Sullivan but the angle was against her and her rasping drive hit the side netting.

Antrim finished the half on top with three points from McCormick (two frees) along with Eobha McAllister’s third point of the half edged them further ahead while a brace of frees from Diggin was the only response from the Kingdom with the half time score 2-9 to 0-3 in Antrim’s favour.

O’Sullivan and McCormick opened the scoring in the early stages of the second half as Kerry started to match the intensity Antrim were bringing. Tackles were going in hard and the referee was doing well to keep the game with any flow. The Kerry challenge was given a boost when they scored their goal in the 39^th minute. Patrice Diggin sending a free into the edge of the square and while Antrim cleared the initial danger, substitute Kathryn Ryan was on hand to fire the sliotar to the back of the net.

Another O’Sullivan point followed soon after to leave seven points between the sides after 10 minutes of the second half.

That was as close as Kerry got to Antrim as the Saffrons weathered the Kerry storm. Points from Nicole McAtamney and McCormick (free) got the Saffrons firing again and quell any thoughts of a comeback from the Kingdom.

Going into the final quarter, the Kerry substitutes were having a positive impact but Antrim kept them at arms length. McCormick’s accuracy from placed ball and a brilliant score from McAtamney rounded off the scoring while Kerry added scores from Norette and Diggin (2) in the time that remained.

This win and results elsewhere ensured Antrim’s passage into the semi finals with one game to spare. The momentum continues for the Saffron camogs with a clear buzz of excitement around the camp. It’s a trip to Down next in two weeks time will round up the group stage but the Saffrons can look beyond. The camogs march on.

TEAMS

Antrim Starting XV: Caitriona Graham; Colleen Patterson, Caoimhe Conlon, Caoimhe McNaughton; Clare McKillop, Katie Molloy, Shannagh Hegarty; Amy Boyle, Lucia McNaughton; Maeve Kelly, Roisin McCormick, Nicole McAtamney; Janey McIntosh, Eobha McAllister, Cliona Griffin

Scorers: R McCormick 0-10 (7fs), E McAllister 1-3, M Kelly 1-00, N McAtamney 0-2, L McNaughton 0-1

Kerry Starting XV: Aoife Fitzgerald; Rachel McCarthy, Sara Murphy, Roisin Quinn; Aoife Behan, Niamh Leen, Ellen O’Donoghue; Patrice Diggin, Caoimhe Spillane; Laura Collins, Ruth O’Connor, Kate Lynch; Emma Conway, Jackie Horgan, Amy O’Sullivan

Scorers: P Diggin 0-5 (3fs, 1’45), K Ryan 1-00, A O’Sullivan 0-2, N Casey 0-1

Referee: Alan Doheny (Laois)

To see more of Brendan’s photos from the game, follow the link below….

https://myalbum.com/album/kMAcLKZfUjRfyc/?invite=19211070-0341-4d36-86b9-f34c69995735

TO SEE CURLY’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/zr2PajE2TmH8vp/?invite=14e6028d-cc8c-4149-8f0a-c971da8d2046

June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Goals take Loughgiel through to the Antrim Camogie Feis final

Antrim Camogie Feis Semi final

Dunloy 0-13 v Loughgiel 2-15

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Pearse Park, Dunloy

A heavily depleted Dunloy squad held their own for much of tonight’s Feis semi final game until Loughgiel worked out how to solve the puzzle of striking into the heart of the Cuchullain’s net. Shamrock’s Annie Lynn and Marie Laverty raised those green flags, both in the second half, tipping the game in favour of the visitors. Up to the first goal that came after three minutes in the second half, Dunloy’s grit, tenacity and perseverance made them look every bit the favourites, but Loughgiel held the course and their own perseverance into the low lying scoring territory paid off in a game that was both physical and energetic.

A damp evening largely kept supporters at home but there was no dampening of enjoyment for those that rocked up to Pearse Park. Given the deluge of rain throughout the afternoon, Dunloy’s turf was immaculate and set up nicely for an evening’s entertainment under the brollies.

Referee Shane McDonnell rolled in on the half hour past seven and it shortly fell to Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty to convert the first foul of twenty eight in the game in just under thirty seconds. Dunloy’s Erin McMullan was happy to reply with her first point of eight, the other seven from frees before Laverty converted a 45 into the slight breeze at the chapel end.

**Dunloy’s Eimear Johnston put in a big shift in tonight’s Feis semi final**

For the next fifteen minutes, it was Dunloy’s game, running up five more points before Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty found Katie McKillop running at the edge of the box. The Shamrock sensed the goal route was risky and opted to float the sliotar over the bar, allowing Loughgiel to work the scoreboard again. Three more Shamrock points followed, allowing them to draw alongside their hosts at six points apiece before Dunloy clawed back another two, one coming from a recycled 45 that went wide for a puck out. Dearbhail Elliott found the sliotar and offloaded to Aileen McManus for a fine point derived from alertness.

Dunloy and Loughgiel would wrap up the first half with another point apiece, with scores at the short whistle Dunloy 0-09 Loughgiel 0-07.

**Loughgiel’s full back defence of Campbell, Megarry and Gillan made it hard for Dunloy to advance but Dunloy made it difficult for the Shamrocks to advance back out**

Tonight’s elements showed no favour for the Shamrocks as the breeze dropped noticeably at the start of the second half, however when it did rain, there was just enough wind to make working the ball by the hosts more difficult than they would’ve liked as they squinted into the drizzle. Loughgiel needed an edge to get them deeper into Cuchullain scoring territory and they didn’t have to wait long. No sooner had Adria McAllister pointed for Dunloy when Caela Dobbin made an attack on goal that was well saved by Aimie Shirt. Shirt would be kept busy and got the better of most of the Shamrock attacks, but a Marie Laverty pass to Annie Lynn was one of the exceptions as the net bulged from the force of the number four sliotar, just three minutes gone in the second half. Lynn would quickly be back with another goal chance but Shirt’s stick got to that one in time.

**Annie Lynn rifles the first Shamrock goal past Dunloy’s Aimie Shirt**

Both sides would go three for three, Dunloy making their three points from consecutive accurate frees from Erin McMullan, then Loughgiel struck deep and low from a Laverty goal passed in from Katie Lynn, having picked up Shanna Deery’s exquisite sideline cut. Dunloy lost momentum after that goal at around fifteen minutes and Loughgiel topped their evening’s work off with another five points to draw the semi final to a closure, Dunloy 0-13 Loughgiel 2-15.

Loughgiel will now play Cushendall in the Feis final on Sunday 5th July in Dunloy, time to be confirmed.

You can see more photos from this evening’s Feis semi final game here…

https://myalbum.com/album/aAe4TRCGEZXrwU/?invite=a4ef7093-f549-4c7e-98d9-8a86d3d4d959

Dunloy starting panel and scorers

Aimie Shirt, Carragh Boyle, Sarah McIlhatton, Sarah Louise Kearns, Eimear McMullan, Eilis Kearns, Caitlin Crawford, Eimear Johnston 0-01, Micha Cunning, Erin McMullan 0-08 (7f), Dearbhail Elliott, Kerry Rose Drain, Adria McAllister 0-03, Aileen McManus 0-01, Erin Traynor

Loughgiel starting panel and scorers

Emma McAllister, Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Aoibheann Gillan, Finvola McVeigh, Katie Lynn, Ciara Laverty, Anna Connolly, Louise McKillop, Shanna Deery 0-01, Marie Laverty 1-06 (1f 1×45), Katie McKillop 0-06 (3f), Anna McKillop 0-01, Annie Lynn 1-00, Caela Dobbin 0-01

The Saffron Gael

A look at all things GAA in the Saffron county

Category / Camogie

Celebration of the opening of new Ball Wall at St. Patrick’s Primary & Nursery School, Loughgiel

Geraldines overcome poor start to beat Cargin

Antrim All County Go Games Blitz a screaming success in Loughgiel

Saffron Camogs Continue Winning Ways

Goals take Loughgiel through to the Antrim Camogie Feis final