Category / Camogie

by thesaffrongael

St Pat’s stay on course for three Corn Uan Uladh titles in a row

Corn Uan Uladh semi-final:

St Patrick’s Maghera 4-11 Cross & Passion College 1-9

St Pat’s Maghera stay on course for their third Corn Uan Uladh title in a row after beating Cross & Passion Ballycastle in Saturday’s semi-final at Ahoghill. The Derry school led by four points after a hard fought opening half in which CPC gave as good as they got for long periods, but St Pat’s strength in depth told in the end and they pulled away to win by eleven in the end.

The first half was a real war of attrition with both teams giving their all. With Éabha McAllister leading the line for CPC, well supported by the excellent Maria Laverty, it aappeared there might be a shock on the cards, but St Pat’s were able to lift the pace when it was really needed and their ball winning ability around the middle of the park gave them the edge.

A scoring burst a third of the way through the first half, which included a well taken goal from full forward Caoimhe Chambers, saw the Maghera girls open a seven point lead though CPC cut the gap back to four by the time referee Paddy Tumelty blew the half time whistle when Adria McMcAllister scrambled the ball home at the other end.

Just as they had done in the first half CPC made a promising start after the change of ends and two by their star performer Éabha McAllister and one by Shauna Deery kept them in touch. However St Pat’s were always able to respond when they chips were down and and they rattled off four in a row with one from Aoibh Quinn and three from Emma Quinn to put daylight between the sides. CPC came again with three points in a row as Maria Laverty and Éabha McAllister continued to cause the St Pat’s defence problems, but St Pat’s response was devastating as the hit back with three goals inside four minutes through Katie McCloskey, Brianna Donaghy and Aoibh Mulholland.

CPC claimed to have scored a goal when the St Pat’s goalkeeper fumbled a high ball, but the claims were waved away. A goal at this stage would have been a boost for the Ballycastle school, but in truth the champions were home and hosed by this stage and will go into the January final against St Killian;s as red hot favourites.

St Patrick’s: A Mulholland 2-1, K McCloskey and C Chambers 1-1 each, E Quinn 0-7, 5fs, G Kelly 0-1.

Cross & Passion: A McAllister 1-0, M Laverty 0-4, 2fs, É McAllister 0-3 fs, S Deery 0-2.

St Patrick’s: O Johnston, O McCartney, E Griffin, E Conway, R Doherty, E Murray, B Brolly, E Quinn, A McWilliams, L Cassidy, K McCloskey, G Kelly, MT McCullagh, C Chambers, A Mulholland.

Subs: B Donaghy for L Cassidy (ht), L McKaigue for O McCartney (46), C Conway for R Doherty (56).

CPC: E O’Hara, A McCaughan, S Kearns, S Flavin, C Delaney, M Cunning, F Sands, É McAllister, S Deery, A McAllister, L McBride, E McGarry, M Laverty, M McArthur, E McCaughan.

Subs: T Cassidy for A McAllister (34).

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

https://myalbum.com/album/UX2z2DWf8aXtVC

by thesaffrongael

St Killian’s see off a stern challenge from St Louis

Corn Uan Uladh semi-final.

St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-15 St Louis Ballymena 2-9

A strong second quarter by St Killian’s set them up for a win over St Louis Ballymena in Thursday’s semi-final of the Corn Uan Uladh at Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel. The Ballymena school had started strongly and early points from Aoife McKenna and Orlaith Gould put them in a strong position. Kady McNeill dragged St Killians back to level, but St Louis went back ahead with the first goal of the game through Eimhear McCloskey. Things looked promising for the Ballymena school, but they did not score again for the rest of the first half as the Tower produced a strong run-in to the break. Eva McNeill started the revival with two pointed frees and one from play by Leona Gillan as they opened a six point gap by half time.

St Louis started the second half strongly and soon reduced the half time deficit with a goal from Erin McMullan and points from Lola Storrie and Eimhear McCloskey. At this stage it looked like it could go either way but the Tower came back with five points without reply to regain control of the game.

They hit back with three points inside three minutes, two from Eva McNeill frees and one from Leona Gillan, before Cara McNaughton’s shot for a point dipped into the net at the left hand post after 14 minutes.

Erin McMullan’s goal, along with points from Lola Storrie and Eimhear McCloskey, brought the gap down to two points after 40 minutes, but, as they had done in the first half, St Killian’s upped their game once more with five unanswered points and they sealed victory in the 53rd minute when Amy McAlister took a pass from Leona Gillan to strike their second goal.

St Louis never gave up the fight and finished strongly with five of the last six points, including two from McCloskey, but there was no back and the girls from the Tower go through to their third final in a row.

The will play the winners of Saturday’s second semi-final which sees holders Maghera come up against CPC at Ahoghill at 1pm

St Killian’s Eva McNeill in action against St Louis Orlaith Gould during Thursday’s Corn Uan Uladh semi-final in Loughgiel. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

St Killian’s scorers-  

A McAlister (1-3), C McNaughton (1-0), E McNeill (0-6, 4 fs), K McNeill (0-3), L Gillan (0-1), C Thompson (0-1), T Black (0-1).

St Louis scorers

 E McCloskey (1-3, 0-2fs), E McMullan (1-2), L Storrie (0-2), O Gould (0-1), A McKenna (0-1), A Smith (0-1).

St Killian’s: L McNaughton, L McCollum, M McAllister, E McCann, E McNaughton, L Black, E Ward, E McNeill, L Gillan, C McNaughton, K McNeill, A McAlister, R Black capt., C Thompson, S Carey.

Subs: T Black for S Carey, M McKeegan for R Black.

St Louis: K McGilligan, H Friel, E Lee, A Neeson, C O’Boyle, C Crawford, C Burns, C Scullion, O Gould capt., R Quinn, L Storrie, A McKenna, C McKeever, E McMullan, E McCloskey.

Subs: A Smith for A McKenna, G Duffin for L Storrie.

Referee: O Elliott.

FOR MORE PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Heartbreak for Shamrocks as Sarsfields edge through to another final

AIB Senior All-Ireland Club semi-final


Loughgiel (Ulster Champions) 3-9 Sarsfield’s (Connacht champions) 1-16

For most of the first half of Sunday’s all Ireland Camogie semi-final at Breffni Park, there must have been a big section of the Shamrocks fans making plans for a trip to Croke Park on Sunday week. The Antrim and Ulster champions were flying it after an unbelievable start and were nine points clear of All Ireland champions Sarsfields at one stage.

There were still four to the good at half time and though Sarsfields clawed their way back in the second half they were still level going into injury time at the end of the game. However the momentum had swung in favour of the Galway    side at this stage and two late points in injury time got them over the line.

There was still hope however when Loughgiel were awarded a free and Roisin McCormick took the point that was on offer, but the other chance they needed never came and the All Ireland champions continued their brilliant run of success with yet another All Ireland final appearance.

The Shamrocks made a dream start and after Lucia McNaughton grabbed a point in the opening minute, and following good approach work by Anna Connolly Caitrin Dobbin broke through, and despite being pulled back by a Sarsfields defender, she fired low to the net.

What a star! Things couldn’t get any better, but they did when Amy Boyle won possession and sent Roisin McCormick clear and the corner forward made not mistake as she grabbed her team’s second goal.

Seven in arrears Sarsfields were rocked back on their heels but the All Ireland champions got their first score on the board when Niamh McGrath sent over. However Loughgiel were still very much on the front foot and they hit back with well taken points from Annie Lynn and Roisin McCormick to stretch the lead to eight.

Sarsfields finally found a bit of rhythm in their play when the McGrath sisters Siobhan and Niamh found the target, but Loughgiel gained the upper hand again when Lucia McNaughton was put clear by Caitrin Dobbin and McNaughton sent the travelling Loughgiel fans into ecstasy when she grabbed her team’s third goal.

The first set-back or the Shamrocks came soon afterwards when Sarsfields got their first goal of the game, and they took advantage as the clock ticked towards half time, adding two more points to close the gap to four by the time referee Donegan sounded the half-time whistle.  (Loughgiel 3-04 Sarsfields 1-06)

The Sarsfields revival continued after the restart when Cora Kenny and Orlaith McGrath knocked over points to leave just two between the sides, but Roisin McCormick stretched the lead to three when she sent a free between the Sarsfields posts. However the champions were getting the upper hand and three points without reply from the brilliant Siobhan McGrath brought them level for the first time in the game.

Scores were getting harder to come by as underfoot conditions deteriorated, but Loughgiel ended the deadlock when McCormick and Dobbin added points to put them two clear yet again. Sarsfields Caoimhe Kelly and Loughgiel’s Roisin McCormick exchanged points to keep the gap at two, but the All Ireland champions hit back to level the match again, Kelly and McGrath providing the scores.

The Galway girls hit the front for the first time as the clocked ticked towards full time, Niamh McGrath’s free giving them the lead. That lead was doubled soon afterwards the All Ireland champions experience started to show in such a pressure situation, and though McCormick reduced the gap to the minimum with a pointed free, time was against the Shamrocks and Sarsfields scrambled over the line.

A heroic effort by the Antrim and Ulster champions, and a hard blow to take, but they once again showed they are right up there with the best teams in the country.

Loughgiel: E Boyle, C McKillop, K Lynn, F McVeigh, M McGarry, E McFadden, C Laverty, A Boyle, A Connolly, C McCloskey capt, L McNaughton (1-1), A Lynn (0-2), Caitrín Dobbin (1-1), K McKillop, R McCormick (1-5, 0-3 frees).

Subs: M O’Hara for F McVeigh (44), A McKillop for K McKillop (59)

Sarsfield’s: L Glynn, R Kelly, L Ward, K Gallagher, T Kenny, M Cooney, J Daly, C McGrath, N McGrath (1-2, 1-1 frees), K Donohue, O McGrath (0-1), S Spellman, C Kelly (0-3), S McGrath (0-8, 4 frees), R Murray.

Subs: C Kenny (0-2) for R Murray (ht), L McGrath for C McGrath (50), C McGrath for S Spellman (57),

Referee: G Donegan (Dublin)

TO SEE MORE OF MICHAEL CORCORAN PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/zJfztpYT4FQvP7/?invite=22ccd34b-8a85-44d0-8faf-d1566e67b9aa

by thesaffrongael

Con Magees Awards dinner

Con Magees Glenravel held their annual awards evening in the local clubrooms on Friday evening. No expense was spared as county chairman Seamus McMullan was transported all the way rom Martinstown where he made a series of awards during a very enjoyable evening.

A few of the highlights of the evening were the presentation of South West Antrim and county titles with the minor footballers winning the Laverty Cup (South West Antrim Minor Football Championship), the Senior Reserve Football Shield and the Antrim Minor Hurling A title which was won by Glenariffe-Glenravel for the first time, six of the panel coming from Con Magee.

Members of the Glenariffe-Glenravel Minor A Hurling Championship winning team received the trophy from county chairman Seamus McMullan at the clubs awards dinner.

Topping the internal awards was club legend Kieran Hughes being inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame Aidan McCafferty receiving the SPOH award, David Higgins winning the Danny McQuillan Memorial Cup for Playing Personality, and Jarlatth O’Donnell receiving the Clubman of the Year award for the third time.

Sean Paul McKenna received the Reserve Football Cup from club chairman Ian McKeown plus the 2023 Reserve Player of the Year award which he left behind him after last years dinner in the Tullyglass Hotlel

Our two county camogs Erin Coulter and Sarah Fyfe shared the Camogie Player of the Year award, Claire Emerson won the Division 3 POY, Clodagh McCann won the LGFA Player of the Year, Aidan O’Donnell the Senior Footballer of the Year, Calum Higgins the Under 21 POY, Rian Lennon and Declan McAuley shared the Hurling honours with Senior Hurler of the Year, Harry Fyfe and Ronan McCormick the Minor Footballer of the Year, while Orlagh Gould and Emer McCann shared the LGFA Minor award.

The Fyfe family at the Con Magees Awards dinner. L-R, Katie, Sarah, Harry and Anna

TO SEE ALL THE PICS FROM THE CON MAGEES AWARDS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/Yyr7GmSowt2czV

by thesaffrongael

Team captain McCloskey is ready for the task in hand

AIB All Ireland Senior Club Championship semifinal Sarsfields v Loughgiel

1st December 2024, Throw-in at 2pm in Kingspan Breffni, Cavan

Michael Corcoran for the Saffron Gael interviews Loughgiel’s captain Christine McCloskey ahead of Sunday’s semifinal game.

Two years ago, Loughgiel Shamrocks met Sarsfields in an All-Ireland final in the field of dreams, Croke Park. The Shamrocks had broken through the Ulster glass ceiling and had hopes of returning home with the Bill and Agnes Carroll Cup. Sarsfields would scoop up the spoils in a narrow win by just three points but Loughgiel’s captain, Christine McCloskey (Laverty then), believes the difference came down to experience.

Christine in action in the Ulster semi-final against Clonduff

Loughgiel were faced with a snow-covered pitch in the semi-final stage in ‘22. The squad didn’t consider not playing the game. Much to their credit, they stopped off at an Applegreen and filled up hot water bottles and warmed up in full track suits and tops. It is reported that they replied on given options, “we’re here to do a job” and that reflects the tenacity and drive this squad still has.

The Saffron Gael caught up with Christine, whilst getting ready to do a spot of babysitting and the ever-approachable camog was happy to share some views on this Sunday’s All-Ireland semifinal against Sarsfields.

The weather will be a bit different this year and McCloskey picks up the conversation, “I’ve played in Breffni Park before, albeit a different occasion. We (Antrim) were playing Down in an All-Ireland Intermediate match and it was affected by Covid rules, namely no spectators. Nevertheless, some of the squad got to experience the pitch and I’d say, particularly at this time of the year, it’ll be one of the few venues where the pitch will be in good condition. We played our All-Ireland final under lights in very cold conditions, so Sunday’s time and forecast are great.”

“The venue is a bit further away from our usual competition locations this year, like Clonduff and Beragh, but it is what it is and thankfully we haven’t to travel south of Dublin, that would be a long haul for supporters.”

Losing the 2022 final in Croke Park still hurts

Losing the final of 2022 still hurts and rang out in Lucia McNaughton’s interview with Michael McMullan from the Gaelic Life. But McCloskey says they’ve all accepted that and it’s woven into their experience now. The very thing they said they lacked coming into the All-Ireland scene. Despite the sense of loss, McCloskey is keen to add, “We had a great sense of pride, lining out in our club jerseys. It didn’t go past any of us, the sense of occasion walking out the tunnel onto the pitch. It’s destined to always be a core memory in your life.”

“Sarsfields are a good outfit but we won’t be deliberating over their game, we are focused on controlling the controllables and that means playing our game and we’ll see how it rolls on the day. After the Slaughtneil years, we have built on our mental strength and that is something that takes time to have across the entire squad. I remember being one of the younger members on the panel, now here I am leading the team as one of the older girls. That said, we are in the enviable position of having many leaders and I could pick one from each of the lines.”

Christine in action against Sunday’s opponents Sarsfields in the All Ireland final in 2022

Any team that reaches an All-Ireland game has momentum built up not only from training and challenging games but buoyed up by support. Christine is eager to point out that “We have been so lucky with the show of support. We’ve been fed and clothed that reflects the level you need to compete at this level. That means our recovery programs have been excellent; we could train harder for longer. From the support we experienced at the clubhouse after the County and Ulster wins to the fund-raising Big Breakfast and the sponsorship programme, I can only say it has been phenomenal and I can only thank everyone again!”

Supporters will make the 2 hours and forty-minute, 120-mile trip from the heartland of Loughgiel on Sunday to Breffni Park. McCloskey knows the Shamrocks will travel in numbers and the experience to be had for some of the juvenile girls will be inspiring, “These are the kind of occasions you remember when you are young, and that being the case, I hope at the very least, our younger girls will feel proud and be excited, maybe this is the sort of thing that will drive them on and we will be able to enjoy their endeavor’s down the line.”

Whatever the result on Sunday, there is no denying that the club machine called Loughgiel Shamrocks has been in overdrive since the Ulster win and has left no stone unturned in the preparations. Many will be hoping though, for a positive outcome and another big day out in the field of dreams.

Christine lifts the Ulster Championship trophy after the Shamrocks emphatic win over Swatragh