St Dominic’s, Belfast 1-8 Gaelcholáiste, Dhoire 0-8
Wednesday 14 January
Brendan McTaggart reports from Erin’s Own, Lavey
Strong finishes to both halves was enough for St Dominic’s to claim the Medallion Shield on a rainy, windswept final against Gaelcholáiste at Lavey on Wednesday evening. Three points was the difference at the end of an hour where both sides played with incredible intensity and discipline in extremely difficult conditions.
Maeve Devlin would finish top of the scoring charts for the Belfast school, landing 1-4 over the hour with all of her scores coming from open play. Devlin was imperious throughout and proved to be a thorn in the side of Gaelcholáiste for the entirety of the contest.
She was ably supported by her midfield partner Amelie Annett, Amy Gault and Abaigh McNally while Clíona McGinley and Aoife Fitzsimons always looked dangerous in attack.
Gaelcholáiste were best served by Niamh Nig Uiginn. She may have had number six on her back but she covered every blade of grass while Deirbhile Ní Mhealláin came in for some close attention by the St Dominic’s defence. Ní Mhealláin led the fight for the Dungiven school in the second half but St Dominic’s with her speed and direct running but a late injury seemed to knock the wind out of Gaelcholáiste’s sails.
It was Gaelcholáiste who made the brighter start and held a two point lead having dominated the majority of the first half. St Dominic’s finished the half on top however with 1-3 coming in the last five minutes of the half. Points from Clíona McGinley and a brace of white flags from Maeve Devlin came either side of the only goal of the game.
While there might have been a hint of good fortune with Devlin’s goal, it showcased her ability to break clear from ruck and find a half yard to get a shot away. Wide on the left and under pressure, Devlin’s effort dipped viciously to go into the back of the net.
Leading by four points, they had to hold off wave after wave of Gaelcholáiste pressure in the second half. Points from Katie Nic Cionnaith, a brace of frees from Niamh Nig Uiginn and Deirbhile Ní Mhealláin came in response to am Aoife Fitzsimons point to leave just one between the sides going in to the final 10 minutes.
That would be as good as it got for Gaelcholáiste however as St Dominic’s finished strong with points from Fitzsimons and Devlin.
TEAMS
St Dominic’s: A Rice; T Culbert, A McNally, A Austin; M Monaghan, C Lynch, A Gault; M Devlin (1-4), A Annett; E Stewart, H McAllister, A Fitzsimons (0-2); C McGinley (0-1), R MacElhatton, E Kelly (0-1)
Subs: R McCourt for T Culbert (51); M Rooney for E Kelly (51)
Gaelcholáiste: R Ní Cheallaigh; B Ní Ghribín, M Ní Agáub, C Ní Bhrollaigh; E Nic Giolla Domhnaigh, N Nig Uiginn (0-6, 6fs), M Ní Mhuiríl S Ní Cheallaigh, R Ní Chearnaigh; K Nic Cionnaith (0-1), D Ní Mhealláin (0-1), O Nic an Bhaird; E Ní Mhaoláin (0-1), Ella Ní Bhrolcháin, M Seoighe
Subs: C Croskery for M Seoighe (34)
Referee: Paul O’Neill
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
St Killian’s Garron Tower 9-10 | St Joseph’s Lucan 2-6
Venue: Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall
St Killian’s captain Clíodhna Thompson produced a scoring masterclass in Cushendall yesterday, tallying an incredible 6-8 to power the Ulster champions past St Joseph’s of Lucan and into the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Thompson, fresh from a Player of the Match performance in the Ulster final, was virtually unplayable in the second half. After posting 1-5 in the opening period, she exploded after the break, bagging five goals and three points in the second half alone to secure the Tower girls a Valentine’s weekend trip to Munster.
Early Resistance
Thompson opened the scoring with a goal and a point within the first minute, but St Joseph’s responded tactically by crowding the midfield and half-back lines. This contained the home side for a quarter of an hour, holding the score at 1-2 to 0-1.
The deadlock broke when Gabrielle McNeill and Georgie Twigg struck for two goals within 40 seconds of each other. However, St Joseph’s rallied before the interval and a goal from a Holly Whelan free, alongside two points, gave the visitors a lifeline as they closed the gap to 3-6 to 1-4 at the break.
The Second Half Blitz
Any hope of a Dublin comeback was extinguished in the third quarter. Following a point from Katie Burns, Thompson seized total control. The team captain, playing on her her home club pitch, fired over two points before finding the net four times in a seven-minute spell (38th, 39th, 44th, and 45th minutes).
St Joseph’s managed a consolation goal through Izzy Lyons-Kennedy, but St Killian’s finished strongest. Thompson added her sixth goal before substitute Lucia Trainor capped the performance with a stunning finish from a tight angle.
The Tower girls now await the result of next Tuesday’s Munster final to determine their semi-final opponents.
Teams and Scorers
St Killian’s Garron Tower
Scorers: C Thompson 6-8 (0-1f), G McNeill 1-0, G Twigg 1-0, L Trainor 1-0, K Burns 0-2.
Scorers: H Whelan 1-2 (1-1fs), I Lyons-Kennedy 1-1, M Sliney 0-2 (fs), C Buckley 0-1.
Team: A Costello, A Mullan, A McKenna (C), S Quinn, E O’Beirne, M Daffy, P Lyons-Kennedy, C Buckley, M Lindsay, I Lyons-Kennedy, H Whelan, M Sliney, S Haugh, V Harold, L O’Shea.
Referee – Owen Elliott (All Saints)
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Today’s Ulster Camogie final between CPC and St Pat’s Maghera, which was to have been played at Eoghan rua Coleraine has been postpone because of a frozen pitch
It’s hard to believe we are now fast approaching the end of 2025, and what a good year it has been for the camogs from Antrim Clubs and County. As you know, our team of snappers annually try their best to bring you the action from the Saffron county games across the four codes. It’s a big task but somehow it gets done and although you look forward to a rest over the festive period, cabin fever quickly sets in and you long for the lengthening evenings and the thud of leather on ash. So, in the meantime, we thought it would be a bit different to have ex Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran give us his select pick of photos that defined the year of 2025 for him behind his lens.
“The feature picture at the head of this post is a great starting point. Antrim Minors winning the All Ireland A Shield against Laois in April down in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny set us all off into early celebrations but not before they won the Ulster against Derry in Ahoghill, early March.”
“Antrim’s Seniors winning the Very League against Clare just a day ahead of the Minor’s Ulster win was great fuel for the younger camogs to demonstrate their own capabilities when the stakes are high.”
Antrim faced tough opposition in the form of Clare in the Very League final.This photo captures the essence of the game, where nothing was easy for either sideand in the end, gave the Antrim win extra signficance.
“Having access to the squad on the return bus journey allowed for a terrific group photo opportunity and then there was the traditional winners’ walk over the county border from Louth into Down.” Again, you can relive the match through the match report and view the photo album here… https://thesaffrongael.com/2025/03/30/antrim-on-their-way-up-after-their-league-final-win/
Miles of smiles as we journeyed back from the National Games Development Centre with the Very League Cup.
Louth to Down, pitch black and cold wouldn’t deter the squad from this tradition.
“Antrim continued with their winning ways and enjoyed an Ulster win against Derry during an early summer spell of fine weather in May. I like this photo as it captures the squad enjoying the result, the fine weather and also has an element of enormity about it, complementing the significant win.”
Antrim fill in time just before the official Ulster trophy is awarded to Antrim in Dunloy.
“In June, Antrim travelled to play Westmeath in spells of atrocious downpours of rain. This photo captures the moment Katie Molloy went on a solo run with Lucia Mc Naughton running off the shoulder. I think you get the sense of just how difficult that game was, considering the weather.”
Katie Molloy weathers the storm with Lucia McNaughton running off the shoulder against Westmeath.
“Sometimes a photo tells a story without the action of a stick or sliotar. This photo of Katie Lynn applying sunscreen to Sarah O’Neill’s face is a great example of the camaraderie that existed in the squad but that day Antrim were baked in the July sun, Offaly holding out the better for their pathway to an eventual All Ireland Intermediate win.”
A pitch temperature above thirty degrees proved to be an unforeseen challenge that would hamper Antrim’s passage to the All Ireland final.
“That loss pretty much wrapped up county action on the big stage, but there were other photo assignments ongoing in the club scene. June marked an interesting initiative between the LGFA and Antrim Camogie for a joint club championship launch. It proved to be a colourful event down Belfast’s Commercial Court, the scene lining up to help promote the Camogie Associations Pride campaign.”
Players from the LGFA and Camogie club scene joined forces for a dual photoshoot to launch the club championships.
“The club championships created so many wonderful photo opportunities but it’s hard to include so many, so here’s my shortlist of seven, only for the following reasons.”
“First up, Laura Brady from Patrick Sarsfield’s Junior win. It’s hard not to see the sheer delight in her face after a great game up in St. Enda’s against Loughgiel.”
Laura Brady from Sarsfield’s enjoys a moment of history for her club.
“This is an opportunity for me to include two players that I’ve enjoyed watching playing for their county. Here’s Clare McKillop in action against Cushendall. Clare has just pinched the sliotar off the end of Amy McAlister’s stick. Clare has been doing that all season, especially with the county with quiet aplomb. In my humble opinion seen through the lens, Clare has been one of the stand out players from 2025 with a level of consistency that was always dependable at times of need.”
Loughgiel’s Clare McKillop quietly takes possession of the sliotar in one of the Antrim Championship games.
“You’ll forgive me if I tell you that the next photo is nothing special but the player is. Róisín McCormick, Antrim and Loughgiel. It’s easy to run out of superlatives in your match report when covering one of her games.”
Loughgiel’s taliswoman, Róisín McCormick, in this year’s club championship action against Cushendall.
“The Antrim County final gave us a game we’ll remember. Looking through the photo gallery, one stands out. Here’s a photo of Dunloy’s Brid Magill. You’ve got to marvel at the angel she has created for propulsion in attempting to out pace Loughgiel’s Maria O’Hara, who incidentally has matched Brid.
Elite athletes in action during the Antrim County final in Portglenone, Brid Magill and Maria O’Hara.
“That same final seen Loughgiel’s Anna Connolly chaperone the sliotar under severe pressure from Dunloy’s Mary McArthur and Nicole McAtamney, with player of the match Eimear Johnston, ready to turn up the heat. Terrific skill under immense pressure.”
Loughgiel’s Anna Connolly balances the sliotar away whilst under pressure from Dunloy players in the Antrim County final.
“My last two photos exemplify the thrills and spills you see in this marvellous game. Here we see Annie Lynn catching the sliotar tossed forward from Amy Boyle out of the side line ruck that would end in the back of Clonduff’s net, courtesy of Róisín McCormick to propel Loughgiel safely onto their fourth Ulster Win.”
Annie Lynn’s fortuitous catch is about to put the game beyond Clonduff in the Ulster final.
“My last photo sums up the emotion this game can create as Loughgiel’s Megan McGarry drops to her hunkers in disbelief, so close but not enough to move into another All Ireland final. Thanks to Megan for being a sport and allowing this pic to be used.”
St. Finbarr’s scrape past Loughgiel in this year’s All Ireland Senior semi final by one point. Disbelief and disappointment are uneasy companions for one team, especially at this elite level.
“That’s my pick from 2025, it’s by no means a review but the albums might have captured something you prefer, and that’s okay. It only remains for me to thank Carl McCormick, Martin Coulter and the players for unprecedented access to the Antrim senior squad, where nothing was a bother, also to the Antrim club management teams who trusted me to be impartial along the side line when it mattered. Finally a special thanks to Loughgiel’s Johnny Campbell for permission to shoot in and around the squad as I tried to capture the special moments from a serious journey. What photo assignments will come calling in 2026? Can Antrim make up for last year’s narrow miss on the Intermediate scene? How will they go in the top league? Can Loughgiel maintain their dominance and visit Croke Park again? Can Brídíní Óga make it three All Irelands? I don’t have the answers yet but hopefully the Saffron Gael will continue to get ring side and bring you those and much more in 2026.”
St Patrick’s Maghera 3-11 St Killian’s, Garron Tower 2-7
Monday 15 December
Brendan McTaggart reports from Lavey
A brilliant start and strong performance from Emma Quinn was enough for St Pat’s to reach the Corn Uan Uladh Final on Monday evening but they were made to fight for the full hour by a gallant St Killian’s side.
Seven points separated the sides with Quinn top scoring with eight white flags while majors came from lightning inside forward Aoibh Mulholland and Swatragh duo Aoife McWilliams and Marie Therese McCullagh.
After a start that was borderline catastrophic for the ‘Tower, they were left indebted to goal keeper Laoiseach McNaughton who pulled off a string of saves and was assured under the dropping ball in testing conditions.
Eva McNeill was once again immense at the heart of the St Killian’s defence and top scored with 1-5. Anything coming from an attacking sense from St Killian’s came from their centre half while Cliodhna Thompson was always a handful up front. She would finish with 1-2 for her hours work and her move further out the field in the second half gave them a stronger attacking position but St Pat’s always had an upper hand. Midfield duo Orla McCartney and McCullagh worked tirelessly throughout while the direct running of Brannagh Brolly was causing the St Killian’s back six plenty of problems.
With the temperature showing not much above zero at the south Derry venue and a freezing fog hovering, it was the Maghera girls who started on fire. Laoiseach McNaughton had denied Aoibh Mulholland with a super save in the first attack of the game but St Pat’s constant pressure finally yielded the opening goal of the game through MT McCullagh.
The St Pat’s pressure continued with Emma Quinn’s accuracy from placed ball unerring. Three points in as many minutes from placed ball had St Pat’s 1-3 to no score up after seven minutes and any St Killian’s attacks were in scarce supply.
The second St Pat’s goal came in the 12th minute, Aoibh Mulholland getting on the end of a lovely pass from Bolly before finding the bottom corner. Nine points up and it was all one way traffic, it looked like it was going to be a long evening for the St Killian’s girls.
Eva McNeill opened their account with an accurate ’45 only for a brace of scores to follow from Aoibh Mulholland and Emma Quinn. Quinn’s effort a brilliant score, instinctive and accurate despite being under pressure.
McNeill split the uprights in the 17th minute before Cliodhna Thompson found the back of the St Pat’s net. McNeill delivered the sliotar high to the edge of the square and when it broke loose, Thompson was first to react and managed to find the far corner of the net, throwing St Killian’s a lifeline.
Orla McCartney and McNeill (’45) swapped white flags in the time that remained to leave the half time score 2-6 to 1-3 in the Maghera schools favour.
St Killian’s were fastest out of the traps in the second half and had the opening two scores of the half inside five minutes. Thompson and McNeill (free) as the ‘Tower played with more aggression and intensity. St Pat’s responded with a brace of points from Orla McCartney and Emma Quinn (free) but a second St Killian’s goal brought them back to within three in the 44th minute. Eva McNeill sending the sliotar into the danger area but it took a wicked bounce and deceived Orlaith Johnston between the sticks to leave just three between the sides.
That goal seemed to sting the Maghera school into life again. They saw goal chances come and go from Emma Quinn and Brannagh Brolly with a mix if heroic defending and brave goal keeping from Laoiseach McNaughton keeping them in the game but a run of 1-2 inside three minutes all but ended the game.
Points from placed ball by Emma Quinn came either side of their third goal, Aoife McWilliams getting her shot away under pressure to put eight between the sides with six minutes remaining.
St Killian’s continued to try and carve a way through the St Pat’s defence but points from Thompson and McNeill was all they managed while almost fittingly, Emma Quinn had the final say of the fame with her eighth point of the game.
St Pat’s progress to a meeting with Cross and Passion in the New Year while St Killian’s are left to rue the opening quarter and what might have been.
