Category / Camogie

by thesaffrongael

McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars

 (HURLING)

1 Caolán McFerran (St Louis’ Ballymena)

2 Déáglán Mac Con Midhe (Gaelcholáiste Dhoire)

3 Seán óg Blaney (St Louis’ Ballymena)

4 Leigh Morgan (St Patrick’s Downpatrick)

5 Callagh Mooney (St Killian’s Garron Tower)

6 Liam Glackin (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)

7 Ben Teggart (Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock)

8 Paudie Martin (St Louis Ballymena)

9 Roan Fitzgerald (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)

10 Calum McIlwaine (St Killian’s Garron Tower)

11 Cathal Coleman (St Columba’s Portaferry)

12 Conor Donnelly (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)

13 Ryan O’Boyle (St Louis Ballymena)

14 Oran McCambridge (St Killian’s Garron Tower)

15 Roan McGarry (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)

The 11 Antrim players on the QUB Future Stars team. L-R, Ronan Fitzgerald, (CPC), Calum McIlwaine (St Killian’s), Oran McCambridge (St Killian’s), Callagh Mooney (St Killian’s), Conor Donnelly (CPC), Caolán McFerran (St Louis’), Sean Og Blaney (St Louis), Paudie Martin (St Louis), Liam Glackin (CPC), Ryan O’Boyle (St Louis), Roan McGarry (CPC)

Photos by Brendan Digney Photography

NO fewer than seven of the third McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars hurling team hold Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup medals.

Cross & Passion Ballycastle are the current cup holders and they have nailed down four places on the team announced at a gala dinner in Queen’s on Tuesday evening. The other three medal holders are from St Killian’s Garron Tower who defeated CPC in last year’s decider.

Liam Glackin is busy collecting jerseys this week. He slots in at centre-half back on this team and on Friday evening he will attend the Danske Bank All-stars awards dinner to pick up a midfield jersey for that team.

The other Cross & Passion Future Stars are Loughgiel pair Roan McGarry and Ronan Fitzgerald and McQuillan’s stick man Conor Donnelly whose brother Cathair was in last year’s team.

Calum McIlwaine was Player of the Match in last year’s Foresters’ Cup final for St Killian’s and he links up with Callagh Mooney and Oran McCambridge in this Queen’s selection. Oran is a son of former Antrim and Ulster forward Conor “Monty” McCambridge who incidentally was an All-star alongside Calum’s dad Pádraig some 30 years ago.

There are also four players from St Louis Ballymena in the team, goalie Caolán McFerran, full-back Seán óg Blaney, midfielder Paudie Martin and Ryan O’Boyle in corner-forward.

That means that 11 of the 15 jerseys have been claimed by players from north Antrim.

Three of the other four spots go down the Ards peninsula to players from three different schools.

Portaferry club-mates Leigh Morgan (Red High) and Cathal Coleman (St Columba’s) are joined by Ballygalget’s Ben Teggart was player of the match in this year’s Foresters’ Cup final for Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock.

The four CPC players who were selected on the QUB Future Stars Hurling team. L-R, Ronan Fitzgerald, Liam Glackin, Conor Donnelly and Roan McGarry.
The four St Louis players who were selected on the QUB Future Stars Hurling team. L-R, Ryan O’Boyle, Paudie Martin, Caolán McFerran and Sean Og Blaney.
The three St Killian’s players who have been selected on the QUB Future Sttars Hurling team. L-R, Calum McIlwaine, Oran McCambridge and Callagh Mooney.

Odd man out is Déaglán Mac Con Midhe who follows on from Mikey Kennedy in last year’s team with a second award for Gaelcholáiste Dhoire.

Aidan O’Rourke, Performance Sport manager with Queen’s, congratulated all those players who made it through to a Future Stars final team.

“We at Queen’s are delighted to continue to support and celebrate the work carried out within Ulster Schools for the promotion of all codes of gaelic games. 

“The level of skill and commitment shown by all those who took part in the trials is a tribute to the work being done right across the province and the final 15 have really earned their jersey.”

“There were outstanding candidates all over the field, especially in the final trials and there was plenty of evidence on show that Ulster Schools’ GAA is in a very strong place in 2023.”

Padraic McKeever managing director of McKeever Sports who sponsored the awards said:

“We are delighted to be involved with the Queen’s Future Stars programme and are always proud to be involved in showcasing the talent, pride, and passion of the students around the country.

“We are committed to continuously finding new ways of improving the performance of our products, and in turn the athletes who wear them. Our goal is to bring freshness, innovation, and excellent service to each of our customers.

“We look forward to the success of all the Queens Future Stars athletes in 2023 and beyond.”

Ladies’ football which has been included in the awards for the first time features three Antrim representatives on the side, Lucy Reynolds of St Dominic’s and Naomh Eoin, Lisa Wilson of Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock and St Gall’s, plus Hannagh Doherty of Rathmore and st Brigid’s.

Winners of LGFA Furure Stars awards Lucy Reynolds of St Dominics and Naomh Eoin GAC, Lisa Wilson (daughter of the late, great Frankie Wilson) of Our Lady and St Patrick’s Knock and St Gall’s with Hanna Doherty of Rathmore and St Brigid’s

Ladies football 

1-Emma Murtagh – St Paul’s Bessbrook

2-Lucy Reynolds – St Dominic’s Belfast

3-Hanna Donaghy – Rathmore Grammar

4-Emma McDevitt – St Columba’s Glenties

5-Jemma Shivers – St Mary’s Magherafelt

6-Niamh Boner – Loreto Letterkenny

7-Anna Henry – St Mary’s Magherafelt

8-Katie Dowds – St Columba’s Stranorlar

9-Allanah Maguire – St Aidan’s Derrylin

10-Shona Fullerton – St Colm’s Ballinascreen

11-Ava Caulfield – St Columba’s Glenties

12 – Sarah Loughran – St Pius X Magherafelt

13 – Rachel McGrane – St Catherine’s Armagh

14 – Áine McAllister – Loreto Coleraine

15 – Lisa Wilson – Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock

McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars camogie team

Antrim players who won QUB Future Stars awards. L-R, Enya Neeson (St Louis), Rhiana Black (St Killian’s), Laura Black (St Killian’s College), Erin O’Hara (CPC), Kate McGilligan (St Louis), Kady McNeill (St Killian’s), Katie McCloskey (St Pat’s Maghera)

The McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars camogie team was announced last night (TUESDAY) at a gala dinner in the Peter Froggatt Centre in Queen’s.

It features seven players from Antrim clubs.

There are three slots for players from St Killian’s Garron Tower. Laura and Rhianna Black and Kady McNeill all featured for the school in last season’s historic All-Ireland title run and McNeill also starred for Antrim at minor and under 16 level last weekend when the minors reached the All-Ireland final with victory over Wexford and the under 16s made it into the Ulster final against Derry.

The Future Stars goalie is Erin O’Hara the only representative from Cross and Passion Ballycastle in the team selected by Queen’s Sports Academy after trials to which all schools sent their top Year 12 players.

St Louis Ballymena has two players in the mix. Both Kate McGilligan and Enya Neeson slot into the half-back line alongside Fiadhna Loughran who was Player of the Match when St Patrick’s Keady won the Liatroim Fontenoys Cup earlier in the year.

Enya’s club-mate in Ahoghill, Katie McCloskey is also in the Future Stars team. She is one of three players from the St Patrick’s Maghera team that lifted Ulster schools’ Corn Eimhear back in January and then went on to contest the Allianz All-Ireland final in March when they lost to Loreto Kilkenny.

The others are captain Cáit Conway from Swatragh at midfield and Caoimhe Chambers from Bellaghy at full-forward.

Elsewhere there are two awards each for St Mary’s Magherafelt and Our Lady’s Newry. Connie Teague and Jemma Shivers will be in the Derry team facing Antrim in the Ulster under 16 final on Saturday. 

Shivers, from Castledawson, was also named in the first ever ladies football team announced with the camogie team last night.

This is the second year that camogie has been included in the McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars awards scheme and Ulster schools’ chairperson Catherine McGourty feels that it is a great addition to the schools’ camogie calendar.

“The trials this year were of a very high standard and it is great to see emerging talent get the recognition they deserve. Some come from schools that are strong in camogie while others are playing at a much lower level in our competitions.

“These awards will hopefully give all players the boost they need to push on into senior schools’ teams and at minor level and ultimately have a long and successful career at senior level.”

 The 2023 McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars in camogie are:

  1. Erin O’Hara – Cross and Passion Ballycastle
  2. Niamh McConville – Our Lady’s Grammar Newry
  3. Connie Teague – St Mary’s Magherafelt
  4. Laura Black – St Killian’s College
  5. Fiadhna Loughran – St Patrick’s College Keady
  6. Kate McGilligan – St Louis Ballymena
  7. Enya Neeson – St Louis Ballymena
  8. Jemma Shivers – St Mary’s Magherafelt
  9. Cait Conway – St Patrick’s College Maghera
  10. Katie McCloskey – St Patrick’s College Maghera
  11. Cara Savage – Our Lady’s Grammar Newry
  12. Grace Kelly – St Colm’s High School Draperstown
  13. Kady McNeill – St Killian’s College
  14. Caoimhe Chambers – St Patrick’s College Maghera
  15. Rhianna Black – St Killian’s College
by thesaffrongael

Dual star Prenter shines as Tir na nÓg win at Rossa Park

Antirm Camogie League – Division 1

Rossa 0-4 Tir na nÓg 4-16

County football star Orlaith Prenter showed she can do it with the small ball as well when she impressed in the Tir na nÓg’s win over Rosssa at Shaw’s Road in Tuesday evenings Division 1 Camogie League game. Prenter, who plays her football with Moneyglass, scored a goal and four points as she helped the Randalstown girls record their second win over the season with a top class display against the Belfast side.

Rossa were first to register when right half forward Caitlin Armstrong pointed but Prenter soon had Tir na nÓg. Points from Louise Kane and Natalie McGuinness put Rossa two ahead, but Tir na nÓg were starting to get on top and points by Prenter and Emily Faloon brought them level on 3 points apiece. The rest of the opening half belonged to the visitors and a Maire McStravick goal started a run which saw them open up a 13 point gap by half time. Goal number two came from centre forward Sarah McNicholl while Orlaith Prenter got the third to leave the half time score Rossa 0-4 – Tir na nÓg 3-8.

The second half saw the same trend continue as Tir na nÓg pushed home their advantage. Prenters fellow county football star Aine Devlin got the first point to the second half with a pointed free while Prenter added another from play. Emily Faloon got goal number for while points followed from Devlin, Sarah McNicholl, Niamh Martin, Prenter and Faloon again to wrap up a convincing win

Rossa 0-4 Tir na nÓg 4-16

County football star Orlaith Prenter showed she can do it with the small ball as well when she impressed in the Tir na nÓg’s win over Rosssa at Shaw’s Road in Tuesday evenings Division 1 Camogie League game. Prenter, who plays her football with Moneyglass, scored a goal and four points as she helped the Randalstown girls record their second win over the season with a top class display against the Belfast side.

Rossa were first to register when right half forward Caitlin Armstrong pointed but Prenter soon had Tir na nÓg. Points from Louise Kane and Natalie McGuinness put Rossa two ahead, but Tir na nÓg were starting to get on top and points by Prenter and Emily Faloon brought them level on 3 points apiece. The rest of the opening half belonged to the visitors and a Maire McStravick goal started a run which saw them open up a 13 point gap by half time. Goal number two came from centre forward Sarah McNicholl while Orlaith Prenter got the third to leave the half time score Rossa 0-4 – Tir na nÓg 3-8.

The second half saw the same trend continue as Tir na nÓg pushed home their advantage. Prenter’s fellow county football star Aine Devlin got the first point of the second half when she converted a free while Prenter added another from play. Emily Faloon got goal number four while points followed from Devlin, Sarah McNicholl, Niamh Martin, Prenter and Faloon again to wrap up a convincing win

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall power past Ballycastle

Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Cushendall 5-16 Ballycastle 2-8

Cushendall won Tuesday evening’s top of the table clash in Division 1 of the Antrim Senior Camogie League when they beat Ballycastle by 5-16 to 2-8 at Pair Mhuir.

A goal inside the first minute by full forward Oralgh O’Hara gave the home side the perfect start, but points from Riana McBride and Ellen McIntosh in the next two minutes closed the gap to a single point. That was as close at the ‘Town’ would get though as the Ruairis hit 1-3 without reply inside five minutes to put a bit of daylight between themselves and the visitors. Anna McNeill started it with a point, before corner forward Orlaith McAlister got her team’s second goal on five minutes. O’Hara added a point from a free and McAlister one from play to open the gap to 2-4 to 0-2 by the seventh minute.

An exchange of points from Ballycastle’s Aine Donnelly and Cushendall’s Orlaith McAlister kept the gap at eight, but Ballycastlle got back into contention with a Riana McBride point and an Elen McIntosh goal, but points from Dervla Cosgrove and Orlagh O’Hara were followed by goal number three for the Dall by corner forward Orlaith McCurry.

With half time fast approaching Ballycastle came back with a goal and a point from full forward Janey McIntosh to close the gap back to four, but three on the trot from the home side deep in injury time from Orlagh O’Hara (2) and Dervla Cosgrove gave Cushendall a seven point lead at the break, 3-9 to 2-5.

The high scoring nature of the game continued after the restart as Riana McBride and Aine Donnelly pointed to close the gap to five, but Ballycastle would score just one more time in the final 25 minutes as Cushendall took control.

Points from Orlaith McAlister, Orlagh O’Hara and Dervla Cosgrove were followed by goal number four through Orlaith McAlister in the 42nd minute and at this stage the only thing in question was the size of the winning margin. With ten minutes left to play Aine Donnelly got Ballycastle’s last point of the game, but the home side finished with a flourish as Orlagh O’Hara grabbed three more points, Orlaith McAlister got goal number five, while Cara O’Boyle got the last score of the game.

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks have too much power for Bridini Oga

Antrim Camogie League Division 1

Bridini Oga 0-1 Loughgiel 3-18

Despite playing without their county players Loughgiel were much too strong for Bridini Oga when the sides met on Tuesday evening at Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel.

On a cold evening the Shamrocks took a little while to settle but were 0-6 to 0-1 ahead after eighteen minutes, with Orlagh Laverty, Emma Laverty, Shauna Deery and Annie Lynn among the scorers. Glenravel got their only score of the game on eighteen minutes when Eimhear McAleenan, but the Shamrocks hit back immediately with two well taken goals in as many minutes through Mary McKillen and Orlagh Laverty to lead by 2-8 at half time.

The second half was more of the same as the slick moving Shamrocks showed their class. Emma McMullan, Annie Lynn, Emma McFadden and Mary McKillen all added points before substitute Anna McKillop finished it all with a sweetly taken goal.

by thesaffrongael

Madge Mullan RIP

The death occurred on Sunday of Madge Mullan (née Rainey). Madge was the Antrim’s fourth All-Ireland winning captain when she lifted the O’Duffy Cup in Croke Park in 1956.

The Dunloy native first came to the attention of a wider camogie public when she helped St Louis Ballymena win three successive Corn Uan Uladh schools’ senior titles 1949-51, beating St Dominic’s Belfast in each of the finals. Madge scored in each of those finals including 2-2 in the 1951 final when she was captain.

Her older sister Kathleen had featured in each of Antrim’s first three All-Ireland winning teams, 1945-47, and it wasn’t long until the younger Rainey sister won her place on the the Saffron senior side, scoring in the 1950 Ulster final. Antrim had beaten two in a row champions Down in the semi-final and took the provincial crown with a 7-0 to 2-3 victory over Derry.

Over each of the next three seasons Antrim lost All-Ireland finals to the all-conquering Dublin team with the Dunloy forward joined by more of her school-mates and St Dominic’s opponents in the county team.

It all came right in 1956 with Madge as captain following Dunloy’s third Antrim championship the year before. Dublin were going for their ninth title in succession when they met Antrim in a brilliant semi-final in Casement Park.

Agnes Hourigan in The Irish Press the following day described the game as “thrilling stuff from start to stop, with the lead switching from side to side in almost exact rotation ….

The stars of the Antrim team were Moya Forde, Maeve Gilroy, Chris Hughes, Grace Connolly and Madge Rainey.”

The final against Cork in Croke Park did not live up to the standard set by Antrim in Casement Park a month earlier but a goal from the team captain kept them in touch at the break, trailing 3-2 to 3-0.  They drew level early in the second half and goals from Chris Hughes and Grace Connolly sealed a 5-3 to 4-2 victory that allowed Madge to collect the O’Duffy Cup.

Antrim made it back to Croke Park for the 1957 final but they lost through a last minute goal to Dublin after a goal from Madge had placed them in a winning position.

Shortly afterwards Madge married Brian Mullan who played for Derry in the 1958 All-Ireland football final. The couple settled in Brian’s native Ballerin and raised their family of seven. All six daughters played camogie for Ballerin, as indeed did their mother for a short period.

Predeceased by her husband and more recently her daughter Collette, Madge died early on Sunday and her requiem Mass will take place this TUESDAY morning at 11am in St Mary’s Ballerin.

Leaba i measc na naomh go raibh aici.