GAA FOR ALL have organised a raffle to raise funds for their work during the forthcoming season, The man behind it all Tony McCollum has penned a few lines for the draw launch
Hello everyone this is Antrim GAA FOR ALL super draw.
As one of the first GAA FOR ALL teams in Antrim, Ulster and Ireland we have been going now since 2012 and we have loved every minute of it. We are the total GAA club with female & male players together playing our games. We welcome all disabilities and all ages and we travel the country to play games and as with your own Club you understand this comes at a price. We have some wonderful sponsors already in place and thanks to Amelia from Forward Focused, Gerard (plasterboard), Oonagh from Kearney’s and Niall & Tony from Antrim business forum for their sponsorship to date.
We are now running this Grand Draw and as with the support you all have given us on social media I’m asking you for your help to make this draw a success. So if you could take 5/10 tickets and sell them for our team we would be forever grateful so please contact myself or any of our fantastic players who play their heart out for Antrim. Below are the great prizes and the people who sorted them for us.
2 vouchers for Forward Focused = Amelia O’Neill
£100 gift voucher for O’Neills = Ann Maguire
Litre of Gin = Siobhon Doyle
GAA shirt of your choice = Charlie Devlin
Marrions Hamper = Marrions Bar & Lounge
Precision gloves signed by Niall Morgan
Hurl signed by Antrim hurlers = Martin Hurls
Hurl signed by Antrim camogs= Eleanor Mallon
Signed Antrim football shirt =Tomas Mc Cann
Signed Antrim LGFA shirt = The Devlin Twins
Signed Down Shirt = Conor Laverty
Signed Armagh Shirt = Aiden Forker (Ulster Champions)
Signed Derry Shirt = Padraig McGrogan
Signed Kerry Shirt = Killian Spillane (All Ireland Champions)
ANTRIM surrendered a nine-point advantage they had built up within four minutes of the restart as Wicklow battled back to defeat the Saffrons 2-19-3-15 in their Tailteann Cup Quarter-Final clash at Corrigan Park on Saturday afternoon.
Ryan McQuillan’s first half goal had helped the hosts to a slender 1-7-0-9 at the break, but early second half goals from Tiernan McCormack and Paddy McAleer had their side in a commanding 3-9-0-9 lead.
Oisin McGraynor responded with a goal, however Antrim could have moved 11-points clear with a penalty that Wicklow keeper Mark Jackson saved along with the rebound from Conor Hand.
Thereafter it was the visitors who largely controlled the scoring, finding the net for the second time through Eoin Darcy after John McNabb had saved his initial penalty.
Antrim looked to have stemmed the tide with three unanswered points, but Wicklow fought back level and won it with a Dean Healy point in the 70th minute and Antrim were unable to respond before the hooter as their season came to a shattering end.
The Saffrons were ahead within two minutes after Pat Shivers laid the ball off to Conor Hand to kick over the opener on home soil.
However, the hosts were penalised for a breech and Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson kicked the two-pointed opportunity over.
It was from the placed ball that Oisin McGraynor extended his sides lead, though Conor Hand levelled things up with a two-pointed effort from the edge of the arc.
Antrim regained the lead through a Ryan McQuillan shot that dropped over, wiith Dean Healy restoring parity just shy of the midway point in the half.
Late replacement Eunan Walsh shot his side back in front in what was the last score ofr eight minutes of play.
Wicklow thought they had forged ahead again when Dean Healy finished to the net, but referee Thomas Murphy ajudged the midfielder to have overcarried.
Healy didn’t let that disappointment affect him and after linking up with midfield partner Jack Kirwan, he steered a tw0-pointed attempt over the bar.
The visitors hit the front almost instantly when Tom Moran made a blindsided run forward and opted for a fisted score.
A minute shy of the half hour mark a Tiernan McCormack dipping shot crashed off the underside of the bar and it was a warning that Wicklow didn’t heed as Antrim found the games opening goal in the 31st minute.
John McNabb’s quick kick out was gathered by Tiernan McCormack and his floated pass was patted down by Joseph Finnegan into the path of Ryan McQuillan, the Con Magee’s forward carried the ball forward and rounded Mark Jackson before sliding his low effort to the net to make it 1-6-0-7.
In response Padraig O’Toole shot over and it looked as though the sides wouldn’t be separated at the break when Dean Healy fisted over from Eoin Darcy’s pass on the stroke of half time.
It was Antrim who would hold a slender advantage at the break though when Niall Burns guided a shot over the bar to give his side a 1-7-0-9 lead.
Antrim settled into the second period well with Paddy McAleer helping Pat Shivers high dropping ball over the bar and better was to come when Dominic McEnhill’s dropping shot was touched to the net by Tiernan McCormack to move his side 2-8-0-9 ahead.
Momentum was very much with Mark Doran’s men as Marc Jordan gathered a dropping McEnhill free and shot over on the turn and by the 41st minute it was 2-2 without reply as Paddy McAleer slammed home following a neat interchange with Eoghan McCabe it make it 3-9-0-9.
A common theme of Antrim’s season was their ability to surrender from positions of strength and the first sign of that came in the 44th minute when Oisin McGraynor cut inside and shot in off the post to reduce arrears by a third.
Antrim did reply with a McEnhill two-pointer from play and had the chance to surge further clear when Niall Burns rounded Mark Jackson and was clipped, with referee Murphy awarding a penalty.
In form Conor Hand was given the responsibility and Wicklow keeper Jackson guessed the right way and produced a fine follow-up stop to deny Hand again.
Antrim would remain scoreless until the 57th minute after that as Wicklow hit four unanswered points.
Eoin Darcy converted a free, Padraig O’Toole clipped, Eoin Murtagh’s attempt dropped between the posts and a fisted Kevin Quinn point had the Garden County back to within four (3-11-1-13).
A much needed Tiernan McCormack point was brief respite as Wicklow were awarded a penalty less than 60-seconds later with Jonathan Carlin fouled after receiving a lay-off from Jack Kirwan.
Eoin Darcy stepped up and although John McNabb stopped the initial effort his his feet, Darcy was quickest to react and powered the rebound to the net to make it 3-12-2-13.
The bare minimum separated the sides after Padraig O’Toole kicked a point under pressure, but Antrim appeared to have stemmed the tide with three unanswered points.
A high Pat Shivers shot dropped over, Shivers then swung a free inside the posts and Niall Burns doubled his account with a fisted point.
In between Shivers free and Burns point, Dean Healy’s stinging shot crashed off the bar and tailed wide.
Antrim’s four point deficit was halved when goalkeeper Mark Jackson came up and kicked his second two-pointed free of the afternoon.
A close range McGraynor free left a point between the sides again and incredibly Oisin McConville’s side pulled level when Kevin Quinn fisted over with less than two minutes remaining.
The pendulum had firmly shifted and with less than 60-seconds remaining Wicklow led for the first time since the 31st minute as Dean Healy twisted and turned before popping over.
There was a last chance to save the day but time elapsed as Pat Shivers shot dropped short and hooter blew as Wicklow celebrated a terrific fightback and it is they who will make the trip to Croke Park for the semi finals next weekend.
ANTRIM: J McNabb, J Morgan, J Finnegan, K Keenan, E McCabe, E Walsh (0-1), M Jordan (0-1), P McAleer (1-1), C Hand (0-4, 1×0-2pt), T McCormack (1-1), R McQuillan (1-1), R Boyle, P Shivers (0-2, 0-1f), N Burns (0-2), D McEnhill (1×0-2pt). SUBS: T McCann for R Boyle (56), A Loughran for R McQuillan (56), C Hynds for D McEnhill (64), T Shivers for P McAleer (68).
WICKLOW: M Jackson (2×0-2ptf), T Moran (0-1), M Nolan, M Stone, D Fox, E Murtagh (0-1), G Fogarty, D Healy (0-5, 1×0-2pt), J Kirwan, J Carlin, P O’Toole (0-3), C O’Brien, O McGraynor (1,2,0-2f), K Quinn (0-1), E Darcy (1-1, 0-1f). SUBS: C Deering for G Fogarty (46), J Prendergast for J Murtagh (64), M Kenny for D Fox (68).
REFEREE: Thomas Murphy (GALWAY)
TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Antrim Masters produced a dominant display to comfortably overcome Derry Masters on a scoreline of 3-13 to 0-13 in a one-sided encounter.
From the opening whistle, Antrim looked the sharper and more athletic side, setting a high tempo that Derry struggled to match. Their work rate around the field was exceptional, with strong running from defence and midfield creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
While Derry battled hard and managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over with a series of points, they found it difficult to contain Antrim’s pace, movement and physical presence. The Saffron’s were clinical in front of goal, converting their chances with impressive accuracy and ruthlessly punishing any defensive lapses.
The game’s defining moments came through three well-taken goals that effectively put the result beyond doubt. Antrim’s forwards showed great composure and finishing ability, breaching the Derry defence on several occasions and leaving the goalkeeper with little chance.
Derry enjoyed periods of possession and registered 13 points, but they were unable to find the back of the net. In contrast, Antrim combined their three goals with a steady stream of points to build an unassailable lead.
Across the field, Antrim appeared stronger, fitter and more composed in possession. Their accurate shooting and ability to convert scoring opportunities proved the difference, while their defence worked tirelessly to deny Derry any goal-scoring chances.
In the end, it was a comprehensive victory for Antrim, whose superior athleticism, teamwork and finishing power saw them record an impressive 3-13 to 0-13 win over Derry Masters.
Antrim Team: Stephen Harbison, Ryan Daly, Dominic Neeson, Colin Connolly, Donald Crawford, Stephen O’ Connell, Mark Graham, Michael Herron, David McLernon, Sean Mc Veigh, Nial Sweeney, Liam Cassley, Ryan Boyd, Michael Mc Carry & James Mc Greevy.
Derry Team: Cormac Boyle, Joe Bradley, Sean Brady, Donal Brolly, Darren Conway, Ronan Devlin, Carl Diamond, Joe Gallagher, Gavin Mallon, Liam Mc Elhone, Ciaran Mc Ivor, Edward Mc Laughlin, Philip Mooney, Brian Mullan, Kevin Nixon, Kieran O’Kane, James O’ Connor, Conor Thorton, Paul White& Ruaidhri Mc Gurk.
TO VIEW MORE OF DOMINIC KELLY’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Antrim senior ladies got their all Ireland campaign of to a winning start on Sunday with this 15 point victory over Offaly in Randalstown.
Antrims first half performance was superb…
Captain Bronagh Devlin opened the scoring when she palmed the ball to the Offaly net and this was followed by a great point from Ciara Maguire…
Offaly then raised a white flag of their own but from the resulting kick out Antrim flew up the pitch and Maria O Neill sent the ball over the bar …
Antrim were totally dominant at this stage and points from Aine Lynch, Aileen Mc Donnell, Carla Mc Kenna and another from Maria O Neill kept the scoreboard ticking over in the Saffrons favour…
Offaly then broke and raised a green flag of their own but back came Antrim with Maguire and McDonnell getting their second score each of the day …
Antrim were playing with confidence and the fluency in their play and their pace was giving the Offaly rearguard all sorts of problems…
Antrims defence were superb in the first half as they completely dominated the defensive zone and their tackling was immense with every girl giving it everythin, and just before the break an Antrim move from one end of the pitch to the other resulted in Bronagh Devlin raising her second green flag of the day …
The second half started well with Lara Dahunsi, Ciara Maguire and Aine Lynch all taking points each to increase their advantage
The girls then seem to lose their way for 15 minutes and in this period Offaly dominated and took 5 good points…
However the Saffs weathered the storm and Devlin, O’Neill and the impressive Emma Louise Mc Areavey restored normality for the home team …
Carla Mc Kenna was then put through on goal by Caitlin Taggart but as she was about to pull the trigger the Offaly keeper took the two feet from under her, but from the resulting penalty up stepped Aoife Taggart to hammer the ball hard and low to the Offaly net and leave the keeper with no chance …
This was a great start to the campaign for the girls and they hit the road this Sunday for game two with an away game to Derry time and venue to be confirmed…
Antrim manager Micky said after the game..
“This was a great start for us . Our football at times was fantastic and we had 9 different scorers out there today …
Our work rate was immense with every girl coming out of that game with great credit…
A few girls made their first start for us today and certainly put in big performances…
We will now prepare for next weeks game where the same performance will be required in order to get another victory…
