Category / Division 1

by thesaffrongael

Ward brothers strike late to seal Glenravel win

Antrim Football League – Division

Glenravel 2-10    All Saints 1-08

Con Magees finish strongly to secure the win

Glenravel had five points to spare over local rivals All Saints in this sometimes tempestuous affair which Darren McKeown did well to control as the man in the middle.  Both sides had periods of dominance but over the hour Glenravel were the hungrier for victory and despite some wayward shooting in the opening half they were well worth the five point win in the end. A shout out to the ground staff at Fr Maginn Park that the game could be played at all. Throw-in followed a torrential downfall of biblical proportions but luckily the weather Gods granted us dry conditions throughout actual game time. Indeed quite a few other games needed to be called off very late.

Glenravel absolutely dominated possession in the opening quarter but shot choice in soft underfoot conditions led to them not troubling the umpires perhaps as much as they should have. Harry Fyfe opened for the home side with five minutes gone and that was levelled by All Saints veteran Sean McVeigh one minute later. the spectators had to wait another eighteen minutes before Matthew Downey put the visitors in front. That was followed by a point from Emmet Killough and a wonder score 2-pointer from Sean McVeigh to open up a four point gap. All Saints were certainly a lot more ruthless in front of goal in that four minute segment but that was really their only period of dominance in the entire game. As we approached half time Glenravel were awarded a penalty when Eamon Ward was pulled to the ground as he was about to pull the trigger. Rian Lennon found the net from the spot and both teams went in at half time of a low scoring game with the visitors slightly ahead 0-05 to 1-01.

The local side came out of the blocks faster in the second half with three scores in the opening minutes supplied by Aiden O’Donnell and Rian Lennon and were now two points to the good. Benny McDonnell pointed a free but back came Con Magees with scores from Harry Fyfe and Colla Ward. Matthew Downey and Ciaran Campbell reduced the score to the minimum and with one quarter of the game to play the contest was neatly balanced. In that closing quarter Glenravel displayed a hunger for victory  evidenced by a combination of dogged defence and enterprising forward play. Eamon Ward and Rian Lennon put Con Magees ahead 1-08 to 0-08 but having their attack smothered and turned over, All Saints chose the aerial route and it paid dividends when Emmet Killough rose high to punch to the net and level the game with one minute of the thirty left to play. Darren McKeown ignored the calls for a square ball from the local supporters and we headed into a period of six minutes added time. During that time Glenravel broke at pace and the Ward brothers Colla (1-01) and Eamon (0-01) put the final nails into All Saints coffin so when McKeown blew the final whistle the local led by five points, 2-10 to 1-08.

TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/5BEjttLCUeFZpm/?invite=39a95f2c-b80a-469b-b5a2-bb9777374050

Con Magees:

1 Conleth O’Loan, 2 Conor Carey, 3 Conor McQuillan, 4 Niall Dickson, 5 Declan McAuley, 6 Niall Swann, 7 Rian Lennon, 8 Sean Higgins, 9 Daniel McQuillan, 10 Eamon Ward, 11 Colla Ward, 12 Joe Martin, 13 Aiden O’Donnell, 14 Harry Fyfe, 15 Fergus Donaghy.

All Saints

1 Ryan Stewart, 2 James Gillan, 3 Michael Read, 4 Sean Mc Dermot, 5 Patrick Ferris, 6 Connell Lemon, 7 Matthew Downey, 8 Peter Mc Nicholl, 9 Sean Mc Vaigh, 10 Sean O Brian, 11 Emmet Killough, 12 Charlie Matrustry, 13 Darach Bradley, 14 Brendan Mc Donnell, and 15 Ciaran Campbell.

Referee – Darren McKeown

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks honour a battling Brídíní Óga in league opener

Antrim Camogie Div 1 league Brídíní Óga 0-10 Loughgiel Shamrocks 7-13

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Maginn Park, Glenravel

A breezy, damp evening heralded in the start of the Antrim camogie division 1 league, much to the relief of many to just get club business underway after a long winter. Loughgiel were deferential in building the hosts a guard of honour at the pitch entrance to acknowledge Brídíní Óga’s All Ireland Junior win towards the end of last year. But a break in County activity for a few of the Shamrocks meant the hosts would be facing a strong opposition, exacerbating the hosts concern for a depleted panel for a variety of reasons. Nonetheless, the Brídíní girls battled to the final whistle, showing much of the grit and tenacity witnessed throughout their All Ireland campaign.

Owen Elliot rolled in for 6:45pm after the hosts won the toss and elected to play into the wind for the first half. It wasn’t long before Loughgiel would strike and an Amy Boyle to Róisín McCormick pass had the visitors one point up within the first fifteen seconds.

Loughgiel would visit the club end frequently within the opening minutes with a further four points before a skilful sideline cut intercept by Sarah Fyfe ended up over Loughgiel’s bar to open Brídíní Óga’s score account.

With the wind and drizzle in their faces, Brídíní Óga felt the might from all of tonight’s elements, as the Shamrock sisters of Orlagh and Marie Laverty opened the green flag book from short range, at ten and thirteen minutes respectively before Annie Lynn and Katie McKillop made it four and then a fifth from Lynn that had an air of confidence about it. Lynn’s goal was a volley shot taken down above her shoulders and to prove it wasn’t luck, Lynn repeated the same shot for a goal in the second half.

Loughgiel’s Annie Lynn proved a handful with two overhead volleys in tonight’s league opening game

The hosts would reply in that period with a fine point from Caoimhe Duffin, all along the Shamrocks were building their points too and at the short whistle, scores stood at Brídíní Óga 0-02 Loughgiel 5-11.

At the restart, Brídíní Óga used the time to push hard into Loughgiel’s territory with some ease as the Shamrocks recalibrated their play into the wind along with a change of the guard, running players off the bench for familiar county names. Lynn though would enjoy a busy second half and after dropping down another volley from above her shoulders for her second goal of the evening, placed a ball and watched Carla Sullivan make it seven.

Brídíní Óga tallied a better second half with fine points from the likes of Eimhear McAleenan, Shauna McDonnell and Sarah Fyfe as the light dropped quickly with the persistent drizzle forcing car headlights to appear along the sideline, until the long whistle brought the game to a conclusion, Brídíní Óga 0-10 Loughgiel 7-13.

You can see photos from tonight’s game by following the link here…

https://myalbum.com/album/z5jJpcwrqRZNeA/?invite=ed3c5dc0-ce08-4646-b6c4-723bc823e65a

Brídíní starting panel and subs

Orla Donnelly, Una McAleenan, Jaime Woulahan, Danielle Scally, Erin Coulter, Bronagh Laverty, Leona Gillan, Kirsty O’Doherty, Órlaith Gould, Emily Sharpe, Sarah Fyfe, Shauna McDonnell, Eimhear McAleenan, Caoimhe Duffin, Sorchá Carey

Niamh Donnelly, Ciara McCormick, Caoimhe McCann

Lougiel starting panel and subs

Emma McAllister, Charlene Campbell, Clare McKillop, Aoibheann Gillan, Shauna Devlin, Megan McGarry, Ciara Laverty, Amy Boyle, Anna Connolly, Róisín McCormick, Marie Laverty, Shanna Deery, Orlagh Laverty, Annie Lynn, Katie McKillop

Eimear Boyle, Finvola McVeigh, Louise McKillop, Sarah Flavin, Therese McKinley, Anna McKillop, Carlina Sullivan, Shauna McKillop, Rose McMullan

by thesaffrongael

McNaughton stars as Ruairi Og beat Oisin Magee Gaels in league opener

Minor Hurling League Division 1

Ruairí Óg, Cushendall 5-12 Oisín Magee Gaels 1-12

Venue: Páirc Mhuire, Cushendall

PICS BY SEAN TROWLEN

A breathtaking four-goal haul from star man Conlaodh McNaughton powered Ruairí Óg, Cushendall to a convincing victory over Oisín Magee Gaels in this Minor Hurling League Division 1 clash at Páirc Mhuire.

Despite the commanding final scoreline, this was a game of two distinct halves. The visiting combination side of Glenariffe Oisin and Glenravel Con Magees utilized a strong breeze to their advantage in the opening period, causing real problems for the home defence before Cushendall clicked into a different gear.

Both sides traded early wides as they settled into the contest before Nicholas McLaughlin opened the scoring for Cushendall with a free in the fourth minute. However, backed by the wind, the Gaels quickly found their rhythm. Oisín Gillan leveled the game with a fine point before rattling the back of the net just two minutes later to give the visitors a 1-01 to 0-01 lead.

Canice McIntosh stretched their advantage with a well-taken score, but Cushendall struck back at the 16-minute mark when Conlaodh McNaughton fired home his first goal of the day.

Oisín Magees continued to press, with McIntosh deadly from placed balls, keeping his side ahead 1-04 to 1-02 as the half drew to a close. But the momentum shifted dramatically in the final minutes before the whistle. McNaughton struck for his second goal at the 28-minute mark, instantly followed by a McLaughlin free and a point from McNaughton himself. That late 1-02 blitz turned a deficit into a 2-04 to 1-04 lead for Ruairí Óg at the interval.

If the visitors were hoping to reset at halftime, their hopes were dashed within 60 seconds of the restart. McNaughton burst through to complete his hat-trick in the very first minute, effectively breaking Oisín Magees’ resistance. Jake Laffan quickly added a point to extend the gap to seven.

To their credit, the visitors kept fighting. Oisín Gillan, Conol Boyd, and Canice McIntosh all raised white flags to keep the scoreboard ticking, but they simply had no answer for McNaughton. The Ruairí Óg talisman knocked over two quick points before securing his fourth goal of the game in the 38th minute, pushing the score out to 4-07 to 1-07.

From there, the home side comfortably dictated the terms of engagement. Nicholas McLaughlin and Jake Laffan kept the umpires busy with well-taken points, while Oisín Gillan battled hard at the other end to grab a couple of consolation scores, including a free.

The game grew slightly more physical in the final ten minutes, resulting in yellow cards for a few players. However, Ruairí Óg had the final say when Jayden Kinney McNaughton found the net in the 55th minute to cap off a brilliant second-half team performance.

  • Star Man: Conlaodh McNaughton (Ruairí Óg) – An unplayable 4-04 from play.
  • Turning Point: Cushendall’s 1-02 scoring burst in the final two minutes of the first half, which wrestled the lead away from Oisín/Magee just as they looked to be heading into the break on top.
  • Key Scorers (Ruairí Óg): Conlaodh McNaughton (4-04), Nicholas McLaughlin (0-05), Jake Laffan (0-03), Jayden (1-00).
  • Key Scorers (Oisín/Magee): Oisín Gillan (1-04), Canice McIntosh (0-05), Conol Boyd (0-01).

Ruairí Óg

 1. Shane Coulter, 2. Charlie McAlister, 3. Paddy Morgan, 4. Cormac Burke, 5. Sean McAuley, 6. Conor McCann, 7. Callum Quinn, 8. Rian Laverty, 9. Shane McQuillan, 10. Jayden Kinney McNaughton, 11. Nicholas McLaughlin, 12. Conall Óg Trainor, 13. Jake Laffan, 14. Connlaodh McNaughton, and 15. Cahir McCambridge.

Oisin Magee Gaels 1. Benjamin Duncan, 4. Charlie Dunne, 5. Carter Kerr-McKillop, 6. Ronan Magee, 7. Niall Montgomery, 8. Dara Ward, 9. Odhran Kerr, 10. Niall McKeown, 11. Cadhan Graham, 12. Conall Boyd, 13. Dara Higgins

TO SEE MORE OF SEAN TROWLEN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/ZXu7K2AESszTTK/?invite=b6198c7d-5d42-4648-a8b7-4c92dcde956c

In the other games in Division 1 of the Minor League Dunloy beat Ballycastle 3-12 to 2-13 in Ballycastle, Loughgiel beat Rossa by 4-14 to 1-14 at Rossa Park, St Paul’s beat St John’s 0-23 to 1-15 at Corrigan Park while Sarsfields beat Gort na Mona beat Sarsfields by 4-11 to 2-26 in a real thriller at Enright Park.

If you are involved with your club’s minor team and would like coverage of their games get someone to do a match report and send it to john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Hurlers Golf Day was another big success

Last week, Templepatrick Golf Club and the Hilton Hotel played host to a highly successful Antrim Hurlers Golf Day for which Bourke Sports was the main sponsor. The event drew a fantastic turnout of 120 players, all gathering to raise vital funds for the Antrim Hurlers Training Fund. This financial boost comes at a perfect time as the squad gears up for their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign, which throws in this coming Saturday against Ulster neighbours Down at Dunloy at 1:30 PM.

Out on the course, the scoring was highly competitive, but Team OPS—consisting of Seamus O’Prey, Barry Mulgrew, Kevin Toland, and John McCallin—ultimately stole the show. They posted the top score of the day, walking away with the grand prize of four 43-inch TVs. Second place went to Team B4B Group, captained by former county player Neil McAuley alongside Conall Fitzpatrick, David Ferris, and Mark Fraser. The Cushendall trio of Stephen Walsh, Scott Walsh, and Christy McNaughton secured third place, while fourth place was claimed by the St. John’s team of Shea Shannon, CJ McKenna, and Tommy Shannon, who were rewarded with four £50 Hilton vouchers.

Alongside the team events, several players were recognized for standout individual performances. Seamus O’Prey capped off a brilliant day for the winning Team OPS by taking home the best individual score, earning a £150 voucher for McGurk’s. Meanwhile, Scott Walsh of Ruairi Og, Cushendall, smashed the longest drive of the day to win a £100 Amazon voucher, which was sponsored by Fibrus. The event concluded with the highly anticipated raffle, where Kevin Toland, also of Team OPS, was drawn as the lucky winner. He took home a fantastic prize package that included a one-night stay with dinner for two at the Hilton Hotel Spa, plus an additional £100 voucher, rounding off a superb day of fundraising and golf.

Of course Bert Trowlen was there of the Saffron Gael capturing the action along with his trusty assistant Tyler.

Former couunty chairman Dr John McSparran displays his golfing skills as he drives off the first tee at the Antrim Hurlers Golf Day

TO SEE MORE OF BERTS PHOTOS FROM THE GOLF DAY CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/u4FpdNDWCoyLeX/?invite=0fa05944-f9df-4a9e-8b35-51d656ccd8b8

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half secures victory for Armoy.

Antrim Hurling League – Division 3

Glenravel 0-14 Armoy 3-19 – at Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel

The last time these two Clubs met on the hurling field it was under lights in the 2025 Junior Hurling Championship  final in Ballycastle when Glenravel took the spoils. Today it was very different as Armoy avenged that defeat with a very strong second half performance securing a fourteen point winning margin. The home side were forced to field without six of the starting lineup that won the Abbey Shield midweek so it was always going to be an uphill struggle for them; and so it proved.

Armoy opened the scoring in the second  minute and were never level or behind from that point onwards. With four minutes gone they led by three, their points coming from the McBrides, Tarlach and PJ. Joe McKay pulled two points back from placed ball; indeed McKay helped himself to eleven of Glenravel’s scores overall – all from frees in what was a masterclass of the art and it was his free taking that kept Glenravel in the game up  until the Armoy goal fest in the second half which effectively killed the game as a contest. For most of the first half Armoy managed to maintain a four or five point advantage with Tarlach McBride providing most of them – again from placed balls. Armoy led by four on a 0-12 to 0-08 scoreline when the thirty minutes were up but Glenravel closed out the two added minutes with a couple of fine scores, one an eighty metre free from McKay and the other a lovely team move the length of the field allowing Ciaran Laverty to close the gap to two when referee Fergus McAllister blew for half time.

Glenravel brought on a couple of subs at the start of the second half with Odhran McAleenan and Stevie Acheson joining the fray but Armoy, buoyed by a strong breeze pointed in the opening minute and then Conor Christie found himself in an acre of space in front of goal and duly fired to the net. McKay would pull one back for the home team but defensive gaps were starting to appear at the wrong end of the field for Glenravel. Tarlach McBride pointed and Conor Christie popped up again with too much time and space which resulted in another green flag for the men in blue and white. Emmet O’Hara added to Glenravel’s misery and suddenly there was a ten point gap and only a quarter of the game remaining. Ciaran Laverty put over a nice score for the home side before Armoy recorded the best score of the game when Emmet O’Hara raised a white flag from a sideline cut from well out the field. Joe McKay would record another couple of scores for Glenravel but it was the visitors who finished stronger with three unanswered points from Emmet O’Hara, Thomas Burns and Arthur Devlin as they ran out convincing winners 3-19 to 0-14.

Armoy

1 Conor Watterson, 2 Callum Coyles, 3 Liam Dillon, 4 Joseph McFetridge, 5 Colin Lordan, 6 Arthur Devlin, 7 Ciaran McCormick-McKenna, 8 Kieran McToal, 9 Eoin Bailey, 10 Thomas Burns, 11 Tarlach McBride, 12 Emmet O Hara, 13 Cormac Doherty, 14 Mark Christie, 15 PJ McBride.

Con Magees

1 Michael McDonald, 2 Brian O’Neill, 3 James Duffin, 4 Oisin McKeown, 5 Harry Fyfe, 6 Caolan Lennon, 7 Eoin McCusker, 8 Fergus Donaghy, 9 Niall Dickson, 10 Luke Laughlin, 11 Ronan McCormick, 12 Conor Laverty, 13 Cormac McKeown, 14 Ciaran Laverty, 15 Joseph McKay.