March 7, 2026March 8, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Solid Saffrons unfortunate to drop a point

Ulster MFL

Antrim 0-17 Donegal 0-17

Antrim minors got their Ulster League campaign up and running when they entertained Donegal on Saturday at Dunsilly with the Saffrons producing a solid performance but in the end they were forced to share the points with the Tir Connaill outfit in a game they should have won.

Despite playing into the breeze, Mark McFerran and Daire Thornbury fired Antrim into an early two point lead before the visitor’s replied through Mark Anthony McGuinness, Danny Og Cooney and Callum Dorrian to take the lead with 7 minutes gone.

Tom Convery converted a ‘45’ into the stiff breeze and a fine point from the impressive Sean McCormack had the boys in Saffron ahead once more but again Donegal responded through Tadhd McDaid, Darragh O’Hare (f) and Lewis Cunnea to move two ahead by the 17^th minute.

Dara Campbell, who had a fine game at mid-field for the hosts, responded for Antrim with Danny Og Cooney and Darragh O’Hare 2pt on target for the visitors and Tom Convery punishing a breech at the other end to leave Donegal 0-10 to 0-6 ahead at the break but with the breeze to face in the second half.

Antrim looked in a bit of trouble when Tadhd McDaid from play and then from a free extended the visitors lead at the start of the second half but they replied through Joey Griffin 2 pointer and another from Thomas Douthert to get their second half up and running.

The Saffrons were then punished as the ball was moved forward after a disputed free which O’Hare converted but they responded in the best possible way with Mark McFerran, Daire Thornbury and Aodhan O’Hanlon on target at the other end.

Indiscipline began to creep into the Antrim play though it has to be said that a number of the frees against them were of the soft variety and ace free taker, Darragh O’Hare took advantage with four on the bounce with Dara Campbell hitting a 2 pointer and a single from play to keep the home side in touch.

A great point from Sean McCormack had the side’s level going into injury time but again they were punished for an indiscretion, much to the annoyance of the home support, which O’Hare converted.

It looked as good as over at this stage but the young Saffrons showed tremendous fighting spirit and Daire Thornbury became their hero as he split the posts in the 34^th minute to give them a share of the spoils.

Antrim: 1 Niall Quinn, 2 Braden O’Donnell, 3 Shea McLarnon, 4 Conor McArt, 5 Sean McCormack, 6 Thomas Douthert, 7 Conal Wilson, 8 Dara Campbell, 9 Sean McMullan, 10 Tiernan Lee, 11 Mark McFerran, 12 Joey Griffin, 13 Aodhan O’Hanlon, 14 Tom Convery, 15 Daire Thornbury.

Subs: 17 Sean McPeake for Joey Griffin, 23 Nathan Burns for Conal Wilson

Donegal: 1 Ronan O’Donnell, 2 Niall McBrearty, 3 Mark Wilkinson, 4 Raynne Rowan, 5 Thomas McHugh, 6 Conor Griffin, 7 Fionan Coyle, 8 Tadhd McDaid, 9 Shay McNulty, 10 Aaron McGinley, 11 Mark Anthony McGuinness, 12 Lewis Cunnea, 13 Darragh O’Hare, 14 Danny Og Cooney, 15 Callum Dorrian

TO VIEW MORE OF BERT TROWLEN’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/Wod8uv3kh4yGKd

March 7, 2026March 8, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Waterford outscore brave Antrim at Slemish Park

Centra National Camogie League – Division 1

Antrim 0-09 Waterford 1-16

Waterford maintained their impressive momentum in the Centra National League Division 1A with a commanding ten-point victory over Antrim at All Saints. While the final scoreline of 1-16 to 0-9 suggested a comfortable outing for the Deise, the Saffrons put up a spirited performance that proved they can compete at this elite level. For the Antrim faithful, the most significant highlight was the second-half introduction of Roisin McCormick, who made her first appearance of the season to inject some much-needed energy into the home side’s attack.

The game began with Waterford firmly in control, despite Antrim having the advantage of a strong breeze. The visitors dominated possession and territory in the opening twenty minutes, while Antrim struggled to find their rhythm, registering five wides, one of them a clear goal chance, before Nicole McAtamney eventually opened their account from a free. A controversial goal after eight minutes set the tone for the half; Lorraine Bray’s shot appeared to be drifting over the bar, but after a goalmouth scramble involving Catriona Graham, the umpire raised the green flag to give Waterford a 1-1 to 0-0 lead.

Antrim showed great character to stay in touch, with McAtamney’s clinical free-taking reducing the deficit. There were missed opportunities for both sides to find the net before the interval; McAtamney saw a penalty loft over the bar, while Maggie Gostl was denied at the other end by a desperate Antrim defense. By the time the halftime whistle blew, Waterford held a steady 1-7 to 0-4 lead, though the home side remained within striking distance.

The second half saw a tactical shift for Antrim with the introduction of Roisin McCormick and Katie McKillop, which provided the hosts with more physical presence in the forward line. This paid immediate dividends as McAtamney added two further frees, and Lucia McNaughton notched Antrim’s only point from open play in the 43rd minute. At that stage, the gap stood at just six points, and it seemed a comeback might be on the cards as the game entered the final quarter.

However, Waterford’s depth and experience ultimately told. As Antrim’s energy began to wane, the Waterford bench provided a late surge that killed off any hopes of a home upset. The Deise rattled off a series of points to stretch their lead, while Antrim could only manage a single late free from Eobha McAllister. The result leaves Antrim at the bottom of a highly competitive table on score difference, but the performance—and the return of their star forward—provides plenty of optimism ahead of their next clash against Galway.

Scorers & Teams

Antrim: N McAtamney 0-8 (fs), L McNaughton 0-1, É McAllister 0-1 (f). Waterford: L Bray 1-2, N Rockett 0-5 (3fs), L Forrest 0-2 (1f), E O’Neill 0-2, B Carton 0-2, R Kirwan 0-2, K Corbett-Barry 0-1.

Antrim Team: C Graham, C Patterson, N Cosgrove, D Dobbin, C McKillop, K Molloy, S Heggarty, A Boyle, E McAllister, M Kelly, L McNaughton, N McAtamney, A Ferris, J McIntosh, C Griffin. Subs used: R McCormick, K McKillop, S O’Neill, C Conlon, O McAllister, A O’Donnell.

Waterford Team: B O’Regan, I Heffernan, C Carroll, A McNulty, R Walsh, K Corbett-Barry, O Hickey, L Bray, L Forrest, E O’Neill, B Carton, B Bowdren, N Rockett, M O’Brien, M Gostl. Subs used: A O’Sullivan, R Kirwan, S Lacey, C Sherlock, R Farrell.

Referee: G Donegan (Dublin)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/4K9ydMTRdz5RKr/?invite=e6151530-5b5b-40d6-a573-3c2109488f1b

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Lámh Dhearg announce new partnership and senior presentation takes place at Beechlawns Hotel

Lámh Dhearg are delighted to announce that Lagmore Shopping Village have generously become a partner of the club.
Brian Smyth club Senior Liaison Officer commented that support of sponsors like Lagmore Shopping Village are such a valuable help to the club in helping the promotion and development of games and their support is greatly appreciated.
Kerry Fitzsimons from Lagmore Shopping Village added “ As we provide a valuable hub of shopping for the community we are delighted to be a partner of such an established club as Lámh Dhearg who are an integral part of
the local community as well”
The club would encourage all members to support Lagmore Shopping Village or any of our other many generous partners if the opportunity arises as they are all vital in facilitating the successful organisation of the club.

Kerry and David Fitzsimons donating a cheque of £1000 to Lámh Dhearg’s Senior Liaison Officer Brian Smyth on behalf of their father Harry and Lagmore Shopping Village .

On Saturday 28th February, Lámh Dhearg held their senior presentation dinner at the Beechlawns Hotel, acknowledging personal achievements from the 2025 season. The award winners are listed below

Awards

G4M&O Joanne Reilly

Handball Gerard Lynch

Hurling

U18 Conor mc Conville

U21 Callum Lappin

Reserve Michael McGarry

Senior Adam Murray

LGFA

Minor Lila McCann

Reserve Tamara Daly

Senior Ciara Larkin

Camogie

Minor Laoise Stone

Senior Raicheal Mulholland

Football

Minor Tiarnan Lee

U21 Aaron Kennedy

Reserve Aaron Ferris

Senior Ross Murray

Special awards

All Ireland Camogie Shield Champions

Amelie Annett

Aoife Fitzsimons

Cara Lynch

Laoise Stone

McGuigan Shield winners

Referee of Year Award Lauren Smyth

Cultural Award Brenna Armstrong & Loise Stone

Club person of the Year Peter Kane

March 6, 2026March 6, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg coast into next round

O’Cahan Cup

Tir na nOg 5-8 St. James Aldergrove 0-4

Both sides went into this game missing players but it was Tir na nOg who proved the much more clinical and decisive in the scoring zone who would advance with something to spare at Whitehill on Friday night.

It was visitors, St. James Aldergrove who got off to the better start however as they raced into an early three point lead with Matthew MacGeady pointing them ahead and Corey Foggarty adding a fine 2 pointer by the third minute.

The Crumlin side, who will be playing their football in Division 2 this year only flattered to deceive however and the impressive Connor Hastings replied with two points at the other end before Connor McCamphill gave them the lead with the game’s opening goal in the 17^th minute.

Tir na nOg were starting to move the ball around at pace and they breeched the visitors defence for a second goal and this time it was towering mid-fielder, Ciaran O’Neill who applied the finish.

The Randalstown side continued to press and Oliver McAtamney was on hand to finish to the net for their third goal after a mistake in defence and a point from O’Neill saw the home side lead 3-2 to 0-3 at the break.

It wouldn’t get any better for the Crumlin side on the restart with Aodhan Tolan splitting the posts in the opening minute and Connor Hastings converting a 4^th minute free.

Conor McGarry got Aldergrove going again from a free in the 6^th minute and the visitors were given a let-off when Hastings blasted wide with the goal at his mercy at the other end.

McGarry from another free brought the St. James’ tally to 0-5 for the evening but they were getting no change from a Tir na nOg defence where Brandon McLarnon and Ciaran McGrellis were sweeping up everything that came their way.

Back came Tir na nOg and a long delivery from Ciaran O’Neill deceived Oisin McGarry and ended in the net for the hosts fourth major of the evening and when Emmet Murray punished another defensive mix-up with a close range finish it was all over.

Connor Hastings from a free and Aodhan Toland with a good point from play concluded the scoring as the Whitehill men ran out winners by 19 points and they can be well pleased by a comprehensive performance that augers well for the season ahead.

They begin their division 1 campaign with a home fixture against St. Mary’s Aghagallon while St. James will play their football in division 2 this year and will hope to get a number of their missing players back into action for the league opener against St. Enda’s next weekend.

Tir na nOg: 1 Sean Paul McAtamney, 2 Manus Smyth, 3 Brandon McLartnon, 4 Daniel McLornan, 5 Ryan Crilly, 6 Ciaran McGrellis, 7 Aodhan Tolan, 8 Ciaran O’Neill, 9 Joshua Higgins, 10 Sean McKeown, 11, Oliver McAtamney, 12 Pauric Redmond, 13 Emmet Murray, 14 Connor Hastings, 15 Connor McCamphill

St. James: 1 Oisin McGarry, 2 Emmet Magee, 3 Aiden Ervine, 4 Lonan Magee, 5 Conor Totten, 6 Chris McVeigh, 7 Fearghal Hanna, 8 Corey Fogarty, 9 Conleth Hendron, 10 Sean Patrick Fay, 11 Oisin Graham, 12 Eoin Hamill, 13 Cormac McGarry, 14 Liam McGarry, 15 Matthew MacGeady

Referee: Paul Burns (Naomh Comhghall)