Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Eire Og make it three from three

ACFL Division 3

Eire Og 0-18 St Brigid’s Cloughmills0-5

Eire Óg made it three wins from three in Division 3 with a controlled and at times impressive performance against The Biddies at Woodlands, although a wasteful opening half meant the margin could have been even more emphatic.

The home side made the ideal start when Eoin Dixon split the posts inside the opening minute after a sharp attacking move. That early score set the tone for much of the first half as Eire Óg dominated possession and territory but struggled to fully capitalise.

Despite a series of missed opportunities—including a gilt-edged goal chance that went a begging—the Ogs kept the scoreboard ticking over thanks largely to the accuracy of Conor McKenna, who landed three fine points from play. Gavin Donnelly also contributed with a well-taken effort after good approach work, while Lorcan McIlroy proved a constant outlet inside, winning primary possession and linking play effectively.

St Brigid’s, who had caused a real shock when beat Ardoyne last time out, found scores hard to come by this time around against a compact and disciplined Eire Óg defence, with their only real opportunity of note in the half—a free around the 20-minute mark—going astray. At the other end, the hosts continued to create chances but again failed to convert a clear-cut goal opportunity into an open net.

An enforced early change saw Kayvan Vesali introduced for the injured Adam McKenna, and while his first involvement led to a foul that Naomh Bríd converted for a two-pointer, Eire Óg finished the half strongly. Points from Dixon and Conal Smyth ensured the home side carried a commanding 0-09 to 0-02 lead into the break.

The second half began in blistering fashion with Smyth raising a white flag inside 15 seconds. Although St Brigid’s responded through their midfield, Eire Óg remained in control. McIlroy added a free, and further scores from McKenna and Smyth underlined the growing dominance of the Woodlands men.

A moment of indiscipline saw Cloughgmills awarded a 13-metre free, which they converted, but it did little to shift the momentum. Smyth, in particular, was in outstanding form, repeatedly finding space and finishing clinically, including several well-worked scores from sweeping team moves.

Defensively, Eire Óg were equally impressive. Barry McDaid and Brian O’Malley marshalled the backline superbly, mopping up loose ball and snuffing out any sustained threat. While a couple of late frees—one again brought forward for dissent—offered Naomh Bríd some respite, the result was never in doubt.

Further points from Dixon and Smyth, including a brace late on following incisive attacking play, rounded off a comfortable victory for the hosts.

With three wins from three now secured, Eire Óg’s strong start to the campaign continues, and they will look to carry that momentum into their next outing—a tricky away trip to Rasharkin.

Eire Óg: J King; B O’Malley, B McDaid, C Rice; S Erskine, C McKenna (0-05), L Mulholland; P Maxwell, E Dixon (0-03); A McKenna, M O’Hanlon, G Donnelly (0-01); L McIlroy (0-02); J Erskine, C Smyth (0-07). Subs: K Vesali for A McKenna, M Hanna, R Clarke, A Thompson.

by thesaffrongael

Nothing to lose as Antrim travel to Celtic Park

Ulster SFC

Derry V Antrim

Saturday 5pm Celtic Park

Antrim make their bow in this year’s Ulster Championship when they travel to Celtic Park in Derry on Saturday evening to face a Derry Side who will be cast in the role of red hot favourites and rightly so.

Derry played their football in division 2 of the National league this year and turned in some great performances, winning five of their seven games and missing out narrowly on promotion to division 1.

They were pipped for a promotion place by Cork and Meath despite recording a big win over Cork in early March but an opening round defeat to Meath on day one and a loss to Louth on 14th March would eventually cost them a promotion place.

Left to Right: Niall Burns, Peter Healey and Pat Shivers

A solid league campaign never the less under Ciaran Meenagh, who appears to have got all of Derry’s top players back on board after a short reign by Mickey Harte which produced a National league title.

Former Tyrone manager Harte was never fully accepted by the Oak Leaf support despite that title in 2024 and following a poor 2025 campaign Derry turned to former coach, Meenagh.

And while Meenagh was taking up the reigns in Derry, Antrim had a new man in charge themselves. Mark Doran was to endure a less than spectacular start in charge of the Saffrons when they lost their opening three games in Division 4.

Like Meenagh with Derry, Doran has steadied the Antrim ship however and the Saffrons won their final four games in the lower division and just lost out narrowly on a promotion place.

The Derry side to face Antrim at Celtic Park will be littered with household names like Padraig McGrogan, Gareth McKinless, the Doherty’s, Matthew Downey, Conor Glass and Shane McGuigan to name but a few.

McGuigan scored 0-11 in their final league game against Cavan while Conor Glass is often the driving force in the Derry engine room.

Conor Glass reckons a good Ulster Championship campaign would see Derry’s confidence spiral and could act as a springboard for their summer.

Glass says Derry still see themselves as “one of the top teams in Ireland” and if they aren’t striving to compete at that level they have no business playing football.

The Glen All Star can tell by the confidence of his team mates that they have recovered from a 2025 campaign where they didn’t win a League or Championship game.

Antrim have their own stars however and they won’t be going to Celtic Park just to make up the numbers.

The Saffrons will take great heart from their performance against Armagh in their opening championship game last year when they took the game to the Orchard and led by one at half time.

The return of Marc Jordan will give the Antrim challenge a major boost

Kieran McGeeney’s side stepped it up after the break to win comfortably enough in the end but Antrim can be well satisfied with their performance for 40 plus minutes of that game.

John McNabb has been excellent for Antrim since taking over the goalkeeper’s jersey from Mick Byrne and the return of Eunan Walsh at full-back has added a bit of composure to their defence.

Marc Jordan has been outstanding for Antrim this year but missed the final game of the season against London with a hand injury but has been included in the side named on Thursdasy night and will be a big boost for the Saffrons.

Kavan Keenan, Eoghan McCabe, Paddy McAleer, Dominic McEnhill, Pat Shivers, Joe Finnegan and Adam Loughran have been regulars in a team that has had a more predictable look to it as the season has progressed.

In fact Jordan and Conor Hand are the only changes from the side who finished their league campaign with a win over London and the Saffrons are as near full strength as they could be.

Ryan McQuillan can be a match winner on his day and whether he starts, or is introduced will be hoping to play his part as underdogs Antrim go for broke in the Maiden City.

by thesaffrongael

Champions too strong for Ahoghill in league opener

Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Ruairi Og, Cushendall 5-23 | Ahoghill 0-04

League champions Cushendall proved too strong for Ahoghill when the sides met in the opening game of the Division 1 League at Pairc Mhuire on Tuesday evening. In their first game since winning the league title last summer Cushendall had just two much firepower for the visitors who, despite defeat, battled to the very end.

The story of the evening belonged to the attacking masterclass put on by the established star Eva McNeill and the sensational young debutant Cliodhna Thompson, who tormented the Ahoghill defence from start to finish.

Cushendall wasted no time asserting their dominance. Within three minutes, Cliodhna Thompson opened her account with a point from play, settling any pre-match nerves. She was quickly followed by Eva McNeill, setting a relentless rhythm that Ahoghill simply could not cope with.

Thompson capped off a dream opening quarter by rattling the back of the net in the 12th minute, pushing Cushendall far ahead early on. Siobhan McKillop, Kady McNeill, and Brogan Abram also added their names to the scoresheet with well-taken points from play.

Ahoghill struggled to secure possession, but briefly found some respite in the second quarter. Their corner forward Noreen Graham converted two frees, and number Maeve O’Donnell added a point from play, but it was merely a drop in the ocean. Cushendall finished the half strong, with McNeill, Lara Haughey, and McKillop tagging on further points to leave the half-time score at a daunting 1-15 to 0-3.

If Ahoghill hoped for a reprieve in the second half, those hopes were entirely dashed within the first sixty seconds of the restart. Cushendall came out of the blocks flying, with Thompson scoring her second goal of the game just 19 seconds in. Before the spectators could even settle, Kady McNeill found the net again less than a minute later, effectively ending the game as a contest.

Eva McNeill continued her clinic from both dead balls and open play, splitting the posts effortlessly. County goalkeeper Catriona Graham, who plays outfield for her club, pulled a point back for the visitors in 9th minute, their only score of the half, as the Ruairi Og defence locked down completely.

In the final ten minutes, Cushendall emptied the tank. Cara O’Boyle made her mark with a point and a clinical 27th-minute goal. Fittingly, it was Eva McNeill who had the final say, finding the back of the net in the dying moments to cap off an incredible personal tally and seal a monumental 5-23 to 0-4 victory.

Ruairi Og, Cushendall:

  • Eva McNeill: 1-10 (2f, 1 ’45)
  • Cliodhna Thompson: 2-4
  • Kady McNeill: 1-2
  • Cara O Boyle: 1-1
  • Siobhan McKillop: 0-3
  • Dervla Cosgrove: 0-1
  • Brogan Abram: 0-1
  • Lara Haughey: 0-1

Ahoghill:

  • Noreen Graham: 0-2 (2f)
  • Maeve O’Donnell: 0-1
  • Catriona Graham: 0-1
by thesaffrongael

“Focus on what We can bring”: Antrim Manager Mark Doran looks ahead to Derry clash

Ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Ulster Senior Football Championship showdown at Celtic Park, the Saffron Gael’s Paddy McIlwaine sat down with Antrim Senior Football manager Mark Doran.

Coming off a strong finish to their league campaign, Doran reflects on the season’s turning points, the impact of key returning players, and the monumental task of facing a heavily decorated Derry side.

League Reflections & The Cost of Discipline

Paddy McIlwaine: Mark, Antrim ended the league campaign strongly with four wins on the bounce. Am I right in saying that it was the loss to Tipperary in Round 3 that ultimately cost us promotion, even though we were still in the fight on the final day?

Mark Doran: Yes, Paddy, though I’d say it was our defeat to Tipperary in Round 2 that probably cost us promotion. It was a game we were in total control of after 30 minutes, but a lack of discipline cost us. We ended up going down to 14 men while we were two points up. It’s incredibly hard with the new rules to win a game when you’re a man down, essentially defending 10 versus 11. To be fair to the boys, they battled away, and with four minutes left, we were only a point down before we lost another man. Finishing with 13 men was just too big a hurdle.

Paddy McIlwaine: We certainly showed improvement as the campaign progressed. Do you think it just took a new management team some time to assess our best starting fifteen, or would a longer preparation period have put us in a better position?

Mark Doran: There might be a wee bit of that to it, but the reality is we were down a lot of bodies for the first three league games. No matter what team you are or what division you’re in, you need your best players on the field. We had guys like Conor Hand, Peter Healy, Ronan Boyle, John Morgan, Adam Loughran, Tiernan McCormick, Dominic McEhill, and Ryan McQuillian all missing the start of our league.

Injury Updates & Key Returns

Paddy McIlwaine: Speaking of missing players, I spoke to Marc Jordan at the final league game against London in Toome. He was carrying an injury that kept him out. How has that progressed, and will he be available to start against Derry?

Mark Doran: Yes, Marc picked up a knock during the Waterford game which forced him to sit out against London. Thankfully, he returned to full training last week and is available for selection.

Paddy McIlwaine: Having Peter Healy back for the final two league games felt like a massive boost to the squad. I’ve watched him for years in a Saffron shirt, and he’s a born leader. What has his return brought to the side?

Mark Doran: It’s a massive boost having a fully fit Peter Healy back. Everyone can see the sheer quality he brings. The same can be said for getting Conor Hand back. I go back to my earlier point: to compete, everyone needs their best players on the pitch.

Facing the Oak Leafers

Paddy McIlwaine: I was at the McKenna Cup game against Derry at Eoghan Ruadh. It was early days, and both sides were missing players. We did okay in the opening half, but Derry seemed to find another gear and finished strong. What did you learn from that encounter?

Mark Doran: I’m a big believer in the phrase “you win or you learn.” In that regard, there were definitely learnings for us to take from that McKenna Cup game, particularly regarding the sheer pace they bring to their transitions and general play.

Paddy McIlwaine: Last year, we met Armagh in the opening championship game at Corrigan Park and were brilliant for over 40 minutes before they pulled away at the end. Can the squad take inspiration from that performance?

Mark Doran: You’d certainly hope so. While it is a new team and a new management setup this year, we absolutely hope the boys who were involved last year will take that bit of championship experience into Saturday.

Paddy McIlwaine: Are there specific Derry players we need to keep a special eye on—though you’ll probably say all of them! Or is the approach to simply focus on our own game, play without fear against a higher-division opponent, and see where it takes us?

Mark Doran: There is no doubt that Derry is a serious outfit. They are still one of the top five teams in Ireland. You’re looking at a squad where probably 13 of their starting 15 have two Ulster Championship medals in their pockets, Division 1 and Division 2 league medals, and seven or eight All-Stars among them. It’s a massive challenge, but it’s one we are really looking forward to.

At the end of the day, we have to focus on our own game and control the controllables. Hopefully, we can produce a massive performance for the full 70-odd minutes. All we can ask of the boys is that they give absolutely everything they have for that duration and see where it takes us.

Squad News for Saturday

Paddy McIlwaine: You know your panel inside out now, and the team has been on a steady upward trajectory since week three of the league. Can you give us an idea of the starting team for Saturday, and your final thoughts on facing the odds-on favorites?

Mark Doran: Unfortunately, we have picked up a few injuries during the league. As it stands, Kevin McCann, Sean O’Neill, Ronan Quinn, and Conor Johnston won’t be available for the Derry game. That’s four really good young players out.

However, it’s a massive opportunity for the boys who do step up and start on Saturday. These are the exact challenges you want in sport. Days like Saturday in Celtic Park are the very reason the players put in the hard slog through the dark nights of December and January. Our full focus will be entirely on us—what we can bring to the game, bringing a serious level of energy, and putting our best foot forward.

The Antrim team to face Derry in the Ulster Senior Football Championship on Saturday

by thesaffrongael

Casements do enough to see off Randalstown.

ACFL Division 1

Portglenone 1 – 16  Randalstown 0 – 10

Delayed for half an hour to allow rainwater to subside, Brendan Toland declared O Kelly Park pitch playable, but when the game was eventually up and running it took twelve full minutes before Aidan McAleese opened the scoring for the hosts. Three excellent Ronan Kelly points extended that lead until Josh Higgins stopped that sequence with a superb long-range effort to open the visitor’s account. Dermot McAleese replied almost immediately, and Ronan Kelly tapped over his fourth of the opening twenty minutes to open up an early six point gap.

For a brief few minutes it looked like the hosts were about to run away with this fourth round league contest, but Big Darragh Fegan knocked over an excellent point to reduce the gap, and just as the half time whistle was due Aidan Tolan fired from distance to add to the tally of the men in blue, reducing the differential at the break to just three points in favour of Casements.

Upon the resumption it was the hosts who broke quickest out of traps, Ronan Kelly and Dermot McAleese the men who applied the finishing touches. The contest was spirited but played in good sporting manner as Brendan Toland allowed the game to flow despite the slippery underfoot conditions. Randalstown signalled intent with a couple of scores of their own, first from Ciaran O`Neill followed by another from Darragh Fegan who was impressive throughout, to remain within touching distance and keep this entertaining contest competitive.

With the halfway point of the second half emerging, there was still only three points to separate the clubs on the scoreboard. Then Casements hit a ten minute purple patch.

Ronan Kelly is playing some football at the minute, and two further scores from him brought his individual total for the evening to eight points. Two more from lively Michael Hagan, busy Paddy Kelly, and the always hardworking captain Dermot McAleese effectively put the contest beyond the visitors. To their credit they remained competitive until the end, finishing strongly with several  terrific long range efforts from rangy Darragh Fegan, but when Casements Stephen Kelly blasted to the net after the best move of the game, this game was effectively over as a contest, and in the end the hosts ran out convincing nine point winners to extend their impressive start to the season.

Darragh Fegan, Emmet Murray, Aodhan Tolan and Oliver McAtamney stood out amongst the blue, and on the night Casements defence stood tall, whilst Niall McKeever, Aidan McAleese, Dermot McAleese, and particularly in form Ronan Kelly caught the eye.

Scorers:

Casements; Ronan Kelly 0 – 08, Stephen Kelly 1 – 01, Dermot McAleese 0 – 03, Michael Hagan 0 – 02, Paddy Kelly 0 – 01 Aidan McAleese 0 – 01.

Randalstown; Darragh Fegan 0 – 06, Josh Higgins 0 – 02, Aidan Tolan 0 – 01,Ciaran ONeill 0 – 01.