Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

St. John’s hold their nerve in Toome Thriller to secure vital points

ACFL Division 1

Erin’s Own Cargin 1-14 (17) – St. John’s 2-14 (20)

St. John’s weathered a fierce second-half comeback from reigning champions Cargin to claim a three-point victory in a high-quality Division 1 encounter in Toome on Wednesday night. A dominant first half, aided by a significant breeze, ultimately gave the Belfast side enough cushion to withstand a Callum Gribbin-inspired Cargin resurgence. St. John’s exploited the conditions early, racing into a commanding 1-12 to 0-5 lead by the 28th minute. Their attack was fluid, with Conchur Adams and Conal McGlade finding their range with ease. The pressure told when Conor McEvoy stepped up to bury a penalty after a foul in the small square.

Cargin looked shell-shocked but found a lifeline just before the short whistle. In a mirror-image scenario, David Johnston was upended and Callum Gribbin stepped up to confidently dispatch the penalty award to the net.

HT: Cargin 1-05 St. John’s 1-12

With the wind at their backs, Cargin emerged with renewed intensity. Paul McCann got them off the mark seven minutes in, and as the pressure mounted, points from Marty Kane and Jack O’Neill cut the deficit. Callum Gribbin continued his fine form, moving into a playmaker role that had the visitors’ defence at full stretch.

The game’s turning point arrived in the 19th minute of the half. After soaking up a sustained period of Cargin pressure, St. John’s broke at pace. Paddy McBride spearheaded a well-organized transition, feeding Conchur Adams, who finshed from close range and despite appeals from the home side the goal was allowed to stand.

Despite the setback, Cargin rallied again. Points from Gribbin and a long-range effort from John Carron brought the gap back to just two points with five minutes remaining. However, the Whiterock Road men remained composed; OdhranMcAuley stepped up to slot over the final point of the game with St. John’s holding on to possession to ensure they would head home with the spoils.

Callum Gribbin was Cargin’s outstanding performer and was a scoring threat every time he got posession while Paddy McBride led St. John’s from mid-field and with Conal McGlade and Conchur Adams in sparkling form the Whiterock men were worthy winners in the end.

Erin’s Own Cargin: Callum Gribbin (1-08), Paul McCann (0-01), Marty Kane (0-01), Jack O’Neill (0-01), John Carron (0-01), James Laverty (0-2)

St. John’s: Conchur Adams (1-04), Conor McEvoy (1-00), Conal McGlade (0-04), Tomas Adams (0-02), Paddy McBride (0-01), Odhran McAuley (0-01), Others (0-02).

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/qvHajtBSZtXSjR

by thesaffrongael

Smash and Grab Cuchullains Take the Points 

Senior Football League

Division One

All Saints 1-13 Dunloy 0-17

Wednesday 6 May

Brendan McTaggart reports from Quinn Park, Ballymena

Dunloy recorded their second league victory of the year on Wednesday evening as they produced a smash and grab win over All Saints.  Leading by four with a little over 11 minutes left, the Cuchullains had to withstand a barrage of attacks from the Ballymena men and when Cal O’Brien tied the scores by splitting the uprights for his second of the evening, it looked like there was only going to be one winner.

Dunloy managed to break free from the resulting kickout and Jack Martin converted the winning score with what was the last action of the contest.

The Saints weren’t happy coming off the pitch and you can understand why.  The home side were dominant in those closing stages and should have put the game to bed but they switched off for the last kick out of the game and Dunloy took full advantage.

Despite Dunloy opening the scoring with Tom McFerran’s first of seven points, it was the home side who started brightly.  Brendan McDonnell and O’Brien were excellent in attack while Connell Lemon, Peter McNicholl and Peter McReynolds movement was always giving them an option.  McDonnell fired over a brace of scores and while Dunloy defender James Scally tied the scores, the Ballymena men were giving the Dunloy defence a torrid time.  Sean McVeigh popped up to score the first two pointer of the game and and McDonnell converted his second free of the match soon after.  

The only goal of the game came in the 13th minute, coming at the end of a patient move before McDonnell provided the injection of pace to get the yard needed in the danger area and gave the Saints a 1-5 to 0-2 lead.

The home side wouldn’t register another score for fully 15 minutes however as Dunloy began to find their feet.  Three points in as many minutes from Nigel Elliott, Jack Martin and McFerran left McDonnell’s major the only score between the sides but a brace of frees from Eoghan ‘Corkery’ McGrath brought the visitors to Quinn Park to within one point going in to the final 10 minutes of the half.   

McDonnell took his tally to 1-4 for the half with his third free of the game but a brilliant two pointer from McFerran had the sides all square at the short whistle.

On reflection, the sides being tied at the interval was a fair reflection on that opening 30 minutes.  All Saints started superbly but when Dunloy began to win ball in the middle third, they showed how devastating their attack can be.

The Cuchullains started the second half on top and had opened a four point lead inside the opening eight minutes of the half – scores coming from McFerran and McGrath before McFerran added his second two pointer of the game and take his personal tally to 0-7.

The Ballymena men began to settle into the second half with Lemon and O’Brien splitting the uprights in response to scores from McGrath and Ryan McGarry as the Cuchullians maintained that four point lead going into the final quarter.

The home side found another gear however with substitute Ronan McKillop playing a pivotal role.  He would score three points in a little over six minutes with Lemon adding his second of the night and while Nigel Elliott replied for the Cuchullains, the Dunloy lead was cut to the minimum going into the final minute of the 60.

As injury time was announced, All Saints were on the prowl once again.  They looked for a way into the Dunloy defence and O’Brien provided the composure when required to tie the scores.

There looked like there would only be one winner at that point but Dunloy somehow managed to break.  Chrissy McMahon’s kickout finding Donnacha Laverty free in the middle third and the young Dunloy forward began the attack.  Two passes later, the ball was fed to Jack Martin and he split the uprights to score his second of the match and effectively hit the match winning point.

All Saints will be hoping to get back to winning ways next Wednesday when they host Cargin while Dunloy will welcome St Paul’s to Pearse Park on the same evening.

TEAMS

ALL SAINTS: Ryan Stewart; Oliver O’Rawe, Michael Read, Ryan Thom; Charlie Metrusty, Connell Lemon, Matthew Downey; Emmet Killough, Peter McNicholl; Harry Connon, Cal O’Brien, Peter McReynolds; Sean McVeigh, Brendan McDonnell, Darach Bradley

Subs: Joe Rafferty for R Thom (HT), Sean McDermott for M Downey (HT), James Gillan for S McVeigh (38), Ronan McKillop for D Bradley (38)

Scorers: B McDonnell 1-4 (3fs), R McKillop 0-3, S McVeigh 0-2 (1tp), C O’Brien 0-2, C Lemon 0-2

DUNLOY: Chrissy McMahon; Michael Traynor, Sean Og Blaney; James Scally, Aaron Crawford, Conor Kinsella; Ryan McGarry, Ciaran McQuillan; Jack Martin, Tom McFerran, Aodhan McGarry; Eoghan McGrath, Nigel Elliott, Karl Fitzpatrick

Subs: Donnacha Laverty for J Scally (15), Emmet McKendry for K Fitzpatrick (54)

Scorers: T McFerran 0-7 (2tp), E McGrath 0-4 (2fs), N Elliott 0-2, J Martin 0-2, J Scally 0-1, R McGarry 0-1

Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)

To see more of Brendan’s photos from the game, follow the link below….

https://myalbum.com/album/m9RNasqgxhXN7t/?invite=2636025c-ab29-4267-b8e1-d2233705e2f7

by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel drive home for the win despite Ballycastle’s intentions

Antrim Camogie League Senior Div 1 Round 4 Tuesday 5th May 2026

Loughgiel 2-16 Ballycastle 0-10

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel

Tonight’s league encounter delved out a great show of strength and tenacity, the Shamrocks displaying strength along the defence to frustrate their opponents and Ballycastle bringing tenacity to the rucks and intercepts. On a chilly evening brought about by a persistent northerly breeze, Ballycastle opted to use that element on their backs in the first half after winning the toss. The Town was able to hold their own for the most part but heading into the break one point behind, the odds had already stacked against the black and amber jerseys to contain the Shamrocks despite a good show of determination.

No sooner had Shane McDonnell rolled in at the top of the hour, when Loughgiel were on the offensive deep into Town territory. Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty had her close quartered shot to goal well saved by Erin O’Hara but Laverty got a second chance as the sliotar came out for a skilful flick up into the top of the net for an opening green flag.

Ballycastle replied with a good point coming in from the terrace side from Nuala Devlin and Ballycastle spirits were soon heightened again with a threat to goal from Devlin but diffused by Megan McGarry with an outstretched arm over the line for the forty five. Ballycastle’s Louise McBride drifted that cleanly over the bar to pull up behind the Shamrocks 1-00 to 0-02.

Loughgiel’s point from Ceala Dobbin brought the Shamrocks back into the game before a foul on Louise McBride offered her a point to close the gap to only one point again. Loughgiel’s Carla Sullivan playing in a left full forward position took a pass routed to her from Anna McKillop and wasted no time in splitting the posts for a 1-02 to 0-03 scoreline after approximately fifteen minutes.

Ballycastle’s Louise McBride soars over another point for the Town in tonight’s league game

Ballycastle’s McBride was in superlative shooting form and pointed another free over Loughgiels bar followed by two more points from Loughgiel’s Shanna Deery from Marie Laverty and Sullivan again. Ballycastle’s McBride replied again from a free before the Shamrocks inched further ahead with two fine points from Marie Laverty and Annie Lynn, after being on the receiving end of a Sullivan to Deery delivery. Eighteen minutes had elapsed on the scoreboard clock to accompany the scoreline Loughgiel 1-06 Ballycastle 0-05.

Ballycastle dug deep and responded from sideline instructions, crafting three more points from McBride and Shannon McQuillan from frees and a point from play as McQuillan picked up a loose sliotar and opted for a short solo run to build space for taking her point.

McQuillan was enjoying a spell of fortune as a Cara Delaney free dropped to McQuillan and if it hadn’t been for a super block from Loughgiel’s Charlene Campbell, The Town could have had a real goal chance from close quarters.

Loughgiel’s Megan McGarry and Charlene Campbell were instrumental in diffusing three close quarter threats to goal in last night’s league game

McBride would keep up her scoring accuracy and clipped the sliotar over Loughgiel’s bar for the Town’s ninth point and with only a couple of minutes left in the first half, Loughgiel’s Annie Lynn pushed hard through Ballycastle’s defence to point and walk in at the break, Loughgiel 1-07 Ballycastle 0-09.

The second half proved to be a test for the Town as the Shamrocks took the chilling breeze on their backs and within a few minutes, Carlina Sullivan found a running Annie Lynn in space, who punished the back of the net for a fine goal.

The Shamrocks now took control of the game and clocked up five more points before Ballycastle replied with another McBride free after nearly twenty minutes of play in the second half. At eight points the difference, Loughgiel made that twelve with four points in succession. One of those points came from an edge of the box awarded free that teased for a penalty. Anna McKillop stepped in for the point but at one stage players had assumed a penalty and the box was empty except for the Ballycastle goalkeeper, Erin O’Hara. A scramble of amber and black jerseys rectified the situation, leaving some Loughgiel spectators to reflect on a missed opportunity.

Loughgiel’s Louise McKillop takes a tumble along with Ballycastle’s Eimear McCaughan in last night’s league encounter

The long whistle came shortly afterwards, leaving the large scoreboard to announce the final result, Loughgiel 2-16 Ballycastle 0-10 in round four of the senior division 1 league.

Loughgiel starting panel and scorers

Emma McAllister, Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Aoibheann Gillan, Finvola McVeigh, Katie Lynn, Ciara Laverty, Anna Connolly, Louise McKillop, Annie Lynn 1-04, Marie Laverty 1-03 (1×45, 1f), Shanna Deery 0-01, Ceala Dobbin 0-01, Anna McKillop 0-02, Carlina Sullivan 0-04, Eimear McKinley 0-01

Ballycastle starting panel and scorers

Erin O’Hara, Christina Hamilton, Enya McShane, Catherine McShane, Cara Delaney, Fay McIntosh, Fiadh Sands, Aoife Toner, Niamh Ann Donnelly, Eimear McCaughan, Louise McBride 0-07 (1×45, 6f), Fionnuala Toner, Faye Roddy, Nuala Devlin 0-01, Shannon McQuillan 0-02 (1f)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/VgqfEGafiRSExd/?invite=710dc02c-2466-42e5-b9ea-11adc3d0603b

by thesaffrongael

Cushendun win at Feystown to get title race back on track

Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Glenarm 1-09 Cushendun 1-19

PICS BY MICKY MORGAN

Antrim Hurling League Division 2 action saw North Antrim rivals Cushendun secure a convincing 1-19 to 1-09 victory over Glenarm at Feystown. Referee Fergus McAllister threw in the ball for a match that started as a tightly contested affair. Cushendun talisman Conlaoth McNeill, widely known as Loaf, opened the scoring in the first minute with a free. Glenarm quickly responded through Darren Hamill, setting a pattern of tit-for-tat scoring for the opening quarter. John Joe O’Connell and a sideline cut from Loaf kept the visitors ticking over, but points from Aidan Scullion, Kieran O’Boyle, and another pair from Hamill eventually gave Glenarm a narrow 0-05 to 0-04 lead by the 22nd minute. However, Cushendun finished the half strongly. Loaf spearheaded a four-point scoring burst in the closing minutes, including another impressive sideline cut, sending his team into the halftime break with a 0-08 to 0-05 advantage.

Cushendun emerged for the second half with renewed intensity, rattling off three quick points in the opening three minutes through Conor McHugh and two frees from Loaf McNeill to extend their lead. Sean O’Hare temporarily halted the momentum with a free for the hosts, but the visitors kept the scoreboard moving with further points from Loaf and Andrew Breslin. The defining moment of the game arrived in the 15th minute when excellent work from John Joe O’Connell on the wing resulted in a great ball played into Colm McKeegan, who made no mistake and fired low to the net for a crucial Cushendun goal. Glenarm showed signs of a fightback shortly after; following an O’Hare free, Aidan O’Neill found the back of the net in the 18th minute. O’Neill placed the ball into the bottom corner on his second attempt after Archie McSparran had bravely saved the initial shot on the goal line. Despite this lifeline reducing the deficit, Glenarm could not bridge the gap.

The final ten minutes belonged entirely to Cushendun, with Conor McHugh adding two more points to his personal tally and the prolific Loaf converting a string of late frees to cap off a superb individual performance, sealing a comfortable ten-point win for the visitors.

The win gets the Emmet’s league title race back on track after last week’s shock defeat to Carryduff, which adds even more excitement to next Sunday’s clash with league leaders Ballycran back at the Rigs in Cushendun.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/RsauKqnWJFciSw/?invite=bdd11766-16b3-4464-a4ea-fe01e0d61ef1

+

by thesaffrongael

Griffin hat-trick sends the Saffrons through

All Ireland Under 23 Camogie Championship

Wexford 1-13 Antrim 4-6

Venue: Enniscorthy

Antrim’s Under 23 camogie squad has marched into next weekend’s All-Ireland B Championship semi-finals with a spring in their step after a thrilling, goal-heavy victory over Wexford on Sunday.

A brace of goals in each half proved to be the ultimate difference-maker, with senior standout Cliona Griffin delivering a devastating attacking masterclass.

Wexford opened the scoring through a Ciara Butler free, but Antrim quickly seized the momentum. Just six minutes in, Cliona Griffin found the back of the net for her first goal of the afternoon, followed closely by two frees from Elen McIntosh.

The Saffron attack briefly stalled midway through the half, allowing Wexford to edge ahead by the 22nd minute thanks to the sharp shooting of Butler and Caoimhe Byrne. However, Antrim responded emphatically before the break. Griffin shattered the Wexford momentum with her second goal, which was swiftly followed by points from Sarah Fyfe and McIntosh.

Half-Time Score: Antrim 2-4 | Wexford 0-6

The second half tested Antrim’s resolve. Elen McIntosh knocked over her first point from play shortly after the restart, but the Saffrons were subsequently pinned back by intense Wexford pressure. Antrim endured a 20-minute scoring drought, during which Butler and Byrne combined for four points to narrow the gap to a single point. Crucially, however, the home side never managed to take the lead.

In the 52nd minute, Antrim finally broke the siege. Following a frantic scramble for possession 20 metres out, Griffin emerged with the sliotar and fed Orlaith McAlister, who ruthlessly dispatched the ball into the net.

Six minutes later, Griffin hammered the final nail into the coffin, firing home her third goal in the 58th minute to complete a spectacular hat-trick. Wexford fought fiercely until the bitter end—with Byrne finding the net and Reddy and Butler adding late points—but Antrim manager Elaine Dowds saw her team hold their nerve to hear the final whistle.

While Griffin’s hat-trick stole the headlines, Antrim boasted star performers across the entire pitch:

  • Defence: Captain Katie Molloy anchored the backline brilliantly, while Casey Crawford executed a flawless man-marking job on Wexford’s dangerous forward, Kayla Reddy. Orlaith Johnson was also rock-solid between the posts.
  • Work Rate: The Ballycastle contingent of Elen McIntosh, Janey McIntosh, and Shannagh Heggarty provided tireless energy and crucial scores alongside goalscorer Orlaith McAlister.

Scorers

Antrim

  • Cliona Griffin: 3-0
  • Orlaith McAlister: 1-0
  • Elen McIntosh: 0-5 (4 frees)
  • Sarah Fyfe: 0-1

Wexford

  • Caoimhe Byrne: 1-3
  • Ciara Butler: 0-9 (8 frees)
  • Kayla Reddy: 0-1