Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Cargin bounce back

ACFL Division 1

Cargin 1-09 Tir na nOg 1-7

Cargin bounced back from their opening-day defeat to local rivals Creggan with a hard-fought two-point victory over Tir na nOg in Toome, finishing with a final score of 1-09 to 1-07.

Playing into a swirling breeze in the first half, Cargin welcomed back Tomas McCann and Tom Shivers to the fold. It was Shivers who opened the scoring in the third minute with a well-taken point, set up by a Conan Johnston clearance and a Benny Devlin delivery. Tir na nOg responded quickly when Declan Mallon was fouled on a forward run, allowing Ciaran O’Neill to tap over the resulting free for a 2 pointer and get the visitors on the board.

Cargin began to assert control midway through the half. Callum Gribbin slotted over a point in the 13th minute, and Shivers added another from a free after Devlin was brought down, giving the home side a 0-05 to 0-02 lead by the 22-minute mark. Both defences held firm for the remainder of the half, though Cargin suffered a blow when Jack Harney was forced off with a leg injury, replaced by David Johnston.

Hugh O’Donnell, Cargin comes under pressure from Ciaran McGrellis, Tir na nOg

With the wind at their backs for the second period, Cargin extended their lead in the 33rd minute through midfielder Eunan Quinn. Tir na nOg stayed in touch, with Dara Fegan capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to point and narrow the gap to the minimum. The game’s turning point came in the 45th minute when Cargin substitute David Johnston, linking up well with Callum Gribbin and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to give the Toome men a comfortable 1-05 to 0-04 advantage.

Cargin looked to be cruising as Cillian Scullion and Ronan Devlin added quick points, however Tir na nOg refused to fold, and the accurate Dara Fegan kept the scoreboard ticking over with a series offrees to keep the Randalstown men within striking distance.

The closing stages provided serious drama. In the 58th minute, Tir na nOg’s Eunan Murray was denied a goal by a brilliant save from Cargin keeper Daniel McCann. However, a Cargin defender hauled down an attacker in the square during the scramble, resulting in a black card and a penalty. Fegan made no mistake from the spot, suddenly reducing Cargin’s lead to a single point. Sensing an upset, Tir na nOg pushed for an equalizer, but Cargin held their nerve. Ciaran Bradley, who had an excellent game throughout, stepped up in injury time to slot a crucial point, securing the victory for the home side.

Cargin goal scorer, David Johnston and Tir na nOg goal scorer, Dara Fegan

Cargin: Daniel McCann, Sean Og Quinn, Kevin O’Boyle, Conan Johnston, Hugh O’Donnell, Cahir O’Boyle, Ronan Devlin (0-01), Eunan Quinn (0-01), Charlie McCann, Jack Harney, Ciaran Bradley (0-01), David Johnston (1-01), Thomas McCann (0-01), Callum Gribbin (0-01), and Tom Shivers (0-02). Substitutes used included Gerard McCann (0-01), Cillian Scullion (0-01), and F Hardy.

Tir na nOg: S P McAtamney, D Mallon, B McLarnon, Manus Smith, Ciaran O’Neill (0-02), Ciaran McGellis, Aidan Toland, Ryan O’Neill, Oliver McAtamney, R Curtis, Josh Higgins, Sean McKeown, Dara Fegan (1-05), and Eunan Murray.

Referee: R Matthews of O’Donovan Rossa.

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

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim Secure Hard-Fought Victory in Season Finale in Toome

National Football League – Division 4

Antrim 0-18 London 1-14

Antrim brought their Division 4 campaign to a spirited conclusion at Erin’s Own Cargin on Sunday, securing a 0-18 to 1-14 victory over London. While the Saffrons held up their end of the bargain by clinching a fourth consecutive win—a feat not achieved by the county in years—results elsewhere ultimately dictated that both sides would remain in the basement division. Despite the mathematical outside chance of promotion hanging in the air at throw-in, the afternoon served as a showcase of Antrim’s growing resilience, even as a late London surge turned a comfortable lead into a frantic defensive stand.

Pat Shivers celebrates after scoring a late point in Sunday’s narrow in over London in Toome

Playing with the advantage of a first-half breeze, the hosts established a firm grip on the proceedings early on. Dominic McEnhill was in inspired form, particularly during a clinical opening quarter where he slotted over two superb two-pointers. Pat Shivers provided the necessary physical presence and accuracy to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Ryan McQuillan was unlucky not to find the net following a desperate block by the London defence. Late addition Niall Burns proved his worth in the middle of the park, showing great composure to navigate crowded areas and fire over crucial scores that ensured Antrim went into the interval with a deserving five-point cushion.

The question on some peoples lips was, would five points be enough given the strength of the breeze as Antrim might have been much further ahead but were guilty of some poor shooting, dad choices and had a couple of goal chances charged down.

The Healy brothers Kristian and Peter who were on opposit sides in Sunday’s game in Toome. The former St Enda’s players now ply their trade at club level in Dublin and London. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

The complexion of the game shifted just before the break when London’s Ciaran Diver was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Kavan Keenan. Despite being a man down, the Exiles emerged for the second half with renewed intensity, immediately chipping away at the lead with a quick-fire two-pointer and a follow-up score. Antrim appeared to steady the ship as the half progressed, utilizing the extra man to stretch the play. Entering the final fifteen minutes, the Saffrons looked to be cruising toward a comfortable finish, having successfully restored and then extended their advantage to six points.

Antrim’s Tiernan McCormack (10) races through to send over a point during the second half.

However, the closing stages proved far more nerve-racking than the Toome faithful would have liked. A mistake in the Antrim defence allowed Nathan Feeney to break through for a low-drilled goal past John McNabb, sparking a frantic revival from the visitors. Joe McGill then took charge for the Londoners, landing a pair of two-pointers that narrowed the gap to a single point as the clock ticked into injury time. In a frantic finale, a late point from Ronan Boyle provided the necessary breathing room, allowing the Saffrons to survive the late onslaught and end their season on a high note, even if the ultimate prize of promotion remained just out of reach.

There were a lot of great aerial battles in the middle of the field during the game, which added the the excitemant.

A good end to a season where Antrim recorded four wins on the bounce after losing their opening three games and they will rue their defeat to Tipperary in particular when they lost a man to a Red card just before halftime.

Spare a thought for the gallant Exiles. A win over Antrim would have left them level with Longford and given them promotion on a head to head but it wasn’t to be for either side in a season where they have both performed well after a poor staret to their respective campaigns

Nathan Feeney fires in the London goal. Pic by Paddy McIlwaine

ANTRIM: John McNabb; John Morgan, Joseph Finnegan, Kavan Keenan; Eoghan McCabe (C), Peter Healy, Niall Burns; Paddy McAleer, Eunan Walsh; Tiernan McCormack, Ronan Boyle; Ryan McQuillan, Pat Shivers, Dominic McEnhill

SUBS: Adam Loughran on for Ryan McQuillan, Tomas McCann on for Patrick Finnegan, Tom Shivers on for Ronan Boyle, James McAuley on for Peter Healy

Scorers for Antrim: Dominic McEnhill 0-8 (3 2pt f’s 2 1pt Pat Shivers 0-4 (0-2F), Niall Burns 0-3, Tiernan McCormick 0-2, Ryan McQuillan, Ronan Boyle 0-1

LONDON: Andy Walsh; Aidan McLoughlin, Matt Moynihan, Sean O’Donoghue; Conor Goggin, Conal Gallagher, Conor O’Donohue; Liam Gallagher (C), Liam Murphy; Josh Obahor, Shay Rafter, Ciaran Diver; Jim Davis, Joe McGill, Kristian Healy

SUBS: Nathan Feeney on for Nathan McElwaine, Finbar Crowley on for Aidan McLoughlin, Liam Crowley on for Conor Goggin

Scorers for London: Scorers: Joe McGill 0-8 (0-2F, 2xTPF), Nathan Feeney 1-0, Shay Rafter 0-2 (0-1f), Conal Gallagher 0-2, Josh Obahor 0-1, Kristian Healy 0-1

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

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim teams in action this weekend

The Antrim Senior Hurlers, Senior Footballers and Under 20 Hurlers teams have been named for this weekend. The Senior Hurlers players face Down in Newry in what is effectively a relelgation play-off in Division 1B of the National Hurlling League Division 1B’ the Footballers take on London in Cargin at 1pm in Division 4 of the National Football League and the Under 20 Hurlers face Meath in the Leinster Championship in Kilmessan at 2pm, Finally the Antrim team to play Kilkenny in Division 1 of the National Camogie League at Nowlan Park is the same as faced Galway last weekend in Cushendun.

by thesaffrongael

Six of the Best for the Saffrons

When they last met…..

Joe McDonagh Cup

Group Stage – Round Two

Antrim 6-22 Down 3-16

Sunday April 24

Brendan McTaggart reports from Ballycran

Antrim made short work of Down on Sunday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of the Mournemen with plenty to spare at the end of 70 minutes.  It was a hugely impressive performance from the Saffrons who made a lightning start to the contest and maintained control throughout.  In what was a significantly efficient performance, Darren Gleeson’s men scored 5-12 from open play and a list of 10 different scorers against a Down side who were full of confidence following their win against Kerry just seven days previous.

While the sun shone on the Ballycran pitch, a swirling wind made life difficult for both sides but Conal Cunning managed to score all but one of his frees, eight of his ten points from placed ball.

The Saffrons majors came from Ciaran Clarke (two), Seaan Elliott (two), Domhnall Nugent and Conor Johnston.  Clarke’s first coming after just ten seconds of the game while this was possibly Elliott’s finest game in a Saffron shirt.  Scoring two goals, a point from a side line and tormenting the Down defence……

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Gerard Walsh, Niall O’Connor; Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McGarry; Joe Maskey, Conal Cunning; James McNaughton, Domhnall Nugent, Conor McCann; Seaan Elliott, Ciaran Clarke, Conor Johnston

Subs: Neil McManus for J McNaughton (44); Eoin O’Neill for C McCann (48); Matthew Donnelly for N O’Connor (51); Daniel McKernan for J Maskey (58); Conal Bohill for S Elliott (69)

Scorers: C Cunning 0-10 (8f); S Elliott 2-1; C Clarke 2-1 (1-00 pen); D Nugent 1-2; C Johnston 1-2; C McCann 0-2; J Maskey 0-1; P Burke 0-1; D McKernan 0-1; G Walsh 0-1 (f)

Down: Stephen Keith; Michael Hughes, John McManus, Tom Murray; Matt Conlon, Conor Woods, Caolan Taggart; Pearse Og McCrickard, Liam Savage; Marc Fisher, Paul Sheehan, Jordan Doran; Daithai Sands, Darragh Mallon, Eoghan Sands

Subs: Gerard Hughes for J Doran (41); Chris Egan for P Sheehan (43); Declan McCartney for D Mallon (53); Padraig Doran for M Fisher (58); Oisin McManus for P Og McCrickard (60)

Scorers: E Sands 2-00; C Egan 1-2; D Sands 0-4; P Sheehan 0-2 (2f); P Og McCrickard 0-2; P Doran 0-2 (1f); M Conlon 0-1; M Fisher 0-1; G Hughes 0-1; O McManus 0-1 (1f)

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Travel to Newry With Top Tier Status on the Line

National Hurling League – Division 1B

Antrim v Down

Saturday 21 May – Time: 5pm

Venue: Páirc Esler, Newry

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to Saturday evenings pivotal game for Davy Fitgerald’s Antrim against Down.

It’s Saturday night lights in Newry as Antrim travel to Down with their status in Division One on the line.  As if an old-fashioned Ulster Derby needs any more fuel added to the fire to make it a spicy contest.

While Saturday’s contest stands as a massive contest for Davy Fitzgerald’s men, the same can’t be said for our hosts whose fate has been settled already.  Having secured promotion in the 2025 season to play in Division One for the first time in 19 years, defeating Kerry 1-23 to 0-28 in the last game, Ronan Sheehan’s men will make an immediate return to 2A.  No points on the board but they have shown at times the quality they have and what they are capable off.  Wexford putting on a late, late show to come away with the league points from Ballycran.  Sounds familiar?

The last three games have come with a certain amount of pressure for the Saffrons.  They dealt with that superbly against a dangerous Carlow side before finding the Dubs a different kettle of fish to deal with.  A 15 point defeat to last years beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists with Dublin scoring an eye watering 1-26 from open play of their 1-31 tally.  Fitzy and his backroom team will be expecting and demanding better on Saturday evening.

It’s four years since the Saffrons faced their neighbours, that contest coming in the McDonagh Cup with Antrim coming away with a 6-22 to 3-16 win and a game notable for Antrim scoring a goal right from the throw in.  Joe Maskey with the marauding run before finding Ciaran Clarke and he did what Clarkey did best.

Similar again on Saturday wouldn’t go a miss for those who make the journey to the Marshes.

In the recent past, Antrim have mixed fortunes when it comes to contests like these.  Last season, we needed a win against Laois to maintain our status and the Saffrons duly delivered while an agonising defeat to Offaly in O’Connor Park meant relegation from the Leinster Championship.

Down aren’t Offaly, but they will know Antrim better than any other county in Ireland given all their players ply their trade in the Antrim hurling leagues.  There is no such thing an unknown quantity in the GAA these days given the amount of coverage there is across different platforms but this is a contest that you would imagine will feel different.

Off course, when it comes to contests with Down, we can cast our minds back to famous contests in Casement Park from yester-year.  Down’s first Ulster title coming in 1992 with Noel Sands memorably lifting the Seamus McFerran Cup, the Ardsmen coming out on top in ’95 and ’97 also but mostly and overwhelmingly, the Saffrons have always had the upperhand in these contests.

I can remember sitting in the press box at Owenbeg after taking in the 2015 Ulster Final.  Antrim somehow clawed their way back into the game and won 1-15 to 1-14 and a million thoughts were going through my head.  Sitting to my right was former Irish News journalist and all-round great guy Paddy Heaney.  He summed it up perfectly by saying: “These contests are full of guts and thunder but the class of Antrim always seems to bring them through in the end.  They always seem to have that small bit extra when it’s needed.”

A small bit extra is all that’s needed on Saturday but two league points is a must for Antrim hurling.  Staying in this division is pivotal for our growth and don’t let anyone tell you any different, this is as big as it gets.

Down would love to put the final nail in the Antrim Division 1B coffin and you know that Carlow are capable of producing the goods when needed, especially in their own backyard.  While our attention is obviously on our game with Down, we may need a favour from the Dubs in the midlands.

But it’s a must to look after our own house first of all.  A win on Saturday and nothing else matters.