Creggan hurlers were presented with their Intermediate Hurling Champions medals, the LGFA team received the Junior B Championship awards and the Minor Football team received the Laverty Cup at the club’s annual dinner in Tullygalss Hotel on Saturday night. Those were the highlights of a great night at which a host of individual awards were also presented.
Saffron Gael went along to capture glitz and glamour of a great night
Ulster Intermediate Club Football League
Section D- Round 1
Greenlough 2.14 Moneyglass 0.03
The Ulster Club leagues started on Sunday with Group D of the Intermediate competition holding particular interest to Antrim clubs with All Saints getting the action underway with an early morning throw-in and a narrow victory over Sarsfields.
Their South West neighbours, St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass travelled to Cookstown where they took on St. Oliver Plunkett’s, Greenlough and with a number of regulars missing were no match for a fluent Greenlough side.
Greenlough collected the points as a youthful attacking unit hit 2.14 against Moneyglass as Cillian Moore and Seoirse Lagan both hit the net as Moneyglass struggled with the Greenlough forwards. Any chance of a Moneyglass comeback were over when Christopher Maguire saved an Aidan McErlain Moneyglass second half penalty. Jude Moore and Coalan Tohill added late points as both teams ran the bench.
On this performance the Oliver Plunkett’s looks the team to beat in Section D but there could be a few twists and turns before the section is decided and Desertmartin get their first run out in the group this week when they face Sarsfields while All Saints take on Moneyglass.
Greenlough: 1 Christopher Maguire 2 Cahir Kearney 3 Jack McCann 4 Paul Quinn 0.01 5 Conal McErlean 6 Brian McCallion 7 Patrick McPeake 8 Enda McNally 0.01 9 Lorcan Convery 10 Cillian Mooore 1.2 11 Shea Birt 0.01 12 Jude Moore 0.01 13 Caolan Tohill 0.04 14 Seoirse Lagan 1.4 15 James O’Neill
Ulster Intermediate Club Football League
Section D-Round 1
Sarsfields 2-9 All Saints 3-10
Antrim rivals, Patrick Sarsfields and All Saints met in the opening round of this year’s Ulster league at Mallusk on Sunday. Both clubs fielded experimental sides as they prepare for the season ahead but still managed to serve up an entertaining and competitive encounter.
Things were slow to get going as both sides shook off the early season rust as they exchanged early points before Darach Bradley put All Saints in control with the game’s opening goal for the Ballymena side.
The Stewartstown Road side were giving as good as they got with their full-forward line providing plenty of problems for the visitors defence and their impressive number 14 kept them in touch with goals early and late in the opening half.
In between Benny McDonnell struck with a second goal for the Slemish Park side and Sean O’Callaghan and Joe Rafferty hit impressive points as All Saints began to get on top.
Despite playing into the breeze in the second half, All Saints began to gain the upper hand around mid-field through the experienced pair of Peter McNicholl and Emmet Killough.
Joe Rafferty and Ryan Thom were causing problems while running from deep in their own half with the towering Thom striking the Ballymena side’s third goal.
Ciaran Campbell was providing the ammunition for his attacking colleagues with some astute play and set up a number of scores for Darach Bradley and Benny McDonnell but Sarsfields were still giving it everything and keeping within striking distance.
In the end Ryan Thom’s goal would prove the difference and the towering half back was just one of a number of fringe players who will have put their names in the frame for a starting berth next week with Charlie Metrustry, Connell Killough and Michael Read all catching the eye.
All Saints: Jason Givens, Eóin Walsh, James Gillan, Michael Read, Joe Rafferty, Shaun O’Callaghan, Ryan Thom, Peter McNicholl, Emmet killough, Darach Bradley, Connell Killough, Charlie Metrustry, Ciaran Campbell , Michael McCarry, Benny McDonnell.
Scorers: D. Bradley 1-1 Michael McCarry 0-2 Benny McDonnell 1-3 Emmet killough – 0-1 Ryan Thom – 1-0 Joe Rafferty 0-1 Shaun O’Callaghan 0-1
Referee: Conor Byrney
St Mary’s Aghagallon held their Annual Dinner and Awards Night on Friday in Edenmore Golf Club, Magheralin to celebrate the successes both on and off the field in 2023. The first presentations were to the U23 team who were successful in winning the SW Antrim U23 Shield, a competition which provided additional football in the autumn months for around 30 of our players and was very beneficial for the development of this group.
The Brendan Campbell award for Club Person of the Year, which was jointly awarded to John Walsh and Bronagh McCavigan for their commitment and leadership in establishing the successful GAA for All, All Stars programme in Aghagallon, one of the greatest initiatives to have been introduced in the club. John and Bronagh weren’t able to attend the evening, so their award was accepted on their behalf by the All Star Coaches in attendance.
The Agnes Hannon award for “Going the Extra Mile” was awarded to Sinead Walsh for her contributions to the club, from organising last year’s Gala Ball, our annual funday, working in the club shop, cleaning the clubrooms and again organising this year’s Dinner Dance.
Onto the playing awards, first up was the Reserve Player of the Year 2023, Jonny Harbinson. (Accepted on his behalf by Kieran Hamill) The Tallon Cup – Senior Players Player of the Year 2023 was awarded to Jonny Hannon, voted by the Senior Players, Jonny came up with some big scores and performances throughout the season. The Paddy Barnes Senior Player of the Year trophy was awarded to Paudy Gowdy for his top performances during the season.
Senior Manager Pete McGrath spoke about his experience to date in Aghagallon, the talent that he has seen within the clubs underage ranks, the progress of the senior team and his aspirations with the Club in 2024. Chairperson Columb Walsh spoke about 2023 and how we as a club are continuing to grow and develop and how the support of all our members is needed to develop the facilities St Mary’s Aghagallon need to cater for our increasing membership and generations to follow.
He encouraged everyone to consider joining Cairde Achadh Galláin to help build the financial foundation for future development. He acknowledged the continuing support of Hannon Transport to the club and how important that support was to St. Mary’s. Columb made special presentations to Sinead Walsh for organising the Annual dinner and to Teresa Hannon in recognition of the support she gave to the Senior panel during the year.
Bert Trowlen’s work throughout the year was acknowledged, particularly promoting the GAA for All and for being with us on the night. The staff at Edenmore Golf & Country Club are thanked for their hospitality during the evening. Everyone in St Mary’s Aghagallon GAC will look forward to a successful 20
Con Magees Glenravel had plenty to celebrate at their annual awards dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel. In a memorable season for the club they won the Intermediate Football Championship, the Division 2 League, the Under 19b Football Championship and the Reserve Football League. In a historic event for the club a number of their players featured on the Glenariffe-Glenravel team who won the Under 19 A Hurling Championship, the club’s first ever success in hurling.
Although the senior camogs won their All Ireland Junior title in 2023, they had already celebrated that event, but the b team won the Division 3 league, as indeed did the LFGA Div 3 team
