The North Antrim board held their annual awards evening in the Marine Hotel on Friday evening with a wide range of trophies on show from Under 11 hurling right up to the Senior Hurling Championship cup. Guests of honour included county chairman Ciaran McCavana, who will shortly hand over the reigns after completing his five year term at the Antrim helm and 93 year old Jimmy McVeigh of Carey Faughs, a man who gave his life to Antrim hurling. Ballycastle Comhaltas members provided the music as the guests arrived.
Members of the Ballycstle Comhaltas who performed at the North Antrim dinnerCiaran McCavana, Jimmy Gaston and Martin Magee with the Shield of the Heroes, which was on display at the North Antrim dinner in the Marine Hotel, BallycastleSt Enda’s trio Ciaran McCavana, Kevin Parke and Paddy Gray with the Shield of the HeroesFyfe and Geraldine McMullan from Glenravel with the Shield of the Heroes trophy.
The Shield of the Heroes, one of the greatest trophies in the history of the GAA, which was played for at the first Feis in 1904, was on show and many people took the opportunity of having their photo taken with it
Members of the Carey Faughs Club with the famous Shield of the Heroes trophy at the North Antrim dinner.Paddy Gray presents the Under 11 Airborne Div 2 trophy to Kevin Johnston and Kevin Fawl of Creggan Kickhams at the North Antrim GAA dinner in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle.North Antrim Hurling Officer Paddy Gray presents the Under 13B League and Championship trophies to Rian, Cormac and Lorcan of Naomh Padraig.Paddy Gray presents the Under 13A Hurling League trophy to of Aaron Gillan Loughgiel Shamrocks.Paddy Gray presents the Under 13 Shield to Dunloy joint captains at the North Antrim dinner.Paddy Gray presents the All County Felie and the McMulan Cup to Ruairi Og captain Conor McCannNorth Antrim Hurling Officer Paddy Gray presents the Under 13B League and Championship trophies to Rian, Cormac and Lorcan of Naomh Padraig.Paddy Gray presents the Minor hurling League and Championship plus Darragh Cup trophies to Ben O’Kane of Dunloy Cuchullains.Darrach O’Mullan presents the Healty Club Award to Ruairi Og chairman Skinner McAlisterNorth Antrim PRO Darrach O’Mullan presents the award for the Best Club in Antrim Scor to Paula Fyfe of Con Magees, Glenravel.Darrach O’Mullan presents the Healty Club Award to Ruairi Og chairman Skinner McAlisterDarrach O’Mullan presents the Grupa Ceol award to Jimmy Gaston of Dunloy CuchullainsDarragh O’Mullan presents the Senior Scor Recitation award to Deirdre O’Loan of All Saints, Ballymena.Darrach O’Mullan presents the Antrim Feile Camogie award, All Ireland Feie Division 2 Camogie and Causeway Coast & Glens Junior Team of the Year to Cushendall captain Eva McNeill.Darrach O’Mullan presents theCloughmills captain Chris McKiernan received the Junior Hurling Championship Cup from Darrach O’Mullan.County chairman Ciaran McCavana presents the Senior Hurling Championship and Senior Feis Cup trophies to Ruairi Og captain Neill McManus.Ciaran McCavana presents the Junior Football Championship Cup to the Rasharkin captainCiaran McCavana presents the Division 2 Hurling League trophy to Cushendun captain Jack McKayCiaran McCavana presents the Division 3 League trophy to Cloughmills Liam KearnsCreggan captain Ruairi McCann receives the Intermediate Hurling Championship trophy from County Chairman Ciaran McCavanaChirs Campbell makes a special presentation to 93 year old Carey Faughs legend Jimmy McVeigh.The North Antrim committee at the annual awards dinner in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle. Back row, L-R, Frank McCarry, Paddy Gray, Darrach O’Mullan, Jimmy Gaston. Front, L-R, Kevin Parke, Martin Magee (chairman), Chris Campbell.St Enda’s trio Ciaran McCavana, Kevin Parke and Paddy Gray with the Shield of the HeroesMembers of the Ballycstle Comhaltas who performed at the North Antrim dinnerLoughgiel members who attended the North Antrim dinner in the Marine Hotel. Back row, L-R, Tommy McIntyre, Paul Glackin (club chairman), Gareth Connolly, Brendan Gillan. Front, L-R, Aaron Gillan, Courtney Bradley, Cahir McGrath.Aileen McManus and Barbara McCann from Cushendall at the North Antrim dinnerFyfe and Geraldine McMullan from Glenravel with the Shield of the Heroes trophy.Ellen and Michael Hardy at the North Antrim dinnerAllison and Paddy Gray at the Norht Antrim dinner in the Marine Hotel.Dunloy Cuchullains chairman James McKeague and his Loughgiel Shamrocks Paul Glackin at the North Antrim dinnerMembers of the Carey Faughs Club with the famous Shield of the Heroes trophy at the North Antrim dinner.Members of Cushendun Emmet’s Hurling Club who attended the North Antrim dinner in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle. Gary McNeill Connor O’Hara JackMcKay Conor McKay Eugene Duffin and Rory McQuillanCushendall’s Eve McNeill and Aileen McManus Barbara and Kevin McCann of Ruairi Og Cushendall with thier son Conor who picked up awards at the North Antriim dinner.Carey Faughs chairman Sean McBride presents a sponsorship cheque to John McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael at the North Antrim dinnerNorth Antrim chairman Martin Magee and treasurer Chirs Cambeell presents a sponsorship cheque to John McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael at the North Antrim dinner in the Marine Hotel.North Antrim chairman Martin Magee, who steps down this week after five years in office is seen here with Ruaiir Og club members Neil McManus and Skinner McAlister.Special guest Fr PJ McCamphill and North Antrim PRO Darrach O’Mullan
Lámh Dhearg held their 38th Annual Juvenile Presentation Awards night in a packed Beechlawn Hotel generously sponsored by Choice Blinds. Special guests were Parish Priest, Fr Patrick Devlin, Terry Mc Crudden Senior Football captain, Paddy Mervyn Senior Hurling captain, Sara Kennedy Senior Camogie captain, Ciara Doherty Vice Captain Senior LGFA and Hugh Kennedy Principal of club’s feeder School Ballymacward PS.
Chairman, Brian Smyth in his address warmly welcomed everyone, complimented the juveniles and mentors for their commitment throughout the season. He encouraged the juveniles to keep playing and working at their skills and they were all achievers, and the club has a healthy future ahead. Brian paid tribute to the successful panels ( u12 Camogs- Lavey Shield winners, u15 Camogs Feile C Regional Champions and u16 Camogs and LGFA winners of County B Championships) and thanked them for bringing great credit to the club.
Brian also outlined exciting plans for the clubs second phase of development and was confident members would positively help support the fund-raising ventures. Brian concluded by acknowledging the sterling work of committee members and club volunteers for their unstinting work throughout the season and thanked Colm Cochrane and his subcommittee for organising the night.
Before the presentation of the team and individual awards the packed room were shown two presentations, Lámhs on Tour 2023 and Pictorial Review of 2023 and they were both popularly received and enhanced the atmosphere of the night.
Individual Awards
U13 Most Improved Hurler
Orin Agnew
U13 Hurler of the Year
Dylan Quinn
U15 Most Improved Hurler
Eoin Flynn
U15 Hurler of the Year
Fiontann McAufield
U13 Most Improved Footballer
Ryan McCague
U13 Footballer of the year
Orin Agnew
U15 Most Improved Footballer
Enda Reilly
U15 Footballer of the Year
Ryan Fox
U12 Most Improved Camog
Maebh Tracey
U12 Camog of the Year
Caragh McKenna
U14 Most improved Camog
Riona McKenna
U14 Camog of the Year
Katie Flynn
U16 Most Improved Camog
Lila McCann
U16 Camog of the Year
Laoise Stone
U12 Girls Football Most Improved Player
Cara McAuley
U12 Girls Football Player of the Year
Roma Murray
U14 Girls Football Most Improved Player
Riona Mc Kenna
U14 Girls Football Player of the Year
Sophie Morris
U16 Girls Football Most Improved Player
Brenna Armstrong
U16 Girls Football Player of the Year
Aoife Fitzsimons
SPECIAL AWARDS
John McPeake Shield Handballer of the Year
Cara McAuley
Diarmuid Frazer Memorial cup
Maebh Tracey
Charlie Smyth Award – Most Overall Improved Player
Ciaran Herron
Sam McGarry Award – Outstanding commitment and desire
Winning both championshipU16 LGFA TeamU16 Camogie Team& All their Coaches Emer Mc GarryMeabh MartinBronach KeeganTony StanleyConor Fitzsimons Fra Stone David BakerUrsula Lynch
Davy McGarry Award for Youth Personality of the Year
St Josephs Glenavy GAC held a celebratory 80th Anniversary Gala Ball on Saturday 21st November in Crumlin Road Gaol for 210 members and Guests.
Guests were treated to a fantastic 5 course meal in the surroundings of the old Gaol.
The evening started off with thanks from the Club Chairman Eddie Forester to Volunteers, Parents and players for their support during the year and an outline of all the club’s success on and off the field.
The plans for a new extended training facility was also launched at this event for Spring 2024 with drawing on display to highlight the ambition of the club going forward into 2024 and beyond.
A presentation of Prizes followed to senior players by the Senior Manager Martin Clenaghan, to Senior player of the year Ciaran Loney, Young player of the year Darragh Armstrong and Reserve Senior player of the year Eoin Mitchel.
The Chairman of the club then presented the club Member of the year Trophy to Jonny Rogan
The high point of the evening was the arrival of Glenavy Senior ladies Team and Manager, as Antrim Intermediate and Ulster Finalist to the Ball, just before the meal to a rapturous and standing ovation from all the guests.
This Fantastic team is an example of the high standards set in 2023, that could only be achieved with hard work and effort. The Ladies Team are now legends within the club and to the next generation of girls in Glenavy who now want to wear the club Jersey.
After Dinner, Chris Scullion, the Senior Manager presented trophies to Player of the year, Natashia O’Neil, Young Player of the Year Cara McGarry and most improved players, Katie ONeil and Phoebe Higgins.
One lucky Winner got two Tickets to the Bruce Springsteen Concert in the Ballot and a commissioned painting is now ready to be displayed In New Extended training facilities in 2024 to Mark our 80th Anniversary year.
This truly superb 80th Gala event was concluded with a Disco and celebrations amongst friends, families’ players and patrons that will long live in the memory of everyone in the Club. And wider community
What way to celebrate to celebrate 80 years of St Joseph’s Glenavy GAC 🟠⚫️🥳 A big thank you to the staff at @crumlinroadgaol for hosting us & club person of the year Jonny Rogan and Eddie Forester for organising such a historic event! Along with Bert Trowlen for capturing every moment 📸
We hope you all had a fantastic evening! We must also give a shout out to some individuals who had a great footballing season 🏐
🏆Ladies player of the year: Natasha O’Neill
🏆Ladies young player of the year: Cara Mcgarry
🏆Ladies most improved player: Katie O’Neill & Phoebe Higgins
🏆Men’s player of the year: Ciaran Loney
🏆Men’s young player of the year: Darragh Armstrong
The final game in the South West Antrim’s development competition, the U23 football shield saw St. Mary’s Aghagallon and St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass meet in the final at Dunsilly on Sunday with the Lough Shore side running out winners in an entertaining game despite the heavy underfoot conditions.
Aghagallon made the brighter start and raced into a two point lead after 10 minutes with Tyler Cassidy replying with a point for St. Ergnat’s to get them on their way. Jonathan Hannon then converted two frees to move St. Mary’s further ahead before Jamie McLaughlin replied with a point for the Marian Hill side.
At this stage Aghagallon began to take control as they moved 0-5 to 0-2 and things would get better for the men in green when Kieran Hamill raced through the opposition defence to finish to the net.
Moneyglass responded and came back with a goal of their own through full-forward Tyler Cassidy but at half time it was St. Mary’s who were in the stronger position as they led 1-6 to 1-2.
Moneyglass needed a good start to 2nd half but unfortunately for them that didn’t happen and Aghagallon continued on the front foot as they extended their lead to six with a couple of early scores.
Moneyglass replied with a couple of their own and with their confidence growing they had an opportunity to put the bare minimum between sides butunfortunately the ball slipped agonisingly wide of the post.
A missed opportunity and Aghagallon stepped it up again scoring the next 3 to push their lead out to 7 and with St. Ergnat’s now down to 14 men it seemed like the game was over. To their credit they kept battling to the end and were rewarded with a goal from Aidan McErlain.
This was to be the game’s last score with Aghagallon running out 1-12 to 2-4 winners to collect the first South Wes U23 Shield. The win came at a cost however with an injury to one of their star performers, Jamie Lamont and we wish this fine young player a speedy recovery.
The competition itself has been a success for the South West and while not every club took part, those who did will have benefited from it.
For the record Tir na nOg defeated All Saints in the U23 Cup final and Sunday’s win for Aghagallon brings the competition to a close for 2023.
South West U23 Football Shield winners, St. Mary’s Aghagallon
Aghagallon: 1 Gabhan Baine, 23 Steven Brannigan, 3 Kieran Hamill, 4 James McCormick, 5 Padraig Gowdy, 6 Stephen Devlin, 7 Liam Russell, 8 Jamie Lamont, 9 Pauric Maginnis, 10 Enda McCartan, 11 Jonathan Hannon, 12 Ruairi McShane, 13 Callum Mulholland, 14 Joseph Lavelle, 15 Michael McStravick.
Beaten finalists,St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Moneyglass: 1 Rory Gribbon, 2 Matthew Mullen, 3 Nate Dixon, 4 James McCormick, 5 Frank Duffin, 6 Paul Duffin, 7 Jamie McLaughlin, 8 Kevin McCann, 9 Connlaodh McCann, 10 Connor O’Kane, 11 Aidan McErlain, 12 Ben Hamill, 13 Charlie McCloskey, 14 Tyler Cassidy, 15 Ronan Campbell, 17 Seanchan Duffin, 18 Zach Hamill, 19 Diarmuid Scullion, 20 Enda Duffin
Friday night saw the Devenish Antrim club All Star awards held for the third year at the popular west Belfast venue, and once again it was a great success.
The evening got underway with a display of Irish dancing by the highly talented Irish Entertainment Company.
With BBC’s Mark Sidebottom again the man on the mic the chat and banter flowed freely. Mark did an interview with two former Antrim GAA stars from both codes, Gearoid Adams and Terence Sambo McNaughton, both of whom had some great stories to tell of their playing days and of their views on the modern day game, though things did go off on a tangent at a time when Mark and Sambo got into a deep discussion about the origins of the German Shepard dog…. or should that be Alsatian???
Of course the main business of the evening was the presentation of the All Star Awards, which coverer the Junior, Intermediate and Senior players in both codes. As is always the case at these events the loudest cheers of the evening are always reserved for the players from the lower divisions who have been selected ahead of their senior counterparts.
Paddy Burke of Cushendall won the Hurler of the Year award after completing a great season with his club, while the evergreen Tomas McCann received the Footballer of the Year as Cargin’s dominance of the local game continues.
The Young Player of the Year awards both went to the championship winning clubs as well with Joseph McLaughlin, of Ruairi getting the hurling honour, while Cargin’s Conhuir Johnston got the big ball award
The 2023 Devenish Antrim Football All Stars. Back row, L-R, John McNabb (Cargin), Eoin Hynds (Con Magees), Tiernan O’Boyle (Rasharlin), Kevin McShane (Cargin), Niall McKeever (Portglenone), Conhuir Johnston (Cargin), Deaglan Smith (Dunloy), Eoin McFerran (Dunloy). Pic by John McIlwaineThe 2023 Devenish Antrim Football All Stars. The Devenish Antrim Hurling All Star team Back row, L-R, Paddy Burke, Declan McCloskey (Loughgiel), Paul Boyle (Loughgiel), James McNaughton (Loughgiel), Thomas Burns (Armoy), Niall Gillan (Cushendall), Ryan McCambridge (Cushendall). Front L-R, Joseph McLaughlin (Cushendall), Ryan McKee (Loughgiel), Dessi McClean (Gort na Mona(, Eoghan Campbell (Cushendall), Chris McKiernan (Cloughghills), CaolanMcKernan Sarsfields)Conor McCann (Creggan) – Missing from pic Neil McManus. Colum McDonald received the Referee of the Year award from Alex Treanor
