Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Quickfire double helps Dunloy to victory over Rossa

ACFL Division One 

Rossa 0-13-2-12 Dunloy 

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Rossa 

A quickfire double within less than 60-seconds in the first half helped Dunloy to a 2-12-0-13 win over Rossa at the Shaws Road on Sunday afternoon. 

Despite playing against a strong wind in the opening half the visitors went in with the lead at the break after Donnach Laverty shot home and less than a minute later a thumping Eoin O’Neill strike had their side in the driving seat, and they wouldn’t relinquish it for the remainder of the contest. 

It was Rossa who began brightly shooting into the Shaws Road end with Michael McEnhill kicking a two-pointed score inside of the first minute. 

Sean McEnhill steered a high shot over the bar to extend the lead, with Conal Cunning replying for Dunloy. 

Rossa stretched clear as Colm Fleming kicked two two-pointed frees, in between times Nigel Elliott popped over an angled point and he double his account following a one-two with Aaron Crawford. 

Elliott cut the gap further before he contributed to the games opening goal in the 26th minute. 

The full-forward kicked the ball high in the air and Rossa keeper Ruairi McDonagh got caught underneath the break, the ball was palmed into the path of Donnach Laverty and his shot almost trickled to the bottom corner to level the game at 0-7-1-4. 

Dunloy moved ahead for the first time when Ruairi McDonagh’s kick out was seized, Conal Cunning carried the ball forward and laid it off to Eoin O’Neill who tried his luck with a thumping shot that McDonagh had no chance of stopping. 

In response, Colm Fleming kicked his third free of the half- this time a one-pointed effort, though it closed the gap at the interval as Dunloy were 2-4-0-8 to the good. 

The visitors were first off the mark after the break when Padraig McGilligan gathered a pass that was launched in his direction and he shot over the bar. 

At the other end Eoghan McMenamin replied following a neat move involving Corey Walsh and Dominic McEnhill. 

Dunloy surged clear after Eoghan McGrath landed a two-pointed score from play and then Ryan McGarry picked out Oisin McCamphill to register his first of the afternoon and make it 2-8-0-9. 

Quickfire Dominic McEnhill points kept his side in touch, though they were unable to cut the deficit further in the final ten minutes. 

The sides traded scores, both coming from close range frees converted by Conal Cunning and Dominic McEnhill. 

Talisman Nigel Elliott fisted over a further two points as the game ticked into time added on. The sides closed the contest out with frees converted by Colm Fleming and Cunning respectively as Dunloy ran out 2-12-0-13 winners at the conclusion. 

ROSSA: R McDonagh, S McDonald, M McKernan, F McDonald, D Morgan, C Fleming (0-6f, 2×0-2ptf, 0-2f), C McDonald, S McEnhill (0-1), E McMenamin (0-1), M McEnhill (0-2, 1×0-2pt), D McEnhill (0-3, 0-1f), D Rogan, C Walsh, D Murphy, R Murray. SUBS: D Friel for R Murray (40). 

DUNLOY: C McMahon, C McCloskey, A Crawford, M Traynor, C Kinsella, R McGarry, J Scally, P McGilligan (0-1), C Cunning (0-3, 0-2f), E O’Neill (1-0), J Martin, O McCamphill (0-1), D Laverty (1-0), N Elliott (0-5), E McGrath (0-2, 1×0-2pt). SUBS: R Cunning for M Traynor (40), E McKendry for D Laverty (60). 

REFEREE: Colly Thompson (ST JOHNS)

More photos from the game can be viewed below

https://myalbum.com/album/gKakyR5ZB7vYFS/?invite=af3e232f-0961-4b1e-b1c8-e7528972661d

by thesaffrongael

St. Mary’s Rasharkin coast to division 3 title

ACFL Division 3

Eire Og 0-6 Rasharkin5-21

When St. Mary’s Rasharkin won the Feis Junior Cup on Thursday night in Cloughmills, their thoughts turned immediately to Sunday’s Division 3 game away to Eire Og where a win would give them the division 3 league title and promotion to division 2 for next season.

The Derriaghy side had provided Rasharkin with a stiff challenge in their corresponding game in Dreen which St. Mary’s were fortunate to win so, on paper this looked like a difficult fixture for the South West side.

It didn’t quite work out that way however as a young and slick moving Rasharkin proved much too good for an Eire Og side who were missing a number of regulars.

Playing against the breeze in the opening half, Rasharkin raced into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after 6 minutes with their goal coming from Colm Kennedy who was set up by James Higgins.

Eamonn McNeill scored the opening point from a free and added a second from play and Oran McMullan added another before Stephen Erskine kicked a great 2 pointer to get the hosts off the mark.

Erskine’s point provided only temporary respite however as Oran McMullan fisted over at the other end but Eire Og were starting to have some success as Conor Dixon raised another Orange flag to bring their total to four.

Back came Rasharkin with Fearghal Kennedy and Tiernan O’Boyle  splitting the posts before Brian Og O’Neill finished to the net for their second goal with 15 minutes gone.

Rasharkin continued to dominate with their movement and sharp passing opening up the Eire Og defence and Eamonn McNeill added a point before the visitors were awarded a penalty.

Up stepped McNeill but his spot kick was well saved by Jamie King in the Eire  goals but it only served to postpone the inevitable as Fearghal Kennedy, James Higgins 0-2, Oran McMullan, Eamonn McNeill and Colm Kennedy added points to leave the visitors 2-13 to 0-4 ahead at half time.

It didn’t get any better for Eire Og on the restart though, to be fair they never stopped battling but were missing too many players to make a contest of it and it was Rasharkin who continued to find the target.

Thomas Hasson pointed and Oran McMullan climbed to palm the ball to the net and Brian Og O’Neill split the posts again before Eamonn McNeill fired home their fourth goal with only 8 minutes of the new half gone.

Colm Kennedy fires home Rasharkin’s opening goal and is congratulated by Brian Og O’Neill

Conor Dixon finally got the hosts second half off the mark from a free in the 9th minute and St. Mary’s took the opportunity to test their bench but their intensity and drive never dropped and Jamie King in the home goals pulled off an excellent save to deny McNeill.

The Rasharkin driving force, Eamonn McNeill responded with a point and then found the net for his side’s 5th goal and Cormac McMullan and substitute, PJ McMullan added further points with Conor McKenna striking a late consolation point for the Derriaghy side.

There were muted celebration from Rasharkin after the game their management team immediately turned their attention to the Junior Football Championship where Eire Og might well be one of their strongest rivals.

Cathal McMullan, Paddy Kelly, Barney Cowan and F Kennedy have done a brilliant job in rebuilding their side this year with a host of young players replacing the old guard but the experience provided by Eamonn McNeill, Brian Og O’Neill, Pearce Kelly and a few others has been an important factor in their continued development

Eire Og: 1 Jamie King, 2 Adam McKenna, 3 Barry McDaid, 4 Karl McKenna, 5 Conor McKenna, 6 Stephen Erskine, 7 Dermot Burns, 8 Patrick Maxwell, 9 Mark Graham, 10 Ronan McKeown, 23 Conor Dixon, 12 Ciaran Rice, 19 Joe Erskine, 21 Aaron Thompson, 20 Brendan Shannon

Subs: James O’Connell for Erskine, Nathan Crane for Aaron Thompson, Ciaran Cahoon for Conor Dixon

Rasharkin: 1 Ryan Doherty, 2 Peacse Kelly, 3 Fergus Quigg, 4 Daniel McGurk, 5 Pearse McTague, 6 Fearghal Kennedy, 7 Thomas Hasson, 8 Tiernan O’Boyle, 9 Cormac McMullan, 10 Colm Kennedy, 11 Eamonn McNeill, 12 James Higgins, 13 Killian O’Boyle, 14 Oran McMullan, 15 Brian Og O’Neill

Subs: Jason McGregor for Pearce Kelly, Daniel Doherty, PJ O’Mullan for Brian Og O’Neill, Aodhan McTeague for Killian O’Boyle, Oisin Casey for Eamonn McNeill

Referee: Martin Quinn (St. Enda’s)

TO VIEW MY ALBUM FROM TODAY’S GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/5Whk7axpXrUdXv

by thesaffrongael

McNaughton stars as Ruairi Og win the U16 Feis

The enduring juvenile strength of Ruairí Óg, Cushendall was out in full force at Dunloy, where they put on a clinical, goal-scoring showcase to claim the Under 16 Feis na nGleann Camogie title with a big win over Ballycastle. Cross- The game burst into life within a minute when Ruairí Óg forward Laoiseach McNaughton collected a quick pass and smashed it into the back of the net from open play. Elena McQuillan quickly added to the tally with a cleanly struck free at the three-minute mark, extending the early advantage.

Ballycastle struggled to push past the compact Cushendall defence early on, while Laoiseach McNaughton hit another beautiful point from play at six minutes to push the scoreline further. Ballycastle finally answered when a brilliant effort from play by Chloe Adams opened their account at nearly nine minutes in. Despite a brief reprieve when Elena McQuillan registered a wide from a free, Laoiseach McNaughton quickly resumed her lethal form, grabbing her second goal of the match at the twelve minute mark. Elena McQuillan added another converted free soon after, followed immediately by Laoiseach McNaughton completing an incredible first-half hat-trick at the fifteen-minute mark. Ballycastle tried to stay afloat with a fine point from play by Marina Callan, but late points from Ruairí Óg forward Cathryn McCormick and a fourth first-half goal from Laoiseach McNaughton effectively closed the contest before the break. A late point from Brónagh O’Neill for Ballycastle left the half-time score reading an imposing 4-5(17) to 0-3(3) in favor of the Dall.

Any hopes of a dramatic Ballycastle comeback after the restart were swiftly dampened when Elena McQuillan fired over another free early in the second half. Ballycastle did manage a moment of pure celebration when their hard-working forward, Marina Callan, struck a brilliant goal from play eight minutes in, bringing a spark to the travelling Mac Uílín support. Yet, Cushendall’s response was ruthless as Laoiseach McNaughton chipped over a point from play almost instantly. Then came a devastating two-minute blitz around the twenty-minute mark where midfielder Anna Birt drove forward to slot home a goal, closely followed by a clinical goal from play by Cathryn McCormick. McCormick added another point from play just minutes later, before the magical Laoiseach McNaughton capped off a truly legendary individual performance. Within a two-minute window late in the game, she hit the net two more times to take her personal goal tally to six. Fittingly, the final act belonged to Elena McQuillan, who sailed over a magnificent long-range point from a 45/65-meter free to seal a commanding victory.

Mac Uílín CLG (Ballycastle)

  1. Caoimhe O Connor
  2. Rose Black
  3. Madison Mcafee
  4. Maisie Mclernon
  5. Cliodhna McConvery
  6. Dervla Laverty
  7. Aoibhinn McGee
  8. Megan Connor
  9. Chloe Adams
  10. Brónagh O’Neill
  11. Dervla McCaughan
  12. Marina Callan
  13. Eilish Fairley
  14. Blathnaid McGee
  15. Orlaith O’Neill
  16. Ava Staunton

Ruairí Óg (Cushendall)

  1. Ellen McAlister
  2. Molly Delargy
  3. Lucia Trainor
  4. Ava Gettens
  5. Eleyna Madden
  6. Laoiseach McNaughton
  7. Emily Elliott
  8. Anna Birt
  9. Emma Lynn
  10. Elena McQuillan
  11. Aoife Molloy
  12. Saoirse Scullion
  13. Cathryn McCormick
  14. Caoimhe McDonnell
  15. Annie McNaughton
  16. Rachel McGroggan
  17. Rachel O’Neill
  18. Lauren McKay
  19. Gabriela McNeill
  20. Nicola Molloy
  21. Annie Trainor
  22. Nuala McNeill

by thesaffrongael

Antrim and Down Roll Back the Years.

Masters Football League:

Down 3-7 Antrim 3-11

There are league games, and then there are games that remind everyone why Gaelic football is so special. Antrim and Down produced exactly that in a pulsating Masters League encounter, serving up a contest that had all the hallmarks of an Ulster Championship battle from the 1980s and 1990s.

From the opening whistle, both sides played with tremendous intensity, refusing to give an inch. Every tackle was fiercely contested, every possession hard-earned, and every score was met almost immediately with a response at the other end. The game flowed from end to end, with the pace and commitment never dropping throughout the sixty minutes, some fine points and well worked goals were on show from both teams.

The scoreboard reflected the balance of the contest as Antrim and Down exchanged scores throughout. Neither county could establish any meaningful advantage, with momentum constantly swinging from one side to the other. Just when one team looked to be gaining the upper hand, the opposition would produce a moment of quality to draw level once again.

It was a match that transported spectators back to the great championship clashes of decades gone by. The fierce rivalry, honest physicality, accurate kicking, and relentless work rate evoked memories of the unforgettable Ulster encounters that defined football in the eighties and nineties. While the players may now wear Masters jerseys, their competitive spirit remains every bit as strong.

Antrim showed tremendous resilience, moving the ball with purpose and taking their chances under pressure. Down responded in equal measure, matching their opponents score for score and refusing to allow the Saffrons any breathing space. Both defences were forced to work tirelessly, while the attacks demonstrated composure and quality in front of the posts.

As the match entered its closing stages, the intensity only increased. Every tackle carried championship significance, every kick-pass found its mark with precision, and every score was greeted with appreciation from those watching. It was football played in the right spirit—competitive, skilful, and full of passion.

While league points were at stake, the real winners were everyone fortunate enough to witness such a memorable encounter. Antrim and Down proved that Masters Football continues to showcase not only outstanding ability but also the enduring pride and rivalry that has long existed between these neighbouring counties.

If this fixture is anything to go by, the Masters League is alive and well, with contests capable of stirring memories of the golden era of Ulster football while creating new ones for today’s generation of players and supporters alike.

If Antrim could only field a full squad, their standing in the league would be much stronger, the final score was Down 3-7 Antrim 3-11.

Antrim Team                                                    

Liam Cassley, Colin Connolly, Nial Conway, Ryan Daly, Michael Donnelly, Ken Golden, Mark Graham, Declan Mc Larnon, David Mc Alernon Michael McCarry, Michael McCourt, James McGreevy, Carl O’Neill Adrian Scullion, William Wilkinson.

Down Team

Padraig Bradley, Declan Brennan, John Cleary, David Clyde, Martin Curran, Damian Fitzpatrick, John Haughey, Greg Holland, John Hurley, Kalum King, Brendan King, Ronan Lawlor, Connor Lunny, John Mc Geown, Darragh McGreevy, Stephen McKibbin, Rory Murphy, Connor Owens, Paul Prior, Mark Rooney, Barry Russell, Stephen Sands, Chris Savage, Mark Stratton & Conall Toland.

TO VIEW MORE OF DOMINIC KELLY’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/GM7XDxwoF2Hvwn/?invite=5579bb98-f0ae-4ada-bfcb-f185b713b6c3

by thesaffrongael

Junior Feis ends in a draw but needing a replay at a later date

Feis na nGleann 2026 Junior Final

Loughgiel 2-10 Cushendall 2-10

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

As winter evenings go, this one was horrible. Cold, driving rain that wouldn’t find you out looking for a shovel of coal. But wait it’s meant to be the summer! Our consolation for bearing the inclement Junior final weather was to watch a real head to head for the full sixty minutes ending in a draw 2-10 to each side. The game will be replayed due to breaking news of a family bereavement and a refixture gracefully agreed by all parties tonight.

With the spin of referee, Ryan Magee’s coin, Loughgiel won and opted to play into the driving rain, towards the clubhouse. There wasn’t any tactical advantage tonight, driving rain swept down the pitch for most of the sixty minutes. It was though, Loughgiel on the prowl for an early point after winning the sliotar from a ruck, Carlina Sullivan drifting it wide past the uprights.

Loughgiel’s Therese Hill (McKinley) scoops the sliotar up as conditions deteriorated

Loughgiel’s Eimear McKendry would take the honours of opening the Shamrock’s score with a close range point before Sullivan would make good with her second attempt and Orlagh Laverty would make it three points in all of five minutes. Cushendall applied the pressure, subsequently winning a free that floated over the Loughgiel bar from Lára Haughey in under eleven minutes. Cushendall were now in the game and despite two more points from Loughgiel’s Rose McMullan and Kirsty McKendry, the Ruairi’s pounced on a break, getting in behind Loughgiel’s defence for a goal from Síne Woodhouse.

Cushendall’s Cliodhna Thompson followed the goal with a point to level the game before a Rose McMullan free dropped dangerously into the small box. Cushendall’s goalkeeper was faced with Shamrock jerseys rushing in and despite an attempt to diffuse the threat, but Eimear McKinley and Alana McKendry were close by to usher in the sliotar for the goal at twenty three minutes in.

Cushendall’s Lára Haughey chases down Anna Smyth in Friday’s Junior Feis final

There would only be a minute for the Shamrocks to enjoy the goal, when Cliodhna Thompson set up Aoife Delargy for Cushendall’s second goal of the evening. Now it was the turn of the Ruairi’s to have a moment of delight before Loughgiel’s Carlina Sullivan broke behind the Dall’s defence and sensing a closing pack, opted for a front over-the- head strike into the Ruairi’s net with only a minute on the clock before the break, scores radiating from the large Dan Scullion scoreboard, Loughgiel 2-05 Cushendall 2-02.

On the restart, it was Cushendall that would press hard into green flag territory but Erinmae Mitchell would see her rifle of a shot parried away by Loughgiel’s goalkeeper, Shauna McKillop over the bar for an opening point. Loughgiel with the driving rain on their backs now trotted out three points from Kirsty McKendry, Sullivan and a free from McMullan before Cushendall replied from a dead ball by Thompson.

Shauna Doran clears the threat for now but the Ruairi’s would level up just ahead of the long whistle

Cushendall would now close Loughgiel’s drift of four points to only one in a few minutes. Two of those three points came from Thompson and one of those appeared to be run on goal ending safely over the bar, much to the supporters dismay that were encouraging a green flag. Lára Haughey’s point completed the three before Loughgiel’s Rose McMullan split the uprights from a free derived from Kirsty McKendry getting closed out from a neat hand pass from Orlagh Laverty.

Cushendall’s Haughey and Leech levelled the game with minutes to spare, but it was a fine point from a free delivered by Rose McMullan, tight on the dugout side that caused a feeling of dread amogst the Ruairi’s supporters. Despite the grains of time sifting rapidly away in favour of the Shamrocks, the Ruairi’s Lára Haughey ended a blistering solo run with a foul that was dispatched by Leech to draw the game at the final whistle. All in all, a very tight, tough and even affair that will now go to a refixture.

To see photos from Friday’s Junior Feis final, follow the link here…

https://myalbum.com/album/xPYutuTbn7NYQd/?invite=2be1cc24-71da-434d-84a1-b35fcf7826fe

Loughgiel starters and scorers

Shauna McKillop, Erin Connolly, Brianna McCloskey, Zoe Cassley, Anna Smyth, Sarah Flavin, Shauna Doran, Rose McMullan 0-04 (4f), Therese Hill (McKinley), Caoihme McGarry 0-02, Kirsty Adams (McKendry) 0-01, Eimear McKinley 1-01, Carlina Sullivan 1-02

Cushendall starters and scorer

Cailín Quinn, Aibreán Campbell, Aimee McDonnell, Tamara Black, Ellen Leech 0-02 (1f, 1×45), Erin McNaughton, Aoife McClafferty, Scarlet Kerr-McKillop, Erinmae Mitchell 0-01, Lára Haughey 0-03 (2f), Rhianna Black, Sine Woodhouse 1-00, Aoife Delargy 1-00, Cliodhna Thompson 0-04 (2f), Caoimhe O’Hara