Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Masters travel to Clones for tough league clash.

Round 4 GMA league

Antrim Masters hope to get their season back on track this weekend when they travel to Clones to face a Monaghan side that has always proved a tough adversary in the past. Both sides will be keen to add to their points tally, with Antrim 13th in the current league standings, just one place ahead of Monaghan.

Antrim boss Frank Delargy rues the lost opportunities in the games against Armagh and Derry where points were dropped on the back of a narrow two point defeat and a draw.

“Those points were definitely there for the taking.  Antrim are creating more than enough chances to win these matches, just a lack of composure up front has been our downfall. We need to finish off our moves a bit more clinically, that’s our downfall at the minute. Apart from that the rest of the machine is ticking over quite well”.

Antrim have a relatively strong panel travelling to Clones, despite the unavailability of players of the quality of Sean Kelly, Adrian Scullion, Colin Brady, Brendan Herron, David McAlernon and sharpshooter Paddy Cunningham due to holidays or injury.

Delargy remains optimistic though that there is sufficient quality travelling to get the job done, and with Louth next up the following Saturday, is hopeful that four points in six days can get his squad back on track and into a loftier league position. For now the focus is entirely on Sundays encounter and what is expected to be a genuine test of Antrims credentials at this level.

Antrim Masters Squad.

Conor Crilly, Michael Donnelly, Ryan Daly, Damien Kelly, Stephen Harbinson, Liam Magee, Kevin McAllister, Michael Mc Carry, Declan McLarnon, Brendan Etherson, Darren Craig, Laurence Higgins, Ryan Boyd, Michael McCann, Mark Graham, Kieran Close, Michael Herron, Barry McMahon, Kevin Gallagher, Phelim McCluskey, Sean McGreevy, Thomas Doherty, Colly Connolly, Declan McErlean.

by thesaffrongael

Glenavy build on win over Naomh Padraig

ACFL Division 2

Moneyglass 3-10 Glenavy 1-23

Glenavy travelled on Sunday looking to build on their win last time out against St Patricks, Lisburn, to play Moneyglass who have only suffered one defeat in the league all year. That defeat saw Sarsfields pip Moneyglass to secure the league and the automatic promotion spot meant that this game carried less importance in the league standing. However, that didn’t stop both sides serving up an exciting and entertaining hour of football, where Glenavy’s cutting edge made the difference and earned them the win.

With both sides starting line ups missing a number of regular players, there was a few last minute positional adjustments before the referee threw the ball in to start the game. It was Glenavy that started the better and raced into a 1-3 to no score lead in the first quarter. At this point, Glenavy’s retention of the ball and dominance around the middle and half back line was causing the home team problems and when Glenavy cut through the Moneyglass defence for Patrick Gallagher to finish the move palming the ball into the net, the home supporters could have been forgiven for thinking that the game was already up. However, the young Moneyglass side got to grip around midfield and were soon back in the game with two, 2 pointers and a goal to turn the game around in their favour. The second quarter was end to end with both sides trading scores. Glenavy’s full forward line and quick ball was causing problems, while at the other end, Moneyglass’s running from deep and overlaps was creating space which Glenavy found difficult to pick up.

At half time it was game on with Glenavy holding a narrow 1-9 to 1-8 lead.

The second period started slowly with both sides looking to gain control of the football, however it was a Glenavy mistake forced by the Moneyglass press that presented a clear opening to the Moneyglass attacker who made no mistake and finished to the net.

Glenavy to their credit didn’t panic however they were struggling to make the ball stick in the full forward line and the Moneyglass pressure forced several turnovers. Despite their defence being on top, Moneyglass failed to capitalise in the forward line and Glenavy eventually punished them with a number of impressive 2 point scores. At this stage the Glenavy midfield had gain control again and were putting huge pressure on the Moneyglass kick outs and created several scoring opportunities which their impressive full forward line took to open up a lead going into the last quarter.

Both teams made several substitutions and with the game entering the final stages, Moneyglass struck back with a tally of 1-2 in the closing stages to narrow the gap. However, Glenavy saw the game out and finished with a final score to win on a total of 1-23 to 3-10.

Both teams will take positives from the game and no doubt will have their sights firmly fixed on the forth coming Intermediate championship.

Referee: Cathal McDermott

by thesaffrongael

Andy McEntee’s reign as Antrim manager has come to an end

After three years in charge Andy McEntee’s tenure as Antrim Senior Football Manager has come to an end.

We would sincerely like to thank Andy and his entire backroom team for their service and commitment to our Senior Footballers during their term.

With the Saffrons, Andy made successive Tailteann Cup semi-finals with our Footballers in 2023 and 2024. As well as bringing through a whole host of U20 talent integrated into our senior panel.

He had this to say “ Having finished our Tailteann Cup campaign, my three-year tenure as Antrim manager has come to an end.

There are a lot of people that I would like to thank for the past three years. Firstly, I would like to thank Donal Murphy for making that first call and persevering to convince me to make the trip up the M1.

I would also like to thank the County Board Chairman at the time, Ciarán McCavana and the current Chairman, Seámus McMullan who ensured that we had the continuous support of the county board over the last three years.

To the Saffron Business Forum, I would like to express my gratitude for their support.

I have been very fortunate to work with a backroom team (too many to mention) who have such love for Antrim football. I would like to pay tribute to the medical and performance team who have worked tirelessly to ensure players received the best treatment and are in the best possible condition at all times to represent their county.

To the management team of Tom, Terry, Justin, Brendan, John and Darren, I would like to thank you for your massive contribution.

To the players, I would like you to know that it has been an honour to get to know and work with such a great bunch of young men. I wish you nothing but the best going forward. I will be watching.

To all of the above I hope that you continue to strive to reach your potential as a county.

“Ni neart go cur le chèile”

Finally, I would like to mention my family who never ceased to support me from Limerick to Belfast, from Sligo to Croke Park and everywhere in between”.

We wish you and your family the best of wishes for the future. You will always be welcome in the Saffron County.


Thank you Andy 💛🤍

by thesaffrongael

Aggies claim Division 3 title

ACFL Division 3

St. Agnes 0-18 Laochra Loch Lao 1-11

St. Agnes claimed the ACFL Division 3 league title when they overcame the challenge of nearest rivals, Laochra Loch Lao at Pairc Naomh Una on Wednesday night.

With two games remaining going into Wednesday’s fixture the Aggies were in a strong position. Win and the title was theirs. Lose and they still had another bite at the cherry against Pearses in their final game.

They certainly didn’t get it all their own way against a robust and talented, Laochra Loch Lao who were determined to take the race for the title to the final day of the season.

The Irish language side got themselves off to the best possible start when PJ O’Prey cut in from the right and fired past Collum Carroll in the opening minute to serve notice of their intentions.

St. Agnes Ryan Reilly sets up an attack

Conall Turley replied from two pointed frees for St. Agnes but a well struck 2 pointer free from Jack Mac Liomhair put the visitors three ahead again by the 12th minute.

Once again the sweet striking Turley converted a free to take his total for the evening to three and then Ronan Carroll took advantage of a bad kick out to leave just one between the sides.

Both sides wasted opportunities as the intensity of the game increased and two converted frees from Caoilte MacGiolla Fhiondain for the Falls Road side and a late pointed reply by Mark Boyle for the Aggies left it 1-4 to 0-5 at half time in favour of the visitors.

Laochra Loch Lao were good value for that lead as they dominated the closing stages and could have been further ahead but it was a different story when both sides made the long trip back from the changing rooms after the half time break.

A fisted point from Shay Madden and another from play from Mark Boyle had the side’s level within three minutes before Rian McShane edged he visitors back ahead from a free in the 4th minute.

Laochra Loch Lao goal scorer, PJ O’Prey looks around for support

It was nip and tuck for a spell after this with scores at one end finding a response at the other and for a spell these two well matched sides couldn’t be separated.

Points from Madden and Carroll for St. Agnes and a Jack MacLomhair respose for laochra had it all square again at the end of the 9th minute before a superb Ryan Reilly point, another from Cormac McBride and one from Daithi McGaharan moved St. Agnes three ahead and for the first time they seemed to be gaining control.

The excellent Ryan Reilly came forward to fist another and the gap was out to four but Laochra Loch Lao replied through Tomas Tolan and Jack MacLomhair to leave just two in it with 11 minutes still remaining.

St. Agnes had the scent of victory and a first league title for quite a number of years in their sights and they were not going to give up that hard earned lead easily and again the responded.

Ronan Carroll fires over a St. Agnes point

Daithi MacGaharan, Mark Boyle, Ronan Carroll and Ronan Gilligan all added to their total going down the home straight with Laochra Loch Lao replying through Rian McShane and a late free from Caolan MacFhiondain.

There were scenes of celebration at the end as the faithful St. Aggies supporters joined their team at the end to congratulate their heroes and join in the victory photograph.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/df5F2GkKXB7oBE

by thesaffrongael

Randalstown come up short against carefree Casements

ACFL Division 1

Tir Na nOg 1 – 15    Casements 4 – 13

With their preseason 5th place league target attained and over a dozen players off to Gooch Kellys stag weekend in Albufeira, Casements scrambled a match day panel together to fulfil this penultimate league fixture and expected the worst, facing off against a Randalstown team who would greatly benefit from the availability of league points as they stare into the bottom of a division one league relegation battle.

If anything Casements were in carefree mode, with John McKeever and some of his management team off to the national feile in Wexford. This was a great opportunity for the Whitehill men, but when Seamus Shannon let the ball loose from the throw in it took less than fifteen minutes for the visitors to steal a march that would not be recovered. During that time Casements played some excellent free flowing football, Niall Delargy had the ball in the net twice and could have had his hat trick later had the ball not rebounded off both posts before remaining in play!

On the quarter mark Michael Hagan produced the third green flag of the evening, as Randalstown took longer than expected to settle into the contest, though an excellently struck two pointer from distance from the accurate feet of Aaron McNeilly and two individual points from Barry McCormick kept the blues in some kind of relative touch.

In between times, several vital and timely interceptions by excellent full back Shane Delargy, a point blank save from stand in keeper Daniel McNicholl, and two terrific turnovers from returnee Conor McGhee, which he ran the pitch and dispatched between the posts was enough to keep Casements ticking along nicely in the lead, either side of timely water breaks from the hot evening sun.

When the teams turned around at half time there was ten points between the sides, a gap which was more or less maintained right up until the very last play of the game when busy Aaron McNeilly eventually found a way to squeeze the ball past McNicholl and into Casements nets, just in time before Seamus Shannon brought proceedings to a close.

In between times Darragh Fagan notched a couple of good scores for the hosts, but Fergal OKane, Conor McGhee, Dermot McAleese and Niall Delargy were well in control around the middle third, using their power and pace as a platform to supply hard running Ryan Convery  and the potent scoring threats upfront of Oisin Doherty and Michael Hagan who were superb all evening, ably assisted by Ciaran McKenna and Sean Byrne who also managed to grab a goal at the end of the second quarter.

Randalstown now meet league toppers Cargin in their final game and on this display it is hard to see a shock result that would offer Randalstown any current comfort. Meanwhile Portglenone will take a bit of a break before their own final league commitment of the season against Lamh Dhearg, and get down to the business of championship preparation.