The Antrim Senior Hurling team launched their Annual Golf Classic at The Kingfisher Country Estate on Thursday.
Over the last 10 years, this event has enjoyed great success, and we eagerly anticipate another exciting tournament this year. We extend our thanks to the main event sponsors: Bourke Sports, Casement Social Club, and Philip Christie.
A team of four players (four ball) can enter the Antrim Senior Hurling Golf Classic for £250, which will cover food on arrival, the round of golf, entry to win great team and individual prizes, and a fork buffet afterwards in the clubhouse restaurant.
Antrim Senior Hurlers would be delighted to have you or your business on board as a sponsor of the event. For a cost of £100, your name or business logo will be showcased on the first hole as players begin to play and get photos throughout the entire day.
Cash donations are acceptable, and please make any cheques payable to Antrim GAA.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B game at Corrigan Park.
Antrim 1-13 Galway 2-35
Galway came to Corrigan Park on Sunday and gave Antrim’s inexperienced team a hurling lesson as they swept to a 25 point victory with a devastating display of fast and accurate play. The tribesmen were simply on a different level in every aspect of the game, their first touch, their score taking ability from all distances and angles, and most of all their ability win the ball.
Antrim gave it everything they got but they were on the back foot for long parts of the game. They recovered from a horrible start, when they conceded a goal in the opening minute following a defensive mistake, but they fought back and got themselves back in the game with some well taken points and a goal from full forward Joseph McLaughlin. They were never really going to trouble Galway, but their first half showing was more than respectable.
Thomas McLaughlin celebrates after scoing Antrim’s goal, while Niall McKenna, who set up the score, shows his delight
However after the break Galway, came out and blew the home side away, scoring at will to stretch their lead by the minute as they recorded their second win in the division.
The home team had no answer to Galway’s play and that ability they had of winning prime possession gave them time and space to pick out the target. Flynn grabbed his team’s second goal soon after the restart and they set displaying their wide range of skills with scores from all over the field. Evan Niland ended the day with 0-13 to his name, ten of them from play while Flynn grabbed 2-1 Tom Monaghan 0-6, Conor Cooney 0-4 and Seán Linnane 0-3.
The games top scorer, Galway corner forward Evan Niland wore 13 on his back and scored 13 points
Antrim goalscorer Thomas McLaughlin came close to grabbing a second major when he lobbed the ball over the advancing Galway goalkeeper, but the ball rebounded off the crossbar. Corner back Paddy Burke loves to get forward and have a pop at the posts, and he did it again today, grabbing two points, and fellow defender Niall O’Connor did the same, but it wasn’t to be a day for the forwards, who largely struggled, though Niall McKenna worked his socks off from beginning to end.
The Fibrus Antrim player of the match award went to full back Rory McCloskey who did well to hold Galway full forward Conor Whelan to just two points. Overall it was a day to forget the men in Saffron, and their fans and the thoughts must turn to Mullingar and a basement battle with Westmeath.
Antrim’s Niall McKenna and Galway’s Ciaran Fahy battle it out below the dropping ball
Scorers – Galway: E Niland 0-13 (10f), J Flynn 2-1, T Monaghan 0-6, C Cooney 0-4, S Linnane 0-3, C Fahy 0-2, C Whelan 0-2, J Ryan 0-2, G Lee 0-1, J Cooney 0-1.
Antrim: J McLaughlin 1-0, E Campbell 0-2, P Burke 0-2, C Cunning 0-2 (1f), C McCann 0-2, R McMullan 0-1, N O’Connor 0-1, R McGary 0-1, N McKenna 0-1, C McGarry 0-1.
ANTRIM: T Smyth; P Duffin, R McCloskey, P Burke; N O’Connor, R McGarry, S Walsh; R McAteer, E Campbell; R McMullan, A O’Brien, N McKenna; C Cunning, J McLaughlin, F McCurry Subs: E Trainor for R McAteer (45), E Og McGarry for E Campbell (45), C McCann for F McCurry (45), C McGarry for A O’Brien (56), A Bradley for J McLaughlin (63)
GALWAY: D Fahy; D Morrissey, F Burke, P Mannion; A Tuohey, C Fahy, Daithí Burke; David Burke, S Linnane; G Lee, T Monaghan, C Cooney; E Niland, C Whelan, J Flynn. Subs: R Glennon for G Lee (52), J Ryan for C Whelan (52), D O’Shea for David Burke (54), C Mahoney for Daithí Burke (57), J Cooney for C Cooney (58)
It may not have been the result we hoped for but Sunday’s game against Galway was a very special day for one Antrim fan. Eleven year old Seancasey Quinn, from Creggan, who has just completed his treatment for cancer at the Christie NHS Foundation in Manchester, was the Antrim team mascot for the day, meeting the Antrim team and management, leading out the Saffrons with his dad Fran and team captain Eoghan Campbell, (above) He accompanied Eoghan when he took the toss with match referee Thomas Gleeson from Dublin (below) and Galway team captain Conor Whelan. We all take our hurling very seriously, probably a bit too serious to be honest, but meeting Seancasey and hearing about the battle he has gone through gives us a bit of perspective in life. You were a star today Seancasey and we all wish you the very best of luck in the future. PHOTOS by SEAMUS LOUGHRANSeancasey Quinn has his photo taken with the Antrim team before the gameAntrim’s Conor McCann with young Creggan fans who attended Sunday’s game. Antrim full back Rory McCloskey who received the Fibrus Antrim Player of the match award from Fibrus and team mascot Seancasey QuinnGalway manager Henry Shefflin was signing autographs and having his photo taken with fans long after the game.
When Antrim corner forward Fred McCurry scored Antrim’s goal in the 18th minute of Sunday’s National Hurling League game against Limerick in Thurles, to give the Saffrons a two point lead, there were those among the travelling Antrim fans who dared to dream. However reality soon set in for the small group of Saffron followers and from then until the end it was all one way traffic as the masterful All Ireland champions gave an exhibition, despite only fielding a side which was well short of last September’s All Ireland winning unit.
Antrim’s Fred McCurry punches the air in celebration after scoring his team’s goal in the eighteenth minute of the opening half
The trouble for the opposition in situations like this is that the new kids on the block want to take the opportunity to show John Keily and his selectors just what they are capable of when given the chance and that is exactly what happened.
Antrim took an early two-point lead but Limerick soon overturned it with points with three quick points. Still when Fred McCurry fired in a goal on eighteen minutes things looked ok for the visitors, but the might Limerick machine hit back to score nine of the next 10 points to take complete control of the contest.
With Ó Dálaigh and English ruling the roost in front of goal the men in green piled on the pressure and by half time they were o-16 to 1-7 in front.
Antrim’s Aodhan O’Brien in action again Limerick
Antrim will have been pleased enough to be just six in arrears at the break but a well taken goal from English just after the restart dealt the Antrim men a bad body blow and they began to rattle off the scores
English, Hegarty and Micheál Houlihan then fired over points for the All Ireland as Antrim struggled to keep pace with their class opponents and the Treaty men soon had the gap out to fifteen -1-22 to 1-7.
To their credit the outclassed Antrim men kept battling away, but Limerick were just too strong and pushed on to win by 25 points in the end.
Next week the Saffron host Dublin in Corrigan Park and team manager Darren Gleeson will be hoping that some of his long list of injured players will be available for selection.
Limerick: J Power; F O’Connor, D Morrissey, A Costello; D Byrnes, D Reidy (0-2, 1f), M Quinlan (0-1); B Murphy, C Coughlan; G Hegarty (0-3), C O’Neill (0-3), C Boylan; D Ó Dálaigh (0-7), S O’Brien (1-5), A English (0-10, 6f). Subs: M Houlihan (0-2) for Boylan (h-t), E Hurley for Byrnes (h-t), J Fitzgerald for Murphy (45), G Mulcahy (0-2) for English (51), P O’Donovan (0-1f) for Hegarty (61 blood), E McEvoy for O’Connor (63).
Antrim: T Smyth; P Duffin, R McCloskey, P Burke; S Walsh (0-1), R McGarry, C Boyd; S Rooney, N O’Connor (0-2); R McMullen (0-1f), A O’Brien, C McCann; C Cunning (0-4f), A Bradley (0-1), F McCurry (1-0). Subs: E Trainor for Rooney (48), C McGarry for McCann (52), J McLaughlin for Bradley (52), R McAteer for O’Brien (64), N McGarrel for McMullen (68 mins).
Antrim hurlers advanced to the quarter-final of the Conor McGurk Cup after defeating Tyrone 3-23-4-12 in their first competitive outing of the season at Garvaghy Centre of Excellence on Tuesday evening.
The Saffrons went with a mix of youth and experience against the Red Hands and eased into a five-point lead within the first eight minutes.
Niall McKenna popped over the opener and Coby Cunning doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. A converted Gerard Walsh free from distance extended their advantage with Niall McGarrell and Aodhan McGarry landing further points in a dominant opening period for the visitors.
Tyrone’s Michael Little fires in a goal during the McGurk Cup game at Garvaghy
Tyrone were off the mark through a fine Aidan Kelly score, though approaching the midway point in the half a Conal Bohill point restored his sides five-point margin.
A quickfire double would half the deficit with Mikey Little converting a free and James McCann following up with a point from playing after swooping into claim the loose ball.
Aodhan McGarry doubled his account in response, but Tyrone had their best period of the half and would restore parity with four scores on the spin.
Little doubled his account from the placed ball, McCann then doubled his personal tally with a sensational score from play.
The hosts almost had the game’s opening goal- though Turlough Mullin saw his low effort repelled by Tiernan Smyth in the Antrim goal.
They would instead make do with a further point after Mark McClean collected a pass from the side-line ball and swung over before Ben Gormley had time and space to drop over and make it 0-07 apiece.
Smyth made another smart near post stop to deny Ruairi Devlin a further goal opportunity before Antrim regained the lead through a point from McGarrell and an impressive Eoin McFerran point from range.
Antrim’s Niall McGarel in action during his team’s win over Tyrone in the McGurk Cup at Garvaghy
Aidan Kelly hung up his shot and doubled his account in reply, but Antrim’s McGarrell popped over his third of the half and Coby Cunning landed a free on the stroke of half time to ensure they occupied an 0-11-0-08 lead at the interval.
Antrim came out firing after the break, Conal Bohill doubled his account within the first 60-seconds, half time substitute Sean McKay dropped over and Daire McMullan produced a fine shot that sailed between the posts.
The opening goal would also fall the Saffrons way when Coby Cunning squeezed a low shot past John Devlin at his near post to give his side a 1-14-0-08 lead.
It would be their last for over a quarter of an hour as Tyrone slowly clawed their way back into proceedings.
Ben Gormley dropped over the first response before Rory Weir drew a fine save from half time substitute Cormac McFadden in goals.
Tiernan Morgan dropped over a fantastic point from range before Mickey Little flicked home the elusive goal that the Red Hands had threatened throughout.
Further points from Turlough Mullin and Fionn Devlin saw a nine-point deficit close to just two (1-14-1-12) with over a quarter of an hour remaining.
Antrim needed a score to try to stem the tide and Coby Cunning delivered from range and substitute Eoin McGarry then made an instant impact from the bench with an angled point.
It looked as though the visitors had begun to re-stablish a healthy led when Niall McGarrell conjured up his fourth point of the evening, but Tyrone briefly wiped their advantage out.
On the 58th minute Ben Gormley hung up a shot that dropped in the wind and was half cleared before the ball broke to Turlough Mullin to rifle home and make it 1-17-2-12.
Tyrone’s Lorcan Devlin goes high to win the ball during the McGurk Cup game at Garvaghy. Pic by Bert Trowlen
Antrim’s response was instant though and in the blink of an eye Coby Cunning slammed home at the other end.
By the 62nd minute it appeared as though Antrim were home and hosed after Ryan Mort slipped a pass through to Niall McKenna to round John Devlin and slot in the third of the evening, making it 3-17-2-12.
Six-points in a row would end the Saffrons scoring for the evening. Eoin McFerran doubled his tally for the evening and Niall McKenna added to his tally shortly after.
Criostai McAuley dropped over back-to-back points within moments of his introduction and Conal Bohill did similar in the aftermath.
Tyrone would land two consolation goals in the dying embers. Mickey Little’s side-line ball was dropped into the danger area and Aidan Kelly was waiting to apply the finish.
Less than 60-seconds later and a quickfire second arrived, substitute Anthony Crossan saw his shot crash off the bar and Ben Gormley was on hand to stab home from close range.
It was little more than consolation however as Antrim ran out 3-23-4-12 winners to set up a meeting with University of Ulster Jordanstown in the quarter final on Saturday afternoon.
Antrim’s Ryan Mort gets the ball away despite lying on the ground during Tuesday evening McGurk Cup game at Garvghy. Pic by Bert Trowlen
Tyrone: J Devlin, D Rafferty, O McKee, E Winters, M McClean (0-01), F Devlin (0-01), T Morgan (0-01), B Gormley (1-02), J McCann (0-02), M Little (1-02, 0-02f), R Devlin, L Devlin, R Weir, T Mullin (1-01), A Kelly (1-02). Subs: R Maguire for L Devlin (HT), M McCann for R Weir (48), C Taggart for T Mullin (61), A Crossan for M McClean (68).
Antrim: T Smyth, M McGibbon, G Walsh (0-01f), R McCormick, D McMullan (0-01), C Boyd, D Patterson, C Bohill (0-04), A McGarrigle, E McFerran (0-02), N McKenna (1-02), A McGarry (0-01), R Mort, C Cunning (2-03, 0-01f), N McGarrell (0-04). Subs: C McFadden for T Smyth (HT), S McKay (0-01) for A McGarrigle (HT), T McFerran for D Patterson (48), C McAllister for R McCormick (48), E McGarry (0-01) for C Boyd (57), B O’Connor for R Mort (64), C McAuley (0-02) for N McGarrell (64).
Brendan McTaggart reports from Cusack Park, Mullingar
Job done. Antrim travelled to Mullingar knowing their fate in the Leinster championship was on the line, but they were masters of their own destiny and after a sensational second half, it was job done.
Trailing by two points having played into the wind in the first half, Antrim manager Darren Gleeson looked a frustrated man walking off the Cusack Park pitch at the short whistle. Antrim had controlled much of the first half and held a seven point lead after 20 minutes. The home side kept Antrim to just one point in the time that remained of the first half and scored 1-7 themselves. The Saffrons reduced to 14 men with referee Kevin Jordan giving Ryan Elliott a black card for an infringement in the build up to the Westmeath goal.
James McNaughton fires in Antrim’s third goal
That and numerous decisions in the first half had the vocal Antrim support outraged and Antrim looked all at sea. The game and momentum changed in the opening exchanges of the second half. The Saffrons came out rejuvenated with Gleeson’s words ringing in their ears and put in a performance for the ages to run out 14 point winners and leave a Westmeath team who defeated Wexford just seven days ago, chasing shadows. Two goals in either half with Conal Cunning and Conor Johnston before Eoin O’Neill and James McNaughton late in the game. Cunning finished with 1-9, his last point something that should be shown to every young player with aspirations to play the game. Seaan Elliott and Keelan Molloy covered every inch of the Cusack Park turf, Molloy with an outrageous block late in the game that saw him being picked up by Gerard Walsh and embraced such was his bravery. Mick Bradley put in another top performance and has been Antrim’s Mr Consistency this year while James McNaughton’s second half performance was more like we’ve been used to seeing from the Loughgiel man. A special mention should be reserved for Neil McManus however. If the rumours are to be believed and this was his last match in the Saffron jersey, then what a way to go out. He has been Mr Antrim for years and through thick and thin. A man that owes Antrim hurling nothing and gives everything. A man that should never have been on the pitch given the extent of his injuries but you just knew he was never missing this game. A massive influence, a leader, a legend. He deserved this game and performance to end an illustrious career.
Conal Cunning scores Antrim’s opening major with a brilliantly taken goal
Despite Antrim scoring the opening point of the game through a free from Cunning, Westmeath looked sharp. They held a two point lead with Ciaran Doyle, Davy Glennon and Jack Galvin all finding their range.
The first Antrim goal came in the eighth minute with James McNaughton picking up the loose ball and finding Cunning who finished superbly.
The scores were tied when Antrim struck again in the 13th minute. Bradley with the delivery where Cunning broke the sliotar into the path of Johnston. He pulled first time and the net rippled. Antrim turned the screw and added a further four scores in as many minutes.
Seven clear and with the home side on the ropes, Westmeath scored their first point for 15 minutes and began to find their range.
Four points separated the sides when Westmeath scored their only goal of the game. An error in the Antrim defence and O’Brien capitalised. He passed to Owen McCabe who was through one on one with Ryan Elliott. The Dunloy man brought McCabe down but the Westmeath forward managed to get his shot away to score the goal. It was a double blow however with referee Jordan giving Elliott a black card.
While Antrim struggled, Westmeath reaped in the mayhem. Another four unanswered scores gave them a 1-12 to 2-7 lead at the short whistle.
Half time came at the right time for the Saffrons. Gerard Walsh was deputising between the sticks and they reorganised their defence. They needed a change on mindset in the second half and they came out a different team.
Conor Johnston punches the air after scoring Antrim’s second goal
Inside the opening 60 seconds they were back on terms on the scoreboard and by the third minute of the half they were back ahead. They were turning the screw on the Westmeath defence and forcing turnovers while defensively they held the home side to just four points in 31 minutes of hurling. Between times, they were running riot. McNaughton, McManus, Cunning, Seaan Elliott all finding scores to put Antrim eight points clear with five minutes of the 70 remaining.
The third and fourth Antrim goals came inside two minutes at the death, the first of those from substitute Eoin O’Neill all but sealed the win. Burke finding Molloy who found O’Neill in space. He rounded his man with a side step and bore down on goal, making no mistake when one on one with Noel Conaty. The fourth goal came from an interception by Seaan Elliott and he passed to McNaughton. The Loughgiel man took his tally to 1-3 and his goal a reward for an excellent second half performance.
On what could be his last day wearing the Antrim jersey Neill McManus gets a special welcome from his daughter Aoibhin at the end of the game.
The final whistle blew and the Antrim celebrations started. Mixed with a hint of relief but nevertheless, this performance felt like a defining moment for this side. It was as good as I personally can remember Antrim playing and to do it under the circumstances they were faced makes it all more sweet. The Leinster Championship will see the Saffrons in 2024 while Westmeath will play in the McDonagh Cup after Wexford pulled off a shock result in Kilkenny.
Seaan Elliott who had a great game for Antrim in their win over Westmeath
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Niall O’Connor; Gerard Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Conal Bohill; James McNaughton, Michael Bradley; Keelan Molloy, Niall McKenna, Conor Johnston; Conal Cunning, Neil McManus, Seaan Elliott
Subs: Daniel McKernan for C Bohill (11); E O’Neill for C Johnston (61); Rian McMullan for N McManus (70); Joe Maskey for N McKenna (70+2); Domhnall Nugent for C Cunning (70+3)
Scorers: C Cunning 1-9 (7fs); J McNaughton 1-3; C Johnston 1-1; E O’Neill 1-1; N McKenna 0-3; S Elliott 0-2; N McManus 0-2; N O’Connor 0-2; K Molloy 0-1
Westmeath: Noel Conaty; Darragh Egerton, Conor Shaw, Johnny Bermingham; Tommy Doyle, Aaron Craig, Robbie Greville; Jack Galvin, Charlie McCormack; Davy Glennon, Eoin Keyes, Niall O’Brien; Owen McCabe, Joseph Boyle, Ciaran Doyle
Subs: Niall Mitchell for C McCormack (41); Peter Clarke for A Craig (48); Derek McNicholas for C Doyle (59)
Scorers: C Doyle 0-7 (4fs 2 ‘65s); D Glennon 0-4; N O’Brien 0-3 (1f); O McCabe 1-00; J Boyle 0-2; J Galvin 0-2; J Bermingham 0-1
