Category / Hurling

by thesaffrongael

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Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Antrim v Wexford

Date: Saturday 27 April 2024

Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast – Throw In: 3pm

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to the Saffrons clash with Wexford in the Leinster Championship

Antrim’s Leinster Championship journey see’s them welcome Wexford to Corrigan Park on Sunday after what is certain to have been a soul-searching week for Darren Gleeson’s men.

While Antrim tasted defeat against Kilkenny, Wexford will have come away from their opening round match against Dublin with a feeling of loss given how their match ended.  Two goals in injury time at the end of the 70 minutes from Danny Sutcliffe and Cian O’Sullivan gave the Dubs a share of the spoils.  With Lee Chin looking at his ridiculous best and ably assisted by Rory O’Connor with the likes of Conor McDonald coming off the bench in that game, this is sure to be another huge task for the Saffrons.

Gerard Walsh makes a return from injury and lines out at right half back

When these sides last met at Corrigan Park, it was one of the great games of the modern day that had everything.  It finished in a draw with Keelan Molloy sending over an equalizing score in the depths of injury time to send the limited numbers in Corrigan Park into a frenzy and the teams with a share of the league points.  It was a helter-skelter game of hurling and one you daren’t take your eyes off.  Red cards, side line ‘discussions’, huge scores and brilliant turnovers.  It was a game that Antrim rallied in the second half having trailed by five at half time but looked to have lost their momentum with the second half water break (thank God they’re no longer in the game).

It was a match that no one really wanted to finish but a match that no one deserved to lose.  For all of Antrim’s brilliance in that second half, Wexford were equally as good in the first.

When the sides met in the Leinster Championship last year in Wexford Park, the home side took the honors with four points separating the sides (1-30 to 1-26).  It was another game where Antrim started poorly and trailed by nine at half time (1-19 to 1-10) but a super second half saw them reel the yellow bellies in and the home side had to rely on late scores from Rory O’Connor and Richie Lawler at the death to fend off the Saffrons charge.

Niall O’Connor moves from midfield to corner back

From the 15 that started that league game three years ago, Antrim will have seven changes for the weekend and three from the Kilkenny match.  Gerard Walsh and Conor Boyd come into the half back line with Keelan Molloy starting on the three-quarter line the changes from the last Sunday – Michael Bradley, Scott Walsh and Phelim Duffin taking their place on the list of substitutions named.

Having looked back and had some more time to digest the Kilkenny game, the home side’s execution of their own game plan was phenomenal whereas Antrim’s fell well short of what Gleeson and his backroom team would demand of them. 

Both teams set up similarly and went about their business likewise but where Kilkenny were excellent at finding the runners or man in space, too often Antrim’s delivery of ball into the final third was short or fumbled.  While you have to tip your hat to Kilkenny and Derek Lyng for how they went about their business, it just wasn’t good enough from an Antrim perspective.  It’s a game of risk and reward.  We’ve seen them get plenty of reward in recent times and when it comes off, it’s brilliant.  Last Sunday was the polar opposite.

Niall McKenna moves to full forward for the Wexford clash

There weren’t many who made the journey up the road again last Sunday with a plus mark beside their name.  James McNaughton, Eoghan Campbell and Nigel Elliott showed glimpses of quality but the manner of the second half capitulation was hugely worrying.

While Kilkenny were relentless, too many of those in a Saffron jersey were found wanting.  It was a chastening defeat and one that Gleeson will be looking for a reaction from.  It’s one that we all want to see a reaction from.   

Conal Cunning moves to corner forward for the clash with Wexford

Antrim Team vs Wexford: Ryan Elliott; Niall O’Connor, Ryan McGarry, Paddy Burke; Gerard Walsh, Conor Boyd, Conal Bohill; Eoghan Campbell, Seaan Elliott; Nigel Elliott, Keelan Molloy, James McNaughton; Conal Cunning, Niall McKenna, Conor McCann

Wexford team vs Dublin:

Mark Fanning; Shane Reck, Niall Murphy, Matthew O’Hanlon; Simon Donohoe, Damien Reck, Conor Foley; Conor Hearne, Liam Og McGovern; Cathal Dunbar, Kevin Foley, Rory O’Connor; Richie Lawlor, Lee Chin, Seamus Casey

Scorers: Lee Chin 1-12 (1-00 pen, 9f’s); Rory O’Connor 0-4; Mark Fanning 0-1; Conor Hearne 0-1; Cathal Dunbar 0-1; Conor McDonald 0-1; Cian Byrne 0-1

Keelan Molloy makes a welcome return against Wexford on Saturday
by thesaffrongael

McKeever Sports QUB Future Stars Award

THE fourth McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars hurling team was announced on Tuesday evening at a gala dinner in the Whitla Hall and is dominated by Antrim under-age players.

St Louis Ballymena, defeated in the Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup final by St Patrick’s Maghera, have two players included in the selection – Loughgiel’s Eddie Smyth and Cushendall’s Fionntán Bradley.

There is a second Ruairí Óg player in the team, Conor McCann from St Killian’s Garron Tower, and a second Loughgiel player, Ashdon McGarry, who helped Cross & Passion Ballycastle win the Foresters’ Shield.

CPC have two others on the team, Caodhán Crawford and Oisin McCallin, and all three played in the Mageean Cup final at the start of January. Their inclusion means that Cross and Passion have had at least three players on each of the four Future Stars hurling teams announced to date.

At the other end of the spectrum are five schools gaining their first awards, including three Belfast schools and St Benedict’s Randalstown.

Dylan McLarnon helped St Benedict’s win a first ever Danske Bank Noone Cup at the start of March while Caolán McFerron (La Salle), Caolán Wilson (St Mary’s CBGS) and Rónán Taylor (Rathmore Grammar) have all featured prominently for their schools last term.

Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup champions St Patrick’s Maghera not surprisingly have three players included in the team. Full-back Niall McNicholl, team captain Pádraig O’Kane and top-scorer Ruairí Biggs all made the cut in trials held over the Easter break at the Dub.

Padraic McKeever managing director of McKeever Sports who sponsored the awards said:

“We are delighted to be involved with the Queen’s Future Stars programme and are always proud to be involved in showcasing the talent, pride, and passion of the students around the country.

“We are committed to continuously finding new ways of improving the performance of our products, and in turn the athletes who wear them. Our goal is to bring freshness, innovation, and excellent service to each of our customers.

“We look forward to the success of all the Queens Future Stars athletes in 2023 and beyond.”

Ruairí Taylor, Performance Sport Development Officer with Queen’s, congratulated the hurlers who had made it through to the Future Stars final team.

“We at Queen’s are delighted to continue to support and celebrate the work carried out within Ulster Schools for the promotion of all codes of gaelic games. 

“The level of skill and commitment shown by all those who took part in the trials is a tribute to the work being done right across the province and the final 15 have really earned their jersey.”

“There were outstanding candidates all over the field, especially in the final trial and there was plenty of evidence on show that Ulster Schools’ hurling is in a very strong place in 2024.”

McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars:

 (HURLING)

1 Sean Og McLaren (De La Salle Belfast)

2 Ashdon McGarry (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)

3 Niall McNicholl (St Patrick’s Maghera)

4 Eddie Smyth (St Louis Ballymena)

5 Conor McCann (St Killian’s Garron Tower)

6 Pádraig O’Kane (St Patrick’s Maghera)

7 Dylan McLarnon (St Benedict’s Randalstown)

8 Rónán Taylor (Rathmore Grammar)

9 Caolán Wilson (St Mary’s CBGS Belfast)

10 Fionn Bradley (St Louis Ballymena)

11 Caodhan Crawford (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)

12 Patrick McDaid (St Colm’s Draperstown)

13 Oisin McCallin (Cross & Passion Ballycastle)

14 Ruairí Biggs (St Patrick’s Maghera)

15 Paul McNicholl (St Colm’s Draperstown)

McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars 2024

TWO Antrim players, Leah Stewart and Maeve Devlin “doubled down” when they collected Future Stars awards in both camogie and Ladies football at the awards ceremony.

These awards are made to players in the GCSE age-group and this is the third season of the camogie awards and the second for the LGFA.

Moneyglass forward Leah Stewart is a student in St Mary’s Magherafelt with whom she collected Ulster titles at junior and senior level in camogie before going on to eclipse the All-Ireland junior title.

Her Antrim team-mate in both codes Maeve Devlin is a student in St Dominic’s on the Falls’ Road and she won a senior title in camogie with her school last year as well as picking up Player of the Match in St Dominic’s defeat by Assumption Ballynahinch in the Junior Medallion Shield back in November.

In total there are eight under-age Saffron players featuring in the camogie team including Stewart and Devlin. There are three from Cross & Passion Ballycastle, two from St Killian’s Garron Tower and Cara Boyle from St Louis Ballymena.

The three from Ballycastle are midfielder Eobha McAllister and forwards Marie Laverty and Mary McArthur while Cushendall pair Amy and Maeve McAlister make the cut for St Killian’s. Maeve’s sister Orlaith featured in the very first Queen’s selection two years ago.

Maghera is the top camogie school in the grade for the past three years and that is reflected in the addition of three players to the selection including a third dual star Branagh Brolly.

In the LGFA selection, apart from Maeve Devlin, there are two more St Dominic’s players, Ciara Murray and Niamh McAllister, while Holly McGahey (Coláiste Feirste), Aoibheann Monaghan (Dominican Fortwilliam) and Anna McArdle (Aquinas Grammar) have also made the cut from the schools in the city.

Ulster schools’ camogie chairperson Catherine McGourty feels that the awards scheme raises the profile of ladies’ sport and is a great addition to the schools’ sporting calendar.

“The trials in both codes this year were of a very high standard and it is great to see emerging talent get the recognition they deserve. Some come from schools that are strong in that sport while others are playing at a much lower level in our competitions and making an impression.

“These awards will hopefully give everyone the boost they need to push on into senior schools’ and minor inter-county teams and ultimately have a long and successful career at senior level.”

The McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars in camogie are:

1.      Lily Collins – Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock

2.      Ellie McCabe – Assumption Ballynahinch

3.      Maeve McAlister – St Killian’s Garron Tower

4.      Cara Boyle – St Louis Ballymena

5.      Ellie McCartney – St Conor’s Kilrea/Clady

6.      Mary Therese McCullagh – St Patrick’s Maghera

7.      Brannagh Brolly – St Patrick’s Maghera

8.      Eobha McAllister – Cross & Passion Ballycastle

9.      Maeve Devlin – St Dominic’s Belfast

10.  Amy McAlister – St Killian’s Garron Tower

11.  Marie Laverty – Cross & Passion Ballycastle

12.  Eimear McGeary – St Patrick’s Keady

13.  Leah Stewart – St Mary’s Magherafelt

14.  Mary McArthur – Cross & Passion Ballycastle

15.  Aoibh Mulholland – St Patrick’s Maghera

There are eight Antrim players on the Future Stars LGFA team

2023-24 McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars in Ladies Football are:

1.      Holly McGahey – Coláiste Feirste

2.      Elsie Druse – St Catherine’s Armagh

3.      Maeve Devlin – St Dominic’s Belfast

4.      Aimee Freeman – Inver College Carrickmacross

5.      Ciara Murray – St Dominic’s Belfast

6.      Brannagh Brolly – St Patrick’s Maghera

7.      Dara Rose McElhinney – St Patrick’s Dungiven

8.      Catherine Moohan – St Patrick’s Academy

9.      Erin McGinn – St Ciarán’s Ballygawley

10.  Leah Stewart – St Mary’s Magherafelt

11.  Amy Sheehy – St Patrick’s Academy

12.  Aoibheann Monaghan – Dominican Fortwilliam

13.  Anna McArdle – Aquinas Grammar

14.  Niamh McAllister – St Dominic’s Belfast

15.  Aoibhin Donohue – St Ronan’s Lurgan

by thesaffrongael

Gaelfast Year 10 Cup Hurling All Stars

Gaelfast have just named their Year 10 Cup Hurling All Stars team Congratulations to all those who took part in the competitions, who were nominated for an All-Star and developed their skills and abilities week in, week out. Going by the talent on show, we re going to be seeing plenty of these players coming through our Player Development pathway via Clubs, Schools and Academies.
An invite will be sent to the schools to bring their winners to St Mary’s University College – Belfast to receive their All-Star award on Wednesday 1st May 1pm. (More details to follow)
The pupils are asked to attend in their School uniform or School Pe uniform as we will be taking individual and Team photo to mark the occasion and the winners will bring their jersey home with them.

by thesaffrongael

McKeegan double turns game in Emmet’s favour

O’Neill Sportswear Antrim Hurling League – Division 2

Cushendun Emmet’s 2-16 Cloney Gaels Ahoghill 0-15

Pics and report by Micky Morgan

Two first half goals from Colm McKeegan proved to be the difference in this ACHL Div 2 game when Cloney Gaels were the visitors to Cushendun.

The Ahoghill men had opened up a four point lead in the first ten minutes, but McKeegan got the Emmetts going with his first goal in the twelfth minute. After a great catch on the edge of the square, he beat Martin Graham in the Ahoghill goals only to see his effort rebound off the crossbar. First to react, McKeegan pulled on the ground and managed to squeeze the sloither under Graham to raise the green flag. Cushendun pushed on, and with Connlaoth McNeill punishing Ahoghill from placed balls, they had opened up a four point lead by the time McKeegan got his second major of the day. Following Aidan McSparran’s high ball into a crowded square, McKeegan rose highest to flick the ball to the back of the Ahoghill net. Both teams added two points apeice in the run in to half time which meant Cushendun took a six point lead in at the interval. (2.09 to 0.09)

Cushendun’s Conor McHugh and Cloney Gael’s James O’Connell battle it out

Cushendun opened up the second half with two quickfire points from Connor McHugh, the first probably the best score of the day. As Fionnbar O’Neill broke out of the Ahoghill defence, McHugh managed to rob the ball from his hand, and with his back to goal ‘Smiley’ calmly pointed to extend the hosts’ lead.

Ahoghill searched for the goal that would bring them back into it, but the Cushendun defence, led by the impressive Donal O’Hara, were a match to any threat Aghoghill threw at them. With the visitors having an off day in front if the posts, shooting thirteen wides over the hour, and the ever reliable Connlaoth McNeill winning the battle of the free takers, Cushendun saw out the game for a comfortable eight point win.

Loaf McNeill who scored 08 for the Emmet’s

CUSHENDUN SCORERS

Colm McKeegan 2.02(1 F)

Connlaoth McNeill 0.08 (8 F)

Connor McHugh 0.04

Dominic McQuillian 0.02

Sean McKay 0.01

CLONEY GAELS SCORERS

James O’Connell 0.12 (9F)

Fionnbar O’Neill 0.02

Connor Crossey 0.01

Referee Shane McDonnell, Glenariffe