January 29, 2024January 29, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Rathmore shock St Louis in Forresters Cup

Danske Bank Forresters Cup Hurling

Rathmore 4-11 St Louis 0-19

An incredible scoring display by Rathmore midfielder Ronan Taylor saw the Belfast school pull off a shock when they beat St Louis Ballymena in the Forresters Cup at Rathmore on Monday afternoon.

With St Louis centre forward Fiontan Bradley ruling the roost in the opening half things appeared to be going to plan as the Ballymena school went in leading by 0-10 to 0-8 at the break. However Taylor turned in magnificent display in the second half, grabbing four goals and two points to get his team home with four points to spare.

***Fiontan Bradley (11) who had a great game for St Louis***

The early stages of the game were a shoot-out between Bradley and Taylor, Bradley playing some superb hurling as he hit 0-8 of this team’s ten point total, while Taylor got seven of Rathmore’s eight points. Bradley and Eunan Curry got the first two points of the second half to stretch the St Louis lead to four, but Rathmore pulled two points back, and when Taylor grabbed his first goal on 38 minutes the game swung in Rathmore’s favour.

**Rathmore’s Noah Dunlop in action during his team’s Forresters Cup win over St Louis, Ballymena.**

St Louis seemed to have weathered the storm when they hit back with five points in a row, one each from Neil Rodgers and Dara Higgins and three more from Bradley, but the final quarter belonged to Taylor, the St Brigid’s clubman hitting three more goals and a point to swing the advantage back to Rathmore and secure a famous win.

January 29, 2024January 29, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Dunloy Cuchullains Juvenile Awards Presentations

Dunloy Cuchullains held their Juvenile Awards Presntations in the Tullyglass Hotel on Sunday evening where the club’s young teams who were so successful in Hurling, Camogie and Football in 2023, received their team and individaul awards.

Saffron Gael went along to capture the memories.

The Dunloy minor team who won last season’s Minor Hurling Championship, Darragh Cup and the Ulster Club Hurling Championship were honoured at the club’s Juvenile Awards presentations in Tullyglass Hotel.

Dunloy Under 15s who won the Under 15 A Hurling Championship, the Under 15B Football Championship, plus the Feile B Football title are seen here at the club’s Juvenile Awards presentation in Tullyglass Hotel.

Dunloy Under 16A Camogie Championship winners received their medals at the club’s Juvenile Awards Presentations in Tullyglass Hotel.

Dunloy Under 13 team who won the North Antrim Hurling Championship, the Joe McKelvey Tournament at Rossa, the South West Antrim Football Championship, are seen here at the club’s Juvenile Awards Presentation in Tullyglass Hotel.

Dunloy Under 12 Camogie team whor received the Ciara McLaughlin Cup and the Ciara McLaughlin Shield at the club’s Juvenile Awards Presentation in Tullyglass Hotel.

Dunloy Under 11 team who received a host of trophies at the club’s Juvenile Awards Presentations in Tullyglass Hotel. Included are the Na Magha Tournament, the Lavey Tournament, The Naimh Padraig A and B tournaments, The Slaughtneil tournament, The Sean Mellon Trophy and the McGarry Cup

The Dunloy Traditional Group who won the Antrim County Scor were honoured at the club’s Juvenile Awards Presentation night. Included are L-R, Lisa McGuckian, Martin Crawley, Christine Black, Sean Dougan and Shaciara O’Kane.

Club secretary Lisa Johnston, committee member Collette Murphy and treasurer Jane McFerran at the Dunloy Cuchullains Juvenile Awards Presentation

The Dunloy Scor winning group provided the music at the club’s Juvenile Presentation Awards in Tullyglass Hotel.

January 27, 2024January 27, 2024 by thesaffrongael

There and back again: The 2024 NA Executive

Above – New secretary Declan McCarr (left) with new chairman Paddy Gray and treasurer Darrach Ó Maoláiin

On Thursday evening, the North Antrim GAA Extraordinary General Meeting concluded with the transition of positions for Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Whilst change can be positive, it is regrettable to see great Glensmen step down from their respective authoritative positions. The success of North Antrim GAA in the past year would not have been possible had it not been for the dedication and intellect of Martin Magee, Frank McCarry and Chris Campbell. It is beyond a shadow of a doubt that these men have left North Antrim GAA in a comfortable and successful place.

The new Chairman is Paddy Gray, whose experience as the Coaching and Development Officer has garnered respect across our region. Paddy is often seen with a great smile on his face, and his devotion to the game is well known. Declan McGarry of Loughgiel has taken the position of Secretary. We are very lucky to have Declan coming on board with a gifted ability. Declan has stepped up in the past few years as a referee and will no doubt do a fantastic job as Secretary. The Treasurer’s role has been usurped by Darach Ó Maoláin, the former PRO and Secretary for Loughgiel Shamrocks GAC.

The 2023 North Antrim committee at the annual awards dinner in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle in November. Back row, L-R, Frank McCarry, Paddy Gray, Darrach O’Mullan, Jimmy Gaston. Front, L-R, Kevin Parke, Martin Magee (chairman), Chris Campbell. Frank McCarry, Chris Campbell and chairman Martin Magee have all stepped down. However Paddy Gray has stepped in to take over as chairman.

The past year has highlighted that North Antrim is the home of Hurling and Camogie. There have been great strides by North Antrim Clubs to move into Provincial Levels and consequently All-Ireland Competitions. In our cultural pursuits, we’ve seen the hard work of Jimmy Gaston and the NA Cultural Officers being instrumental in promoting Irish Language Classes and participation in Scór. We hope that North Antrim GAA will continue to flourish. We aim to continue our promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture in a positive, inclusive and egalitarian manner. No one should ever feel left out in North Antrim.

Finally, we’d like to thank the outgoing Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer the best of luck and the best of health. We are all very grateful to have had Martin, Frank and Chris leading North Antrim GAA and acting as positive role models. They are a credit to their respective Clubs.

January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Creggan Kickhams Juvenile Awards Evening

Creggan Kickhams held their annual Juvenile Awards evening in the Parish Hall on Thursday evening who trophies were handed out to players from pre-school age up to Under 15 in Hurling, Camogie, Ladies Football and Hurling.

Saffron Gael went along to capture the action. The Creggan club finished the evening by making a financial donation to the Safron Gael, a gesture greatly appreciated by the site.

Nursery and P1 pupils who received their medals at the Creggan Kickhams Juvenile awards evening

P2 and P3 pupils who received their awards at the Creggan Kickhams juvenile awards evening.

Creggan P2 Boys who won the club’s Section A Cup competition.

P4 and P5 football, hurling and camogie players who received their awards

P4 &5 Boys with their trophies at the Creggan Juvenile awards evening

Last year’s P6 and P7 players who received their awards at the Creggan dinner.

Under 14 LGFA team who received their league medals are seen here with team managers Darren and Charlie.

Under 12 LGFA Player of the Year Tanisha McCann (right) with Most Improved player Baithin Mallon at the Creggan Kickhams awards evening

Creggan U16 LGFA team who won the championship with team manager Ciara.

Under 12 Camogie award winners at the Creggan Kickham’s awards. L-R, Anna McLarnon (Team Spirit Award), Player of the Year Erin McCann, Lauren McCartney and Tanisha McCann who were joint winners of the Most Improved awards

Creggan Under 14 Camogie team who won the Under 14B Championship received their awards at the juvenile presentation night.

Under 16 Camogie Player of the Year Shelagh Murray (2nd left) presents the Player of the Year award to Clodagh Wilson whol also included are Team Spirit Award winer Gabrielle Sargent (left) and Most Improved Player Aoibh McEldowney.

Creggan Under 13 Hurlers who were Tain Og Group winners received their awards from senior players (l-R) Jake McAteer, Liam McCann and Sean Duffin.

Senior hurler Jake McAteer presents the Under 15 Hurler of the Year award to Conor McLarnaon and joint Most Improved Players Oisin Dunlop (left) and Joel McClelland

Under 15 Footballer of the Year Oisin Dunloy and Most Improved Player Joel McClelland at the Creggan Juvenile Awards evening.

Joint Under 13 Footballers of the Year Harry Maguire (centre) and Ferus Maguire (right) with Most Improved Player Ronan Maguire (left)

Heading home with her trophy!!!!!!!!

January 25, 2024January 25, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Gaelfast Year 10 Hurling Blitz

St. Louis Ballymena, Cross & Passion Ballycastle and Our Lady & St. Patrick’s Knock took part in an excellent Year 10 Hurling Blitz in Ballymena on Wednesday, sponsored by Gaelfast.

The three sides taking part served up a superb afternoon’s hurling at the excellent St. Louis 4G Pitch under the watchful eyes of Gaelfast’s Gerard McNulty and Dominic McKinnley who refereed the three games and ensured that matters ran smoothly.

**Cross & Passion, Ballycastle who were winners at the Year 10 Blitz**

All Three games were in the balance right until the end with Cross & Passion edging out St. Louis in the opening game before defeating Our Lady & St. Patrick’s Knock in the decider after Knock had defeated St. Louis by two point s in the second game of the round robin tournament

Cross & Passion had excellent performers in Charlie McAuley, Matthew Donnelly and Peter Laverty.

Jack McQuillan, PJ Molloy and Joe Casey caught the eye for St. Louis while Knock had excellent individuals in Colm Kane, Rory Keenan and Louis O‘Reilly on an evening that served up hurling of a high standard and augers well for the future of all three schools and Antrim hurling.