SUNDAY morning will see Lámh Dhearg come together for a great cause with the Corn Daryl and Sciath Ryan hurling games.
In memory of deceased members Daryl Fegan and Ryan Straney, senior hurler Odrán Waldron and his team-mates came together to organise an event that will pay tribute to Daryl and Ryan as well as raise vital funds for two charities- the Kell Bell Repatriation Trust and Prostate Cancer UK.
Corn Daryl and Sciath Ryan event will raise vital funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and Prostate Cancer UK
It promises to be a fantastic event, raising money for two vital sources of support to families. If you need any further information please contact Odrán on 07759 635985 or if you wish to support the event and find out the ethos and further details click on the link below
Leadon Timber Frame Ulster Minor Club HurlingCup Semi Final
Ruairi Og, Cushendall 1-14 Kevin Lynch’s, Dungiven 2-8
Sunday 21 December
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc an Shéamus Mhic an Fhailí, Baile na Scríne
When the clock ticked into the second minute of injury time and Fiontan Bradley knocked over his sixth free of this contest, all thoughts were turning to extra time. Cushendall were on the backfoot for the majority of the second half and looked to have weathered the storm coming their way from a gallant Kevin Lynch’s side.
Nicholas McLaughlin had other ideas.
Taking aim, 60 yards from goal. McLaughlin’s effort dipped wickedly and deceived Caomhan Irwin between the sticks for the Dungiven men, dropping into the back of the net. It was a cruel end to the game for the Lynch’s who were magnificent in the second half. Were it not for the brilliance of Shane Coulter in goals for the Ruairi’s, the Lynch’s would have been out of sight going down the stretch. The Cushendall ‘keeper put on a masterclass for his side with a series of saves and bravery in the face of a Kevin Lynch barrage to deny the Derry men.
A semi final that was a tale of two keepers. Both were outstanding on the day but it was Cushendall who did enough to progress. Just.
On the shortest day of the year, the top pitch at Páirc an Shéamus Mhic an Fhailí was used. A dull, cold and gloomy day with the threat of heavy weather overhead, the floodlights were to the rescue of the crowd in attendance and it was the Ruairi’s who got out of the blocks quickest. Thomas McLaughlin with the opening score of the game with the very first attack while Connlaodh McNaughton followed that up moments later.
The Dungiven men were taking a while to get to the speed of the game but were back on terms through a free from Cormac Og McCloskey while Ultan McCloskey split the uprights moments later.
With the conditions far from conducive for flowing hurling, the middle third became a war of attrition. Cushendall were edging those exchanges and a run of three unanswered points inside four minutes from Shane McQuillan and Fiontan Bradley (two frees) had the Ruairi’s on the front foot.
The Lynch’s responded with McCloskey’s second free of the contest but another brace of points from brothers Nicholas and Thomas McLaughlin put four between the sides with 10 minutes of the half remaining. Thomas McLaughlin point a highlight of the opening half, selling a delightful dummy before firing over from distance.
Lynch’s were thrown a lifeline when they scored the opening goal of the game with the next attack. Kevin Barry Mullan with the initial chance but Coulter was equal to his effort. With the Cushendall defence failing to deal with the danger, Cormac Og McCloskey pounced and pulled to the back of the net.
With the contest starting to get tetchy, referee Barry Winters did well to maintain control. Tackles were flying in as both lived on the edge looking to gain the momentum and the Ruairi’s responded to that Lynch’s goal with a brace of points from Bradley to leave Cushendall three points ahead with a little over three minutes of the half remaining.
Incredibly, neither team were to record another score with Lynch’s going close to a second goal on two occasions. Ryan McGilligan with the first effort but Coulter was equal to his shot while Mullan was also denied by Coulter with the next attack.
Lynch’s and Coulter weren’t finished, it wasn’t a save but more an outstanding take of the sliotar under pressure. Fintan McKillop sending the sliotar into the danger area from distance and despite being under pressure, Coulter took the dropping ball well before clearing on the stroke of half time.
Cushendall needed half time. A chance to reorganise and break the momentum Kevin Lynch’s were building. The Dungiven side didn’t convert that pressure into points on the board though and when they spurned another two goal chances in the opening exchanges of the second half, it looked like the writing was on the wall for them. Pádraig O’Kane, Peader Pio Peoples and Pádraig Haran all going close in a scramble that saw heroic defending from the Cushendall defence and brilliant goal keeping from Coulter while Pádraig O’Kane brought the best out of Coulter also in a separate attack.
The north Derry men scored the opening point of the second half through a Cormac Og McCloskey free but Cushendall looked to take an element of control once again with Connlaodh McNaughton and Bradley (free) pointing either side of a superb save from Caomhan Irwin. The Lynch’s netminder denying Connlaodh McNaughton after a strong run from the Cushendall forward.
The Ruairi’s wouldn’t register another score for 10 minutes though as the Lynch’s turned the screw. Seán O’Kane with a superb score from distance that raised the voices of the Dungiven support in attendance while Cormac Og McCloskey took his tally to 1-5 for the match with another free moments later to reduce the Cushendall lead to two points with a quarter of the game remaining.
With the Lynch’s in the ascendancy, the Cushendall defence were being overworked. They conceded the second goal of the game in the 47th minute, Ryan McGilligan with super movement and composed finish to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.
Dungiven’s Ryan McGilligan celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal
That seemed to spur Cushendall back to life as Nicholas McLaughlin and Bradley (free) edged them ahead once again.
The Derry men hit back with McGilligan restoring parity before Cormac Og McCloskey’s first point from open play edged them ahead in the last minute of the hour. It was looking grim for Cushendall with the Lynch’s looking the more likely at that stage but the Ruairi’s finished strongly.
Bradley fired over his sixth free and seventh point overall before Nicholas McLaughlin took centre stage. There’s no doubting he was taking aim for a point, that will matter little to the Ruairi’s at this stage. The sliotar went high and seemed to take an age coming down. Caomhan Irwin, so assured all game, got his angles wrong and the sliotar dropped in behind him. The Lynch’s support, so raucous all game, fell silent. A hammer blow and a gutting way to lose the game but lady luck shone on Cushendall at the death.
They progress to a meeting with Ballybofey side Sean Mac Cumhaill next Sunday after they defeated Ballygalget 0-15 to 2-7 in the opening semi-final.
TEAMS
CUSHENDALL: Shane Coulter; Paddy Morgan, Conor McCann, Brian McNeill; Alex McCambridge, Fintan McKillop, Diarmuid McManus; Aodhán Campbell, Thomas McLaughlin; Nicholas McLaughlin, Callagh Mooney, Shane McQuillan; Cahir McCambridge, Fiontan Bradley, Connlaodh McNaughton
Subs: Dáire Higgins for F McKillop (32); Calum Quinn for B McNeill (36)
Scorers: F Bradley 0-7 (6fs); N McLaughlin 1-2; T McLaughlin 0-2; C McNaughton 0-2; S McQuillan 0-1
KEVIN LYNCH’S: Caomhan Irwin; Declan Kelly, Ultan McCloskey, Padraig McAreavy; Darragh O’Neill, Emmet Og McKeever, Cailean Gallagher; Daithi McCloskey, Seán O’Kane; Pádraig Hargan, Pádraig O’Kane, Kevin Barry Mullan; Peader Pio Peoples, Ryan McGilligan, Cormac Og McCloskey
Subs: Kevin McCaul for PP Peoples (41); Michael McCusker for P Hargan (54)
Scorers: C Og McCloskey 1-5 (4fs); R McGilligan 1-1; U McCloskey 0-1; S O’Kane 0-1
Referee: Barry Winters (Tyrone)
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Two goals by centre-forward Daithí Holleran in the final quarter of Monday’s Leonard Cup final at Creggan brought St Pat’s Maghera back from the brink and set them up for a win over St Louis in a highly entertaining game. The Ballymena school appeared to be on course to take the title when they led by seven points going into the last quarter, but Holleran turned the game on its head with goals in the 47th and 49th minutes, just as St Louis had done in their semi-final win over CPC.
St Louis held the upper hand in the first half and points from Joe Casey, Oisin O’Brien and Joe Connolly gave them a good foundation, but St Pat’s full-forward Ronan O’Loughlin hit back with a goal before adding a point to bring his team level.
St Louis reacted well to the setback and two points from Cody McGarry frees were followed by two from play by Casey who then went on to fire home his team’s goal eight minutes before half time. McGarry tacked on another point from a free and Harry Blaney added one from play to stretch his team’s lead to seven by the time referee Brendan Toland sounded the half time whistle. (1-13 to 1-06)
Although St Pat’s had much more of the play during the third quarter St Louis were able to keep them at bay and that seven point gap was still there with thirteen minutes to play. That is when Hollearan really stamped his authority on the game and after firing home in the 47th minute he added another two minutes later to change the game completely. The Lavey star brought his team level on 53 minutes and though St Louis had time to regain the upper hand they just couldn’t get back in front and St Pat’s held on to claim the silverware.
St Patrick’s: D Holleran 2-2, R O’Loughlin 1-1 (0-1f), J Ward 0-3 (fs), P O’Loughlin 0-2, J Conway 0-1 each
St Louis: J Casey 1-6 (0-1f), C McGarry 0-3 (fs), J Connolly 0-2, O O’Brien, H Blaney and L Martin 0-1 each
St Patrick’s: Shea O’Kane, Harry McCloskey, Danny Bradley, Conan Boyle, James Ward, Ryan Murphy, Harry McGilligan, Aodhán McCloskey, Sionann McCormick, Tony McErlean, Daithí Holleran, Liam McErlean, Patrick O’Loughlin, Rónán O’Loughlin, Joseph Conway.
Subs: Dara Scullin for H McGilligan (39), Ben Bradley for A McCloskey (42).
St Louis : Harry McKay, Fergus Maguire, Dylan McMullan, Harry McQuillan, Joe O’Hara, Oisín O’Brien, Eoghan McCormick, Cody McGarry, Joe Connolly, Harry Blaney, Joe Casey, Niall Duffin, Eoghan Lorcán Bradley, Lorcán Martin, Caden Doherty
Subs: Thomas McGarry for N Duffin (28), N Duffin for T McGarry (ht)
Refereee; B Toland (Lámh Dhearg)
TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
With 26 juvenile teams and over 400 kids across the 4 codes, Davitt’s GAC had to use two sessions to accomodate everyone at their junvenile awards at the Devenish Complex
A big thank you to all the parents/guardians and extended family members who came to celebrate with us in one of the biggest days in the clubs calendar.
Over £2500 was generated on the day and will go towards our juvenile development.
This was an outstanding success and a memorable occasion for players, coaches and families. The event highlighted not only the achievements of our young juveniles throughout the season but showcased the tremendous effort and spirit within the club. It was a proud day for everyone involved and a strong reminder of the importance of community, teamwork, and the continued investment in our young juveniles.
A big thank you to The Devenish complex, Saffron Gael, club volunteers and mentors for making the day a huge success. Roll on 2026
TO SEE MORE OF SEAN TROWLEN’S PICS FROM THIS EVENT CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
TONIGHTS FINAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED BECAUSE OF A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING AND HAS BEEN REFIXED FOR OWENBEG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR 3PM
Danske Bank Mageean Cup Final
Cross & Passion College v St Patrick’s College Maghera
St Pat’s Maghera go into Friday night’s Mageean Cup final against CPC as favourites after having gone through the qualifying campaign unbeaten, but their rivals will feel they are in with good chance themselves having won all but one their games, even though it was against Friday’s rivals.
When the two met in that opening round on October 15th in Portglenone the Maghera boys (who had beaten their Co Derry neighbours Colaiste Feirste four days earlier) laid down a marker when they sprung from the traps to dominate the early stages of the game. They had a goal and a point on the boards in the first minute, the goal coming from Lavey star Rian Collins, who ended the game on 2-04 in a man of the match performance. Finn Cartin got goal number two for the Derry school and Ultan McCloskey got the third as they opened up a 3-06 to 0-03 lead after ten minutes.
Cross & Passion looked dead and buried, especially when Collins got his team’s fourth goal, but the cup holders showed a bit of character and got themselves back into contention when Liam McGarry grabbed a goal and Cadhan Crawford added two more to cut their arrears to seven by half time.
When Oisin McCallin added the first four points of the second half there was just three between the teams but St Pat’s found their touch again and sent over some top class points to give themselves a little bit of breathing space as they pushed the gap out to six. Substitute Paidi O’Kane grabbed a goal to leave just three between them again but Rian Tohill had the last say with a point for Maghera to seal a four point win.
St Pat’s had now secured a semi-final spot where they faced St Killian’s, again under the Portglenone lights. This time they were slow starters and were just three ahead of the Garron Tower boys at the break. However they did the real damage during the third quarter when Rian Collins added some great points and Ultan McCloskey grabbed their second goal and Fionn Cartin their third. They were in total control but St Killian’s came strong in the final quarter and corner forward Connlaodh McNaughton brought them back to within six with two well taken goals. McNaughton had a chance for a third goal but goalkeeper D0nnacha Collins made a good stop and the Maghera boys hit a late point to see them home by seven.
A big win for Cross & Passion over Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in their next round at Quinn Park, Ballymena got their bid to retain their title back on track, the Ballycastle school running up a total of 7-17 with Cadhan Crawford and Oisin McCallin again among the goals. A second from McCallin, two by the youngest player on the pitch Paidi O’Kane, plus one apiece by Emmett McKendry and Ryan McQuaid completer the rout and set up a semi-final meeting with St Mary’s.
That game, again at Quinn Park, Ballymena proved a really tough encounter in which it took extra time to see off the challenge of the Glen Road boys. The sides ended level at the end of normal time, after a great equalising point from man of the match Sean Og McLaren as both teams matched each other score for score down the finishing straight.
When St Mary’s led at half-time in extra time they must have felt they had it won, but Oisin McCallin displayed his scoring power in the second half of extra time to hit four points in a row and seal a semi-final meeting with St Louis.
That semi-final against the Ballymena school was played in very good conditions in Cushendun and when CPC led by 1-09 to 0-01 their place in their final seemed assured, despite the fact they had a strong breeze behind them. However the brilliant Fointan Bradley eventually got his team going and a goal from a penalty and three points from play in the lead-in to half time put a different complexion on things.
When Bradley hit the first three points of the second half St Louis looked favourites to advance but CPC steadied the ship and late Oisin McCallin point got them over the line.
St Pat’s, who have the brilliant Portglenone dual star Odhran Doherty in their ranks, will start as favourites, and considering the level of their performances throughout deservedly so. The have a great all around team with a host of stars throughout the field. However CPC have also stars aplenty, especially in the forward line and if they can get off to a good start then they could well be the first team to put titles back to back since they did it themselves in 2014/2015
