October 13, 2023October 14, 2023 by thesaffrongael

McKernans to the fore as Sarsfields bridge 43 year gap

A look back at Sarsfields last Intermediate triumph in 2017

Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Patrick Sarsfields 0-16 Carey Faughs 1-7

Kevin McKernan punches air after sending over a Sarsfields point. Pic by John McIlwaine

By Brendan McTaggart

43 years. A long time in any man’s books and more than a lifetime for many of those in attendance at Armoy on Saturday afternoon but by 4:20pm they were made to wait no more. Sarsfields, county champions. 1973 was the last time the Paddies tasted success at the Intermediate level before going on and taking senior honours the following year and on Saturday evening they broke their duck. Six points separated the Paddies and Carey after a tense battle played in horrible conditions in Armoy. To be honest the score line flattered the Faughs as Sarsfields were dominant, in the second half in particular, but a series of wides and missed opportunities meant that the Faughs were always in with a shout.

Just one point separated the sides with 15 minutes to go, largely down to the profligacy of the Sarsfileds attack but the McKernan brothers, Kevin and Daniel stepped up the tempo when it was most needed. The duo had been a thorn in the side of Carey for the majority of the match but they, along with Niall McKenna and Darragh McGuinness were immense in the closing stages as the Paddies turned the screw. Carey fought hard throughout the hour and once again, James ‘Rocket’ Black was a shining light for the men from Ballyvoy. Rocket was played in a number of positions throughout the hour and played a main roll in a lot that was good in the Carey men. James McCouaig was superb in defence while Cathal ‘Doog’ McAuley was always dangerous on the edge of the Paddies square.

The Faugh’s were reduced to 14 men with nine minutes remaining, their excellent full-back Sean McBride getting the line for a second yellow card but the writing was already on the wall at that stage for Carey.

With Donal McKernan unable to start the final with a leg injury, Sarsfields gave a Eoghan Rodgers a place in the starting 15. Rodgers lined out in the corner forward berth but was Rockets shadow throughout the game, anywhere the influential Carey man went, Rodgers wasn’t too far behind.

With the weather worsening at the throw in, it looked like the heavy underfoot conditions would suit the Faughs and in the early exchanges that appeared to be the case as the boys from Ballyvoy got off to the dream start. The match was only 90 seconds old when the Faughs scored the only goal of the game. Sarsfields ‘keeper David Ward failing to clear a ’65 from Black that hung in the wind, McAuley pulling the lose sliotar to the back of the net. The start they would have hoped for and the start that many neutrals would have been keen to see. Despite Carey playing in a league above the Paddies in 2017, Sarsfields started the match as strong favourites. Game on.

Daniel McKernan showed his pedigree when he opened the Paddies account with the next attack of the game but Carey’s dream start almost changed to a fairy-tale for the men from Ballyvoy when they were awarded a penalty in the 4^th minute. Again, it was McAuley who was causing the Sarsfileds defence problems. The Carey full forward collected the sliotar before being bundled to the floor inside the square. Match referee Colum Cunning awarded the Faughs a penalty which McAuley took himself, electing to drive the sliotar over the bar, much to the relief of the Sarsfields faithful, a decision that baffled most of the Faughs followers.

It was a reprieve for Sarsfields, in hindsight maybe going for goal with less pressure and in the circumstances was better option for Carey and the Paddies took full advantage. They scored four unanswered points thanks to efforts from McKenna, Darragh McGuinness and two Kevin McKernan frees to take the lead and while Black replied for the Faugh’s, Sarsfields were well on top, scoring another trio of scores to lead by three in the 22^nd minute and banish any memory of their nightmare start. McKenna, Kevin McKernan and Niall McAlea raising the white flags for their side. McAuley and Kevin McKernan traded frees in the closing stages but the Sarsfields midfielder should have put daylight between the sides in first half injury time. Through on goal, Steven McGinn produced a superb save to deny the Paddies and while McKernan was also first to the rebound, his grounds stroke somehow managed to spin wide with the goal at his mercy.

The Faugh’s made a bright start to the second half with McAuley landing two more frees to take his tally to 1-4 for the match to leave the minimum between the sides and while Sarsfields always looked dangerous in attack, they were struggling to find their range.

The Paddies had goal chances, twice they were denied with referee Cunning calling a square ball on Gary Lennon on both occasions while the Sarsfields full forward brought the best out of McGinn in the 40^th minute but a superb score from McKenna after a strong run was all they had to show for their efforts in the opening exchanges of the second half.

A long range point from half back Jack McBride brought Carey to within touching distance once more but Sarsfields found another gear when it mattered most. Five unanswered points in as many minutes from the 46^th minute put them firmly in control, Kevin McKernan with his fifth and sixth points of the final with Daniel McKernan (twice) and substitute Donal McKernan helping to open a six point gap with ten minutes remaining.

The Carey challenge hit a major road block when full back Sean McBride received his second yellow card soon after and while the Faughs never slackened in their pursuit of glory, Sarsfields proved to be a step too far. McAuley and McKenna exchanging frees in the closing stages to leave six points between the sides at the full time whistle.

It’s another final defeat for the Faughs who have been knocking hard on the door for the last few years, it seems it’s only a matter of time before they make the breakthrough while the Paddies go on to represent Antrim in the Ulster championship and will be hoping that Saturday’s silverware will be added to when their football counterparts take on St Pat’s of Lisburn in the Junior football decider next Saturday.

Sarsfields: David Ward; Peter Corr; James Cunningham; Jack Daniels; Michael Callaghan; Caolan Mervyn; Caillin Caldwell; Kevin McKernan; Darragh McGuinness; Daniel McKernan; Niall McKenna; Niall McAlea; James McKernan; Gary Lennon; Eoghan Rodgers

Subs: Donal McKernan for M Callaghan (35 mins)

Scorers: Kevin McKernan 0-6 (2 frees); Niall McKenna 0-4 (1 free); Danial McKernan 0-3; Darragh McGuinness 0-1; Niall McAlea 0-1; Donal McKernan 0-1

Carey: Steven McGinn; Eoin Hill; Sean McBride; Daniel Hill; Michael McVeigh; James McCouaig; John McBride; Kevin Murphy; James Black; Shea Hunter; Nat Hunter; Martin Hunter; Peadar McVeigh; Cathal McAuley; Sean McLoughlin

Subs: Fiachra McVeigh for K Murphy (HT); Gerard McBride for S McLoughlin (50 mins); Daniel McBride for J McBride (inj)

Scorers: Cathal McAuley 1-5 (0-1 pen, 4 frees); James Black 0-1 (1 free); John McBride 0-1

Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)

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October 12, 2023October 12, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Little to choose between Armoy and the Biddies

Hurling takes centre stage in Antrim this weekend with finals in Junior, Intermediate and Senior with all three grades promising to produce entertaining and competitive deciders and all likely to attract bumper crowds.

The action gets underway on Saturday when close rivals, St. Brigid’s, Cloughmills and Glen Rovers, Armoy meet in the Junior final, hosted by Oisins Glenariff in Waterfoot.

Dunsilly provides the venue for the ANDERSONSTOWN SC Intermediate decider between Kickham’s Creggan and Patrick Sarsfield’s and once again we have all the ingredients for a cracker.

It’s on to Corrigan on Sunday where Loughgiel Shamrock’s, who produced something of a shock in their semi-final win over Dunloy take on a Cushendall side who recorded a resounding win over them in the Group stages.

CASEMENT SC JHC Final

1.00pm Waterfoot

Glen Rovers Armoy v St. Brigid’s Cloughmills

These two will need no introduction as Glen Rovers and St. Brigid’s have served up many tight and entertaining contests in recent years. The sides met in the Junior Feis final earlier in the year with St. Brigid’s winning that one with something to spare.

A master class of point taking by St. Brigid’s Eoin Dobbin inspired the Cloughmills’ club to Feis glory when they overcame the challenge of neighbours, Glen Rovers Armoy in the final in Dunloy.

The talented number 13 finished the game with 0-12 to his name and displayed unerring accuracy on a day when both sides missed a bucket full of scoring opportunities.

Only two of Dobbin’s total came from play but his free taking was right out of the top drawer as he struck at least three from 70 meters or more on a night when little went right for the men from ‘The Glen’.

Armoy did gain a measure of revenge when the sides met in Armoy in the league with the Glen Rovers coming out tops in that one and it will have given them confidence going into Saturday’s final in Glenariff.

From the outset of this year’s Junior Hurling Championship the smart money would have been on these two to make the decider.

Both dropped down from Intermediate where they had competed for some time and both played their hurling in division 2 for quite a number of years and they finished second and third in division 3 this year in the league behind winners Cuchulainn Hurling Club, Armagh.

The Armagh side dropped only three points on their way to the title with Cloughmill’s earning a draw in Armagh city after losing to the same side on the opening day of the league in Cloughmills while Glen Rovers inflicted Cuchulainn’s only defeat in Armoy back on the 2^nd July

Glen Rovers began their JHC campaign with a win away to Davitt’s at Davitt’s Park by 0-20 to 2-11back in August and went on to beat Rasharkin by the narrowest of Margins at Dreen in their second group outing.

The ‘Rovers’ went on to top their group with a win over Lamh Dhearg, 3-12 to 2-12 in Armoy before recording a fairly comfortable semi-final win over Gort na Mona at the same venue.

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills, like Saturday’s opponents, went through the group stages unbeaten and began their campaign with a 1-19 to 0-13 victory over Gort na Mona at Enright Park.

They followed that win with victory over All Saints in Cloughmills with six points separating them from the Ballymena side and finished their group campaign with a facile victory over the namesakes, St. Brigid’s Belfast.

Like Glen Rovers, St. Brigid’s earned a home venue for their semi-final against Lamh Dhearg by virtue of topping their group and ran out convincing 1-20 to 0-9 winners in the end to set up a meeting with Glen Rovers in the decider.

John ‘Rocky’ Dillon missed the semi-final against Gort na Mona with an ankle injury and the Armoy management will be hoping the former county full-back has recovered to take his place in the final.

Late goals from Ciaran McKenna and Eoin Kinney sealed victory and a place in the Casement Social Club JHC final for Glen Rovers when they held off a spirited challenge from Gort na Mona in Armoy.

Conor Devlin will line out in goals for Armoy and has been a reliable custodian for many years while Liam Dillon, Shane and Arthur Devlin, Thomas Burns and Hugh O’Kane will all be hoping to get the nod in the starting defence. PJ McBride accompanied McKenna at mid-field last day out and Turlach McBride was a major contributor from frees with Trevor Linton continuing to put in impressive performances in attack.

St. Brigid’s have their own Mr Reliable in goals in Chris McKiernan while Sean McKendry, Geoffery Og Laverty and Johnny Duffin all impressed in defence against Gort na Mona.

Kevin O’Boyle moved to mid-field for that one from his usual defensive birth while Eoin Dobbin, Mickey Devlin and Liam Kearns gave the ‘Biddies’ plenty of options in attack.

In a tight game this could become the battle of the free takers with Eoin Dobbin in impressive form from the placed ball for the Cloughmills side and Turlach McBride showing similar accuracy for Glen Rovers in their respective semi-finals.

I don’t expect there to be much between these evenly balanced sides come 2.10pm on Saturday and it could be all down to who settles quickest on the day but I’m going to stick my neck out and predict a Cloughmills win but it could go either way.

October 11, 2023October 11, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Cushendall and Loughiel will meet in a final for the tenth time

Antrim Senior Hurling Final preview – Previous final meetings

Sunday’s meeting of Loughgiel and Cushendall will be the tenth time these modern day rivals have met in a final, but their first time to meet in a decider in Corrigan Park. The Shamrocks, who lead the overall roll of honour with 20 titles, have been winning championships for over 100 years, their first coming in 1920, while Cushendall’s breakthrough came 61 years later in 1981.

1985

The first final meeting between the two sides came in 1985 at Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel when the Ruairis collected the second of their 14 titles by beating the Shamrocks by 4-13 to 1-12, the late James McNaughton lifting the cup as captain.

2005

It was another twenty years until the two clashed again in a final, this time at Casement Park when the Ruairis won by the narrowest of margins 2-10 to 0-15 in a thrilling game in 2005. Loughgiel were in a run of final defeats of six in a row, this being the third of them. Sean Delargy and Ryan McNaughton shared the honour of lifting the Volunteer Cup.

2006

2006 was more of the same as the rivalry grew stronger, the Ruairis coming from seven down at half time to win by seven on a scoreline of 2-14 to 2-07. Aidan Delargy enlisted the help current St Enda’s manager Mickey McCambridge to help him hoist the famous silverware aloft on the steps of Casement Park.

2008

Two years later they were back again as the Ruairis made it four final wins in a row over the Shamrocks, at Casement Park. In a game with no goals the ‘Dall had a convincing 0-15 to 0-6 win, John Carson and his son Conor both saw action in a special day. A.D. managing to lift the Volunteer Cup on his own this time

2010

The tide had to turn, and it did two years later, back at Casement when Loughgiel came out on top against their rivals in a final for the first time, winning convincingly by 1-19 to 0-11. Eddie McCloskey got the only goal of the game while the honour of lifting the Volunteer Cup went to a man who had suffered so much during their six final defeats, Johnny Campbell

***Loughgiel captain Johnny Campbell lifts the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Cup after his teams’s 1-9 to 0-11 victory over Cushendall in the 2010 final at Casement Park.***

2011

In 2011 both sides were back again in the decider and once again the Shamrocks came out on top, Liam Watson getting the only goal of the game from a penalty to help his team to a 1-14 to 0-14 win. Johnny Campbell, who had missed a part of the season through injury brought vice-captain DD Quinn up to the podium to collect the cup, where they were joined by Bernie McKinley who had captained the senior Camogs to victory over Portglenone the previous day. DD joined Johnny again later in the campaign in Croke Park when the two of them held the Tommy Moore Cup aloft after their All Ireland final win over Coolderry.

2013

The Shamrocks great run continued when they beat Dunloy in the final in 2012, but Cushendall were back to face the Shamrocks again in 2013 this time in Ballycastle as, Casement Park had closed its gates. In one of their best ever displays in a final the Shamrocks completed a famous 4-in-a-row as they won convincingly by 3-14 to 2-6, Neilly McGarry having the honour of lifting the cup this time.

Antrim Senior Hurling Championship LoughgielÕs celebrate their win over Cushendall in the Antrim final in Ballycastle, a victory which secured the Shamrocks fourth county title on the trot.

Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Loughgiel captain Neilly McGarry holds the Volunteer Cup after his team’s win over Cushendall in the Antrim final in Ballycastle, a victory which secured the Shamrocks fourth county title on the trot.

2016

That was the end of the Loughgiel run as Cushendall took the next two titles, beating St Gall’s in 2014 in Pairc MacUilin, and Ballycastle in 2015 in Dunloy , but when they went through to the final in 2016 Loughgiel against stood in their way as they bid for another 3-in-a-row. Pairc MacUilin in Ballycastle was again the venue and once again Shamrocks came out on top, winning by 1-15 to 1-12. For the third time in his great career DD was called upon to help lift the trophy, as he and Neilly McGarry hoisted the silverware.

2018

2017 saw a young Dunloy team make the breakthrough by beating Cushendall in the final and it looked like they would dominate for many years to come, but it 2018 it was the Ruairis and the Shamrocks who once again shared the stage on the biggest day of the hurling year in the county. Dunloy did of course to go on to dominate, winning five in six years but in the last final that the Cuchullains didn’t figure in it was once again the Dall and Shamrocks. By this stage there were level with four final wins against each other but Cushendall edged back ahead in the personal dual between the two as they won by 2-12 to 0-15. Paddy Burke was the man to lift the Volunteer Cup. On a sad note it was the last time Wee John McKillop helped a Cushendall captain lift the trophy. John was there for all fourteen wins up to now, but if the Ruairis were to triumph on Sunday it will seem strange collecting that special trophy without him.

October 11, 2023October 11, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Guests confirmed for ‘A Night with St. Louis’

St. Louis Grammar School Ballymena is set to host an exciting event ‘A Night with St. Louis,’ featuring an array of special guests from the sporting arena in Tullyglass House Hotel on October 20th. The line up includes Peter Canavan, Paul McFlynn, Paddy Tally, Martin Fogarty, Neil McManus, Lucia McNaughton and Ursula Jacob.

‘A Night with St. Louis’ offers a unique opportunity to engage with notable personalities and celebrate the spirit of togetherness enhanced through sport.

Limited tickets are still available from

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-night-with-st-louis-plus-special-guests-tickets-637223611977?aff=oddtdtcreator

October 11, 2023October 11, 2023 by thesaffrongael

Strong finish sees Cushendall get the better of Sarsfields in high scoring game

Under 19B Hurling Championship semi-final

Cushendall 3-19 Sarsfield 3-12

Pics by Sean Paul McKillop and Dylan McIlwaine

A strong last quarter by Cushendall saw them see off the challenge of Sarsfields in Sunday’s Under 19B Hurling Championship semi-final at Pairc Mhuire Cushendall. Eight points up at half time (2-13 to 1-8) Cushendall appeared to be in full control, but Sarsfields fought back during the third quarter and goals from Enda McCartan and Fionn Jemfrey brought them right back into contention and when substitute Enda McCartin pointed in the 46^th minute the gap was back to just two.

**Fionn Jemfrey who starred for Sarsfields**

However Cushendall responded well and came back with a goal and three points to pull eight clear going into injury time and a late Daniel Smyth point for the visitors was a case of too little, too late.

It was score for score in the early stages with Oisin Coleman and Fionn Jemfrey on target for Sarsfields and Callagh Mooney and Charlie McAuley for Cushendall. Two Joe McNaughton points from frees pushed Cushendall ahead, and though Daniel Smyth pulled one back for Sarsfields corner forward Oisin Woodhouse struck a telling blow for the Ruairi Og when he got the first goal of the game on seven minutes, and when McNaughton added another point they were six clear. Daniel Smyth kept Sarsfields in touch with two points in quick succession, but Niall McGarrel and Joe McNaughton (2) responded to keep a bit of daylight between the teams.

**Callagh Mooney who played well at midfield for the Ruairis**

A point from Jemfrey and a goal from Oisin Coleman help close the gap and when Smyth and Jemfrey added points the side were level with just five minutes of normal time left in the opening half. However Cushendall finished the opening half with a score burst of 1-4, the goal coming Cillian McNaughton in injury time, to lead by 2-13 to 1-8 at the interval.

Those goals from McCartin and Smyth during the third quarter closed things up again but Cushendall again got the upper hand down the home straight and ended up winning by seven to set up a final meeting with St Paul’s