Friday 13th March –Report and photos from Michael Corcoran at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan
It was the most anticipated annual event celebrating club campaigns through Ulster from the season of 2025. In a packed ballroom with upwards of five hundred guests, the evening’s MC, Connor Phillips, kept proceedings to a tight schedule either side of an excellent three course meal.
Antrim players were successful in taking to the stage, appearing across the three of the four codes and picking up further accolades for individual awards. Here’s a rundown of the awards picked up by Antrim players and managers on the night.
Ladies managers of the year – Maxi Curran and Charlie O’Kane (Moneyglass)
Camogie manager of the year – Johnny Campbell (Loughgiel)
Dual player – Maeve Mulholland (Brídíní Oga/Con Magees)
Hall of Fame – Gregory O’Kane (Dunloy)
Ladies Footballer of the Year – Maria O’Neill (Moneyglass)
Camogie Player of year – Clare McKillop (Loughgiel)
Ladies Football All Stars – Aine Devlin, Niamh McIntosh, Caitlin Graffin, Sarah O’Neill, Maria O’Neill and Cathy Carey from Moneyglass.
Hurling All Stars – Domhnall Nugent and Oisin McManus from St. John’s
Danske Bank Ulster Schools Hurling – Foresters Cup
Cross & Passion College 4-21 | St Mary’s CBGS 1-12
Cross & Passion College (CPC) produced a stunning comeback and a dominant second-half display to capture the Foresters Cup Ulster Schools hurling title, defeating St Mary’s CBGS on the 4G surface at Allen Park, Antrim today. Inspired by an incredible, four-goal performance from full-forward Paidi O’Kane, the Ballycastle school overturned an early deficit to run out highly comfortable 4-21 to 1-12 winners.
First Half: St Mary’s Start Fast, But O’Kane Ignites CPC
Man of the match Paidi O’Kane, You scored four goals and nine points in this team’s Danske Bank Foresters Cup Final win over St Mary’s at Allen Park, is seen here in action against St Mary’s Ethan Hughes.
St Mary’s burst out of the blocks in the early stages, moving the ball well and quickly establishing a 0-08 to 0-03 lead. Following an opening St Mary’s point, CPC’s Peter Laverty responded, but the Belfast school soon took control. Back-to-back points from Padraig Kelly and Finn Smyth set the tone, and a quickfire trio of scores from Conal Dempsey—including a brilliant point on the run in the 9th minute—put St Mary’s firmly in the driving seat.
However, CPC refused to panic. Cahir McCloskey kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Ballycastle men before the momentum of the game swung dramatically in the 15th minute when Paidi O’Kane broke through for a sensational solo goal.
Padraig Kelly temporarily halted the CPC charge with a free for St Mary’s, but the tide had turned. Patrick Campbell launched a massive long-range point, and Damian Laverty added another beauty from out on the wing. In the 25th minute, a sweeping team move up the field culminated in O’Kane bagging his second solo goal of the afternoon. Points from Charlie McAuley and a pair of frees from the unstoppable O’Kane left CPC leading by 2-08 to 0-10 at the break.
Second Half: The Ballycastle Blitz
St Mary’s Conal Dempsey in action during the Foresters Cup final against CPC
With a fresh breeze at their backs in the second half, there was simply no stopping the Ballycastle school. O’Kane picked up exactly where he left off, coming out to win hard ball and sending it straight over the bar. St Mary’s goalkeeper Daire Gault produced a magnificent save from a ground shot to temporarily deny O’Kane his hat-trick, and Patrick Campbell followed it up with an outstanding point from 60 metres out on the left wing.
St Mary’s showed their fighting spirit in the 37th minute when a great team move ended with Conal Dempsey firing to the net, briefly giving the Belfast side a glimmer of hope.
That hope, however, was immediately extinguished by the standout player of the match. Paidi O’Kane slotted a brilliant point on the run and then immediately followed it up with a superb individual goal to complete his hat-trick. From there, O’Kane went from strength to strength, hitting a flurry of points from both play and placed balls, including a brilliant effort from out on the wing in the 49th minute.
As the half wore on, Ronan Elliott got in on the act with a pair of beautifully crafted points. In the 57th minute, Charlie McAuley launched a long delivery toward the square, and O’Kane expertly finished it to the net for his fourth goal of the game. Late points from Cahir McCloskey and Elliott rounded off the CPC scoring, while Adam McCahey managed a well-taken consolation point from play for St Mary’s right before the final whistle.
CPC midfielder Charlie McAuley sends over a free
Key Scorers & Performers:
CPC: Paidi O’Kane was unplayable, registering a phenomenal 4 goals and numerous points. Patrick Campbell, Cahir McCloskey, and Ronan Elliott also provided excellent scoring support.
St Mary’s: Conal Dempsey was the main threat for the Belfast side, contributing a goal and several impressive points, while Padraig Kelly and Finn Smyth were dangerous in the opening half.
Starting Line-outs (1-15)
Cross & Passion College (CPC)
Ruairi Laverty
Peadar Doherty
Aaron Gillan
Cormac Bailey
Joe Deery
Oran Baudant
Lorcan Murtagh
Charlie McAuley
Peter Laverty
Damian Laverty
Patrick Campbell
Cillian Cunning
Cahir McCloskey
Paidi O’Kane
Ronan Elliott
16. Ciaran Hennessy 17. Cormac Scanlon. 18. Cahir McErlain, 19. Sean McHenry 20. Cormac Burke 21. Ronan McGarry 22. Ollie Joe McAlonan 23. Joe Hunter 24. Martin Maynes 25. Ronan McBride 26. Ben Woodhouse 27. Oisin McCloskey 28. Joseph Kinney 29. Lorcan Kinney 30. Shane Hill 31. Brandon McIlhatton 32. Fionn McCormick 33. Rory McDonnell 34. Aidan McDevitt 35. Aaron Richmond 36. Matthew Donnelly
St Mary’s CBGS
Daire Gault
Jude Burns
Eoin Flynn
Ethan Hughes
Ruairi McIlhatton
Adam McCahey
Daire Rainey
Matthew O’Neill
Ben McCaul
Oisin Kennedy
Conal Dempsey
Jude Gamble
Padraig Kelly
Finn Smyth
Gerard Delaney
Cross & Passion captain Aaron Gillan receives the Foresters Cup from Sean Fleming of Ulster Schools after his team’s win over St Mary’s CBGS at Allen Park, Antrim. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
Scorers Breakdown
Cross & Passion College (4-21)
Paidi O’Kane : 4-09 (including 4 frees)
Patrick Campbell : 0-03
Cahir McCloskey : 0-03
Ronan Elliott : 0-03
Charlie McAuley : 0-01
Peter Laverty : 0-01
Damian Laverty: 0-01
St Mary’s CBGS (1-12)
Conal Dempsey : 1-04
Padraig Kelly : 0-03 (including 1 free)
Finn Smyth : 0-03
Adam McCahey : 0-02
Referee – Owen Elliott
TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THSI GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
The team who won the Antrim Senior Reserve League in 2025 were the stars of the Ballycastle McQuillans dinner on Saturday night in the Marine Hotel and the team did not the side down as they celebrated their success with gusto . County chairman Seamus McMullan was there to hand over the trophy while County Camogie chairperson Una Kelly was there to hand over the individual awards to her own home club members. Club president John Sparrow Harkin was also in attendance, plus local Parish Priest Fr Daly.
Many thanks to club for presenting the Saffron Gael with a sponsorship cheque
Committee member Anthony Mcauley presents the Joe McDonagh Bronze Award for use and promotion of the Irish Language to his wife Patricia who is club’s Cultuaral OfficerCounty chairman Seamus McMullan presents the 2024 Most Improved U16 Hurler award to Luke Connolly.Antrim Camogie chairperson Una Kelly presents the 2024 Under 16 Camogie Player of the Year award to Cara Delaney at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Seamus McMullan presents the Most Improved Minor Hurler award to Tiernan Nagurski at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.County chairman Seamus McMullan presents the 2024 Under 16 Hurler of the Year award to Cadhan Crawford at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Seamus McMullan presents the Most Improved Minor Hurler award to Tiernan Nagurski at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Una Kelly presents the Most Improved Junior Player Award to Orlagh Mooney who accepted it on behalf of Grainne O’Neill who was unable to attendCounty chairman Seamus McMullan Presents the Senior Reserve Hurling League trophy to team captain Reuben McClean at the Ballycastle McQuillans dinner in the Marine Hotel.The Minor Hurler of the Year award was shared between three players in 2025. Receiving their awards from County Board Chairman Seamus McMullan and Camogie Board Chairperson Una Kelly are Darragh Donnelly, Niall McClean and Conor Donnelly.The Ballycastle two who won the Senior Reserve Hurling League in 2025, received their medals at the club’s annual awards night in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle. Included is team manager Barry Kelly.Una Kelly presents the Junior Camogie Player of the Year award to Shannon McQuillanUna Kelly presents the Senior Reserve Camogie Player of the Year award to Fionnuala Toner.Una Kelly presents the Most Improved Senior Camogie Player of the Year award to Eimear McCaughan at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.Una Kelly presents the Senior Camogie Player of the Year award to Elen McIntosh,Senior Reserve team captain Reuben McClean serenades his team after picking up the trophy.Most Improved Senior Hurler of the Year Gavin MacToal is seen here with County Chairman Seamus McMullan.Anthony McAuley presents a sponsorship cheque to the Saffron Gael at the McQuillan’s Ballycastle dinner in the Marine Hotel.Seamus McMullan presents the Senior Hurler of the Year Award to Seamus McAauley at the Ballycastle dinner in the Marine Hotel.Anthony and Patricia McAuley family with their sons Seamus and Oisin at the Ballycastle dinner
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Despite both sides being short a good few regular starters due to senior and Under-20 county commitments, Cushendall and Loughgiel served up a highly competitive and thoroughly enjoyable McAuley Cup pre-season semi-final in Armoy. Cushendall ultimately held off a spirited second-half comeback from Loughgiel to secure a two-point victory, winning 1-17 to 1-15.
Loughgiel was first on the scoreboard just ninety seconds in with a well-taken point from play by Christy McGarry. However, Cushendall responded emphatically moments later when Sean McAfee found the back of the net to give the Ruairi Og men an early lead. The game quickly settled into a shootout. Tiago McGarry pointed for Loughgiel to settle them down, but Cushendall’s Joe McNaughton began to exert his influence, knocking over a point from play and shortly after converting a free. Padraig McKillop and Fergus McCambridge added to Cushendall’s tally, keeping them comfortably in front. Midway through the half, Loughgiel’s Cahal Hargan found his rhythm, scoring from a 65 and converting two frees to keep his side in touch. Teammates Connal McCloskey and Eoin McGarry also registered scores from play. However, Cushendall finished the half strongly. Points from Nicholas McLaughlin and a brace from Oisin Woodhouse ensured they went into the break with a four-point cushion, leading 1-11 to 0-10.
Loughgiel came out firing after the restart. Declan McCloskey pointed from play in the opening minute, followed by another Hargan free, cutting the deficit to two. A pivotal moment came ten minutes into the half when Cushendall introduced the experienced Neill McManus for Ed McQuillan. McManus made an immediate impact, pointing from play less than two minutes after coming on to steady the Cushendall ship. Loughgiel refused to fade as Christy McGarry grabbed his second point of the day. The game was then blown wide open in the 46th minute when Cahal Hargan breached the Cushendall defense for a crucial Loughgiel goal, leveling the momentum.
The final quarter was a tense, tit-for-tat battle. Padraig McKillop notched his second for Cushendall, but Declan McCloskey stepped up massive for Loughgiel, converting a free and then scoring from play to keep the pressure on. In the dying minutes, Cushendall’s discipline and experience shone through. Joe McNaughton punished Loughgiel infractions by slotting two late frees, bringing his personal tally to an impressive haul. Midfielder Darragh Bradley then sealed the deal with a fantastic point from play in the 57th minute, putting Cushendall just out of reach before the final whistle.
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Antrim have named their team for tonight’s Under 20 Hurling final against Down at the Dub Arena, Belfast. Sean Og McLaren starts in goal behind a full-back line of Cathair Donnelly, Liam Glackin and Colla Ward, while the half-back line is made up of Niall Magee, Callum McIlwaine and Conor McCann.
Charlie McAuley and Thomas McLaughlin form the midfield pairing with Liam McEnhill, Orrin O’Connor and Conor Donnelly making up the half forward line. Oisin McCallin is named at full forward with Fiontan Bradley on his left and Ronan ‘Rosie’ Fitzgerald on his right.
The two teams met in the first round of the round-robin series back in January in what was a “game of two halves” dictated by a strong wind. Antrim put in a big shift in the first half against the breeze, and lead by two points at the break.
Oisin McCallin was the star of the show that day, finishing top scorer while Roan McGarry & Jay McAlonan came off the bench to grab late goals that put a gloss on the scoreline for the Saffrons. It has to be said Down had three players in action that day who had lined out for their seniors the previous day in the National Hurling League.
Antrim will no doubt go into tonight’s game as firm favourites after scoring big wins over Tyrone, Donegal and Wicklow in their subsequent games, but their game against Derry at Celtic Park gave a little bit of concern, as they struggled to shake off the Oak Leaf challenge. There was only a point between the two teams that night going into injury time, but four late points gave the Saffrons’ scoreline a better look.
When Down met the Derry men in their round robin game a couple of weeks ago, it was a different story, as the men from the Ards beat Derry comprehensively, and that should act as a warning to the Saffrons just what this Down team is capable of, and they must not take them lightly.
