October 18, 2026October 24, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Cushendall Edge Dunloy in Thrilling Antrim Minor Hurling Final

Antrim Minor Hurling Final at Slemish Park, Ballymena

Ruairi Og, Cushendall 1-13 Cuchullains Dunloy 0-15

Holders Cushendall (Ruairí Óg) did just enough to edge past Dunloy in the Antrim U18 Minor Hurling A Championship final at Slemish Park, Ballymena. Cushendall held the upper hand for large parts of the game and survived a breathtaking finish to secure back-to-back titles with a final score of 1-13 to 0-15. It may not have been a classic as lots of chances were missed by both sides, but the closeness of the scoring meant it was always exciting and it kept the large crowd as Slemish Park on their toes right to the final whistle.

Dunloy opened the scoring within the first minute thanks to a point from Euan Molloy but Cushendall responded emphatically just over a minute later when full forward Connlaodh McNaughton found the back of the net for the game’s only goal, putting his side 1-00 to 0-01 ahead.

Cushendall extended their lead through points from Jake Laffan and Cahir McCambridge but Dunloy stayed well in contention, driven by the accuracy of McAlonan, who registered three points (one from a free), and additional scores from Euan Molloy and Aaron Doherty. A late first-half free converted by Nicholas McLaughlin left Cushendall leading by just a point at the break, 1-04 to 0-06.

Cushendall burst out of the gates in the second half, with Cahir McCambridge and Nicholas McLaughlin pointing early on. Connlaodh McNaughton proved to be a constant threat, registering four points (one from a free) in the second period. McLaughlin added two more points from frees, pushing Cushendall to an eventual tally of 1-13.

Dunloy refused to quietly fade away, mounting a determined comeback. The introduction of substitute Paidi O’Kane lifted the young Cuchullain and Euan Molloy added two more points to his tally, while PJ Molloy and Odhran Boyle also got on the scoresheet. O’Kane hit two quick points in succession around the 24th and 25th minutes to keep the pressure on.

However as the game entered injury time, Cushendall were still a goal clear and looked safe but Dunloy were not done yet, and they reduce the deficit to the absolute minimum, with late frees successfully converted by Jay McAlonan and James McGarry.

In a heart-stopping final act at Dunloy were awarded a chance to tie the game and the tension was palpable. However, the well-struck free went just inches wide of the target, allowing Cushendall to survive the scare and claim their second championship in a row.

Cushendall: Shane Coulter, Sean McAuley, Paddy Morgan, Charlie McAlister, Cormac Burke, Conor McCann, Rian Laverty, Oliver Mooney, Aaron Dylan Mcnaughton, Donncha Laverty, Nicholas McLaughlin, Shane Mc Quillan, Cahir McCambridge, Connlaodh Mcnaughton, and Jake Laffan. During the second half, Calum Magee was brought on as a substitute.

Dunloy: Damian McMahon, Ronan Black, Joseph Doherty, Seamus McMullan, Jack McQuillan, James Mc Garry, Ollie Mc Clements, Aaron Doherty, John Ferguson, Anthony Og Cochrane, Jay McAlonan, Eanna McGuckian, Euan Molloy, PJ Molloy, and Odhran Boyle. Substitutes used during the match included Padai O’Kane and Jamie Mc Mullan.

Referee – Ray Matthews (Rossa)

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October 13, 2026October 13, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire top Group A

Danske Bank Mageean Cup Group A

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 3-9 St Louis Ballymena 0-14

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire secured their position at the summit of Group A in the Danske Bank Mageean Cup with a hard-fought 3-9 to 0-14 victory over St Louis Ballymena at Slaughtneil this Tuesday. Capitalizing on a favorable wind in the first half, the Derry squad delivered an explosive opening performance, surging to a commanding 10-point advantage within the first 21 minutes of play. Their formidable attack was ignited early by a point from Cormac Ó Catháin, which was quickly followed by a spectacular solo goal from Kian Ó Ceallaigh just three minutes into the match. Despite retaliatory points from St Louis’s Joe Casey and Dylan O’Boyle, Gaelcholáiste maintained a relentless pace. Brógan Ó Dubhghail-Ó Cinnéide broke through for their second goal, and Ó Catháin found the back of the net for a third time in the 18th minute, stretching the lead to a daunting 3-4 to 0-3.

Facing a significant deficit, St Louis Ballymena mounted a fierce comeback anchored entirely by the sharpshooting of Joe Casey. Closing out the first half with five consecutive points—three of them from frees—Casey managed to cut the Derry side’s lead in half by the break. The Ballymena defense then tightened their ranks on the restart, completely neutralizing the Gaelcholáiste attack until Dylan Ó hÉireamhóinn finally relieved the pressure with a 38th-minute free. Casey continued his masterclass from dead balls, methodically chipping away at the lead and ultimately accumulating an impressive 12 points, 10 of which were frees. With just four minutes remaining on the clock, Casey set up O’Boyle for a crucial score that narrowed the gap to a tense two points.

Faced with immense late-game pressure, Gaelcholáiste managed to hold their nerve in the dying moments to claim the win. A critical point from Ó Dubhghail-Ó Cinnéide, gathered after the sliotar broke from an Ó hÉireamhóinn 65, gave the Derry team vital breathing room, and Ó hÉireamhóinn officially sealed the game with an injury-time free. Looking ahead, Gaelcholáiste now requires only a draw in next Wednesday’s final group stage clash against St Killian’s Garron Tower to secure a direct path to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the competition continues in Group B this Thursday afternoon as Cross and Passion host the reigning champions, St Patrick’s Maghera, in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s final.

Gaelcholáiste: B Ó Dubhghail-Ó Cinnéide 1-2, C Ó Catháin and K Ó Ceallaigh 1-1 each, D Ó hÉireamhóinn 0-5fs.

St Louis: J Casey 0-12, 10 fs, D O’Boyle 0-2.

Gaelcholáiste: Odhrán Ó Giolláin, Killian Ó Dubhghail-Ó Cinnéide, Conán Ó Giolláin, Ailbhe Mac Conmidhe, Oisín Mag Uiginn, Emmet Mac Íomhaire, Odhrán Ó Cléirigh, Dylan Ó Ceallaigh, Aaron Mag Uiginn, Cormac Ó Catháin, Dylan Ó hÉireamhóinn, Fionn Ó Conaire, Brógan Ó Dubhghail-Ó Cinnéide, Pádaí Mac Ainmhire, Kian Ó Ceallaigh.

Sub: Damhnaic Ó Ceallaigh for P Mac Ainmhire (50).

St Louis : Shane McGilligan, Joe Connolly, Cillian Scullion, Brian Agnew, Oisín O’Brien, Dylan McMullan, Liam McKee, Charlie Dunne, Lorcán Martin, Dylan O’Boyle, Neill Rodgers, Joe McFadden, Joe Casey, Domhnall McKay, Harry Blaney

Subs: Oisín Sisk for B Agnew and Ciarán Corr for L McKee (both ht)Rory Blaney for S McGilligan (34)

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October 12, 2026October 13, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Sarsfield’s are Nipper Quinn Champions

Report and Pics: Liam McAlasdair

Nipper Quinn U12 Final

Sarsfield’s 2-10 St. Johns 0-3

An impressive Sarsfield’s overcame the challenge of St. John’s in this Nipper Quinn U12 Hurling final at Rossa Park. The young ‘Paddies’ had a good start to the game on a lovely Autumn day with the sun shining and a great crowd in attendance,

Sarsfield’s took a three point lead with points from Barra McGuiness and Sean Rice but St John’s came back into the game with two points from frees.

Sarsfields struck with a goal just before half time by Ronan McGuinness and followed with another two points just before the half.

HT Sarsfield’s 1-5 St. John’s 0-2.

St John made a strong start to the second half but just couldn’t turn good possession into scores.

With the game still in the balance and St Johns enjoying a lot of possession, the Stewartstown Road lads struck a telling blow when Ronan McGuinness struck with his second goal and this goal swung the momentum firmly back in favour of the Green & Black and they went on to run out convincing winners.

A point by Tom Rice and a fantastic point by Brody Holden from way out on the right hand side sealed added to the Sarsfield’s tally with Connor Mc Kernan with 2 great points and Críostóir Whyte took a point from over his shoulder wrapping up the game against a very good St.Johns team who never give up but a impressive win for the Paddies on the day 2-10 0-3.

October 11, 2026October 11, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Ruairi’s Edge Shamrocks to Reach the Final

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Semi Final

Cushendall 2-16 Loughgiel 0-20

Sunday 11 October

Brendan McTaggart reports from Ballycastle

Goals in either half from Joseph McLaughlin and the returning Fiontan Bradley built the foundations for the Ruairi’s to overcome Loughgiel and reach the senior hurling final. Two points separated the sides at the end of an hour of high intensity hurling that saw these two giants of the game in Antrim push each other all the way.

Joseph McLaughlin was the top scorer for Cushendall, finishing with a further eight points along with his major while Neil McManus put on a masterclass. When it comes to big matches and big moments, there aren’t many better than the Cushendall and Antrim legend when it comes to stepping up. McManus was immense while Callagh Mooney added to his burgeoning reputation with another all action performance from midfield – especially in the second half.

The second Cushendall goal was the turning point in the contest. Coming at a time when Loughgiel were having their best spell in the match. Fiontan Bradley was barely on the pitch three minutes when he squirmed the sliotar below Cormac McFadden. It gave Cushendall the lead and allowed them to keep the Shamrocks at arms length.

It was an enthralling second half that saw the Shamrocks really come to life. Rian McMullan was putting in an excellent shift with all of his five points coming after the interval but there were too many in the Loughgiel red that played to their potential while Cushendall’s ability to score at crucial times in the match always gave them the edge.

The match took a while to get started, perhaps unsurprising with the underfoot conditions far from perfect. The game was stuck in rucks for long periods as both sides tried to adapt to the heavy, sodden and lumpy surface.

There were just three scores in the opening 11 minutes with Shan McGrath and Roan McGarry (free) splitting the uprights either side of a Joseph McLaughlin free for the Ruairi’s.

The Shamrocks were denied a goal in those opening exchanges with Conor McAlister denying James McNaughton with an outstanding save after McNaughton had produced a brilliant catch among a packed Cushendall defence.

The first goal of the game came with the next attack. Joseph McLaughlin hammering home a rebound from a McManus shot. Cormac McFadden producing an excellent save but ‘Pep’ reacted quickest to the lose sliotar and made no mistake with a thundering, first timed effort.

James McNaughton and Ed McQuillan fired over points before Ben McGarry left his half back berth to split the posts and leave just one between the sides going into the final 10 minutes of the half.

Cushendall responded by hitting four of the next five scores. McManus with two long range efforts and a third from a free while Pep scored the point of the game. Wide on the right and no distance from the end line, he managed to split the posts with next to no angle to work with. A sublime score.

The Shamrocks had a half sniff for a goal after Ruairi McCormick made a strong run into the Cushendall half. The Ruairi’s defence scrambled and when the sliotar broke to Jack McCloskey, it looked like he was destined to find the back of the net. Charlie McAuley got to the sliotar first to clear the initial danger and send the sliotar out for a ’65 which McNaughton duly converted.

The sides went score for score in the time that remained of the half and Cushendall holding onto that four point advantage to leave the half time score 1-11 to 0-10.

Loughgiel got out of the starting blocks quickest after the interval and that four point Cushendall advantage was gone inside seven minutes. James McNaughton (free), Jack McCloskey and a brace from Rian McMullan for a Loughgiel side who had clearly upped their intensity after the restart.

A brace of frees from Pep McLaughlin and McManus were answered with points from James McNaughton and Rian McMullan’s third of the half to leave the sides tied with 11 minutes of the hour remaining.

Cushendall’s second goal came at the perfect time for the Ruairi’s and with his first strike in the championship this year, Fiontan Bradley found the back of the Loughgiel net. Callagh Mooney sending the sliotar his direction where Bradley spun his marker before finding the back of the net. It wasn’t the most clean of strikes by the Cushendall man but there won’t have been many more important.

Loughgiel continued to take their scores with Rian McMullan continuing his rich vein of form. He would split the uprights either side of Joseph McLaughlin’s fourth free of the match to leave two between the sides and a little over five minutes remaining.

The Shamrocks had a sight for a goal when substitute Darragh Patterson got on the end of a pass from Paul Boyle. Conor McAlister once again denying the Shamrocks with another top save.

Cushendall’s response was match defining and winning. Joseph McLaughlin with a brace of points, taking his tally to 1-8 for the match and giving the Ruairi’s a four point lead going into injury time.

Loughgiel looked for the goal that would bring them back into the game but points from Enda Og McGarry and Liam Glackin was the only reward for their efforts.

Cushendall progress to reach their tenth decider in 14 years and a meeting with rivals Dunloy for a fifth time in the last 10.

TEAMS

Cushendall Starting XV: Conor McAlister; Conor McCann, Martin Burke, Fred McCurry; Scott Walsh, Austin Birt, Charlie McAuley; Eoghan Campbell, Callagh Mooney; Thomas McLaughlin, Ed McQuillan, Ryan McCambridge; Fergus McCambridge, Neil McManus, Joseph McLaughlin

Subs: Fiontan Bradley for E Campbell (47); Sean McAfee for R McCambridge (54)

Scorers: J McLaughlin 1-8 (4f); N McManus 0-6 (2f); F Bradley 1-00; E McQuillan 0-2

Loughgiel Starting XV: Cormac McFadden; Rory McCloskey, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Ruairi McCormick, Declan McCloskey, Ben McGarry; Rian McKee, James McNaughton; Rian McMullan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Shan McGrath; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Jack McCloskey

Subs: Christy McGarry for J McCloskey (44); Darragh Patterson for R Fitzgerald (49); Pearce Patterson for R McKee (60+1), Eoin McGarry for R McGarry (60+1)

Scorers: R McMullan 0-5; J McNaughton 0-4 (1f, 1’65); S McGrath 0-2; E Og McGarry 0-1; L Glackin 0-1; R McCormick 0-1; B McGarry 0-1; P Boyle 0-1; J McCloskey 0-1

Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)

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October 11, 2026October 12, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Sarsfields pull away in final stages to land Junior hurling crown

Casement Social Club Antrim JHC Final

Lámh Dhearg 2-12-4-14 Sarsfields

Kevin Herron reports from Davitt Park

SARSFIELDS had too much for Lámh Dhearg and clinched the Casement Social Club Antrim Junior Hurling Championship with a 4-14-2-12 win at Davitt Park on Sunday afternoon.

Kevin Barry McArdle’s strike on the stroke of half time gave the Paddies a 1-10-2-4 lead at the break, and in the final quarter they landed another three majors.

Cormac Mulligan’s 47th minute goal opened up a five-point gap and despite the Lámhs going down to 14-men when Michael Herron was dismissed and pulling the gap back to three, late goals from Fionn Jemfrey and another McArdle goal saw the Stewartstown men lift the trophy and progress to the Ulster series.

Donal McKernan hit the game’s opening score with a converted free, but Lámh Dhearh had the first goal in the 3rd minute.

Gerard Smyth did well to hold the ball up and lay it back to Adam Murray to rifle a powerful shot past David Ward and make it 1-0-0-1.

In response Daniel Smyth dropped a shot over from range and Enda McCartan then drew the sides level after cutting out a sideline ball and swinging a shot over.

Lámh Dhearg regained the lead after Daniel Murray picked out Gerard Smyth to pop over and a converted Adam Murray free restored the Hannahstown side’s two-point cushion.

The sides were level again as Kevin Barry McArdle swung over a point and Kevin McKernan landed his first placed ball of the afternoon, a third score on the spin gave the Paddies a slender advantage with Fionn Jemfrey scoring his first.

Just before the quarter hour mark the Lámhs had their second goal of the half. Jack Trainor seized the silother after it had gone loose and he laid the ball off to Adam Murray to thunder a shot in off the crossbar and make it 2-2-0-6.

Jemfrey pointed almost instantly, though Adam Murray landed a point from play after a successful one-two with Aidan McGuigan.

After a six-minute scoreless period Kevin McKernan shot over his second free, and cousin Donal sent a sideline cut over to level at 2-3-0-9.

The Lámhs edged back ahead briefly through a fine Conor McConville score, though Donal McKernan dropped over a fine long range point.

It looked as though the sides would head in level at the interval but in the 30th minute Sarsfields found the decisive score of the half.

Kevin McKernan’s angled shot clipped the large post and Kevin Barry McArdle reacted quickest and swept the loose ball home to give his side a 1-10-2-4 lead at the break.

Lámh Dhearg started the second period brightly and were back on terms with three points on the spin.

Adam Murray converted his second free of the game, Aidan McGuigan dropped over a point from range after Paddy Mervyn’s lay-off and Micko Herron laid off to half time substitute Mark Finnegan to land the leveller.

Sarsfields were ahead again through a Cormac Mulligan point, but Adam Murray converted a free to level again with a quarter of an hour remaining.

A third Fionn Jemfrey point had the Paddies in front through the narrowest of margins and their advantage was doubled through Kevin McKernan’s third placed ball.

The Stewartstown side surged clear in the 47th minute when Fionn Jemfrey found Cormac Mulligan and he batted the ball to the bottom corner to make it 2-13-2-8.

Lámh Dhearg would see out the game a man light when referee Shane McDonnell showed Michael Herron a red card and Sarsfields made use of their numerical advantage when Donal McKernan landed a free from the range.

The 14-men did claw the game back to three-points with Adam Murray adding another three to his personal tally, two came from play and the last of which a free had the game back in the balance at 2-14-2-11.

10-minutes after Cormac Mulligan’s goal gave the Paddies breathing space, they found the net for the third time, Daniel Smyth fed Fionn Jemfrey in space and he lashed home to make it 3-14-2-11.

Three minutes later and it was game, set and match when Kevin Barry McArdle found his second goal of the contest, Enda McCartan’s shot dropped underneath the bar and McArdle had the simplest of tasks in popping home from close range.

Adam Murray would land the games final score deep into injury time, but it was scant consolation as Sarsfields ran out 4-14-2-12 winners at the final whistle and will represent Antrim in the Ulster Junior Club championship in three weeks time and a clash with Cootehill Celtic of Cavan.

LÁMH DHEARG: PJ Herron, SP Gibson, A McGuigan (0-1), C Fegan Lappin, F Mervyn, P Mervyn, D Murray, C Boyd, N McGarry, C McConville jnr (0-1), A Murray (2-8, 0-5f), J Trainor, G Smyth (0-1), M Herron, D Martin. SUBS: M Finnegan (0-1) for J Trainor, R Diamond for C McConville jnr (41), D Mulholland for G Smyth (54), O Waldron for D Martin (54), C Camlin for M Finnegan (60+5).

SARSFIELDS: D Ward, N McGivern, D Johnston, M McCavanagh, J Ward, C McKernan, Donal McKernan (0-4, 0-2f, 0-1s), E McCartan (0-1), N O Mullane, D Smyth (0-1), K McKernan (0-3f), C Mulligan (1-1), F Jemfrey (1-3), N McAlea, KB McArdle (2-1). SUBS: J Maguire for M McCavanagh (HT), G Lennon for N O Mullane (35), O Coleman for KB McArdle (60+2).

REFEREE: Shane McDonnell (OISINS, GLENARIFFE)