Leadon Timber Frames – Ulster Minor Hurling Cup Final

Loughgiel 3-11 Eire Og, Carrickmore 0-8

Saturday 7 January

Brendan McTagart reports from Dean McGlinchey Park, Ballinascreen

Loughgiel retained the Ulster Minor Cup on Saturday afternoon with a brilliant second half display that saw off the dogged resistance of Carrickmore.  The young Shamrocks held Eire Og scoreless for the entirety of the second period as they made the most of the wind at their back.

Led superbly by captain and man of the match, Ben McGarry, two of the Shamrock’s majors came from the younger of the McGarry brothers, Roan.  One in either half coming after Jack McCloskey’s opening goal and were pivotal in deciding the outcome of this final.

The Tyrone men started with savage intensity from the first whistle, tackling, hooking and blocking everything that moved in a red and white shirt as they tried to make the most of having the wind at their back in the first half, and while Loughgiel struggled with the elements, their two goals late in the half proved essential.

Roan McGarry would top score for the Shamrocks with 2-2 for his hours work while Jack McCloskey was hot on his heels, finishing with 1-4.  The two young Shamrocks with another impressive display that warmed the travelling Loughgiel support on a cold afternoon in south Derry.

The opening score of the contest came in the second minute through Eire Og’s, Aidan Woods.  The talented full forward would finish the game with 0-5 beside his name and was a constant threat for the Tyrone champions.  Roan McGarry opened his and Loughgiel’s account with the next attack but both sides were showing signs of nerves in the opening exchanges.  Conn Sweeney was playing deeper to try and nullify the threat of the Loughgiel inside forward line while Ashdon McGarry was spare in the Loughgiel defence.  Woods (free) and Shea Munroe split the posts for the Carrickmore men before a free from Jack McCloskey kept Loughgiel in touch but it was clear even at that early stage the wind was going to be a major factor in the final.

With Sweeney influential at the heart of the Eire Og defence, they looked to build a lead with Woods (free) and Munroe (two) putting four between the sides with ten minutes of the half remaining.  In truth, it could have been more with the Tyrone men hitting a number of wides during their purple patch.

With the next attack Loughgiel scored the first goal of the final.  A long ball into the heart of the Eire Og defence wasn’t dealt with properly and Codi McGarry collected the loose sliotar.  He found Jack McCloskey in space and he pulled first time to give Kevin Hughes no chance between the sticks.

Eire Og looked to recover and did hit the next point of the game through a Woods free but again a brace of wides either side hurt their challenge.  A fact that was compounded as the game ticked in to first half injury time.  Jack McCloskey’s long free fell short and the Eire Og defence failed to clear the danger.  Roan McGarry pounced on the loose sliotar and punished the Carrickmore men with Loughgiel’s second goal to give them the lead for the first time in the final. 

There was still time for one more attack with Woods splitting the posts for the fifth time in the first time with his fourth free to leave the sides tied on 0-8 to 2-2 at half time.

In a half where Carrickmore had did the majority of the hurling, Loughgiel were fortunate to go in level at half time but they showed their predatory instinct in front of goal to give them a huge advantage in the second half.

With the wind showing no signs of dissipating, Loughgiel started the second half superbly.  A point from Jack McCloskey was preceded by a huge free from Ben McGarry moments later to put Loughgiel two clear.  A ’65 from Loughgiel captain McGarry made it three unanswered as Eire Og were camped in their own half before a touch of brilliance brought about the third Loughgiel goal.

Ben McGarry sending the sliotar to the edge of the square and with the chance looking to have gone, his brother Roan got flicked the sliotar to the back of the net.  A brilliant piece of individual brilliance that all but ended the final as a contest just 11 minutes into the second half.

Further scores from Darragh Patterson and Ronan Fitzgerald before Eire Og’s first attempt at a score came 17 minutes into the second half.  The Shamrocks were well on top but struggled in front of the target with a series of missed chances. 

Roan McGarry, McCloskey (free) and Darragh Patterson put further daylight between the sides as they put further gloss on the score line.

Eire Og went in search for goals to try and revive their flailing chances but Mark Christie was equal to any chances that came his way.

Jack McCloskey scored the last score of the final, a remarkable point considering he had lost his balance as a Carrickmore challenge came late.  A touch of class and a sign of the confidence McCloskey is playing with as he sealed a comfortable victory for the Shamrocks.

TEAMS

Loughgiel: Mark Christie; Ronan McLaughlin, Pearse Patterson, Ashdon McGarry; Tiago McGarry, Ben McGarry, Preston McGarry; Liam Glackin, Charley O’Hagan; Ronan Fitzgerald, Darragh Patterson, Ryan O’Boyle; Jack McCloskey, Codi McGarry, Roan McGarry

Subs: Danny McAuley for R O’Boyle (53); Conan Johnston for C McGarry (53); Ronan Casey for D Patterson (58); Conan McCormick for C O’Hagan (58); Eddie Smyth for P McGarry (58)

Scorers: R McGarry 2-2; J McCloskey 1-4 (2f); D Patterson 0-2; B McGarry 0-2 (1f 1’65); R Fitzgerald 0-1

Eire Og: Kevin Hughes; Cillian Kerr, Cormac McCrystal, Senan Munroe; Darragh McPhillips, Daithi McIlhatton, Michael Coyle; Francey Hurson, Conn Sweeney; Padraig McCrystal, Shea Munroe, Dylan Devlin; Caolan Martin, Aidan Woods, Conor Kerr

Subs: Padraig Gavin for S Munroe (40); Conor McGarvey for D Devlin (53); Darragh Coney for C Martin (53)

Scorers: A Woods 0-5 (4f); S Munroe 0-3

Referee: Alan Nash (Doire Trasna)

Leadon Timber Frames Ulster Minor Club Hurling Cup final:

Loughgiel (Antrim) v Éire Óg Carrickmore (Tyrone)

(Saturday, Ballinascreen, 1pm)

Loughgiel go into Saturday final at Ballinascreen as hot favourites after their runaway win over Derry champion Lavey last weekend. The young Shamrocks were a cut above their opponents and without having to extend themselves were convincing winners in the end. Of course if you took Jack McCloskey’s contribution out of it things would have been a bit tighter, the talented corner forward grabbing 3-5 of this team’s 3-18 total, but in truth the Antrim side were dominant throughout the field. Liam Glackin was the man that made things tick, the strong running midfielder a cut above the rest as he pulled the strings in the middle of the park, his ball winning skills eye-catching.

The other semi-final last Sunday was a much more competitive contest, with Tyrone champions Carrickmore taking extra time to get the better of Down’s Bredagh. The boys in black and amber should probably had things wrapped up in normal time but a late surge by Bredagh saw them snatch a draw. Carrickmore regained the upper hand in the ten minutes each way extra time and were deserving winners in the end as they secured their final place.

It may be a little arrogant to assume that Loughgiel will dominate the decider, and the Tyrone boys will be going all out to prove the doubters wrong, but I think that Liam Glackin, Ben McGarry, Ronan Fitzgerald, Jack McCloskey and the Patterson twins will have too much for their rivlas and should retain the trophy they won when the competition was last played back in 2019.

Loughgiel will be without Codi McGarry who was unlucky to see red last weekend but the rest of the team should be very similar to the one that beat Lavery.

The team that lined out last week was Mark Christie; Ronan McLaughlin, Pearce Patterson, Ashdon McGarry; Tiago McGarry, Ben McGarry, Preston McGarry; Liam Glackin, Charlie O’Hagan; Ronan Fitzgerald, Darragh Patterson, Ryan O’Boyle; Jack McCloskey, Codai McGarry, Roan McGarry Subs: Danny McAuley for D Patterson (52); Conan Johnston for B McGarry (54); Oisin Convery for L Glackin (55)

Former county official Eamon McMahon pays tribute to his old friend and colleague

With his passing earlier this week, the GAA in Belfast, Antrim and beyond has lost one of its great characters. A man of a generation and type who were fundamental in the development of our Association. Known universally, simply as Gilly, to the thousands of people with whom he came in contact as a player, mentor, team manager and administrator. Roles that unbelievably extended across eight decades. That took Gilly throughout Antrim, Ulster and far beyond to many Counties in Ireland and indeed London.

Gilly was a dedicated John Mitchels man. He served his club as a player for many years. If the team was short it was not unknown for Gilly still to lineout, at an age when most would have been drawing their pension. He looked after teams from underage level up and it was normal to see his car overflowing with young lads going to a game. Health and Safety concerns and car capacities were matters overlooked.

As a player, mentor and administrator Gilly made a unique and longstanding contribution to the GAA. He was never afraid of putting in the hard work and never baulked at a challenge, no matter how impossible it may have seemed. His club and County were the beneficiaries of his efforts.

Gilly was never afraid to express his opinions- on and off the field. He was ever prepared to grant referees the benefit of his interpretation of the playing rules. And this would not be done in a quiet, shy or retiring manner. It would be direct and very audible.

And similarly, in the council chambers, be it at Divisional Board or at County Level. Chairmen and Secretaries were fair game. Other delegates would not get things their way. Gilly could hold his own in any debate. His timing could be brilliant. It would appear an issue was done and dusted and the end of the meeting was beckoning. Then Gilly would get to his feet. And away we would go again. Gilly could introduce humour into his comments and could poke fun at himself. Above all his opinions were steeped in his dedication to his club and the Association.

Gilly was a hurling man above all. He was passionate about the game and brought generations of young people to participate in and enjoy our ancient game. As an U16 player with Gael Uladh I remember Gilly on the sideline looking after teams. I would later play against him and referee games in which he played. Both could be interesting. He was a tricky hurler to line and would let you know your mistakes, in his opinion, when you were the referee.

Later during my time as Secretary of the Antrim Hurling Board, I served alongside Gilly for many years. Initially this was in his role in County underage management. Here he worked at times with among others two greats of Antrim hurling in Kevin Donnelly of McQuillans Ballycastle and the late Seanie Burns of St. Johns Belfast. He later progressed to take charge of the County U21 team. In these roles there emerged players who went on to grace Antrim teams in the 80s and 90s and on our All-Ireland squad in 1989. And not only did he seek out players for the County. Gilly enlisted the help of a man who was to succeed him both as a Hurling Board Chairman and more importantly as Senior Team Manager. And as they say the rest is history, for the arrival on the scene of Jim Nelson pay dividends for Antrim Hurling.

Gilly then took over the role of County Senior Hurling Manager and went on become Chairman of the County Hurling Board. Joining Gilly in managing the Senior team was another legend of Antrim Hurling, the late great Neilly Patterson of Loughguille Shamrocks. Here we had another man steeped in the game of hurling. Together Gilly and Neilly made a great partnership. I travelled the length and breadth of Ireland with these men, together with Con Grego of O’Donovan Rossa who was the then Hurling Board Treasurer. At a time when County hurling did not have the profile it deserved and which thankfully it now rightfully enjoys. The All-Ireland ‘B’ Hurling title was won and progress was being made.

As I have said above Gilly was a GAA character. And as such there are a legion of stories about him. I am sure that over these next days many will be recounted. From the County perspective, there are a number which come to mind. Travelling throughout the Country could be adventurous. My colleagues were not known to hang about when driving and we need not have the road systems of today. The Circuit of Ireland rally was often repeated going to Cork, Limerick and Kerry during winter months.

And it was in Kerry that one Sunday morning we lost Neilly and Gilly. They had decided to go and see where Roger Casement had landed on Banna Strand and failed to return. There was concern in the fact that Neilly’s car had a lot of the players’ hurleys in the boot. It transpired that they drove onto Banna Strand and got bogged down in wet sand. A farmer with a tractor had to drag them out.

On another occasion, Gilly was driving the minibus and got lost in a fog. A signpost was found, Gilly climbed up the post and with the light from a cigarette lighter belonging to John Crossey to find the right road.

And here in Antrim Gilly could cause panic with his driving. Going to training one night, he pulled out of a line of traffic to go up the hard shoulder. Unfortunately, it was a British Army checkpoint and there was a machine gun emplacement on the hard shoulder. Players told me later that they were terrified and that the soldier didn’t look too happy either. Gilly talked his way out of it somehow.

And on the pitch Gilly could get into trouble when playing. He was sent off in a game and the referee reported him for breaking a hurley over an opponent. His reply to the disciplinary meeting typical Gilly, “ For God’s, they are not making hurleys the way they used to” It didn’t prevent a suspension.

As well as using his voice on the pitch or at meetings, Gilly was prepared to use his vocal talents in other ways. One afternoon the tape with the National Anthem broke down. There was no need for the bit of panic that arose. The microphone was handed to Gilly and he duly obliged by singing our National Anthem.

Travelling throughout Ireland, Gilly and I had meals in many different places. He did like his food. And it is ironic that the last of the countless occasions upon which we met, took place when he was eating. I met Gilly in an ice-cream parlour next door to Casement Park where, over the years we had spent many hours together. In front oh him, Gilly had a cup of tea and a plate with a large slice of apple cake topped with ice cream. There we discussed hurling, the County and recalled the years gone by. We laughed and I went home.

There is only one way that I can sum up Gilly McIlhatton. He was a GAA man to the core. We did not always agree but that did not intrude on a friendship that lasted over fifty years. The argument could be fierce but that would be no obstacle to you going to his home or he to yours. Gilly was fine human being who lived a long and active life. It is poignant that he left us on the day of his 92^nd birthday. May Gilly now know everlasting peace with his wife, Eileen and may God grant him eternal rest.

Ar dheis Dé do raibh a anam.

Conor McGurk Cup Hurling at QUB

QUB 5-24 Louth 2-9

Hosts QUB qualified for the semi-final of the McGurk Cup when they had too much power for Louth in Tueday evening’s first round game at the Dub Arena.

Queens, with a good sprinkling of Antrim players on show, dominated the opening half and were ahead by 3-15 to 0-6 at the break, the pick of the goals coming from corner forward Sean Hughes.

After the change of ends Louth showed much better and they grabbed two goals through substitute Padraig Fallon. However their hosts hit two at the other end and ended up convincing winners as they set a  quarter-final, against Down at the same venue on Saturday.

QUB

Adam Murtagh, Dara Maguire, Niall McFarland, Shane O’Hagan, Caolan McReynolds, Conal Bohill, Oisin O’Hare, Reuban McLean, Jordan Murtagh, Paddy Friel, Daire Murphy, Michael Cormick, Tom McGrattan, Niall Millagan, Darragh Turley, Sean Hughes.

Subs – Michael McCormick

Referee – Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)