May 27, 2026May 27, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Dunloy Bounce Back to Defeat The Town

Senior Hurling League

Division One

Ballycastle 0-20 Dunloy 3-24

Wednesday 27 May

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc MacUílín, Ballycastle

A brilliant second half performance from Dunloy was enough for them to take the two league points on offer on Wednesday evening as they ended Ballycastle’s unbeaten run in this years league.

The Cuchullains trailed at the interval with Ballycastle leading by one point, in truth, the Town should have been further ahead. The home side recorded an inordinate number of wides in that opening half that would prove to be costly by the end of the game. Dunloy went through the gears in the second half, however and with goals coming from Ciaran Elliott and Keelan Molloy adding to Nigel Elliott’s first half effort, the last 10 minutes saw them take the game away from Ballycastle.

Oisin McCallin finished top of the scoring charts with six of his eight points coming from placed ball while Tom McFerran raised the white flag four times in the second half and an overall tally of five points. Dunloy’s dominance in the second half was down to their defensive organisation however with their half back line excelling. Ryan McGarry and Eoin McFerran in particular catching the eye.

The home side were excellent in the first half with the movement of their half forward line creating spaces for ball to be delivered into danger areas and while their accuracy let them down more than they would have liked, their ability to punish errors or force errors in the Dunloy defence would have pleased the Ballycastle management. Five of seven points in a seven minute period in the first half came off errors which Diarmuid McShane in particular was happy to oblige. He would finish with four points for the half, five overall as he, Conor Donnelly and Seamus McAuley always looked threatening.

Once Dunloy got on top, the Town couldn’t wrestle back the momentum in the final quarter.

In an even opening 10 or so minutes, both sides went toe to toe. Conor Donnelly, McShane and Reuben McClean (two) finding the target for the home side while Paudie McGilligan, McCallin, Chrissy McMahon and Nicky McKeague had the scoreboard ticking for the Cuchullains.

Further scores from Aaron Crawford and McKeague edged Dunloy ahead but Ballycastle began to get on top and create pressure. A trio of unanswered points from Conor Donnelly, Seamus McAuley and McShane was answered by a Nigel Elliott point but the home side continued to punish errors in the Dunloy defence. Conor Donnelly and Niall McClean showing predatory instincts to make the most of the indecision. A further brace of points from McShane came in response to Tom McFerran’s first of the match to give Ballycastle a three point lead by the 27^th minute.

It was the least their efforts deserved in the first half and when Nigel Elliott found the back of the net for the opening goal of the game, it looked like Dunloy would make the most of the waywardness of the home side.

Ballycastle would add further scores from Neal McAuley and substitute Ronan Laverty while Nigel Elliott responded with the last puck of the half to leave the half time score 0-13 to 1-9 in Ballycastle’s favour.

Further scores from McShane, Cathair Donnelly and Laverty came in response to points from Tom McFerran and McCallin as Ballycastle made a sprightly start to the second half. They wouldn’t score for another 12 minutes however as Dunloy began to take control. A brace of frees from McCallin came before Ciaran Elliott fired in the second goal of the game in the 41^st minute. McCallin providing the assist after leaving his marker for dead and finding Elliott in space. McCallin would add another free soon after to give Dunloy a four point lead by the 44^th minute.

Seamus McAuley and substitute Lorcan Donnelly halved that deficit with a brace of points, Donnelly’s effort coming with his first touch of the game but the Cuchullains hit finished the contest strongly.

They would score 1-10 in the last 10 minutes of the game, the goal coming from substitute Keelan Molloy as Ciaran Elliott turned provider while McCallin, McFerran and substitutes Aodhan McGarry and Molloy adding to the Dunloy tally.

A brilliant end to the game from Dunloy who ended up with 11 different scorers over the hour. They will welcome Portaferry to Pearse Park on Sunday while Rossa will travel to the north coast as Ballycastle will hope to get back to winning ways.

TEAMS

Ballycastle Starting XV: Eamon Elliott; Oran Kearney, Conal Colgan, James Bakewell; Eoin McAlonan, Conor Boyd, Cathair Donnelly; Ardan Kelly, Cormac Donnelly; Reuben McClean, Seamus McAuley, Neal McAuley; Diarmuid McShane, Conor Donnelly, Niall McClean

Subs: Ronan Laverty for Cormac Donnelly (24), Niall McKenna for R McClean (40), Lorcan Donnelly for N McClean (47), Reuben McClean for O Kearney (54), Patrick McAlonan for N McAuley (54)
Scorers: D McShane 0-5; Conor Donnelly 0-4; R McClean 0-2; S McAuley 0-2; R Laverty 0-2; C Boyd 0-1; A Kelly 0-1; N McAuley 0-1; N McClean 0-1; L Donnelly 0-1

Dunloy Starting XV: Ryan Elliott; Sean Og Blaney, Daire McMullan, Oran Quinn; Eamon Smyth, Eoin McAlonan, Ryan McGarry; Paudie McGilligan, Aaron Crawford; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Tom McFerran; Ciaran Elliott, Oisin McCallin, Chrissy McMahon

Subs: Keelan Molloy for P McGilligan (43); Aodhan McGarry for O Quinn (44); Ben O’Kane for E Smyth (50); Francis McMullan for C McMahon (54); Paul Shiels for N McKeague (57)
Scorers: O McCallin 0-8 (6fs); T McFerran 0-5; N Elliott 1-3; K Molloy 1-1; C Elliott 1-00; N McKeague 0-2; P McGilligan 0-1; A Crawford 0-1; C McMahon 0-1; A McGarry 0-1; P Shiels 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

To see more of Brendan’s photos from the game, click on the link below….

https://myalbum.com/album/mL9yqMsb63TfaZ/?invite=db505334-d561-4b6b-9048-01c424f1f16a

May 22, 2026May 23, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Cushendall hold out in the end to take the points in Loughgiel

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Loughgiel 0-16 Cushendall 0-21

PICS BY SEAN TROWLEN

Cushendall secured a hard-fought victory over Loughgiel in their Antrim Hurling League Division 1 encounter at Fr Healy Park, overcoming a slow start to ultimately claim the points. The home side burst out of the blocks, racing into a 0-04 to 0-00 lead with early scores from Declan McCloskey, Eoin McGarry, Ronan Fitzgerald, and Rian McMullan. However, the visitors soon found their rhythm and fought back with points from Callagh Mooney, Oisin Woodhouse, and Thomas McLaughlin. The remainder of the first half was a tightly contested affair. Conor Dickson, Tiernan Coyle, and Paddy Laverty all hit the target for Loughgiel, but Cushendall finished the half stronger. A spread of scores from Stephen Walsh, Conor McCann, Charlie McAuley, Edward McQuillan, and Liam Gillan ensured Cushendall went into the dressing room with a narrow 0-10 to 0-08 lead.

The second half saw both teams enjoy spells of domination, beginning with an even exchange as each side registered two points apiece in the opening minutes. Cushendall then hit a crucial scoring burst to give themselves some much-needed breathing space. Fiontan Bradley knocked over a free in the sixth minute, which was followed by a well-worked score on the twelve-minute mark when Cushendall won the puck-out, allowing Callagh Mooney to deliver a great ball to Thomas McLaughlin who fired over the bar. Darach Bradley quickly added another point a minute later, and Oisin Woodhouse followed suit to stretch Cushendall’s advantage to 0-16 to 0-13.

Refusing to yield, Loughgiel began to eat into the deficit to set up a grandstand finish. Roan McGarry pointed a free in the twentieth minute, though Fiontan Bradley momentarily halted the comeback with a spectacular point after soloing up the right wing. Loughgiel responded brilliantly when Rian ‘Bubbles’ McMullan carved his way through the Cushendall defence to fire over, and substitute Shan McGrath quickly added another good score to keep the pressure on. A Fiontan Bradley free in the twenty-eighth minute put Cushendall three clear once again, but Loughgiel were unlucky not to snatch a dramatic equalizer just a minute later. McMullan found himself in space and unleashed a fierce goal-bound shot, but his effort agonizingly came back off the upright. Having survived that late scare, Cushendall managed to see out the game, and a final pointed free from Fiontan Bradley in the thirty-third minute sealed the hard-earned win for the visitors.

Loughgiel: 1 – John Francis Connolly, 2 – Conor Dickson, 3 – Enda Og McGarry, 4 – Liam Glackin, 5 – Conall McCloskey, 6 – Tiernan Coyle, 7 – Caolan Blair, 8 – Declan McCloskey, 9 – Tiago McGarry, 10 – Rian McMullan, 11 – Shane O’Boyle, 12 – Eoin McGarry, 13 – Roan McGarry, 14 – Daniel McCloskey, 15 – Pearce Patterson.

Cushendall: 1 – Christy McNaughton, 2 – Francis McGarry, 3 – Liam Gillan, 4 – Conor McCann, 5 – Alex McCambridge, 6 – Stephen Walsh, 7 – Austin Birt, 8 – Callagh Mooney, 9 – Charlie McAuley, 10 – Edward McQuillan, 11 – Joseph McNaughton, 12 – Darach Bradley, 13 – Oisin Woodhouse, 14 – Thomas McLaughlin, 15 – Fiontan Bradley.

Referee – Ray Matthews

TO SEE MORE OF SEAN TROWLEN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/JNsKkV4mkXs3yk/?invite=e11fb041-94d7-4e4f-9ef4-44fba7f12917

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Sean Og McLaren sets a new record at the Antrim Poc Fada

Sean Og McLaren retained his Antrim Poc Fada title at Feystown, Glenarm on Saturday morning completing the course in 21 pocs, a new course record. The big st Paul’s man who had a great weekend overalll as he was goalkeeper on the Antrim Under 20 team who beat Carlow in the Leinster Tier 2 final at Ashbourne. At the Poc Fada the former All Ireland Under 16 winner was followed home by Aidan Scullion from the host club while Cadhan Graham of Oisins, Glenariffe finished 3rd.

Graham’s sister Naimh, who plays her Camogie with St John’s Carnlough, won the Senior Ladies event, just edging out Loughgiel’s Caela Casey by a couple of feet in the end after a great battle all the around the course. Loughgiel had first and second place in the Under 16 Boys event with Damian Laverty taking the top spot ahead of his Shamrocks team-mate Lorcan Murtagh with PJ Kelly of the host club coming third

Jane Feetham from Armoy, who plays her Under 16 club Camogie with St Paul’s in Belfast, won the Under 16 Girls event and like the other winners goes through to the Ulster finals back in Glenarm on June 16th.

May 18, 2026May 19, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Darren “Dazzles” for Glenarm at Feystown

Glenarm v Bredagh at Feystown

Photos and report by Pete Hyndman..

Captain Darren Hamill was the Man of the Match with a star performance from free-taking and an all-around hurling prowess; he was always in the right place at the right time. He bagged 2-03 from play, and a further six frees, plus a “65”.

Not to be outdone by his brother, Barry Hamill also had an excellent 60 minutes working in his centre-back berth, clearing any threat from the Belfast team. Barry combined with John Scullion, Declan McDermott, Liam Óg McLoughlin, and young Sean McDermott, who all played major roles in this home win, while goalkeeper Michael Abram made a few excellent saves.

Bredagh tried hard but couldn’t break down the hosts, who dominated most of this league game. The visitors had John Dougan and Ben Christie to thank for all their points.

A light rain shower didn’t spoil the start of this match, as Darren Hamill slotted over an early point from play from 45 yards out. Bredagh returned the favour with a point from John Dougan. A few moments later, Hamill added two more points to his tally with two frees. Darren then hit a purple patch, scoring another point, and after dipping for a low ball, he bounced off a tackle and sent a rasper beyond Sean Hughes in the Bredagh goals!!

John Dougan replied a moment later with a point. Paddy McAuley was making a nuisance of himself in the Glenarm forward line. After claiming a ball, he found his captain on a run, who carved his way through a couple of lazy tackles and drove in his second major score of the fixture. Dougan hit his third point for the away team before Ben Christie also got a white-flag effort.

Aidan Scullion put over a home point, only for a quick response from Christie from a free. Glenarm’s stickwork was impressive to watch, and after a few neat passes, Dylan McLaughlin split the uprights. Then, Paddy “Crow” McAuley won a breaking ball and, from the edge of the square, gave the hosts a commanding lead with a well-taken goal. Conal Ward also took a point for the Feystown outfit.

John Dougan was showing some early promise and pointed his fourth for the visitors. Hamill replied with a dead-ball effort a minute later. The last few minutes before the short whistle belonged to Bredagh, who had Dougan pointing a free and one from play, and Christie slotting over a “65” and another from play to eat into the Glenarm lead.

HALFTIME: Shane Uí Néill 3-08 — Bredagh 0-10

After the break, there was to be no respite for the visitors. Glenarm’s Aidan Scullion dropped in a high ball that totally evaded the Bredagh keeper and nestled nicely in the corner of the net, much to the pleasure of the home support. Dylan McLaughlin was next to jump high to claim a sideline cut, and pulling on the sliotar over his shoulder, he hit a delightful point. Again, the crowd applauded the effort.

Ben Christie replied from distance with a nice point. A few minutes later, after some great fielding from Sean O’Hare, he found Scullion in space, who obliged with a fine score. The home team were now relentless. After a passage of play, Hamill popped up to claim a puck-out before casually hand-passing to McLaughlin, who jinked through the defence and hit the back of the onion bag for Glenarm’s fifth major!!

Bredagh’s two scorers, Christie and Dougan, replied with a point apiece, with the former’s effort coming from a free. A Hamill free and a point from play from Dylan McLaughlin soon cancelled out the visitors’ efforts.

In the third quarter, both teams made changes, with Rory Mulvenna and Liam O’Neill replacing Sean O’Hare and Paddy McAuley, and Ryan McLoughlin coming on for Ben O’Boyle for the hosts. Joe McKeown also replaced Tom Savage for the South Belfast boys.

The last quarter was a bit of a rout for the hosts, in particular their captain, Darren Hamill, who hit a “65”, a free, and two from play, sandwiched around a solitary point from John Dougan for the Bredagh boys. With the match nearly up, Declan McDermott, returning to bolster the home side, found himself charging up the pitch from his defensive duties, scooped up a broken ball, and split the uprights.

In the closing seconds, a loose ball in the crowded home box made its way into the net off a Bredagh stick. Glenarm’s last score came from substitute Ryan McLoughlin, who won a ball and drove it over the black spot to cap off a great home win.

Shane Uí Néill: Michael Abram, Liam Óg McLoughlin, Barry Hamill, John Scullion, Kieran O’Boyle, Declan McDermott (0-01), Michael Fury, Conal Ward (0-01), Aidan Scullion (1-02), Sean McDermott, Dylan McLaughlin (1-03), Ben O’Boyle, Patrick McAuley (1-00), Darren Hamill (2-10, 6f, 1 “65”), Sean O’Hare. Subs used: Rory Mulvenna, Liam O’Neill, Ryan McLoughlin (0-01), Liam Mulvenna, Gerard Burns.

Bredagh: Sean Hughes, Odhran Morgan-Little, Tom Savage, Sean McCollum, Liam Hogan, Patrick McGarry, Sean Doyle, Mel Lavery, Eoin Lovell, John Dougan (0-08, 3f), Ben Christie (0-06, 1f, 1 “65”), Frankie Ferguson, PJ Lavery, Eoin Kennedy, Luke Doran. Subs: Joe McKeown, Finn Hackett, Tiarnan Sheeran, Mark Guest, Jarlath McCollum.

Réiteoir: Paul O’Neill (An Creagán).

TO SEE MORE OF PETE’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/C7esK5VwBthF7C/?invite=4d4a8ddc-4121-4197-a92f-c8ee098305ef

May 18, 2026May 18, 2026 by thesaffrongael

Cushendun get their promotion hopes back on track with win in Ahoghill

Antrim Hurling League Division 2

Cloney Gaels Ahoghill 1-14 – 1-21 Cushendun Emmets

Referee: Sean Elliot

Pics by Micky Morgan

Cushendun Emmets got their ACHL Division 2 promotion hopes firmly back on track with an incredibly resilient second-half display against Cloney Gaels in Ahoghill on Sunday. Despite going down to 14 men early in the second half, the Emmets completely dominated the final thirty minutes, overturning a half-time deficit and restricting the home side to just two points from placed balls after the break.

The game started at a frantic pace, with Cloney taking early control. After Conor McHugh opened the scoring for Cushendun in the first minute, the home side hit five unanswered points in a blistering four-minute spell. Fionbarr O’Neill was accurate from the dead ball, while Ronan Graham and Donal Graham both found their range from play to give Ahoghill a 0-05 to 0-01 lead by the fifth minute.

Calum Kilgore kept Cushendun ticking over with two fine scores, but Ahoghill continued to dictate the early exchanges. Ronan Graham was causing serious problems for the Emmets’ defense, and points from Noah Friel and Donal Graham extended the home side’s advantage to 0-10 to 0-04 by the 12th minute.

Slowly but surely, Cushendun found their feet. Conlaoth Loaf McNeill began to make his presence felt, knocking over consecutive points (one free) to narrow the gap. Then, in the 21st minute, the game’s first major turning point arrived. A long-range effort from Calum Kilgore dropped dangerously onto the edge of the square, where Colm McKeegan caught it cleanly and fired past Aiden Graham in the Ahoghill net.

That goal sparked a major momentum shift. McKeegan and McNeill quickly added points to put Cushendun back in front. However, right on the stroke of half-time, Ahoghill struck a crucial blow. A 21-yard free was saved on the line by the Cushendun defence, but Ronan Graham was the quickest to react, pulling the breaking ball on the ground into the net to restore Ahoghill’s lead going into the dressing rooms: 1-12 to 1-10.

Whatever was said in the Cushendun huddle at half-time clearly worked, as they emerged for the second half with serious intent. They hit four points in the opening six minutes through Conor Bannon, Conor McHugh, Calum Kilgore, and Andrew Breslin to snatch back the lead.

But disaster struck for the Emmets in the 8th minute when goalscorer Colm McKeegan was shown a red card, leaving them to play the remaining 22 minutes with 14 men.

If Ahoghill thought the numerical advantage would swing the game back in their favor, they were sorely mistaken. The Cushendun defense tightened their grip remarkably, completely shutting down the Ahoghill attack from open play. In fact, the home side would only register two more points for the entire half—both coming from Conor Crossey frees in the 20th and 21st minutes.

At the other end, the 14 men of Cushendun played with superb composure and efficiency. Calum Kilgore added three more points to his tally, putting in a massive shift around the middle, while Andrew Breslin and Conlaoth McNeill kept the scoreboard ticking over. Substitutes were used to great effect to keep the legs fresh, and Dominic Sharkey put the icing on the cake with a well-taken point in the 32nd minute to seal a highly impressive 1-21 to 1-14 victory.

This was a massive win for Cushendun, built on a foundation of second-half grit and defensive organization, and it firmly places them back in the promotion conversation.

Teams & Scorers

CUSHENDUN EMMETS: John V Morgan; Calum Kilgore (0-6), Mark McSparran, Paddy Morgan; Andrew Breslin (0-2), Thomas Scally, Matthew McCartin; Pierce McKeegan, Colm McKeegan (1-1); Conor McHugh (0-2), Archie McSparran, John-Joe O’Connell; Conor Bannon (0-2), Conlaoth McNeill (0-7, 0-3 frees), Pierce Bannon (0-1). Subs Used: Fiontan McQuillan for JJ O’Connell, Dominic Sharkey (0-1) for C Bannon, Liam Magee for P Bannon.

ST MARY’S AHOGHILL: Aiden Graham; Patrick Dougan, Fionbarr O’Neill (0-3, 0-2 frees), Bernard Graham; Eoin Graham, Eamon Brady, Conor Crossey (0-2 frees); Ronan Graham (1-4, 0-2 frees), Jack McFall, Donal Graham (0-3); Owen Jr. Neeson (0-1), Daniel O’Neill, Noah Friel (0-1). Subs Used: Ben Friel for J McFall, Michael Martin for N Friel.