Saturday’s game at Davitt Park between Antrim and All Ireland champions Tipperary was a spectactle with 4 goal and 46 points scored overall. Great skill and determination on show from both sides in a top class game that entertained us all.
However the day was all about Davitt’s. After all the work that Tommy Shaw and his committee have put in over the years to make their dream a reality it would have been a great shame if Storm Ciara would have spoiled the party, but thankfully she followed the female pattern of being suitabley late on her big day. The threat of the storm had no effect on the fans and they turned up in great numbers, sitting on the grass bank as if it were summer. Our visitors were fantastic. The men from Tipp were always courtious and accomodating and the way they stayed out on the pitch aftewards signing autographs and posing for photos was incredible. The All Ireland champions created a lot of good memories in West Belfast. The Antrim players also played a bit part of course and like their Tipperary counterparts they were top class. I left the field with big Seamie Callinan after the Tipperaryman had granted all requests for pics and autographs and on the way down the steps there was Neil McManus still doing the same.
The Davitt’s stewards were on top form all day, helping with every request and always beaming with pride at just how good their new pitch and facilites looked. It was their day and they rightfully proud.
Seamus Callinan with Damien McCallin and his sons who waited to the very end to get a pic taken with the big All Star
These four firemen from Belfast International airport were there to see their work colleague Michael Bradley in action. They claimed they had to do all his work during the week so he would be in shape for the game
Enda O’Sullivan from Nenagh Co Tipperary, the home town of the late Fr Alec Reid whom the cup for yesterday’s game was named after. Enda is the PRO for the Tipperary footballers who were playing Derry on Sunday in the NFL Div 3 but came up a day early to cover the hurlers because of the Fr Reid’s connection
Ruairi Og fan Ciara Campbell stormed into Davitt’s yesterday claiming the storm was named after her. Thankfully the other Ciara held off her visit until the game was over
These hurling fans are a hard lot. There was rumours of a storm approaching but it didn’t phase them as they sat on the grass banks watching the action
James McNaughton breaks through for the second of his two goals
Tommy Shaw threw the ball in so hard that it beat the Tipperary and Antrim midfielders
Tipperary All Star Seamus Callinan was the guest of honour as Dunloy Cuchullains celebrated another season of success at their annual dinner in Tullyglass Hotel on Saturday night. The big Drom & Inch clubman, who had played for his county earlier in the day at the opening of Davitt Park in Belfast, is a terrifc ambassador for his sport. After the game in Belfast he was the last man off the pitch after signing autographs and having photographs taken with fans of all agaes and he was equally accomdation for his hosts in the Tullyglass Hotel. After such a long day most people would have forgiven the 2019 Hurler of the Year for getting off-side after his official duties were over, but he again stayed to the bitter end, with not reguests refused. The big Tipperary man is a real superstar.
Guest of honour Seamus Callinan present Caoimhe Molloy with her Colleges Camogie All Star award at the Dunloy Cuchullains awards night.
Count chairman Ciaran McCavana presents Helen Cairns with her county medal for Recitation at Scor at the Dunloy Cuchullains awards dinner in Tullyglass Hotel.
Seamus Callinan presented individual awards to Dunloy players who have picked up external honours this season. L-R, Paul Shiels (North Antrim Hurler of the Year) Myra Elliott (who received her son Ryan’s award for goalkeeper on the Gaelic Life All Star team), Keelan Molloy (Gaelic Life Dual Star of the Year) and Conal Cunniing (Gaelic Life Ulster Hurler of the Year).
Clodagh O’Kane receives the Intermediate Camogie Championship Shield from Seanus Callinan
Under 16 Camogie Captain Cassie McArthur receives the League and Championship trophies from Seamus Callinan at the Dunloy dinner.
Dunloy Under 16 Camogie League and Championship winning team with guest of honour Seamus Callinan
Joint under 21 Hurling captains Conal Cunninng (left) and Keelan Molloy receive the county championship cup from Seamus Callinan
Dunloy’s Under 21 championship winniing team with guest of honour Seamus Callinan
Guest of honour Seamus Callinan presents the Antrim and Ulster Minor Camogie Championship trophies to Erin Traynor at the Dunloy Cuchullains dinner in Tullyglass Hotel
Guest of honour Seamus Callinan with the Antrim and Ulster Championship winning teams
Guest of honour Seamus Callinan presents the Senior Reserve League trophy to team captain Míchael Murphy
Seamus Callinan presents the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship cup to team captain Paul Shiels
Dunloy’s Senior Championship winning team who received their medals from guest of honour Seamus Callinan at the Cuchullains dinner in Tullyglass Hotel
County chairman Ciaran McCavana and club chairman James McLean at the Dunloy Cuchullain’s dinner in Tullyglass.
Donna, Nigel and Seaan Elliott wiith guest of honour Seamus Callinan
Guest of honour Seamus Callinan with Myra and Shane Elliott
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Mac Dáibhéid,
Belfast
In a small corner in the heart of west Belfast, Davitt’s GAC
opened their facilities to the GAA world with All-Ireland champions Tipperary
the honour of taking to the pristine surface in Beechmount. Storm Ciara lurked, threatening and looming
yet it did little to dampen a successful day for Davitt’s.
The Antrim team form a guard of honour for All Ireland champions Tipperary as they run out onto Davitt Park for Saturday’s Fr Reid Trophy game.
With 3000 tickets sold, the new venue was tested. The stewards were there in their droves, the
weeks if not months of planning was all about this day and spectators began to
fill in from the Falls Road. It was
perfect. A sign of what hurling and big
game hurling means to the people of Belfast.
Tipperary came with Liam McCarthy to boot. Arriving the night before and doing their bit
with Davitt’s club the morning of the match, the All-Ireland champions were brilliant
both on and off the pitch. But
brilliance was met with acknowledgement and class. Davitt’s with a contribution to the Tipperary
training fund, presented to Liam Sheedy in their superb new facilities the
night before the match.
The match itself matched the occasion. Antrim rose to the challenge of playing the
All-Ireland winners with Tipperary requiring a free from Jason Forde to share
the Fr Reid Trophy. The Tipperary man
was brilliant on the day with 11 points overall but Antrim had players who
shone as well. James McNaughton with two
first half goals and top scoring for the Saffrons with 2-3 while Neil McManus
gave another all action performance. The
return of Keelan Molloy will have been a welcome sight for anyone who follows
the Saffrons and he showed glimpses of what he’s capable off.
James McNaughton punches the air in celebration after scoring the second of his two goals in Saturday’s darw with Tipperary at Davitt Park.
Tipperary started with a bang and with a strong wind at
their back they had the better of the early exchanges. Darragh Mooney’s initial poc out dropped on
the edge of the Antrim six yard box such was the force of the elements.
When Antrim settled, they outplayed Tipperary for large
periods – highlighted with McNaughton’s brace.
Two goals in the space of four minutes allowed Antrim to take a four
point lead but the lead was cut to one by the half time whistle. Antrim 2-8 Tipperary 0-13.
The second half began with a raft of changes to either side
but Antrim scored three points in as many minutes to stretch their
advantage. Tipp had Forde and Michael
Breen prominent while Seamus Callanan was keeping the Saffron defence honest
with his work rate and sheer physical presence.
Paddy Burke who gave a masterfuld display at centre back for Antrim
With 15 minutes remaining, Tipperary hit back. Dylan Quirke scored two goals and just like
Molloy in the first half, they came in quick time – in the 55th and
63rd minute. The difference
though was the Saffrons ability to keep the scoreboard ticking at the other end
of the pitch. Goal keeper Conor
McAllister, fresh back to the squad from his honeymoon landed three long range
frees while pulling off a double save to deny Tipperary a certain goal.
Antrim responded to the Tipp resurgence by turning a two
point deficit into a one point lead.
Conor Boyd, McNaughton and Molloy with the scores. Both sides looked like they had the game won
with time running out and Dan McCloskey landed Antrim’s 23rd point
of the match and 14th from open play at the death but Forde had the
final say.
The result wasn’t important.
For Antrim, they needed a performance and Davitt’s deserved an
occasion. They got both. The men from Davitt’s stand on the cusp of something
special with the foundations laid forever more.
Antrim turn their attentions to Tullamore and a massive league fixture
against Offaly.
Antrim’s Domnhall Nugent in action during his team’s draw with Tipperary at Davitt Park.
TEAMS
Antrim: Conor McAllister; Phelim Duffin, Matthew
Donnelly, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsk, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; Keelan Molloy,
Eoghan Campbell; James McNaughton, Neil McManus, Michael Bradley; Domhnall
Nugent, Conor McCann, Dan McCloskey
Tipperary: Darragh Mooney; Jamie Maloney, Brian
McGrath, Paul Maher; Joe O’Dwyer, Robert Byrne, Jason Ryan; Dan McCormick,
Jerome Cahill; Dylan Quirke, Michael Breen, Niall O’Meera; Jason Forde, Seamus
Callanan, Paul Flynn
The North Antrim P3/P4 indoor Hurling continued today at several venues and the Saffron Gael was at St. Patrick’s College, Ballymena today to capture photographs of the participating teams at that venue. The tournament is set to conclude next weekend with the finals at Ballymena 7 Towers Leisure centre.
Loughgiel Shamrocks who took part in the Noreth Antrim U8 Hurling Blitz at St. Patrick’s College this morning
Creggan Kickhams held their annual awards dinner on Friday night in the Tullyglass Hotel where their football team received their O’Cahan Cup medals but the highlight of the night was the presentation to the Ladies team who won last year’s Junior Football Championship. There were also presentations to the team who were runners up in the Antrim Junior Camogie Championship plus special presentations to two members and a mentor who were members of the Antrim Under 21 Football Championship team of 1969. Saffron Gael went along to capture the action
Club chairman Olcan McAteer made special presentations to Dessie McAleer (centre) and Sean Maguire (right) who were members of the Antrim team who won the 1969 All Ireland Under 21 Football Championship and to Patsy Totten who was a selector on the team
The Creggan team who were runners up in the Junior Camogie Championship were honoured at the club dinner.
Ladies Football manager Michelle Bradley (centre) presented the Senior Ladies Footballer of the Year award to Ciara McCollum (left) and Caoimhe McCoy
Katie McCann receives the Minor Camogie Player of the Year at the Creggan dinner in Tullyglass Hotel.
Eunan McAteer receives the Most Improved Camog award on behalf of Aoife McAteer from Maureen McConville
The Creggan team who won the 2019 Ladies Junior Football Championship received the medals at the club’s annual awards dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel.
Tony McCollum present the Rosemary Marron Cup for Senior Camogie Player of the Year to joint winners to Sarah Long and Ciara McAuley
Ladies Football team manager Michelle Bradley (centre) presents the Most Improved Ladies Player of the Year to joint winners Aine McAteer and Catriona McAteer.
The Creggan team who won last season’s O’Cahan Cup are seen here at the club’s awards dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel.
Club chairman Olcan McAteer (left) presents the Camogie Club Person of the Year award to Stephen Colgan
Club chairman Olcan McAteer made a lifetime achievement award to Brian Bateson at the Creggan Kickhams dinner in Tullyglass Hotel
Paddy McAteer presented the Minor Footballer of the Year award on behalf of joint winners Dominic McAteer and Ethan Carey Small
Gerard McNulty presented the Under 21 Footballer of the Year award to Jimmy McCann.
Patsy Totten presents the Reserve Footballer of the Year award to Dermot McCann
Tony McCollum presents the Hugh Marron Trophy for Senior Footballer of the Year to Ruairi McCann
Conor McCann receives the Senior Hurler of the Year award on behalf of Conor Small from Sinead Sargant
Ladies Football Chairperson Ciara Maguire presents the Ladies Football Clubperson of the Year award to Sinead Sargant
Club chairman Olcan McAteer presented the Spirit of Creggan Awards to Peter McLarnon and Vincent Maguire who along with Paddy Marron, Seamus Dougan and Danny Dougan (missing from photo) received the award for outstanding work in the club during the past year.
Oisin Kerr received a special presentation for his role as goalkeeping coach with the Ladies Football goalkeepers Roisin McMinn and Aine McAteer
Ladies Football manager Michelle Bradley, who was last year’s Club Person of the Year presents this year’s award to Colm McLarnon
Paula and Tommy McCann at the Creggan Kickhams dinner in Tullyglass Hotel.
The Mauire family are pictured with Sean’s award
Patsy Totten and members of his extended family at the Creggan dinner
Michelle Bradley and Tony McCollum presented a cheque on behalf of the Creggan club to John McIlwaine of the Saffron Gaelat the club’s awards dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel
