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by thesaffrongael

Antrim Masters to play All Ireland Champions Tyrone in league decider

All roads lead to Cargin on Saturday as Antrim Masters face off against the mighty men from Tyrone, winners of four consecutive Dr Mick Loftus Cups for the All Ireland Master champions.

This is the sixth and final league game, with both counties on 8 points from five games to date. Antrim’s only defeat was to Armagh whilst in a surprise result in the first league game, Cavan overcame Tyrone. That means there is no room for error for either county who have aspirations of qualifying for the elite Dr Loftus Cup for the four best placed teams after the six league matches have been concluded.

Last year saw Antrim make solid progress under the new management of Frank Delargy when Antrim took Kerry to extra time before the Kingdom pulled out a bit more to earn their passage to the Dr Loftus. Antrim then were paired against Derry in the competition for the teams placed fifth to eighth, and once again lost out in an extra time thriller, Derry then going on to deliver back to back intermediate titles by beating Cork by a wide margin in the final.

Paddy Kelly, Chairman of Antrim Masters and owner of Kelly Stone presents team travelling tops to Secretary, Carl O’Neill in TeamKit, Ballymena. Included is Antrim Masters manager Frank Delargy and Timmy Connolly, Assistant manager

“Many looking in from the outside saw that as progress, but internally our ambition is to break into the top four and stay there” said Delargy.

“Tyrone are the standard bearers, there is no dispute about that. This will be a huge test for us to see how we measure up against the most successful Masters team ever. Whether that’s enough to qualify for the top four, or the very competitive group just beneath that, we plan to keep progressing and chase for silverware this season. But Timmy Connolly and I have plenty of belief in our own men and if we do not have our noses in front at the finish on Saturday we will be disappointed.

Those two extra time defeats last year hurt, but it showed us we were close. But close is not the target we have set for this season” said Delargy.

At the time of writing the Antrim panel for the game has not yet been decided, but it is hoped that a strong squad will be available for this important game, which incidentally is first match to be live streamed outside of those on Masters Finals Day, so Antrim supporters unable to attend can tune in for free on Antrim Gaa Facebook.

Thanks to Michael Collins from Portglenone Podiatry & Foot Mechanics who sponsor the match ball.

Antrim Masters manager, Frank Delargy presents a complimentary team jersey to Aaron Laverty, manger of he Fiddlers Rest, Portglenone and Co Sponsor of AntrimGaelic Masters 2025

by thesaffrongael

All Saints rally comes too late as Creggan claim the Division 1 title

ACFL Division 1 Final

Kickham’s Creggan 1-16 All Saints 3-8

Kickham’s Creggan withstood a late rally from All Saints, Ballymena at Dunsilly on Wednesday night to claim the division 1 league title in a game that never really came to life until the closing ten minutes.

For most of the contest Creggan looked comfortable against a heavy legged Ballymena side who looked off the pace following their semi-final win over Cargin five days earlier.

Creggan had the luxury of a bye to the final following the withdrawel of St. Brigid’s and they flew into an early 0-5 to 0-0 lead by the 13th minute and were coasting.

Sean Duffin, after 30 seconds, Conor Small, Matthew Rodgers, Jimmy McCann and Duffin again were the Creggan marksmen as they put the opposition on the back foot right from the throw in.

The pace of the Kickham’s was causing problems for an All Saints defence who were chasing shadows up to this point but the Ballymena side got themselves right back into contention in their first real attack when a Connell Lemon shot dipped over the head of Oisin Kerr and ended in the net.

Normal service appeared to have been restored as Sean Duffin and Matthew Rodgers replied with points at the other end to make it 0-7 to 1-0 with 23 minutes gone but again All Saints rallied and a good passage of play saw Ciaran Campbell beat Kerr from close range.

Despite being outplayed for the most of the half it was back to a single score with six minutes remaining to the break but the Kickham’s finished the half on the front foot and Conor Small and Jimmy McCann pointed before Conor Small got through for his side’s opening goal.

The Slemish Park side finished the half strongly with points from Conor Stewart, Paddy McAleer (f) and Harry Connon to leave three between the sides as Colin Thompson sounded his half time whistle and Creggan were good value for that lead.

The Ballymena side would have been fairly happy at this stage, given the amount of possession their opponents had enjoyed but it was Creggan who again opened on the front foot with Ruairi McCann, Matthew Rodgers and Jimmy McCann pointing them six ahead after 7 minutes and again they looked in total control.

All Saints continued to fight and points from Paddy McAleer (f) and Conor Stewart had it back to four by the 17th minute but Baker Bradley’s side were coughing up possession on too many occasions.

Bradley and his management team rang the changes as he introduced fresh legs from the bench but it was Creggan who moved further ahead with Shea McCann pointing and then fisting over another to move his side 1-14 to 2-5 ahead with five minutes remaining.

Suddenly though the tide began to turn as Paidin Mitchell, Michael McCarry (f) and Ronan McKillop pointed and McKillop might well have had a goal from his effort.

Conor Small’s pointed free had moved the Kickham’s four in front but the goal that All Saints had threatened finally arrived with Paidin Mitchell finishing from close range to leave one in it as the game edged into time added on.

It would be as close as they got however with Creggan rallying with a late point from Conor Johnston to win by two and on the balance of play it was a win that they deserved.

They dominated for long periods but were guilty of some wayward shooting over the hour with Sam Maguire, Jimmy McCann, Kealan McCann, Sean Duffin, Ruairi McCann and Matthew Rodgers their best performers on the evening.

Baker Bradley will be happy with the commitment of his side and with their strong finish with Matty Downey, Harry Connon, Conor Stewart, Peter McReynolds and substitutes Paidin Mitchell, Ronan McKillop and Cal O’Brien their best on view on the evening.

The sides meet again in ten days-time in the SFC in Ballymena and that one is sure to attract a bumper crowd to the Woodside Road as All Saints attempt to reverse tonight’s result but they will again start as underdogs.

Creggan: 1 Oisin Kerr, 2 Ricky Johnston, 3 Sam Maguire, 4 Fintan Close, 5 Liam McLernon, 6 Ethan Carey-Small, 7 Jimmy McCann, 8 Kealan McCann, 9 Patrick McAuley, 10 Sean Duffin, 11 Conor Small, 12 Ruairi McCann, 13 Shea McCann, 14 Matthew Rodgers, 15 Conor Johnston.

Subs: Liam Quinn for Ricky Johnston, 17 Joe McAteer, 19 Anton Martin,

All Saints: 1 Ryan Stewart, 2 Matty Downey, 3 James McDonnell, 4 Oliver O’Rawe, 7 Harry Connon, 6 Sean O’Callaghan, 5 Joe Rafferty, 8 Conor Stewart, 9 Emmet Killough, 10 Connell Lemon, 11 Patrick McAleer, 12 Benny McDonnell, 13 Peter McReynolds, 14 Sean McVeigh, 15 Ciaran Campbell.

Subs Used: 22 Paidin Mitchell, 24 Ronan McKillop, 17 Cal O’Brien, 21 Michael McCarry, 27 Sean McDermott

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/LMp5vsCJkRaDWr/?invite=7fe40280-eddd-47f5-8ad5-aeda8881a092

by thesaffrongael

Kickham’s should have the edge going by previous meetings

ACFL Division 1 Final

Kickham’s Creggan v All Saints Ballymena

Dunsilly 7-00pm

Kickham’s Creggan and All Saints, Ballymena meet in the ACFL Division 1 final tonight (Wednesday) at Dunsilly in a fixture that both camps could probably have done without at this stage of the season.

Tonight’s opponents meet again in the opening game of the Senior Football Championship in Ballymena in 10 days-time and both clubs will have their primary focus on that competition.

Both sides are drawn in what some have dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ with St. Galls and Lamh Dhearg and a win at Slemish Park on the 1st August would set up either side with a strong chance of qualification from Group 3 but there is tonight’s league final to get out of the way first.

There is a growing feeling within the county that the top-four competition should be scrapped with last year’s winners, St. Brigid’s withdrawing from their semi-final meeting with Creggan, handing the Kickham’s a place in the final.

Their opponents, All Saints came through a tough semi-final against an understrength Cargin just five days ago, that one going to extra time and then penalty kicks against the reigning county champions.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Ballymena side who lost Kavan Keenan to a straight Red card and were already short a number of players through injury and they would hope to have back for the championship clash in 10 days-time but tonight’s fixture will come too soon for them.

Creggan have had a chance to clear up niggles due to their period of inactivity due to the St. Brigid’s withdrawel but are unlikely to take any chances with players less than fit.

Never the less there is a league final to play and a trophy to play for and neither Joe Cassidy nor Liam Bradley will want to pass up the opportunity of silverware at this stage of the season.

All Saints have suffered heavy defeats at the hands of the Staffordstown Road side in the league over the last two years and a win here would be a major confidence booster for the Ballymena men.

Creggan will start tonight’s final as firm favourites to claim the title and claim the bragging rights over neighbours Cargin for now but All Saints have made steady progress over the past two years under ‘Baker’ Bradley, ‘Honda’ Mullan and Gerard O’Callaghan and should give it a real rattle.

by thesaffrongael

Another great day in Dublin as Tipp turn in on in an extraodinary second half

By Curly

Sunday’s All Ireland Hurling final produced probably the strangest second half I have witnessed in all the finals I have attended. Sunday’s game was my 57th in succession (counting the three replays) and I have never seen anything like Cork’s total collapse.  When the Rebels scored their goal in first half injury time I was sure they would push on and end their 20 year drought, but Tipp had other ideas and what a display they gave to win their first title in six years.

It has to be said Lady Luck completely deserted the men in red during that second period, hitting the post three times and the crossbar once, having a man sent off and having a penalty saved. Nothing would go right for them at all but that is not to take anything away from Tipp who were sensational.

Antrim county chairman Seamus McMullan and his wife Siobhan with Cork superfan Cyril Kavanagh outside Croker on Sunday

Once again the whole occasion was fantastic. It is always the place to be on All Ireland final day and Sunday’s meeting of the two Munster giants made it even more special. Cork appeared to have twice as many followers as Tipp, but maybe it is just the red jerseys stand out more than the blue and gold. Of course one of the great things about final day is that every county in Ireland get a good share of tickets, and of course Antrim are no exception. Having said that there didn’t appear to be as many Saffs about on Sunday, when I was outside with the camera before and after the game. Bringing a camera to the games is something I have done for almost forty years, many of them working from pitch side, but since I stopped working for the Kilkenny People that has become more difficult.

I got a few action shots from my seat in the Lower Cussack stand on Sunday but mostly the pics are of the fans who attended.  Another fantastic day and one that will live long in the memory.

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM SUNDAY CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/74Cfbfrq3B7Yez/?invite=0646a271-6b71-4171-aebd-7f52a4060c81

by thesaffrongael

Cushendall Camogs are presented with the League trophy

Cushendall were presented with the Division 1 League trophy on Tuesday evening after their final league game against Dunloy at Pairc Mhuir.

Although the game was a ‘dead rubber’ as the home team had already secured the trophy in Ballycastle two weeks ago, nobody appeared to have told the players on each side who served up a cracking contest, with last season’s league winners Dunloy winning out by three points in the end on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-10.

Both teams went flat out from start to finish in an absorbing game as their preparations for the forthcoming championship get going in earnest. Cushendall made a very good start and were 0-04 to 0-00 ahead before Dunloy got on the scoreboard through top score Aine Magill. A Katie Molloy goal brought the sides level and it was nip and tuck for the remainder of the first half, the visitors just edging it by 1-05 to 0-07 at the interval.

Cushendall had a strong third quarter and boosted by a Cara O’Boyle goal they soon drew level. By the midway point of the half they had moved three points clear and appeared to be set to keep their unbeaten league record, but Dunloy came strong in the final quarter and with Nicole McAtamney brilliant at midfield and Aine Magill in great scoring form they hit the last six points of the game to win by 1-13 to 1-10.

Cushendall captain Anna McNeill with the Feargal McNally Memorial Cup

After the game Antrim Camogie Board Treasurer Angela Boyle presented the cup to Cushendall captain Anna McNeill and while celebrations were somewhat muted because of the defeat it was still a historic event in the club’s history.

These two don’t meet again until September 9th in the penultimate game in the round-robin series in Dunloy and if that game is half as good as this one it will be worth the admission fee.

Cushendall

Louise Mulholland, Anna McNeill, Caoimhe McNaughton, Catherine O’Boyle, Aoife mcClafferty, Abi McNeill, Laura Black, Cara O’Boyle, Eva McNeill, Dervla Cosgrove, Siobhan McKillop, Laura McMullan, Kady McNeill, Orlagh Burke, Orlaith McAllister

Dunloy

Kirsty Mc Ferran, Katherine Mullan, Brid Magill, Sarah McIlhatton, Casey Crawford, Katie Laverty, Eilis Kearns, Nicole McAtamney, Eimear McMullan, Kyra Doherty, Caoimhe Molloy, Erin McMullan, Eimear Johnston, Katie Molloy, Aine Magill

Subs Mary McArthur for Kyra Doherty

Referee – Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/qyzHECxRzH9TC6/?invite=d3db5ca4-f9fb-46d0-9e2d-3d07e6cde49a