Margaret Ward, renowned feminist historian and author of Unmanageable Revolutionaries, brings us this never before told story of Cumann na mBan members from Belfast and the Antrim Glens in the period 1914 to 1924. Using new archival sources and information from some of the relatives of these forgotten activists, Dr Margaret Ward gives us a compelling account of the courageous contributions of over fifty women who were members of various Cumann na mBan branches, or who were attached to the IRA.
Writing in the Foreword, Spiritual Wounds author Síobhra Aiken, says: One of the more striking features of this book is the extent of surveillance on nationalist women in Co. Antrim. Operating in a predominantly unionist and markedly hostile context, female revolutionaries in Co. Antrim were shadowed by authorities and feared betrayal by neighbours and employers. Suspicion of nationalist sympathies was enough to warrant arrest and internment. Women’s photographs were confiscated by authorities to include in their records … Postal services could not be trusted.
Pupils from Bunscoill an tSliebhe Dhuibh, creggan PS, Gaelscoil Eanna, Holy Child PS, Millwuarter, Mount St Michael’s PS, Moneynick PS, Our Lady Queen of Peace, St Joseph’s PS Crumlin, St Mary’s on the Hill PS, St Oliver Plunket’s PS, Toome, St Patrick’s Rasharkin and St Teresa’s PS got the chance to show off thier shills at Corrigan Park on Sunday during the half time interval in the Antrim v Sligo NFL Div 3 game.
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Reigning county senior champions, Cargin got their league programme off to a positive start when the travelled to Clooney on Saturday evening and returned with a win over St Mary’s Ahoghill.
Ahoghill, now under the guidance of Eamon Brady gave their hosts problems in the opening period and a Ronan Graham goal had closed the gap at one stage but with big Pat Shivers causing problems, the visitors had nipped away to a clear lead at the end of the first period.
The Toome men attacked from the start and a trio of whites raised by the impressive Shivers, Michael Mc Cann and his brother Tomas ensured a good getaway for the visitors.
Tomas Mc Cann nipped in to find the net following a fine Gerard McCann fetch in the 9th minute and Pat Shivers finished to the net after being placed by Michael Mc Cann.
The home side had four points on the board at this stage after both Ronan Graham and James 0’Connell had collected two pointers apiece from back to back free kicks.
Cargin led 2-08 to 0-04 after 21 minutes but when a lofted delivery was finished to the net by Ronan Graham the home side seemed to be getting to grips with their mid-fielder, Danny O’ Neill, and James O’ Connell working hard.
Cargin had other ideas and moving the ball at pace Conan Johnston and Jamie Gribbin combined to open the way for Tom Shivers to add another goal with Pat Shivers following with a point.
Cargin had regained control and Gerard McCann and Tomas McCann combined in stylish approach to open the way for the latter to find the back of the net and ensure a 4-10 to 1-09 interval advantage.
The visitor’s started the second half as they had finished the first with Tomas McCann and Jamie Gribbin raising early white flags.
The Toome men were well on top and Sean Og Quinn and Ronan Gribbin combined to set up Gerard McCann to point before creating the space for Tom Shivers to add a second major.
The visitors had grabbed a firm grip on proceedings as the second period progressed with Ronan Devlin’s men continuing to dominate as James Laverty and Harry O’ Donnell swapped points at either end.
The Gribbin brothers Jamie and Callum added points for the visitors in the latter stages with Neil O’ Connell having the last say with a late point with Cargin breasting the line, first league points secured at 5-18 to 1-13.
Ahoghill: Aodhan Graham, Shea Neeson, Past Dougan, Seamus Mc keever, Fionbar O’ Neill, Diarmuid Graham, Harry O’ Donnell (0-01), James Magee, Ronan Graham (1-04*), Colla Mc Donnell, James O’ Connell (0-04**), Danny O’ Neill (0-01), Neil O’ Connell (0-01), Conor Crossey
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Sean og Quinn, Kevin O’ Boyle, Conan Johnston (0-01), Ronan Gribbin, Benen Kelly (0-01), James Laverty (0-01), Kevin Mc Shane, Gerard Mc Cann (0-02), John Carron, Tom Shivers (2-02), Jamie Gribbin (0-03), Tomas Mc Cann (1-04), Pat Shivers (1-05), Michael Mc Cann (0-01)
Barring a miracle Antrim will be playing their football in division 4 next season following defeat to Sligo in this ‘4 pointer’ at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
The Yeats county went into this game trailing Antrim by a point but knowing that a win would almost certainly guarantee them survival, with one game remaining it seems they have achieved what they came to Belfast for.
After a poor start to the season Sligo have found their form at the right time to claw themselves away from the drop zone and just need a draw at home to Leitrim next week.
The visitors dominated the opening half with Antrim badly of the pace and for long periods the Saffrons couldn’t get their hands on the ball while Sligo were excellent on the press and moved the ball at pace.
They looked to be coasting to victory when they led by 1-11 to 0-6 at the break but a couple of half time changes and a much more positive approach saw the home side stage a strong second half comeback.
Sligo opened the scoring as Alan Reilly finished a patient build-up and the Yeatsmen continued to control the early stages as Alan McLoughlin and Niall Murphy (free) added scores.
It took Antrim 9 minutes to get off the mark when goalkeeper Michael Byrne kicked the first of his three 45s in the opening half before Ryan McQuillan thumped over from play.
However, Sligo were dictating terms with five of the next six points including one a Niall Murphy free that came as a result of Antrim having just two players in the other half of the field.
Antrim were just not at the races as pass after pass went astray and this allowed Sligo to get on the front foot and as the half continued to tick along, the lead continued to increase with Alan McLoughlin and Reilly leading the way.
A fine score from Antrim’s Eunann Walsh who began the move in his own half hinted at better to come for the hosts, but the goal that seemed to be coming duly arrived with two minutes of the half remaining as the Antrim defence seemed to switch off, allowing Sligo all the time to work open a tap-in for Luke Towey.
Patrick O’Connor then saw a shot tipped over in added time as Sligo held a commanding 1-11 to 0-6 lead at the break and Antrim were probably relieved to get to the shelter of the dressing rooms and regroup.
Antrim made two changes for start of the second half with Ruairi McCann and Dominic McEnhill replacing Conor Stewart and Conor Johnston and it brought about an immediate improvement as they posted 1-4 without reply in the third quarter.
Half-time sub, Dominic McEnhill grabbed 1-1, his goal coming with 50 minutes played as he finished a flowing move that began with Conor Hand’s run at goal, while the Saffrons felt they could have had an earlier goal but Eunan Walsh was penalised for over carrying after a surging run saw him finish from close range.
Dominic McEnhill celebrates after scoring Antrim’s goal in the second half.
Just when it looked that things were now very much in the hands of Andy McEntee’s side, Sligo rattled off the next three points through Spillane, McLoughlin and Muphy before Ryan McQuillan pulled one back and the teams then swapped two-point frees through Murphy and Byrne.
A Ronan Boyle score left two in it again as the Saffron support started to find their voice, but that two-pointer from McLoughlin gave Sligo a cushion, before Eoghan McCabe pointed for the hosts to leave a goal in it.
Antrim were chasing that second major, but it wouldn’t come as Sligo held firm to leapfrog Antrim in the table ahead of next week’s final round where they host Leitrim and Antrim head to Kildare.
A point against Leitrim would be enough for Sligo, even if Antrim were to win in Newbridge but the Yeats men are likely to win that one comfortably to leave Antrim playing their football in division 4 next season.
Antrim scorers: M Byrne 0-6 (1x2pf, 3x45s, 1f), D McEnhill 1-1, R McQuillan 0-3, C Johnston 0-1, E Walsh 0-1, P McBride 0-1 (1f), R Boyle 0-1, E McCabe 0-1.
Sligo scorers: A McLoughlin 0-6 (1x2pf, 1f), N Murphy 0-5 (1x2pf, 2f), A Reilly 0-3, L Towey 1-0, P Spillane 0-2, C Lally 0-1, P O’Connor 0-1
Antrim: M Byrne; E McCabe, E Walsh, K Keenan; J Finnegan, J Lenehan, D McAleese; C Stewart, E Quinn; P McBride, N Bu
Nagle; C Hand, C Johnston, R McQuillan.
Subs: R Boyle for J Finnegan (23, head injury), D McEnhill for C Stewart (HT), R McCann for C Johnston (HT), P Finnegan for P McBride (61), R Murray for E Quinn (66)
Sligo: D Lyons; E Lyons, E McGuinness, P McNamara; B Cox, D Cummins, L Towey; C Mulligan, P O’Connor; C Lally, D Quinn, A Reilly; A McLoughlin, N Murphy, P Spillane.
Subs: R Doherty for A Reilly (38), N Mullen for L Towey (51), S Deignan for P Spillane (52), PKilcioyne for C Lally (68), M Gordon for P O’Connor (70+2)
Referee: N Mooney (Cavan)
Eunan Walsh raises his arm in celebration after firing the ball to the Sligo net. However the celebrations were short lived as the match rereree ruled out the score for overcarrying.
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