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by thesaffrongael

Team captain McCloskey is ready for the task in hand

AIB All Ireland Senior Club Championship semifinal Sarsfields v Loughgiel

1st December 2024, Throw-in at 2pm in Kingspan Breffni, Cavan

Michael Corcoran for the Saffron Gael interviews Loughgiel’s captain Christine McCloskey ahead of Sunday’s semifinal game.

Two years ago, Loughgiel Shamrocks met Sarsfields in an All-Ireland final in the field of dreams, Croke Park. The Shamrocks had broken through the Ulster glass ceiling and had hopes of returning home with the Bill and Agnes Carroll Cup. Sarsfields would scoop up the spoils in a narrow win by just three points but Loughgiel’s captain, Christine McCloskey (Laverty then), believes the difference came down to experience.

Christine in action in the Ulster semi-final against Clonduff

Loughgiel were faced with a snow-covered pitch in the semi-final stage in ‘22. The squad didn’t consider not playing the game. Much to their credit, they stopped off at an Applegreen and filled up hot water bottles and warmed up in full track suits and tops. It is reported that they replied on given options, “we’re here to do a job” and that reflects the tenacity and drive this squad still has.

The Saffron Gael caught up with Christine, whilst getting ready to do a spot of babysitting and the ever-approachable camog was happy to share some views on this Sunday’s All-Ireland semifinal against Sarsfields.

The weather will be a bit different this year and McCloskey picks up the conversation, “I’ve played in Breffni Park before, albeit a different occasion. We (Antrim) were playing Down in an All-Ireland Intermediate match and it was affected by Covid rules, namely no spectators. Nevertheless, some of the squad got to experience the pitch and I’d say, particularly at this time of the year, it’ll be one of the few venues where the pitch will be in good condition. We played our All-Ireland final under lights in very cold conditions, so Sunday’s time and forecast are great.”

“The venue is a bit further away from our usual competition locations this year, like Clonduff and Beragh, but it is what it is and thankfully we haven’t to travel south of Dublin, that would be a long haul for supporters.”

Losing the 2022 final in Croke Park still hurts

Losing the final of 2022 still hurts and rang out in Lucia McNaughton’s interview with Michael McMullan from the Gaelic Life. But McCloskey says they’ve all accepted that and it’s woven into their experience now. The very thing they said they lacked coming into the All-Ireland scene. Despite the sense of loss, McCloskey is keen to add, “We had a great sense of pride, lining out in our club jerseys. It didn’t go past any of us, the sense of occasion walking out the tunnel onto the pitch. It’s destined to always be a core memory in your life.”

“Sarsfields are a good outfit but we won’t be deliberating over their game, we are focused on controlling the controllables and that means playing our game and we’ll see how it rolls on the day. After the Slaughtneil years, we have built on our mental strength and that is something that takes time to have across the entire squad. I remember being one of the younger members on the panel, now here I am leading the team as one of the older girls. That said, we are in the enviable position of having many leaders and I could pick one from each of the lines.”

Christine in action against Sunday’s opponents Sarsfields in the All Ireland final in 2022

Any team that reaches an All-Ireland game has momentum built up not only from training and challenging games but buoyed up by support. Christine is eager to point out that “We have been so lucky with the show of support. We’ve been fed and clothed that reflects the level you need to compete at this level. That means our recovery programs have been excellent; we could train harder for longer. From the support we experienced at the clubhouse after the County and Ulster wins to the fund-raising Big Breakfast and the sponsorship programme, I can only say it has been phenomenal and I can only thank everyone again!”

Supporters will make the 2 hours and forty-minute, 120-mile trip from the heartland of Loughgiel on Sunday to Breffni Park. McCloskey knows the Shamrocks will travel in numbers and the experience to be had for some of the juvenile girls will be inspiring, “These are the kind of occasions you remember when you are young, and that being the case, I hope at the very least, our younger girls will feel proud and be excited, maybe this is the sort of thing that will drive them on and we will be able to enjoy their endeavor’s down the line.”

Whatever the result on Sunday, there is no denying that the club machine called Loughgiel Shamrocks has been in overdrive since the Ulster win and has left no stone unturned in the preparations. Many will be hoping though, for a positive outcome and another big day out in the field of dreams.

Christine lifts the Ulster Championship trophy after the Shamrocks emphatic win over Swatragh
by thesaffrongael

Faughs can edge tight final

Ulster Intermediate club hurling final

Carey Faughs v Swatragh

Loughgiel 1-00pm

Saturday’s Intermediate club hurling final in Loughgiel is sure to draw a bumper crowd as Antrim Champions, Carey Faughs take on Swatragh of Derry. Both sides have impressed on their way to Saturday’s decider and will be well prepared for what should be an excellent final.

The inclusion of former Cloney Gaels player, PJ O’Connell in the Swatragh side adds a little bit more intrigue to the contest if any more were needed and O’Connell, now living in Kilrea will have been able to pass on some insight into the Carey side.

Not that it is likely to make much difference with both sets of management having already run their eyes over their respective opponents and it could be very much down to who wants it most on the day and who plays to their full potential.

Carey have certainly had to dig deep on route to Saturday’s final with both their quarter-final and semi-final going down to the wire.

Carey Faughs fans went through a range of emotions as they watched their heroes battle it out with a great Carrickmore team in the quarter final. Twice they came back from the dead to eventually take the game to penalties, when hero of the hour Steven McGinn sealed the win with two late saves.

It was back to Carrickmore and a meeting with Castleblaney Faughs for the Ballyvoy side in the semi-final for a game that had been postponed twice owing to the death of James Black, father of James ‘Rocket’ Black initially and then to Storm Bert.

Carey manager Eddie McCloskey

The men from Ballyvoy were forced to dig deep before overcoming the challenge of excellent Monaghan champions Castleblaney in what turned into an uncompromising arm wrestle with little opportunity for open hurling.

It was nip and tuck all the way with Castleblaney leading for most of the contest but a long range point from mid-fielder Callum Kane brought the travelling Ballyvoy supporters to their feet as they edged ahead with ten minutes remaining.

Castleblaney were still hanging in there and free taker Fergal Rafter levelled once more but it would be the final time the sides were level and as play began to open up James McCaouig produced a strong run from deep in defence but was dispossessed.

However the ball broke favourably to substitute Fiachra McVeigh who sent Conor McBride clear on the right and he made no mistake as he fired to the net from 25 meters for the only goal of the game.

McBride’s goal moved the Antrim champions four ahead as the clock ticked towards full time but Castleblaney rallied with a point from Thomas Hughes and Carey were forced to defend in numbers as the Monaghan side went looking for the goal that would have sent it to extra time.

What about Swatragh?

In their Championship quarter final, Swatragh defeated Lisbellaw of Fermanagh 2-16 to 2-11 in Brewster Park on Saturday, November 2nd. Swatragh’s Sean Martin Quinn opened the scoring with a point. And Paul Cunning increased Swatragh’s lead with a well taken score.

PJ O’Connell (14) in action for Swatragh in the semi-final win over Bredagh

The South Derry side always had the upper hand and P J O’Connell and Mick McCormack scored two goals in four minutes to put them in a commanding position.

Lisbellaw’s J P McGarry replied with a goal in the 63rd minute and John Duffy fired wide from a penalty 10 minutes from time as the Fermanagh side fought to get back into contention but to no avail

Swatragh’s commanding display was led by O’Connell, James Friel, Sean Martin Quinn, Paul Cunning, and keeper Niall McQuillan. 

Ahoghill was the venue for Swatragh’s meeting with Bredagh in the semi-final with the Derry men having six to spare in the end against the Down side.

Swatragh started the game with three scores, two of them coming from PJ O’Connell who was playing on his former home pitch.

Swatragh always seemed to have a man free and James Friel worked a short free to Quinn with the Swatragh player having ample time to slot the ball over the bar to put Swatragh five ahead.

Bredagh managed to narrow the gap to three at the break but Swatragh extended their lead on the resumption, and scored the only goal of the game when Oisin O’Kane took a pass from PJ O’Connell and found the net.

Bredagh hung in with Christie firing over a couple of frees but Swatragh continued to keep them at arm’s length.

Friel, who finished Swatragh’s top scorer with 0-5, pushed the gap back out to five in the 52nd minute and Bredagh weren’t able to respond.

Stephen McGinn has been excellent in the Carey goals this season and proved their hero against Carrickmore with those two amazing penalty saves while Patrick Gillan, Shea Hunter and James McCouaig have excelled in a strong Carey defence.

Youngster Callum Cane and Patrick Butler have formed a strong mid-field partnership while Connor McBride, James ‘Rocket’ Black and Caolan McCaughan have provided vital scores in a sharp attack.

They will face a Swatragh side on Saturday who have been impressive throughout their Ulster campaign and in James Friel, PJ’O’Connell, Sean Marty Quinn, Oisin O’Kane, Paul Cunning and keeper Niall McQuillan they have top performers.

This one could go either way but in a season where the Ballyvoy men have overcome adversity both on and off the field, Saturday can provide the perfect ending for the Carey Faughs.

by thesaffrongael

Carey Faughs were the first Intermediate winner

Carey Faughs take on the Derry champions Swatragh in Saturday’s Ulster Intermediate Hurling Final at Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel, just as they did twenty years ago in the inaugural Ulster final at the same venue. That day, 31st October 2004, the opposition were Owen Roe Coleraine who pushed the Faughs to the limit before losing out by a single point. 0-07 to 0-06 in a low scoring game. The report which probably appeared in the Northern Constitution, describes in detail a tough game which saw the Coleraine men, in only their third year in hurling, featured sixteen year old Sean Leo McGoldrick, who was to go on to be a big star with Owen Roe and Derry hurlers, join brothers Ciaran and Barry on the team.

The move that gave the Faughs the upper hand was springing substitutes Paidi McShane and Gerard McAuley from the bench early in the second half.  A late points from seventeen year old Martin Butler, three minutes into injury time gave the Faughs a two point cushion proved the match winner, for even though Owen Roe grabbed a very late point, it was a case of too little, too late and the Faughs held on for a historic victory.

Ulster Intermediate Hurling Final 2004

FAUGHS HOLD OUT TO BEAT OWEN ROE IN CLOSE ENCOUNTER

Carey Faughs 0-07 Owen Roe Coleraine 0-06

In a nail biting finish Carey Faughs just held off the sternest of challenges by Owen Roe Coleraine to win the inaugural Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship final at Loughgiel last Sunday afternoon. They edged out the Derry men by the narrowest of margins, a single point, 0-07 to 0-06, to become the first winners of the John Vessey Memorial Cup.

Carey went into the decider as overwhelming favourites, but they were made to battle every inch of the way as Owen Roe came within a whisker of causing a major shock. No quarter was ask and none was given as the teams went toe to toe in a teak tough encounter. The soft underfoot conditions mitigated against a flowing game of hurling, but it did not take away from the excitement for the good sized crowd as the closeness of the scores ensured the result was in doubt until the final whistle.

Defences dominated throughout this encounter, with each set of forwards finding it really difficult to make any real headway. The entire Owen Roe full back line were tremendous, centre back Ciaran Lagan inspirational, clearing his lines long and accurately, while rugged corner men Richard Douglas and Gerard Kelly never took a step back as they defended like demons throughout.

Owen Roe goalkeeper Ciaran McGoldrick was well protected throughout, but he had to make a couple of superb saves to deny the Carey men goals. The midfield sector was shaded by the Coleraine men as Derry county players Barry McGoldrick and Anton Raferty, along with Padraig O’Mianain just had the edge on Cathal McAuley and Colm McBride.

However Carey were able to introduce a couple of substitutes to beef up this sector midway through the second half, the experienced Paudi McShane and Gerard McAuley making a real impact when they came on. They also added to their attack with the introduction of young Martin Butler, who fired over Carey’s seventh, and in the end, winning point in injury time. It was this strength in depth, particularly up front, where Carey won the game.

Carey seemed to justify their favouritism as thy got off to a flying start with a point inside 30 seconds, Ciaran McCaughan firing over from 40 metres. After firing a free wide midfielder Cathal McAuley had Carey’s second point on the board in the fifth minute and at this stage the Carey men were on top, but Barry McGoldrick and Anton Rafferty began to get a foothold in midfield, which gave the Owen Roe defence some respite.

In the tenth minute Barry McGoldrick swept a fine crossfield ball to his brother Sean Leo who scored Owen Roe’s opening point. The Coleraine men then had a couple of attacks that came to nothing with a free and a 65 going agonisingly wide. The Faughs were more economical as in the next attack Julian Gillan knocked over their third point with consummate ease.

A foul on Sean Lagan gave Sean Leo McGoldrick the chance to put a single point between the teams in the 20th minute and moments later Kevin McCarry delivered a fine ball forward but Joe Butler was alert to the danger and for Carey. Shortly after this John McVeigh was lucky just to see yellow when he pulled wildly across Barry McGoldrick in a clash ball, the Owen Roe man needing treatment before carrying on. As the game neared half time a shot on the run by Sean Leo McGoldrick was well saved by Carey goalkeeper Bosco McAuley, who turned it around the post for a ‘65’, which was sent between the posts by Padraig O’Mianain to tie the scores at 0-3 apiece at the half time whistle.

Both teams hit wides in the early stages of the second half but Owen Roe were getting on the attack but scores were hard to come by and Sean Leo McGoldrick shot narrowly wide.

In the 38th minute Darren Mullan hand-passed out to O’Mianain who fired over from a narrow angle and Owen Roe were ahead for the first time in the game. Clearly rattled at this stage Carey brought on Gerard McAuley and Paidi McShane to bolster their midfield sector and this change had the desired effect and the Faughs were back level when McAuley pointed a free after a foul on Ciarran McCaughan.

Both teams squandered chances, but Carey were getting on top again and points from Martin McAuley and John McVeigh in the 48th and 54th minutes gave them a two point cushion with time ticking away. Barry McGoldrick tapped over a close range free for Owen Roe to cut the deficit to a single point. One minute from the end of normal time there was great consternation in the Owen Roe camp when Barry Goldrick appeared to be fouled when soloing down the left wing, but the match referee did not see it that way and gave a fould the other way for overcarrying.

Three minutes into added time Carey got what proved to be the insurance point when young Martin Butler swept over a fine score. There was still time for a Coleraine response and Keith Farran hit a cracking point from midfield to reduce the deficit to a single point again. Owen Roe needed to win the puc-out to save the game but the Faughs won possession and held on for victory by the narrowest of margins.

by thesaffrongael

Swatrah’s PJ O’Connell speaks to the Saffron Gael

 

Above – PJ O’Connell in action for Swatragh in their Ulster semi-final win over Bredagh in Ahoghill

In the build up to Saturday’s Ulster Intermediate Championship final between Carey Faughs of Antrim and Swatragh of Derry the Saffron Gael speaks to Swatragh and former Clooney Gaels man, PJ’O’Connell.

Saffron Gael: You played nearly all your career for St. Mary’s Ahoghill-Clooney Gaels. Tell me how you came to be playing for Kilrea and Swatragh.

PJ: Life, having 3 kids that play for the club now it was sort of a family choice for me to have a more balanced family life as it was getting harder to be out of the house for 3 /4 hours every other night. The wife Louise lost her mother Ruth to cancer last year and it has been a tough year for all the family. 

Saffron Gael: You had a long and distinguished career with Ahoghill and represented Antrim for a number of years. What were the highlights of your time with Ahoghill and Antrim?

PJ: Where do I start? I played for Ahoghill/Clooney for 18 years and have lots of great memories winning 5 championships, 2 in football and 3 in hurling and 2 Ulster championships. One in Junior and one in intermediate in 2013 which I’d like to add to at the weekend.

But no, the Ahoghill club was always a club punching way above their weight for years to be able to go from junior in both football and hurling to senior in both was a great achievement for that group of players.

Playing for Antrim was just a childhood dream which I was blessed to play against some of the best hurlers in Ireland and hurl with some great hurlers that Antrim had at the time.

My father always said ‘it’s like a learning curve up at the County and whatever you learn you bring it back with you to help the club improve’. 

PJ O’ Connell scores a goal in the Saffrons win over Wexford in the National Hurling League in 2009

Saffron Gael: I know you now live in Kilrea and won a football league medal with them this year. How did that come about and tell me a bit about your season with Kilrea?

PJ: It was great, we live a minute away from the field so I was never too rushed to get to training. I was fit to get the weans to bed a good lot of evenings before I headed out to training so that kept the wife happy or a good lot of the time they came down to the pitch to run around with friends .We had a good year in the league winning it after a 43 year wait. 

Saffron Gael: Tell me about the Swatragh connection. How did you come to be playing for them?

PJ: Well we have relations from swatragh, the McCreadys and its only 5 minutes away from the house, and I thought they could do with a good Antrim fella joining them.

Saffron Gael: Who did Swatragh beat in Derry and then in Ulster to reach Saturday’s final and what were the highlights of those games?

PJ: We beat Dungiven in the intermediate final in horrendous conditions at Owenbeg. I think the Dungiven keeper scored 2 points which says it all about the conditions. We played Lisbellaw down in Enniskillen and beat them by 5 points then we beat Breadgh on my home turf of Clooney in the semi-final which was a strange thing not wearing red and black but it was great getting to play on it for one last time. 

PJ O’Connell against Carey Faughs in the Intermediate Championship in Loughgiel in 2018

Saffron Gael: On Saturday you face Carey Faughs in Loughgiel in the Ulster Intermediate final. Swatragh will not be too familiar with the Antrim champions but you have played against them numerous times in your career. What information have you been able to pass on to your management regarding the Ballyvoy men?

PJ: No, they have seen clips and know that Carey are a good outfit and have a really strong team who will be hard to stop. Yeah plenty of battles down through the years with Carey never more than a puck of the ball between both teams as you saw this year in the semi-final of championship which went to extra time.

 I know how hard it is to win Antrim intermediate so any team in Antrim coming into Ulster will always fancy the chances of winning Ulster.

 Let’s hope it’s not this year!

Saffron Gael: Without giving too much away who are the players who have impressed you in the Swatragh side?

PJ: Yeah there’s a lot of good talented hurlers in Swatragh but I’ll keep my cards close to my chest. I don’t want to make things easy for Eddie McCloskey and the rest of the Loughiel men managing Carey.

PJ O’Connell might well be the first player to line out for two different clubs from two different counties in an Ulster Intermediate club final. He served Ahoghill for 18 years with distinction in both football and hurling and his presence for Swatragh in Loughgiel on Saturday adds a little bit more intrigue to this eagerly awaited final.

When he moved to Kilrea last year there would not have been too many who would have predicted that he would collect a Derry Division 1 football league medal with his adopted club and he will hope to bring his dream season to an end with an Ulster Intermediate hurling medal on Saturday but Carey Faughs might have something to say about that.

PJ (8) in the Antrim team who beat Armagh in the Ulster Under 21 Championship in 2009. Playing at centre forward (11) on that summer evening was Carey’s manager on Saturday, Eddie McCloskey.
by thesaffrongael

Earlier starting time for St. Paul’s/fonaCAB Quarter-final

Please note that Sunday’s Quarter Final game between St Molaise of Fermanagh and  Clann Eireann of Armagh will have a slightly earlier throw in time of 12.30pm at Sportlann (this is to accommodate Clann Eireann supporters to get back to Lurgan for their All Ireland Senior Ladies Football Semi Final at 2.30pm). 

Clann Eireann with an Armagh Senior Championship under their belts and a place for their ladies in Sunday’s Ulster LGFA final secured will bring the feel good factor to Colaiste Feirste and will fancy their chances of despossing of St. Molaise before rushing back to Lurgan for the Ladies final.

Sunday’s game is the second of four quarter-finals and St. Molaise will travel with confidence as this is their third successive year at St. Paul’s.

Last year they lost to a Cavan Gaels side who went all the way to the final and the year before they fell to a Four Masters side who won last years final so St. Molaise will feel that that experience will stand to them on Sunday.

The winners will go on to meet Magherafelt who defeated Antrim champions St. Brigid’s in their quarter-final meeting at Colaiste Feirste last weekend.

Here are the team sheets for the game.