Category / Latest News

by thesaffrongael

Portglenone take on Four Masters in the Paul McGirr tournament

Captains Odhran Doherty (Portglenone) and Tomás Carr (Four Masters) at the tournament launch

Four Masters v Roger Casements Portglenone

Sunday 17th Nov. Gardrum Park, Dromore @ 4pm

The second quarter final in the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship in association with MFC Sports takes place at 4:00 p,m, in Gardrum Park Dromore this Sunday and promises to be an intriguing encounter between Antrim champions Rogers Casement’s Portglenone and Donegal’s Four Masters.

The Four Masters club are currently riding on the crest of a wave sweeping all before them in Donegal underage football having won both the U16 and U18 championships coming on the trail of last year’s U18 team who are the current holders of the Ulster U18 title won in fine style at St Pauls last year.  Led by the inspirational Tomas Carr from midfield the Donegal town lads will be looking to emulate their club mates as they seek to win the Ulster crown, Carr forms a formidable midfield partnership with Thomas Healy and they will be hoping to provide an attacking platform for a forward line featuring the impressive Thomas Lenehan, Finn Gillespie and Gethin Mosby among others.  Ethan McCrea and Conal Flannery form the spine of a very tight back line which has rarely been penetrated this year to date conceding just 0-4 in the county final against Dungloe.   

Four Masters manager Emmett Gallagher commented on the importance of Ulster football at this level ‘’We are delighted and honoured to be part of the Paul McGirr tournament for 2024. Underage football is about development and gaining experiences. Our players are relishing the opportunity of playing against the best players and club teams of their age in Ulster. We know we face a tough challenge in the quarter final from Roger Casements. They are a club with a proud tradition and have had a great year to date winning the Antrim U16 Championship and their Senior team getting to a county final. We look forward to what should be a close and competitive game.”

Roger Casements are hoping that this crop of players can crown what has been a fine year for the Portglenone club, a year that has seen them making huge progress across all levels and marking them out as the possible heir to Cargin’s throne.  Having had a huge victory over St. Paul’s in the Antrim semi-final, the black and amber boys emerged 3 point victors in an epic encounter with a highly fancied St. Brigid’s side in their county final. Despite trailing by 3 points and being reduced to 13 men early in the second half the South West Antrim lads dug deep into their reserves to secure a very warranted and historic first U16 county title.  The flame haired Odhran Doherty who produced a scintillating display in that final will be the man the Donegal boys will have to stop, Conall Morgan and Christy Doherty lead their defence while Tom Convery, Conor McKeever and Conor Burns will be tasked with the job of keeping the scoreboard ticking against a mean Four Masters rearguard.         

Roger Casements manager Owen Doherty is really looking forward to the occasion on Sunday ‘Roger Casements are thrilled to participate in the prestigious Paul McGirr Tournament following our first ever 16 Antrim Championship. Competing in this renowned tournament is an exciting opportunity for our players to continue develop their skills against the top teams in Ulster. We look forward to the opportunity to represent Antrim in Ulster against the formidable Four Masters Donegal on the 17th November.” An enticing encounter is expected and it would prove very difficult to predict a winner between the two sides, Four Masters ability to nullify Doherty in midfield could well be the deciding factor.

Paul McGirr

“Paul Mc Girr was only 18 years old when he was fatally injured during a county minor match in Omagh. Paul was representing Tyrone in an Ulster Minor Football Championship game against Armagh when he collided with another player. Paul was a fierce competitor and had risen through the footballing ranks with Dromore and Tyrone GAA. His youthful energy and application were recognised by all around the village of Dromore, with many children looking up to Paul as someone they aspired towards. Although Paul was taken at such an early stage in his life, his spirit lives on within the wider GAA community. Each year, the ‘Paul Mc Girr’ tournament takes place in Dromore, which sees the U-16 winners of each Ulster County battle it out to be declared an Ulster Champion.”_

by thesaffrongael

Lights, Camera, Action as the Ruairi’s face Slaughtneil again

AIB Ulster Senior Hurling Club Championship – Semi Final

Cushendall v Slaughtneil

Date: Saturday 16 November – Throw-in : 7:15pm

Venue: BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, Armagh

Referee: Peter Owens (Liatroim Fontenoys, Down)

Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to Saturday’s Ulster club semi final between Cushendall and Slaughtneil….

Having retained the Volunteer Cup some four weeks ago, Cushendall’s journey continues with the Four Season Cup on their radar.  All roads lead to Armagh on Saturday evening as the Ruairi’s begin the defence of their provincial crown against old adversaries, Slaughtneil.

Saturday will be the fifth time these two will have met in the last 10 years with Cushendall coming out on top in each of the previous occasions.  The rivalry began in Owenbeg in 2014 when the young upstarts from just outside Maghera pushed the ‘Dall to the pin of their collar and it would take extra time and a replay before Cushendall would progress. 

They would meet again some 12 months later in the Athletic Grounds and once again, it took extra time and an epic game of hurling before the Ruairi’s would lift the provincial trophy while last year, they had some four points to spare by the final whistle.

For all the ground that Slaughtneil have broken since lifting their first Ulster club hurling championship in 2016 and mighty performances in the All Ireland series, defeating the men from Cushendall has eluded them.  Something that certainly stings a little when having a yarn with some of the natives over the years.  The players, off course, would never get drawn into such statements.  Like the majority of those who get the short straw and end up in front of the media, they’re too well media trained to show anything that might be construed as a weakness!

The Derry men lifted their 12th county title in succession on 26 October with a much-changed team to recent years.  After Ballycastle native Michael McShane stepped away in December 2023 having led Slaughtneil in nine of that 12 in a row, Paul McCormack took the reins.  A man who comes from fine dual stock and you would think, the perfect fit for a club who have serious aspirations in both codes.  McCormack was part of the Armagh side who won the Sam Maguire in 2002 and captained the Orchard County to Nicky Racard Cup success in 2012.  He then took to coaching with Louth where he won two Lory Meaghers in his five years in charge.

The two teams line up for the anthem before last year’s final in Pair Esler, Newry last year.

In that county final against Banagher, Slaughtneil had the household names that we’re all familiar with in their starting line up.  Gerald Bradley, Brendan Rogers, Sheá Cassidy, Cormac and Oisin O’Doherty, Shane and Sé McGuigan but there’s newer stock coming through.  Fionn McEldowney is a class act in both codes and having seen him play for both school (St Pat’s, Maghera), club and county (football), he’s a serious athlete but a player who you could line out anywhere and he’ll give you an eight out of 10 performance, at the very minimum.  Cathal McKaigue is another who has been promoted from their minor ranks this year while Jack Cassidy and Ruairi O’Mainain will also take some looking after.

The Ruairi’s will start as favourites and with such changes to the Slaughtneil team from recent years, that’s perhaps understandable.  The gap since the county final could perhaps go some way to focusing the minds of the Cushendall players and management.  Looking back at last weekend, it certainly looked to deter the Cargin challenge against Errigal Ciarán but having dealt with similar already this year between the group phase and semi final in the Antrim championship, this gap is likely to be a positive for the Ruairi’s.  A chance to clear up any knocks or niggles that may be lingering from the successful defence of their county crown.

The county final itself was far from a classic.  That matters little now but given how Cushendall navigated their defence, it’s fair to say they have improved from 12 months ago.  Another year under the tutelage of Brian Delargy and with the experience that comes from provincial success, they have a dogged tenacity, intensity in spades with a sprinkling of brilliance all over the pitch.  Natural born leaders in Paddy Burke and Eoghan Campbell before you even look at Neil McManus who needs no further introduction.

Delargy has options in attack with Paddy McGill, Ciaran Neeson, Alex Delargy and Andrew Delargy all coming off the bench against Dunloy.  He elected to start Ryan McCambridge in the middle of the park with McManus lining out at 11 but at this stage it’s a much trusted back six in front of Conor McAlister.

Ed McQuillan was Cushendall’s man of the match last year in Pairc Esler in Newry

Travelling to Armagh on a Saturday evening with a big crowd expected isn’t exactly whetting the appetite.  The car park at the school gives me nightmares when I think on it, it is likely to be a late one.  It’s not the most ‘family orientated’ throw in time and one that’s definitely been geared towards and to facilitate the RTÉ cameras.  It should detract from what promises to be a great game, spectacle and occasion.

It’s just a shame there wasn’t a doubleheader with some of the other Antrim teams that are playing this weekend.  A story for another day….

As it is, Cushendall and Slaughtneil lock horns once again in the latest edition of their epic saga.  If it’s anything like those contests that have preceded it, we’re in for a treat.

Fans at the Cushendall v Slaughtneil replay in Loughgiel ten years ago
by thesaffrongael

St Benedicts win Inter-county Shield final

St Benedict’s Randalstown 5-5 Our Lady’s Castleblayney 0-3

ST Benedict’s have won Ulster schools’ camogie’s Inter-county Shield for the first time. On Wednesday they dominated the final in MUSA with an early goal from Caoimhe Carey the key to gaining control.

Opponents Our Lady’s Secondary Castleblayney showed they were every bit as capable as the winners, but they were always chasing the game, while Clodagh Mclarnon brought off several excellent saves in the first half and at the start of the second, saves that kept her team in control.

While St Benedict’s fought hard in every position, the skill and movement of Brogan Graham, Brenna Bonnes, Erin Neeson and captain Shauna McCann caused Castleblayney particular problems while Caoimhe Carey was a constant threat on the edge of the square.

Carey went on to record four goals, two in each half, and each was a nail in the Monaghan side’s coffin.

Brenna Bonnes opened the scoring with a point and Carey’s goal came in the third minute. Our Lady’s pushed forward to get a foothold on the game but couldn’t break down the Randalstown defence. At the other end St Benedict’s forwards kept chipping away at Castleblayney’s confidence with points from Annie Rankin, Brogan Graham and Erin Neeson before they finished the opening half with Carey’s second goal  to lead by 2-4 to 0-0 at the change of ends.

As she had done on a couple of occasions in the first half, goalie Clodagh McLarnon was called into action early in the second and brilliantly turned a shot out for a 45 from which Kiera McLaughlin got her side’s first score.

But St Benedict’s just needed to grab the odd score here and there to stay in front. Annie Rankin responded with a brilliant point from the right wing in the 38th minute and ten minutes later the game was as good as over when Shauna McCann’s long through ball was forced over the line for Caoimhe Carey to complete her hat-trick.

The other two goals came within a couple of minutes of the end, one from Carey and the last scored by Caoimhe McCann.

Seamus McAleenan of Ulster Schools Camogie presents the Shield to St Benedict’s captain Shauna McCann

St Benedict’s: C Carey 4-0, C McCann 1-0, A Rankin 0-2, B Graham, B Bonnes, E Neeson 0-1 each

Our Lady’s: K McLaughlin 0-3 frees.

The winning St Benedict’s panel was: 

ClodaghMcLarnon, Fiadh O’Boyle, Brogain McGuckien, Caoimhe Carey, Tanisha McCann, Ciara McCann, Brogan Graham, Shauna McCann capt., Brenna Bonnes, Caoimhe McCann, Mya Cooke, Annie Rankin, Erin Neeson, Clare McStocker, Erin Rose McNeilly, Amy Moss, Eva Agnew, Callie Robb, Eimhear McGuckien, Katie Hughes, Cora McAuley, Isla Agnew

by thesaffrongael

Angela Sings at Scór Once More   

Angela Feeney, a St Paul’s and Antrim legend, returned to Scór this weekend again, 50 years after her All Ireland win in 1974 in the Olympia Theatre in Dublin. Angela came to the Scór County final from Munich after being contacted by Bronagh Lennon. She was presented with a County medal and also with a gift to welcome her. The County was so proud to have someone as well known as Angela in Randalstown at Scór na nÓg on Sunday. Angela Feeney told the crowd how her performance was broadcast on the radio after the All Ireland and Irish Opera discovered her talent. She has been all over the world ever since.

Angela with county chairman Seamus McMullan, Paul Donnelly (left) and Bronagh Lennon of Scor, the lady who made it all happen.
Angela with Jimmy Gaston (left), Maureen Gaston and Paul Donnelly.

Angela made her professional singing debut as Cherubino in “The Marriage of Figaro” in 1977 and continued her studies in Munich. She was the first Irish singer to be signed as a soloist by the Munich State Opera and has made guest appearances with the Bamberger Symphoniker and the Hamburg State Operaand Frankfurt Opera companies.   Her performances include: Elvira in English National Opera’s Don Giovanni and Un giorno di regno, as Giulietta at the Wexford Festival (recorded live for BBC Radio 3). She opened Cork City Opera’s first season as Leonora in Il trovatore and returned the following year in La bohème as Mimi. She has performed Madame Butterfly at the Berlin State Opera. Other performances have been as Marie in The Bartered Bride, Michaela in Carmen and Nedda in Pagliacci Angela Feeney is founder of the Belfast Classical Music Bursary Scheme and initiated Féile an Phobail’s West Belfast Classical Bursary Awards and has promoted various charities and tourism in local and wider Northern Ireland.

In 2002 she was recognised by the Belfast City Council and given a special award by the judges in recognition of her outstanding services. Angela performed for a packed parish hall in Randalstown and presented the County Champions with their medals. It certainly is a day that we will remember for a long time.

by thesaffrongael

2,000,000 and still counting

We at the Saffron Gael have regularly brought you updates on the number of views we have had on the site and today, with still 7 weeks of the season remaining, we are happy to tell you that we have broken the 2 million mark for the third season in succession.

The Saffron Gael was launched back in May 2017 by John (Curly) McIlwaine and his brother Paddy and the first game posted was an U21 Hurling final between Dunloy and Loughgiel on May 29th.

The team who line out in the first game we reported on back in May 2017

In 2017 we had 724,728 views on the site. In 2018 the numbers increased to 1,373,793 views and in 2019 we were up again to 1,638,846 views, further evidence that the site is extremely popular with Gaels in Antrim.

In 2020 we were slightly below the 2019 figures but still recorded 1,617,956 despite the lockdown due to the Covid 19 pandemic and in 2021 figure were up again, this time to another high of 1,919,010 views.

The 2 Million mark became something of an obsession for myself and John and in 2022 it finally arrived when we recorded 2,190,135 on the Saffron Gael and last year it got even better when we passed the 2.5 Million mark for the first time.

As I write this article today the viewing figures for 2024 currently stand at 2,002,750 and it seems unlikely that we will reach that record breaking number of last year but there are still 7 weeks of the years to go so we will wait and see.

Earlier this week we recorded our 10,000th post on the site, just an indication of the amount of time and work that it takes to provide the amount of posts that are available on the site on a daily basis.

We have been very fortunate to have had a strong team of volunteers who give their service freely to the site and without the help of people like Brendan McTaggart, Bert Trowlen, Kevin Herron, Seamus McAleenan, Sean Paul McKillop, Joe Carberry, Brian McKee, Michael Corcoran, Geordie McGuckin, Damian McKee, JJ Lawell, Mickey Morgan, Sean Toal, Pete Hyndman, Elaine Kelly, Claire Fawl and Tony McCollum plus anyone we may have missed, without whom this volume of publication would not be possible.

Most of all many thanks to the indivduals who contribute, plus the businneses and companies who have sponsored us. None of this would work if we did not have their support. Clubs too have weighed in with a number of clubs donating annually to the site and to these clubs were are eternally grateful and if your club has not yet made a donation this year we would appeal to you to do so.

Finally a big thanks to our readership whose regular viewing have created these figures and we would appeal to you to support our sponsors who have enabled you to view the Saffron Gael free of charge.