Category / Latest News

by thesaffrongael

20th title for mighty Maghera as St Killian’s come up short

Above – Ahoghill’s Katie McCloskey receives her Player of the Match trophy after helping St Pat’s Maghera to their third title in a row

Camogie – Corn Uan Uladh final

St Patrick’s Maghera 4-14 St Killian’s Garron Tower 1-8

St Pat’s Maghera won their 20th Corn Uan Uladh title when they beat St Killian’s Garron Tower in the third final in a row at the Dub Arena on Sunday with a high powered display of Camogie. The St Killian’s girls just couldn’t get going in the opening quarter, despite grabbing the first score of the game through Eva McNeill. However from then on St Pat’s held the upper hand and despite a revival from the Garron Tower girls in the second quarter they still led by 2-09 to 0-06 at the interval.

After the change of ends St Killian’s had a lot more possession but they found the scores a lot harder to come by against a top class Maghera defence. They fought to the very end and could have been a bit closer had they taken a couple of good goal chances, one from an Eva McNeill penalty which rattled off the under-side of the crossbar with the St Pat’s keeper well beaten. However the Maghera side were deserved winners and must surely fancy their chances of competing for an All Ireland title when they come around in a few weeks time.

Eva McNeill sent over an early point from a free to give St Killian’s a good start but St Pat’s hit back right away and Grace Kelly fired low to the net after a high ball had been blocked out. That opened the door for a flood of scores from the champions and Emma Quinn, full forward Caoimhe Chambers and Aoibh Mulholland all found the target.

Things went from bad to worse for St Killian’s when the Maghera side grabbed their second goal nearing the end of the opening quarter, full forward Chambers firing home and three pointed frees soon followed from the accurate Emma Quinn, plus one from play by Chambers and the gap was into double figures.

Eva McNeill steadied the ship a little when she sent over three more frees and when Amy McAlister and Cliodhna Thompson grabbed points apiece the gap was down to 2-9 to 0-06 by the time match referee Julie O’Neill sounded the half time whistle

During the third quarter the Garron Tower girls battled hard and had good spells of possession, despite playing ‘up the slope’, but St Pat’s skill level kept them firmly in control. Two goals from player of the match Katie McCloskey put the icing on the cake for St Pat’s the Ahoghill centre forward finishing with aplomb. St Killian’s kept their hard work going and got some reward when midfielder Leona Gillan grabbed a goal and full forward Cliodhna Thompson sent over a point. However the cup was on its way back to the Maghera for the third year in a row and they can look forward to their meeting with Galway champions Gort Community School in three weeks’ time

St Patrick’s: O Johnston, O McCartney, E Griffin, A McWilliams, R Doherty, E Murray capt, B Brolly, C Conway 0-2, MT McCullagh 0-1, G Kelly 1-2, K McCloskey 2-0, L Cassidy, A Mulholland 0-2, C Chambers 1-2, E Quinn 0-5, 4 frees

Subs: B Donaghy for L Cassidy (ht), E Conway for B Brolly (41), L McKaigue for A McWilliams (46), É McElhinney for C Conway (48)

St Killian’s: L McNaughton, L McCollum, M McAllister, E McCann, E McNaughton, L Black, E Ward, E McNeill 0-5, 3 frees, L Gillan 1-0, A McAlister 0-1, K McNeill, C McNaughton, R Black capt., C Thompson 0-2, T Black.

Subs: S Carey for C McNaughton (37)

Referee: J O’Neill (Armagh)

To see more pics from the game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/piB6Ez2fDQeVUD

by thesaffrongael

St Killian’s face a tough task against Maghera

Corn Uan Uladh final

Sunday 12th January 1pm in Dub Arena

St Patrick’s Maghera v St Killian’s Garron Tower

FOR the third successive Ulster senior schools’ camogie final, the line-up is St Patrick’s Maghera v St Killian’s Garron Tower with the Antrim side still in search of their first ever Corn Uan Uladh and Maghera aiming to stretch their record haul to 20 titles.

The schools have also met in the junior final for Corn Eimhear for the past two seasons and therefore are becoming very familiar with each other.

Nevertheless it is quite an achievement for St Killian’s to reach this level of competition, given that they have one of the smallest panels of players in senior camogie and rely heavily on the Ruairí óg Club in Cushendall. Eleven from the current Antrim minor champions started the semi-final against St Louis Ballymena with two more coming in as second half substitutes.

Just four of the Tower girls played in last year’s final against Maghera – Laura and Tamara Black and Eva and Kady McNeill while eight started the junior decider in November.

By contrast St Patrick’s have ten from last year’s starting team available including Cáit Conway who broke her collar bone in that final and missed most of the first half of 2024. She then picked up a second long-term injury at the end of the summer and missed Swatragh’s run to the provincial senior club final. However Conway came into the semi-final with Cross & Passion a week before Christmas as a substitute and should be available for the decider.

Younger sister Eimear put in a fine performance in that semi-final as did Swatragh team-mates Aoife McWilliams, Eimear Murray, Mary-Therese McCullagh and Emma Quinn. Indeed the Maghera attack is very strong with last year’s QUB GAA Player of the Match Grace Kelly, Bellaghy ace Caoimhe Chambers and Aoibh Mulholland who was one of the finds of the season for Slaughtneil seniors.

There is a lot of experience in the Maghera team overall and St Killian’s will need to have a lot of ball running for them in the final if they are to break through their glass ceiling.

Nevertheless Laura Black and Méabh McAlister in defence, the McNeills in midfield and Amy McAlister up front are all skilful hurlers and will challenge the Derry side.

Incidentally St Killian’s have beaten Maghera in the group stages over each of the past three seasons, but so far have come up short in the show-piece final. Can they make it third time lucky?

The more likely outcome however is that Maghera will continue their dominance of the competition and move on to challenge for what the Derry school really craves – a breakthrough All-Ireland success.

by thesaffrongael

Corn Uan Uladh final switched to Sunday

The Corn Uan Uladh final between holders St Pat’s Maghera and v St Killian’s Garron Tower, which was scheduled for Saturday morning at 11am at the Dub Arena has been put back until Sunday as the bitterly cold weather has taken its toll. The game will now be played on Sunday at 1pm at the same venue

Corn Uan Uladh final

Sunday 12th January 1pm in Dub Arena

St Patrick’s Maghera v St Killian’s Garron Tower

by thesaffrongael

Rossa assemble on Divis Mountain for annual St Stephen’s Day run / walk

It was a mild but misty morning but that did not deter a huge gathering of Rossa players, family members and friends from running/walking on Divis Mountain on St Stephens Day. 

A great way to walk off the turkey and roasties but also to raise funds for a great cause, The Paediatrician Care Initiative will bring injured children from Gaza for emergency treatment in Ireland.

Thanks to everyone who came out today. 

Great to see so many friends, old and new 💙💛

by thesaffrongael

Griffin goal ensures Four Masters edge out Magherafelt in thrilling Ulster Minor decider

FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament at St Pauls

O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt 0-09-1-08 Four Masters

Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Pol

DARRAGH Griffin’s palmed goal at the beginning of the second half ensured that Four Masters retained the Jimmy McConville Cup after a fantastic spectacle saw the holders run out 1-08-0-09 winners over Magherafelt at the Shaws Road venue on New Year’s Day.

The sides cancelled each other out in the opening half with Griffin’s goal giving his side the advantage for the first time and it was one they didn’t relinquish as they became the first team since Glen to successfully defend their crown and followed in the footsteps of fellow Donegal side Killybegs- who won back-to-back honours in the 1980s.

Holly Donnelly and her dad Aidan present the Anne Marie Donnelly Player of the Match awards to Four Masters Kevin Muldoon after his team’s win over Magherafelt

Both sides made a late change as Darragh Griffin replaced Thomas Lenehan for Four Masters and Michael McKenna came in for Caolan Higgins for Magherafelt.

Magherafelt were ahead inside of a minute when Conall Higgins guided a pass low into the path of Cahair Spiers and he laid off to Jude Beattie to pop over.

Spiers swung over a free to extend his sides lead and their third score came from an advanced mark after Lorcan Higgins chipped a ball into Kian Maynes- who claimed the mark- and converted.

It took until the 13th minute for the holders to get off and running on the scoreboard. Oisin Doherty slipped a ball into the path of Tiarnan McBride, under pressure McBride popped the ball out to Conor Gallagher McCahill to drop over an angled score.

A converted 45’ from Magherafelt keeper Karl Campbell restored his sides three-point advantage, but Four Masters got to grips with things as the half progressed.

Conor Gallagher McCahill swung over a close-range free and a Tómas Carr kicked a magnificent 45’ against the wind on the 23rd minute.

They had the chance to claim the opening goal when Kevin Muldoon burst forward and laid off to Tómas Carr, he in turn found McCahill to send a low attempt across the face of goal and wide.

Just before the break Four Masters restored parity, Carr popped the ball into the path of Callum McCrea and his quick lay-off allowed Oisin Doherty to blast over and make it 0-04 apiece at the interval.

The opening score arrived four minutes into the second period, and it would prove decisive at the conclusion.

Tómas Carr kicked a ball into the forward line that Tiarnan McBride got a flick to and the outstretched palm of Darragh Griffin guided the ball beyond the reach of Karl Campbell and into the net to make it 1-04-0-04.

Magherafelt’s Kian Maynes sends over an early free

A super point followed from Conor Gallagher McCahill but Lorcan Higgins weaved his way forward and landed a fantastic reply to lift Magherafelt.

Two scores inside a minute before the midway point in the half strengthened Four Masters grip, Turlough Carr fed brother Tómas to clip over and after McCahill was hauled down- Oisin Doherty converted the free.

Points were exchanged between Rory Small and Turlough Carr as the gap remained at five with less than 10-minutes remaining.

Magherafelt rallied with Conall Higgins swinging a shot over following a move involving Rory Small and Cahair Spiers and he then kicked a magnificent angled free to leave a goal in things with four minutes left.

The Derry side sensed a chance of an equaliser after Lorcan Higgins intercepted a wayward pass by Theo Colhoun and played a one-two with Ronan Ferris before a heavy hit from Eoghan O’Neill brought the chance to a conclusion, with Conall Higgins converting the free and reducing arrears in the process.

The much-needed goal that Magherafelt sought wouldn’t arrive in the closing stages and both sides lost men in added time.

Theo Colhoun rose highest to claim goalkeeper Lewis McCaughan’s kick-out and he slipped a pass to Kevin Muldoon- who was taken out by substitute Michael Lavery, and he received a black card for his troubles.

The subsequent free clipped the large post from McCahill’s effort and Turlough Carr was then black-carded for a pull-down as Magherafelt attempted to break-out of defence.

There was still enough time for Magherafelt to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat, but Kian Maynes late shot was deflected over and referee Colm McDonald’s final whistle brought proceedings to an end as Four Masters celebrated back-to-back triumphs in the competition

St Paul’s chairperson Caroline McLaughlin and Sean Walsh of tournament sponsors fonaCAB presents the cup to joint captains of Four Masters Terence McGovern (19) and Callum McCrea after the game

O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt: K Campbell (0-1 45’), T Cartin, Z Gavigan, R Conway, M McKenna, R Small (0-1), C Kerr, J Beattie (0-1), C Spiers (0-1), C Leacock, E Spiers, L Higgins (0-1), K Maynes (0-1m), C Higgins (0-3, 0-2f), M Higgins. Subs: M Lavery for M Higgins (28), R Ferris for E Spiers (51).

Four Masters: L McCaughan, K Muldoon, D McGinty, E O’Neill. C Gavigan, C McCrea, A Quinn, Tómas Carr (0-2,0-1 45’), T Colhoun, P McGonagle, Turlough Carr (0-1), D Griffin (1-0), C Gallagher McCahill (0-3, 0-1f), T McBride, O Doherty (0-2, 0-1f). Subs: A McHugh for D Griffin (52).

Referee: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE FINAL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/DLYRzvjKczDfMN