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by thesaffrongael

All or nothing as we reach the last 4

Bathshack Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals

By six o’clock on Sunday evening, four will become two and we will know the pairing for this years Senior Hurling Championship final.  Can Loughgiel get one over their rivals again and can the Ruairi’s juggernaut continue?  Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to the semi finals….

Cushendall v St John’s

Saturday 5 October

Venue: Pearse Park, Dunloy

Referee: Colm McDonald

Throw In: 4pm

The first semi final takes place on Saturday afternoon in Dunloy with the reining champions Cushendall putting their crown on the line against St John’s.  The Ruairi’s have been mighty impressive so far in the championship while St John’s are looking to perfect the art of peaking at the right time.

The champions have had a settled team of sorts in their three matches with the same names appearing in the starting lineup 12 times.  Conor McAllister between the sticks, an unchanged back six and midfield pairing while Ryan and Fergus McCambridge along with Joseph McLaughlin have been the ever presents up front. 

Neil McManus’ contribution has been restricted to a substitution cameo in their last group game against Dunloy, I’d fully expect him to line out at 14 on Saturday however.  He’s been nursing his way back to full fitness throughout the championship and his cameo against the Cuchullains was a wee note to the rest of the county – I’m still here, don’t go forgetting about me. 

The other two positions are a little trickier to nail down.  The work rate of Andrew Delargy or Andrew McNaughton could get the nod in the half forward line while an inside forward line of McManus, McLaughlin and Ciaran Neeson would be enough to give any team nightmares.  Ronan McAteer, Paddy McGill and Dominic Delargy could all make a claim for a starting berth however and wouldn’t lessen the strength of the Ruairi’s starting 15.

The Johnnies panel has been stretched in the earlier rounds and an indication of such is the fact they have just seven names in the starting 15 in all four matches.  In their last two matches which have essentially been knock out, they’ve shown a much more settled team with just two changes from the Rossa and Naomh Eanna starting 15’s.  From the 15 that started against Naomh Eanna two weeks ago, just 10 started in the swimming pool against Cushendall in Ballymena.

Mickey Johnston has selected an unchanged back six in front of Simon Doherty for the last two matches, two matches that they have been mighty impressive in and recording high scores at the other end of the pitch.  With Peter McCallin playing at six, Michael Bradley and Michail Dudley back in the starting lineup, the Johnnies look to be clicking into gear at the right time.

Having already played each other in group stages, neither will be paying attention to both performances and results.  It mattered little in the grand scheme of things and given the conditions, it was a game that both wanted to get out of the road with no major injuries.

The midfield pairing of Fred McCurry and Alex Delargy have been instrumental so far for the Ruairi’s and how St John’s deal with them along with McManus and McLaughlin could be telling.  St John’s have racked up 1-27 against Rossa and 0-30 last day out against Naomh Eanna.  Their attacking unit will take some looking after with Shea Shannon, Conor Johnston and Conal Bohill all impressing while Dudley has chipped in with eight points over the two games.  They’ll need to be at their best to get anything from a Cushendall defence that are notoriously stingy when it comes to space and time for their opponents.

Cushendall are favourites with Paddy Power, priced as low as 1/5 with St John’s at 4/1.  I don’t think it will be just as comfortable as the odds would suggest but I would expect the Ruairi’s to reach the final.

Loughgiel v Dunloy

Venue: Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall

Sunday 6 October 2024

Referee: Mark O’Neill

Throw In: 4pm

And as if fate would have it, one of the oldest rivalries in Antrim hurling is paired again at the same stage as last year.  12 months ago, Loughgiel put an end to Dunloy’s Drive for Five with a barnstorming performance in Ballycastle that left the Cuchullains shellshocked.  Needless to say, the Shamrocks will be hoping for something similar again on Sunday.

Their paths to the final couldn’t be much different.  For Loughgiel, Sunday will be their first match in four week and third competitive fixture in eight weeks while the Cuchullains line out for the fifth time in the same time period.  It’s not ideal from a Loughgiel point of view and if you were to ask any of those in red, you can be guaranteed they’d prefer a schedule like that which Dunloy have come through.  Championship runs are all about momentum and feeding off the energy that each win can bring.  When you have to wait as long as the Shamrocks have between fixtures, it’s not impossible to get momentum but it certainly adds to the work of the backroom team.

From their two championship matches so far, Loughgiel have had the same 14 names in the starting 15 with their ‘keeper, back six and half forward line all unchanged.  Against Ballycastle they lined out with James McNaughton and Paul Boyle in the middle of the pitch while Enda Og McGarry was on the inside forward line.  I’d expect Enda to play further out the field with Rian McMullan and Shan McGrath staying inside when they look for their match ups against Dunloy.

The Cuchullains haven’t really had a settled team throughout their four matches.  Just 10 regulars in the starting 15 which is quite surprising with Ryan Elliott in goals and the midfield pairing of Paul Shiels and Seaan Elliott the only guarantees.

Their win against Ballycastle in the quarter-finals took it’s toll with Keelan Molloy and Seaan Elliott both taking knocks and while Conal Cunning made a return from injury to start that game, he wasn’t exactly the picture of health by the time the final whistle came.  Those three are a major cog in the Cuchullains machine and while I expect them to start, it remains to be seen if they are 100%.

Ronan Molloy was missing from the starting lineup against Ballycastle having played wing half back throughout the championship.  He’s been struggling with injury at different times this year and while he wasn’t part of the match day panel, I’d expect him to take his place in the back six again.

Up front is where all the changes have come from Dunloy.  Eoin O’Neill, Keelan Molloy and Nigel Elliott are the only players to have started every match so far.  Aodhan McGarry has started the last two games and was excellent against Ballycastle.  I’d expect him to line out again in the half forward line and leave an inside forward line of Coby, O’Neill and one of Chrissy McMahon or Nicky McKeague. 

Despite the changes and that chastening defeat to Cushendall, Dunloy remain bookies favourites to reach the final.  Paddy Power prices the Shamrocks at 7/4 with Dunloy at 4/7 and a draw a tempting 8/1.

There won’t be much in this.  There rarely is between these two sides through the years.  The hurt of losing last years semi could well give Dunloy the motivation they need to get over the line against a Loughgiel team who haven’t really been tested in the championship to date.

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon win Disability Sport Inclusive Club of the Year

Above – Janet Gray and Jim Rose of Disability Sport NI with members of the Aghagallon winning team

St Mary’s Aghagallon have been awarded the Disability Sport NI Inclusive Club of the Year Award (Mainstream) for 2023 / 2024. The award recognises and celebrates sports clubs that have made significant improvements or taken noteworthy measures to positively include disabled people within the club environment. It was presented to club chairman Columb Walsh, as well as player and coach representatives from the Aghagallon GAA for All ‘All Stars’ team at the Disability Sport Ni AGM on Tuesday night. St Mary’s All Stars team was launched in April 2023 and has gone from strength to strength with almost 50 players registered. The training sessions are held on a weekly basis, every Saturday morning, for all age groups and the aim of the team is to promote fun, fitness, friendships and fundamental GAA skills.

Aghagallon club chairma Columb Walsh with the award

Club chairman, Columb Walsh states, ‘When the idea of introducing an All Star section was first mooted we had no idea of the impact it would have for young people within the Parish who previously had no access to our games or opportunity to represent their club. Over the last 2 years it has been incredible to see the enjoyment within this group, but also to see these young people, not only develop their sporting skills, but grow in confidence and independence. The Disability Sport NI Inclusive Award is recognition of the dedication, commitment and support given by our All Star coaches, our parents and our All Stars.’

Indeed, plenty of fantastic work is going on behind the scenes within our overall Antrim GAA for All set up. Creggan Kickhams, home of the Antrim All Stars, recently hosted the Ulster GAA for All day which was a phenomenal success. Aghagallon, in collaboration with Gaelfast, hosted the first ever GAA for All Cúl Camp in the county this summer. St Brigid’s have recently formed a team in Belfast and St Teresa’s are currently in the process of setting up. Of course our own county photographer, Bert Trowlen, has been instrumental in publicising the good work going on throughout the county and beyond. Bert, a proud granda of a GAA for All player, never misses an event or occasion, and is dedicated champion for all GAA for All teams. His photography showcases the pure and infectious joy that GAA for All brings to so many.

Antrim GAA for All county representative Tony McCollum says, ‘GAA for All throughout Ulster is thriving and it has been wonderful to watch the growth of this sector, not only throughout the province but in Antrim too. It is wonderful for a club in our own county, St Mary’s Aghagallon, to receive deserved recognition for their efforts with the establishment of their team last year. The benefits and enjoyment that GAA for All brings to players, their families and the wider community is beyond measure. I would encourage every club in the county to strongly consider getting involved and establish their own GAA for All team.’ 

Any interested clubs who wish to be involved in GAA for All or who want to find out how to get started should contact Tony McCollum on 07752 700309. 

by thesaffrongael

CPC off to a flyer

Danske Bank Mageean Cup

Thursday 3rd October at Fr Healy Park, Loughiel

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 4-27 St Patrick’s Maghera 0-15

Cross & Passion College got their Mageean Cup campaign off to the perfect start when they beat St Pat’s Maghera in the opening round robin game at Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel on Thursday. The Ballycastle college had to withstand a stern challenge from St Pat’s during the opening quarter when the Derry school hit five points without reply, but they soon responded and hit back to lead by 2-13 to 0-08 at the interval, despite having played against a strong breeze.

A couple of CPC scores in the opening minutes seemed to suggest the ‘Convent’ were in for an easy ride, but once they settled Maghera started to pick off some excellent scores, and five without reply had them ahead, despite Conor Donnelly getting the first of his three goals. However their potent forward line began to click into gear and they started to find their range with a series of excellent scores and with Donnelly adding another goal and Paudi Martin, Caeden Crawford and Oisin McCallin picking off some top class points the pushed on the lead by eleven points by the time match referee Owen Elliott sounded the half time whistle. (2-13 to 0-08)

St Pat’s showed a bit more urgency when they came out for the second half and they closed the gap with a couple of points, but with the breeze now favouring CPC the task facing the Maghera side was massive. Caedan Crawford, Paudi Martin and Oisin McCallin relied with points apiece to put them on top once again, and though St Pat’s hit a couple great points from frees the pendulum had now swung decisively to the CPC side. With team captain Liam Glackin chipping in with a couple of long range efforts to add to those by the forwards the gap stretched even further and the size of the winning margin is another indications of just why the Ballycastle school are firm favourites to go all the way this season.

CPC: C Donnelly 3-3, C Crawford 1-4, O McCallin (2 frees) and P Martin (5 frees) 0-7 each, R Fitzgerald 0-3 (1 free), L Glackin 0-2 (1 free), O Conway 0-1.

St Patrick’s: R Collins 0-5 (frees), C óg McCloskey 0-3 (2 frees), O Doherty and G McIvor 0-2 each, D O’Neill, J McCloy and A McGill 0-1 each.

CPC: Anthony Mullan, ⁠Cathair McMullan, Reece Cunning, Eunan Johnson, Dara Kinney, Liam Glackin, Ardan Kelly, Niall McClean, Ronan Fitzgerald, Conan Johnson, Conor Donnelly, Aidan Richmond, Oisín McCallin, Paudie Martin, Caedan Crawford.

Subs: Liam McGarry for C Johnson (37), Oisin Conway for A Richmond (45), Tomás McNulty for E Johnson (45), Logan McConville for D Kinney (54)

St Patrick’s: Dara Hasson, Danny Gallagher, Odhrán Burke, Niall McNicholl, Phelim óg Diamond, Pádraig O’Kane, Darragh O’Neill, Daithí McCloskey, Odhrán Doherty, Cathal Quinn, Cormac óg McCloskey, Rian Collins, Anthony McGill, Jack McCloy, Gabhan McIvor.

Subs: Cathal Mulholland for P óg Diamond (42), Kevin Barry Mullan for O Burke (45), Charlie Friel for J McCloy (45), Pádraig McAreavey for A McGill (50)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/ePNenDUwbPsBts

by thesaffrongael

Ports take Breslin Cup honours

The South West Antrim competitions continued at the weekend with Casement’s Portglenone collecting the Breslin Cup with a good win over St. James Aldergrove. The same sides had met in the Laverty Shield final earlier in the season and many of those on duty had featured in that game.

Portglenone once again proved too strong for the boys from Crumlin who never the less put up a strong performance against a Casement’s side who have already collected the All County U16A league title with a win over favourites St. Brigid’s.

Most of Sunday’s U16 side will be back in action this weekend as part of the Casement’s side who face St. Gall’s in the Minor B Football Final in Toome on Sunday at 12-00, noon and will be hoping to add another title in a season that has been a resounding success for this group of players.

SHIELD SUCCESS FOR CREGGAN

In the Breslin Shield it was Kickham’s Creggan who recorded a good win over neighbours, Tir na nOg Randalstown in an entertaining final and once again the South West Board should be congratulated as they bring their season to a successful conclusion despite the difficulties in finding suitable dates for their competitions,

TO VIEW BRESLIN PICTORIAL CLICK ON LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/mLiYNwVUQCcAxH

by thesaffrongael

Naomh Padraig claim first county title

Antrim Minor B Hurling Championship Final

Naomh Padraig (North Antrim) 3-16  St Pauls 2-13

A spirited performance from Naomh Padraig  in Ballymena on Sunday afternoon saw them claim their first ever county title in their short 10 year history in an excellent game of hurling.

This Naomh Padraig team included the first set of fellas to have come the whole way through the clubs juvenile structures from primary school level.

There were jubilant scenes at the final whistle when the family and friends from the four parent clubs of Cushendun. Carey, Cloughmills, & Armoy joined their minor hurlers on the field to celebrate.

Naomh Padraig played with the wind in the first half and went in at the break leading on a scoreline Naomh Padraig 2-8  St Pauls 0-7 after first half goals from Donnacha Laverty and Ryan Watson.

St Pauls Sean Mc Larnon and James Mc Donnell had been keeping the Shaws Road men in touch throughout the half and with their strong attacking running and if it hadn’t been for a few excellent point blank saves from

Liam Magee in the Naomh Padraig nets things could have been a lot closer at the short whistle.

The second half saw St Pauls narrow the gap to a single point mid-way through the half after a goal from play by Sean Mc Larnon and then a second goal from the same player from the penalty spot after some robust defending by the Naomh Padraig defence.

It was certainly game on at this stage with both sets of supporters getting behind their teams as every ball became more important than the last as both teams scrambled to get the advantage.

It was high ball into the St Pauls box that broke out to the Naomh Padraig second half substitute Charlie Mc Auley who doubled on it the rattle the net giving his team a 4 point lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.

The continued accuracy of the Naomh Padraig Captain Calum Kane from frees in those final minutes saw his team push on and secure the first county title for the North Antrim Club.

The majority of this talented group of St Pauls minors will have little time to rest as they also contest this weekends Minor A Football Final v St Brigids, proof of the large amount of coaching work ongoing at juvenile level within the St Pauls club.

Naomh Padraig were however worthy winners on the day and with many of these minors now going back next year to play for their parent adult clubs of Armoy, Carey Cushendun & Cloughmills it was a great way to finish off their juvenile careers by lifting the silverware.  

Naomh Padraig (North Antrim)

Liam Magee, John Magee, Andrew Mc Garry, Shea Mc Gowan, Charlie Douthart, Adam Hughes, James Mc Neill, Callum Kane (C) , Shea Mc Ginley, Cathair Mc Caughan, Kieran Mc Toal, Callum Magee, Ryan Watson, Ryan Mc Quaid, Donnacha Laverty

Subs Used: Eoin Bailey, Charlie Mc Auley, Corey Quinn, Aran Callan

Scorers: Calum Kane 0-10 (frees), Donnacha Laverty 1-2, Ryan Watson 1-1, Charlie Mc Auley 1-1, Cathair Mc Caughan 0-2

St Pauls

Ciaran O Carroll, Patrick Crawford, Pauric Mc Kevitt, Padraig Mc Donnell, Garrett Cowan (C), Cian Mc Cann, Liam Murray, Miceal Valley, Ewan Mc Greevy, Nathan O Neill, Sean Mc Larnon, James Mc Donnell, Ordhan Donnelly, Darragh Brown, Shea Burns

Subs Used: Osin Mc Greevy, Ciaran Brown, Padraig Keenan

Scorers: Sean Mc Larnon 2-5, James Mc Donnell 0-5, Darragh Brown 0-1, Shea Burns 0-1

Referee: Piarais Mc Caffery (St Galls)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/M67t4bkbNNE2MV/?invite=98899c6e-52d5-464b-8838-f7d36a7a03df