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by thesaffrongael

So close yet so far for battling Lamh Dhearg

AIB Ulster LGFA Junior Club Q/Final

Lámh Dhearg 1-6 Cumann Pheadair Naofa 0-10

Despite a spirited performance, Lamh Dhearg made their exit from the Ulster Junior Club Championship when they lost by the minimum to a good Cumann Pheadair Naofa in Hannastown on Saturday.

It was a case of, so close yet so far in a game that was in the balance right up to the final whistle with Enya Quinn’s late point for the Down champions clinching a place in the semi-finals where they will meet Monaghan champions Aughnamullen next weekend.

In a very tight, hard fought contest, St. Peter’s edged the early exchanges with some fine flowing football and looked the more impressive of the two sides. With never more than the bare minimum between them the hosts soon got to grips with the game and took a slender one point lead into the break thanks to five scores from Robin Murray, who was at the heart of everything good that the Antrim champions could produce in a good first 30 minutes.

Murray kicked five of Lámh Dhearg’s six first half points, whilst the Down Champions scores came from Enya Quinn, Anna Craven & Alicia Seoin.

The Blues had an appeal for a penalty waved away just before the half, but would have been pleased to be only one behind having played into the wind in the first half.

Disaster looked to have struck for the visitors early in the second when Emma Russell received a yellow card and whilst she was sitting out her 10 minutes in the sin-bin Lamh Dhearg seized an opportunity to pull away from their doggedly determined opponents, when a high ball into the square from a Murray free shortly after found the net to establish a four point lead.

The Lamh’s looked in a strong position at this stage but that proved to be their final score as Warrenpoint slowly, but surely, crept level with five unanswered points, the impressive Enya Quinn pointing the equaliser with six minutes to play before firing over the winner, three minutes later for a first ever Ulster semi-final appearance for the seaside town.

To view Berts Photographs click on the Link Below

https://myalbum.com/album/z5TAXhrjRtamHt

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy book their place in the semi-final

U21 B Football Championship

 Sarsfields 0-7 Dunloy 2-14

Dunloy booked their place in the under 21B semi-final with an impressive win away to Sarsfields on Sunday afternoon. With both teams getting to grips with the conditions, the early stages were tight as they traded scores.

The decisive moment of the first half though came on 15 minutes when Ben O’Kane won a Sarsfield’s kick out and fed Oisin McCamphill who made no mistake finishing to the net. Following the goal Dunloy were able to gain a bit of momentum in attack and started to pick off some impressive scores. Sarsfields replied with two points of their own just before the half time whistle to leave it all to play for in the second half.

Half time score Sarsfields 0-4 Dunloy 1-6.

The second half started as the first half finished with Sarsfields fighting their way back into the game and scoring a point in their first attack. They pressed Dunloy in their own half however the Cuchullains defence stood strong and were able to eventually break out and score a point of their own.

They traded further scores but Sarsfields were unable to close the gap and with time against them it was starting to seem a difficult task. With 10 minutes remaining the result was put beyond doubt when Francis McMullan broke through the Sarsfields defence and finished emphatically to the net. Dunloy finished strongly to claim the victory in an entertaining game at the Bear Pit.

Dunloy will now travel to Whitehill next Sunday to face Tir na nog in the first of the U21 B semi-finals while Kickham’s |Creggan host Lamh Dhearg in the other semi-final.

In the U21A semi-finals St. John’s make the relatively short trip to Milltown Row where they will face St. Gall’s while Glenravel entertain Aghagallon in the other semi-final.

All games are scheduled for a 12-00 Noon throw-in.

by thesaffrongael

St Marys GAC, Rasharkin raise funds for Friends of the Cancer Centre

The Heart of the GAA is its people and with that in mind giving back to Charities is never far from all Clubs the length and breadth of Ireland. 

Rasharkin GAC is no exception, with a recent weekends proceeds being raised for The Cancer Centre in Belfast City Hospital as thanks for the work they do helping people at such a critical time in their lives. 

Club Chairperson Thomas Doherty tells us “Quiz nights are one of the many events we do to give back and have been an enjoyable annual tradition with the Club for many years, raising much needed money for different Charities. A pause on these nights was needed due to guidelines around Covid. We are glad to be back able to bring the community together, a fun family friendly enjoyable night to raise money. One of our Esteemed Committee members, Eneas Boyle who recently finished treatment at the Centre approached the meeting with a vision of Giving back to a Charity which has helped many of our members. We were only too glad to get behind him and organise a weekend of activities. It was also a great excuse to invite other clubs to our grounds to share a fun day for all to enjoy.”

The Club in North Antrim, had their Quiz in the Parish Centre on a Friday 27th September hosted by Quizmasters Terry McCann and Danny McLernon and Sunday 29th a Fun Day with matches from Morning to late Afternoon from visiting clubs in all Juvenile ages in Football, Hurling and Camogie with inflatables and games for all the children to enjoy.

Eneas Boyle

Eneas Boyle stated “I saw at first hand the work the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at the Cancer Centre do for everyone who needs it and really wanted to put my time and effort in to giving back as I know from my time getting treatment there the money is much needed and its all for making Patients time there comfortable and with Cancer, no one knows when they like me get a diagnosis. The Club and the Community got behind us. I’m a member of my home club of Rasharkin but I have lived my married life in Randalstown with my wife and family, but Rasharkin Gac is still within every fibre of my being.

I am eternally grateful they got behind me and also to the people and businesses in Randalstown and Rasharkin for their support, also to all the visiting clubs and businesses who generously donated. A special Note of thanks to winning Quiz Team Broken Wing for donating the Prize money back to the Cause.

 I was delighted that a few weeks after my last treatment I was able to visit the Cancer Centre to hand over a cheque for £4100 which meant the world to me. An incredible amount of money which will do a lot for the patients. The Staff literally are lifesavers.”

by thesaffrongael

Sarsfields lift the Nipper Quinn Shield

Above – Sarsfields team wiht the Nipper Quinn Shield

Back row L-R. Conall Megaw, Eoghan McAllea, Darragh Ward, Dan Barr, Dara Ward, Paddy Og Robinson, Conan Drumm, Ronan Feeney, Cuan Brady, Darragh McCourt, Fionn McAllister, James McKernan, Adam Rowlands

Front row L-R. Ronan O’Toole, Jack Rowlands, Callum Carberry, Daire McCrory, Cameron Fleming, Conor McKernan, Bear Butler, Rohan Brady, James McCallum, Fionn Green

Paddy Quinn presents The Nipper Quinn Shield to Sarsfields captain Paddy Og Robinson

By James McKernan

Sarsfields made their way to the Shield Final after being narrowly defeated by 2 points by eventual Nipper Quinn Cup winners St Paul’s in a tight Quarter Final Cup match at St Paul’s.

Sarsfields then took on Davitts in the Shield Semi Final at Davitt Park with Sarsfields playing some great Hurling on the day and coming away with a well earned 8 point win. 

The young Paddies were in confident form and looking forward to playing St Endas in the Shield Final. Disappointingly for the Sarsfields boys, coaches & supporters, word came through that St Endas had been in contact with the organisers a few hours before the throw in for the Final and were unable to field.

Not the way Sarsfields wanted to lift the Shield but never the less the Stewartstown boys got their reward for all their hard work throughout the year. 

The Sarsfields team and mentors

by thesaffrongael

Tir na nOg hold on to earn a place in the semis

Under-21 B Football Championship (Quarter final)

Tir na nOg 3-06 Casement’s 2-07 —at Whitehill

Tir na nOg defied miserable conditions and a late comeback from their visitors Casement’s to earn a place in the next phase of the under-21 B championship on a sodden Whitehill pitch on Sunday.

The home side looked on their merry way into the semi-finals at the break with a 2-05 to 1-02 advantage at the end of the opening period as they asked questions aplenty of their visitors.

Caolan Smith had found the net for the home side early in the game and the full forward over turned a short kick out in the latter stages of the opening period to return to the net to give his side a six point interval advantage.

Portglenone, faced a stern breeze in the first period but found the back of the home side’s net in the closing stages as Sean Burns finished soccer style on the greasy surface which paid dividends.

Casement’s having played second fiddle to their hosts for much of the opening period despite positive performances from Ryan Mc Allister, Ciaran McAleese, and Brian McKeever came back strongly with the breeze at their backs and Sean Byrne raised white in the opening phase with Ciaran McAleese adding another a few minutes later.

Casements continued to ask questions as the second half progressed but several chances were off target and when Caolan Smith was sent away by mid-fielder Pat Higgins to find the net the home side looked on the way to victory.

Casement’s were not about the accept what looked inevitable and continued to take the game to their opponents as they tested Tir na nOg’s net minder on a couple of occasions but Levi Thumann proved up to the task.

As the game moved into the final stages the visitors continued to press forward with wing half back Brian McKeever leading the charge.

The fame haired wing half back set up Conor McCann to deliver between the posts in the 59th minute to keep them within touching distance.

Questions were being asked of the home side and Portglenone’s James McAleese made a strong approach to finish stylishly to the back of the net at the eleventh hour to reduce the deficit to a couple of points but it was close as they got as the Whitehill side held on for victory and a place in the semi-final.

Tir na nOg: Levi Thumann, D Martin, B Devlin, O Loughran, S Gault, T Bonnes, P Higgins (0-01), Josh Higgins, C Mc Camphill, A O’ Donnell (0-02), C Mc Kenna (0-01), S Martin, C Smith (3-03), E Maguire

Casement’s: F O’ Connell, M Mc Garry, F Mc Cormick, C Mc Aleese, B Mc Keever, O Mc Auley, R Mc Allister, James Mc Aleese (1-00), Sean Burns (1-03), P Murray, C Mc Aleese (0-01), Ciaran Mc Aleese (0-03), C Mc Cann (0-01)

Referee: D Mc Keown (St Gall’s)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/pMHbco5A8WzoPr/?invite=3c5c51fb-e635-40f0-9c2c-f3b8ec49b6ab