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by thesaffrongael

‘Saint’-sational finish sees Ballymena through

Reserve Football Cup quarter-final

All Saints 3-5 St. Brigid’s 1-9

All Saints produced a sensational finish at Quinn Park on Wednesday evening to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Trailing 1-9 to 1-5 with the clock ticking down, the home side struck with goals in the 29th and 31st minutes to win by two.

Even then It took a great block from Joe Rocks as the Musgrave Park side went looking for the goal they needed to turn this one back in their favour with Sean McVeigh’s late clearance bringing a loud blast from Joe McCavana’s final whistle, much to the delight of the home side.

For long periods in the game it looked like the visitors were the more likely side to advance to the semi-finals as they led 1-6 to 0-3 in the period leading up to half time after playing with the wind in their backs with Peter Lundy firing home after a defence splitting build up in the 15th minute.

Things threatened to boil over just before half time and when things settled, the home side struck with a Darach Bradley pointed free and a goal from youngster, Harry Connon to leave just two in at the break.

St. Brigid’s withdrew keeper, Fearghus Canning at the break and pulled Brian McGurk back into goals with Oisin McDonnell entering the fray.

It was the home side who might have been level or indeed ahead in the opening minute but Darach Bradley was off target from a close range free and then fired just wide of an upright when a goal looked eminent.

Harry Connon drills home All Saints opening goal

They were misses that they looked like regretting as St. Brigid’s controlled possession for long periods of the second half and added points from Conor Slevin, Shane Boyle and a Brian McGurk ‘45’ in response to All Saints only response from  a Darach Bradley pointed free.

It had been 25 minutes since All Saints last raised a flag as move after move broke down through poor handling and misplaced passes when Sean McVeigh, who had been withdrawn to mid-field early in the first half, decided to go route one.

His long delivery from, midfield dropped invitingly into the danger area and Oliver O’Rawe climbed above keeper McGurk to fist the ball to the net and suddenly there was only one between the sides with time almost up.

Spurred by their success the Quinn Park side forced a turnover from the resulting kick-out and Darach Bradley made amends for his earlier miss as he drilled his shot low to the net as the game edged into time added on.

The Musgrave Park side launched one final assault in an effort to manufacture the goal that would salvage the victory that had looked certain for most of the half but Joe Rocks and Connor Brennan combined to deny Fergal Sherry.

All Saints: 1 Connor Brennan, 2 Archie McGreevey, 3 Michael Read, 4 James Gillan, 5 Conall Killough, 6 Joe Rocks, 7 Charlie Metrustry, 8 Peter McNicholl, 9 Rian Tom, 10 Matthew Downey, 11 Ciaran Campbell, 12 Harry Connon, 13 Darach Bradley, 14 Sean McVeigh, 15 Oliver O’Rawe.

Subs: Ciaran McQuillan, Paul O’Boyle

St. Brigid’s: 1 Fearghus Canning, 2 Conn Gilleece, 3 Cathal Conway, 4 Thomas McCarney, 5 Ben Doherty, 6 Finn McKernan, 7 Aodhan McNicholl, 8 Brian McGurk, 9 Conor Slevin, 10 Shane Boyle, 11 Jack Toner, 12 Peter Lundy, 13 Deaghlan O’Hagan, 14 Fergal Sherry, 15 Ryan |Tweedy

Subs: 23 Oisin McDonnell  

Referee: Joe McCavana (Naomh Comhghall)

https://myalbum.com/album/UTTLtmRNQCRcga

by thesaffrongael

A wee thanks to clubs who have responded to our appeal

A couple of weeks back we appealed to clubs to make a donation to Saffron Gael and a number of clubs have already responded. As the site is free to readers we depend on sponsorship and club donations to keep us afloat as we attempt to carry the widest possible coverage of Gaelic Games in Antrim.

It isn’t easy at times and with the championships in full swing over the past month or so, we are attempting to cover all championship games and to date we have succeeded.

To those clubs who have already contributed through Bank transfer or have made their donations directly to us by cheque at games we are once again indebted to you generosity.

To those who donate to us annually at your presentation dinners, keep doing so and we look forward to covering those events when possible but to those who have not contributed, we again make this appeal.

Brian Smyth, Lamh Dhearg Chairman, presents a sponsorship cheque to Saffron Gael Reporter, Kevin Herron
Nicky Bonnes, Chairman of Tir na nOg presents a sponsorship cheque to Paddy McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael
Gerard McGarry, Chairman of St. Mary’s Ahoghill presents a sponsorship cheque to Dylan McIlwaine, Saffron Gael Photographer

If you have a championship game coming up we are likely to have someone there covering you game. Come to us and we will have a photograph taken making the presentation.

Alternatively with your club wishes to make a presentation via Bank Transfer, contact us through John at john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk or Paddy at ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk.

Hugh ‘The Mariner’ McIlwaine presents a sponsorship cheque on behalf of Glenariffe Oisins to the Saffron Gael. Many thanks to the Oisns cub for their continued support

Today we carry a few photographs of those who have made donations recently and we thank them and all those who have donated and look forward to hearing from those clubs who haven’t, in the coming weeks

by thesaffrongael

“Heaven has one more angel today, and he’s carrying a hurling stick”

Report and pics by John ‘Curly’ McIlwaine

Six year old Joseph Heggarty was laid to rest today after Requim mass in St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s Church Ballycastle. Joe, who died in a tragic accident on Friday last was a fanatical fan of Carey Faughs Hurling club and was one of the team mascots who led the team out for their Intermediate Hurling Championship win over Glenarm just over a week ago.

Joe was loved by all who knew him and as Fr Con Boyle said during his homily Joe was known for his boundless enthusiasm, inquisitiveness and fearlessness”.

The green of the famous Carey Faughs and the purple and gold of their feeder juvenile club Naomh Padraig, (which features Carey and their neighbouring clubs Armoy and Cushendun) were  prominent among the mourners and the three clubs hurlers formed a guard of honour as Joe’s body was carried from the church for burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Martin Dempsey, a cousin of Joe’s mum Andrea, delivered a moving homily before the end of the service speaking fondly about his little cousin and about how they all loved him deeply.

“Andrea and Michael, and the Hegarty and McIlroy families have asked me to thank all of you for coming to this funeral mass this afternoon, and for all of the prayers, love, care and support over the recent days.

Joe Hegarty was a force of nature. Five minutes after you’d met Joe, you knew him – and he knew you. He was relentlessly enthusiastic and when you made Joe laugh, he made everyone else laugh for you.

He was 6 years old but he was an oversized member of every team and tribe that he belonged to – whether that was the Hegarty and McIlroy families, or his beloved Carey Faughs.

He was the heartbeat of so many get-togethers. He asked a question or two…..or three. His energy and joy were infectious and he had that special personality that could make a quiet room loud, or make a loud room quiet.

He was a wonderful son to Andrea and Michael – he even let them live in his house. He was a rascal and made his fair share of fun. Joe was fortunate to have two wonderful, loving parents and they were repaid with a son who adored them in return.  He loved so much and he was so much loved.

He was a perfect brother and had a perfect sister. Katie and Joe were a double act – and that will never change because their special relationship is part of who Katie is and she will carry Joe forever within her.

He was a beautiful grand-son, nephew, cousin and friend. We all loved being with him and as we cope with our sadness, it’s our duty to share the funny memories we had with Joe. For my part, my mum is an amputee and my favourite conversation with Joe was about how she lost her legs in a shark attack at the black rock on Ballycastle beach. Joe’s response makes me smile even in a moment like this. You can ask me about it outside – his answer is maybe not appropriate for inside the church.

It was a heartbreaking honour to be asked to stand here this afternoon and speak for Joseph Hegarty on a day like today. None of this is fair, and grief feels insurmountable right now.

But, I will try my best to speak for Joe.

Joe lived with boundless enthusiasm, inquisitiveness and fearlessness. He was a little hero.

My reflection for us all is this. When we face moments of grief, sadness or doubt next week, next month or next year, think of Joe:

  • If Joe didn’t know, he always asked the question. We should all do that.
  • Joe never implied that he loved you. He told you, and he showed you. We should all do that.
  • Joe never failed at anything – he tried his best and if it didn’t work out, he just tried harder. We should all do that.
  • When Joe cried, he sought comfort with the people he loved the most, and they wiped his tears, and he went back to whatever he was doing with even greater energy and enthusiasm. Somehow, we need to find a way to do that too.

We all need to be a little bit more Joe Hegarty.

“Heaven has one more angel today, and he’s carrying a hurling stick.”

by thesaffrongael

St Pat’s secure win to keep qualification hopes alive

IFC Group 1

Ardoyne 0-9 Naomh Padraig 2-13

St Patrick’s Lisburn kept their qualification hopes alive but will know that they made collecting their first points in this year’s IFC a more difficult assignment than need be. While they will take some encouragement from having 10 different players on the scoreboard, the number of wasted chances and poor shooting, particularly in the first half will be a source of concern.

Ardoyne will have other more serious issues to try to resolve as the first half saw them raise the white flag on only two occasions.

While Ardoyne were first to score, this was the only time in the game that Lisburn were behind. Francis McMeel opened the scoring for St Patrick’s followed shortly after by Paul Law.

McMeel looked to be through for a goal but was thwarted by Marley in the Ardoyne full back line with a great block just as McMeel pulled the trigger. This was a game that in truth should have been put to bed by St Patrick’s by half time only for wayward shooting and a great performance from O’Neill in the Ardoyne goal.

Half-Time: Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-02 St Pat’s Lisburn 1-07

The second half was a much more evenly contested affair, but Ardoyne never looked like pulling back St Pat’s half-time lead. Ardoyne led in scores by 5 points to 4 before Kennedy put an end to any hope of an Ardoyne revival with a shot fired to the back of the net.

Cormac Mullan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Ardoyne with 4 points from frees, but other than that Ardoyne lacked any substantial firepower.

Both teams will have a lot of thinking to do before their next game. While St Pat’s must fancy their chances of advancing to the next stage of the Championship, the month long break at this stage of the season before Ardoyne’s next game is certainly not going to do them any favours.

Ciceam Ard Eoin: Conor O’Neill Pearse Marley Conor Magee Oisin Hickey Eogan Corrigan Micheál McGreevy Odhran McKee Daniel Moore Finnén O’Brien Kealan McCallan Ethan Magill Aodhán Quigg Cormac Mullan Paul Baker Joe Gibson Tiernan Hughes

St Pat’s Lisburn: Ruadhan McKenna Conor Doran Thomas Burns Paul Law Jack McMullan Ben McMullan Che Smyth Colm Burns Eoin Dixon Rory Kennedy Josh McMullan Adam Patterson Rudi Smyth James Morgan Francis McMeel Peter O’Neill Owen Drayne Conor Ewing Jude McMullan Rory McFlynn Sean Burns Aaron Thompson Conor Dixon

FOR MORE OF BRIAN McKEE’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/hGMpUQLqHNvWe4

by thesaffrongael

Excellent weekend double for Dunloy minors as they close in on back to back league titles

Dunloy followed their victory over Loughgiel on Friday night by making it a weekend double with another hard fought win over Cushendall.  A narrow 3 point success over a very good Ruairi Og side on Sunday means the young Cuchullians return to the minor hurling league summit with just one game remaining.

The large crowd at Pearse Park, Dunloy, enjoyed an entertaining game with point taking of the highest quality from both teams.  The boys in Green & Gold held the upper hand throughout with Luke McFerran, Aidan Richmond, Paudie Martin and the two Oisin’s (McCamphill & McCallin) all firing over some wonderful scores.  Ultimately it was the greater spread of scorers that proved the difference in the teams as Oran McCambridge and Fiontan Bradley shone for the Ruairi’s up front.

Dunloy raced into a 6 point lead by the 10th minute, playing with a reasonable wind they looked to take full advantage, however with Callagh Mooney dropping into a sweeper role Cushendall soon got to grips and narrowed the margin to 2 points by the short whistle.

Indeed the Dall could even have gone in leading at the break as Damien McMahon saved well when Thomas McLaughlin went for a major nearing half time.

The second half started much the same as the first, despite facing the wind Dunloy extended the lead out to seven points, but some smart saves by Liam Magee prevented the goal required to put real distance between the teams.

Cushendall rallied once again in the final quarter of the game with some top class scores closing the gap to four points. A late free was rifled over the bar to leave a final score line of Dunloy 0:24 Cushendall 0:21.

Victory over Ard na Ri in the final league game next weekend would be enough to retain the league title for the young Cuchullains

TO SEE MORE OF MICKY MORGAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/BEnqDax63ZVvtw/?invite=31aa7ef0-9889-4858-9467-110d2c942157