Category / Latest News

by thesaffrongael

Ballycran retain their place in Division 1 after a thriller at Dunsilly

Division 1-2 Relegation-Promotion Play-Off

Shane O’Neill’s 2-17 Ballycran 2-21

Ballycran and Glenarm served up a superb hours hurling in this Division 1-2 Relegation-Promotion play-off at Dunsilly on Wednesday night with the Down men retaining their division 1 status for next season.

They were pushed to the pin of their collar however by a Shane O’Neill’s side who were playing division 3 and Junior Championship hurling only two years ago and were still in contention for Division 2 honours going into the final game of their league campaign before being piped by Carey Faughs.

The men from the Ards peninsula found themselves in danger of relegation from Division 1 following a league campaign where they were forced to field without their county players but with these men back in harness they were expected to deal comfortably with the men from Feystown.

That notion was quickly dispelled when Glenarm raced into an early two point lead through Niall McGarel and Ciaran Magill by the third minute though Ballycran might well have taken the lead themselves but Christopher Egan struck an upright after 20 seconds.

The Ards men were back on level terms by the 5th minute as Scott Nicholson and Conor Woods split the posts but Shane O’Neill’s were growing in confidence and Conal Ward pointed them ahead once more.

Paul Sheehan drew the side’s level for the second time and Ciaran Magill set up Michael Furey for the game’s opening goal before Egan replied with a point at the other end as the intensity of the exchanges increased.

The Down men might have been back on terms but Michael Abram pulled off a fine save to deny Egan before McGarel edged the North Antrim men three ahead after 12 minutes.

Ciaran Magill added a point to move his side four in front and at this stage a minor upset looked on the cards but Ballycran hit back with a goal from Ayrton Gleeson after an astute hand pass from Christopher Egan.

The Ards side hit a purple patch with Conor Woods 0-2 and Christopher Egan adding points before Steven Gilliland followed up to finish to the net from close range after Michael Abram had denied Niall Breen.

It was the men from Feystown who would finish the half on the front foot as Dylan McLaughlin, Darren Hamill and Niall McGarel 0-2 closed the gap to two at the short whistle.

Glenarm might well have taken the lead in the opening stages of the second half but Kieth in the Ballycran goals brought off a good save to deny McGarel in the opening minute with Michael Furey denied in the follow up at the expense of a ‘65’.

McGarel was off target from the resulting award but Darren Hamill followed from a great long range effort to reduce the deficit to two once more.

Ballycran looked to be taking control when they hit four unanswered points through Steven Gilliland, Conor Woods, Ethan Bell and a Paul Sheehan free before Hamill interrupted the run with a point for the Feystown side.

It provided only temporary respite however with Ballycran replying through Scott Nicholson, Niall Breen and Paul Sheehan to move 8 clear by the 12th minute and the game seemed to be slipping away from the division 2 men but they quite simply refused to roll over.

Dylan McLaughlin instigated another comeback with two excellent points and McGarel pointed a 20 meter free before Ciaran O’Boyle got in for a goal in the 21st minute to cut the deficit to two.

Substitute David Gilliland moved Ballycran three ahead once more and Sean O’Boyle and Dylan McLaughlin for the Antrim side and Woods, direct from a sideline cut and Sheehan from a 60 meter free exchanged further scores as the excitement continued to rise.

Niall McGarel from a a ‘65’ closed the gap to two once more and it still looked anyone’s game but it would be the county Down side who finished the stronger as Paul Sheehan and Christopher Egan added unanswered points in injury time to see them secure their place in the top grade for another season.

Glenarm will be disappointed at the final result but can take great heart from their performance over the hour and will surely be strong contenders in the forthcoming Intermediate championship.

Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Michael Abram, 2 Joshua Quinn, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 JKohn Scullion, 5 Aidan Scullion, 6 Darren Hamill, 7 Declan McDermott, 8 Kieran O’Boyle, 9 Daniel Black, 10 Dylan McLaughlin, 11 Ciaran Magill, 21 Michael Furey, 13 Conal Ward, 14 Niall McGarel, 15 Sean O’Boyle.

Ballycran: 1 Stephen Kieth, 2 Brad Watson, 3 Cormac McAlister, 4 Aaron Dorrian, 5 Brett Nicholson, 6 Sean Ennis, 7 Michael Hughes, 8 Scott Nicholson, 9 Ethan Bell, 10 Niall Breen, 11 Conor Woods, 12 Paul Sheehan, 13 Steven Gilliland, 14 Ayrton Gleeson, 15 Christopher Egan

Referee: Tarlach Conway

FOR MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/fpLVtGNNFLYvUK

by thesaffrongael

Under 16A Hurling League round-up

Glenarifffe-Glenravel came from behind at half time to beat Dunloy in Tuesday evening’s Under 16A Hurling League at Waterfoot. With both teams short a good few regulars there was little between the sides in the early stages, but nearing half time Dunloy’s ability to find the net gave them the edge and they went in at half time with a six point lead

With the breeze at their backs in the second half Glenariffe/Glenravel gained the upper hand and pushed on to win by 3-21 to 5-10 to keep their good league run going

Loughgiel Shamrocks, who just two days earlier won the McMullan Cup (North Antrim Under 16 Hurling) at Feis na nGleann drew with St Paul’s on a scoreline of 2-16 apiece, while Sarsfields and their West Belfast rivals Gort na Móna also shared the points, after finishing 2-15 apiece at the Bear Pit.

With 11of the 15 games played Glenariffe/Glenravel hold a one point lead over Loughgiel at the top of a very congested table. However Cushendall, who are in third place, have four games in hand over all their closest rivals and appear to be in a very strong position

by thesaffrongael

Decisive win for Shamrocks

Antrim Camogie League Senior Division 1

Loughgiel v Portglenone 16th July 2024

Report and photo album from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park

As Loughgiel’s senior camogie panel begin to coalesce after absences across a large portion of the league window, tonight’s game against the Geraldines would offer an appropriate way back to club game time for some. This was a dominant display of camogie from the Shamrocks and goals were almost as popular as points, but the Geraldines were always a viable threat and Loughgiel’s keeper, Eimer Boyle, had to stay switched on and fully aware of incoming attacks on numerous occasions.

A calm and warm evening that clouded over as we got into the game, offered ideal playing conditions at Fr. Healy Park. Tonight’s referee, Owen Elliott rolled in the sliotar away from the dugouts to an impatient Amy Boyle, taking possession and making a blazing run for goal within seconds of the clock starting. Portglenone were quick to squeeze Boyle to a halt around the box and it would fall to Loughgiel’s Caitrin Dobbin to point and register the first score of the night on the Fridge Raiders Scoreboard.

Dobbin would be a threat all evening and her pace and agility opened up goal scoring opportunities but not without the essential feeds from Marie Laverty, Louise & Clare McKillop, Katie McKillop and Anna Connolly to name a few.

Portglenone’s keeper, Patricia McCarry would have a busy night in nets but several saves, one particularly from Amy Boyle eleven minutes into the first half was a notable moment, and an on form Carlina Sullivan would have her goal tally pegged back one as McCarry dropped one of her on target sliotars safely to the ground, deserving credit where it’s due.

As Elliott closed the first half, Portglenone’s deficit offered an uphill challenge to turn the game around or at least slow the march of the Shamrock machine.

Over the first eight minutes of the second half, Loughgiel would put emphasis on breaking down the Geraldines’ defence with swift passing, diagonal balls and a bobbing Dobbin would make the task of marking a sweeping full forward all the more difficult.

Portglenone’s Orlagh Convery and Eimear McKee made good of any pointing opportunities and Aine Mulholland made every attempt to battle for the loose ball and set up numerous opportunities to advance the sliotar. Despite wearing a fifteen on her jersey, Mulholland worked tirelessly throughout the 60 minutes from a half back position to mid field and further, when necessary.

Loughgiel’s final goal of the evening would come eight minutes in, with heaps of good fortune, as Caitrin Dobbin hauled in a free from the visitors’ dugout towards the road end goals, however the dropping sliotar fell behind McCarry’s hoisted stick into the goal instead of over the bar.

Undeterred, the Geraldines battled it out for possession for the remainder of the second half and pinned Loughgiel to scoring only five points, though the last two were text book catch and shoot points by Caitrin Dobbin and Christine McCloskey, before Elliott called for full time.

That concludes the current published fixtures portion of the league and we now wait to see how the next tranche of fixtures will pan out.

Photos from Tuesday evening’s game can be found in the photo album by clicking on the link here.

https://myalbum.com/album/TbaZGRTM6xbkLz/?invite=00045680-bb58-4e05-b191-87ec100200f4

Follow Michael G Corcoran @keep_clickin on X (formerly Twitter) for match Gifs when available.

Follow The Saffron Gael @TheSaffronGael on X for links to match reports.

by thesaffrongael

Laverty Cup Latest

Due to a number of teams being unable to field tonight’s Laverty fixtures are as follows-

Tuesday 16/07 @ 7.30pm

Erin’s Own – no game as Cuchullains have withdrawn

Kickhams v Con Magees – game off

St Joseph’s v Roger Casements – game off 

St Comgalls v All Saints – ref M Quinn

St James v St Ergnats – ref P Burns

Rasharkin v TNN – game off 

Any issues with these games please contact Karol Doherty 07879027112 or Sean McAtamney 07522640053 as I am abroad with limited internet and no network. 

Le dea-mhéin

Frances O’Neill

Rúnaí

07756224189

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks hold off Dunloy comeback to take McMullan Cup

Feis na nGleann 2024

North Antrim U16 Hurling Championship – McMullan Cup Final

Sunday 14 July

Loughgiel 3-14 Dunloy 3-11

Brendan McTaggart reports from Feis Sunday at Glenariffe

A superb first half performance was the foundations for the Shamrocks on Sunday afternoon as they claimed the McMullan Cup against Dunloy.  Three points separated the sidses at the end of the hour but Loughgiel had to withstand a second half comeback from the Cuchullains after leading by seven points at half time.

With eight minutes remaining, Dunloy had brought the sides level after a run of 1-5 unanswered in the space of just over four minutes but Loughgiel were not to be denied and held the Cuchullains scoreless in the time that remained with a mix of excellent defending and sharp shooting at the other end of the pitch.

Liam McGarry top scored for the Shamrocks in a man of the match performance.  He finished with 1-5 beside his name and scored two of the last three scores to see Loughgiel over the line.  He had plenty of support however with Caolan McCollum also excellent in attack while the midfield pairing of Dylan Boyle and Domhnall McKay contributed 1-2 between them and worked tirelessly throughout.

Dunloy’s best came through Jay McAlonan who was outstanding when they could get the ball his way.  He finished with 1-7 and looked a constant threat while the moving Ollie McClements to half forward and James McGarry to the edge of the square looked like it was the missing ingredients the Cuchullains were looking for but their comeback just came up short.

Both sides missed goal chances in the opening exchanges with Damien McMahon and McKay going close but the game was only five minutes old when the first green flag was raised.  McAlonan providing the assist for Anthony Cochrane who rattled the back of the net from distance with a superb strike.

Loughgiel took a stranglehold of the game however with any meaningful Dunloy attacks fleeting.  Loughgiel’s first major came in the 12th minute through McGary, claiming a high ball and getting the half yard he needed to give Eunan Brogan no chance in the Dunloy goals.

A McAlonan free followed for Dunloy and while it would be their last score for 12 minutes, Loughgiel were in irresistible form at the other end of the pitch.  A free from Dan Lynn started a purple patch that would see the Shamrocks score 1-5 in the space of seven minutes.  Their second major came through an error in the Dunloy defence where they didn’t deal with the dropping sliotar and Caolan McCollum took full advantage.

McCollum had another chance moments later but Eunan Brogan saved his effort superbly but with points following from Liam McGarry, Cian Higgins (two) and McKay, Loughgiel were in control.

Dunloy’s Jamie McMullan in action during the McMullan Cup final against Loughgiel.

A Jay McAlonan free got the scoreboard ticking for Dunloy once again but a second free from Lynn would prove to be the last action of the half as the Shamrocks led 2-8 to 1-4 at the short whistle.

A point from McKay in the opening exchanges of the second half was followed closely by a Eunan Curry effort for the Cuchullains.  Dunloy looked to be playing with a bit more intensity after the restart and had their second major just three minutes into the second half.  Jay McAlonan collecting and showing speed and strength before finishing with aplomb.

Loughgiel responded with a brace of points from McCollum and Lynn (free) and while Dunloy reduced the lead to five through another McAlonan free, Loughgiel’s third major came midway through the second half.  It came as the Cuchullains failed to deal with another dropping ball and after a scramble, it was Dylan O’Boyle who got the last touch and send the sliotar to the back of the net to leave eight between the sides going into the final quarter.

Dunloy responded by reshuffling their pack and found some attacking impetus.  McAlonan fired over a brace of points (one free) either side of a goal chance for James McGarry.  He pulled on the sliotar but Cody McGarry made an instinctive save to deny him.

A further brace of points from Ollie McClements followed as Dunloy found some momentum and when Daire Elliott found the back of the net in the 51st minute, it left the minimum between the sides.

McAlonan’s fifth free restored parity to the sides to mean the Cuchullains had hit 1-5 in the space of just four minutes and it looked at that point that they would be the likely victors but Loughgiel dug deep.  They kept the Cuchullains scoreless in the time that remained and with a brace of Liam McGarry frees, found themselves in the lead with time running out. 

Substitute Joe Casey had the final say with a brilliant point, showing some super skill to send the sliotar between the sticks and ensuring the Shamrocks would not be denied.

Ita McGarry with her grandsons JJ (left) and Liam after their win over Dunloy in the McMullan Cup final at Feis na nGleann

TEAMS

Dunloy: Eunan Brogan; Joseph Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Seamus McMullan; Jamie McMullan, Jack McQuillan, Ollie McClements; James McGarry, Eunan Curry; Damian McMahon, John Ferguson, Anthony Cochrane; Eanna McGuckian, Jay Mc Alonan, Daire Elliott

Scorers: J McAlonan 1-7 (5fs 1’65); D Cunning 1-00; A Cochrane 1-00; O McClements 0-2; J McGarry 0-1; E Curry 0-1

Loughgiel: Cody McGarry; Padraig McNulty, JJ McGarry, Conor McCann; Joe Deery, Eunan Johnston, Corin McCullough; Dylan O’Boyle, Liam McGarry, Caolan McCollum; Dan Lynn, Caolan Christie, Cian Higgins

Scorers: L McGarry 1-5 (2fs); D Lynn 0-3 (3fs); D O’Boyle 1-00; D McKay 0-2; C Higgins 0-2; Joe Casey 0-1

Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Glenravel)

For more pics by Michael Corcoran from the McMullan Cup final click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/izjZD3Zma5Z539/?invite=6bf78ccb-04cf-4bb0-8175-eb4a9b5e771f