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by thesaffrongael

Rossa hold on for the win over gritty St. Enda’s

Antrim U21 Hurling Championship quarter-final

O’Donovan Rossa 1-15 Naomh Éanna 2-10

Pics by Kevin Herron

Rossa came out top in this excellent U21A Hurling Championship quarter-final at Shaw’s Road on Monday night. The home side were pushed all the way by a gritty St. Enda’s however and their cause wasn’t helped when they had a player sent off, midway through the second half.

It came just after Diarmaid Rogan saw his penalty crash off an upright and just seconds later, the hosts were dealt a double blow when they had a man sent off. However they managed to dig in and see themselves home and set up a semi-final meeting with Dunloy in seven days time.

The hosts had enjoyed much the better start with Corey Walsh getting through for the opening score after two minutes and this was a lead Rossa would hold for the remainder of the game. 

Naomh Éanna wasted a couple of early opportunities but it was Rossa who struck a vital blow when Eoin Trainor finished to the net at the second time of asking after his initial effort had been saved by Oisin O’Conghaile in the visitors goals.

Rogan then converted a 65 and a free before the visitors finally registered through Luke O’Connor in the 12th minute but Trainor and Short replied for the Shaw’s Road men to put them in a strong position midway through the opening half.

St. Enda’s rallied however with O’Connor pointing when a goal looked on and Malachi McGibbon added another from distance.

Corey Walsh replied for the home side, but the momentum was with Naomh Éanna and they were right back in it in the 20th minute as McGibbon dropped a free from his own half into the danger area and the sliotar broke out to Kane who pulled first time to the far corner of the net.

Rogan converted another free in response but Naomh Éanna struck for a second goal in the 25th minute as O’Connor placed Ciaran McAlister and he had space to gather and fire home.

Pic by Kevin Herron

Trainor and O’Connor would exchange points in the lead up to half time and at the break it was Rossa who led 1-10 to 2-4 but at this stage it still looked there for the taking by both sides.

O’Connor cut the gap back to two within seconds of the restart, but Rossa replied with two from Keevan Grieve to move four ahead.

St. Enda’s were starting to gain in confidence as McGibbon fired over a long range free and O’Connor sent over his fifth from play and it was back to two again before Rossa were awarded a penalty after substitute Daire Morgan was bundled over.

Rogan’s well struck effort rebounded of an upright and in the follow up tempers boiled over and Grieve was immediately shown a red before normal service was resumed.

Things appeared to have swung in the direction of the Hightown side as Luke O’Connor’s 65 had the gap down to one, but crucially, Naomh Éanna couldn’t get on terms as Corey Walsh hit back with his third of the evening.

McGibbon from distance for the visitors and Rogan from a close range free exchanged further points as the intensity of the game rose with both teams giving it absolutely everything with the game still very much in the melting pot.  

The Rossa defence was coming under increasing pressure but were well up to the task with Conor Boyle anchoring them superbly.

St. Enda’s pressed again and a McGibbon free as the game entered added time left the minimum in it again, but Rossa broke clear and won a free that Rogan tapped over to seal their passage into the last four.

The night’s other quarter-final saw Dunloy edge Ballycastle by 2-16 to 2-15.

Rossa: D Boylan; B Crawford, C Boyle, B Hegarty; C Shortt, R May, D Cunningham; D Rogan (0-5, 4f, 1 65), M McKiernan; K Grieve (0-2), P Short (0-1), L McEnhill; C Walsh (0-3), E Trainor (1-3), N May.

Sub: D Morgan for D Cunningham (42).

Naomh Éanna: O O’Conghaile; M McAlister, R Eager, Conor McAlister; Ciaran McAlister (1-0), M McGibbon (0-4, 2f), E Duffy; O O’Cuinn, C O’Connor; M O’Gorman, E Logue, L O’Connor (0-6, 1 65); R Bradley, F Kane (1-0), D O’Kane.

Subs: D Mackin for E Logue (HT), C McGinley for E Duffy (51), A Ashe for D O’Kane (56).

Referee: John O’Connor (Ballygalget)

for more of Kevin Herron’s photos from the game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/4WHsxvPjVi69FU/?invite=addc2de9-595f-4628-893b-270f67875749

by thesaffrongael

Impressive Carryduff remain in Division 2

Division 2/3 Hurling Relegation promotion play-off

Carryduff 0-24 Cloughmills 1-14

A good win over St. Brigid’s Cloughmills at Dunsilly on Monday night sees Carryduff remain in division 2 of the Antrim ACFL for next season where they will be joined by neighbours and division 3 winners Bredagh.

The county Down men proved as elusive as the numbers they were playing in as they had just too much in the end for a St. Brigid’s side who failed to reach the level that they reached against Bredagh 11 days ago to finish in second place in division 2 and earn the right to a place in this play-off.

It was Carryduff who raced into an early 0-5 to 0-1 lead by the 9th minute with Donal Rooney opening the scoring before Eoin Dobbin replied for the Cloughmills’ side.

Two from Sean O’Callaghan and another two from the impressive Rooney moved the Co Down men four in front before Callum McKendry replied with the ‘Biddies’ second point in the 11th minute.

Carryduff were looking the sharper side with a good first touch and some precise striking as they hit another three on the bounce through James Woods, Conor McAlister and Oran Teague to lead 0-8 to 0-2 by the 20th minute.

McKendry struck his second and St. Brigid’s third point in reply but it brought another response from their opponents with James Lavery and Rory McArdle on target with Eoin Dobbin and Callum McKendry replying for the Antrim side.

It was Carryduff who continued to edge the exchanges however with some crisp, sharp hurling as Conor McAlister, Lorcan Cooney, James Lavery 0-2 and Donal Lavery completing the first half scoring with points for the men in Purple and Stephen Smyth getting a late point for Cloughmills.

Trailing by 9 at the short whistle, the North Antrim side needed a marked improvement if they were to turn this one around and they did start the second half brightly with point from Callum McKendry and Liam Kearns.

Carryduff replied through Donal Rooney and Conor McAlister to keep the gap at 9 and were always able to respond when St. Brigid’s scored.

Smyth had it briefly  back to 8 before Rooney and Darragh Goodwin moved the division 2 side 10 clear by the 8th minute as Cloughmills introduced Conor Laverty and Conor Reid in an effort to add some momentum to their challenge.

A pointed free from Liam Kearns and a good point from play from Eoin Dobbin suggested that the substitutions had done just that but once again the County Down side made a decisive reply.

Sean O’Callaghan, James Lavery, Lorcan Cooney and Conor McAlister hit four without reply to put 14 between the sides by the 20th minute and it was going to take a miracle to overturn this lead.

To their credit St. Brigid’s kept battling to the end with Eoin Dobbin pointing before Liam Kearns challenge for a dipping delivery ending in the Carryduff net to put a much better look on the scoreline.

That would be as close as they got with Lorcan Cooney for Carryduff and Callum McKendry for Cloughmills exchanging late points to see the Down men secure division 2 hurling for next season.

It’s been a good season for St. Brigid’s however and they won’t have time to lick their wounds after this defeat as they travel to Feystown on Saturday evening to face high flying Glenarm in the opening game of the Intermediate Hurling Championship

Carryduff: 1 Conor McLornan, 2 Niall McArdle, 3 Conor Cassidy, 4 James Lavery, 5 Oran McMeel, 6 Donal Rooney, 7 Tiarnan McMeel, 8 Ciaran Rodgers, 9 Darragh Goodwin, 10 Ciaran O’Callaghan, 11 Lorcan McAuley, 12 Ciaran Goodwin, 13 Dominic Sharkey, 14 Conor O’Neill, 15 Owen Wyer, 16 Matthew Mooney, 17 Conor McAlister, 18 Michael Conway, 19 Donal Teague, 20 Lorcan Cooney, 22 Sean O’Callaghan, 23 Oran Teague, 24 Fearghal Casey, 25 James Woods, 26 Christopher McConville, 27 Rory McArdle, 28 Liam Lavery, 29 David Morrisey

St. Brigid’s: 1 Christopher McKernan, 2 Rian Dobbin, 3 Sean McKendry, 4 Johnny Duffin, 5 James Doherty, 6 Ruairi Laverty, 7 Geoffery Og Laverty, 8 Kevin O’Boyle, 9 Stephen Smyth, 10 Martin Dobbin, 11 Callum McKendry, 12 Eoin Dobbin, 13 James O’Boyle, 14 Corey Blair, 15 Liam Kearns

Subs: Reece Watt for kevin O’Boyle, Conor Laverty for James O’Boyle, Conor Reid for Corey Blair, Joe Smith

Referee: Tarlach Conway

FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/H4vZNkViKZo7gW

by thesaffrongael

McFerran’s late goal snatches victory for Dunloy

Under 21 Hurling Championship – quarter final

Dunloy 2-15 Ballycastle 2-14

An Eoin McFerran goal in the first minute of injury time gave Dunloy victory over Ballycastle in Monday evening’s Under 21 Hurling Championship quarter final at Pearse Park, Dunloy. In a well contested game Ballycastle led at half time by six points. The visitors were still six to the good midway through the second half but Dunloy began to close the gap and with five minutes left to play they had reduced their arrears to a single point. Ballycastle were under pressure but when Criosti McAuley sent over a free to put two between the teams it looked like they were going to hold on, but the home side kept up the pressure and after a goal bound shot was deflected across the Ballycastle goal, it broke kindly for McFerran who kept his cool to fire the ball to the net.

Played in front of a good sized crowd the opening exchanges were evenly contested. Twice Dunloy edged ahead through Aodhan McGarry frees, but the Town replied with well taken points from Conor and Oran Donnelly to draw level and six minutes. Ryan Mort edged Dunloy in front again with a point from play but Oran Donnlly brought Ballycastle level in the 8th minute and a minute later Criosti McAuley put them ahead for the first time with a point from play in the 9th  minute.

Dunloy came back strongly with three points in a row through Eoin O’Kane, Jack Martin and Aodhan McGarry to go two in front in the 12th minute. Ballycastle then had their best spell of the game and a well taken goal by Conor Donnelly were followed by a point from the same player and another from a Criosti McGarry free to go a goal clear. Things were looking promising for the visitors but a defensive mistake was punished by Dunloy corner forward Oisin McCallin who reacted well to poke the goal home.

Ballycastle were soon back in front however when Oran Donnelly set up Criosti McAuley to blast home from close range and in the lead -in to half time McAuley added a point from play, as did the Oran and Conor Donnelly, to send Ballycastle in at the interval with a 2-10 to 1-07 lead.

As the rain started to fall at the start of the second half the scoring rate eased off a little as both teams managed just three apiece during the third quarter. With fifteen minutes still to play the gap was still at six, but Dunloy were gaining the upper hand and slowly they edged their way back with four points in a row, two of them from McGarry frees and one apiece from Paudi Martin and Oisin McCallin. When Criosti McGarry put the gap out to two again by the 58th minute it looked like last season’s runners-up would hold on, but McFerran’s injury time goal gave the Cuchullains the win that sets up a semi-final meeting with Rossa next Monday evening.

See the full selection of pics from this game by clicking the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/BJchShNQM6uiPE

by thesaffrongael

Antrim fans at Croke Park for Clare v Cork classic

Clare are All-Ireland champions for the first time in 11 years after beating Cork in an extraordinary extra-time hurling final.

As always there was a large crowd of supporters from Antrim among the 82,300 supporters who packed into Croke Park. The Saffron Gael were there to capture the magnificent day

Click on link below for photos from the day

https://myalbum.com/album/2qpRe82C6HEPWW/?invite=68fa01d2-44f7-4abc-ab64-740fb9caa0cc

by thesaffrongael

Statement from Darren Gleeson

This statement was issued by Darren Gleeson at noon today.

This morning my tenure as Antrim Senior Hurling Manager has come to an end. It is a position that I have held with the upmost pride since the Autumn of 2019.

When I first made the journey in the Spring of 2018 to help with a few sessions, little did I think that I would still be there in 2024. For this to have happened there are a lot of people I need to thank.

To Naoibh, Caoimhe, Sean and Padraic, Mam and Dad, Flan and Una and our families, I thank you for your unwavering support during my tenure. The journey would not have been possible without you and our friends.

To the Antrim County Board that appointed me, Neal Peden who gave me the opportunity and Gary O’Kane who made that first phone call, I thank you and will be forever grateful. To the Board and their officers that I have worked with, I thank you for your support.

To the backroom team, your professionalism, knowledge and desire to improve Antrim hurling has been a joy to lead and I thank you for all you have done. Too many to name, but your dedication has helped rise the tide of Antrim hurling.

To my management team of Johnny Campbell, Gary O’Kane, Jim Close, Clinton Hennessey and Justin McCormick, I thank you for your support, loyalty and friendship. What you have given to help raise the standards of Antrim hurling has been incredible. Your families, clubs and county should be so proud of your efforts.

To the players of Antrim who set out with the goal of putting Antrim back to the top table of inter-county hurling, we have achieved that through your hard work, dedication and commitment. From day one we have been an extremely ambitious group who have taken great pride in representing Antrim, backed by your clubs and families and I know how proud they are of you and your achievements. Winning two Joe McDonaghs Cups in 2020 & 2022, winning the National Hurling League Division 2 in 2020, and being ever present in Division 1 since, and with Antrims place in the 2025 LHSC secured, a huge opportunity lays ahead for this group and I wish you well.

I would like to thank the following supporters and sponsors of Antrim, Dominic Kearns and Fibrus, Tony Shivers and Premier Electrics, Tony & Declan Donnelly and Northern Property, Creagh Concrete and the McKeague Family and FonaCab for their support to me and Antrim GAA.

To Tony Shivers, your ambition, drive and passion for Antrim GAA has been paramount in our success. I thank you for all you have done and your friendship. To you and your committee at the Saffron Business Forum, your work has been transformative for Antrim, and I wish you well for the future.

To the committees and supporters of Club Aontroma and Casement Park Social Club, I thank you for backing this wonderful team at every opportunity.

To the clubs of Antrim, thank you for nurturing and supplying the players to the county. You should be immensely proud of them and what they have achieved to date. For the Minor and U20 management teams, who are working so hard to bring the county forward, I thank you for your support and co-operation during my tenure.

To the loyal Antrim hurling public, I look forward to meeting you around the playing pitches of Ireland as you continue to support this great county of yours and I continue my hurling journey.

Gleannta Tuath’s Cathair le Chéile

Darren Gleeson

We at the Saffron Gael would like to thank Darren for his untiring work for Antrim hurling over the last five years that he has been with us and wish him every success in the future. Darren has given everything he has got during that time and has left Antrim hurling in a much better place than when he joined.