May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 by thesaffrongael

It’s Die Dog or Whoopsie the Licence as Antrim face Carlow

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Round 5

Antrim v Carlow

Sunday 26 May

Throw in: 2pm

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)

James McNaughton in action against Galway at Croker last weekend

It’s all on the line this Sunday as Antrim welcome Carlow to Corrigan Park in a do-or-die clash with the Barrowsiders. Just like last year, Antrim’s fate in the Leinster Championship and Liam McCarthy status for 2025 comes down to the last day. Another performance like that against Westmeath in Mullingar would go a long, long way to securing that status.

It won’t be that easy though. It never is against Carlow. The last three meetings have been hellish close with Antrim claiming two wins in Corrigan and a draw in Netwatch Dr Cullen Park. That draw came through the sheer belligerence of Domhnall Nugent to plough his way through a packed defence and hammer a last minute goal.

The last defeat against Carlow came in 2017 in the Christy Ring final. There won’t be many who will need reminding about that game. The games since have been full of incident and action. The one constant? Drama.

Sunday is the last outing of the year for Darren Gleeson’s side in a season where we hoped for a few more weeks. The Antrim manager himself would tell you the same. There was talk of targeting certain games to get the points required. That win against Wexford soon eroded the painful memory of the trip to Kilkenny the week previous. A second half capitulation against Dublin came before the game against Galway where Antrim can feel hard done-by. Ultimately it was a defeat and it’s come down to this. Carlow in what is effectively a relegation play-off.

The Barrowsiders have been making waves themselves this year. As I pulled out of Parnell Park a few weeks ago after the Dublin game, I switched on the radio to hear whatever commentary there was available. An attempt to forget what had transpired. It brought news of Carlow taking Kilkenny deep and eventually getting a well earned share of the points.

They’ve put in good displays against Galway and Dublin and will certainly be disappointed with their display against Wexford where, had the results gone their way, they could have had their eyes on a bigger prize come Sunday.

But, like Antrim, the dice didn’t roll their way.

So far, Marty Kavanagh has been at his mesmeric best from placed ball and leads the way for them in the scoring charts. He has had plenty of support from the likes of Chris Nolan, Conor Kehoe and Paddy Boland. With Richard Coady still pulling the strings and the likes of James Doyle coming off the bench, Antrim will need to get their match-ups sorted. Looking back on my notes from the previous matches against Carlow, it was Doyle who scored 4 goals against us in Croke Park in the Christy Ring final (three in the last 10 minutes of the first half) and while he did little in Corrigan Park the following year, the battle he had with Woody McKinley was fantastic viewing. Carlow ploughed every high ball his way and Woody was relishing the challenge.

Back to Sunday.

Antrim will be without Ryan McGarry who got a red card against Galway. I won’t get into that one again but it was a ridiculous call and that’s all I’ll say on that matter. Who they bring in may not be just as straight forward. Eoghan Campbell could drop a little deeper and play McGarry’s role, allowing Michael Bradley to start, fitness permitting. That would be my call with little other changes to note. If Conal Cunning’s recovered from the injury that saw him sidelined against Galway then he may come in for Rian McMullan who didn’t get much joy from the Tribesmen. I think ‘Bubbles’ is better suited as an impact sub, a finisher rather than starting but trying to second guess what team Gleeson puts out has proven to be extremely difficult and the chances are I could be way off the mark! There are injury concerns with those mention with Campbell having to come off early against Galway along with Conall Bohill.

One thing is for sure, it’s going to take a massive effort against Carlow to ensure Antrim stay at the top-table. The Saffrons seem to rise to a different level while playing at Corrigan Park and they’ll need to do that again on Sunday. In the past week, Gleeson has gone on record asking for a massive support to turn out for his team and show Carlow what all the fuss is about when it comes to playing his Antrim side in Corrigan. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride for Gleeson’s side this year and Sunday is not a given. Antrim will be up against a quality side who last year showed their battling championship qualities, coming from the brink in the McDonagh Cup final to defeat Offaly. Antrim will give it everything they have, we need to give them all we have too. Go to Corrigan Park on Sunday, be the 16^th man. Bring the noise, create the atmosphere.

Be. The. Difference.

Saffrons Abu

Previous meetings with Carlow….

**Glum faces after the 2017 Christy Ring Cup defeat to Carlow in Croke Parl**

2017 vs Carlow – Christy Ring Cup

Antrim 4-15 Carlow 5-23

TEAMS

Antrim: Chrissy O’Connell; Simon McCrory; John Dillon; Stephen Rooney; Ciaran Johnston; Paddy Burke; Arron Graffin; Conor McKinely (0-1); Paul Shiels (0-1); Neal McAuley; Conor McCann; Eoghan Campbell (1-00); Conor Johnston; Neil McManus (1-2, 1-1 free); Ciaran Clarke (2-9, 7 frees, 1 ’65)

Subs: Niall McKenna for N McAuley (26 mins); Daniel McKernan (0-1) for C McCann; Paddy McGill (0-1) for P Shiels (48 mins); Matthew Donnelly for J Dillon (50 mins); Conal Cunning for Conor Johnston (67 mins)

Carlow: James O’Carroll; Alan Corcoran; Paul Doyle; Gary Bennett; Richard Coady; David English; Richard Kelly (0-1); Jack Kavanagh; Diarmuid Byrne (0-3); John Michael Nolan (0-2); Martin Kavanagh 1-3, 1 free); James Doyle (4-1); Denis Murphy (0-11, 11 frees) Eddie Byrne; Paul Coady (0-1)

Subs: Kevin McDonald for J Kavanagh (43 mins); Chris Nolan (0-1) for P Coady (46 mins); Seamus Murphy for D Byrne (58 mins); Jack Murphy for D Murphy (68 mins); Seán Whelan for J Doyle (inj)

***Carlow’s James Doyle ran riot in 2017, scroing four goals in his team’s Christy Ring Cup final win in Croke Park.***

**The 2018 battle at Corrigan was one of the nastiest meetings between the sides. Michael Armstong had his wrist broken that day, and injury that ended is county hurling career**

2018 vs Carlow – McDonagh Cup

Antrim 2-16 Carlow 0-19

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, John Dillon, Conor McKinley; Joe Maskey, Paddy Burke, Ryan McCambridge; Eoghan Campbell, Simon McCrory; Nigel Elliott, Conor Johnston, Neil McManus; Donal McKinley, Michael Armstrong, Conor McCann

Subs: James McNaughton for D McKinley (46); Eddie McCloskey for C McCann (59); David Kearney for J Maskey (60); Neal McAuley for R McCambridge (inj); Conor Carson for M Armstrong (inj)

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Alan Corcoan, Paul Doyle, Michael Doyle; Richard Coady, David English, Dairmuid Byrne; Jack Kavanagh, Kevin McDonald; John-Michael Nolan, Paul Coady, Edward Byrne; James Doyle, Denis Murphy, Ross Smither

Subs: Chris Nolan for R Smithers (46); Dion Wall for M Doyle (62); Jack Murphy for E Byrne (67); Conor Foley for P Coady (inj); Seamus Murphy for D Murphy (inj)

Scorers for Antrim: Neil McManus 1-8 (7f); Nigel Elliott 1-2; Conor Johnston 0-2 (1f); Michael Armstrong 0-1; Joe Maskey 0-1; Eoghan Campbell 0-1; Eddie McCloskey 0-1

Scorers for Carlow: Denis Murphy 0-11 (7f); James Doyle 0-2; John-Michael Nolan 0-2; Chris Nolan 0-2; Conor Foley 0-2

***Simon McCrory in action in the Corrigan game in 2018, which the Saffrons won***

***Antrim captain Conor McCann in action against Carlow’s Paul Dowyle during the 2020 drawn Joe McDonagh Cup round robin game at Netwatch Dr Cullen Park. Pic by John McIlwaine***

2020 vs Carlow – McDonagh Cup

Antrim 5-16 Carlow 2-25

Teams

ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott, Phelim Duffin, Matthew Donnelly, Stephen Rooney, Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke (0-1), Joe Maskey, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McGarry, Niall McKenna (0-3), Keelan Molloy (0-2), Conal Cunning (0-1), Dan McCloskey (0-1), Conor McCann (1-1), Ciaran Clarke (2-7, 1-5f, 0-1 65).

SUBS: James McNaughton (1-0) for Dan McCloskey (46), Domhnall Nugent (1-0) for Ryan McGarry (53), Damon McMullan for Stephen Rooney (58), Aodhán O’Brien for Gerard Walsh (62)

CARLOW: Brian Tracey, Michael Doyle, Paul Doyle, Gary Bennett, Ger Coady, David English, Richard Coady, Jack Kavanagh (0-3), Paul Coady, John Michael Nolan (1-1), Diarmuid Byrne (0-1), Edward Byrne (1-2), Martin Kavanagh (0-7, 0-4f), Kevin McDonald (0-2), Ted Joyce (0-2).

SUBS: John Nolan (0-2) for Richard Coady (HT), Chris Nolan (0-5) for Ted Joyce (40), Aaron Amond for Paul Coady (61), Cathal Tracey for Jack Kavanagh (71)

**Antrim’s Conal Cunning fires in a goal during his team’s win over Carlow in the Joe McDonagh Cup win over Carlow at Corrigan Park in 2022. Pic by John McIlwaine**

2022 vs Carlow – McDonagh Cup

Antrim 2-22 Carlow 1-22

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Gerard Walsh, Niall O’Connor; Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Conal Bohill; Joe Maskey, James McNaughton; Seaan Elliott, Domhnall Nugent, Conor McCann; Conal Cunning, Ciaran Clarke, Neil McManus

Subs: Michael Bradley for J McNaughton (46); Eoin O’Neill for N McManus (50); Daniel McKernan for D Nugent (56); Niall McKenna for C McCann (62); Aaron Bradley for J Maskey (inj)

Scorers: C Cunning 1-11 (10 f’s); S Elliott 0-3; N McManus 1-00; C Clarke 0-2; P Burke 0-2; C Bohill 0-2; J Maskey 0-1; E O’Neill 0-1

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Michael Doyle; Jack McCullagh, Diarmuid Byrne, Richard Coady; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Conor Kehoe; Sean Murphy, Chris Nolan, Kevin McDonald; John Michael Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Paul Coady

Subs: Jon Nolan for K McDonald (63); John Doyle for S Murphy (inj)

Scorers: M Kavanagh 0-11 (9f’s); C Nolan 1-4 (1f); K McDonald 0-2; D Byrne 0-1; R Coady 0-1; F Fitzpatrick 0-1; JM Nolan 0-1; C Kehoe 0-1

***Joe Maskey in action during the 2022 win in Corrigan Park***

May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Master McKeever points Rasharkin to victory

ACHL Division 3

All Saints 0-12 Rasharkin 5-18

Conor McKeever gave another masterly demonstration of free taking as St Mary’s Rasharkin climbed to second place in the division 3 table with a resounding victory over an All Saints side, decimated by injuries and defections.

McKeever would finish the game with 1-10 (9f’s) and with Conor McKillop and Terry McGregor contributing another 4-3 between them it looked comfortable for the visitors for most of the hour.

It doesn’t tell the whole story however and a good spell from the Ballymena men, midway through the opening half saw them draw level at 0-6 each with Eoin McGuigan hitting a series of excellent frees.

Rasharkin recovered to finish the half strongly with Conor McKillop, and Terry McGrogan finding the net to move the visitors 3-12 to 0-7 ahead at the break and even at this stage it looked as good as over.

To their credit All Saints never gave up and with Vinny Esler busting a gut around mid-field and with Cormac Magill, Darach Bradley and Eoin McGuigan giving it everything they kept battling against impossible odds.

Terry McGregor got in for Rasharkin’s 4^th goal with only 3 minutes of the second half gone as Eoin McGuigan, Damian Gillan and Darach Bradley replied to points from Caolan Maria and a couple from ace marksman, McFerran for the visitors.

Bradley had taken over the free taking duties for the Slemish Park side and struck a number of fine points but St. Mary’s were always able to respond with Conor McFerran and Conor McKillop leading the way.

A McKeever free deceived the home defence and went directly to the net with virtually the last puck of the game to put a slightly flattering but none the less deserved look to the Rasharkin victory with referee, John Mallon sounding his whistle from the puck out.

This win moved Rasharkin into second in the table, four points behind Bredagh but with two games in hand with the top two’s game which was scheduled for the 12^th of May yet to be re-arranged.

All Saints find themselves badly in need of points to avoid relegation to division 4 but they showed enough fighting spirit to suggest that if they can get their missing players back for their remaining games then they can still survive.

All Saints scorers: Eoin McGuigan 0-6, Damian Gillan 0-3 Darach Bradley 0-3

Rasharkin scorers: Conor McKeever 1-10 (0-9f’s), Conor McKillop 2-3, Terry McGregor 2-0, Conor McFerran 0-1, Caolan Maria 0-1

May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Gaelfast were guests at a Lord Mayor’s reception

Lord Mayor of Belfast Ryan Murphy posted – I was delighted to host the Gaelfast team this week.

They are doing fantastic work to promote gaelic games and to ensure the continued and steady growth of GAA.

The sport continues to flourish in all corners of Belfast and beyond thanks to organisations like these – maith sibh!

Thanks to Ryan and to Gaelfast or inviting Bert and I along

***Ryan Murphy makes a presentation to John Curly McIlwaine and Bert Trowlen of Saffron Gael***

Gaelfast Director Alfie Hannaway recieves a special presentation from Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy

May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 by thesaffrongael

Football league Fixtures (Previews) Sunday 26th May

Division One (1.00pm)

St Mary’s Ahoghill v St James Aldergrove

Having earned a point from what looked a difficult assignment up at Hannahstown Chris Mc Glone’s charges are at home this time as they welcome Aldergrove to Clooney. That latest draw followed a share of the points previously with Tir na nOg and the Ahoghill men will be hoping for a full return from this one.

Aldergrove have just three points to date and require more if they are to climb out of the danger area and they suffered a heavy defeat to St Galls last Wednesday evening.

They may well feel that an away win in this one is within their range, but although they will arrive with hope of victory the Ahoghill men do look more than capable of earning a full return of the points.

St Gall’s v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass

Moneyglass came close to causing a major shock last time when they gave the visiting St Brigid’s a run for their money, eventually losing by four points to the high flying Musgrave side.

That was a good performance from the Marian Hill men and they face another tough test as they visit Milltown to meet St Gall’s.

St Gall’s have gained in stride this term with six victories to date and they will hope to extend that good run as St Ergnat’s visit Milltown.

St Gall’s will certainly take the field in this one as firm favourites and although they may well gain the day Moneyglass will not make it easy for their hosts.

St Johns v Kickham’s Creggan

St John’s lost to Cargin in Toome on Wednesday night but it was only in the latter stages of the game that the home side pulled clear.

That was a descent performance from the Whiterock Road side and they will hope to improve on it as they welcome Creggan to Corrigan.

Kickham’s have steadily improved as the season has progressed and occupy fourth spot in the table at present.

This looks likely to be a close one and keenly contested and a share of the spoils looks possible.

O’ Donovan Rossa v Lamh Dhearg

Nothing separates this duo in the ratings with both berthed on six points apiece and form would suggest this could be close as Rossa play hosts to Lamh Dhearg at Shaws Road.

Rossa lost at Whitehill last time out when Tir na nOg collected the full share of the points with an impressive 3-10 to 0-09 victory and they will return to their own sod for this one seeking major improvement.

As suggested this may well be close but Hugh McGettigan’s men are never easily defeated on their home turf and they may well gain the day.

Con Magees Glenravel v Tir na nOg

Tir na nOg are enjoying life at the moment and the Randalstown side under the tutelage of Niall Jackman hold a place in the top six and they will hope to add to their 12 point haul in this one as they take the road down to Glenravel.

Con Magees are really finding it difficult in the top division but they will hope to add to their solitary point as Tir na nOg visit Fr. Maginn Park.

The home side are certainly capable of better but although they will give this one their all an away win and another couple of points for the Whitehill men looks likely.

St Brigid’s v All Saint’s Ballymena

St Brigid’s are undefeated to date and they will seek to extend their winning run in this one as All Saint’s visit Musgrave Park in what looks likely to be a tough assignment.

All Saint’s, like several sides must go into competition without their county contingent and this has made life difficult for a side seeking to remain in the top division.

St Brigid’s will start as firm favourites in this one and although they might not get it all their own way, the home side may well gain the spoils.

St Mary’s Aghagallon v Casement’s Portglenone

Reigning league champions Casement’s are still firmly on course to retain the Eddie Fitzsimmons Cup and are undefeated to date as they travel to Aghagallon to meet St Mary’s intent on continuing that good form.

Aghagallon are another side facing life without their county players and that has been reflected in their results to date.

The home side will give it everything as the league champion’s visit but a win for John Mc Keever’s charges does look likely

St Enda’s v Erin’s Own Cargin

St Enda’s sit mid-table at present and recorded a useful win over All Saints at Slemish Park on Wednesday evening. They face a tough test in this one however as unbeaten Cargin visit Hightown.

Cargin are the inform team in the division at present and anything other than a convincing win looks unlikely but they may well have to be at their best.

Division Two

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Patrick Sarsfield (11.30)

Last season’s Senior championship finalists Cuchullian’s have not been seen at their best this term but they do have a number of dual players involved with the county hurling team and that has meant their football side have gone into action short-handed.

They hold a place in the top five at present and they will hope for a win in this one as they play hosts to Sarsfield’s who are only a point behind them in the ratings.

A close game is possible but ground advantage may well play a part and aid the Cuchullian’s to a full return of the points.

St Paul’s v Michael Davitt’s (6.00 pm)

St Paul’s have enjoyed a good run of late and sit in second place in the table, just a point in arrears of St. Teresa’s who they defeated recently.

Michael Davitt’s have been in great form of late and sit only a point adrift of the Shaw’s Road men and this could make for a close one with St Paul’s suggested as the probable winners but it could go either way.

St Teresa’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin (6.00pm)

St Teresa’s seem to have hit a bump in the road of late with defeat to both Davitt’s and St Paul’s in their latest two games after an unbeaten 6 game run at the start of the present campaign.

Reigning junior champions and division three champions St Mary’s Rasharkin took a few outings to get it together this term but the home side will need to show improvement from their last two outings if they are to deny the Dreen men a win on the Glen Road.

Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Patrick’s Lisburn (6.00pm)

This duo have had contrasting fortunes in their league programme as Ardoyne have struggled in their fixtures to date whilst St Patrick’s, after a slow start have gained a commendable 9 points and hold a snug mid table berth.

Ardoyne are more than capable of better but at the present anything other than an away win is difficult to envisage.

St Joseph’s Glenavy v Gort na Mona (6.00pm)

St Joseph’s have enjoyed a good 2023 campaign to date with four victories and a couple of draws and currently sit in third place in the table as they play hosts to Gort na Mona in this one.

The Gorts have struggled to gain impetus this term and although they are capable of better a home win does look the most likely result this time.

Division Three

St Comgall’s Antrim v Wolfe Tones (1.00pm)

St Comgall’s are flying and remain unbeaten to date as they sit proudly at the top of the table under new manager, Barry Burns.

They are on home turf here as North Belfast Wolfe Tones visit Dunsilly with a home victory likely.

Eire Og v Patrick Pearses (6.00pm)

With four victories to date Patrick Pearses enjoy a second place spot in the table as they visit Eire Og.

The home side will hope to cause an upset but an away win and a couple more points for the Pearses looks probable.

St Malachy’s v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s (6.00pm)

O’ Donnell’s have suffered just one defeat thus far and they will seek to add a couple of point in this one as they visit St Malachy’s.

St. Malachy’s, with just a couple of wins to date will hope to cause upset here but an away win for O’ Donnells looks probable.

St Agnes v Laochra Loch Lao (6.00pm)

Laochra Loch Lao have been performing well thus far in 2024 and they may well add another couple of points in this one as they visit the Aggies…..

May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 by thesaffrongael

CPC win first Thompson Cup title in six years

Pics by Bert Trowlen

Cross & Passion College won all their games in Thurday’s Ulster Schools Year 8 hurling tournament, which was played in stormy conditions in Swatragh, to win the Thompson Cup ‘A’ title for first time in 6 years

The Ballycastle school won all their 4 group games with their full panel of 25 boys all playing at least one full game, highlighting the talent within the group..

The semi final pitted CPC against St Killians College, Garron Tower and after a slow start CPC really upped the ante with forwards Pearce McMullan, Dara McShane and Liam Lynn in great form, hitting 4-6 in an impressive win.

The final against holders St Patrick’s Maghera was a close game and Maghera stuck with CPC boys throughout. Points from Pearce McMullan, Liam Lynn and John Og Darragh had CPC 0-3 to 0-1 ahead at half time

Second half was another tight affair but a brilliant goal by John og Darragh settled the final.

Over the course of the day Iarlaith O’Kane and Cillian Bellew were very solid in defence, midfielders Tom Richmond and Killian Cassidy gave CPC a great platform that allowed the big hitters up front in Liam Lynn, John og Darragh, Dara McShane and Pearse McMullan to do the damage.

Maghera’s top performers on day were Dominic O’Kane in goals, defenders Mark McGrath and Harry McCloskey, midfielders Fergal Convery and Patrick O’ Loughlin and Quentin Farren in the forwards

The CPC squad were