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by thesaffrongael

Ballycastle’s efficienty gives them the edge over wastefull Shamrocks

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-20 to Ballycastle’s 1-19.

McQuillan’s Ballycastle maintained their perfect start to the Division 1 campaign, making it three wins from three after a pulsating encounter at Fr Healy Park on Sunday. In a game defined by The Town’s clinical efficiency versus Loughgiel’s wayward shooting, a late surge inspired by the return of Niall McKenna saw the visitors snatch a two-point victory in injury time, concluding with a final score of Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-20 to Ballycastle’s 1-19.

The opening period was dominated by the hosts, but their superiority on the pitch was not reflected on the scoreboard. While the Shamrocks found their range early with points from play by Ronan Fitzgerald, Rian McMullan, and Declan McCloskey, they were guilty of squandering numerous easy opportunities from both frees and open play. Ballycastle manager Cian Waldron was honest about the overall outcome saying “we should have been dead and buried by half time. However his team stayed in touch through the unerring accuracy of Seamus McAuley. Despite trailing 0-7 to 0-3 after another Fitzgerald point and a fine score from Loughgiel’s Eoin McGarry, McAuley’s proficiency from placed balls and long range steadily narrowed the gap. A point from play by Tiernan Smyth eventually brought the sides level, before Ryan McKee restored a slender 0-8 to 0-7 lead for Loughgiel at the interval.

The game ignited just two minutes after the restart when Tiernan Smyth turned provider, feeding Diarmaid McShane, who showed great composure to pull the ball into the Loughgiel net. The Shamrocks responded well to the setback, with Rian McMullan and Eoin McGarry adding clever points from play to keep them honest, while Roan McGarry found his rhythm from frees to level the game at 0-12 to 1-09. The lead traded hands several times; Cathair Donnelly won a free for McAuley to convert for Ballycastle, only for Loughgiel’s Ben McGarry to respond with a fine score. Following another Seamus McAuley free after a foul on Eoin McAlonan, Loughgiel appeared to find their second wind. Two quickfire scores from Roan McGarry pushed the Shamrocks into a three-point lead at 0-18 to 1-12 with fifteen minutes remaining.

The momentum shifted dramatically with the introduction of former county star Niall McKenna, returning from a long-term injury for Ballycastle. McKenna made an immediate impact, scoring a sublime point from the left wing with his first touch. At the other end, Ballycastle goalkeeper Eamonn Elliott proved to be the hero, producing two world-class saves to deny Loughgiel certain goals. Those stops proved vital as Tiernan Smyth and another McKenna effort, following a brilliant catch from a puck-out, cut the deficit to just one. After Roan McGarry and Seamus McAuley exchanged points, Eoin McAlonan landed a massive long-range score to level the game on twenty-nine minutes. In a frantic period of injury time, Diarmaid McShane put Ballycastle ahead, only for the ever-reliable Roan McGarry to level it once more for the Shamrocks. However, Ballycastle had the final say. Showing superior fitness and nerves of steel, McKenna and Seamus McAuley both raised white flags in the dying embers of the game to seal the 1-19 to 0-20 victory for the visitors.

Loughgiel Shamrocks – John Francis Connolly, Liam Glackin, Enda Og McGarry, Caolan Blair, Conall McCloskey, Tiernan Coyle, Ben McGarry, Ryan McKee, Declan McCloskey, Rian McMullan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Eoin McGarry, Roan McGarry, Pearce Patterson, Dan McCloskey.

Ballycastle – Eamonn Elliott, Oran Kearney, Ryan McCook, Conal Colgan, Eoin McAlonan, Conor Boyd, Cathair Donnelly, Reuben McClean, Ardan Kelly, Darragh Kelly, Seamus McAuley, Niall McClean, Ronan McCarry, Tiernan Smyth, Diarmaid McShane.

Subs used – Niall McKenna, Cadhan Crawford, Ronan Laverty,

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by thesaffrongael

Glenarm unlucky not to take something from fiercely contested game

Featured Image: Niall Rogers, who had a good game for Shane O’Neill’s

ACHL Division 2

Shane O’Neill’s 1-14 Ballycran 0-19

Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm and Ballycran served up a fiercely contested division 2 game of hurling at Feystown on Sunday with the Fetstown side desperately unlucky not to get something out of the game.

Trailing by one as the clock counted down the Glenarm side looked to be in for a second goal when youngster, Niall Rogers raced clear on goal where he was taken out by Ballycran keeper, Cathal Lavery but the home side had their appeals for a penalty waved aside and had to settle for a pointed free from Aidan Scullion.

Despite being without the services of Niall McGarel and Ciaran Magill the Glenarm side matched the men from the Ards all the way and the result was in the balance with time almost up.

Ballycran’s Adam Rogan tidies up as Ben O’Boyle moves in to challenge

It was Paul Sheehan who pointed the visitors ahead in the 4th minute and the Ballycran number 12 would contribute 4 of his side’s first half total and seven in all over the hour.

Aidan Scullion brought matters all square by the 8th minute, and like Sheehan, would be a major contributor for the Feystown side with his strong performance at mid-field.

Conor Dorrian, playing at full-forward added two further points to 2 from Sheehan as the visitors led 0-4 to 0-2 with Scullion adding to his early point from a well struck free for the home side.

Some of the challenges were not for the feint hearted as Lorenzo McMullan let play flow and the excellent Darren Hamill struck a couple of frees from distance to tie the contest at 0-5 apiece at the end of the opening quarter.

Aidan Scullion and Paul Sheehan exchanged further points before Niall Rogers edged Glenarm ahead after being set up by Ben O’Boyle but the visitors finished the half on top and Ethan Bell, Conor Woods and a great point from Michael Hughes had them one ahead at the short whistle.

Shane O’Neill’s took a time to emerge from the dressing rooms for the second half but when they did they were quickly into the action with Aidan Scullion levelling matters with a point after 30 seconds.

Things were certainly livening up as Conor Dorrian restored the visitors lead but almost immediately Glenarm hit the front for the second time in the game. Young Niall Rogers showed electric pace as he cut in along the bye-line before placing Paddy mcAuley who finished to the net

The visitors were back on terms however by the fifth minute as Michael Hughes from distance and Sheehan from a pointed free fired over but half time substitute Sean O’Hare split the posts at the other end to edge the Feystown men ahead once more.

Glenarm’s Darren |hamill rises to claim the sliotar

Paul Sheehan and Aidan Scullion exchanged further points to leave the gap at one but Glenarm will reflect on a dominant period where the hit four wides in quick succession that could have put a bit of distance between the sides.

Still they maintained that narrow lead after Conal Ward replied to a superb side-line cut from Sheehan with 9 minutes remaining as Ballycran threw the Miskillins, Jake and Paul into the action.

The Ards men were beginning to get on top and Paul Sheehan (f), Conor Dorrian and Conor Woods were all on target before Aidan Scullion replied with a great long distance effort to leave just one between the sides with three minutes remaining.

Then came the Rogers incident with Lavery perhaps lucky to stay on the field for his challenge and the award a free rather than a penalty which Scullion pointed.

It would be Ballycran who would grab the initiative as the game edged into extra time with Conor Woods and the impressive Sheehan on target to see their side home by two points

Shane O’Neill’s: 1 Michael Abram, 2 Ciaran McLoughlin, 3 Barry Hamill, 4 Sean Scullion, 5 Kieran O’Boyle, 6 Darren Hamill, 7 Michael Furey, 8 Conal Ward, 9 Aidan Scullion, 10 Ryan McLoughlin, 11 Dylan McLaughlin, 12 Sean McDermott, 13 Niall Rodgers, 14 Ben O’Boyle, 15 Paddy McAuley

Ballycran: 16 Cathal Lavery, 2 Dominic McGrath, 3 Brad Watson, 4 Adam Rogan, 5 Manus Gilmore, 6 Michael Hughes, 7 Steven Gilliland, 9 Sean McCarthy, 10 Ethan Bell, 11 Conor Woods, 12 Paul Sheehan, 13 Dara Rogers, 28 Conor Dorrian, 15 Eoin Kelly

Subs: 19 Jake Miskimmin, 29 Paul Miskimmin

Referee: Lorenzo McMullan

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by thesaffrongael

Cushendun finish each half strongly to stay unbeaten

Antrim Hurling League Division 2

Cloughmills 2-10 Cushendun 1-20

Report and pics by Micky Morgan

Going into this Division 2 Antrim Hurling League fixture at Fr Leonard Park, most pundits were anticipating a rather one-sided contest between table-topping Cushendun Emmet’s and a struggling St Brigid’s Cloughmills side. However, the game overseen by referee Fiontan McCotter proved to be anything but straightforward for the league leaders. It ultimately took a strong finish to both halves for the visitors to secure the points and avoid a major upset on the road.

The home side started brightly, defying expectations when James O’Boyle opened the scoring in the second minute. Cushendun quickly settled with points from Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill and Connor McHugh, but Cloughmills struck a major blow in the ninth minute when James Doherty fired to the net. The Emmet’s response was immediate, with Colm McKeegan raising a green flag of his own just a minute later to swing the momentum back. The visitors then began to dictate the pace, tagging on points through Loaf, Shane McQuillan, McKeegan, and Pierce Bannon to build a solid lead. Cloughmills remained fiercely competitive, however, and a brilliant sideline cut from Michael Devlin was soon followed by a Stephen Smith goal in the 25th minute to keep the hosts right in the mix. True to the pattern of the game, Cushendun rallied just before the break. A flurry of late first-half scores from McHugh, Loaf McNeill, and Callam Kilgore ensured the Emmet’s took a 1-11 to 2-05 lead into the dressing rooms.

The second half continued in a similarly tense vein. Connor McHugh extended the Emmet’s lead straight from the restart, though Michael Devlin quickly replied with a free for the hosts. The sides essentially went score for score through the middle third of the half. Loaf was highly dependable from placed balls for the visitors, while McHugh continued to consistently trouble the home defense. Cloughmills simply refused to lie down, keeping the scoreboard ticking over with a spirited point from Dara Waterson and a quickfire brace from Conor Laverty. When Devlin slotted another free in the 28th minute, it left the score at 1-17 to 2-10, meaning just four points separated the sides as normal time elapsed.

With the game hanging in the balance and an upset still a distinct possibility heading into injury time, Cushendun drew on their league-leading pedigree to finally put the contest to bed. Conor ‘Smiley’ McHugh stepped up when his team needed him most, taking complete control of the dying minutes. He fired over three crucial points in the 31st, 33rd, and 35th minutes—the final one coming from a free—to finally break Cloughmills’ resistance. Those late interventions secured a hard-fought 1-20 to 2-10 victory for the Emmet’s, leaving them with a seven-point winning margin that perhaps didn’t fully reflect just how hard they had to work for it.

Cushendun (Total: 1-20)

  • Connor McHugh: 0-09 (1 free)
  • Conlaoth McNeill: 0-07 (5 frees)
  • Colm McKeegan: 1-01
  • Shane McQuillan: 0-01
  • Pierce Bannon: 0-01
  • Callam Kilgore: 0-01

St Brigid’s Cloughmills (Total: 2-10)

  • Michael Devlin: 0-04 (2 frees, 1 sideline cut)
  • James Doherty: 1-01
  • Stephen Smith: 1-00
  • Conor Laverty: 0-02
  • James O’Boyle: 0-01
  • Ryan McFarlane: 0-01
  • Dara Waterson: 0-01

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

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s late comeback earns them their 12th Ulster title

Ulster Minor Camogie Final

Antrim 2-17 Derry 2-16

Venue- CushLig an Airgid – Cushendun

The Ulster minor camogie final at Cushendun on Saturday evening delivered a classic encounter, with Antrim ultimately retaining their title in a 2-17 to 2-16 thriller against a resilient Derry side. While a dramatic 56th-minute goal from Emma Quinn looked to have secured a fifth title for the Oak Leaf county, the holders demonstrated remarkable composure in the closing stages. Late points from Eimear McCaughan and Player of the Match Caoimhe McErlean allowed Antrim to claw back the lead and secure the trophy for the 12th time in their history.

Derry enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, using the breeze to establish a 0-6 to 0-2 lead within the first quarter thanks to the accuracy of Emma Quinn, Grace McCartney, and Ciara O’Loughlin. Antrim found a lifeline when a long-range free dropped into the Derry square, falling kindly for Eimear McCaughan who made no mistake in finding the back of the net. The remainder of the half was a tightly contested affair where both sides traded scores, leaving Derry with a narrow 0-12 to 1-7 lead as the teams headed into the break.

The momentum shifted immediately upon the restart as Antrim hit four unanswered points through Aoife Fitzsimons, Caoimhe McErlean, and Brogan Graham to take a two-point lead within four minutes. Derry responded with a point from Brianna Donaghy and a clinical goal from Emma Quinn to regain the advantage, but the lead was short-lived. Barely a minute later, Louise McBride got the decisive touch on a cross into the danger area to put Antrim back in front.

The final quarter was defined by high tension as Antrim struggled to shake off their challengers. Despite Eimear McCaughan extending the gap to three points, Emma Quinn dragged Derry back into contention with two points before completing her brace of goals to put her side ahead in the final minutes. However, Antrim found the necessary response in the “sting in the tail” finish, as Caoimhe McErlean and Eimear McCaughan split the posts to ensure the title stayed with the Saffron county by the narrowest of margins.

Antrim: Molly McToal, Cara Lynch, Laoise Stone, Isabelle Martin, Hannah Mead, Fiadh Sands, Amy Gault, Erin-Mae Mitchell 0-1, Eimear McCloskey, Aoife Fitzsimons 0-2, Caoimhe McErlean 0-9 (8fs), Cara Delaney, Eimear McCaughan 1-3, Louise McBride 1-1, Brogan Graham 0-1.

Subs: Aoife Neeson for A Gault, Orla Munce for C Lynch

Derry: Aoife McAteer, Treasa Passmore, Ríonach Conlon, Gráinne McElhinney, Ellen Cullen, Ellie McCartney, Hannah Drinan, Áine Young, Ríonach McNally, Brianna Donaghy 0-1, Mary Therese McCullagh 0-1, Grace McCartney 0-3, Sara McTague, Emma Quinn capt 2-8 (0-7fs), Ciara O’Loughlin 0-3.

Subs: Odharnait Ward for S McTague, Aoife Harkin for G McElhinney

TO SEE MORE OF MICKEY MORGAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Derry cruise to convincing win to book a semi-final place

Ulster SFC quarter-final:

Derry 2-23 Antrim 1-13

Derry enjoyed their first Ulster Championship win since winning the title back in 2023 on Saturday when the Oak leaf County proved too good for visitors Antrim to progress to the provincial semi-final.

The 13 point winning margin didn’t flatter the Oak Leaf side and indeed had it not been for a string of brilliant saves by Antrim keeper, John McNabb the margin of victory would have been much greater.

Played in glorious sunshine at Celtic Park, the first half took it’s time to get going and Antrim impressed early in the game and a goal from Niall Burns after 11 minutes moved them into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead.

Burns was Antrim’s best forward and opened the scoring in the very first Saffron attack but points from Lochlan Murray and Shane McGuigan edged the hosts into a one point lead.

Burn’s goal stung Derry into action and they replied through, Lachlan Murray, Ruairi Forbes, Eoin McAvoy and Paul Cassidy before Burns briefly edged the Saffron ahead once more.

Eoin McAvoy equalised and Niall Loughrin gave Derry back a lead they would hold and add to in impressive form with Padraig McGrogan adding a point a minute later.

The returning Eoin McEvoy fired over to ignite a scoring burst before Niall Loughlin and Padraig McGrogan both added points.

Better was to follow in the 23rd minute when Lachlan Murray intercepted a ball around the middle of the park with keeper McNabb caught out as he pushed up in support of his attack, and raced forward to unleash an unstoppable shot to the net.

Antrim came close to scoring a second goal of their own with the ball moved through the hands to Pat Shivers but his shot on goal was deflected over the bar by a defender.

Pat Shivers added another Antrim point but the hosts were well in command at that stage, with Shane McGuigan pointing a free and then raising an Orange flag and Loughlin slotting over another from an acute angle to see the Oakleafers lead by 1-11 to 1-4 ahead at the break.

Antrim attempted to close the gap on the restart but a Shivers point was ruled out following a breech with McGuigan kicking another 2 pointer from the resulting free for what amounted to a three point swing.

McGuigan, Lachlan Murray and McGuigan again stretched the Derry lead to 9 by the 43d minute and at this stage Antrim were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball.

Slowly they regained a bit of possession with team captain, Eoghan McCabe pointing and then raising an Orange flag but once again the hosts were able to make an immediate response.

Paul Cassidy put any lingering hopes the Saffrons held beyond them when he followed up on a Loughlin shot that was parried by McNabb to side-foot to the net.

 The visitors continued to fight against impossible odds and Niall Burns put the icing on a fine individual performance to bring his total for the evening to 1-3 before being replaced.

Despite the loss of Ronan Boyle to a 60th-minute black card, impact sub Ryan McQuillan added an excellent point to the Antrim tally as Derry, with both McGuigan and Murray in scintillating form, cruised to a convincing victory.

Derry now go forward to face the winners of Monaghan and Cavan, who play on Sunday while Antrim will have to regroup in preparation for the Tailteann Cup in an attermpt to keep their season alive.

DERRY: S McGuckin, D Baker, R Forbes (0-0-1), C McCluskey, C Doherty (0-0-3), G McKinless, P McGrogan (0-0-1), E McEvoy (0-0-1), B Rogers (0-0-1), E Doherty, C Glass, P Cassidy (1-0-1), N Loughlin (0-0-2), S McGuigan (0-2-5, 2f), L Murray (1-0-3). Subs: P McGurk for D Baker, S Downey for E McEvoy (both 53 mins), N Toner for N Loughlin (57), N O’Donnell for B Rogers (60), R O Mianain (0-0-1) for R Forbes (65).

ANTRIM: J McNabb, J Morgan, E Walsh, K Keenan, E McCabe (0-1-1), P Healy, M Jordan, P McAleer (0-0-1f), J Finnegan, C Hand (0-0-1), A Loughran, R Boyle, N Burns (1-0-3), P Shivers (0-0-2), D McEnhill. Subs: R McQuillan (0-1-1) for A Loughran (37 mins), T McCormack for M Jordan, T McCann for D McEnhill (both 53), B Kelly for K Keenan (60), C Hynds for N Burns (66).

Referee: D Gough.

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