Ulster schools’ Camogie

Senior Shield final: Loreto Coleraine 2-16 Our Lady’s Newry 3-9

LORETO College Coleraine produced a superb team performance to overcome Our Lady’s Newry in a very competitive Ulster schools’ Senior Shield final in MUSA on Friday.

At the back, Treasa Passmore had an excellent game well supported by Fiona Cassidy and Brenda Mullan. Up front Kerry Rose Draine was the star player and ultimately the difference between the teams at the end with a goal and eight points. Clíodhna Boylan was also to the fore and her early points gave Loreto a good platform in the game.

Sarah McTague added a point in between those from Boylan and Drain and the Coleraine College led by 1-9 to 2-3 at the break, the goal coming from Boylan after 14 minutes.

The Newry school however left themselves well in the game with goals from Jessica McCreesh and Emer Starrs.

But Dunloy’s Kerry Rose Draine stepped up a gear after the break with a series of points and then a superb goal. Clonduff forward Alannah Power gave Our Lady’s some hope with a goal and a couple of points, but Coleraine were never headed and finished strongly with a couple of points from Draine.

Loreto scorers: Kerry Rose Draine 1-8, Clíodnha Boylan 1-5, Sarah McTague, Emer Munro and Doireann Campbell 0-1 each

Our Lady’s scorers: Alannah Power and Jessica McCreesh 1-3 each, Emer Starrs 1-0, Hannah Shields, Faye McCreesh and Elle Fallon 0-1 each

Loreto team: Mya McKinley, Brenda McMullan, ⁠Emer Munro, Riona Cassidy, Mary Mullan, Treasa Passmore, Áine Boylan, Sinéad McSorley, Kate Healy, Kerry Rose Draine, ⁠Clíodhna Boylan, ⁠Doireann Campbell, ⁠Sarah McTague, Dubhla Mullan, Bronagh Hasson 

Subs: ⁠Erin McKay, Sophie Higgins, Maeve McGilligan, Emily Brizell, ⁠Aoibhinn Mullan, Olivia McBride, Clare Mullan, ⁠Rose McIntyre, ⁠Aoife Dempsey, Caitie McKeever, Grace O’Boyle, Aoife McTague, Briana Ferguson

Main pic Above – Keavy O’Mahony-Truesdale, National Brand and Business Development Manager at Barista Bar hands over jerseys to Antrim players Cara Delany (6) and Amelie Annett, plus team manager JP McLarnon

NI’s leading coffee to go brand, Barista Bar, has announced an all-new sponsorship with Antrim Camogie. 

Barista Bar, which marked its 10-year anniversary last year, will be an official sponsor of the Antrim Minor Camogie girls’ team for 2026. The sponsorship will help support the county with the team’s kit, quality equipment and improving facilities.  

The sponsorship is part of Barista Bar’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the local community. 

Barista Bar coffee-to-go is widely available in over 460 SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA stores across Northern Ireland, many of which are often the hub of local communities and Barista Bar aims to continue these relationships, being part of many local initiatives and providing sponsorships for a number of local events and clubs. 

Antrim Camogie is the governing body for Camogie in the county and currently supports 25 affiliated clubs, delivering participation and performance opportunities across urban and rural communities throughout Antrim. The organisation oversees player development pathways from grassroots through to county level and is underpinned by strong governance, volunteer leadership and a commitment to sustainable growth. 

Across its club network, Antrim Camogie supports over 5,000 registered participants, including players, coaches, officials and volunteers, highlighting the scale and reach of the sport within the county.  

Una Kelly, Chairperson at Antrim Camogie commented, “We are extremely grateful to Barista Bar for their support and sponsorship of our Antrim Minor Camogie team. The Barista Bar partnership makes a real and tangible difference, not only in providing resources for our players, but in showing young athletes that their commitment, effort and ambition are recognised and valued.  

“Partnerships like this are a critical component in sustaining and advancing our county, enabling us to invest in quality coaching, player welfare and development programmes. Barista Bar’s backing reflects a genuine investment in grassroots sport and the future of camogie in Antrim. We are proud to have them as partners on this journey.” 

Keavy O’Mahony-Truesdale, National Brand and Business Development Manager at Barista Bar commented, “Being rooted in community stores, it is so important to us at Barista Bar to continue to develop those relationships with shoppers, local community groups, charities and clubs. Investments such as this make a huge difference in grassroots sports and throughout local communities, as well as allowing us to give back to those who show us so much support. We can’t wait to cheer on the team from the sidelines!” 

Lámh Dhearg Senior Hurlers held a very successful and enjoyable fund raiser hurling chat show in their clubrooms.
The guests were Cushendall’s  Neil McManus ,holder of eight county championship medals and former county captain, Clare’s  Anthony Daly all Ireland winning captain and former all Ireland winning manager  Liam Sheedy from Tipperary.
The show was generously supported by the Beechlawn Hotel , Herron Paving and Groundwork’s and RMC Building services .
The show was compered professionally by club pro Paul Buchanan who kept the discussion fluently flowing with a diverse array of interesting  and challenging questions.
In promotion of the event the club advertised  insight , stories and top class hurling chat and the night certainly lived up to its expectations.

The guests were in great form as they discussed topics such as the biggest influences on their career at club and county , highlights and lows of their careers , best player they ever played with and who were their toughest opponents.  They provided some very funny stories from their careers and very  witty insights into some of the colourful characters they have played with . Valuable advice was also given to the hurlers and camogs in the audience relating how to prepare mentally for big games and the fitness and qualities required to succeed.
 There was also serious and heated debate with the guests speaking  passionately on some topical and current issues such as Allianz sponsorship of the National League, amateurism status in the GAA, should the inter county season be extended and how can the GAA raise standards of development of hurling in the weaker counties .
At the interval a special presentation was made by club trustee Sean Maguire to former county Secretary and Clubman Frankie Quinn in recognition of his commitment and service to the county and club .
The panel were deeply divided on who could win the All Ireland this year but all agreed that Munster will a very keenly contested championship and it will
be even tough to qualify from.

At the end Neil, Dalo and Liam showed not only are they successful hurlers and accomplished , entertaining and articulate pundits but very good singers as they all give a rendition of their favourite championship celebration songs to conclude a highly entertaining and enthralling night.
A truly memorable night to be remembered by the audience . After the show Neil, Dalo and Liam mingled freely with the appreciative audience and posed for an array of photographs.
The club also would like acknowledge the generous support of Pizza Hut and Clean Vision Window Cleaning and senior hurlers for donating prizes for the ballot.
Well done to all concerned in the organisation of a fantastic event.

TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GREAT NIGHT CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/S6VEAvri6TwEJD/?invite=214bb3e6-24f6-426c-a006-08f61afc55f6

Hurling for Hunger Cup Final:

St John’s 0-26 vs. St Gall’s 1-20

at the Bog Meadows

Despite missing a good fe regulars, Antrim Senior Champions St John’s relied on their experience and the dead-ball accuracy of Oisin McManus to edge out Belfast neighbours St Gall’s in a highly entertaining Hurling for Hunger pre-season final at the Bog Meadows on Sunday.

St Gall’s, who compete in the Intermediate Championship and Division 2, punched well above their weight. Refusing to be intimidated by the county champions, they delivered a stellar performance that went right down to the wire, ultimately falling just three points short by the final whistle.

The champions started brightly, registering two quick points in the opening minute through a James Wilson strike from play and the first of many Oisin McManus frees. St Gall’s settled quickly, however, with Dubhaltach Wilson opening their account in the 3rd minute.

What followed was a tit-for-tat opening quarter. Mark Napier proved a constant threat for St Gall’s, splitting the posts from play and from frees to keep his side right in the mix. Whenever St John’s threatened to pull away—buoyed by points from Tomas Adams and a magnificent long-range effort from Man of the Match Caolan Wilson inside his own half—St Gall’s found an answer.

Michael Marlow and Dubhaltach Wilson slotted crucial points for the challengers, but a late flurry from St John’s, featuring points from Aaron Bradley and a pair of McManus frees, ensured the Senior champions took a 0-13 to 0-10 advantage into the dressing room.

St Gall’s came out roaring after the restart. Fergus Donnelly ignited their second-half charge with an immediate point, and despite a response from St John’s full-forward Michael Bradley, the Intermediate side hit a purple patch. Donnelly struck again from distance, and Dubhaltach Wilson added another to tie the game up at 14 points apiece by the 9th minute.

When Mark Napier brought St Gall’s level in the 11th minute, an upset looked distinctly possible and when St Gall’ grabbed a great goal through Dubhaltach Wilson in the 24th minute they were back in contention.

However, true champions don’t panic. St John’s responded immediately with a phenomenal long-range point into the breeze from center-back Conall Morgan. Down the stretch, the game opened up in a frenetic climax. Napier and Ewan Rush kept the scoreboard ticking for St Gall’s, but St John’s dug deep. Caolan Wilson added another crucial point, and Oisin McManus held his nerve, punishing St Gall’s indiscipline with flawless free-taking.

The champions finished strong and sealed another piece of silverware, securing with a hard-fought three-point victory.

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/HSfjmiZkJFzc7G/?invite=e5b1f6e3-870a-4a27-b3be-bfe7af227554

St John’s:

1. Simon Doherty, 2. G McKinney, 3. Adrian Downey, 4. Daire King, 5. Caolan Wilson, 6. Conall Morgan, 7. Enda McGurk, 8. Sean Wilson, 9. James Wilson, 10. Aaron Bradley, 11. Oisin McManus, 12. David Robinson, 13. Donal Carson, 14. Michael Bradley, 15. Tomas Adams. (Sub noted: 20. Fergal McManus)

St Gall’s:

1. Sean McAreavey, 2. Eoghan McCurdy, 3. Daniel Churchill, 4. Jack Hopkins, 5. Gaire Mac Adhaimh, 6. Paddy Friel, 27. Michael Marlow, 8. Ewan Rush, 10. Fergus Donnelly, 11. Jackson McGreevy, 22. Dubhaltach Wilson, 13. Nial Fallon, 14. Oran McIhaatton, 15. Mark Napier.