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by thesaffrongael

Late Foggarty point breaks Cushendall hearts

AIB All Ireland Senior Club Hurling Semi-Final

O’Loughlin Gaels 1-17 Cushendall Ruairi Og 1-16

A late point from out on the stand sideline from O’Loughlin Gael’s right half back David Foggarty saw the Kilkenny Champions edge out Cushendall in Sunday’s AIB All Ireland Club Hurling semi-final in Navan. Ruairi Og captain Neill McManus had a chance seconds later to bring the game to extra time but his shot was just wide of the target and a day that had looked so promising in the early stages ended in heartbreak for the Antrim champions who gave so much in a remarkable contest.

Cushendall’s Joseph McLaughlin celebrates after scoring his team’s goal early in the game.

Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half the Ruairis gave an exhibition of slick hurling as they raced away to lead their much vaunted opponents by 1-5 to 0-0 after just five minutes, the goal coming from young corner forward Joseph McLaughlin who broke away from a ruck of players and send a low shot past O’Loughlin’s goalkeeper Shephen Murphy. Things got even better when they stretched their advantage to eight as they dominated play, but the Kilkenny men started to find their feet.  Cushendall right half forward Ed McQuillan was desperately unlucky to see his goal-bound shot rebound off the base of the upright during the second quarter and the Leinster champions took advantage. They slowly edged their way back and boosted by a goal from corner forward Sean Bolger they closed to the gap to just three by half time.

When O’Loughlin’s wiped out the three point deficit within four minutes of the restart it looked like the Cushendall fans were in for a long afternoon, but with the Burke brothers Paddy and Martin, centre back Eoghan Campbell and midfielder Ryan McCambridge in superb form they steadied the ship and kept their noses in front until seven minutes from time. Against the wind, and the odds, the Cushendall men produced heroics, but they shot five wides in the last ten minutes, all from very scoreable positions, which proved their undoing and the men from Kilkenny city took advantage to set up a final place against Galway champions St Thomas in the final in four weeks’ time.  

Sean Bolger celebrates after scoring O’Loghlin’s goal

O’Loughglin’s captain Mark Bergin won the toss and elected to play against the strong diagonal breeze, and it was Cushendall who flew from the traps with a point from a Neill McManus free and one from play by Niall McCormick. Ryan McCambridge split the uprights to put his team three clear and when Joseph McLaughlin cut in from the right corner to five home a brilliant goal the Cushendall fans must have thought they were in dreamland.

Things got even better when masterful centre back Eoghan Campbell sent over a point from distance, and though the Kilkenny champions opened their account soon afterwards, Campbell struck again to restore the Ruairi’s seven point advantage.

When Neill McManus sent over a monster free from well inside his own half the gap was out to eight. You felt it was too good to be true, and it was, as O’Loughlin’s began to claw their way back.

The gap was back to five when Ed McQuillan cut through the O’Loughlin’s defence, but his well struck shot rebounded off the post and it was a sign that things were beginning to change, and they closed the gap to just two, but a later McManus point from a free sent his team in with a three point lead at the break.

Ed McQuillan cuts through the O’Loughlin defence before rattling a shot of the base of the upright

O’Loughlin’s appeared to be gaining the upper hand when they wiped out their three point deficit inside four minutes, with two points from Mark Bergin and one from Eoin O’Shea.

Neill McMaus settled his team with two well taken points, one from a free and the other from play to give his team a two point advantage, but his opposite number Mark Bergin came back with one at the other end for the Kilkenny champions.

Cushendall rode their luck when O’Loughin’s Sean Bolger fired wide of an open goal following a long free out of defence when Alex Delargy was adjudged to have over-carried, but in truth the free should have gone the other way as Delargy was clearly being held.

Going down the ‘home straight’ O’Loughins twice edged ahead, only to be pulled back and the tension rose. When David Foggarty hit the lead score for the Leinster men in injury-time the Antrim fans were hoping their team would get one more chance. As things turned out they got a couple but lady luck was not on their side and the men in white and green squeezed home.

Joseph McLauglin and O’Loughlin’s Mickey Butler give confilicting signals after McLaughlin struck a late point

O’Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin (0-9, 0-5 frees); Sean Bolger (1-1); David Fogarty, Conor Heary (0-2 each); Paddy Deegan, Jack Nolan, Eoin O’Shea (0-1 each)

Ruairi Og Cushendall: Neil McManus (0-9, 0-7 frees); Joseph McLaughlin (1-1); Eoghan Campbell (0-2); Paddy Burke, Ryan McCambridge, Ronan McAteer, Ed McQuillan (0-1 each)

O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Eoin O’Shea, Mark Bergin, Conor Heary; Sean Bolger, Luke Hogan, Owen Wall.

Subs: Conor Kelly for Bolger 44 mins; Jamie Ryan for Nolan 54 mins; Paddy Butler for O’Shea 57 mins.

Ruairi Og Cushendall: Conor McAlister; Paddy Burke, Liam Gillan, Martin Burke; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Ruairi McCollam; Francis McCurry, Ryan McCambridge; Ed McQuillan, Fergus McCambridge, Ronan McAteer; Joseph McLaughlin, Neil McManus, Niall McCormack.

Subs: Sean McAfee for McAteer 22 mins; Alex Delargy for McCormack h-t; Aidan McNaughton for Gillan h-t; Stephen Wash for McCollam 47 mins; Christy McNaughton for McCurry 58 mins.

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)

O’Loughlin Gaels manager Brian Hogan
by thesaffrongael

Shehu leads Cavan Gaels to semi-final spot

Fona/CAB Ulster Minor Football tournament

Cavan Gaels 0-16 St. Molaise Irvinestown 1-8

PICS BY BERT TROWLEN

A man of the match performance by the excellent Joshua Shehu led Cavan Gaels to victory over a battling St. Molaise of Irvinestown in the final quarter final of the fona/CAB Ulster Minor football tournament at Colaiste Feirste on Saturday.

The flying centre half forward contributed 0-6 of his side’s total over the hour and his pace and movement made him a constant threat to the Fermanagh champions

It was Barry Goodwin who got the Irvinestown side off the mark however with a point after 10 seconds but Cavan Gaels came back with points from Michael Monaghan and Joshua Shehu to lead with six minutes on the clock.

Johua Shehu who was outstanding as Cavan Gaels defeated St. Molaise of Irvinestown in the quarter-final of the fona/CAB Ulster Minor tournament

In between Emiliano Vennettilli in the Cavan goal pulled off a good save and Jamie McDonnell did likewise for the Fermanagh champions as play swung from end to end.

Points from a Ben Tully ’45’ and a Josh Dunne free for Cavan Gaels sandwiched a fine point for Barry Goodwin into the breeze for the Fermanagh side with Goodwin, Alfie McCaffrey and James Hanna keeping the Fermangh men in touch.

It was Cavan Gaels who regained the initiative during the closing ten minutes of the half however with Josh Dunne, Joshua Shehu, Jakub Jaskiewicz, Ciaran Galligan and two more from the suberb Shehu putting them into a fairly commanding 0-11 to 0-4 lead at the half way stage.

With the breeze at their backs the Irivinestown side needed a good start to the second half but in the event it was Cavan Gaels who started strongly as they extended their lead to nine with points from Jakub Jaskiewicz and Joshua Shehu by ther 10th minute with St. Molaise yet to register.

Mattie McDermott finally got the Fermanagh champions off the mark when he pointed a 13th minute free and Odhran McGovern added another before Joshua Shehu replied with one for the Gaels.

It looked a long way back for the Irvinestown side at this stage but they kept probing for the scores that might bring them back into contention and Odhran McGovern converted a 19th minute free and followed with another from play.

They continued to press and were rewarded with a Barry Goodwin goal in the 26th minute to close the gap to three and a comeback looked on the cards but that would be as close as they got.

Joshua Shehu eased matters with an excellent point under pressure for Cavan Gaels and mid-fielder, Ben Tully ensured there would be no way back as he kicked the final point of the game in the 30th minute.

A good win for the Cavan side for who Joshua Sehu was superb but he was only one of an excellent Cavan Gaels side who had strong performers in Ben Tully, Michael Monaghan and Jacub Jaskiewicz.

Cavan Gaels will now meet Mayobridge of Down, who defeated St. Paul’s earlier in the day, in the boxing day semi-final while the other semi-final between Four Masters of Donegal and Castleblaney Faughs of Monaghan takes place tomorrow (Sunday 17th December) at Shaws Road.

Cavan Gaels: 1 Emiliano Vennettilli, 2 Daniel Sommers, 3 Conor Doyle, 4 Elvinis Griksas, 5 Ciaran Galligan, 6 Bobby Hanley, 7 Martin Anthony McDonagh, 8 Ben Tully, 9 Michael Monaghan, 10 Cormac Crotty, 11 Joshua Shehu, 12 Daniel Olude, 13 Jakub Jaskiewicz, 14 Josh Dunne, Finn Crowe, 15 Josh Dunne

St. Molaise Irvinestown: 1 Jamie McDonnell, 2 Daire Swift, 3 Ben Stewart, 4 Aaron Hall, 5 Caelan McGoldrick, 6 Oisin Swift, 7 Bernard McElholm, 8 Alfie McCaffrey, 9 Patrick Hughes, 10 James Hanna, 11 Mattie McDermott, 12 Joseph McDonnell, 13 Odhran McGovern, 14 Barry Goodwin, 15 Ryan McMulkin.

by thesaffrongael

Battling St. Paul’s come up just short

fonaCAB Ulster Minor Club Football Tournament, quarter-final

Mayobridge 1-7 St Paul’s 1-5

PICS BY BERT TROWLEN

St. Paul’s looked to be heading for a rare victory for Antrim clubs in the quarter-final of the fona/CAB Ulster Minor tournament when they led Down champions, Mayobridge by three points early in the second half at Shaws Road today.

However the visitors hit five scores on the bounce midway through the second period to defeat St Paul’s on their home patch to reach the semi-final where they will meet Cavan Gaels.

When the hosts moved into that three point lead it was looking good for them on their return to their home tournament for the first time in 30 years, but the Down side didn’t panic and made the most of their spell to advance into a last four clash on St Stephen’s Day.

Daire O’Keefe was excellent for Mayobridge at mid-field with some excellent fielding for the Mourne side and added a score during the second period while Patrick Woods also made a big impact with some fine scores.

Both sides were strong in defence and gave little away and as result scores were hard to come by and the game was in the balance right up to the final whistle.

St. Paul’s opened with the wind at their backs in the opening period and they made a bright start with Oisin Gamble playing an excellent ball into Sean Og McLaren who claimed a mark and curled his effort over within the opening minute.

The big full-forward doubled his score soon after when he fisted over from a tight angle on the right, but Mayobridge hit back with a sucker punch when Ryan Coulter finished a rebound to the net after Adam Carroll made a good save to deny Darragh Polland.

The scores dried up for a time as both defences dominated and it wasn’t until the 14th minute when Patrick Woods split the uprights for the Down champions.

St Paul’s responded and began to take the game to their opponents with Patrick Crawford sending over a free and then McLaren got on the end of a long ball and turned his marker with his fierce drive sailing over when a goal looked eminent.

This score squared the contest for the first time and it would get better for the Antrim champions as James Keenan added another to leave it 1-2 to 0-4 in favour of the ‘Hoops’ at half time.

Mayobridge started the second half with a fairly substantial breeze at their back and they took the game to their opponents early on but the St. Paul’s defence continued to thwart their efforts.

The host club soaked up the Mayobridge second half pressure before striking on the counter at the other end and Oisin Gamble broke free down the left sideline and placed Oisin Casey who took the pass on the volley from 25 metres out and his shot nestled in the corner of the net.

Conor Ward moved forward from defence to add a point and the home side were 1-5 to 1-2 ahead after 40 minutes and it looked like the Antrim champions were on their way to victory.

Mayobridge looked rattled but they picked themselves up of the floor and Corey Clerkin got them on the comeback trail as he fired over after forcing a turnover.

This score provided the Mourne side with a lift and they would hit a further four points without reply as Woods pointed a free and then O’Keefe broke clear but seemed to have lost control but he volleyed over to level with a quarter of an hour remaining.

From the resulting kick-out, Mayobridge again won the break and it was worked to Woods on the right who fired over and with nine minutes remaining, he would add another from distance to put two between the sides.

It would prove to be the final score of the game, though both sides had opportunities to add to their tally in the closing stages.

Clerkin found himself in space to the right of goal but fired his shot wide when well-placed and at the other end St Paul’s tried to respond but McLaren was blown up for lifting off the ground as he finished to the net.

The Antrim champions pushed hard in the closing stages but the Mayobridge defence stood firm and it is the Mourne champions who go through to a Boxing Day semi-final against Cavan Gaels.

St. Paul’s: A Carroll; C Ward (0-1), C McAlea, G Cowan; C McDonnell, O McCann, O Gamble; E McGreevy, C Burke; P Crawford (0-1 free), S Burns, O Casey (1-0); N Carmichael, S Og McLaren (0-3, 1 mark), C Rodgers-Duffy.

Subs: C McCann for P Crawford (49), A Mitchell for C McDonnell (55).

Mayobridge: M Gallagher; R Magone, B Kelly, J Keenan (0-1 free); O De Rose, J McGlade, C Colhoun; D O’Keefe (0-1), P Woods (0-4, 2 frees); D Carr, C Clerkin (0-1), C Keenan; R Coulter (1-0), D Poland, C McPolin.

Sub: D McMahon for J Keena (HT).

Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone).

by thesaffrongael

All Saints GAC Juvenile Awards Presentation

Antrim camogie coach, Siobhan Poulter presents the U12 Camogie Most improved player award to Clionna McAllister
Siobhan Poulter presents the Camogie U12 Sportsperson award to Corey Heaney
Darcey Clarke receives the U12 Players Player, Camog of the Year award from Siobhan Poulter
Siobhan Poulter presents the U12 Camog of the Year award to Darcey Clarke
Joint Most Improved U14 Camog of the Year, Ciara Connon and Freya McGreevey receive their award from Siobhan Poulter
Joint U14 Camogie Sportsperson, Aimee Watt and Abie Ennis receive their award from Siobhan Poulter
Siobhan Poulter presnts the Camogie U14 Sports Person award to Sophie Mark
Sophie Mark receives the U14 Camog of the Year award from Siobhan Poulter
Siobhan Poulter presents the Most Improved U16 Camogie award to Caitlin Kelly and Orla Lemon
Jessica Spurgeon receive the U16 Camogie Sports Person award from Siobhan Poulter
U16 Camogie Players Player of the year, Ella McLaughlin receives her award from Siobhan Poulter.
Siobhan Poulter presents the 16 Camog of the Year award to Abigail McLarnon.
Anna O’Kane receives the Overall Camog of the Year from Siobhan Poulter
U16 Girls’ Winter Football Shield Winners 2023. Joint captains Aimee Kerr & Anna O’Kane presented by current All Saints senior footballer Sinead McLaughlin 

U13 SW Shield winners
Damian Gillan presents the Most Improved U13 Hurler award to Thomas McGarry
U13 Hurling Most Improved player, Se Walker receives his award from Senior Hurler, Damian Gillan
Damian Gillan presents the U13 Players Player of the Year award to Joseph O’Hara
Damian Gillan present the U13 Player of the Year to Shayne Dorrity
Most improved U15 Hurler, Callum Gordon receives his award from Damian Gillan
U15 Hurling Players Player of ther Year John Ireland receives his award from Damian Gillan
U15 Player of the year, Conall Boyd recieves his award from Damian Gillan
Overall Hurler of the year, Conall Boyd receives his award from Damian Gillan
Sinead McLaughlin All Saints and former Antrim player, presents the Most Improved U12 Footballer award to Darcey Clarke
Sinead McLaughlin presents the Joint girls U12 Sports Person award to Eva McQuillan and Cliona McAllister
Sinead McLaughlin presents the Players Player award to Suzie Curry
Sophia Hamill receives the U12 Player of the year award from Sinead McLaughlin
Leigha McLaughlin receives the U14 Most improved Player award from Sinead McLaughlin
Sinead McLaughlin presents the U14 Sports Person of the year award to Freya McGreevey
Caitlin Kelly receives the U14 Playersd Player of the Year from Sinead McLaughlin
Sinead McLaughlin presents the U14 Player odf the Year award to Ciara Connon
U16 Most Improved, Nicole Herald receives her award from Sinead Mclaughlin
Joint U16 Sports Person of the year, Maria Mitchell and Aoife |O’Kane receive their award from Sinead McLaughlin
Sinead McLaughlin presents the joint U16 Players Player of the Year award to Anna O’Kane and Ella mcLaughlin
U16 Player of the Year, Orla Lemon receives her award from Sinead McLaughlin
Joint Overall Footballer of the Year, Aimee Kerr and Sinead O’Mullan receive their awrd from Sinead McLaughlin
Joint Most Improved U11 Footballers, Jonah Mitchell and Shane McGarry receive their awrd from All Saints and Antrim footballer, Conor Stewart
Conor Stewart present the U11Sports Person of the Year award toCailin Borgoyne
U11 Players Player of the Year, Jack Orr receives his award from Conor Stewart
Joint U11 Footballer of the year, Odhran Cassidy and Rory Garrett receive their award from Conor Stewart
Conor Stewart presents the Most Improved U13 Footballer award to Hugh Power
Joe O’Hara receives the U13 Sports Person award from Conor Stewart
Conor Stewart presents the U13 Players Player of the year awrd to Shayne Dorrity
Conor Rodgers receives the U13 Footballer of the Year award from Conor Stewart.
U15 Most improved footballer, Aodhan Casey receives his award from Conor Stewart
Pearce Devlin receives the U15 Sorts person award from Conor Stewart
Sean O’Brien receives the Players Player of the Year award from Conor Stewart
Conor Stewart presents the U15 Footballer of the Year award to Daniel Henry
Conor Stewart presents the Overall Boys Footballer of the year to Sean O’Brien
John Ireland receives a special award for representing Antrim at U14 Hurling from Conor Stewart
Leo Wright receives a special award from Conor Stewart for representing Antrim at U14 Football. Lee was also selected on both the hurling and football All Stars side
Sean O’Brien receives the Overall Sports Person of the Year award from Jim Brady, All Saints Chairman, and Eamonn McKillop, Juvelile Chairman
by thesaffrongael

Battle hardened O’Loughglin’s will take some stopping…but the Ruairis are ready!

AIB All Ireland Club Senior Hurling Semi-final

At Pairc Tailteann, Navan. Throw-in 1-30

Cushendall’s opponents in Sunday’s All Ireland semi-final, O’Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny, will certainly be battle hardened when they line out against the Ruairis at Pairc Tailteann.

After making their way through the league stages of the Kilkenny championship the Gaels took on Bennetsbridge in the semi-final, and were fancied to take the honours with a bit to spare, but it took a late goal from corner forward Owen Wall to get them over the line.

O’Loughlin Gaels 0-20 Shamrocks Ballyhale 0-19

At Nowlan Park, Kilkenny

Few gave them a chance in the Kilkenny final against what is widely regarded as the greatest club team in hurling history, Ballyhalte Shamrocks. The reigning Leinster and All Ireland champions were expected to make it through again in the final at Nowlan Park, but backed by rock solid defence, in which All Stars Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor and Paddy Deegan were superb, the city side, who were appearing in their second final in three years, caused an upset.

Led brilliantly by team captain Mark Bergin O’Loughlin’s made a great start and were four points up inside eight minutes, though Ballyhale fought their way back to trail by just a point at half time.

Shamrocks went into the lead for the first time in the opening minute of the second half through Eoin Cody but slowly by surely, the O’Loughlin’s defence began to get on top.

It was score for score in a thrilling second half, and when Colin Fennelly edged the Ballyhale men in front near the end it all appeared to be falling into place for the Shamrocks. However O’Loughlin’s were not to be denied this team and a David Foggarty point brought them level before centre back Paddy Deegan sent over the winner to spark scenes of great celebration.

Leinster Hurling Championship quarter final

O’Loughlin Gaels 2-16 Mount Leinster Rangers 0-13

At Dr Cullen Park, Carlow

Carlow champions Mount Lenister Rangers were disposed of effectively in the Leinster quarter final, though the Carlow men did stage a comeback in the second half. Trailing by 1-10 t 0-4 at half time it seemed like one way traffic, but Mount Leinster battled back to close within four points after a great twenty minutes hurling, only to see their chance snatched away from them by O’Loughlins substitute Luke Hogan who fired in a 56th minute goal.

O’Loughlin Gaels 0-17 Kilcormac-Killoughey 0-12

At Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore

New kids on the block Kilcormac Killoughy of Offaly were the semi-final opponents in Leinster and despite shooting a series of bad wides the Kilkenny champions still dominated the opening half, at the end of which they held an 0-10 to 0-3 lead at half time.

With the wind behind them in the second half the Offaly men showed a marked improvement and with ten minutes remaining they had closed the gap to two points, 0-14 to 0-12. There were a few nervous looking fans among the O’Loughlin followers, but the men on the field never panicked and added three unanswered points to seal a provincial final place against new Dublin champions NaFianna in Croke Park.

O’Loughlin Gaels 0-22 Na Fianna 1-18

At Croke Park, Dublin

Few team captains have led their team as well as O’Loughlin’s Mark Bergin. in the Leinster final against Na Fianna he excelled, not only scoring 11 points overall, but adding and injury time winner to set up Sunday’s meeting with Cushendall.

Having won their first Dublin title a couple of weeks beforehand Na Fianna were outsiders going into this game, but they showed that they are a match for any team on their day and they pushed the Kilkenny champions all the way in a highly entertaining contest.

Good as Bergin was in this thrilling game, the Man of the Match award went to team mate Paddy Deegan who led the team brilliantly from centre back, scoring five points from play.            O’Loughlin Gaels led by 0-11 to 0-9 at the interval after a well contested opening half. The sides were level six times during a pulsating second-half with Sean Currie’s 38th minute goal for Na Fianna giving them real hope. It looked anyone’s game when the Dublin side drew level with just two minutes left to play, but Bergin proved the hero once again by slotting over the winning point as the game entered injury time to set up Sunday’s meeting with Ulster champions Cushendall.

Cushendall’s path has been well documented on the site, their win over Loughgiel after a thrilling finish in the Antrim final at Corrigan Park. For most of the that game they were on top and looked tlike they had it all wrapped up with a bit to spare, but James McNaughton’s late goal almost caught them on the line.

If the Ruari Og fand thought it was hard going through those breathaking final minutes at Corrigan Park it was nothing compared to what they had to endure three weeks later in Armagh, when they faced Down champions Portaferry. Going into injury time they trailled the Ards men by four points, and there were very few, if any, in the maroon colours that day who would have given them a chance. Very few that is except Neil McManus who kept his cool and somehow plotted a way out of it with a spectacular late goal and a point to take the game to extra time, which they won convincingly.

For the most part the win over Slaughtneil in the final in Newry was plain sailing, the Derry champions eleven week lay-off leaving them ill prepared and nowhere near their best. Cushendall produced some of thier best form of the year that day and are in good shape going into the semi-final.

On Sunday there will need to be even better if they are to compete with a battled hardened O’Loughlin team who have scored freely and defended doggedly throughout the campaign. A good section of the Cushendall team has played in Navan and the last time the team played their in 2016 it could not have gone better for them. They face a tough challenge, but they have the men to do the job, if they get an even share of the breaks on the day.

It may well come down to a scoring battle between two auld lads who have served their clubs so well for so long, Cushendall’s Neil McManus and O’Loughglin’s Mark Bergin.

Neil McManus, (seen here against Slaughtneill two weeks ago), and Mark Bergin, (seen here in the 2011 club final between O’Loughglin’s and Clarinbridge) are still delivering the goods for their clubs

The likely starting line-ups

CUSHENDALL: Conor McAllister; Paddy Burke, Liam Gillan, Martin Burke; Stephen Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Conor McCollam; Fred McCurry, Ryan McCambridge; Ronan McAteer, Neil McManus, Fergus McCambridge; Ed McQuillan, Niall McCormack, Joseph McLaughlin .

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Conor Heary, Mark Bergin, Eoin O’Shea; Paddy Butler, Owen Wall, Sean Bolger.