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by thesaffrongael

Duffy happy that uncertainty is over ahead of quarter-final showdown

FonaCAB St Pauls Ulster Minor Tournament 

St Pauls v Mayobridge, (1pm throw-in at Shaws Road)

By Kevin Herron 

St Pauls minor manager Damien Duffy is happy that his side have been able to plan accordingly for their eagerly awaited return to the FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament. 

The hosts- who bridged a 30-year gap- with victory over Aghagallon in October- were due to face the Tyrone Champions in the prelim last weekend. 

The Tyrone Championship was held up due to an appeal and subsequently it was confirmed that it wouldn’t proceed this year, meaning that St Pauls will advance to a quarter-final meeting with Down Champions, Mayobridge. 

There is a huge sense of excitement around the Shaws Road club for Saturdays quarter-final clash and Duffy is pleased that the lingering uncertainty is now behind them. 

“We were always focusing on playing in the preliminary round” Duffy insists. 

“But we couldn’t plan anything else until we got official word from Tyrone. We know very little about Mayobridge, but we are aware that they will be a serious outfit to come out the Down Championship”. 

Despite clinching their first Antrim Minor Championship with victory over Aghagallon in October, the realisation of their achievement didn’t kick in until the night of the launch in the City Hall at the end of the Month.

“The night of the of the draw made it that wee bit extra special- knowing that we’re part of it” acknowledged Duffy. 

“Prestigious as it is, we always go up each year on the pitch and you are looking at different teams and to have St Pauls Minor team now involved in it after 30-years it hit home the night of the draw and because of the people involved. It’s going to be an honour for us being the team and being the squad from St Pauls that are going to be participating in the actual tournament itself”. 

Duffy was aged 14 the last time St Pauls featured in their tournament back in 1993 and has vague memories of that team- coached by Brian Coyle. 

“I was only maybe 14 myself, I just remember that I think St Pauls were beaten in final after a replay” Duffy recalled. 

“Even back then it was great to see a St Pauls team participating in it. Not that I have much memories of it but I know that Brian Coyle was taking the team. Brian Coyle coached me as a youngster. It is always good to have a St Pauls team participating in our own tournament. It’s just a pity that it has been 30-years, but we hope to give a good account of ourselves and put on a good show for the club itself and a lot of fans who are going to be out on the day. One person that we will dearly miss is Joe McCartan who passed away earlier on this year, he would have enjoyed seeing this St Pauls team participating in the tournament”.

by thesaffrongael

Gaelfast Year 10 All Star football team named

St Louis Ballymena and St Malachy’s Belfast have five players each on the Gaelfast Year 10 Football All Star team which was named today. The recommendations were sent in after every game/blitz day throughout the competition by schools coaches, officials and Gaelfast staff at the various venues. 

St Louis have goalkeeper Eoghan Smith, full back Jack McQuillan, corner back Leo Wright, centre forward Conor McKeever, and right corner forward Conor Burns. The five St Malachy’s players Harry Feeney, who is selected at right corner back, Ollie Gregory at centre back, Tienran Conway at midfield, Eoghan Maguire and right half forward and Ronan Niblock.

Nathan Burns of Edmund Rice College is selected at right half back, Pdraig Walsh lines out at left half back, Aodhán O’Hanlon of Rathmore is at midfield, Eoin Morris of St Patrick’s Lisburn is left half forward while Odrhan Phillipls of Colaiste Feirste is at full forward.

The awards will be presented at a function at St Mary’s University after the Christmas break.

by thesaffrongael

Host club enters the fray as fona/CAB Ulster Minor Tournament continues

Fona/CAB Ulster Minor Tournament

The host club St. Paul’s enters the fray as the fona/CAB Ulster Minor Football tournament continues at pace this weekend. The Antrim winners, St. Paul’s were set to play a preliminary round game against the winners of Tyrone a few weeks back but the Tyrone representatives have been eliminated from the competition as the Tyrone championship has not yet been concluded.

St. Paul’s advance to the quarter-final proper this Saturday 16th December where they will meet Mayobridge of Down at 1.00pm. St. Paul’s haven’t seen serious action since they defeated Aghagallon in the Antrim final at Davitt’s Park back on the 8th of October but have been training hard for Saturday’s game.

They are a useful side with some outstanding individuals in Oisin McCann, Ewan McGreevey, Ciaran McAlea, Shea Burns and Niall Carmichael but it was their overall team play that saw them account for Aghagallon in a somewhat one sided Antrim final.

Mayobridge will probably represent a step up in class for the host club but if St. Paul’s can produce the form they displayed on their way to this year’s Antrim title then they can advance to the semi-final.

In the remaining quarter-final, Irvinstown of Fermanagh and Cavan Gael meet at Sportlann at 5.00pm with the Cavan champions given a tentative vote in that one while the winners of the two quarter-finals already played, meet in the first semi-final on Sunday.

Four Masters of Donegal and Castleblaney Faughs meet at Shaw’s Road at 1.00pm and this promises to be a real cracker with both sides coming through tough quarter-final encounters.

Goals proved the difference as Monaghan champions, Castleblaney overcame the challenge of a fancied Magherafelt 2-9 to 0-13 and those goals came late in the game with the Derry champions seemingly heading for victory.

Kevin Muldoon began the come-back with a goal from the penalty spot and Tiernan McBride rose to fist home the second, five minutes into injury time to break the Magerafelt boy’s hearts.

It was even closer in the other quarter final as Castleblaney Faughs edged past Clan na Gael of Armagh by 1-12 to 1-11 with Shea Broderick sending the Monaghan men on their way with a goal in the third minute.

They were pushed all the way by a good Clan na Gael side with Max McGinnity hitting a late free to see the Faughs home.

This one is sure to attract a big crowd to Shaw’s Road and here’s hoping the weather will be kind to both sides and the organisers for what promises to be a real cracker with Castleblaney possibly just edging it.

by thesaffrongael

Navan was a happy hunting ground for the Ruairis in 2016

Cushendall return to Páirc Tailteann, Navan on Sunday to take on Kilkenny champions O’Loughgiel Gaels in the All Ireland Senior Club semi-final. Páirc Tailteann proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Ruairis the last time they visited as the men in maroon lowered the coulours of Galway champions Sarsfields, winning in the end by twelve points. After so many near missed in grounds from Cushendall to Waterford, things fell into place for the Ruairis as they swept aside the Sarsfields challenge. The three goals came from Neil McManus, Sean McAfee and Karl McKeegan, a score that added to his already legendry status. Man of the Match went to Ryan McCambridge who was superb in the half-back line. The Ulster champions led by 1-4 to 0-5 at half time and pushed home their advantage in the second period to become the fifth Antrim club to reach an All Ireland senior club final.

This is the RTE report of the game that day

Neill McManus gets Cushendall off to a flying start with a goal from a penalty in the third minute. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

All Ireland Club Hurling semi-final – February 2016

Cushendall 3-12 Sarsfields 1-06

Ruairí Óg Cushendall qualified for their first AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship final with a superb victory at Páirc Tailteann when beating Galway champions Sarsfields by 3-12 to 1-06.

The win ended years of semi-final heartbreak as they finally made it through to the St Patrick’s Day final having lost all eight semi-finals they played prior to this.

Sarsfields, the first team to win successive All-Ireland club hurling titles, just had no answer to the sheer strength of the Cushendall side.

Cushendall led by 1-04 to 0-05 at the interval having got off to a brilliant start when Neil McManus fired home a penalty after four minutes after Sean McAfee was hauled down by Darren Skehill.

Niall Morrissey responded with a free for Sarsfields but they struggled to make headway up front where Ryan McCambridge marshalled an excellent Cushendall defence.

Indeed, Sarsfields did not manage a point from play until a minute before the break when Alan Ward scored after Cushendall goalkeeper Eoin Gillan did well to deprive Joseph Cooney.

Two points from Paddy McGill extended Cushendall’s lead and Conor Carson also got one, with Morrissey responding with three frees.

McManus put a goal between them again with a pointed free, before Ward cut the gap to two at the break with his effort.

YESSSS! Cushendall full-forward Sean McAfee celebrates after scoring a brilliant individual goal during Satruday’s win over Galway champions Sarsfields in the AIB All Ireland Club Hurling Championship semi-final at Pairc Tailteann in Navan. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

Cushendall started the second-half in superb form, with McManus extending their lead with another free before Sean McAfee burst through to blast home a superb goal, with another McManus free putting the Antrim side 2-06 to 0-05 in front.

Sarsfields’ captain Joseph Cooney flicked home a goal to give the Galway champions some hope after 40 minutes when he connected to a 65 from Morrissey.

But Cushendall hit back and two points from placed balls by McManus and one from play by Alec Delargy left the Antrim side 2-09 to 1-05 ahead after 51 minutes.

McGill extended the lead with his third point before Morrissey got Sarsfields’ first point of the second-half ten minutes from time.

McManus was back on his own line to save a 20-metre free from Niall Quinn as Sarsfields tried to stage a comeback.

But it was Cushendall who finished in style with McManus, who hit seven sides, six of them from play, tacked on two more points for a personal tally of 1-07.

And Cushendall rounded off the win with a third goal when Karl McKeegan forced the ball home to send them into their first ever All-Ireland final after so many years of semi-final heartbreak.

Man of the match Ryan McCambridge celebrates his team’s victory. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine

Ruairí Óg Cushendall: E Gillan; D Kearney, M Burke, R McCambridge; A Graffin, E Campbell, S Delargy; S McNaughton, A Delargy (0-01); C Carson (0-01), N McManus (1-07, 1-05f), P McGill (0-03); D McNaughton, S McAfee (1-0), C McNaughton.

Subs: K McKeegan (1-0) for C McNaughton (48 mins), C McAllister for D McNaughton (59 mins)

Sarsfields: C Dolan; E Cleary, D Skehill, C Murray; N Quinn, K Hynes, R Quinn; J Cooney (1-00), I Fox; A Ward (0-01), K Wade, N Morrissey (0-05, 5f); I Skehill, N Kelly, K Cooney.

Subs used: I Kenny for I Skehill (49 mins), J Burke for Wade (50 mins), S Kelly for Morrissey (52 mins), E Spellman for K Cooney (60 mins)

Referee: P O’Dwyer (Carlow).

Wee John laps it all up as Cushendall qualifies for their first final
by thesaffrongael

O’Loughlins beat Loughgiel in 2011

As we begin our build-up to Sunday’s All Ireland semi-final clash between Cushendall and O’Loughlin Gaels we look back at the Kilkenny champions clash with Antrim champions Loughgiel Shamrocks in 2011 semi-final at Parnell Park. Goals made the difference for the Gaels as they won by 3-10 to 0-10, all three goals coming in the second half. Loughiel had just ended a nightmare run of six defeats in a row in Antrim finals but they never lost their self belief and dissapointed as they were by losing to the Leinster champions they came back the following year to beat Na Pairsaig of Limerick in the semi-final before beating the Leinster champions Kilcormac Killoughy in the 2012 All Ireland final at Croke Park.

O’Loughlin Gaels Alan Geoghan celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal in Saturday’s 3-10 to 0-10 win over Antrim champions Loughgiel Shamrocks in the AIB All Ireland Club Hurling semi-final at Parnell Park. Pic by John McIlwaine

All Ireland Senior Club Hurling semi-final 2011

O’Loughlin Gaels 3-10 Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-10

Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels stormed through to the All-Ireland Club SHC final with a nine points win over Loughgiel at Parnell Park.

They have earned a reputation as a second half side, and once again, they came good when it mattered, squeezing the Antrim men out of the game.

Peter Dowling, Alan Geoghan and Danny Loughnane struck the second half goals that ended the dream of the Shamrocks, the only Ulster side ever to have won an All-Ireland title.

The Kilkenny men got off to a flying start with a handful of long range points from Mark Bergin and Maurice Nolan.

And they were denied a goal in the sixth minute when Bergin sent Danny Loughnane clear, but goalkeeper Damien ‘DD’ Quinn produced a stunning save.

Liam Watson’s neat strike was Loughgiel’s only score of the opening 10 minutes, and the Antrim star struck for goal from a 20 metre free, apparently against the instructions of manager PJ O’Mullan, only to see his effort kept out.

While Nolan and Peter Dowling gave the Leinster champions the edge at midfield, they failed to turn territorial advantage into scores, and found themselves leading by just two points after 20 minutes.

And they were denied a goal for a second time when Barney McAuley timed his tackle perfectly on Brian Dowling.

Gaels hadn’t scored for 17 minutes when Dowling swung over a 22nd minute point, but that score was cancelled out within seconds by Eddie McCloskey, before Watson narrowed to a point from a free.

A late burst saw Bergin and Nolan tag on point to send Gaels in with a 0-06 to 0-03 interval lead, and they tightened their grip with quickfire scores from Niall McEvoy (2) and Loughnane immediately after the restart.

Loughgiel’s Joey Scullion in action during Saturday’s AIB All Ireland Club Hurling Championship semi-final defeat by Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels at Parnell Park, Dublin.

However, that was only after Brendan McCarry had a golden goal chance at the other end, but goalkeeper Stephen Murray’s slight touch proved decisive.

As Brian Hogan became more influential at the heart of the Gaels defence, Loughgiel’s attacking momentum dipped, and the Kilkenny men struck a decisive blow in the 41st minute when Peter Dowling grabbed a goal, netting at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked down by Neill McGarry.

Loughgiel responded with a volley of scores, including a long range free from corner back Barney McAuley, but their challenge was dead in the water when Danny Loughnane grabbed a second goal from close range after the Shamrocks defence had failed to clear a booming delivery from goalkeeper Stephen Murphy.

Gaels went through to the 17 March showpiece in some style when Alan Geoghegan drilled home a third goal five minutes from the end.

Man of the match Brian Hogan breaks past the challenge of Loughgiel substitute Ciaran McKinley during the 2011 AIB All Ireland Club Hurling semi-final at Parnell Park. The former All Star and Kilkenny All Ireland winning captain will manage the team who face Cushendall in Navan on Sunday

O’ Loughlin Gaels: S Murphy, B Kelly, B Murphy, E Kearns, A O’Brien, B Hogan, N Bergin, P Dowling (1-00), M Nolan (0-02), N McEvoy (0-02), M Bergin (0-03, 1f), A Geoghegan (1-00), B Dowling (0-01), M Comerford (0-01), D Loughnane (1-01).

Subs: S Cummins for Dowling, C Bergin for Geoghegan, E Grant for B Murphy

Loughgiel: D Quinn, P Gillan, N McGarry, B McAuley (0-2, 1f), M McFadden, Johnny Campbell, M Scullion, D Laverty, L McKillop, E McCloskey (0-2), James Campbell, A McCloskey, B McGarry (0-01), J Scullion (0-01), L Watson (0-03, 2f).

O’Loughlin Gaels corner-forward Brian Dowling win this race for possession with Loughgiel’s Paul Gillan during Saturday’s AIB All Ireland Club Hurling semi-final at Parnell Park. Dowling went on to manage Kilkenny Camogs to All Ireland success a few years later