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by thesaffrongael

Dempsey stars as St Mary’s beat St Killian’s

Forresters Cup School’s Hurling Quarter-Final @ Allen Park, Antrim

St. Mary’s 6-18 | St. Killian’s 0-13

PICS BY BERT TROWLEN

St. Mary’s delivered a masterclass in attacking hurling to comfortably advance to the next stage of the Forresters Cup, putting St. Killian’s to the sword with a commanding 6-18 to 0-13 victory at Allen Park. Powered by a phenomenal scoring exhibition from centre-half forward Conal Dempsey, St. Mary’s had too much firepower for their opponents on the day.

St. Mary’s Set the Tone Early

The tone was set from the throw-in. St. Mary’s wasted absolutely no time, with corner-forward Gerard Deery rattling the net for a goal in the opening minute. Following a Conal Dempsey point shortly after. Dempsey continuted what would be a devastating individual performance, slotting over his second point on four minutes.

St. Killian’s worked hard to find a foothold, registering a point around the four-minute mark and getting a fine score from play through Conor McMullan in the sixth minute. However, St. Mary’s were relentless. Dempsey fired over another point from play before breaking through to score his first goal of the game in the 9th minute, firmly putting his side in the driver’s seat.

St. Mary’s showed their ability to score from all distances and angles. Midfielder Matthew O’Neill and centre-field partner Ben McCaul both landed excellent long-range points, while Padraig Kelly and Oisin Kennedy kept the scoreboard ticking over with neat points from play.

For St. Killian’s, Donnlaodh McNaughton took on the heavy lifting. Operating at number 11, he accurately converted his frees and managed a brilliant long-range point from play just before the break. Despite his efforts, St. Mary’s went into the changing rooms with a commanding 2-12 to 0-05 lead following a late long-range point from Dempsey.

Dempsey Completes His Hat-Trick

St. Killian’s emerged for the second half with renewed determination, and McNaughton immediately punished St. Mary’s indiscipline by pointing two frees in the opening four minutes. However, any hopes of a St. Killian’s comeback were swiftly extinguished in the fifth minute when St. Mary’s full-forward Finn Smyth found the back of the net from play.

The St. Mary’s attack was operating beautifully, highlighted by a well-worked team score finished off by the ubiquitous Dempsey on six minutes. Matthew O’Neill and Ben McCaul continued to dominate the middle sectors, each adding to their tallies, while Rian Laverty managed a hard-earned point from play for St. Killian’s in the 10th minute.

The highlight of the half came in the 12th minute when Conal Dempsey carved through the St. Killian’s defense to score a brilliant individual goal. Just four minutes later, Oisin Kennedy got in on the goal-scoring action to raise St. Mary’s fifth green flag of the afternoon.

Dempsey capped off his spectacular outing by completing his hat-trick in the 20th minute with a goal from play. St. Killian’s fought bravely to the bitter end, with Donnlaodh McNaughton continuing to accurately convert frees and a beautifully struck ’65 before the final whistle.

Ultimately, the firepower of St. Mary’s was simply too much to handle, as they marched on to a semi-final meeting with Our Lady and St Patrick’s Knock

St. Mary’s

  1. Daire Gault, 2. Ethan Hughes, 3. Eoin Flynn, 4. Jude Burns, 5. Ruairi McIlhatton, 6. Adam McCahey, 7. Daire Rainey, 8. Matthew O’Neill, 9. Ben McCaul, 10. Oisin Kennedy, 11. Conal Dempsey, 12. Jude Gamble, 13. Padraig Kelly, 14. Finn Smyth, 15. Gerard Deery.
  2. SUBS –

St. Killian’s

  1. Charlie McNaughton, 2. Oliver McQuillan, 3. PJ Kelly, 4. Sean McAuley, 5. Aaron Maguire, 6. Caolan Graham, 7. Dala Ward, 8. Kian McErlean, 9. Rian Laverty, 10. Conor McMullan, 11. Donnlaodh McNaughton, 12. Oisin Daly, 13. Ronan Towle, 14. Jayden Kinney McNaughton, 15. John Taggart.
by thesaffrongael

Walsh’s late strike gave Antrim a share of the spoils

When they last met…..

Allianz Hurling League – Division 1B

Antrim 2-18 Carlow 1-21

Sunday 2 March 2025

Brendan McTaggart reports from Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

It was the late, late show for Antrim on Sunday afternoon but Gerard Walsh’s 75th minute wonder strike ensured the Saffrons fate in Division 1B remains in their own hands. 

Standing over the sliotar and a wall of colour in front of him, 35 yards from goal, it was all or nothing for Antrim and Walsh, somehow, managed to find the back of the Carlow net. 

Was it a deserved ending?  Absolutely.  Antrim showed the fight and desire Davy Fitzgerald had called for after recent defeats and but for seven or eight minutes at the end of the first half, they performed more like the Antrim team we have come accustomed to in recent times. 

Goal chances came and left before finally finding a way through.  On another day, Conor Johnston would be walking off with three goals beside his name.  As it was, he hit the bottom of the upright, was felled in the build up to Keelan Molloy’s goal and had a fresh air strike with the goal at his mercy.  James McNaughton finished with eight points, six from placed ball and uncharacteristically missed a couple of frees along with a penalty.  That being said, McNaughton’s overall contribution was outstanding.  His ability to evade challenges and create chances was second to none in an Antrim shirt…..

TEAMS

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Eoin McFerran, Paddy Burke, Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey, Eoghan Campbell, Conall Bohill; Niall O’Connor, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott; Eoin O’Neill, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston

Subs: Cormac McKeown for E O’Neill (32); Joseph McLaughlin for R McCambridge (64)

Scorers: J McNaughton 0-8 (6fs); K Molloy 1-1; G Walsh 1-00 (1-00f); C Johnston 0-2; E Campbell 0-2; E McFerran 0-1; C Bohill 0-1; R McCambridge 0-1; N Elliott 0-1; C McKeown 0-1

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paidi O’Shea, Dion Wall, Paul Doyle; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; Evan Kealy, Ciaran Whelan; Jon Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, John Doyle; Conor Kehoe, Chris Nolan, James Doyle

Subs: Paddy Boland for J Nolan (54); Ted Joyce for J Doyle (59); Donagh Murphy for C Kehoe (64)

Scorers: M Kavanagh 0-7 (5fs 1’65); C Nolan 1-3; J Doyle 0-3; F Fitzpatrick 0-2; C Whelan 0-2; J Nolan 0-2; C Kehoe 0-1; T Joyce 0-1

Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)

by thesaffrongael

Carlow come to Corrigan as Saffrons search for league points

National Hurling League – Division 1B

Antrim v Carlow

Date: Sunday 22 February

Venue: Corrigan Park, Belfast

Throw in: 1pm

Brendan McTaggart previews Antrim’s upcoming hurling league game with Carlow

Antrim’s league goes into its fourth match of the campaign on Sunday with Carlow making their way to Corrigan Park and while it’s not quite ‘win or bust’, it’s certainly a case of the Saffrons needing a win to keep their fate in their own hands.

The journey to date has been less than remarkable, other than a rainy Saturday night in Wexford town where Davy Fitzgerald’s charges where sank by some questionable decisions at the end.  Defeats have followed to Clare and Kildare in the weeks since, that performance a couple of weeks ago in St Conleth’s Park certainly leaving a serious sense of dread coming into the second half of the league.

Cormac McFadden returns to goals as Davy maintains his policy of alternating the goalkeers from game to game.

Getting nothing from the Clare game can be forgiven.  They are an outfit who have serious aspirations for Liam McCarthy honours never mind league and the second half performance that day should have given anyone a sense of optimism for the Kildare game.  A second half blitz that saw the Lilywhites go from two points ahead at half time to 12 inside 10 minutes if the restart.

Antrim never looked like they would make serious inroads into that lead as Kildare showed what a bit of momentum can do for a side in this game.  For how poor the Saffrons were that 70 minutes, credit should be given to a brilliant Kildare performance.  They were thoroughly deserving of that win and that gives them a serious platform to maintain their Division 1B status for the 2027 season.

It’s a platform that Antrim would do anything to find themselves.  With Carlow, Dublin and Down in the three remaining fixtures, three wins may not even be enough.  Two will certainly require the Saffron’s needing favours elsewhere.  Is this contest all or nothing?  Win or bust?  Die dog or…. As far as the league campaign goes, it’s a massive game.  A return to Corrigan Park and the scene of some helter skelter encounters with the Barrowsiders throughout the years. 

Antrim make a few changes to the 15 with Cormac McFadden returning to between the sticks while Eoin McFerran is restored to the defence having missed out on a starting place against Kildare.  Keelan Molloy makes a long awaited return to the starting 15 and will line out in midfield with Ryan McCambridge – Domhnall Nugent, Ruairi McCormick and Eoin O’Neill the players to miss out with Nugent and ‘Sammy’ taking their place on the bench.

It’s a starting 15 and an attacking six that looks good on paper.  Pace in abundance and can give any team on the island plenty to think about.  They’ll need to fire if the Saffrons are to get anything from a Carlow side who have performed well so far. 

They faded going down the stretch against Wexford with the yella bellies outscoring them 1-10 to 0-2 in the last 15 minutes.  It took Lee Chin coming off the bench to get Wexford out of jail on that occasion a fortnight ago.

Pat Bennett, who was part of the Antrim management team last season, will be plotting the Saffron’s downfall tomorrow when his new team Carlow visit Corrigan Park.

Carlow, who are now managed by Pat Bennett, Davy’s assistant with Antrim last season, have names in their side that we have heard plenty of in the recent past with Marty Kavanagh still his accurate best on frees while Chris and Jon Nolan will need some looking after.

When we travelled to Carlow 12 months ago, it was a tale of two halves.  A brilliant free from Gerard Walsh deep in injury time gave the Saffrons a share of the spoils but it was a game that they could well have won having played superbly in the second half.

A week of a break since that Kildare game is hopefully a good thing.  Sometimes you want to get out and at it as soon as possible to get a poor performance out of your system but and hopefully Carlow coming to Belfast at a bad time for them.  Antrim need to put in a massive performance to salvage their league season, we know they’re capable off it, there is no better time to produce the goods than Corrigan Park against Carlow.

by thesaffrongael

Cross and Passion College win the Gaelfast Year 9 Camogie Cup

Antrim Schools Cup Year 9 Camogie Final

CPC 3–2 vs St Genevieve’s 0–2

Cross and Passion College produced an assured and disciplined performance to claim the Antrim Schools Cup Year 9 Camogie title, overcoming a determined St Genevieve’s side in an entertaining final. The winners made an impressive start, showing confidence and sharpness from the throw-in. Their early dominance was rewarded with a well-taken goals by Ella McGarry and Ruby McAuley both coming from sustained attacking pressure and intelligent movement off the ball. By half-time, they had built a 2–2 to 0–2 lead, the points coming from Dannie mcMullan and Caoibhe O’Kane a scoreline that reflected their control of possession and efficiency in front of goal.

St Genevieve’s, Belfast

St Genevieve’s, however, showed great resilience throughout the opening half. Despite being under pressure, they worked tirelessly and were kept in the contest by two fine points. Goalkeeper Sophie Johnston was outstanding, producing a number of excellent saves to deny Cross and Passion further goals, while Sophia Rooney at centre half back marshalled the defence with composure and determination. In midfield, Sophie O’Hanlon battled strongly, driving her team forward at every opportunity.

The second half saw Cross and Passion continue to dictate the tempo of the game. A third goal ffrom team captain Caoimhe O’Kane proved decisive, giving them breathing space and allowing them to manage the contest with maturity beyond their years. Their defence remained solid, limiting St Genevieve’s scoring chances and ensuring the lead was never seriously threatened.

Several Cross and Passion players stood out on the day. Blathnaid McGee was excellent at wing half back, reading the game superbly and breaking down numerous attacks. Caoilbhe O’Kane dominated midfield with her work rate and skill, linking defence and attack effectively, while Ruby McAuley was a constant attacking threat and played a key role in the scoring returns.

At the final whistle, Cross and Passion were deserving winners on a final scoreline of 3–2 to 0–2. It was a composed, team-focused performance that showcased the strength of their panel and crowned a successful Antrim Schools Cup campaign. St Genevieve’s can take great pride in their effort and attitude throughout the final, with several standout individual performances, while Cross and Passion celebrated a memorable and well-earned cup victory

by thesaffrongael

The only way is up as Antrim visit Leitrim

NFL Division 4

Leitrim v Antrim

Sunday 2.00pm

A season that has started badly for Antrim footballers sees the Saffrons face another stiff challenge when they make the journey to Pairc Sean MacDiarmada in Carrick on Shannon on Sunday to face Leitrim.

It has been a bad start to the season for an Antrim team who suffered relegation from division 3 last season and hopes of a quick return from the basement division have been quickly dashed as they suffered defeat in their first three games of the present division 4 campaign.

Antrim opened this year’s division 4 campaign against Carlow and after a bright opening, where they led by three, they were hit by two quick fire goals by the visitors and never really recovered, going down by four points in Portglenone.

Their poor early season form continued in round 2 when they travelled to Tipperary where they led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break, but the loss of a player to a straight Red just before the interval saw them suffer another four point loss.

Despite those losses there were hopes that they could get their first points on board when Longford visited Portglenone last weekend but once again the Saffrons failed to deliver and suffered their heaviest defeat to date, going down to a heavy 15 point defeat.

Confidence is obviously low in the Antrim camp following these defeats and nothing is likely to fix that confidence but a win and normally a visit to Leitrim would have provided an opportunity to get a much needed win under their belts.

James McAuley of St. Enda’s lined out at right back for Antrim against Longford while (Featured Image) Jack Lenehan had his first start of the season.

However the Connacht minnows have been going well themselves this year and after losing by the minimum to Wicklow in their opening game they have recorded wins over Waterford at MacDiarmada Pairc and away to London last weekend.

London will have sleepless nights over this one however as a Barry McNulty inspired Leitrim produced an incredible display to overturn a 12-point deficit in a dramatic Allianz NFL Division 4 clash at McGovern Park on Sunday in Ruislip.  

McNulty was the name on everyone’s lips as he hit an incredible six two pointers in the second half after his introduction at the interval while another sub, Killian Gaffey, made a couple of decisive interventions, including clawing away a late London goal chance that might have snatched victory.

The home side had looked on course to extend their unbeaten run to five matches as they eased into a 1-14 to 1-2 lead with 33 minutes on the clock. Michael O’Reilly got the goal while Joe McGill raised three well-taken orange flags.

Barry McNulty was the Leitrim hero; introduced at half-time for his first action of the year, the Glencar Manorhamilton man proceeded to land six booming two-pointers. Five of those came from play including the 56th minute strike which saw the visitors hit the front for the first time in the game.

London pressed late in the game and might have snatched it at the death but were denied by some last ditch defending by the visitors and Leitrim now find themselves on 4 points along with Longford and Wicklow with Carlow leading the division with 3 wins from 3 starts.

There will have been much for Antrim to reflect on after that heavy defeat to Longford at the weekend. The Antrim press when Longford attacked was disjointed as they afforded their opponents acres of space.

At the other end of the table Longford showed just how to press, denying Antrim space and turning them over or forcing them into hurried shooting options.

Individually some of the Antrim performances haven’t been bad and Mark Doran and his backroom staff will have been pleased by the return of Aghagallon’s Adam Loughran against Longford.

Loughran weighed in with a well taken goal and the return of Ryan Murray from a long term injury will have been another positive for the Antrim management with the Lamh Dhearg man kicking a couple of points and looking lively after being introduced.

Conor Hand, Jack Lenehan and Cathal Hynds made their first start of the season but Peter Healey remains a long term injury and it is not known when the Ballyboden St. Endas man might return and John Morgan and Ronan Boyle still remain on the injured list.

It will have been a cause for concern that the Saffrons didn’t raise their first Orange flag until Pat Shivers was introduced from the bench midway through the second half and the big Cargin man kicked their second as scoring remains to be a problem for Doran’s side.

Wholesale changes doesn’t appear to be the answer and I wouldn’t expect there to be many alterations from the team who played Longford last weekend for the visit to Carrick on Shannon.

An improved collective performance in both defence and attack is what Antrim will be hoping for at MacDiarmaida Pairc and if the visitors can attain that and put the dampeners on Barry McNulty, Tom Prior and Co then I feel they will be in with a fighting chance to break their duck.

The only way is up!