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by thesaffrongael

Late McCann goal books Gort na Mona a place in the final

U21B Football Semi-Final

Gort na Mona 2-12 Tir na nOg 2-10

A dominant final quarter where they scored 1-3 proved to be the difference in this exciting and high scoring U21B semi-final as Gort na Mona overcame the challenge of a good Tir na nOg side at Enright Park on Sunday afternoon.

|it was during this period that Aaron Farrelly pulled off an excellent save to deny the visitors what might well have been a game clinching goal and despite a late Conor Hastings pointed free it is Gort na Mona who advance to next week’s final against Rossa.

There was little between two well matched sides from the throw in as Caleb Smith gave the Whitehill side a great start with an early goal and Manus McMullan for the home side and Pauric Redmond from a free exchanged points before Keelan McCann levelled the contest with an excellent goal for the Gorts.

Ciaran MacGiolla cheara edged the Mona Bye-Pass side ahead for the first time as play swung from end to end before Pauric Redmond replied with a point for the visitors to tie the contest once more.

Both sides were battling hard for every ball and Daire Keenan from a free and Ruairi O’Scollain from play moved Gort na Mona two ahead before Daniel McLornan replied with an excellent point for the Randalstown side.

It was hosts Gort na Mona who would finish the half the stronger however and a great point from Ruairi O’Scollian and another from Jack Ireland from a free had them three in front at the break.

Gort na Mona were first off the mark as the second half got underway as David McKeown pointed a free to move them four ahead but just when it looked like they were taking control, Tir na nOg came back with a vengeance.

Connor Hastings got the ball rolling as he punished indecision in the Gort’s defence to fire to the net and the same player followed from a pointed free to square the contest once more.

It was obvious this one had plenty of miles remaining in it as Conor Scannell edged the Enright Park side ahead once more with a good point but back came the visitors and Ryan Clarke had his goal bound attempt pushed over for a point by Aaron Farrelly in the Gort na Mona goals.

As the excitement and tension grew, Pauric Redmond struck a great 2 pointer, much to the delight of the travelling support and when Caleb Smith, Conor Hastings (f) and Hastings again from play responded to a point from Caolan Hughes the Randalstown side looked on their way to the final.

Gort na Mona had other ideas however and they staged a storming finish to wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat with Keelan McCann finishing a move that started deep in his own half to the Tir na nOg net.

The same player added a point and two points from the impressive Daire Keenan moved them three ahead with Tir na nOg’s only response coming from a Conor Hastings pointed free.

An excellent game of football with both sides giving it everything and the result was in the balance throughout but that Keelan McCann goal late in the game proved the turning point as Gort na Mona finished strongly to book their place in the final.

Gort na Mona: 1 Aaron Farrelly, 20 Liam Brown, 3 John McIlroy, 4 Ryan Donnelly, 5 Conchur Clarke, 6 Ruairi O’Scollain, 17 Tiarnan Smyth, 8 Jack Ireland, 9 Rian Brown, 10 Matthew McConnell, 11 Manus McMullan, 12 Ciaran MacGiolla  cheara, 13 Daire Keenan, 14 David McKeown, 15 Keelan McCann, 21 Conor Scannell

Tir na nOg: 1 Conor McKenna, 2 Ruairi Dobbin, 3 Sean McKeown, 4 Jude Storrie, 5 Caolan Hughes, 6 Paul McCloskey, 7 Sean Grant, 8 Brendan Devlin, 9 Daniel McLornan, 10 Pauric Redmond, 11 Ryan Clarke, 12 Shane Martin, 13 Connor O’Neill, 14 Caleb Smith, 15 Connor Hastings

Referee: Fionntan McCotter (Sarsfields)

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by thesaffrongael

St Killian’s set up semi-final meeting with St Pat’s Maghera

Danske Bank Mageean Cup quarter-final:

St Killian’s, Garron Tower 1-25 Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 1-9

St Killian’s secured a place in the semi-finals of the Mageean Cup when they beat Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in Sunday’s quarter final at Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall.

The north coast school got off to a good star when Oisin Gillan raised a green flag with just four minutes played and they back it up with points from Gillan, Dylan McNaughton and Canice McIntosh before the Dungiven school opened their account through Jude Ó Conaire in the fifth minute.

The Tower were bossing things however and they pushed further ahead before Gaelcholáiste Dhoire got a foothold in the game with a goal from Aaron Mag Uiginn. The Tower still held the upper hand and they reinforced their grip on the game at they opened up an eight point gap by half time, with Nicholas McLaughlin and Canice McIntosh among the scorers.

Cushendun’s Paddy Morgan got the Tower’s first score in the second half but the Derry side hit back with points from Ó Conaire and Ó hÉireamhóinn.

However St Killian’s were dominating general play and that was soon reflected on the scoreboard with a series of points from across their forward division, including four from Nicholas McLaughlin to bring his personal tally for the afternoon to eight.

Jude Ó Conaire’s point in the 55th minute broke the sequence, but it was a mere consolation score as St Killian’s went through to set up a semi-final with tournament favourites St Patrick’s Maghera, in a game to be played under the lights at Portgleone.

St Killian’s: O Gillan 1-5 (0-2 fs), N McLaughlin 0-8 (2fs), C McIntosh 0-4 (1f), D McNaughton 0-3, C McCann 0-2, C McCambridge, P Morgan and D Ward 0-1 each.

Gaelcholáiste: A Mag Uiginn 1-1, J Ó Conaire 0-4, D Ó hÉireamhóinn 0-3 (fs), C Ó Baoill 0-1

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by thesaffrongael

Rossa’s night of celebration

The O’Donovan Rossa CLG members were out in force on Friday evening for a glittering night of celebration in the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast.

The event was primarily organised to celebrate the Rossa Camogie Club’s 40th Anniversary with past and present players, mentors, families and friends coming together for a night of nostalgia, toasting the successes of the club since formation in 1985.  The club was formerly known as the St Teresa’s Camogie Club but amalgamated with O’Donovan Rossa CLG and started on a new path which would eventually lead to All Ireland successes.  

The evening was also an opportunity for Rossa to acknowledge the Hurlers winning the Division 1 League earlier in the season and to applaud the success of the Rossa Footballers on winning the South Antrim McDermott Cup Final.

Another highlight of the evening was recognising the success of the Rossa Ladies Gaelic Footballers who had a very successful season, lifting both the County Antrim Junior League and Championship and narrowly missing out on an Ulster Junior Club Championship title in a very closely contested final in Claudy. 

Trophies for all winning teams were on display for team photographs.

Keynote speaker of the night was All Star Camogie Legend, Jane Adams.  Jane spoke emotionally of her playing career with Rossa, the lifelong friends she has made and how she and her family continue to support her fellow camogs.  Jane paid a  moving tribute to her mother Bernie Adams who died earlier  this year. One of life’s larger then life characters with a heart of gold and a love for her family and Rossa.

Jane offered words of encouragement to the young Gaels of Rossa, whatever their chosen sport within the club.   Hard work, training, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, forming lifelong friendships would all enrich their sporting experience.  Jane received a well deserved round of applause from the audience who rose to their feet for a standing ovation.  It was a truly inspiring keynote speech from Jane, a much admired  and acclaimed camog and respected Rossa club member.

A  Special Recognition Award for Lifetime Service to Camogie, was presented to one of Rossa’s longest serving players, coach and all round hard working volunteer.  A standing ovation and resounding round of applause was given to Margaret Armstrong. A very worthy recipient.  The Armstrong family is renowned within the Rossa club and were proud of Margaret’s special recognition.

The organisers also acknowledged the Humans of Camogie Award received by committee member and volunteer Margaret Flynn in a ceremony at Croke Park earlier this year.  Jane Adams presented a framed picture of Margaret receiving the award at a special ceremony to acknowledge the work of club volunteers throughout the country

The evening continued with music and dancing with everyone joining in the celebrations and giving appreciation to the organising group and the management and staff of the hotel for a great night out.

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by thesaffrongael

St Brigid’s finish strong to see off Aghagallon

Antrim U21A FC Semi-final       Sunday 09-11-2025

Aghagallon 0-10  St Brigid’s 1-09

Venue: Pairc Na nGael, Aghagallon

Photographs and Report: Brian Hamill

St Brigid’s produced a powerful second-half display to claim victory over Aghagallon in this keenly contested encounter, pulling away in the closing stages after the sides ended the first half level, with 3 points each.

The first thirty minutes were a cagey affair with both teams trading scores and defences on top. Aghagallon struck first through a fine effort from their centre back Enda McCartan, after six minutes, but St Brigid’s responded with half forward Isaac Robinson taking a point from play and two frees from their corner forward Rory McErlean to leave the sides deadlocked at 0-3 apiece at the break.

The game burst into life immediately after the restart when St Brigid’s centre forward Niall Duffy found the net on 33 minutes, with a long-range effort that eluded the Aghagallon keeper Gabhan Baine. They pushed further ahead with points from the right corner forward Joseph Logan, stretching the lead to four by the 36th minute.

Aghagallon, to their credit, rallied strongly. Their right corner forward EJ Loughran hit a purple patch, landing three points from play between the 43rd and 50th minutes, to give the home side some hope. However, St Brigid’s showed composure in the closing stages. The right corner forward Joseph Logan added four more points, while substitute Dara Quinn chipped in with a score to seal the win.

St Brigid’s discipline was notable, conceding no frees in the opening half, while Aghagallon gave away two scorable frees that were punished. In the end, the goal proved decisive as St Brigid’s finished strongly to take the points.

The Musgrave Park side will now meet holders, St. Gall’s in the final after the Milltown side defeated visitors Creggan in the other semi-final at Milltown today.

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by thesaffrongael

Fast start paves way for St. Gall’s victory

U21A Championship
Semi-Final
St Gall’s 3-14
Kickham’s Creggan 2-12

St. Gall’s got off to a flying start at Milltown on Sunday to sow the seeds of victory over visitors Kickham’s Creggan in this excellent U21A semi-final.

Niall Fallon was the man who did the early damage as he rattled the Creggan net twice as he used his pace to break through the Creggan defence before firing his shot into the far corner after Padraig Og Murray had opened the scoring with a St. Gall’s point.

From the Creggan kick-out the home side won possession and Callum Walsh linked well with Daniel Quinn to place Fallon who rose to punch home goal number two and the visitors looked in serious trouble.

The Staffordstown Road side slowly began to get it together however and Liam McClernon and Anton Martin both struck great points after driving through the heart of the St Gall’s defensive line twice in quick succession.

 Daniel Quinn was impressing for the Milltown side and he fired over a 2 pointer to increase the St. Gall’s lead to seven again with less than five minutes remaining to the break.

It was point for point after this as the Kickham’s fought to overturn a hefty deficit and their persistence paid off when they struck with a quick fire double of their own.

Ronan McGuckian began the comeback as he fired to the roof of the home net as the travelling support roared their approval and when Anton Martin added a second Creggan goal, the St. Gall’s lead had been reduced to the minimum.

The momentum had swung the way of the South West side and the question now was could they sustain it.

Conor Johnston’s first point of the afternoon levelled proceedings but the visitors failed to build on their period of success and St Gall’s would regain the initiative when Daniel Quinn replied with two points in as many minutes to restore the one-point lead.

Substitute Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain made an immediate impact as he split the posts to restore the St. Gall’s advantage and Daniel Quinn followed with a brace as the Milltown Blues resumed control.

The momentum was now with the home side and Niall Fallon burst through the Creggan defence on a mazy run but his effort was blocked with the ball breaking favourably into the path of Callum Walsh who made no mistake from close range.

The kickham’s looked in serious trouble again but fought back strongly with Shea McCann punishing a number of indiscretions as they clawed their way back into the St. Gall’s lead but the holders were always able to respond.

Callum Walsh and Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain were both on target as the hosts moved five ahead with five remaining in this compelling contest which was still very much in the melting pot.

The travelling side were in desperate need of a goal however but Conor Johnston’s effort was brilliantly blocked by Ethan Walsh at the death to deny them any chance of a comeback.

Niall Fallon put it out of the visitors reach as he fisted over at the other end to put a bit more daylight between the sides and conclude the scoring for the afternoon.

St Gall’s are now on course to retain the trophy they claimed last year and will face St Brigid’s in the final after the Musgrave Park side defeated St. Mary’s Aghagallon in the other semi-final.

ST GALL’S: C Óg Mullan; C Hale, G Adams, F McCullagh; S Adams, L Lynn, E Walsh; O Maskey, M Crossan; A Mackel, D Quinn 0-8 (1x2P, 0-3f), C Walsh 1-1; J Rafferty 0-1, N Fallon 2-1, P Óg Murray 0-1

Subs: D MacCrabhanna 0-2, P Austin

CREGGAN KICKHAMS: C Loughran; P McGuckian, C McLarnon, F Kelly; F Close 0-2 (0-2f), C McEldowney, L McLernon 0-1; A McIlwee, T McCann; A Martin 1-1, R McGuckian 1-0, S Daly; C Johnston 0-3, E Johnston, S McCann 0-5 (0-4f)

Subs: S Devlin, D McCann

Referee: Fiontann McCotter (Sarsfields)