Category / Ulster Colleges

by thesaffrongael

St Ciaran’s Finish Strong to win Connor Marron Trophy

Featured Image: St. Ciaran’s Ballygawley, winners of the Conor Marron Trophy

St Ciaran’s Ballygawley produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat hosts St Louis Ballymena and claim the Connor Marron Memorial Trophy in the annual Year 8 boys’ football competition.

Just a week after their defeat in the Martin O’Farrell Final, the Tyrone school showed great character to bounce back and secure silverware in Ballymena.

Both finalists progressed through the morning group stages with perfect records, winning all four of their matches to qualify automatically for the semi-finals.

In the quarter-finals, St Mary’s CBGS overcame St Patrick’s Keady, while St Pius X accounted for Rathmore Grammar to book their places in the last four.

Heavy rain arrived for the semi-finals, but it did little to halt the attacking football on display. St Ciaran’s powered past St Mary’s CBGS on a 3-3 to 0-1 scoreline, while St Louis secured their place in the decider with a 2-7 to 2-0 victory over St Pius X.

The hosts looked set for victory in the final after leading by two points at the break, with a goal from Conleth Magee proving crucial. Fiontann McCoy was also among the scorers as St Louis held the advantage for much of the contest.


Beaten Finalists, St. Louis Ballymena

St Ciaran’s stayed in touch through the efforts of Player of the Tournament Matthew Donaghy and his twin brother Ronan, both of whom contributed important scores.

The game remained finely poised throughout a fiercely contested second half. Scores from Woods and Matthew Donaghy levelled matters with just two minutes remaining, setting up a thrilling finish.

St Louis then came agonisingly close to reclaiming the lead, only to see a clear goal chance brilliantly cleared off the line. The momentum swung decisively in Ballygawley’s favour and goalkeeper Tommy Riley seized the moment.

Riley calmly converted a late free to put St Ciaran’s ahead for the first time in the match with just a minute remaining. From the resulting kick-out, St Louis were penalised for failing to clear the required distance, and the Ballygawley goalkeeper stepped up again to split the posts and seal victory.

His late heroics ensured the Conor Marron Memorial Trophy returned to Tyrone for a second successive year and completed a memorable victory for St Ciaran’s.

In the Aidan Walsh Shield competition, St Patrick’s Maghera emerged victorious after defeating St Malachy’s in the final. Maghera had booked their place in the decider by overcoming the St Louis Development team in the semi-final, while St Malachy’s advanced with a win over Aquinas.

Following another highly successful tournament, Connor Marron and Aidan Walsh parents were in attendance to present both trophies, bringing the curtain down on a memorable day of football in Ballymena.

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by thesaffrongael

All County Honours for Ballymacrickett 

Ballymacrickett Primary School ended an exceptional school year on a high when they clinched the All County Boys 7 a side title at St Louis Ballymena.

The Glenavy lads were up against St Patrick’s Loughgiel, many of whom had played their first game of football a few weeks ago in the North Antrim championship and Belfast winners (and last years All County winners) Bunscol Phobail Feirste. Each team playing each other once in a league format.

Game one saw saw Bunscol Phobail Feirste race into an early lead against St Patrick’s Loughgiel, however when the North Antrim lads started to get a grasp of the big ball they came more into the game registering 1.2 by the end of proceedings, with the Belfast Boys emerging victorious.

In game two St Patrick’s were very competitive and forced Ballymacrickett to shoot for points in a very entertaining game, when referee Gerard Dougan blew the final whistle it was a victory for the Glenavy men.

The early results meant game three between Bunscol Phobail Feirste and Ballymacrickett was a shoot-out for the All County title.

Ballymacrickett raced into an early lead putting up 2.2 by half time against the wind. The second half saw Bunscol pile on the pressure but it was well soaked up by Ballymacrickett who saw out the game, assisted by excellent goalkeeping to be crowned champions.

A great morning of football with excellent skills and brilliant individual and team displays from all three teams.

Thanks from Aontroim CNMB go to Gerard Dougan for refereeing, St Louis for the use of their facilities and to Antrim footballer Paddy McAleer for taking time out to talk to the boys and present medals.

Player of the tournament was Alfie Laing, Ballymacrickett.

by thesaffrongael

St Patrick’s Masterclass Secures All-Derry Final despite Spirited CPC Effort

Cross and Passion College (CPC) faced an incredibly formidable opponent in Friday’s Clare Cup Camogie semi-final at Slemish Park, Ballymena, ultimately bowing out to a truly outstanding St Patrick’s Maghera side.

St Patrick’s produced an absolute master-class in the opening half, playing a brand of camogie that would be difficult for any team to contain. Operating with supreme efficiency across every blade of grass, they built a commanding 4-14 to 0-1 lead by the interval. Rachel McElhinney led the early charge with two clinical goals, supported by further strikes from Holly McErlean and Annie Kelly. Despite the relentless pressure from the Maghera girls, CPC kept their work rate high, with Elena McQuillan getting them on the scoreboard with a hard-earned point before the break.

Showing tremendous character and refusing to let their heads drop, CPC came out fighting in the early stages of the second half. Their persistence paid off when Kayleigh McFerran raised a green flag with a well-taken goal, and McQuillan confidently struck her second point of the afternoon to give the Ballycastle side a much-deserved lift.

However, they were simply up against a St Patrick’s team operating at the very peak of their powers. Moving seamlessly into another gear, Maghera showcased exactly why they are championship contenders. McElhinney completed a phenomenal personal performance by doubling her goal tally, while substitute Niamh Tumelty proved the depth of the squad by rattling the net with her very first possession. The undisputed highlight of the second half, though, was an awe-inspiring display of scoring from Catherine McCloskey, who fired home an incredible 2-9 to cap off a flawless team performance.

 The result confirms a mouth-watering All-Derry final between two great rivals, as St Patrick’s Maghera will now face off against St Mary’s Magherafelt in an eagerly anticipated showdown in two weeks’ time.

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by thesaffrongael

Heartbreak in Ballymena as St Killian’s Fall Short of St Clare Cup Final

St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-3 | St Mary’s Magherafelt 4-8

It wasn’t to be for the Tower girls in Ballymena yesterday, as a clinical St Mary’s Magherafelt side ended their St Clare Cup journey at the semi-final stage. Despite a spirited performance and a refusal to back down under pressure, the Derry side’s second-half scoring blitz proved the difference in a tough encounter.

First Half: Tower Dig Deep

The game opened with St Mary’s finding their range early, slotting over three quick points. However, St Killian’s showed great character to weather the initial storm. Aoife Molloy got the Tower off the mark with a well-taken point, followed closely by a composed free from Georgie Twigg to bring us right into the contest.

The momentum seemed to be swinging toward the Coast when Ellie McGarrell found the back of the net, narrowing the deficit to just a single point as half-time approached. Unfortunately, a late sucker-punch goal from Magherafelt’s Aimee McErlean just before the whistle left the Tower trailing 1-6 to 1-2 at the interval.

Second Half: A Mountain to Climb

The restart proved difficult for the Garron Tower defense. A quick-fire trio of goals from Magherafelt effectively settled the tie early in the second period. Despite the scoreboard getting away from them, the pride of the Tower jersey was on full display.

Midfield general Georgie Twigg continued to lead from the front, driving the team forward and refusing to let heads drop. Emma Lynn added a point to the tally, while Ellie McGarrell and Heidi McKinley were rewarded for their persistence with late goals. While these scores provided some consolation, the gap established by the Derry girls proved too wide to bridge.

St Killian’s Scorers:

  • Ellie McGarrell: 1-0
  • Heidi McKinley: 1-0
  • Georgie Twigg: 0-1 (f)
  • Aoife Molloy: 0-1
  • Emma Lynn: 0-1

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by thesaffrongael

Strong second half performance secures victory for Aquinas

McLarnon Cup quarter-final

Aquinas Grammar 3-13 St Louis’, Ballymena 2-8

Aquinas Grammar secured their place in the McLarnon Cup semi-finals following a strong second-half performance against St Louis’, Ballymena at Cherryvale. Despite trailing at the interval, the Belfast school overturned a deficit to run out winners by an eight-point margin.

St Louis’ Control Early Exchanges

St Louis’, coming off a preliminary round victory over Lecale Grammar, controlled the opening 20 minutes of the contest. They established an early 1-4 to 0-1 lead, aided significantly by the game’s opening goal from Domhnall McKay, who finished to the net following a defensive mix-up by Aquinas.

Aquinas responded in the final ten minutes of the half. A goal from Patrick O’Hare helped them draw level, nullifying St Louis’ early advantage. However, the mid-Antrim side had the final say of the half, with Jay McAlonan converting a two-point score to give St Louis’ a 1-6 to 1-4 lead at the break.

Momentum Shifts to Aquinas

The dynamic of the game changed immediately upon the restart. JJ Higgins scored from the throw-in to set the tempo for Aquinas. The Belfast side quickly established a five-point lead through points from O’Hare and Fintan McArdle, combined with a second goal for the team from Jacko Watson, who intercepted a short kick-out to finish.

St Louis’ brought themselves back into contention in the 50th minute. Following a passing move involving McAlonan and Cillian Scullion, Odhrán Duffin scored a goal to narrow the gap to two points (2-10 to 2-8).

As St Louis’ committed players forward in the final ten minutes to find an equalizer, Aquinas capitalized on the counter-attack. They added several points before Conn Huston secured the victory with his side’s third goal.

Aquinas will face the winner of the quarter-final between St Mary’s CBGS, Belfast and Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore in the semi-final.

Match Stats & Scorers

Aquinas Grammar Scorers

·         J Watson: 1-3

·         P O’Hare: 1-3

·         C Huston: 1-0

·         JJ Higgins: 0-2

·         F McArdle: 0-2

·         V Martilla: 0-2

·         J McEvoy: 0-1

St Louis’, Ballymena Scorers

·         O Duffin: 1-1

·         D McKay: 1-1

·         J McAlonan: 0-3

·         F Bradley: 0-1

·         C Scullion: 0-1

·         T Convery: 0-1

ST LOUIS

  1. Eddie Smyth (All Saints) 2. James McGarry (Dunloy Cuchullains) 3. Aaron Doherty (Dunloy Cuchullains) 4. Matthew Watt (All Saints) 5. Cillian Scullion (Clann na hÉireann, Carraigin) 6. Sean O’Brien (All Saints) 7. Caleb Smith (Tir Na Nog) 8. Odhran Duffin (Moneyglass) 9. Jay McAlonan (Dunloy Cuchullains) 10. Dylan McMullan (Glenraval) 11. Fiontann Bradley (All Saints) 12. Eanna McGuckian (Dunloy Cuchullains) 13. Tom Convery (Roger Casements) 14. Domhnall McKay (Creggan) 15. Luke McAllister (Kilrea)

AQUINAS GRAMMAR

1. Cormac McGarry (GK) 2. Oliver Quinn 3. Frank Heaney 4. Oscar O’Connor 5. Conall Vaugh 6. Conor Frazer 7. Darragh McQuaid 8. Padhraig O’Hare 9. James McEvoy 10. Valo Martilla 11. JJ Higgins 12. Rhys Bray 13. Fintan McArdle 14. Conn Huston 15. Jacko Watson

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