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by thesaffrongael

Lámh Dhearg rally to claim first league win 

O’Neills ACHL Division 3 

Dunloy 2-15-2-16 Lámh Dhearg 

Kevin Herron reports from Dunloy 

Trailing 1-14-1-05 in the early stages of the second half, Lámh Dhearg fought back and hit 10-unanswered points in their 2-16-2-15 win over Dunloy 2nds at Dunloy on Saturday afternoon. 

The visitors made the trip to North Antrim in search of their first league win, having lost their first two and picked out a point at home to Rasharkin last time out, whilst Dunloy were unbeaten in their first three encounters. 

Dunloy started much brighter with Gabriel McTaggart and Ryan McFarline clipping over early points. 

The Lámhs hit back in the form of a Declan Lynch point, but playing against the breeze in the opening half- their chances would be few and far between. 

Oisin McCamphill landed three of his side’s next four scores, converting two frees and landing a fine point from range, with midfield partner Jack Martin also chipping in with a score. 

The game’s opening goal would fall to Lámh Dhearg, Adam Murray’s shot was parried by Caolan McFerran, but Murray followed in and forced the ball home to make it 0-6-1-1. 

In response McFarline doubled his account, Oisin McErlean floated a shot over and Oisin Elliott converted a free. 

Lynch landed his second of the half and Donal Martin pointed from Conor McConville’s lay-off in-between a second Elliott free as Lámh Dhearg were beginning to get to grips with things. 

The hosts would extend their lead before the break though as Barry McCloskey and Oisin McErlean popped over points. 

On the 26th minute Gabriel McTaggart got underneath Sean Og Blaney’s high ball and steered a shot home to make it 1-12-1-03. 

Paddy Mervyn dropped over a point in reply before the interval but his side faced a tough task in the second period. 

The sides largely matched each other out in the early stages of the second half,  points were traded after the restart through Jack Martin and Ryan Diamond, Conor Mort added a second point for his side and then Gabriel McTaggart and Adam Murray stroked over frees in reply. 

Lámh Dhearg boosted their chances of a comeback within 10-minutes of the restart. Declan Lynch picked out Ryan Diamond with a crossfield pass and Diamond’s low diagonal shot clipped the post and in went in to make it 1-15-2-06. 

Their joy was short lived though as Dunloy hit back almost instantly at the other end, a scramble ensued as the Lámhs tried to clear their lines but Gabriel McTaggart blasted a rocket of a shot past Paddy-Joe Herron from close range to open up a 2-15-2-06 lead. 

McTaggart’s goal would be the last of his sides scores as the visitor’s began to chip away at the deficit, 

Adam Murray stroked over two further frees with Donal Martin doubling his personal tally to close the gap to six. 

Martin landed two further efforts from range and a further Murray conversion had slashed the gap to three (2-15-2-12) with plenty of time still remaining. 

Murray shot over a further placed ball from range, Declan Lynch conjured his third score of proceedings and turned provider for Donal Martin to level things up with his fifth of the afternoon. 

The comeback was complete in added time when Sean-Paul Gibson fizzed a crossfield ball into the path of Evan Stanley and he floated over the winning score as the Hannahstown side claimed their first league win of the campaign. 

Dunloy: C McFerran, M Traynor, K O’Kane, Cathair McCloskey, J Magee, B O’Kane, S Og Blaney, O McCamphill (0-3, 0-2f), J Martin (0-2), B McCloskey (0-1), G McTaggart (2-2,0-1f), R McFarline (0-2), O McErlean (0-2), O Elliott (0-2f), C Mort (0-1). Subs: J McKeever for C Mort (48), C Cunning for O McErlean (48). 

Lámh Dhearg: PJ Herron, C Camlin, C Rafferty, T McKenna, M Finnegan, P Mervyn (0-1), SP Gibson, C Boyd, C McConville, E Stanley (0-1), D Lynch (0-3), O Waldron, D Martin (0-5), R Diamond (1-1), A Murray (0-5f). Subs:  F Clenaghan for C McConville (HT), M McGarry for C Rafferty (55). 

Referee: Hugh Torney (Ballycran)

by thesaffrongael

Breedon Group cementing a partnership with the Lámhs

Lámh Dhearg are delighted to announce that the leading vertically-integrated international construction materials group in Ireland, Breedon, have generously become a partner of the club and sponsor of their senior teams.

At the launch Chairman Brian Smyth warmly welcomed Breedon’s Fraser Thom, Products and Materials Director and David Cleland Manager of Breedon Ireland along with club trustees Jackie Duffy , Pat McCague and Sean Maguire , committee members and representatives from their senior teams.

Brian spoke proudly of how the club is rapidly expanding in terms of facilities and teams and acknowledged the members working hard in the functioning of the club . He commented “Breedon partnership is very exciting and will undoubtedly be a major help and boost in running the senior teams in the club. We are very excited and looking forward to building a very strong and productive partnership with Breedon in the next few years. The club are very appreciative of Breedon securing the partnership .”

Breedon’s Fraser Thom thanked the club for such a hospitable welcome and commented “Building on our previous sponsorship of the women’s team, we are delighted to progress our partnership with Cumann Lámh Dhearg CLG to become the official sponsor across all senior teams.

Creating a positive impact in the local communities in which we work is an ongoing commitment for us at Breedon. Supporting Lámh Dhearg, a club with a long-standing dedication to developing sport and community in their West Belfast locality, is a perfect fit for us

We look forward to following and wishing the senior teams well as they advance this season and into the future”.

The club would encourage all members to support Breedon and any of our other many generous partners if the opportunity arises as they are all vital in facilitating the successful promotion and development of Gaelic games in the club.

by thesaffrongael

A big weekend ahead for Antrim Camogie

Preview and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran

Sunday the 27th April won’t come quick enough for Antrim Camogie supporters. With the Minors travelling to the majestic setting of Nowlan Park in Kilkenny for their All Ireland final against Laois, and the Seniors enjoying a shorter trip to Loughgiel for their Ulster semifinal against old rivals, Down. 

Antrim’s Minors had a good run to the final but didn’t come through unscathed as they tip toed past Kildare by one point in round three. Their opponents, Laois, didn’t fare much better, slipping ahead of Kildare by two points in their semifinal game. Could that be an indication to the type of game ahead for both squads on Sunday? 

Antrim’s Eobha McAllister will patrol the midfield with some authority in Sunday’s All Ireland final

In Antrim’s favour will be that they have had an extra match, having been in a group of four as opposed to Laois in a group of three. In the respective semis, Antrim paired off against Waterford and enjoyed an emphatic win with twelve points the better (Antrim 2-13 Waterford 1-04), whilst Laois arguably are battle weary from their two-point semifinal win against Kildare. Sunday’s game could prove to be possibly one of the best minor camogie games this year. 

Antrim’s Cara Delaney sets to lift the sliotar as Aimee Ferris prepares to run off the shoulder

All Ireland A Shield, Antrim v Laois, UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny throw-in 2:30pm. Your ticket link is here… 

https://www.universe.com/events/electric-ireland-minor-a-cork-v-kilkenny-a-shield-final-antrim-v-laois-tickets-54QMVL

At the other end of the country, Antrim’s seniors will face old rivals Down, always considered to be a tough game and few will predict a result until after the whistle is blown!  

Antrim’s last game against Down was on the fifteenth of March in the Very National Div 1B league in Ahoghill. Down were sporting a temporary goalkeeper, Neisha McCullough, having stood the test very well letting in only one goal from Antrim’s Annie Lynn but later confessed that this was most definitely a temporary ‘thing’. Antrim too would exercise a change of goalkeeper, having Becky Ellis in goals as Catriona Graham took a short break. 

Antrim’s Erin Coulter and Shannagh Heggarty narrow the options for Down’s Gerra McGrattan in the recent Very League encounter in Ahoghill

That game will be remembered for Down’s persistence in the first half to trail on the short whistle by a goal and a point, but Antrim returned in the second half to display a degree of dominance for the eventual win by six points.  

Down’s Dearbhla Magee lifts the sliotar as Antrim’s Clare McKillop moves in for a sweep at the ball

Although Antrim’s Caitrin Dobbin picked up an injury during the Very league national final that will most likely require rest, the McCormick/Coulter bench will be jostling to fill that gap, such is the desire and competitiveness of this squad. This is an Ulster semifinal that should entertain camogie fans lining the Fr. Healy pitch in Loughgiel. 

Ulster Championship semifinal, Antrim v Down, Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel throw in 1pm 

Your ticket link is here… 

https://www.universe.com/events/antrim-v-down-armagh-city-hotel-ulster-senior-championship-sf-2025-tickets-C2MT3N?unii-trigger-open=C2MT3N&fbclid=IwY2xjawJ2RSlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlb3c2b24zRExjVHRSQmQ5AR7QoqZGCM_rMaWGgrC4vJBRLrhcVIJtK24JHC9MsazfWxYuifF79fCVLKBvWg_aem_3msovxHUqXrbio9xXgj7Nw

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons come up just short after great last quarter fightback

O’Neills.com Leinster under 20 HC Preliminary quarter-final: 

Dowdallshill, Dundalk

Antrim 4-10 Dublin 2-19

A late Antrim fightback came up just short in Wednesday’s evening’s Leinster Under 20 Hurling Preliminary quarter final at Dowdall’s Hill Dundalk, the Saffrons getting to within one score of their opponents after a brilliant fightback. The Ulster champions had done really well in the first half, but turned around four points in arrears, after having the use of the fresh breeze. Dublin came out after half time with all guns blazing, and when they produced a brilliant third quarter to stretch their advantage to eleven points, 2-16 to 2-05.

The faithful fans who had made the journey to Dundalk must have feared their young charges were in for a bit of a tanking, but on the field the Saffrons dug deep and dominated the final quarter, outscoring their opponents by 2-05 to 0-03 to come within the strike of a ball of forcing extra time. At the final whistle they were understandably devastated, but each and every one of them can hold their heads high, knowing they gave their utmost for the Antrim cause, and as they left the field the Antrim fans congregated at the gate to clap them off.

Antrim opened with two Fiontan Bradley points but the Dubs hit back through Daniel O’Kelly and Brendan Kenny, both of who had excellent games for the boys in blue. Slowly the Dubs got the upper hand and they stretched their advantage to 0-07 to 0-03 with 12 minutes on the clock, but Antrim got right back into the game when a long delivery from a sideline cut by Joseph McLaughlin was fired home by his Cushendall clubmate Fiontann Bradley who once again showed how dangerous he can be. It was nip and tuck during the next ten minutes but Dublin finished the half strongly with three unanswered points to lead at the break by 1-11 to 2-04.

Dublin’s four point half time advantage stretched by the minute during their excellent third quarter, corner forward O’Kelly grabbing his team’s third goal to put eleven points between the sides. Antrim were in need of a tonic and it came in the form of a goal from Jack McCloskey who fired a free home through a packed goalmouth. Suddenly it was game on again and what a finish Antrim provided with Bradley adding three more points and Cormac McKeown grabbing a goal with just seven minutes remaining. Keny put the gap out to six points again with a well taken point, but as the game entered injury time Jack McCloskey fired twenty metre free to the net. The pressure was really on as Antrim fought for the score that would bring the game to extra time, but the final whistle sounded to end their brave bid and the Dubs went through to meet All Ireland champions Offaly in next week’s quarter final.

It has been a great campaign for Mickey McShane and his great backroom team, which saw Antrim win their four games, which included an Ulster title, plus comprehensive wins in Tier 2 over Westmeath and Meath in Leinster. Wednesday’s game ended their great campaign, but only just, and with a bit of luck they could well have been getting ready to face Offaly.

Dublin: D Joyce, C Groake, D Lacey, B Lynch, J Shepherd 0-1, C Ó Riain, K Costello 0-2, C Kennedy 0-1, F Murphy 0-1, J Kinnane 0-1, B Kenny 0-5, D O’Kelly 2-5, 0-3 frees, O Gaffney 0-2, N Fitzgerald 0-1, C Graham.

Subs: D Mulqueen for N Fitzgerald (43), S Crosbie for J Kinnane (52), J Kavannagh for C Graham (53), F Donohue for F Murphy (60 + 2)

Antrim: E Richmond, M McGibbon, S McKay, D Patterson, C McAuley 0-1, L Glackin, B O’Kane, C McIlwaine, N Magee, A McGarry, J McLaughlin 0-1, T McLaughlin, F Bradley 1-6, 0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline, O Donnelly, J McCloskey 2-1, 1-1 frees

Subs: C Mooney for D Patterson (18), C McKeown 1-1 and R Fitzgerald for N Magee and T McLaughlin (both 37), O O’Connor for J McLaughlin (47), O McCallin for O Donnelly (51)

TO SEE MORE PICTURES FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/s585X6Dhfb7eeS/?invite=5fb2ef1f-d408-4565-8b21-b4d404a39d71