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by thesaffrongael

McGarry points Cuchullains to McMullan Cup glory

Feis nan nGleann 2025

U16 McMullan Cup Final

Dunloy 1-18 Loughgiel 1-8

Sunday 13 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Glenariffe

A strong second half performance from Dunloy helped the Cuchullains to victory over Loughgiel in the McMullan Cup on Sunday afternoon.  10 points separated the sides at the end of the hour and while Dunloy were well worthy of their win, not many could have foreseen what transpired in the second half.

Just two points separated the sides at the half time interval with the Shamrocks playing with whatever wind there was after the interval.  A defensive masterclass from the Cuchullains half back line at the start of the second half that saw them hem Loughgiel in their half for long periods and keep them scoreless for over 20 minutes.  Led by captain Eunan Curry and ably assisted by Oisin O’Brien and then Ollie McClements who moved out from his full back position in a swap with Seamus McMullan, Loughgiel got little or no answer.

North Antrim chairman Paddy Gray presents the McMullan Cup to Dunloy captain Eunan Currie after his team’s win ovver Loughgiel in Sunday’s final at Feis na nGleann in Glenariffe.

Midfielder James McGarry top scored for the Cuchullains, finishing with 10 points for the hour – seven of those coming from placed ball while the excellent Euan Molloy grabbed the goal that put daylight between the sides for the first time nine minutes into the second half.

Logan McConville had an excellent game for the Shamrocks at the heart of their defence but putting him on the three-quarter line didn’t yield the reward the Shamrocks had hoped for when chasing the game.  Joe Casey and Joe Deery shared six points between them while substitute Damien Laverty scored their goal at the death.

With the match played in sweltering heat, it wasn’t a surprise to see the first half failing to catch fire.  Dunloy scored the opening two points of the final through Damian McMahon and Euan Molloy before the Shamrocks hit back with a brace of frees from Deery.

McGarry and Molloy pointed again to open the two point lead for the Cuchullains but they wouldn’t add another score for 10 minutes.  Loughgiel added points from Cahir McCloskey, Joe Casey and Deery’s third free of the final to give their side the lead for the first time in the 18th minute.  They wouldn’t add to their tally in the time that remained of the first half however and while Dunloy were far from firing on all cylinders, they began to find their range with scores coming from McGarry (two) and Eanna McGuckian to leave them ahead 0-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle.

While Loughgiel battled hard, Dunloy could have been further ahead at the interval.  A number of missed frees looked to hurt their challenge while Caolan Christie could have had the opening goal of the final but he was denied by a Dunloy defence that scrambled to deny him.

McMahon opened the scoring in the second half with his second white flag but the Shamrock’s hit back with a brace of points from Joe Casey – the first off which from wide on the left and a ridiculous angle to breath fire into the Loughgiel challenge.

The Cuchullains turned the screw however and while the kept Loughgiel from scoring for over 20 minutes, they went on to open a 12 point lead.  Scores coming from John Ferguson, six white flags from McGarry and PJ Molloy.

Dunloy’s goal came from a brilliant run by Euan Molloy as hit ran from deep, drawing in the Loughgiel defence.  Showing skill and awareness, Molloy drilled the sliotar low as the bounce beat Loughgiel ‘keeper Ciaran Hennessy.

The Cuchullains could have added to their goal tally in that same period of time with Euan and PJ Molloy going close on difference occasions but a mix of brilliance from Hennessy and last gasp defending from the Shamrocks denied them.

With the game going into the final five minuets, Loughgiel went in search of goals.  A point from Cody McGarry reduced the Dunloy lead to 11 points before McConville had a sight for goal from a 21 yard free but his effort was well saved by Dunloy ‘keeper Euan Brogan.

James McGarry pointed a free in the last minute of the hour to take his personal tally to double figures but Loughgiel continued to push for majors. 

They finally got their reward in the second minute of injury time when Damien Laverty was first to a rebounded effort.  The initial shot coming from Joe McFadden and while Brogan saved his effort, Laverty was first to the sliotar and made no mistake.

Eanna McGuckian rounded off the scoring with his second point of the final with what was the last action of the game as the Cuchullains ran out comfortable winners.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Euan Brogan; Shane McGilligan, Ollie McClements, Cailean Hughes; Seamus McMullan, Eunan Curry, Oisin O’Brien; James McGarry, John Ferguson; Lorcan Martin, Damian McMahon, Eanna McGuckian; PJ Molloy, Euan Molloy, Ronan Elliott

Scorers: J McGarry 0-10 (6fs 1’65); E Molloy 1-2 (1f); D McMahon 0-2; E McGuckian 0-2; J Ferguson 0-1; PJ Molloy 0-1

LOUGHGIEL: Ciaran Hennessy; Lorcan Murtagh, Joe McFadden, Conor McCann; Aaron Gillan, Logan McConville, JJ McGarry; Domhnall McKay, Cahir McErlean; Joe Deary, Caolan Christie, Joseph Kinney; Cahir McCloskey, Joe Casey, Cody McGarry

Subs: Aidan Barr-Laverty for J Kinney (44); Damien Laverty for C Christie (59)

Scorers: J Casey 0-3; J Deary 0-3 (3fs); D Laverty 1-00; C McCloskey 0-1; C McGarry 0-1

Referee: Shane McDonnell (Oisin’s, Glenariffe)

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/HupED9kk3QQvp4/?invite=e3429220-74ff-44bc-8b04-d7cd2da49bba

by thesaffrongael

Agony for Antrim as the championship curtain drops on a superlative performance

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Championship Cedral St. Conleth’s Park, Kildare

Antrim 2-12 Offaly 1-16

Report and photos from Antrim County PRO, Michael Corcoran in Kildare

Antrim’s winning streak came abruptly to an end yesterday in blistering heat that matched the intensity of the game. It’s a competition and someone had to loose, only it gets harder to handle the longer you taste success. Offaly won the toss and decided to play with the summer breeze, that essential element that we never stop factoring into the reports; because it is essential to master that and Offaly did it in margins. Offaly’s first half gave them a two point lead at the break, the crucial moment came from a free taken by Clodagh Leahy that allowed Offaly to draw up beside Antrim for the first time in 27 minutes. Antrim were looking the part up to this point, a goal from Caitrín Dobbin fed in from Annie Lynn, showing persistence, as she struck at the sliotar three times in a goal mouth scramble. But as the heatwave persisted with pitch temperatures close to 32 degrees, Offaly kept their composure and flew two additional points from play at 31 minutes over Antrim’s bar to enjoy a lead and mark Antrim’s copy book.

Antrim’s Katie Molloy chases down the sliotar with a tracking Orlagh Phelan eyeing the prize

The second half witnessed Offaly hit another switch around five minutes into the restart as their ace striker, Mairéad Teehan drove the sliotar at pace past Antrim’s goalkeeper, Caitriona Graham, and suddenly Offaly were drifting away by six points. The Saffron’s replied with a rallying goal from Roísín McCormick as Katie Molloy extracted the sliotar from a gruelling scrum.

Maeve Kelly from Antrim stretches to gain possession in Saturday’s championship game

Antrim inched their way back up the scoreboard and a blistering solo run from substitute Erin Coulter ending in a point hauled Antrim back into the game with hope at two points the difference. But a simple point from Offaly’s Teehan pushed the gap back to three at twenty four on the clock as Offaly now went into survival mode, with Antrim making recurrent visits to float the sliotar over two more times from McCormick and Dobbin. Dobbin was held in the box and still managed to score whilst referee Joe Mullins’ arm was stretched in the air. The point stood. Desperation was crying out in the stands, supporters’ voices went up several decibels, Antrim’s game went up several paces but the sands of time ran out and Antrim were unable to find that last point to force extra time.

Offaly’s Faye Mulrooney finds a challenge from Katie Molloy to hot to handle

Saffron fans will have been gutted as this was a year where no one practised losing. It has been a superlative Antrim performance all season. A very league win, an Ulster championship and a championship table topping performance all to be immensely proud of. Next year, players, management and supporters will get to experience playing ‘up’ into division 1a, something the players have striven for all season. We look forward to reporting from far away venues in 2026.

To see more photos from Saturday’s game, follow this link…

https://myalbum.com/album/kSFuySftWSy5mD/?invite=7fce8227-d44b-4024-b8a9-b178e0ae6d14

Antrim starting panel, substitutes and scorers

Caitriona Graham, Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Janey McIntosh, Sarah O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty 0-01, Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney 0-01, Maeve Kelly, Roísín McCormick 1-07 (6f), Lucia McNaughton, Annie Lynn, Katie Molloy, Caitrín Dobbin 1-02

Becky Ellis, Dearbhail Dobbin, Katie Rose Bell, Erin Coulter 0-01, Sarah Fyfe, Niamh Neeson, Eimear Johnston, Aisling O’Donnell, Dervla Cosgrove, Orlaith McAllister, Fionnuala Kelly, Cassie McArthur, Eavanne Martin, Colleen Patterson

Offay programme starting panel, substitutes and scorers

Emer Reynolds, Aoife Liffey, Amy Byrne, Cathy Fogarty, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Roisin Kinsella, Hannah Feenane, Christine Cleery 0-01, Clodagh Leahy 0-04 (2f), Grace Teehan 0-05 (4f), Ciara Maher 0-01, Fianait Dooley 0-01, Niamh Sheehy, Mairéd Teehan 1-02, Kate Pilkington 0-01

Leah Gallagher, Orlagh Phelan 0-01, Sharon Shanahan, Megan King, Faye Mulrooney, Karla Mannion, Aoife Hoctor, Caoimhe O’Donovan, Grainne Kennedy, Aine Rigney, Ellen Regan, Orla Kilmartin, Elizabeth Kilmartin, Emma Buggy, Aoife O’Donovan

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Camogie shortly to begin the road trip to Newbridge

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Championship Antrim v Offaly, Cedral St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, Kildare

Preview and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO, Michael Corcoran

Antrim Camogie supporters are in for a treat this Saturday, with the All Ireland semi final against Offaly to be played in excellent conditions, and if we were of the gentle type, we might wince at the prospect of it being forecast to be close to 28/29 degrees, a proverbial heat wave. But that’s nothing that can’t be resolved by sitting in the shade of the stand in an airy Antrim top or if you are on holidays, find a shady spot by the pool and pray the wifi will stay up for the live stream – details to be released later.

Antrim’s Katie Molloy had one of her best performances against Offaly in Portglenone with six points from play

Antrim have arrived at Cedral St. Conleth’s by topping the table with three out of three wins in the group 1 games, whilst Offaly’s route was via the quarter final game against Carlow ending 3-18 to 2-09 for Offaly. Both Antrim and Offaly have already met in the group 1 round 1 game in Portglenone. Antrim took the win by two points and learned that Offaly can score goals, with Mairead Teehan (14) slotting two goals at close quarters and will be looking to repeat something similar and will bring that capability to Saturday’s game, a stern test for Antrim’s back lines.

Amy Boyle sweeps back to disassemble the Offaly threat and allow Clare McKillop to solo away with the spoils

Supporters will then be curious to learn of Antrim’s line out for Saturday. We already know that Cassie McArthur and Evanne Martin are sitting this game out due to injury. That creates the prospect of two other names starting and Antrim will reveal the team tomorrow morning as part of their e-teamsheet distribution to supporters that has proved very engaging and successful.

Antrim’s Nicole McAtamney will play a vital role surveying and controlling the mid field on Saturday

Questions arise then to add to the excitement, namely how will each team handle the forecasted heat, will there be any green flags raised and by whom and who will come out the victor to continue their journey to an All Ireland final in Croke Park? Stay tuned, all will be revealed tomorrow. Throw in is at 1pm for Antrim’s game, whilst Kerry play Down at 3pm in the same venue.

by thesaffrongael

Burke’s law as Aldergrove prevail

McCormick Cup Final

St. James 0-14 St. Joseph’s 1-9

Fergal Burke gave an exhibition of free taking as St. James Aldergrove overcame a second half rally from neighbours, St. Joseph’s Glenavy in this first McCormick final to be played for three years at Dunsilly on Wednesday evening.

Burke was to the fore from early in the game as he kicked a 2pt free to give Aldergrove the lead after 5 minutes and he would convert two more from closer to goals as Glenavy concede unnecessary frees.

St. Joseph’s had a number of opportunities to open their account but were wasteful before Fergus Cunningham got them off the mark with a fine 2 pointer in the 13th minute.

St James Aldergrove celebrate after defeating St. Joseph’s Glenavy in the McCormick Cup final at Dunsilly on Wednesday night

Play swung again to the other end as Lewis Smyth kicked the Crumlin side’s first point from play to move them 0-6 to 0-2 ahead and the same player converted from a placed ball before Burke made it 0-8 to 0-3 from yet another free.

Conor Browning extended the Aldergrove lead to six with their second point from play of the opening half in the 30th minute with Finn Shannon replying with the final point of the half for St. Joseph’s to leave it 0-9 to 0-3 in favour of the Crumlin side at half-time.

The Chapel Hill side had been second best during the opening half as they kicked away good possession and were extremely wayward in their shooting but they were right back into contention when Darragh Moore robbed keeper, Christopher Taggart to finish to an empty net in the opening minute of the second half.

St. James responded and Corey Fogarty sent over an excellent point at the other end before Fergal Burke brought his personal contribution to 0-7 from another free as he continued to punish unnecessary free conceded by the opposition.

When Kian Jones added another from play to move St. James six ahead again by the 13th minute normal service appeared to have been restored but a number of substitutions by the Glenavy management saw them start to get back into contention.

Finn Shannon from a 20 meter free and Shay O’Neill following a strong solo run from deep had it back to 4 by the 16th minute but they were thankful to the crossbar as Kian Jones broke free at the other end but watched his shot rebound back into play.

Burke continued to display unerring accuracy from the placed ball as he put four between the combatants with five minutes remaining but Glenavy were now enjoying the better of the exchanges.

The Chapel Hill side had strong appeals for a penalty waved aside when James Monaghan appeared to be dragged down and a goal then would certainly have made it interesting.

Niall McCann for St. Joseph’s and Kian Jones for St. James exchanged further points before McCann concluded the scoring with an excellent late 2pointer for Glenavy to leave just two between the sides in the end.

A well contested McCormick Cup final and Stephen Graham and his South West officials deserve credit for resurrecting the competition after three years since it was last played and with the O’Cahan Cup having already been finished it has been a good year to date for the South West committee.

The game itself was the proverbial game of two halves with Aldergrove threatening to run away with it in the opening half, thanks mainly to the free taking of Fergal Burke and vital points from play from Kian Jones.

Darragh Moore’s early second half goal seemed to lift the Chapel Hill side who enjoyed the better of the second half exchanges but that excellent 2 pointer from Niall McCann came just too late to affect the final result.

Aldergrove: Christopher Taggart, Emmet Magee, Michael McCarthy, Lee McCusker, Corey Fogarty, Cayden Lagan, Malachy Burns, Christopher Browning, Conor Browning, Sean Patrick Fay, Fergal Burke, Aaron O’Connor, Anthony Brown, James Trowlan, Lewis Smyth.

Subs: Kian Jones, Eoin Hamill, Michael Smart, Danny Bell, Shea O’Connor.

Glenavy: Gareth Collins, Nicholas McNally, Odhran Arthurs, Se O’Neill, Padhraic McKevitt, Dara McAlister, Ben McCambridge, Chris Grant, Niall McCann, Fergal Green, Fergus Cunningham, Finn Shannon, Darragh Moore, James Monaghan.

Subs: Dominic Gallagher

South West treasurer, Colm Walsh presents the McCormick Cup to Aldergrove joint captains, Emmet Magee and Seanie Fay

TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE FINAL CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/8GfN46GGYT4bmW

TO VIEW BERTS MC CORMICK CUP PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/2372x9DQeNJimh

by thesaffrongael

Shamrocks deny Dunloy the chance to retain the league cup

Antrim Camogie Senior Division 1a Tuesday 8th July 2025

Loughgiel 4-11 v Dunloy 3-09

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran in Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel

On a drizzling murky evening unbecoming of a summer’s eve, Loughgiel and Dunloy squared up in their penultimate league encounters, with Dunloy in with a chance to retain their league cup if the stats would hold true for them. Unfortunately a win for Cushendall against Ballycastle and a loss at the hands of Loughgiel would close the door for the Cuchullians, despite another game to play and the league baton now passes across to Cushendall.

Tonight’s game drummed up goals and lots of points worked up from creating space and chances. Loughgiel’s Orlagh Laverty picked up tonight’s form where she left off, running, scoring and creating scoring chances. Laverty would strike with the first goal at the road end after twenty minutes and spectators could have been forgiven to think the game was sliding away from Dunloy as the Shamrocks started to run up the points, but a goal three minutes later from Eobha McAllister amidst a flurry of close quartered action brought the game back to six the difference in favour of Loughgiel.

Another Cuchullian goal, this time from Lisa McConville, again at close quarters from a Mary McArthur lob that was brought down initially safely by Loughgiel’s goalkeeper, Emma McAllister, had Dunloy trailing by only four points at the half time whistle, Loughgiel 1:10 Dunloy 2:03 and still everything to play for at the restart.

Loughgiel’s Emma McFadden brings the sliotar into Shamrock possession

Dunloy took the restart by the horns and two fine points from Eobha McAllister closed the gap to just two before Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty found Katie McKillop and a well placed sliotar to the left side of Clodagh O’Kane after seven minutes, took Loughgiel another goal forward. It wasn’t too long before a third Shamrock goal would appear, as Emma McFadden launched a long ball, gained as the spoils of a tackle, into the half forward area and a running substitute, Carlina Sullivan found the back of Dunloy’s net.

The Shamrocks were on the verge of drifting well ahead until Dunloy struck green again with their substitute, Sarah Louise Kearns, finding a way to slip the sliotar past an advancing Loughgiel goalkeeper and now with only two points in the game with nine minutes of normal play, scores stood at Loughgiel 3-10 Dunloy 3-08.

Dunloy’s Mary McArthur takes the spoils away from a ground battle

Both Loughgiel and Dunloy found themselves swapping points, Dunloy’s coming from a well worked move up the field, eventually finding the secure hand and stick of Eobha McAllister and Loughgiel’s Orlagh Laverty would finish tonight’s game with a point and a goal that stemmed from a McFadden catch from a Dunloy puck out, released to find Laverty on the move for that final score in the game, leaving the scoreboard at Loughgiel 4-11 Dunloy 3-09.

Loughgiel panel and scorers

Emma McAllister, Charlene Campbell, Emma McFadden, Maria Lynn, Ciara Connelly, Louise McKillop, Zoe Cassley, Ciara Laverty, Anna Connelly 0-01, Shanna Deery, Marie Laverty 0-02, Katie McKillop 1-01, Orlagh Laverty 2-04, Kirsty McKendry 0-01, Anna McKillop 0-02, Shauna McKillop, Finvola McVeigh, Sarah Flavin, Therese McKinley, Carlina Sullivan 1-00

Dunloy panel and scorers

Clodagh O’Kane, Kathryn Boyle, Sarah McIlhatton, Carly McNamee, Casey Crawford, Katie Laverty, Eilis Kearns, Eimear McMullan, Micha Cunning, Eobha McAllister 1-06 (1f), Caoimhe Molloy 0-02, Kyra Doherty, Mary McArthur 0-01, Erin McMullan, Lisa McConville 1-00, Kirsty McFerran, Sarah Louise Kearns, Orla McMullan, A McAllister 1-00

You can see more photos from the game by following this link to the album…

https://myalbum.com/album/SPTJGKWrbQFE3R/?invite=89b0c4d1-cb1d-4983-9876-db7509e0b283