County chairman Seamus McMullan and county treasurer Angela Callan with county hurler Gerard Walsh, county footballer Colm McLarnon, LGFA Lara Dahunsi and county camog Evanne Martin at the launch of the Antrim Strategic Plan
Press Release
Antrim GAA is thrilled to unveil its ambitious new five-year Strategic Plan, Le Chéile le hAghaidh 2030, a vision for the future that celebrates unity, ambition, and the rich heritage of Gaelic Games in the county. Crafted over 10 months of thoughtful consultation, this roadmap reflects the collective voice of players, coaches, volunteers, and communities, outlining a bold path toward growth and success.
This is more than just a plan—it is a rallying cry for all Antrim Gaels to come together with purpose, energy, and belief. Its focus on empowering clubs, nurturing people, and strengthening communities sets the stage for a transformative era. The Plan commits to enhancing club resources, supporting leadership development, and preserving the county’s proud cultural identity, ensuring Gaelic Games remain central to life in Antrim.
Séamus McMullan, Chairperson of Antrim GAA, emphasised the opportunity this moment represents:
“This Plan has been crafted by our members, clubs and stakeholders, and captures the heart of what it means to be an Antrim Gael. It is our shared vision for a brighter future and a call to action for everyone in the county to play their part. The time to act is now—together, we have a great opportunity to set a course for the long-term development and future success of our county.”
The Plan’s innovative approach is rooted in inclusivity and collaboration. It identifies clear outcomes across leadership, infrastructure, player and volunteer development, and cultural promotion. By working together, Antrim GAA will drive meaningful change, unlock new opportunities, and inspire the next generation of Gaels.
Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán CLG, praised the foresight and ambition underpinning the Plan:
“Le Chéile le hAghaidh 2030 is a testament to the resilience and determination of Antrim GAA. This plan not only charts a course for the next five years but lays the groundwork for long-term success. The emphasis on clubs, people, and communities speaks to the very heart of our Association, and I have every confidence that Antrim will deliver on its bold vision.”
The Plan recognises the untapped potential within Antrim and provides a clear roadmap to break new ground.
A Call to Action The success of Le Chéile le hAghaidh 2030 depends on the collective commitment of everyone involved in Antrim GAA. Players, coaches, club officials, and volunteers are invited to embrace this shared vision and work together to bring it to life.
This Strategic Plan is not only a roadmap but a source of inspiration for Antrim Gaels, celebrating past achievements while driving toward a future full of promise. Now is the time to unite, to act, and to secure a vibrant legacy for the next generation of Antrim Gaels.
Join Us on This Journey Antrim GAA invites everyone to join in this exciting chapter. Together, we can ensure that Gaelic Games continue to thrive and flourish in Antrim, fostering pride, ambition, and success for years to come.
Kevin Gamble (South Antrim Chairperson), (back right) Stephen Graham (Southwest Antrim Chairperson),- front right) Paddy Gray (North Antrim Chairperson) and Angela Callan.Paul Graham (Antrim Handball), Ursula Una Kelly Antrim Cammogie chairperson),Lynch (Antrim LGFA Chairperson), Úna Kelly (Antrim Camogie Chairperson) with Seamús McMullan and Angela Callan.
Davitt’s Juvenile presentation took place on Sunday 1st December at the Devenish complex. Huge thank you to the Devenish complex for their hospitality throughout the day in particular Michael.
We had two sessions due to the large numbers; U6>U10 from 11:00-13:00 and U12>U16 from 14:00>16:00.
We had 24 teams across the 4 codes so an extremely busy day which ran like clock work due to the organisation and hard work in the build up to the event. A huge thank you to all the mentors and a special mention to Marie-Therese McGivern.
Huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend. Great to see so many family members attend and celebrate with our juveniles.
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE DAY JUST CLINK ON THE LINK BELOW
Cross & Passion College Ballycastle will go into Friday evening’s Danske Bank Mageean Cup final as favourites after winning all their games in the competition so far. In a repeat of last years’ decider the Convent face the holders, St Killian’s Garron Tower, a team who will fancy their chances of repeating last year’s success.
Eye on the ball! CPC centre back Liam Glackin in action during his team’s win over St Pat’s Maghera in the opening round of the Mageean Cup at Fr Healy Park, Loughgiel. Pic by John McIlwaine
Both teams were grouped together in Group B, which had only three teams in it, but when they met each other in the second game in the round-robin series CPC came out victors by six points over their north Antrim rivals on a 3-16 to 3-10 scoreline in Cushendun. There was an element of shadow boxing about that game as both teams were missing a few players, but it was still a game both teams wanted to win.
CPC started their campaign with a big win over St Pat’s Maghera in Loughgiel back in early October but the Maghera boys were short a good few regulars on that occasion. However Joe Cassidy’s side scored 4-27 on the day, impressive shooting regardless of the opposition. The Derry team had started the game like a steam train, hitting five points without reply, but once the Ballycastle school settled they showed just what they were capable of as they led by 2-13 to 0-08 at half time, before pulling further clear in a dominant second half.
CPC: C Donnelly 3-3, C Crawford 1-4, O McCallin (2 frees) and P Martin (5 frees) 0-7 each, R Fitzgerald 0-3 (1 free), L Glackin 0-2 (1 free), O Conway 0-1.
Conor Donnelly who scored 3-03 in the opening round game against St Pat’s Maghera
CPC centre forward Conor Donnelly was the star of the show that day finish the game with 3-03 to his name, two of the goals coming in the first half. Their highly potent forward line really laid down a marker that day with Caedan Crawford adding 1-04, Oisin McCallin and Paidi Martin 0-07 each, while ‘Rosie’ Fitzgerald 0-03 and team captain Liam Glackin 0-02
Cross & Passion 3-16 Garron Tower 3-10
CPC’s second game on Tuesday 8th October was against Friday’s opponents St Killian’s on a wet day in Cushendun which was not conducive to good hurling. Nevertheless both team hurled well with the Ballycastle boys winning out by six in the end.
St Killian’s failed to make best use of the driving rain at their back in the opening half and were slow to get started. Goals from Thomas McLaughlin and Odhran Gillan got them going late in the half, but CPC responded well as they hit back with two goals at the other end through Oisin McCallin and Conor Donnelly to reduce the gap to a single point at half time.
With the wind now in their favour most observers expected CPC to take control but St Killian’s dug in and both sides shared six points evenly during the next fifteen minutes. A Dylan McNaughton goal saw the Tower open up a four point gap and for a while looked like it could go either way, but just as they had done in last weeks’ opening game against St Pat’s Maghara, they were able to find and an extra gear when it was needed and scored freely in the last ten minutes, Conor Donnelly grabbing his second goal of the game, while McCallin, Roan McGarry and Ronan Fitzgerald all chipped in to give their team a six point win…. and a place in the semis.
Scorers
CPC C Donnelly 2-5; O McCallin 1-2; R McGarry 0-5 (0-4f); C Crawford, C Johnson & R Fitzgerald 0-1 each
St Killian’s T McLaughlin 1-5 (0-5f); O Gillan 1-1; D McNaughton 1-0; N McLaughlin, A Campbell, C Leech and C McIntosh 0-1 each
St Killian’s Garron Tower 3-12 St Pat’s Maghera 1-13
St Killian’s defeat to CPC meant they had to win their remaining game against St Pat’s Maghera if they were to go directly through to the knock-out stages. The teams met on Wednesday the 2nd at Pairc Mhuire Cushendall and though the holders won through in the end it was far from one-way traffic.
After an early exchange of points St Killian’s appeared to have lifted their game a notch when goals from Oran McCambridge and Dylan McNaughton appeared to put them in the driving seat. However they kept going for goals when easy points were there for the taking, though Michael Furey did manage to get a third goal just before the break which gave them what looked like a convincing 3-06 to 0-08 lead at the interval.
Things began to change after the break when the Derry side got on top and they slowly but surely closed the gap as Rian Collins continued his accurate free taking of the first half, while ONeill and McCloskey sent over points from play. When McCloskey cut in from the right to fire home a Maghera goal the gap was down to a single point and it appeared that St Pat’s were on their way to victory. However the Tower reacted well and a series of points from Calum McIlwaine, John Scullion, Thomas McLaughlin and Joe McKay saw them pull clear again to secure a quarter-final spot against St Louis.
Quarter final in Ahoghill
St Killian’s 5-20 St Mary’s CBGS 1-10
Already 1-12-1-05 ahead at the break, holders St Killian’s turned on the style in the second half their semi-final against St Mary’s CBGS and cruised into the semi-final of the Danske Bank Mageean Cup with a 5-20-1-10 victory at Ahoghill on November 7th.
The holders settled into the quarter-final clash nicely with Thomas McLaughlin converting an early free and Calum McIlwaine and Callagh Mooney adding points from play.
St Killian’s Callagh Mooney om action during his team’s Mageean Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s in Ahoghill. Pic by John McIlwaine
Sean Og McLaren landed St. Mary’s first point from a converted angled free and a close-range effort from the placed ball moments later was rifled to the net to give his side the lead for the only time in the game.
It was short-lived however when Aodhan Campbell floated in a shot that sailed high into the top corner to give St Killian’s a 1-03-1-01 lead by the 10th minute.
McIlwaine and McLaren (free) traded points before Garron Tower hit seven unanswered points to take firm control.
Nicholas McLaughlin started the spree and added would add another in-between three successive points from Thomas- who would claim four in total with Canice McIntosh also finding range in the dominant period.
St. Mary’s would rally as the half drew to its conclusion as Sean Og McLaren landed another two frees and midfielder Darren Delander pulled off a magnificent long-range point, with Callagh Mooney doubling his account between times to ensure that Killian’s led 1-12-1-05 at the break.
After the restart St Killian’s pushed on and two-goals in the space of two minutes placed further daylight between the sides with Thomas McLaughlin claiming his first major and Joe McKay lashing home another as the set up a semi-final clash with St Louis Ballymena.
Semi-final in Cushendall
St Killian’s 2-17 St Louis 3-10
St Killian’s were pushed to the limit to hold off a great fightback by St Louis, Ballymena in the semi-final at Pairc Mhuir in Cushendall.
Leading by four at half time the Tower side had the lead out to seven at a stage in the second half, but St Louis kept battling and twice they had it back to within a goal. However the champions held on, even though they had to ride their luck a time or two, and set up a repeat of last year’s final against Cross & Passion at the Dub.
St Louis were excellent on the day and pushed the holders to the limit and it took top displays from Colla Ward, Charlie McAuley, Callagh Mooney, Callum McIlwaine, Oran McCambridge and Thomas McLaughlin to get them over the line.
Semi-final in Porglenone
Cross & Passion 2 – 17 St Pat’s Maghera 0-08
Caedan Crawford celebrates after scoring CPC’s opening goal CPC’s semi-final win over St Pat’s Maghera in Portglenone
On a bitterly cold evening under the floodlights in Portglenone, CPC had eight different scorers with full forward Roan McGarry top scoring with 0-7 beside his name at the end of the hour. Padraig Martin and Oisin McCallin were always a threat while Liam Glackin, Ronan Fitzgerald and Darragh Donnelly also impressed.
It wasn’t a perfect performance from CPC in the early stages but once Caedan Crawford got a brilliant opening goal they started to show St Pat’s held their own through the third quarter but CPC were always in control and Conor Donnelly put the icing on the cake with a fiercely struck second goal
Overall when you study the scoring stats and the results throughout the competition Cross & Passion go into to tomorrow nights final at favourites. The are unbeaten and have never been troubled in any of their games. They have beaten St Pat’s more convincingly than St Killian’s have, both in the round robin game and in the knock-out stages, plus they beat Friday night’s opponents. They have a star studded line up with scoring power all over the field. At the back goalkeeper Anthony Mullan, defenders Conan Johnston, Cian Baundant, Reece Cunning and team captain Liam Glackin would walk onto any team. Their midfield pairing of Ronan Fitzgerald and Darragh Donnelly are powerful are a very strong pairing while up front they have forwards of the highest caliber in Conor Donnelly, Padraig Martin; Oisin McCallin, Roan McGarry and Caedan Crawford.
However the holders St Killian’s are no slouches either. The have lost a couple of top men through injury in Daniel Kearney and Dairie Higgins but there still plenty of stars in Colla Ward, Conor McCann, John Scullion, Charlie McAuley. Midfielder Callagh Mooney is one of the brightest young stars in the county while up from Oran McCambridge, Calum McIlwaine, Michael Furey and Thomas McLaughlin are top class hurlers
CPC with start as favourites, and they deserve to be, but this game will be closer than most people think. The Dub arena is a tight little pitch and that might well have an effect on the outcome. Thankfully most of the players have some experience of playing there and for many this is their second year, and for a few of the St Killian’s side this could be their third final.
Overall is promises to be a great game. There is a wealth of talent on show so get along and give them your support.
AIB All Ireland Senior Club Championship semifinal Sarsfields v Loughgiel
1st December 2024, Throw-in at 2pm in Kingspan Breffni, Cavan
Michael Corcoran for the Saffron Gael interviews Loughgiel’s captain Christine McCloskey ahead of Sunday’s semifinal game.
Two years ago, Loughgiel Shamrocks met Sarsfields in an All-Ireland final in the field of dreams, Croke Park. The Shamrocks had broken through the Ulster glass ceiling and had hopes of returning home with the Bill and Agnes Carroll Cup. Sarsfields would scoop up the spoils in a narrow win by just three points but Loughgiel’s captain, Christine McCloskey (Laverty then), believes the difference came down to experience.
Christine in action in the Ulster semi-final against Clonduff
Loughgiel were faced with a snow-covered pitch in the semi-final stage in ‘22. The squad didn’t consider not playing the game. Much to their credit, they stopped off at an Applegreen and filled up hot water bottles and warmed up in full track suits and tops. It is reported that they replied on given options, “we’re here to do a job” and that reflects the tenacity and drive this squad still has.
The Saffron Gael caught up with Christine, whilst getting ready to do a spot of babysitting and the ever-approachable camog was happy to share some views on this Sunday’s All-Ireland semifinal against Sarsfields.
The weather will be a bit different this year and McCloskey picks up the conversation, “I’ve played in Breffni Park before, albeit a different occasion. We (Antrim) were playing Down in an All-Ireland Intermediate match and it was affected by Covid rules, namely no spectators. Nevertheless, some of the squad got to experience the pitch and I’d say, particularly at this time of the year, it’ll be one of the few venues where the pitch will be in good condition. We played our All-Ireland final under lights in very cold conditions, so Sunday’s time and forecast are great.”
“The venue is a bit further away from our usual competition locations this year, like Clonduff and Beragh, but it is what it is and thankfully we haven’t to travel south of Dublin, that would be a long haul for supporters.”
Losing the 2022 final in Croke Park still hurts
Losing the final of 2022 still hurts and rang out in Lucia McNaughton’s interview with Michael McMullan from the Gaelic Life. But McCloskey says they’ve all accepted that and it’s woven into their experience now. The very thing they said they lacked coming into the All-Ireland scene. Despite the sense of loss, McCloskey is keen to add, “We had a great sense of pride, lining out in our club jerseys. It didn’t go past any of us, the sense of occasion walking out the tunnel onto the pitch. It’s destined to always be a core memory in your life.”
“Sarsfields are a good outfit but we won’t be deliberating over their game, we are focused on controlling the controllables and that means playing our game and we’ll see how it rolls on the day. After the Slaughtneil years, we have built on our mental strength and that is something that takes time to have across the entire squad. I remember being one of the younger members on the panel, now here I am leading the team as one of the older girls. That said, we are in the enviable position of having many leaders and I could pick one from each of the lines.”
Christine in action against Sunday’s opponents Sarsfields in the All Ireland final in 2022
Any team that reaches an All-Ireland game has momentum built up not only from training and challenging games but buoyed up by support. Christine is eager to point out that “We have been so lucky with the show of support. We’ve been fed and clothed that reflects the level you need to compete at this level. That means our recovery programs have been excellent; we could train harder for longer. From the support we experienced at the clubhouse after the County and Ulster wins to the fund-raising Big Breakfast and the sponsorship programme, I can only say it has been phenomenal and I can only thank everyone again!”
Supporters will make the 2 hours and forty-minute, 120-mile trip from the heartland of Loughgiel on Sunday to Breffni Park. McCloskey knows the Shamrocks will travel in numbers and the experience to be had for some of the juvenile girls will be inspiring, “These are the kind of occasions you remember when you are young, and that being the case, I hope at the very least, our younger girls will feel proud and be excited, maybe this is the sort of thing that will drive them on and we will be able to enjoy their endeavor’s down the line.”
Whatever the result on Sunday, there is no denying that the club machine called Loughgiel Shamrocks has been in overdrive since the Ulster win and has left no stone unturned in the preparations. Many will be hoping though, for a positive outcome and another big day out in the field of dreams.
Christine lifts the Ulster Championship trophy after the Shamrocks emphatic win over Swatragh
