Slemish Park, Ballymena – U21B Football Championship Final

Dunloy 2:09 to Creggan 0:04

The U21B Football Championship final at Slemish Park saw Dunloy emerge as deserved winners, overcoming Creggan with a dominant display that ended in a comprehensive 2:09 to 0:04 victory.

The match began with a poignant moment as both teams and the crowd observed a minute’s silence in memory of the late Eamon Dinsmore, a respected figure in the local GAA community.

From the throw-in, Dunloy made their intent clear, seizing the initiative early. Within three minutes, they had opened their account with their first point from play. Oisin McCamphill quickly followed up with another point in the 6th minute to give the Dunloy men a solid early advantage.

Both teams enjoyed spells of possession in the opening quarter, but Dunloy made the most of their chances. In the 8th minute, a moment of brilliance from Barry McCloskey created the first goal of the game. His high, searching pass into the Creggan box was met by Daire McMullan, who punched the ball into the Creggan net to give Dunloy a 1:02 to 0:00 lead.

The goal seemed to awaken Creggan, and they responded with a flurry of points. Shea McCann got Creggan off the mark in the 12th minute with a well-taken point, followed by another from Conor Johnston shortly after. McCann added his second in the 23rd minute, as Creggan briefly found their rhythm, closing the gap to 1:02 to 0:03.

However, it was Dunloy who finished the half strongly. A couple of fine points from McCloskey extended their lead, and despite Creggan’s efforts, they went into the break trailing 1:04 to 0:03, with the Staffordstown side feeling somewhat frustrated after kicking five wides in the first half.

Creggan came out early for the second half, seemingly determined to make an impact, but it was Dunloy who resumed where they left off. Within 60 seconds, corner forward Oisin McCamphill extended their lead with a fine point from play.

Creggan managed to pull one back in the 36th minute, with Shea McCann converting a free from a tight angle 30 yards out, but it was their only score in a disappointing second half. Dunloy, comfortable in possession, absorbed Creggan’s pressure and then hit on the counter-attack, exposing the Creggan defence.

A standout moment came in the 46th minute when Dunloy intercepted a Creggan attack in their own half and broke at speed. The ball found its way to McCamphill, who finished expertly to score Dunloy’s second goal and effectively put the game beyond reach.

The remainder of the half was a stop-start affair, as Dunloy played the clock down while Creggan struggled to break through their well-organised defence. Dunloy conceded 11 frees in the second period, which slowed the tempo but did little to dampen their momentum.

When the final whistle blew, Dunloy had secured a comfortable and well-deserved victory by 2:09 to 0:04. Captain Aodhan McGarry lifted the 21B Championship trophy, marking a triumphant end to a fine campaign for the Dunloy U21s.

Dunloy team

1. Eoin O’Kane, 2. Cahir McMullan, 3. Michael Traynor, 4. Reece Cunning, 5. Tom McFerran, 6. Padraig Martin, 7. Jack Martin-McShane, 8. Luke McFerran, 9. Eoin McFerran, 10. Sean McAleese, 11. Aodhan McGarry, 12. Ben O’Kane, 13. Barry McCloskey, 14. Daire McMullan, 15. Oisin McCallin.

Creggan team

1. Joel Dudley, 2. Peadar McGuckian, 3. Odhran Hampsey, 4. Caolan Hughes, 5. Anton Martin, 6. Sean McAuley, 7. Liam McLernon, 8. Cillian McLarnon, 9. Tristan McCann, 10. Fintan Close, 12. Oisin McAteer, 13. Conor Johnston, 15. Shea McCann, 19. Ronan McGuckian, 20. Aiden McElwee.

Subs: 11. Sean Duffin, 14. Cian Graffin, 16. Conor Loughran, 17. Peter McGinley, 21. Sean Daly, 22. Dara McCann, 23. Matthew Donaghy, 24. Shea Devlin, 25. Ryan McGrath, 26. Callum McTeague

TO SEE MORE OF CLAIRE FAWL’S PICC CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/GBNxY6qXouwCbe

U21A Football Final

Sunday 10^th November 2024

Con Magee Gaels 2-07   Naomh Gall 1-14

Report by Niall Kelly

St Gall’s avenged their U20 final heartbreak of three years ago against the same opposition with a four-point win in this year’s U21 Football showpiece. They were imperious in possession throughout and ruthless with any opportunity in front of the posts with Daniel Quinn and Barra McCaffrey spearheading them to victory. The difference in the end was to be Naomh Gall’s ability to be patient and purposeful in possession alongside their rapid transitions on the counterattack.

It was nip and tuck throughout. There was never going to be much in it with these two teams as they’ve been so hard to separate in previous years and today was no different. Glenravel will certainly reflect on a few squandered scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half, which could’ve led to a totally different outcome had they been converted.

Naomh Gall opened proceedings in scintillating fashion as it seemed everything they touched turned to gold. They established a five-point lead with ten played as Daniel Quinn and Liam Lynn saw their efforts sail over the bar before Barra McCaffrey dealt an early dagger blow on the ninth minute with an expertly despatched goal from an incisive counterattack.

Glenravel will have been scratching their heads in this opening ten-minute period as they created ample avenues of attack but just couldn’t get the conversions right which ultimately was their downfall in the end. 

The men from the tenth glen eventually opened their account thanks to two well-taken frees from either flank with Daire Higgins and Shea Ó’Broin on target as the half reached the midway point.

There was now more of a spring in the Glenravel step, and they were enjoying more time on the ball as they seemingly had found their rhythm. Cormac McKeown was both the orchestrator and finisher of a flowing move which narrowed the gap to two on the eighteenth minute and the forecast looked a little brighter for the men in green.

However, every time it appeared as though Glenravel were negotiating their way back in  proceedings, St Gall’s always seemed to have an answer. The Milltown men began then to seamlessly transition through the gears enjoying an excellent end to the half hitting their opponents for five in succession. Quinn and McCaffrey were in the thick of it as usual with the later striking two of them before Callum Walsh’s bustling run forward was rewarded with another. Aodhan Mullan’s bearings were spot on as he expertly converted a forty five on the thirty minute mark.

Trailing by seven and with the short whistle imminent, Glenravel were in desperate need of a score and some sort of foothold even to keep it at a two score game. With the last kick of the half, Shea Ó’Broin pointed an audacious effort from the placed ball from some 50 metres out for the men in green to leave the score 1-07 to 0-04 at the break.

With a steady slope to climb, Glenravel started the second period in the best possible way as Fergus Donaghy’s effort soared over the bar to narrow the gap further and there seemed to be a bit more of a swagger in their play.

Yet again though, Naomh Gall responded in a positive fashion with Daniel Quinn on hand to put the finishing gloss on a superbly worked score. Padraig Óg Muirigh then got his first of the afternoon after some intricate approach play involving Callum Walsh and Quinn.

With a handsome seven-point lead intact, it appeared that Naomh Gall would cruise home but a gallant Glenravel had other ideas as they put their opponents to the sword in search of a comeback. Indeed, the Glensmen had an ace up their sleeve and the introduction of county talisman Ryan McQuillan, making his way back from injury, wrestled momentum back in their favour.

The lively Shea Ó’Broin was unlucky to see his effort whizz over the crossbar instead of under it before McQuillan announced his arrival to the fray with a curling effort moments later. With the game entering its final quarter, the men in green forged themselves a lifeline as they finally grabbed that all-elusive major. Callum Higgins’ high ball in caused pandemonium in the St Gall’s defence and somehow it managed to bounce all the way through into the net. Fortuitous as it may have been, Glenravel were back in business, or so it seemed.

In what was a recurrent theme though, St Gall’s composure never faltered as they flexed their muscles going forward again in the face of adversity. An excellent point from corner back Dubhaltach MacLiam steadied the ship before Muirigh (2) and Quinn added to their tallies to reestablish a comfortable lead.

Glenravel refused to lie down and rallied bravely though as Eamonn Ward found himself baring down on the St Gall’s full-back line but Ciaran Óg Mullan thwarted his effort standing tall in goal. With only five to go, they frantically foraged for a goal-scoring opportunity and when Peader McDonnell was pushed to the ground in the square, a penalty was the verdict. Ryan McQuillan made no mistake with his execution sending Mullan the wrong way. Three minutes to go with three in it. Game on again it seemed.

However, the composure that the men in blue demonstrated in the closing stages was testament to their management team as they took the sting out of the game with prolonged periods of possession. Try as they might, Glenravel just couldn’t seem to highjack possession and when the impressive McCaffrey pointed his second of the afternoon, it gave St Gall’s that all-important insurance score.

Con Magee’s continued to bomb forward in injury time and created a few half-chances but today was just not to be their day as Paul Burn’s final whistle sparked jubilant scenes with a sea of blue taking to the pitch.

Credit to both sides for a captivating final. Glenravel can keep their heads held high as on another day, it could’ve been them hoisting the trophy aloft. Their resilience was second to none as they refused to accept defeat right until the end. With many of this crop plying their trade in senior football, the future is certainly bright at Father Maginn Park. For St Gall’s, it is a similar situation. Many of today’s starting fifteen form the backbone of their senior panel. Their calmness in possession and running off the ball was exceptional. When their backs were against the wall, their threat on the counter was an ominous proposition throughout. Congratulations to them and I’m sure the celebrations will go long into the night.

Teams:

Con Magee’s Glenravel

D Carey; N Dickson, N Hynds, A Campbell; C Mooney, D McQuillan, E Ward; C Higgins (1-00,) S McAuley; F Donaghy (0-01,) S O’Broin (0-03,) C Ward; C McKeown (0-01,) F Hodgson, D Higgins (0-01)

Substitute scorer

Ryan McQuillan (1-01)

Naomh Gall

C Óg Mullan; D MacLiam (0-01,) L Lynn (0-01,) C Hale; G MacAdhaimh, E Walsh, C Walsh (0-01;) C Smyth, D Quinn (0-05) P Óg Muirigh (0-03,) C McGirr, B McCaffrey (1-02;) A Mullan (0-01,) M McCrossan, N Falloon

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/8EaKpafvh5Bkz7

St Paul’s have just launched the dates and times for the annual fonaCab Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament, which gets underway on Saturday 23^rd of November when Antrim champions St Brigid’s take on O’Donovan Rossa of Magherafelt at Colaiste Feirste with a throw-in time of 5pm.

The 41st running of this great tournament, which is sponsored once again by fonaCAB, sees the Minor champions of each of Ulster’s nine counties battle it out for the prestigious Jim McConville Cup. The semi-finals, which are played on Sunday 22^nd of December and on Boxing Day always draw big crowds, while the New Year’s Day final is always a big hit with GAA fans around the province. This year the tournament reverts back to Under 18, after a brief sojurn at Under 17, something local teams have been calling for since the switchover back in 2017,

Last season’s champions Four Masters of Donegal will be back to defend the trophy they won twelve months ago and with virtually the same personel featuring because of the age change. they are hotly fancied to retain their title. The Donegal boys will take on Scotstown of Monaghan in the quarter-final of Sunday 8^th December at St Paul’s.

The preliminary round sees Down champions Mayobridge take on Kingscourt of Cavan with the winners to meet Tyrone champions Fr Rocks of Cookstown in the quarter-final.

The Tyrone winners were absent from last year’s competition but are thankfully back in action this time around. Irvinestown of Fermanagh and Clann Eireann of Armagh meet in the quarter-final on Sunday 1^st December on the 3G pitch down at Colaiste Feirste, as do Antrim champions St Brigids and Derry kingpins O’Donovan Rossa who get the competition underway next Saturday at 5pm on Colaiste Feirste’s 3G pitch.  

At the launch of the tournament a couple of weeks ago club secretary Conor McCartan said “It is great to launch another year of the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament, supported by Belfast City Council. The tournament has gone from strength to strength over the past decade and it is a testament to the prestige of the tournament that minor footballers all over the province wish to compete in it.

“We are delighted to have some clubs returning from last year, including St Molaise, Magherafelt and the reigning champions Four Masters from Donegal. The draw has thrown up some mouth-watering ties, particularly Antrim champions St Brigid’s versus Magherafelt and Four Masters versus Scotstown and we can’t wait to get started.”

Caroline McLaughlin, CLG Naomh Pól chairperson, added: “CLG Naomh Pól is delighted to officially launch the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football 2024. CLG Naomh Pól is delighted to officially launch the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football 2024. This tournament is held in the highest regard by gaels across Ulster and Ireland and it is great to see the buzz about CLG Naomh Pól, participating clubs and communities across the province since we have be given the approval.

“Our thanks to all at Ulster Schools and Ulster GAA for the continued support in facilitating this year’s tournament which is back to the traditional U18 age grade.”

William McCausland, CEO of sponsors fonaCAB, added: “fonaCAB is delighted to be involved with the fantastic Ulster Minor Football Tournament and wish CLG Naomh Pól and all participating clubs the best of luck throughout the Christmas and New Year period.”

Armagh City Hotel Ulster Camogie senior club championship semi-final

Clonduff (Down) 1-14 Loughgiel (Antrim) 6-13

Match report by the Saffron Gael with photos from Michael Corcoran at Clonduff Park

In a tightly contested first half ending in just one point of a difference, Clonduff 1-09 Loughgiel 2-7, Loughgiel would reach deep into their war chest in the second half and drew out their big event experience to deliver a volley of goals that stunned Clonduff and put the game beyond any doubt of a Shamrock win.

Ironically it was the first half that seen Loughgiel on the ropes at times, as Clonduff stepped up to dominate play in periods, leaving the Hilltown fans wondering could this be the upset they were hoping for. Despite winning the toss and having an element of the breeze on their backs, Loughgiel seemed overly focused on scoring early goals rather than finding the ball net, but once the Antrim County champions found their stride, the half time whistle was nothing more than a pause in their game plan.

Clonduff opened the game with determination and strength that held Loughgiel back from advancing deep into the scoring zone, and scored the first three points, one from a 45 from O’Hagan and two from Sara Louise Graffin, just inside the first four minutes.

However, by the 10^th minute, Loughgiel swung the game that left Clonduff trailing by three points. Initially, Loughgiel’s Anna Connolly’s point was followed with two from Lucia McNaughton and then Connolly sent Roisin McCormick blazing through for a one on one with goalie Cassie Fitzpatrick, the sliotar finding the net from close range.

Clonduff instigated a recovery using their three prominent players, O’Hagan and the Carr sisters. By the 20th minute they were just a point down, 0-7 to 1-5 and then Sara Louise Graffin sent O’Hagan through to find the corner of Loughgiel’s net.

A few minutes later the game had an element of drama as Christine McCloskey reached low to grab a dying sliotar allegedly off the ground, an almost impossible call for referee Sean Curran, but McCloskey wouldt ake the advantage and sent McCormick through, drilling the sliotar past goalkeeper Fitzpatrick.

Although Clonduff benefited from late points from Orla Gribben and Paula O’Hagan, Curran’s half time whistle saw the teams run in at Clonduff 1-9 Loughgiel 2-7.

It was Clonduff’s turn to benefit from playing down the pitch on the restart, with what looked like a slight increase in the breeze, but Clonduff weren’t even able to buy luck today as Loughgiel’s Annie Lynn lengthened her stride for the point and as it dropped viciously down out of the air, it beat Fitzpatrick, dropping in over her head for the goal.

Worse was to follow from the poc out when a tactical move involving McCormick and Lucia McNaughton ended with Katie McKillop firing to the net. McKillop, who hasn’t been prominent in recent games, featured well today and posed a continual threat to Clonduff in her full forward roll.

More drama would develop in the game, as McCormick’s 45 dropped short that had the hall marks of a lob, but was blocked out into the path of an alert Caitrin Dobbin, sweeping the sliotar to the roof of the net. It was now 5-7 to 1-10 and the game was all but over. To their credit, Clonduff remained engaged and alert, looking to create opportunities and close the gap, but a tenacious Loughgiel defence, with solid performances from Clare McKillop, Ciara Laverty and Emma McFadden, would deny Clonduff any hope of developing anything substantial withing 40 metres.

Tracking in on Clonduff’s goal area, much to the groans from of some of the fans, Loughgiel’s Caitrin Dobbin won a penalty in the 45^th minute as she was impeded. McCormick stepped up, eyed inside the left post and despite a brave stretch by Fitzpatrick, completed her hat-trick.  In the last fifteen minutes of the game, O’Hagan, split the posts four times, with Loughgiel replying with five excellent efforts from play to set up a final against Derry Camogie County champions, Swatragh on Saturday 16^th November.

Clonduff will gain from today’s encounter in the long run. Their championship run in the Down fixtures, whilst immensely competitive, couldn’t have fully prepared them for today’s game, where their opponents have annually built on the benefits from exposure to provincial and All Ireland games.

Loughgiel starting panel and scorers

 E Boyle, C McKillop, K Lynn, C Laverty, M O’Hara, E McFadden, M McGarry, A Boyle, A Connolly (0-1), C McCloskey Capt (0-2), L McNaughton (0-2), A Lynn (1-1), K McKillop (1-1), R McCormick (3-5, 1-0 pen, 0-3 fs), C Dobbin (1-0).

Subs: F McVeigh for M O’Hara (43), A McKillop for C Dobbin (48), S Deery for C McClockey (55), O Laverty (0-1) for R McCormick (55)

Clonduff starting panel and scorers

C Fitzpatrick, K Morgan, J Boden, I O’Hare, C Kearney, B Fitzpatrick, E Rafferty, N McConville, C McGilligan Capt, E Shields, SL Graffin (0-3), O McCusker, P O’Hagan (1-9, 0-4 fs), F Carr (0-1 f), O Gribben (0-1).

Subs: C Byrne for N McConville (19), N McConville for O McCusker (23), A Morgan for N McConville (38), T Savage for K Morgan (59)

Don’t forget to enjoy all of our photos in the Saffron albums on a large screen such as a laptop or tablet. Click on a photo to see it larger, look at the album as either a photo book or web pages and you can order a copy online as a keep’s sake.

https://myalbum.com/album/u4L8NvvHDB2FZ9/?invite=d255c6e9-e8b5-41c0-b464-fe68fe6d441d

Follow Michael G Corcoran @keep_clickin on X (formerly Twitter) for match Gifs when available.

Follow The Saffron Gael @TheSaffronGael on X for links to match reports.

AIB Ulster Club Junior Hurling – Quarter Final

Rasharkin 4-23 Sean Treacy’s 0-13

Saturday 2 November 

Brendan McTaggart reports from the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Armagh

Rasharkin’s Ulster odyssey began in spectacular fashion on Saturday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of Sean Treacy’s in Armagh.  It was a top performance from the Antrim champions who put on a show from the first whistle.

The trio of Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop and Conor McKeever did the majority of the damage on the scoreboard, combining to register 4-16 between them which is remarkable in itself.  When you factor in some of the interplay between them and their team mates, the men from Dreen were mighty impressive.

Goals came at regular intervals with Quigg bagging majors in either half while McKeever and McKillop also found the back of the net.

With a 17 point lead at half time, it was about seeing out the second half with no major dramas.  Team manager Brendan McMullan emptied his bench to give his panel experience of playing at this level and they cruised through the second half.

The first goal of the game came in the 4^th minute with what was the first score.  Sean Treacy’s had made a bright start and James O’Mullan was called into action moments before Quigg broke the line to fire into the net.

Rasharkin had built a seven point lead by the mid point of the first half with McKeever, McKillop and Quigg all finding their range before McKeever scored his sides second goal.  Tiernan O’Boyle delivered the sliotar long towards the corner where Quigg collected.  He spotted the run of McKeever from deep who broke the line and finished superbly.  It was a brilliant run from the Rasharkin man only matched by the vision of Quigg to pick the pass. 

The men from Dreen kept the scoreboard ticking and opened further daylight as the Lurgan side just had no answer in an opening half that saw them blitzed.

They did test out the goal keeping ability in the 23^rd minute when Reece Magee and Patrick Kane went close but ‘Brucey’ was equal to their efforts with a quite brilliant double save showing outstanding bravery.

Leading 2-16 to 0-5, Rasharkin made a slow start to the second half but there was no pressure coming from the Armagh champions who never looked like making an unlikely comeback.

Donagh Quigg bagged his second and Rasharkin’s third goal when he showed the Sean Treacy’s defence a clean pair of heels and finished from an acute angle to give Caolan McCann no chance between the sticks.

22 points was the gap midway through the second half when McKillop found the back of the Sean Treacy’s net.  Gathering the sliotar 20 yards from goal, McKillop unleased a pile driver that was just too hot for McCann in goals.  He got his hurl to the sliotar but such was the force of McKillop’s shot, the sliotar crossed the line.

The closing quarter was played with less fluency, no surprise given the number of substitutions that were made.  Rasharkin continued to impress, playing an expansive brand of hurling and look forward to a meeting with East Cavan Gaels in the semi final who accounted for Omagh St Enda’s by a score line of  6-10 to 1-14.

TEAMS
Rasharkin: James O’Mullan; Daniel Doherty, Conor Doherty, Connaire Doherty; Ruairi O’Boyle, Aiden McKeever, Tiernan O’Boyle; Shane Hasson, Conor McFerran; Cathir Henderson, Emmett McFerran, Conor McKeever; Donagh Quigg, Conor McKillop, Declan McKay

Subs: Conor Higgin for R O’Boyle (42); Daniel Hasson for S Hasson (42); Caolan Maria for D Doherty (47); Terry McGregor for C McKillop (51); Brian Og O’Neill for D McKay (51)

Scorers: C McKeever 1-9 (5fs 2’65s); D Quigg 2-3; C McKillop 1-4; S Hasson 0-2; C McFerran 0-2; T O’Boyle 0-1; C Henderson 0-1; B Og O’Neill 0-1

Sean Treacy’s: Caolan McCann; Marcus Magee, Gabriel Basara, Ciaran McCann; Conan Patterson, Ryan Stewart, Patrick Scullion; Tam McKavanagh, Jack Anderson; Reece Magee, Kane Laverty, Thomas McMorrow; Conor Carabine, Anthony Carville, Patrick Kane

Subs: Neil Corey for T McMorrow (27); Declan Maher for P Kane (45); David Conway for C McCann (49); Terry Grimley for J Anderson (60)

Scorers: C Carabine 0-6 (4fs); A Carville 0-3; R Magee 0-2; N Corey 0-1; D Maher 0-1

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan)

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/iAZ73J2ThRXd78/?invite=50937426-122b-4b4f-8f29-b2b7c6fa9772

.