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by thesaffrongael

Antrim avoid Dire Straits playing Sultans of Swing in the second half

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Championship

Westmeath 4-04 Antrim 5-09

Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO, Michael Corcoran

Torrential downpours across portions of Saturday’s game defined scoring conditions as visibility dropped to mere metres at times, grips were saturated and underfoot was slippy but it it didn’t detract from the intensity of the match. Attempts to float the heavy sliotar through a curtain of rain for points were far and few between, as both sides opted to play safe and go low.

It was Westmeath that leveraged those conditions early in the game and amidst a sprinkling of chaos in the Antrim defence, Westmeath found themselves two goals up after fifteen minutes before Antrim came back with a Nicole McAtamney penalty, as referee Karol Collins agreed Caitrin Dobbin was pulled to the ground on her advance to goal.

Westmeath making their presence known in Saturday’s epic game in Cusack Park

Antrim looked like they had steadied the ship at 2-02 apiece, points from Lucia McNaughton and Maeve Kelly as McAtamney struck again from a free that tucked itself under the bar for her second green flag but Westmeath had their share of luck too, as a high dropping ball bounced out of the hand of Antrim’s keeper for their third of the game at twenty eight minutes gone.

Antrim’s Katie Molloy battles the elements during a torrential downpour

Unrelenting rain was the hallmark of the second half and Westmeath wasted no time in puncturing Antrim’s net with their fourth goal from a delicate pass into Julie McLoughlin, but Antrim were about to swing their fortunes and the appearance of Roisin McCormick from the bench would send Westmeath into turmoil, infusing skills with pushing forward, feeding Katie Molloy and Caitrin Dobbin, Dobbin enjoying two goals, one of those from a Katie Molloy Annie Lynn genesis and onto McCormick. McCormick would announce her presence quietly at first, cruising two frees over Westmeath’s bar before becoming a handful for Westmeath.

Caitrin Dobbin takes aim for one of her goals against Westmeath

One of Dobbin’s goals came from a tenacious read of Westmeath’s puck out by McCormick as the dud ball slammed short, picking it up and offloading into Dobbin for her goal. A buoyant Antrim had four goals in the bag and McCormick was about to be rewarded with her own goal to register five on the scoreboard for Antrim with nine points gathered up from McCormick, Dobbin, Kelly and two from McAtamney to Westmeath’s 4 goals and four points, Westmeath only managing to score 1-02 in the second half speaks volumes of Antrim’s swing in fortunes as they continued to keep the sliotar forward and ground down any advance from Westmeath.

Making the difference, Roisin McCormick picking out a fellow player to advance Antrim’s score

Despite Collins adding on four extra minutes, Westmeath were unable to make good of those precious minutes and Antrim walked in 5-09 to 4-04, a tough but well won three points, facing Meath now on Saturday 21st June in Loughgiel.

Westmeath Panel and scorers

Aoife Corcoran, Emily McCabe, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Claire Gaffney, Katie Coleman, Roisín Scally, Laura Doherty, Caoimhe McCrossan 0-02 (1f), Aoife O’Malley, Karen Keegan, Áine Newman, Hannah Core 0-01, Meadbh McLoughlin 1-01, Julie McLoughlin 2-00, Olivia Kelleghan 1-00

Anna Weir, Fiona Keating, Ciara Corcoran, Katie Penrose, Reanna Kennedy, Eva Cawley, Kate Whyte, Rebecca O’Neill, Mary Geraghty, Muireann Scally, Holly Dowdall, Caoimhe McCormack

Antrim panel and scorers

Becky Ellis, Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Erin Coulter, Sarah O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty, Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney 2-02, Maeve Kelly 0-02, Eavanne Martin, Lucia McNaughton 0-02, Cassie McArthur, Katie Molloy, Caitrín Dobbin 2-01

Caitriona Graham, Dearbhail Dobbin, Katie Rose Bell, Sarah Fyfe, Niamh Neeson, Janey McIntosh, Emer Johnston, Roisín McCormick 1-03 (2f), Aisling O’Donnell, Annie Lynn, Orlaith McAllister, Fionnuala Kelly, Dervla Cosgrove, Collen Patterson

You can view more photos from Saturday’s game here…

https://myalbum.com/album/jSpbNsNZLggczJ/?invite=12656bd3-83da-4da6-8af4-b0fb7b7c3955

by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s All Ireland campaign continues with round 2 against Westmeath in Mullingar

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Championship Group 1 Round 2 

Westmeath v Antrim in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar Saturday 14th June, throw-in 2pm 

Saturday’s championship game promises to be an exciting proposition between two sides that have already met in a Very league game in Ballycastle, Saturday 1st Match 2025. On that occasion, Antrim chose to run off the bench first with only a handful of the regular starting panel weighing in with their experience. That was part of the Coulter-McCormick move to give starting time to ‘blood’ the younger players.  

Antrim’s Dervla Cosgrove came on late in the game but after settling in, got Antrim on their winning way

Westmeath were matched 0-04 to 0-04 at the short whistle, but running off the bench in the second half, it was Dervla Cosgrove’s goal in the 45th minute that allowed Antrim to drift ahead by a comfortable six points, however Westmeath’s, Caoimhe McCrossan, pinned Antrim back from a series of frees and once the gap was reduced to three points, Westmeath went hunting for the green flag putting Antrim’s deep defence of Dearbhail Dobbin, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton and goalkeeper, Becky Ellis to the test. Despite the pressure, that goal never came, and Antrim walked into the changing rooms 1-09 to Westmeath’s 0-09 at the final whistle.  

Westmeath’s Caoimhe McCrossan was influential from placed balls in March

Antrim’s starting squad will therefore prove pivotal in Saturday’s game, and with Antrim’s depth in recent times, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Coulter-McCormick will roll with the core squad and keep a few finishers on the bench to be called up at the right moment in the game. And what about Westmeath? Their All Ireland campaign got off to a shaky start, with Meath getting the upper hand in a round one game ending Westmeath 2-08 Meath 3-15 in Cusack Park. If Antrim offers a tough encounter, the Lake County will have to come off the ropes to face Offaly in round three, but for now, they’ll play it one game at a time. 

Westmeath went flag hunting in the latter minutes of the game in March but Antrim’s defence held firm for the win

TEG Cusack Park, Friar’s Mill Road, Mullingar will no doubt offer itself up as a venue worthy of an All Ireland encounter but in comparison to the stadium’s opening ceremony, it’s unlikely the match referee, Karol Collins, will drop a ball in from a low flying airplane; the weather forecast though offers up some certainty with light winds, a chance of light rain but warm nonetheless. Will it be a factor? We’ll have to wait and see. 

You can get your match ticket here…

https://www.universe.com/events/glen-dimplex-intermediate-championship-westmeath-v-antrim-tickets-F68C04?ref=universe-discover

by thesaffrongael

Allianz Aontroim Cumann na mBunscol Finals Day


Schools from the 3 districts that make up Antrim Cumann na mBunscol gathered at St. Louis Grammar school in Ballymena on Monday to decide the destination of 4 All County 7s titles. The various teams were welcomed across the day by Cumann na mBunscol representative Jim Brady who congratulated them all on being district winners and therefore reaching the County Finals Day.

First up was the Girls’ Football competition. Representing NA, and appearing in the event for the first time, were St. Brigid’s PS Ballymoney. Joining them were South West representatives St. Mary’s PS Portglenone and St. Anne’s PS Belfast. After an excellent hour of competition the girls from the banks of the Bann came through as winners and team captain Aine McErlean lifted the trophy.



Referee Brendan Toland had barely time to check his notes as the Camogie competition swiftly took centre stage. Joining the above-mentioned St. Mary’s and St Anne’s in this competition were the NA champions, St. Patrick’s & St. Brigid’s PS from Ballycastle. It proved a very worthwhile journey for the young camogs from the seaside town as they emerged as winners after a very competitive final game against St. Mary’s Portglenone. Team captain Isla McKendry was presented with the silverware following her team’s win.



Hurling took centre stage next with 3 new teams involved. Representing Belfast were St. John the Baptist PS and they were joined by St. Anne’s PS Corkey and Mt. St. Michael’s PS from Randalstown. As the section played out the “final” game emerged as the decider with St. Patrick’s and St. John the Baptist doing battle for the title with the boys from Corkey winning the tightest of games. Team captain James McMahon was presented with the cup at the end of this enthralling game.



Finally the boys of St. Joseph’s PS Dunloy, St. Patrick’s PS Rasharkin and St. Bride’s PS Belfast battled for the remaining football silverware. A competitive competition again produced a final pairing of the Belfast champions v South West winners. In a nip and tuck final St. Bride’s emerged victorious over St. Patrick’s. Team captain Sean McGrath lifted the cup for his victorious side.

Thanks from all involved go to our referee Brendan Toland, to Mr. Gillan and Marty from St. Louis Grammar school for making all of the arrangements and for the use once again of their fantastic facilities and to Bert from Saffron Gael who remained on site until the final ball was kicked some 4.5 hrs after the competition started. A special word of thanks to our 4 umpires, pupils from the school, who remained at their posts (excuse the pun) diligently throughout the day.   

Each competition produced a player of the tournament with those selected being:

Girls Football: Bella Scullion (St. Mary’s PS)

Camogie: Aoibh McCloskey (St. Patrick’s & St. Brigid’s)

Hurling: Eddie McIvor (Mt. St. Michael’s PS)/ Brendan Murtagh (St. Anne’s Corkey)

Boys’ Football: Conan Graham (St. Bride’s PS)

TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PHOTOS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/Adaz2JRKa8keHr/?invite=f8b41764-ab53-4ca9-8b07-1780070a2afd

by thesaffrongael

Ruairi Og convining winners in Darragh Cup semi

Darragh Cup semi-final – North Antrim Minor Hurling

Cushendall 3-23 Glenariffe-Glenravel 0-08

Ruairi Og will host Loughgiel in the final of the Darragh Cup after scoring an emphatic win over Glenariffe-Glenravel in Friday evening’s semi-final at Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall.

The home team were on top for most of the game and were 1-14 to 0-04 ahead at the interval after a dominant first half. They continued to hold the upper hand during the second and were runaway winners by the end.

Glenariffe-Glenravel took an early lead through a Niall McKeown point and after Fiontan Bradley and Cahir McCambridge came back with points, they drew level when Christy Leech pointed on seven minutes.

The remainder of the first half was mostly one way traffic as Cushendall pressed home their advantage as Bradley, Oran McCambridge, Cahir McCambridge and Thomas McLaughin fired over points, Bradley adding a goal in the eleventh minute. Oisin Gillan pulled a point back for Glenariffe-Glenravel on twenty minutes but Bradley and co kept sending over the scores and by half time they were leading by 1-14 to 0-04, Gillan also adding the visitors other point.

Despite missing a good few chances just after half time Cushendall stretched their lead with points from Bradley and McLaughlin. Ronan Magee and Oisin Gillan pulled a couple back for Glenariffe-Glenravel but it was merely token resistance as Cushendall kept piling on the scores on their way to a convincing win.

The will play the winners of the other semi-final, Loughgiel, next weekend in what promises to be a great contest

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

https://myalbum.com/album/gBLVTnEEDvMyXh/?invite=ed468397-bb59-4869-81d6-cb86d740c646

by thesaffrongael

Sperrin hold the upper hand in Corn Cuchullain final

Danske Bank Corn Cúchulainn final

Sperrin Integrated Magherafelt 2-12 St Benedict’s Randalstown 0-9

Sperrin Integrated College Magherafelt won the Danske Bank Corn Cúchulainn title when they beat St Benedict’s Randalstown in Friday’s final at Moneyglass. The Magherafelt school, who had six Antrim players in their starting line-up, were in command for most of the game, but St Benedict’s gave it their all and deserve great credit for contributing to an entertaining game.

Sperrin started strongly and were 0-04 to 0-01 by the end of the opening quarter and it could have been more had St Benedict’s goalkeeper Kyron Shannon not turned a goal bound shot by Charlie Neely over the crossbar.

Midfielder Corey Dowie and corner forward Ryan McCann settled the Randalstown school with two good points but Sperrin were holding the upper hand and further points from centre forward Josh McQueen and right half forward Jayden Henry pulled them clear before Joe Connolly delivered a killer blow when he found the net before the interval.

Sperrin started the second half where they left off in the first and two quick points from the excellent McQueen stretched their advantage but St Benedict’s stayed in touch when Oisin Neeson came back with a point. However the writing was on the wall when Sperrin got through for their second goal when James McCann found the net soon afterwards and there was no way back for the Randalstown school.

To their credit they kept battling away and added five more points during the final quarter, but the day belonged to Sperrin who went on to win their first title and spark great scenes of celebration.

Sperrin College, Magherafelt who beat st Benedicts Randalstown in the final of the Corn Cuchullain Cup at Moneyglass. Pic by John McIlwaine

Sperrin: J Connolly 1-2, J McCann 1-0, J McQueen 0-5, 2 frees, J Henry 0-3, D Maguire and C Neely 0-1 each.

St Benedict’s: R McCann 0-3, 2 frees, C Dowie (1 free) and T Neeson 0-2 each, O Neeson and C Letters 0-1 each

Sperrin: Milowz Witowski, Lewis McNamee, Ryan McKay, Harris Davison, Riley Cooke, Conleith Bradley, James McCann, Daniel Maguire, Alexa Smadrjic, Jayden Henry, Corey McMullan, Joe Connolly, Conree Muldoon, Josh McQueen, Charlie Neely

Sub used: Leo Purvis

St Benedict’s: Kyran Shannon, Patrick O’Boyle, Oisin Sisk, Conan Lemon, Odhran O’Neill, Cadhan Letters, Ciarán Redmond, Corey Dowie capt, Ethan McLaverty, Oisin Neeson, Dillon Loughran, Freddie Perks, Eoin Carey, Thomas Neeson, Ryan McCann

Subs used: Sean Convery, David Iheanetu, Daniel McAreevy, Rory Martin

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

https://myalbum.com/album/fsFJdSPC9StYBd/?invite=c8873b74-7ef3-46d1-8ae4-298016b9ee78