by thesaffrongael

Long wait over for Loch Mor Dal gCais

Junior B Hurling Championship final

Mor Dal gCais 2-16 Latharna Og 0-6

The long wait is over for Loch Mor Dal gCais. On Saturday at Slemish Park in Ballymena they claimed their first senior hurling title when they recorded a convincing victory over Latharna Og from Larne.

Perhaps the absence of a trophy over many years played on the minds of the eventual winners but they took a long time to settle as they were forced into errors by a strong tackling Latharna Og who gave as good as they got during the opening half and would probably fancied their chancers when they closed the gap to the minimum just after the second half got under way.

That was perhaps the wakeup call the men from around the Loch shore needed as they found several higher gears for the remainder of the contest to totally dominate the exchanges and run out convincing winners.

Darragh Turley sends over a Loch Mor point

The opening half was fragmented and scrappy and it was Larne who made the better opening with Ryan O’Donnell dropping an early ‘65’ short before firing over from a similar effort to  give his side the lead with 2 minutes gone.

Loch Mor replied through Christopher Robb and a massive free from Bailey Graham to edge in front by the 5th minute but Ron Millar responded at the other end to leave it all square again with 12 minutes on the clock.

Darragh Turley finally got his name on the score sheet to edge Loch Mor back in front but they were being knocked out of their stride by a tough tackling Larne side who drew level again through a Conor Matthews free.

Matthews edged Latharna Og ahead for the second time and his third point of the half after 25 minutes restored their lead once more after Turley had converted a free from 55 meters at the other end.

Darragh Turley had been well contained but he began to have a greater influence on matters in the period leading up to half time and he hit a great point to level matters once more and followed another one from Matthew Jones to leave his side 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the short whistle.

The sea-sider’s would have been fairly happy with their first half performance but probably felt they could have been closer and when they struck the opening point of the second half through a Conor Matthews free it all appeared to be going to plan.

Two minutes later the game swung significantly in favour of Loch Mor Dal gCais however when a long delivery from Bailey Graham broke favourably to Declan Phillips and his astute pass across goal was batted home from close range by Ferdia Carson.

Ferdia Carson finishes from close range vfor Loch Mor’s second goal

Darragh Turley added a pointed free and then Christopher Robb picked the pocket of his marker before sending over and the Loch shore side were six ahead with only nine minutes of the new half gone.

Robb followed with another excellent point as space began to open up for the men in Maroon & Green who were now moving the ball at speed and accuracy and Latharna Og were finding it difficult to keep in touch.

They were still battling hard but were thankful to their keeper, Darra Kerr who pulled off a couple of good stops as their opponent started to turn the screw.

Darragh Turley added another pointed free before Christopher Robb got in for the second goal and it was as good as over with still 10 minutes plus injury time to play.

Matthew Jones got in on the scoring act and Turley tagged on three superb points from play as Loch Mor pushed home their advantage. The same player concluded his side’s scoring as the game moved into injury time before Latharna Og’s never say die attitude looked like being rewarded.

A last ditch period of attack saw referee Chris Brown spread his hands to indicate a penalty award and up stepped Cathal McKillop to take the free but Loch Mor keeper, Martin Robb dived to his right to save the penalty.

There were scenes of celebration after the whistle when spectators joined their heroes on the Slemish Park pitch as Sean O’Reilly from the CCC presented the Junior B Championship cup to Loch Mor captain, James Magorran.

Barry Petticrew tidies up at the back for Latharna Og

Magorran was excellent at the heart of a solid Loch Mor defence in front of keeper, Martin Robb whose son Christopher impressed at the other end of the field where he led his lines well at full-forward.

Darragh Turley, when he finally shook off the shackles of the Larne defence was superb for the winners in a side that all played their part.

Larne had a reliable keeper in Dara Kerr and Barry Petticrew and Cathal McKillop in defence, Ryan O’Donnell at mid-field and Conor Matthews in attack were best for a Latharna Og side who quite simply have not played enough hurling this year.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/tc9AoWznYpPUh9

by thesaffrongael

Bradley and McNulty save Johnnies at the death

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Quarter Final

St John’s 2-15 Rossa 0-20

Saturday 20 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Naomh Éanna

A contest between the big two of the West that promised plenty and delivered on Saturday evening.  Super scores, brilliant saves, late goals and an unlikely hero.  In the end, St John’s lived to fight another day as they snatched a win from the jaws of defeat against Rossa with just the minimum separating the sides.

By the time referee Barry Winters called for time, there wasn’t many in attendance on the Hightown Road who could believe what they just saw in the closing stages.  With three minutes of injury time to be played, by the time the clock ticked into the third of them, Rossa led by three points.  In fairness to the Jeremiah’s, they controlled the second half and looked to be coasting to victory.

Michael Bradley cares not for anyone coasting nor Rossa victories.  A late substitution, Bradley had scored a point with his first touch, his second may possibly have been St John’s second goal.

Yet, while his goal was Roy of The Rovers material, the scene was set for a winner.  Step forward one Ryan McNulty.  The clock had ticked into the fifth minute of additional time when St John’s rolled the dice one more time.  They worked the sliotar superbly to find a man in shooting range and as McNulty took aim, the Johnnies held their breath.  He doesn’t score many, but McNulty knew he’d scored as soon as he hit the sliotar.  He celebrated, Rossa hearts sank and while there was time for one more play, St John’s had done enough.  Just.

Rossa overturned a two point half time deficit with a second half that they held St John’s to just three Shea Shannon frees for 25 minutes.  At the other end of the pitch, Deaglan Murphy was at his impish best from placed ball and open play while Eoin Trainor, Thomas Morgan and Tiarnan Murphy were all contributing to the Rossa cause.  St John’s weren’t getting much change from a brilliant Rossa half back line who were turning the majority of ball that came their way.  Gerard Walsh, Aodhan O’Brien and Stephen Beatty were immense and made the Johnnies dig deep to get this result.

Rossa had the better of the opening exchanges and held a three points to one lead by the fifth minute.  The Murphy brothers firing over with Declan McCartnety also splitting the uprights, Conor Johnston with the solitary score for the Johnnies.

The first goal of the contest came with just six minutes on the clock.  A brilliant move had Oisin Donnelly in space just to the left of the posts, he shot for goal only for Donal Armstrong to pull off an outstanding save.  The sliotar fell for Sean Wilson and while he couldn’t connect cleanly, Conor Johnston made no mistake from close range.

The major gave St John’s momentum and while Tiarnan Murphy split the posts for his second of the match for the next score, Aaron Bradley, Conor Johnston and Shannon (’65) put three between the sides.

Deaglan Murphy and McCartney reduced the St John’s lead to the minimum midway through the half but the Johnnies turned the screw at the other end to score five points unanswered in a little over seven minutes.  Shannon with three of those – two from frees and the other from a ’65 while Conal Bohill and Conor Johnston added to the Johnnies tally.  It could have been even better for the Corrigan Park side but Conor Johnston was denied a certain goal having been put through by Donal Carson.

Shannon’s ’65 in the 22nd minute was St John’s last score of the half however with Rossa sending over four unanswered scores of their own.  A brace of frees from Deaglan Murphy along with scores from Tiarnan Murphy and Dominic McEnhill bringing the St John’s lead to two points at the half time interval.

Despite Rossa dominating the closing stages of the half, they were indebted to Donal Armstrong once again when he denied Donal Carson from close range with a brave save.

St John’s started the second half on top but a series of wides looked to derail their charge and breathe life into Rossa.  Scores from the Murphy brothers restored parity to the sides with St John’s struggling for any fluency.  Rossa looked to have the momentum and kick on but a brace of frees from Shannon restored the Johnnies half time advantage by the 41st minute.

Rossa’s response looked to be match winning however.  Outscoring St John’s six points to one in a ten minute spell that saw the Jeremiah’s go into a three point lead for the first time in the game.  Scores coming from Morgan, Deaglan Murphy (3) and Eoin Trainor while Shannon had the sole response for St John’s.

Shannon landed his fourth point of the half to leave two between the sides but another Deaglan Murphy free looked to have done enough for Rossa as the clock ticked into the 60th minute.

Michael Bradley and Dominic McEnhill swapped scores in the 62nd minute before the second major came.  As a ruck formed close to half way, Conor Johnston collected the sliotar and took aim for the Rossa goals.  The sliotar dropped and as Rossa full back lost his footing.  Bradley missed the catch and with Armstrong rushing to close the angle, the St John’s forward had the presence of mind to just flick the sliotar over the line eight yards from goal.

There was still time for a winner and Conal Bohill thought he had it but his effort tailed to the left of the posts and wide.  All thoughts were turning to extra time when Wilson and MacManus combined to find McNulty in space.  55 yards out, just to the right of the posts, McNulty made no mistake.

An incredible ending to a game that Rossa looked to have done enough.  St John’s looked like a beaten docket in the second half, relying on Shannon’s frees but they dug deep and inflicted the type of defeat on Rossa that has come their way so often over the years.  They roll on to another meeting with Cushendall in two weeks time while Rossa will have the winter to contemplate what might have been.

TEAMS

ST JOHN’S: Domhnall Nugent; Ryan McNulty, Ciaran Johnston, Jack Bohill; Conal Morgan, Peter McCallin, Enda McGurk; Sean Wilson, Michail Dudley; Oisin Donnelly, Conor Johnston, Conall Bohill; Donal Carson, Shea Shannon, Aaron Bradley

Subs: Oisin MacManus for M Dudley (39); Michael Bradley for D Carson (54); Ronan Donnelly for P McCallin (60+3)

Scorers: S Shannon 0-8 (5f, 2’65); Conor Johnston 1-3; M Bradley 1-1; A Bradley 0-1; R McNulty 0-1

ROSSA: Donal Armstrong; Ciaran Orchin, Joe Mulholland, Niall Crossan; Gerard Walsh, Aodhan O’Brien, Stephen Beatty; Christopher McGuinness, Diarmuid Rogan; Dominic McEnhill, Declan McCartney, Deaglan Murphy; Thomas Morgan, Eoin Trainor, Tiarnan

Subs: Liam McEnhill for T Murphy (45); Pearce Shortt for E Trainor (60); James Close for S Beatty (60+2)

Scorers: D Murphy 0-10 (7f); T Murphy 0-3; T Morgan 0-2; D McEnhill 0-2; E Trainor 0-1; D McCartney 0-1; A O’Brien 0-1 (1f)

Referee: Barry Winters (Dungannon)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/vDWZHow6V5VPYf/?invite=5daa57c6-f290-4b5b-8946-9c9b4622cf1e

TO SEE BRENDAN’S TIK TOK VIDEOS CLICK ON THESE LINKS

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdpx7npY

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdpx7npY

by thesaffrongael

Cregggan cruise past understrength Rasharkin

Intermediate Hurling Championship

Creggan 2-22 Rasharkin 1-07

PICS BY CLAIRE FAWL

Creggan completed their round-robin section of the Intermediate Hurling Championship with a win over Rasharkin under the lights at their Staffordstown Road grounds to maintain their 100% record.

Early points from Diarmuid Mulholland were followed by one from Morgan Nelson at the home team went four clear and they pushed on to lead by 1-06 to 0-00, the goal coming from Nelson. The home side pushed on against a Rasharkin side who had only five of last year’s Junior Championship winning team, and led by 1-12 to 0-02 at half time.

Rasharkin got the first score of the second half but ten minutes in Sean McAuley soloed through to fire high to the top corner and give Creggan their second goal.

Rasharkin came back with a goal of their own through Bull McKeever and he added a couple of points as well, but Creggan were home and hosed and now look forward to a semi-final meeting with runners up in Group 1 in two weeks’ time.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/RaumKQ7PMM72hL/?invite=efc16abd-06ae-49fb-a35d-b662e672ca2e

by thesaffrongael

Cargin Cailiní deliver the U16A title

LGFA U16A Final

Cargin 5-7 Gort na Mona 0-6

The conclusion of the U16A LGFA season took place on a wet Thursday evening at Whitehill with Gort na Móna and Erins Own Cargin battling it out to see who would take home the crown. The grounds of Tír na nÓg were in superb order despite the rain, and the contest between two of the emerging club sides in Antrim entertained thoroughly the good crowd which had gathered in Randalstown that evening. The ‘Gorts’ have been building solidly in recent years, with no shortage of hard work evident and a pipeline of consistent talent coming through at all juvenile grades. On a parallel course following their first entry into the u16 grade 2 years ago, Clann na hEireann have been making steady inroads and inevitably the two sides would cross in one of the underage finals. League positions would suggest the Gorts would start as heavy favourites but both sides had saved their best for the Championship meaning a highly anticipated contest was anticipated and duly delivered.

Gort na Móna came out of the traps well, settling quickly into their rhythm and formation with their midfield and forward line linking well. An early point nudged the Belfast girls ahead with Cliodhna McKeever replying in kind. A combination of excellent covering by their sweeper system and direct ball into the full forward line meant the Cargin defenders needed to be consistently on their toes and last ditch saves by Aimee Graham, Molly MacLeod and Holly McErlean ensured the girls in Green weren’t blown away.
The Gorts excellent coaching was full display at this stage with the single and double sweeper utilised when required, a strong running midfield and speedy attack meant a frustrated Cargin side were at times forced to shoot under pressure or from distance with numerous turnovers occurring.

While conditions were not conducive to high fielding, the game began to open up after 15 minutes and both sides had chances. The Cargin girls were starting to make inroads with their movement up front but on the scoreboard the Gorts began to find more regularity and opened up a 0-5 to 0-2 lead following a purple patch of accuracy with Niamh McAleese raising a flag in return. While never in complete control, the Belfast girls were certainly dangerous and it would take some decisive moments from the Cargin Cailiní to turn that around. Two of those moments were duly delivered by Cliodhna McKeever. Her first goal followed a flowing move up the pitch and her first shot came off the upright but straight back to her on the 21 yard line where she instantly pulled the trigger with a stunning shot into the far bottom corner to the keeper’s right. Just ahead of half time a loose ball followed a good save by the Gorts keeper and McKeever was first to pounce soccer-styling the ball home into the net before the defence could recover.

It meant that despite a very even half of football the Cargin girls had found themselves 3 up with the scoreboard reading 2-2 to 0-5 when referee Ray Matthews blew the short whistle.

Both teams appeared to make positional changes at the half time break and Cargin were now the team on the front foot as Gemma McAuley and Emily Scullion began to establish a base in the central areas. The half back line of Aoife Neeson. Niamh McAleese and Erin Neeson were consistently driving forward while Niamh Martin was winning ball in corner forward. Their defence was getting on top as well with Caoimhe McErlain excellent in full back and Dearbhla McCaffrey, Molly MacLeod and Holly McErlean now dominant. Aimee Graham’s kickout were always on the money despite the ever worsening weather.

The rain had now became a haze, and whoever could adapt best would hold the advantage. Gemma McAuley appeared to be involved in every move now, Annie Convery’s surging runs a feature of the game. Eva McCann’s feet simply glided over grass, and Caoimhe Doherty seems to have been born for the intensity of championship football with an excellent hour.

Cargin came out a different team in this 2nd half and now it was their time to turn the screw. A well taken score by Niamh Martin set the scene, followed by mature finishes from Niamh McAleese, Caoimhe Doherty and Eva McCann meant the gap was starting to grow to an uncomfortable level for the Gorts Girls. Emma Diver was seemingly involved in every attack at this point. Mid way though the 2nd half the pivotal moment arrived which appeared to decide the tie. From the half back line Cargin worked it up the field to find Cliodhna McKeever in space in the top right corner. With a glance over her shoulder she delivered a 30 yard pass into the chest of Eva McCann who had made a late run to the penalty spot. McCann then executed a splendid ‘Toe Tap Dummy’ to evade the keeper and blast it high into the net. It was the score of the day and befitting any championship final. It also meant the gap between the sides had now risen to 10 points as the Gorts were struggling to create chances at the other end with Caoimhe McErlain marshalling her full back line well. Maisie Kelly, Cara Neeson, Aoibhe O’Donnell and Sophia McCann came on to provide fresh legs in the defence, limiting the Gorts attack to a single score in the 2nd half. Adele McCann entered the fray to lead the full forward line.

The girls in green continued to press and it began to tell as the rain lifted with Cliodhna McKeever lobbing the goalie for another major, accompanying it with a well taken point and Cargin were starting to manage the game out. In the final minute Erin’s Own were awarded a straightforward penalty decision as Adele McCann and Eva McCann were pulled down as they tried to find a way to the net. Niamh McAleese stepped forward to confidently roll the ball into the corner of the net and Ray Matthews decided that was it for the evening’s play. Final Score 5-7 to 0-6 and Caoimhe McErlain stepped forward to lift the cup amidst much jubilation in the Cargin camp.

An excellent 2nd half performance from the Cargin Cailiní ultimately decided this match for their 1st u16A title, but the Gort na Móna girls should be very proud of their efforts, never giving up and some of their running play was a delight to behold. Unfortunately it was not to be for them in Randalstown but this team are not far away from bringing home silverware. They are consistently strong at all underage levels with their sportsmanship, honest endeavour and a credit to themselves, their club and their coaches.

For Cargin, it represented a remarkable year taking home the U14A, Antrim Feile A and U16A titles for this fledgling LGFA club. A bright future ahead indeed.

For the LGFA in Antrim, the 2025 competitions at juvenile level have been hugely positive. In recent years a number of clubs have consolidated their positions with excellent coaching and participation numbers. It has meant a departure from the traditional bases which appeared a closed shop and has meant a drastic improvement in competition across all grades. While Gort na Móna and Cargin will rightly get the plaudits for reaching this final, recognition also must go the likes of St Enda’s, Cloughmills, St Galls and Ardoyne who are rising rapidly. Davitts, Creggan and Rossa are on an upwards trajectory as well meaning the prizes will be keenly fought over the coming seasons which can only be good for Saffron football.

by thesaffrongael

Biddies are U16C Champions

Antrim LGFA U16C Final

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 4-6 Naomh Eanna 3-7

Erins Own Cargin was the setting for the Antrim LGFA U16 C championship between Naomh Éanna and Naomh Bríd Cloughmills on Thursday night. The teams had previously met in the league in July with Cloughmills the victors by the slimmest of margins.

It was a sign of the seasons as the floodlights were turned on for the 6.30pm throw-in, with Richard Leahy the man in the middle. Cloughmills started straight out of the gate with a series of pressing attacks, notching up an early few points. Naomh Éanna settled into their game and turned over a number of balls to test the Biddies’ defence.

With Captain Caela Casey dropping deep from midfield in a sweeping role, it proved difficult for the Enda’s to get the ball in to their forwards. Cloughmills were 2-02 to the good before Naomh Éanna got their half of the scoreboard started and they very nearly closed the gap within a few minutes with full forward Meabh McMenamin rattling the crossbar and Muireann McCloy dragging a shot just wide before Meabh McMenamin made certain with a major.

The sides went in at half time with a gap of 5 separating them and the mizzle descended on the Toome venue.

The second half was all to play for and the two sets of travelling supporters were treated to some sensational end to end football, trading scores, turnovers and near misses. A second and third goal from Naomh Éanna’s Aoife Quinn and Méabh McMenamin were met with 2 of equal quality by Cloughmills forwards. The Hightown ladies closed the gap to 2 with some fine attacking football, but the ribbons on the trophy were to be orange and black as Cloughmills dug deep to see themselves over the line with the same 2 to spare at the long whistle.