by thesaffrongael

5 Star Cuchullains take Reserve honours

Senior Reserve Hurling Championship Final

Dunloy 5-21 Ballycastle 0-11

Wednesday 10 September

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

Dunloy produced a five star performance on Wednesday evening to take the Reserve Cup back to Pearse Park.  It was an excellent display from the Cuchullains who were relentless throughout and put Ballycastle to the sword.

Ryan Mort top scored for the Pearse Park side, continuing the fine form he showed in the semi-final against Rossa.  Mort would finish with 2-5, both majors coming in the first half with his second goal coming via a thumping drive from a free.  Gabriel McTaggart, Anton McGrath and substitute Oisin McCallin also found the net, McCallin netting with his first touch after his introduction.

Overall, it was an excellent display from the Cuchullains attacking unit who hit 4-17 from open play while defensively with the likes of Sean Og Blaney, Eamon Smyth and Aaron Crawford, they snuffed out any attacking intent from Ballycastle.

Lorcan Donnelly top scored for the Town, finishing with six points beside his name, four of those from placed ball.  He had a strong game and did give the Cuchullains defence plenty of problems in a number of positions.  Rebeun McClean and Cristoi McAuley were busy throughout along with Diarmuid McShane and Oisin McAuley but the McQuillan’s were up against a slick Dunloy side.

Lorcan Donnelly opened the scoring for Ballycastle before the Cuchullains scored their first goal of the match in the fourth minute through full forward, Gabriel McTaggart.  The sliotar was sent high to the edge of the box where Ciaran Elliott was threatening.  McTaggart plucked the loose ball, held off the Ballycastle defender before kicking to the back of the net.

It marked the start of a Cuchullain onslaught as they opened an 11 point lead by the 17th minute, outscoring Ballycastle ten points to one.  Both sides had chances for further goals, Jack Martin and Elliott bringing the best out of Eamonn Elliott in the Ballycastle goals while Conor Donnelly went close before Eoghan Richmond denied him.

The second Dunloy goal came in the 22nd minute with Ciaran Elliott in the thick of things again.  Collecting a pass from McTaggart, Elliott found Mort in space and he made no mistake.

Ballycastle responded with a pointed free from Lorcan Donnelly and a drilled effort from Gavin McToal.  Anton McGrath put 13 points between the sides again before Mort hit his second major thanks to a brilliant free.  Stood over the sliotar, fully 30 yards out on the angle, Mort drilled the free to the top right hand corner.

Ballycastle fired over the last two scores of the half from Diarmuid McShane and Lorcan Donnelly to leave the half time score 3-12 to 0-7 in the Cuchullains favour.

Dunloy made a blazing start to the second half with Anton McGrath rifling to the back of the net just two minutes after the restart.  A thunderous drive giving Eamonn Elliott no chance between the sticks.

The Cuchullains stretched their lead to 19 when substitute Oisin McCallin got in on the goal scoring act.  Getting on the end of a long delivery from Padraig McGilligan, Ciaran Elliott broke the sliotar into the path of McCallin.  Despite the acute angle he was faced with, McCallin’s effort was too fast for Elliott in the Town goals.

Ballycastle went close to a major of their own in the 48th minute when Criotai McAuley collected a smart free from Lorcan Donnelly.  Running at an angle, McAuley’s effort went to the wrong side of the posts.

Dunloy kept the scoreboard ticking with McCallin, substitute Francis McMullan and Ryan Mort all finding their range while Lorcan Donnelly (free) and Oisin McAuley provided the response for Ballycastle.

A comfortable win in the end for the Cuchullains at the end of a landmark year for the reserves with clubs having teams in the Leagues, there’s no doubting the benefit of such a move with the hurling on display from both sides.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Eoghan Richmond; Reece Cunning, Sean Og Blaney, Aaron Crawford; Eamon Smyth, Karl O’Kane, Ben O’Kane; Jack Martin, Padraig McGilligan; Oisin McCamphill, Ryan Mort, Ryan McFarline; Ciaran Elliott, Gabriel McTaggart, Anton McGrath

Subs: Cathair McCloskey for R Cunning (37); Oisin McCallin for A McGrath (37); Francis McMullan for G McTaggart (44); Ciaran McQuillan for A Crawford (49); Barry McCloskey for J Martin (52)

Scorers: R Mort 2-5 (1-4f’s); A McGrath 1-3; O McCallin 1-3; G McTaggart 1-1; J Martin 0-3; B O’Kane 0-1; P McGilligan 0-1; O McCamphill 0-1; R McFarline 0-1; C Elliott 0-1; F McMullan 0-1

BALLYCASTLE: Eamonn Elliott; Patrick McAlonan, Cathair Donnelly, Oisin McAuley; Mark McClean, Cormac Donnelly, Jack Magowan; Niall McClean, Rebeun McClean; Criostai McAuley, Conor Donnelly, Callum Campbell; Diarmuid McShane, Lorcan Donnelly, Gavin McToal

Subs: Conall Magee for N McClean (42); Anthony Mullan for Conor Donnelly (44); Colum Butler for Cathair Donnelly (49); Eoin Boyle for C Campbell (53)

Scorers: L Donnelly 0-6 (4fs); Cathair Donnelly 0-1; O McAuley 0-1; C McAuley 0-1 (1f); D McShane 0-1; G McToal 0-1

Referee: Shane McDonnell (Glenariffe)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/P8u8yinqFpq6xP/?invite=23e0f7d1-ce69-4592-906a-39e29c91c9f6

by thesaffrongael

Lámh Dhearg Golf classic a great success


The Lámh Dhearg annual Golf Classic sponsored by Hannahstown Credit Union at Balmoral was a huge success with over 130 golfers playing and the tournament generated generous support of over 60 sponsors .

The Executive Committee would like to thank the Golf Organising Committtee , the golfers and the sponsors for their much valued and continued support which is very beneficial to boosting our club and pitch development funds
Well done to all concerned in such a well organised and enjoyable day .
Congrats to all the winners
Team Prizes Winner
1st 92 Pts – Paul Rice, Paul Gribbon, Sean Hesketh, Jim Liddy (Under
Armour Hoodie / Jumper)
2nd 90 Pts – M Gregory, G Armstrong, P McClelland, C Mulhern (Under
Armour T-Shirts)
3rd 89 Pts – Paddy Donnelly, Patrick McDonnell, John Benson, Gerard
Mervin (Under Armour Kit Bag)
Individual Prizes
1st Oran Laverty 44pts (Under Armour Golf Shoes)
Longest Driver – Aaron Kennedy (Ping Towel & UA Glove)
Nearest to Pin – Jim Murphy (Ping Towel & UA Glove)
Best Gross – Conor McIlvenney Gross 74 (Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls)
Ladies Prize – Laura Coyle (FJ Bag)
TV Prize – George Fegan


by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel’s ‘auld lads’ win the Reserve Shield final

Senior Reserve Shield Final 

Loughgiel 3-18 St Paul’s 2-09

Pics by Bert Trowlen and John McIlwaine

Fielding a team containing six members of the All Ireland winning side of 2012 Loughgiel had too much guile and know-how for St Paul’s in Tuesday night’s Senior Reserve Shield final at Dunsilly. The Shamrocks played with the wind in the opening half and lead by 3-12 to 1-04 at half time. When St Paul’s started the second half well with a penalty goal from centre forward Sean Og McLaren it looked like there might be a comeback on the cards, but the Shamrocks veterans shut up shop and went on to win with a bit to spare.

Fielding a team of ‘auld fellas, and boys of a brave age’ the Shamrocks made their experience tell from the start and former club and county great, Eddie NcCloskey hit 1-01 to add to points by Odhran McGrath and Aodhan McFadden.

St Paul’s too had an All Ireland winner in their team and centre-forward Sean Og McLaren, former All Ireland U16 Poc Fada champion, got his team back in the race with a goal and he added a point soon afterwards to keep his team well in contention, but two quick goals from Tomas McIntyre and Benny McCarry in the tenth and eleventh minutes left the Shaw’s Road men with a mountain to climb.

The Shamrocks raced on from there adding a series of great points, four of them from Benny McCarry, two from Eddie McCloskey and one each from Tomas McIntyre and Cathair McGrath to reach half-time with a 3-12 to 1-04 lead, all the St Paul’s scores coming from Sean Og McLaren.

McLaren gave St Paul’s a bit of hope with his penalty goal early in the second half but they were unable to keep up the challenge and with Benny McCarry leading the line up front Loughgiel went on to claim the trophy with a twelve point win.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/mK9Zf2e5o3aRMm/?invite=95a37e79-26ae-4fc1-97e9-81b1a33d9381

by thesaffrongael

Impressive Shamrocks beat Ard na Rí to set up final meeting with St Paul’s

Under 16 A Hurling Championship

Loughgiel 3-23 Ard na Rí 2-06

Loughgiel secured a place in the final of the Under 16 A Hurling Championship with a comprehensive win over Ard na Rí at Fr Healy Park on Tuesday evening. Ard na Rí had caused a real sensation when they beat runaway league leaders Dunloy in last week’s opening round of the championship and travelled down to Loughgiel in confident mood, but without their star forward Padraig Kelly. However they were no match on the night for a razor sharp Shamrocks side who performed at the highest level.

Ard na Rí played with the strong wind in their favour in the opening half and a goal from Odhran Bellew and points from Bellew and Conal Dempsey had them 1-02 to 0-02 ahead after nine minutes. However Loughgiel were growing into the game and points from Joe Deery, Cahir McCloskey and Cahir McErlean plus a goal from Cody McGarry gave them a lead they would not lose.

Ard na Rí came back with two pointed frees from Conall Dempsey but the final ten minutes of the half belonged to the home side as they hit a goal and six points without reply, the goal coming from Joe Casey and points from Logan McConville (2), Casey, Dee Laverty, Cahir MCloskey and Cody McGarry to lead by 2-11 to 1-03 at half time.

With the wind behind them in the second half there was no way back for Ard na Rí, though to their credit they matched their first half score of 1-03, but Loughgiel tacked on another  1-12, the goal coming from Joe Casey.

In the other semi-final St Paul’s had a big win over Naomh Padraig at Shaw’s Road scoring a massive 7-24. The two will meet next week in the final, probably at Dunsilly in what promises to be a great final.

LOUGHGIEL

Ciaran Hennessy, Lorcan Murtagh, Joe McFadden, Aaron Gillan, JJ McGarry, Domnhall McKay, Caolan Christie, Cahir McErlean, Conor McCann, Dee Laverty, Logan McConville, Joe Deery, Cahir McCloskey, Cody McGarry, Joe Casey.

Loughgiel scorers – Joe Casey 2.5, Cody Mc Garry 1.4 ( 3f ), Cahir Mc Closkey 0.5, Joe Deery 0.3 ( 3f ), Logan Mc Conville 0.4, Conor Mc Cann 0.1, Damian Laverty 0.

ARD NA RÍ

Eoin Rodger, Lorcan Gallagher, Cairbre Mac Adhaimh, Evan Matthews, Conor McIlhatton, Odhran Bellew, Aaron McHenry, Séagh McEwan, Dan McAuley, Finn Smyth, Ruairi McIlhatton, Daniel Doran, Conan Mulligan, Conall Dempsey, Barra Bellew.

Referee – Ray Mattews

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

https://myalbum.com/album/WVzFnVToN35XKU/?invite=b8ba8f1c-8976-4b89-a4be-6b30cc97392c

by thesaffrongael

Cuchulainn’s ‘Gael’ blows away Dall threat in Pearce Park windy encounter

Antrim Camogie Championship Dunloy 1-08 Cushendall 0-09 Tuesday 9th September 2025

Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran in Pearse Park

Tuesday’s thrilling encounter between Dunloy and Cushendall might have been won at the toss. An astute decision by Dunloy’s captain, Katie Laverty, on winning the toss to switch around and play the first half into the wind was a fortuitous decision, helping to keep the Dall from scoring into the strengthening wind for all of the second half. An all too familiar blast of autumnal air ran the full length of Pearce Park and made pointing into it from range, a thing of rarity.

Despite an early goal from Dunloy’s Aine Magill in the first five minutes, Cushendall carved a lead of four points at the short whistle, mainly due to the accurate free taking of Eva McNeill in challenging conditions. It could have been better for the Dall when on the twenty eighth minute, Kady McNeill was pulled to ground on a goal run and rather than take the point on the edge of the square, the Dall’s Eva McNeill opted for the goal with no success. The second half was full of frantic rucks and physical encounters, that had the supporters in an equally frantic state but despite being awarded a dozen fouls, the Dall couldn’t combat the wind and had to watch Dunloy eke out the win from an additional six points.

In less than two minutes from referee Paul O’Neill’s throw-in, two over carry infringements handed two points to Cushendall from Orlaith McAllister and Eva McNeill. A buoyant Dall crowd would have to tolerate a super clinical goal from Aine Magill from a mid field pass from sister, Bronach but that one point lead dissolved away quickly as Cushendall’s markswoman, Eva McNeill dropped three consecutive frees over the bar, whilst Dunloy replied with a free from McAtamney and a point from Katie Molloy from a Cassie McArthur assist.

Dunloy’s Aine Magill rattled the back of Cushendall’s net for the only green flag in the game

Cushendall would dominate the remaining fifteen minutes and clocked up another four points coming from Siobhan McKillop and Orlaith McAllister before team mate, Eva McNeill, cruised two more frees over the bar due to Dervla Cosgrove and Orlaith McAllister being infringed, Cosgrove’s foul attracting a yellow card for Bronach Magill well into added time. As the short whistle blew, Dunloy remained at 1-02 whilst Cushendall ran in with a four point lead, 0-09.

Six points for Dunloy in the second half was good enough to secure the win but the formula for success was also dependent on Cushendall not being able to make something happen from their twelve frees. Eleven of those were probably on the margin of ‘makeable’ given the wind but an uncharacteristic wide from Eva McNeill on the twenty second minute will have been one that could have changed the game.

Dunloy’s Eimear Johnston was a powerhouse in every corner of Pearce Park

Early points from McAtamney (2 off), Aine Magill and Katie Molloy allowed the Dunloy ship to pull alongside the Dall at nine apiece, and then when Aine Magill dropped to the ground in another goal run attempt, Cassie McArthur was there to point the remnant. The point of the night clearly fell to McAtamney as she struck her free from the clubhouse dugout in added time, splitting the uprights as the light fell rapidly under the heavy clouded sky, ending the game Dunloy 1-08 Cushendall 0-09.

On Sunday, Dunloy should have better odds against Ahoghill, and assuming they earn those three points, Loughgiel need to at least draw with Cushendall on Sunday to remain at the top of the table and earn a place in the final. What a finale in the last of the round robin stages.

Dunloy starters and scorers

Clodagh O’Kane, Sarah McIlhatton, Brid Magill, Katharine Mullan, Eimear McMullan, Katie Laverty, Eilis Kearns, Caoimhe Molloy, Bronach Magill, Nicole McAtamney 0-04 (3f), Eimear Johnston, Eobha McAllister, Aine Magill 1-01, Katie Molloy 0-02, Cassie McArthur 0-01

Cushendall starters and scorers

Orlagh Burke, Anna McNeill, Caoimhe McNaughton, Tamara Black, Aoife McClafferty, Abi McNeill, Laura Black, Cara O’Boyle, Dervla Cosgrove, Brogan Abram, Siobhan McKillop 0-01, Lara McMullan, Kady McNeill, Orlaith McAllister 0-02, Eva McNeill 0-06 (5f)

You can enjoy more photos from Tuesday’s game by clicking on the following link to the album…

https://myalbum.com/album/JXeFDvKcUZPdKv/?invite=7d9d78c5-be04-4a9f-8abd-d80b78f72edd