Ulster LGFA Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final
Bredagh (Down) 2-5 St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass (Antrim) 5-10
Cathy Carey led the way as St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass overcame the challenge of Bredagh, the Down champions at Cherryvale on Saturday.
The St. Ergnat’s and Antrim star struck with two first half goals to send her side to a 3-6 to 1-3 half time lead, the Bredagh goal coming from Aoife Laverty and even at this stage it looked a long way back for the Down champions.
Moneyglass continued to dominate during the second half, kicking some excellent points and goals from Sarah O’Neill and Jo Jo Darragh ensured there would be no way back for the Bredagh despite a second goal from Eilish Ward.
The Antrim champions must now await the result of the quarter-final between a fancied Clann Eireann, Armagh and Derrygonley of Fermanagh after their game, as cheduled for Sunday was postponed owing to a waterlogged Derrygonnley pitch with that game rescheduled for Wednesday night.
Above – Antrim’s All Ireland winning team from 1967, Lily Scullion is in the middle of the back row
BACK during Covid the Irish News told the story of a lady who grew up on a farm in Ahoghill and now is effectively the CEO of a large miscanthus, green energy farming initiative in County Waterford.
No huge story there, you might say, except that she is now a nun in her 80s and very much active on the farm!
Along the way Sr Lily Scullion played in four All-Ireland senior camogie finals 1964-73 with her goal-scoring exploits the stand-out headline from 1967 when Antrim collected their fifth O’Duffy Cup and Ulster won the Gael Linn inter-provincial title for the first time. It would take another four decades before they would add a second title.
Lily is also the only player to have won Ulster club camogie titles with two different clubs – her native Ahoghill in 1969 and then with St Bridget’s Newry six years later.
Career-wise Lily was a farmer after she left school, before entering Gallaher’s factory in Ballymena and then moving on to youth work in both Newry and Ballymurphy in the late 1970s.
Her mother had died after a brief illness when Lily was still in her teens and this had led to “rebellion and anger against God”. While working in Newry “I was led by an inner spirit to the Cathedral… It was here, like St Paul, that my conversion took place.”
When she told her friends in 1980 that she was going to become a nun, they were astonished. Then she announced that she was joining an enclosed order. As a notorious prankster on camogie trips and someone with a huge zest for life and company, they thought that it was another of her elaborate hoaxes.
However 45 years ago this month she entered St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn in Waterford and has been there since.
For the last couple of decades she has been managing the order’s 250 acre farm and has moved the focus from dairy to dry stock and now miscanthus, an energy crop that she began growing 2010.
A few years ago Sr Lily was persuaded to put her remarkable life story to print. The result “From Croke Park to Glencairn” was launched in Waterford a couple of weeks ago and the Antrim launch will take place on Wednesday 29th October in the Acorn centre on the Crosskeys Road in Ahoghill.
It’s a remarkable read following a remarkable lady through her remarkable life.
Her childhood memories are told in the voice of an innocent child finding out about the world around her, growing up as a Catholic in a predominantly unionist area and wondering why her neighbours change their behaviour around July, why all children don’t go to the same school or church.
Her camogie memories are all covered in the form of anecdotes, the friendships she made through sport, the “devilment” she got up to.
The reader is also taken on her inner journey with its twists and turns, from her rejection of God to his total embrace.
In her forward to the book, Sr Ekaete Ekop of the Medical Missionaries of Mary sums up the work:
“Her narrative is brutally honest …. This woman, whose vocation in life is nurtured by her love for nature and farming has lived a life that is at once inspirational and grounded in the mystery of dailiness. In her chronicles, you will find a piece of yourself.”
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc MacUílín, Ballycastle
They have been known as the nearly men of the Saffron county for close to two generations but on Sunday afternoon, St John’s finally done it. It’s been 52 years from their last and 21 years since the Volunteer Cup resided in the City, that wait is over. In the words of joint captain, Ciaran Johnston, the Johnnies were crowned kings of Antrim after an enthralling hour of championship action at Páirc MacUílín against Loughgiel.
One point separated the sides at the final whistle but this was a contest that St John’s led from start to finish. A brilliant first half playing against the elements laid the foundations for their victory while the goals in either half from Donal Carson and Oisin MacManus proved pivotal to their victory.
Conor Johnston was at his impish best with Donal Carson, Oisin Donnelly and Conall Bohill all outstanding while in defence Ryan McNulty, Enda McGurk and Ciaran Johnston all played a major part in the Johnnies climbing their Everest. It was Peter McCallin who took the sponsors Man of the Match accolade and rightly so. McCallin was instrumental at the heart of the St John’s defence, playing in a role like a quarter back and directing the play ahead of him, he put in a sublime performance.
James McNaughton was once again a shining light for the Shamrocks but that light shone fleetingly throughout the hour. He top scored for Loughgiel with 10 white flags while substitute Shan McGrath’s goal looked to breathe fire into their championship hopes half way through the second half. Loughgiel will look to the first half when they looked second best for long periods. At a time where they should have been looking to build a lead and have something to work with in the second half, they couldn’t live with the intensity and work rate of St John’s. The Corrigan Park men took a three point lead into a second half and while they put their support through the ringer towards the end of the hour, there’s no doubting they were worthy winners by the time the full time whistle came.
Despite playing against the wind, St John’s settled much quicker into their stride playing a precise short game. Oisin Mac Manus and Conor Johnston with the opening scores of the game while a brace of frees from Shea Shannon gave them a four point lead after 10 minutes.
Loughgiel were getting ball into the inside forwards but such was the organisation of the St John’s defence, the Shamrocks were getting no joy. The Johnnies stretched their lead to five with Conor Johnston’s second of the game, showing his brilliant footwork before splitting the uprights while Paul Boyle finally got Loughgiel’s opening score of the final in the 14th minute.
The Shamrocks looked like they were coming to terms with the way St John’s were set up and despite MacManus’ second of the final, Loughgiel would fire over three unanswered scores through McNaughton (free), Ruairi McCormick and Boyle.
Shannon’s third free of the match briefly halted the Shamrock’s charge but Loughgiel would land another trio of unanswered scores to leave the sides tied by the 29th minute. A brace from McNaughton and Rian McMullan with the scores. It probably should have been better for the Shamrocks but McNaughton’s goal bound effort was well saved by Domhnall Nugent.
The opening goal of the final came in the last minute of the half from Donal Carson. Aaron Bradley collecting the sliotar and delivering the ball cross field towards Carson. The Johnnies inside forward collected and turned his defender before setting off for goal. He had plenty of defenders for attention and had work to do but he finished superbly to give Cormac McFadden no chance between the sticks.
McNaughton and Shannon traded frees in injury time to leave the half time score 1-8 to 0-8 in St John’s favour.
The Shamrocks needed a chance to reorganise and set out a game plan on how to deal with the elements for the second half and despite Conor Johnston opening the scoring soon after the restart, Loughgiel would fire three unanswered points in as many minutes from Dan McCloskey and McNaughton (two frees) to leave the minimum between the sides.
The Johnnies hit a trio of scores unanswered themselves and it was probably the winning of the game. They had a sniff of a goal chance when MacManus went close before Shannon split the uprights for his fifth white flag of the final. St John’s delivery of ball into their forwards was giving them every chance but it was a brilliant piece of improvisation from Oisin Donnelly that created their second goal. Gathering the sliotar, he was swarmed by the Loughgiel defence before playing a blind pass over his shoulder to MacManus. He made no mistake to open a six point lead by the 39th minute and sent the St John’s support into raptures.
Both sides swapped frees from McNaughton and Domhnall Nugent before Loughgiel found a way back into the final. With the game looking like it was slipping away from them after some uncharacteristic wides from placed ball by McNaughton, Shan McGrath was on the end of a brilliant three man move that cut through the heart of the Loughgiel defence and he made no mistake.
With just three between the sides going into the final quarter, the challenges were getting bigger with every ball competed for like it was the last. Both sides were putting their bodies on the line and with the underfoot conditions making life difficult, it was coming down to whoever would make the least mistakes. St John’s looked to manage the game, playing a short game that relied on precision and pace while Loughgiel were running at the St John’s defence as much as they could to combat against the elements.
The Johnnies defence were doing anything they could to stop Loughgiel and dragged down players on a couple of occasions when they looked like they were through on goal. McNaughton was taking advantage when presented with the chance while Conall Bohill, Conor Johnston, substitute Michail Dudley and Aaron Bradley got scores at the opposite end of the pitch.
Three points separated the sides going into injury time with Loughgiel still in search of the goal that would reignite their challenge but a brace of frees from substitute Christy McGarry was all they could manage as St John’s held out.
A dramatic ending to an absorbing contest that saw St John’s finally come of age. They have knocked on the door for so long with plenty of this team going to the proverbial well for 10 years or more to come up short. Today was their day.
TEAMS
ST JOHN’S: Domhnall Nugent; Ryan McNulty, Ciaran Johnston, Jack Bohill; Conal Morgan, Peter McCallin, Enda McGurk; Sean Wilson, Aaron Bradley; Oisin Donnelly, Conor Johnston, Conall Bohill; Donal Carson, Shea Shannon, Oisin MacManus
Subs: Michail Dudley for S Wilson (37); Michael Bradley for D Carson (47); Ronan Donnelly for Ciaran Johnston (59); Daragh McGuinness for O MacManus (60+2)
Scorers: S Shannon 1-4 (4f); O MacManus 1-2; Conor Johnston 0-4; D Carson 1-00; A Bradley 0-2; C Bohill 0-1; M Dudley 0-1; D Nugent 0-1 (1f)
LOUGHGIEL: Cormac McFadden; Tiernan Coyle, Enda Og McGarry, Liam Glackin; Ben McGarry, Rory McCloskey, Declan McCloskey; Ryan McKee, Ruairi McCormick; Rian McMullan, James McNaughton, Darragh Patterson; Roan McGarry, Paul Boyle, Dan McCloskey
Subs: Shan McGrath for D Patterson (36); Christy McGarry for R McCormick (54); Ronan Fitzgerald for R McGarry (56)
Scorers: J McNaughton 0-10 (8f, 1’65); S McGrath 1-1; P Boyle 0-2; C McGarry 0-2 (2f); R McCormick 0-1; R McMullan 0-1; D McCloskey 0-1
Referee: Colum Cunning (Dunloy)
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM TODAY’S GAME CLINK ON THE LINK BELOW
Brendan McTaggart reports from Healy Park, Loughgiel
Glenariffe banished the demons of 12 months ago on Saturday afternoon as they claimed the Intermediate crown against Tir na nÓg. 14 points was the difference, but this was a brilliant display from the Oisin’s who led from start to finish.
Alex O’Boyle finished top of the scoring charts, the Glenariffe ace marksman finished with 1-9 for the hour while Daniel Kearney added the second goal. Having played with a substantial wind in the first half, Glenariffe held an eight point lead at the interval. It was far from an insurmountable lead and Glenariffe would have had plenty of work to do in the second half but their work rate, intensity, brilliant organisation in defence and how clinical they were in front of goal paved the way for their victory. Their ability to deal with the aerial bombardment in the second half from Tir na nÓg with David Kearney, Niall Magee and Cailin Devlin all outstanding.
Tir na nÓg would have been relatively pleased at the half way mark given the wind advantage they had for the second half. They started the final superbly and were only a couple of points adrift after the opening quarter, Sean Duffin going through a mountain of work in the middle of the park while Caoimhin Duffin, Eamon Og McAlister and Sean McKinley were all prominent.
But the old adage of ‘goals wins games’ rang true once more as Glenariffe’s ability to create and take their goal chances in the second half gave them breathing space and an ability to control the contest, keeping the Tir na nÓg challenge at bay.
With the surface at the Shamrocks home ground in pristine condition the only fear was the elements would turn this into the proverbial game of two halves. The Oisin’s looked to build a lead but Tir na nÓg’s aggression, organisation and work rate were keeping them at bay. It was a quiet opening 10 minutes with the sides tied on one point apiece, Conor Patterson with the opening score of the final and Ciaran Logan responding for the men from Whitehill. Sean Duffin split the uprights for his first of four frees over the hour in the eighth minute, his effort coming moments after the first goal chance of the final. Alex O’Boyle looked to dance his way through the Tir na nÓg challenges but a brilliant hook from Ryan O’Neill denied him while Brandon McLarnon was also in close attendance.
Glenariffe finally began to exert some extended pressure at the other end of the pitch. Odhran Gillan and David Kearney splitting the uprights while a brace soon followed from Alex O’Boyle – one from a free while his point from play lit up the final, wide on the right and from distance.
Glenariffe were starting to go through the gears with Oliver Kearney, Orrin O’Connor and Calum McIlwaine all influential. Kearney and McIlwaine would fire over the next four points evenly between them, all coming inside a three minute spell where the Oisin’s threatened to cut loose.
A further brace of Alex O’Boyle frees came either side of another glorious goal chance for his side with Patterson going close. Sean Duffin fired over a brace for Tir na nÓg, one from a 65, their first score in over 20 minutes to reduce the Glenariffe lead to seven points but Calum McIlwaine had the final say of the half with his third white flag to leave the half time score 0-12 to 0-4 in the Oisin’s favour.
Despite the difference, it was very much ‘game on’ at the half way mark. The wind felt like it had increased and when Sean Duffin fired over a brace of frees from inside his own half, Tir na nÓg looked like they were going to eat their way into the deficit.
Glenariffe reorganised and set up to counter against the Tir na nÓg attacking threat and the elements early in the second half. They could have had the opening goal of the game with substitute Brogan O’Connor going close and Michael O’Boyle’s rebound somehow kept out of the Tir na nÓg goals but the Glenariffe support didn’t have much longer to wait for their first goal.
Tir na nÓg had the sliotar in the middle of the park when Alex O’Boyle intercepted a pass and sped through the heart of the Tir na nÓg defence. He assessed his options but elected to go alone and found the back of the net to put nine between the sides in the 37th minute.
The Tir na nÓg response showed their fighting qualities however with Sean Duffin (free) and Sean McKinley splitting the uprights. It could and probably should have been more but for some errant shooting, four wides and two points coming in a five minute spell where they were dominating the Glenariffe puck outs.
Once Glenariffe got to grips with their own restarts, they showed their class at the other end of the pitch. O’Boyle once again brilliant from placed ball, a brace from distance while Brogan O’Connor got in on the scoring action moments later.
Tir na nÓg were exerting all the pressure but getting little or no change from a strong Glenraiffe defence and when Daniel Kearney scored the second Oisin’s goal in the 46th minute, the writing was on the wall for the Randalstown men. Calum McIlwaine and Niall Magee combining before the Glenariffe centre half sent the sliotar into Kearney. The inside forward turned his man before setting off for goal, showing brilliant movement to evade the challenges, he found the back of the net to put 13 points between the sides in the 46th minute.
Emmett Murray split the uprights with an instant reply for Tir na nÓg but Glenariffe were content to sit back and soak up all the Tir na nÓg pressure that came their way. Tir na nÓg were going to need goals to get back into this game and rarely looked like breaching a superb Glenariffe defence. A trio of frees from Alex O’Boyle came at the other end of the pitch while a point from Ryan O’Neill was all the Tir na nÓg men could manage in the time that remained.
A brilliant win for Glenariffe who were disappointed to lose at this stage 12 months ago. It’s 25 years since the Oisin’s lifted the Intermediate crown and with the memory of Eunan Harvey fresh in their minds, Glenariffe had a 16th man helping them bridge that gap.
TEAMS
GLENARIFFE: Paul McMullan; Patrick McIlwaine, Michael Haughey, Cailin Devlin; David Kearney, Niall Magee, Calum McIlwaine; Odhran Gillan, Oliver Kearney; Orrin O’Connor, Conor Patterson, Michael O’Boyle; Alex O’Boyle, Seanie McIntosh, Daniel Kearney
Subs: Brogan O’Connor for S McIntosh (3); Phelim Ward for D Kearney (50); Colla Ward for P McIlwaine (52); Donal Kearney for O Kearney (58)
Scorers: A O’Boyle 1-9 (8f); C McIlwaine 0-3; Daniel Kearney 1-00; O Kearney 0-2; David Kearney 0-1; O Gillan 0-1; C Patterson 0-1; B O’Connor 0-1
TIR NA NÓG: Kevin Sheerin; Brandon McLarnon, Dara Martial, Manus Smith; Ryan O’Neill, Caoimhin Duffin, Daniel Martin; Sean Duffin, Conor McCamphill; Ciaran Logan, Emmett Murray, Eamon Og McAlister; Josh Higgins, Sean McKinley, Daragh Fagan
Subs: Colm Duffin for D Martial (30); Kevin McCann for C Logan (42); Tiarnan Bonnes for J Higgins (57); Daniel McLornan for C McCamphill (57); Oliver McAtamney for E Murray (58)
Scorers: S Duffin 0-6 (4f, 1’65); R O’Neill 0-1; C Logan 0-1; E Murray 0-1; S McKinley 0-1
Referee: Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM BRENDAN AND DYLAN CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
