All Saints GAC Gaelic for Mothers & Others held a very successful blitz on Saturday at their Slemish Park grounds with 9 teams from all over Ulster taking part.
The Ballymena club were absolutely thrilled to receive a grant from Bloc Blinds in support of their Gaelic for Mothers and Others Festival of Football
Their backing means the world to the club — helping them to bring together 9 teams from across Ulster for a day of football, friendship, and fundraising for local charity White Butterfly Foundation.
Taking part in the blitz were All Saints, Glenravel, Moneyglass, Davitt’s, Portglenone, St. Comgall’s, the Loup, Drumrath from Omagh and Limavady Wolfe Hounds and an excellent evening’s fun was had by all.
All Saint’s Ballymena 2-23 Erin’s Own Cargin 5-14 (aet)
All Saint’s win (7-6) on penalties
Benny McDonnell kept his cool to slot home the winning penalty after a marathon ACFL semi-final between Erin’s own Cargin and All Saints Ballymena at a sun kissed Whitehill on Saturday afternoon.
A fast flowing and high scoring game provided entertainment for the good crowd who had gathered despite both sides being short of a number of their regulars with Cargin worst affected.
The Ballymena side looked to have wrapped it up when they led by three deep into time added on in extra time but Cargin were awarded a strongly disputed penalty which Michael McCann tucked away with virtually the last kick of the ball.
A pristine sod and a warm breeze greeted the good attendance with little separating the contestants in the opening minutes as mid fielder Conor Stewart raised the first white flag in the opening minute before similar scores at the other end by Conhuir Johnston and Michael McCann ensured early advantage for the Toome men.
A Paddy Mc Aleer 8th minute point saw the Saints on par and although a white flag was raised by the Ballymena midfielder Stewart, his second score of the evening, Cargin were quick to make reply as a couple of points from Conhuir Johnston sandwiched one by Michael McCann to ensure a 0-05 to 0-03 lead for the Erin’s Own men at the end of the open quarter.
Having slipped into arrears, All Saint’s were soon to regain the lead as Emmett Killlough gathered to send Paddy McAleer away to grab a couple of points before Killough added another and Joe Rafferty followed suit to see All Saint’s move 0-07 to 0-05 ahead after 16 minutes.
Cargin were back in front when Michael McCann despatched a penalty to the back of the net following a foul on the hard grafting Conhuir Johnston but late points from mid fielder Stewart and Paddy Mc Aleer saw All Saint’s nip ahead 0-09 to 1-05 at the end of the opening period.
The second half got under way as the easterly breeze eased and it was Cargin who were first off the mark after young Jack Harney’s defence splitting delivery opened the way for Sean O’Neill to finish to the back of the net.
O’Neill added a 34th minute point before a long range John Carron effort extended the Cargin lead to 2-09 to 0-09 and it looked like the reigning county champions were taking control.
All Saints had other ideas however and Paddy Mc Aleer replied with a 2 pointer before Ciaran Campbell followed with a goal and a point and All Saint’s had nipped ahead at 1-12 to 2-08.
Mid fielder Conor Stewart added a 3d minute point to the All Saint’s total and after the impressive Conhuir Johnston followed suit at the other end the big midfielder was quick to reply to level the issue at 2-10 to 1-13.
The end to end stuff was heightening the enjoyment of the attendance and after David Johnston nipped away to split the posts and give the Toome men back the lead a defence splitting pass from Jack Harney into the path of Michael McCann saw him finish to the back of the net.
It was Cargin who were now enjoying the better of the exchanges as James Laverty and McCann combined to open the way for Sean O’ Neill to fire to the net to move Erin’s Own move 4-10 to 1-14 ahead.
Once again Baker Bradley’s side looked in bother but they continued to show the never say die spirit that had epitomised them throughout the game.
A Jack Harney point threatened to put it out of reach of the Ballymena side but once again they came storming back with Sean O’Callaghan, Joe Rafferty and James McDonnell pointing to bring them level before Paddy McAleer’s fisted effort was ruled out for a square-ball infringement.
It was a thrill a minute at this stage as the excellent James Laverty restored the Cargin lead with the equally impressive Sean McVeigh tying it once more.
All Saints had been reduced to 14 men at this stage and when Conhuir Johnston rattled the All Saints net for their 5th of the evening, deep into time added on they looked on their way to defeat.
Once again they picked themselves up of the canvas and a good move from deep in defence saw Conor Stewart’s goal bound attempt rebound of the crossbar but Joe Rafferty was on hand to bury it to the net and the sides were level for the umpteenth time.
The Slemish Park side introduced Ronan McKillop and Paidin Mitchell at the start of extra time as Sean O’Neill and Conor Stewart exchanged early points before Stewart edged his side ahead again with a point in the 6th minute.
Significantly they kicked a number of bad wides at this stage as Michael McCarry replaced the injured Emmet Killough in the All Saints side and a Sean O’Neill point for the Toome side saw it tied at 5-14 to 2-23 as Cathal McDermott sounded the half time whistle.
The crowd were on their feet as the game got underway again as James Laverty edged the county champions ahead once more but All Saints found another response and looked to have booked their place in the final.
Ronan McKillop, Paddy McAleer (f), Benny McDonnell and Ciaran Campbell pointed to move the men in black three in front but in a dramatic finish Cargin were awarded a penalty and Michael McCann converted to send the game into penalties.
Benny McDonnell became the All Saints hero when he converted the final penalty of the evening to send All Saints into the final where they are set to meet Creggan and it was handshakes all round at Conclusion.
Creggan advance after St. Brigid’s withdrew from the other semi-final and there is a feeling in some quarters that the league should be decided at the end of the league programme.
For the second year in succession Erin’s own finished clear of the pack but found themselves taking part in play-offs at a time of the year when a lot of player are missing through holidays or injury
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Oliver O’Rawe, KLavan Keenan, Harry Connon, James McDonnell, Sean O’Callaghan, Joe Rafferty, Emmet Killough, Conor Stewart, Connell Lemon, Patrick McAleer, Benny McDonnell, Ciaran Campbell Sean McVeigh, Peter McReynolds
Subs used: Conor Brennan, Michael McCarry, Paidin Mitchell, Ronan McKillop
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Gerard Mc Corley. Kevin Mc Shane, Hugh O’ Donnell, Callum Gribbin, James Laverty (0-2), Conan Johnston, John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann. David Johnston (0-01), Sean O’ Neill (2-06), Jack Harney (0-01), Michael Mc Cann (2-02), Conhuir Johnston (1-05) PJ Quinn)
Subs:
Charlie McCann
Benen Kelly
Ben Mc Larnon
Patrick O’ Neill
Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg:
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Friday evening in Dunloy Parish Centre, the crowds packed in with the promise of an evening full of craic and banter. It’s fair to say they delivered.
A fundraiser organised spearheaded by Neil McManus, culminated in an ‘Up for the Match’ style chat hosted by BBC’s Thomas Niblock where he had the expert views of Neil himself, Conal Cunning and two time All-Ireland winning player, two time All Star and two time National League winner, John Conlon.
The panel gave their views on the year that’s been and the final itself and how they see the game transpiring.
The evening itself kicked off with Thomas interviewing Fr PJ McCamphill and asking what made the now retired missioner begin the Nursery at his Parish in Kenya 20 years ago. In what is a truly inspiring story borne from tragic circumstances but ultimately sees the school thriving through the hard work and goodwill of those connected in memory of one of Dunloy’s favourite sons, Frankie McMullan.
Frankie’s daughters Orla and Eimear were both interviewed and gave their thoughts and feelings on the school made in their dad’s memory, the work that goes on and their hopes for the future. An inspiring tale to see such positivity and another example of the good that comes from a close-knit community.
McManus arranged to have a raffle for two of the hottest tickets in the country up for grabs – Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final and entry to the Gaelic Players Association Legends Lunch, also on Sunday.
Congratulations to Dunloy’s Stephen O’Boyle who was the lucky name to have been pulled from the hat.
In a brilliant evening where even the threat of a power outage couldn’t derail the fundraiser. Almost as if someone was looking down on the Parish Hall in the north Antrim village to ensure it went as smoothly as possible.
Comhghairdeas libh go léir on what was a terrific fundraiser as Frankie’s Nursery goes from strength to strength.
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St Paul’s came from two points down at half time to beat Lamh Dhearg in the final of the Antrim Minor B Camogie Championship at Hightown. Trailing by 3-02 to 0-07 at the break the Shaw’s Road girls got on top with their wind at their backs in the second half to win in the end by eight points.
After Nicole Munce gave St Paul’s the lead in the third minute Lamh Dhearg came back strongly with goals from Rhea Hannah in the fourth minutes and Sophie Morris in the sixth and with Aoife Fitzsimons adding a point they opened a six point lead. Ellie Lynn of St Paul’s and Amelia Annette of Lamh Dhearg exchanged exchanged points to keep six between the teams but St Paul’s hit the next four without reply, three from Lynn and one from Maeve Devlin to cut the gap back to two. Amelia Annette came back with one for the Hannahstown girls in the 22nd minute but Lynn struck again just before half time to cut the gap back to just two at the interval.
Two goals by midfielder Maeve Devlin and one from Aoife O’Hare early in the second half put St Paul’s in control and with Lynn adding three more points they seemed to have it all wrapped up by the end of the third quarter. However Lamh Dhearg fought their way back and two goals from Aoife Fitzsimons and Rhea Hannah brought them back into contention. However with Player of the Match Ellie Lynn controlling matters St Paul’s kicked on again with Lynn adding 2-02 the pushed on to victory
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Dunloy and Cushendall served up a fantastic contest in Friday evening’s final of the Antrim Minor Camogie final in Ballycastle, Dunloy’s never say die attitude getting them over the line in injury time at the end of a classic game. Led on by their brilliant midfielder Eobha McAlister Dunloy trailed by nine points ten minutes from the end of normal time, but McAllister (who ended with 5-07 to her name) led a remarkable comeback, scoring 3-02 in that period to turn the game around and seal a remarkable win.
However Cushendall deserve great credit for their performance and despite starting without six regulars, three of whom were on the Antrim team who beat Derry in the Ulster Minor final, they were equally brilliant and deserve great credit for their part in a remarkable match.
Eobha McAllister gets away from two Cushendall opponents on her way to scoring an early point during the Minor Camogie final in Ballycastle. Pic by Aaron Alatas
McAllister got her team on the scoreboard early with a point but Tamara Black came back with a goal on three minutes to put Cushendall ahead. Eobha McAllister got the first of her five goals soon afterward and added a point from a 45, but a goal by Cushendall full forward Niamh McNeill reeled the Cuchullains in again. However the Dunloy girls were dominating possession four in a row opened a five point gap after 23 minutes. A fantastic individual goal from Cushendall’s Evan McNeill on 25 minutes brought her team right back into the game and they finished the first half in a flurry with Niamh McNeill and Amy McAlister grabbing goal and Eva McNeill adding a point to give them a four point lead at the interval. (4-02 to 1-07)
Eva McNeill and Aimee Ferris exchanged points early in the second half to keep the gap at four but Cushendall came strong again and a great goal from a narrow angle from Amy McAllister and a point from Eva McNeill stretched their lead to four. Dunloy had a mountain to climb but Eobha McAllister brought them right back into it with a goal and two points in a two minute spell just before the end of the third quarter.
Cushendall’s Niamh McNeill who scored a hat-trick of goals in her team’s minor final game against Dunloy. Pic by Aaron Alatas
The game swung again in Cushendall’s favour when Amy McAllister grabbed her second goal and Scarlet Kerr-McKillop, Cliodhna Thompson and McAlister added points to pull eight clear again and they appeared to be in a strong position. They were still eight in front with ten minutes of normal time left to play, when Eobha McAllister took the game by the scruff of the neck and three goals in four minutes, plus one from Erin McMullan put them five clear.
Remarkably Cushendall turned it around again and a third goal by Niamh McNeill and points from Erinmae Mitchell and Eva McNeill had them level as the game entered injury time. As the rain began to fall in torrents we all thought we were in for extra time but McAllister was unstoppable and pointed Dunloy ahead before Erin McMullan sealed the win with a goal.
Dunloy players celebrate at the final whistle
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