A late point from an Eva McNeill free maintained Cushendall’s unbeaten record in Division 1 of the Antrim Camogie League Division 1 at Fr Healy Park on Tuesday evening. The Ruairis had won all their games to date, and when they went six clear at a stage early in the second half of this one they looked like they would keep that record intact, but Loughgiel never gave up the fight and boosted by a Ceala Dobbin goal they battled back to take the lead late in the game, with another pointed free by Orlagh Laverty. However when the visitors were awarded a free late in the game midfielder Eva McNeill held her nerve and slotted over the equaliser.
Cushendall goal scorer Orlagh Burke in action
Orlagh Laverty was the Loughgiel star throughout the game and hit five of her team’s six first half points, the fourth one getting the Shamrocks back on terms after Cushendall had gone ahead with an Orlagh Burke goal. However Cushendall got on top again in the second quarter and points from Amy McAlister (2), Evan McNeill and Orlagh Burke they went on to lead by 1-07 to 0-6 at half time.
Early second half points by Orlagh Burke and Eva McNeill increased the Cushendall lead to six but two more by Laverty got Loughgiel back within four. It was out to six again when Burke and McNeill came back with scores, but Loughgiel dug in and two more Orlath Lavery points from frees , one from her sister Christine and a goal from Caela Dobbin brought them level. Eva McNeill brought Cushendall back level with a pointed free from fifty metres but once again player of the match Orlagh Laverty found a reply. It looked like the understrength Shamrocks had done enough to seal the win but McNeill kept her cool when the chance was presented to her with a late free and she split the posts to earn her team a share of the spoils.
Loughgiel’s Zoe Cassley in action during her team’s leage game with Cushendall
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Over 135 children took part in a fantastic week of Gaelic games and skills at All Saints GAC Summer Cúl Camp!
Meticulously organised once again by Eamon McKillop, the camp’s main coordinator, this year’s camp was another huge success. Eamon and the team have created a fun, safe, and skill-packed environment where kids learned, played, and made new friends – all while proudly wearing their full Cúl Camp gear!
Camp coordinator, Eamon McKillop with Dominic McKinnley from Gaelfast who coached at the Cul CampTwo young Cul Camp participants develop their Gaelic skills
A massive thank you to all the coaches and helpers who gave their time, energy, and enthusiasm to make it all happen. Without their support, this camp simply wouldn’t be possible.
Here’s to another great summer at All Saints GAC – and to inspiring the next generation of Gaelic stars!
Coaches at the All Saints Cul Camp with camp coordinator, Eamon McKillop
Click on the link below to view photographs from All Saints GAC Cul Camp
IF YOU HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM YOUR CLUBS CUL CAMP AND WOULD LIKE THEM FEATURED IN THE SAFFRON GAEL SEND THEM WIKTH A WEE WRITE UP TO john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk or ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk
Kevin Herron reports from Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh
Gort na Mona ended their league campaign on a winning note with a comfortable 1-20-0-09 victory over West Belfast neighbours Davitt’s on home soil on Tuesday evening.
Despite the hosts making most of the early runnings it didn’t reflect on the scoreboard with a point a piece a quarter of an hour into proceedings.
Michael Savage’s 5th minute point was cancelled out by Aaron Slane five minutes later, but Gort began to pull clear after Tarlach Enright was tripped outside the arc and he kicked the resulting two-pointed free.
Enright then clipped over a two-pointer from play after Ciaran Donnelly found Ciaran MacGiolla Cheera to lay-off into Enright’s path.
Davitt’s replied in the form a two-pointed free from Slane, but in the last ten minutes the hosts had racked up a nine-point lead.
Tarlach Enright kicked successive two-pointed frees from outside the arc and then landed a 45’.
Gort’s talisman kicked a further point in the aftermath of Michael Savage doubling his tally as their side were 0-12-0-03 ahead at the interval.
The hosts picked up where they left off and extended their lead after the break, Ciaran Donnelly shot over and after Matthew McConnell was fouled, Tarlach Enright kicked his fourth two-pointed free of the evening.
He followed that up with a fantastic angled score before Davitt’s opened their account for the half through a second Aaron Slane free.
Just before the midway point in the half, Slane kicked his second two-pointed free – but in reply Gort na Mona pulled clear with the games only goal.
Caoimhin Beck saw his shot blocked down, it was only a temporary reprieve for Davitts though as McConnell picked up the loose ball and floated it across for a Jack Thompson close range palmed finish to make it 1-16-0-06.
Successive Ciaran Donnelly efforts dropped over the bar in the aftermath with Davitt’s hitting three unanswered scores in their most productive period.
Slane increased his personal tally with a 45’, Anthony Rowntree then shot over after a one-two with Conor Maguire and Gerard Slane then shot over his sides final score of the evening.
It was Gort na Mona who finished stronger though with Donnelly turning provider for substitute Conal Keenan to join the the scoring ranks and there was still time to Tarlach Enright to bend a shot over the bar to seal a comfortable 1-20-0-09 victory for his side as the attention now turns to the Intermediate Championship for both sides at the end of the month.
GORT NA MONA: J Ireland, J McIlroy, C McCabe, S Campbell, B Burns, C Donnelly (0-3), P Cournane, M Savage (0-2), J Thompson (1-0), C MacGiolla Cheara, C Carson, P Mulvenna, C Beck, M McConnell. T Enright (0-14, 0-1 45’, 1x2pt, 4×0-2 ptf). SUBS: C Keenan (0-1) for P Cournane (HT), K Walsh for C MacGiolla Cheara (HT), C Clarke for P Mulvenna (46), D McKeown for M McConnell (50), J Reilly for J McIlroy (55).
DAVITTS: R McAuley, C Rainey, N Maginn, B Maguire, N McParland, A Hargan, J Lindsey, A Rowntree (0-1), C Slane, D Mooney, G Slane (0-1), CJ Sullivan, M Toner, R Park, A Slane (0-6, 0-1 45’, 1 x 0-1f, 2 x 0-2 ptf). SUBS: P Keeveny for M Toner (39), C Toner for N McParland (39), C Maguire (0-1) for R Park (45), M Toner for D Mooney (46).
The last round of the football league, Division One is scheduled for Wednesday 2nd July with the top four at conclusion to participate in semi-finals, and a final game to determine Division One league champions 2025 and the bottom four will complete in a similar play off.
Divisions Two and Three are almost finished as the respective winners of those divisions are decided but promotion and relegation remains to be decided.
Wed 2nd July
Division One (7.15 pm)
Kickham’s Creggan v St James Aldergrove
Kickham’s Creggan have enjoyed a very positive season and with 22 points to date have earned a place in the knock out competition in search of the division 1 title and they have gained the highest points difference on their travels.
Aldergrove have played well this term and this is reflected in their snug mid table berth with 14 points banked from their assignments.
Ground advantage will most certainly combine with current form to strongly suggest the Kickham’s men will start as firm favourites and they will most likely gain the day.
St John’s v St Paul’s
St John’s took a long time to get going in the league but recent improvement has moved the Corrigan residents onto 9 points but they need a win from this one to ensure they are not involved in the bottom four play-offs.
St Paul’s also took a time to get their act together on league matters but the Shaw’s road residents hit form in mid-season and such ensured a finishing total of 11 points and retention of division 1status.
Should Aghagallon, who are also on 9 points, beat All Saints in their final game then St.John’s would also need a win to avoid being involved in the play-offs and they should have enough to get the win.
Casement’s Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg
Portglenone have enjoyed another good season but they will finish out of the top four despite acquiring 19 points to finish 5th in the league tables.
Lamh Dhearg also enjoyed a good league campaign and although they have not gained a top four spot they have banked 15 points to date.
A good game is in prospect and although it may well be a close one ground advantage may nudge the verdict in favour of John McKeever’s men.
O’ Donovan Rossa v St Brigid’s
Having struggled for most of the season Rossa have only 6 points and are already condemned to a place in the bottom 4 play-offs.
St Brigid’s have enjoyed a good season and have already qualified for a top four play-off place but they will travel to Rossa intent on picking up another win.
Con Magees Glenravel v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Glenravel have enjoyed a good season to date and currently have 11 points and the Glensman are secure of status and a place in the top division in 2026 as they play hosts to Dunloy in their final game.
Dunloy have enjoyed a good season thus far and with a strong panel available the dual club will anticipate making their respective mark on both hurling and football championships this term.
This may well be another close one but again ground advantage may well prove as a decider with Glenravel given the nod.
Tir na nOg v Erin’s Own Cargin
Cargin, with just one defeat this season, when they lost to St Brigid’s will take their place in the play off to determine the ultimate winners of the league title and will travel to Whitehill to meet Tir na nOg with the home side set to compete in the play-offs to determine the relegation issue.
Lady Luck has turned her back on the Og’s this term and having finished in the top four last term they will be disappointed that their quest for points this season has only amounted to six.
Cargin with their place in the top four assured will have eyes firmly fixed on retention of championship and it remains to be seen if Ronan Devlin’s charges will field at full strength or if they decide to look to their extended panel.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v St Gall’s
Ahoghill looked to be on the road to recovery lately despite a poor return of points as the season neared conclusion when three good performances in sequence hinted strongly at recovery but the wheels came off the wagon in the last few rounds and they have just six points.
St. Mary’s meet St Gall’s and the Cloney side are more than capable of gaining the points against a St. Gall’s side who started the season well but have dipped in form recently.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v All Saint’s Ballymena
Aghagallon endured a poor enough season and have struggled without their county contingent and sit with St. John’s on nine points. They really need a win in this one as they entertain top four side, All Saints and even that may not be enough to avoid a playoff place for survival if St. John’s beat St. Paul’s.
All Saint’s Ballymena have enjoyed a good season and sit in third place in the league with 22 points and their greater need could see them edge this one if the Ballymena side are not at their best.
Aghagallon will hope to finish their league campaign on a positive note and if such is the case the St Mary’s men may well bank another couple of points and hope St. Paul’s can do them a favour at Corrigan.
ACFL Division 2 Round Up
Sarsfield’s entertain Naomh Padraig at the bear Pit in their final game with the league title already secured following their win over previous league leaders, Moneyglass in Moneyglass on the 22nd June.
St. Ergnat’s failed again in their final game to St. Joseph’s Glenavy but will finish in second place and that should earn them a place in the promotion-relegation deciders later in the year.
ACFL Division 3 Round Up
St. Agnes claimed the division 3 league title with a win over closest rivals, Laochra Loch Lao at Pairc Naomh Una so their final game away to Pearses is academic but the Aggies will want to finish on a high.
Laochra Loch Lao have proved worthy challengers and the Irish language side will finish second regardless of their final game result against St. Malachy’s but should gain the win.
Antrim senior ladies made the long journey to Carlow on Sunday in the All Ireland LGFA Junior Championship and after emphatically beating the home side 8-16 to 3-7 they have secured their place in the All Ireland semi final on Sunday 13th July at Clones with a 4 pm throw in …
Indeed Antrim made light work of a Carlow team that played a division above the Saffrons this year …
With just 15 seconds on the clock Theresa Mellon had raised the first green flag of the day, but the lead was short lived as from the resulting kick out Carlow broke up the pitch and raised a green flag of their own..
From Antrim’s kick out they secured their own possession and Niamh Mc Intosh and Maeve Blaney combined to set up Lara Dahunsi for her first of a personal tally of 7 points from play …
Carla Mc Kenna then turned over the Carlow kick out and she sent Maria O Neill racing through and with her new golden boots she hit the roof of the Carlow net …
Dahunsi, Anna Mulholland and Maria O Neill then all raised white flags before O’Neill found the bottom corner of the net after some sublime football between Aoife Kelly and Ciara Brown to further stretch their advantage.
Lara Dahunsi then knocked over two more points and the lively Theresa Mellon added a point to her earlier goal, before Carlow replied with a point and were then awarded a penalty which their full forward tucked into the bottom corner…
However from the kickout Antrim created a classic goal. Aine Devlin hit a short ball to Orla Corr who in turn found the raiding Niamh Mc Intosh down the right hand side. Niamh fed Aoife Kelly who spotted Sarah O Neill bursting through the middle and she made no mistake finding the net from close range.
Again Antrim turned the kickout over and Laura Agnew found Maria O’Neill in space and she completed her hat-trick with 25 minutes on the clock …
Indeed two minutes later Maria returned the favour to Laura and she raised a green flag of her own …
O’Neill then knocked a free over the bar and the last score of the half came from Lara Dahunsi when the St Paul’s player caught a wonderful ball in the air before turning two defenders and split the posts from all of 30 metres.
Indeed Lara was causing the home defence endless problems with her intelligent runs for the ball and her quality finishing….
The second half opened with an Ana Mulholland point after brilliant approach play from Eimily Kearns and Aine Kelly. Maeve Mulholland was the provider for Antrims’ next two points when she found Maria O’Neill twice in a row with two long range passes.
Carlow got two points of their own before the hard working Aoife Kelly got her just reward that her performance deserved when she rounded a defender and the keeper and coolly rolled the ball into the net …
Lara Dahunsi then took her total to 7 points from play when she slotted over two scores in quick succession.
Aine Lynch, who had a magnificent game in the middle of the field, then sent Maria O’Neill clear down the right hand side and she slipped the ball across the square for the lively Blaithin NiCahill who nipped in in front of two defenders to palm the ball into the net and raise the green flag for the 8th time for the Antrim girls and unselfishly laid it off to Maria O Neill to to get the final score of the day and secure that All Ireland semi-final place in style.
Antrim scorers were
Maria O’Neill 3/05
Theresa Mellon 1/1
Aoife Kelly1/0
Sarah O’Neill 1/0
Lara Dahunsi 0/7
Anna Mulholland 0/2
Blaithin Ni Cahill 1/01
Laura Agnew 1/0
Team manager Micky O’Kane said after the game.
‘Our girls were outstanding today ..
their football at times was an absolute joy to watch …
Every girl in our panel takes credit for that performance.
They all work so hard and give up so much time to represent their county.
They all enjoy playing football and are all very competitive at training …
It would be great to see a massive support in Clones in two weeks time which would be really appreciated by these girls in their quest to reach an all Ireland final ..
