by thesaffrongael

Cuchullains cruise to comfortable win

Senior Football League – Division One

Glenravel 1-15 Dunloy 3-17

Wednesday 2 July

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fr McGinn Park, Glenravel

Dunloy finished off their league campaign with an eight point win over the Con Magees on Wednesday evening.  Under the late evening sunshine and the midges, the Cuchullains laid the foundations for this victory in the opening quarter of the first half where they scored two goals in the space of five minutes.  The visitors dominated and went into an eight point lead that Glenravel rarely looked like overcoming.

The statistics make for tidy reading for Dunloy by the end of the hour with 11 different scorers and just three points of their final tally coming from placed ball.  They did reach double figures in wides but this was a contest that they controlled for long periods.

Sean McKay top scored for the home side with three frees in his tally of five points while Conleth O’Loan was always a threat on the inside forward line.  He would finish with 1-2, his goal coming towards the end of the first half while Colla Ward and Niall Swann also caught the eye.  While they attacked with precision, they couldn’t curtail the Dunloy attacking unit who could have added to their overall tally.

It was the Con Magees who opened the scoring with Eamon Ward pointing in the second minute.  Dunloy were dictating the early proceedings but were being held out with some disciplined and well organised Glenravel defending.

Dunloy’s first score came in the eighth minute through Ryan McGarry.  Seaan Elliott had the ball 40 yards from goal and waited on the run from McGarry coming through the middle.  The Dunloy defender would burst through and finish superbly to give Shaun O’Boyle little chance of stopping his effort.

Points followed from the impressive Keelan Molloy and Eoin McFerran in quick succession.  It could have been their second major before McFerran’s point but McGarry’s punched effort came back off the post.

The second Dunloy goal came in the 13th minute with Conor Kinsella showing the Glenravel defence a clean pair of heals before an expert finish put his side into an eight point lead.

The home side would hit back to back points through O’Loan and Conrad McIlhatton and began to warm to the task posed to them.  Dunloy added scores from Molloy (2) and Seaan Elliott with a solitary free from McKay the response for the home side but the Con Magees would finish the half strongly.

Points from the marauding Colla Ward and McKay (free) brought Glenravel to within six points before they would find the back of the Dunloy net in the 26th minute.  A long ball was sent in to the Dunloy defence and O’Loan judged the flight perfectly with the bounce wrong footing the Cuchullains defenders, the Glenravel man stole in behind and beat Peter McQuillan with a low finish with his right foot.

Dunloy and Karl Fitzpatrick rounded off the scoring with a free in the last minute of the half to leave the half time score 2-7 to 1-6 in the Cuchullains favour.

Half time probably came at the wrong time for the home side as they looked to have Dunloy on the back foot and the visitors made the most of the break.  They outscored Glenravel three points to two in the opening five minutes of the second half with points coming from substitute Charlie Cunning, Kinsella and Molloy with McKay and O’Loan the Glenravel response.

The Cuchullains third goal came in the 38th minute and came at the end of a brilliant counter attack.  Padraig McGilligan claimed a high ball in the middle of the park and recycled superbly despite under pressure.  Elliott surged through the middle and had options either side, passing to McQuillan on his left.  The Dunloy forward elected to pass to McGarry at the back post and he palmed the ball to the back of the net for his second major of the evening and put daylight between the sides once again.

Eamon Ward and Jack Martin swapped points as the sides went toe to toe.  They shared four points equally, O’Neill and McKay (free) for the home side with Kevin McQuillan and Molloy for Dunloy before Glenravel scored three points in barely two minutes to cut the Dunloy lead to five with less than 10 minutes remaining.  Scores coming from McKay and substute Daragh Donaghy and while O’Neill added his second of the night, he had half a chance for goal before blazing over the bar.

Substitute Callum Scullion and Molloy fired over either side of a Joe Martin point for Glenravel before the home side were reduced to 14 men.  Ronan McCormick getting a black card for dragging Eoin McFerran as Dunloy looked to cut through the Glenravel defence once more.

The Cuchullains rounded off the scoring with points from Fitzpatrick (free) and Elliott in the time that remained to run out comfortable winners.

Both sides were missing plenty of regulars from the starting 15 and with both their status virtually secured before the ball was throw in, there wasn’t much to play for in this other than game time.  Both sides now have a four week break before the championship starts in the first weekend of August.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Peter McQuillan; Michael Trainor, Aaron Crawford, Cathair McCloskey; Conor Kinsella, James Scally, Ryan McGarry; Eoin McFerran, Padraig McGilligan; Jack Martin, Seaan Elliott, Chrissy McMahon; Keelan Molloy, Kevin McQuillan, Karl Fitzpatrick

Subs: Charlie Cunning for C McMahon (HT); Callum Scullion for J Martin (44); Sean Og Blaney for A Crawford (44)

Scorers: K Molloy 0-7 (1f); R McGarry (2-00); C Kinsella 1-1; S Elliott 0-2; K Fitzpatrick 0-2 (2fs); E McFerran 0-1; J Martin 0-1; K McQuillan 0-1; C Cunning 0-1; C Scullion 0-1

GLENRAVEL: Shaun O’Boyle; Conor Carey, Eoin McCusker, Conrad McIlhatton; Colla Ward, Niall Swann, Ronan McCormick; David Higgins, Rian Lennon; Joe Martin, Sean McKay, Eamon Ward; Conleth O’Loan, Aiden O’Donnell, Sean Og O’Neill

Subs: Daragh Donaghy for E McCusker (49); Joe Leech for C McIlhatton (59)

Scorers: S McKay 0-5 (3fs); C O’Loan 1-2; S Og O’Neill 0-2; E Ward 0-2; J Martin 0-1; C McIlhatton 0-1; C Ward 0-1; D Donaghy 0-1

Referee: Kevin Parke (Naomh Éanna)

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

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by thesaffrongael

McNeill’s late point maintains Cushendall’s unbeaten record

Antrim Camogie League Division 1

Loughgiel 1-12 Cushendall 1-12

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

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by thesaffrongael

Another Successful All Saints Cúl Camp!

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 Camp
Two 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

Fun and games at Slemish Park

https://myalbum.com/album/c2ZBnsMZtMuCjF

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

by thesaffrongael

Gort finish league campaign with routine win 

O’Neill’s ACFL Division Two 

Gort na Mona 1-20-0-09 Davitts 

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). 

REFEREE: Paddy Tumelty (LÁMH DHEARG)

by thesaffrongael

Football Fixtures & Previews (Wed 2nd July)

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.