by thesaffrongael

Cushendun finish each half strongly to stay unbeaten

Antrim Hurling League Division 2

Cloughmills 2-10 Cushendun 1-20

Report and pics by Micky Morgan

Going into this Division 2 Antrim Hurling League fixture at Fr Leonard Park, most pundits were anticipating a rather one-sided contest between table-topping Cushendun Emmet’s and a struggling St Brigid’s Cloughmills side. However, the game overseen by referee Fiontan McCotter proved to be anything but straightforward for the league leaders. It ultimately took a strong finish to both halves for the visitors to secure the points and avoid a major upset on the road.

The home side started brightly, defying expectations when James O’Boyle opened the scoring in the second minute. Cushendun quickly settled with points from Conlaoth ‘Loaf’ McNeill and Connor McHugh, but Cloughmills struck a major blow in the ninth minute when James Doherty fired to the net. The Emmet’s response was immediate, with Colm McKeegan raising a green flag of his own just a minute later to swing the momentum back. The visitors then began to dictate the pace, tagging on points through Loaf, Shane McQuillan, McKeegan, and Pierce Bannon to build a solid lead. Cloughmills remained fiercely competitive, however, and a brilliant sideline cut from Michael Devlin was soon followed by a Stephen Smith goal in the 25th minute to keep the hosts right in the mix. True to the pattern of the game, Cushendun rallied just before the break. A flurry of late first-half scores from McHugh, Loaf McNeill, and Callam Kilgore ensured the Emmet’s took a 1-11 to 2-05 lead into the dressing rooms.

The second half continued in a similarly tense vein. Connor McHugh extended the Emmet’s lead straight from the restart, though Michael Devlin quickly replied with a free for the hosts. The sides essentially went score for score through the middle third of the half. Loaf was highly dependable from placed balls for the visitors, while McHugh continued to consistently trouble the home defense. Cloughmills simply refused to lie down, keeping the scoreboard ticking over with a spirited point from Dara Waterson and a quickfire brace from Conor Laverty. When Devlin slotted another free in the 28th minute, it left the score at 1-17 to 2-10, meaning just four points separated the sides as normal time elapsed.

With the game hanging in the balance and an upset still a distinct possibility heading into injury time, Cushendun drew on their league-leading pedigree to finally put the contest to bed. Conor ‘Smiley’ McHugh stepped up when his team needed him most, taking complete control of the dying minutes. He fired over three crucial points in the 31st, 33rd, and 35th minutes—the final one coming from a free—to finally break Cloughmills’ resistance. Those late interventions secured a hard-fought 1-20 to 2-10 victory for the Emmet’s, leaving them with a seven-point winning margin that perhaps didn’t fully reflect just how hard they had to work for it.

Cushendun (Total: 1-20)

  • Connor McHugh: 0-09 (1 free)
  • Conlaoth McNeill: 0-07 (5 frees)
  • Colm McKeegan: 1-01
  • Shane McQuillan: 0-01
  • Pierce Bannon: 0-01
  • Callam Kilgore: 0-01

St Brigid’s Cloughmills (Total: 2-10)

  • Michael Devlin: 0-04 (2 frees, 1 sideline cut)
  • James Doherty: 1-01
  • Stephen Smith: 1-00
  • Conor Laverty: 0-02
  • James O’Boyle: 0-01
  • Ryan McFarlane: 0-01
  • Dara Waterson: 0-01

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s late comeback earns them their 12th Ulster title

Ulster Minor Camogie Final

Antrim 2-17 Derry 2-16

Venue- CushLig an Airgid – Cushendun

The Ulster minor camogie final at Cushendun on Saturday evening delivered a classic encounter, with Antrim ultimately retaining their title in a 2-17 to 2-16 thriller against a resilient Derry side. While a dramatic 56th-minute goal from Emma Quinn looked to have secured a fifth title for the Oak Leaf county, the holders demonstrated remarkable composure in the closing stages. Late points from Eimear McCaughan and Player of the Match Caoimhe McErlean allowed Antrim to claw back the lead and secure the trophy for the 12th time in their history.

Derry enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, using the breeze to establish a 0-6 to 0-2 lead within the first quarter thanks to the accuracy of Emma Quinn, Grace McCartney, and Ciara O’Loughlin. Antrim found a lifeline when a long-range free dropped into the Derry square, falling kindly for Eimear McCaughan who made no mistake in finding the back of the net. The remainder of the half was a tightly contested affair where both sides traded scores, leaving Derry with a narrow 0-12 to 1-7 lead as the teams headed into the break.

The momentum shifted immediately upon the restart as Antrim hit four unanswered points through Aoife Fitzsimons, Caoimhe McErlean, and Brogan Graham to take a two-point lead within four minutes. Derry responded with a point from Brianna Donaghy and a clinical goal from Emma Quinn to regain the advantage, but the lead was short-lived. Barely a minute later, Louise McBride got the decisive touch on a cross into the danger area to put Antrim back in front.

The final quarter was defined by high tension as Antrim struggled to shake off their challengers. Despite Eimear McCaughan extending the gap to three points, Emma Quinn dragged Derry back into contention with two points before completing her brace of goals to put her side ahead in the final minutes. However, Antrim found the necessary response in the “sting in the tail” finish, as Caoimhe McErlean and Eimear McCaughan split the posts to ensure the title stayed with the Saffron county by the narrowest of margins.

Antrim: Molly McToal, Cara Lynch, Laoise Stone, Isabelle Martin, Hannah Mead, Fiadh Sands, Amy Gault, Erin-Mae Mitchell 0-1, Eimear McCloskey, Aoife Fitzsimons 0-2, Caoimhe McErlean 0-9 (8fs), Cara Delaney, Eimear McCaughan 1-3, Louise McBride 1-1, Brogan Graham 0-1.

Subs: Aoife Neeson for A Gault, Orla Munce for C Lynch

Derry: Aoife McAteer, Treasa Passmore, Ríonach Conlon, Gráinne McElhinney, Ellen Cullen, Ellie McCartney, Hannah Drinan, Áine Young, Ríonach McNally, Brianna Donaghy 0-1, Mary Therese McCullagh 0-1, Grace McCartney 0-3, Sara McTague, Emma Quinn capt 2-8 (0-7fs), Ciara O’Loughlin 0-3.

Subs: Odharnait Ward for S McTague, Aoife Harkin for G McElhinney

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by thesaffrongael

Derry cruise to convincing win to book a semi-final place

Ulster SFC quarter-final:

Derry 2-23 Antrim 1-13

Derry enjoyed their first Ulster Championship win since winning the title back in 2023 on Saturday when the Oak leaf County proved too good for visitors Antrim to progress to the provincial semi-final.

The 13 point winning margin didn’t flatter the Oak Leaf side and indeed had it not been for a string of brilliant saves by Antrim keeper, John McNabb the margin of victory would have been much greater.

Played in glorious sunshine at Celtic Park, the first half took it’s time to get going and Antrim impressed early in the game and a goal from Niall Burns after 11 minutes moved them into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead.

Burns was Antrim’s best forward and opened the scoring in the very first Saffron attack but points from Lochlan Murray and Shane McGuigan edged the hosts into a one point lead.

Burn’s goal stung Derry into action and they replied through, Lachlan Murray, Ruairi Forbes, Eoin McAvoy and Paul Cassidy before Burns briefly edged the Saffron ahead once more.

Eoin McAvoy equalised and Niall Loughrin gave Derry back a lead they would hold and add to in impressive form with Padraig McGrogan adding a point a minute later.

The returning Eoin McEvoy fired over to ignite a scoring burst before Niall Loughlin and Padraig McGrogan both added points.

Better was to follow in the 23rd minute when Lachlan Murray intercepted a ball around the middle of the park with keeper McNabb caught out as he pushed up in support of his attack, and raced forward to unleash an unstoppable shot to the net.

Antrim came close to scoring a second goal of their own with the ball moved through the hands to Pat Shivers but his shot on goal was deflected over the bar by a defender.

Pat Shivers added another Antrim point but the hosts were well in command at that stage, with Shane McGuigan pointing a free and then raising an Orange flag and Loughlin slotting over another from an acute angle to see the Oakleafers lead by 1-11 to 1-4 ahead at the break.

Antrim attempted to close the gap on the restart but a Shivers point was ruled out following a breech with McGuigan kicking another 2 pointer from the resulting free for what amounted to a three point swing.

McGuigan, Lachlan Murray and McGuigan again stretched the Derry lead to 9 by the 43d minute and at this stage Antrim were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball.

Slowly they regained a bit of possession with team captain, Eoghan McCabe pointing and then raising an Orange flag but once again the hosts were able to make an immediate response.

Paul Cassidy put any lingering hopes the Saffrons held beyond them when he followed up on a Loughlin shot that was parried by McNabb to side-foot to the net.

 The visitors continued to fight against impossible odds and Niall Burns put the icing on a fine individual performance to bring his total for the evening to 1-3 before being replaced.

Despite the loss of Ronan Boyle to a 60th-minute black card, impact sub Ryan McQuillan added an excellent point to the Antrim tally as Derry, with both McGuigan and Murray in scintillating form, cruised to a convincing victory.

Derry now go forward to face the winners of Monaghan and Cavan, who play on Sunday while Antrim will have to regroup in preparation for the Tailteann Cup in an attermpt to keep their season alive.

DERRY: S McGuckin, D Baker, R Forbes (0-0-1), C McCluskey, C Doherty (0-0-3), G McKinless, P McGrogan (0-0-1), E McEvoy (0-0-1), B Rogers (0-0-1), E Doherty, C Glass, P Cassidy (1-0-1), N Loughlin (0-0-2), S McGuigan (0-2-5, 2f), L Murray (1-0-3). Subs: P McGurk for D Baker, S Downey for E McEvoy (both 53 mins), N Toner for N Loughlin (57), N O’Donnell for B Rogers (60), R O Mianain (0-0-1) for R Forbes (65).

ANTRIM: J McNabb, J Morgan, E Walsh, K Keenan, E McCabe (0-1-1), P Healy, M Jordan, P McAleer (0-0-1f), J Finnegan, C Hand (0-0-1), A Loughran, R Boyle, N Burns (1-0-3), P Shivers (0-0-2), D McEnhill. Subs: R McQuillan (0-1-1) for A Loughran (37 mins), T McCormack for M Jordan, T McCann for D McEnhill (both 53), B Kelly for K Keenan (60), C Hynds for N Burns (66).

Referee: D Gough.

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by thesaffrongael

Lightning Strikes Twice as Antrim are Down’ed in the McDonagh Cup

Antrim 0-23 Down 1-22

McDonagh Cup – Round 1

Saturday 18 April

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

It was every inch the war of attrition that was forecast ahead of this Joe McDonagh Cup opener and just like four weeks ago in the Marshes, Down and Donal Hughes had the final say.  A goal in the fourth minute of five added on gave Down the lead for the first time in the contest and ultimately proved to be the winning of the game.

Antrim had chances after.  Their calls for a penalty fell on deaf ears when Keelan Molloy was felled on his way to goal.  The Saffrons wanted a penalty, on reflection they have every right to be frustrated.  Molloy looked like he was through and there was definitely a goal chance on.  But, after consultation with his umpires, referee Thomas Gleeson awarded a free from roughly 25 yards out on the angle.

Gerard Walsh went for goal, Down ‘keeper Pearce Smyth was equal to his effort and yet, there was still time for another play.  In fact, there was time for another two plays.  The game was called in the ninth minute of injury time and Down victorious while Antrim were left with that ‘what might have been’ feeling.

Seaan Elliott was top of the scoring charts, raising the white flag on 11 occasions while Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy and Conal Cunning all had strong games.  Tom McGrattan and Pearse Og McCrickard shared 12 points between them while Daithi Sands was a constant threat.  Caolan Taggart patrolled the heart of the Down defence and pulled the strings and seemed to be at the break of every ball.

Antrim had the help of a strong wind from the first whistle and despite McGrattan opening the scoring, Antrim on top.  They only managed three Elliott frees in the opening 12 minutes though with four wides in the same period hurting their challenge.

The Saffrons continued to use Ruairi Donaghy inside on his own, packing the middle third and looking to break the lines for scoring chances.  The first score by Antrim from open play came in the 15th minute via the hurl of Elliott and while Pearce Og McCrickard responded for Down, Molloy and Eoin O’Neill dissected the uprights to put four between the sides midway through the first half.

That deficit was reduced to three with Sands’ first of the game and while James McNaughton and Conal Cunning found their range, Antrim’s tally of wides had reached eight before the 25th minute of the contest.

The free taking of McCrickard was keeping Down within touching distance everytime Antrim looked to be building a lead while McCambridge and Paul Boyle were raising white flags at the other end of the pitch.  McCrickard’s fourth free proved to be the last action of the half as Antrim took a 0-12 to 0-8 lead into the interval.

The consensus was that four points was never going to be enough, given the strength of the wind.  Down would have been the happier side at the interval, there’s no doubting that yet, for long periods of the second half Antrim were in control.  Everytime Down ate into the deficit, Antrim found a response.  The first 19 points of the second half were tit-for-tat with Elliott’s free taking to the fore for the Saffrons.

Antrim did create a couple of half goal chances, the most notable one saw Molloy and Cunning combining before Molloy’s shot was bravely blocked by a Down defender who launched his body in the path of the sliotar.

The lead was reduced to two points when substitute Marc Fisher dissected the uprights with a point from huge distance in the 64th minute.  Antrim responded with Elliott’s 11th point of the game while they called Pearce Smyth into action to deny McNaughton a goal from a fierce drive but with three minutes of the 70 remaining, Antrim still led by three points.

Down refused to lay down however.  Points from Owen McDermott and a brace of frees from McGrattan brought the sides level in the last minute of normal time.

Antrim regrouped and a brilliant score from substitute Jack McCloskey looked to have the Saffrons off to a winning start in the competition only for Down to score the only major of the game in the fourth minute of injury time.  Ronan Beatty rising highest to pluck the sliotar from the air with a brilliant catch before finding Hughes in space and he made no mistake.

Antrim rallied and sent an aerial assault on the Down full back line looking for a major that never came.  Calls for a penalty when Molloy looked to be through on goal fell on deaf ears, much to the frustration of the Antrim management.

Four weeks ago in Pairc Esler, it felt like Down got the rewards their efforts deserved.  This loss will sting for this Antrim team.  Lady luck didn’t shine upon those in a Saffron jersey and they have a short turnaround now to focus on a Laois side in O’Moore Park in Round Two.

TEAMS

ANTRIM: Cormac McFadden; Oisin Donnelly, Niall O’Connor, Stephen Rooney; Ryan McNulty, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; Eoin O’Neill, Paul Boyle; Keelan Molloy, Ryan McCambridge, Conal Cunning; James McNaughton, Ruairi Donaghy, Seaan Elliott

Subs: Conal Bohill for P Boyle (49); Gerard Walsh for E O’Neill (59); Ruairi McCormick for R McNulty (65); Scott Walsh for O Donnelly (68); Jack McCloskey for C Cunning (70+2)

Scorers: S Elliott 0-11 (10f); J McNaughton 0-3; C Cunning 0-2; R McCambridge 0-2; K Molloy 0-2; E O’Neill 0-1; P Boyle 0-1; J McCloskey 0-1

DOWN: Pearce Smyth; Tom Murray, Ruairi McCrickard, Ben Teggart; Barry Trainor, Caolan Taggart, Niall McFarland; Donal Hughes, Liam Savage; Daithi Sands, Finn Turpin, Pearse Og McCrickard; Tom McGrattan, Tim Prenter, Shea Pucci

Subs: Cathal Coleman for T Prenter (27); Marc Fisher for T Murray (52); Ronan Smyth for N McFarland (56); Paul Sheehan for P Og McCrickard (61); Owen McDermott for F Turpin (63)

Scorers: T McGrattan 0-6 (2fs); P Og McCrickard 0-6 (6fs); D Hughes 1-1; D Sands 0-2; B Teggart 0-1; C Taggart 0-1; L Savage 0-1; F Turpin 0-1; C Coleman 0-1; M Fisher 0-1; O McDermott 0-1

Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)

by thesaffrongael

Antrim fade after bright start against Ulster league winners

Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Round One

Monaghan 3-14 Antrim 1-10

The start of this game in Iniskeen was delayed for 45 minutes after the Antrim bus got stuck under a bridge in the village with the Antrim players having to be relayed by car to the ground.

It failed to unsettle the young Saffrons however when play got underway as they set about putting an early stamp on proceedings.

Antrim took the game to a Monaghan team, who had defeated them earlier in the league by 12 points at Dunsilly and raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 early in the game and their ability to overturn the Monaghan attack and hit on the counter suggested that a major upset was on the cards.

The Antrim defence at this point was dealing with everything the ‘Farney’ could throw at them but an excellent 2 pointer from Cillian McKenna seemed to settle the home side and they gradually began to eat into the Antrim lead.

Roger Casements’ duo Dara Campbell and Tom Convery had dominated at midfield for much of the game, the latter striking a superb 45 and a two-point free early on, while Joey Griffin palmed home their goal, the smallest man on the pitch rising highest to pull it back to 2-9 to 1-8 at one stage in the second half.

The Monaghan defence, led by full-back Darragh Feeney finally got to grips with a lively Antrim attack and he got forward for an excellent point in the first half as the momentum of the game started to change.

Adam Borsje had the home crowd on their feet with a superb individual goal as he placed his shot in the corner of the Antrim net and another from Mickey Dooher-Burke finally killed the game off.

Malachy Treanor had lashed home Monaghan’s second goal just moments beforehand and the hosts emptied their bench with Mantas Palauskas making an instant impact to point, and Caoilte Kelly following with a two-pointer.

Despite this defeat there was much to be positive about in this Antrim performance with Niall Quinn excellent in goals and his kick-outs were pin point at times, while the St Ergnat’s Moneyglass man also made an excellent save to deny Noah Hughes.

Darragh Feeney, Cillian McKenna Malachy Treanor, Adam Botsje and Noah Hughes were excellent in a Monaghan team with an Ulster league title behind them and they will now fancy their chances to complete a league and championship double.

Antrim have struggled at times this season but their performance in Iniskeen suggest that they didn’t quite fulfil their obvious potential and in Niall Quinn, Tom Convery, Daire Thornbury, Sean McCormack Darra Campbell and Joe Griffin they have players who look to have a bright future.

Monaghan: R Quigley; C Farrelly, D Feeney 0-1, N Fanthorpe (C); M Doogan-Burke 1-1, A Lawless, M Treanor 1-0; J O’Loan, P Gilmartin; C McKenna 0-3 (tp), A Borsje 1-0, P Brady; A McGinnity 0-4 (3f), S McKenna, N Hughes

Subs used: C MacCionnaith 0-1 for A Lawless (inj), C McCluskey for P Brady (38), C Kelly 0-3 (tp) for J O’Loan (45), M Palauskas 0-1 for M Treanor (50), G Collins for S Mac Cinna (56)

Antrim: N Quinn; C McKenna, B O’Donnell, C McArt; S McCormack 0-1, T Douthart, C Wilson; D Campbell 0-4 (4f), T Convery 0-3 (45, tpf); A O’Hanlon, J Higgins, J Griffin 1-0; T Lee, S McFerran, D Thornbury 0-1.

Subs used: C McKeever 0-1 for T Lee (HT), S McMullan for A O’Hanlon (40), S McLernon for D Thornbury (45’), N Burns for J Higgins (53), S McPeake for B O’Donnell (58).

Referee: M Turley (Down)