by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s Ulster Senior Final from the goal line

Antrim’s goal keeper, Caitriona Graham talks to Michael Corcoran ahead of Sunday’s game

As luck would have it, Antrim’s ‘Goal stopper’, Caitriona Graham, literally found herself in goals due to Chinese whispers. Playing on the County development squad at underage, Caitriona was given the number one jersey because her home club, Ahoghill, was alphabetically first and that’s simply how jersey numbers were assigned back in the day of her development camp. Caitriona played outfield for that entire summer camp. 

When Caitriona returned to school in September, her school Camogie coach had heard she was playing number 1, obviously a ‘goalie’. And so, Caitriona found herself in goals playing for the school. The rest, as they say, is history. There are no regrets about the mix up, as long as Caitriona gets to play outfield for her club, then County goals is an interesting mix. 

Ahead of this Sunday’s Ulster Senior Championship final, Caitriona spoke to the Saffron Gael about the up-and-coming game. An item on the agenda had to be a firsthand narrative of that amazing save in the dying minutes of the recent semifinal game against Down. Had that sliotar crossed the line, Antrim would have been defeated, and the chances of a back-to-back win were over. Caitriona picks up the conversation, “I saw the Down free dropping in from I believe it was from Paula O’Hagan, I guess their plan was to go for a goal given there was only two points between us. The next minute the sliotar was travelling towards the left side of me, probably just inside the left post. I just reacted, no thinking time, and thankfully got the stick to it and turned it away. It would have been heartbreaking to lose from that shot but a great way to end the game for Antrim.” 

Clare’s Ellen Casey finds Antrim’s goal stopper is the only thing between her and a certain goal

Caitriona isn’t a stranger to saving game changing shots. During the Very league final against Clare, Graham pulled off another goal stopping shot as Clare’s full forward, Ellen Casey, turned on a sixpence to fire at point blank range into Antrim’s net. Caitriona adds, “I’ve been coached to get off the line and make yourself big, like really big. That’s what I did, moved off the line, followed Casey out and when she turned, I got my stick and hand onto the ball and thankfully managed to deflect it away.” When asked how did she like being relabeled a goal stopper in match reports as opposed to a net minder, Caitriona simply laughs it off. And that would be her nature, jovial around her mates but keeping her feet planted on the ground and doesn’t get too carried away with the peripherals. 

Sunday’s game against Derry will see the Oak-leaf County and Antrim play against each other for the first time this year. Caitriona elaborates that, “They’ve shed a few County players since their All Ireland of ‘23 but there’s younger girls coming through onto the panel. Sunday’s game will be interesting as they know us well and the same can be said for us, we know them well too. It’ll come down to whoever plays the best camogie on the day.” 

As we move closer to the final, we asked Caitriona to share her pre-match routine and this is what she had to say on that, “Well, strangely enough I don’t get too involved with that aspect. I just like to get there, warm up and get into the game. There’s usually music playing in the changing rooms and so long as we can get Cassie McArthur to change the selection from, I think it’s rave she has on, then I’m good to go.” 

The Very League winning feeling, Caitriona Graham (1) along with club mates Niamh Neeson (25) and Aisling O’Donnell (23)

A win on Sunday will give Caitriona a back-to-back Ulster winning experience, will that be up there as one of her career highlights? “Yeah, no doubt but then there’s also the All-Ireland win in 2021 and then you can’t forget about your club involvement. We had a mighty run in the Ulster Junior up to the semifinal against Kilrea. There was a big crowd, and we had an extended season when everyone else had finished for the year. We trained three nights a week on the run up. The club senses the activity and everyone rows in behind. It’s a special time as you get to play with family and friends, although County is special too but in a different way.” 

Sunday’s game will see the end of Antrim’s Ulster senior campaign and then it’s onto the All-Ireland Glen Dimplex series. But for now, Antrim are laser focused on a positive outcome in Dunloy with a throw-in time of 2pm. You can get your tickets here… 

https://www.universe.com/events/antrim-v-derry-ulster-senior-championship-final-2025-tickets-J761DL?ref=universe-discover

by thesaffrongael

Aldergrove hold their nerve as Dunloy battle back

Antrim Football League Division 1

Dunloy  1-15  Aldergrove 3-14

A late rally by Dunloy came up short against visitors Aldergrove in Wednesday evening’s Division 1 Football League game at Pearse Park. When Aldergrove started the second half by adding a goal and four points to their half time tally of 2-06 they were ten clear and it looked like it was all going to be one way traffic. However the Cuchullains were not going to give it up that easily and during the final quarter they fought back to hit a goal, two 2-pointers and two single points, in reply to a single point from the visitors and suddenly there was just one score between the sides. The fans who made the journey from Crumlin down to Dunloy must surely have been biting their nails at the thought of losing a game they had dominated for long periods, but their top performer Seamus McGarry settled thing down with a well taken point before right half back Declan Gough fisted over the insurance point deep in injury time.

Playing with the aid of the fresh breeze Dunloy started with a 2-pointer from centre back James Scally, but a minute later Eoin Gough put Aldergrove ahead with a goal from a narrow angle on the right. Corner forward Ryan McCarthy pointed for Aldergrove to put them two ahead but points from the excellent Paudi Martin and Kevin McQuillan had the home side back on terms by the 12th minute. It was score for score for the next ten minutes until Aldergrove got their second goal thanks to an element of good fortune. Man of the match Seamus McGarry won the ball on the edge of the large square and appeared to be firing over another point, but Dunloy midfielder Padraig McGilligan got a touch to the ball as McGarry connected and it spun up into the air and dropped into the corner the net just out of reach of reach of the despairing dive of the home team’s goalkeeper Sean Doherty. Aldrgrove’s Oisin Graham added a point to put five between the sides, but Dunloy ended the half with two pointed frees from full forward Kevin McQuillan to trail by three at the interval. (0-09 to 2-06)

Aldergorve sprinted from the traps at the start of the second half and after adding a point in the first minute they added a goal a minute later when corner forward Ryan McCarthy drove a low shot to the Dunloy net. Three more points followed, two of them from McGarry and one from Chris McSteen and suddenly the gap was out to ten.

It looked like Dunloy were down and out, but they steadied the ship and held Aldergrove scoreless for the next seven minute as the found their bearings again. Kevin McQuillan settled them with a point from a free before corner forward Fitzpatrick struck a two pointer into the breeze on 45 minutes. Eight minutes later he did it again with another great strike, but there still seemed to be no threat to the Aldergrove lead.

That was to change when the visitors somehow brought the ball back from inside the Dunloy twenty metre line, right back down the field to their own danger area, before losing possession, which let Dunloy through for a goal. The pressure was on but to their credit the Crumlin men never panicked and they slotted over two injury time points to seal the win.

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

https://myalbum.com/album/BXLpkhcEN43yxr/?invite=09aeb94c-986e-47b6-9202-0673a599a6f2

by thesaffrongael

Creggan convincing winners over Rossa

Antrim Football League Division 1

Rossa 0-05 Creggan 2-20

Creggan travelled to Shaw’s Road on Wednesday evening and scored a convincing win over Rossa to maintain their third place position in the league table.

With both teams down a few regulars this game was over by halftime as the South West side had just two much power for their opponents.  With Mathew Rodger’s and Conor Johnston hitting two points each and Aiden Maguire coming up front for a rare point, Kickhams moved five ahead with just ten minutes gone.  It went from bad to worse for Rossa with Ethan Carey-Small finishing to the net for the visitors after a nice move up the field. With Keelan and Conor McCann controlling midfield the points continued to flow with Mathew, Conor Johnston and Jamie McCann contributing to the score with two points each and Joe McAteer adding a point of his own. The last three points of the half went to the visitors as Jamie McCann, Conor Johnston and Ethan Small slipping up front to score Kickhams last point to go in at the break 1-14 to no score.

The second half continued on the same vein as the first with Conor Johnston scoring two more points to take his total to seven and the hard working Ruairi McCann got his first point. Rossa got off the mark with with two points from Corey Walsh and one from Gavin McGrath but Kickhams came back with a goal from Joe McAteer after great work from Fintan Close. Kickhams added three more points one each from Jamie, Ruairi and Kealan McCann. To their credit a badly undersrenght Rossa kept plugging away and the got some reward when they scored the last two points from Setanta Mac Domhnall and Maitui Mac Thiarnain.

The win keeps Creggan in the top four while Rossa will be hoping to get back to winning ways soon at they sit third from bottom.

TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/eWakDQeFAPUjV6/?invite=42507438-81b4-4c82-992b-c3a09bd84b3e

by thesaffrongael

Naomh Padraig stay in touch

ACFL Division 2

St. Mary’s Rasharkin 0-8 Naomh Padraig Lisburn 1-20

Naomh Padraig Lisburn stayed in touch with leaders Moneyglass and Sarsfields with a comprehensive win over a depleted St. Mary’s Rasharkin at a sun kissed Dreen on Wednesday night.

The Lisburn side have suffered just one defeat this season and in truth that statistic was never in doubt as they took the game to St. Mary’s right from the throw-in.

Playing a delightful brand of fast flowing football they had built up a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after five minutes with Oisin Gorman (f), Adam Patterson, Brendan McGirr and Patterson again the men on target.

Brian Og O’Neill who pointed 7 frees for Rasharkin in their defeat to Naomh Padraig

The home side were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball but Brian Og O’Neill opened their account from a long range free in the 7th minute.

It provided only temporary respite however and with Patterson and McGirr dominating at mid-field they added a stream of unanswered points through Rudi Smyth and the excellent  Oisin Gorman 0-4 (2f’s) to lead by nine with 16 minutes gone.

Rasharkin had been under the cosh for most of the opening quarter but they came to life through an excellent Oisin Casey point and Brian Og O’Neill added a couple of pointed frees as they enjoyed a short spell of supremacy.

It was Naomh Padraig who finished the half on top however and Colm Burns and Adam Patterson added late points to leave it 0-11 to 0-4 in favour of the Lisburn side at the short whistle.

Adam Patterson increased that lead to 8 within 20 seconds of the restart before Brian Og O’Neill pointed two frees at the other end to leave six between the sides.

Rasharkin were unable to win enough ball around the middle third however and the visitors came back strongly with Cathair Henderson in the Rasharkin goals pulling off a great save to deny Rudi Smyth at the expense of a point.

A goal was not long in coming however and another fine move, started by Josh McMullan deep in defence saw Adam Patterson finish to the Rasharkin net and it was as good as over.

Oisin Gorman and Benjamin McMullan added points as the visitors emptied their bench as Brian Og fired over his sixth free of the evening with substitute Doran Thompson replying from a free at the other end.

Rory Kennedy and Thompson again extended the visitors lead to 15 with Brian Og concluding the Rasharkin scoring from his 7th of the game and Eoin Dixon bringing matters to a close with an injury time point for Naomh Padraig.

Oisin Gorrman who was outstanding for naomh Padraig

A good win for an excellent Naomh Padraig who have now recorded five wins from six starts and sit just a point behind Sarsfields and Moneyglass in the race for the title.

An under strength Rasharkin had little answer to them on the night with Brian Og O’Neill their outstanding performer and they will hope to get their walking wounded back on board, sooner rather than later as they find themselves perilously close to the bottom of the table.

Rasharkin: 1 Cathair Henderson, 2 Pearce Kelly, 3 Pearse McTague, 4 Daniel McGurk, 5 Colm Kennedy, 6 Fergus Quigg, 7 Oran McMullan, 8 Jack Quinn, 9 Tiernan O’Boyle, 10 Killian O’Boyle, 11 Donagh Quigg, 12 Daniel Doherty, 13 Oisin Casey, 14 Brian Og O’Neill, 15 Cormac McMullan.

Subs: Odhran Lynch, Ethan McAffee, and Liam Quigg

Naomh Padraig: 1 Ruadhan McKenna, 2 Jack McMullan, 3 Sean Burns, 4 Jack Broderick, 5 Josh McMullan, 6 Benjamin McMullan, 7 Che Smyth, 8 Brendan McGirr, 9 Adam Patterson, 10 Rory Kennedy, 11 Oisin Gorman, 12 Colm Burns, 13 Jude Rafferty, 14 Eoin Dixon, 18 Rudi Smyth

Subs: Doran Thompson, Luka Mulholland, Conor Doran, Darra Austin

Referee: Martin Quinn

FOR MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/KsSdDRAfdh4VT2

by thesaffrongael

Tailteann Cup opener looks difficult but Antrim can win in Cusack Park

Tailteann Cup Group 3

Westmeath v Antrim

Mullingar – Sunday 2-00pm

The draw for this year’s Tailteann Cup sees Antrim face a difficult opener when they travel to Mullingar to face Westmeath this Sunday in Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The Saffrons will want to forget the last meeting of these two sides at the same venue or maybe it’s better to remember it and travel with the mind-set that this is an opportunity to right the damage inflicted that day back on March 5th 2023.

Everything that possibly could go wrong that day, went wrong as Andy McEntee’s side suffered a heavy defeat that would put a massive dent in their promotion hopes.

A new day, a new game and a different competition and Antrim will want to get their Tailteann Cup campaign of to a good start but face a formidable opponent.

The Antrim side has undergone many changes from that easily forgetable performance in Mullingar with Mick Byrne, Eoin McCabe, James McAuley, Joseph and Patrick Finnegan, Ruairi McCann and Conor Stewart the only players still in the panel that started that day though Dominic McEnhill came on as a substitute.

Captain that day, Peter Healy has not kicked a ball this year but is still around the panel as he recovers from a long term injury that required surgery and just where he is at in terms of recovery is not known at the time of writing.

Westmeath went on to gain promotion to division 2 in 2023 but recorded only one draw from their 7 fixtures and return to division 3 in 2025 while Antrim are relegated to division 4 for the 2025 season.

Eoghan McCabe in action for Antrim against Westmeath in Mullingar back in 2023

Just how those league campaigns have affected both sides remains to be seen but Antrim were somewhat unfortunate to make the drop from division 3 and were competitive in nearly all their games.

Their outstanding performance against All Ireland Champions, Armagh in the ‘Corrigan or nowhere’ Ulster Championship will have given Andy McEntee’s side a lot of confidence.

The Saffrons played out of their skins in that one and led the All Ireland champions by a point at half time and that lead could have been greater but Kavan Keenan’s penalty just before half time was saved by Blaine Hughes.

Paddy McBride, Eunan Walsh, Dermott McAleese and Marc Jordan were missing through injury in Antrim’s meeting with Sunday’s opponents back in 2023 while Kavan Keenan, Conor Hand, Ronan Boyle and Ryan McQuillan are amongst the emerging new faces likely to see action in Mullingar.

Antrim can take a lot of confidence from that performance against Armagh and if they can perform to that level and keep it going for the 70 plus minutes then they are quite capable of getting a result at Cusack Park.

Group 3 Tailteann Cup: Westmeath, Limerick, Antrim, London