by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s dreams shattered by clinical Orchard

Ulster SFC Quarter-Final

Armagh 1-34 (1-4-26) Antrim 1-23 (1-5-13)

For over 45 minutes in this compelling contest at Corrigan Park on Saturday, Antrim dared to dream. They led All Ireland champions Armagh by a point at the break and that lead might have been greater but Kavan Keenan had his penalty attempt saved by replacement goalkeeper, Blaine Hughes after Ethan Rafferty was shown Black.

The introduction of Oisin O’Neill for the second half saw a clinical Armagh take control as a tiring Antrim ran out of steam and ideas but what a fright they gave the odds-on visitors during the opening 45 plus minutes.

Top – Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty grabs Ruairi McCann by the leg, a foul that saw him receive a black card while (Below) – Kavan Keenan takes the resultant penalty but substitue goallkeeper Blaine Hughes was equal to it

The National media will show that Armagh won by 11 points in the end but it masks the fact that this was a rip-roaring contest for three-quarters of the game that will have gone some way to restoring the Saffron pride after a lack-lustre league campaign that ended in relegation to division 4.

The All-Ireland champions were the hottest of favourites as they travelled to Belfast and were expected to canter through this Ulster quarter-final but Antrim were determined from the start to spoil the party and certainly rose to the occasion.

Armagh started brightly and kicked the first three points as Rory Grugan opened his account from a free, and Andrew Murnin and Callum O’Neill followed with two from play to move the visitors 0-3 ahead.

Ryan McQuillan opened Antrim’s account and then Dominic McEnhill landed a two pointer before Ethan Rafferty kicked a two-point free as this game came to life.

Antrim’s Ryan McQuillan sends over a point during the second half. Thy young corner forward ended the day with 1-5

Armagh rattled off another three with Antrim goalkeeper Mick Byrne pulling off a smart save to deny Callum O’Neill, but the home crowd came to life again in the 20th minute when their side was awarded a penalty as Ruairi McCann was grounded as he was about to finish to the net.

Rafferty was shown Black for the resulting penalty but after what seemed an eternity, Blaine Hughes came in to face the penalty and he dived full length to his left to deny Kavan Keenan.

To make matters worse, Grugan kicked a two-point free to push Armagh five ahead, but Antrim again roared back with Byrne kicking a 45, McEnhill with a two-point free and Marc Jordan bringing them right back into contention.

Rafferty returned to the play as Greg McCabe saw his shot tipped over, but Antrim were simply flying and Ryan McQuillan pointed and McBride kicked his second two pointer before Grugan tied it and Antrim lost Keenen to a black card, they went upfield and McBride slung over again.

Armagh corner back Tomas McCormick fires a fantastic goal high to the corner of Mick Byrne’s net to set his team firmly on the victory trail

Darragh McMullan fisted over with the last action of a compelling first half that saw Antrim fans roaring their team into the dressing room with a 0-14 to 0-13 advantage.

McBride extended the gap straight after the break, but Oisin O’Neill’s introduction at half time would pay dividends as he kicked the first of three two-point frees to level.

When Ross McQuillan edged Armagh back in front after 42 minutes, it was a lead they would hold to the finish as Aidan Forker pointed and then the Armagh defence forced a turnover and broke with pace with Tomas McCormack finishing clinically past Mick Byrne.

O’Neill and Grugan added scores, but Antrim again found a reply with McQuillan kicking a 2-pointer and McBride fisting over.

The hosts continued to battle and Ronan Boyle split the posts to bring the gap back to seven, but Antrim were now running on empty as Armagh hit seven on the bounce.

Ryan McQuillan scrambled home for a consolation goal for the Saffrons and it was just reward for the Glenravel youngster who was sharp and dangerous throughout but it is Armagh who advance to the Ulster semi-final while Antrim can now look forward to the Tailteann Cup with renewed confidence.

Man of the match Paddy McBride sends over a superb 2-pointer during the opening half of Saturday’s game

Scorers for Armagh: R Grugan 0-8 (1xtpf, 4f), O O’Neill 0-6 (3xtpf), C O’Neill 0-4, T McCormack 1-1; E Rafferty 0-3, (1xtpf), R McQuillan 0-3, G McCabe and C McConville 0-2, A Murnin, D McMullan, A Forker, B McCambridge, J Hall 0-1 each.

Scorers for Antrim: P McBride 0-9 (3xtp, 1f), R McQuillan 1-5 (1xtp), D McEnhill 0-4 (tp, tpf), M Byrne 0-2 (45), M Jordan, E Quinn, R Boyle 0-1 each.

Armagh : Ethan Rafferty; Gareth Murphy, Barry McCambridge, Tomás McCormack; Ross McQuillan, Greg McCabe, Jarlath Og Burns; Callum O’Neill, Ciaran Mackin; Darragh McMullan, Rory Grugan, Peter McGrane; Tiernan Kelly, Andrew Murnin, Stefan Campbell.

Subs: Blaine Hughes for T Kelly (20), Oisin O’Neill for B Hughes (HT), Jemar Hall for S Campbell (49), Cian McConville for D McMullan (52), Aidan Forker for A Murnin (53). Blood subs: Jemar Hall for R McQuillan (2-4), Aidan Forker for O O’Neill (42-45).

Antrim: Michael Byrne; Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; James McAuley, Dermot McAleese Marc Jordan; Conor Hand, Conor Stewart; Patrick McBride, Patrick Finnegan, Ronan Boyle; Ryan McQuillan, Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill.

Subs: Eunan Quinn for C Stewart (HT), Niall Burns for M Jordan (46), Ryan Murray for D McEnhill (46), John Morgan for J McAuley (48), Fionn Nahgle for P Finnegan (54).

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).

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

https://myalbum.com/album/zZni9c6MD7Razm

by thesaffrongael

Antrim hurlers train at Slemish Park

As part of a series of projects to mark the 50th year of All Saints GAC the Antrim hurlers trained at Slemish Park on Friday evening. Davey Fitzgerald and his backroom team put the Saffrons through their paces on the main pitch as part of their preparations for next weekend’s Leinster Hurling Senior Hurling Championship opener against Wexford at Wexford Park.

On a typical busy evening the All Saints minor LGFA hosted St John’s on the small pitch, which was followed by an Under 14 Football League game against Dunloy. Across the road at Quinn Park the club’s Senior Football team held a training session. When the Antrim hurlers finished their evening’s work they took time to sign autographs and have photos take with some of the club’s young fans.

TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THE EVENING CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/48tooTqigMF6gL/?invite=b1d7d4a5-ee94-4743-b80a-75c007d59f13

by thesaffrongael

Council Celebrates 50 Years of All Saints

Among the guests received by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Breanainn Lyness, at an event to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the All Saints club were several founder members including current club president, Denis Martin.

In 1975 the club took its first tentative steps towards providing Gaelic games in Ballymena. Fast forward five decades later and the impressive club facilities on the Woodside Road are testament to the success of that decision.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Breanainn Lyness with founder members of the All Saints GAC club at a reception to celebrate their 50th Anniversary in the Town hall on Thursday night. Seated: Deputy Mayor Breanainn Lyness, All Saints Prtesident, Dennis Martin. Back Row: Sean O’Reilly, club chairman Jim Brady, Sean Gallagher and Brian McCambridge

Councillor Lyness paid tribute to the contribution the club has made to the local community particularly for young people and pledged the future support of Council for their work.

In return club Chairperson, Jim Brady, offered thanks to Council for a range of financial support provided over the last 20 years including the floodlight programme at their Quinn Park pitch and their latest capital project – a gym, ball wall and 3g floodlit training facility. The latter is due to open during 2025 and Mid & East Antrim Council has provided £50k towards the overall £550k cost of the project.

Members of All Saints GAC with Deputy mayor, Breanainn Lyness at a reception to honour the 50th Anniversary of the club on Thursday night

  

to view more pics from the reception click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/D9f3pYN7Jp2Gjr/

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Minors face a tougher challenge in Sunday’s All Ireland semi final

Antrim’s Eobha McAlister eye’s up the throw in but it’s Waterford’s Aishling Bonnar that has the edge

Antrim travel to the half way venue of Technological University (TU), Blanchardstown to meet familiar rivals, Waterford on Sunday for the semi final of the All Ireland Minor A Shield. Both sides met on Sunday 2nd March in Abbotstown for the round robin stage but that was on the 3G surface with a blustery wind that swept the sliotar ahead of chasing players.

The fast pace of the game led to eight goals in total, four apiece, but it was Antrim that leaned harder into the rucks over the last quarter of the game and profited from cruising six additional points over Waterford’s bar to end Waterford 4-10 Antrim 4-16.

Antrim’s Amelie Annett keeps her distance from Waterford’s Aine Mackey and Helen Dungan O’Neill

This will be a tougher test for Antrim as they await the outcome of a fitness test for an injured player but they have depth on the bench and with both teams meeting on grass, it should prove to be a terrific game and likely to have management pacing the technical areas for the duration of the match. This one will be too close to call.

Antrim’s Casey Crawford played a crucial role in defence in the last game against Waterford

Ticket link for the game can be found here…

https://www.universe.com/events/electric-ireland-minor-a-shield-antrim-v-waterford-tickets-R9JP8Y?unii-trigger-open=R9JP8Y