by thesaffrongael

Antrim Power Past Wexford to Secure Quarter-Final Spot

Antrim 3-15 (24) — 1-05 (8) Wexford

Antrim’s minor footballers made a massive statement on Saturday afternoon, as they brushed aside Wexford with a dominant 16-point victory at the TU Dublin Blanchardstown campus. The Saffron youngsters showed exactly why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Electric Ireland Tier 3 All-Ireland Championship (Seamus Heaney Cup), securing a safe passage into the quarter-finals with a clinical and professional performance.

Clinical Saffrons Take Control

From the throw-in, it was clear that Antrim had arrived with a point to prove. Despite the long journey to the neutral Dublin venue, they settled almost immediately, racing into a 1-02 to 0-00 lead within the first 15 minutes with Shea McFerran causing all sorts of problems at the edge of the square. The Saffron forward line punished every Wexford mistake and kept the scoreboard ticking over with ruthless efficiency.

By the interval, the game was already tilting heavily in Antrim’s favour. The Glensmen had carved open the Wexford defence twice for two vital goals, heading into the dressing rooms with a commanding 2-05 to 0-03 lead.

No Let-Up in the Second Half

Any hopes of a Wexford fight-back were quickly extinguished after the restart. While the Model County managed to find the net once, they were completely overwhelmed by Antrim’s superior fitness and tactical discipline.

Moneyglass lad, Joey Griffin added to Shea McFerran’s double for a third goal with a flurry of points from McFerran, Colm Kane, Dara Campbell showcasing the depth of talent currently emerging from the county.

By the time Referee Ian Howley blew the final whistle, the gap had widened to 16 points, with Antrim finishing on a comprehensive scoreline of 3-15 to 1-05.

Quarter-Final Bound

This victory ensures Antrim’s name is firmly in the hat for the next round, as they continue their pursuit of the Seamus Heaney Cup. On this evidence, few teams will fancy the task of slowing down this high-scoring Saffron side.

The Saffron management team deserve a lot of credit in the manner in which they have stuck to their guns during a difficult Ulster League and Championship campaign where they showed in glimpses just what they are capable of.

None more so than when they travelled to Monaghan and led the Ulster League winners by six early in their Ulster Championship meeting and at the weekend it all came together with this encouraging win.

Antrim are scheduled to face Carlow, who had a big win over Kilkenny, in their quarter-final on Saturday, 16 May.

Antrim: 1. Niall Quinn 2. ⁠Cillian McKenna 3. ⁠Shea McLernon 4. ⁠Bradan O’Donnell 5. ⁠Sean McPeake 6. ⁠Conor McArt 7. ⁠Thomas Douthart 0:01 8. ⁠Dara Campbell 0:02 9. ⁠Tom Convery 10. ⁠Conall Wilson 0:01 11. ⁠Dàire Thornbury 0:01 12. ⁠Joey Griffin 1:00 13. ⁠Colm Kane 0:05 14. ⁠Shea McFerran 2:04 15. ⁠Tiernan Lee 17. Sionan McCormack 18. ⁠Sean McMullan 19. Nathan Burns 0:01 20. ⁠Ruairi O’Connell 21. ⁠Cillian McDonnell

Management: Donal Laverty, Owen Doherty, Ciaran Browne, Mark Carey, Che Connor.

by thesaffrongael

Ruairis tops in Red Bay derby

Antrim Hurling League – Division 1

Oisins 2-14 Ruairi Og 2-19

PICS BY SEAN TROWLEN

The ‘Red Bay’ Derby returned to the Antrim Hurling League Division 1 calendar with plenty of fire as Ruairi Og, Cushendall made the short trip to Oisins, Glenariffe on Friday evening. While it had been a few years since these neighbors met in league play, Glenariffe’s promotion last season ensured this highly anticipated fixture was back on the map. Despite both sides being depleted, with Cushendall notably missing several key figures due to county commitments, the quality remained high. Ultimately, the experience of Ruairi Og, especially the ball winning ability of Neill McManus saw them through to a 2-19 to 2-14 victory in a game where clinical finishing proved the difference.

The opening period was a cagey affair as both teams looked to find their rhythm. Ruairi Og started brightly with Liam Gillan and the ever-reliable Neil McManus getting them off the mark, with McManus striking two early frees. Glenariffe struggled to find their range early on but stayed in contention through the accurate free-taking of Alex O’Boyle. Points from Brogan O’Connor and Orrin O’Connor kept the home side’s spirits high, but Cushendall’s Fiontan Bradley began to exert his influence, knocking over a series of frees to keep the visitors ahead. The momentum shifted just before the break when, in the 29th minute, Michael O’Boyle found the back of the net for Oisins. This vital goal ensured Glenariffe went in level at the break, with the scoreboard reading 1-06 to 0-09.

The second half began at a blistering pace. Calum McIlwaine and Michael O’Boyle added points for the Oisins to pile on the pressure, but Cushendall’s response was lethal. In the 7th minute of the second half, Thomas McLaughlin fired home a goal to restore Cushendall’s cushion. Just over ten minutes later, Oisin Woodhouse mirrored the feat, netting a second goal that effectively broke the Oisins’ resistance. Fiontan Bradley continued his masterclass from placed balls, finishing the day with an impressive haul of 10 points. Glenariffe refused to lie down, with Alex O’Boyle pointing from a ’65’ and open play to finish his day with 6 points, while Oliver Kearney managed to grab a late goal in injury time. However, it proved to be a mere consolation. While Glenariffe will be disappointed to lose at home, their ability to compete suggests they will be a handful this season, while Ruairi Og’s win provides a steady foundation as they await the return of their county stars.

OISINS – Paul McMullan, Donal Kearney, David Kearney, Odhran Gillan, Michael Haughey, Daniel Kearney, Niall Magee, James Kearney, Calum McIlwaine, Michael O’Boyle, Oliver Kearney, Orrin O’Connor, Alex O’Boyle, Brogan O’Connor, Aaron Cosgrove.

RUAIRI OG – Conor McAlister, Conor McCann, Martin Burke, Fred McCann, Liam Gillan, Stephen Walsh, Austin Birt, Callagh Mooney, Charlie McAuley, Ed McQuillan, Joe McNaughton, Neil McManus, Oisin Woodhouse, Thomas McLaughlin, Fiontan Bradley

Substitute – Aodhan Campbell.

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half performance see’s Cloney take the points

ACHL Division 2

Ballycastle 1-11 Cloney Gaels 0-21

Cloney Gaels collected their second win in Division 2 when they travelled to Ballycastle on Sunday and recorded a good win over the Ballycastle second string.

The Ahoghill side looked in a bit of trouble at the halfway point but staged a strong second half comeback to reign in and then overcome the spirited challenge of their hosts.

It was the McQuillan’s who led 1-9 to 0-10 at half time with a goal from Dermot Donnelly in the 22nd minute sending them to the dressing rooms with a 2 point lead at half time.

Lorcan Donnelly and Callum Campbell for Ballycastle and Noah Friel and Colla McDonnell for the visitors exchanged early points and the tit for tat exchanges continued during the early stages as Patrick Graham, James O’Connell and Colla McDonnell brought their side’s total to 5 by the 13th minute.

McQuillan’s kept in touch through Lorcan Donnelly and Oisin McAuley and further exchanges between Fionbarr O’Neill and James McShane had the visitors one ahead at the end of the opening quarter.

It was end to end action at this stage as James McShane for McQuillan’s and Fionnbar O’Neill from a sideline cut for the Ahoghill side kept the scoreboard ticking and another from Eoin Graham had Cloney two ahead.

Back came Ballycastle with a point from Lorcan Donnelly with James O’Connell keeping the gap at two with a fine point for the Ahoghill side.

Just when it looked like Cloney Gaels were gaining the upper hand, McQuillan’s replied with a decisive goal from Dermot Donnelly and points from Callum Campbell and Lorcan Donnelly with Colla McDonnell replying with the final point of the half for the Ahoghill men.

COME-BACK

Ahoghill were back on level terms within 6 minutes of the second half with points from Conor Crossey and a Colla McDonnell free and further points from McDonnell and James O’Connell saw them move 2 in front with 8 minutes of the half gone.

It was all Cloney Gaels at this stage as Colla McDonnell (f) and Dan O’Neill extended their lead to four before Lorcan Donnelly finally opened Ballycastle’s second half scoring with a point in the 10th minute.

It was brief respite for the home side as Cloney Gaels began to turn the screw with Colla McDonnell, Fionbarr O’Neill 0-2, James O’Connell 0-2 bringing the visitors total for the evening to 0-21 with Ballycastle’s only reply coming from a James McShane point with 3 minutes remaining.

A good win for Cloney Gaels who have made a slow start to this year’s league campaign but on the evidence of Sunday’s performance they should soon be climbing up the table.

Ballycastle: 1 Ruairi McShane, 2 Oisin Donnelly, 3 Ciaran McKeague, 4 Conor Mooney, 5 Ronan Laverty, 6 James Bakewell, 7 Oisin McAuley, 8 Callum Campbell, 9 Luke Connolly, 10 Gavin McToal, 11 James McShane, 12 Lorcan Donnelly, 13 Cormac Dallas, 14 Dermot Donnelly, 15 Feargal McKiernan.

Cloney Gaels: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Patrick Dougan, 4 Ryan Martin, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Ronan Graham, 7 Eoin Graham, 8 Conor Crossey, 9 Patrick Graham, 10 Donal Graham, 11 Jack McFall, 12 Noah Friel, 13 Colla McDonnell, 14 Dan O’Neill, 15 James O’Connell.

17 Ben Friel, 18 Conal Walls, 19 Michael Martin, 21 Owen Neeson

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Loughgiel)

by thesaffrongael

Saffrons Survive Late Scare to Secure Vital Win

Joe MacDonagh Cup

London 4-09 Antrim 1-22

Davy Fitzgerald’s Antrim finally ignited their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign with a battling, if ultimately nerve-wracking, victory over London in windy conditions at Ruislip. The Saffrons laid the foundation for the win with a masterful first-half display, but were made to sweat in the dying embers of the game after a bizarre second half saw them concede four goals.

Despite the late wobble, Antrim held their nerve to bring the points safely back across the Irish Sea, reviving their championship ambitions in the process.

The Glensmen looked to be in absolute cruise control when the half-time whistle blew. Playing into the teeth of a strong wind in the opening period, Antrim dominated the possession and the tactical battle. The opening exchanges lacked real intensity and briefly descended into a shootout of placed balls, but it was Antrim’s Seaan Elliott who stole the show.

Outstanding from start to finish, Elliott kept the scoreboard ticking over during a scrappy first half, punishing London’s indiscipline. His accuracy ensured the visitors dictated the tempo, allowing Antrim to carve out a thoroughly deserved 0-10 to 0-07 lead at the break—a phenomenal return given the adverse weather conditions they faced.

PIC BY SHELIA FERNANDES

With the wind at their backs for the restart, Antrim threatened to blow the Exiles away completely. Paul Boyle split the posts early on, but London briefly rallied with a Paul Kennedy solo goal and a point from a free by former Ruairi Og hurler Ronan McGrady to level proceedings.

However, rather than panic, Antrim showcased their pedigree. They intelligently slowed the game down, seized total control of the middle third, and hit a devastating purple patch. The scores began to flow effortlessly, culminating in a superbly taken goal from Conal Cunning that seemed to effectively kill the tie. At one stage, Fitzgerald’s men were sitting pretty with a commanding nine-point cushion, seemingly with one foot already on the plane home.

Yet, to their credit, the hosts refused to throw in the towel. London captain Sean Glynn scrambled a goal to spark a revival, though Antrim immediately answered with three quickfire points to momentarily silence the home crowd. The drama wasn’t over, however. Jack Morrissey blasted a desperate free through a crowded Antrim square, and substitute Conor Byrne managed to rattle the net deep in stoppage time.

Pic by Shelia Fernandes

Suddenly, what should have been a routine finish had turned into a tense finale, with Antrim’s once-massive lead whittled down to a precarious three points.

Any lingering hopes of a miraculous London heist were firmly slammed shut by Antrim’s composure. When London’s Padraig Muldoon lost his discipline—earning a red card for throwing his hurley to cynically stop a surging Antrim breakaway—James McNaughton cooly stepped up and calmly slotted the resulting free to put a four-point gap between the sides and seal a thoroughly deserved victory.

Antrim will now return to home soil with their tails up, taking massive confidence from their dominant spells into upcoming clashes with Westmeath and Carlow as they look to storm their way back into the title reckoning. The win staves off any fear of relegation, but they need to win their two remaining games against table toppers Carlow and Westmeath, and hope things go their way in other games to have any chance of qualifying.

PIC BY SHIELA FERNANDES

Scorers:

  • Antrim: S Elliott 0-08 (4f), C Cunning 1-03, J McNaughton 0-03 (3f), K Molloy 0-03, C Johnston, C Bohill, P Boyle, J McCloskey, R Donaghy 0-01 each.
  • London: R McGrady 0-05 (5f), P Kennedy, S Glynn 1-01 each, J Morrissey 1-00, N Fitzgerald, A Cunney 0-01 each.

Teams:

  • Antrim: C McFadden; R McNulty, P Burke, S Rooney; O Donnelly, N O’Connor, G Walsh; K Molloy, P Boyle; C Bohill, C Cunning, R McCambridge; J McNaughton, C Johnston, S Elliott.
  • Subs: J McCloskey for McCambridge (49), J McLaughlin for Bohill (51), R Donaghy for Elliott (59), R McCormick for Burke (65).
  • London: M Kilgannon; A Cunney, P Muldoon, B Morrissey; N Fitzgerald, J Morrissey, J Loughnane; T Hanifin, R Lodge; N Quinlan, R McGrady, F Whelan; S Glynn, P Kennedy, E McGrath.
    • Subs: C Byrne for Whelan (46), N Eames for Lodge (36), S Whelan for Quinlan (60), D Leary for McGrath (67), E Kelly for Fitzgerald (68).

Referee: N Malone (Clare)

2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026
2026 London v Antrim Cship 10.05.2026

PICS BY SHEILA FERNANDES

by thesaffrongael

McIntosh’s late winner seals All Ireland place for Antrim

All Ireland Under 23 Camogie Championship – Tier 2

Antrim 2-10 | Limerick 1-12

In a staggering display of resilience and stamina, Antrim secured their place in the All-Ireland U23B Camogie Championship final with a breathless, last-gasp victory over Limerick in Trim, Co Meath.

What makes the Saffrons’ one-point victory truly remarkable is that half of the squad had already lined out just 48 hours prior, helping the Antrim seniors secure an Ulster final victory over Down in Toome on Friday evening. Exhaustion, however, was nowhere to be seen when it mattered most.

Katie Molloy who was once again a tower of strenght in the pivot of defence

Despite the quick turnaround from Friday’s senior clash, Antrim burst out of the gates. Midfielder Cara O’Boyle opened the scoring, and Dunloy teenager Éobha McAllister quickly added two more, giving Antrim a 0-3 to 0-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Though Limerick’s Carla Griffin pulled one back, McAllister immediately answered by driving through the defence for the game’s opening goal. Ten minutes later, Clíona Griffin—another player who featured in Friday’s senior final—rattled the net for Antrim’s second goal, establishing a commanding 2-3 to 0-3 lead.

Limerick, who had beaten Antrim in the round-robin series in Cushendun early in the campaign, refused to fold. They chipped away at the deficit before halftime and came out firing in the second period. Points from Griffin, Donna Kenny, Sarah O’Brien, and Laura Southern brought the Shannonsiders level by the 40th minute.

Player of the Match Eobha McAllister

McAllister temporarily restored Antrim’s advantage, hitting three of the next four points, but the momentum had shifted. In the 50th minute, Limerick substitute Amy Burke found the net to give her side the lead for the first time. Points followed from Kenny and Southern which left Antrim trailing by three, 1-12 to 2-6 with just two minutes of normal time remaining. The Saffrons’ All-Ireland dreams appeared to be fading rapidly.

However just as their goose looked cooked, the Saffrons dug deep into their reserves for a miraculous final three-and-a-half minutes:

Substitute Cara Burns sparked the revival, slotting a crucial point to breathe new life into the Saffron challenge.

Éobha McAllister, whose never say die attitude is such a major part of her play, capped off a phenomenal individual performance as she fired over two rapid-fire points deep into added time to level the game.

Extra time appeared to be on the cards but in the dying seconds, Elen McIntosh became the hero, grabbing a dramatic winner just before the referee’s final whistle, sparking ecstatic celebrations among the Antrim players and traveling support.

Cliona Griffin

The player of the match award must go to Eobha McAllister, the   Dunloy teenager’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Less than 48 hours after scoring 1-2 for the seniors, McAllister was the undisputed star in Trim. She tallied an incredible 1-7 (with all but two points coming from play), proving exactly why she is rated as one of the brightest young talents in the game.

Antrim’s incredible late surge sets up a highly anticipated final clash in two weeks against Wexford. The Leinster side booked their own spot in the final with a 2-10 to 1-6 victory over Clare in the other semi-final.

Teams and Scorers

Antrim:

  • Starting XV: O. Johnston; E. Coulter, A. O’Donnell, D. Dobbin; S. O’Neill, K. Molloy (capt.), C. Crawford; S. Heggarty, C. O’Boyle (0-1); A. Ferris, O. McAllister, É. McAllister (1-7, 0-2f); C. Griffin (1-0), E. McIntosh (0-1), J. McIntosh.
  • Substitutes: C. Burns (0-1) for A. Ferris, L. Black for C. Crawford.

Limerick:

  • Starting XV: C. Mulqueen; T. Dore, C. O’Riordáin, C. Ryan; C. Griffin (0-3, 1f), E. Woulfe, E. O’Donovan (0-1); E. O’Halloran (0-1), C. Power; C. Curtin (0-1), L. Boylan, D. Kenny (0-2f); E. Hession (0-1), S. O’Brien (0-1), L. Southern (0-2).
  • Substitutes: A. Burke (1-0) for C. Griffin.