by thesaffrongael

St Dominics win the Gaelfast Year 10 Camogie Cup

Above – St Dominic’s celebrate their win over St Louis in the Gaelfast Year 10 Cup final

St Dominic’s 6-6 St. Louis Ballymena 3-4

Gaelfast Year 8 Camogie Cup final at Woodlands

The game started with an early point from St. Louis’ corner forward Isla Birkett, but St. Dominic’s quickly put pressure on, forcing a strong save from the St. Louis goalkeeper Cora McLean. The Ballymena girls then had a chance at the other end, only for the St. Dominic’s keeper Cara Garland to make a great stop.

St. Dominic’s got their first score through Lucia Murphy who hit a well-taken point following a run down the wing, and the same player added another from distance. The first goal of the game came when a ball into the St. Louis box was blocked by the keeper McClean but St. Dominic’s full forward Remi Sanni was quickest to react and fired the ball to the net.

St Louis Ballymena

A crucial block from St. Louis’ centre back Eireann Johnston briefly held off the pressure, but Dt Dominic’s full forward Sanni struck again soon after, tapping in a second goal and right half forward Lucia Murphy tacked on another point from range just after the puck-out.

St. Louis responded when midfielder Molly Watson made a strong run up the pitch before firing the ball into the top corner of the St Dominic’s net, and just before halftime, she struck again with a long-range goal to bring her side back into the game.

St. Louis made the perfect start after the break, with Olivia McGrath scoring a goal in the opening minute but St. Dominic’s responded quickly when corner forward Ava Norwood’s effort found the net, after the St. Louis keeper was caught out by the sun, and when Maevh Maguire added a point St. Dominic’s were back in charge.

St Dominic’s Lucia Murphy had a chance to add to the score from a ’45 but the ball tailed wide, but moments later Niamh Keenan found the net, extending St. Dominic’s lead.

Murphy added another point from a free and they came close to adding a goal, but Niamh Keenan’s well struck shot came back of the crossbar and the St. Louis scrambled it to safety. The Ballymena girls pulled one back with a point from Olivia McGrath after 18 minutes. And thoug Gort na Mona’s Niamh Keenan responded with a point for St. Dominic’s, McGrath grabbed another for St. Louis after 21 minutes to keep their hopes alive

However St. Dominic’s were not going to be caught and they  had the final say when Remi Sanni found the net once again to seal the result with a goal.

County Camogie chairperson Una Kelly presents the Year 10 Camogie Cup to Dt Dominic’s captain Niamh Keenan

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim fell short as Sligo came strong in their 2024 meeting

February 25th 2024

 Antrim take on Sligo this Sunday in Corrigan Park in a game that looks like a ‘must win’ for both sides. Games between the two are usually close and Sunday’s is likely to be the same.

The Saffrons travelled to Markievicz Park in February 2024 with Sligo winning comfortably in the end and today the Saffron Gael looks back at the report from that game

Allianz NFL Division 3

Sligo 1-20 Antrim 1-13

Following a winning start to the season, an inexperienced Antrim suffered their second successive defeat when they travelled to Markievicz Park on Sunday and lost to a good Sligo side, led by their captain, Niall Murphy.

The Sligo number 15 scored eight points as the men in black put in their best performance of 2024 to run out seven point’s winners against a Saffron side who had performed well in the opening half.

Inspired by their own sharp shooter, Paddy McBride, the visitors led 1-9 to 1-8 at the short whistle and might well have been further ahead but were hit by a goal on the break from Cian Lally in the 26th minute.

Antrim came back from this setback to hit 0-6 on the bounce with McBride leading the way and Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill and keeper Mick Byrne moving them two in front as half time approached.

An injury time point from Daragh Cummins for the Yates County left the home side trailing 1-9 to 1-8 to the break but Antrim must have felt fairly comfortable despite facing the breeze in the second half.

Antrim rattled the home side with a scrambled goal in the seventh minute when Ronan Boyle got the final touch after a Ruairi McCann delivery – a point attempt from a mark – dropped short.

A couple of minutes earlier Sligo keeper Aidan Devaney came smartly off his line to deny Marc Jordan with his legs as the big wing half back looked certain to find the net.

Sligo, though, gradually improved and they moved a point ahead, 0-5 to 1-1, with 23 minutes played following scores from Niall Murphy, Darragh Cummins and Sean Carrabine.

Good points from Dermot McAleese and Patrick McBride put Antrim back in front, 1-3 to 0-5 before Sligo replied with a goal from Lally in the 26th minute and followed with a point from Niall Murphy that looked to have put the Connacht County in control.

Antrim responded positively as they scored six points without reply, including four from the impressive Patrick McBride, who was landing some beautiful scores, to lead 1-09 to 1-08 in first-half stoppage time.

Sligo produced a much improved second half performance to secure their third win of the campaign with Murphy leading by example as they struck through Paul Kilcoyne and Sean Carabine to take the lead in the opening minute before Paddy McBride briefly levelled the contest with his sixth of the evening.

The visitors would only add two further points however through Colm McLarnon and Niall Burns as Sligo took control and slowly began to turn the screw.

The home side grew in confidence and stature with Niall Murphy leading the way and the Sligo captain would finish the contest with 0-8 to his credit as they out-scored their opponents 0-12 to 0-3 in a dominant second half display

The hosts and the visitors had identical records coming into this fixture – two wins and one loss apiece, with Sligo victorious over Limerick in the previous round and Antrim losing to promotion favourites Down.

These sides contested successive Allianz Football League finals back in 2009 and 2010, with Sligo winning those Division Four and Division Three deciders.

Recent meetings have been close encounters – a one-point win for Sligo in 2020 and a minimum margin victory for Antrim three years ago.

Murphy, substitute Luke Towey, Eddie McGuinness and Brian Cox impressed in a strong Sligo side and this win looks to have secured their place in division 3 for another campaign.

Antrim, for whom Patrick McBride was outstanding, finished with 14 players because of a late black card for Marc Jordan and will hope to get something from next week’s visit of Westmeath as they look anxiously over their shoulders at the chasing pack.

Sligo: Aidan Devaney, Paul McNamara, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons, Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins (0-3), Nathan Mullen, Patrick O’Connor (0-3), Paul Kilcoyne, Alan McLoughlin, Donal Conlon, Cian Lally (1-0), Pat Spillane (0-1), Sean Carrabine (0-2, 1f), Niall Murphy (c) (0-8, 4f, 2 ‘mark’)

Subs used: Lee Deignan (0-1) for Pat Spillane, h-t; Luke Towey (0-2) for Donal Conlon, 46; Eoghan Smith for Alan McLoughlin, 62; Mikey Gordon for Sean Carrabine, 68; David Quinn for Cian Lally, 68

Antrim: Michael Byrne (0-1, 1f), Ronan Boyle, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, Marc Jordan, Joseph Finnegan, Dermot McAleese (c) (0-1), Colm McLarnon (0-1), Patrick McAleer, Cormac McGettigan, Patrick McBride (0-6), Ruairi McCann (0-2, 1 ‘mark’, 1f), Declan Lynch (0-1), Niall Burns (0-1, 1f), Dominic McEnhill

Subs used: Eoghan McCabe for Kavan Keenan, 39; Eoin Hynes for Cormac McGettigan, 45; Conor Hand for Dominic McEnhill, 53; Ryan McQuillan for Patrick McAleer, 63; Jack Dowling for Colm McLarnon, 63

Referee: Margaret Farrelly (Cavan)

by thesaffrongael

Antrim expect a tough game against Down

Antrim v Down Very National League Div 1b Saturday 15th March 2025 in Ahoghill at 2pm 

The Very National League game between Antrim and Down takes a run out to Ahoghill, where Antrim turned out against Wexford and came off the field with a one-point win to start their league efforts. 

Saturday’s weather forecast suggests sunny intervals and very light winds. This has been the case for most of this week, so Ahoghill’s turf should prove to be sound for this important game for both teams. 

Scoring from placed play will be paramount on Saturday, who will Antrim select for the role?

Antrim currently sit second to Clare on the table only by virtue of points and a win on a home venue will be paramount given how the league fixtures for round five stand, with an away game against Clare on the 22nd of March and Down go up against a solid Wexford squad.  

Antrim’s Katie Lynn raising her game against Westmeath; will need that again against Down on Saturday

Antrim’s recent game against Westmeath in Ballycastle was an opportunity to flex the bench and was seen to be part of the McCormick/Coulter development strategy, but history will dictate that Saturday’s game specifically against Down won’t allow management the latitude to sway from a winning plan. Down will turn up with expectations and this will be a test for Antrim’s form, so far three wins from three games. A fourth win would probably place them in a league final and that could be a back-to-back experience with Clare. What panel will start on Saturday, and can they make it four from four? Grab a ticket and answers will be available from 2pm. 

Antrim come out for the second half against Down in last year’s league game in the beautiful setting of Attical
by thesaffrongael

All Saints get their division 1 campaign off to a winning start

ACFL Division 1

All Saints 4-13 St. John’s 0-14

All Saints got their division 1 campaign off to a winning start when they proved too good for St. John’s in an entertaining, high scoring thriller at Quinn Park on Wednesday night.

Both sides were missing key players for this, the opening game of the Antrim leagues with the Whiterock men the worst affected but perhaps All Saints involvement in the recent Ulster club league gave them the edge under the new rules which were being implemented for the first time in club football within the county.

The Ballymena side survived an early scare before taking the lead through the excellent Benny McDonnell with a goal in the third minute and Sean McVeigh followed with a point before Paddy McAleer followed with a second major with only seven minutes gone.

Odhran Quinn, who had an excellent game for St. Johns moves clear of Michael Read, All Saints

The home side were moving the ball at speed with Ciaran Campbell directing matters around mid-field and their strong running was causing major problems for the opposition who opened their account through the excellent Odhran Quinn with a point in the 9th minute.

Quinn’s point briefly interrupted the All Saints onslaught but they made an immediate response with Sean O’Callaghan finishing another defence splitting move to the net for goal number three.

The visitors looked in trouble but they slowly began to get their game together with Conal McGlade firing over a two pointer off the ground and Odhran Quinn adding a point from play before McGlade raised his second Orange flag of the evening.

The All Saints goals had dried up at this stage but they continued to rack up points with Sean O’Callaghan and Michael McCarry 0-3 (2 frees) bringing their total to 3-6 at the break and an improving St. John’s increasing their total to 0-7 with McGlade and Quinn leading the way.

McCarry increased the All Saints lead to 10 in the opening 8 minutes of the second half but St. John’s were beginning to enjoy a wee bit of success with Ronan Quinn and a couple from Odhran Quinn closing the gap to six by the 13th minute.

Quinn struck another excellent effort to leave just five between the sides and the Ballymena men looked in a bit of bother for the first time but they responded through Benny McDonnell and ‘Gooch’ McCarry before a long delivery from the lively McDonnell travelled all the way to the Johnnies net with 8 minutes remaining.

Michael McCarry fires over an All Saints point

Those scores settled the issue with McCarry and Connell Lemon 0-2 concluding the All Saints scoring and the superb Quinn and Odhran McAuley replying with consolation scores for the visitors.

Early days but Baker Bradley and his management team should be well pleased with their side’s performance and those earlier Ulster league outings certainly seemed to have helped their preparations for the new rules.

For an under strength St. John’s it was a case of learning on the job and they certainly improved as the game progressed and they will be happy with the performances of a number of their youngsters with Odhran Quinn one to watch in the season ahead.

Finally a word on referee, Colm McDonnell who did an excellent job in implementing the new rules and the St. Gall’s official took time to explain decisions when questions were asked.

All Saints:  Conor Brennan,  Michael Read,  Cal O’Brien,  James Gillan,  Charlie Metrustry,  Sean McDermott,  Rian Tom,  Peter McReynolds,  Peter McNicholl,  Connell Lemon,  Michael McCarry,  Brendan McDonnell,  Ciaran Campbell,  Sean McVeigh,  Paddy McAleer.

Subs: Sean McDermott for Sean O’Callaghan HT, Harry Connon for Brendan McDonnell

St. John’s:  Rua Lambert,  Michael Darragh,  Ronan Quinn,  Odhran McAuley,  Ross Hannigan,  Luke Peden,  Daire King,  Ronan Donnelly,  Ryan McNulty,  Conor McEvoy,  Conal McGlade,  Daragh McGuinness,  Conall Quinn,  Aaron Bradley,  Odhran Quinn

Subs: Fintan McKinney, Fionn Thompson, Diarmuid Brecknell, Odhran Carleton.

Referee: Colm McDonnell (St. Gall’s)

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by thesaffrongael

CPC lifted their last Paddy Buggy Cup in Thurles

Antrim’s Cross and Passion claim All-Ireland schools hurling title in Thurles

Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Paddy Buggy Cup final


Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle (Antrim) 1-16 Mountrath Community School (Laois) 1-12

This match report appeared in 42.ie in 2015

LAST YEAR’S BEATEN finalists Cross and Passion, Ballycastle, were crowned Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Paddy Buggy Cup champions in Thurles this afternoon.

The Antrim boys went one step further than 2014 as Shan McGrath hit 1-2 in the second half to floor Mountrath Community School.

Cross and Passion were superb at Semple Stadium in a tie that was level seven times.

McGrath’s 55th minute goal was brilliantly created and superbly finished by the Loughgiel Shamrocks forward.

Shan McGrath celebrates after scoring CPC’s goal

Alex O’Boyle did brilliantly to offload on the 45m line to Cormac McClafferty and his pass was batted home by McGrath.

There was still time for Mountrath to launch a late revival as Dylan Conroy scored a consolation goal in the final minute.

Mountrath had another goal disallowed in stoppage time for a square ball offence but overall, they didn’t do enough after trailing by just a point at the break, 0-8 to 0-9.

Twin brothers Stephen and Aaron Dunphy scored six of Mountrath’s points in that opening half but they Conroy was his team’s sole scorer after the break – and that late goal was Mountrath’s only score from play after half-time.

Cross and Passion, fuelled by the hurt of their 2014 final defeat to Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea, were superb in that second half and Diarmaid McShane scored a 48th minute point from long-range that will live long in the memory.

Scorers for Mountrath: Dylan Conroy 1-4 (0-4f), Aaron Dunphy 0-4, Stephen Dunphy 0-2, Conor Hiney & John Lennon 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cross and Passion: Shan McGrath 1-3, Cormac McClafferty 0-5 (3f), Shea Hunter & Diarmaid McShane 0-2 each, Tiarnan Butler, Conor Patterson, Johnny McErlain & Alex O’Boyle 0-1 each.

Mounrath:

1. Shane Cuddy (Castletown)

4. Shaun Moore (St Fintan’s Mountrath)
3. Kevin O’Rourke (Ballyfin, capt.)
2. Eoin Peters (Castletown)

5. Ben Quinlan (Borris-Kilcotton)
6. Conor Phelan (Castletown)
7. Jake Cranny (Abbeyleix)

8. Stephen Dunphy (Borris-Kilcotton)
9. Paddy Williams (St Fintan’s Mountrath)

10. Aaron Dunphy (Borris-Kilcotton)
11. Dylan Lalor (Trumera)
12. Dylan Conroy (Castletown)

13. Conor Hiney (Shanahoe)
14. John Lennon (Rosenalis)
15. Mark Dowling (Camross)

Subs:

18. David Connolly (Ballyfin) for Quinlan (36)
23. Shane Phelan (Castletown) for Lalor (45)
17. Oisín Bennett (Camross) for Dowling (58)

Cross and Passion:

1. Ciarán Butler (McQuillans Ballycastle)

2. Caolan Blair (Loughgiel Shamrocks)
3. Seán McBride (Faughs Carey)
4. Paddy Joe Graham (McQuillans Ballycastle, capt.)

5. Caolan McCaughan (McQuillans Ballycastle)
6. Odhran Laverty (Loughgiel Shamrocks)
7. Conor Boyd (McQuillans Ballycastle)

11. Cormac McClafferty (Ruairi Og, Cushendall)
8. Tiarnan Butler (McQuillans Ballycastle)

12. Johnny McErlain (Glen Rovers, Armoy)
9. Shea Hunter (Faughs Carey)
10. Conor Patterson (Oisíns, Glenariffe)

13. Shan McGrath (Loughgiel Shamrocks)
14. Alex O’Boyle (Oisíns, Glenariffe)
15. Diarmuid McShane (McQuillans Ballycastle)

Subs:

20. Geoffrey Óg Laverty (St Brigids, Cloughmills) for Blair (h.t.)
18. Cathal Connor (McQuillans Ballycastle) for McCaughan (53)
19. Conor Dallas (Loughgiel Shamrocks) for Patterson (60+2)

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

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