by thesaffrongael

Super St Pat’s Dazzle Against St Louis in Davitt’s Cup Final

Davitt’s Cup Final

St Pat’s, Maghera 7-10 St Louis, Ballymena 0-1

Wednesday 20 May

By Brendan McTaggart

A dazzling performance from St Pat’s Maghera ensured the Davitt’s Cup would stay at the south Derry school for another year as they swept aside the challenge of St Louis.  Having won five of the last eight at this level, St Pat’s put in an awesome performance against a St Louis side who just couldn’t get going.

The Maghera girls were dominant throughout and a five minute first half hat trick from Aoibhinn Herron was both clinical and devastating while ultimately winning the game.  St Pat’s would add another goal through Keely Rose McWilliams who put in strong performance for the entire game.

St Louis fared much better after the restart although their efforts weren’t reflected on the score board.  Eimear Morgan was peerless for the Ballymena school while there was also strong performances from Anna McFadden and Maria Dorrity but they came up against a camogie juggernaut in the south Derry school.  St Pat’s were led superbly by the duo of Roise Melaugh and Margaret Murphy in midfield while Olivia Faulkner, Emma Boylan and Jane Bradley formed an excellent half back line.

St Pat’s added further goals from McWilliams, Biddy McKeagney and Eadaoin Bannon as they ran out convincing winners at the full time whistle.

TEAMS

St Pat’s: Lily Dempsey; Evie Scullion, Aoife Bradley, Sophie Kerr; Emma Boylan, Olivia Faulkner, Jane Bradley; Roise Melaugh, Margaret Murphy; Mollie Loughlin, Biddy McKeagney, Keely Rose McWilliams; Clionagh McCusker, Aoibhinn Herron, Eadaoin Bannon

Scorers: A Herron (3-00); KR McWilliams 2-3; B McKeagney 1-4; E Bannon 1-00; R Melaugh 0-2 (1’45, 1F); M Murphy 0-1

St Louis: Emily Padgett; Emma Hegarty, Caoimhe Marron, Grace Higgins; Maria Dorrity, Olivia Shields, Cara Etherson; Eimear Morgan, Anna McFadden; Cliona O’Neill, Bella Scullion, Nessa McKenna; Caoimhe McAuley, Aoibhe Marrs, Jane Casey

Scorers: E Morgan 0-1 (1F)

Referee: Owen Elliott

To see more of Brendan’s photo’s from the final, click on the link below….

https://myalbum.com/album/96Zz97NUFsPrmg/?invite=868ecac9-5fa0-4356-a85a-6f1dd6d68eb4

by thesaffrongael

All Saints hold on for 2 valuable points

ACFL Division 1

St. Pauls 2-17 All Saints 3-15

All Saints secured two valuable ACFL Division 1 points with a narrow 3-15 to 2-17 victory over St. Paul’s on the Shaw’s Road, despite a late fight-back from the hosts. Goals from Ciaran Campbell, James McDonnell, and Joe Rafferty powered the Ballymena side to a crucial win that moves them away from the bottom of the table.

First-Half Drama

The match exploded into life in the 2nd minute when St. Paul’s goalkeeper Jack McAufield made a great blocking save to deny Connell Lemon. Caoimhin Duffy opened the scoring for the hosts, but All Saints hit back rapidly. Points from Conor Stewart and Benny McDonnell were followed by a clinical 11th-minute goal from Ciaran Campbell.

Despite All Saints wasting further goal chances, James McDonnell split the posts to stretch their lead. St. Paul’s punished a defensive mix-up in the 17th minute when Shea Burns found the net, sparking a scoring spree from Caoimhin Duffy that put the hosts 1-5 to 1-3 ahead. All Saints rallied brilliantly before the break; Cal O’Brien struck a fine 2 pointer and James McDonnell finished a slick team move for a superb goal, and further points from Conor Stewart, Ronan McKillop, and Connell Lemon ensured the visitors led 2-8 to 1-9 at halftime.

Second-Half Survival

St. Paul’s intent was clear from the restart as Shea Burns rattled the post just 30 seconds into the second half. Inspired by the accurate free taking of Ciaran Rogers, the hosts levelled the match at 1-11 to 2-8 by the 4th minute. All Saints responded and their pace and movement again put them in the ascendancy. Connell Lemon clipped over two points before Joe Rafferty scrambled a vital third goal over the line after Ronan McKillop’s initial effort was blocked.

Points from McKillop and Campbell pushed the Ballymena side into a commanding seven-point lead (3-13 to 1-12) by the 15th minute but St. Paul’s refused to yield on home turf. After James McDonnell and Connell Lemon added late scores for the visitors, St. Paul’s launched a furious comeback. Liam McKenna bagged a 26th-minute goal, and Aodhan Kavanagh dragged the hosts within a single point in the 29th minute. Showing immense composure in the dying seconds, All Saints intelligently retained possession to run down the clock and secure a vital victory.

St. Paul’s: Jack McAufield, 2. Cian McCann, 3. Aodhan Kavanagh, 4. Michael Duffy, 5. Niall McKenna, 6. Marcus Munce, 7. Ciaran Rogers Duffy, 8. James Farrell, 9. Conor Hughes, 10. Pearse Magee, 11. Conall Duffy, 12. Caomhin Killyleah, 13. Caoimhin Duffy, 14. Lorcan Phillips, 15. Shea Burns.
Sub used: 20. Liam McKenna.

All Saints: Ryan Stewart, 2. Sean McDermott, 3. Michael Read, 4. Joe Rafferty, 5. Harry Connon, 6. Cal O’Brien, 7. Matty Downey, 8. Peter McReynolds, 9. Emmet Killough, 10. Connell Lemon, 11. James McDonnell, 12. Conor Stewart, 13. Ciaran Campbell, 14. Benny McDonnell, 15. Ronan McKillop.

Referee: Darren McKeown (St. Gall’s)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/Q6YGhq9e2WYwNc

by thesaffrongael

Seven on the spin for the Town in tight encounter with St. Enda’s

Antrim Senior Hurling League Division 1

Venue: Páirc MacUilín

Ballycastle 3-14 St Enda’s 2-10

Ballycastle’s impressive run of league form continued at Páirc MacUilín as they ground out a hard-fought victory over a resilient St. Enda’s side, making it seven consecutive wins in the Antrim Senior Hurling League Division 1. In a contest that remained razor-close right up to the final whistle, MacUilín’s ability to weather the storm and find crucial scores at pivotal moments proved the difference.

The home side flew out of the traps in the opening exchanges, establishing early dominance. James Bakewell opened their account, followed quickly by a fine score from play by Seamus McAuley. Corner-back Oran Kearney then surged forward to add his name to the scoresheet, and when McAuley slotted over a free, Ballycastle found themselves looking comfortable with a 0-04 to 0-00 lead.

However, St. Enda’s are not a side to lie down easily. Finding their rhythm midway through the half, the Glengormley men hit a purple patch, stringing together five unanswered points to stun the home crowd and take a 0-05 to 0-04 lead.

The momentum had completely shifted, but Ballycastle dug deep to arrest the slide. Seamus McAuley stepped up once again to level affairs with a vital point from play. The turning point of the half came shortly after when MacUilín were awarded a penalty. Criostai McAuley took on the responsibility and made no mistake, driving the sliotar to the back of the net to restore the home side’s advantage. Oran Kearney capped off a superb first-half display with another point from play, sending Ballycastle into the dressing room with a 1-06 to 0-06 lead.

While the second half evolved into a tense, attritional battle with both defences tightening up, the groundwork laid in that late first-half resurgence proved invaluable. St. Enda’s kept the pressure on throughout the second period, keeping the margin incredibly tight, but Ballycastle’s defence held firm when it mattered most, getting over the line to secure their seventh win in a row.

Ballycastle scorers – Mac Uilín Scorers

  • Seamus McAuley: 0-8 (4f)
  • Diarmaid McShane: 1-1
  • Lorcán Donnelly: 1-1
  • Criostai McAuley: 1-0 (pen)
  • Oran Kearney: 0-2
  • James Bakewell: 0-1
  • Eoin McAlonan: 0-1

Ballycastle (MacUilín CLG):

  1. Eamonn Elliott
  2. Oran Kearney
  3. Conal Colgan
  4. Cian Baudant
  5. James Bakewell
  6. Conor Boyd
  7. Eoin McAlonan
  8. Niall McClean
  9. Ardan Kelly
  10. Reuben McClean
  11. Seamus McAuley
  12. Darragh Kelly
  13. Lorcan Donnelly
  14. Criostai McAuley
  15. Diarmaid McShane

St. Enda’s (Naomh Éanna CLG):

  1. Niall McGivern
  2. Ronan Eager
  3. Ciarán McAllister
  4. Aaron Quinn
  5. Dara Maguire
  6. Cian O’Connor
  7. Eoin Maguire
  8. Oisin O’Quinn
  9. Malachi McGibbon
  10. Manus Mullan
  11. Cormac Jennings
  12. Ruairi Donaghy
  13. Brendan Cormican
  14. Joe Maskey
  15. Luke O’Connor
by thesaffrongael

Sean Og McLaren sets a new record at the Antrim Poc Fada

Sean Og McLaren retained his Antrim Poc Fada title at Feystown, Glenarm on Saturday morning completing the course in 21 pocs, a new course record. The big st Paul’s man who had a great weekend overalll as he was goalkeeper on the Antrim Under 20 team who beat Carlow in the Leinster Tier 2 final at Ashbourne. At the Poc Fada the former All Ireland Under 16 winner was followed home by Aidan Scullion from the host club while Cadhan Graham of Oisins, Glenariffe finished 3rd.

Graham’s sister Naimh, who plays her Camogie with St John’s Carnlough, won the Senior Ladies event, just edging out Loughgiel’s Caela Casey by a couple of feet in the end after a great battle all the around the course. Loughgiel had first and second place in the Under 16 Boys event with Damian Laverty taking the top spot ahead of his Shamrocks team-mate Lorcan Murtagh with PJ Kelly of the host club coming third

Jane Feetham from Armoy, who plays her Under 16 club Camogie with St Paul’s in Belfast, won the Under 16 Girls event and like the other winners goes through to the Ulster finals back in Glenarm on June 16th.

PJ Kelly
Mr Poc Fada, Terence Mulvenna, the man who sets out the course
Liam Og McLaren and his dad Liam snr
Damian Laverty with his dad Damian snr, mum sinead and sister Rioghnach.
U16 winner Damian Laverty
by thesaffrongael

JBM was guest of honour at the Saffron Sports Lunch

The Saffron Business Forum Annual Sports Lunch, supported by Tughans, returned for its ninth year on Friday 15 May at the Crowne Plaza Belfast, welcoming 620 guests for an afternoon celebrating sport, culture and community.

Hosted by Paul McErlean, the event featured special guest Jimmy Barry-Murphy, one of the most iconic figures in GAA history. In conversation with interviewer Shane Elliott, the Cork legend shared reflections on an outstanding career which included five All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medals, an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title and significant success as Cork senior hurling manager.

The audience also enjoyed hearing from renowned musician, producer and cultural leader Dónal O’Connor, whose contribution to Irish traditional music and the arts continues to have an international impact through initiatives such as Belfast TradFest.

Guests were then treated to a closing musical performance from Ceev, rounding off another memorable edition of the annual event.

TO SEE LOTS MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS SPECIAL DAY CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/AEq4ri7XZXEhqh/?invite=9831a422-487c-44e3-8040-bf970b6afde9