by thesaffrongael

Antrim book their place in the league final

Antrim’s Amy Boyle muscles in ahead of Down’s Aimee McAleenan

Antrim 1-16 Down 0-12 

Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO, Michael Corcoran in Ahoghill 

Six minutes into the first half of today’s Very National League encounter between Antrim and Down would leave a watermark, whenever Antrim’s Annie Lynn would raise the green flag from a skillful pull into the right side of Down’s goals, beyond the reach of temporary goalkeeper, Neisha McCullough. Down would shadow Antrim all the way to the short whistle with only that goal and a point the difference but the Saffrons would return to the field for the last thirty-three minutes in a dominant role, much of it physical, with periods of skillfull hooking and blocking that kept their opponents from working their way back into a winning position. 

Antrim would be the first to visit their opponents scoring zone within the first two minutes of the throw-in but early attempts from Annie Lynn and Katie Molloy would drift wide. It would take a foul on Katie Molloy for Dervla Cosgrove to convert that to a point after five minutes on the clock and then a Caitrin Dobbin/Katie Molloy advance at close quarters would force the sliotar out wide for Annie Lynn to pull on the ground ball for the only goal in the game. 

Down were able to close the score gap after Paula O’Hagan made good of a foul on Sophie McGrath and then returned for her own point in play after winning the sliotar the hard way from a ruck. Antrim would reply with three points on the trot with the third of those coming from a Nicole McAtamney textbook block that setup Caitrin Dobbin for the point. 

Down’s Tara Monan braces for an encounter with Antrim’s Caitrin Dobbin

Down, though, weren’t figuring on letting Antrim drift too far in front and replied with three points from fouls stemming from three in the hand and a slap of the stick but such was the ebb and flow of the early stages in the game, Antrim came right back with three points, Katie Molloy getting the best of those with a skillful pickup and delivery. 

With twenty-six minutes elapsed, a throw ball from Antrim would find the ball net from an accurate Paula O’Hagan free and it could have been two converted frees only O’Hagan’s angle for the second proved to be impracticable. Referee Bernard Heaney brought the first half to a close, Antrim 1-07 Down 0-06. 

Down’s sideline felt that they were initially slow to get into the game, and the second half would mirror those sentiments, as Antrim made frequent visits over Down’s bar for five in a row, Katie Molloy enjoying three of those with her first needing a cool redirect by goalkeeper McCullough over the bar. 

Down would now come back into the game at thirteen minutes as O’Hagan dropped another free over the bar and an opportunity to bump up the scoreboard from a penalty as Antrim’s goalkeeper, Becky Ellis, stood up an advancing Grace Cunningham more robustly than referee Heaney allowed. O’Hagan would fire the sliotar to Ellis’ right just inside the post, but her reach was sufficient to prevent Down from raising the green flag. O’Hagan though would make amends with a fine point from play after Down mounted a period of pressure in front of Antrim’s nets. Saoirse Sands would add to that with her own point before O’Hagan’s accuracy found the ball net from two more frees.  

Down’s Dearbhla Magee secures the catch as Antrim’s Maeve Kelly closes in

With only six points the difference, Down still had a window of opportunity despite the clock ticking down from twenty-six minutes of normal time and three added for injury but Antrim would tack on another two points in that time compared to Down’s one point from play by Grace Cunningham, and it would fall to Antrim’s Caitrin Dobbin to enjoy the last point in the game from a Sarah Fyfe pass before the long whistle brought proceedings to an end, score on the board Antrim 1-16 Down 0-12. 

Saturday’s result seals Antrim’s entry into the league final on the 29th March against Clare. Antrim will have a head-to-head with Clare on the 22nd for the last league game and neither side are likely to go all out, sensibly keeping something in reserve for the final. 

Antrim starters and scorers 

Becky Ellis, Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Erin Coulter, Eavanne Martin, Shannah Heggarty 0-01, Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney, Maeve Kelly 0-01, Lucia McNaughton, Dervla Cosgrove 0-04 (4f), Annie Lynn 1-01, Katie Molloy 0-05, Caitrin Dobbin 0-04 

Down starters and scorers 

Neisha McCullough, Clare McGilligan, Tara Monan, Aoife McDowell, Dearbhla Magee, Beth Fitzpatrick, Blanaid Savage, Dearbhla Coleman, Niamh Savage, Aimee McAleenan, Deirbhile Savage, Gerra McGrattan, Sophie McGrath, Erin Elliott, Paula O’Hagan 0-10 (8f), Grace Cunningham 0-01, Saoirse Sands 0-01 

More photos from today’s game, including the half time matches can be found in the album here… 

https://myalbum.com/album/n76BtNqzZF46h4/?invite=49151dce-9264-4c5b-b714-55b2536d5d51

by thesaffrongael

Strong second half display sees St. Gall’s romp home

O’Neills ACFL Division 1

St Gall’s 1-18 O’Donovan Rossa 0-8

St. Gall’s proved too good for Rossa in this opening round ACFL Division 1 fixture thanks to a dominant second half display at Milltown Row on Saturday.

There wasn’t a lot between the sides in an evenly balanced opening half but St. Gall’s pulled away after the break with Barra McCaffrey and Daniel Quinn in top scoring form for the home side.

McCaffrey and Quinn kicked seven points apiece for Terry O’Neill’s side which led by two at the break but completely took over for the remainder as they got their year off to an excellent start.

Of course, a lot of the pre-match debate surrounded the new rules which most were getting to view in a club environment for the first time.

Played under the new rules, decisions came in for some debate but for the best part of the game referee got it right and the rules were adhered to in the right spirit and we were entertained to some fine passages of football.

It was St. Gall’s who were first on the score board and long ball contributed to the opening score as Niall O’Neill got up to fetch and thumped over. 

Corey Walsh hit back for Rossa as the game was played at a good pace with plenty of attacking intent, but without chances going a begging early on.

Conor Stinton restored the home side’s lead as Daniel Quinn kicked a free after nine minutes with Rossa’s Darren Grego sin-binned for a black card, while Barra McCaffrey added another free from the opposite side.

The visitors were coing well with the 14 men as Conall McDonald kicked the first two pointer of the evening and he followed from another two frees to help his side into the lead as Grego returned to the action.

St Gall’s replied through Quinn who t kicked a two-point free of his own, but McDonald responded from a free and play – the first a punishment for St Gall’s having just two players in the opposite half – but the hosts took a 0-9 to 0-7 lead into the half from a McCaffrey (free) and a late Michael Hopkins point

It was St. Gall’s who took control as the second half got under way. And they opened their account in a matter of seconds with McCaffrey on target and he added another two – one a free – before he was denied a goal by Noall Crossan and from Daniel Quinn’s rebound, Gavin McGrath did well to get back and clear his line.

St Gall’s were now controlling matters around the middle and just appeared to be quicker and sharper to the breaks as they remained on the front foot as Quinn kicked three of his own – two frees – with Rossa again down to 14 from the 40th minute as Adam Devlin saw black for a pull down.

Callum Walsh added a point before St Gall’s got the goal they had been threatening as Ruairi Wilson got up field and blasted past Niall Crossan with seven minutes remaining.
Rossa finally opened their second half account when Corey Walsh sending over, but it was their first and last as the impressive McCaffrey had the final say at the other end to cap an impressive win for St Gall’s.

St. Gall’s: N McCurdy; J McCaffrey, G Mac Adaimh, T Keenan; R Wilson (1-0), C McGirr, C McCabe; C Stinton (0-1), C Burke; M Hopkins, D Quinn (0-7, 3f, 1x2pf), D Mac Liam; B McCaffrey (0-7, 3f), N O’Neill (0-1), C Walsh (0-1).
Subs: A McDonagh for C Stinton (47), P Murray for N O’Neill (49), C Doherty for D Mac Liam (51), C Murray for M Hopkins (55), E McCurdy for C Burke (57).

Rossa: N Crossan; F McDonald, G McGrath, C Orchin; D Grego, P Moyes, A Devlin; M McEnhill, E McMenamin; J Morris, C McDonald (0-6, 3f, 1x2pf), S Beatty; R McDonagh, D Rogan, C Walsh (0-2).
Subs: C O’Neill for D Grego (26), L McEnhill for J Morris (46), J Aughey for R McDonagh (46), M McKiernan for F McDonald (53), L Carr for N Crossan (58).

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lámh Dhearg) 

TO VIEW BERT’S PIS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/mR6hcRFZxtxiKc

by thesaffrongael

CPC Claim All-Ireland Glory

Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools

Paddy Buggy Cup Final

Cross & Passion College, Ballycastle 1-15 Calasanctius College, Oranmore 1-14

Saturday 15 March 2025

Brendan McTaggart reports from Ballyshannon

Cross & Passion held off the challenge of Calasanctius College to claim the Paddy Buggy Cup for the fourth time in their history on Saturday afternoon.

One point separated the sides at the end of the hour, in truth the score line flattered the Oranmore school, their goal came with the last puck of the game.

It was an excellent second half from the Mageean Cup winners who held a slender on point lead at the interval but held the Galway school scoreless for the opening 16 minutes of the second half.  In that same period of time, they rattled over four points to open a five point gap that was effectively the winning of the game.

It was a tough, physical game of hurling with neither side taking a backward step.  Defensively, CPC were excellent with Liam Glackin putting in a captains performance at centre half back.  He had plenty of support with Cian Baudant, Reece Cunning and Eunan Johnson all excelling while Darragh Kinney and Ronan ‘Rosey’ Fitzgerald combined superbly in midfield.  Up top, Oisin McCallin and Cadhan Crawford were always a threat and the Oranmore school did well to curtail their influence on the game, especially in the second half while Roan McGarry’s accuracy from placed ball was a major factor in deciding the outcome of this game.

Calasanctius scoring was heavily reliant on the prodigious talents of Colm Burke.  The midfielder would finish with 12 points – four of those coming from open play and he was a constant threat that CPC had to deal with.  He had little in the way of support however as the Oranmore school struggled against a strong CPC defence.

Roan McGarry and Crawford top scored for CPC, McGarry with four white flags while Crawford showed his predatory instincts with his sides goal in the eighth minute of the contest.

Man of the match came from further out the field however.  Conor Donnelly had an excellent game, more so in the second half while Rosey Fitzgerald signed off his school hurling career with an outstanding display but Glackin got my nod with a commanding performance that lead his side to All Ireland glory.

Both side showed signs of nerves in the opening exchanges before Colm Burke opened the scoring in the fourth minute.  It would be the Galway schools last score for 12 minutes though as CPC settled into the final.

Points came from Niall McClean and McCallin, the latter with a superb score from wide on the left before Crawford struck his major.  Roan McGarry’s effort for a point came back off the upright and with the Calasanctius defence on their heels, Crawford stole in behind to make the most of the dropping sliotar and the goal at his mercy.

Crawford would hit the next point of the game, capitalising on a poor puck out to fire over as CPC looked to make the most of their purple patch.

The Galway school added to their score by points from Gus Lohan and Colm Burke (free) before they were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute.  Lohan causing problems in the CPC defence before evading the challenge of ‘keeper Anthony Mullan.  Reece Cunning looked to retrieve the situation with some excellent last gasp defending but he was adjudged to have fouled Lohan.  It looked a harsh decision but it was given after consultation with his umpires and Cunning given a yellow card for his troubles.

Colm Burke stood over the penalty but fired over the bar with a rasping drive.  He would score another brace (one free) to tie the sides before Roan McGarry edged CPC ahead once again but a trio of scores from Costello and Colm Burke (one free, one ’65) gave Calasanctius a two point lead with three minutes of the half remaining.

CPC finished the half on top however.  Padraig Martin split the uprights before McCallin and Fitzgerald followed suit in the time that remained.  It could have been even better for CPC but Conor Donnelly’s effort was cleared off the line by Thomas Blake but it was a deserving half time lead for the Ballycastle school.

The opening exchanges of the second half was the winning of the game for CPC.  Scores came from Kinney, McCallin with his third of the final before a brilliant steal and score from Conor Donnelly.  Roan McGarry fired over CPC’s first from a free in the 39th minute as the CPC lead grew to five.

As the second half progressed, indiscipline was creeping into Calasanctius and Tiernan Grealish saw red for an off the ball incident with Martin and gave his school an uphill task with 18 minutes of the game remaining. 

They would score the next two points of the game with Colm Burke adding to his tally with a brace of frees but CPC dug deep in the final quarter.

Rosey Fitzgerald (two) and Roan McGarry (free) in the space of six minutes came with a solitary free from Colm Burke the only response from Calasanctius. 

With two minutes of the final remaining, Roan McGarry split the uprights to put five between the sides once again and while it was CPC’s last score of the final, it was enough.  The Oranmore school laid siege on the CPC goal with Jake Keady’s rasping drive superbly saved by Anthony Mullan and while Colm Burke fired over his 12th point of the final at the end of the hour, time looked to be running out. 

They did manage to score a goal with what was the last action of the final.  ‘Keeper Harry Keady sending a ’65 to the edge of the square and while CPC dealt with the initial danger, substitute Niall de Paor squeezed the sliotar over the line. 

It was too little, too late for the Galway school however as CPC had done enough and earned the right to be called All-Ireland Champions for 2025!

TEAMS

CPC: Anthony Mullan; Darragh Kinney, Cian Baudant, Eunan Johnson; Reece Cunning, Liam Glackin, Ardan Kelly; Darragh Donnelly, Ronan Fitzgerald; Niall McClean, Conor Donnelly, Padraig Martin; Oisin McCallin, Roan McGarry, Cadhan Crawford

Subs: Conan Johnson for N McClean (52); Logan McConville for P Martin (60); Aidan Richmond for O McCallin (Inj)

Scorers: R McGarry 0-4 (3fs); C Crawford 1-1; O McCallin 0-3; R Fitzgerald 0-3; D Kinney 0-1; N McClean 0-1; C Donnelly 0-1; P Martin 0-1

CCO: Harry Keady; Sean Martyn, Thomas Blake, Alan Connaughton; Shay Rabbit, Fionn Fahy, Tiernan Grealish; Colm Burke, Eanna Costello; Matthew Furey, Jake Keady, Charlie Healy; Gus Lohan, Michael Leahy, Liam Burke

Subs: Stephen Ruane for M Furey (47); Darragh King for L Burke (52); Niall de Paor for S Rabbit (53)

Scorers: C Burke 0-12 (7fs 1’65); N de Paor 1-00; E Costello 0-1; G Lohan 0-1

TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINL BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/zYskH7ovKQZTBm/?invite=90535f6b-4bb6-4b23-a876-28791c513873

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon take the points at Pearse Park

ACFL Division 1

Cuchullian’s Dunloy 1-7 St. Mary’s Aghagallon 0-13

St. Mary’s Aghagallon got their 2025 league campaign off to a winning start when they defeated newly promoted Cuchullian’s Dunloy to take the points at Pearse Park on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides started cagily, with each side probing for openings but it was Dunloy who were first to score through a Charlie Cunning point in the 3rd minute.

They went 2 in front when Barry McCloskey fired over on the 6-minute mark, before Aghagallon got on the scoreboard with a long-range point from Pauric Maginnis.

Dunloy were quickly to reply as Oisin McCamphill converted a two-pointer from a free before Aghagallon replied through Maginnis, Thomas Mallon, and Johnny Hannon to level matters at 0-4 to 0-4 after 25 minutes.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Aghagallon’s Johnny Hannon holds of the challenge of Declan Smith of Dunloy during the ACFL Division meeting at Pearse Park on Saturday

Barry McCloskey’s second point of the evening put Dunloy in front with three minutes remaining to half-time, but a long delivery from mid-field broke to Johnny Hannon who fired over the equaliser from close range to make it 0-5 apiece at the break.

The second half began with Aghagallon taking advantage of the wind in their favour, as they made the early running but Johnny Hannon hit three wides before finally finding the target and Luke Mulholland came forward from goals to convert a 45-meter free to put St. Mary’s two ahead.

The visitors were enjoying the better of the exchanges and Adam Loughran added another to increase that lead to three, and it was 22 minutes before Tom McFerran finally opened Dunloy’s second-half account with a point to leave two between the sides.

Aghagallon keeper Luke Mulholland stroked a 40-meter free between the sticks for the second two-pointer of the game to make it 0-10 to 0-6 before Barry McCloskey replied at the other end, but when Hannon and Mulholland, from another free, split the posts, it looked all over.

Goal scorer, Anton McGrath breaks clear of his marker

Cuchullian’s never gave up, and Anton McGrath finished a good move with a superb goal in the 33rd minute to close the gap to three again however, Adam Shanks had the final say  with a point at the other end to conclude the scoring.

A fiercely contested game with both defences on top and Christopher Brogan, Adrian Scullion, James Scally, Declan Smith, Barry McCloskey, Anton McGrath and Oisin McCamphill best for Dunloy, while Luke Mulholland, Aidan Mulholland, Ciaran Maginnis, Pauric Maginnis, Johnny Hannon, Adam Loughran, and Pat Brannigan were in excellent form for the winners. 

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/LHYzDUkedVucmy

by thesaffrongael

Antrim face Sligo in a must win encounter this Sunday

Antrim v Sligo

NFL: Division 3

Corrigan Park – Sunday 2-00pm

Antrim face Sligo in Round 6 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 this Sunday, at Corrigan Park.

Going into Sunday’s game, Antrim sit in 6th place in Division 3 with 4 points from 5 games, while Sligo are in 7th place with 3 points, having secured 1 win, and 1 draw.

So the margins between them are minute and the outcome of this match is crucial for both teams as they fight to stave off the threat of relegation to division 4.

This is a massive game for both Antrim and Sligo. Both teams are dangerously close to the relegation zone. A loss here could be a huge setback, while a win would secure Antrim a place in division 3 next season and almost certainly condemn Sligo to the drop.

Antrim have home advantage for Sunday’s fixture but Sligo will be desperate to get something from the game. Expect a tense, hard-fought battle—neither team can afford to slip up at this stage so the Saffrons will need to be on top of their game.

Antrim will be without Marc Jordan for Sunday’s game and that’s a big blow for the Saffrons. Jordan has been a key player for them with his energy and ability to drive forward from deep. Without him, Antrim might struggle to break Sligo down or maintain their usual intensity.

Sligo will see this as an opportunity, but they haven’t been in great form themselves.

It’s a must win for both sides though a draw would possibly keep Antrim in contention to avoid the drop but they would have to beat Kildare away in their last game while hoping that Leitrim could get a first win against Sligo at Markievicz Park.

On the other hand, Sligo will see this as their best chance to stay up. If they get a result here, they’ll back themselves to beat Leitrim at home and secure safety.

It’s set up to be a real dogfight but Antrim have the ability and can handle the pressure to get the win to push them over the line and secure their place in division 3 for another season.

Antrim have won both of their games to date against Clare and Leitrim in Beklfast and went close against both Fermanagh and Laois away, leading in both games at one stage.

The Saffrons have shown they can compete, especially with those home wins. The fact that they ran both Fermanagh and Laois close away shows they’re not far off. It’s just about seeing games out and managing key moments better.

Niall Burns and Paddy McBride can provide the scoring threat to shoot down Sligo

At home in Corrigan Park, they’ll fancy their chances, but without Marc Jordan, they’ll need others to step up. If they can start well and avoid lapses late on, they’ve got a real chance.

Sligo, though, will know that if they win, survival is firmly in their own hands with that home game against Leitrim to come. It’s a pressure game for both team with Antrim’s home form this season suggesting they may have the edge.

The introduction of Aghagallon’s Jack Lenehan to the Antrim defence for the last two games has been a plus while All Saints pair Kavan Keenan (if fit) and Conor Stewart are available for selection and the Antrim team is unlikely to show too many changes from the one who lost away to Laois last time out.

Jack Lenehan coming into the Antrim defence has been a plus. He’s added some solidity, and having a settled backline will be crucial in a must-win game like this.

Given their performance against Laois, Antrim may stick to a similar starting lineout. They were competitive in that game and led by six at one stage, and with home advantage this time, they’ll be hoping to turn a strong display into a vital win.

Sligo have struggled for most of the league but that win away to Clare last time out will have given them huge confidence. Despite a nervy conclusion – when they saw a seven-point lead whittled down to two – Sligo held on for their first win in this year’s Allianz Football League.

Winning on the road in a tough venue like Ennis shows they have fight in them, and now they’re just a point behind Antrim with everything still to play for.

Sligo had a good spread of scorers against Clare with Niall Murphy 0-5 Patrick O’Connor 0-3, Darragh Cummings, Luke Towey, David Quinn and Alan Reilly were amongst the point scorers in Ennis while their goal came from Canice Mulligan.

They were forced to hold on at the end as Clare came strong and indeed had a goal disallowed but this win will surely have boosted their confidence.

Paddy McBride, Niall Burns, Dominic McEnhill, Conor Hand, Ryan McQuillan and keeper, Mick Byrne have the ability to come up with the scores that will see Antrim retain their place in division 3 for next season

Antrim’s home advantage and recent performances suggest they have what it takes to get them over the line, but It could come down to small margins—who handles the pressure better, who takes their chances, and which team can manage the closing stages more effectively.

It’s shaping up to be a tense battle but it is a battle than Andy McEntee’s side can win and we call on Antrim fans to come out in numbers to cheer their side to victory.