by thesaffrongael

Deise too strong for Antrim

National Hurling League – Division 1B

Antrim 0-11 Waterford 2-23

Antrim hurlers are facing a relegation battle in Division 1B of the National League following Sunday’s heavy defeat to Waterford at Corrigan Park, their third defeat in four games, which leaves them sitting second bottom with just two games left to play. With two teams being relegated their position if very precarious and means they will need to win next weekend’s game against Carlow and the final game at home to Laois to survive.

Sunday’s defeat against Waterford was emphatic against a much improved Deise side, who had been shocked in their opening game against Carlow.  

With a strong wind at their backs Waterford sprung from the traps and had two points on the board within the first minute and when Kevein Mahony struck their first goal in the tenth minute it was clear Antrim had a mountain to climb.

Things got worse six minutes later when the visitors were awarded a penalty when Keelan Molloy was deemed to have fouled Stephen Bennett as he bore down on goal, and the full forward, son of Antrim coach Pat Bennett, drilled the ball home, and to make matters worse for the Saffrons Molly received a black card which saw him spend the next ten minutes in the sin-bin.

Antrim could not contain the rampant Waterford side, and struggled to get out of their own half, such was the strength of the wind, and it was all of nineteen minutes before they struck a ball over the Waterford endline from play. James McNaughton did manage a point from a free, a well struck shot into the wind, but as the gap widened by the minute the visitors went on to open a 2-14 to 0-04 lead by half time, Antrim’s other scores coming from two more McNaughton frees and one from play by Seaan Elliott.

Things looked a bit more promising when Antrim started the second half with four unanswered points, one of them an excellent effort from Eoin ‘Sammy’ O’Neill. However the Deise men were starting to adjust to playing into the breeze and once they got their bearings again they started to pile on the scores again.

To their credit the Saffron showed a bit more fight with Keelan Molloy running himself to a standstill, but the gap in class was evident throughout the field as Jimmy Barron, Dessie Hutchinson, Padraig Fitzgerald and co showed their class.

A bitterly disappointing day for the Saffrons and it is vitally important that they get something out of their trip to Carlow next week.

 Scorers for Antrim: J McNaughton 0-6 (6f), K Molloy 0-2, S Elliott 0-1, E O’Neill 0-1, G Walsh 0-1 (f).

Scorers for Waterford: S Bennett 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Padraig Fitzgerald 0-4 (3f), D Hutchinson 0-4, K Mahony 1-0, J Barron 0-3, C Prunty 0-2, C Treen 0-1, M Fitzgerald 0-1, M Kiely 0-1, P Hogan 0-1, K Bennett 0-1, P Curran 0-1 (1f) 

ANTRIM: R Elliott; E McFerran, R McCloskey, S Rooney; J Maskey, E Campbell, C Bohill; N Elliott, S Elliott; P Boyle, R McCambridge, K Molloy; J McLaughlin, J McNaughton, N O’Connor.

Subs: E O’Neill for S Elliott (HT), C McKeown for P Boyle (49), A McGarry for J McLaughlin (58), G Walsh for K Molloy (60), K Molloy for R McCambridge (62).

Black card: K Molloy (16-26) 

WATERFORD: B Nolan; C Ryan, C Prunty, I Daly; M Kiely, M Fitzgerald, P Leavey; J Prendergast, C Sheahan; Padraig Fitzgerald, J Barron, C Treen; K Mahony, Stephen Bennett, D Hutchinson.

Subs: K Bennett for Padraig Fitzgerald (44), P Hogan for J Pendergast (44), P Curran (62) for C Treen, S Walsh for S Bennett (65), G Fives for C Prunty (67) 

REFEREE: C Flynn (Westmeath)

To see more pics from this game click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/wfDzeJraHaNbNM/?invite=45ba962a-d4d0-4a28-99ca-1fa0dec3a127

by thesaffrongael

Antrim’s U16 Camogie squad deliver a strong performance for the win in Abbotstown

Wexford v Antrim U16A All Ireland Shield 23rd February 2025 

Wexford 1-05 Antrim 3-08 

Pitch 4 National Games Development Centre, Abbotstown 

With six games postponed due to the current weather, it was a relief to see the U16A Shield game go ahead in Abbotstown today. By the time the squad arrived, rain had eased off and some sunshine broke through the cloudy sky, but the wind was persistent throughout the match and posed a challenge for both sides. 

All Ireland U16A Shield Wexford v Antrim in Abbotstown

Antrim enjoyed the wind on their backs for the first half and built-up an airborne total of eight crucial points and a goal from Aedin Vallely to Wexford’s 0-01 before the half time whistle. 

With the wind on their backs in the second half, Wexford looked comfortable taking their points and indeed added another four and a goal but Antrim’s defence was immense and the work rate from the midfield impressed their management team with frequent calls of encouragement. 

Antrim’s goalkeeper, Maeve Scullion was replaced due to an injury not long after the restart, by Mia Carlin and her puck outs into the wind were an asset to Antrim, helping to push Wexford back as far as possible, giving Antrim’s half forwards an opportunity to win the sliotar and feed forward into Cliodhna Thompson, Aedin Vallely and Adria McAllister for Antrim’s three goals. 

Antrim will now play Waterford on Sunday 9th March in round three of the shield, details TBC. 

Antrim panel and scorers 

Mia Scullion, Kiera McLaughlin, Laoise McCollam, Isabelle Martin, Hannah Mead, Fiadh Sands, Amy Gault, Caoimhe McErlain 0-01, Anna Smyth 0-01, Tamara Black 0-01, Eimear Ward 1f, Tegan Cassidy 0-01, JoJo Darragh 0-02 (1f), Aedin Vallely 1-00, Cliodhna Thompson 1-01 

Subs Orla Munce, Caela Casey, Adria McAllister 1-0, Bronagh Doherty, Mia Carlin

by thesaffrongael

Great win for Antrim in Limerick

Limerick v Antrim Very National Div 1B League 22nd February 2025

Limerick 0-07 Antrim 2-10

Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran

Limerick’s Aine Foley closely followed by Antrim’s Amy Boyle and Erin Coulter

A goal and seven points in the first half compared to Limerick’s 0-02 tally, set the Saffrons up to face a four or five point wind advantage for Limerick in the second half, as the Treaty County won the toss and opted to play into the wind in the first half. 

Antrim’s early goal from Caitrin Dobbin came from a spearhead attack from Eavanne Martin, finding Dobbin with a surreptitious pass into the box requiring a mere flick to ripple Limerick’s goal net. 

Antrim were the dominant force in the first half, walking in at the short whistle with an eight point lead but left an unanswered question on the pitch, namely would Limerick be able to come back with the calculated advantage. 

Match referee, Brian Kearney, started proceedings promptly and Limerick was soon knocking on Antrim’s door, with goalkeeper, Caitriona Graham getting the better of an advance and winning a foul. The long puck eventually worked its way to Antrim’s Eavanne Martin, and a running Caitrin Dobbin would be the beneficiary of the pass that fooled Limerick’s full back line, resulting in the green flag being raised within the first two minutes of the game. 

Limerick were on the reply and had Antrim’s goalkeeper, Graham, sending the sliotar back out only to be turned over by Donna Kenny for her point, making that Limerick’s first score in the match after seven minutes. 

Antrim’s Nicole McAtamney built up Antrim’s early lead, cruising two frees between the uprights for two fouls, one stemming from a dropped hurl and the other a push in the back. One of those white flags could have been neutralised by Limerick’s Orlaith Kelliher, with a superb high ball catch but drifted the shot wide of the mark.  

McAtamney wasn’t able to cash in on another two frees as the sliotar drifted wide of the uprights, telling a tale that factoring in the wind would be paramount today. 

Nearly twenty minutes would elapse in the game before Antrim’s Eavanne Martin notched the Saffrons up a point on the manual scoreboard, and Martin would return within the minute after Antrim’s Clare McKillop managed to dig out the sliotar from an intense ruck, finding Martin and a subsequent point. 

Limerick’s Laura Southern would take a push in the back, finding some satisfaction as she cruised her free between Antrim’s uprights, with scores on the board Limerick 0-02 Antrim 1-04. 

An on-form Martin would step into the shoes of last week’s top scorer, Dervla Cosgrove , sitting out this game due to sickness, and converted two more fouls into points from a hold and an over carry of the sliotar. 

With only two minutes remaining in the first half, Antrim’s Dobbin couldn’t get an angle for a green flag route, instead took her point, leaving the short whistle to register Limerick 0-02 Antrim 1-07 on the board. 

Antrim’s first half was built on dominance as the mid and half forward line of Boyle, McAtamney, McIntosh, McNaughton and Martin were instrumental in pushing Limerick back into their own half for much of that portion of the game, but much was to play for in the second half. 

The start of the second half witnessed Limerick drifting a crucial free wide of the post after only two minutes, that would have possibly ignited a resurgence of scoring activity in the Limerick camp, but it would be Antrim that would raise the first white flag, as Lucia McNaughton delivered the sliotar to an advancing Martin for her fourth point of the day. 

Antrim’s Lucia McNaughton works the jab lift as Limerick’s Emily O’Halloran eyes up the steal

Limerick’s supporters might have been basking in the late winter sun, but Antrim would have to weather a Limerick storm for almost fifteen minutes as the tables were turned and Limerick managed to push Antrim back into their own half, delivering four points without reply, two of those from Southern, Kenny and Larkin. 

Antrim would break that pattern whenever McAtamney delivered to Dobbin and onto Martin for Antrim’s reply after the nineteenth minute and in just over a minute later, Martin made a tenacious advance into Limerick’s green flag zone but Limerick’s Aine Foley, diffused the tension only for Limerick to succumb to an advancing Dobbin, pulling on the sliotar for her second goal in today’s game. 

Drama would unfold in the twenty forth minute as Antrim’s Katie Molloy ventured deep into Gillane territory and Kearney, having spotted Molloy being held and pulled to the ground, wasted no time in awarding a penalty. Antrim’s Eavanne Martin stepped up for the penalty, but Gillane had the makings of the save as the sliotar flew down the centre. 

Antrim’s Caoimhe McNaughton looks for the offload as Limerick’s Donna Kenny tracks the sliotar

An air of confidence had worked itself up in the Antrim camp by now, and the bench was starting to find effective game time, as Eimear Johnston took a superb catch from Annie Lynn, and took her score that would be Antrim’s last of the day. 

Limerick’s primary free taker, Caoimhe Costelloe was keen to drop the sliotar into Antrim’s goal area for much of the second half, when the opportunity arose, but when Orlaith Kelliher floated her point high over the bar on the thirtieth minute, Antrim knew the game was all but over and as the long whistle signalled the end of the match, the scoreboard registered Limerick 0-07 Antrim 2-10.  

Up to now, Antrim have enjoyed a good run in the league with two wins from two games. Round three is a home game in Ballycastle to Westmeath on Saturday 1st March, with a throw in time of 2pm. 

Limerick starters and scorers 

Sarah Gillane, Aoife Nelligan, Muireann Creamer, Aine Foley, Shauna Cunningham, Emily O’Halloran, Teresa Dore, Mairead Ryan, Ailbhe Larkin 0-01, Caoimhe Costelloe 0-02, Lizanna Boylan, Stephanie Woulfe, Donna Kenny 0-02, Orlaith Kelliher 0-01, Laura Southern 0-01f 

Antrim starters and scorers 

Caitriona Graham, Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Erin Coulter, Sarah O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty, Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney 0-02f, Janey McIntosh, Lucia McNaughton, Eavanne Martin 0-06 (3f), Orlaith McAllister, Katie Molloy, Caitrin Dobbin 2-01, Eimear Johnston 0-01 

More photos from Saturday’s game can be found in the album here… 

https://myalbum.com/album/2D6NXaja5K6unn/?invite=71f575cf-66e0-4e85-8f51-8397fc020ae0

by thesaffrongael

Austin Gleeson cameo turned the game for Waterford

A look back at Antrim’s last meeting with the Deise in 2023

Pic by Brendan McTaggart

Allianz Hurling League, Division One Group B

Waterford 1-22

Antrim 0-17

Sunday 26 February 2023

Brendan McTaggart reports from Fraher Field, Dungarvan.

Antrim put in a much improved performance on Sunday on the south coast against Waterford but the home side finished strong to see off Darren Gleeson’s men.  It took the introduction of Deise star Austin Gleeson to ignite Davy Fitgerald’s men with the Mount Sion man landing five points in a 25 minute cameo where he showed his class.

Antrim’s challenge took a massive dent when captain Eoghan Campbell saw red in the 23rd minute for an off the ball incident with Reuben Halloran.  The Saffrons were ahead by three at the time and posing plenty of questions of the Waterford defence but the numerical advantage and playing into the wind in the second half took its toll in the end.

Two ahead at half time, Antrim played with more precision and poise in the second half that may have been lacking in previous matches.  They managed to stay ahead of the home side for long periods of the second half with Conal Cunning’s frees prevalent but with 10 minutes of the 70 remaining, the home side and Aussie Gleeson found another gear.

The Waterford goal came from the penalty spot early in the second half, ‘keeper Tiarnan Smyth going close to Patrick Curran’s drive while Antrim didnt have the same luck from their penalty awarded late in the game.  Gerard Walsh’s effort spectacularly saved by Shaun O’Brien with the sliotar destined for the top corner.

It felt like a turning point at the time.  A major then and Antrim could have kicked on, as it was the home side saw off the Antrim challenge….

WATERFORD: Shaun O’Brien; Conor Gleeson, Conor Prunty (0-02), Conor Ryan (0-01); Shane McNulty, Calum Lyons (0-03), Jack Fagan (0-01); Gavin Fives, Paddy Leavey (0-01); Jamie Barron (0-01), Patrick Curran (1-04, 1-00 pen, 0-02 frees), Neil Montgomery (0-01); Jack Prendergast (0-01), DJ Foran (0-01), Reuben Halloran

Pic by Brendan McTaggart

Subs: Carthach Daly for S McNulty (HT), Austin Gleeson (0-05, 4 frees) for R Halleron (45), Padraig Fitzgerald  (0-01) for P Curran (54), Patrick Fitzgerald for N Montgomery (61), Colin Dunford for P Leavey (66)

ANTRIM: Tiernan Smyth; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh (0-01 free), Eoghan Campbell, Conal Bohill; Michael Bradley (0-01), Paul Boyle (0-01); Keelan Molloy (0-02), Niall McKenna, Neil McManus; Conal Cunning (0-11, 10 frees), James McNaughton, Seaan Elliott.

Subs: Niall O’Connor (0-01) for C Bohill (33), Eoin O’Neill for S Elliott (HT), Nigel Elliott for N McManus (46), Joe Maskey for P Boyle (57), Rian McMullan for N McKenna (70+3)

REFEREE: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)

Pic by Brendan McTaggart
by thesaffrongael

Saffrons in control against lowly Leitrim 

Antrim’s Marc Jordan fires in a shot at goal

Allianz National Football League, Division 3 

Antrim 4-16-1-11 Leitrim 

Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park 

ANTRIM moved clear of Leitrim at the foot of the Division Three standings with a comfortable 4-16-1-11 win at Corrigan Park on Saturday, 

The Saffrons were ruthless in the opening half and had four-goals before the midway point. Marc Jordan and Niall Burns netted within the opening quarter of an hour and Dominic McEnhill followed up after his penalty was saved by Daire O’Shea. 

On the stroke of half time Fionn Nagle poked home a fourth from close range and despite Donal Casey pulling a goal back for the visitors in the closing stages, the second half was a more than professional performance from Andy McEntee’s charges- who move onto four-points from their opening four encounters. 

Without the suspended duo of Conor Stewart and Conor Hand, McEntee reshuffled his pack with Niall Burns and Ryan Murray coming into the starting 15, in what was Murray’s 100th appearance in the Saffron jersey.

Antrim were off the mark early when Ruairi McCann popped over from a Mick Byrne pass but Paul Honeyman converted a close range free less than a minute later. 

The visitors twice led through Darren Cox and Keith Keegan points and in between times Dominic McEnhill steered a high free over. 

Ruairi McCann thought he had netted his sides opening goal when he got a fist to Fionn Nagles high ball, but after consultation with his officials, referee Conor Dourneen disallowed it for a square ball. 

They wouldn’t have long to wait as it arrived on the 11th minute. Marc Jordan slipped a pass to Niall Burns and he returned to Jordan who found the top corner with an angled shot to make it 1-2-0-3. 

McEnhill doubled his account after cutting in on the left and bending a shot over before a second goal arrived with little over a quarter of an hour gone. 

Ryan Murray picked out club-mate Jordan who played a one-two with Ruairi McCann before delivering a low ball across the face of goal that Niall Burns charged in to meet and bundle to the net.

Burns pointed within 60-seconds and the Saffrons had the opportunity to extend their lead when Marc Jordan was caught by Kieran Glancy as he was about to pull the trigger and Dourneen signalled for a penalty. 

Antrim’s Finn Nagle goes highest to break down one of Mick Byrne’s kick-outs

Responsibility fell to Domonic McEnhill whose shot was kept out initially by Daire O’Shea in the Leitrim goal, but McEnhill got to the loose ball ahead of O’Shea and scrambled in to make it 3-4-0-5. 

Without a score in 18 minutes a Tom Prior point lifted the visitors and subsequent scores from Jack Foley and Daire O’Shea followed before the interval. 

Antrim remained in the ascendancy and added a further 1-2 before the half concluded. Niall Burns and Ruairi McCann hit back-to-back scores in response to Prior’s and on the 34th minute Fionn Nagle netted from close range after Mick Byrne and Dermot McAleese combined in the build-up and an injury time Jack Lenehan point had his side 4-7-0-6 ahead at the midway point. 

Jack Lenehan doubled his tally within three-minutes of the restart, but Leitrim started the second period brightly as Tom Prior and Darren Cox both doubled his personal tallies. 

Back-to-back scores followed from Ruairi McCann and half time substitute Ryan McQuillan but Paul Honeyman doubled his tally for the afternoon as the sides had cancelled each other out in the half by the 50th minute. 

A converted Dominic McEnhill free was followed by a fisted Niall Burns point as Antrim attempted to move through the gears, though Leitrim were much improved and replied through substitute Donal Casey. 

Half time substitute McQuillan doubled his account and a further goal chance somehow went a begging as Conhuir Johnston gathered a high flighted ball into him on the edge of the small square and his low goal-bound shot was turned behind by Daire O’Shea. 

Instead, Leitrim found a consolation strike through a bullet of a shot from Donal Casey that flew across the face of goal and in to make it 4-13-1-10. 

The hosts lifted things in the aftermath with Niall Burns helping a Eunan Walsh shot over the bar and Conhuir Johnston swinging a shot over. 

The final two points were exchanged with Paul Honeyman sending a high shot over and Ryan McQuillan adding a point at the other end after Paddy McBride had a shot cleared off the line in the build-up. 

In the end, Antrim ran out comfortable winners to move clear of Leitrim at the foot of the table with three-games remaining. 

Ryan Murray who played his 100th game in the Saffron jersey in Saturday’s win over Leitrim’s at Corrigan Park

ANTRIM: M Byrne, E McCabe, E Walsh, J Morgan, J McAuley, J Lenehan (0-2), D McAleese, M Jordan (1-0), E Quinn, N Burns (1-4), P McBride, F Nagle (1-0), R Murray, R McCann (0-3), D McEnhill (1-3, 0-1f). Subs: R McQuillan (0-3) for R Murray (HT), C Johnston (0-1) for R McCann (59), J McDonnell for J McAuley (65), P King for E McCabe (70+1), S O’Callaghan for N Burns (70+1). 

LEITRIM: D O’Shea (0-1), C McHugh, S Harkin, E McLoughlin, J Rooney, M Diffley, E McNamara, C Quinn, K Keegan (0-1), J Flynn, P Honeyman (0-3), J Foley (0-1), B Guckian, D Cox (0-2), T Prior (0-2). Subs: K Glancey for C McHugh (13), C McHugh for S Harkin (HT), K Beirne for J Rooney (HT), D Casey (1-1) for B Guckian (46), K McHugh for E McLoughlin (59)

REFEREE: Conor Dourneen (Donegal)

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

https://myalbum.com/album/MbqmxXR4r9k9Ke

To see pics by Paddy McIlwaine click on this link

https://myalbum.com/album/nRjVBys43YfDFY