January 23, 2025January 23, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Difficult opener for Antrim as Clare visit Corrigan

NFL Division 3

Antrim v Clare

Corrigan Park – Sunday 26^th January-1-00pm

Antrim kick off their fourth year in division 3 of the National Football League with a difficult opener against Clare at Corrigan Park on Sunday. The Banner had three points to spare over Andy McEntee’s Antrim in the corresponding fixture last year in Ennis and will travel to Belfast confident of getting their league campaign off to a winning start.

Clare came close to gaining promotion back to division 2 last year, having been relegated the previous year but had to settle for third place to Down and Westmeath with a point separating them from the Lake County.

McEntee begins his third term in charge of the Saffrons and the former Meath manager has been well received in his adopted county that has seen them play an attractive brand of football.

**Mick Byrne returns for another season as Antrim’s last line of defence**

Success is difficult to measure but Antrim have reached successive Tailteann Cup semi-finals which saw them lose to eventual winners Meath in 2023 and to Laois in 2024.

The Saffrons finished 4^th in division 3 in 2022 under Enda McGinley having gained promotion from division 4 under the Errigal Ciaran man the previous year.

Survival in division 3 under Andy McEntee would have been seen as success in 2023 where Antrim finished 6^th and in 2024 Antrim went one better, finishing 5^th and this year’s campaign looks no less daunting.

Antrim face difficult away trips to Fermanagh, Offaly, Laois and Kildare with Leitrim and Sligo joining Clare in their trips to Corrigan this season.

The introduction of the new rules will add further intrigue to all of this year’s National League fixtures and Antrim have tested the water in challenges against Monaghan and Louth.

Just who adapts best and fastest to these rule changes will have a big bearing on how their league campaigns will pan out but I would expect the changes to bring about some confusion and controversy through the early rounds as teams come to terms with the changes.

The changes may well prove a benefit to Antrim however with a big emphasis on speed and moving the ball quickly and Antrim look to have the players who can adapt to these changes.

Team captain Peter Healey will miss the early rounds with an ongoing injury and Colm McLarnon is sidelined while Ruairi McCann of Creggan has opted out for 2025 and Declan Lynch and Paddy McAleer have retired but Antrim retained the majority of the panel who have served them well over the last few years.

Mick Byrne, Paddy McBride, Marc Jordan, Ronan Boyle, Joe and Patrick Finnegan, Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon), and Eunan Walsh will backbone a strong panel and Dermot McAleese will captain the side where the fit again Conor Stewart will provide a further boost.

**Ryan Murray has returned to the Antrim panel following a year out with serious injury**

Ryan Murray has returned to the Antrim panel after a year out with serious injury and the lamh Dhearg man will add much needed experience to the Antrim attack.

Niall Hynds, Patrick Ferris, Shaun O’Callaghan, Aaron McNeilly, and young Adams from St Johns are amongst the new faces in the panel as Andy McEntee continues to build the panel and these lads will add competition for places.

Clare manager Peter Keane has been handed a significant boost with Eoin Cleary and Keelan Sexton set to return to the senior panel ahead of the 2025 season.

Last month, former Kerry manager Keane succeeded Mark Fitzgerald in the role. Clare were without several stalwarts including Cleary and Sexton for 2024. In the aftermath of Colm Collins’ departure several squad members stepped away including Cleary, Sexton, Cian O’Dea and Pearce Lillis.

Cleary spent the summer in America playing Gaelic football for Chicago Wolfe Tones where he won a national title. His presence in Croke Park last October representing Munster in the interprovincial series sparked hopes a return was on the cards.

Clare will travel to West Belfast confident they can add to last year’s victory over Antrim in Ennis but Andy McEnee’s Saffrons have put in a lot of work in the build up to Sunday’s opener and can claim the win that could set them up for a good season.

January 22, 2025January 22, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Ruairi Og Juvenile Awards

Ruairí Óg hosted their annual Juvenile Presentation on Saturday, a special occasion to celebrate the remarkable achievements of their young players both on and off the field from the season past.

The event spanned all age groups, from the Fundamentals group to the Under-16 hurlers and camogs, recognising the dedication, hard work, and progress made throughout the season.

Successes included the U12 Gael na Glinntí hurling team winners of the A section of the North Antrim festival of hurling, U14 Tain Óg winners Gael na Glinntí, U15 Camogie Féile winners & All Ireland finalists, U16 hurling league champions and U16 camogie league, feis & championship winners.

Players were applauded for their sporting achievements, while off-field contributions such as commitment and teamwork were equally highlighted.

Individual camogie awards were presented across all levels from Under 12 up, with special mentions for those who demonstrated exceptional growth and performances this season.

The Presentation day was a fitting tribute to the talent and spirit of the club’s youth, reflecting Ruairí Óg’s strong commitment to nurturing both athletic and personal development in its players.

To see more photos from this event click on the link below

https://myalbum.com/album/uoKNDYp4WcDRmN

January 20, 2025January 22, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Michael Geoghegan is the new President of Ulster GAA

Michael Geoghegan has been elected the 39^th President of the Ulster Council GAA at the recent Provincial Convention held at the Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence, Garvaghey in Co. Tyrone.

Michael takes over from outgoing President Ciaran McLaughlin who has served as President for the last three years.

Born in Cavan Town, Michael’s family were involved with the Drumalee club before moving to Castleblayney where he played U16, Minor, U21 and Junior Football for Castleblayney Faughs. After getting married in 1983 Michael moved to Middletown, Co Armagh, where he joined the local club and played Junior and Senior football for Eoghan Rua, as well as serving on the club committee and becoming involved in fundraising.

In 2003 Michael began stewarding at County level, then at Provincial and National level, where he has been involved since. In 2011 he became a member of Armagh’s fundraising committee and was elected Vice-Chairman of Armagh County Committee in 2013. In 2015 he was elected as the Armagh delegate to the Ulster Council and was also appointed to the Central Competitions Control Committee.

Outgoing Ulster GAA President Ciaran McLaughlin and new Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan, at the recent Provincial Convention held at the Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence, Garvaghey in Co. Tyrone.

In 2016 he took up the position of Ulster GAA Public Relations Officer, serving in this role until January 2019, before serving as Ulster GAA Treasurer until 2022 and then as Vice Chairperson for the following three years. He has also been a member of the National Hearings Committee and the National Games for All Committee.

In 2020, Michael was appointed by Central Council as the first Chairperson of the new Development Competition Control Committee.

He becomes the fifthArmagh representative to hold the position of Uachtarán Comhairle Uladh, following in the footsteps of Patrick Fearon (1932-34), Alfred Murray (1946-48), Con Short (1977-80) and John O’Reilly (2001-2004).

Also at Convention, Declan Woods (An Cabhán) was elected to the position of Vice President, Michael McArdle (An Dún) was elected to the position of Treasurer and Garrett Coyle (Muineachán) was elected the PRO for the incoming year.

BELOW – Pictured from left, Garrett Coyle, Ulster GAA Public Relations Officer, Michael McArdle, Ulster GAA Treasurer, Michael Geoghegan, Ulster GAA President, Declan Woods, Ulster GAA Vice-Chairperson, and Brian McAvoy, Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary.

January 20, 2025January 20, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Antrim minor Camogs book Ulster final place against Derry

Antrim Minor Camogs booked their place in the Ulster final when they convincingly beat Down in Sunday’s semi-final at Ballela.

Down actually started the brighter of the two sides and had two points on the board in the 2^nd and 4^th minutes, but once the Saffrons got going they soon were back on terms and by the time the home team got their next score the visitors were 0-10 ot 0-02 clear.

Eva McAlister opened the scoring with a point on five minutes and Mary McArthur had them level by the 9^th. Further points followed from Eva McNeill in the 12t and 13^th minutes and after Amy Ferris hit on in the 16^th minute McNeill came again with three in a row in the 16^th, 19^th and 24^th minutes. Ferris got her second point in the 26^th minute and after Down hit their third score of the game Eva and Kady McNeill came back with late points to put Antrim 0-12 to 0-03 in front at half-time.

Three minutes into the second half Aimme Ferris struck the first goal of the game and it was clear there was no way back for the Down girls. Antrim scores followed from player of the match Eva McNeill who hit a goal and seven in the last twenty minutes, the goal coming five minutes from time.

A great win for the Saffrons but they will face a much sterner test in the final where they face an excellent Derry side, a team that is backboned by the St Pat’s Maghera Corn Uan Ulahh winning side.

On Sunday the Antrim girls were well served by Orlaith Johnston, Eva Lee, Maeve Devlin, Kady McNeill, Eobha McAlister, Eva McNeill and Aimee Ferris

January 19, 2025January 20, 2025 by thesaffrongael

Sam Maguire Cup proves a big hit in Glenravel

All Ireland winner Ciaran Higgins, who has family connections with Glenravel, brought the Sam Maguire Cup to the Con Magees club on Sunday. It was a day that will live long in the memory of young and old as they queued to get their hands on the iconic trophy.
22 years since Sam last made an appearance in the parish but I’m not sure that it ever received such a warm welcome as it did on Sunday. The club was packed to capacity and the excitement on the children’s faces was a sight to behold. Family photos with Sam was the order of the day and memories that will be cherished for years to come.
There were two signed Armagh jerseys up for grabs and these were won by young Callaí Mc Toal and by Paul Hughes.
Thanks to Armagh for facilitating the event and to Ciaran Higgins for his time and patience throughout the day.