An understrength All Saints made the journey to County Donegal today for the semi-final of the Senior Ulster League, hoping to secure a spot in the final.
Despite the beautiful sunny conditions, it was a tough day on the field, as the team faced a formidable opponent and ultimately fell to a heavy defeat. From the outset, the opposition applied intense pressure, making it difficult for All Saints to find their rhythm.
The visitors did take the lead through an early Michael McCarry point into the stiff breeze and there were moments of promise and determination from the team but the opposition proved too strong, capitalizing on key opportunities to extend their lead.
All Saints Sean McVeigh gets out in front of Nease McBride of Gaoth Dobhair
Three goals in a six minute period killed the game as a contest with David McLaughlin, Steven McFadden from a rather soft penalty and Eoin De Burca applying the finish.
Benny McDonnell got the All Saints goal and he and Michael McCarry kicked the majority of the visitor’s points.
Although the result didn’t go the way of the visitors, the team showed resilience and commitment throughout. This experience will serve as valuable motivation going forward, as All Saints look to regroup and come back stronger for Wednesday night’s opening division 1 league meeting with St. John’s.
It has been a useful Ulster league campaign for the Ballymena side with four wins on the bounce leading up to today’s semi-final and it should stand them in good stead as they go into their forthcoming season in Antrim.
Gaoth Dobhair now go forward to meet Burren of Down in next Sunday’s final and the Ballymena side wish them all the best and thank them for the hospitality and warm welcome they received on therir first visit to this part of Donegal.
Ciaran Campbell who fought hard to get his side going in Donegal on Sunday
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St. Enda’s and Loughgiel u14 camogs at Sally Gardens, Poleglass for the winter league small sided games
Sally Gardens Playing fields (3G), Poleglass was the sun kissed venue for Saturday’s Development Winter League that allows small sided U14 & U16 teams to keep working on their camogie skills ahead of the main season.
In attendance for the first session of U14s, we had St. Paul’s, St. Enda’s , Lamh Dhearg, Creggand and Loughgiel. Then in the afternoon, the U16s split the session into two and the first group of four comprised Sarsfields, Rossa, St. Paul’s and Creggan.
The second U16 session had five teams made up from Naomh Brid, Carryduff, St. Enda’s, St, Paul’s and Lamh Dhearg.
Here’s an album of pictures from today’s earlier sessions league games.
Seven Loughgiels players on the Gaelic Life All Stars Team of the Year with Amy Boyle receiving Camogie Player of the Year 2024
Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran report and photos from Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan
It was a star studded affair in the Hillgrove Hotel for the annual Gaelic Life Club All Stars Awards 2024, in association with McKvr. With over seventy awards to distribute across the evening, a three course meal and tea/coffee to follow and fund raising activities, this was an exciting and fun packed agenda.
The four codes comprising Mens and Ladies football, Hurling and Camogie, Hall of fame inductee and volunteer nominees came together under the one roof to receive their respective club level awards.
Antrim’s Loughgiel camogie team dominated their code with seven players awarded an All Star for their performance on the field throughout 2024 with some focus on the County, Provincial and All Ireland contributions. Mid field player Amy Boyle scooped the coveted Player of the Year, making Loughgiel a three in a row recipient, Roisin McCormick and Emma McFadden preceding Amy.
Four of the Loughgiel recipients are currently playing on the Antrim senior camogie team, Clare McKillop, Amy Boyle, Roisin McCormick and Caitrin Dobbin.
Loughgiel’s success spilled out from the field into management and Conor Higgins and Ronan McCloskey were awarded Camogie Manager of the Year. Loughgiel’s reach across onto the prize table might have ended there, but Eddie McCloskey, Loughgiel’s All Ireland winner now manager of Carey Faughs, picked up a nomination and merit award for Hurling Manager of the Year.
You can see pictures from last night’s awards in the photo album here…
Cargin remain on the trail of the O’ Cahan cup when the defied conditions on a slippery Toome sod to gain victory over the visiting All Saint’s at a damp and cold Toome venue on Friday evening.
Both sides with eyes firmly fixed on the start of the All County League to commence next week,fielded weakened teams but those on the field of play gave their all in combat with a quick getaway and a couple of early goals helping the Toome men to ultimate victory and a place in the next round.
The heavy rain which had fallen for a period before the ‘throw in’ had ceased as matters got underway but had left a wet slippery surface in its wake as match referee Richard Leahy launched the leather to get the show on the road.
The home side were first away in the contest with Patrick O’ Neill and Jack Harney, a couple of the youth in place in the Cargin squad had points apiece in the opening couple of minutes before Ben McLernon found the back of the net. A cute delivery from corner man PJ Quinn opened the door for the advancing wing back to finish in style and ensure a 1-02 to 0-00 advantage with only a few minutes on the clock.
All Saints did try to follow suit but although they were to grab a goal via full forward Ruairi McVeigh that major did not arrive until the 22nd minute after their hosts had increased advantage adding a goal from the impressive Jack O’ Neill who was outstanding throughout.
The minor star added a two pointer as well as the visitors proved wayward in their finishing and as the end of the first period drew near a point for the home side’s Jack Harney and the visitors Conon Mc Keown’s two pointer saw the home side enter the break with a 2-07 to 1-02 advantage.
The drizzle which had persisted in the opening period had moved away as the second period commenced and after both corner forwards Ciaran McQuillan and Michael Connolly raised whites apiece for the visitors a pin point delivery from Cargin’s Marty Kane sent Enda McGrogan in for a goal.
The Toome men had certainly gone well beyond recall at this point but the visitors kept battling and added a couple of white points in the latter stages with Fionn Connon and Archie Mc Greevey on target and Ruairi Mc Veigh following suit but late points by Shea Laverty (2) and Ryan O’ Neill saw the home side safely home and into the next round.
Cargin: Shea Laverty (2) Niall Quinn, Sean Og Quinn, Ben McLarnon (1-00), Jack 0’ Neill (1-01)’Jack Harney (1-02), Marty Kane, Cian Scullion, Fiontan O’ Donnell, Enda McGrogan (1-01), Patrick O’ Neill (0-02), PJ Quinn, Diarmuid Quinn, Ryan O’ Neill.
Subs
Patrick Graham, Tom McCann, Eamon Laverty
All Saints: Jason Givens, Matthew Walls, Ciaran O’Rawe, Archie Mc Greevey, Harry Connon (0-02), Joe Rafferty (1-00), Conon Mc Keown (0.02 ), Paul O’ Boyle, Ryan Laverty, Oisin Connelly, Matthew Downey, Michael Connolly (0-01), Rory Mv Veigh (1-02), Ciaran McQuillan |(0-01).
Antrim’s Fiontan Bradley who top scored for the Saffrons in Saturday’s Ulster Under 20 Hurling final win over Down at Paírc MacUíln, Ballycastle. Pic by John MIlwaine
A strong second half performance from Antrim was enough to ensure they claimed the u20 Ulster Cup in Ballycastle on Saturday afternoon. 12 points was the difference at the end of the hour but after an indifferent first half where they held a four point lead, it was a much more controlled performance from the Saffrons as they restricted Down to just two points from open play in that second half.
It was the trio of Ruairi Og’s in the full forward line did the majority of the damage on the scoreboard, Joseph McLaughlin, Callagh Mooney and Fiontan Bradley sharing 15 points between them while Bradley who got my nod for Man of The Match.
Assuming the free taking responsibilities, Bradley was flawless and struck five points from open play. He gave the Down full back line a torrid time for the full hour while Mooney was also a major thorn in the Mourne Men’s side.
Out of the 1-25 registered, to hit 1-19 from open play is an impressive return and when you factor in the ten different scorers, it all makes for good reading for the Saffrons. When they analyse this one, they will have concerns about the second quarter of the first half where they allowed Down to eek their way back into the game after Antrim had built a seven point lead but they still had enough about them to lay a solid foundation for their second half.
Defensively, Liam Glackin and Ben O’Kane were excellent at the heart of the defence while Niall Magee and Charlie McAuley also shone. The middle third was largely dominated by those in Saffron, Sean McKay and Calum McIlwaine working well together while the work rate of those in half forward line was a massive factor in the Saffrons pulling clear in the second half.
With the wind swirling on the north coast, it was difficult to read whether it favoured anyone in the first half. Antrim did settle much quicker that Down with two points from McIlwaine and Joseph McLaughlin inside the opening three minutes. Luke McCabe opened Down’s account in the sixth minute before Antrim had the first sight of a major. Bradley it was who stole in behind the Down defence but his shot was well saved by Cian Clarke. He did manage convert the resulting ’65 to open Antrim’s two point lead once again but Down replied with a major at the other end of the pitch.
Sean McCarthy leaving his midfield berth and playing a return pass with Sean O’Neill before finding the back of Eoghan Richmond’s net.
Antrim’s response to going behind was perfect. Points followed from Bradley and Oran Donnelly (two) to restore Antrim’s lead before Aodhan McGarry scored Antrim’s goal in the 15th minute. With Callagh Mooney creating the chance from nothing, McGarry timed his run to take the sliotar and fire home to open a five point lead.
Antrim goalkeeper Eoin Richmond makes a sharp save during Saturday Ulster Under 20 Hurling final against Down and Ballycastle.
Further scores followed from Bradley and McKay to make it 1-5 without reply in a little over six minutes as the Saffrons took control.
The Mourne Men began to find their way back into the game however with Cathal Coleman, Liam Blaney and Sean O’Neill prominent. In the ten minutes after McKay’s point, Antrim registered just one more white flag, that a free from Bradley in 20th minute while the visitors began to eat into the Antrim lead. Points from Coleman (two frees), O’Neill, Blaney and Rogers reduced the deficit to three while it took some last gasp defending from Ben O’Kane to deny McCabe what looked like a certain goal in that same period.
A brace of frees from McGarry and Bradley restored a sense of control before Coleman’s third of the half and first from play left it 1-11 to 1-7 at half time.
Down started the second half in the ascendancy and had another glimpse of the Antrim goal with Coleman going close but the Antrim deficit was halved just four minutes into that second half. Coleman’s third from placed ball was quickly followed by the impressive Blaney’s second of the game.
Antrim responded with points from Jospeph McLaughlin and Mooney (two) and while Coleman added to his tally from another ’65, Antrim were beginning to take a stranglehold of the game.
Another four unanswered points came from Joseph McLaughlin, a brace from Bradley (one free) and a tidy score from Niall Magee put Antrim eight clear with a little over 10 minutes of the match remaining.
Down rarely looked like they would eat into that Antrim lead as the Saffrons defence remained strong, conceding just one point from open play in the last 10 minutes – that coming from Blaney and while Coleman added a brace of frees, Antrim were much more fluent in attack.
Scores came from Cormac McKeown, McKay a brace from substitute Orrin O’Connor while Bradley scored three in the closing stages – one from placed ball while the other two were contenders for score of the match. Wide on either flank and under pressure, he had no right to score them from that angle but still managed to raise the white flag.
Antrim progress to the Leinster Championship Tier 2 round robin where they will face Meath and Westmeath with the first match on 29 March.
Antrim midfielder Sean McKay in action during the Saffron’s win over Down in Ballycastle
TEAMS
Antrim: Eoghan Richmond; Ciarán McAllister, Liam Glackin, Malachi McGibbon; Charlie McAuley, Ben O’Kane, Niall Magee; Sean McKay, Calum McIlwaine; Aodhan McGarry, Oran Donnelly, Thomas McLaughlin; Callagh Mooney, Joseph McLaughlin, Fiontan Bradley
Subs: Sean Óg Blaney for C McAllister (28); Cormac McKeown for O Donnelly (38); Orrin O’Connor for J McLaughlin (58); Austin Birt for L Glackin (58)
Scorers: F Bradley 0-10 (5fs); A McGarry 1-1 (1f); J McLaughlin 0-3; S McKay 0-2; O Donnelly 0-2; C Mooney 0-2; O O’Connor 0-2; N Magee 0-1; C McIlwaine 0-1; C McKeown 0-1
Down: Cian Clarke; Dominic McGrath, Ben Taggart, Eoin Browne; Manus Gilmore, Patrick McGarry, Daniel Cunningham; Sean McCarthy, Sean McCollum; Luke McCabe, Cathal Coleman, Noah Rogers; Liam Blaney, Sean O’Neill, John Duggan
Subs: David Morrissey for L McCabe (16); Conor O’Neill for M Gilmore (HT); Shea Pucci for D McGrath (47); Rossa Byres for D Cunningham (56); Calum O’Neill for N Rogers (58)
Scorers: C Coleman 0-7 (4fs 2’65s); S McCarthy 1-00; L Blaney 0-3; L McCabe 0-1; N Rogers 0-1; S O’Neill 0-1
Referee: Ruan McKinstry (Armagh)
Down centre forward Catahal Coleman who scored seven points in his team’s Ulster final against Down. Included is Antrim full back Liam Glackin
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