St. James’ Aldergrove held their annual dinner dance on Saturday night at the Devenish Complex. With 300 guests in attendance, a great night was had by the juvenile and senior players and their families. The ever-present Katrina Moore was MC of the event, and she held counsel in her own inimitable style and humour.
Chairman Paul McCarthy opened the proceedings with a short welcome speech and then the senior men and ladies’ captains, Ronan Hanna and Anna Crossan, awarded all the juvenile female and male awards to the next generation of Grove stars.
The formalities were completed when John Jones updated the members on the club development plans, the significant growth of the membership, the need for volunteers and launched the Christmas cash call fundraiser.
After the meal, the kids mingled and danced away with their senior counterparts to complete a fantastic evening and the club made a cheque presentation to Bert Trowlen on behalf of the Saffron Gael.
Bert Trowlen receives a cheque for £500-00 from St. James’ Aldergrove at theit Annual Dinner in the Devenish on Saturday night. Bert received it on behalf of the Saffron Gael
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Casements GAC’s Under 18 Minor Football Captain, Ryan McKeever, receives the Laverty Shield from Casements Club Chairman, Noel Kelly.
Casements GAC’s Under 18 Minor Football Captain, Ryan McKeever, receives the Minor ‘B’ Championship Cup from Casements Club Chairman, Noel Kelly.
The Victorious County Antrim Under 18 ‘B’ Championship and Laverty Shield Winners, Casements 2024
Odhran Doherty receives the 2024 Under 18 Player of the Year Award from Team Manager, Gareth Kelly.
Reserve Football Manager, Barry McErlean, presents Brian McManus with the Reserve Player of the Year Award.
Club Chairman, Noel Kelly, and Senior Manager, John McKeever, present Niall Delargy and Ronan Kelly with the Joint Senior Player of the Year Award 2024.
Club Chairman, Noel Kelly, and Secretary, Martin Kearney, present Roisin Convery with Casements GAC Club Person of the Year Award 2024.
Geraldines Camogie Club Chairperson, Carla McGrogan, presents Aoife McKenna with the County Antrim Minor ‘B’ Championship Cup 2024.
Geraldines Club President, Marie Doherty, presents Hannah Friel with the Young Player of the Year Award 2024.
The Victorious Antrim County Camogie Under 18 ‘B’ Championship Winners, Geraldines
Geraldines Senior Camogie Manager, Phelim McCloskey, presents Dearbhail Dobbin with a presentation from the club in recognition of her Ulster Minor Player of the Year Award.
Geraldines Club Treasurer, Zara Convery, presents Geraldines Captain, Aine Mulholland, with the Junior Feis Cup 2024.
The Victorious Antrim Camogie Junior Feis Cup Winners, Geraldines 2024
Siobhan McAfee presents The Teresa Grant Memorial Trophy to 2024 Senior Camogie Player of the Year, Aine Mulholland.
Club Sponsor, Owen Kelly from McCauley Trailers, presents the 2024 Geraldines Club Person of the Year Award to Sinead McKeever.
Tony Convery and wife Joanne, Sean and Dympna Kelly and Ciaran and Caroline McDonnell enjoying the celebration night.
TO VIEW PADDY’S PICS FROM THE EVENING CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
A large crowd attended Saturday’s Ulster v the Rest of Ireland hurling spectacular at Corrigan Park, organised by Gaels Against Genocide in Gaza.
The were entertained to a fine game of hurling with little separating Davey Fitzgerald’s Ulster and a Rest of Ireland Select taken by another Clare native, Louis Mulqueen.
Although the result was inconsequential, the Ulster side did run out 3-19 to 2-21 winners although the visitors were disputing that score in the end.
It was a first opportunity for Fitzgerald to see some of his Antrim players in action and the Saffrons’ contingent on the field were certainly not taking it easy as they looked to make an impression, with Eoin O’Neill’s first half-goal helping the Ulster side into a 1-9 to 0-10 lead at the break.
Niall McKenna cracked home a second major five minutes into the second period but the Rest of Ireland team hit two of their own with Iraqi-born Leitrim hurler, Zak Moradi landing the first, but it was a bundled home effort from Joe Maskey that tipped the balance in favour of the hosts in the end.
In all, it was an excellent afternoon with the Gaza Paediatrician Care Initiative the big winner as all of the funds are going towards their effort to bring badly injured Palestinians to Ireland for treatment.
“There were a lot of moving parts and trying to draw them together took a group of dedicated volunteers to make it work,” said Paul Collins from the Gaels Against Genocide Group.
“We are absolutely delighted with the turnout and I think people have bought into the charity and idea of 30 children coming from Gaza to get the treatment they need in Ireland. We are just helping out the Irish paediatricians who came up with the idea.
Antrim and Ulster manager, Davy Fitzgerald helps support a banner highlighting the GAA’s support for the crisis in Gaza
“There’s been fantastic buy-in from the public and players. Those who were unable to make it, the messages of support and donations they made have been heart-warming.”
The Gaels Against Genocide group emerged from weekly protests in the Belfast and has already held its own rallies.
However, the need for this event to take place at all was bittersweet as on one hand, the generosity of the GAA community is helping make a difference, but then the fact this has to happen at all is a source of deep regret.
The scenes of death and destruction visited upon the Palestinian people have been horrifying with the UN estimating around 70 per cent of the victims are women and children.
It was perhaps fitting that local children played a huge part in the day’s events in pre-game and at half-time as those of a similar age in Gaza have a very different reality.
“With the GAA being community-based, we were very confident the West Belfast, Antrim and further afield GAA communities would rally behind, and that’s how it has worked out,” Collins added.
“It’s a terrible thing we’ve had to do all of this, but we’ve families here and children playing in the Go Games, which is quite poignant as children in Gaza don’t have the opportunity to enjoy sport like the kids here today.
The Ulster & Rest of Ireland teams take the field at Corrigan on Saturday
It was heart-warming to see the response of the Gaels of Antrim and further afield as they came together to raise funds that sadly will only make a difference to those fortunate enough to avail of this excellent initiative.
Meanwhile governments refuse to condemn this genocide despite the fact that it is being broadcast daily on our T.V. screens and by social media.
TO VIEW BERT’S PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THIS EVENT CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Armagh City Hotel Ulster Camogie Senior Club Championship 2024
Swatragh 0-05 Loughgiel 3-16
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at St. Mary’s Park, Beragh
Swatragh’s hopes of an Ulster win and pursuing a route to an All-Ireland campaign were dashed by a strong and skillful Loughgiel squad that dominated every corner of St. Mary’s Park in Beragh. Sixty-six minutes in total produced some of the finest camogie seen in an Ulster final as Loughgiel applied a fire blanket to quell the fire in Swatragh’s belly stemming from their recent emphatic win over Slaughtneil.
In the first half, Swatragh looked energetic and were the first to attack Loughgiel’s uprights, ending in a wide. They would return within four minutes to place the first point on the scoreboard but thereafter, Loughgiel took control with a goal apiece from Annie Lynn and Caitrin Dobbin and a further three points up to the short whistle, leaving Swatragh needing to bring the game to the Shamrocks in the next half.
In the second half, once again, Swatragh opened the score with a point, but Loughgiel continued to menace Swatragh’s defence with a Caitrin Dobbin goal and amassing another thirteen points, whilst the defensive Shamrock wall would deny the Davitt’s any significant progress beyond an additional four points.
After a very well-orchestrated pre-match ceremony, referee Philip McDonald rolled in the sliotar away from the stand as Swatragh played towards the clubhouse after winning today’s toss. The Beragh turf offered an ideal surface in what was a near perfect day, with just a drift or two of light rain under a sunny sky.
As each side tussled for possession, it would be almost six and a half minutes before Davitt’s Aoibheann Mullan took a pass from Mairead McNicholl and put the scoreboard into action with a point.
Minutes later, Katie McKillop would wrestle up the sliotar and offload to a running Annie Lynn on the right side who had nothing but a goal on her mind. As Lynn delivered diagonally deep into Niamh McQuillan’s net, the Shamrock supporters roared with delight up in the stand and raised the level a notch higher as Roisin McCormick took delivery from a sideline cut and treated Loughgiel fans to a flick over Niamh Quinn’s head and ran on for her first point in the game.
Pushing up and finding space, Lucia McNaughton would continue the drift away from Swatragh with a fine point but Swatragh were lively and a decisive pass from Davitt’s Mary Therese McCullagh looked ominous but a courageous block from Loughgiel’s captain and Player of the Match, Christine McCloskey, diffused the threat.
Misfortune would deliver a blow to Swatragh as Mairead McNicholl went down with a possible strain injury, leading to a substitution by Orla Walsh. On commencement of play, with twenty-two minutes gone, Annie Lynn delivered to Roisin McCormick, running at pace but Philip McDonald was quick to declare a foul as McCormick went to ground. The resulting free bounced off the upright into an empty square and cleared by an advancing Swatragh defence.
With twenty-nine minutes on the corner scoreboard, Katie McKillop was kicking up her heels on a short solo run and made enough space to deliver to an advancing Roisin McCormick, who would see the sliotar safely over Swatragh’s bar.
Just at the announcement for three minutes of extra time, Swatragh pushed forward and Emma Quinn found Eimear Murray, but the sliotar drifted wide past the upright. Loughgiel’s goalkeeper, Eimear Boyle wasted no time in sending the sliotar back out and a busy McCormick would offload that sliotar to Loughgiel’s full forward Caitrin Dobbin. Dobbin had only one vision and that played out as the Davitt’s net flexed with Loughgiel’s second goal. McDonald glanced at his wrist watch and brought the first half to an end, scores on the board were now Swatragh 0-1 Loughgiel 2-03.
Swatragh’s Emma Quinn inched the Davitt’s cause up a point within the opening two minutes of the second half but the Shamrock’s would reply with three points on the trot from McCormick, Dobbin and McKillop. Dobbin’s point stemmed from a move worked deep from the half back line as Emma McFadden found the industrious Amy Boyle, offloading to Dobbin with five gone on the clock. Boyle, although not finding the uprights today, was the measure of almost every ruck as the ground ball came out in her hand and formed the basis of many threatening moves and scores.
With ten minutes gone into the second half, Lucia McNaughton delivered towards right of the Swatragh goal and found Caitrin Dobbin weaving and although blocked on her first attempt to progress closer to McQuillan’s net, the dogged Shamrock sensed the net was close and a simple and accurate pull seen the sliotar directed to the back of Swatragh’s net for Dobbin’s second goal.
With three goals and six points, Loughgiel were in no position to feel that they were over the line. Swatragh were always a physical threat and a defensive error by Loughgiel could have buoyed up Davitt’s hope of a comeback, but today Loughgiel’s half and full back line were impenetrable. Swatragh managed to flight three points over the remaining twenty minutes from McCullagh, Quinn and Grainne McAtamney but unmatched by Loughgiel’s additional ten points.
With three minutes of extra time played out, McDonald blew for full time and made way for Shamrock supporters to flood the pitch with excitement. History was made today, Loughgiel Shamrocks added their name onto the cup for ‘three in a row’ played in all red jerseys, an historical first in itself.
Although the scoreboard announced that Loughgiel had a decisive win, in truth, they had to work for every point and deliver on every opportunity as the Derry Champions were ready to punish, given a glimpse of the scoring zone. Loughgiel will now move beyond the Ulster campaign and look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final with full details TBD.
Don’t forget to enjoy all of our photos in the Saffron albums on a large screen such as a laptop or tablet. Click on a photo to see it larger, look at the album as either a photo book or web pages and you can order a copy online as a keep’s sake.
Photos from this evening’s game can be found by clicking on the album link here…
Brendan McTaggart reports from the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Armagh
There are people in this world who don’t know about the beautiful gift of hurling. I think we should all just take a moment and spare a thought for those people and for those who missed what turned out to be an absolute epic game of hurling on Saturday evening. For those who decided to stay and home and watch it on RTE, shame on you…you missed something special.
It took extra time to separate Cushendall and Slaughtneil and in the end it was the Derry men who proved to have that little bit extra when it mattered but my God, what a game of hurling.
I’ve travelled the length and breadth of Ireland for over 11 years doing this in various guises, this was without a doubt, the best game of hurling I’ve ever had the pleasure to cover. Slaughtneil will feel like they had to win this game twice while a Neil McManus inspired Cushendall really don’t know when they are beaten. The former Antrim superstar finished with 3-9 and like 12 months ago against Portaferry, he riffled a free to the back of the net with what was the last action of the hour to force extra time. It felt like the stars were aligning once again for the Ruairi’s as they showed their immense powers of recovery but Slaughtneil weren’t to be denied.
A special mention should go to Peter Owens for his officiating of the game. Credit where it’s due, the whistlers get enough bad press if they don’t get it right but how Owens officiated this game allowed for the spectacle that it became. Consistency is a word that all managers look for from referees, the Liatroim clubman delivered.
The stats for the Slaughtneil men make mighty impressive reading. 13 different scorers and a quite bewildering 1-34 of their final tally coming from open play. All six of their starting forwards were on the scoresheet in the first half yet they had the luxury of hitting 16 wides over the 80 plus minutes of hurling. This was a game that was played at a helter skelter pace, no quarter asked for and none given while there was no shortage of heroes doing what they can for their club, their parish, their families.
Dual star Brendan Rogers would claim the man of the match award and looking back, Rog was at his blistering best. Seven white flags raised and a ball winner, a target man and a player who could run all day at deceptively fast speed. He had plenty of help from the eventual winners with Jack Cassidy putting in an awesome display in midfield, Conor Coyle at the heart of the defence while Fionn McEldowney’s stock in hurling continues to increase and perhaps surpass that with the big ball.
The Ruairi’s had star performers with Paddy and Martin Burke excelling, Eoghan Campbell at his brilliant best at centre half while Ryan McCambridge ran himself into the ground for the ‘Dall. McManus was their main man and dragged his side back from the brink at the end of the hour but he was phenomenal throughout. When you have a man like him in your side, you always have a chance. He’s capable of brilliance, on Saturday evening in Armagh he produced the outrageous.
The Derry champions started the game on the front foot and inside the opening seven minutes, had opened a six point lead. Scores coming from all angles from men in the maroon and white hoops. The ‘Dall were in danger of being blown out of the Ulster championship waters in the opening quarter but they began to find their footing and by the midpoint of the half, the Slaughtneil lead was reduced to two points.
Cushendall moved McManus to the edge of the Slaughtneil square to try and get some sort of momentum in the game. They looked to isolate him and they certainly got joy from that tactic. The lead was stretched to six again with Jack Cassidy in particular in scintillating form in the first half.
With the game entering the 23rd minute and Eoghan Campbell with the sliotar, he looked for options and delivered the ball high to McManus on the edge of the square. The Cushendall man held off the challenge of Paul McNeill and broke the sliotar into his path before pulling first time to the back of Oisin O’Doherty’s net.
It was a massive moment and when McManus added the next score showing the same customary strength and skill, all of Slaughtneil’s good work was in danger of being wiped out in the closing stages. They hit back with a major of their own when Eamon Cassidy finished a brilliant move that saw runs coming from all angles to cut through the Cushendall defence and give Conor McAlister no chance between the sticks.
Four points remained the difference at the interval after a half that was played largely on the terms of Slaughtneil. Cushendall needed a reaction after the restart and they certainly delivered with McManus’ second major. They had already reduced the lead to three points with Fred McCurry and Campbell splitting the uprights either side of another Jack Cassidy score when Scott Walsh sent the sliotar high towards the Slaughtneil goals. In an almost carbon copy of the first goal, McManus broke the sliotar into his own path and finished with aplomb.
They managed to take the lead for the first time in the game in the 38th minute. It felt like a significant moment in the game given how the Ruairi’s started the second half with a definite increase in intensity and aggression while Slaughtneil’s radar was beginning to err.
Going into the final 10 minutes, the sides were tied 2-18 to 1-22 when Slaughtneil seemed to find another level. They outscored Cushendall six points to two when the clock ticked into the last minute of normal time. McManus stood over a free and elected to split the uprights in the hope that they would get one more chance.
Two minutes of injury time were given and Cushendall laid siege on the Slaughtneil goal looking for another major. McManus stood over a ’65 and sent it high to the edge of the square, Slaughtneil partially cleared only for McManus to gather some 40 yards for goal. He sent the sliotar arrowing towards the goals and with a wicked deflection he found the back of the net with what was the last action of the hour.
Having dragged themselves out of championship oblivion, it looked like the stage was set for Cushendall to push on in extra time. It never materialised. Slaughtneil started extra time on top and had a three point advantage inside five minutes with Ruairí Ó Mianáin and Rogers raising white flags.
Cushendall responded with a couple of late scores from Joseph McLaughlin and Ronan McAteer to leave the minimum between the sides while Cormac O’Doherty’s fourth white flag of the game left two between the sides at the interval.
Slaughtneil continued to press and play with huge desire and intensity in the second period of extra time and the introduction of Gerald Bradley adding to their ranks. Further scores from O’Doherty, the brilliant Coyle came either side of a Ronan McCollam point but fittingly it was Rogers who had the final say with a brilliant catch and strike on the half turn almost over his shoulder. Defying physics, gravity and logic to split the uprights.
Cushendall went in pursuit of another goal that would give them a life line but it never materialised. Slaughtneil ran out five point winners and progress to a meeting with Portaferry in two weeks time.
TEAMS
Cushendall: Conor McAlister; Liam Gillan, Paddy Burke, Martin Burke; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Ruairi McCollam; Fred McCurry, Ryan McCambridge; Ronan McAteer, Neil McManus, Fergus McCambridge; Ed McQuillan, Sean McAfee, Joseph McLaughlin
Scorers: N McManus 3-9 (3fs 1’65); F McCambridge 0-3; E Campbell 0-2; F McCurry 0-2; R McAteer 0-2; P Burke 0-1; S Walsh 0-1; R McCollam 0-1; R McCambridge 0-1; E McQuillan 0-1; S McAfee 0-1; J McLaughlin 0-1
Slaughtneil: Oisin O’Doherty; Fionn McEldowney, Paul McNeil, Conor McAllister; Ruairí Ó Mianáin, Conor Coyle, Shane McGuigan; Jack Cassidy, Meehaul McGrath; Mark McGuigan, Sé McGuigan, Cormac O’Doherty; Eamon Cassidy, Brendan Rogers, Sheá Cassidy
Scorers: B Rogers 0-7; J Cassidy 0-6; C O’Doherty 0-5 (2fs); M McGuigan 0-4; E Cassidy 1-1; R Ó Mianáin 0-3; S Cassidy 0-3; C Coyle 0-2; F McEldowney 0-1; C McAllister 0-1; M McGrath 0-1; S McGuigan 0-1; Gerald Bradley 0-1
Referee: Peter Owens (Down)
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