by thesaffrongael

12 Antrim players on EOS IT Solutions All-Star camogie team

Exactly half of the 24 players selected on the 2024-25 EOS IT Solutions All-star camogie team play for Antrim clubs! 

The team was announced at the University of Ulster Jordanstown campus yesterday (WEDNESDAY) afternoon and top billing goes to Cross & Passion Ballycastle with six players getting the nod.

They include Erin O’Hara who is one of just three from last year’s team to make it through the preliminary trials last week and a final trial on Tuesday, all trials facilitated by the University of Ulster in Jordanstown.

Goalkeeper O’Hara is joined in the team by Cara Delaney and Shanna Deery along with three girls who are younger sisters of previous All-star recipients. Mary McArthur is following in the footsteps of Cassie (2022) and Ceala Dobbin bridges a ten year gap back to Caitrín while Marie Laverty has equalled the achievements of two older siblings Ciara (2020) and Orlagh (2022).

Erin O’Hara CPC
Cara Delaney CPC
Ceala Dobbin CPC

Another north Antrim school, St Killian’s Garron Tower, pick up four awards, all of them members of the Ruairí Óg Cushendall club that has been so successful at under-age level in recent years. Eva McNeill’s older sister Abi was selected two years ago while the other awards go to Laura Black, Kady McNeill and Amy McAlister.

Ahoghill’s Katie McCloskey scored two goals and a point in Saturday’s win over Loughgiel in the Antrim Intermediate final. She is one of three St Patrick’s Maghera students in the mix.

Bringing the total up to a dozen is Aimee Ferris. The Sarsfield’s forward has been a regular on Saffron under-age teams through the grades. She is the first player representing St Genevieve’s to make the cut since Caoimhe McNiece eight years ago.

The other players joining Erin O’Hara for a second All-star are Leah Cassidy from Bellaghy and St Patrick’s Maghera and Fiadhna Loughran, a student in St Patrick’s Keady who helped Granemore win the All-Ireland junior club title last year.

Shanna Deery – CPC
Maria Laverty CPC
Mary McArthur- CPC

Congratulating the players, Ulster schools’ chair Chloe McShane, complimented the standard of the trials:

“Year after year, we have watched as the standards have risen at the trials. We had almost 120 girls attending trials on the opening two days last week and it was a huge task for our selectors to narrow it down to the 45 who were invited back to the final trial, never mind pick 24 who will hopefully represent us in the inter-provincial competition.

“I would especially like to congratulate Erin O’Hara, Leah Cassidy and Fiadhna Loughran who have all been selected for the second year running. What an achievement!

“I would also like to thank all the schools across Ulster who have nurtured the talent coming through from the clubs. We have our senior competitions beginning next week and I look forward to seeing the players we have seen over the last couple of weeks shine for their schools as the competitions progress.

Amy McAlister – St Killian’s
Eva McNeill – St Killian’s
Kady McNeill – St Killian’s

“Finally our thanks to Paul Rouse at UU at Jordanstown for providing the facilities for the trials as well as a beautiful set of jerseys for all those who attended the final trial.

Once again it is hoped that the inter-provincial tournament can be resurrected this year. The inter-pros have not taken place since November 2018 when Ulster won their third title.

The 24 players named will receive their awards at a gala dinner in the Elk restaurant in Toomebridge early in 2025.

Laura Black – St Killian’s
Katie McCloskey – St Pat’s Maghera
Aimee Ferris – St Genevieve’s

EOS IT Solutions Ulster Colleges’ Camogie All-stars 2024-2025:

Erin O’Hara, Cara Delaney, Shanna Deery, Mary McArthur, Ceala Dobbin, Marie Laverty (Cross and Passion, Ballycastle)

Laura Black, Eva McNeill, Kady McNeill, Amy McAlister (St Killian’s, Garron Tower)

Leah Cassidy, Katie McCloskey, Caoimhe Chambers (St Patrick’s, Maghera)

Fiadhna Loughran, Eimear McGeery (St Patrick’s Keady)

Catherine Moohan (St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon)

Paige Bell (St Pius X Magherafelt)

Grace Draine (St Conor’s Clady/Kilrea)

Erin Daly (Assumption, Ballynahinch)

Niamh Nig Uiginn (Gaelcholáiste Dhoire)

Jessica McCreesh (Our Lady’s Newry)

Aimee Ferris (St Genevieve’s Belfast)

Aoife McAteer (St Patrick’s Dungiven)

Emma Hart (St Catherine’s Armagh)

by thesaffrongael

St Louis’ secure top spot after faultless group stage

Danske Bank Mageean Cup

St Mary’s CBGS 1-11-0-20 St Louis’ Ballymena

From Kevin Herron at Paric Rossa

St Louis’ Ballymena secured top spot in the group and a semi-final place in the Mageean Cup following the Halloween break with a 0-20-1-11 win over St. Mary’s at Pairc Rossa on Wedensday afternoon.

St Mary’s were first off the mark courtesy of a Sean Og McLaren free, but Ballymena drew level through a Fiontan Bradley point.

Midfielder Jack Martin swung successive shots over and Bradley doubled his personal tally with Caleb Smith and Shea Burns in trading scores in the aftermath as St Louis’ were in the driving seat.

Further points were traded between Martin and Daire Jemfrey and a third point from Fiontan Bradley had his side 0-07-0-03 ahead.

An angled Odhran Donnelly point lifted the Glen Road outfit and Sean Og McLaren blasted over his second free to half the deficit.

Approaching the midway point in the half a single point separated the sides, Fiontan Bradley dropped a shot over to briefly send them a further point ahead- only for Corey Walsh and Niall May to quickly pop over scores within a minute and make it 0-08-0-07.

It was all one-way traffic in the last 15 minutes approaching the break as St Louis’ reeled off seven scores without reply.

Three of which were placed balls that Fiontan Bradley punished, he added a further one from play with Jack Martin conjuring up his fourth of the half and the pick of the scores was an excellent Sean McDermott effort that drifted over as their side were in control with a 0-15-0-07 lead at the interval.

Despite a positive opening to the second period, St. Mary’s found themselves further in arrears Jack Martin and Bradley (free) popped over.

St Marys Michael Marlow breaks away from his man to set up a score . PICTURE MARK MARLOW

In response Daire Jemfrey saw his angled shot sneak between the large posts and substitute Mick Marlow flashed a shot over.

Jemfrey was unfortunate to see a goal bound shot drift wide of the net as Martin and Bradley added to their increasing personal tally’s to give Louis’ a 0-19-0-09 lead with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Sean Og McLaren dropped over a fine point for his first from play of afternoon and Brendan McMorrow then popped over.

St. Mary’s gave themselves a small glimmer going into the closing minutes when Jude Collins shot was parried by the stick of goalkeeper Caolan McFerran and his attempted clearance was charged down and flicked home by the lively McLarnon to make it 0-19-1-11.

A late point from Caolan McCollum finished the afternoons scoring on the Shaws Road as St Louis’ topped the group and will head to the last four after the Halloween break.

St. Mary’s meanwhile entertain Gaelcholáiste Dhoire needing a victory to secure a quarter final spot.  

St Mary’s scorers: Sean Og McLarnon (1-3, 0-2f), Daire Jemfrey (0-2), Shea Burns (0-1), Odhran Donnelly (0-1), Corey Walsh (0-1), Niall May (0-1), Michael Marlow (0-1), Brendan McMorrow (0-1).

St Louis’ scorers: Fiontan Bradley (0-11, 0-5f, 0-1 65’), Jack Martin (0-06), Sean McDermott (0-1), Caleb Smith (0-1), Caolan McCollum (0-1).

Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)

St Louis Fintan Bradley and St Marys Michael Marlow and Ethan Walsh. Picture Mark Marlow
MAGEEAN CUP ST MARYS CBGS V ST LOUIS GRAMMER. Caolan Wilson of St Marys breaks away under the watchful eye of Dylan McLarnon of St Louis. PICTURE MARK MARLOW
MAGEEAN CUP ST MARYS CBGS V ST LOUIS GRAMMER. St Marys Eamon Kearney and St Louis Caolan McCollum. PICTURE MARK MARLOW
MAGEEAN CUP ST MARYS CBGS V ST LOUIS GRAMMER. St Louis Caleb Smith and St Marys Shea Cunningham. PICTURE MARK MARLOW
Oisin Boyle of St Marys CBGS Belfast and Sean McDermott of St Louis Grammer rise for the Sliotar during the sides Mageean Cup game at Rossa Park . Picture Mark Marlow
by thesaffrongael

Oisins took the first title of the new Millennium

Intermediate Hurling Championship final preview

Oisins pipped the Faughs in 2000 thriller

Saturday’s opponents met in the first final of the new Millennium when Oisin’s beat the Faughs in the final in Armoy.

Glenariffe won the the Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2000 when they held off a late charge by a Martin McAuley inspired Carey team. The Oisins appeared to be coasting when the gained the upper hand in the last quarter but the Faughs came within inches of bring the game to extra time with a great fightback in the final minutes. 

Here we carry the match report that appeared in the Ballymena Chronicle at the time

Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship final 2000

Glenariffe Oisins 1-17 Carey Faughs 2-12

The colourful atmosphere which added much to this occasion was only surpassed by the excellence of the hurling on show from both teams in Saturday’s thrilling Intermediate final at Armoy.                    

Scoring by both sides was faultless, and the high standard produced is a credit to the two teams. In true championship style this was a real end-to-end game, and direct from the throw-in the scoring began.

Glenariffe were first to register when a fine three-man move was ended with a Johnny McIntosh point, but it was a lead which would only last a few seconds as Martin McAuley levelled the scores from a 40 yard free at the other end. It was now fast and furious and Alastair McAllister edged the Oisins ahead again, only for Carey to reel them in once more with Martin McAuley answering from 50 yards from another ‘placed’ ball.

Dan McKillop, who is part of the Oisins panel, gets away from the challenge of Carey’s Bosco McAuley during the 2000 Intermediate Championship final in Armoy

Glenariffe got ahead again when Sean Harvey pointed from a 70 yard free, which was followed by a point from a narrow angle from Niall O’Hagan. In the tenth minute Johnny McIntosh forced a great save from Carey ‘keeper Paul Brogan, but in their haste to clear Carey conceded possession and Seamus Reid won the ball, and split the uprights from 30 yards. Three points now separated the sides, but Carey began to reel the Oisins in. From all of 75 yards Marin McAuley sent over his third free to reduce the deficit to two, but again Glenariffe pulled away with a Niall O’hagan point. At the end of the opening quarter there was little between the sides as Martin McAuley got his team’s first score from play and Julian Gillan added another to leave just a point between the sides.

Glenariffe then began to show the form they had promised and a great solo run and hand-pass from Shane McDonnell set Niall O’Hagan up for a tap-over point and when McDonnell added another the gap was out to three again. Glenariffe pushed on further with a point from Alastair McAlister and Carey appeared to be losing touch. However the Faughs plan of playing a two-man full forward line began to pay dividends and from Martin McAuley’s long clearance John McVeigh got in behind the Oisins defence and fired the ball to the corner of the net to leave just a point between the sides. (0-9 to 1-5)

The Oisins responded with a point from a free by Niall O’Hagan and one from distance from Johnny ‘Tosh’, but Carey came back with a point from Tommy Devlin. With just two minutes of the opening half remaining Glenariffe got a big break and after ‘Tosh’ added a point from play, a long delivery from a Sean Harvey free came back off the woodwork and Niall O’Hagan was on hand to kick the rebound the Carey net and send his team in at the break with a six point cushion.

Niall O’Hagan celebrates after scoring Glenariffe’s goal

Backed by the breeze in the second half Carey needed just three minutes to register their first score as Martin McAuley maintained his 100% record from frees, and when John McVeigh added one from play the gap was now down to four. Glenariffe responded with a Niall O’Hagan point and one from the veteran Dominic Kearns. With their defence gaining the upper hand again Glenariffe regained control and when Johnny McIntosh added two excellent points in the 38th and 40th minutes the gap was out to eight. Martin McAuley sent a sideline cut all the way over the bar to briefly lift Carey spirits but the Oisins had an answer when Seamus Reid sent over a point at the other end.

When the gap still at eight with just six minutes remaining Glenariffe appeared to be home and dry, but they took their foot off the pedal and Carey got themselves back into contention with the excellent Martin McAuley spearheading the Faughs comeback. Showing great skill he again pointed a side-line ‘cut’ and with just two minutes remaining notched a 40 yard point from play. With full-time coming ever nearer he charged through the Glenariffe defence to fire the ball to the net and leave just a goal between the sides. There was still more drama to come when the Faughs were awarded a 30 yard free and up stepped McAuley again to go for goal, but his well struck shot was touched over by Glenariffe goalkeeper Damian Jamison and the Oisins had survived. The resultant poc-out seconds later sparked scenes of great celebration among the relieved Glenariffe followers.

Dominic Kearns is lifted shoulder high by Johnny McIntosh, Alastair McAlister and Mark Sidebottom as he holds the cup aloft.

GLENARIFFE – Damien Jamison, Paul Shepherd, Mick McKillop, Padraig McIlwaine, Sean Harvey, Liam McCollum, Norris Murray, Dominic Kearns, Gerard Black, Alastair McAllister, Shane McDonnell, Dan McKillop, Niall O’Hagan, Johnny McIntosh, Seamus Reid.

Subs – Mark Sidebottom for O’Hagan

CAREY – P Brogan, B McAuley, J McBride, A McCormick, P Devlin, J McAuley, J Butler, M McAuley, T Devlin, J Gillan, J McVeigh, S Murphy, C McCaughan, G McAuley, S McNeill.

Gerry and the Cosgrove clan celebrate the 2000 victory

by thesaffrongael

Film on Gort na Móna to premiere on Friday

A new film about west Belfast GAA club Gort na Móna is to be screened at their clubhouse on Friday (18th October).

The documentary was made as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebration, which has seen various events organised throughout the year.

The event will take place as part of this year’s Féile na Carraige programme, run by Upper Springfield Irish language organisation Glór na Móna.

Clubman Niall Enright said, “The film celebrates the role that Gort na Móna has played in the Upper Springfield community since its formation in 1974.

“We’re pleased to be launching it as part of Féile na Carraige. Glór na Móna is celebrating its own 20th birthday and Gort na Móna GAC has had a close relationship with the group since its earliest days.”

Niall continued, “We were also happy to partner with local community media group Northern Visions on the film to help bring the idea to fruition.

Desy McClean, Niall Enright and Terry Reilly who all feature in the documentary

“We’ve had a busy year with the 50th anniversary – organising blitzes and mountain walks, doing history projects and looking to the future with a new strategic plan.

“We’re happy to use every medium to show the benefits that Gort na Móna – and the GAA generally – brings to children and adults, to our families and our communities.”

The film event takes place at Gort na Móna GAC on Friday 18th October from 7.30pm followed by live music and refreshments. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP to niall@usdt.co.uk

by thesaffrongael

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire bounce back

Danske Bank Mageean Cup

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 3-14 Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock 1-12

AFTER the disappointment of losing last Friday evening’s first ever game in the Danske Bank Mageean Cup, Gaelcholáiste Dhoire bounced back to record their first victory when they beat Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock in Kevin Lynch Park on Tuesday afternoon.

In contrast to the St Louis tie when they only arrived at the pace of the game coming into half-time, Gaelcholáiste had a much better start – helped immensely by a goal from Jude Ó Conaire in the 10th minute. Although Knock struck for a goal in injury time to go ahead at the break, the Dungiven school’s second goal in the 37th minute put them ahead again and this time they didn’t let the lead slip.

Dylan Ó hÉireamhóinn and Liam Blaney had swopped points before the Ó Conaire goal opened a gap on the score-board that remained until added time in the first half. Liam Blaney (two), Marc Guest, Frank Kane and Joe Braiff responded to points from Peadar Pio Ó Duibhne, Ciarán Ó Muirí-Mac Uilliam, Daire Ó Lochlainn and Ó Conaire.

Right at the start of that added time Dara Pucci grabbed a goal for Knock to put them ahead by 1-6 to 1-5. The half ended with four more scores, two points for each team, to leave Knock holding a slender lead on the whistle.

Ó Conaire levelled the tie on the re-start, but the ever-dangerous Pucci hit back with a point. The next score, a goal from Emmett óg McKeever in the 37th minute, lifted the Derry side into the lead and, despite a seventh point in reply from Liam Blaney, the home team had their tails up.

Gaelcholáiste chipped over another couple of points, through Jude Ó Conaire and a free from Cian Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide, before Ó Conaire’s second goal in the 49th minute made it 3-10 to 1-11.

Pucci responded immediately but Gaelcholáiste finished strongly with four points in a row from Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide, Aidan Ó Ceallaigh, Finbarr Ó Muirí and player of the match Ó Conaire. Needless to say, there was a little celebration at the final whistle.

The next game in the group is this afternoon (today – report to follow) in Rossa Park with St Mary’s CBGS taking on group leaders St Louis Ballymena while the final group A game is also at Rossa Park next Tuesday between St Mary’s and Gaelcholáiste.

At the moment St Louis have two wins from two starts with Gaelcholáiste and Knock both on one win each.

Gaelcholáiste: J Ó Conaire 2-4, E óg McKeever 1-1, C Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide and D Ó hÉireamhóinn 0-2 each (1f each), PP Ó Duibhne, C Ó Muirí-Mac Uilliam, D Ó Lochlainn, A Ó Ceallaigh and F Ó Muirí 0-1 each.

OL&SPK: D Pucci 1-2, L Blaney 0-7 (3 fs), F Kane, J Braniff and M Guest 0-1 each

Gaelcholáiste: Caoimhín Ó hÉireamhóin, ⁠Seamus Mac Con Midhe, ⁠Lorcán Ó Muirí, Déaglán Ó Ceallaigh, ⁠Cathal Ó Mianáin, ⁠Daire Ó Lochlainn, ⁠Ger Ó Diolúin, ⁠Daire Ó Daimhín, Peadar Pio Ó Duibhne, ⁠Cian Ó Dughaill-Ó Cinnéide, ⁠Emmet Óg Mac Íomhair, ⁠Dylan Ó hÉireamhóin, ⁠Jude Ó Conaire, ⁠Ciarán Ó Muirí-Mac Uilliam, ⁠Finbar Ó Muirí

Subs: Oisín Mag Uiginn for D Ó hÉireamhóinn, Aidan Ó Ceallaigh for C Ó Muirí-MacUilliam

Knock: Cillian Ennis, Ronan Breen, Joe Dynes, Thomas McCusker, Manus Gilmore, Marc Gues, Conor Boyle, Joe Braniff, Luke Doran, Ronan Donnelly, Liam Blaney, Frank Kane, Sean McCollam, Shane O’Connell, Dara Pucci.