by thesaffrongael

Donaghmore take the Dalton Cup title as luckless St Louis come up just short

Danske Bank Dalton Cup final

St Jospeh’s Donaghmore 3-16 St Louis Ballymena 2-15

In a final that will be remembered for years to come, St Joseph’s Donaghmore etched their names into the history books, defeating St Louis Grammar School Ballymena to claim their first-ever Danske Bank Dalton Cup. In a clash at Castledawson between two schools making their debut at the pinnacle of U13 Schools Football in Ulster, it took over 80 minutes of high-octane drama to separate the sides.

St Louis Ronan Laverty fires in his team’s opening goal

The Tyrone school appeared to have won the game in normal time when a last gasp injury time goal seemed to have given them the victory. However the scoreboard was showing that teams were level and after debate between match officials and team mentors on both sides, extra time was ordered. Donaghmore had the better of matters during that better time and though St Louis had a chance of bringing the game to penalties with a late goal chance, the Donaghmore goalkeeper was equal to the shot and they went up the field to add the insurance point through corner forward Daniel O’Neill. You had to feel for the St Louis boys who were withing seconds of writing their names in the record books but Donaghmore struck with a brilliant goal two minutes into injury time to deny them

Donaghmore opened the scoring in the very first minute of normal time with a point from play by O’Neill, but St Louis quickly took control. Midfielder Conan McKeever ignited a scoring spree in the second minute, taking charge of the middle of the park. Cahan O’Kane added a great point from the right, followed swiftly by a well-taken score from Oisin Anyalechi. McKeever continued to punish the Tyrone side, adding multiple points before Ronan Laverty struck for a magnificent goal in the 16th minute. Despite Daniel O’Neill doing his best to keep Donaghmore ticking over, St Louis dominated the half and went into the break with a commanding 1-10 to 0-03 lead.

Roan Ogle fires in a Donaghmore goal

Trailing by ten points, the Tyrone side emerged for the second half a completely transformed outfit. With the breeze at their backs the comeback commenced in the 6th minute when centre half-back Roan Ogle surged forward to finish a brilliant goal. Just two minutes later, Lorcan Barr raised another green flag to completely shift the momentum. Point by point, Donaghmore chipped away at the deficit, with Conal Bonner and Barr finding their range to cut the gap to just two. St Louis managed brief respites, including a great team move where Anyalechi set up Laverty for a point, and a clever short free from McKeever to Kiran Jayaprakash to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, Donaghmore would not be denied. A relentless Barr knocked over another free before striking for his second goal in the 27th minute, seemingly winning the game. However, amidst scenes of total confusion, the scoreboard and official tallies signalled a draw. After frantic consultations between match officials and team management, extra time was ordered.

Pic by Bert Trowlen

Donaghmore carried their fierce momentum into the additional periods, defying a stiff breeze to slot the first two points. St Louis fought back through a crucial free from McKeever, leaving the extra-time half-time score at 3-10 to 1-14 in favour of the Tyrone men. In the second period of extra time, the intensity reached fever pitch. Naoise Woods stretched the lead to three points right after the restart, followed by another point from Bonner. St Louis substitute Oisin Martin then breathed life back into the Ballymena challenge with a stunning goal, but Bonner responded instantly to keep Donaghmore ahead. As St Louis hunted for a winning strike, Donaghmore goalkeeper Conan Kelly became the hero, producing two good saves to deny goal-bound efforts from Laverty and Martin. Ruan Kavanagh stepped up to land a crucial point before Daniel O’Neill hit a well-taken score to finally seal the victory for Donaghmore, rendering a late injury-time point from St Louis a mere consolation.

Team Line-outs

St Joseph’s Donaghmore: 1 Conan Kelly, 2 Daithi McCullagh, 3 Matthew O’Neill, 4 Tomai McGlone, 5 Ronan Horisk, 6 Roan Ogle, 7 Tommy Haughey, 8 Ruan Kavanagh, 9 Naoise Woods, 10 Oliver Kerr, 11 Lorcan Barr, 12 Conal Bonner, 13 Daniel O’Neill, 14 Leo Sheehan, 15 Charlie Morris.

St Louis Ballymena: 1 PJ Marron, 2 Charlie O’Brien, 3 Lir Hodkinson, 4 Lir Hamill, 5 Mark Kirby, 6 Joseph Killough, 7 Nicholas McCrory, 8 Conan McKeever, 9 Cayden McGuckian, 10 Ronan Laverty, 11 Oisin Anyalechi, 12 Kiran Jayaprakash, 13 Cahan O’Kane, 14 Odhran Cassidy, 15 Alfie Gordon. (Substitute used: Oisin Martin).

TO SEE MORE PHTOS FROM THE GAME CICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Loch Mór Dál gCais awards dinner

Loch Mór Dál gCais held their annual dinner on Saturday evening at the Ballymac Hotel. Another successful night of celebrations saw the Senior hurling team collect their Junior B championship medals, alongside the other various hurling, camogie and volunteer awards being presented on the night. A great evening was had all by players, committee members, sponsors and supporters. The club is ready and raring to go for the 2026 season ahead.

Loch Mór Dál gCais team who won last season’s Junior B Championship, received their medals at the club’s awards dinner in the Ballymac Hotel.
by thesaffrongael

Antrim  Camogie Club Hub 2026 – Now Open!

Exclusive Discounted Gear – Delivered Straight to Your Door!

Antrim Camogie is excited to announce that our 2026 Club Hub is officially open — and it’s packed with exclusive discounted merchandise for all our supporters!

This is the perfect chance to gear up in the iconic Saffron colours and show your pride for our players at every match, training session, and community event. Whether you’re a parent, player, loyal supporter or looking for the perfect gift, there’s something for everyone.

🛍️ Shop the Collection Today

Click below to explore the full range:
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Why Shop the Antrim Camogie Club Hub?

💛 Exclusive savings on official Antrim Camogie gear
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💛 Limited-time offers you won’t find anywhere else
🤍 Show your support for the girls representing our county with pride

But don’t leave it too late! These fantastic offers are available only until 8th April — once they’re gone, they’re gone.

⏳ Offers End 8th April — Don’t Miss Out!

Get kitted out. Support our county. Wear the Saffron proudly.

Shop now and be part of the journey! 💛🤍

by thesaffrongael

Frustrating start for Antrim as Fermanagh take the points

Ulster U20 Football Championship

Fermanagh v Antrim at Tempo

Antrim’s Ulster Under 20 Football Championship campaign began with a frustrating 2-11 to 2-07 defeat to Fermanagh at Tempo on Wednesday evening. Despite showing tremendous character to erase a six-point deficit and trail by just two at the break, the Saffrons endured a grueling 23-minute scoring drought in the second half that ultimately handed control back to a clinical home side.

Fermanagh opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but Antrim responded perfectly when Corey Walsh found the back of the net just two minutes later. The hosts quickly settled, however, reeling off points from Daire Treacy and Nathan Beattie. Walsh replied with another point for Antrim, but the momentum shifted sharply when Mattie McDermott struck for a Fermanagh goal in the tenth minute. As the rain began to fall, the home side took firm control of possession. Points from Oisin Swift, McDermott, a Daire Chapman ’45’, and a Conor Mulligan effort pushed Fermanagh into a commanding 1-07 to 1-01 lead by the 20th minute. Staring at a six-point deficit, Antrim dug deep. JJ Higgins sparked the revival with a pointed free, followed quickly by a superb score from play after gathering a clever kick-out from Jack O’Neill. Isaac Robinson then slotted over an unchallenged point, and Higgins fired over another to cap a brilliant spell, leaving the halftime score nicely poised at Fermanagh 1-07 Antrim 1-05.

The second half proved to be an uphill battle for the Saffrons. Fermanagh reasserted their dominance early on, extending their lead to four with points from Michael Burns and a well-struck sideline from McDermott. A long, cagey scoreless spell followed, characterized by missed opportunities for both sides. Fermanagh broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when McDermott punished an Antrim overcarry with a pointed free, and Burns quickly added another to restore their six-point cushion. It took until the 54th minute for Antrim to finally register their first score of the half through Ryan McKeever. Substitute Daire Higgins followed up with another point a minute later, reducing the gap to four.

Any hopes of a late Antrim comeback were dashed in the 57th minute. Although Antrim goalkeeper Senan Nagle pulled off a brilliant save to deny McDermott a second goal, Daire Chapman was perfectly positioned to blast the rebound to the net. Niall Hynds did manage to punch a high ball to the net deep into injury time, but it was a case of too little, too late. Fermanagh were already home and hosed, claiming the victory by four points. The defeat leaves Antrim with a mountain to climb as they look to bounce back. They face a tough trip to Ballyshannon this Saturday to take on Donegal, before wrapping up the round-robin stage with a home fixture against Derry at Dunsilly the following week.

Fear Manach (Fermanagh) 1 Patrick O’Sullivan 2 Rian Kennedy 3 Eamon Og Magee 4 Matthew Maguire 5 Conor Casey 6 Oisin Swift 21 Rian Bogue 8 Conan Donohoe 9 Conor Mulligan 10 Daire Treacy 11 Daire Chapman 12 Rory Smyth (C) 13 Nathan Beattie 14 Mattie McDermott 15 Michael Burns

Fir Ionaid: 16 Thomas Fitzpatrick, 17 Ben Caughey, 18 Caelan McGoldrick, 19 Ryan Hannigan, 20 Daniel McGovern, 22 Brandon Beattie, 23 Eamon Monaghan, 24 Kian Prior.

Aontroim (Antrim) 1 Senan Nagle (C) 2 James Og McAuley 3 Harry Connon 4 Christopher Hale 5 Ethan Walsh 6 Liam McLernon 7 Fionn Jemfrey 8 Niall Hynds 9 Se Ferris 10 Aaron Mackle 11 Conor O’Connell 12 Isaac Robinson 13 Jack O’Neill 14 JJ Higgins 15 Corey Walsh

Fir Ionaid: 16 Jack Ireland, 17 Daire Higgins, 18 Padraig Murray, 19 Segdae Mac Adhaimh, 20 Ryan McKeever, 21 Cathair McKenna, 22 Pauric Redmond, 23 Eoghan Sherry, 24 Daire Oglesby.

TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/FQQMAitLvQgdQo/?invite=e6016252-6885-4ee2-86e8-c5382bc6bc6c

by thesaffrongael

St Louis boys face Donaghmore in Dalton Cup final

It’s the perfect underdog story this Friday as St Louis Grammar, Ballymena take on St Joseph’s, Donaghmore in the Year 9 D’Alton Cup Final.

Remarkably, it marks a historic first final appearance for both schools—an even greater milestone for the Antrim side, as they prepare for their first-ever Ulster Schools ‘A’ final.

There’s a sense of familiarity between the teams dating back to their primary school days. Donaghmore Primary claimed the 2024 Ulster Cumann na mBunscol title, defeating St Mary’s, Portglenone in the semi-final. Representing St Mary’s that day were St Louis captain Conan McKeever, along with Nicholas McCrory and Oisín Martin. On the other side, Ruan Kavanagh, Dan O’Neill, Thomas Haughey, Ronan Ogle, and Lorcan Barr were part of the victorious Tyrone outfit.

The sides also met last year in the Year 8 Connor Marron Memorial tournament, hosted annually by St Louis. On that occasion, Donaghmore emerged as deserving winners after an entertaining final—something that will no doubt add an extra edge to Friday’s decider.

The two teams have taken very different routes to reach this point. St Louis’ decision to step up to ‘A’ grade was questioned early on after opening defeats. They led Omagh CBS at half-time in their first outing before eventually falling to a 13-point loss. A similar pattern followed in round two, where they were beaten by nine points by St Malachy’s, Castlewellan—a side they would later overcome in last week’s semi-final, underlining the remarkable progress made by this Ballymena group.

At that stage, even a playoff place looked unlikely. However, a spirited display against St Macartan’s, Monaghan reignited belief within the panel. That belief soon turned into momentum. A stunning 7-14 to 1-1 win over St Michael’s, Enniskillen followed, before a dominant performance in Garvaghey saw them dismantle St Patrick’s, Cavan to secure a quarter-final spot.

Next came St Colman’s, Newry. After storming into a 13-point lead inside 17 minutes, St Louis found themselves trailing by one with under ten minutes remaining. Showing resilience and composure, they rallied with a late 1-2 to book a semi-final clash with St Malachy’s—and a chance at redemption.

They took it.

Now, against all odds, St Louis Grammar, Ballymena stand on the brink of history, with the Tyrone school equally determined to carve out their own place in the record books.

St Joseph’s arrive as deserved favourites. After an impressive group campaign, they comfortably overcame Omagh CBS in the quarter-final before producing a ruthless attacking display to defeat St Mary’s, Magherafelt 5-16 to 1-15 in the semi-final.

The midfield battle could prove decisive. St Joseph’s will look to Kavanagh and Naoise Woods to establish early control against McKeever and Cayden McGuckian, providing the platform for attackers Lorcan Barr, Dan O’Neill, Conan Bonner, and Leo Sheehan to continue their scoring form.

Defensively, Lir Hamill, Charlie O’Brien, and Joseph Killough are expected to shoulder the responsibility of containing the Tyrone side’s dangerous forwards.

For St Louis, much of the scoring threat will come from Oisin Analyschi, Ronan Laverty, and Kieran Jaypashskri, who are likely to be closely tracked by Ogle, Haughey, and Matthew O’Neill.

All signs point towards an open, high-scoring contest between two in-form sides. While St Joseph’s are fancied to repeat their Year 8 Connor Marron success, St Louis have already defied the odds—and the Saffron side cannot be ruled out from producing a famous breakthrough victory.