by thesaffrongael

St. Brigid’s produce ten minute burst to destroy Kickham’s

O’Neills Sportswear Antrim Football League Division One 

St Brigid’s 1-14 Creggan 0-8

St. Brigid’s came strong in the second half to maintain their unbeaten record and spoil that good opening to the season of Creggan at Musgrave Park on Wednesday night.

The home side produced a blistering ten minute spell where they hit 9 points on the bounce and put the game out of sight of a Creggan side who had been giving as good as they got up to this juncture in proceedings.

St. Brigid’s led from first whistle, but Creggan were right on their shoulder for 42 minutes when the hosts went into overdrive to put real daylight between the teams on what was a sunny evening in the city.

Both sides went into this game on maximum points so something had to give and it was the home side who found their shooting boots when it mattered after a fairly balanced opening half where both sides missed chances.

Creggan’s Joe McAteer had a shot drop onto the top of the crossbar, then bounce up onto the post and back into play and this was perhaps a sign of things to come for Kickham’s.

Eventually, James Smyth opened the scoring with a point after five minutes and while Conor Small responded with the first of his six points of the evening from a mark, Smyth would then burst through on 11 minutes and finish past Oisin Kerr.

This gave the home side a lead they would never again relinquish, but they failed to build on their early success as chances went astray and the visitors were still well in contention at the halfway stage.

McAteer was impressing for the Staffordstown Road side and he placed Keelan McCann for a fine Creggan score, while Conan McNicholl hit back with a free for the Biddies to leave that goal between them after 14 minutes.

 It took another 13 minutes before the next score arrived as Conor Small placed Tiernan McLarnon to fire over and Small kicked an injury-time free to narrow the gap to one at the halfway stage with St Brigid’s leading 1-2 to 0-4.

It took a while for the second half to spring into action but eventually this game came to life with Oran Downey finishing two fine moves to leave a goal between them and although Small replied with a pair of frees to leave the minimum in it once more, it was the hosts who found another gear.

They would hit nine points without reply to put themselves in a commanding position with the impressive James Smyth fisting over to spark them into life. Conor McAleer then converted a free before half-time substitute Peter Lundy split the posts and then set up Ronan Boyle and suddenly there was five between them.

Creggan were finding it difficult to find a man from their kick-outs as St. Brigid’s pushed up and were winning nearly everything that was thrown at them and after Michael Cummings added another to put six between them, it would get worse for the visitors on 49 minutes as Tiernan McLarnon was shown black for a drag down.

McAleer kicked the free but there was no let-up from St Brigid’s as Niall Duffy got in on the act. McAleer added another free and Smyth brought his tally for the evening to 1-3 as the gap was now out to 10 in a period where the home side were totally dominant.

The game was over now and although Small kicked frees either side of a McAleer point for the home side, they were mere consolation scores with Joseph Finnegan close to putting a real gloss on it for the hosts late, but his shot canoned off the bar.

It wouldn’t matter as the points were long since secured by St Brigid’s who maintained their winning start to the season.

St. Brigid’s: D Heery; F McKernan, P King, J McCarney; R Carleton, J Finnegan, S Campnell; R Boyle (0-1), M Cummings (0-1); J Logue, O Downey (0-2), J Smyth (1-3); N Duffy (0-1), C McNicholl (0-1f), C McAleer (0-4, 3f).
Subs: P Lundy (0-1) for J Logue (HT), J Toner for J McCarney (54), R McErlean for C McNicholl (54), S Boyle for M Cummings (58), B McGurk for P King (58).

Creggan: O Kerr; C McCann, E Carey-Small, Jake McAteer; A Maguire, R McCann, O Hampsey; K McCann (0-1), D McGuckin; S Duffin, Joe McAleer, T McLarnon (0-1); D McAteer, A McKeown, C Small (0-6, 5f, 1m).
Subs: P Coey for A McKeown (HT), D McCann for D McGuckin (53), S McAuley for O Hampsey (57).

Referee: R Matthews (Rossa)

by thesaffrongael

Ryan Straney R.I.P.

It is with deep regret we learn of the untimely death of former Lamh Dhearg player, Ryan Straney. We at the Saffron Gael and the wider GAA community extend our deepest sympathy to Ryan’s family and to his colleagues at Lamh Dhearg.

The Lamh Dhearg club carried this notice on its website.

Lámh Dhearg CLG

Deepest Sympathy Ryan Straney RIP

It is with deep regret to inform you that Ryan Straney esteemed former player and member has sadly passed away in a road traffic accident in Australia.

Ryan was a talented dual player and a lifelong, loyal and a much valued and dedicated member from a family synonymous with the club.

Ryan was an absolute gentleman and a true Gael. He was a very popular member and player among his peers and teammates.

Coaches always found Ryan a pleasure to coach and manage as he was honest, always smiling and willing to learn and improve.

Ryan was very intelligent, unassuming and always had time for you. He was a very considerate, caring and pleasant young man.

Ryan played for the club since his early childhood and served the club with distinction and wore the club jersey with immense pride. He enjoyed a successful dual juvenile career and his ability and positive attitude seen him represent the county in Development squads and at minor.

Unfortunately a bad run of serious injuries hampered Ryan’s promising senior football and hurling careers as he sustained a broken ankle and 2 ACL injuries and their toll forced him to retire early.

Two highlights from his distinguished career was his accuracy from frees and open play inspiring the club to the County Minor B Championship football title in 2013.

On his senior debut he scored a hat trick of superb goals and two points.

Following his retirement Ryan got involved in coaching senior hurlers and underage football teams using his astute knowledge in building up a strong rapport with his teams as he helped nurture their skills.

Ryan was also a very talented golfer and in recent years relished playing in the club’s popular Golf Classic at his home club Balmoral.

Ryans sad passing will be a huge loss to his family, friends, club and community.

The best way to honour Ryan is to remember the many good times when his company enriched our lives with his affable personality.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Vincent and Sharon, brothers Declan and Callum and grandparents Geordie and Theresa Fegan and his family circle at this sad and difficult time.

May Ryan Rest in Peace.

by thesaffrongael

Dunloy continue their winning start

Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Ballycastle 2-07 Dunloy 5-15

Dunloy continue their winning start to the 2024 league in a high scoring win over Ballycastle at Pairc MacUílin on Tuesday evening. With the poor weather we have had to endure these past few days this Division 1 clash was changed to the Ballycastle venue as Dunloy’s pitches are currently closed.

Despite that supporters were treated to a highly entertaining and competitive match between the sides with plenty of goals for show.

Dunloy started much the sharper opening a four-point lead with scores from Aine Magill, Eobha McAllister & Nicole McAtamney. The visitors were well on top and extended their advantage with a Katie Molloy goal.

Its was an unfortunate goal for the home side as Aine Magill had her shot on goal well blocked down with the resultant loose ball head towards the line only for Kathryn Donnelly to brilliantly hook it off the line but in doing so caused her to pick up and bad injury in the back of the net.

A blow to the home side after conceding a seven-point lead.

Maeve Kelly did get Ballycastle up and running with two pointed frees but it was goals that costs the home side any chance of getting back into this game. A double of strikes from Katie Molloy and corner forward Aine Magill further extended Dunloy’s lead.

More points were exchanged between the sides through Eobha McAllister (3), Maeve Kelly & Elen McIntosh but again it was Dunloy’s ability to find the back the net that kept them well in control.

A shot from Eimear Johnston found the net to extend the scoring advantage though to Ballycastle credit they never stopped working and the got their due rewards right up on half time through an Elen McIntosh goal.

In the second half Dunloy continued to extend their lead on the score board as they continued off from the first period of the game.

Points from Aine Magill, Eobha McAllister & Nicole McAtamney kept the score board ticking upwards for Dunloy as Ballycastle failed to score in this period. The home side did have plenty of chances but were wasteful hitting 4 wides that on a better day they would have surely converted.

Eobha McAllister put the game to bed for Dunloy with 10 mins to go with a well taken goal finished low to the bottom of the net.

A string of changes for both sides saw the tempo of the game drop as both managements give their panels a good run out.

Towards the end of the game the hard-working Elen McIntosh pointed two really nice scores in between a goal for Ballycastle to put some gloss on the scoreboard but in truth the game was long over at this point.

Ballycastle team

Becky Ellis, Maria Donnelly, Kathryn Donnelly, Aoife Tonner, Fay McIntosh, Niamh Donnelly, Maebh O’Neill, Catherine McShane, Niamh Ann Donnelly, Shannagh Heggarty, Maeve Kelly, Nula Devlin, Fionnula Kelly, Janey McIntosh, Elen McIntosh

Dunloy team

Mary Martin, Sarah McIlhatton, Elis Kearns, Eimear McMullan, Chloe McShane, Katie Laverty, Caitlin Crawford, Eimear Johnston, Katherine Mullan, Caoimhe Molloy, Dearbhail Elliott, Nicole McAtamney, Eobha McAllister, Katie Molloy, Aine Magill

by thesaffrongael

Loughgiel too strong or Tir na nÓg

Senior Camogie League Division 1

Tír na nÓg v Loughgiel

Report and pics by Michael Corcoran


Tuesday evening’s Division 1 league match between Tír na nÓg and Loughgiel was played
under cold, damp conditions with a chilling breeze running the length of the pitch from
the club house.

Tír na nÓg had to weather another type of force tonight, namely that of
an on form Loughgiel machine that would display power and possession.
Tarlach Conway was the match referee and at a slightly later time than previously
billed, the sliotar was thrown in at 7pm, with Tír na nÓg taking the breeze on their backs.
Goalkeeper Caitlin Godfrey used the breeze well to drop long puck outs into
Loughgiel’s half, but time and time again, Loughgiel smothered any attempt to advance
the sliotar and for the most part of the first half, Loughgiel took the possession into Tír
na nÓg’s half.


Loughgiel’s Anna Connelly slotted the first goal of the game and as their points were
accumulating, Shanna Deery made a run and at close quarters drilled what looked like
a punishing shot to the goal, but keeper Godfrey had the makings of it much to the
satisfaction of the Randalstown supporters. Deery’s energy throughout the game would
pay off with a second goal hot on the heels of a low ball sent to the back of the net from
Ceala Dobbin.
Twenty-eight minutes into the first half, Tír na nÓg threatened Loughgiel close to the
square, leaving keeper Eimear Boyle spilling the sliotar wide over the line. Tír na nÓg’s,
Emilly Fallon took no time in dispatching the sliotar over the bar for their first point as
referee Conway blew for the break. Tír na nÓg 0-1 Loughgiel 3-13.
As the second half got underway, Loughgiel recalibrated their shooting and amassed
half a dozen points despite a dropping wind on their backs. Tír na nÓg temporarily broke
Loughgiel’s rhythm as Emilly Fallon pointed from a free but by now, Loughgiel had
worked out the road to Tír na nÓg’s goal mouth and a succession of goal’s followed as
they applied a vice like grip on the game. Tarlach Conway blew for full-time.
Although Loughgiel had a dominant role in tonight’s game, Tír na nÓg, ‘the land of the
young’ was never truer as the Randalstown side countered the loss of several
experienced players by fielding a younger developing team that was no match for their
opponents tonight.


Tír na nÓg – Starting Panel
Caitlin Godfrey, Katie Bonnes, Caitlin McCaughey, Medb O’Dolan, Cliodhan Marie
McStravick, Emma Louise McAreavey, Carla O’Neill, Bronagh Devlin, Susan Shannon,
Niamh McKinley, Emily Fallon, Jessica Simpson, Sara Martin, Ciara Devine, Ellen Magee
Loughgiel – Starting Panel
Eimear Boyle, Clare McKillop, Karie Lynn, Maria Lynn, Louise McKillop, Ciara Laverty,
Shauna Devlin, Megan McGarry, Amy Boyle, Christine Laverty, Annie Lynn, Anna
Connelly, Shanna Deery, Anna McKillop, Ceala Dobbin