Antrim ladies unbeaten run came to an end on Sunday when they travelled to Louth and were comprehensively beaten by the home team…
Antrim travelled to this game with a skeleton squad due to injuries and illness and with no additional players this year numbers were extremely low…
In all fairness Louth controlled the game from start to finish and the Antrim girls were a shadow of themselves compared to their previous 4 games…
As hard as the Antrim girls tried nothing was going right for them and they found themselves down by 9 at the short whistle…
The Saffrons had a mountain to climb in the second half but again it was Louth who were dominating the game and Antrim had to make do with living on scraps…
All in all it was a day to forget but certainly management and players will take their learnings from the game …
Next up for the Antrim girls is a home game in 3 weeks time against Laois…
Ulster Under 17 Hurling Championship final at Dunsilly
Antrim 4-14 Wicklow 1-15
Antrim claimed the Ulster Under 17 Hurling title after a thrilling 4-14 to 1-15 victory over Wicklow at Dunsilly. In a game of shifting momentums, Dominic McKinley’s side had to weather a fierce second-half fightback from the Garden County before unleashing a devastating goal blitz to secure the Danny McNaughton Cup.
Playing with a stiff breeze at their backs in the opening period, Antrim struggled to fully capitalize on their elemental advantage despite dictating much of the play. Instead, the Saffrons relied heavily on the dead-ball accuracy of Cody McGarry. The wing-back was in superb form from frees, providing the bulk of their early scores alongside efforts from Connlaodh McNaughton and Cahir McCloskey. This kept the scoreboard ticking over and ensured Antrim carried a 0-09 to 0-05 lead into the dressing rooms, with Wicklow’s Colin Lawrence keeping his side in touch with some accurate shooting of his own.
Upon the restart, the dynamic of the game completely changed. Wicklow stormed out of the blocks, with Lawrence and substitute Joe Keeshan hitting four unanswered points within six minutes to wipe out the deficit and draw level. Just as Wicklow looked like favourites to push on, Antrim showed tremendous character and flipped the script. In the eighth minute of the half, Cillian Cunning struck for Antrim’s first goal to halt Wicklow’s momentum. Three minutes later, Antrim captain Joe Casey added a second goal in somewhat fortunate circumstances, slipping as he struck the ball but managing to deceive Ross Weld in the Wicklow net.
The game opened up into a frantic final quarter as both sides traded points. Antrim struck a massive blow in the twenty-first minute of the half when Connlaodh McNaughton fetched a high catch and buried a superb third goal for the Saffrons. Wicklow refused to go away quietly, and a twenty-seventh-minute goal from Jim O’Brien brought them right back into the contest. However, Antrim had the final say deep into injury time. In the thirty-third minute, Ronan Elliott finished off a slick team move with Antrim’s fourth goal, extinguishing any lingering Wicklow hopes and sealing a memorable victory.
Wicklow’s Colin Lawrence who had a great game for the Garden County, scoring ten points overall
Fir Ionaid (Substitutes): 16. Robert Cowman 17. Joe Keeshan 18. Kalem Buckley 19. Zak Windsor 20. Sean Byrne 21. Peter Mooty Monaghan 22. James Dragusin 23. Dylan Rooney 24. Donnacha Clarke 25. Nathan Gough 26. DJ Williams 27. Rian Kennedy 28. Callum Jordan Dempsey 29. Paul Farrell
TO SEE MORE OF DYLAN’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
All Saints GAC, Ballymena held their Annual Presentation Dinner and Awards night in Galgorm Manor on Friday night with a good crowd in attendance.
Pride of place on the night were the clubs Camogs who recorded a League & Championship double this year, their first success at this level for 40 years with former Antrim player, Chloe Drain special guest for the evening and Camogie manager, Johnny Sayers receiving a standing ovation.
Their Minor footballers were the other successful side at the awards night where they received the Laverty Shield while their Senior Footballers reached the division 1 league final.
The club made their annual donation to the Saffron Gael at the Dinner and we at the Saffron Gael thank All Saints for their continued support.
The All Saints Camogs who were Junior B Championship and League winners at the clubs Annual Presentation evening in Galgorm Manor
Award winners on the night:
Minor Hurling Players Player of the year- Sean O’Brien & Michael Connolly
Minor Hurling Sportsman of the year-Robert Crooks
Minor Hurling Player of the Year-Paddy Murphy
Minor Camogie Players Player of the Year-Sophie Mark
Minor Camogie Sportswoman of the year-Abigail McLarnon
Minor Camogie Player of the Year-Keely O’Mullan
The All Saints Minor Footballers with the Laverty Shield
Minor Football Players Player of the Year-Sean O’Brien
Minor Football Sportsman of the year-Michael Connolly
Minor Football Player of the year-Finn Connon
U21 Hurler of the year-Harry Connon
U21 Camogie Player of the year-Aimee Kerr
U21 Ladies Footballer of the year-Briana Lee Casey
Reserve Football Players Player of the Year-Darrach Bradley
Reserve Football Sportsman of the year-Corey McvKillop
Reserve Football Player of the year-Darrach Bradley
All Saints Masters Player of the Year- William Wilkinson & Damian Kelly
Guest of Honour, Chloe Drain presents the Junior League and Junior B Championship trophies to All Saints captain, Roisin Ward
Senior Camogie Players Player of the year-Niamh McMahon
Senior Camogie Sportsperson of the year-Briana Lee Casey
Senior Camogie Player of the Year-Niamh McMahon & Louise McLarnon
Senior Hurling Players Player of the Year-Finn Connon
Senior Hurling Sportsman of the year-Luke Walsh
Senior Hurling Player of the Year-Kevin Brady
LGFA Players Player of the Year-Helena O’Dornan
LGFA Sportsperson of the Year-Niamh McMahon
LGFA Senior Player of the Year-Maria Mitchell
Chloe Drain presents the Senior Camogie joint Player of the Year award to Niamh McMahon & Louise McLarnon and the Senior Hurler award to Kevin Brady while Liam ‘Baker’ Bradley presents the Senior Footballer award to Paddy McAleer
Senior Football Players Player of the year-Paddy McAleer
Senior Football Sportsperson of the year-Peter McNicholl
Senior Football Player of the year-Paddy McAleer
Referee Awards-John Hasson, Maurice Goldring, Barry Winters and Owern Elliott
Club Person of the Year-John Hasson & PJ O’Kane.
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Dublin made a resounding statement in Belfast on Sunday afternoon, delivering a clinical performance to outclass Antrim while handing out a 15-point beating. After last week’s impressive win over Carlow the Saffron fans were hoping for another good showing, but Dublin were a different class of opponent. From the opening exchanges, the visitors exerted a level of control that left the Saffron faithful fearing a long afternoon. That openinng burst which saw them lead by 0-09 to 0-01 after ten minutes gave the boys in blue complete control of the game, and though the Saffrons competed well for the remainder of the half it was mostly about damage limitation. Keelan Molloy grabbed three superb points and Ruairi Donaghy lifted spirits with neatly taken goal, but the Dubs always had an answer.
Aided by a strong breeze, Dublin stormed into an early lead. The excellent Donal Burke was the orchestrator-in-chief, accounting for nearly half of Dublin’s 20-point first-half haul. His highlight, a monstrous 90-yard free that soared over with room to spare, epitomized Dublin’s efficiency with the elements.
Antrim struggled to find their rhythm in a feisty encounter, though Seáan Elliot provided a reliable outlet. Despite the difficult conditions, the Dunloy man was unerring from placed balls, striking six points to keep the hosts within touching distance.
Dublin’s depth was on full display as Fergal Whitely and late inclusion James Madden added to the tally. However, the home side found a lifeline ten minutes before the break. Ruairi Donaghy flicked the sliotar past Seán Brennan for a goal that ignited the Corrigan Park crowd. A follow-up brace from Keelan Molloy and more accuracy from Elliot briefly cut the gap to six, before Cian O’Sullivan ensured Dublin went into the sheds with a 0-20 to 1-08 lead.
Antrim hoped the wind advantage would favor them in the second period, but those hopes were swiftly extinguished. Chris Crummey found the net shortly after the restart, a blow from which the Saffron County never recovered.
As the wind seemed to die down, so did Antrim’s momentum. Dublin’s defense tightened, and their attack remained relentless. O’Sullivan added three more to his personal tally, while Whitely continued to punish defensive lapses. While James McNaughton and Elliott added late scores for the hosts, the result had long been beyond doubt.
The Saffrons are not in action for another three weeks when they meet old rivals Down in Newry in an Ulster derby.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
Diff
Pts
1
Clare
5
5
0
0
+62
10
2
Wexford
4
3
1
0
+13
7
3
Dublin
4
2
1
1
+27
5
4
Kildare
4
2
0
2
-1
4
5
Carlow
4
1
0
3
-26
2
6
Antrim
5
1
0
4
-27
2
7
Down
4
0
0
4
-48
0
Weekend Results (Round 5)
Dublin 1-31 | Antrim 1-16
Carlow 0-18 | Clare 1-28
Kildare 3-24 | Down 1-23
What this means for Antrim:
With only 2 points from 5 games and a difficult scoring difference, Antrim are now officially in a scrap to avoid the relegation play-off. Their upcoming match against Down (who have a game in hand) will be the deciding factor in who stays up and who faces the drop. However a win over the Ards men may not even be enough as they will need other results to go their way as well if they are to avoid the drop
Scoring & Teams
Team
Scorers
Dublin
D. Burke 0-8 (5f), F. Whitely 0-5, D. Purcell 0-4, C. Crummey 1-1, C. O’Sullivan 0-4, R. Hayes 0-2, J. Madden 0-2, P. Smith 0-1, B. Hayes 0-1, J. Hetherton 0-1, C. Burke 0-1, D. Ó Dúlang 0-1 (1f).
Antrim
S. Elliot 0-8 (7f), R. Donaghy 1-1, K. Molloy 0-3, J. McNaughton 0-2 (1f), C. Johnston 0-2.
Antrim: D. Nugent; S. Rooney, N. O’Connor, P. Burke; E. McFerran, G. Walsh, J. Maskey; R. McCambridge, P. Boyle; K. Molloy, C. Johnston, R. Donaghy; S. Elliot, J. McNaughton, S. Walsh.
Subs used: E. O’Neill, J. McLoskey, S. Duffin, J. McLaughlin.
Dublin: S. Brennan; C. Groarke, P. Smith, E. O’Donnell; A. Dunphy, C. Crummey, C. Burke; B. Hayes, C. Donohoe; F. Whitely, D. Burke, J. Madden; D. Purcell, J. Hetherton, C. O’Sullivan.
Subs used: D. Ó Dúlang, C. McHugh, J. Bellew, C. O Cathsaigh, R. Hayes.
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St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass got their season up and running when they travelled to Ballymena on Sunday and overcame the challenge of All Saints in the opening round of the O’Cahan Cup.
The home side have three games under their belts in the Ulster league this season but it was the visitors who looked much better prepared as the action got under way with a strong wind at their backs at Quinn Park.
Aidan McErlain got them on their way with a point in the 4th minute then struck a fine 2 pointer to move them three ahead by the 8th minute.
Sean McVeigh rose to fist over a dropping ball for All Saints in the 12th minute but team captain, Colm Duffin replied as he raised the Orange flag from a free and when Sean Boyd hit another 2 pointer from play the visitors were 0-7 to 0-1 ahead.
All Saints had been second best up until this point but Brendan McDonnell converted two frees in quick succession and a fine point from play from youngster, Sean O’Brien had it back to three by the 28th minute.
Given the strength of the breeze three points looked a manageable lead but it was St. Ergnat’s Colm Duffin who responded with the final score of the half when he again raised Orange to leave his side 0-9 to 0-4 ahead at the break.
Ryan Stewart replaced Connor Brennan in the All Saints goals for the start of the second half and with the wind behind them they would have been confident of overturning the visitors lead.
However it was St. Ergnat’s who opened the brighter and Caolan Boyd extended their lead with a good point in the 9th minute.
A 2point converted free from James McDonnell had it back to four, a minute later but All Saints found further scores hard to come bye as a solid Moneyglass defence swept up everything that came their way.
It would be a further 10 minutes before Brendan McDonnell converted his third free of the game to leave just three between the sides and when Sean O’Brien struck an excellent effort from distance there was only one between the sides.
That would be as close as the home side got however with the impressive Sean Boyd replying at the other end and Aidan McErlain added another from a converted free with four minutes remaining.
McErlain added another from the same scenario as things threatened to boil over and it was to prove the game’s final score as St. Ergnat’s marked their return to division 1 after one year in division 2 and on this performance they look well capable of holding their own in the higher grade.
All Saints: 1 Connor Brennan: 2 Oliver O’Rawe, 3 Rian Tom, 4 James Gillan, 5 Patrick Ferris, 6 Finn Connon, 7 Charlie Metrustry, 8 Peter McNicholl, 9 James McDonnell, 10 Darrach Bradley, 11 Ciaran Campbell, 12 Sean O’Brien, 13 Emmet Killough, 14 Sean McVeigh, 15 Brendan McDonnell.
Subs: Ryan Stewart, Connell Lemon, Jack Patterson, Archie McGreevey
Moneyglass: 1 James McLaughlin, 2 Eunan McErlain, 3 Matthew Mullan, 4 Colum Duffin, 5 Conleth McCann, 6 Paul Duffin, 7 Connor O’Kane, 8 Sean Boyd, 9 Seanchan Duffin, 10 Caolan Boyd, 11 Aidan McErlain, 12 Francis Duffin, 13 Tyler Cassidy, 14 Colm Duffin, 15 Charlie McCloskey
Subs: Callum Murray, Odhran Duffin
Referee: Colin Mallon (Aghagallon)
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