Antrim team to face Monaghan

The Antrim team to face Monaghan in this year’s U20 Ulster football championship has been announced as the Saffrons face their third game in the competition at Dunsilly tonight – Wednesday – 7.30pm.

The team is backboned by players from Naomh Gall who have Segdae MacAdhaim, Christopher McHale, Ethan Walsh, Aaron Mackle and Padraig Murray in the starting lineup.

The action gets underway at 7-30 so why not come along and show the young Saffrons your support.

This week’s Football Fixtures

Another round of football fixtures are scheduled for this week with games in all of the Divisions, One Two and Three.

Division 1

Dunloy v Glenravel: Wednesday 6-30

Dunloy finally get their season up and running when they entertain a Glenravel side who lost their opening game away to Lamh Dhearg. Much will depend on what strength both teams field at but Dunloy could edge it if they are near full strength.

St Paul’s v Con Magee’s GlenravelSunday 5th April 12-00

After a tough outing on their own turf against St John’s, St Paul’s head to the South West hoping to get back to winning ways. Glenravel, meanwhile, have two games under their belts and may have enough to edge this one but it could be close.

St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Mary’s Aghagallon Saturday 4th April; 2-00pm

 It’s been a baptism of fire for Moneyglass back in the top flight, coming off a loss to Creggan at Marian Hill. They remain at home this week against an Aghagallon side also smarting from a defeat to All Saints. This one feels like a battle of attrition; Moneyglass are desperate to find their feet, and a hard-fought draw wouldn’t be a surprise.

Cuchullian’s Dunloy v Patrick Sarsfield’s Sunday 5th April 12-00

The reigning county champions lost to St. Brigid’s in round one and host Glenravel on Wednesday night with both sides looking for their first win. Dunloy host a Sarsfield’s side that showed serious grit in a one-point loss to St Gall’s. While the “Paddies” are improving, Dunloy may have enough to edge it—expect the home side to get the win here.

St Brigid’s v St Gall’sSaturday 4th April 2-00pm

The “Biddies” have been the early pace-setters, maintaining a perfect record so far. They face a St Gall’s team who have also won their two opening games against All Saints and Sarsfield’s, but this is a much steeper test. St Brigid’s look formidable and should continue their winning streak at Musgrave.

Lámh Dhearg v St John’s – Friday 3d April 6-30

 A massive South Antrim derby as St John’s came good by winning at St Paul’s last week, but the hills of Hannahstown are never an easy place to visit. This should be the game of the round, with Lámh Dhearg likely to use the home advantage to snatch a narrow victory.

All Saints v O’Donovan Rossa Saturday 4th April 6-00pm

 All Saints battled hard to gain a win over Aghagallon last time out and look comfortable at home. However, Rossa are dangerous travellers, having crushed Moneyglass in round one before a slip-up against St Brigid’s. If Rossa can rediscover their scoring touch, they’ll push the Ballymena men to the limit.

Erin’s Own Cargin v Casement’s Portglenone Sunday 5th April 4-00pm

The pick of the South West ties. Casement’s have been one of the league’s “form” teams with back-to-back wins over city opponents. Cargin got back on track against Tir na nOg, but they’ll need to move through the gears to stop a confident Portglenone side. Cargin’s historical dominance in this fixture gives them the edge, but only just.

Tir na nOg v Kickham’s CregganSunday 5th April 11-30am

Creggan are undefeated to date, sitting pretty with maximum points. They travel to Whitehill to face a Tir na nOg side that pushed Cargin hard last week. While Randalstown will provide a physical test, Creggan’s clinical nature should see them move to 3 wins from 3.


Division Two

St Enda’s v Michael Davitt’s – Friday 3d April 6-30pm

Davitt’s caused the shock of the opening round by pipping Ahoghill in a high-scoring thriller. Now they face a St Enda’s side with plenty of top-tier experience. The Glengormley men looked sharp against Aldergrove and should have too much quality for the visitors here.

St Mary’s Ahoghill v Gort na Móna – Sunday 5th April 4-00pm

Ahoghill were on the wrong side of a one-point result last time out and will be itching to set the record straight at Clooney. Gort na Móna are never an easy opponents but the St Mary’s men are notoriously tough to beat on their own sod. Expect a home win.

St Patrick’s Lisburn v St James’ Aldergrove    Sunday 5th April 4-00pm

Aldergrove struggled to adapt to Division Two in their opener against St Enda’s, but a trip to Lisburn offers a chance at redemption. St Pat’s will be gritty, but Aldergrove’s pace should see them leave with the points.

Naomh Comhghall Antrim v St Agnes Friday 3d April – 6-30pm

Dunsilly plays host to a meeting of two sides looking to establish themselves in this division though Naomh Comhghall are in their second year in division 2. “The Aggies” showed heart in a defeat to Glenavey in round one, while Naomh Comhghall will have home advantage. This could be the closest game in the division—a home win by a point or two is the call.


Division Three

Laochra Loch Lao v Éire Óg Wednesday 1st April 7-30

Laochra seek their first points after an opening day defeat to Ardoyne. They’ll be much more comfortable at home, but face an Éire Óg side that proved they can grind out results following their opening day win over Pearses. Eire Og can build on that opening round win but a stalemate wouldn’t be shocking here.

Pearses v O’Donnell’s Sunday 5th April – 4-00pm

Pearse lost their opening game to Eire Og and will be keen to get their first victory under their belts but will be tested by an O’Donnell’s side who drew with Rasharkin first time pout.

Brid Cloiche An Muillin Gaels v Kickham’s Ardoyne – Wednesday 8th April – 6-45pm

The “new kids on the block” had a tough introduction against St Malachy’s and now face an Ardoyne side that looked unstoppable in their opening round game, racking up 24 scores. Ardoyne go into this as heavy favourites to keep their momentum rolling.

St Malachy’s beat Rathmore in Kirk Cup final

Danske Bank Kirk Cup Hurling Final

St Malachy’s Belfast 2-16 Rathmore Grammar 1-10

ST Malachy’s College have retained the Danske Bank Kirk Cup final, seeing off Rathmore Grammar in the Belfast derby yesterday evening in Woodlands.

Harry Feeney’s goal in the 22nd minute was the key that opened the door for the Antrim Road school and they led by 1-6 to 0-5 at the break.

All five Rathmore points in the opening half came from midfielder Aodhán O’Hanlon and he ended up his team’s only scorer over the hour. The Gort na Móna player’s goal at the start of the second half briefly brought the gap down to a point.

However St Malachy’s free-taker Cillian Carabine replied almost immediately with a green flag to maintain that half-time gap and that was how it remained until close to the end when points, from Carabine, Aidan Johnston, Ethan Connolly and Conor Stewart left the final score-line a little flattering for the north Belfast school.

Apart from Carabine with a goal and eight points, others to shine for St Malachy’s were Harry Feeney, Ollie Gregory, Aodhán McNally and Connolly while Ronan Leonard, Zak Kerr-Woodrow in defence, Liam Carson in midfield and Ronan Downey in half forward provided best support for Aodhán O’Hanlon in the Rathmore colours.

St Malachy’s: C Carabine 1-8 (0-7fs), H Feeney 1-4, C Stewart 0-2, A Johnston and E Connolly 0-1 each

Rathmore: A O’Hanlon 1-10 (0-5fs)

GAA DAY IN BALLYMACWARD PS

Ballymacward Primary School held their annual and popular GAA day recently. The day began with a special and busy assembly with special guests Conal Morgan , NaomhEoin. Antoin McCaffrey , St Galls, Mark Munce,Gaelfast, and Bert Trowlen of the Saffron Gael.

The assembly commenced with Principal Mr Kennedy revealing the new school jerseys generously sponsoredby RADSNI Radiator Suppliers. (www.radsni.com)

Conal Morgan much to the delight of the happy Principal, Mr Kennedy a former Johnnies player and committee member, brought along the Antrim Senior Hurling Chmpionship trophy, the Volunteer Cup.  

Mr Buchanan presented a short presentation on the History of the Volunteer Cup and conducted a q/a session with Conal with excellent questions from the pupils. Conal then participated in a photoshoot with all the classes and the famous trophy.

Conal Morgan , NaomhEoin, Antoin McCaffrey , St Galls, and Mark Munce of Gaelfast who visited Ballymacward Primary School for their annaul GAA day.

The Assembly finished with a few hurling challenges among the guests and Principal Mr Kennedy proved the adage that you never lose it.

After the assembly, Antoin McCaffrey read excerpts to the classes of his recently released GAA novel “Magic Gloves “and pupils really enjoyed meeting and questioning Antoin about his exciting novel. 

In class pupils enjoyed the collapsed curriculum and keenly participated in the array of GAA orientated activities such as Comprehension on the History of the GAA, Acrostic poetry on Gaelic Football, numeracy task on GAA Stadium capacities, designing own GAA kit and creating profiles on current GAA stars.

Pupils and staff also enjoyed the challenge of Spot the Teacher Quiz in trying to identify Mr Buchanan and Mr Kennedy from their GAA Careers. 

All classes enthusiastically enjoyed the quality coaching sessions throughout the day.

• FUNdamentals for (Primary 1 & Pebbles) 

• Football Hurling & Camogie for classes P2-7.

The sessions were conducted by Mark Munce Gaelfast, Lamh Dhearg’s Kieran Megraw, Marty Caroline Tracey along with Mr Buchanan.

In all a very active, educational and enjoyable day for the pupils focusing on the GAA.

TO SEE MORE OF BERTS PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW