Lámh Dhearg’s Senior Hurling panel hosted a very enjoyable and successful 7 aside fundraising tournament in honour of their former players and legends Daryl Fegan and Ryan Straney after their recent passing. A cold crisp December day didn’t deter a good standard of hurling and keenly contested games . In between the senior games a juvenile go games was played with great enthusiasm and spirit The funds raised will be divided among Senior hurlers development funds , Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust in memory of Ryan and Postrate Cancer UK in memory of Daryl.
Organiser and senior hurler Odrán Waldron commented “ Thanks to everyone who participated and generously supported the event and the hurlers enjoyed the games as a good warm up for forthcoming pre season . More importantly thanks to the families of Daryl and Ryan and trust the event will give them much solace and comfort “ After the tournament players and spectators were glad of the warmth of the clubroooms. The craic and ceol was good fun with super entertainment provided by the Brady’s Trad group. Thanks to all who participated , attended and generously supported the event .
Photos from the Corn Daryl and Scaith Ryan games can be found below
Brendan McTaggart reports from Chadwicks Wexford Park, Wexford
It was heartbreak in the teeming rain for Antrim on Saturday evening as they fell to a one point defeat to Wexford. Having never been behind at any stage during the game, Antrim looked set to record an opening day win in Wexford. But, a free in the eighth minute of injury time, 25 yards out, taken by Wexford ‘keeper Mark Fanning proved to be the decisive score.
It was a gut-wrenching end to a game that Antrim simply didn’t deserve to lose. They had battled superbly for the entire game and could have been further ahead but for some missed chances when the game was in the melting pot.
It was a day where bodies were on the line and wasn’t one for the feint of heart. Antrim, tactically, denied the home side scoring chances and time on the ball for the majority of the game while up front they looked to use the pace of Seaan Elliott, James McNaughton and Paul Boyle.
With underfoot conditions far from conducive for any sort of hurling, Antrim won their fair share of rucks. Showing a desire and intensity in the tackle and they fed off that to build belief as the match progressed. Every turn over ball being celebrated like it was a match winning point by a defence that was led superbly by Joe Maskey, Seán McKay and Paddy Burke while Ryan McCambridge’s strength in midfield was exactly what the Saffrons needed.
The first half was a testament to the grit and determination of the Saffrons as they battled through the driving rain and a powerful gale. They started with intent, establishing an early lead through the accurate free taking of Seaan Elliott and clinical points from distance.
The home side managed to level the scores on several occasions through Simon Roche – their own dead ball specialist but Antrim finished the half with a flurry.
Three unanswered points from Paddy Burke, captain Conal Cunning and a Seaan Elliott free left the Saffrons 0-9 to 0-6 ahead at the short whistle.
There were concerns that three points may not have been enough such were the elements and with the wind increasing after the break, it was going to take a monumental effort from Davy Fitzgerald’s men to get anything out of the game.
The intensity reached boiling point ten minutes into the second half when a flare-up resulted in both sides being reduced to 14 men. Gerard Walsh receiving a straight red and Wexford’s Richie Lawlor receiving a second yellow card for his part in the shenanigans.
Wexford looked to use the wind to chip away at the Antrim lead but the Saffrons remained composed to keep their noses in front with a mix of slick passing and tireless work rate in the middle of the park. Even when Roche converted a ’65 in the 66th minute to cut the Antrim lead to the minimum, Antrim remained unshaken.
The drama escalated in the final minutes when fresh legs off the bench looked to have given Antrim the edge. Ruairi Donaghy, Joseph McLaughlin and Conor Johnston all combining for the Saffrons major as the clock ticked into injury time at the end of 70 minutes to give Antrim a three point lead.
Wexford pulled a point back immediately and while Antrim had chances to extend their lead, their accuracy let them down with the game in the melting pot.
The home side were awarded a free some 50 plus yards from goal with Roche standing over and surveying his options, referee Thomas Walsh spotted an infringement and brought the sliotar forward to the 21 yard line and in front of the goals. Wexford looked to Mark Fanning and the goal keeper riffled the sliotar high to the back of the Antrim net.
Much to the frustration of the Antrim management, the game was blown upon the restart. It certainly felt like there should have been at least one more play but Antrim’s time ran out.
For long periods of this game, it looked like Antrim were going to start the new league campaign with a well-deserved win. It didn’t happen but the green shoots of what they are trying to build began to appear in a rain soaked Wexford Park.
All thoughts now turn to welcoming the 2024 All Ireland champions to north Antrim as Clare come to town.
TEAMS
ANTRIM: Domhnall Nugent; Eoin McFerran, Paddy Burke, Ruairi McCormick; Seán McKay, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, Eoin O’Neill; Scott Walsh, Paul Boyle, Séan Duffin; Seaan Elliott, James McNaughton, Conal Cunning
Subs: Cormac McKeown for S Duffin (52); Joseph McLaughlin for R McCambridge (59); Conor Johnston for S Elliott (66); Ruairi Donaghy for S Walsh (69); Jack McCloskey for E O’Neill (70+5)
Scorers: S Elliott 0-7 (6fs); C Johnston 1-00; C Cunning 0-2; S Duffin 0-1; R McCambridge 0-1; P Boyle 0-1
WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; David Clarke, Conor Foley, Darragh Carley; Niall Murphy, Richie Lawlor, Eamon Wickham; Conor Hearne, Ross Banville; Ciaran O’Connor, Simon Roche, James Byrne; Cian Byrne, Tomás Kinsella, Kevin Foley
Subs: Corey Byrne-Dunbar for C O’Connor (52); Jack Redmond for J Byrne (52); Darren Codd for C Byrne (59); David Codd for R Banville (59); Damien Reck for C Hearne (59)
Scorers: S Roche 0-8 (6fs, 1’65); M Fanning 1-00 (free); T Kinsella 0-1; C Hearne 0-1; J Byrne 0-1; D Codd 0-1; J Redmond 0-1
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Ulster Under 20 Hurling Championship (Round 1)Venue: Celtic Park
Tyrone 3-15 | Derry 2-17
In what will be remembered as the biggest shock in Ulster hurling for many years, the Tyrone Under 20 hurlers defied the odds to defeat firm favourites Derry by a single point on Friday evening at Celtic Park, Derry.
The Red Hands, however, refused to buckle. Showing incredible character, they clawed their way back into contention in the second half. The momentum shifted decisively thanks to two vital goals: one from star performer Aidan Woods and another from substitute Daire Sally. These scores were the lifeline Tyrone needed to stay in the fight against a potent Derry attack.
As the clock ticked down, the tension was palpable. Aidan Woods, who was instrumental throughout, top-scored for the evening with a magnificent haul of 1-8. Fittingly, it was Woods who held his nerve to fire over the equalizing point, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
With the sides level and time running out, it fell to centre-forward Liam Griffiths to be the hero. Griffiths slotted over the winning point, sealing a sensational one-point win for the Red Hand county, an historic victory.
While this result is a seismic shock for the province, the round-robin format means Derry are not out of the competition and with four games still to play they will look to regroup.
There is a tenuous Antrim connection to the Red Hands win as the side is managed by Colm Moran who has managed the hurling teams in St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena for many years now. Colm, who is from Naomh Colmcille, Coalisland, was understandably delighted with the Tyrone win told the Saffron Gael that they have been putting in a lot of work with underage hurling in the county over the past three years and it was great to see it gaining some reward.
Tyrone actually play Antrim in their next game in the round-robin series on Monday week at Garvagaghey when Colm will be in opposition against a few St Louis pupils.
Meanwhile, holders Antrim are set to begin their title defence against Down on Sunday at Mallusk at 2pm. The game was fixed for Cushendall but the heavy rain during the week has ruled Pairc Mhuire unplayable. Team manager Mickey McShane will not name his team until tomorrow but it should be strong. However Down will no doubt present a stern challenge.
ST DOMINIC’S Belfast shook off a determined challenge from Castleknock Community College in the St Brigid’s Castleknock GAA grounds yesterday to set up an Allianz Dónal Burke Cup semi-final with Scoil Mhuire agus Íde Newcastlewest in a fortnight.
The teams were level at the break, but the visitors from Belfast were improved for the second half and two goals from Lámh Dhearg and Antrim minor forward Aoife Fitzsimons gave them a lead they weren’t going to surrender.
Castleknock opened with a point from the excellent Mary Bourke, who went on to claim all but a point of their total. The home side had most of the early pressure and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes. They stretched that to 1-4 to 0-2 after 15 minutes with a goal from Bourke.
Maeve Devlin points had been keeping St Dominic’s going during that period of Castleknock pressure. Her goal from a long range free then pulled her side back into contention. Right on the half-time whistle Méabh Rooney goaled to leave the scores level at 1-8 to 2-5.
St Dominic’s went two up in the early stages of the second half with points from Maeve Devlin and Aoife Fitzsimons. Although Bourke hit back with a point, Fitzsimons went through for a superb solo goal. This was followed by a point from Cliona McGinley and then a second goal from Fitzsimmons in the 48th minute.
While Bourke clipped over a couple of points in response, the gap was too wide and St Dominic’s had secured the win.
St Dominic’s: A Fitzsimons 2-1, M Devlin 1-4, M Rooney 1-0, C McGinley 0-2, R MacElhatton 0-1.
