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Minors who took a major detour 
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 21/11/09GILLY McIlhatton can still picture the face of the British sniper as a busload of hurlers skidded his way. With evening drawing in, Antrim’s talented minor squad – their leader at the wheel – had been headed for home from the eastern province following yet another breakneck battle in the Leinster...
When hurling was banned
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 21/11/09Ken Loach’s critically acclaimed film The Wind That Shakes the Barley (right), set during the 1919-’21 Irish War of Independence, which won the prestigious Palme D’Or at the 2006 Cannes Festival, opens with a scene referencing the infamous ban on hurling imposed the British Government in 1918.
Historic day at the Corner
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 21/11/09At McLaughlin’s Corner on July 18, 100 years ago the first recorded GAA match in the parish of St Olcan’s, Rasharkin gained mention in The Irish News and Belfast Morning News. A hurling game between St Mary’s and Tir na nOg, one of two rival clubs from the parish of Loughgiel. Tir...
Hughes picks up top writers’ award
Gaelic Games: Ulster GAA Writers’ Association Annual Awards 21/11/09Kevin Hughes probably expected more from 2009 than Tyrone achieved, but the big Red Hand midfielder still came out of the season with many personal accolades and last night’s Ulster GAA Writers’ banquet polished off the action in style for the Killeeshil man.
Everything points to ‘Screen win
Gortfad Electrics and Leaden Timber Frames Ulster Minor Club Hurling semi-final: St Colm’s, Ballinascreen (Derry) v Eire Og, Carrickmore (Tyrone) (tomorrow, Ballinascreen, 2pm) 21/11/09They are the holders, have nine of last year’s winning team available once more and are playing at home. The odds are stacked very much in favour of Ballinascreen as they take on Tyrone champions Carrickmore in tomorrow’s Ulster Minor Club Hurling semi-final.
Newry schools seal places in quarter-finals
BT MacRory Cup 21/11/09VICTORIES for the Newry schools yesterday mean that Section A of the BT MacRory Cup now reads of ‘the haves’ and the have-nots. Both the Newry schools and Omagh CBS are assured of being in the quarter-final draw on Monday, December 14, while St Eunan’s...
Red Hand duo plot downfall of alma mater
BT Rannafast Cup final: St Patrick’s, Armagh v Omagh CBS (today, 11am, Dunmoyle) 21/11/09St Patrick’s, Armagh will look to two Errigal Ciaran clubmen who are Tyrone county team-mates in their efforts to beat an Omagh CBS side in the BT Rannafast Cup final in Dunmoyle this morning.
Cooney praise for Owenbeg
Gaelic Games 20/11/09OWENBEG is “the jewel in the crown” of Derry GAA, according to GAA President Christy Cooney. The Corkman was present at the Centre of Excellence near Dungiven yesterday to support plans for its redevelopment as Derry’s new secondary county ground at a cost of around £3m.
McCloy’s county ground warning
Gaelic Games 20/11/09COUNTIES could be forced to play ‘home’ games at neutral venues if they don’t bring their facilities up to a required new standard by 2011. Derry chairman Seamus McCloy, in his role as chairman of the GAA’s National Infrastructure Committee, insisted that...
Bellaghy query over Glenullin title victory
Gaelic Games 20/11/09BELLAGHY are to launch an appeal to the Derry County Board over the final standings in Division One of the Derry All-County Football League. Glenullin finished level on 18 points with the Wolfe Tones, but claimed the title having defeated Bellaghy in a previous league fixture.
Gallic and Gaelic hand-in-hand
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 20/11/09Charles De Gaulle (right), the most famous president in the history of France, was ancestrally linked to the County Down parish of Clanvaraghan and Drumaroad, especially the Irish-French heritage of the McCartan family.
When Queen’s were the kings
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 20/11/09 SOMETIMES the timing is just spot on. The first televised GAA match on the island of Ireland just happened to coincide with one of Ulster’s greatest hurling triumphs – Queen’s University’s 1953 Fitzgibbon Cup success.
The Malone Road side became the province’s first All-Ireland senior champions by claiming the most coveted prize in
A glorious 12th for the Ardsmen
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 20/11/09On the July 12, 1992, just a year after Antrim felt they should have been contesting an All-Ireland Senior Championship final, former Saffrons manager Sean McGuinness guided a terrific Down outfit to a never-to-be-forgotten victory in the Ulster final at Casement Park.
McHugh seeks central council seat in Donegal
Gaelic Games 20/11/09ARGUABLY Donegal’s greatest ever Gaelic footballer has cast his eyes towards the boardroom. Martin McHugh has thrown his hat in the ring for the key central council position which is being vacated by his old mentor Brian McEniff.
GAA Shorts
Gaelic Games 19/11/09TYRONE goalkeeper John Devine is set to miss the McKenna Cup as well as the start of the National Football League after undergoing surgery at the Ulster Independent clinic in Belfast yesterday. The Errigal Ciaran man was in goals throughout the Red Hands’...
Re-building work may take time for Cavan and Walsh
Gaelic Games 19/11/09NICHOLAS Walsh sees 2010 as a year of transition for Cavan’s senior football team and says that supporters hoping for a Blues revival will have to stay patient. The county’s midfielder and GAA development manager hopes substantial strides will be...
Tyrell is the main attraction as Ulster coaches seek to learn from the best
Gaelic Games 19/11/09A MAJOR new initiative aimed at developing and improving the skills of coaches in Ulster will take place in Portaferry on Saturday. The highlight will be the afternoon sessions, during which Ulster gaels will be treated to a defensive...
Early form of hurling in Cavan
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 19/11/09In an interview during the early 1970s, Fr Dan Gallogly, former president of the Ulster GAA Council, in research for his book ‘Cavan’s Football Story’, met with Phil Alwill, who was born near Killeshandra in 1884, the year the GAA was founded.
Meet the bás
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 19/11/09RETIREMENT suits Liam Hinphey. Since hanging up his teaching cap a decade ago, he has more time for the good things in life: his family, holding court in McReynolds Bar in Dungiven and, most important of all, following the Kilkenny hurling team.
Cuchullain club and Clarecastle enjoy spin-off
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 19/11/09In 1970, the GAA’s Central Council introduced an adoption scheme designed to try and raise the profile and standard of hurling in weaker counties, resulting in those counties being twinned with those traditionally strong in hurling. Armagh was ‘adopted’ by Clare.
CLUBcall
Gaelic Games 19/11/09ST Patrick’s GAC, Cullyhanna: AGM will take place at 7.30pm tomorrow night in the clubrooms. Mass for deceased members at 7pm. CARGIN Camogie Club, Toomebridge: Pub quiz to raise funds at Mallon’s Bar on Saturday, November 21 at 8.30pm.
Club Derry steps up to the financial plate
Gaelic Games 19/11/09DERRY GAA’S future has been boosted in this time of economic uncertainty by a funding pledge from Club Derry. The Oak Leafers’ single largest backer will help secure the immediate future of coaching and development programmes across the county.
Antrim footballers to call on Herron
Gaelic Games 19/11/09Antrim manager Liam Bradley will offset the loss of Niall McKeever to Aussie Rules by bolstering his squad with an influx of new players. The Irish News has learned that Saffron hurler Brendan Herron is set to declare for the footballers next...
GAA Shorts
Gaelic Games 18/11/09Keady Michael Dwyer’s GFC Gala Ball will be held in the Armagh City Hotel on Saturday November 21 at 7pm. Dress formal. Tickets can be collected from Carmel Kirk, Marie Hughes and Jimmy McGurgan or at the Sportsman tomorrow between 7 and 9pm.
Campbell of John Mitchel’s
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 18/11/09Noel Campbell, regarded as arguably the finest hurler ever to wear the senior Saffron jersey and honoured by inclusion on Antrim’s ‘Team of the Century’ in 1984, was a product of one of Belfast’s oldest clubs, John Mitchel GAC.
Burt's Warrior Breed
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 18/11/09THE grave of Magnus MacOrriston, a 16th century gallowglass warrior, lies in a windswept ancient cemetery at Clonca church, near Culdaff in county Donegal. Obviously a formidable opponent, the memorial tells of a man as well known for his caman skills as his battle skills – certainly not someone to...
McAllister sees Antrim into final
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 18/11/09On American Independence Day 1943 four first half goals from the stick of full-forward Danny McAllister put Antrim on course for a place in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships semi-finals at Corrigan Park, Belfast. Galway were the opponents and although they had not managed a victory in the competition since qualifying...
Bell tolls for Kevin as he stands down as chairman
Gaelic Games 18/11/09Down County Board chairman Kevin Bell has insisted that he’s standing down prematurely simply because “the timing is right”. Appointed for a five-year term in 2007, the Ballycran man wasn’t due to step aside until 2011.
Conor feeling pain of Clontibret’s exit
Gaelic Games 18/11/09CONOR McManus knew all about the pain of defeat after Sunday’s Ulster SFC semi-final with Clontibret having been knocked out of the provincial title race by a Rory Gallagher-inspired St Gall’s. Monday morning and the medicine of injections to mask a broken scaphoid bone in his...
Teams look forward to 2010
Barrett Sports LIghting Dr McKenna Cup 2010 18/11/09THE group stages of the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup 2010 will fittingly conclude with all six round three matches under floodlights. The new title sponsors of the Ulster football tournament have installed the lighting at five of the nine main county...
O’Rourke yet to decide Orchard captain
Gaelic Games 18/11/09ARMAGH manager Paddy O’Rourke has revealed he is considering the county captaincy as he awaits clarity on the extent of the injury sustained by Ciaran McKeever. Last season’s skipper injured an ankle while helping Ulster win the inter-provincial football final in Ruislip earlier this...
GAA shorts
Gaelic Games 17/11/09Allstar Hurler of the Year Tommy Walsh (left) will be among some of sports top players attending the launch today at Croke Park of a new line of hurling safety gear from Mycro Ireland, including the extra-light helmet and the Mycro impact glove.
GAA Fixtures
Gaelic Games 17/11/09NATIONAL
Sunday, November 22
Tesco All-Ireland Ladies’ Football Intermediate Club final (2pm), Nowlan Park, Kilkenny: Brian Boru’s (Tipperary) v St Brigid’s (Dublin)...
Long wait ends for Oak Leafers
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 17/11/09Derry’s long wait ended on July 9, 2000. With the arrival of the new Millennium, the mighty Oak Leaf caused a massive shock at Casement Park in the final of the Ulster Senior Championship with a stunning 4-8 to 0-19 title win over Antrim. A last-gasp point by talisman Ollie Collins...
Loughgiel’s march to All-Ireland win
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 17/11/09UNDER the gaze of Gallows Hill and the Lake of the Narrows, the old translation of which the village derives its name from, a time capsule was placed under the turf by Loughgiel Shamrocks a short time ago marking La na gClub celebration of the GAA’s 125th anniversary.
Leinster on top in inter-pro final
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 17/11/09IN 1993 McGuinness’ Railway Cup hurlers took on Leinster in the final of the inter-pros took place on November 7 at Casement Park. Unfortunately the accuracy that accounted for the champions Munster in the semi-final deserted Ulster as they...
Gallagher patient about Erne-ing a county return
All-Ireland Club Championship 17/11/09If Rory Gallagher was fortunate that Malachy O’Rourke didn’t witness his display against Cavan Gaels, then he can also consider himself very unfortunate that the Fermanagh boss didn’t see his performance against Clontibret. While his final haul of 2-2 from play immediately catches the eye...
CLUB SCHEDULE
All-Ireland Club Championship 17/11/09Ulster SFC
October 18, preliminary round: Cavan Gaels 1-10 St Gall’s 1-12 (aet)
November 8, first round: Clontibret (Monaghan) 0-10 Dromore (Tyrone)
Mulligan: No stone unturned for Rocks
Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship 17/11/09Owen Mulligan has done it all as an ace attacker, winning three All-Ireland medals with Tyrone in a golden era for football in the county. Success on the club scene, however, has failed to mirror the glory he has savoured on the inter-county stage.
Rossa turn on the style to take title
Antrim U21 Hurling Championship 17/11/09Belfast side Rossa turned on the style to wrest the Antrim U21 Hurling Championship title from the holders Dunloy last weekend. Under lights at Casement Park they had three points to spare, winning 2-8 to 2-5.
Hayes hat-trick stuns Loughrea
Gaelic Games 17/11/09Deadly Damien Hayes smashed home 3-3 and Joe Canning tallied up a goal and 11 points as All-Ireland senior hurling champions Portuma crushed rivals Loughrea in the Galway final to set up a February semi-final against Newtownshandrum or Ballygunner.
McBride only concerned with Loup for the moment
AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship 17/11/09AS an electrical engineer Johnny McBride is well used to problem solving. If there happens to be a clash of
commitments after Sunday week’s unexpected Ulster SFC title duel with old Championship final rivals St Gall’s, he’s sure something will be figured out.
Queen’s slump to heavy defeat
Ulster Bank Ryan Cup quarter-final: Queen’s University, Belfast 0-4 Dublin City University 2-10 17/11/09DCU progressed to an Ulster Bank Ryan Cup semi-final against either Cork IT or NUI Galway next week following a 12-point victory over Queen’s at Darver last night. DCU held Queen’s to just two second half points with James Kielt and substitute Rory O’Neill on target...
Johnny relishes re-run
AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship semi-finals 16/11/09
JOHNNY McBride is relishing the prospect of experiencing Ulster senior football final deja vu after the Loup and St Gall’s set up a return match for Championship bragging rights on Sunday week.
The Derry champions scrambled back from twice being four points down against...
Mixed fortunes in semis
Camogie 16/11/09THERE was heartbreak and joy for Ulster yesterday as Loughgiel failed to reach the All-Ireland Club Senior final, while Derry side Lavey overcame last year’s disappointment to reach the Junior decider. In Ballinasloe, Athenry were too strong for the Antrim side, winning 1-15 to 0-3.
Farney girls do the double at Allstar awards
Ladies’ football 16/11/09MONAGHAN’S Edel Byrne collected her fifth Allstar and Ciara McAnespie celebrated her first as All-Ireland champions Cork once again dominated the 30th Ladies’ Gaelic Football awards at a gala ceremony in the Citywest, Dublin on Saturday night.
Magherafelt boys hit back to win derby tie
BT MacRory Cup review 16/11/09St Mary’s, Magherafelt are into next month’s BT MacCormack Cup league final after coming from a goal down at half-time in Bellaghy to beat St Pat’s, Maghera 1-12 to 2-7 in a south Derry derby. Sean Connolly’s 22nd minute strike separated the teams at...
O’Rourke hoping to gain an insight
Ryan Cup quarter-final: Queen’s University, Belfast v Dublin City University (tonight, Darver, 8pm) 16/11/09QUEEN’S manger Cathal O’Rourke believes tonight’s Ryan Cup quarter-final clash with DCU will give him his first real insight into where his squad stands for the season ahead. O’Rourke recently took over the role from his brother Aidan and he feels the match, which will...
GAA shorts
Gaelic Games 16/11/09BT Herald Cup final
St Paul’s, Bessbrook 2-9
Our Lady & St Patrick’s, Knock 1-10
Ulster's greatest Summer
125 Years of Hurling 16/11/09ANTRIM’S hurling prospects didn’t look good in 1943. It had been 18 years since they’d featured in the All-Ireland Senior Championship, and it wasn’t a pleasant memory. Tipperary smashed 12-9 past them in a 36-point semi-final mauling at Croke Park, and from there they retreated to the...
The game dates back to 600BC
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 16/11/09Hurling dates to the Celts’ arrival in Ireland in 600BC. Celtic myth told tales of Cuchullain and Setanta.
Many of the modern day clubs promoting the game, regarded as the fastest field game in world sport, take their name from these ancient warriors.
Clashes for the Shield of Heroes
Celebrating 125 years of Hurling 16/11/09A form of hurling, closely rated to its Scottish Gaelic cousin, shinty, was played in the Mullaghsandal area of Glenarm parish in the 19th century in the years before the first club was formed there in 1903. Cathaoir an Ri (Carey Faughs) was also formed that year and 1903 also...
Cookstown hold off Harps
Ulster Club Intermediate Football Championship semi-final: Fr Rocks, Cookstown (Tyrone) 1-11 Monaghan Harps 1-9 16/11/09CHRISTMAS may be a few weeks away, but it looked as though it had come early for Cookstown’s star performer Barry Mulligan yesterday as a gift-wrapped 10th minute goal proved decisive in sealing his team’s progress to the Ulster Club IFC final.
Lavey leave it late as Fanad fade from view
Ulster Club Intermediate Football Championship semi-final: Lavey (Cavan) 1-14 Fanad Gaels (Donegal) 1-8 16/11/09LEADING by 1-8 to 0-6 at half-time, Donegal champions Fanad Gaels looked set to win through to the final of the Ulster Club Intermediate Championship. By that stage, Fanad had met little resistance from a Lavey side who struggled at midfield and found it hard to...
Emyvale see off O’Neills challenge
AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship semi-final: Emyvale (Monaghan) ........................0-12 Shane O’Neill’s (Armagh) ....................0-9 16/11/09Emyvale deservedly claimed their place in the Ulster junior club final when seeing off Armagh’s Shane O’Neill’s at Casement Park yesterday. The Monaghan men were full value for their three-point win and could have put more daylight between...
St Teresa’s turn the screw to shade Moville
AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship semi-final: St Teresa’s (Antrim) 2-9 Moville (Donegal) 2-7 16/11/09In a thriller played in perfect conditions at Brewster Park, Enniskillen, the Antrim champions, St Teresa’s shrugged off a lacklustre first-half showing to run out worthy winners against Moville.
They trailed at the break by 0-3 to 1-6, Moville getting the goal in added on time...
St Gall’s put fizz in Ulster title bid
AIB Ulster Club SFC semi-final: St Gall’s (Antrim)..................................................2-15 Clontibret O’Neill’s (Monaghan)..............................0-11 16/11/09THE Ulster Club Championship is rarely synonymous with champagne football but this display by St Gall’s was an exception. Before this game, Clontibret manager Declan Brennan had expressed his fears about the tendency of...
Young makes Loup happy
AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship semi-final: Loup (Derry) 1-12 Kilcoo (Down) 1-11 16/11/09ROCK and blue-eyed soul singer Paul Young released his last single recording, ‘Make Someone Happy’, 12 years ago. It did not reach the top of the music charts. But, his namesake absolutely, definitely made ‘someone happy’ with a stunning smash hit yesterday, not least his manager.
Clontibret will be fall guys if St Gall’s click
Gaelic Games 14/11/09His county midfielder will struggle to play the full game, his full-back tweaked a hamstring last week, and his best forward is carrying a wrist injury, yet Declan Brennan’s key concern lies with tomorrow’s match referee Joe McQuillan.
Loup plot another ’Coo
Gaelic Games 14/11/09The installation of Eamon McEneaney as the new manager at Mayobridge should alert Kilcoo that the plans for their downfall are already in full flow.
Armagh’s extra special result
Gaelic Games 14/11/09ST Patrick’s, Armagh dethroned Rannafast Cup holders St Patrick’s, Dungannon in an enthralling semi-final in Ballygawley yesterday
afternoon and it was two Errigal Ciaran clubmen that masterminded the Armagh success.
Dual bid for Ulster
Gaelic Games 14/11/09It is a busy weekend for the Antrim and Derry champions; Loughgiel and Lavey, as both sides feature in All-Ireland club semi-finals.
Youth is in O’Neills’ favour
Gaelic Games 14/11/09AN appearance in a first ever Ulster final awaits Shane O’Neill’s if they can overcome Emyvale in
tomorrow’s Ulster Junior semi-final (Casement Park, 12.45pm).
Red Hand hopes are on Rocks
Gaelic Games 14/11/09AS the days grow shorter, the candidates for Ulster club honours dwindle and by tomorrow evening, unless replays are required, only two teams will remain in the hunt for the McCully Cup, the most coveted prize for intermediate sides in the province.
Clarke inspires An Riocht back to the top flight
Gaelic Games 13/11/09When Martin Clarke last played for An Riocht at Pairc Esler it was in the Division One SFL final two years ago. He was home on holiday then and played a significant part in his club beating Kilcoo to win its first ever adult title in Down football.
McEntee appointed manager
Gaelic Games 13/11/09Tony McEntee has made a quick return to football, two months after announcing his retirement as a player at the age of 32. McEntee was appointed on Tuesday night as one of the new managers of former All-Ireland senior club champions, Crossmaglen Rangers.
It’s Gall or nothing for O’Neill
Gaelic Games 13/11/09IT’S not the taking part; It’s the winning that counts. St Gall’s and Antrim star Terry O’Neill judges success by silverware. Liam Bradley’s men may have gained promotion to Division Three and reached the Ulster final, but the loss to Sligo in the NFL final and the defeat to Tyrone were bitter pills for O’Neill to swallow.
GAA shorts
Gaelic Games 13/11/09Allstar forward Tadhg Kennelly has signed a two-year deal with the AFL club he won a Premiership title with, Sydney Swans. After weeks of negotiations and speculation, the ongoing saga since Kennelly won an All-Ireland SFC medal with Kerry, ended in Sydney late Wednesday night.
Settling scores not the Brennan agenda
Gaelic Games 13/11/09A red-tinGEd autumn duel at Healy Park in October 2001 is an old reference point to hang Sunday’s semi-final with Kilcoo on for the manager of Derry champions Loup, John Brennan.
A lot at stake in south Derry derby
Gaelic Games 13/11/09THERE is a possible MacCormack Cup league final spot at stake in Bellaghy tomorrow morning with the south Derry derby fixture in the BT MacRory Cup.
GAA shorts
Gaelic Games 13/11/09Gaelic Life has ended its
three-year sponsorship of the Dr McKenna Cup, writes Francis Mooney. But the Ulster Council has already secured a new sponsor for the pre-season football competition, which gets underway in early January.
