Fógra – Juvenile Hurling – 24-09-10
Na Naomh Uile – Iománaíocht na n-Óg
(All Saints – Juvenile Hurling)
U11’s Win North Antrim “P7” Championship
Tipperary hurlers and Cork footballers showed in their respective All Ireland victories that sometimes, “you have to lose one to win one”. On Saturday our young hurlers provided further evidence that there is wisdom in this adage when they won the North Antrim P7 championship at Ballycastle. Six of the squad had experienced the hardship of falling at the final hurdle when they were beaten in the U10 championship final the previous week. However they regrouped and showed great character to string together a series of tremendous performances to lift the title.
Placed in section three along with Cushendall, Dunloy, and Larne they won all their group matches to qualify for a final play off with Dunloy who had finished second.
In a tense encounter All Saints hit an early purple patch when Niall O’Kane opened the scoring with a well taken goal followed by a point each from Ryan McGarry, Eamon Elliott and Calum McGarry. Dunloy came back with a point before Cormac Magill fired a stunning ground shot to the net. Ryan McGarry capped off a fine day’s hurling with a long range point to seal victory.
Commiserations to Dunloy, who put up a great fight. Thanks to North Antrim for organising the event and to BallyCastle McQuillans for hosting the games.
How They Played
Conor O’Rawe was solid in goals stopping many shots and clearing his line to avert danger. Padhraig Magill dominated at full back displaying one of his best performances ever in a white shirt. Together with Sinead McGarry on his flank and Eoin McGuigan at half back they made up an uncharitable back line that gave little away. Ryan McGarry and Calum McGarry dictated the pace at midfield, working tirelessly while notching up 6:06 between them. Up front Niall O’Kane, Eamon Elliott and Cormac Magill had their sights well set, sniping on every opportunity and adding a further 7:05 to the scoring tally for the day.
This was a complete team performance, with everyone playing their part. Scoring 13:11while conceding only 1:02 is an indication of how hungry in attack and mean in defence they were. The score lines belie however how hard the lads had to work in each game as Cushendall, Larne and Dunloy played with passion and threw everything they had at them. Unfortunately, for the other competitors, they faced an All Saints side who had no intention of letting a second title in a week slip their grasp. The final whistle triggered jubilant scenes and parents and mentors were delighted to share in the team’s well deserved euphoria.
Team
Conor O’Rawe, Padhraig Magill, Sinead McGarry, Ryan McGarry (5:04), Calum McGarry (1:02), Eamon Elliott (1:05), Cormac Magill (4:00), Niall O’Kane (1:00)
School Scene
Dominic McKinley will be coaching hurling in St Brigid’s and St Colmcile’s primary schools this term. Dominic is an excellent coach with a thoroughbred hurling pedigree. An ex manager of Antrim minor and senior teams, he was a member of the Antrim team that reached the All Ireland final in 1989 where he played at centre half back. He won a couple of Antrim and Ulster championships and is one of an elite breed of club hurlers who reached the pinnacle of success when he won an All Ireland club medal with his native Loughguile Shamrocks in 1983.
We are delighted to announce that Dominic will follow up his coaching in the schools by coming to Sunday morning training sessions at Slemish Park.
We encourage everyone to come along to training and we especially look forward to welcoming anyone who is thinking of taking up hurling for the first time.
Remember – committed, recent converts and lapsed hurlers are all welcome at Slemish Park on Sundays.
We would take this opportunity to acknowledge the commitment by Ulster Council to provide school coaches and the efforts made by the principals: Mr Brady at St Brigid’s and Mr McKenna at St Colmcille’s, and their staff, in promoting hurling in the schools.
Juvenile Hurling Training Times
Sunday mornings at Slemish Park: 11:15 – 12:45 (P2 – Y10)
Upcoming Events
Juvenile Presentation ((U6 – U10)
Monday 27th Sept 2010 in the clubroom: 06:30 – 08:00
Sports Day
Sunday 03rd October at Slemish Park.
Details to be finalised but we hope to include challenge matches for all age groups.
Fógra – Juvenile Hurling – 15-09-10
Na Naomh Uile – Iománaíocht na n-Óg
(All Saints – Juvenile Hurling)
North Antrim P7 Championship Blitz
Date – Saturday 18th September
Venue – Ballycastle
Time – 10:00am
Transport – Cars will leave gates of St Patrick’s College at 09:15
Change to Training Time
As Bob Dylan wrote; “It’s getting dark. Too dark to see.” so hurling training is changing from Wednesday nights to Sunday mornings; 11:15 – 12:45 for the remainder of the season. First session this Sunday 19th September.
U10s Reach Final of Championship
Our young hurlers competed in the North Antrim U10 Championship at Loughguile on Saturday. Teams were divided into three graded sections. After a round robin set of matches, the two top placed teams in each section played again in the section final. All Saints were placed in section three along with Ballycastle, Dunloy, Loughguille and Creggan. They went through the qualifying round winning three matches and drawing one to finish joint top
The stage was set for a final show down with Creggan who were also unbeaten, the group match between the two having ended in a draw.
Creggan were All Saints’ Aughrim a couple of weeks ago when they beat Ballymena in the final of the U12 football championship, and so it proved again on Saturday. Despite their best efforts the lads just couldn’t give any more and Creggan edged a close fought contest.
Congratulations to Creggan and thanks to North Antrim for organising the event and to Loughguille Shamrocks for hosting the games.
How They Played
Although designed as a ten a side competition we could only muster nine players on the day. The other teams were gracious in their agreement to play our matches nine a side. It meant of course that there was no opportunity to rest and the stamina of the players was fully tested.
Cormac Magill showed his versatility by putting in fine performances in goal, back and forward at various times throughout the day. One particular deft defying leap to stop a goal bound shot would be a worthy contender for save of the season on the Sunday Game.
Alex Swann and Niall O’Kane were steadfast in defence. With no nonsense, simple hurling they tackled hard to win the ball and their strong clearances were the platform for many attacks.
On the anniversary of the tragedy which befell Lower Manhatton in 2001, our own twin towers of Ryan and Calum McGarry were imperious at mid field and could not be toppled. This pair are regulars on the U12 team where they are accustomed to facing larger opponents. They revelled in the increased space and clear view of the skyline in this U10 event and both put in mammoth performances throughout the day.
Conor O’Rawe had stints in goals and at full forward. He was sound between the posts when defending, while in attack he showed a natural predatory instinct to score a hat trick of goals.
We dipped into our U8 panel for this competition and called on the services of Rory McAllister, Luke Mulholland and Sinead McGarry.
Rory put in some great performances at corner forward, attacking the ball and laying off some smart passes for team mates to latch onto for scores. One beneficiary of a pass which opened up a path for goal was fellow corner forward, Luke, who dispatched a great shot to the net.
Sinead was a revelation in the back line as she battled with the boys and thwarted many attacks. After saying grace before meals a rustic aunt of mine would announce; “The spuds are on the table – stretch or starve!” Sinead is the only girl in a house full of brothers – it is obvious that she knows how to stretch and fend for herself.
Team
Cormac Magill, Alex Swann, Niall O’Kane, Sinead McGarry, Ryan McGarry (6:06), Calum McGarry (6:04), Luke Mulholland (1:00), Conor O’Rawe (3:00), Rory McAllister.
Fair Play
Long after the details of who won or lost have been forgotten, the players will remember an example of sportsmanship displayed by Sean “Patch” Mullan, one of the Dunloy mentors. During our match with Dunloy one of the All Saints lads scored a goal which was disallowed because he was adjudged to have over carried the ball. Unsighted, the referee did not notice that the youngster had tapped the ball on his stick before taking a few steps to evade his marker. Patch immediately approached the referee to explain the mistake and the decision was reversed. This gesture did not go unnoticed by mentors and parents on the Ballymena sideline nor by the child who went home later to tell his friends and family about his score.
Patch won over ten Antrim and Ulster titles with Dunloy and competed in a couple of All Ireland club finals. He has an impeccable hurling pedigree and always played with passion and integrity. His action was a fine example to all the young players present of sportsmanship and fair play that is enshrined in GAA ethos. A role model as a player, and still one as a coach, he is as good a reason as any why youngsters should pick up a hurl and play the game.
Camógaíocht na nÓg
Congratulations to our U12 and U14 camógs who put in great performances against Gort na Móna in league matches last Thursday. The U14s were narrowly beaten while the U12s won their match. It was encouraging to see All Saints field two talented and competitive teams. This augurs well for the future. Well done to Bernie Daly and everyone else involved in promoting camogie in the club.
Fógra – Juvenile Hurling – 08-09-110
Na Naomh Uile – Iománaíocht na n-Óg
(All Saints – Juvenile Hurling)
North Antrim U10 Championship Blitz
Date – Saturday 11th September
Venue – Loughguille
Time – 10:00am
Transport – Cars will leave gates of St Patrick’s College at 09:15
Match Reports
P3/P4 Blitz – Cushendun, 29th Sept
In windy conditions at Cushendun All Saints got off to a slow start against a big and strong Cushendall team. The boys (and girls) never recovered from a couple of early goals. In the next match against Cushendun they held their own with James O’Boyle getting on the score sheet. In the final game it was nip and tuck with Rory McAllister scoring before Glenariffe got a couple of goals from long distance. Everyone played very well with Sinead McGarry excelling in defence despite a heavy knock and Cailin Kearney making some long range clearances. The intensity and commitment of the hurling was shown by the fact that Luke Mulholland and Paddy O’Brien both broke their sticks.
U12 League v Larne
On Tuesday 17th August our U12s travelled to Larne for a league match. The lads were keen to avenge a defeat to the same opposition in the championship two weeks previously and came out of the changing rooms with all guns blazing. The tension was visceral such that half of the team retired for a comfort break just before the throw in. Empty bladders had a calming influence and they settled down to produce a great team display with some fluid passing as they spread the ball about and notched up plenty of scores to edge the contest.
There were strong performances throughout but a special mention goes to Emmet McAllister who captained the team and scored a goal on his debut.
Team – A McGuigan, S O,Rawe, R Ward, J Murphy, C McGarry, D Hasson, R McGarry (0:1), C Gallagher (0:01), C Neeson (3:05), E McGuigan (0:02), E Elliott (2:02), C Lemon, C O’Rawe (1:01), E McAllister (1:00)
Larne have new premises idyllically nestled in a rural location on the slope of Brustin Brae with a panoramic view of the glen and the sea in the distance. The facilities are designed for maximise use. The gable wall of the changing/club rooms is built with a double row of blocks and serves as the wall of an open air hurling alley/five-a-side court extending from the side of the main building. Complete with fencing and lighting this allows youngsters to practice their skills individually or in groups. Innovative thinking with hurling in mind.
P5/P6 Blitz
Following their exploits in Larne eight of the panel travelled to Cushendall on Sunday to play in a P5/P6 blitz. They won their first three matches against, Glenravel, Cushendun and St Enda’s, and were narrowly beaten by Dunloy before running out of steam in their last match against Cushendall. The small panel meant there was little opportunity for rest, and all players played every minute of the five matches. What we lacked in numbers was amply compensated for in quality of performances by all the boys. We were very impressed and delighted with how they played.
Team- C Magill (1:02), R McGarry (1:00), E Elliott (4:03), E McGuigan (2:03), P Magill, C McGarry (3:02), C Lemon, N O’Kane
Peil na nÓg
Well done to our U12, U16 and minor football teams who all appeared in championship finals over the past couple of weeks. The U12s, and U16s each met strong opposition and were unfortunate not to come away with silverware,
John Hasson’s and Martin Campbell’s U12 squad were particularly unlucky in a thriller against Creggan when they lost by a single injury time point. This is a very talented group with many dual players in the panel, although disappointed to lose we’re confident they will bounce back to contend titles in both codes next year.
The U14s also had a good championship run, reaching the semi final, but were unfortunate to be put out by a strong Antrim side.
Special recognition and credit must go to Hugh Killough and Raymond Shannon. Ten years ago they gathered a group of dishevelled U8s with snotty noses and untied laces and started forming them into a team. Organising young boys and channelling their enthusiasm into a cohesive unit can be as challenging as herding cats. But with perseverance, patience, unlimited enthusiasm and expert coaching they fashioned this group into a formidable minor squad who reached their potential to win the minor championship at Casement Park last Saturday night.
Over the past ten years this squad has experienced many highs and lows. Their success is well deserved and an inspiration to all our juvenile squads to train hard, play hard and to have fun along the way.
Size of Hurl
“What is the correct size of hurl?” This question is often asked by parents and debated in hurling circles. Opinions differ but this is what Paudie Butler, GAA National Hurling Coordinator, has to say on the subject;
“Hurley length? Stand upright, close your eyes, put your shoulders square, hands by your sides and grip the hurley. Any timber above this point is useless to you as a hurler.”
Paudie isn’t one to mince his words – but he gives great advice.
Using too big a hurl is a recipe for ingraining bad habits. If a child is handed a hurl that is too long he will be impeded by the “useless” portion and may be tempted to grab it with his non dominant hand resulting in a “kak handed” grip. The additional length and weight will make the hurl heavier and more cumbersome to wield which will slow down his swing and diminish performance. It is more fulfilling for a child to get a hurl of the correct size, and to wear it out by practising every day, than to be frustrated by waiting to grow into one which he can’t use properly.
A recent survey of adult inter county hurlers and camogs shows a trend towards using shorter, lighter hurls. This is a response to changes in how the modern game is played, with more emphasis on speed and striking the sliotar from the hand.
IFC Semi Final: All Saints v Rasharkin @ Creggan
| September 12, 2010 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 3:00 pm |
All County IFC Semi Final: All Saints v Rasharkin @ Creggan, throw in: 1.30pm.
IFC Semi Final this Sunday 12th September
Our Senior Footballers will look to continue where our Minor’s left off as they are back in Championship action this Sunday.
All Saints will take on Division 2 champions Rasharkin in what is set up to be a mouth-watering encounter.
All Saints and Rasharkin have already met 4 times this year, with Rasharkin claiming victory twice, All Saints winning one and the other ended in a draw after extra time.
The support from the All Saints faithful at the Minor game was outstanding, so hopefully the Black and White Army will be out in force again this week!
Sunday 12th September
Antrim Intermediate Football Championship Semi Final:
All Saints v Rasharkin
@ Creggan, 1.30pm Throw In
The game is part of a double header with Cargin and St Brigids playing in the senior semi final at 3.00pm.
Minor Football Champions
A Chairde,
Last night in Casement Park some may have witnessed the best in GAA tradition. A team that has gone through their juvenile stages ( 8-16) and ended up as county champions.
This is not by chance, because the backbone of the team where mentor’s Hugh Killough( Tweed) and Raymond Shannon ( Jumbo) aided by Sean and Declan et.al….
All have been involved in the rejuvenating of our football/hurling teams – with a bit of luck we can continue to do so in both codes
Mise
Alaster – Runai
All Ireland Grand Club Draw: Winners
The club’s ‘All Ireland Grand Club Draw’ took place on Wednesday evening in the Slemish Park clubrooms. THe winners were as follows, 1st Prize: John Agnew, 2nd Prize: Charlie Kelly. Congratulations to the winners. Many thanks to all those that helped support the club by purchasing a ticket for this draw.
Battling Young Saints Come so Close To Title
SW Antrin U12 Championship Final (29th August 2010)
All Saints 2-5 Creggan 2-7
The All Saints young guns met a very strong Creggan team at Ahoghill on Sunday and were most unfortunate not to come out on top after battling hard for the entire game.
All Saints won the toss and elected to play with the breeze which was swirly and difficult to gauge. The first score of the game came with a Creggan goal, All Saints struggled with the breeze initially before registering points from Josh King, Eoin Campbell (3) and Conor Gallagher. The half finished with Creggan getting a point to leave the score 0-5 to 1-1 in favour of Ballymena at the half way point.
The second half got underway with Creggan making use of a strong breeze and slotting over 3 unanswered points and a goal to take a five point lead. All Saints reignited their efforts and threw all their energies into working the ball forward and were awarded a penalty with Eoin Campbell thumping past the Creggan net keeper, with the score reduced to 2 points the Saints continued to push forward with Paul Mairs getting on the end of a well worked ball to dispatch to the Creggan net. Creggan won the kick out and working the ball forward was awarded a free which was scored to level the game. With the game all level and time up Creggan scored their sixth point of the day in the forth minute of injury time to go one in front. With the Saints kicking out into a strong wind they were unfortunate to concede a 45 which was converted to give a 2 point lead in the seventh minute of injury time.
The entire All Saints team delivered a strong performance and can be considered very unlucky not to have forced this game into extra time. Both teams gave an excellent display of good clean football for the large number of spectators who turned out to see this final.
All Saints Team: E McAllister, E McGoigan, B McDonnell, D Hasson, P Mairs. E Campbell, K Keenan, C Gallagher, C Doherty, E Best, C Neeson, R McKenna, C McGarry, J King, E> Elliot
Subs: R Ward, A Campion, C Graham (all used) S O’Rawe, R Magill, E Walsh, R Kelly, J Murphy
U16’s LOSE SHIELD FINAL
Saturday 28th August 2010
The long season came to a head on a dull Saturday evening in Cargin. The Saints play seemed to match the weather with the team only managing two scores in the first half. C Loughran opened the scoring with a well taken point but Creggan, playing the more fluent football were scoring regularly. They opened up a five point lead and were looking comfortable for much of the half. All Saints could not get their passing game together and were struggling to match Creggan. Hope came in the shape of a J Gillan goal after some neat footwork which narrowed the gap to two points going into the break.
Half time Score: All Saints 1-1 Creggan 0-6
The second half got off to bad start with Creggan scoring a goal from their first attack. All Saints were up against it now but they managed to keep in touch with points from J Kelly, D Mc Nally. Creggan still had the upper hand in a more evenly contested half. A fisted goal from C Loughran narrowed the gap to six points. P Killough followed up with a good point but that finished the scoring from All Saints. With two All Saints players sidelined by the referee, Creggan pressed home their advantage, closing with a goal and two points to run out deserved winners by seven points.
Final Score: All Saints 2-4 Creggan 2-11
On the day the Saints may have fell short but should not be downhearted, they had a great run in the league finishing in pole position. The squad put in a great effort right from the first week of training. They gained from the experience and will take it into next season.
Squad
D Little, T Connolly, O Bradley, P Killough, C Neeson, D Mc Kee, P Mc Aleer, D Mc Nally, J Gillan, T Ferris, D Crawford, C Loughran, L Kirk, J Kelly, N Mc Carry, C Campion, A O’Connell, R Kinney, C Campion, C Mc Larnon, S Mc Allister
Scorers
J Kelly 0-1, J Gillan 1-0, D Mc Nally 0-1, C Loughran 1-1, P Killough 0-1
All County Minor Championship Final: All Saints v St Paul’s @ Casement Park
| September 3, 2010 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 8:30 pm |
All County Minor ‘B’ Football Championship Final: All Saints v St Paul’s @ Casement Park Belfast, Fiday 3rd of september. Throw in: 7pm. All support would be greatly appreciated.
