Slaughtneil dethroned by Ballycran in Ulster hurling semi-final
Irish Times

James Coyle hit two goals for the Down champions at Corrigan Park on Sunday: Ballycran 4-15 Slaughtneil 1-14

Ballycran dethroned reigning Ulster champions Slaughtneil at Corrigan Park, defeating the Derry men by 10 points. James Coyle hit two goals for the Down champions, while free-takers Scott Nicholson and Colum McManus hit six points apiece for the winners.

Gary Savage’s men showed serious hunger and intent right from the throw-in and led 1-2 to a point when Coyle scored his first goal. And when Niall Breen hit the second goal of the contest it left the scoreboard reading 2-4 to 0-4 after 20 minutes. The holders, however, enjoyed the better second quarter with Meehaul McGrath’s 29th minute goal leaving his side trailing 2-6 to 1-7 after the break.

But after the interval it was all Ballycran. Nicholson was at the heart of their continuous point scoring, but it was final quarter goals from Christopher Egan and a second from Coyle that confirmed the Ballycran victory.

Ballycran: S Keith, M Hughes, P Hughes, S Ennis, M Taylor, P Flynn, B Nicholson, S Nicholson (0-7, 0-4 frees), P Savage, C McAllister, C Woods (0-1), L Savage (0-1), N Breen (1-0), C McManus (0-6 frees), J Coyle (2-0)

Subs: C Egan for N Breen (43 mins), G Hughes for C McAllister (49 mins). Slaughtneil: G O’Kane, R McCartney, S Cassidy, P McNeill, C McKenna, C McKaigue (0-1), K McKaigue, Sh McGuigan, M McGuigan (0-1), B Rogers (0-2), G Bradley (0-1), M McGrath, Se McGuigan (0-1), B Cassidy (0-1), C O’Doherty (0-7 frees).

Subs: C McAllister for M McGrath (46 mins), S Cassidy for M McGuigan (47 mins). Referee: J Clarke (Cavan)

Down side Ballycran produced a major shock by easing to a 4-15 to 1-14 win over holders Slaughtneil in the Ulster Club Hurling semi-final at Corrigan Park.

Ballycran made a strong start and James Coyle's goal put them four points in front before they netted again through Niall Breen after 20 minutes.

Slaughtneil improved before the break and a goal from Meehaul McGrath saw them trail 2-6 to 1-7 at the break.

Ballycran regained control on the restart with Christopher Egan and Coyle finding the net to ensure a comfortable win.

Down footballer Mickey Linden and Limerick hurler Ciaran Carey have been inducted into the Gaelic Writers’ Association 'Hall of Fame'.

Monaghan's Conor McManus has been selected as the 2018 Football Personality of the Year with Limerick midfield dynamo, Cian Lynch winning the hurling accolade. Journalist Donal Keenan, a native of Roscommon, has been honoured with GWA Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 'PRO of the Year' accolade goes to another Roscommon man, Hugh Lynn for his work over the last five years. The awards were presented at a function in Dublin on Friday evening past.

Shannon Carroll from the St John Bosco club in Newry is the latest winner of the Translink Ulster GAA Volunteer of the Month award.

The accolade is presented to one young person each month, whose efforts best demonstrate the volunteering spirit of the GAA.

Shannon came out on top of nominations from clubs across Ulster. The judges were struck by her commitment to youth work and fundraising, both of which she does alongside playing for the senior ladies’ football team.

She has been volunteering with her club since 2014 and during this time has been responsible for building links with local schools, co-ordinating Cúl camps and developing innovative coaching sessions for junior players.

Presenting Shannon with her award, Greg McLaughlin, Translink said:
“I am delighted to present Shannon with this award on behalf of Translink. Her enthusiasm for volunteering is clear, as she regularly commits around 30 hours per week to helping others in her community. It’s wonderful for us to help celebrate her efforts in this way.”

Ashelene Groogan, Ulster GAA, Volunteer Development and Policy Officer added:
“We were really struck by Shannon Carroll’s commitment to her club St John Bosco and the impact she is making on the younger players, her commitment to fundraising and Coaching was well deserving of this award, Shannon enrolled on The Ulster GAA’s Volunteer Development Programme shows her commitment to continue volunteering in the future.”

Applications for the October Young Volunteer of the Month award are now open. To nominate a young person aged 14-24 for the accolade visit ulster.gaa.ie/youngvolunteeraward/

Ulster GAA and the Irish FA have worked tirelessly, in partnership, over the last 11 years to deliver the award-winning Curriculum Sports Programme in primary schools. Over the course of the programme more than 50 coaches from the two sports have developed the physical literacy skills of thousands of children each year.

It is extremely disappointing to hear that the Department of Education has been unable to find additional in-year funding to continue the programme. We are well aware of the need to introduce children to physical activity as early as possible in life to tackle many of today’s societal problems such as obesity and mental health issues. We have also worked with our colleagues in the IFA to assist teachers to deliver the PE Curriculum to their pupils.

Both Ulster GAA and the Irish FA will continue to push for the retention of the programme in the 2019/20 financial year, in the hope that the positive benefits of the initiative to schools will be rightly recognised.

Down clubs set for Ulster Hurling club semi fixtures this weekend

The Ulster club hurling championship semi-finals take place this weekend with Ballycran taking on Slaughtneil in the Ulster SHC at Corrigan Park on Sunday at 2.30pm, while Liatroim take on Armagh side Keady in the IHC at 12.30pm also in Corrigan Park. Liatroim take on Castleblaney in the JHC at 12.30pm in Crossmaglen.  

Sunday 28 October
Ulster club SHC semi-final
Slaughtneil (Derry) v Ballycran (Down), Corrigan Park, 2.30pm

Ulster club IHC semi-finals
Keady (Armagh) v Liatroim (Down), Corrigan Park, 12.30pm
Swatragh (Derry) v St Galls (Antrim), Owenbeg, 2.30pm

Ulster club JHC semi-finals
Cushendun (Antrim) v Sean Treacys (Armagh), Owenbeg, 12.30pm
Castleblayney (Monaghan) v Clonduff (Down), Crossmaglen, 12.30pm

Down Clubs Draw 2018 October Winners

£1000 x 5
An Riocht 15AR141 Noel McArdle
Burren 18BU046 Leo Magee
Tullylish 18TH007 BRM Systems Ltd
Clonduff 18CL087 Justina MacDonald
Cumann Pheadair Naofa 18CPN286 Niall Trainor


Club winners 4 x £200
Ballykinlar 17BR011 Shane & Georgina Magorrian
Drumgath 18DH104 Oliver Sloan
Kilclief 18KF040 Justin Sharvin
Teconnaught 18TT006 Helena McGrath