Cumann MacÚilin Ballycastle successfully host Feile na nGael group stages

Ballycastle Councillor and current chair of Moyle Council Dónal Cunningham paid tribute to McQuillan GAC  and Ballycastle Camogie Club for  what he  called the professionalism of their staging of the group stages and Cup and Shield quarter finals  of the national u-14 Hurling Feile na  nGael tournament.

“If the success of any tournament is measured in the numbers of people who participate; spectators and visitors who enjoy the event  then the group stages/Shield and Cup quarter finals of Feile na nGael has to be declared a magnificent success.

In glorious sunshine in Pairc MacUilin over Friday and Saturday, the  club played host to top Dublin side St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh with the vistors impressing with a 3-9 to 0-4 win, up in Loughgiel  Kilkenny’s Bennettsbridge  finished 4 points ahead of Loughgiel 0-9 to 0-5.

With all of the action in Ballycastle on Saturday morning Plunketts continued their winning streak with a 4-5 to 0-5 win over Loughgiel, meanwhile Bennettsbridge set up an intriguing final group match with a 1-8 to 0-2 win over McQuillans Ballycastle. In a tense and pulsating final group game  Bennettsbridge edged out Plunketts by the narrowest of margins 3-7 to 4-3, an ever improving Ballycastle scored their first victory of the group with a 2-3 to 1-5 win over Loughgiel Shamrocks.

The various quarter finals saw victories for Dunloy over Plunketts, Cushendall over Loughgiel, St Eamon’s over Bennettsbridge and Ballycastle over Castletown.

A fabulous few days of hurling in splendid facilities (well done Cathal and groundstaff). Good Luck to all the sides in tomorrows semi finals.

 

 

 

Ballycastle and Glens successfully host 2014 ‘Giro d’Italia’

 

After months and weeks of preparation which saw almost everything that didn’t move change colour to pink, Ballycastle and the Glens successfully played host to Day 2 of the 2014 Giro d’Italia.

 The community spirit generated in the preparation for the event wasn’t dampened by the day’s rain.

 Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham said “The Giro is probably the world’s largest cycling race featuring approx 200 of the world’s elite cyclists from around the globe. Ballycastle and the Glens were honoured to host this fantastic spectacle and despite the rain, once again we proved our ability to host major world events.”

 “The spectacular aerial TV shots of the local coast line and the majestic Bonamargy Friary were beamed to a massive global audience and I hope that this can be a major spur to further promote the area as a global destination”

 “Today the local community, independent businesses and Council staff proved themselves to be ambassadors for the area and ideal hosts for tourists and visitors“

SDLP Representatives salute weekend of Camogie Successes

 

SDLP Representatives Joanne McKeown, Margaret Anne McKillop and Donal Cunningham have saluted a superb weekend of local Camogie success which saw Antrim Minors capture the All Ireland B Minor Shield after an impressive 6-11 to 3-10 win over Dublin and the Ballycastle Senior Club side win the 2014 Senior Pan Celtic festival held in Derry.

France 20-22 Ireland- Six Nations Champions 2014

In what only can be described as a classic, Ireland beat France 22-20 in Paris to claim the Six Nations title and give a fairytale ending to Brian O’Driscoll’s international career.
In a game that had everything including a disallowed French try for a forward pass (90seconds from time), Irelands Johnny Sexton had scored two tries, missed five kickable points and was knocked out cold trying to tackle man mountain Mathieu Bastareaud.
Ulster’s Andrew Trimble had scored Irelands other try

Ballycastle to host Antrim’s National Hurling League matches in 2014

 

Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has expressed his delight that his home GAA club McQuillan GAC will host both of Antrim’s Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B home matches at Páirc MacUílín in 2014.

The Ballycastle venue will see the Saffrons entertain Wexford and Cork on February 16 and March 16 respectively.

Councillor Cunningham has urged local accommodation providers to make a special effort whether through advertising or special rates to encourage as many visitors as possible from both Wexford and Cork.

“Let’s make these two weekends memorable for the Club, Town and County”

Good Luck – Cross and Passion Hurlers

 

Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has sent his best wishes to Cross & Passion College Hurling Teams who are playing in the Ulster Final on Friday night. The McNamee Team (U-13 1/2) play St Killian’s Garron Tower at 6:30 pm while the Mageean Team (U-18 1/2) play St Pat’s Maghera at 8:00 pm  Both games are in Queens Playing Fields – The Dub – Belfast

Chluichí Ceannais Iomána Faoi 21 na hÉireann

Good Luck to Matthew Donnelly, Stephen McAfee and Ciaran Clarke and the rest of the Antrim lads in todays All-Ireland U-21 Hurling final in Thurles.

Cunningham congratulates Antrim U-21 Hurlers

Ballycastle SDLP Councillor has congratulated manager Kevin Ryan and the Antrim U-21 Hurlers on their historic success  in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship Semi-final.

The Saffron’s qualified for their first ever All Ireland U- 21 Hurling Championship Final defeating Wexford 2-15 to 1-16 . The Antrim lads dominated the scoring throughout with Stephen McAfee and Ciaran Clarke goals contributing to a half time lead of 2-7 to 0-9..

Councillor Cunningham said “Antrim Gaels are extremely proud of the entire teams performance,  but as a Ballycastle man I am delighted by the massive contribution made by club players Matthew Donnelly, Stephen McAfee and Ciaran Clarke”.

“We can look forward in hope to an All-Ireland final  this year and the bold prediction by manager Kevin Ryan of All –Ireland success at this grade by 2015 looks a realistic prospect.”

MCGLONE URGES MINISTER TO COMMISSION REPORT INTO BENEFITS OF GAA

SDLP Economy Spokesperson and Chairman of the Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee at Stormont, Patsy McGlone has said there should be a report into the economic and social benefits of the GAA.

This comes following a report commissioned by the Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland on the economic benefits of Loyal Orders.

 Mr McGlone said:

 “The report compiled for the Department for Social Development (“DSD”) demonstrates that loyal orders and their bands contribute £15m to the Northern Irish Economy annually.  

 “This needs to be balanced against the cost of policing parades in the North last summer, which was estimated to be £7.4m.

 “I welcome the collection of any data which gives us a fuller picture of the social and economic factors that contribute to our society.

 “While not equating the two I believe a similar study into the economic and social impact of the GAA across the North must be commissioned by DSD as well as the cultural benefits fully factored in through the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

 “I have submitted an assembly question to Minister McCausland on this issue and look forward to hearing his response in due course.”

Ballycastle United win Steel and Sons Shield Final

SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has congratulated Ballycastle United Football Club on winning the Steel and Sons Shield Final

In a thrilling game played at the Showgrounds in Coleriane the Ballycastle sided triumphed 2-1 over a much fancied Kilrea side thanks to goals from “Smurf” McAfee and unofficial man of the match Saul McCaughan.

Ballycastle took the lead through McAfee in the 27th minute when he rose to head home a Lee Watterson cross.

The “Town” who had the upper hand in the first half held the lead to half time.

An excellent Ballycastle defence withstood a lot of Kilrea pressure until Saul McCaughan burst through the defence at lightning pace to cooly beat the keeper with ten minutes left on the clock. Kilrea struck five minutes later but the Castle held on to win their first trophy in the Coleraine league since a 1989 Constitution Cup Final win over Ringsend.

Cllr Cunningham who attended the game said: “I congratulate Ballycastle United on their fantastic success. This is a great achievement and hopefully will the spurn the team on for their remaining fixtures as they look to add the league title and a possible historic double. This has been an outstanding year for the Club it’s players, management team, club officials, volunteers and supporters.