Comments Off Annual club mass Mass will take place in Steelstown Chapel at 6.30pm on Saturday March 16th. There will be tea afterwards in clubhouse. If anybody can help with donations of teabags, milk, biscuits, buns etc please contact Maire McKeever on 07887535005.
Comments Off The GAA Annual Congress will take place in “The Venue” Ebrington Derry on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. Tickets for the banquet on Saturday March 23rd are available. Should anybody wish to purchase a ticket priced at £60, please contact Club Secretary Ann Lindsay before Wednesday March 13th.
Comments Off The club wish to pass on their condolences to the McMonagle family on the passing of Vincent’s mother, Kay, last night. The wake will take place at the home of John McMonagle, 25 Belmont Crescent. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Comments Off Steelstown 2-11 Greencastle 1-13
60 MINUTES came and went at Páirc Bhríd on Sunday afternoon with Steelstown trailing all the while.
Chances came and chances went as Tyrone’s Greencastle looked set to move two points clear at the top of Group A in what was their final game of the Ulster League.
But, having already disposed of the challenges of Slaughtneil and Ardara, Hugh McGrath’s charges took a sure belief into this top-of-the-table showdown which carried right into what was a climatic extra time.
With two minutes to spare, with the visitors tiring, Eamonn Donnelly latched onto a Gavin Scallon diagonal ball, swivelled onto his right foot and fired low beneath the goalkeeper to edge the Óg’s in front for the first time in the game.
With more changes to the starting line-up, with the rescue mission coming courtesy of two further subsitutes, the Ballyarnet men laid down a big marker as they snatched victory from the proverbial jaws of defeat and saw out a nervy end to build even more momentum on what is currently an undefeated season.
With a squad shorn of the services of Marty Dunne, Michael Moore, Eamon Gibson, Conor McGoran, Stephen Cleary, and Liam Heffernan, the Steelstown management watched on as the depths of their panel staked massive claims.
Eoghan Heraghty was solid beneath the posts and executed expert kickouts all afternoon. Only a suspiciously square ball goal had the beaten of him and it was the solitary difference by the end of a first half characterised by strong opposition running, and delightful James Jackson play.
The full forward racked up 0-4 in all but laid in his partner-in-crime Dan Jackson with a genius left footed ball over the top which invariably ended in the back of the net.
Upon the restart though, Brian Óg’s smelled blood.
Darren McDaid took supreme control of the middle third, Neil Forester was hoovering up breaks like they were going of fashion, and the Óg’s overran their adversaries for fun.
Mickey McKinney carried on his tremendous form with some energetic running and delicious passing and, despite the scoreboard hesitant to reflect the balance of play, the screw was turning and that three point half time deficit was wilting.
As the home side moved up the gears, McDaid came tearing through the centre and sliced wide in what was a red alert warning the visitors never heeded.
No sooner, the midfielder was charging through again and doubling up on his first half monster score before adding a third, a carbon copy of the second.
Brian Devine replaced the injured Daniel Jackson and the lively full forward took things on another level as he won possession with ease and gave his side a crucial out every time.
The same boy could so easily have won it when he was inches from converting Eamonn Donnelly’s low pull across goals but, eventually, the latter came good when he rifled home in extra time to condemn Greencastle to their first defeat and send Steelstown on their merry way into the tournament’s final four with a game to spare.
Steelstown now sit two points clear at the top of Group A but, with Greencastle having played all their games, Belcoo are their nearest rivals and sit three adrift of the Óg’s.
An away trip to Fermanagh next week concludes the group’s fixtures.
Steelstown: Eoghan Heraghty; Shane O’Connor, Paul O’Hea, Tony Ling; Neil Forester, Ryan McCloskey, Oran Sweeney; Darren McDaid (0-3), Kevin Lindsay; Conán Doherty, Ruairi McKeever (0-2), Mickey McKinney; Dan Jackson (1-2), James Jackson (0-4), Aidan Cleary
Subs: Ryan Devine for Sweeney (40), Brian Devine for Dan Jackson (45), Gavin Scallon for McKeever (45), Eamonn Donnelly (1-0) for James Jackson (52)
Comments Off U8s
Our Under 8′s Art workshops for St Patrick’s Day Parade, starts 1pm – 2pm on Saturday 2nd March at our Club house. Parental help would be appreciated. Saturday Morning Under 8 Gaelic Training will start back on 23rd March 2013
U12s
U12s took part in their first blitz of the year last Saturday at Bishops Field. The team has shown great progress over the last few weeks and
deserve praise for their commitment to training, their team mates and their club. These games are limited to 9 aside so we would ask that
parents respond to confirm attendance for their children. It gives other children a chance to play if your child cannot attend. We would like to field two
teams when possible, if we can get the necessary turn out from all involved.
U12 training starts back at St Brigid’s on Tuesday 25th February at the usual time of 7pm to 8:30pm. Outdoor training will start in the next couple
of weeks and details will be sent out.
U14s
U14s had their first Feile game against Doire Trasna last Sunday. They shaded a very close game which could have gone either way. A few
players to mention for their very good performances on the day are Cormac Mooney, Jason McAleer and Aaron Hagan. U14 training resumes next week
and details will be sent and put in club notes.The next Feile games will be this Sunday 24th Feb. Details will be sent out by text.
Club merchandise & mouthguards will be available at the club this Saturday 23rd Feb. from 10:30 to 11:30am.
A word of thanks and congratulations to the dancers who represented the club and made the Derry finals of Scor na nOg last weekend in Swatragh.
Those taking part were Orlaith Millar, Maressa Meehan, Aoife Redden, Ursula Bell, Charlie Bell, Jim McIvor, Simon Bell and Noel McElholm.
Comments Off Ardara 0-5 Steelstown 2-8
TWO goals, two wins, two very important statements.
Steelstown Brian Óg’s continued their winning start to the season as they secured a second Ulster League victory and shot right to the top of their group after overcoming a dogged Ardara side.
Making the two hour trip to the south of Donegal on Saturday morning, the city boys doubled up on their winning tally in the competition last year and put themselves right into the qualification reckoning for the semi finals.
Having already scrapped for maximum points at home to Slaughtneil last week, the Ballyarnet men took the opportunity to freshen the side up and started with a strong bench which included Stephen Cleary, Paul O’Hea, and James Jackson. Changes were also made elsewhere as Hugh McGrath took a back seat and allowed Dermot McBride to step in and command full reins of the touchline for this one.
The visitors started with a strong breeze blowing in their favour but failed to really capitalise on the advantage as Ardara’s physical middle third dominated the first half kickouts and held a platform for 30 minutes which had the Steelstown backline overworked.
The green jerseys were camped in the Derry men’s half but, despite taking a two point lead, that was their lot for the remainder of the first period as a combination of staunch defending and wasteful attacks kept the damage at a minimum.
On the 10 minute mark, Mickey McKinney further made his case for a place further out the field as the man perenially tasked with the corner back role since his move to senior level almost seven years ago now, drove through from wing forward and smashed the top left corner of the netting.
Seconds later, McKinney had picked out Daniel Jackson – pushed into the full forward line this week – with a weighted diagonal pass and the ball was no sooner sailing over. Darren McDaid hit a trademark worldly from the right wing late on in the first half as the sides put behind a dull opening and went to the break with a goal between them.
With Conor McGoran – back from Glasgow for the weekend – introduced to midfield at half time and Stephen Cleary taking station between the posts for the throw in, it was immediately evident that the travelling side had too much for the opposition in reserve.
Despite facing the elements head on, Stephen Cleary sent the umpires searching for three unanswered white flags, the first off his left, the second off his right, the third from a free.
Ardara and all their runners did get forward but too often Kevin Lindsay was nicking in front, Tony Ling was bombing forward with possession, and Aidan Cleary was cutting out the supply line expertly and picking passes for fun.
Michael Moore curled over a beautiful effort from the right hand side to cancel out two points at the other end before James Jackson came into the action and sealed the game as a contest. Twice he caught, twice he turned, twice he scored.
All that was missing was the icing on the cake for the travelling U14 squad to celebrate and McKinney struck again when he polished off a Neil Forester surge by picking out the top left corner again with all the composure of a cocky half time expo.
Two wins from two for the Páirc Bhríd army who are looking to hit the 14th of April and the start of the Derry league with a bang.
Right now, Fermanagh’s Belcoo and Tyrone’s Greencastle stand in the way of a semi final spot in the Ulster League, won last year by the eventual all-conquering Ballinderry.
So good so far.
STEELSTOWN:Marty Dunne; Rory O’Connor, Kevin Lindsay, Tony Ling; Neil Forester, Ryan McCloskey, Eamon Donnelly; Eamonn Gibson, Darren McDaid (0-1); Michael Moore (0-1), Ruairi McKeever, Mickey McKinney (2-0); Daniel Jackson (0-1), Gareth Logue, Aidan Cleary
Subs: Stephen Cleary (0-3, 0-1f) for Jackson (HT), Conor McGoran for Gibson (HT), Shane O’Connor for Donnelly (40), James Jackson (0-2) for Logue (45), Paul O’Hea for McCloskey (52)
Comments Off 
Steelstown 0-11 Slaughtneil 0-9
STEELSTOWN Brian Óg’s got their Ulster League campaign off to a flier when they edged out Derry rivals Slaughtneil on Sunday afternoon.
On Cathal Corey’s debut game in charge of the Emmet’s, the Kildress man and his squad were given a hostile welcome at Páirc Bhríd as the Ballyarnet men laid down a good marker over last year’s county finalists.
The home side settled first when a Stephen Cleary free set them on their way but Slaughtneil weren’t long in clawing in front when Paul Bradley – finally free from injury – split the posts twice at the other end.
The mammoth presence of Paudie McGuigan was causing problems for Steelstown around the middle but the visitors couldn’t punish Hugh McGrath’s outfit in a first half with a strong breeze blowing at their backs.
A frighteningly strong full back line of Tony Ling, Paul O’Hea, and Kevin Lindsay offered little change to the frustrated Slaughtneil attacks and, complimented by Neil Forester at number six and some expert sweeping by Mickey McKinney, the maroon jerseys were consistently held at an arm’s length.
Gradually, the hosts found their footing on the heavy February pitch and, as Slaughtneil reverted to type and dropped deep their two wing half forwards, Eamon Donnelly and Ryan McCloskey grew more influential as the Steelstown backs pushed right into opposition territory.
The Emmet’s took a one point advantage in at the break but, immediately at the restart, things changed. They changed drastically.
With the gale now in favour of the city men, half time substitute Ryan Devine caught the throw-in, found Logue in the full forward line, and Dan Jackson did the rest. For the next 15 minutes, it was all Steelstown as the blue and gold went at their adversaries ruthlessly.
Darren McDaid, putting in a man of the match shift, seemed to be attracting the size five wherever he went and Jackson, Logue, and Cleary were serviced religiously with weighted balls.
Logie was sharp, he was darting to the wing, holding first time and drawing fouls for Stephen Cleary to effortlessly dispose of. Two from the very depths of the left wing had Steelstown 0-11 to 0-8 clear with 10 minutes to spare.
But, all at once, the pendulum swung and Steelstown stopped.
Slaughtneil pushed and pushed but they couldn’t break the Óg’s barrier. Defenders tackled, attackers retreated, and a force field was set up around the hosts’ defensive dome.
But answers were needed. In a period where McGrath’s side underwent a litany of testers, a level of maturity shone through far removed from the developing years where a lead like Sunday’s might well have been lost in the closing stages.
The one time the barrier was broken, Mickey McKinney was at hand to punch clear beneath the posts and, just when it looked like Padrig Kelly had worked an opening, Darren McDaid hurled his body in front to produce a goal-saving block. Corey’s men were restricted to a point and Steelstown hung on.
Steelstown: Martin Dunne; Kevin Lindsay, Paul O’Hea, Tony Ling; Ryan McCloskey, Neil Forester, Eamon Donnelly; Eamonn Gibson, Darren McDaid; Daniel Jackson (0-3, 0-2f), Stephen Cleary (0-7, 0-5f), Michael McKinney; Gareth Logue (0-1), James Jackson, Aidan Cleary
Subs: Ryan Devine for Gibson (HT), Ciaran Flanagan for Dan Jackson (44), Paul Ferris for James Jackson (47), Conan Doherty for Logue (50)
Comments Off Steelstown 2-4 Séan Dolan’s 1-9
A YOUTHFUL Steelstown outfit took to the complex on Saturday for what proved to be a tight challenge game with city rivals, Séan Dolan’s.
With one eye on Sunday’s Ulster League opener with Slaughtneil, Hugh McGrath and Emmett Wray used the opportunity to explore the full depth of their squad as they fielded a young line-up. And Eddie Friel.
Against a full strength Creggan outfit, Brian Óg’s were slow out of the blocks and found themselves penned in their own half for the vast majority of the opening 10 minutes.
Dolan’s were gifted a fortuitous lead when a scaling high ball dropped beneath the posts and squirmed away from the grasps of ‘keeper Eoghan Heraghty.
It wasn’t until they were four to the worse did Steelstown respond.
Paul Ferris, fresh from amassing 1-5 against Derry minors last week including a 0-3 cameo against Colmcille, continued his prolific scoring exploits for the senior side.
The U17 – lined out a centre half forward – finished gloriously from a quick counter attack when he dummied inside his marker before hammering a thunderbolt to the top left corner.
But the blue jerseys were still under pressure with the experienced Dolan’s central three of Ciaran Wilkinson, Alan Grant, and Paul Loughrey dominating under the kick out.
Indeed, it was only some staunch defending by the overworked back line which kept the opposition at bay. Young James Jackson made his senior debut at corner back and took to the task seamlessly as he pestered red jerseys all afternoon with typically tight marking.
Cathal Meehan manned the full back line in the centre with a strong performance whilst Tiarnan O’Kane continued to shine in the other corner.
Steelstown struck again when Ferris laid in Doherty to finish low and the Ballyarnet men took a one point lead in at the break.
However, the Division Three men continued to seize control in the middle third and matters were left to the solid Oran Sweeney and the ever-running Brian Devine to reinforce the defence.
Last year’s junior all-star, Caolan McCosker, chipped away at the scoreboard with that trademark left foot of his and a tiring Steelstown outfit were relying on Ferris to pull them out at the other end off either foot.
But it was Dolan’s who finished strongest as the Óg’s pack sank deeper and deeper into their own 45′ and Paul Loughrey followed up on Oran Cassidy’s white flag to see out what was a knife-edge encounter.
A good, physical battle with moments of brilliance sent the Steelstown management home relatively satisfied but the outing was somewhat marred with the injury to promising minor James Corry who had to come off early in the first period with a bad blow to the ribs.
Steelstown: Eoghan Heraghty; Eoghan Mag Uiginn, Cathal Meehan, James Jackson; Tiarnán O’Kane, Oran Sweeney, Ciaran Rigney; Eoin O’Hare, Eddie Friel; Brian Devine, Paul Ferris (1-4), Conán Doherty (1-0); Niall Doherty, Brendan Doherty, James Corry
Subs: Shane O’Connor, Eoin Casey, Lee Casey, Michael Doherty, James Devine, Andy Sammon
Comments Off Comments Off 
St. Brigid’s College are holding a Craft Fair on Sunday 3rd February.
The fair will run at the school from 1pm to 6pm and will have a variety of stands and exhibitions on show with an opportunity for the public to get involved. Everyone is welcome.
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