Geordie McGuckin looks back at the Antrim Football Leagues 2018
With the under-21 football championships decided this week the season is completed and with most contemplating a return to the training field in preparation for the upcoming year it is time to look back on 2018 and recall the league scene.
Division 1 League champions Creggan
Division One
Kickham’s Creggan enjoyed an excellent season and although Kevin Madden’s charges endured disappointment in the championship when losing out to their keenest rivals Cargin in a history breaking decider they gained hefty consolation in securing the Division One title.
They impressed throughout the season and at the business end they had a comfortable four point margin over the chasing pack.
Creggan started the 2018 campaign as they intended to continue and although they were knocked slightly out of stride and an unbeaten run came to an end at Toome when Cargin crossed the winning line a point in front they were quick to respond.
A 4-10 to 0-12 win gained over the visiting St Gall’s, their closest challengers in early September sealed the issue and the Eddie Fitzsimmons Memorial trophy was en route to their Staffordstown road complex.
Creggan were also winners of the Reserve league and O’Cahan Cup, defeating Cargin in the finals of both competitions but the Erin’s own club denied them of a memorable treble when they beat them in the Senior Championship final.
St Gall’s having endured a couple of quiet years signalled intent for 2018 with their positivity from the outset and a 1-17 to 1-06 victory secured at Toome made everybody sit up and take notice.
The Milltown Blues headed the ratings and remained unbeaten until early July when they came a cropper at Portglenone when Jude Donnelly’s men inflicted a 3-13 to 1-09 defeat.
In fact Casement’s continue the dominance of Sean Kelly’s charges shortly after that one and a 1-11 to 1-10 win up at Milltown all but ended St Gall’s interest in the league and focus shifted to the championship.
Erin’s Own Cargin started the season as league champions but soon lost a grip on the title although they recorded a couple of early wins but defeat to St Enda’s in round four saw them slip down the table.
In the end Cargin finished in third place, five points behind Creggan with St. Gall’s taking second place. St John’s finished in fourth place under the guidance of Gearoid Adams.
The Whiterock men made the semi-final stages of both senior football and hurling championships but endured narrow defeats in both. The Johnnies having claimed the fourth spot ensured they will have a seeded berth for next year’s senior championship draw.
Lamh Dearg disappointed in the 2018 season having started out as reigning champions the Hannahstown men did not threaten in the league and lost out to eventual winners Cargin in the championship.
The Lamh’s opened their league campaign with a win over the visiting Casement’s but they failed to sustain that form and at conclusion they were well adrift, and twelve points of the top.
Casement’s finished sixth but the Bannsider’s turned in a number of excellent performances over the season.
Jude Donnelly’s side gained back to back wins over St Gall’s, home and away and with their under-21 squad underlining potential they the will look for further improvement in 2019.
St Enda’s finished out of the top six but the Hightown side will be delighted with their first season back in division 1 for some time. An early win over Ahoghill and then Cargin showed their early potential but it was in the Intermediate championship that the Glengormley side excelled.
County and Ulster success by Frank Fitzsimmons and Pat Hughes charges served notice that they are a force to be reckoned with at Senior level.
St Mary’s Aghagallon finished in eighth spot and St Mary’s Ahoghill ninth of twelve but the Clooney men looked destined for the drop at one stage but produced a strong finish to move clear of the relegation zone.
St Teresa’s finished a place above the drop zone on nine points a couple ahead of Rossa to retain their place at the top table.
The Glen road residents needed a win at Glenavy in their last game to secure status and they returned with a 1-14 to 1-03 victory and will again play in division 1 in 2019.
Rossa will join Glenavy in division 2 next year.
Division Two
The race for top spot in the second division was close and as the end drew near there were a total of three teams, Gort na Mona, St Brigid’s and Tir na nOg each in contention for the top two positions. Everything hinged on the last round as Gort na Mona visited Moneyglass and St Brigid’s played hosts to Tir na nOg and as events were to unfold respective wins for the South Antrim sides ensured them promotion.
Gort na Mona having lost out to St Enda’s in the Intermediate Championship decider gained a stylish last game win at Moneyglass to claim the division two league title and promotion.
The west Belfast side had worked hard to return to the top table again after a lengthy period in exile and a 24 point haul and a better scoring average proved enough.
St Brigid’s had to dig deep to hold off the challenge of their visitors from Randalstown in their last game concluding with a 1-13 to 2-07 win to finish jut in arrears of the Gorts and they are back to the top grade again.
The South Belfast side finished the season with a real flourish to secure the under-21 title and strength in depth should ensure they can make impact back up with the ‘big boys’.
Tir na nOg finished just off the pace in third spot but the Randalstown men had an excellent season and are capable of improvement.
They do have a youthful panel and a strong management team in place, and no doubt will be intent on moving forward again and making further impact in 2019.
St James Aldergrove finished fourth but the Crumlin men may well look at a poor finish to the season as prime cause of their ultimate demise.
The Crumlin side looked destined for promotion at the three quarter mark but a run of poor returns conspired against Paddy Nugent’s men.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass concluded 5th but they did finish the season on a high securing the under-21 B title in the last game of the season and they look well capable of making gains next term.
Cuchullian’s Dunloy finished in sixth position and with undoubted strength and depth within their juvenile ranks there should be better times ahead for the dual club.
All Saint’s finished top of the B section and the Ballymena men did well to gather a hefty 17 points following a lack luster start to their campaign.
Patrick Sarsfield’s, Davitt’s and St Mary’s Rasharkin each finished on 15 points apiece to guarantee status for another term with St Paul’s and O’ Donnell’s destined to face life in division3 for the season ahead.
St Paul’s endured a very poor 2018 season and the Shaw’s road side which was up there mixing it with the top teams in the not too distant past will look for a quick recovery.
O’ Donnell’s having gained promotion from division 3 at the end of the 2017 season struggled in division 2 but will look to regroup in the coming season in
Division 3
Competition was close in division three and at conclusion it was to be on a ‘head to head’ basis that Con Magee’s Glenravel were to make it a double as they added the division three league title to the Junior championship crown.
The Glensmen finished just ahead of St Patrick’s Lisburn by having a point to the good in their two games in the campaign with both taking their respective places in the second division 2019 as just reward.
Kickham’s Ardoyne finished just outside of the frame and were denied promotion despite a commendable finishing tally of 28 points with Dunsilly residents St Comgall’s one place and three points behind.
St Malachy’s concluded in mid-table on 21 points while Pearses completed one place behind in sixth with a 17 point return.
McQuillan’s Ballycastle finished with 10 points in seventh position just a point ahead of South Belfast based Eire Og.
St Agnes struggle to finish second from bottom with 6 points ahead of the ‘new kids on the block’ Laochra Loch Lao who will no doubt improve from the experience gained from their initial year in competition.
