St Paul’s turned on the style under the Friday night lights as they swept aside Aghagallon with a powerful first-half performance that laid the groundwork for a convincing win in this Antrim ACFL Division 1 clash.
The Shaw’s Road men were out of the blocks like lightning, and within four minutes, they had rattled the net through a surging run and finish from Lorcan Phillips. That early goal set the tone for what would be a dominant opening half, with the hosts moving the ball with pace and precision.
A second green flag followed shortly after, this time from Caoimhin Duffy, who finished coolly after a mistake in the Aghagallon defence. Conall Duffy added a third goal before the break, and by the 20 minute mark, the home side had opened up a nine-point lead.
Aghagallon, to their credit, kept battling. Ruairi McCann, Eunan Walsh and Adam Loughran chipped in with points to keep the scoreboard ticking, but they struggled to gain a foothold in midfield where James Farrell and Conor Hughes were dominant.
The second half saw a brief rally from the visitors. Jonny Hannon, who had been their most dangerous outlet, found the net for Aghagallon, midway through the half to reduce the deficit to six and converted several frees on the day. Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as St Paul’s responded with a string of well-taken points from Ciaran Rogers-Duffy frees and from general play.
The majority of the second half was all about game management for the hosts, who controlled possession and picked off scores with relative ease. The result sees St Paul’s leapfrog the visitors in the division 1 league table.
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Dunloy had seven points to spare over Rossa in Saturday afternoon’s Division 1 Football League game at Pearse Park. The Belfast side went ahead early on with a 2Pointer by Mick Byrne but Dunloy were soon in control and lead by 1-07 to 0-06 at half time. Rossa’s best period came early in the second half when they had a chance to draw level but Dunloy were able to clear the danger and from then on they dominated proceedings to secure the points.
After Mick Byrne’s early 2Pointer Luke McFerran and Ryan McGarry drew the home side level, before a great length of the field move saw Luke McFerran get through for their only goal of the game on eight minutes. Two points by Deaglan Smith stretched the lead, but Rossa came back strongly with three points from Dominic McEnhill. Deaglan Smith and Tiernan Murphy exchanged points but a pointed free by Karl Fitzpatrick gave Dunloy a 1-07 to 0-06 advantage at half time.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Early second half points by Corey Walsh and Eoin Fleming got Rossa going again, and they came close to getting the goal that would have brought them level, but Dunloy hit back strongly and a point by Keelan Molloy was followed by two 2Pointers from Luke McFerran and Deaglan Smith. Smith stretched the lead and when McFerran and Fitzpatrick added points the home team were in the driving seat.
Rossa came with a late burst through Fleming, Domonic McEnhilll and Dara Cunningham but Dunloy finished strong with points from Jack-Martin McShane and Deaglan Smith to seal the win.
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A superb individual performance and a personal haul of 2-09 from Sean O’ Neill in a ‘man of the match’ performance saw Cargin collect the points to ensure top spot in the Division One table with a win over St Gall’s before a good attendance in Toome on Saturday evening.
It was the home side who were much the faster out of the start traps and by the 10th minute they had moved into an early lead.
Jack Harney fired to the net after only a couple of minutes and Jamie Gribbin raised white before a cute PJ Quinn delivery sent corner back Gerard McCorley in for their second goal.
Conditions required a ‘water break’ and after the stoppage the visitors employed the score board attendant as Kirstan Walsh raised a couple of white flags with Niall Faloon adding another.
Sean O’ Neill replied for the home side but the visitors responded as Brendan Bradley and Donal Quinn fired over at the other end.
Sean O’ Neill was sent in to raise white following a clearance at the other end by Kevin McShane and with the score at 2-03 to 0-04 in favour of the Toome men, Nial Faloon and Brendan Bradley conspired to reduce the deficit with back to back points.
The home side were reduced in number in the latter stages of the opening period when net minder John McNabb was shown red with Benen Kelly taking up the role between the sticks in which the wing half band was to excel.
The visitors now with a man advantage rolled up their proverbial sleeves in the latter minutes of the half with Brendan Bradley (0-03), Gerard O’ Neill (with a two pointer) reducing the deficit before Cargin full back Kevin McShane moved forward to grab a superb late goal to leave the home side 3-06 to 0-10 ahead at the break.
Sean O’ Neill added to Cargin’s advantage with an early second half point and replacement net minder Benen Kelly came forward to send the same player away to add two more.
Cargin were dominant at this stage with the excellent O’ Neill continuing to lead the way as he added a couple of points before following with a major.
A superb clearance from Benen Kelly opened the way for Jamie Gribbin to send O’Neill through and the home side looked in charge but the visitors were quick to provide an answer.
Gerard O’Neill replied with a two pointer with Niall Fallon adding a point. Sean O’ Neill replied at the other end before a Jamie Gribbin cross opened the way for full back McShane to despatch a superb goal to the net and the Toome men were 3-06 to 0-10 at half time
Cargin opened the second half on the offensive and the impressive Sean O’ Neill added back to back points and then Benen Kelly and Jamie Gribbin combined to send Sean O’ Neill away for his second major and Cargin were 4-08 to 0-10 ahead and looking good.
St Gall’s were not about to throw in the towel and they were quick to reply and full forward Brendan Bradley finished a good move as he fired past Kelly in the Cargin goals.
Jack Harney and Daniel Quinn exchanged points and Daniel Quinn, Marcus McCrossan, and Brendan Bradley added further points to close the gap further.
The imperious O’ Neill responded with a point at the other end and when he followed with a 33rd minute major it was all over and it was Cargin who had claimed the points crossing the line 5-11 to 1-15 ahead to maintain top spot in the league.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb, Hugh O’ Donnell, Kevin Mc Shane (1-00),Gerard Mc Corley (1-00), Benen Kelly, Conan Johnston, Jack O’Neill (0-01), John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Jack Harney (1-01), Jamie Gribbin (0-01), PJ Quinn, Sean O’ Neill (2-10), Martin Kane
Subs
Niall Quinn
Damian Mc Daid
Cain Scullion
St Gall’s: Niall Mc Curdy, Chris Hale, Eoghan Mc Curdy Tiarnan Keenan, John Mc Caffrey, Gerard O’ Neill (1 2pt), Niall Fallon (0-01), Aodhan Gallagher, Conor Mc Cabe, Conn Doherty, Michael Pollock (0-01), Padraig Og Murray (0-01), Brendan Bradley (1-03), Daniel Quinn (0-05)
When the going gets tough-the tough get going or so the saying goes!
Just over a week ago St. John’s found themselves in the relegation zone and were one of four sides stuck at the bottom of the table on six points. In midweek they came from behind and a late goal from Conor Hand gave them a share of the points against visiting Lamh Dhearg.
Returning county player, Conor Hand was again at the cutting age of his side’s convincing win over St. James, Aldergrove in Crumlin but few could have envisaged the ease with which they dealt with an out of sorts St. James side.
Conor Hand (10) turns away in celebration after scoring St. John’s second goal
Darragh McKeogh and Odhran Quinn pointed the Johnnies into a two point lead before Conor Hand fired home his side’s opening goal with only 4 minutes gone.
The visitors were flying, obviously intent on putting the threat of relegation behind them and when a long delivery from Paddy McBride was parried by keeper Oisin McGarry , Odhran Quinn was on hand to finish to the net from close range in the 6th minute.
Quinn followed with a point and Conor Hand intercepted a misplaced pass to solo clear for another and St. John’s were ten ahead with only 9 minutes gone and at this stage they were in complete control.
Declan Gough replaced Malachy Burns in the St. James’ side and Seamus McGarry pointed a ‘45’ and added another from play to finally get the home side off the mark but Ross Hannigan replied with two for the visitors.
Declan Gough announced his introduction with a point for the Crumlin side but Paddy McBride and Conal McGlade replied for St. John’s before Sean Patrick Fay concluded the first half scoring with a point for St. James.
Aldergrove’s Seamus McGarry comes under extreme pressure from Ross Hannigan, St. John’s
Trailing 0-4 to 2-8 at the break, it looked a long way back for St. James but James Trowlen added a point in the opening minute to give them a glimmer of hope but that hope didn’t last too long as Paddy McBride replied from a free and added another following a breach of the incursion rule.
Conor Hand, Conal McGlade, Ronan Quinn, Ryan McNulty, Odhran Quinn and Conal Quinn added half a dozen points on the bounce as the Aldergrove resistance crumbled.
Seamus McGarry and Declan Gough replied with St. James’ points, their first scores for more than 20 minute but at this stage they merely put a better look on the score card.
The Johnnies finished as they had started with Ryan McNulty, Conall Quinn, Paddy McBride 2pt and Conor Hand 2pt bringing their total for the evening to 2-22 with McGarry hitting a late consolation for the team in red.
In what has been a poor season for a team with such a proud record St John’s have once again shown that when the chips are down they would not be found wanting and this win guarantees them division 1 football for next season.
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Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Championship Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel 21st June 2025
Antrim 4-19 Meath 0-13
Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran
Despite temperatures soaring to 25 degrees in Fr. Healy Park, Antrim were unrelenting in their game today, turning up the heat even more against their travelling opponents, Meath, to secure a semifinal place in St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on the 12th July.
Supporters were entertained with four Saffron goals and a wide spread of points from across the squad. This was one of those games where everyone put in a solid shift and consequently, the result showed on the scoreboard and created an opportunity for Antrim management, McCormick and Coulter, to flush out the bench in the second half.
Meath was competent in spells, and it would have been a mistake to think they couldn’t be dangerous but today, Antrim’s defence was solid like a ring of steel and able to quash all Meath approaches to goal.
With no more than thirty seconds or so on the clock, Antrim’s Lucia McNaughton struck at the heart of Meath’s catch net from a Katie Molloy pass and after Caitrín Dobbin followed swiftly with her point, Molloy returned with a striking point won on her own volition as she persevered to win the sliotar and make the run down the dugout side of the pitch.
Antrim would now be four points up after Dobbin took possession from a great Shannagh Heggarty pass before Meath clipped a point over Antrim’s bar from Brodie Kelly at five minutes on the clock.
There would be no breathers in this game, the unrelenting pace witnessed Antrim’s Maeve Kelly take a big hit on the move but undeterred, Kelly struck the sliotar for her point only a minute after Meath’s. However, Antrim’s physicality yielded two Meath frees and in quick succession, Meath’s Aoife Carey and Tara Murphy had closed the gap to just two points.
Carey and Murphy each stepped up to flight two more frees over Antrim’s bar, with bookended points from Antrim’s Dobbin, McCormick and Boyle to steady the scoring campaign and start the drift away from Meath at 0-10 to 0-05.
The gap would widen within five minutes of Boyle’s point with a goal from Maeve Kelly, driving in a high ball that unexplainably dropped in over the goalkeepers head, running over the line and chaperoned to a result by a sheltering McCormick, preventing any Meath influence.
Antrim’s Maeve Kelly on her way to raising the green flag
Antrim had a taste of goal, and you sensed the full forwards wanted in on the action and they didn’t have long to wait, as Katie Molloy offloaded to McCormick running outside the Meath box. McCormick spotted and offloaded to an unmarked Cassie McArthur and under strict instructions from the sideline, ‘to bury it’ Antrim had their second goal.
Meath attempted to close the gap with two points from substitute Grace Coleman, however Antrim quickly neutralised those from a McCormick free and a simple but effective combo from a McNaughton sideline into the hands of Dobbin to close out the second half Antrim 2-12 Meath 0-07.
Antrim now enjoyed the breeze largely on their backs at the restart, and with a flush of substitutes at the whistle. Right from the ‘get go’, Fionnuala Kelly made her intentions known as she assisted McCormick in the raising of a green flag. Antrim’s three goals were about to become four as McCormick brought more trouble to Meath’s door. A raking shot intended for goal was intercepted by Cassie McArthur as she raised her hand for the catch and the deflection into goal meant four for Antrim. One staved thumb later and a slow walk back to the dugout seen McArthur safely on the bench for some treatment.
Antrim’s Roisín McCormick taking her point in the first half, followed by a goal and maybe a second off a Cassie McArthur thumb
Meath weren’t without their chances all the same, as witnessed ten minutes into the half, Meath’s Brodie Kelly found a gap between Antrim defenders wide enough to test goalkeeper, Caitriona Graham. It was a decent effort but a better save, ending out wide for the 45.
Both sides would trade points up to the final whistle, but not before Meath’s Claire Coffey blocked a certain goal from Maeve Kelly that was cleverly fed in from Sarah O’Neill.
At the final whistle, Antrim’s 4-19 to Meath’s 0-13 secured a semifinal place in Newbridge, Co. Kildare on the 12th July. In the meantime, Antrim, like the winners of group two, Kerry, will wait to see who their opponents will be after quarter final play offs on the 5th July.
Clare McKillop from Antrim’s impenetrable defence plays with a battle worn stick before changing
