LGFA U16A Final
Cargin 5-7 Gort na Mona 0-6
The conclusion of the U16A LGFA season took place on a wet Thursday evening at Whitehill with Gort na Móna and Erins Own Cargin battling it out to see who would take home the crown. The grounds of Tír na nÓg were in superb order despite the rain, and the contest between two of the emerging club sides in Antrim entertained thoroughly the good crowd which had gathered in Randalstown that evening. The ‘Gorts’ have been building solidly in recent years, with no shortage of hard work evident and a pipeline of consistent talent coming through at all juvenile grades. On a parallel course following their first entry into the u16 grade 2 years ago, Clann na hEireann have been making steady inroads and inevitably the two sides would cross in one of the underage finals. League positions would suggest the Gorts would start as heavy favourites but both sides had saved their best for the Championship meaning a highly anticipated contest was anticipated and duly delivered.
Gort na Móna came out of the traps well, settling quickly into their rhythm and formation with their midfield and forward line linking well. An early point nudged the Belfast girls ahead with Cliodhna McKeever replying in kind. A combination of excellent covering by their sweeper system and direct ball into the full forward line meant the Cargin defenders needed to be consistently on their toes and last ditch saves by Aimee Graham, Molly MacLeod and Holly McErlean ensured the girls in Green weren’t blown away.
The Gorts excellent coaching was full display at this stage with the single and double sweeper utilised when required, a strong running midfield and speedy attack meant a frustrated Cargin side were at times forced to shoot under pressure or from distance with numerous turnovers occurring.
While conditions were not conducive to high fielding, the game began to open up after 15 minutes and both sides had chances. The Cargin girls were starting to make inroads with their movement up front but on the scoreboard the Gorts began to find more regularity and opened up a 0-5 to 0-2 lead following a purple patch of accuracy with Niamh McAleese raising a flag in return. While never in complete control, the Belfast girls were certainly dangerous and it would take some decisive moments from the Cargin Cailiní to turn that around. Two of those moments were duly delivered by Cliodhna McKeever. Her first goal followed a flowing move up the pitch and her first shot came off the upright but straight back to her on the 21 yard line where she instantly pulled the trigger with a stunning shot into the far bottom corner to the keeper’s right. Just ahead of half time a loose ball followed a good save by the Gorts keeper and McKeever was first to pounce soccer-styling the ball home into the net before the defence could recover.
It meant that despite a very even half of football the Cargin girls had found themselves 3 up with the scoreboard reading 2-2 to 0-5 when referee Ray Matthews blew the short whistle.
Both teams appeared to make positional changes at the half time break and Cargin were now the team on the front foot as Gemma McAuley and Emily Scullion began to establish a base in the central areas. The half back line of Aoife Neeson. Niamh McAleese and Erin Neeson were consistently driving forward while Niamh Martin was winning ball in corner forward. Their defence was getting on top as well with Caoimhe McErlain excellent in full back and Dearbhla McCaffrey, Molly MacLeod and Holly McErlean now dominant. Aimee Graham’s kickout were always on the money despite the ever worsening weather.
The rain had now became a haze, and whoever could adapt best would hold the advantage. Gemma McAuley appeared to be involved in every move now, Annie Convery’s surging runs a feature of the game. Eva McCann’s feet simply glided over grass, and Caoimhe Doherty seems to have been born for the intensity of championship football with an excellent hour.
Cargin came out a different team in this 2nd half and now it was their time to turn the screw. A well taken score by Niamh Martin set the scene, followed by mature finishes from Niamh McAleese, Caoimhe Doherty and Eva McCann meant the gap was starting to grow to an uncomfortable level for the Gorts Girls. Emma Diver was seemingly involved in every attack at this point. Mid way though the 2nd half the pivotal moment arrived which appeared to decide the tie. From the half back line Cargin worked it up the field to find Cliodhna McKeever in space in the top right corner. With a glance over her shoulder she delivered a 30 yard pass into the chest of Eva McCann who had made a late run to the penalty spot. McCann then executed a splendid ‘Toe Tap Dummy’ to evade the keeper and blast it high into the net. It was the score of the day and befitting any championship final. It also meant the gap between the sides had now risen to 10 points as the Gorts were struggling to create chances at the other end with Caoimhe McErlain marshalling her full back line well. Maisie Kelly, Cara Neeson, Aoibhe O’Donnell and Sophia McCann came on to provide fresh legs in the defence, limiting the Gorts attack to a single score in the 2nd half. Adele McCann entered the fray to lead the full forward line.
The girls in green continued to press and it began to tell as the rain lifted with Cliodhna McKeever lobbing the goalie for another major, accompanying it with a well taken point and Cargin were starting to manage the game out. In the final minute Erin’s Own were awarded a straightforward penalty decision as Adele McCann and Eva McCann were pulled down as they tried to find a way to the net. Niamh McAleese stepped forward to confidently roll the ball into the corner of the net and Ray Matthews decided that was it for the evening’s play. Final Score 5-7 to 0-6 and Caoimhe McErlain stepped forward to lift the cup amidst much jubilation in the Cargin camp.
An excellent 2nd half performance from the Cargin Cailiní ultimately decided this match for their 1st u16A title, but the Gort na Móna girls should be very proud of their efforts, never giving up and some of their running play was a delight to behold. Unfortunately it was not to be for them in Randalstown but this team are not far away from bringing home silverware. They are consistently strong at all underage levels with their sportsmanship, honest endeavour and a credit to themselves, their club and their coaches.
For Cargin, it represented a remarkable year taking home the U14A, Antrim Feile A and U16A titles for this fledgling LGFA club. A bright future ahead indeed.
For the LGFA in Antrim, the 2025 competitions at juvenile level have been hugely positive. In recent years a number of clubs have consolidated their positions with excellent coaching and participation numbers. It has meant a departure from the traditional bases which appeared a closed shop and has meant a drastic improvement in competition across all grades. While Gort na Móna and Cargin will rightly get the plaudits for reaching this final, recognition also must go the likes of St Enda’s, Cloughmills, St Galls and Ardoyne who are rising rapidly. Davitts, Creggan and Rossa are on an upwards trajectory as well meaning the prizes will be keenly fought over the coming seasons which can only be good for Saffron football.
