NFL Division 4 Antrim v Wicklow

Portglenone -5pm Saturday

Antrim’s excellent win in Carrick on Shannon last Sunday will hopefully injected some life into a season that, up until that point had been poor in the extreme for Mark Doran’s side.

Defeat to Carlow and Longford in Portglenone and away to Tipperary in their opening three games had all but put paid to Antrim’s promotion hopes and the visit to MacDiarmada Park looked like another difficult day for the Saffrons.

Leitrim had opened the season brightly with two wins from three starts and their only defeat came at the hands of Antrim’s opponents on Saturday evening, Wicklow and a win here would have put them right into the promotion race.

The Antrim management rang the changes for the Leitrim game however with St. Brigid’s Ronan Boyle coming into the side at centre half back and Dunloy’s Tomas McFerran partnering Paddy McAleer at mid-field.

Pat Shivers moved outfield to the ‘40’ where he was partnered by Conor Hand and Eunan Walsh on either side.

With the wind and rain at their backs in Carrick on Shannon the Saffrons raced into a 1-12 to 1-3 lead, despite kicking seven early wides.

Hand struck Antrim’s first half goal and with Dominic McEnhill in sparkling form they were 12 ahead before a late Paul Honeyford goal for the hosts gave Leitrim a glimmer of hope going into the second half.

There would be no let up from Antrim as they added the opening five points of the second half and while Leitrim did do better in the second period, they never really looked like closing the gap.

Keeper, John McNabb kicked five points for the Saffrons with Dominic McEnhill contributing 0-8 and Paddy McAleer 1-1 from mid-field in an encouraging performance where Antrim had 8 different scorers on the day.

Meanwhile Wicklow have been amongst the pace setters for promotion from division 4 with three wins from four starts, their only defeat to date coming against league leaders, Carlow.

There latest win came against London last day out with a commanding16-point win over the Exiles in Aughrim on Sunday afternoon, delivering their most impressive performance of the campaign to date. 

Wicklow’s forwards were on song showcasing attacking flair, defensive discipline, and ruthless efficiency in front of goal.

The result moves Wicklow onto six points, leaving them second in the league table, just two points adrift of unbeaten pace-setters Carlow.

Kevin Quinn led the Wicklow charge with 1-4 with Eoin Darcy in influential form and the ever-reliable Mark Jackson made a significant impact from between the posts, as well as weighing in with six points, including three two-pointers, highlighting Wicklow’s growing confidence in the new scoring system.

Speaking after the final whistle, manager Oisín McConville praised his side’s work rate, intensity, and clinical edge, highlighting the maturity and confidence now evident in their performances.

With momentum firmly on their side, Wicklow will now look ahead with renewed belief as the battle for promotion continues, knowing that destiny remains firmly in their own hands.

Antrim will have concern about the margin of Wicklow’s win over London but will note that only a point separated them and Leitrim when they met in Aughrim earlier in the campaign.

Was Antrim’s high octane victory on Carrick on Shannon a one of or was it the start of a run that may not get them into the promotion race but could come as a big boost for the forthcoming Ulster championship or another run in the Tailteann Cup?

Joe Finnegan’s late Red card in Carrick on Shannon will see the full-back miss the Wicklow game and will see another shuffle in the Antrim defence.

Who will come in to replace him remains to be seen with Eunan Walsh possibly dropping back from attack to take up the position he regularly occupied last year.

Whatever side Mark Doran and his selectors decide on, if Antrim can produce the level of performance they reached against Leitrim last week then they look capable of giving high flying Wicklow a real run for their money

Antrim Schools Year 8 Hurling Shield Final

Colaíste Feirste vs Rathmore Grammar

PICS BY BERT TROWLEN

Rathmore delivered a comprehensive and commanding performance to secure victory in today’s first final, producing a display built on defensive solidity, clinical finishing and intelligent use of possession.

The foundation for success was laid in defence, where Rathmore’s work rate and determination continually frustrated the opposition. Around the middle of the park, Ronan McGuinness and Ronan McKenna were outstanding, breaking up play and launching attacks. Their ability to hook and block prevented Coláiste Feirste from clearing their lines and ensured Rathmore maintained control in key areas.

Rudhan Adams and Shea McKinney were influential throughout, particularly on the opposition puck-outs. Their dominance in this sector allowed Rathmore to dictate the tempo and build sustained momentum as the game progressed.

At centre half forward, Conn Monaghan produced a Man of the Match performance. His early scores in the first half settled Rathmore and set the tone for the afternoon. Consistently dangerous in attack, he proved a constant thorn in the side of Coláiste Feirste, contributing significantly to Rathmore’s tally and overall attacking threat.

To their credit, Coláiste Feirste battled tirelessly. Conor Mac Domhnal worked relentlessly in the half forward line, tracking back to support his defence, while Aodhan O’Donnochu impressed with determined blocking and hooking. Corrain Mervyn made several important catches and clearances at the back, and the Coláiste Feirste goalkeeper Caoimhin Mag Uidir was kept busy throughout, pulling off a series of excellent saves to keep his side in contention.

However, Rathmore’s pace, precision and clinical edge in front of goal ultimately proved decisive. Their attacking intent was evident from the outset, as they moved the ball quickly through the lines and repeatedly tested the Coláiste Feirste defence. Crucially, Rathmore’s ability to turn turnovers into scores gave them a decisive advantage.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Rathmore maintaining their intensity and continuing to press forward. Their fitness and squad depth were clear as they added further scores to put the result beyond doubt. Sharp movement off the ball and composed finishing ensured they remained firmly in control until the final whistle.

A sincere thank you to all the spectators whose support rang out throughout the game. Thanks also to the teachers for providing the boys with the opportunity to compete, and to both sets of players for producing such an entertaining and high-quality final in challenging conditions

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Main picture Cross & Passion’s Cillian Cunning whose goal early in extra time set his team up for victory

Cross & Passion College, Ballycastle qualified for the Foresters Cup final when they beat Ardscoil Phádraig Keady in Thursday’s semi-final at the Meadowbank Sports Centre, Magherfelt. However they Ballycastle side needed extra time, and a little bit of luck, before they got over the line against an excellent Keady side.

Keady made a bright start, opening the scoring through Shea McCloskey, but CPC responded immediately with Paidi O’Kane pointing. It remained tight throughout the first half, with both sides working tirelessly and exchanging scores.

At the interval, CPC held a narrow 0-9 to 0-8 lead.

CPC built an early cushion in the second half, but Keady’s direct approach paid off when a high delivery into the square was finished to the net to level the game. Keady midfielder Caoimhin Mone was accurate from placed balls, showing great composure under high pressure. The back and forth game would finish level at the end of normal time.

Full-time: Cross & Passion College 0-19 St Patrick’s Keady 1-16.

Extra time proved decisive and the fact that Keady had lost their full-back to a second yellow card in the last minute of normal time was undoubtedly a boost for the Ballycastle school. They took full advantage when Cillian Cunning broke through and struck an early goal to give CPC momentum, and they added important points through Cahir McCloskey and Paidi O’Kane to extend their advantage.

Keady responded with a goal to keep the contest alive, but CPC managed the closing stages effectively, maintaining a five point lead to secure their place in the Foresters final.

Cross and Passion:
1 Ruairi Laverty
2 Peadar Doherty
3 Aaron Gillan
4 Cormac Bailey
5 Joe Deery
6 Oran Baudant
7 Lorcan Murtagh 0-1
8 Charlie McAuley 0-6
9 Peter Laverty
10 Damian Laverty
11 Patrick Campbell 0-2
12 Cillian Cunning 1-0
13 Cahir McCloskey 0-3
14 Paidi O’Kane 0-10
15 Ronan Elliott 0-2

Subs used:
Cahir McErlean
Cormac Scanlon

Ardscoil Phádraig, Keady
1 Fabian Hughes
2 Cain McCann
3 Johnny Loughran
4 Charlie Doyle
5 Harry Fox
6 Aaron Monaghan
7 Peter O’Callaghan
8 Caoimhin Mone
9 Ruairi Mullan
10 Caolan Carr
11 Sé McConnell
12 Peadar Donnelly
13 Eoghan Mallon
14 Shea McCloskey
15 Keegan McCann

Subs used:
Darragh McElroy
John McGeown

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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Cross & Passion Ballycastle collected the Gaelfast Year 8 Hurling Cup when they beat St Louis Ballymena in Wednesday’s final at Woodlands, Belfast

St Louis started the brighter of the two sides, with Oscar Bradley leading the way and registering some excellent scores — most notably a superb long-range point from a free near the sideline. St Louis settled quickly, with Conor Delargy, Daniel McAtamney and Conn Óg McErlaine creating some impressive passages of play. CPC were forced to call upon their goalkeeper, Cian O’Mullan, to make a number of important saves to keep the game tight in the opening stages.

Cross and Passion responded well, with wing forward Archie Neil and centre half forward Conall Devlin leading the charge. Neil provided the turning point of the half when he delivered a superb pass into full forward Michael Johnson, who finished clinically to the net and raise the green flag to settle CPC’s nerves.

Both teams continued to battle fiercely for the next five minutes, but CPC’s defence and midfield began to assert control, with Brendan Murtagh and Joe McSparron repeatedly turning defence into attack. The full forward line of Michael Johnson and Eoghan McIntyre began to add to the tally, helping CPC build a three-goal lead by half-time. Thanks to the efforts of St Louis goalkeeper Aaron Johnson, along with half-backs Luca McCollum and Charlie Herald, the deficit could have been even greater.

CPC emerged for the second half determined to press home their advantage and dominated proceedings. Influential performances from Brendan Murtagh, Conall Devlin and Joe McSparron ensured a steady flow of goals and points, confirming Cross and Passion College as worthy Antrim Schools Cup champions.

Overall, CPC ran out comfortable winners, but it was encouraging to see two teams battling for every ball, tackling fiercely and demonstrating impressive levels of skill and work rate throughout. To their credit, St Louis fought until the final whistle, with Oscar Bradley continuing to lead by example.

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