A superb second half display from Antrim senior ladies was a massive help in this 6 point victory over Fermanagh which keeps them joint top after 4 games
Antrim were also dominant in the first half but quite a few chances went the wrong side of the uprights but to their credit they kept plugging away and eventually they started to get the scoreboard moving.
Fermanagh though after 20 minutes of the half raced into a four point lead but this never say die Antrim team got it back to two just before the interval.
Antrim had faced a strong wind in the first half and would have been happy at half time knowing they had the elements in the second period.
As both teams took the pitch for the final 30 minutes the heavens opened and it was the Antrim girls who adapted better.
Antrim’s football in the second half was nothing short of brilliant.
Fast attacking football yielded its reward and the girls were now finding their range from every angle of the pitch.
The team hit 4 goals and 5 points in the second half to cap of a brilliant performance.
Scorers …
Maria O Neill 2-4
Bronagh Devlin 1-1
Laura Agnew 1-1
Theresa Mellon 0-2
Caitlin Taggart 0-1
Lara Dahunsi 0-1
Antrim now head to Louth next Sunday for a top of the table clash with the hosts…
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“Rock Stars & Divas” took to the dance floor in Tullyglass House Hotel at Friday night’s Saints & Slimmers Finale event as this year’s teams came together for the final time to complete their programme.
The eight teams spent the evening celebrating with family and friends at the conclusion of another successful Saints & Slimmers programme.
Held in the wonderful setting of Tullyglass House Hotel the participants, arranged in teams named after the solar system, rounded their seven week challenge off in some style.
Having spent the past 2 months exercising every muscle they have it was time to hit the dance floor and show off their Lip Snyc and dancing skills to over 300 friends, supporters and club members.
The Plutos team who took part in the All Saints GAC Saints and Slimmers dance off in the Tullyglass Hotel.Flamingo Fitness (Apollos) who competed in the All Saints GAC Saints and Slimmers dance offMcKillop’s Spar Saturns at the All Saints GAC Saints and Slimmers dance-offTeamkit Jupiters at the All Saints GAC Saints and Slimmers dance-off
With 8 routines in all from Queens “Another One Bites The Dust” through to Beyonce’s “Texas Hold’ Em” there was plenty to keep everyone entertained. And that’s just what they did. Each team put on show the final results of their seven week dance preparation to rapturous applause from those attending. But of course there were also points on offer and champions to be crowned.
First up on the night was the naming of the Biggest Male & Female Loser. Competitors waited with bated breath for the overall winners to be announced. Crowned 2026 female winner was Orlagh McKenna while crowned male winner alongside her was Barry McCallion.
Next up we had the Slimmers Queen & King reveal. Picked from across the teams the worthy winners were Anne McCann and Eamon McKillop.
Then it was on to the Dance winners. The judges had an unenviable task in choosing their winners but choose they did and announced in 1st place were the Par-Tee Golf Plutos dancing to Nicki Minaj “Star Ships”. 2nd place went to Flamingo Fitness Apollos with Christina Aguilera’s Candy Man” with McKillop’s Spar Saturns placed in 3rd dancing to “Another One Bites The Dust by Queen.
Celebrations had barely receded when we were introduced to the overall champions of the seven week programme. A combination of points awarded for attendance, weight loss and team activitiy challenges had brought us to this point.
Deserving winners and Saints & Slimmers Champions 2026 were the Par-Tee Golf Plutos making it a double win on the night for the team. Announced in 2nd place were Bert’s Cafe Lunas while in 3rd place were McKillop’s Spar Saturns.
Saints & Slimmers has community at heart and this was very much in evidence during Friday night’s event when a cheque was presented to local charity Cancer Focus NI. Jamie McCann, representative of the organisation, received the donation on their behalf and shared information on the work of the charity. The charity was selected as a result of the personal journey one of the participants in this year’s programme has been on. Anne McCann told all assembled about her experience and the support Cancer Focus NI had provided her with along the way.
Knockdene Healthcare SupernovasECO Flame Neptunes who were the first team to take the floor at the Saints and Slimmers dance-offBert’s Cafe (Lunas)Charlie’s Bar Cosmos
The money was raised as a result of a day long Spin Cycle Spinathon at the Ballymena Harmony Hub in the centre of town. Thanks to the generosity of the participants, their families and the Ballymena public a grand total of over £3.6k was realised. As well as supporting Cancer Focus NI the funds raised will go towards the purchase and placement of a community defibrillator at Slemish Park, home of All Saints GAC.
Dance judges Clara McGhee, Sean McVeigh & Deirdre O’Loan
A fitting way to pay tribute to the spirit of community which is at the heart of the All Saints club and bring this year’s programme to a conclusion.
The evening raised £3600 for charity
Special thanks to all of our team and event sponsors:
Galgorm Resort & Spa (Overall Sponsor? Par Tee Golf (Plutos) Charlie’s Bar (Cosmos) Bert’s Cafe (Lunas) McKillops Spar (Saturns) Teamkit (Jupiters) ECO Flame (Neptunes) Knockdene Healthcare (Supernovas) Flamingo Fitness (Apollos)
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Antrim’s U20 hurlers scored facile win over Wicklow on Saturday, brushing aside visitors challenge with a staggering 8-23 to 0-10 victory in the final round-robin stage of the Ulster Championship. From the first whistle, the “Saffron and White” showed why they are red-hot favorites to retain their title. Ronan ‘Rosy’ Fitzgerald set the tone with an early point, followed quickly by Orrin O’Connor . While Wicklow’s Adam Lifely attempted to keep his side in touch with long-range frees, Antrim’s firepower was simply overwhelming. By the 11th minute, McCallin found the net for his first goal, sparking a scoring spree that included goals from Fitzgerald and a scrambled effort from Conor Donnelly
The middle of the first half was a whirlwind of Saffron scores, with Liam Glackin leading from the back and midfielders Charlie Mc Auley and Callagh Mooney controlling the engine room. McCallin completed a sensational first-half hat-trick with back-to-back goals in the 26th and 27th minutes, leaving the halftime score at a daunting 6-10 to 0-07. Wicklow’s Tom Brennan and captain Fionn Darcy provided some resistance from play, but the gap in quality and physicality was evident as the teams headed to the tunnels.
The second half saw Antrim utilize their bench depth without losing any momentum. Replacements Oisin Woodhouse and Oisin Gillen made immediate impacts, picking off points at will. Despite a few defiant scores from Lifely, Antrim continued to hunt for goals, with Fiontan Bradley coming off the bench to hammer home a late green flag and a point. Further scores from Oisin Mc Camphill , Jack Martin and Jay Mc Alonan rounded out a 37-point demolition. The current holders now march into the final with where they are set to face Down this Saturday, February 28th at a Down venue.
Antrim U20 Hurling Team & Substitutes
No.
Name (English)
Name (Irish)
Club Name
1
Anthony Mullan (GK)
Antaine O Maolain
Mac Uilin
2
Cathair Donnely
Cathair O Donnaile
Mac Uilin
3
Colla Ward
Colla Mac an Bhaird
Oisín Gleann Airimh
4
Conor McCann
Conchuir Mac Cana
Ruairi Og
5
Niall Magee
Niall Mag Aoidh
Oisín Gleann Airimh
6
Liam Glackin (Capt.)
Liam O Glackin
Na Seamróga
7
Fintan Mc Kinney
Fintan Mac Coinnigh
Naomh Eoin
8
Charlie Mc Auley
Cathal Mac Amhlaigh
Ruairi Og
9
Callagh Mooney
Callagh O Maonaigh
Ruairi Og
10
Liam Mc Enhill
Lam Mac Conchoille
O D Rosa
11
Orrin O’Connor
Orrin Ó Conchobhair
Oisín Gleann Airimh
12
Thomas Mc Laughlin
Tomas Mac Lochlainn
Ruairi Og
13
Oisin McCallin
Oisín Mac Cailin
Cú Chulainn Dún Laithí
14
Conor Donnelly
Conchur O Donnaile
Mac Uilin
15
Ronan Fitzgerald
Ronán Mac Gearilt
Na Seamróga
16
Sean Og McLaren (GK)
Seán Óg Mac Leabhrain
Naomh Pol
17
Sean Og Blaney
Sean og Bleine
Cú Chulainn Dún Laithí
18
Ronan Donnelly
Ronan O Donnaile
Naomh Eoin
19
Eddie Smyth
Eamann Mac Gabhann
Na Seamróga
20
Canice McIntosh
Canice Mac an tSaoi
Oisín Gleann Airimh
21
Ben O’Kane
Ben Ó Catháin
Cú Chulainn Dún Laithí
22
Ardan Kelly
Ardan O Ceallaigh
Mac Uilin
23
Jack Martin
Sean O Martian
Cú Chulainn Dún Laithí
24
Oisin Mc Camphill
Oisin Mac Camphill
Cú Chulainn Dún Laithí
25
James McDonnell
Seamus Mac Donaill
Naomh Pol
26
Roan McGarry
Roan Mag Fhearaigh
Na Seamróga
27
Oisin Woodhouse
Oisin Woodhouse
Ruairi Og
28
Oisin Gillen
Oisin O Giollain
Oisín Gleann Airimh
29
Jay Mc Alonan
Jay Mac Giolla Luaithrinn
Cú Chulainn Dún Laithí
30
Fiontan Bradley
Fiontan Ó Brolcháin
Ruairi Og
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Antrim minors got their Ulster campaign off to a great start with an impressive performance against a hardworking and resilient Erne side.
Antrim got off to a flying start when Evie McAllister scored a well taken goal to begin the game. After a number of missed opportunities the young Saffs took control through the ever reliable Erin Stewart from both open play and dead balls. While Fermanagh moved the ball well to a dangerous full forward line the defensive work of Aine McCavana, Sally Scullion, Aoife Mitchell and keeper Mia Carlin restricted them to some long range frees.
A second goal for Antrim by wing back Lila McCann and solid midfield work from Amelie Annett, Laura Scullion, Brooke Largey and Aideen McDonnell kept Antrim in control and moving forward. The work rate and dangerous running of Aoife Fitzsimon, Anna Adams and Chloe Boyd Munce marshalled by captain Leah Stewart insured that the Glens girls had a healthy 3-8 to 1-4 lead at the break.
The second half saw Antrim introduce the experienced group of Jojo Darragh, Ruby McErlain, Aoife Leahy, Siobhan McGurk and keeper Zoey Kerr and the game followed a similar pattern with Antrim dominating possession and working relentlessly in defence.
Antrim completely changed their team allowing all players an opportunity and with the constant scoring threat of Darragh, McErlain and debutant Orlaith McCrory always had control of the game. The Antrim backs continued to move the ball forward quickly and were comfortable in possession.
By this stage Antrim were being driven forward with clever passing from Aoife Garland and Grace Ferris and the strong running of Cara Lynch, Lacey Saunders and Jess Hotchkiss. The Naomh Eanna pair of Tara Rodgers and Maria Mallon were now in the thick of the action and Seana Bradley replaced the injured Siobhan McGurk. After a brave piece of play Antrim were unlucky to concede a penalty that was saved by the reliable Zoey Kerr.
A pleasing start for Antrim and an impressive spread of scores put Antrim in good spirits for the challenge of Tyrone in a fortnight’s time.
Antrim Scorers
E Stewart 1-4
R McErlain 1-4
J Darragh 1-2
E McAllister 1-1
L McCann 1-0
L Stewart 0-3
A Fitzsimons 0-1
A Adams 0-1
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A resurgent Antrim, showing a number of changes from the team named on Saturday night, found their shooting boots in Carrick on Shannon on Sunday as they swept aside the challenge of a fancied Leitrim.
A Paul Honeyford goal, three minutes into first half injury time handed Leitrim a lifeline as Antrim dominated in a wind assisted opening half to lead 1-11 to 1-3 at the interval at Pairc MacDiarmada.
It failed to materialise however as a hungry Antrim fired over the first five points of the second half as a team who have found scores hard to come by in recent weeks, scored at will.
Despite kicking seven wides early in the game the visitors recovered from a Mark Diffley 2 pointer with one of their own from Dominic McEnhill to finally get themselves on the scoreboard after 11 minutes.
Eoghan McCabe added a point to give Antrim the lead before McEnhill kicked his second of the game to move the Saffrons 0-5 to 0-2 ahead as they began to grow in confidence.
Marc Jordan drives forward to set up an Antrim attack
As the Antrim confidence grew Conor Hand struck the game’s opening goal for the visitors as he got on the end of a flowing move orchestrated by Marc Jordan but it appeared at this stage that it would take a substantial lead at half time, given the strength of the breeze favouring of the visitors.
Antrim continued to dominate possession as they won dirty ball around mid-field and Pat Shivers added a point before his Erin’s Own colleague, John McNabb came forward from goals to fire over and raise the Orange flag to move his side 8 ahead by the 25th minute.
Leitrim, who had started the season well with 2 wins from three starts finally got their third point of the half when Paul Honeyford split the posts in the 26th minute but it provided only temporary relief for his side.
Antrim hit back over the next seven minutes with points each from Eunan Walsh, Joseph Finnegan and Paddy McAleer as a rejuvenated Antrim continued to turn the screw.
Exchanges were becoming increasingly fractious as frustration began to creep into the Leitrim play but the hosts finally breeched the visitors defence and Paul Honeford got in for a goal on the stroke of half time to give them some hope for the second half.
There was further hostility between the sides on the way to the dressing room at half time with Antrim’s Sean Og O’Neill and Leitrim’s Ryan O’Rourke shown Yellow prior to the second half throw-in.
The hosts needed a good start to the new half if they were to claw back the Antrim lead but for the first time this season fortune appeared to have favoured Mark Doran’s side when a heavy shower during the half time interval abated and the breeze died as a consequence.
Goal scorer, Conor Hand
Indeed it was Antrim who set down another marker on the restart as they kicked the first five points of the new half with Dominic McEnhill, John McNabb (2pt free) and two more from the on song McEnhill moving them 1-16 to 1-3 ahead by the 10th minute.
Ben Guckian and Paul Honeyford replied with 2 pointers to close the gap to 9 as the home support dared to believe and another Orange flag raised by the highly rated Barry McNulty had it back to seven with still 16 minutes of normal time remaining.
The visitors were in no mood to relinquish what they had earned however and another creative build up saw Ryan McQuillan’s shot on goal charged down with Paddy McAleer on hand to finish to the net.
Both keepers then pulled off saves as the intensity increased with Killian Gaffney denying Pat Shivers at one end and John McNabb performing similar heroics as Barry McNulty threatened.
A Ryan McQuillan point in the 24th minute got Antrim going again with Barry McNulty raising Orange again to keep Leitrim’s fading hopes alive with 7 minutes remaining.
Back came the visitors and Dominic McEnhill raced clear to fist over before his side received a setback when Joe Finnegan was shown straight Red following an overzealous challenge on Barry McNulty.
Dominic McEnhill who top scored for Antrim in Carrick on Shannon
McNulty punished the foul with a 2 pointer from the resulting free and he would exchange the game’s final points with Antrim’s Ryan McQuillan as Mark Doran’s side collected their first win of the season.
A great win for Antrim and while the promotion ship appears to have sailed it will hopefully set the Saffrons up for a strong finish to the season in preparation for the their Ulster championship opener against Derry.
Leitrim: Killian Gaffey; Eoin McLoughlin, Kieran Clancy, Conor Reynolds; Oisin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley (0-02p) , Éanna McNamara; Conor Quinn, Keith Keegan; Fergal McLoughlin, Riordan O’Rourke, Michael McKiernan; Ben Guckian (0-2 2p), Ryan O’Rourke, Paul Honeyman (1-03 2p).
Subs: Barry McNulty 0 – 7 2pf (0 2p for O McLoughlin (HT); Tom Prior for F McLoughlin (43); Gavin Reynolds for McKiernan (51); Seán Harkin for Reynolds (58); Jack Kelly 0 – 1 for Honeyman (64).
Antrim: John McNabb (0-05 2p, 2pf f); Sean O’Neill, Joseph Finnegan, Kavan Keenan; Eoghan McCabe 0 – 1, Ronan Boyle, Mark Jordan; Paddy McAleer (1-01), Tomas McFerran; Conor Hand (1-00), Pat Shivers (0-1), Eunan Walsh (0 -01) Ryan McQuillan (0-02); Adam Loughran, Dominic McEnhill (0 –08)
Subs: Ryan Murray for Loughran (61); Cathal Hynds for Boyle (67); Tiernan McCormack for Walsh (69); James McAuley for Keenan (72).
