GAA Masters Football League 2026 – Round 1
Antrim 2-11 Monaghan 1-16
Venue: Portglenone | Date: Saturday, 9 May 2026
Match report: Gerard Kelly Photos: Dominic Kelly
Monaghan edged a pulsating Masters League opener at Portglenone on Saturday afternoon, running out two-point winners on a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-11 against an Antrim side that showed tremendous character in defeat, only to be undone by a composed Monaghan finish in the dying minutes.
Officiated by Paul Quigley of Derry, this was the kind of contest that Gaelic football was made for, three goals, multiple lead changes, a game that could have gone either way with five minutes to play, and sixty minutes of honest, committed football from two proud counties. Those in attendance at Portglenone were treated to an occasion that bodes well for the Masters campaign ahead.
A Torrid Opening – Monaghan Make Hay Early
Damian Kelly announced Antrim’s intentions with a fine point inside the opening minute, but what followed was a sobering opening quarter for Frank Delargy and Timmy Connolly’s charges. Monaghan found their rhythm quickly and punished every Saffron lapse. Hugh McElroy,who would go on to be the game’s most influential player, split the posts twice, in the 5th and 8th minutes, as the Farney men began to take command. Paul Farnan added a third from play in the 11th minute, and a composed Edmond McArdle made it 0-5 to 0-1 in the 13th to leave the Antrim faithful wondering what was coming.
To their considerable credit, the Saffrons refused to fold. Kelly split the posts again to give Antrim something to build on, and gradually the home side clawed their way back into the contest. George McKitterick edged Monaghan six clear in the 26th minute, but Antrim’s response was immediate and impressive. Michael McCarry (27th), Mark Graham (29th) and Ryan Boyd (30th) all registered points in a productive closing spell, and the sides went to the interval with the gap reduced to the bare minimum Monaghan 0-6, Antrim 0-5. All to play for.
A Second Half to Remember
If the opening period was one-sided before Antrim came good, the second half was something else entirely, a relentless, gripping exchange that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it.
Chris Keenan opened the second-half scoring for Monaghan, but Antrim came roaring back with a Michael McCarry pointed in the 33rd minute before Michael Herron levelled proceedings in the 35th. McArdle edged Monaghan back in front a minute later, but the defining moment of
the half appeared to have arrived when Liam Cassley raised the first green flag of the afternoon in the 37th minute, burying his effort to give the Saffrons a two-point advantage,1-7 to 0-8.
What followed was the most breathless sequence of the day. Monaghan, to their immense credit, refused to be rattled. McElroy pointed in the 39th minute, and then two scores in quick succession, from Keenan (40th) and Shane Birdy (40th) had the Farney men back in front within the space of sixty seconds. Before Antrim could regroup, McElroy produced the kill shot, a well-taken goal in the 41st minute that gave Monaghan a four-point cushion and seemed to have put the tie beyond the Saffrons.
But Antrim had other ideas.
McCarry reduced the gap in the 42nd minute and then came the moment of the match, Michael Herron, outstanding throughout drove forward and finished emphatically to the net in the 43rd minute, levelling proceedings at 2-8 to 1-11 with time still remaining.
The Portglenone crowd rose to their feet. Niall Sweeney edged the Saffrons in front from play in the 44th minute, and McCarry tireless and composed throughout extended the advantage to two with his fourth point of the day in the 46th minute.
Antrim were ahead with the clock ticking. At 2-10 to 1-11, it looked for all the world like the Saffrons were going to take the opening day honours.
Monaghan’s Experience Tells
The mark of a good team is what they do when their backs are against the wall, and Monaghan demonstrated exactly that quality in the closing stages. Managed by Noel Marron, the Farney men dug deep and found the scores that mattered most. Derek McMahon pointed on 49 minutes to narrow the gap, and McElroy levelled again in the
50th with a composed finish from play. Kelly’s response for Antrim in the 51st, his third of the afternoon looked like it might yet be enough, but Edmond McArdle, who was magnificent from first whistle to last and finished with four points from play, levelled the contest again in the 52nd minute. Level at 2-11 to 1-14 (17 points each) with seven minutes
remaining. The composure shown by Monaghan in those closing minutes was the difference. Shane Birdy split the posts in the 57th minute to edge the visitors back in front, and McArdle drove
the final nail home in the 59th to give Monaghan a 1-16 to 2-11 victory that, over the full sixty minutes, they just about deserved.
The Big Picture
It is a defeat that will sting for Antrim, particularly given how close they were in the final quarter, and the manner in which they recovered from a dismal opening spell shows that this is a squad with genuine character and quality. The performances of Damian Kelly (0-3),
Michael McCarry (0-4) and Michael Herron (1-1) in particular will have given Delargy and Connolly much to be encouraged about ahead of a tough campaign that still has plenty of road to run.
For Monaghan, the collective showing was impressive. Hugh McElroy (1-3) and McArdle (0-4) provided the cutting edge, while Keenan and Birdy were lively throughout. Monaghan’s ability to find scores when they needed them most was the hallmark of an experienced, well-drilled outfit.
With Tyrone, Donegal, Cavan, Derry and Down also to come in what looks like a hugely competitive group, both counties will know there is plenty more to play for. The Masters campaign of 2026 is off to a flying start.
ANTRIM: Stephen Harbinson; Ryan Daly, Ken Golden, Colin Connolly; Donald Crawford, Laurence Higgins, Declan McErlean; Damian Kelly (0-3), Michael Herron (1-1); Mark Graham (0-1), David McAlernon, William (Liam) Magee; Niall Sweeney (0-1), Michael McCarry (0-4), Liam Cassley (1-0). Also used: Ryan Boyd (0-1), Michael McCourt, Dominic
Neeson.
MONAGHAN: Sean Farmer; Gareth King, Eddie Lennon, Thomas Mee; Noel Tuite (0-1),
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Pauric Gollogly; Derek McMahon (0-1), Thomas O’Neill; Paul Farnan(0-1), Edmond McArdle (0-4), Martin Mc Nally; Niall Kelly, Hugh McElroy (1-3), George
Mckitterick (0-1). Also used: Chris Keenan (0-2), Shane Birdy (0-2), Aidan McGarrell.
Referee: Paul Quigley (Derry)
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