The County Chairperson received yesterday (3 April) the resignation of the County Secretary, County Assistant Secretary and Chairperson of the Fixtures Committee.
We wish to put on record our thanks and appreciation to Debbie Murray and Seamus McKenna for their work in developing and promoting Ladies Gaelic Football in County Antrim during their tenures and hope that they will still have much to contribute to the county in the coming years.
In accordance with Rule 26 of The Official Guide, clubs are invited to nominate for the following positions:
Antrim County Secretary
Antrim County Assistant Secretary
Nominations for the above positions should be made to the Chairperson, Ursula Lynch via email to chairperson.antrim@lgfa.ie by Monday 7 April 2025 at 5 p.m.
The Chairperson of the Fixtures Committee shall be nominated by the Fixtures Committee and ratified by the County Board.
A meeting of the County Board shall be arranged in due course to elect a new secretary.
St. Mary’s Ahoghill 2-12 Con Magee’s Glenravel 0-1
Fergus Donaghy and Harry Fyfe struck injury time points to secure a hard fought victory for Con Magee’s over St. Mary’s Ahoghill at Cloney on Thursday night.
In a game that was in the balance for most of the contest, St. Mary’s looked to be in the driving street when Noel Crossey fired past Shaun O’Boyle from the penalty spot to put the Cloney men two ahead with six minutes remaining.
They tried to sit back at this stage of the game, playing keep ball and were made to pay as the Con Magee’s replied through the impressive Callum Higgins with points from play and another from a free and the initiative was now very much with the visitors.
Higgins was then wide of the target from another free and substitute Harry Fyfe was badly of target and the game looked to be heading for a draw but Donaghy edged the visitors ahead in injury time and Fyfe made amends for his earlier miss.
It was the home side who made the better start in Cloney as Dan O’Neill raised the orange flag for a fine two pointer and Noel Crossey added another before Declan McAuley got forward for the visitors to fist over and leave it 0-3 to 0-1 after 8 minutes.
Sean McKay from a free and another from play had the side’s level but it was St. Mary’s who continued to look more dangerous on the break and Ronan Graham and Conor Crossey moved them two ahead at the end of the opening quarter.
The game was being played at breakneck pace and it was the visitors who were to grab the initiative as Callum Higgins, Declan Traynor and Sean McKay hit three on the bounce to move Glenravel ahead.
Both sides were creating and wasting a lot of chances with the Ahoghill wide count causing a lot of concern for their management team but Dan O’Neill ran through from deep to fire over the equaliser and might have had a goal.
At the other end Aiden Graham pulled off his second good save of the half as the visitors threatened again and at half time the teams could not be separated at 0-6 to 0-6.
St. Mary’s started the second half as they had the first with Ronan Graham and Noel Crossey pointing to move them two in front after six minutes but once again Glenravel were able to find a response.
Sean McKay fired over, Callum Higgins followed with a 2 pointer and a McKay pointed free and another from play by Fergus Donaghy had them three ahead by the 10th minute.
A Ronan Graham free briefly halted the traffic towards the home goal but two more from Fergus Donaghy and a McKay free moved the visitors into a four point lead.
The home side seemed to be feeling the pace at this stage but Ronan Graham brought them back to life as his well struck shot seemed to take a deflection and ended in the net.
Back came the home side and Noel Crossey’s pointed free had it all square with 11 minutes remaining but Glenravel responded again with Sean McKay and Daniel McQuillan with a superb effort saw them hit the front once more.
As the intensity of this excellent contest increased James Magee closed the gap to one once more and when Crossey fired home from the spot it looked like St. Mary’s had turned it around.
There would be another turn of fortunes however as a superbly fit Con Magee’s kicked four on the bounce to move two in front with Ahoghill throwing everything at it in the closing stages but a Noel Crossey point was all they could manufacture.
Ahoghill: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Shea Neeson, Patrick Dougan, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Harry O’Donnell, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 James Magee, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Martin Graham, 10 Colla McDonnell, 11 Noel Crossey, 12 Dan O’Neill, 13 Ronan Graham, 14 Neil O’Connell, 15 Conor Crossey.
Glenravel: 1 Shaun O’Boyle, 2 Eamonn Ward, 3 Eoin McCusker, 4 Conor Carey, 5 Declan McAuley, 6 Daniel McQuillan, 7 Charlie Henry, 8 David Higgins, 9 Sean Higgins, 10 Joe Martin, 11 Rian Lennon, 12 Callum Higgins, 13 Fergus Donaghy, 14 Sean McKay, 15 Declan Traynor.
Subs: 26 Harry Fyfe for Declan Traynor
Referee: Colm McDonnell (St. Gall’s)
TO VIEW MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Dalata Hotel Group Ulster U20 Football Championship Group A,
Down 5-19 Antrim 0-21
Antrim’s involvement in the Ulster U20 Football Championship ended at Pairc Esler on Wednesday evening when they were well beaten by Down.
After getting their first point of the competition at the weekend against Fermangh there was a bit more optimism in the camp going into this game, but the Down side were dominant from the start and quite frankly the game was as good as over at half time when the home side led by 4-10 to 0-03.
Paul Duffin
Down started very strongly and had three points on the board in as many minute. Antirm had an early goal chance when JJ Higgins worked an opening but the Down netminder Ronan Burns made a good save to deny the corner forward and from then until the interval it was all one way traffic.
Man of the match Ruairi Madine had the ball in the Antrim net on 11 minutes and it wasn’t long to he raised two more green flags. Conhuir Johnston got Antirm on the scoreboard on eighteen minutes but it was merely token resistance as the home teams sent over scores from everywhere and Madine set up Lorcan Ward for a fourth goal before the break, while Tarlach Enright and Rory McErlean got Antrim’s other scores, as the Mourne men pushed on to lead by 19 points at the interval. (4-10 to 0-03)
Antrim showed a little better in the second half and actually hit five two-pointers during that period through McKenna, Adams, Johnston and Enright, but Down were home and hosed by this stage as they ended thirteen clear at the final whistle.
Wednesday evening sees the final games in the group when Antrim travel to Tyrone while Down take on Fermanagh.
Down R Burns 0-1 (45); B Christie, L Vaughan, L Lynch; D Murdock 0-1, J McFerran, C Morgan; D McKernan, D McAleenan 0-2; E Murray 0-2, L Ward 1-2, E Travers 0-1; B McEvoy 0-1, R Madine 3-4, O Byrne 0-4 (0-1f)
Subs L Quinn for Murdock (ht), C McGinley 0-1 for McEvoy (41), C Clerkin for Ward (41), R Magorrian for Madine (44), C Ward 1-0 for Travers (49)
Antrim J McLaughlin; S Doyle, D McGurk, C Hale; R Quinn, P Duffin, E Walsh 0-1; N Hynds, S Ferris; C Walsh, T Enright 0-4 (0-1f, 1×45, 1tpf), R McErlean 0-1; JJ Higgins, C Johnston 0-6 (0-3f, 1tpf), L Phillips
Subs M McKenna 0-5 (2tp) for Hynds (h-t), S Adams 0-2 (1tp), for Ferris (h-t), D Martin for Higgins (h-t), O McKenna for Phillips (39), S Boyd 0-1 for McErlean (44)
Both sides lost their opening game and both will see this as an opportunity to get some points on board. Ahoghill lost to Rossa at Rossa Park on day 1 while St. Gall’s overcame Glenravel at Fr. Maginn Park.
This one should be tight but home advantage could swing it Ahoghill’s way
(Sunday 6th April)
Division One (all games 2.00pm)
All Saint’s v Casements
Casement’s were defeated on their travels to Aldergrove lasSunday and are on the road again when they face All Saints in Ballymena on Sunday.
That 4-12 to 0-12 reversal was not anticipated by many and they will look for better this time against
All Saint’s began their league programme with victory over the Johnnies in round one before suffering defeat at Creggan in round two.
A close one is possible in this one with both sides seeking to regain the positive trail but the more experienced Casement’s are given the nod.
St Paul’s v Tir na nOg
St Paul’s suffered a heavy defeat to Creggan in their first game back in division 1 for a number of years but the Shaw’s Road side fared better in round two in a trip to Portglenone though losing again.
Tir na nOg suffered a narrow defeat away to Lamh Dhearg in Round 1 before losing to early pace setters, St. James Aldergrove at Whitehill last time out.
This is an opportunity for both sides to get points on board and despite having to travel Niall Jackman’s Tir na nOg should have enough to take the points.
St Brigid’s v St John’s
Last year’s division 1 champions, St Brigid’s have opened their account with a win at Aghagallon in their opening league encounter and following that impressive performance the South Belfast men look favourites to gain a second win when the Johnnies come a calling.
Having impressed on their opening assignment the division one league champs will look to continue on such here St. John’s visit Musgrave Park.
St John’s have lost to both All Saints and Dunloy in their opening league games and will be keen to get their first win.
The Johnnies will travel in search of improvement but although the Corrigan inhabitants can never be discounted ground advantage may well play a part with a win for the home side anticipated.
St James Aldergrove v Lamh Dhearg
Aldergrove have really nipped smartly away from the start traps this term with back to back victories over Tir na nOg at Whitehill in round one followed with a 4-13 to 0-13 victory over Casements.
Lamh Dhearg lost to Cargin last time but performed well in a high scoring encounter and the Hannahstown men look ready for action this term with a few new faces on show.
A good game look in prospect and this one could go either way with a narrow vote given to the Lamhs.
Cuhullian’s Dunloy v Kickham’s Creggan
Creggan have started the season impressively with wins over St. Paul’s and All Saints and they will aim to retain their positivity in this one as they travel with confidence to meet Cuchullian’s in Dunloy.
Dunloy lost to the visiting Aghagallon in their opening game of the season with the visitors finishing 0-13 to 1-07 ahead before travelling to Corrigan Park in round two and recording a 0-13 to 1-07 win over St. John’s.
Creggan have started the season well and although this is not an easy fixture, the visitors will start as firm favourites.
St Gall’s v St Marys Aghagallon
St Gall’s have opened the present season very much on the positive and remain unbeaten following their opening two games.
They opened with an excellent victory over the visiting Rossa before returning from Glenravel with a 1-20 to 0-11 win over the Con Magees.
This looks a difficult one but although Aghagallon are likely to provide a stiff challenge, a home win does seem the likely verdict.
O’ Donovan Rossa v Erin’s Own Cargin
Reigning county champions Erin’s Own Cargin have started their 2025 campaign with back to back wins over Ahoghill at Cloney in round one before following with a round two victory over the visiting Lamh Dhearg.
Rossa lost to St Galls in round one but proved too good for Ahoghill at Shaw’s Road in round 2 and will look forward to the visit of the County champions.
Rossa can be relied upon to give their Toome visitors a run for their money and Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men will not be found wanting but Cargin should continue their good opening form with a win.
Division Two (all games 2.00pm)
Gort na Mona v Moneyglass
Moneyglass beat newly promoted St Comgall’s by four points in their opening game and Benny Marron’s men will look to retain that winning habit as they cross swords with Michael Gort na ona at Enright Park.
Gort na Mona lost narrowly to St. Teresa’s in their opening game of the campaign but will provide St. Ergnat’s with a stiff test and a draw can’t be ruled out.
St Comgall’s Antrim v Michael Davitts
Although they lost to Moneyglass in their opening game, last year’s third division champions did ask questions of their hosts and improvement may well follow as they welcome Michael Davitts to Antrim.
Davitts earned a point at home to Glenavy in round one and they will travel this time with a victory possibly in sight but Naomh Comhghall will see this as an opportunity to get some points on board.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v St Enda’s
This looks like a close one as Glenavy play hosts to St. Enda’s at Chapel Hill.
Glenavy earned a good point at Davitts in round one and ground advantage will ensure they start this game as favourites as they welcome a St Enda’s side who lost out St. Patrick’s Lisburn in their opening game.
St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Teresa’s
St Teresa’s opted to remain in division 2 after finishing runners up to St. Paul’s last season and they have opened account with a victory over the visiting Gort na Mona in round one.
Rasharkin had a descent 2024 campaign but found the going tough in round one where they lost to Sarsfield’s at the Bear Pit. They will see the visit of St. Teresa’s as an opportunity to open their account and with home advantage they certainly look in with a shout.
St Patrick’s Lisburn v Patrick Sarsfields
St. Patrick’s Lisburn started their league campaign with a good away win over St. Enda’s in Glengormley and they will play hosts to Sarsfields, hoping for another positive result.
The Paddies started this year’s campaign with a good home win over Rasharkin and an away win at the expense St Patrick’s is possible.
Division Three (2.00pm)
O’ Donnell’s v St Agnes
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s underlined current wellbeing and hinted at positive intent in 2025 with and opening round victory over Pearses away from home.
The Aggies visit in this one, having gained an eye catching home win over Wolfe Tones in round one and this one could be close
Wolfe Tones v St Malachys
Wolfe Tones proved no match for the Aggies in their opening fixture and will play hosts to St Malachy’s this time looking for a better return.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Eire Og
Eire Og opened their 2025 account with a good win over Laochra Loch Lao and this may well prove to be a more-stern test as they visit North Belfast and Kickham’s Ardoyne.
Laochra Loch Lao v Pearses
Having lost to Eire Og In the first round of competition Laochra Loch Lao will look for a better return as they welcome Pearses but this one could go either way.
Pearses lost to the visiting O’ Donnell’s last day out and they will travel in search of a better return this time.
Last year’s Junior Hurling Champions, St. Mary’s Rasharkin got this year’s division 3 campaign off to a promising start when they proved too good for St. Enda’s second string at Dreen on Sunday.
The South West side put themselves in a commanding position when they led 2-15 to 0-87 at the break, both goals coming from Donagh Quigg.
Quigg would go onto record 2-5 for the evening with free taker, Conor McKeever making a strong contribution as he finished with 1-11 and Conor McKillop 0-9 and Declan McKay 0-2 all on target for a well organised Rasharkin side.
After Last year’s Championship success, the emphasis this year for St. Mary’s will most likely be on promotion to division 2 and on Sunday’s performance they are quite capable of achieving that.
Last year’s captain, Donagh Quigg was again excellent for the men from Dreen with Conor McKeever and Conor McKillop others to catch the eye in a strong Rasharkin side.
RASHARKIN TEAM
Donagh Quigg who scored 2-5 in his side’s win over St. Enda’s and (featured image) Conor McKeever who registered 1-11
