A goal and a point deep into added time saw Monaghan minors snatch victory from a spirited Antrim team. 

In a fiercely competitive game of football Antrim had led from early in the first half right up to the last kick of the game. 

Monaghan started well and scored two early points but a brilliant individual goal by Aoife Leahy put the Saffs in front and with points from Evie McAllister and Jojo Darragh being added to by a brilliant brace of goals from skipper Leah Stewart and then another from Erin Stewart Antrim seemed to be in control at halftime. 

A last minute save by Mia Carlin and brilliant defensive work by Aine McCavana Sally Scullion and Lila McCann all suggested that Monaghan would be a threat in the second period. 

Halftime change of keeper for Antrim seemed to have been a master stroke when Zoey Kerr made a number of brilliant saves to keep the net intact. 

However everything changed with 10 minutes left on the clock. Firstly the industrious and threatening Aoife Fitzsimons had to be assisted off the pitch with an ankle injury and then from the resulting restart Leah Stewart sustained a serious knee injury in a collision. With paramedics having to intervene the Antrim girls were visibly upset and never really recovered their composure. 

Monaghan to their credit kept plugging away at the Antrim lead while the young Saffs struggled to get possession 

Two late goals and a last-kick point in the 5th minute of extra time saw Monaghan take the spoils. 

In a season where the Antrim squad faced injury problems and players unavailable due to school commitments it has to be noted that each player gave everything in the county colours. 

Antrim 4-7 Monaghan 2-14

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Gaelfast Antrim Cup 🏆

Year 10 Football Cup Final

St Louis Grammar School vs Rathmore Grammar School

The second final of the day produced a commanding performance from Rathmore, who proved far too strong for St Louis with an impressive display of attacking football and composure throughout.

The game started nervously, with both sides struggling to gain control in the opening exchanges. Rathmore eventually broke the deadlock when Ryan Maybury found the net, and from there the city side began to take complete command of proceedings.

Rathmore’s dominance continued as Ordhan O’Prey opened his account with a point before Oliver Lloyd added another. O’Prey struck again, and Dermot Logan then blasted home Rathmore’s second goal after an excellent attacking move.

O’Prey added a free before captain Ethan Cox finished another goal following a brilliant surging run from Caleb Logan. Oliver Lloyd then added Rathmore’s fourth goal as the favourites ran riot before the break.

Ordhan O’Prey added another point, but St Louis responded with a well-worked goal. Kiran Jayaprakash made a brilliant run from the wing, cut inside and supplied a hand pass into the square. The ball broke kindly back to him and he calmly fired the rebound to the back of the net.

Half-time: Rathmore 4-5 St Louis 1-0

St Louis showed more fight after the restart, with Conan McKeever — introduced from the bench — kicking an excellent outside-of-the-boot point from a difficult angle.

However, Rathmore quickly regained control. Ethan Cox pointed before Dermot Logan added two more scores. Garrett Finnegan got on the scoresheet, while Logan converted a free as Rathmore continued to dominate possession and territory.

Stephen McKenna then finished another excellent Rathmore move for a goal after strong play from Oliver Lloyd. St Louis responded through Ronan Laverty with a goal of their own, but Rathmore kept pushing forward, with Matthew McMullan raising another green flag.

Dermot Logan added another point before Cillian Gillespie responded for St Louis. Garrett Finnegan pointed again before Ordhan O’Prey finished the contest in style with a superb strike to the top corner of the net.

Wing half-back James Johnston was one of Rathmore’s standout performers, covering huge ground and linking play brilliantly throughout. Ethan Cox and Oliver Lloyd were also outstanding, controlling the defence and midfield areas.

Rathmore’s forward line proved immense, with every attacker contributing on the scoreboard. Ordhan O’Prey, Dermot Logan and Garrett Finnegan were particularly influential in leading the charge.

Despite the defeat, St Louis continued battling until the final whistle. Lorcan Martin repeatedly drove his side forward, while Conan McKeever and Kiran Jayaprakash worked tirelessly in an effort to spark a comeback. Darragh McConnell and Nicholas McRory also impressed defensively with several strong tackles and interceptions.

Overall, it was a comfortable and deserved victory for Rathmore, who showcased excellent composure, movement and attacking quality from start to finish.

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Antrim Camogie League – Division 2

Ballycastle 2nds v Geraldines Portglenone

Report by Colm Friel

Geraldines got their Division 2 campaign back on track with a comprehensive victory in Ballycastle on Tuesday evening, producing a measured attacking display and disciplined defensive performance to claim the points.

After a scoreless opening six minutes that suggested a tight game was in store, Geraldines found their rhythm and opened the scoring when Jojo Darragh pointed after a lovely run before Aoife McGrogan struck for the game’s opening goal in the seventh minute, finishing neatly after Geraldines carved through the Ballycastle defence.

Shannon Darragh and Aoibhinn McCloskey soon added further points as Geraldines started to dominate possession around the middle third, with McCloskey, Eimear McKee and Orlagh Convery setting the tempo and putting the home defence on the back foot with an impressive passing display.

Ballycastle stayed in touch during the opening quarter through scores from Louise McBride and Faye Roddy, but Geraldines continued to create openings at will and struck a decisive blow midway through the half when Clodagh Convery fired home after a long range free from Aoibhinn McCloskey dropped in the Ballycastle square, and added another four minutes later, taking possesion from a measured pass from McCloskey and rifling a shot from 30 yards that dipped under Erin O’Hara’s crossbar. This was the signal for the Geraldines attack to click into gear, with the movement and work-rate of Laura McAleese, Hollie Martin and Jojo Darragh, creating multiple chances.

Further scores from Aoibhinn McCloskey, Shannon Darragh, Hollie Martin and Eimear McKee helped Geraldines carry a commanding 3-11 to 0-4 lead into the break.

To Ballycastle’s credit, they emerged with renewed energy in the second half and enjoyed their best spell of the contest as Louise McBride converted a succession of points from play and placed ball, while strong work from Cara Delaney, Faye Roddy and Niamh Donnelly helped them gain a foothold in the middle third.

However, Geraldines weathered that period with disciplined defending, and reasserted control when Aedin Vallely pointed a free before Clodagh Convery sealed her hat-trick, netting again midway through the half.

From there, the away side closed the game out impressively in the gathering darkness with late points from Aoibhinn McCloskey, Shannon Darragh, Aoife McGrogan and Laura McAleese completing an accomplished all-round team display.

Geraldines: Siobhan Doherty, Hannah Friel, Anna O’Kane, Ellie Tsang, Aoife McKenna, Orlagh Convery, Aedin Vallely (0-1 f), Aoibhinn McCloskey (0-4, 1 f), Eimear McKee (0-1), Hollie Martin (0-1), Laura McAleese (0-1), Jojo Darragh (0-2), Clodagh Convery (3-1), Shannon Darragh (0-6, 1 f), Aoife McGrogan (1-1).

Sub used : Laura O’Boyle (49)

Ballycastle: Erin O’Hara, Dani McQuillan, Noelle McAuley, Ciara Boylan, Christina Hamilton, Niamh Ann Donnelly, Cara Delaney, Faye Roddy (0-2), Fiadh Sands, Aoife McCaughan, Louise McBride (0-8, 2 f), Olivia Connolly, Anna Bakewell, Shannon McQuillan, Eimear McCaughan.

Referee: Tony Breen