On Tuesday night past, the St Ergnat’s Moneyglass girls made history as they claimed the club’s third U-16 championship in a row. Moneyglass right half forward Ruby McErlain got her side off to a flying start with a brace of well struck points from the left hand side.
This was quickly followed up by her team mate Aoife Madden smashing the ball to the net after a long testing ball was kicked into the square. Further points by JoJo Darragh, Leah Stewart and Mia McLarnon were preceded by a fine team goal finished to the net by Aoife Griffin.
As it approached halftime and the Johnnies yet to score it was looking increasingly likely that the St.Ergnat’s girls would romp home without getting out of third gear.
Half-time score Moneyglass 2-6 St John’s 0-0.
The notion that St. John’s had already folded was soon put to bed as they started the second half at a blistering pace. Live wire full-forward Anna Adams got them off the mark with a point from a tight angle. She quickly followed this up with a goal that was countered by scores at the other end by Ruby McErlain and Leah Stewart.
Just when that big gap looked to be reappearing again, the Johnnies got a second goal, again from the boot of Anna Adams and it looked very much like game on. But these Moneyglass girls are no strangers to dealing with pressure as they stepped up their defensive game to another gear thwarting their opponents time and time again with strong defensive play.
Amidst the St John’s pressure the coolest head on the pitch was the Moneyglass goalkeeper Olivia Marron as she found a team mate time and time again from her kick-outs. As the clock ran down, the final score of the game was a fine long range effort from the boot of Aoibheann McKeefrey.
In the end this was a superb team performance from the Moneyglass girls. In the full back line the O’Boyles, Cerys, Aibhle and Katie gave little away. At half back, Aoife McGrogan, Caitlin Graffin and Mia McLarnon were always driving their side forward and defending like demons.
At midfield the relentless Leah Stewart and Aoife Leahy were the engine room with boundless bundles of energy going both ways. The half forward line of Ruby McErlain, JoJo Darragh and Aoife Madden were always an outlet which provided a constant scoring threat. Up top Molly McGinty, Aoife Griffin and Aoibheann McKeefrey were always a menace also playing a big part in their team’s victory.
To view the rest of Elaine Kelly’s Album click on link below
Football Championship features prominently this week-end as the semi-final stages of all of the grades are down for decision on what is to be a busy time for players and spectators alike from Friday evening through to Sunday.
Senior Football Championship (Semi Finals)
Saturday 28th September(semi-final)
Casements Portglenone v Lamh Dhearg (Toome) at 4.00pm)
The first semi-final of the senior football championship will ensure a big gathering in Toome with Casement’s, last year’s senior league winners facing Lamh Dhearg who were last crowned senior champions in 2017.
The Hannahstown side defeated Creggan in what was a close hard fought quarter final but there is a question mark over this one going ahead as scheduled following an appeal by the Creggan club.
Lamh Dhearg really had to dig deep to get past a very good Kickham’s side and in the event they looked to the depth of their experienced players to get them across the line following extra time.
It was close throughout with the Hannahstown men looking on their way out of the championship as the final whistle approached but they were led back into contention by experienced campaigners Paddy Cunningham and Declan Lynch to earn a draw.
Extra time proved just as close and vigorous as the 60 minutes previous with nothing at all between the contestants but when the Kickham’s had a man sent off in the final minutes, the resultant free was despatched between the posts by Paddy Cunningham and the Lamh’s had gained the day.
Casement’s started the Group stages well and the 2023 division One league winners came through the group stages as expected, but John McKeever’s men had to dig deep to gain a place in the last four.
Portglenone have plenty of talent at their disposal including Dermot Mc Aleese, Oisin Doherty, and the Delargy brothers and have been more than well served by new signing, Enda Lynn this term.
They did seem on the way to a comfortable victory over St. John’s in the quarter-final side but the Whiterock side had other ideas and a late Conal Quinn goal forced the home side to dig deep to cross the line with a one point victory.
A close one is in prospect in this one and although Casement’s will enter the fray as slight favourites the Lamh Dhearg have been impressive this term and they will look to their experienced players, Decky Lynch, Paddy Cunningham Michael Herron, Conor and Ryan Murray and Terry McCrudden to see them through to another final.
Sunday 29th September (semi-final)
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Brigid’s (Dunsilly) at 4.00pm
Possibly the lead attraction in a week-end of attractive fixtures as the reigning champions, Cargin lock horns with the reigning league champions, St. Brigid’s at Dunsilly which is certain to draw a big crowd to the Antrim venue.
The Toome men, in search of three in a row are unbeaten in this year’s campaign and Ronan Devlin’s charges have been impressive to date.
They coasted through their preliminary group and recorded a resounding win over St Mary’s Ahoghill in the quarter-final.
St Brigid’s made the breakthrough this year when they collected their first division 1 league title and moved through Group 4 of the championship qualifiers unbeaten but were pushed all the way before overcoming Dunloy in a tight quarter-final in Toome.
The South Belfast men looked in complete control at the half way stage when they led the Cuchullian’s by nine points.
Dunloy staged a strong second half comeback however and when they reduced the deficit to the minimum at one stage an upset looked likely.
In the event St Brigid’s regain the initiative and a late goal ensured their progress to Sunday’s semi-final.
This is certain to attract a big attendance to Dunsilly where a close game is anticipated and although the reigning champions will start as firm favourites, St. Brigid’s recent league success could give them the belief to push Cargin all the way.
Intermediate Football Championship
Saturday 28th September (semi-finals)
St Paul’s v All Saint’s Ballymena (Hightown) at 2.00pm
St Paul’s with three senior titles gained back in the 70’s face All Saints Ballymena in the first of the Intermediate semi-finals at St. Enda’s on Saturday in a game that could go either way.
St Paul’s have descended down the ranks since those lofty days of the 70’s but have made great strides in recent years which included promotion from division 2 in 2024 as league winners.
The Shaw’s Road side have reached the final of the Minor championship again following their success in the same competition back in 2023.
All Saints enjoyed a good division 1 league campaign where they finished in third place but have been a bit hit and miss in their championship campaign to date.
After defeating Gort na Mona in their opening Group game they travelled to the Bear Pit where they lost by a late pointed free to Sarsfield’s but a facile victory over a depleted Davitt’s in their third outing kept them in contention.
They travelled to Chapel Hill on day four where they recorded a victory over Glenavy with a strong finish and a couple of Ronan Mc Killop points saw them record a 1-12 to 0-11 win over the home side and a place in Saturday’s semi-final.
St Paul’s have looked good in their championship campaign to date and the Shaw’s road side will go into this semi-final full of confidence.
St. Paul’s earned their place in Saturday’s semi-final with an impressive away win over St. Mary’s Rasharkin, a home win over Naomh Padraig, Lisburn and a draw away to a St. Teresa’s side who are in the second semi-final.
This one could be mighty close and All Saints will need to be at their best if they are to overcome the challenge of a St. Paul’s side who have scored freely throughout this year’s campaign and will fancy their chances on Saturday
Patrick Sarsfields v St Teresa’s (Davitt Park) at 4.00pm
Sarsfield’s meet St Teresa’s at Davitt’s Park in the second semi-final and like the St. Paul’s v All Saints game, this one looks too close to call.
St Teresa’s have looked the part in a division 2 league campaign where they finished second to St. Paul’s with only a point separating them at the end of a good campaign for both sides.
They have carried that good form into the championship with wins over Ardoyne and Naomh Padraig and a draw with St. Paul’s but face a big challenge when they take on Sarsfield’s in Saturday’s semi-final.
Sarsfield’s had a mediocre league campaign but the Stewartstown Road side always seem to save their best for the championship and this year has been no different.
Resounding wins over Gort na Mona and Davitt’s in their opening two games and a narrow victory over All Saints on day 3 saw them top the group and installed as favourites to go on and lift the title.
They suffered their only defeat of the Group 2 campaign when they travelled to Glenavy on day 4 but had a number of players missing and had already qualified and will probably start Saturday’s semi-final as favourites but will be pushed all the way by the Glen Road men.
Junior Football Championship
Friday 27th September
St Comgall’s v Na Piarsaigh (Dunsilly 2) at 7.00pm
It has been a great year for the Antrim town men under Barry Burns and they will look to make 2024 even more memorable if they can add championship success to their division 3 league success.
A place in the final is the objective in this one as they line up against Pearses in this semi-final at Dunsilly.
Pearses have enjoyed a good 2024 and qualified for Friday night’s semi-final with a win over Eire Og at Fennell Park in the quarter-final.
The North Belfast men will be all out to gain a place in the Junior final but St Comgall’s will start as firm favourites and they are fancied to claim the final berth.
Saturday 28th September
St Agnes v St Malachy’s (Pairc Naomh Una) at 3.00pm
St Agnes and St Malachy’s have both enjoyed a good 2024 season to date and both will have eyes on a place in the Junior Championship decider but St. Agnes have been the form side in this year’s Junior Championship.
The Aggies have really struck form in this year’s knock-out campaign and assisted by home advantage they will hope to continue that good form as the men from the Markets visit.
St Malachy’s have enjoyed a good season to date and recorded a win over the Aggies in the league and they will travel with a place in the Junior Final uppermost in their mind.
Wins over Pearses, Laochra Loch Lao and O’Donnell’s saw St. Agnes top Group 1 and if they can carry that form into Saturday’s semi-final then I would expect them to advance to the decider.
Cross & Passion College, Ballycastle got their season off to a great start when they beat St Killian’s, Garron Tower in the final of the @UlsterUniGAA 11-A-Side Hurling Tournament at Jordanstown on Wednesday. With both team missing half their sides because of Sunday’s Antrim Minor Final it is ironic that both should make their way through to the decider, but it gives an indicator of how strong hurling is this season in the Glens.
St Killian’s, who had a few of last season’s All Ireland Cup winners still in their ranks, started the final well and led by a point at the interval, 1-02 to 0-4. However CPC fought back well in the second half and sealed the win with the last two points of the game for a deserved victory and it is no surprise that they are most people’s favourites for this season’s Mageean Cup.
Claire from competition sponsors EOS IT Solutions presents the trophy to CPC captain Roan McGarry after his team’s win over St Killian’s in the final at Jordanstown on Wednesday.
In the semi-finals CPC be St Mary’s while St Killian’s accounted for Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock.
In the Shield competition Lecale Grammar School beat St Malachy’s Belfast in the final while Lecale beat St Louis Ballymena in the semi-final and St Malachy’s beat St Pat’s Maghera.
Overall a great day’s hurling with the promise of much more to come in the weeks ahead with the Mageean Cup group games getting underway next week
For more photos from the event, by Mark Mark Marlow and John McIlwaine, click on the link below
An Aoife Fitzsimmons inspired, Lamh Dhearg proved too strong for a battling St. Joseph’s Glenavy in this LGFA U16B final with the Hannastown number 11 proving unmarkable as she led her side to a decisive victory.
The Chapel Hill side got off to a good start through points from Lydia Grant and a long range beauty from Anna Rice but it would be the only time they would lead in the contest.
Lamh Dhearg responded decisively with two quick fire goals from Aoibh O’Hare and Aoife Fitzsimmons with her first of the afternoon in the 9th minute before Katie Grant in the St. Joseph’s defence pulled of a great block to deny the Hannastown girls a third major.
It only postponed the inevitable as the superb Fitzsimmons fired home a great individual effort in the 11th minute and followed quickly with a point before Lila McCann got through for her side’s fourth major at the end of the opening quarter.
Aoibheann Monaghan replied with Glenavy’s third point, their first score for 16 minutes and Catriona Doran and Anna Rice exchanged further points and two late points from Fitzsimmons and another from Sophie Morris left Lamh Dhearg 4-5 to 0-5 ahead at the break.
Glenavy’s final point coming from Anna Rice in injury time.
HT 4-5 TO 0-5
Any hopes of a St. Joseph’s comeback were quickly extinguished when the excellent Aoife Fitzsimmons set up Aoiobh O’Hare for an early Lamh Dhearg goal and Lila McCann, Fitzsimmons, O’Hare and Sophie Morris followed with points to put the game out5 of reach at the end of the third quarter.
Glenavy were still giving it everything but were fighting against impossible odds as Aoibheann Monaghan opened their second half account with a point from a converted free.
Aoife Fitzsimmons replied with a point before Tara Boyd scored her side’s 7th goal but Glenavy were still fighting hard and Monaghan fired to the net for her side’s opening goal, much to the delight of the Glenavy faithful who had continued to encourage their side all the way.
It was well and truly over at this stage with Tara Boyd kicking Lamh Dhearg’s final point and the excellent Aoibheann Monaghan replied with a consolation point for the Chapel Hill girls.
An excellent win for Lamh Dhearg who dictated matters from early in the game and in Aoife Fitzsimmons had the outstanding player on view. The Hannastown number 11 was at the heart of everything her side produced.
She had strong allies in Lila McCann, Sophie Morris, Aoibh O’Hare and Tara Boyd in a very good all round Lamh Dhearg side.
St. Joseph’s fought hard throughout but on the day were unable to contain the threat caused by Fitzsimmons and Co. but had good performers in Katie Grant, Caoimhe McCartan, Aoibheann Monaghan and Anna Rice.
Since the introduction of All County leagues at Juvenile level it has been difficult for the divisional boards to fix their own competitions but despite those difficulties the South West committee has continued to flourish with another set of finals completed at the weekend.
This weekend their competitions continue at pace with both the Breslin Shield and Breslin Cup finals scheduled for Ballymena.
The South West committee hope to finalise plans shortly for their U23 Football competition that was introduced last year and was a great success with Tir na nOg defeating All Saints in an excellent final.
Upcoming SW Antrim Football & Hurling fixtures below.
Sunday 29th September @ All Saints Ballymena
Breslin Shield Final @ 4pm
Kickhams Creggan v Tír Na nOg Randalstown
Breslin Cup Final @ 5.30pm
Roger Casements Portglenone v St James Aldergrove
Saturday 28th September
U14 Hurling Semi Finals @ 3pm
Tír Na nOg Randalstown v All Saints/Ahoghill
Kickhams Creggan v Naomh Éanna
Wednesday 2nd October – @ awaiting venue
Laverty Cup Final @ 7pm
Kickhams Creggan v Con Magees Glenravel
Saturday 5th October
U14 Hurling Final @ 3pm
Fixture details TBC
Saturday 12th October
U16 Hurling Semi Final @ 3pm
St Olcans v Naomh Éanna
Saturday 19th October – venue and time TBC
U16 Hurling Final
All Saints/Ahoghill v winners of above SF
SW U23 FOOTBALL;
We are seeking to gauge interest in a SW 23 competition games to be played around lunchtime on Sundays in October.
Rough guidelines are that teams can be comprised of graded / ungraded U23s, 2nd year Minor players and 2 (maybe 3) ungraded over 23s if needed to be able to field.
Please check with relevant management at your club and if interested let Karol Doherty know before Friday 27th September.
