Cargin v Moneyglass LGFA minor A final
01/10/26 @Ahoghill
Report by Caitlin Emmie
In a blustery Ahoghill on Thursday evening, the girls of Clann na hEireann secured their first ever Minor A title at just the 3rd time of asking in the LGFA section of the club’s short lifespan. Having hosted the first meeting of the Antrim LGFA 30 years ago in their clubrooms, perhaps it was fitting that they should take home the top Juvenile prize in this anniversary year. Dethroning the experienced reigning champions St Ergnats Moneyglass is no easy task, but where the Loughshore girls would struggle against the physicality of their opponents, they substituted this for teamwork and movement which would ultimately be where their road to success lay.
With all of their celebrated Seniors available to play, Moneyglass approached the game with much confidence. Any side laced with talented Division 1 performers such as Leah Stewart, Ruby McErlain, Aoife Leahy, Jojo Darragh, Caitlin Graffin, Aoife Madden, and Aoife McGrogan would expect no less. Cargin came from the other end of the scale with a bedrock of the u16s who won their championship just two weeks ago and a sprinkling of u18s and u14s. The exuberance of youth verses the experienced previous winners. History and the form guide suggested a comfortable victory for the St Ergnats girls but the Cargin Cailiní had no intention of following the script and allowing a procession.
With a wind blowing towards the North East and a slick but immaculate St Mary’s surface, both sides ferociously went at each other following the throw in by referee Patrick O’Callaghan.
Cargin checked first through their captain Laura Scullion but back came Moneyglass with a scored free and then a fine solo goal. The Blues then edged further in front with another free kick which was replied in kind by a power solo and fine left foot finish by Sally Scullion, one her coach and Uncle, Tomás McCann would have been proud of. A great start from both sides worthy of a final. With 15 mins gone the scoreline read Cargin 1-1, Moneyglass 1-2 and it was nip and tuck with no inch given from either side. Chances were at a premium and the middle exchanges was where most of the action was as both sides tried to assert their presence.
The Moneyglass axis of Graffin, Stewart, Leahy, McErlain and Darragh was the platform they were attempting to build from, while Cargin met them head on with Cliodhna McKeever, Gemma McAuley, Sally Scullion, Emily Scullion and Caoimhe Doherty. Defensively resolute throughout and with a lot of possession in the opposition half, the scales were leaning toward the Loughshore girls at this stage but It was at this point they were becoming their own worst enemies. A series of 4 consecutive offensive breaches led to the ball being brought back up the field and simple point conversions from the boots of Jojo Darragh and Ruby McErlain. For all the good Cargin work, a potential gap was starting to open in what was a very tight game, but a Cargin counterattack was led by Gemma McAuley, where she soloed through the St Ergnat’s middle and crashed a shot against the crossbar. First to react to the rebound was Eva McCann who calmly palmed the ball into the net and the game was back to a single score. With a spring in their step, and high pressure on the kickouts, Gemma McAuley and Cliodhna McKeever pointed to leave the minimum between the sides at the short whistle although the Marian Hill girls would have the slight wind advantage for the 2nd half which could prove advantageous.
Half time score was 2-4 to 1-6
While Moneyglass decided to head to the changing room, Cargin stayed out on the pitch at half time, walking to the centre and running through exercises. When the ball was thrown in for the 2nd half there was no doubt who started the sharper. While other sides may have preferred to shy away from the undoubtedly strong spine of Moneyglass, the Cargin girls had the opposite approach deciding to take them head on, meeting fire with fire and laying down the gauntlet to their more experienced foes.
From the outset The Emmet Band girls set out their stall with Eva McCann, Grace O’Boyle, Annie Convery and Sally Scullion functioning the press. Maisie Kelly, Caoimhe Doherty, Gemma McAuley and Cliodhna McKeever in the assertive 2nd phase, with Emily Scullion, Laura Scullion, Caoimhe McErlain and Aoife Neeson completing the full sweep. The house was minded by Cathy Craig and Erin Neeson, protecting the safe hands of Aimee Graham. It was risky but ultimately forced the game to be played in the blue half of the field, resulting in repeated turnovers and forceful intent. The intensity Cargin played at during this period was something to behold and during this initial 15 minute period is where the Cailiní ultimately achieved their prize, setting the scene and ensuring the majority of football was played in the St Ergnat’s half. Gemma McAuley, Eva McCann and Cliodhna McKeever began the scoretaking but a moment of class arrived via the boot of McAuley who had marauded through the defence and then sumptuously lobbed the onrushing Olivia Marron into an empty net. A moment of brilliance worthy of any final.
Ruby McErlain and Jojo Darragh tagged well earned points, which were duly returned by the Greens when Grace O’Boyle cleverly palmed in a crossfield pass by Eva McCann and the scene had been set for the 2nd half – Cargin pressure full of risk, Moneyglass break out with a big reward if they made it through. At this point it appeared The Emmet Band would pull away but with a high risk strategy it was inevitable the consequences of any lapses could prove costly and that duly arrived when Moneyglass scored a well taken counterattacking goal when Marron beat the press with a superbly accurate long ball over the throng and the Green defence was split apart.
Another Moneyglass 3 pointer followed a mix up in the Clann na hEireann defence and for a brief spell it was the St Ergnat girl’s period to gain advantage in the Green half, gaining yards and asking questions but Cargin then released Emma Diver, Adele McCann and Niamh McAleese from the bench to calm matters which worked as they soon regained the ascendency and force the issue back into the St Ergnat’s half.
Was there to be a last Blue resurgence? Senior star Leah Stewart was sent forward from her initial centre half back position to try and make an impact on proceedings but the answer was a resounding no as with 10 minutes to go yet another moment of class arrived through Annie Convery, who evaded a series of tackles and then unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner of the net from 21 yards. A superb goal from a player who had given her all for the cause. A 5 point gap had opened up and it felt ominous for Moneyglass at this stage with Cargin now fluid and dictating matters. It appeared as if a Green Wall had been set up in the middle of the pitch where Doherty, Scullion, McKeever and McAuley awaited the arrival of Leahy, Graffin, Stewart and McGrogan seemingly with glee.
The sporadic counterattacks were dangerous however once the line was broken, and yet again the Marian Hill girls got rewarded as a high ball rebounded from a post and in off a defender leaving just 2 points in it with 2 minutes to play. While the 2nd half had Cargin dominating, 2 points is always an uneasy lead, but the remaining period and additional time had no further drama as Cargin managed the situation, moving the ball simply but effectively and offering no opportunity for opposition danger. The Neeson sisters, Adele McCann, Emily Scullion and Laura Scullion looked fresh as they patrolled and eradicated any peril, releasing McKeever and McAuley to wreak counterattacking havoc on the beleaguered Moneyglass centre.
With no further scoring attempts, and the Cargin Cailiní controlling the ball, Patrick O’Callaghan blew the long whistle to end the game and the Loughshore girls celebrated their first Minor A Championship with a win to savour over their near neighbours.
Final score Cargin 5-8, MG 4-9
This was final of genuine quality pitting two teams with very different makeups but as they say in the boxing world ‘Styles makes fights’ and this was certainly an entertaining encounter. While physically smaller the Cargin girls brought a hunger to the game which meant the majority of 50:50s remained with the Loughshore girls. The everpresent danger of McErlain and Darragh meant the Cargin girls could never truly be comfortable at the back but their midfield, centre forward and centre back dominance was key. An extremely happy Laura Scullion accepted the trophy from Ursula Lynch as Captain to a rapturous reception from the Cargin faithful.
The match concluded the Antrim Juvenile LGFA season where to their credit, Cargin contested the u14, u16 and Minor finals. The next step for these girls is obviously making inroads on the Senior scene and the transition of young players into Adult football. With many of the Cargin camp having relatives as former and current Antrim and Derry GAA, LGFA and Camogie County representatives, there is no shortage of experience and guidance to pass on as to what is needed for that next step. With a venture into Ulster against the might of the Ulster Minor favourites Carryduff awaiting next Sunday, and Sarah O’Neill involved in the coaching panel alongside Tomás McCann and Maura McCann, the Cargin Cailiní will rightly go forth with the attitude and belief they can complete yet another huge underdog story.
A mixture of new LGFA clubs in Antrim, existing units getting traction and more organised, and an all time high participation rate, it feels like a new wave of clubs are competing for the silverware in the county. The old monopolies are falling as others are increasing the competition, and by extension the quality within the County. While change is never quick, a gradual movement towards the top Division by non-traditional clubs is taking place. The balancing of this by Dual clubs will always be an issue but if the current cooperation between Camogie and LGFA remains, you feel the balance can be achieved to allow both to flourish which is of benefit to the whole county in both codes.
But under the bright lights at Ahoghill, it felt like a new force in LGFA may be coming.
