Main photo – Antrim’s Nicole McAttamney who was player of the match in Antrim’s historic win over Cork

National Camogie League – Division 1

Cork 1-11 Antrim 2-10

The Antrim Camogie team sent shockwaves through the National Camogie League Division One this weekend, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory by defeating last year’s All-Ireland runners-up, Cork, on their home turf. Little was expected of the Saffron girls when they made the long journey south on Friday. While it must be noted that Cork was missing a number of key players from the squad that lost to Galway in last year’s All-Ireland final, taking down a traditional powerhouse in their own backyard remains a truly remarkable result for Antrim.

The Antrim team who beat Cork in the National Camogie League in Cork. Pic by Sean Kelly

The visitors signaled their intent right from the throw-in. Janey McIntosh opened the scoring for Antrim in the very first minute, setting the tone for a fearless first-half performance. Though Cork’s Hayley Ryan equalized at the seven-minute mark, Antrim quickly took control. The lethal Nicole McAtamney began to find her range, slotting a point from play and another from a free, while Aobha McAllister added back-to-back points in the 18th and 19th minutes. Cork fought hard to stay in touch, relying heavily on the accuracy of Emma Murphy, who raised two white flags, alongside a point from Orlaith Cremin. However, further scores from McIntosh and McAtamney ensured Antrim carried a well-deserved 0-08 to 0-05 lead into the halftime break.

The second half delivered an absolute spectacle. Cork emerged from the dressing room with renewed intensity, rattling off four unanswered points in the opening ten minutes. Emma Murphy sparked the revival with two more points, while Isabel Sheehan and Cremin also found the target, wiping out Antrim’s lead. Just as the momentum seemed to be irreversibly shifting toward the home side, Antrim struck a massive blow. In the 41st minute, Nicole McAtamney breached the Cork defense to smash home the game’s opening goal. Cork’s response was immediate and fierce, with Orlaith Cahalane raising a green flag of her own just two minutes later to level the dramatic contest once again.

Rather than folding under the pressure, the Saffron girls showed immense character in the final quarter. The decisive moment came in the 50th minute when Amy Ferris found the back of the net, giving Antrim a crucial second goal. Smelling a historic victory, McAtamney and McAllister quickly followed up with points to stretch the visitors’ advantage. Cork pushed desperately to salvage the game in the dying moments, securing late points through Cahalane and Millie Condon in the 58th minute, but the Antrim defense held firm. The final whistle confirmed a monumental 2-10 to 1-11 victory for the Saffrons, etching a famous chapter into their Division One campaign.

Antrim Schools Cup Year 9 Camogie Final

CPC 3–2 vs St Genevieve’s 0–2

Cross and Passion College produced an assured and disciplined performance to claim the Antrim Schools Cup Year 9 Camogie title, overcoming a determined St Genevieve’s side in an entertaining final. The winners made an impressive start, showing confidence and sharpness from the throw-in. Their early dominance was rewarded with a well-taken goals by Ella McGarry and Ruby McAuley both coming from sustained attacking pressure and intelligent movement off the ball. By half-time, they had built a 2–2 to 0–2 lead, the points coming from Dannie mcMullan and Caoibhe O’Kane a scoreline that reflected their control of possession and efficiency in front of goal.

St Genevieve’s, however, showed great resilience throughout the opening half. Despite being under pressure, they worked tirelessly and were kept in the contest by two fine points. Goalkeeper Sophie Johnston was outstanding, producing a number of excellent saves to deny Cross and Passion further goals, while Sophia Rooney at centre half back marshalled the defence with composure and determination. In midfield, Sophie O’Hanlon battled strongly, driving her team forward at every opportunity.

The second half saw Cross and Passion continue to dictate the tempo of the game. A third goal ffrom team captain Caoimhe O’Kane proved decisive, giving them breathing space and allowing them to manage the contest with maturity beyond their years. Their defence remained solid, limiting St Genevieve’s scoring chances and ensuring the lead was never seriously threatened.

Several Cross and Passion players stood out on the day. Blathnaid McGee was excellent at wing half back, reading the game superbly and breaking down numerous attacks. Caoilbhe O’Kane dominated midfield with her work rate and skill, linking defence and attack effectively, while Ruby McAuley was a constant attacking threat and played a key role in the scoring returns.

At the final whistle, Cross and Passion were deserving winners on a final scoreline of 3–2 to 0–2. It was a composed, team-focused performance that showcased the strength of their panel and crowned a successful Antrim Schools Cup campaign. St Genevieve’s can take great pride in their effort and attitude throughout the final, with several standout individual performances, while Cross and Passion celebrated a memorable and well-earned cup victory

Schools Camogie – Rosina McManus Cup

Aquinas Grammar 4-10 St Joseph’s Crossmaglen 4-02

The golden era of sport at the Ravenhill Road continues as the girls of Aquinas Grammar followed in the footsteps of their MacLarnon Cup-winning brothers, securing the Rosina McManus Cup for the first time in the school’s history. Just a year after claiming the Shield, the squad made the jump to the premier grade look effortless in Newry, overcoming a resilient St Joseph’s Crossmaglen in a high-octane encounter that finished 4-10 to 4-02.

The match began with a blistering Aquinas offensive that threatened to blow the opposition away within the opening minutes. Before the clock had even ticked past sixty seconds, Maisie Quilton had registered the first point, followed quickly by a double from Katie McKavanagh. When Mary-Angela Nic Cárthaigh slotted over a fourth point in the 6th minute and Eva Bagnall found the back of the net shortly after, the Belfast side sat on a comfortable 1-4 lead. However, the South Armagh girls refused to buckle, striking back with two quickfire goals from Amy Lee Bellew and Siobhán Shields to remind the Aquinas defense that the title would not be handed over easily.

The middle period of the game was a tactical battle, with Katie Christie steadying the ship with a well-taken free and Meibh Hackett showing sharp instincts to score a point before rifling home a second goal for Aquinas. Despite this, a late surge from Crossmaglen before the interval—capped by a second Bellew goal—left the game on a knife-edge with Aquinas holding a slender 2-6 to 3-2 lead at the break. The tension remained high after the restart as both sides traded goals within five minutes; Eva Bagnall secured her second of the day for Aquinas, only for Shields to respond in kind for St Joseph’s.

The defining moment of the championship came in the final quarter. With only a point separating the sides and the pressure mounting, the Aquinas midfield engine room took control. Katie Christie showed nerves of steel to blast a penalty over the bar to restart the scoring, before she and Mary-Angela Nic Cárthaigh added crucial points from play. The result was put beyond doubt three minutes from time when a long-range ’45’ from Nic Cárthaigh deceived the defense and dropped into the net. While the entire squad played their part in this historic victory, it was the commanding performance of Veronica Boyle at the heart of the defense that earned her the QUB Player of the Match award.

Ulster Camogie has officially signaled a shift toward a more inclusive future for the sport by launching its inaugural Youth Voice Committee at a recent awards ceremony. This groundbreaking body was established to ensure that young players transition from being mere participants to having a meaningful role in shaping the direction of the game across the province. By providing a structured platform for players to share their unique experiences, ideas, and perspectives, the committee aims to strengthen the foundations of camogie and ensure the sport evolves in a way that resonates with its youngest members.

The committee is composed of nine distinct voices: Brianna Donaghy, Cliodhna Thompson (Cushendall) Ruby Burns, Lucy Canavan, Jane Feetham (Armoy), Mary Mullan, Aoibhe Waring, Siofradh Calahane, and Aoife Dempsey. This group was specifically designed to foster a culture of collaboration between young athletes and adult leaders. The goal is to create a decision-making process that reflects the needs of the entire camogie community, ensuring that the energy and passion of the players are matched by the strategic support of the organization’s leadership.

During the launch, County Down native Lucy Canavan spoke passionately about the importance of this new initiative, noting that while camogie provides a sense of belonging and confidence, young people have historically been left out of the discussions that affect them most. She described the committee as a powerful statement that young people’s views matter and a commitment to building the sport together. Canavan emphasized that young players possess a unique vantage point, understanding specifically what motivates their peers to stay involved and what hurdles might cause them to walk away from the hurl and pitch.

Ultimately, this initiative is about partnership rather than a shift in control. Canavan likened the new structure to a successful team where every member—from the coaches and parents to the players—has a vital role to play. By respecting all voices, Ulster Camogie hopes to create a more connected and fairer community. The committee’s success will be measured by its ability to make every young person feel included and inspired, ensuring the game remains strong for the next generation.

The Faces of the Future

The inaugural committee is comprised of nine dedicated players:

• Brianna Donaghy
• Cliodhna Thompson
• Ruby Burns
• Lucy Canavan
• Jane Feetham
• Mary Mullan
• Aoibhe Waring
• Siofradh Calahane
• Aoife Dempsey