Whitehill was the setting for the Antrim Minor B Championship 2026, with the condensed schedule running two shortened semi-finals and final on the night. With both pitches in action and referees Catherine McMullan and Ryan Magee officiating, it was the peak of the Minor Camogie season on the back of a hot summer week. The finalists were decided with Naomh Éanna overcoming Bridíní Óga on a score line of 1-4 to 0-01 and Tír na nÓg securing their place with a 3-4 to 0-3 win over Cargin.
The final was an evenly matched affair in the first half, with both teams going in at 2 points a piece at the 15 minute half time break. With Antrim County keepers Clodagh McLarnon (U16) and Mia Carlin (Minor) in opposite nets, the second half was to remain goalless, each drawing the appreciation of the supporters for a series of fine saves. It was the girls in blue who made the better of their opportunities however as the gap opened up. Reaching the magic 4 point margin with minutes remaining set the home support alight and on the long whistle, Tír na nÓg were crowned the worthy champions. Emer Lyttle was on hand from the Antrim Executive Committee to conclude the formalities and present the silverware to captain Brogan McGuckien as the sun went down on a great evening of Camogie.
Ruairi Og Cushendall secured an emphatic 0-15 to 0-01 victory over Geraldines Portglenone in the Antrim Minor A Camogie final at Pairc Pol, Belfast on Friday evening. Under a new set-up for the competition, the two semi-finals were played immediately before the final (fifteen minutes each way) Cushendall booked their place by defeating Loughgiel at Rossa Park, while Portglenone advanced after beating St Paul’s at Pairc Pol. Ultimately, Cushendall proved unstoppable in the final, showing too much strength and firepower for a spirited Portglenone side.
Cushendall dominated the game from the opening whistle, operating on a completely different level. Aoife Molloy opened the scoring with a point from play just 30 seconds in, quickly followed by a strong individual point from Player of the match Eva McNeill. Cliodhna Thompson struck from play at the one-and-a-half-minute mark to keep the early momentum going, and Molloy found the target again shortly after to extend the lead. Erin McNaughton added to the tally with a well-taken point, and McNeill hit a massive long-range point from play at four and a half minutes. Portglenone threatened the target around the seven-minute mark, but a brilliant point blank save by Cushendall goalkeeper Ellen McAlister. A well-worked team move culminated in another point from McNeill, and Elena McQuillan added a point from play just before the break, to leave the half-time score at 0-10 to 0-00 in favour of Cushendall, with Eva McNeill establishing herself as the star of the show in the first period.
The second half saw Cushendall comfortably maintain their lead, utilizing accurate frees to keep the scoreboard ticking. Eva McNeill demonstrated her dead-ball accuracy, converting three consecutive long-range frees at the four-and-a-half, seven, and nine-minute marks. Cliodhna Thompson then slotted her second point of the day from play. Geraldines Portglenone successfully broke their duck ten and a half minutes into the half when Caoimhe Kelly scored a well-earned point from play. Finally, Emma Lynn registered the last point of the match for Cushendall at the 30-minute mark. The final whistle confirmed a highly one-sided 0-15 to 0-01 victory, crowning Ruairi Og Cushendall the Antrim Minor A Camogie champions.
Ruairi Og Cushendall: 1. Ellen McAlister, 2. Aibrean Campbell, 3. Laoise McCollam, 4. Emily Elliott, 5. Maeve McAlister, 6. Erin McNaughton, 7. Niamh McCollam, 8. Scarlett Kerr McKillop, 9. Tamara Black, 10. Anna Birt, 11. Eva McNeill, 12. Erin Mae Mitchell, 13. Aoife Molloy, 14. Cliodhna Thompson, 15. Laoiseach McNaughton,
In the semi-finals Cushendall were 0-14 to 1-03 winners over Cushendall at Rossa Park. Eva McNeill was once again the commanding figure on the field, scoring nine of her team’s total, four from frees and five from play. The Loughgiel goal came from Marie Laverty, the centre forward also getting two of her team’s three points, while the other came from Catherine McGarry.
Portglenone won their semi-final against St Paul’s by 4-04 to 1-0, the goals coming from Aoife McGroggan and Jo Jo Darragh who bagged two apiece.
Antrim Camogie League Round 8 Loughgiel 3-12 Dunloy 0-12
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel
What promised to be a warm summer’s evening of spectating turned into a cool misty laden evening with Fr. Healy Park shrouded at times around the perimeter with a veil of mizzle. But that was a welcome set of circumstances for many of the players, considering how warm it was for many of us today. No hydration breaks tonight.
Despite the falling thermometer, Loughgiel warmed things up with two very early goals that had Dunloy chasing all evening. It was going to be an engaging game given that both sides almost had a full compliment due to the natural County haitus ahead of an Intermediate semi final, but no one would have anticipated the physicality in the game borne from a desire to win. Forty four fouls spread evenly across the two halves would grind the ebb and flow of the game to a simple start stop motion. All the same, in between, this evening’s game had flair, tactical play and a bunch of scores to keep the sidelines engaged.
Within two minutes of Ryan O’Reilly’s whistle, Loughgiel’s forwards had broken through Dunloy’s defence with relative ease. Loughgiel’s Lucia McNaughton fed the sliotar into Marie Laverty, offloading to Annie Lynn and with only Dunloy’s goalkeeper, Clodagh O’Kane to beat, the sliotar was fired to her left and up went the first early green flag. A minute later, Marie Laverty would exercise a simple one-two with Annie Lynn and Laverty would have the second green flag in as many minutes.
Dunloy’s Aine Magill denied another scoringopportunity by Aoibheann Gillan
Dunloy didn’t panic, rather they went about building their score point by point, opening a salvo of seven points before the break to Loughgiel’s 2-04, five of Dunloy’s points coming from open play with Crawford, McAtamney and Aine Magill seeing the first half action. On the other hand, Loughgiel were slow to respond after their initial goal feast, building only four points coming from Laverty and Katie McKillop, two apiece leaving the scoreline at the break, Loughgiel 2-04 Dunloy 0-07.
At the switch, Aine Magill was first to wake up the large ‘Dan Scullion’ scoreboard from a free, shortly followed by a point from Loughgiel’s Katie McKillop. Magill would now stitch together three further points from fouls, with McKillop replying with four leaving a gap of four points for Dunloy to close and it would soon be three. Dunloy’s Eilis Kearns found McAtamney, now feeding through a delicate sliotar to Dunloy’s mid field machine, Eimear Johnston for a fine point.
Loughgiel’s Katie McKillop was on scoring form from the dead ball in Tuesday’s league game
But that would be Dunloy’s sum total of scores for the game, as Loughgiel tightened their grip on the game, starting with a short free from Clare McKillop to Katie McKillop for a point, followed by a pressured pass from Shanna Deery to Lucia McNaughton with a soaring point towards the clubhouse and finally a free from McKillop, who was on free taking form tonight. Loughgiel’s captain, Lucia McNaughton dealt the final blow with two minutes left as another soaring sliotar dived viciously under the bar for Loughgiel’s third goal and score for the night, scores ending Loughgiel 3-12 Dunloy 0-12.
To see more photos from Tuesday’s league game, click here…
Glen Dimplex Intermediate Camogie Championship Group 1 – Round 3
McKenna Park, Ballycran
Down 0-10 Antrim 3-9
Antrim made it three wins out of three in the All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship at Ballycran on Saturday when they withstood a great fightback by Down. The Saffrons appeared to be on Easy Street at half-time when they led by ten points (2-7 to 0-3) after fully capitalising on the fresh breeze behind them, Antrim looked destined to stroll to their third successive championship victory. However, Down proved to be a transformed side in the second half, their defence completely closing down the Antrim attack to give the travelling Saffron faithful a genuine scare before a moment of magic finally sealed the tie.
Antrim started with the breeze, and despite Down dropping Dearbhla Magee back to aggressively mark Róisín McCormick and deploying Blanaid Savage as a sweeper, the pacy Saffron attack could not be contained.
Elen McIntosh is dragged back as she breaks through the Down defence to set up the goal chance for Eobha McAllister
Early scores from McCormick (free), Cliona Griffin, and Elen McIntosh got Antrim up and running. While Down kept things relatively tight for the first quarter—trailing just 0-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes—Antrim soon flexed their muscles however as a Nicole McAtamney point and a pair of McCormick frees stretched the lead, but it was in the final minutes of the half that Antrim really inflicted the damage.
After 27 minutes, Elen McIntosh broke through the Down defence and despite being pulled back her shot for goal broke to Éobha McAllister, who tapped in Antrim’s first goal. Lucia McNaughton quickly tagged on a point. After Down squandered a goal chance at the other end, Antrim punished them ruthlessly. Elen McIntosh saw her initial effort well saved by Clodagh Kelly, but she showed lethal striker’s instinct to stroke the rebound into the far corner, sending the Saffrons to the changing rooms at the break with a 2-7 to 0-3 lead.
Antrim’s Nicole McAtamney sends a sideline ‘cut’ towards the Down goals
It should have been game over, but the home side’s defence clearly hadn’t read the script. Wind-assisted on the restart, Down mounted a fierce comeback. Deirbhile Savage fired over an early point, and three frees from Aimee McAleenan significantly narrowed the gap.
For most of the second half, the Antrim attack was completely smothered. When substitute Grace Cunningham and Savage struck again, followed by a surging solo point from Dearbhla Magee on the 55-minute mark, Down had reeled off eight unanswered points.
Suddenly, the hosts were within a single goal (2-7 to 0-10), and there was real concern spreading among the Antrim fans in the stands. The unbeaten run looked in genuine jeopardy.
When the Saffrons needed leadership most, they found it. Nicole McAtamney bravely won a vital free and coolly pointed it to finally break Down’s scoring sequence and relieve the mounting pressure.
Less than a minute later, Antrim delivered the ultimate killer blow to Down’s chances. A beautiful, flowing move initiated under the stand saw Lucia McNaughton and Maeve Kelly link up perfectly to release Róisín McCormick who burst through on goal, McCormick produced a great individual finish, slipping the sliotar under the advancing keeper to secure the 3-9 to 0-10 victory and maintain Antrim’s flawless record.
Down’s Dearbhla Magee in action against Antrim’s Cliona Griffin
Teams and Scorers
ANTRIM
Starting XV: C Graham (capt), C Patterson, C Conlon, D Dobbin, S O’Neill, K Molloy, C McNaughton, L McNaughton (0-1), M Kelly, O McAllister, R McCormick (1-3, 0-3f), N McAtamney (0-2, 1f), E McIntosh (1-1), É McAllister (1-0), C Griffin (0-1).
Substitutions: A Boyle for É McAlister (44), A Ferris (0-1) for E McIntosh (48), J McIntosh for C Griffin (56).
DOWN
Starting XV: C Kelly, A McDowell, A Mallon, O Brown, C McGilligan (capt), B Savage, N McConville, D Magee (0-1), C Cowan, A McAleenan (0-5f), A Brown, D Savage (0-3), D Coleman, N McGrath, C Fitzsimons.
Substitutions: G Cunningham (0-1) for O Brown (ht), G McGrattan for A Brown (49), K Quinn for N McGrath (53), L Coulter for N McConville (53), A Murphy for A McDowell (61).
Referee: Bernard Heaney (Meath)
Amy Boyle helped steady the Antrim ship when introduced as a second half substitute
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Above – Damian McAuley (Crosshill Enviro) Aìne Doran (PTA) St Patrick’s Principal LiamKearney, Debbie Magill (PTA), Aidie McCamphill (Altarichard Concrete Solutions Ltd) and Neil McGarry (Favour Pet Foods) at the opening of the new Ball Wall at the school on Friday
A wonderful sense of community pride and excitement was evident at St. Patrick’s Primary & Nursery School, Loughgiel, as pupils, staff, and friends gathered to celebrate the official opening of the school’s new ball wall, an outstanding addition that promises to benefit generations of young learners.
The project stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision. The school extended heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organisations whose dedication and generosity brought the development to life. Special recognition was given to Crosshill Enviro, St. Patrick’s PTA, the SECAD Partnership and Neil and Steven McGarry for their vital support throughout the process. Their contributions, alongside the commitment, skill and expertise of Aidie McCamphill of Altarichard Concrete Solutions Ltd., were instrumental in turning the idea into reality.
Former pupils Eddie McCloskey and Emma McFadden, who addressed the crowdSt Patrick’s PS principal Mr Liam KearneyLoughgiel Shamrocks chairman Paul Glackin Mr Kearney with Fr Sean Connolly (left) and Fr Patsy Mulholland PP, Loughgiel Margaret and Aidie McCamphill Altarichard Concrete Solutions LtdSome of the pupils at St Patrick’s PS Nursery peep over the fence to see what is going on
The opening ceremony was made all the more memorable by the presence of a number of distinguished guests. Those in attendance included guest speakers and past pupils, Emma McFadden and Eddie McCloskey, who both highlighted the importance of education and sporting opportunities in nurturing confidence, teamwork, and community spirit among young people. They were joined by Paul Glackin, Chairman of Loughgiel Shamrocks, as well as Fr Patsy Mulholland and Fr Sean Connolly, who offered their support and blessings.
In a particularly meaningful moment, the school also welcomed the current parents of the members of the 2012 All-Ireland winning Loughgiel Shamrocks team and management, a gesture that underlined the strong sporting heritage within the area and served as an inspiration for the young pupils present.
The Primary 7 boys & girls were then put through their paces by past pupils and Loughgiel players, Emma McFadden and Paul Boyle, teaching them the tricks of the trade.
While speeches and acknowledgements formed an important part of the occasion, the true highlight of the day came from the pupils themselves. The boys and girls of St. Patrick’s proved to be the stars of the show, entertaining attendees with a delightful programme of songs and performances. Their enthusiasm shone once again as they eagerly took to the new ball wall, showcasing their skills and demonstrating just how valuable this new facility will be for both play and development.
The new ball wall is not only a physical addition to the school grounds but also a symbol of community spirit, collaboration, and investment in the future. It is certain to become a central hub of activity for pupils, encouraging participation in sport, enhancing coordination skills, and, most importantly, providing enjoyment for years to come. St. Patrick’s Primary & Nursery School expressed sincere gratitude to everyone involved in making the project possible and to all who attended the opening day, marking it as a memorable and proud occasion for the entire Loughgiel community.
Members of the Loughgiel All Ireland winning team of 2012 and their children and the Ball Wall opening Dominic Casey, who was a selector on the Loughgiel 1983 All Ireland winning team is seen here with his grandchildren Cormac, Grace and Odhran Hughes
PJ O’Mullan who managed the 2012 All Ireland winning team is seen here with his son Joey Scullion with his children Niamh, Cormac and OisinCaptain of the 2012 All Ireland team Johnny Campbell with his sons Oisin and SeanStar of the show on the 2012 All Ireland winning team, Liam Watson with his children Cormac, Aodhan and Blaithin
Emma mcFadden with P7 Camogs Loughgiel and Antrim Senior Hurler Paul Boyle with P7 pupils
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
