Derry Masters 0- 16  Antrim Masters 0-13

Bellaghy provided the perfect setting for an entertaining and highly competitive encounter between Derry and Antrim Masters, with good conditions helping produce a fast-paced game played with plenty of intensity from the opening whistle.

The match was end-to-end for long periods, with both sides showing plenty of commitment and determination. While Derry ultimately emerged victorious, the final scoreline perhaps flattered the Oak Leaf men, with Antrim more than playing their part in what was a keenly contested encounter.

The opening half was particularly tight, with both teams enjoying spells of possession and creating opportunities. Derry, however, proved the more accurate in front of the posts, making better use of their chances and gradually building a lead.

Antrim created plenty of scoring opportunities of their own and moved the ball with purpose, but their finishing let them down on several occasions. A number of promising attacks ended without the required score, while Derry were much more clinical when chances presented themselves.

Despite Derry holding the advantage at the interval, the half-time scoreline did not truly reflect the balance of play, with Antrim unfortunate not to have more to show for their efforts.

Whatever was said in the Antrim dressing room during the break certainly had the desired effect, as they came flying out of the blocks in the second half. The Saffron men raised the intensity another notch and began to eat into Derry’s advantage.

Antrim attacked with renewed purpose and, for a spell, had Derry under considerable pressure. Their movement and direct running created several openings, and the gap on the scoreboard was reduced considerably as they began to find their range.

Indeed, Antrim arguably created the better goal-scoring opportunities during this period. Derry’s goalkeeper, however, proved equal to the challenge, producing several crucial saves at important moments to deny the Antrim forwards and prevent the game from swinging completely in their opponents’ favour.

With the game finely balanced, both sides continued to trade attacks in an exciting end-to-end contest. Antrim battled hard to close the deficit, but Derry’s experience and composure began to tell as the game entered its latter stages.

Derry managed to find another gear late on, putting together a series of attacks that eventually saw them pull clear on the scoreboard. Antrim continued to press until the final whistle, but Derry had done enough to secure the victory.

While Derry will be pleased with the result and, in particular, their accuracy and their goalkeeper’s contribution when the pressure was at its greatest, Antrim can take plenty of positives from the performance.

The Saffron Masters showed tremendous spirit to fight their way back into the contest after the break and created enough chances to make the outcome considerably closer. Ultimately, it was Derry’s greater accuracy and their ability to take their opportunities when they mattered that proved decisive.

Bellaghy witnessed a thoroughly competitive Masters encounter, played in the right spirit and with a level of intensity that belied the age of the players involved. Both teams can take plenty of encouragement from a game that provided end-to-end action right through to the closing stages.

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Above – Maeve and Aisling Mullholland of Con Magee,s Glenravel

TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Junior Final Preview

By: Niall Kelly

Maeve Mulholland has been no stranger to senior inter-county football, a formidable defender, she has played a key role in stifling opposition defenders and helping to catapult Antrim into yet another Junior Final. This year though, is a little more special, as she is joined by her younger sister Aisling who has entered the county fold for the first time.

With Glenravel having county representation across all senior teams , the girls pointed to the tireless work of their beloved Con Magee’s in recent years and their focus on youth development in helping them to reach this level.

“I would say the club has definitely done a lot for us. Pushing us on and getting us out there at such a young age and exposing us to the environment of Gaelic Games. There has been so much work done to pave the way for so many of us and it’s brilliant. It’s such a positive atmosphere. As we progressed up the age groups, we were getting stronger and then playing against tougher opposition which has definitely helped us massively. All the Cúl camps and tireless efforts of our underage coaches has made all the difference.”

It is always something special to share a pitch with family and to do so at county level. In her maiden season with Antrim, Aisling Mulholland has loved her journey so far and is grateful for the guidance that her sister has provided.

“It is my first year on the panel and is has been a brilliant experience. It’s always good to have Maeve here as well and it is nice to not have to travel up alone. Sharing a lift with your sister always makes things a bit easier. Sunday will be my first game in Croke Park and I am really looking forward to it.”

Carlow have been familiar opposition for Antrim in recent years and whilst the Saffrons have usually gotten the better of the Barrowsiders, Maeve is under no illusions as to the tricky prospect in store on Sunday.

“Things are looking good at the minute. We’re really excited for Sunday but we know Carlow will be tough. They are having a similar season to what we had so far last year. We played them last year and we won but we know just how good a team they are. They look even stronger this year so we know we need to be at our best if we want to win.”

Antrim are no strangers to Croke Park in recent years and Mulholland is hopeful that the exposure to GAA HQ will hopefully calm the nerves a little more if possible.

“We know the surroundings a little better now at Croke Park. In my first year I know I was pretty nervous as you’re just not used to the sheer scale of the place and size of the pitch but from the final last year, we have that bit more familiarity with it and hopefully that can help us. Again though, we’re up against a very good side so we need to be ready.”

I’m sure all in Glenravel are very proud of the girls and will wish them well for Sunday. Adh mór girls!

Maeve Mulholland in action against Carlow in the 2025 Championship.

Venue  – Portglenone GAC – Throw In 2pm

Referee Kevin McNally (Derry)

Antrim Gaelic Masters are hoping to round off this seasons league campaign on a high note when they renew acquaintance with their conquerors of last seasons Tier 2 final, when Cavan make the trip to Portglenone on Saturday.

Despite losing their two opening games against Donegal and Monaghan (who are both currently sitting joint top of this year’s league with five wins from five) Antrim have bounced back with two wins out of their next three, defeating both Derry and Down in recent weeks.

A victory on Saturday would finish off the league campaign on a positive note before the final league placings dictate what championship group Antrim will take part in during August. However the Saffrons will need to produce a performance to get a result against a Cavan team that showed its credentials in Kingspan Stadium last year with four points between the sides, in Cavan’s favour at the finish.

Frank Delargy and Timmy Connolly’s men go into the game in good spirits following a gutsy display in Saul a few weeks ago when inspired performances from Mark Graham, David McAlernon, Michael McCarry, Adrian Scullion, Michael McCourt and James McGreevy and the entire panel kept the Mourne Men at bay.

From that match day squad versatile full back Ryan Daly is on holiday and both David McAlernon and Liam Cassley picked up knocks that may well keep them out of Saturdays contest. On the positive side the return of captain Michael Herron, Sean Mc Veigh, Stephen OConnell, Damien Kelly and evergreen Seanie McGreevy will strengthen the squad whilst there is optimism that Paddy Cunningham may also be available for this one.

“This has been a difficult season. We are in a highly competitive league group and every match is hard fought. Cavan are no pushovers as we know from last season, but we are confident of putting on a performance, and if we do we should go close to taking the points. We are hoping for a result here and kick on from that to finish the season strongly” –  said manager Frank Delargy.

This match is sponsored by Opticare and Audiocare, courtesy of Michael McCourt. Please Support Our Sponsors.

Masters Football League:

Down 3-7 Antrim 3-11

There are league games, and then there are games that remind everyone why Gaelic football is so special. Antrim and Down produced exactly that in a pulsating Masters League encounter, serving up a contest that had all the hallmarks of an Ulster Championship battle from the 1980s and 1990s.

From the opening whistle, both sides played with tremendous intensity, refusing to give an inch. Every tackle was fiercely contested, every possession hard-earned, and every score was met almost immediately with a response at the other end. The game flowed from end to end, with the pace and commitment never dropping throughout the sixty minutes, some fine points and well worked goals were on show from both teams.

The scoreboard reflected the balance of the contest as Antrim and Down exchanged scores throughout. Neither county could establish any meaningful advantage, with momentum constantly swinging from one side to the other. Just when one team looked to be gaining the upper hand, the opposition would produce a moment of quality to draw level once again.

It was a match that transported spectators back to the great championship clashes of decades gone by. The fierce rivalry, honest physicality, accurate kicking, and relentless work rate evoked memories of the unforgettable Ulster encounters that defined football in the eighties and nineties. While the players may now wear Masters jerseys, their competitive spirit remains every bit as strong.

Antrim showed tremendous resilience, moving the ball with purpose and taking their chances under pressure. Down responded in equal measure, matching their opponents score for score and refusing to allow the Saffrons any breathing space. Both defences were forced to work tirelessly, while the attacks demonstrated composure and quality in front of the posts.

As the match entered its closing stages, the intensity only increased. Every tackle carried championship significance, every kick-pass found its mark with precision, and every score was greeted with appreciation from those watching. It was football played in the right spirit—competitive, skilful, and full of passion.

While league points were at stake, the real winners were everyone fortunate enough to witness such a memorable encounter. Antrim and Down proved that Masters Football continues to showcase not only outstanding ability but also the enduring pride and rivalry that has long existed between these neighbouring counties.

If this fixture is anything to go by, the Masters League is alive and well, with contests capable of stirring memories of the golden era of Ulster football while creating new ones for today’s generation of players and supporters alike.

If Antrim could only field a full squad, their standing in the league would be much stronger, the final score was Down 3-7 Antrim 3-11.

Antrim Team                                                    

Liam Cassley, Colin Connolly, Nial Conway, Ryan Daly, Michael Donnelly, Ken Golden, Mark Graham, Declan Mc Larnon, David Mc Alernon Michael McCarry, Michael McCourt, James McGreevy, Carl O’Neill Adrian Scullion, William Wilkinson.

Down Team

Padraig Bradley, Declan Brennan, John Cleary, David Clyde, Martin Curran, Damian Fitzpatrick, John Haughey, Greg Holland, John Hurley, Kalum King, Brendan King, Ronan Lawlor, Connor Lunny, John Mc Geown, Darragh McGreevy, Stephen McKibbin, Rory Murphy, Connor Owens, Paul Prior, Mark Rooney, Barry Russell, Stephen Sands, Chris Savage, Mark Stratton & Conall Toland.

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Down v Antrim – Saul 2.30pm

Referee: Paul Quigley (Derry)

Antrim Masters are hoping to get their season back on track on Saturday when they travel to Saul for a 2.30pm throw in.

Pitted in an ultra-competitive group this year Antrim have found themselves half a dozen points on the wrong side of the score against both of last year’s Tier One finalist Donegal and five time in succession winners Tyrone.

In between those contests Antrim produced their best performance of the year to date to see off a Derry team in Dungiven by nine points – particularly impressive in light of the fact that this was Derry’s sole defeat in this year’s campaign, currently sitting on a solid three wins out of four match ratio!

Further perspective of the quality of this seasons opposition is provided by that fact that Monaghan, who overcame Antrim by a diminishing two points in round one in Portglenone in early May have gone on to record four victories on the trot and are currently sitting top of the table!

Antrim’s last two league encounters are away to Down this Saturday and home to Cavan – the county who defeated Antrim in last seasons tier two final in Kingspan Breffni Park.

Management of Frank Delargy and assistant Timmy Connolly are hoping to get a strong panel together for this one and get a result that will build momentum as the season enters its business stage.

“It’s an unusual time of the year, many panellists will have holiday plans and we have a few players nursing recent injuries – but I`m sure that’s the same for every county, said Delargy. “It’s been tough this year, I think we have lost the surprise element after a couple of great seasons, but we have been competitive against counties who are flying high at the minute. Hopefully we can string a few good performances together now and go into Augusts championship playoffs in good fettle” he concluded.

Special thanks to Michael McCourt (Opticare Opticians & Audiocare Hearing) for his matchday sponsorship of Saturdays match.