Antrim’s minor footballers made a massive statement on Saturday afternoon, as they brushed aside Wexford with a dominant 16-point victory at the TU Dublin Blanchardstown campus. The Saffron youngsters showed exactly why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Electric Ireland Tier 3 All-Ireland Championship (Seamus Heaney Cup), securing a safe passage into the quarter-finals with a clinical and professional performance.
Clinical Saffrons Take Control
From the throw-in, it was clear that Antrim had arrived with a point to prove. Despite the long journey to the neutral Dublin venue, they settled almost immediately, racing into a 1-02 to 0-00 lead within the first 15 minutes with Shea McFerran causing all sorts of problems at the edge of the square. The Saffron forward line punished every Wexford mistake and kept the scoreboard ticking over with ruthless efficiency.
By the interval, the game was already tilting heavily in Antrim’s favour. The Glensmen had carved open the Wexford defence twice for two vital goals, heading into the dressing rooms with a commanding 2-05 to 0-03 lead.
No Let-Up in the Second Half
Any hopes of a Wexford fight-back were quickly extinguished after the restart. While the Model County managed to find the net once, they were completely overwhelmed by Antrim’s superior fitness and tactical discipline.
Moneyglass lad, Joey Griffin added to Shea McFerran’s double for a third goal with a flurry of points from McFerran, Colm Kane, Dara Campbell showcasing the depth of talent currently emerging from the county.
By the time Referee Ian Howley blew the final whistle, the gap had widened to 16 points, with Antrim finishing on a comprehensive scoreline of 3-15 to 1-05.
Quarter-Final Bound
This victory ensures Antrim’s name is firmly in the hat for the next round, as they continue their pursuit of the Seamus Heaney Cup. On this evidence, few teams will fancy the task of slowing down this high-scoring Saffron side.
The Saffron management team deserve a lot of credit in the manner in which they have stuck to their guns during a difficult Ulster League and Championship campaign where they showed in glimpses just what they are capable of.
None more so than when they travelled to Monaghan and led the Ulster League winners by six early in their Ulster Championship meeting and at the weekend it all came together with this encouraging win.
Antrim are scheduled to face Carlow, who had a big win over Kilkenny, in their quarter-final on Saturday, 16 May.
Monaghan edged a pulsating Masters League opener at Portglenone on Saturday afternoon, running out two-point winners on a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-11 against an Antrim side that showed tremendous character in defeat, only to be undone by a composed Monaghan finish in the dying minutes.
Officiated by Paul Quigley of Derry, this was the kind of contest that Gaelic football was made for, three goals, multiple lead changes, a game that could have gone either way with five minutes to play, and sixty minutes of honest, committed football from two proud counties. Those in attendance at Portglenone were treated to an occasion that bodes well for the Masters campaign ahead.
A Torrid Opening – Monaghan Make Hay Early
Damian Kelly announced Antrim’s intentions with a fine point inside the opening minute, but what followed was a sobering opening quarter for Frank Delargy and Timmy Connolly’s charges. Monaghan found their rhythm quickly and punished every Saffron lapse. Hugh McElroy,who would go on to be the game’s most influential player, split the posts twice, in the 5th and 8th minutes, as the Farney men began to take command. Paul Farnan added a third from play in the 11th minute, and a composed Edmond McArdle made it 0-5 to 0-1 in the 13th to leave the Antrim faithful wondering what was coming.
To their considerable credit, the Saffrons refused to fold. Kelly split the posts again to give Antrim something to build on, and gradually the home side clawed their way back into the contest. George McKitterick edged Monaghan six clear in the 26th minute, but Antrim’s response was immediate and impressive. Michael McCarry (27th), Mark Graham (29th) and Ryan Boyd (30th) all registered points in a productive closing spell, and the sides went to the interval with the gap reduced to the bare minimum Monaghan 0-6, Antrim 0-5. All to play for.
A Second Half to Remember
If the opening period was one-sided before Antrim came good, the second half was something else entirely, a relentless, gripping exchange that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it.
Chris Keenan opened the second-half scoring for Monaghan, but Antrim came roaring back with a Michael McCarry pointed in the 33rd minute before Michael Herron levelled proceedings in the 35th. McArdle edged Monaghan back in front a minute later, but the defining moment of
the half appeared to have arrived when Liam Cassley raised the first green flag of the afternoon in the 37th minute, burying his effort to give the Saffrons a two-point advantage,1-7 to 0-8.
What followed was the most breathless sequence of the day. Monaghan, to their immense credit, refused to be rattled. McElroy pointed in the 39th minute, and then two scores in quick succession, from Keenan (40th) and Shane Birdy (40th) had the Farney men back in front within the space of sixty seconds. Before Antrim could regroup, McElroy produced the kill shot, a well-taken goal in the 41st minute that gave Monaghan a four-point cushion and seemed to have put the tie beyond the Saffrons.
But Antrim had other ideas.
McCarry reduced the gap in the 42nd minute and then came the moment of the match, Michael Herron, outstanding throughout drove forward and finished emphatically to the net in the 43rd minute, levelling proceedings at 2-8 to 1-11 with time still remaining.
The Portglenone crowd rose to their feet. Niall Sweeney edged the Saffrons in front from play in the 44th minute, and McCarry tireless and composed throughout extended the advantage to two with his fourth point of the day in the 46th minute.
Antrim were ahead with the clock ticking. At 2-10 to 1-11, it looked for all the world like the Saffrons were going to take the opening day honours.
Monaghan’s Experience Tells
The mark of a good team is what they do when their backs are against the wall, and Monaghan demonstrated exactly that quality in the closing stages. Managed by Noel Marron, the Farney men dug deep and found the scores that mattered most. Derek McMahon pointed on 49 minutes to narrow the gap, and McElroy levelled again in the
50th with a composed finish from play. Kelly’s response for Antrim in the 51st, his third of the afternoon looked like it might yet be enough, but Edmond McArdle, who was magnificent from first whistle to last and finished with four points from play, levelled the contest again in the 52nd minute. Level at 2-11 to 1-14 (17 points each) with seven minutes
remaining. The composure shown by Monaghan in those closing minutes was the difference. Shane Birdy split the posts in the 57th minute to edge the visitors back in front, and McArdle drove
the final nail home in the 59th to give Monaghan a 1-16 to 2-11 victory that, over the full sixty minutes, they just about deserved.
The Big Picture
It is a defeat that will sting for Antrim, particularly given how close they were in the final quarter, and the manner in which they recovered from a dismal opening spell shows that this is a squad with genuine character and quality. The performances of Damian Kelly (0-3),
Michael McCarry (0-4) and Michael Herron (1-1) in particular will have given Delargy and Connolly much to be encouraged about ahead of a tough campaign that still has plenty of road to run.
For Monaghan, the collective showing was impressive. Hugh McElroy (1-3) and McArdle (0-4) provided the cutting edge, while Keenan and Birdy were lively throughout. Monaghan’s ability to find scores when they needed them most was the hallmark of an experienced, well-drilled outfit.
With Tyrone, Donegal, Cavan, Derry and Down also to come in what looks like a hugely competitive group, both counties will know there is plenty more to play for. The Masters campaign of 2026 is off to a flying start.
ANTRIM: Stephen Harbinson; Ryan Daly, Ken Golden, Colin Connolly; Donald Crawford, Laurence Higgins, Declan McErlean; Damian Kelly (0-3), Michael Herron (1-1); Mark Graham (0-1), David McAlernon, William (Liam) Magee; Niall Sweeney (0-1), Michael McCarry (0-4), Liam Cassley (1-0). Also used: Ryan Boyd (0-1), Michael McCourt, Dominic
Neeson.
MONAGHAN: Sean Farmer; Gareth King, Eddie Lennon, Thomas Mee; Noel Tuite (0-1),
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Pauric Gollogly; Derek McMahon (0-1), Thomas O’Neill; Paul Farnan(0-1), Edmond McArdle (0-4), Martin Mc Nally; Niall Kelly, Hugh McElroy (1-3), George
Mckitterick (0-1). Also used: Chris Keenan (0-2), Shane Birdy (0-2), Aidan McGarrell.
The Gaelic Football Masters season opens this weekend with a full round of matches. Antrim share a very tough group this year which includes perennial competition winners Tyrone, last year’s beaten finalists Donegal, recent Tier two winners Cavan and Derry, along with Monaghan and Down.
The games take place every fortnight – Antrim’s campaign beginning this Saturday at 2pm in Portglenone where they host a Monaghan team that has started the season well with a solid preseason behind them. Paul Quigley (Derry) is the man in the middle.
Antrim have made excellent strides in recent years and look forward to another campaign. Several additions have been added to the panel including Mark Dougan (Creggan) Michael McCourt (Glenavy) Kieran McKeown (Glenravel) Sean McVeigh, Donal Crawford, William Wilkinson (All Saints) and Conor Kennedy (St Agnes).
The team management of Frank Delargy and Timmy Connolly remain in place for another season and are realistically cautious about making any predictions. “This is a tough group. You could make a case for quite a few of these counties being in the top six in Ireland, so nothing is going to be won easily. We have a good panel on paper but that’s not how it’s judged, we need to commit fully to the cause, and if we do that we should be thereabouts at the finish. Monaghan are a dogged team and in recent seasons there has been little to spare between us. If we come out on top on Saturday it will be very hard earned” said Delargy.
When asked for a pre match comment Monaghan GAA Masters chairman Ciaran Ward said “We are looking forward to a competitive match between two counties that there has been very little to separate in recent years. Hopefully the Farney men enjoy their trip to Portglenone and reverse those recent results!”
Special thanks to Fiddlers Rest, Portglenone for their generous sponsorship of this match.
Saffron Gael extends its best wishes to players and management for the season and as usual will do its best to keep our readers up to date with all the action during the season.
Antrim Masters 2026
Antrim Over 40s Squad; Declan McLarnon Conor Kennedy James McGreevy Liam Magee Laurence Higgins Michael Herron Stephen O’Connell Sean McVeigh Michael McCarry Damian Kelly Donal Crawford, Liam Cassley William Wilkinson Seanie McGreevy Michael Donnelly Ken Golden Ryan Boyd Sean Kelly Colin Brady Michael McCann Colly Connolly Ryan Daly Dominic Neeson Declan McErlean Brendan Etherson Niall Sweeney Stephen Harbinson Mark Dougan Kieran McKeown Mark Graham Darren Craig Conor McAreavey Michael McCourt David McAlernon Paddy Cunningham Adrian Scullion Thomas Doherty Barry McMahon.
Antrim renew acquaintances with familiar foes, Carlow when they make the long journey to Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday to meet the Division 4 league winners in the opening round of the Tailteann Cup.
The sides met in the opening game of Division 4 in Portglenone with hopes high in the Saffron County that Antrim could make a quick return to Division 3 following their relegation the previous year and with home advantage they were hoping to get off to a good start.
It didn’t quite work out that way however as Mark Doran’s first National League game as Antrim manager began with a sobering defeat at Portglenone, as Carlow claimed a 2-16 to 1-15 victory to open their Division 4 campaign. Despite a bright start from the hosts, a critical lapse in concentration immediately after the interval proved insurmountable. While Antrim entered the break trailing by only a single point, they found themselves six points adrift within just two minutes of the restart, a period Doran later identified as the turning point that cost his side the game.
It would take another two defeats before Antrim finally got their league campaign together but things began to come together when they defeated Wicklow in Portglenone in Round 4.
The Saffrons would go on to record 4 league victories in succession and were in with an outside chance of promotion going into their final game against London in Toome.
Antrim edged that game by a point but results elsewhere dictated that it would be Carlow and Longford who would gain promotion with Carlow going on to defeat Longford in that Division 4 final.
Carlow will start Sunday’s Tailteann Cup opener as favourites but Mark Doran’s Saffrons should hold no fear of the Leinster minnows as their form has improved as the league progressed and, prior to their Ulster championship loss to Derry, they had recorded four NFL wins on the bounce.
It took a time for the Antrim management to come up with their best side but there was plenty of evidence during the closing rounds of the league that the Saffrons were on an upward trajectory.
Kevin McCann, John Carron, Conor Small, Paddy McBride, Sean O’Neill and Oisin Doherty started in that league opener against Carlow but McBride and Small have left the panel, O’Neill is injured and only Doherty has figured in recent league games.
At the time of writing the Antrim team to play carlow has just been announced and is along familiar lines in recent outings and looks good enough to do the buisness. (Team in Featured image)
The return of Peter Healey to the side has been a massive boost while John McNabb, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keernan, Marc Jordan, Eoghan McCabe, Joe Finnegan, Paddy McAleer, Pat Shivers, Niall Burns and Dominic McEnhill, who have all featured regularly getting the nod.
Carlow went into their league campaign on the back of a four game winning run in the Leinster Shield and added the division 4 league title so will be firm favourites at Netwatch Cullen Park.
In Mickey Bamberick, Conor Doyle, Ross Dunphy, Colm Hulton, Paddy McDonnell and Eoghan Ruth, Carlow have top class performers but don’t rule out an upset in Carlow Town on Sunday afternoon.
Antrim have been drawn against Carlow in round one of theTailteann Cup in the draw which took place on Monday afternoon.
The Leinster side, who beat the Saffrons by 2-16 to 1-15 on the opening day of the National Football League Division 4 in Portglenone, went on to win the title when they beat Longford after extra time in the final in Croke Park in late March to claim the county’s first national silverware since 1944. Antrim have to travel to Dr Cullen Park for the game which will be played on the weekend of 9th or 10th of May.
Antrim and Fermanagh are the only Ulster teams in the competition to date, but they could still be joined by Down, who shocked Donegal in the Ulster Championship on Sunday, should they lose out to Armagh in the Ulster semi-final in Clones this weekend.
