Ulster Intermediate Football Club Championship

Glenullin (Derry) Moneyglass (Antrim)

Owenbeg 4-00pm Saturday

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass make the trip to Owenbeg this Saturday where they will face Derry champions, John Mitchell’s Glenullin in the Ulster Intermediate football championship.

Despite losing quite a number of players to emigration at the end of 2024 and dropping down to division 2, St. Ergnat’s have defied the odds in 2025 and their youthful side make the return to the higher grade for 2026 after finishing runners up to Sarsfields in division 2 this year.

Sarsfields were a familiar foe to St. Ergnat’s this season and took three points of the Moneyglass men in the league and when they were drawn in the same group in the championship it looked a difficult draw for both.

It would be St. Ergnat’s who would emerge group winners however with a 2-15 to 0-12 win over the ‘Paddies’ in their opening group game, a draw away to St. Enda’s and wins over Naomh Padraig Lisburn and Rasharkin.

The Moneyglass side hit 4-17 in a convincing semi-final win over last year’s beaten finalists, St. Teresa’s to earn a place in the final against familiar foes, Sarsfields at Dunsilly.

St. Ergnat’s held the upper hand for the greater part of this final and led 0-7 to 0-4 in a low scoring opening half. They went on to run out deserved 0-14 to 0-8 winners in a game that was competitive throughout.

The difference in the end was the battle in the middle third and it was the men in blue and yellow who dominated under both kick-outs as their triumph was well and truly forged in their engine room with Ferghal Duffin, Seanchan Duffin and Kevin McCann winning countless possession and breaks to provide the fulcrum for attacks.

With frees proving the source of half the Moneyglass tally and five from eight of the Sarsfields total, scores were hard-earned in this one and again further illustrates the combative nature of the game.

Despite their impressive form this season, St. Ergnat’s will start Saturday’s quarter-final at Owenbeg as underdogs against a John Mitchell’s side who will be making their third appearance in the Ulster IFC in four years.

Rules involving teams from the Oak Leaf County and Antrim are different with the Antrim champions unable to compete at Intermediate the following year while Glenullin have opted to remain at Intermediate level over a four year period.

Hardly a level playing field but it is what it is and St. Ergnat’s manager Benny Marron and his backroom team will be concentrating on his own side but, undoubtedly will have ran the eye over Saturday’s opponents

Glenullin were convincing in their semi-final win over Greenlough and after trailing by two at the halfway stage they came strong in the second half with goals from Ryan McNicholl, Killian Bradley and Neil McNicholl paving the way for a 3-11 to 0-12 victory.

Foreglen proved a much more difficult challenge in the final with the game in the balance right up to the final whistle and it took a superb side-line free from ‘Skinner’ Bradley to see John Mitchell’s over the line.

Glenullin’s last meeting with an Antrim side was two years ago when they met Glenravel at Celtic Park and the Derry champions ran out winners in that one and will be confident of adding another Saffron scalp in the form of St. Ergnat’s this weekend.

The McNicholl and Bradley clans will lead the Mitchell’s challenge with Donal O’Kane and Killian Bradley others who are likely to play a big part as they aim to overcome the Moneyglass’ challenge.

The underdog’s tag is unlikely to faze St. Ergnat’s however and the Antrim champions are capable of going toe to toe with their opponents with the Duffin’s, Colm, Seanchan, Fergal and Paul, Tiernan McCormick, Kevin McCann, Aidan McErlain to the fore and Zac McCaughan, who won an Ulster Intermediate Hurling championship with Carey last year making a seamless transition to the big ball game and adding strength to the Moneyglass defence.

OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Final

Saturday 11^th October

Report by Niall Kelly from Dunsilly

Naomh Eargnait, Muine Glás 0-14        Pádraig Sáirseil CLG 0-08

Moneyglass are the Antrim Intermediate Football Champions for 2025 courtesy of a six-point victory in the latest instalment of their rivalry with familiar foes, Sarsfields. As finals so often can be, this one was somewhat a war of attrition with both tactically deployed to stifle the other. The difference in the end was the battle in the middle third and it was the men in blue and yellow who dominated under both kickouts as their triumph was well and truly forged in their engine room with Ferghal Duffin, Seanchan Duffin and Kevin McCann winning countless possession and breaks to provide the fulcrum for attacks. With frees proving the source of half the Moneyglass tally and five from eight of the Sarsfields total, scores were hard-earned in this one and again further illustrates the combative nature of the game.

In the opening quarter, there wasn’t much to separate the sides. Both showed glimpses of their best offensively, but the final touch was often eluding them. It was Moneyglass who drew first blood and established a three-point lead after ten minutes as their captain and talisman Colum Duffin notched all three thanks to two from the placed ball followed by a curling effort from play.

Sarsfields had been huffing and puffing but were finding it hard to make their efforts count on the scoreboard. Towering midfielder Cormac Murray remedied this with a fantastic two pointer from beyond the arc to cut the gap to the minimum on the twelfth minute before Garry Lennon tapped over a free from close range to square things up.

The Paddies’ tails were up now but they struggled in maintaining possession with Moneyglass so prolific under both kickouts. One such high field in the middle third on the twentieth minute enabled Tiernan McCormick to embark on one of his trademark bustling runs. The young number five evaded tackles all around before angling over to retake the lead.

The Stewartstown Road men were inches from an emphatic reply as Sé Ferris catapulted Brian Healy through on goal. The Sarsfields ace opted to take his shot at goal early as it agonisingly dragged just wide of Jamie McLaughlin’s left post. Moments later, the South-West Antrim side pounced again as Seanchan Duffin negotiated just enough space to fire over from close range.

With the game approaching the interval, momentum was very much in Moneyglass’ favour as they endeavoured to keep their opponents camped in their own half. Their ability under the high ball in midfield was coming up trumps again, providing the source for a further two frees to be won which Aidan McErlain made no mistake in converting.

With Paul Burn’s short whistle imminent, Sarsfields sought to make a dent in the deficit. Again, it was Brian Healy causing problems with his direct running. After being brought down in a promising position, he took on the responsibility of tapping over the resulting free before the teams retreated under the stone tunnel with Moneyglass 0-07 to 0-04 to the good at the break.

The Belfast side knew they needed to be a bit more potent in front of the posts to have any chance of opening the door for a comeback. They started the second half with a real spring in their step as Healy assumed free-taking duties again to arrow over before Daniel Smyth put the finishing touches on a flowing move involving Tomas Skillen and Caolan McKernan.

With the gap back to the minimum, all signs appeared that an intriguing battle was in proposition for the final twenty minutes. However, this failed to materialise as that really was as good as it would get from a Sarsfields perspective. Their opponents would dominate the next fifteen minutes and again it was their ability to constantly emerge with the ball under the kickout which really was the winning of the game and in this case, trophy.

Centre forward, Aidan McErlain found his bearings for the second period with a perfectly flighted free before Sean Boyd blasted over from close range. The young number ten though could easily have seen the net ripple but just got too much elevation on his effort. The signs were ominous though for the men in green and black as Moneyglass began to purr. The Loughbeg side would hit the next five scores in succession as the game entered the final five minutes.

Frees from Duffin and McErlain further extended the lead before the former embraced his captain’s role by grabbing two fine scores from play. A feature of Moneyglass’ season has certainly been the devastating pace at which they attack, Tiernan McCormick showcased this string to their bow once again with a surging run from deep before fisting over to surely seal victory with his side now eight up with four minutes remaining.

Sarsfields now had to respond with haste and desperately needed to find a goal from somewhere. The dismissal of Matthew Mullan for the men in blue gave them a little more impetus going forward but not enough. Healy pointed from a close range free to cut the gap to seven before he called Jamie McLaughlin into action. A slaloming run forward paved an opening for a shot at goal but the Moneyglass number one thwarted the Sarsfields dangerman with a superb fingertip save. There was just enough time on the clock for Healy to convert once again from a free before the final whistle.

Congratulations to Moneyglass on their achievement. With Sarsfields pipping them to the Division Two title, this one was always going to have a real edge to it. Both sides were imperious throughout their respective league and championship campaigns, and it seemed fitting that they would meet again for the decider. Both will ply their trade at the top table of Antrim Football next year and a new chapter in their conflict awaits in Division One.

Teams:

Moneyglass:

J McLaughlin; M Mullan, Z McCaughan, J McCormick; T McCormick (0-02,) P Duffin, C McCann; K McCann, S Duffin (0-01;) S Boyd (0-01,) A McErlain (0-04,) F Duffin; C O’Kane, C Duffin (0-06,) T Cassidy

Sarsfields:

M Brady; M McPolin, J McNally, C McDonnell; P McPeake, L Mitchell, C Loughran; C Murray (0-02 – 1 t.p,) C McKernan; T Skillen, D Smyth (0-01,) S Ferris; G Lennon (0-01,) C Glenholmes, B Healey (0-04)

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IFC Semi-Final

Sarsfields 1-19 Glenavy 0-21

Sarsfields produced a strong final quarter to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat from a Glenavy side who looked on their way to victory when they led by eight with 9 minutes of the second half gone.

Leading by two as Brendan Toland sounded his half time whistle the Chapel Hill side were camped in the Sarsfields half early in the second period as they kicked six unanswered points and looked in complete control.

A Gary Lennon goal for the ‘Paddies’ in the 16^th minute following a mix-up in the St. Joseph’s defence changed all that and when the same player followed with a 2 pointer, a minute later it was game on.

The Stewartstown Road side outscored their opponents 0-6 to 0-3 going down the home stretch to set up a final meeting with St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass in three weeks-time, the fourth time these sides will have met this year.

James Gallagher pointed Glenavy ahead after 30 seconds but Sarsfields replied through an excellent Brian Healey 2 pointer free and the Sarsfields number 15 would play a big part in his side’s eventual success.

It was Glenavy’s Fergal Henry who got the South West side going however as he raised an orange flag and followed with another from play and when James Gallagher kicked his second of the afternoon, St. Josephs were three ahead.

Back came the men from the Bear Pit as Healey hit three on the bounce and followed with a 2 point free to move his side ahead after 16 minutes but James Gallagher and a Fergal Henry double restored the Glenavy lead by the 24^th minute.

Healey replied again for the Belfast side but St. Joseph’s responded again through Fergal Henry 0-2, Pearse O’Neill and Eoin Gallagher to move four in front as half time approached.

It was Sarsfields who finished the half on top however as Thomas Skillen and another Brian Healey free closed the gap to two at the short whistle.

HT 0-10 TO 0-12

Ruairi Forrester replaced Darra Doherty for Glenavy at the start of the second half and it was the Chapel Hill side who started strongly to assume almost total control with Fergal Henry leading the way.

Three points from the supremely accurate Henry and points from James Gallagher 0-2 and Eoin Gallagher had the men in Orange in a winning position with only 8 minutes of the new half gone but they somehow managed to throw that lead away.

Gary Lennon began the comeback with a goal in the 16^th minute, his side’s first score of the second half and he followed with a 2 pointer and the momentum was very much with Sarsfields.

Fergal Henry fired over St. Joseph’s first point for 13 minutes but it was Brian Healey who was now turning the screw as he replied from a 2 pointer free and another single from play in response to another Henry point.

The momentum was now with Sarsfields as Healey pointed again and a 2 pointer from Jay Maguire and a fisted Conor Glenholmes point moved them 2 ahead before Patrick Gallagher kicked a late consolation point for Glenavy.

Sarsfields now go forward to meet St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass after their win over St. Teresa’s in the other semi-final on Saturday in this one has the making of an excellent final.

The sides have already met three times this season with both side having recorded a win and the other one finishing in a draw so there shouldn’t be too much between them.

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OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Final

Saturday 27^th September

Report by Niall Kelly from the Bear Pit

Naomh Treasa 0-16    Naomh Eargnait 4-17

Moneyglass booked their place in this year’s Intermediate showpiece thanks to an absolutely scintillating second half showing where their main men really came to the fore. Hat-trick hero, Aidan McErlain, was in sublime form amassing a tally of 3-05 over the hour. The breakneck pace at which he and his teammates exploited any gaps within the St Teresa’s rearguard, ultimately led to the demise of the Glen Road side.  When the Super T’s weren’t busy trying to thwart the Moneyglass centre-forward, they had to contend with the dynamic Tiernan McCormick, whose pace on the front-foot was just as devastating.

However, despite eventually cruising to a handsome thirteen point win, the South West side did not have it all their own way. For forty minutes, the pendulum of momentum swung this way and that as the game was firmly in the melting point. With the scores deadlocked at the interval, Naomh Treasa had actually nudged into a two point lead thanks to scores from Jay Mallon and Eoghan Hamill with thirty seven minutes on the clock. Just as it was appearing that the favourites tag was wearing heavy on the men from Lough Beg, McErlain unleashed the second of his three goals with an emphatic finish, and they never looked back. The dismissal of St Teresa’s rock at the back, Paul Johnston, moments later, compounded their woes as their opponents capitalised ruthlessly on the gaps that opened up.

Proceedings started brightly as each side looked menacing going forward. With ten minutes gone, the sides were locked at two a piece with Niall McCann and Phil Maguire on target for the Belfast side which were cancelled out by efforts from Sean Boyd and Colm Duffin. Both were battling to gain the ascendancy; Moneyglass were looking most dangerous when they moved the ball with pace and fluidity through the hands as St Teresa’s were utilising runners from deep and employing a more patient and probing approach. St Ergnat’s nudged ahead thanks to Duffin again but were pegged back minutes later thanks to John Mallon who found his bearings with a two-pointed free.

The game’s first major arrived on the eighteenth minute. An outrageous diagonal ball from Tiernan McCormick split the St Teresa’s defence wide open paving McErlain through on goal. Netminder, Mark Small, had raced from his box to narrow the angle but the talismanic number eleven squeezed it under him and despite Paul Johnston’s best efforts on the line, the umpires brandished their green flag.

 McErlain was then inches from repeating his feat from the resulting kickout, as he discharged another goal-bound rocket only to see it kiss the wrong side of the crossbar and over for a point.

Naomh Treasa responded well though. A prominent figure in their Championship campaign to date, Niall McCann, hit back with a perfectly flighted two pointed free off the deck and another white flag minutes after for good measure to tie things up once more. It really was tit for tat now as the game approached the short whistle, brothers Seanchan and Colm Duffin combined well on the twenty sixth minute with the former arrowing over a superb effort from the left flank. Again though, this would only incite another response from the Belfast natives with Mallon and McCann extending their respective tallies. A monster effort from Colm ‘Smiley’ Duffin from just inside the arc would see the teams retreat at the break in stalemate as the scoreboard read 0-09 to 1-06.

Whatever words of wisdom were imparted in the Moneyglass changing room at the break certainly had the desired effect as the men in blue and navy would go on to run riot. Despite Jay Mallon and Eoghan Hamill opening the second half scoring, St Ergnat’s were men on a mission. Their first score of the second period would come from an all too familiar source as that man McErlain demonstrated his prowess from distance arcing his effort over from the placed ball for an orange flag. Sean Boyd then pounced from the resulting kick-out as they started transitioning through the gears.

The next three-minute period ultimately decided the fate of the game. With the half seven minutes old, McErlain would strike again and in style. A typically direct and surging dart forward opened up adequate space to pull the trigger as he thumped the size five high into the roof of the white curtain. St Teresa’s sought to launch a reply but were shortly after reduced to fourteen as two yellows spelt the end of Paul Johnston’s day.

With Moneyglass constantly looking to stretch their legs, they licked their lips at the proposition of more open grass to target. They dealt the Glen Road side another hammer blow on the forty fifth minute as McErlain blasted home yet again in a near carbon copy to his second. The death knell was then well and truly sounded five minutes later as Tiernan McCormick grabbed a fourth goal. A trademark slaloming run forward at pace opened up the required space to fire at goal. Small in goal saved well though with an outstretched hand but was powerless to stop the Moneyglass number five jumping among the melee to fist to the net.

With ten remaining, the result was a foregone conclusion and both teams had emptied their benches. Conor Boyd, Ronan Campbell and Ryan Boyd all announced their arrivals with well-taken scores. Tiernan McCormick, not satisfied with just a goal to his name, added a further two points to his tally curling in off the right flank.

Credit to St Teresa’s though, despite their numbers being further reduced due to a black card, they kept plugging away and Niall McCann, Eoghan Hamill and Eoin Connolly epitomised their resilience as they converted scores of their own before Cathal McDermott’s final whistle.

So, just as many would’ve predicted, Moneyglass will compete in yet another Intermediate final. With a potent arsenal of attacking weaponry at their disposal, they will surely go enter as favourites yet again. They will have a keen eye on tomorrow’s meeting between Sarsfields and Glenavy. Many are anticipating yet another fascinating duel with Sarsfields, however, the Chapel Hill side have caught the eye in recent weeks and an intriguing game is in prospect.

Teams:

St Teresa’s:

M Small; R Mallon, P Johnston, C O’Rawe;  C McGoldrick,  E Connolly (0-01,) C Mallon; D McCann, S Maguire; E Hamill (0-02,) P McGoldrick, N McCann (0-08 – 0-04 & 2tp;) J Mallon (0-03 – 0-01 &1tp,) P Maguire (0-01,) A Taylor

Moneyglass:

J McLaughlin; M Mullan, Z McCaughan, J McCormick; T McCormick (1-02,) P Duffin, C McCann; K McCann, S Duffin (0-01;) S Boyd (0-02,) A McErlain (3-05,) F Duffin; C O’Kane, C Duffin (0-03,) T Cassidy

Substitute Scorer:

C Boyd (0-01)

R Campbell (0-01)

R Boyd (0-02 – 1tp)

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