OB Construction Intermediate Championship Final

Naomh Éanna 3-21 Aldergrove 1-8

Saturday 17 October

Brendan McTaggart reports from Dunsilly

 Arise the Saffron Invincibles!  Naomh Éanna emphatically added the Intermediate championship to their league crown on Saturday evening, completing an unbeaten county season for 2026.The men from the Hightown Road put in an awesome display against a talented Aldergrove side that never reached the heights of their semi final win over Ahoghill.  To break Naomh Éanna’s win into numbers, 19 points was the winning margin with 12 different scorers and their three goals all coming in the last 10 minutes of the hour.

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It was close to a complete performance and Ciarán McCavana’s men saved it for their biggest match of the season.  Michael McKenna took the player of the match honours, in truth the accolade could have went to any one of half a dozen in amber and black.  Odhrán Eastwood in particular outstanding on a night where the stars aligned for Naomh Éanna and Aldergrove were left in their wake.

From the first whistle, the Glengormley side were relentless.  Their ability to carve out chances and keep the scoreboard ticking while restricting chances from the St James men was a huge reason for the manner of their victory with the 19 point difference a fair reflection on their dominance.

They had their first of three two pointers after barely 20 seconds had elapsed with Mickey Morgan splitting the uprights from outside the 40 meter arc.  Morgan was one of three different goal scorers and one of five ‘survivors’ in the starting 15 who were part of the 2018 run to the All Ireland Intermediate final.

Aldergrove did start busily and with their ploy of sending quick ball into Lewis Smyth and Ronan Hanna, the Naomh Éanna defence had to be on their toes from the word go while captain Seamus McGarry got on a lot of ball in that opening quarter.  He and Conleth Hendron raised white flags either side of a Fionn Nagle score for Naomh Éanna.

Seamus McGarry’s first free of the match came in the 10^th minute and while it restored parity to the sides, Naomh Éanna hit their initial scoring burst to put early daylight between the sides.  Stephen O’Connor, Kristian Healy and McKenna splitting the uprights before Fionn Nagle went close for a goal chance only for his first times effort to go to the wrong side of the posts.

Seamus McGarry added his second free of the final in the 20^th minute to reduce the Naomh Éanna lead to two points but another scoring burst followed.  Odhrán Eastwood dissecting the uprights with a free before a pair of two pointers from McKenna and Conor Eastwood stretched the Naomh Éanna lead to seven points with six minutes of the first half remaining.

Ryan Owens replied for Aldergrove but Padraig O’Hare had the final say of the half to leave the half time score 0-12 to 0-5 in Naomh Éanna’s favour.

The Hightown Road men made a bright start to the second half with Healy and Odhrán Eastwood (free) putting them further clear before Cormac McGarry score the Aldergrove goal in the 36^th minute.  It had more than a hint of fortune about it with McGarry definitely looking for an orange flag but the ball managed to squeeze between Senan Nagle’s hands and the crossbar to drop over the line.

It raised the hopes of the Crumlin men with the Naomh Éanna lead reduced to six points, thoughts turned to a dramatic comeback potentially on the cards.  Aldergrove failed to capitalise or build any scoreboard pressure, however.  It would be 18 minutes before they would register another score as Naomh Éanna’s game management took over.

Conor Eastwood and Sean McBride fired over points either side of a goal chance for Cormac McGarry.  Aldergrove’s appeals for a foul on their inside forward fell on deaf ears and Naomh Éanna continued to show them the way at the opposite end of the pitch.

Odhrán Eastwood’s first point from open play took their lead to 12 points before Morgan scored their first goal in the 51^st minute.  Getting on the end of a lovely move along the endline to palm the ball to the back of the net.

Substitute Fearghal Burke replied for Aldergrove but Fionn Nagle added the second Naomh Éanna goal moments later.  Odhrán Eastwood and Stephen O’Connor combining to allow Nagle the simplest of tasks to palm the ball to the back of an empty net.

Ronan Hanna and Padraig O’Hare swapped scores before substitute Zac Kyle scored the third Naomh Éanna goal with his first touch in the 58^th minute. 

Naomh Éanna continued to pile on the misery for Aldergrove with scores from Eoin Nagle, Eoghan O’Hare and Odhrán Eastwood (free) coming in injury time while Cormac McGarry fired the sole response for Aldergrove in the time that remained.

A scintillating display from Naomh Éanna brought the curtain down on an unforgettable campaign, their relentless attacking power and defensive control proving far too much for Aldergrove. Three late goals added emphasis to a commanding victory as Ciarán McCavana’s side completed an unbeaten county season with the Intermediate Championship and league double, deservedly earning their title as the Saffron Invincibles.

TEAMS

Naomh Éanna Starting XV: Senan Nagle; Sean McBride, Diarmuid McNulty, Eoghan O’Hare; Michael McKenna, James McAuley, Cillian Browne; Mickey Morgan, Fionn Nagle; Conan Lyttle, Stephen O’Connor, Conor Eastwood; Odhran Eastwood, Padraig O’Hare, Kristian Healy

Subs: Conor McAuley for C Lyttle (45); Ronán O’Neill for S McBride (50); Eoin Nagle for C Eastwood (54); Zac Kyle for K Healy (58)

Scorers: M Morgan 1-2 (1PT); F Nagle 1-1; O Eastwood 0-4 (3F); C Eastwood 0-3 (1TP); M McKenna 0-3 (1TP); Z Kyle 1-00; K Healy 0-2; P O’Hare 0-2; S McBride 0-1; E O’Hare 0-1; S O’Connor 0-1; E Nagle 0-1

Aldergrove Starting XV: Shane O’Neill; Corey Fogarty, Emmett Irvine, Logan Fleming; Chris McVeigh, Eoin Gough, Malachy Burns; Ryan Owens, Conleth Hendron; Gerard Mallon, Seamus McGarry, Oisin Graham; Ronan Hanna, Lewis Smyth, Cormac McGarry

Subs: Declan Gough for G Mallon (36); Fearghal Burke for L Smyth (43); Chris McSteen for O Graham (51); Caden Lagan for M Burns (52)

Scorers: C McGarry 1-1; R Hanna 0-2 (1F); S McGarry 0-2 (2F); C Hendron 0-1; R Owens 0-1; F Burke 0-1

Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tír na nÓg)

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IFC Final- Dunsilly Saturday 7-00pm

Aldergrove v Naomh Eanna

Saturday night’s meeting of Naomh Eanna and St. James Aldergrove in the Intermediate Football Final is sure to attract a bumper crowd to the Antrim centre of excellence at Dunsilly.

Both sides are former winners of the Intermediate title with Aldergrove last crowned champions back in 2019 when they defeated Moneyglass in the final in Portglenone, the Crumlin side losing narrowly to St. Naul’s of Donegal in the Ulster championship quarter-final.

The St. Enda’s success came a year earlier and would see them go on to win Ulster before losing to a strong Kilcummin of Kerry in the All Ireland final in Croke Park.

The Glengormley side collected their first Intermediate title in their history when they defeated Gort na Mona in that year’s Antrim Intermediate football final at Corrigan Park but few could have envisaged just where this victory would lead them to in the months that followed.

Seamus McGarry and Ronan Hanna, potential match winners for Aldergrove

Under the guidance of former Antrim supremo, Frank Fitzsimmons, the Glengormley side had gained promotion to division 1 in 2017 and the sky seemed to be the limit for this multi-talented side.

A senior title was next the target but it failed to materialise as slowly a large number of that side departed and it wasn’t long before Naomh Eanna found themselves back in division 2.

Meanwhile St. James had established themselves as a division 1 side and were competing in the Senior Championship and while they didn’t set the division alight, they never the less remained there until last year when they were relegated to division 2 and Intermediate Championship.

Both sides had a good division 2 campaign this year and both find themselves back in division 1 in 2027 but it was the Hightown side who had the better season as they won all their 13 games to finish well clear of the pack.

Aldergrove were less spectacular, winning 8 and losing five with two of those defeats coming at the hands of Friday night’s opponents.

That’s unlikely to have much effect on the outcome of Friday night’s final and the Crumlin men will rightly go into it brimming with confidence and feeling they can overcome a St. Enda’s side who will start as slight favourites.

St. James have enjoyed an impressive championship campaign with group wins over Gort na Mona, St. Teresa’s, Davitt’s and Naomh Una to top Group 1 unbeaten.

Action from the St. Enda’s v Gort na Mona semi-final

It was a similar situation in Group 2 as league winners, Naomh Eanna carried their unbeaten league run into the championship with Naomh Muire Ahoghill, St. Joseph’s Glenavy, Naomh Comhghall and Naomh Pasdraig Lisburn suffering defeats at the hands of the Hightown side.

Both St. James and St. Enda’s carried that fine form into the semi-finals of the championship with wins over Gort na Mona and Ahoghill respectively but it was the Crumlin side’s win over Ahoghill at tonight’s venue that most impressed.

In a game that was expected to be close, St. James tore up the script to overrun the Cloney side in a performance that had everything.

Trailing by 0-3 after 11 minutes it was the superb Seamus McGarry who set the contest alight as he kicked four points on the bounce to give his side a lead they would maintain until the end.

McGarry would finish the game as top scorer but was only one in a superb St. James side where Emmet Ervine, Chris McVeigh, Eoin Gough, Ryan Owens, Conleth Hendron and Ronan Hanna excelled.

Managed by former Armagh player John Rafferty, quite a number of the 2019 winning side are still part of the St. James panel with Fergal Burke, who starred in that win over St. Ergnat’s making a cameo appearance at Dunsilly in the semi-final and getting his name on the score-sheet.

Naomh Eanna are a much changed side to the one who set Antrim, Ulster and indeed Ireland alive back in 2018 but still retain a number of prominent members of that side.

Conan Lyttle, James McAuley, Mickey Morgan, Kristian Healey and Odhran Eastwood remain in a side now managed by former Antrim chairman, Ciaran McCavana.

They had 9 points to spare over Gort na Mona in their semi-final victory in Glenavy in a free scoring and skilful display with James McAuley, Fionn Nagle, Padhraig O’Hare, Conor Eastwood, Kristian Healey, Fionn Nagle, Mickey Morgan and  Odhran Eastwood all getting their name on the score-card.

It could all go down to what team finds it form on the night and both sides have players who can be potential match winners with Seamus McGarry for Aldergrove and Odhran Eastwood for St. Enda’s just two of the players capable of setting this final alight.

We could be in for a real thriller in this one with the action kicking off at 7-00pm at Dunsilly and Tir na nOg’s Cathal McDermott the man in the middle tasked with keeping the action flowing.

Antrim Intermediate Football Championship – semi-final

St Enda’s 1-23 Gort na Móna 1-14

St Enda’s advanced to the Antrim Intermediate Football Championship final against Aldergrove after defeating Gort na Móna 1-23 to 1-14 in perfect conditions at Glenavy. The sides were deadlocked at 1-7 apiece at the end of a fiercely contested first half, but a dominant second-half display saw St Enda’s pull away to secure a nine-point victory.

The match opened with a quick point from play by St Enda’s James McAuley in the second minute but Gort na Móna responded shortly after when Tarlach Enright fired a 45 over the bar to level the scoring. St Enda’s regained the lead through a 30-meter strike from Fionn Nagle, but Gort na Móna drew level again at 0-2 apiece when Jack Ireland fisted the ball over the bar.

The game burst into life in the seventh minute when St Enda’s Padhraig O’Hare finished off a well-worked move by firing past the goalkeeper to put his side 1-2 to 0-2 ahead, but Gort na Móna issued an immediate response less than a minute later, driving down the field before Matthew McConnell blasted the ball into the net from the left corner. St Enda’s rebuilt their advantage with a point from Conor Eastwood and two scores from Kristian Healy and Fionn Nagle following a hard-won kick-out. However, Gort na Móna fought back as Desi Mc Clean slotted two excellent points from play, followed by a point from Matthew McConnell to tie the game at 1-5. St Enda’s edged ahead again with points from Kristian Healy and James McAuley, before Gort na Móna leveled the match at 1-7 heading into the break with a two-pointer from a free by Tarlach Enright.

St Enda’s took complete control immediately following the restart. Mickey Morgan gathered a low pass and turned to put St Enda’s ahead in the second minute. Odhrán Eastwood then converted a two-pointer from a free, which was quickly followed by a solo effort from Fionn Nagle who shot just over the crossbar to stretch the lead to seven. Conor Eastwood nearly found the net shortly after, but his close-range effort was tipped over the bar by Gorts goalkeeper Anton Farelly and Fionn Nagle curled over another point to widen the gap to 1-14 to 1-7.

Gort na Móna registered their first score of the second half in the ninth minute with a free from Tarlach Enright, but St Enda’s maintained unrelenting pressure. Odhrán Eastwood fisted a point and then tapped over a free, while Stephen O’Connor scored within 30 seconds of the resulting kick-out to push the lead to nine points. Gort na Móna’s Michael Savage managed a point from play, and Tarlach Enright added another two-pointer from a free to keep his side in contention. However, St Enda’s answered immediately as Padhraig O’Hare, Stephen O’Connor, and Kristian Healy all picked off points to make it 1-21 to 1-12.

In the closing stages, Gort na Móna goalkeeper Anton Farelly made a fantastic save to deny St Enda’s a second goal, turning the ball wide for a 45 which was subsequently pointed by Odhrán Eastwood. Tarlach Enright and the Gort na Móna attack managed two final points, but St Enda’s closed out the game confidently with late scores from Fionn Nagle and substitute Ruairi Doran to finalise the 1-23 to 1-14 victory.

St Enda’s: 1 Senan Nagle, 2 Cillian Browne, 3 Diarmuid McNulty, 4 Eoghan O’Hare, 5 Conan Lyttle, 6 James McAuley, 7 Sean McBride, 8 Padhraig O’Hare, 9 Mickey Morgan, 10 Michael McKenna, 11 Stephen O’Connor, 12 Kristian Healy, 13 Odhrán Eastwood, 14 Fionn Nagle, 15 Conor Eastwood,

Subs – 16 Ryan Kennedy, 17 Ronán O’Neill, 18 Zac Kyle, 20 Sean Murray, 21 Killian Jennings, 22 Cathair McKenna, 23 Odhrán McKenna, 24 Darragh Rooney, 26 Ryan Kelly, 27 Niall McKeown, 28 Ruairi Hamilton, 28 Seán Neilan, 30 Conor McAuley, 32 Cormac Morgan, 33 Tomás Gilmour, 34 Ruairi Doran, 35 Eoin Nagle, 36 Jude Stewart, 37 Ruairí McBride, 38 Sé Steele, 39 Oisin O’Hare.

Gort na Móna: 1 Anton Farelly, 2 Darren Cahill, 3 Ciaran Donnelly, 4 Padraig Cournane, 5 Tiarnan Morton, 6 Michael Savage, 7 Niall De Brun, 8 Jack Ireland, 9 Christopher Carson, 10 Eogan Corrigan, 11 Ruairi O Scollain, 12 Daire Keenan, 13 Tarlach Enright, 14 Desmond Mc Clean, 15 Matthew McConnell,

Subs – 16 Marcus Austin, 17 Caoimin Magee, 18 Rian Brown, 19 Manus McMullan, 20 Caoimhin Beck, 21 Ryan Donnelly, 22 Michael Brady, 23 David McKeown, 24 Padraig Mulvenna, 25 Cormac Fegan, 26 Gavin McKenna, 27 Sean Campbell, 28 Jude Reilly, 29 Paul Lawlor, 30 Liam De Brun, 31 John McIlroy, 32 Tim Scannell, 33 Conor Scannell, 34 Jack Thompson, 35 Patrick Mallon, 36 Conal Keenan, 37 Barry Chambers, 38 Conchuír Clarke.

Referee – Paul Burns

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Above – Aldergrove’s Ronan Hanna punches the air in celebration as Man of the Match Seamus McGarry looks on during Friday evening ‘s Intermediate Football Championship semi-final at Dunsilly.

IFC Semi-Final

St. James Aldergrove 5-13 St. Mary’s Ahoghill 0-10

St James Aldergrove cruised into the final of the Intermediate Football Championship when they recorded a comprehensive win over a sadly off the pace, St. Mary’s Ahoghill on an excellent Dunsilly surface on Friday night.

The Cloney side made the better start and were guilty of a number of poor misses before Colla McDonnell (fisted), Conor Crossey and Patrick Graham shot them into an early lead.

The Crumlin men were guilty of some poor shooting themselves but when their star man, Seamus McGarry adjusted his shooting sights they suddenly came to life.

The mercurial McGarry kicked four on the bounce between the 12^th and the 17^th minute and Ryan Owens and Conleth Hendron took a firm grip around midfield and Lewis Smith looked to be in for a goal but was foiled by a late challenge.

The goal wasn’t long on arriving however and a sweeping move saw Ronan Hanna set up Seamus McGarry with a defence splitting pass and the Aldergrove number 11 made no mistake to move his side four ahead after 22 minutes.

Ahoghill tried to respond and Shane O’Neill in the St. James goal came to their rescue with a smart save before McGarry pointed at the other end to take his total for the evening to 1-5.

Ahoghill were struggling to cope with the pace of their opponents but a heavily strapped James O’Connell raised an Orange flag and when Ronan Graham added a pointed free there was just two between the sides.

Those minutes leading up to the break would prove decisive however with Ryan Owens firing home for Aldergrove’s second goal following a slick build up and 2 minutes later, Gerard Mallon finished to the net for a third before McGarry concluded the first half scoring with another fine point.

The Crumlin men looked to be in firm control as the sides left for the dressing rooms and St. Mary’s needed to show a marked improvement if they were to close the 9 point gap separating the sides at half time.

Tom McGlone did raise the first flag of the second half but Seamus McGarry replied immediately and another decisive move tore the Cloney defence wide open with the hard working Ronan Hanna firing home goal number four with only four minutes of the new half gone.

It went from bad to worse for St. Mary’s when they conceded a penalty as they fought to contain a rampant Aldergrove attack and McGarry stroked the ball to the net to move his side 5-8 to 0-7 ahead after seven minute and even at this early juncture it was all over.

St. James were dominating the kick-outs with Ryan Owens and Eoin Gough prominent and they had willing runners all over the field as they continued to press forward.

Another point from the majestic McGarry and a fisted effort from Hanna kept the score board ticking before James O’Connell replied from a 10^th minute free as Fergal Burke and Chris McStein were introduced to the action.

Ahoghill were giving it all they had and Shane O’Neill in the Aldergrove goals pulled off a good blocking save to deny Tom McGlone before James O’Connell pointed another free for a St. Mary’s side who were living on scraps.

Burke marked his introduction with a point for the Crumlin side with James O’Connell replying from another free but it was simply an act of damage limitation with substitute Declan Gough kicking two excellent late points to see St. James comfortably home.

A splendid performance from a Seamus McGarry inspired Aldergrove who were superior all over the field and played with a pace and commitment that their opponents quite simply couldn’t live with on the night.

The Crumlin side will, no doubt have a keen eye on Saturday’s other semi-final between Naomh Eanna and Gort na Mona at Glenavy and on this form St James will fancy their chances of going all the way.

St. James Aldergrove: 1 Shane O’Neill, 2 Corey Fogerty, 3 Emmet Ervine, 4 Logan Fleming, 5 Chris McVeigh, 6 Eoin Gough, 8 Ryan Owens, 9 Conleth Hendron, 10 Gerard Mallon, 11 Seamus McGarry, 12 Oisin Graham, 13 Ronan Hanna, 14 Lewis Smith, 15 Cormac McGarry, 19 Malachy Burns, 26 Conor Mackel

Subs: 7 Declan Gough, 17 Fergal Burke, 18 Chris McStein, 23 Ryan McCarthy, 22 Adam Connelly

St. Mary’s Ahoghill: 1 Aiden Graham, 2 Harry O’Donnell, 3 James Magee, 4 Bernard Graham, 20 Martin Graham, 6 Diarmaid Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Tom McGlone, 10 Dan O’Neill, 11 Ronan Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 Conor Crossey, 14 Jamers O’Connell, 15 Colla McDonnell.

Subs: 18 Ryan McPeake, 23 Ben Friel, Donal Graham, Seamus McKeever

Referee: Ray Matthews

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OB CONSTRUCTION IFC Round 5

Naomh Éanna 1-24 St Mary’s, Aghoghill 1-19

Report and Photos by Brian Hamill from Pairc Éanna

Naomh Éanna completed their group 2 campaign with a five-point victory over St Mary’s, Aghoghill after a lively and entertaining encounter that saw the hosts withstand a strong second-half challenge from the visitors.

Ahoghill made the brighter start and opened the scoring through Patrick Graham Jnrbefore James O’Connelladded a free to give the visitors an early advantage. Naomh Éanna were grateful to goalkeeper Senan Nagle, who produced two excellent saves during the opening stages to prevent Aghoghill from extending their lead and keep his side firmly in the contest.

The game swung firmly in the hosts’ favour during the second quarter. Stephen O’Connorlanded a superb two-point score before raising a green flag moments later. Further scores from FionnNagle,Odhrán EastwoodZac Kyleand Conor Eastwood helped Naomh Éanna build momentum as their attacking play began to click.

Aghoghill remained in touch thanks to a crucial goal from Diarmuid Graham while Eamon Brady, Tom McGlone and James O’Connell all contributed scores. However, Naomh Éanna closed the half strongly and went in leading 1-14 to 1-8.

The visitors responded impressively after the restart. James O’Connell landed a pair of excellent two-point scores from play, while Daniel O’Neilladded another two-pointer to bring Aghoghill right back into contention. Scores from Ronan Grahamand Daniel O’Neill further reduced the deficit and ensured the game remained very much alive entering the final quarter.

To their credit, Naomh Éanna showed plenty of composure under pressure. Fionn Nagle continued to impress, repeatedly finding space inside, while Odhrán Eastwood kept the scoreboard ticking over from both play and frees. Scores from Padhraig O’Hare and ConorEastwood also helped steady the hosts whenever Aghoghill threatened to close the gap further.

A key moment arrived in the second half when Aghoghill were awarded a penalty. Once again Senan Nagle came to Naomh Éanna’s rescue, producing an outstanding save to deny a certain goal. Although the ball was deflected over the bar and Aghoghill collected a point from the attack, the save preserved Naomh Éanna’s momentum at a crucial stage of the contest.

Both sides looked to their benches during the second half, but Naomh Éanna always seemed capable of finding another score when required. Late points from Odhrán Eastwood and FionnNagle ultimately secured a victory that reflected their greater consistency across the hour.

Although Aghoghill mounted an impressive comeback and finished strongly, Naomh Éanna’s decisive spell before half-time, allied to Senan Nagle’s important interventions at key moments, proved the difference as they closed out a five-point win.

Referee: Fionntán McCotter (Sarsfield’s)

Naomh Éanna scorers

• Fionn Nagle 0-7
• Odhrán Eastwood 0-5
• Stephen O’Connor 1-2 and two two-pointers
• Conor Eastwood 0-2 and one two-pointer
• Padhraig O’Hare 0-1
• Zac Kyle 0-1

St Mary’s, Aghoghill scorers

• James O’Connell 0-5 and two two-pointers
• Diarmaid Graham 1-0
• Daniel O’Neill 0-2 and one two-pointer
• Ronan Graham 0-2
• Eamon Brady 0-1
• Patrick Graham Jnr 0-1
• Tom McGlone 0-1
• Ryan McPeake 0-1

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