St Malachy’s hosted St Mary’s Rasharkin on Sunday evening in the JFC Group 1 and the away side wasted no time in getting going. Rasharkin have already collected the Division 3 league title and are aiming for a league and championship double but others will have plenty to say about that.
A point from James Higgins then a penalty goal and a point straight after, both from Brian Og O’Neill had the Dreen side on top in the opening 5 minutes.
The game then had a long delay due to an injury to the St Malachy’s goalkeeper Stephen Carson, but Rasharkin picked up from where they left off to extend their lead with further goals from O’Neill and Daniel Doherty.
Caoimhin Corr got St Malachy’s off the mark with a point just after O’Neill had pointed from a free and Killian O’Boyle put the visitors further ahead in the 26th minute.
A 2 pointer from a John Paul Lagan free gave the home side a lift before Tiernan O’Boyle finished the first half scoring to leave St Mary’s 3-05 to 0-03 ahead at half time
The second half started in a similar fashion however Rasharkin missed several chances in the early stages but points from Killian O’Boyle, O’Neill and Tiernan O’Boyle kept them on course for the win.
A great 2 pointer from Oisin Casey followed by quick-fire points from Thomas Hasson, Killian O’Boyle and half back Liam Quigg confirmed the Dreen men’s dominance.
St Malachys got one back with a point from James McGivern but Tiernan O’Boyle hit an excellent 2 pointer from play to close out the game.
O’DONNELLS survived a late onslaught to open their P.Graham Tarmac Antrim JFC campaign with a 1-13-2-9 victory over Ardoyne at Pairc MacRuairi on Sunday evening.
In a keenly contested and action packed contest, the hosts found themselves trailing 1-7-0-5 at the break, but a 10-point swing saw them hold the same advantage before Ardoyne showed their battling qualities- though not quite enough to see them leave the Whiterock with a point.
Ardoyne made a dream start and were ahead within two minutes at MacRory Park. Fiontan Lagan’s goal bound shot was saved by Conor Murphy but the loose ball fell to Cormac Mullan who sent the ball looping into the unguarded goal.
In response Fionntan McKeernan popped over after combining with namesake Gerard and then Paddy Matthews drew a smart save from Ardoyne keeper Tiernan Hughes.
The visitors were forced into an early change with Joseph Gibson suffering an arm injury and he was replaced with up and coming Ciaran Lopes.
Lopes would contribute to his side’s next score after surging forward at pace and laying off to Oisin Maskey to clip over and the lead was extended following a neat move that saw goalscorer Mullan pop the ball into Aidan McNeill to drop a shot over the bar.
At the other end Tiernan Hughes was forced to push a dropping Fionntan McKernan shot over the bar.
Quickfire points cut the deficit to the bare minimum as Paul Moore swept a shot over, Tiernan Hughes stuck out a foot to block a goal bound Gerard McKernan shot, a point eventually arrived off the boot of Richard McAvoy and then Fionntan McKernan blasted over his third of the half to make it 1-3-0-5.
Ardoyne should have had their second goal five minutes before the break. Lopes switched to Cormac Mullan and his pass into Aidan McNeill in the corner opened the ODs defence with McNeill laying the ball to backpost where Cahal Keown somehow blasted over the bar rather than under.
Mullan grabbed the first two-pointed score, sending a sideline attempt over the bar and just before the break he converted an injury time free to ensure that his side held a 1-7-0-5 lead at the interval.
ODs started the second period on the front foot with points from Patrick Meehan, Fergal McNerney and half time substitute Sean Pat Donnelly giving them momentum.
They had the chance to hit the front in the 42nd minute following Daniel Moore’s challenge that referee Charlie Hemsworth deemed worthy of a black card and penalty.
Substitute Padraig McKissock stepped up and made no mistake as tucked the spot kick high into the top corner past Hughes to ensure his side led for the first time (1-8-1-7).
Ardoyne restored parity for a brief period through a point from half time substitute Barry McKervey, though Sean Pat Donnelly instantly popped over at the other end.
Ciaran McKissock extended ODs advantage with a curling effort that dropped between the posts and Richard McAvoy then doubled his account for the evening to see the Whiterock outfit pull three ahead.
The visitors thought they had pulled level upon regaining their full complement. Cormac Mullan’s 45’ curled and dropped into the net, however after consulting with his umpire, referee Hemsworth ruled the goal out for square ball.
With five minutes remaining a two-pointed Patrick Meehan effort from play would prove to be the insurance score for the hosts, giving them a 1-13-1-8 lead, but Ardoyne battled to within the bare minimum in the closing stages.
They were awarded a penalty with two minutes to go and Cormac Mullan calmly fired low past Conor Murphy to reignite his side’s chances.
Both teams would end the contest with 14-men after a coming together saw Mullan leave on a second yellow card, and Stephen Seawright given a straight red.
Ardoyne may have snatched a late winner as McKervey’s attempted free from outside the arc stayed in at the byline, Cahal Keown saw his shot blocked and it fell to the path of Daniel Keenan whose follow-up was diverted behind for a 45’.
The resulting 45’ was converted by Aidan McNeill to make it a one-point game, though the visitors were unable to secure a share of the spoils and ODs ran out winners by the narrowest of margins to join Eire Og at the summit of Group 2.
O’DONNELLS: C Murphy, K Kennedy, S Seawright, S Lavery, P Meehan (0-3, 1×0-2pt), S Thompson, J McKenna, J Rafferty, G McKernan, R McAvoy (0-2), F McNerney (0-1), P Moore (0-1), C McKissock (0-1), P Matthews, F McKernan (0-3). SUBS: C Walsh for P Matthews (HT), P McKissock (1-0p) for S Lavery (HT), SP Donnelly (0-2) for K Kennedy (HT).
ARDOYNE: T Hughes, C Curran, M McGreevy, C Magee, J Gibson, P Marley, F Wall O’Brien, D Keenan, O Marley (0-1), C Mullan (2-4, 1-0p, 0-2f, 1×0-2pt), G McKernan, A McNeill (0-2, 0-1 45’), F Lagan, C Keown (0-1), D Moore. SUBS: C Lopes for J Gibson (8), B McKervey (0-1) for C Lopes (HT), T McKinney for D Keenan (60+3).
REFEREE: Charlie Hemsworth (ST PAULS)
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Laochra Loch Lao laid down a significant marker in the first round of the Antrim Junior Football Championship, securing a comprehensive 1-20 to 0-11 victory over Na Piarsaigh (Pearses) at Colaiste Feirste. Driven by an electric attack and a solid team ethos, Laochra controlled the tempo for the majority of the contest.
The game burst into life immediately, with Laochra’s number 8, Jack Mac Iomhair, registering a point from play within the opening 10 seconds. Pearses responded swiftly on the two-minute mark when Sean Moreland slotted a point from play to level the proceedings. Gearoid Mac Seáin and Moreland then traded points from play and from a free, keeping the sides neck-and-neck at the four-minute mark.
As the half progressed, Laochra began to assert their dominance. A slick team move in the eighth minute culminated in a point for their corner forward , followed closely by a score from Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh at number 15. A sweeping move that covered the length of the pitch was finished brilliantly by Oisín Mac Crabhagain on 12 minutes, extending the Laochra lead. Following a 13th-minute point from Jack Mac Iomhair and a free by Oisín Mac Crabhagain, Pearses found a lifeline in the 20th minute when Oisin Grew successfully landed a two-pointer, briefly stunting the Laochra momentum.
However, Laochra’s attacking machine kept rolling. After a 23rd-minute point, Jack Mac Iomhair forced a brilliant save from the Pearses goalkeeper, who managed to tip the ball over the bar for a point in the 24th minute. Despite some very good points under pressure from Oisin Grew and Phil Murray for Pearses, Laochra closed the half strongly with excellent points from play by their number 13 and Conchubhar Mac Gafraidh left the halftime scoreline reading Laochra 0-11 to Pearses 0-06.
Second Half: Laochra Pull Away
Pearses emerged from the break with intent, as Sean Moreland grabbed a point in the 33rd minute to cut the deficit. Laochra, however, responded ruthlessly with back-to-back points from their number 13 and Oisín Mac Crabhagain. The Pearses goalkeeper produced a spectacular point-blank save shortly after to keep his side in the contest, which was immediately rewarded by another Sean Moreland point on the nine-minute mark of the half.
Yet, Laochra’s depth proved too much. Jack Mac Iomhair knocked over a point from play, followed quickly by Fionntan Ó Tuathaláin on 34 minutes. Gearoid Mac Seáin added a free after a breach in the Pearses defence, and Connla Ó Coinn kept the scoreboard ticking with a point from play in the 51st minute. Just a minute later, Jack Mac Iomhair hit an exceptional individual score, and Pádraig Ó Préith capped off a stunning end-to-end team move with a point to put the game entirely out of reach.
Sean Moreland knocked over another point for Pearses on 28 minutes, but the decisive blow landed on 60 minutes when Fionntan Ó Tuathaláin found the back of the net, registering the game’s only goal from play. Dubhaltach Mac Crabhagain piled on the misery for Pearses in the closing moments with a fisted point on 61 minutes and another point from play shortly after. Sean Moreland tapped over a final consolation point for Pearses in the 65th minute, but the damage was already done, bringing a commanding performance to an end.
Final Score: Laochra Loch Lao 1-20, Pearses 0-11
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With the hurling championship now well underway, it’s the turn of the football championship this weekend with games in Senior, Intermediate and Junior all down for decision.
Friday Night – All Games 7-00pm
Pearse Park Friday SFC: Friday night sees the weekend action get going when Dunloy take on Rossa in the Senior Football Championship in Dunloy and last year’s winners will be hoping to get their group game opener of to a winning start at Pearse Park—700pm.
Rossa will travel in the hop of causing an upset but if the Cuchullian’s are near full strength then the reigning champions can get their 2026 campaign of to a winning start.
SFC Milltown SFC: An improving St. Gall’s will also be hoping for an opening day win when they entertain St. Ergnat’s at Milltown and home advantage should be enough to see them through but they shouldn’t underestimate a Moneyglass side who impressed in their relegation playoff win over Tir na nOg a few weeks back.
Pairc Mhic:Dhomhnall/Dhoctairtigh IFC: St. Teresa’s take on Davitt’s in the Intermediate Championship at Pairc MhicDhomhnall/Dhoctairtigh and this one could be close with only a point separating them when they met in the league at the same venue. St. Teresa’s won that one and with each side already having suffered a defeat in the competition, neither can afford to lose.
Colaiste Feirste JFC: The Junior Football Championship rounds of the Friday night action with Laochra Loch Lao hosting Pearses at Colaiste Feirste and despite conceding home advantage, Pearses can edge this one.
Saturday
2-00pm- Pairc na Gael SFC: Aghagallon and Sarsfields kick off the Saturday action when the St. Mary’s entertain the ‘Paddies’ in Aghagallon. Sarsfields have performed well this year to maintain their division 1 status but Aghagallon have been in good form themselves and home advantage shoud see them kick of this year’s campaign with a win.
2-00pm Woodlands IFC: Last year’s Division 3 and Junior Championship winners, St. Agnes have found the going tough in Division 2 this season and face a tough championship opener against a St. James Aldergrove side who played their football in division 1 in 2025 and finished well up the table in division 2, this season.
The Crumlin side have already recorded an opening day win over Davitt’s in Group 1 and should have too much for the ‘Aggies’ at Woodlands.
4-30pm Kelly Park SFC: Casements Portglenone take on Lamh Dhearg in their opening game in Group 4 and have had a descent season under Matty McGleenan and may have been retaining their best for the championship.
They face a formidable opponent in Lamh Dhearg who always give it everything come championship time but a win for the Casement’s looks the likelier result.
4-30pm Woodlands JFC : Eire Og host new boys, St. Brigid’s Cloughmills at Cherryvale and their greater experience, coupled with league performance would suggest that the Deirraghy side can kick off this year’s campaign with a win but an in form St. Brigid’s could run them close.
4-30pm Cloney 1FC: This could well be the match of the day when St. Mary’s Ahoghill play hosts to St. Joseph’s Glenavy in Cloney. St. Joseph’s have already recorded an opening day win over Naomh Padraig at Kirkwoods Park and are on the road again against a St. Mary’s side who are making their championship debut after stepping down from Senior Championship last year.
Both sides will have their eyes on a place in the later stages of the competition but home advantage could swing it the way of the dual club.
6-45pm Toome SFC: The biggest crowd of the day is likely to be in Toome where championship specialists, Erin’s Own face St. Brigid’s in the SFC Group 3 opener. Last year’s beaten finalists, Erin’s own face a St. Brigid’s side who lost to eventual winners, Dunloy at the semi-final stages in Toome in 2025 and both will have their eyes on championship success this season.
Cargin, by their own standards have had a mixed league campaign but are always a different animal when it comes to the championship and this one could be mighty close but home advantage could swing it the way of the hosts.
Sunday
4-30pm Fr. Maginn Park SFC: Con Magee’s entertain Tir na nOg in an all South West contest and the Glenravel men will fancy their chances of getting this year’s campaign of to a winning start.
The Whitehill side have had a difficult season which ended in relegation but are capable of much better and may see this one as an opportunity for redemption but the home side should collect a valuable opening day win.
4-30pm Slemish Park SFC: All Saints play hosts to St. Paul’s in Ballymena and will hope to improve on their 2025 campaign where they failed to win a group game, following an impressive league campaign.
An opening day win would help the confidence of both sides and home advantage could edge it in favour of Baker Bradley’s side but it could be close.
5-00pm Hightown IFC: Naomh Eanna go into their second game in Group 2 after an opening day win over Naomh Comhghall Antrim. That one was much closer than most pundits had predicted but the Division 2 winners had four to spare and with home advantage should account for Naomh Padraig who lost to Glenavy at Kirkwood Park in their Group 2 opener.
5-30pm Pairc McRuairi JFC: O’Donnell’s play hosts to Kickham’s Ardoyne on the Whiterock Road in what should be a fiercely competitive opening game in Group 2.
Both sides enjoyed strong division 3 league campaigns but home advantage could give O’Donnell’s the edge in a game that could go either way.
5-00pm Cherryvale JFC: St. Malachy’s have struggled this season and face another stiff challenge when they take on St. Mary’s Rasharkin at Cherryvale. The men from Dreen have already the division 3 league title tucked under their belts and will be keen to do a league and championship double and can get their Group 1 campaign of to a winning start.
6-30 Creggan SFC: League winners Kickham’s Creggan will be keen to add a SFC title to their league win but league is league and championship is championship. Never the less the Kickham’s have been the team to beat this season and can begin their Group 2 campaign with a win over visiting St. John’s. The ‘Johnnies’ are always competitive in the championship but it would be a major shock if they were to overturn Creggan on their own ground.
Antrim senior ladies got their Ulster championship campaign up and running on Saturday when they made the journey to Ballymaguigan and overcame the hosts Derry by an 8 point margin….
In the first 30 minutes Antrim struggled to get out of the blocks and it was Derry who were playing with all the intensity and energy…
The Derry girls raced into a 4 point lead after ten minutes but a goal from Cliodhna Logan brought Antrim back in touch…
But again it was Derry who seized the initiative and they scored a second goal after some poor defensive play from the Antrim girls…
Indeed it could have been worse for Antrim at this stage only for a timely intervention from Emily Kearns who prevented a certain goal…
But to the Antrim girls credit they played some excellent football in the last ten minutes of the first half with Maria Oneill .. Aiobheann Monaghan.. Theresa Mellon all chipping in with points and just before the short whistle Laura Agnew scored a wonderful point to send the Antrim girls in one up…
The second half belonged to Antrim…
The girls completely stepped it up and took control of the game and started to play the free flowing football that they are capable of…
Some great scores then came their way with Captain Bronagh Devlin leading by example with 4 excellent points and setting up Caitlin Taggart and Aine Lynch who both raised white flags…
Hanna Donaghy then hit both posts before eventually slotting the ball over the black spot to get her name on the score sheet…
Joint manager Micky said after the game ….
“We took a while to get going out there today …
It was very warm and humid and it took quite a lot out of the girls…
There was a few things in the first half that myself and Chris probably wernt best pleased with but the girls as they always do responded well .. worked hard and stood up to the challenge….
Myself and Chris worked hard this week on coaching our forward play which we feel payed dividends as we hit 20 scores and also our turnover rate was high as we focused on that part of our game also ….
But ultimately it’s all about the players and not us …
These girls work hard and all the credit goes to them here today as they all put a massive shift in out there and our bench again proved they can make a difference when entering the game ….
The girls all have club games over the weekend which are very important so we will get together again on Tuesday night and prepare for our game at home to London next Saturday..”
