It’s Football Championship Finals this weekend and it looks like being an exciting programme for followers of the big ball game with deciders at Junior, Intermediate and senior level.
Junior Football Championship final
Davitt’s Park – Saturday 4-00pm
St. Agnes v Pearses
Both sides have impressed in the run up to Saturday’s final at Davitt’s Park where Naomh Una will start as slight favourites by virtue of their division 3 league winning campaign.
The ‘Aggies’ went through their league campaign where they won 12 of their 14 fixtures but one of their defeats came at the hands of Na Piarsaigh back in early July with the Antrim Road side edging it by a point in a high scoring 6-10 to 2-21 encounter.
It was a reversal of their round 1 league meeting where St. Agnes had two to spare over Saturday’s opponents. That one finished 1-14 to 0-15 so league form would suggest there is little to separate the sides.
Pearses league form was inconsistent though and they won only 6 and lost 7 of their league fixtures but as we have already seen this season, league form can count for little when it comes to the championship.
Despite losing prolific forward, Ronan Carroll to a serious injury earlier in the season St. Agnes carried their good league form into the championship and recorded a confidence boosting 1-20 to 0-13 win over Kickham’s Ardoyne, the other team to record a league win over them, and went on to beat Cardinal O’Donnell’s and a walk-over against St. Malachy’s meant that they topped Group 1 undefeated.
That form earned the ‘Aggies’ a direct passage into the semi-final where they met an Eire Og side who had defeated O’Donnell’s in the quarter-final and came into the semi-final at Pairc Una on a good run of form.
Division 3 league winners, St. Agnes took advantage of a home fixture, the prize for topping their group, to defeat Eire Og in a competitive Junior Football Championship encounter.
They didn’t get it all their own way against an Eire Og side who were still in contention late in the game when Mark Graham finished to the net from close range to close the gap to four.
As they had done throughout the game, the Aggies were always able to respond and the league winners finished strongly to win by seven in the end and book a place in the final against Na Piarsaigh.
A goal from James Campbell in the 15th minute gave them a lead they would not subsequently lose.
Aggies wing-back, Caomhin Floyd’s shot looked to be going over but came back of the upright and Campbell gathered the rebound before dispatching his effort low and into the bottom corner.
The same player followed up his major with a point to pile on the pressure as the Aggies began to take control and David McGaharan added another from out on the wing, much to the delight of the Aggies support.
Conall Turley was excellent for the Woodland’s side and finished the game with 7 points as St. Agnes ran out 1-18 to 1-11 winners.
Their opponents in Sunday’s final, Na Piarsaigh have put indifferent league form behind them and seem to have peaked at just the right time coming into the championship and defeated Wolfe Tonnes and Eire Og in the group stages but lost to Laochra Loch Lao.
They beat a strong Kickham’s Ardoyne in the quarter-finals and produced, possibly their best performance of the season to reverse that defeat to Laochra Loch Lao in the semi-finals and will fancy their chances on Saturday in West Belfast.
Liam Deegan, Philip Murray, Sean Moreland Fion Grew, James Smyth, Ruairi Bannon, Piaras Donaghy and Thomas McFarlane will lead the Na Piarasaigh challenge as they aim to claim their second Junior title in recent years.
St. Agnes will look to Colum Carroll, James Campbell, Ryan Reilly, Cormac Flannery, Caoimhin Floyd, Patrick Mulgrew, Shea Madden, Conall Turley, David McGaharan and Colin Clarke to lead them to a league and championship double at Davitt’s Park and they might just have enough to see them through.
Na Piarsaigh overcame the challenge of a Laochra Loch Lao side, strongly fancied in some quarters, in this Junior Football Championship semi-final at Colaiste Feirste on Saturday to set up a place in the final against St. Agnes in two weeks-time.
Saturday’s opponents had met in the group stages a few weeks back at Pairc Naomh Una and on that occasion it was the Irish Language side who came out tops and by virtue of that win they would have went into Saturday’s semi-final strongly fancied.
Na Piarsaigh have shown marked improvement from that defeat however and their quarter-final win over Ardoyne suggested that they were running into form just at the right time and so it proved to be.
The Antrim Road side edged an easily forgettable opening half to lead by three at the interval with their defence sweeping up everything that Laochra could muster and pushed on to dominate the second half with goals from Fion Grew and Sean Moreland seeing them coast home.
Liam Deegan for Na Piarsaigh and Kevin Devine for the home side exchanged early points but further white flags raised by Philip Murray and a Sean Moreland free had the visitors two in front by the 13th minute of a low scoring opening half.
Cathal O’Ceallaigh raised Laochra Loch Lao’s second point of the half in the 20th minute but it would conclude their first half scoring as the Na Piarsaigh defence dealt with everything that came their way and it would be Murray and Moreland who would conclude the first half scoring with Pearse’s points.
Half Time 0-2 TO 0-5
Laochra Loch Lao got little change from a well organised Na Piarsaigh defence in the first half and it was imperative that they got off to a good start in the second if they were to swing this game in their favour but in truth it never looked like happening.
Instead it was Na Piarsaigh who stepped it up a notch on the resumption and Fion Grew followed up on a great save by the Laochra keeper to fire over after 20 seconds to extend their lead to four.
Daire McMenamin had it briefly back to three with a point in the 4th minute but Na Piarsaigh struck decisively with a goal from Fion Grew, two minutes later and even at that early stage, it looked like being an uphill struggle for the hosts.
It never looked like materialising as Daire McPilib’s point for the home side was quickly cancelled by a Liam Deegan pointed free at the other end and when Sean Moreland punished a poor kick-out, with his side’s second goal in the 11th minute it was as good as over.
The North Belfast side continued to turn the screw with James Smyth striking a fine point and at the other end Eamon McKenna brought off a good save as Laochra tried to respond.
The excellent Liam Deegan from a free and another great effort from play put the game well beyond the reach of the opposition with seven minutes of normal time remaining before Laochra’s best player, Cathal O’Cealliagh replied with a 2 pointer at the other end.
At this stage it was merely consolation as Liam Deegan for the men in Green and PJ O’Prey exchanged late points to conclude the scoring and confirm Na Piarsaigh’s place in the final in two-week’s time.
They will face league winners, Naomh Una in that decider and the Woodlands side will probably start that one as favourites but they will have to be at their best to beat this Na Piarsaigh side who have shown great improvement at the business end of the season and will fancy their chances.
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Division 3 league winners, St. Agnes are just one game away from a famous double after defeating Eire Og in a competitive Junior Football Championship semi-final at Pairc Una on Saturday evening.
They didn’t get it all their own way against an Eire Og side who were still in contention late in the game when Mark Graham finished to the net from close range to close the gap to four.
As they had done throughout the game, the Aggies were always able to respond and the league winners finished strongly to win by seven in the end and book a place in the final against Na Piarsaigh.
The home side were competing for the first time in the knockout phase after an unbeaten run in the group stages which saw them clinch victory in all three games to earn top spot and automatically enter the semi-final stage.
Éire Óg overcame the challenge of O’Donnell’s just a fortnight ago at the quarter-final stage and squeezed through to take a place in Saturday’s semi-final and while they were competitive throughout, they were much too laboured in their build up play, especially in the opening half.
Eire Og goal scorer, Mark Graham gets his shot away as Defender Reilly attemprts to clock
It was the Derriaghy men who had a great early opportunity when a goal looked on when Lorcan McIlroy found space and drove past his marker but his weakly struck shot was easily dealt with by Colum Carrol in the St Agnes’ nets.
James Campbell got the first score of the game after he pointed for St. Agnes but Conall Smyth replied with two points for the Óg’s to swing the early momentum in their favour with the second a great effort that clipped the inside of the post.
St. Agnes made a positive response however as they replied with a goal from James Campbell in the 15th minute to take a lead they would never subsequently lose.
Aggies wing-back, Caomhin Floyd’s shot looked to be going over but came back of the upright and Campbell gathered the rebound before dispatching his effort low and into the bottom corner.
The same player followed up his major with a point to pile on the pressure as the Aggies began to take control and David McGaharan added another from out on the wing, much to the delight of the Aggies support.
James Connell pulled one back for Eire Of just before half time but it was St. Agnes who led by six at the break as both teams made the long trek to the dressing rooms..
The second half began with a number of personnel changes in the Eire Og lineout and the Derriaghy men made a positive start with their attacking play looking far more potent when Lorcan McIlroy struck just after the break to reduce the deficit to five.
McIlroy then converted two frees and a superb effort from the impressive Conor McKenna had the Eire Og bench on their toes in approval and at this stage a shock looked a distinct possibility.
They were awarded a free just moments after McKenna’s score and the same player had the opportunity to reduce the gap to two points but this time the Eire Og sharp shooter pulled his effort wide.
It proved a pivotal moment in the game as the ‘Aggies’ responded in style to take control with Conall Turley leading the way and the big full-forward would finish the game with 7 points to wrestle control from their opponents.
Turley extended his side’s lead to seven with just nine minutes remaining and it looked as good as over for the opposition but they kept fighting to the end.
Conor Turley who scored 0-7 for St. Agnes drops back to help out in defence
They were rewarded for their efforts when a long delivery fell favourably for Mark Graham and the former Casement’s man flicked the ball beyond Carroll in the Aggies goals to reduce the deficit to four.
Time was not on the side of the underdogs however and St. Agnes responded again when David McGaharan struck two points in quick succession to put the game firmly out of their opponents reach.
Turley sealed victory when he popped over another free for his seventh of the evening to put further daylight between the sides as the referee blew his whistle for the final time.
St. Agnes will now start favourites when they take on Pearses in the final in two weeks-time with the possibility of a league and championship double very much alive but they could face a stiff test from a Pearses side who have run into a bit of form just at the right time.
St Agnes’: C Carroll; C Flannery, K McCormick, P Carroll; R Gilligan 0-1, R Reilly, K Floyd 0-1; D Turley 0-1, P Mulgrew; C McBride 0-1, S Madden, J Campbell 1-2; D McGarahan 0-5, C Turley 0-7 (0-5f), C Clarke.
Subs: C Gregory, C McKee, P McClenagahn, O McKenna, D Quigley, C Kennedy, C Gilligan
Éire Óg: J King; B McDaid, B O’Malley, J Devlin 0-1; C Rice, C McKenna 0-1, K Clark; P McNeils B O’Malley; S Erskine, R Donnelly 0-1, G Donnelly; C Smyth 0-3, L McIlroy 0-4 (0-2f), M Graham 1-0
Subs: R Clarke, J Connell 0-1, K Vesall, E Sheehy, J George
Referee: Sean Elliott (Lamh Dhearg)
Roy McLarnon of St. Agnes presents a cheque for £500-00 to Paddy McIlwaine before the St. Agnes v Eire Og semi-final in Belfast on Saturday. Paddy was receiving it on behalf of the Saffron Gael
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The Senior football Championship scheduled for this week-end is an all country affair with four sides from the South West division making up the semi-finals.
Dunloy and Casements get the action underway at Dunsilly on Friday night while reigning champions Cargin and near neighbours Creggan meet in the second semi-final on Sunday at the same venue.
Senior Football Championship Semi Final (Friday 26th Sep at 7.30pm)
Roger Casements v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
The first semi-final at Dunsilly is sure to attract a bumper crowd as Cuchullian’s Dunloy take on Casements in what looks likely to be a close exciting encounter.
Casements have not seen their endeavour rewarded with a senior title to date but they have come close on several occasions when they lost to a superb St Gall’s side by three points back in 2005 before suffering similar fates to the dominant Milltown men again in 2007 and 2009.
The Bannsider’s advanced to another final again last year against a Cargin team which was in search of a ‘three in a row’ senior titles and they came close to halting the Toome men with the side’s level after 60 minutes.
It took extra time to separate the contestants with Erin’s Own edging the extra time exchanges with a 0-10 to 0-08 victory as they collected their third title in a row.
The Bannsider’s are back on the championship trail again with former player John Mc Keever holding the reins and they have been impressive to date with a good run of victories.
They were not at all pressed in their group games, completing unbeaten with victories over Rossa, Glenravel, and Aldergrove without much trouble but faced a much sterner test before defeating St. Gall’s in the quarter-final.
Portglenone have been strengthened by the return of Niall McKeever to duty this term after the big man took a short time away and his contribution in the central zone can make a difference with Deaglan Smith a huge cog in the wheel of the Cuchullian’s and his high fetching talents blended with accuracy on the target can be a key factor.
John Mc Keever’s side will look to the talents of Enda Lynn in the forward department in which Michael Hagan, Oisin Doherty and Aodhan Mc Aleese can be important players.
Dermot McAleese could accompany McKeever at mid-field while Casement’s are well served in defence by the Delargy brothers Ronan and Niall as well as Kevn O’ Kane and their defence could be asked questions aplenty by the sharp shooting Keelan Molloy the Elliot brothers Seaan and Nigel as well as mid fielder Smith and roving half back Ryan Mc Garry.
A good game in prospect and this one can go either way with questions being posed to each with the Portglenone men seeking to curb the influence of Deaglan Smith in the central zone whilst the Cuchullian’s will look to stifle the threat posed by the scoring power of Dermot Mc Aleese and Enda Lynn.
A close one on a good sod is anticipated and a contest which could go either way with extra time or a replay possibly required.
Senior Football Championship (Semi Final)
Erin’s Own Cargin v Kickham’s Creggan
Sunday 28th September Dunsilly (4-00pm)
The second semi final at Dunsilly on Sunday afternoon brings together Cargin and Creggan and this one is certain to attract another bumper attendance as near neighbours and keen-rivals line out to decide the second finalists.
Cargin arrive in search of a ‘four in a row’ and this could provide an extra motivating factor for their opponents as they attempt to overcome their neighbours.
The Toome men have been impressive to date despite the absence of Pat Shivers, Kevin O’Boyle and Jamie Gribbin while doubt remains over the availability of Ronan Gribbin and Eunan Quinn.
Tom Shivers has returned to the squad in good form and the Cargin management have a strong panel to select from as their reserves have already claimed the county title.
Callum Gribbin, Jack Harney, Hugh O’ Donnell, Ben Mc Larnon, and Patrick O’ Neill are just a few of that side who will be hoping for the call up.
There is plenty of experience within the Cargin ranks with the McCann brothers, Michael, Tomas, and Paul, John Carron, John McNabb, James Laverty, Sean O’ Neill, Gerard McCann, Benen Kelly and Jack O’ Neill all possible starters.
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Creggan with the 2025 league title already secured may be lagging behind their neighbours in the senior title count but they are seasoned campaigners with Ricky Johnston, Fiontan Close, Ruairi McCann, Ethan Carey Small, Oisin Kerr, Matthew Rogers, Sam Maguire, Jamie McCann and Kevin Small all strong performers.
Cargin will start as firm favourites and Ronan Devlin’s charges may well claim another berth in a County final but their neighbours will be more than keen to halt their progress and the Toome men will need to be at their best to gain a place in the 2025 Senior decider.
It’s also football championship semi-final time in the other grades, Intermediate and Junior with Naomh Una and Eire Og and Laochra Loch Lao and Pearses getting the Junior competition going on Saturday afternoon.
Naomh Una v Eire Og
Pairc Una 4-00pm Saturday
The Aggies have a division 3 league title already under their belt and have been the form team in this division all year but they face an Eire Og side who have been in fine form themselves in the championship.
Eire Og found the net five times against Laochra Loch Lao and Wolfe Tones and added another three against Pearses but lost that one by a point.
This one could be mighty close but the greater experience and knowhow of Naomh Una coupled with home advantage should see ‘the Aggies’ through.
Laochra Loch Lao v Pearses
Colaiste Feirste 4-00pm Colaiste Feirste
Both sides have recovered from defeats in the group stages to reach Saturday’s semi-finals through the quarter-final route.
Laochra shipped five goals against Eire Og in their opening group 2 encounter but recovered to beat Pearses and Wolfe Tones while Pearses recorded a one point win over Eire Og before defeating a fancied Ardoyne in the quarter-finals.
Laochra’s win over Pearses in the group stages coupled with home advantage would suggest they are favourites to win this one but the men from the Antrim Road could be hitting form just at the right time and are capable of gaining a place in the final.
IFC Semi-Finals
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St. Teresa’s
Saturday 5-00pm Bear Pit
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass have had an excellent season despite losing half a side to immigration the previous year but were pipped at the post for the division 2 league title by Sarsfields who will get a close up view of this one as St. Ergnat’s face St. Teresa’s.
St. Ergnat’s recovered from that league defeat to Sarsfields to defeat the Stewartstown Road side in the championship and will start Saturday’s semi-final as firm favourites against a St Teresa’s side who finished second to Glenavy in Group 2.
The Glen Road side, who reached last year’s final but were beaten by All Saints should not be dismissed but a St. Ergnat’s side led by the Duffin brothers, Colm, Fearghal and Seanchan, Kevin McCann, Paul Duffin, Conleth McCann, Aidan McErlain, Tyler Cassidy and Conor Boyd should advance.
Sarsfields v Glenavy
Sunday – Kelly Park Portglenone 2-00pm
Glenavy have had a great run in the IFC going through Group 2 unbeaten with wins over St. Teresa’s, Naomh Comhghall, Davitt’s and Gort na Mona but face their toughest test to date when they face league winners Sarsfields in Portglenone.
Sarsfields recorded a big win over St. Joseph’s at Chapel Hill when the sides met in the league back on the 23d April with 18 points separating them on the evening.
That form would suggest that there can be only one winner on Sunday but St. Joseph’s were missing a few on that occasion and with all their players back on board have finished their season on top form.
The Gallagher brothers, Paddy, Eoin and James, Fergal Henry and Ciaran Loney will lead he St. Joseph’s challenge while Sarsfields will look to Brian Healey, Conor Moley, Conor Glenholmes, Philip McPeake and Gary Lennon for inspiration.
Sarsfields will start this one as firm favourites based on that big win over Glenavy in the league but league form can count for little when it comes to the championship and I would expect this one to be mighty close.
The first-half fare in the North Belfast Derby at Fennell Park between Na Piarsaigh and Ciceam Ard Eoin was a dull and mistake ridden disappointment. Both sides failed to convince supporters that braving the threatening weather was a better choice than watching Eastenders. Na Piarsaigh wouldn’t have worried too much about the complaints though, as they were very much in control in the opening half.
As the dark clouds floated across from the direction of the Cave Hill the men in black and white failed to get any rhythm into their game and it was clear from early in this game that they were struggling to match Na Piarsaigh.
Na Piarsiagh had moved into a three point lead before Cormac Mullan got his first point of the night. Liam Deegan though was very much in form, from both play and his free kicking, and it looked from early on that he was going to be the key figure in the Na Piarsaigh side.
Ciceam Ard Eoin saw a glimmer of hope to get back into this game disappear as a penalty opportunity failed to find the net, although Mullan redeemed himself a few minutes later with a glorious point from outfield.
The lack of discipline from Ciceam Ard Eoin was punished on the scoreboard by the men in green and gold, with Deegan proving ruthless from frees. Despite the poor fare, Na Piarsaigh entered the dressing rooms at half-time on double scores over Ardoyne, while the Kickhams were left with a lot to ponder.
Half-Time:Ciceam Ard Eoin 0-3 Na Piarsaigh 0-8
The second half began with Na Piarsaigh again taking advantage of the lack of organisation in the Ardoyne defence as Deegan planted the ball in the back of the net from a 30 metre free.
Ten minutes into the half Na Piarsaigh had stretched their lead to six points and supporters of Ciceam Ard Eoin must have feared that a complete collapse was on the way.
The Cavehill had disappeared from view in the descending darkness when Cormac Mullan stepped up for Ardoyne and slotted over a two pointer from play, a score that saw this game spark into life. The football and commitment on display for the remainder of this game was a credit to the skill and spirit of both sides.
James Og McAuley found his way into this game and he produced a display of football that would have graced the grass of any pitch in the County. He pointed twice in quick succession and his determination and energy sparked a revival in the Ardoyne side.
Six unanswered points followed, and with just under 10 minutes to go Ardoyne had drawn level with Na Piarsaigh. When Cormac Barnes slotted home an opportunistic goal with great skill, it looked like a resurgent Ardoyne were on their way to turning Na Piarsaigh over
It was then that Player of the Match Deegan stepped up to the plate and fired over a two pointer for Na Piarsaigh, and over the remaining ten minutes these local rivals were like Championship boxers exchanging blows. It was very much toe to toe until Deegan once again slotted over a two pointer from play that eased Na Piarsaigh into a one point lead.
Ciceam Ard Eoin continued to pressurise the Na Piarsaigh defence but with the scent of victory over their close rivals, Na Piarsaigh held strong. Sean Moreland raised the final white flag of the game that finished with a two point win for Na Piarsaigh and their place in the semi-final secured. If there is a more exciting second half in any game in this year’s Football Championships then just hope you are there to see it.
Final Score: Ciceam Ard Eoin 1-13 Na Piarsaigh 1-15
Ciceam Ard Eoin: 1 Tiarnan Hughes 2 Cormac Curran 3 Micheál McGreevy 4 Aran Stewart 5 Joe Gibson (0-1) 6 Pearse Marley 7 Finna Wall O’Brien 9 Gary McKernan (0-1) 11 Kealan McCallan 12 Cormac Mullan (0-8, 3f )13 Fiontain Campbell 26 Eoghan Corrigan 22 Padraig McGreevy 25 Odhran McKee 15 Ciaran McNeill(0-1) 19 Cormac Barnes (1-0) 20 Fiontain Lagan 21 Paul Baker 22 Joseph McNeill 27 Conor Magee 28 Paul Baker 29 James Og McAuley (0-2)
Na Piarsaigh 1 Eamonn McKenna 2 Darren O’Neill 3 Cormac O’Neill 4 Vincent Lismore 5 Luca Giannetto 6 Aidan Bannon (0-1) 7 Cormac Gillespie 8 Thomas Mc Farlane 9 James Smyth 10 Fion Grew (0-1)12 Philip Murray, 14 Liam Deegan (1-11) 15 Sean Moreland (0-1) 17 Ciaran McKavanagh 19 Tomás Austin 22 Piaras Donaghy (0-1) 24 Aodhan McCavanagh 23 Ronan Sharkey 25 Aogán Nugent
Referee Chris Brown
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