Glenariffe/Glenravel booked a semi-final place against Cushendall when they beat Sarsfields in Monday evening’s quarter final in Waterfoot. Fielding a team short a good few regulars the home side found the going tough in the first half and led by just five at the break. A Fionn Jemfrey point in the first minute of the second half got Sarsfields back to within four but once they got going Glenariffe-Glenravel pulled away to win by eight in the end.
In what was at times a bad tempered game, which saw four mentors and one player receive red cards, the home side made the perfect start and Daniel Kearney had the ball in the Sarsfields net in the first minute and when Canice McIntosh added a point they were four to the good. Anthony McGarrigle, who was to be Sarsfields best man, pulled a couple back from frees and though the excellent Oisin Gillan added a couple of good points for the home side, Sarsfields were back to within a couple of points when corner forward Darren Delander grabbed a great goal on 14 minutes.
A second goal, this time from Daniel Kearney, eased the pressure on the home side with Oisin Gillan and Cormac McKeown sending over poinst they pulled clear, but McGarrigle kept picking off the points for the visitors and at half time they were only five behind. (2-08 to 1-06)
When Jemfrey got the first point of the second half it looked like it was going to be tight, but Glenariffe/Glenravel three quick points, two from Christy Leech and one from Canice McIntosh started to ease the pressure. McGarrigle came back with another point for the Paddies but a brilliant solo goal from Oisin Gillan and one soon afterwards by Cormac McKeown gave the home team a bit of breathing space. Jemfrey and McGarrigle kept plugging away for Sarsfields but the home side were in control by this stage and when Canice McIntosh got their fifth goal there was no way back for the visitors.
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All Saints GAC Gaelic for Mothers & Others held a very successful blitz on Saturday at their Slemish Park grounds with 9 teams from all over Ulster taking part.
The Ballymena club were absolutely thrilled to receive a grant from Bloc Blinds in support of their Gaelic for Mothers and Others Festival of Football
Their backing means the world to the club — helping them to bring together 9 teams from across Ulster for a day of football, friendship, and fundraising for local charity White Butterfly Foundation.
Taking part in the blitz were All Saints, Glenravel, Moneyglass, Davitt’s, Portglenone, St. Comgall’s, the Loup, Drumrath from Omagh and Limavady Wolfe Hounds and an excellent evening’s fun was had by all.
All Saint’s Ballymena 2-23 Erin’s Own Cargin 5-14 (aet)
All Saint’s win (7-6) on penalties
Benny McDonnell kept his cool to slot home the winning penalty after a marathon ACFL semi-final between Erin’s own Cargin and All Saints Ballymena at a sun kissed Whitehill on Saturday afternoon.
A fast flowing and high scoring game provided entertainment for the good crowd who had gathered despite both sides being short of a number of their regulars with Cargin worst affected.
The Ballymena side looked to have wrapped it up when they led by three deep into time added on in extra time but Cargin were awarded a strongly disputed penalty which Michael McCann tucked away with virtually the last kick of the ball.
A pristine sod and a warm breeze greeted the good attendance with little separating the contestants in the opening minutes as mid fielder Conor Stewart raised the first white flag in the opening minute before similar scores at the other end by Conhuir Johnston and Michael McCann ensured early advantage for the Toome men.
A Paddy Mc Aleer 8th minute point saw the Saints on par and although a white flag was raised by the Ballymena midfielder Stewart, his second score of the evening, Cargin were quick to make reply as a couple of points from Conhuir Johnston sandwiched one by Michael McCann to ensure a 0-05 to 0-03 lead for the Erin’s Own men at the end of the open quarter.
Having slipped into arrears, All Saint’s were soon to regain the lead as Emmett Killlough gathered to send Paddy McAleer away to grab a couple of points before Killough added another and Joe Rafferty followed suit to see All Saint’s move 0-07 to 0-05 ahead after 16 minutes.
Cargin were back in front when Michael McCann despatched a penalty to the back of the net following a foul on the hard grafting Conhuir Johnston but late points from mid fielder Stewart and Paddy Mc Aleer saw All Saint’s nip ahead 0-09 to 1-05 at the end of the opening period.
The second half got under way as the easterly breeze eased and it was Cargin who were first off the mark after young Jack Harney’s defence splitting delivery opened the way for Sean O’Neill to finish to the back of the net.
O’Neill added a 34th minute point before a long range John Carron effort extended the Cargin lead to 2-09 to 0-09 and it looked like the reigning county champions were taking control.
All Saints had other ideas however and Paddy Mc Aleer replied with a 2 pointer before Ciaran Campbell followed with a goal and a point and All Saint’s had nipped ahead at 1-12 to 2-08.
Mid fielder Conor Stewart added a 3d minute point to the All Saint’s total and after the impressive Conhuir Johnston followed suit at the other end the big midfielder was quick to reply to level the issue at 2-10 to 1-13.
The end to end stuff was heightening the enjoyment of the attendance and after David Johnston nipped away to split the posts and give the Toome men back the lead a defence splitting pass from Jack Harney into the path of Michael McCann saw him finish to the back of the net.
It was Cargin who were now enjoying the better of the exchanges as James Laverty and McCann combined to open the way for Sean O’ Neill to fire to the net to move Erin’s Own move 4-10 to 1-14 ahead.
Once again Baker Bradley’s side looked in bother but they continued to show the never say die spirit that had epitomised them throughout the game.
A Jack Harney point threatened to put it out of reach of the Ballymena side but once again they came storming back with Sean O’Callaghan, Joe Rafferty and James McDonnell pointing to bring them level before Paddy McAleer’s fisted effort was ruled out for a square-ball infringement.
It was a thrill a minute at this stage as the excellent James Laverty restored the Cargin lead with the equally impressive Sean McVeigh tying it once more.
All Saints had been reduced to 14 men at this stage and when Conhuir Johnston rattled the All Saints net for their 5th of the evening, deep into time added on they looked on their way to defeat.
Once again they picked themselves up of the canvas and a good move from deep in defence saw Conor Stewart’s goal bound attempt rebound of the crossbar but Joe Rafferty was on hand to bury it to the net and the sides were level for the umpteenth time.
The Slemish Park side introduced Ronan McKillop and Paidin Mitchell at the start of extra time as Sean O’Neill and Conor Stewart exchanged early points before Stewart edged his side ahead again with a point in the 6th minute.
Significantly they kicked a number of bad wides at this stage as Michael McCarry replaced the injured Emmet Killough in the All Saints side and a Sean O’Neill point for the Toome side saw it tied at 5-14 to 2-23 as Cathal McDermott sounded the half time whistle.
The crowd were on their feet as the game got underway again as James Laverty edged the county champions ahead once more but All Saints found another response and looked to have booked their place in the final.
Ronan McKillop, Paddy McAleer (f), Benny McDonnell and Ciaran Campbell pointed to move the men in black three in front but in a dramatic finish Cargin were awarded a penalty and Michael McCann converted to send the game into penalties.
Benny McDonnell became the All Saints hero when he converted the final penalty of the evening to send All Saints into the final where they are set to meet Creggan and it was handshakes all round at Conclusion.
Creggan advance after St. Brigid’s withdrew from the other semi-final and there is a feeling in some quarters that the league should be decided at the end of the league programme.
For the second year in succession Erin’s own finished clear of the pack but found themselves taking part in play-offs at a time of the year when a lot of player are missing through holidays or injury
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Oliver O’Rawe, KLavan Keenan, Harry Connon, James McDonnell, Sean O’Callaghan, Joe Rafferty, Emmet Killough, Conor Stewart, Connell Lemon, Patrick McAleer, Benny McDonnell, Ciaran Campbell Sean McVeigh, Peter McReynolds
Subs used: Conor Brennan, Michael McCarry, Paidin Mitchell, Ronan McKillop
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Gerard Mc Corley. Kevin Mc Shane, Hugh O’ Donnell, Callum Gribbin, James Laverty (0-2), Conan Johnston, John Carron, Gerard Mc Cann. David Johnston (0-01), Sean O’ Neill (2-06), Jack Harney (0-01), Michael Mc Cann (2-02), Conhuir Johnston (1-05) PJ Quinn)
Subs:
Charlie McCann
Benen Kelly
Ben Mc Larnon
Patrick O’ Neill
Referee: Cathal McDermott (Tir na nOg:
TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
All Saints GAC Gaelic for Mothers & Others are absolutely thrilled to receive a grant from Bloc Blinds in support of our upcoming Gaelic for Mothers and Others Festival of Football.
Their backing means the world to us — helping us bring together 9 teams from across Ulster for a day of football, friendship, and fundraising for local charity White Butterfly Foundation @thewhitebutterfly_foundation
Blitz tomorrow! All support welcome. Matches 12-3pm and live music in the bar 4-6pm
Reigning county SFC holders, Erin’s own Cargin and last year’s Intermediate Football Champions, All Saints kick off this weekend’s action when they face off in the Division 1 League semi-final at Whitehill on Saturday (2-00pm).
The Erin’s Own side finished their league campaign four points ahead of Creggan and St. Brigid’s and six ahead of Saturday’s opponents, All Saints, who played a game less than the other three.
Unconfirmed news suggests that St. Brigid’s have withdrawn from the other semi-final against Creggan which was scheduled for Glenavy at 5-00pm on Saturday evening and if that is the case then the Kickham’s will presumably be handed a place in the final.
At the time of writing the Erin’s Own v All Saints game is still on the fixture list and should go ahead and both sides will take the opportunity of getting a competitive game under their belts prior to the championship.
Cargin will rightly start as firm favourites and have once again been the team to beat this season, suffering only one defeat in the league against St. Brigid’s.
The reigning County Champions have continued to impress in 2025 with their excellent balance of youth and experience.
John McNabb is an excellent keeper and has contributed handsomely with important scores this year and has embraced the new rules with relish as has his Erin’s Own colleagues.
Kevin McShane, James Laverty, Gerard McCann, John Carron and Michael and Tomas McCann are all experienced campaigners in a side complemented by a host of young emerging talent.
Pat and Tom Shivers, Jamie and Callum Gribbin, Benen Kelly, Sean Og Quinn and Sean Og O’Neill are just a few of the players who will be keen to stake a place in the forthcoming championship side if called upon on Saturday.
For All Saints it has been another good season as they finished in the top four for the second consecutive year and they now find themselves in bonus territory as they face Ronan Devlin’s side in Saturday’s semi-final.
Like Cargin they are likely to be without a number of players through holidays and injuries but players like Conor Brennan, Sean McVeigh, Michael McCarry, Connell Lemon, Emmet Killough, James and Benny McDonnell, Conor Stewart, Kavan Keenan, Rian Tom and Matthew Downey will relish the challenge if available.
Whatever side Saturday’s opponents field it is Cargin who will start as firm favourites and rightly so but Baker Bradley and his All Saints side will give it their best shot and see where it takes them.
