Category / Football

by thesaffrongael

High scoring Ahoghill move into second place

ACFL Division 2

Ahoghill 4-24 St. Teresa’s 3-11

Both sides went into this division 2 league encounter at Cloney on 10 points but in the end it turned into a route for Naomh Muire as they totally out played a St. Teresa’s side missing a number of regulars.

Ahoghill led 2-19 to 2-5 at the halfway stage and even at this juncture St. Teresa’s looked a well beaten side but to their credit they kept battling to the final whistle.

Indeed it was the visitors who got off to the better start with goals from Conor Delaney and Liam Connolly in the opening quarter but Naomh Muire kept in touch with Patrick Graham, James O’Connell 0-3 and Dan O’Neill hitting points.

Immediately after Connolly’s goal for the Glen Road side, Ahoghill responded with a goal of their own through Colla McDonnell to hit the front and they would not again be headed as they began to play with pace and confidence.

Patrick Dougan, Ronan Graham, James O’Connell 0-4, Dan O’Neill brought their point count for the evening to 19 as the Cloney side scored at will and when Eoin Graham fired home their second goal on 30 minutes they were looking good.

Darren McCann did add to his opening point for St. Teresa’s and further points from Niall McCann and Conor Mallon left them trailing by 14 at the short whistle.

Zac Morgan got St. Teresa’s off the mark with a point in the opening minute of the second half and Niall McCann added two more as the visitors made a bright start but the Cloney side hit back with a vengeance and Dan O’Neill fired home their third goal of the evening in the 8th minute.

St. Teresa’s were still enjoying a fair bit of success at this stage with John Mallon adding two further points but just when they appeared to be getting up a head of steam, James O’Connell got in for Ahoghill’s fourth goal of the contest.

Colla McDonnell, Dan O’Neill and James O’Connell added to the host’s ever increasing points tally before Darren McCann finished to the net for St. Teresa’s third goal of the evening with 8 minutes of normal time remaining.

James O’Connell and Ronan Graham concluded the Naomh Muire scoring with Conor Mallon replying with a consolation point for St. Teresa’s.

This win keeps St. Mary’s in second place in the table and moves them onto 12 points, two ahead of Glenavy who have two games in hand and St Teresa’s who have one in hand but it is St. Enda’s who continue to set the pace following a resounding victory over Naomh Comhghall on Saturday night.

Ahoghill: 1 Rian Martin, 2 Shea Neeson, 3 Tom McGlone, 4 Seamus McKeever, 5 Fionnbar O’Neill, 6 Ronan Graham, 7 Eamonn Brady, 8 Patrick Graham, 9 Dan O’Neill, 10 Noah Friel, 11 Donal Graham, 12 Patrick Dougan, 13 James O’Connell, 14 Noel Crossey, 15 Colla McDonnell

19 Ben Friel

St. Teresa’s: 1 Mark Small, 2 Philip Glennon, 3 Paul Johnston, 4 Diarmuid McTaggart, 5 Conor Mallon, 6 Eoin Connolly, 7 Liam Connolly, 8 9 Darren McCann, 10 Conor Delaney, 11 Niall McCann, 12 Tony McGaharan, 14 Philip Maguire, 15 Zac Morgan, 16 Leo Morgan, 17 Gary McCann, 19 Tiarnan Heaney, 23 John Mallon

by thesaffrongael

Aghagallon surge past Glenravel after slow start

ACFL Division One: Glenravel 3-7 v Aghagallon 1-18

Report and photos by Brian Hamill

Aghagallon overturned a five-point half-time deficit to claim a deserved four-point win over Glenravel, thanks to a clinically efficient second-half scoring display.

Glenravel dominated the opening period, with goals from Shea O’Broin, Colla Ward and Eamon Fyfe putting them in control at 3-3 to 0-7 at the break.

The visitors’ response after the interval was emphatic. John Hannon led the scoring with a return of eight points, while Eoin Brankin added three points and debutant, Aidan Brady struck Aghagallon’s crucial goal.

Further scores from Enda McCartan, Ciaran Maginnis and others kept Aghagallon’s momentum going, while goalkeeper Luke Mulholland contributed two vital, two-point frees to accelerate the comeback.

Aghagallon outscored Glenravel by 1-11 to 0-4 after the break, turning the game decisively in their favour and seeing it out comfortably in the closing stages.

Glenravel’s early goal burst ultimately proved in vain, as Aghagallon’s greater spread of second-half scorers carried them to an impressive away victory.

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim book last eight spot with victory over Tipp 

Tailteann Cup, Round 2A 

Antrim 4-12-2-12 Tipperary 

Kevin Herron reports from Corrigan Park 

ANTRIM had two goals to spare as they advanced to the quarter finals of the Tailteann Cup with a 4-12-2-12 victory over Tipperary at Corrigan Park on Sunday afternoon 

Victory over Carlow two weeks ago ensured that a victory for the Saffrons would guarntee a quarter final spot with victory or a second shot at redempotion should they need it. 

It took eight minutes for the first score to arrive at a sun-soaked Corrigan as Paddy McAleer took a pass inside the arc and clipped over. 

Ryan McQuillan celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game
McQuillan and Pat Shivers celebrates the centre forward’s second goal

The Saffrons doubled their advantage a minute later, this time Eoghan McCabe laid the ball off to Niall Burns to send the ball over the black spot. 

Tipperary hit back and were off the mark through a fisted James Morris point, and two minutes later a close range Sean O’Connor free levelled things up. 

A foul on Paddy McAleer allowed Dominic McEnhill to edge Antrim infront again on the quarter hour mark and McEnhill kicked his second free of the half after referee Conor Dourneen blew up Tipp goalkeeper Shane Garland for taking too long over a kick out. 

The games opening goal arrived after 26-minutes and fell to the hosts, Ryan McQuillan showed fast footwork to drive towards goal and unleashed a powerful drive into the net to make it 1-4-0-2. 

In response, Sean O’Connor converted his second free of the half for a shirt pull and Daithi Hogan almost found the net for the visitors, though his close range angled attempt was held by John McNabb. 

Right half back Eoghan McCabe surges forward.

Antrim should have doubled their goal tally when Ronan Boyle forced a turnover and found McQuillan and he in turn slipped the ball to Marc Jordan in front of goal, but his low attempt was somehow turned past the post by Shane Garland. 

Before the resulting 45’ was taken, Tipp were temporarily reduced to 14-men with Kieran Costello black-carded.John McNabb eventually took the 45’ and shot over to extend his sides lead. 

Two minutes before the break the Saffrons found their second goal. Paddy McAleer broke the kick out from Garland and Ronan Boyle took up the reins and slipped the ball to McQuillan to round Garland to fire home making it 2-5-0-3. 

The sides traded scores in injury time before the break, Cian Smith clipped over a straightforward free and just before the whistle Marc Jordan popped the ball to Eoghan McCabe to end the halfs scoring and make it 2-6-0-5 at the midway point. 

Playing with the breeze advnatage in the second period Tipperary were a threat from the outset. 

Paudie Feehan launched a high ball into the square where Michael Freaney gathered and goal bound shot on the turn crashed off the post, with Charlie King eventually shooting a point. 

A two-pointed Sean O’Connor further narrowed the deficit before Antrim got on the scoreboard when Tiernan McCormack fisted over after good work from Eoghan McCabe in the build-up. 

The Saffrons looked to have taken a huge step towards victory with their third goal in the 47th minute. 

A quickly taken free was played into Marc Jordan and he picked out Conor Hand and on his home turf, Hand blasted home to put three goals between the sides (3-7-0-7). 

John McNabb send over an Antrim free

Successive points from Paudie Feehan and subsitute Paddy Creedon kept Tipp in touch, but Marc Jordan halted momentum with a point and in the 56th mintue a fourth goal arrived. 

Conor Hand claimed mark in midfield and switched the ball to Tiernan McCormack to bare down on goal and then opt to pop it across to Ronan Boyle to slam home and extend the advantage to double figures (4-8-0-9). 

The lead stretched through further points from Niall Burns and Ryan McQuillan before Tipp came charging back in the closing stages. 

John McNabb did well to divert Daithi Hogan’s shot behind for a 45’ that  was converted by subsitute Steven O’Brien. 

Talisman Sean O’Connor clipped over a free and in the 65th minute the visitors grabbed a consolation goal, O’Brien firing into the bottom corner from close range. 

The Tipp subsitute brought his tally to 1-2 with an angled shot that dropped between the posts, with Paddy McAleer temporarily steming the tide with a point at the other end. 

The nerves were jangling in the 69th minute when Sean O’Connor dropped in an attempt from the edge of the arc that Joe Higgins bundled to the net to make it 4-11-2-12. 

However, in the closing four minutes Antrim steadied things and subsitute Tomas McCann ended the afternoons scoring as Mark Doran’s charges booked their place in the quarter-final in two weeks time. 

Conor Hand celebrates after scoring Antrim’s third goal

ANTRIM: J McNabb (0-1 45’), J Morgan, J Finnegan, K Keenan, E McCabe (0-1), P Healy, M Jordan (0-1), P McAleer (0-2), C Hand (1-0), T McCormack (0-1), R McQuillan (2-1), R Boyle (1-0), P Shivers, N Burns (0-2), D McEnhill (0-2f). SUBS: E Walsh for P Healy (HT), A Loughran for D McEnhill (54), C Hynds for T McCormack (64), T McCann (0-1) for C Hand (68), B Kelly for R Boyle (70+2). 

TIPPERARY: S Garland, J O’Neill, E O’Connor, M Corcoran, C King (0-1), J Morris (0-1). E Moloney, J Higgins (1-0), P Feehan (0-1), E Craddock, M Freaney, K Costello, C Smith (0-1f), S O’Connor (0-5, 0-4f, 1×0-2ptf), D Hogan. SUBS: P Creedon (0-2) for C Smith (46), K Butler for K Costello (55), S O’Brien (1-2) for E Craddock (57), J Feehan for M Corcoran (60), D Brennan for D Hogan (65). 

REFEREE: Conor Dourneen (CAVAN)

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by thesaffrongael

Donegal Too Strong For Antrim in Masters Round Two

Despite Saffrons’ Spirited Display

GAA Masters Football League 2026 – Round 2

Antrim 0-05 | Donegal 0-11

Venue: Foreglen, Derry | Date: Saturday, 23 May 2026

Match report: Gerard Kelly | Photos: Dominic Kelly

Donegal proved too strong for Antrim in the second round of the Masters League at Foreglen on Saturday, running out six-point winners on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-05 in a game that, on another day, could have been significantly closer.

The Saffrons were competitive throughout and created plenty of opportunities, but a series of costly missed chances meant that Donegal’s composure in front of the posts proved the decisive factor.

Refereed in the first half by Paul Downey, the game was played in a good spirit and featured some excellent individual performances on both sides — none more eye-catching than Antrim goalkeeper Mark Graham, who complemented a commanding display between the posts with a sweeper-keeper role that took many by surprise and gave Antrim an added dimension throughout.

Donegal Take Early Command

Damian Kelly gave Antrim a dream start, pointing inside the opening minute to send the Saffron support into early voice. But Donegal responded swiftly and with purpose, and quickly established the foothold that would carry them through the afternoon.

Donnacha Gallagher levelled matters on 2 minutes, Conor McShane added a second for the visitors on 5, and Brendan Boyle — who would go on to be Donegal’s most influential performer — split the posts on 10 to put the Tír Chonaill men in front.

Gallagher struck again on 11 to push Donegal two clear, and it was at this point that MarkGraham produced the moment of the half. Deployed in an innovative sweeper-keeper role,the Antrim number one was heavily involved outfield throughout, reading the game astutely

and driving forward at every opportunity.

His contribution was not limited to play, however —a sharp save in the 14th minute denied Donegal what would have been a demoralising score and kept the Saffrons within reach at a critical juncture.

Michael McCarry pointed on 22 to give Antrim brief hope, but Gary Dunnion’s score on 23 restored Donegal’s two-point cushion, and Boyle’s second of the half on 29 sent the sides to the interval with Donegal leading 0-06 to 0-02. The gap was flattering to Donegal —

Antrim had worked their way into several promising positions but were unable to convert, and the missed chances were beginning to accumulate.

Donegal Push Clear Despite Saffron Resistance

The second half followed a similar pattern. Damian Kelly pointed on 36 to reduce the arrears, but Donegal came again almost immediately — Stephen Coyle and Boyle pointing in the 37th and 38th minutes to push the gap back out to five.

Gallagher added his third of the afternoon on 40, and Gerard McBrearty extended Donegal’s advantage further on 42, before Boyle completed a commanding individual display with his fourth point on 45.

To their credit, Antrim did not give up. McCarry converted twice in the 46th and 52nd minutes — his third point of the afternoon and evidence that Antrim’s attacking quality, when it came off, was considerable.

On another day, with wides converted, the scoreline might have told a very different story. But Micheal Canning’s point in the 55th minute rounded off a well-deserved win for the Donegal men.

Mark Graham’s contribution — both from the penalty area and from deep outfield positions— was one of the genuine talking points of the afternoon, and Antrim’s management will no doubt build on the tactical innovation as the league campaign continues.

The Verdict

Donegal were worthy winners, with Brendan Boyle (0-4) and Donnacha Gallagher (0-3) providing an attacking partnership that Antrim’s defence found consistently difficult tohandle.

The supporting contributions of Gary Dunnion, Stephen Coyle, Gerard Mc Brearty

and Micheal Canning gave Donegal a depth of scoring options that ultimately proved too much.

For Antrim, Michael McCarry (0-3) and Damian Kelly (0-2) were the standout contributors with ball in hand, while Mark Graham’s unique influence from the goalkeeper position was a real highlight.

Frank Delargy and Timmy Connolly’s side will reflect that the margin does not fully represent how competitive they were, and with two rounds remaining in the campaign, there is plenty still to play for.

ANTRIM: Mark Graham; Colin Connolly, Stephen O’Connell, Declan McErlean; Michael Donnelly, William Wilkinson, Donald Crawford; Damian Kelly (0-2), Dominic Neeson; James McGreevy, Barry McMahon, Declan McLarnon; Liam Cassley, Niall Sweeney, Michael McCarry (0-3).

Also used: Carl O’Neill.

DONEGAL: Kieran Doherty; Enda Bonner, Eamon Ward, Eugene Maguire; Martin Donaghey, Gerard Melaugh, Gary Dunnion (0-1); Conor McShane (0-1), Brian Doherty; Stephen Coyle (0-1), Damien Browne, Laurence McMullan; Brendan Boyle (0-4), Donnacha Gallagher (0-3), Gerard Mc Brearty (0-1).

Also used: Aiden Duddy, Eugene Maguire, David McShane, Gavin McConnell, Steven Naim, Chris Gallagher, Micheal Canning (0-1).

Referee (first half): Paul Downey

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by thesaffrongael

McKillop point gives All Saints a share of the spoils

ACFL Division 1

All Saints 1-14 St. Ergnat’s 1-14

In a game of changing fortunes All Saints and St. Ergnat’s couldn’t be separated in the end in an entertaining ACFL Division 1 clash at Slemish Park on Saturday night.

The Ballymena side looked like they were heading for their second win on the bounce when they led by four at the break and moved 7 ahead, 12 minutes into the second half but Moneyglass finished strongly to share the spoils.

All Saints started brightly with points from Harry Connon, Ronan McKillop, Benny McDonnell and McKillop again to lead by four with 10 minutes gone but in virtually their first meaningful attack, Aidan McErlain fired to the net for the visitors to leave just one between the sides.

However All Saints continued to enjoy the better of the first half exchanges as Conor Stewart struck a 2 pointer with Colum Duffin pointing for the visitors in reply.

A James McDonnell point and a goal from the lively Harry Connon in the 19th minute put Baker Bradley’s side five ahead with Colum Duffin 0-2 and Tyler Cassidy bringing the visitors total to 1-5 for the first and Matty Downey and Connell Lemon replying for the home side.

Sean Boyd reduced the gap to three on the restart but Connell Lemon replied with All Saints second 2 pointer of the evening and in a low scoring third quarter, James McDonnell split the posts to move the home side seven ahead by the 12th minute and seemingly in control.

It would be a further 11 minutes before the men in black would raise another flag as visitors St. Ergnat’s dug beep to launch an excellent comeback with points from Sean Boyd, Colum Duffin and Boyd again before Ronan McKillop replied for the hosts.

The momentum was now very much with the men in Blue however with Duffin kicking three on the bounce between the 25th and 27th minutes and further points from Callum Murray and Conleth McCann saw them hit the front and the points looked to be heading the way of the visitors.

All Saints launched one final attack however and Ronan McKillop became their hero of the evening when he sent over the equaliser, two minutes into time added on to earn his side a valuable point.

All Saints: 1 Ryan Stewart, 2 Sean McDermott, 3 Michael Read, 4 Joe Rafferty, 5 Harry Connon, 6 Cal O’Brien, 7 Matthew Downey, 8 Emmet Killough, 9 Peter McReynolds, 10 Connell Lemon, 11 James McDonnell, 12 Conor Stewart, 20 Darrach Bradley, 14 Brendan McDonnell, 15 Ronan McKillop

Moneyglass: 1 James McLaughlin, 2 Eunan McErlain, 3 Matthew Mullen, 4 James McCormick, 5 Callum Murray, 6 Feargasl Duffin, 7 Odhran Duffin, 8 Conleth McCann, 9 Dermott McErlain, 10 Sean Boyd, 11 Colum Duffin, 12 Tyler Cassidy, 13 Charlie McCloskey, 14 Aidan McErlain, 15 Caolan Boyd

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lamh Dhearg)

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