The St Agnes’ GAC 75th Annual Awards night took place on Friday night in the Beechlawn Hotel, hosted by Lynette Fay and guest on the night, former Dublin All-Ireland winner Philly McMahon. A milestone year in 2025 saw the Aggies lift their first ever Antrim Junior Football Championship, the Division 3 League title and the South Antrim Football title. In what was an excellent year for St. Agnes their Hurling amalgamation with St Teresa’s, Belfast Gaels, won the Ulster Junior B title.
Guests at the St. Agnes Dinner, Phillip McMahon, Lynette Fay and Terry Reilly
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The All-Ireland dream for Cross and Passion was cruelly ended in Cushendun on Saturday, as a valiant effort from the Ballycastle side fell just short against a clinical Ursuline team from Thurles. While the final five-point scoreline suggests a comfortable margin for the visitors, it is a harsh reflection on a match where the Ulster champions were right in the hunt until the dying seconds. On another day, the North Antrim girls could have easily walked away with more than a single goal, having pushed their Munster opponents to the very limit in a display defined by grit and determination.
The Ballycastle school started with incredible intent, utilizing the elements in the first half to establish an early dominance. Their bright start was rewarded in the 12th minute when Eimear McCaughan found the back of the net, giving her side a deserved five-point lead. Throughout the contest, Eobha McAllister was a tower of strength, leading the scoring charge with eight points, including several crucial scores from placed balls. Despite the pressure applied by Cross and Passion, Ursuline managed to weather the storm, leaving the Ballycastle side with a slender two-point advantage at the interval.
The second half showcased the true character of this Cross and Passion squad. Even as Ursuline began to find their range and restore parity, the Ballycastle girls refused to be found wanting in the physical stakes. They dominated the middle third for long stretches, mounting wave after wave of pressure on the Thurles defense. Goal chances were carved out through the persistence of Adria McAllister and Eimear McCaughan, but they were met by a combination of desperate defending and an inspired performance from the Ursuline goalkeeper, who produced a moment of incredible bravery to keep the Ulster champions at bay.
The closing stages proved to be heartbreaking for the local side. After Marie Laverty and Tegan Cassidy went close to finding the scores needed to reclaim the lead, Ursuline struck a decisive blow in the 59th minute. Just seconds after a brilliant save at one end, Mel Flannery managed to find the net at the other, finally putting daylight between the teams. A late free from Eobha McAllister was all the Ballycastle side could muster in response before the final whistle. While the result ends their journey, the aggression, intensity, and skill shown by Cross and Passion proved they were in contention right up the end, but the Thurles class told in the end.
A word of praise must go to the Emmet’s club in Cushendun who were called uppon to host this game at the 11th hour. The pitch was in excellent condition considering the rain that has fallen all week, their stewarding and handling of the whole occasion were second to none.
Cross & Passion: M McToal; S Flavin, SL Kearns, C Delaney, A Gillan, F Sands; E McAllister (0-8; 4f’s, 1’45), R McMullan; L McBride, T Cassidy (0-1), M Laverty; A McAllister, M McArthur (0-1), E McCaughan (1-00)
Ursuline: R Ferncombe; O Gleeson, L McGrath, S O’Dwyer; R O’Brien, K Dowling, K Duffy (0-1); A O’Connor, E Frend (0-1); M Jones, C Stakelum (0-5, 3f’s), S Coughlan; M Flannery (1-1), J Shannahan (0-1), A Butler (0-5)
Subs: E McGrath for S Coughlan (35)
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Glenravel GAC held their annual awards dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel on Friday evening. With lots to celebrate after an exceptional year which saw the LGFA team win the Intermediate Football Championship, the hurlers win the Junior Hurling Championship and the Senior Camogs win the Antrim and Ulster Intermediate Championships and the All Ireland Junior A Camogie title. Members of the Con Magees team, who won the club’s first hurling title fifty years ago were guests of honour
Sinead O’Hagan presents the SPOH (Sean Paul O’Hagan) Trophy to John Curly McIlwaine at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass HotelMinor Football manager Gareth McKewon presents the Minor Football Player of the Year award to Luke McQuillan at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass HotelGareth McKeown presents the Under 21 Football Player of the Year to Niall DicksonLGFA Minor Player of the Year Emer McCann (centre) receives her award from last year’s joint winners Cliodhna McBride (left) and Katie McDonnellLucy Carey (centre) presents the Minor Camogie Player of the Year award to Orla Gould (left) and Emer McCannThe Glenravel team who won the Antrim LGFA Indermediate Championship were honoured at the at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass Hotel.Club chairman Ian McKeown presents Health Club GOLD award to Maire O’Loan at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass HotelLucy Carey presents the Minor Camogie League Division 2 trophy to Orla GouldCounty chairman Seamus McMullan presents the Minor Hurling League Division 1 trophy to Harry Fyfe who was a member of the Glenariffe-Glenravel team.Caoimhe McAleenan presents the Senior Reserve Player of the Year award to Ciara McCormickEmer McCann receives the LFGA Players Player of the Year award from Anita McKeownThe Con Magees team who won the 2025 Antrim Junior Hurling Championship received their awards at the club dinner.Senior Hurling joint manager Neill McCann presents the Players Player of the Year to Chrisey Quinn at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass HotelReserve Football team manager Aidan McCafftery presents the Reserve Player of the Year award to Kuke McQuillan.Niamh and Ellie O’Donnell present the Danny Quillan Cup to Playing Personality of the year award to Jamie Woulahan who accepts it on behalf of herself and her sister Molly (who is now living in Dubai) for their displays in this years All Ireland winning run by Bridini Oga Camogs.Club chairman Ian McKeown presents the club Merit Award to Aisling Kerr for her dedication to the club at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass HotelAodh O’Loan interviews Des Scullion, who was captain of the first Glenravel team to win the Junior Hurling Championship back in 1975. Members of the team were guests of honour at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass HotelStars of the show! The Bridini Oga Camogie team who won Antrim and Ulster Intermediate Championship before going on to win their second All Ireland Junior A title in three years.Anita McKeown presents the LGFA Senior Player of the Year award to Aisling Mulholland.Niamh McKay receives the Senior Footballer of the year award on behalf of her brother Sean ( who is currently in Vietnam) from Aidan McCafferty.Aidan McCafferty made special presentations to Aimee Traynor and Niamh McKay for their had work with the Senior Reserve Football team in 2025.Jason Harris present the Senior Camogie Player of the Year award to joint winners Bronagh Laverty (left) and Orla Donnelly.Senior Hurling team joint manager Cormac Scullion presents the Hurler of ther Year award to joint winners Chrisey Quinn (left) and Brian ‘Twig’ O’Neill at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner in the Tullyglass HotelClubman of the Year Seamus McAleenan was unable to attend the club dinner as he was accepting award on behalf of the Bridini Oga club at the Ulster Presidents Dinner. The shot here show Seamus receive his award earlier in the day from club chairman Ian McKeown.Kelly presents the Saffron Gael Half the Pot raffle prize to Patricia GillanMaura Kelly and Club Treasurer Odhran McAleenan make sponsorship presentations to John McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael at the Con Magees-Bridini Oga dinner.
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THE ALL IRELAND SCHOOLS CAMOGIE SEMI-FINAL BETWEEN CROSS & PASSION COLLEGE AND URSALINE COLLEGE THURLES, WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR ARMOY TODAY AT 12 NOON HAS BEEN SWITCHED TO CUSHENDUN AS ARMOY IS UNPLAYABLE.
THE GAME WILL NOW THROW-IN AT 12-30 TO ALLOW FANS ARRIVING IN ARMOY, WHO HAVEN’T GOT THE NOTIFICATION, TO MAKE THE JOURNEY TO CUSHENDUN
In a game defined by grit and clinical point-scoring, St Dominic’s saw their All-Ireland journey come to an end at Davitt Park against a highly disciplined Newcastle West side. Despite the home advantage and a performance filled with trademark Ulster spirit, the Belfast champions were unable to overcome a relentless second-half surge from their Limerick opponents, finishing on a scoreline of 2-03 to 1-14.
The match began as a tactical battle, with Newcastle West finding their range early from a free. However, St Dominic’s ignited the home crowd in the 5th minute when Aoife Fitzsimons found the back of the net with a brilliantly taken goal from play. The opening period remained a physical, end-to-end affair; while the Limerick side began to find their rhythm with a series of points, St Dominic’s remained composed. Erin Stewart struck a fine point from play, and Maeve Devlin displayed her dead-ball accuracy by slotting a point from a 45-meter free to keep the deficit manageable as the sides headed into the break.
The restart provided the highlight of the match for the Belfast supporters. Just a minute into the second half, Aoife Fitzsimons struck again, rifling home her second goal of the afternoon to level the scores. At that moment, momentum seemed to be swinging toward the Ulster champions. However, the turning point followed shortly after as Newcastle West responded with remarkable composure. The visitors began to exert control in the middle of the field, utilizing their bench to inject fresh energy, notably through Sarah Cagney who added two quick points.
As the second half progressed, the clinical accuracy of Hazel Horgan proved to be the difference. While St Dominic’s defended bravely and fought for every breaking ball, Newcastle West managed to reel off a succession of points from both play and placed balls. Despite the tireless work rate of players like Hannah McAllister and the defensive efforts of Abaigh McNally, the scoring gap widened in the final quarter. St Dominic’s fought until the final whistle, but the consistency of the Munster champions ultimately secured their victory. While disappointed, the St Dominic’s squad can look back on a season where they represented their school and County with immense pride as Ulster champions.
