In a high scoring game at Glenavy the hom side came out on top in the opening game of the GFA Under 14 League.
Glenavy midfielder Tiarna Paton gabbed 1-1 in the opening minutes to get her team off to a great start but Charlotte Brankin hit back with a goal for the visitors to keep them in touch. Orla Nelson got Glenavy’s second goal on 13 minutes but Lamh Dhearg hit back right away when midfielder Rona Murray hit the net at the other end. Tiarna Paton added a point for the Glenavy and full forward Emma Rice got her team’s third goal to put them 3-2 to 2-0 ahead at the break.
Shalewa Sanni closed the gap with a Lamh Dhearg goal just after the restart but two in quick succession from Glenavy Emma Rice put Glenavy back in charge. Caragh McKenna got a goal back for the Hannahstown girls but Glenavy still held the upper hand and further goals from Erin McManus and Emily O’Boyle saw them home on a scoreline of 7-8 to 5-2.
Holly O’Reilly got one back in the last minute or Lamh Dhearg who will find themselves a bit unlucky to lose a game after scoring five goals.
It looks a tough ask for Antrim minors when they travel to Crossmaglen this Saturday (12 noon) to face Armagh in the opening round of the Ulster Minor Football Championship.
The young Saffrons have experienced a difficult season to date, losing heavily to Derry at Dunsilly on day one of the Minor League (Section C) and while they showed some improvement away to Tyrone in Round 2 in Stewartstown they still lost by six points.
After finishing bottom of Section C Antrim then were relegated to the Shield but with quite a number of their side missing they lost to Saturday’s opponents, Armagh in Crossmaglen.
The Orchard Minors ran rampant that day, hitting the Antrim net seven times and the Saffron management will be keen to close the door on a rampant Armagh attack this time around while improving their own attacking statistics.
Antrim’s Fintan Hardy and Liam Og Cullen hoping for success for the Saffron’s in Crossmaglen
Across their two games in Section C the Saffron youngsters managed only 1-4 as they finished bottom to Derry and Tyrone in what was always going to be a difficult group.
Liam McLernon of Creggan and Cormac Trainor of St. Paul’s have been best in an Antrim defence who have leaked scores this year while Daire Higgins of Con Magee’s, JJ Higgins of St. Brigid’s, Cormac Trainor, Odhran Quinn, Michael McKenna and Fiontan Hardy will carry the hopes of an inexperienced Antrim side on Saturday.
In their two Ulster League games to date, Aidan O’Rourke’s Armagh have hit an accumulated tally of 1-21 against Down and Monaghan but still finished runners up to the Mourne side.
Gavin O’Rourke nailed their only goal of the season, coming late on against Down the first day out.
While Armagh didn’t hit the net in round two, they still have enough firepower to get past Monaghan by five.
JJ Higgins can carry a scoring threat for Antrim against Armagh
Eoin Duffy was the main man in front of the posts that day, finishing with 0-5 (0-2 from frees) to his name.
Nine different players have got on the scoresheet, with Duffy (0-6) and Diarmaid O’Rourke (0-4) leading the way.
Armagh and Antrim met in the opening round of the Minor league last year, with Armagh winning 4-12 to 2-13.
They also clashed in the Ulster Championship opener, but that game finished all square on the day, 0-8 apiece.
So Antrim can take some confidence from last year’s performances against the same opposition and with everyone on board they will travel to Crossmaglen knowing that they are capable of much better that they have shown to date.
A big support would certainly help the Saffron cause so why not come along and show your support for an Antrim side who will start as underdogs but will be keen to restore some pride in the Saffron jersey.
OdhranQuinn of St. Enda’s in action against Derry in the league at Dunsilly
A busy week-end ahead with a full list of fare scheduled for Sunday with a full round of fixtures in all of the three divisions, as the opening round of the minor league (under-18).
Minor Football league (all games at 12.00 noon)
Division one
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Pauls
St John’s v Kickham’s Creggan
Con Magee’s Glenravel v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
St Brigid’s v St Mary’s Aghagallon
Division 2a
Casement’s Portglenone v St Gall’s
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
O’Donovan Rossa v Na Gael Oga
All Saint’s Ballymena v Tir na Nog Randalstown
Division 2b
St James Aldergrove v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Corpus Christi Gaels v St Comgall’s Antrim
Senior Football League
Division One (all games at 2.00pm)
Tir na Nog Randalstown v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
An all South west fixture as Tir na Nog play hosts to their neighbours from Moneyglass in what looks likely to be a close encounter on the Whitehill sod.
The Randalstown side are unbeaten to date sharing the points with the visiting Hannahstown men in round one before gaining a full return from their visit to Crumlin last time.
Moneyglass have suffered tragedy of late but will look to regain composure as they travel up to Whitehill but this one certainly not be easy.
Tir na Nog will start this one as firm favourites and they may well earn both points.
St John’s v St Brigid’s
Having lost both games to date when All Saints visited in round one before suffering a second defeat at Hightown St John’s will hope for improvement as they play hosts to St Brigid’s in round three.
St Brigid’s have gained positive returns in both their games to date. They finished a couple of points ahead of their hosts Glenravel in the first round before a single point win over the visiting Aghagallon last time and they seem in positive mode this term.
The Musgrave based side will start as favourites but the Johnnies will most certainly provide a stern test for their visitors.
Erin’s Own Cargin v O’ Donovan Rossa
Cargin gained the verdict at Hannahstown last time following a win over the visiting Ahoghill in round one and will look to continue on the winning trail as Rossa visit Toome in this third round fioxture.
Rossa have suffered back to back defeats at home to St Galls in round one before another at Clooney last time and will visit the South West again possibly in hope rather than expectation.
Ronan Devlin has utilised the strength in depth of his squad to date and may well do so again in this one but his side should gain another victory.
Lamh Dhearg v St James Aldergrove
Having lost out to Casements in Kelly Park and Tir na Nog on their own sod to date Aldergrove travel up Hannahstown this time to face Lamh Dhearg which looks a tough test.
Lamh Dhearg have just a single point to date from a drawn with Tir na nOg. They lost to the visiting Cargin last time and will be confident of a first win this time.
Aldergrove have found the going tough to date in the top division and they may well struggle to gain anything from this visit to Hannahstown.
Casement’s Portglenone v All Saint’s Ballymena
Reigning league champions Casements have started the season on a positive note and John Mv Keever’s charges have gained back to back victories from their games to date. They opened with a big victory gained over the visiting Aldergrove in round one before a 1-13 to 1-04 win gained at Moneyglass.
The Portglenone side are at home this time and they will be confident of gaining another win but the visiting Ballymena side may provide a challenge but Casements are awarded the vote.
Kickham’s Creggan v St Enda’s
Creggan have started the season well with victories from their two games to date and will look to continue on the winning trail again as they play hosts to St Enda’s. Under new management the Kickham’s men have gained wins at home to Moneyglass and away to All Saints.
St Enda’s have started the present campaign well with an opening day win at Aghagallon before a 2-12 to 0-04 win over the visiting St John’s last time.
The Glengormley residents are quite obviously in good form at present but although they will give the Kickham’s a run for their money a vote is awarded to the home side.
Con Magees Glenravel v St Mary’s Ahoghill
St Mary’s Ahoghill suffered a first round defeat at Toome but returned to Clooney last time and defeated O’ Donovan Rossa with five points to spare over Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men.
Chris Mc Glone’s side will travel to Glenravel confident on building on that victory while the home side await their opening points after defeats away to St. Gall’s and at home to St. Brigid’s last time out.
This is likely to be a fully contested affair but although little may separate the contestants at conclusion ground advantage may tilt the odds in the favour of the Glensmen.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Galls
St Galls have started the present season with the wind in their proverbial sails with an opening day win over Rossa at the Shaw’s road venue preceding a good win over the visiting Glenravel at Milltown. They are in excellent form at presents and will travel out to Aghagallon in confidence.
Aghagallon have struggled with a reduced panel to date but finished just a point in arrears of St Brigid’s last time and they lost out to the visiting St Enda’s on their own sod in round one.
This may well be a close one but unless the St Mary’s side are back to strength, a win for the Milltown Blues is possible.
Division Two
St Teresa’s v Gort na Mona
Both the contestants in this one have posted good returns from their opening games to date.
St Teresa’s recorded a 1-12 t0 0-08 victory at Lisburn whilst the Gorts finished with a 2-11 to 2-06 win over Ardoyne.
This does look a close one in prospect but ground advantage may well aid the Glen Road side to victory.
St Paul’s v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Paul’s did well to finish with a hard earned win at Rasharkin and the Shaw’s road side will return to their own abode this time as they welcome St Patricks to Shaw’s Road.
St Patrick’s struggled to get it together last term and after an opening round defeat at the hands of the visiting St Teresa’s and improvement is a necessity as they travel to west Belfast in search of points.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Patrick Sarsfield’s
This looks another close one in prospect as Sarsfields travel to meet Ardoyne at Fennell Park.
Ardoyne having recruited former county manager Brian White but lost to Gort na Mona in their opening game and will return to their own turf anticipating better and they may well open account.
Michael Davitt’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin
Davitt’s had no answer to the power of their hosts as they visited Dunloy in the first round of league competition and they will return to home base for this one as reigning junior champions Rasharkin visit Davitt’s Park.
The Dreen residents were chinned on the line last time as a strong finishing St Paul’s nicked the points and they will travel to Belfast seeking better nut the home side are awarded a tentative vote.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
An all South West affair in this one as last year’s beaten senior championship finalists Dunloy visit Glenavy with a good encounter anticipated.
Both had opening day victories in league fare with Dunloy proving too good for the visiting Davitt’s whilst Glenavy came away from Sarsfield’s with a 1-08 to 0-07 victory.
This may well be a close one on the Chapel Hill sod with Cuchullain’s awarded a tentative vote.
Division Three
Wolfe Tones v Laochra Loch Lao
Having lost their first game at the hands of the Aggies on a 2-11 to 0-12 scoreline the North Belfast based Wolfe Tones will look for better from the visit of Laochra Loch Lao.
St Comgall’s v Eire Og
Antrim based St Comgall’s with new man Barry Burns taking the reins enjoyed a good opening day win over Pearses in Antrim.
They play hosts to Eire Og in this second assignment and will start as firm favourites to gain another victory.
St Agnes v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
A busy week-end ahead with a full list of fare scheduled for Sunday with a full round of fixtures in all of the three divisions, as the opening round of the minor league (under-18).
Minor Football league (all games at 12.00 noon)
Division one
Erin’s Own Cargin v St Pauls
St John’s v Kickham’s Creggan
Con Magee’s Glenravel v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
St Brigid’s v St Mary’s Aghagallon
Division 2a
Casement’s Portglenone v St Gall’s
Kickham’s Ardoyne v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
O’Donovan Rossa v Na Gael Oga
All Saint’s Ballymena v Tir na Nog Randalstown
Division 2b
St James Aldergrove v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Mary’s Rasharkin v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Corpus Christi Gaels v St Comgall’s Antrim
Senior Football League
Division One (all games at 2.00pm)
Tir na Nog Randalstown v St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
An all South west fixture as Tir na Nog play hosts to their neighbours from Moneyglass in what looks likely to be a close encounter on the Whitehill sod.
The Randalstown side are unbeaten to date sharing the points with the visiting Hannahstown men in round one before gaining a full return from their visit to Crumlin last time.
Moneyglass have suffered tragedy of late but will look to regain composure as they travel up to Whitehill but this one certainly not be easy.
Tir na Nog will start this one as firm favourites and they may well earn both points.
St John’s v St Brigid’s
Having lost both games to date when All Saints visited in round one before suffering a second defeat at Hightown St John’s will hope for improvement as they play hosts to St Brigid’s in round three.
St Brigid’s have gained positive returns in both their games to date. They finished a couple of points ahead of their hosts Glenravel in the first round before a single point win over the visiting Aghagallon last time and they seem in positive mode this term.
The Musgrave based side will start as favourites but the Johnnies will most certainly provide a stern test for their visitors.
Erin’s Own Cargin v O’ Donovan Rossa
Cargin gained the verdict at Hannahstown last time following a win over the visiting Ahoghill in round one and will look to continue on the winning trail as Rossa visit Toome in this third round fioxture.
Rossa have suffered back to back defeats at home to St Galls in round one before another at Clooney last time and will visit the South West again possibly in hope rather than expectation.
Ronan Devlin has utilised the strength in depth of his squad to date and may well do so again in this one but his side should gain another victory.
Lamh Dhearg v St James Aldergrove
Having lost out to Casements in Kelly Park and Tir na Nog on their own sod to date Aldergrove travel up Hannahstown this time to face Lamh Dhearg which looks a tough test.
Lamh Dhearg have just a single point to date from a drawn with Tir na nOg. They lost to the visiting Cargin last time and will be confident of a first win this time.
Aldergrove have found the going tough to date in the top division and they may well struggle to gain anything from this visit to Hannahstown.
Casement’s Portglenone v All Saint’s Ballymena
Reigning league champions Casements have started the season on a positive note and John Mv Keever’s charges have gained back to back victories from their games to date. They opened with a big victory gained over the visiting Aldergrove in round one before a 1-13 to 1-04 win gained at Moneyglass.
The Portglenone side are at home this time and they will be confident of gaining another win but the visiting Ballymena side may provide a challenge but Casements are awarded the vote.
Kickham’s Creggan v St Enda’s
Creggan have started the season well with victories from their two games to date and will look to continue on the winning trail again as they play hosts to St Enda’s. Under new management the Kickham’s men have gained wins at home to Moneyglass and away to All Saints.
St Enda’s have started the present campaign well with an opening day win at Aghagallon before a 2-12 to 0-04 win over the visiting St John’s last time.
The Glengormley residents are quite obviously in good form at present but although they will give the Kickham’s a run for their money a vote is awarded to the home side.
Con Magees Glenravel v St Mary’s Ahoghill
St Mary’s Ahoghill suffered a first round defeat at Toome but returned to Clooney last time and defeated O’ Donovan Rossa with five points to spare over Hugh Mc Gettigan’s men.
Chris Mc Glone’s side will travel to Glenravel confident on building on that victory while the home side await their opening points after defeats away to St. Gall’s and at home to St. Brigid’s last time out.
This is likely to be a fully contested affair but although little may separate the contestants at conclusion ground advantage may tilt the odds in the favour of the Glensmen.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Galls
St Galls have started the present season with the wind in their proverbial sails with an opening day win over Rossa at the Shaw’s road venue preceding a good win over the visiting Glenravel at Milltown. They are in excellent form at presents and will travel out to Aghagallon in confidence.
Aghagallon have struggled with a reduced panel to date but finished just a point in arrears of St Brigid’s last time and they lost out to the visiting St Enda’s on their own sod in round one.
This may well be a close one but unless the St Mary’s side are back to strength, a win for the Milltown Blues is possible.
Division Two
St Teresa’s v Gort na Mona
Both the contestants in this one have posted good returns from their opening games to date.
St Teresa’s recorded a 1-12 t0 0-08 victory at Lisburn whilst the Gorts finished with a 2-11 to 2-06 win over Ardoyne.
This does look a close one in prospect but ground advantage may well aid the Glen Road side to victory.
St Paul’s v St Patrick’s Lisburn
St Paul’s did well to finish with a hard earned win at Rasharkin and the Shaw’s road side will return to their own abode this time as they welcome St Patricks to Shaw’s Road.
St Patrick’s struggled to get it together last term and after an opening round defeat at the hands of the visiting St Teresa’s and improvement is a necessity as they travel to west Belfast in search of points.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Patrick Sarsfield’s
This looks another close one in prospect as Sarsfields travel to meet Ardoyne at Fennell Park.
Ardoyne having recruited former county manager Brian White but lost to Gort na Mona in their opening game and will return to their own turf anticipating better and they may well open account.
Michael Davitt’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin
Davitt’s had no answer to the power of their hosts as they visited Dunloy in the first round of league competition and they will return to home base for this one as reigning junior champions Rasharkin visit Davitt’s Park.
The Dreen residents were chinned on the line last time as a strong finishing St Paul’s nicked the points and they will travel to Belfast seeking better nut the home side are awarded a tentative vote.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
An all South West affair in this one as last year’s beaten senior championship finalists Dunloy visit Glenavy with a good encounter anticipated.
Both had opening day victories in league fare with Dunloy proving too good for the visiting Davitt’s whilst Glenavy came away from Sarsfield’s with a 1-08 to 0-07 victory.
This may well be a close one on the Chapel Hill sod with Cuchullain’s awarded a tentative vote.
Division Three
Wolfe Tones v Laochra Loch Lao
Having lost their first game at the hands of the Aggies on a 2-11 to 0-12 scoreline the North Belfast based Wolfe Tones will look for better from the visit of Laochra Loch Lao.
St Comgall’s v Eire Og
Antrim based St Comgall’s with new man Barry Burns taking the reins enjoyed a good opening day win over Pearses in Antrim.
They play hosts to Eire Og in this second assignment and will start as firm favourites to gain another victory.
St Agnes v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
The Aggies opened the 2024 account with a good win over Wolfe Tones and they may well follow up with a similar return as the O’ Donnell’s men visit Woodlands.
The Aggies opened the 2024 account with a good win over Wolfe Tones and they may well follow up with a similar return as the O’ Donnell’s men visit Woodlands.
Eirgrid Ulster under 20 Football championship Down 5-8 Antrim 1-6
Pics by Bert Trowlen
A sparkling first half performance by Antrim at Dunsilly on Wednesday night promised a first win for Niall Jackman’s Saffrons but in end the home side flattered to deceive.
Down came strong after the break to score five second half goals but in the end the result didn’t matter though the management will be disappointed by the second half performance given the promise they had shown in the opening half
It always looked likely to be a dead rubber anyway with Antrim needing a win over Derry next week to halt the progress of Tyrone, Monaghan and Derry into the knock-out stages. Derry’s win over Monaghan in a tie played at the same time as the Dunsilly game meant that both participants at the Antrim Centre of Excellence were eliminated with a round of games still to come next Wednesday.
The Antrim management would have been happy enough at half-time; they went in for a break holding a 1-4 to 0-3 lead and deserved to be in front against a wasteful Down side that accumulated 10 wides.
Yes, the visitors broke quickly, but their shooting was poor and there were two relatively straightforward frees among those ten shots off-target. That represented a 50% success rate for free-taker Jamie Doran with their other point coming from Ronan Kelly in the 26th minute.
By contrast Antrim’s build-ups were more laboured but, when they got openings, they took their chances. Captain Cahir Donnelly and goalie Shea Laverty fired over two fine scores before Niall Fallon attempted a fist pass across the Down goals in the 13th minute. It was blocked back to him and he buried it in the net.
Antrim’s other two scores came from frees, Tom Shivers accurate from the dead ball after fouls committed on Johnny Hannon and Ciarán Maginnis.
Antrim continued to look comfortable in possession in the early stages of the second half, but, when Senan Carr’s hit and hope shot in the 37th minute ended in the Saffron net, the game changed and Antrim were very much on the back foot.
Dara Mussen had already pointed a couple of minutes earlier and when Carr caught a long kick-out, played a neat one-two with Jamie Doran, he looked up and spotted that Laverty was well out of goals and the Clonduff midfielder side-footed into an empty net from 30 metres to put the visitors into the lead for the first time in the game.
Doran pointed a free and then got on the end of a high ball that dropped a few metres from goal in the 47th minute. He stuck out a fist and punched to the net.
Antrim still hadn’t raised a flag since the second of Shivers frees in the 28th minute and Callum Gribbin’s well-struck effort a minute after Doran’s goal barely raised a cheer.
During the final ten minutes Down pressed home their advantage on the break with Donal Milligan and Michael Murdock raising white flags.
Sub Sean O’Neill was on the pitch less than a minute when he took a pass from Doran and hit the net. Then defender Mark McSwiggan collected the ball when Milligan’s shot for a point came off an upright and he side-footed home Down’s fifth goal in the 60th minute less than 60 seconds after Niall Duffy had taken a good score for Antrim.
Antrim have to face Derry next Wednesday, but Down’s defence of their 2023 title is over.
Down: S Carr 2-0, J Doran 1-4, 0-3 frees, S O’Neill and M McSwiggan 1-0 each, R Kelly, D Mussen, D Milligan and M Murdock 0-1 each.
Antrim: N Fallon 1-0, T Shivers 0-2 frees, C Donnelly, N Duffy, C Gribbin an S Laverty 0-1 each
Antrim: S Laverty, C Maginnis, S Doyle, E O’Hare, C McCann, P Duffin,R Quinn, M McCrossan, C Donnelly capt, N Duffy, T Shivers, C Walsh, E McCartan, J Hannon, N, Fallon.
Subs: R McErlean for C Walsh (41), C Gribbin for N Fallon (41), C Johnston for S Doyle (50), D Martin for R Quinn (56), J Toner for E McCartan (56)
Down: J Mulgrew, M McSwiggan, F Murdock capt, D Milligan, D Rafferty, C Cunningham, L Quinn, T McCarroll, S Carr, R Quinn, R Kelly, J Doran, T Gilroy, D Mussen, N Rogers.
Subs: D Ruddy for L Quinn (14), C O’Reilly for R Quinn (36), M Murdock for T Gilroy (36), M Murray for D Mussen (43), S O’Neill for N Rogers (57), L Green for T McCarroll (bs)
Referee: C Brady (Cavan)
The Antrim team who played Down at Dunsilly in the Ulster U20 Football Championship
LGFA Under 16 Ulster Championship Antrim 10-16 Fermanagh 1-3
Match Report by Martin Sherlock
Antrim u16 ladies confirmed their progress to an Ulster semifinal with a comprehensive win against Fermanagh at a bright and breezy Fennell Park Ardoyne. The game started with a quick fire exchange of goals when the Erne girls scored straight from the throw in and the young Saffs replied immediately through the ever dangerous JoJo Darragh. From that point on Antrim dominated the scoring and allowed Fermanagh a single point from a free kick. In that time Antrim forwards were insatiable as they moved the ball at speed and picked off score after score. Darragh added another goal and three points while her Moneyglass club mate Ruby McErlain a hatrick of majors in an effervescent display of finishing. Anna Adams 0-2 Aoibhean Monaghan 0-1 Erin Stewart 1-0 and Leah Stewart 1-0 were picking off scores to ease Antrim into a comfortable halftime lead 6-6 to 1-1
Antrim made wholesale changes at halftime replacing 13 players and yet the style and intensity of their play seemed uninterrupted. Naomh Brid’s Katie McKavanagh produced a quick fire 2-4 while young McErlain added a further 1-2 to finish with a personal total of 4-2 on a day that showed how much she has matured at this level. Antrim players continued to show their versatility with half backs and half forwards interchanging and continuing to pick off scores. Aoife Rice, Brooke Largey, Keely O’Mullan and Evie McAllister all scoring excellent points to finish off team moves. The performance now sets Antrim up well for another crunch game against Donegal next Saturday but with their attack in good form and with a midfield duo of Anna Rice and Laura Scullion providing plenty of possession the Saffs are looking ready for the challenge. Orlaith Lynch in nets and the assured play of skipper Seana Bradley, Siobhan McGurk, Amelie Annett and Aoife Mitchell along with the energy of Aine McCavana, Aoife Fitzsimons and Lila McCann the girls look more than ready for the challenge ahead.
