South Antrim McDermott Cup Final 

St Galls 3-08-0-06 St Pauls 

Kevin Herron reports from Falls Park 

St Galls lifted the South Antrim McDermott Cup for the first time since 2019 after three second half goals saw them run out 3-08-0-06 winners over St Pauls in Sunday afternoons final at the Falls Park. 

It took almost ten minutes for the first score to arrive in the form of a Christopher McGrath free for St Galls and Aodh Mullan then kicked a magnificent score to double the advantage moments later. 

Prior to that Niall Fallon saw his low drive whistle past the post and he was denied a further time by Lorcan Murphy in the St Pauls goal. 

Joe Keating got St Pauls off the mark and halved the deficit before the sides exchanged points from the placed ball, with McGrath doubling his tally and Conor McCartan then replying at the other end. 

St Galls ended the half in the ascendancy and points from Fallon and a fine angled drop over from Niall McAreavey had their side 0-05-0-02 ahead at the midway point. 

The Milltown men stretched their lead within two minutes of the restart. Aodh Mullan played a direct pass with the outside of the boot that was laid off into the path of Niall Fallon to burst through and pick his spot low in the net to give St Galls a 1-05-0-02 lead. Keating almost replied with a goal at the other end, but his shot was deflected over the bar for a point. 

Niall Fallon dropped over his second point of the afternoon and things got better for St Galls when they struck for the second time within ten minutes of the restart, this time Ciaran Og Mullan was on hand to sweep past Lorcan Murphy and move his side 2-07-0-03 ahead. 

A converted Jarlath Mervyn free made it 1-02 without reply and with a quarter of an hour remaining it looked as though victory was beyond St Pauls reach. 

Conor McCartan doubled his tally for the afternoon with a splendid point from play but with ten minutes left Jarlath Mervyn put the game beyond doubt, palming to the net after a high angled ball in on top looked to have dropped just short. 

St Pauls continued to probe in the last ten minutes and found two further scores through a Conor McCartan free and Patrick Copeland’s shot which dropped over the bar. 

They were consolation scores however as St Galls ran out comfortable winners in the end to claim the trophy for the first time in four years. 

St Josephs Glenavy GAC held a celebratory 80th  Anniversary Gala Ball on Saturday 21st November in Crumlin Road Gaol for 210 members and Guests.

Guests were treated to a fantastic 5 course meal in the surroundings of the old Gaol.

The evening started off with thanks from the Club Chairman Eddie Forester to Volunteers, Parents and players for their support during the year and an outline of all the club’s success on and off the field.

The plans for a new extended training facility was also launched at this event for Spring 2024 with drawing on display to highlight the ambition of the club going forward into 2024 and beyond.

A presentation of Prizes followed to senior players by the Senior Manager Martin Clenaghan, to Senior player of the year Ciaran Loney, Young player of the year Darragh Armstrong and Reserve Senior player of the year Eoin Mitchel.

The Chairman of the club then presented the club Member of the year Trophy to Jonny Rogan

The high point of the evening was the arrival of Glenavy Senior ladies Team and Manager, as Antrim Intermediate and Ulster Finalist to the Ball, just before the meal to a rapturous and standing ovation from all the guests. 

This Fantastic team is an example of the high standards set in 2023, that could only be achieved with hard work and effort. The Ladies Team are now legends within the club and to the next generation of girls in Glenavy who now want to wear the club Jersey.

After Dinner, Chris Scullion, the Senior Manager presented trophies to Player of the year, Natashia O’Neil, Young Player of the Year Cara McGarry and most improved players, Katie ONeil and Phoebe Higgins.

One lucky Winner got two Tickets to the Bruce Springsteen Concert in the Ballot and a commissioned painting is now ready to be displayed In New Extended training facilities in 2024 to Mark our 80th Anniversary year.

 This truly superb 80th Gala event was concluded with a Disco and celebrations amongst friends, families’ players and patrons that will long live in the memory of everyone in the Club. And wider community

What way to celebrate to celebrate 80 years of St Joseph’s Glenavy GAC 🟠⚫️🥳 A big thank you to the staff at @crumlinroadgaol for hosting us & club person of the year Jonny Rogan and Eddie Forester for organising such a historic event! Along with Bert Trowlen for capturing every moment 📸

We hope you all had a fantastic evening! We must also give a shout out to some individuals who had a great footballing season 🏐

🏆Ladies player of the year: Natasha O’Neill

🏆Ladies young player of the year: Cara Mcgarry

🏆Ladies most improved player: Katie O’Neill & Phoebe Higgins

🏆Men’s player of the year: Ciaran Loney

🏆Men’s young player of the year: Darragh Armstrong

🏆Reserve player of the year: Eóin Mitchell

South West Development U23 Football Shield final

Aghagallon 1-12 Moneyglass 2-4

The final game in the South West Antrim’s development competition, the U23 football shield saw St. Mary’s Aghagallon and St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass meet in the final at Dunsilly on Sunday with the Lough Shore side running out winners in an entertaining game despite the heavy underfoot conditions.

Aghagallon made the brighter start and raced into a two point lead after 10 minutes with Tyler Cassidy replying with a point for St. Ergnat’s to get them on their way. Jonathan Hannon then converted two frees to move St. Mary’s further ahead before Jamie McLaughlin replied with a point for the Marian Hill side.

At this stage Aghagallon began to take control as they moved 0-5 to 0-2 and things would get better for the men in green when Kieran Hamill raced through the opposition defence to finish to the net.

Moneyglass responded and came back with a goal of their own through full-forward Tyler Cassidy but at half time it was St. Mary’s who were in the stronger position as they led 1-6 to 1-2.

Moneyglass needed a good start to 2nd half but unfortunately for them that didn’t happen and Aghagallon continued on the front foot as they extended their lead to six with a couple of early scores.

Moneyglass replied with a couple of their own and with their confidence growing they had an opportunity to put the bare minimum between sides butunfortunately the ball slipped agonisingly wide of the post.

A missed opportunity and Aghagallon stepped it up again scoring the next 3 to push their lead out to 7 and with St. Ergnat’s now down to 14 men it seemed like the game was over. To their credit they kept battling to the end and were rewarded with a goal from Aidan McErlain.

 This was to be the game’s last score with Aghagallon running out 1-12 to 2-4 winners to collect the first South Wes U23 Shield. The win came at a cost however with an injury to one of their star performers, Jamie Lamont and we wish this fine young player a speedy recovery.

The competition itself has been a success for the South West and while not every club took part, those who did will have benefited from it.

For the record Tir na nOg defeated All Saints in the U23 Cup final and Sunday’s win for Aghagallon brings the competition to a close for 2023.

Aghagallon: 1 Gabhan Baine, 23 Steven Brannigan, 3 Kieran Hamill, 4 James McCormick, 5 Padraig Gowdy, 6 Stephen Devlin, 7 Liam Russell, 8 Jamie Lamont, 9 Pauric Maginnis, 10 Enda McCartan, 11 Jonathan Hannon, 12 Ruairi McShane, 13 Callum Mulholland, 14 Joseph Lavelle, 15 Michael McStravick.

Moneyglass: 1 Rory Gribbon, 2 Matthew Mullen, 3 Nate Dixon, 4 James McCormick, 5 Frank Duffin, 6 Paul Duffin, 7 Jamie McLaughlin, 8 Kevin McCann, 9 Connlaodh McCann, 10 Connor O’Kane, 11 Aidan McErlain, 12 Ben Hamill, 13 Charlie McCloskey, 14 Tyler Cassidy, 15 Ronan Campbell, 17 Seanchan Duffin, 18 Zach Hamill, 19 Diarmuid Scullion, 20 Enda Duffin

Referee: Martin Quinn (St. Enda’s)