Nothing was going to stop Antrim from securing a historic first ever All-Ireland U-16 C title in Conneff Park in Clane.
Such was their determination that they remarkably brushed off an early sending off and even being reduced to 13 players in the second period to remain in full control of this decider and run out convincing winners.
An impressive attacking unit comprising of chief targets Erin Stewart and Katie McCloskey, the tireless work-rate of Mia Dembele Mills and Hanna Donaghy and flanked by wing-forwards Leah Stewart and Aoibheann Monaghan were worth the admission fee alone as Antrim soared to new heights following a ninth minute red card for full-back Jodie Peoples.
Already facing into a strong wind, it forced Antrim to up the ante, with superb solo goals for Stewart and McCloskey by the 18th minute settling them into their stride on their way to a 2-7 to 0-4 interval advantage.
Despite now welcoming the conditions, Antrim had to dig deep once more when captain Nicole Munce was sinbinned by the two-thirds mark. However, what they lacked in numbers, the Ulster side more than made up for in character, skill and movement to actually outscore the Banner once more.
Clare goalkeeper Niamh O’Loughlin excellently repelled efforts from McCloskey and Dembele Mills while the former also struck the crossbar before the elusive Stewart grabbed her second goal of the afternoon to cap off a 1-4 unanswered rally.
Even when emptying the bench, Antrim impressively kept their foot on the gas including missed goal chances for replacements Anna McGarry and Lisa Wilson as they carved out a 16 point cushion.
To their credit, Munster champions Clare never dropped their heads, with Sophie Culleton, Eimear Burke, Abbie Cahill, Abi Kelly, Aisling Crowe and Serena Clancy providing the main resistance. Indeed, an injury-time penalty save by Holly McGahey was offset by a last gasp rebound goal for Clare substitute Leah Kelly.
However, it was only a mere consolation as this was unquestionably Antrim’s day in what was a majestic display worthy of winning any final, not to mind their first at Under 16 level.
Scorers – Antrim: L Stewart 2-0, E Stewart 0-5 (4f), K McCloskey 1-0, H Donaghy, A McGarry 0-2 each, M Dembele Mills, L Cassidy, A Monaghan 0-1 each
Clare: S Culleton 0-4 (1f), L Kelly 1-0, A McNamara 0-1f, A Crowe 0-1.
ANTRIM: H McGahey; O Neeson, J Peoples, C Scullion; S Bradley, N Munce, L Cassidy; E Neeson, A Rice; L Stewart, M Dembele Mills, A Monaghan; E Stewart, K McCloskey, H Donaghy. Subs: A McGarry for E Neeson (ht), L Wilson for K McCloskey (49), A Fitzsimons for S Bradley (50), C Murray for M Dembele Mills (56, inj), N Dobbin for O Neeson
CLARE: N O’Loughlin; K Culligan, E Burke, A Cahill; S Clancy, Aisling Kelly, H Keating; A Crowe, R Meaney; K Darcy, S Culleton, Abi Kelly; E Nagle, Á McNamara, H O’Shea. Subs: L Kelly for H O’Shea (30+2), P O’Shea for Darcy (ht), S Griffin for R Meaney (44), H Murphy for K Culligan (59)
Friday 14th July, the Under-20 Rugby World Cup Final takes place in Cape Town South Africa with Ireland taking on tournament favourites France. Lining up in the Ireland squad is 6”8 Charlie Irvine. Charlie was a central part of the Glenavy GAC’s youth teams from the age of 7 when he was introduced to Gaelic Games through a partnership with Lisburn Rugby Club. This successful program saw young players introduced to each sport at the start of the GAA and rugby seasons. Charlie was one of a group of eight kids who continued to play GAA through the age grades, with Charlie playing up to Minor before concentrating on his rugby career.
Charlie Irvine celebrates after Ireland’s semi-final win over South Africa.
Another two from the group that played both sports are Tim Honeyford and Darragh Armstrong, with both continuing in Gaelic games and now important members of the Glenavy GAC senior squad, as indeed are the Malley brothers Finn and Ryan.
The under-20 Rugby World Cup final kicks off at 6pm on Friday, with everyone in Glenavy GAC and Antrim County standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Charlie and the Irish Squad. A proud day for Charlie as well as Richard and Jill, his mum and dad, and his wider family.
Charlie Irvine in action during Glenavy’s U14 Shield final win over Moneyglass in 2017
Charlie, who now plays his club rugby with QUB, was a memer of the team who beat the tournament hosts South Africa in the semi-final, but drops to the bench for the final as his place is taken by the only other Ulster player in the squad, James McNabney of Ballymena RFC, who returns after suspension.
O’Neill’s Sportswear Football League – Division 1B
St Brigid’s 1-15 St Enda’s 2-10
Report by Oisin McDonnell
Pics by Stephen McKay
St Brigid’s Senior footballers got back to winning ways on Sunday as they defeated Naomh Eanna at Musgrave Park, in a tense affair. Paul Bradley frees and an excellent point from Reuben Carleton gave the south Belfast side a lead of 5-2 after 15 mins. However, St Enda’s chipped in with scores of their own as Odhran Eastwood landed 4 points over the first 30mins. Before the half hour mark, Paul Bradley was dragged down in the box by the St Enda’s keeper for a second yellow card offence and Colm McDonald pointed to the penalty spot. Makers, takers Bradley converts. With Enda’s down to 14 men Brigid’s kicked on through John Morgan who ensured St Brigids of an 8 point lead at the break.
HT – Naomh Bríd 1-09 Naomh Éanna 0-04
At the beginning of the second period Orán Downey alongside the Carleton brothers and James Smith kicked fine scores for the home side, restoring a healthy lead. Although, yet again, Enda’s clawed back with Ronan Kalla contributing 1-1. Eastwood and Nagle adding further scores making it a 5 point game with 10 mins of normal time to play. A cagey ending proved a thorn in the side for the Biddies as Enda’s bagged a goal late on, however it wasn’t enough to trouble the Malone Road lads as Brigid’s ran out the other side with a valuable two points going into the final two league games of the ACFL Div 1b.
South West Antrim held a very successful U11.5 Fetival of Football at St. Enda’s Glengormley on Sunday morning with the teams taking part, St. Enda’s, Glenavy, St. Patrick’s Lisburn, St. James Aldergrove and St. Mary’s Aghagallon taking part.
The throw-in in this game was delayed for five minutes to allow county treasurer, Donal Murphy to make his way to Toome with the division 1 trophy should Casement’s slip up in their final game against Creggan.
In the event it wasn’t necessary and Murphy, who doubles as his clubs treasurer was able to join in the celebrations at Kelly Park as his Portglenone side defeated Creggan to collect their first division 1 title.
Cargin completed their league programme with a win over the visiting Ahoghill and although events elsewhere made the result irrelevant, both sides served up a very entertaining game of football.
Sean Og O’Neill makes a timely interception before firing home Cargin’s opening goal
‘It is a case of very well done to the Portglenone team said Kevin Doyle, part of management structure at Cargin, consistency is the key to success in the league and Casements started the season well, and continued in the positive until conclusion for what was a deserved success.
Cargin started this last league game of the season in the knowledge that only victory over the Clooney men would keep their league aspirations alive but in the event it was the visitors who were to start very much on the front foot.
Aided by the fresh southerly breeze, Chris Mc Glone’s charges were quickly out of the start traps and Patrick Graham fired between the posts with Paul McCann replying at the other end to tie the contest.
The visitors went into this game as rank outsiders but that was far from apparent in a positive start to proceedings and by the 10th minute they had nipped into a 1-03 to 0-01 lead.
Colla Mc Donald fetched a high delivery from Fionnbar O’ Neill to finish to the back of the net in the 10th minute following back to back points by the excellent James O’ Connell and another from net minder Noel Crossey as he despatched a ‘45’ firmly between the posts.
Cargin’s Eunan Quinn comes under pressure from Ahoghill’s Fionnbar O’Neill
The home side returned fire in the 12th minute as Sean Og O’ Neill fired over but Ahoghill replied as Colla McDonald added a point to ensure a 1-04 to 0-02 lead for the visitors at the end of the first quarter.
Having trailed in a poor opening quarter the home side upped the ante in the second and points from the Shivers brothers, Pat and Tom brought them back into contention.
The visitors replied through a superb long range point from Danny O’ Neill but the home side were quick to reply and a smart interchange between David Johnston and Cahir Donnelly opened to way for Sean Og O’ Neill to drill his shot low to the net.
O’Neill’s goal seemed to lift the Toome side and the Shivers brothers added points to see them hit the front for the first time but Gerard Graham replied from a free at the other end to leave it all square at the break.
Cargin had the breeze at their backs at the start of the second half and they were quick to pick up the pace.
A first minute point from centre back Paul McCann saw them hit the front for the second time and a smart interchange by Jamie Gribbin opened the way for David Johnston to add another.
Colla McDonnell who finished with 1-2 for AhoghillJames O’Connell, on target for Ahoghill in Toome
Erin’s Own attacked again as Pat Shivers added a point with James O’ Connell replying at the other end but Tom Shivers and Tomas Mc Cann added points apiece before Eunan Quinn and Gerard McCann combined for the latter to fire to the net.
McCann’s goal moved Cargin 2-11 to 1-07 ahead at the end of the third quarter and the Clooney side looked in trouble as the game moved into the final quarter but they were not about to accept defeat without a fight.
They came back strongly and the superb Danny O’ Neill fired to the back of the net, following a strong solo, to signal a possible comeback as they continued to move the ball around confidently.
Cargin replied through a 50th minute Eunan Quinn point and only a smart save from net minder Noel Crossey prevented the full forward finding the net as the big net minder got his foot to divert Quinn’s goal bound effort away.
A further point from replacement Tomas McCann nudged Cargin nearer to the winning line but James O’ Connell replied at the other end before replacement McCann despatched a 60 metre free firmly between the posts in the 57th minute.
McCann, returning from a long term injury, was then denied by St. Mary’s keeper Crossey but the visitors were still giving it everything and James O’Connell pointed in the 59th minute.
Ahoghill’s Gerard Graham is brought down at the expense of a penalty
The visitors pressed again and looked in for a goal but Gerard Graham was denied by a foot block with the man in the middle immediately spreading his arms to indicate a penalty.
Noel Crossey, who had been excellent in his goalkeeping role, stepped forward to despatch the award firmly into the corner of the net.
A positive finish from the visitors but at the completion it was the home side who had earned the points on a final score of 2-15 to 3-09.
Celebrations were understandably muted with the news already filtering through from up the road that Portglenone had beaten Creggan to claim the league title.
Both sides will have benefited from the game however and will see it as useful preparation for the forthcoming senior championship and holders Cargin look to be running into a bit of form just at the right time.
The holders will be amongst the fancied sides as the championship gets under way next month and on the evidence of what I have seen this year, Ahoghill look capable of causing a few upsets when the premier competition kicks off.
David Johnston hand passes to Pat Shivers during his side’s win over Ahoghill in the final league game of the season in Toome on Sunday
Cargin: Shea Laverty, Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Kevin O’ Boyle, Justin Crozier, Paul Mc Cann (0-02), Cahir Donnelly, Gerard Mc Cann (1-00), John Carron, Pat David Johnston (0-01),Pat Shivers (0-03), Sean og O’ Neill (1-01), Tom Shivers (1-03), Eunan Quinn (0-02), Jamie Gribbin
Subs:Tomas Mc Cann (0-03), Ben Mc Larnon
Ahoghill: Noel Crossey (1-01), Seamus Mc Keever, James Magee, Shea Neeson, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Gerard Graham (0-01), Diarmuid Graham, Patrick Graham (0-01), Tom Mc Glone, Danny O’ Neill (1-01), James O’ Connell (0-03), Bernard Graham (0-01), Conor P Crossey, Donal Graham, Colla Mc Donnell (1-02)
Subs: Harry O’Donnell, Shay Madden, Ryan McPeake, Connor McGarry
