Naomh Úna (St. Agnes’) 1-09 St. Mary’s Ahoghill 1-17
St. Mary’s Ahoghill delivered a professional performance at Woodlands, pulling away in the second half to secure a comprehensive eight-point win over Naomh Úna.
The opening period was a high-octane affair with both sides finding the net. Colla McDonnell gave Ahoghill a flying start with a goal in the 4th minute, while Mark Boyle kept the “Aggies” in contention with a goal of his own at the 24-minute mark. Points from McDonnell (0-2), James O’Connell (0-2), and the Crossey brothers, Noel and Conor (0-1 each), helped the visitors to a three-point lead at the break. Naomh Úna’s first-half resistance was led by Daithi McGaharan (0-2) and Conall Turley (0-1).
Half-time: Naomh Úna 1-03 St. Mary’s Ahoghill 1-06
Ahoghill’s clinical edge told in the second half as they methodically added to their tally. James O’Connell led the charge with four points, while Patrick Graham (0-2) and Colla McDonnell (0-2) also contributed multiple scores. Dan O’Neill, Donal Graham, and Conor Crossey added a point apiece to ensure the visitors remained in total control.
Naomh Úna continued to battle, with Cormac McBride hitting two fine points and Conall Turley, Paddy Toner, and David McGaharan all finding the range. However, they couldn’t claw back the deficit as Ahoghill’s superior point-scoring ability secured a vital two points for the Cloney side.
This win keeps St. Mary’s Ahoghill very much in the promotion race, one point behind league leaders St. Enda’s, and following relegation from division 1 last year the Cloney men could be on course for a quick return to the higher grade.
It’s been a different story for the ‘Aggies’ who were division 3 and Junior Championship winners last year but have yet to register a win in the higher grade. They lost half a dozen players following last year’s success to emigration but there were tentative signs on Wednesday night that first win of the season might not be too far away.
Naomh Úna Scorers: Mark Boyle (1-00), David McGaharan (0-03), Cormac McBride (0-02), Conall Turley (0-02), Paddy Toner (0-01), James Halleron (0-01).
St. Mary’s Ahoghill Scorers: James O’Connell (0-06), Colla McDonnell (1-04), Patrick Graham (0-02), Noel Crossey (0-01), Conor Crossey (0-02), Dan O’Neill (0-01), Donal Graham (0-01).
Played at Dunsilly in near-perfect conditions, this Division 2 clash between Naomh Comhghall CLG and Naomh Séamas lived up to expectations, with the visitors arriving higher in the league standings and intent on maintaining their strong form.
The Antrim town side made an electric start, with Miles Devine opening the scoring inside the first minute. However, Naomh Séamas responded immediately through Cormac McGarry to level matters. Naomh Comhghall CLG then began to settle, moving the ball with pace and purpose as they looked to exploit their quick full-forward line.
Their growing dominance told on the scoreboard, with James McCabe converting a point in the 5th minute before Dylan Murdock followed up almost instantly with another fine effort. The home side continued to look dangerous in attack and were rewarded on the 9th minute when midfielder Aaron McGaw finished a well-worked move to the net.
Naomh Séamas, though, showed their quality and resilience. McGarry struck an excellent two-pointer to keep his side in touch, but Naomh Comhghall remained on top for much of the first half, adding further points through Ryan Clarke and Tiernan Floyd. The visitors closed the half strongly, however, with a two-pointer from Ferghal Burke narrowing the gap to leave the hosts behind 1-3 to 0-7 at the break.
Naomh Séamas carried that momentum into the second half, taking control early on with two quick points from Brian McQuillan. Although Tiernan Floyd responded for the town side, Naomh Comhghall then endured a difficult spell, losing their rhythm for a sustained period.
Sensing their opportunity, Naomh Séamas surged ahead with a series of well-taken scores from Oisín Fogarty, Christopher McSteen and Seamus McGarry, turning the game firmly in their favour.
To their credit, the Antrim men rallied late on. Aaron McGaw struck for his second goal of the game to give the home support renewed hope, and substitute Tomás Patchett added a point to close the gap further.
However, Naomh Séamas showed composure in the closing stages. Cormac McGarry and Ryan Owens both landed excellent late points to seal the victory for the visitors.
In the end, Naomh Séamas’ strong second-half performance proved decisive as they claimed a 2-6 to 0-14 win, overcoming a bright start from Naomh Comhghall CLG in an entertaining and hard-fought encounter.
TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Erin’s Own Cargin 1-14 (17) – St. John’s 2-14 (20)
St. John’s weathered a fierce second-half comeback from reigning champions Cargin to claim a three-point victory in a high-quality Division 1 encounter in Toome on Wednesday night. A dominant first half, aided by a significant breeze, ultimately gave the Belfast side enough cushion to withstand a Callum Gribbin-inspired Cargin resurgence. St. John’s exploited the conditions early, racing into a commanding 1-12 to 0-5 lead by the 28th minute. Their attack was fluid, with Conchur Adams and Conal McGlade finding their range with ease. The pressure told when Conor McEvoy stepped up to bury a penalty after a foul in the small square.
Cargin looked shell-shocked but found a lifeline just before the short whistle. In a mirror-image scenario, David Johnston was upended and Callum Gribbin stepped up to confidently dispatch the penalty award to the net.
HT: Cargin 1-05 St. John’s 1-12
With the wind at their backs, Cargin emerged with renewed intensity. Paul McCann got them off the mark seven minutes in, and as the pressure mounted, points from Marty Kane and Jack O’Neill cut the deficit. Callum Gribbin continued his fine form, moving into a playmaker role that had the visitors’ defence at full stretch.
The game’s turning point arrived in the 19th minute of the half. After soaking up a sustained period of Cargin pressure, St. John’s broke at pace. Paddy McBride spearheaded a well-organized transition, feeding Conchur Adams, who finshed from close range and despite appeals from the home side the goal was allowed to stand.
Despite the setback, Cargin rallied again. Points from Gribbin and a long-range effort from John Carron brought the gap back to just two points with five minutes remaining. However, the Whiterock Road men remained composed; OdhranMcAuley stepped up to slot over the final point of the game with St. John’s holding on to possession to ensure they would head home with the spoils.
Callum Gribbin was Cargin’s outstanding performer and was a scoring threat every time he got posession while Paddy McBride led St. John’s from mid-field and with Conal McGlade and Conchur Adams in sparkling form the Whiterock men were worthy winners in the end.
Erin’s Own Cargin: Callum Gribbin (1-08), Paul McCann (0-01), Marty Kane (0-01), Jack O’Neill (0-01), John Carron (0-01), James Laverty (0-2)
Brendan McTaggart reports from Quinn Park, Ballymena
Dunloy recorded their second league victory of the year on Wednesday evening as they produced a smash and grab win over All Saints. Leading by four with a little over 11 minutes left, the Cuchullains had to withstand a barrage of attacks from the Ballymena men and when Cal O’Brien tied the scores by splitting the uprights for his second of the evening, it looked like there was only going to be one winner.
Dunloy managed to break free from the resulting kickout and Jack Martin converted the winning score with what was the last action of the contest.
The Saints weren’t happy coming off the pitch and you can understand why. The home side were dominant in those closing stages and should have put the game to bed but they switched off for the last kick out of the game and Dunloy took full advantage.
Despite Dunloy opening the scoring with Tom McFerran’s first of seven points, it was the home side who started brightly. Brendan McDonnell and O’Brien were excellent in attack while Connell Lemon, Peter McNicholl and Peter McReynolds movement was always giving them an option. McDonnell fired over a brace of scores and while Dunloy defender James Scally tied the scores, the Ballymena men were giving the Dunloy defence a torrid time. Sean McVeigh popped up to score the first two pointer of the game and and McDonnell converted his second free of the match soon after.
The only goal of the game came in the 13th minute, coming at the end of a patient move before McDonnell provided the injection of pace to get the yard needed in the danger area and gave the Saints a 1-5 to 0-2 lead.
The home side wouldn’t register another score for fully 15 minutes however as Dunloy began to find their feet. Three points in as many minutes from Nigel Elliott, Jack Martin and McFerran left McDonnell’s major the only score between the sides but a brace of frees from Eoghan ‘Corkery’ McGrath brought the visitors to Quinn Park to within one point going in to the final 10 minutes of the half.
McDonnell took his tally to 1-4 for the half with his third free of the game but a brilliant two pointer from McFerran had the sides all square at the short whistle.
On reflection, the sides being tied at the interval was a fair reflection on that opening 30 minutes. All Saints started superbly but when Dunloy began to win ball in the middle third, they showed how devastating their attack can be.
The Cuchullains started the second half on top and had opened a four point lead inside the opening eight minutes of the half – scores coming from McFerran and McGrath before McFerran added his second two pointer of the game and take his personal tally to 0-7.
The Ballymena men began to settle into the second half with Lemon and O’Brien splitting the uprights in response to scores from McGrath and Ryan McGarry as the Cuchullians maintained that four point lead going into the final quarter.
The home side found another gear however with substitute Ronan McKillop playing a pivotal role. He would score three points in a little over six minutes with Lemon adding his second of the night and while Nigel Elliott replied for the Cuchullains, the Dunloy lead was cut to the minimum going into the final minute of the 60.
As injury time was announced, All Saints were on the prowl once again. They looked for a way into the Dunloy defence and O’Brien provided the composure when required to tie the scores.
There looked like there would only be one winner at that point but Dunloy somehow managed to break. Chrissy McMahon’s kickout finding Donnacha Laverty free in the middle third and the young Dunloy forward began the attack. Two passes later, the ball was fed to Jack Martin and he split the uprights to score his second of the match and effectively hit the match winning point.
All Saints will be hoping to get back to winning ways next Wednesday when they host Cargin while Dunloy will welcome St Paul’s to Pearse Park on the same evening.
TEAMS
ALL SAINTS: Ryan Stewart; Oliver O’Rawe, Michael Read, Ryan Thom; Charlie Metrusty, Connell Lemon, Matthew Downey; Emmet Killough, Peter McNicholl; Harry Connon, Cal O’Brien, Peter McReynolds; Sean McVeigh, Brendan McDonnell, Darach Bradley
Subs: Joe Rafferty for R Thom (HT), Sean McDermott for M Downey (HT), James Gillan for S McVeigh (38), Ronan McKillop for D Bradley (38)
Scorers: B McDonnell 1-4 (3fs), R McKillop 0-3, S McVeigh 0-2 (1tp), C O’Brien 0-2, C Lemon 0-2
DUNLOY: Chrissy McMahon; Michael Traynor, Sean Og Blaney; James Scally, Aaron Crawford, Conor Kinsella; Ryan McGarry, Ciaran McQuillan; Jack Martin, Tom McFerran, Aodhan McGarry; Eoghan McGrath, Nigel Elliott, Karl Fitzpatrick
Subs: Donnacha Laverty for J Scally (15), Emmet McKendry for K Fitzpatrick (54)
Scorers: T McFerran 0-7 (2tp), E McGrath 0-4 (2fs), N Elliott 0-2, J Martin 0-2, J Scally 0-1, R McGarry 0-1
Referee: Ray Matthews (Rossa)
To see more of Brendan’s photos from the game, follow the link below….
Antrim Camogie League Senior Div 1 Round 4 Tuesday 5th May 2026
Loughgiel 2-16 Ballycastle 0-10
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran at Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel
Tonight’s league encounter delved out a great show of strength and tenacity, the Shamrocks displaying strength along the defence to frustrate their opponents and Ballycastle bringing tenacity to the rucks and intercepts. On a chilly evening brought about by a persistent northerly breeze, Ballycastle opted to use that element on their backs in the first half after winning the toss. The Town was able to hold their own for the most part but heading into the break one point behind, the odds had already stacked against the black and amber jerseys to contain the Shamrocks despite a good show of determination.
No sooner had Shane McDonnell rolled in at the top of the hour, when Loughgiel were on the offensive deep into Town territory. Loughgiel’s Marie Laverty had her close quartered shot to goal well saved by Erin O’Hara but Laverty got a second chance as the sliotar came out for a skilful flick up into the top of the net for an opening green flag.
Ballycastle replied with a good point coming in from the terrace side from Nuala Devlin and Ballycastle spirits were soon heightened again with a threat to goal from Devlin but diffused by Megan McGarry with an outstretched arm over the line for the forty five. Ballycastle’s Louise McBride drifted that cleanly over the bar to pull up behind the Shamrocks 1-00 to 0-02.
Loughgiel’s point from Ceala Dobbin brought the Shamrocks back into the game before a foul on Louise McBride offered her a point to close the gap to only one point again. Loughgiel’s Carla Sullivan playing in a left full forward position took a pass routed to her from Anna McKillop and wasted no time in splitting the posts for a 1-02 to 0-03 scoreline after approximately fifteen minutes.
Ballycastle’s Louise McBride soars over another point for the Town in tonight’s league game
Ballycastle’s McBride was in superlative shooting form and pointed another free over Loughgiels bar followed by two more points from Loughgiel’s Shanna Deery from Marie Laverty and Sullivan again. Ballycastle’s McBride replied again from a free before the Shamrocks inched further ahead with two fine points from Marie Laverty and Annie Lynn, after being on the receiving end of a Sullivan to Deery delivery. Eighteen minutes had elapsed on the scoreboard clock to accompany the scoreline Loughgiel 1-06 Ballycastle 0-05.
Ballycastle dug deep and responded from sideline instructions, crafting three more points from McBride and Shannon McQuillan from frees and a point from play as McQuillan picked up a loose sliotar and opted for a short solo run to build space for taking her point.
McQuillan was enjoying a spell of fortune as a Cara Delaney free dropped to McQuillan and if it hadn’t been for a super block from Loughgiel’s Charlene Campbell, The Town could have had a real goal chance from close quarters.
Loughgiel’s Megan McGarry and Charlene Campbell were instrumental in diffusing three close quarter threats to goal in last night’s league game
McBride would keep up her scoring accuracy and clipped the sliotar over Loughgiel’s bar for the Town’s ninth point and with only a couple of minutes left in the first half, Loughgiel’s Annie Lynn pushed hard through Ballycastle’s defence to point and walk in at the break, Loughgiel 1-07 Ballycastle 0-09.
The second half proved to be a test for the Town as the Shamrocks took the chilling breeze on their backs and within a few minutes, Carlina Sullivan found a running Annie Lynn in space, who punished the back of the net for a fine goal.
The Shamrocks now took control of the game and clocked up five more points before Ballycastle replied with another McBride free after nearly twenty minutes of play in the second half. At eight points the difference, Loughgiel made that twelve with four points in succession. One of those points came from an edge of the box awarded free that teased for a penalty. Anna McKillop stepped in for the point but at one stage players had assumed a penalty and the box was empty except for the Ballycastle goalkeeper, Erin O’Hara. A scramble of amber and black jerseys rectified the situation, leaving some Loughgiel spectators to reflect on a missed opportunity.
Loughgiel’s Louise McKillop takes a tumble along with Ballycastle’s Eimear McCaughan in last night’s league encounter
The long whistle came shortly afterwards, leaving the large scoreboard to announce the final result, Loughgiel 2-16 Ballycastle 0-10 in round four of the senior division 1 league.
Loughgiel starting panel and scorers
Emma McAllister, Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Aoibheann Gillan, Finvola McVeigh, Katie Lynn, Ciara Laverty, Anna Connolly, Louise McKillop, Annie Lynn 1-04, Marie Laverty 1-03 (1×45, 1f), Shanna Deery 0-01, Ceala Dobbin 0-01, Anna McKillop 0-02, Carlina Sullivan 0-04, Eimear McKinley 0-01
Ballycastle starting panel and scorers
Erin O’Hara, Christina Hamilton, Enya McShane, Catherine McShane, Cara Delaney, Fay McIntosh, Fiadh Sands, Aoife Toner, Niamh Ann Donnelly, Eimear McCaughan, Louise McBride 0-07 (1×45, 6f), Fionnuala Toner, Faye Roddy, Nuala Devlin 0-01, Shannon McQuillan 0-02 (1f)
You can see more photos from tonight’s game by following the link…
