AIB & Armagh City Hotel Ulster Junior Championship final

Brídíní Óga, Glenravel (Antrim) v Dungiven (Derry)

O’Cathan Park, Portglenone – Throw-in 1pm

Antrim Junior A Camogie champions Brídíní Óga face a tough task when they take on high scoring Derry champions Dungiven in Saturday’s Ulster final at Portglenone.

The Glenravel girls have had to work very hard to get to the provincial decider and their toughtest game probably came in the Antrim semi-final when they took on Cushendall in Ballycastle. The Dall appeared to be in the driving seat when they held a two point lead going into injury time but a goal from a twenty metre free by team captain Tori Edgar edged them ahead with time almost up before sending over a point from a free to book a final slot against Loughgiel Shamrocks.

In that final the Glenravel girls held the upper hand for most of the game against Loughgiel with Orlaith Gould, Molly Woulahan, Leona Gillan, Erin Coulter and Bronagh Laverty all showing well. The decisive score coming seven minutes after the change of ends. It started when Leona Gillan won the sliotar in a ruck at midfield and released Erin Coulter whose shot at the end of a strong solo run was short. Molly Woulahan though was first on to the breaking ball and she kicked to the net to open up a decisive six point gap. (1-8 to 0-05)

They had home advantage in the semi-final two weeks ago against Down champions Ballyholland and won convincingly. Once again Tori Edgar was unerring from frees and after Kirsty Laverty and Sarah Fyfe got early points, Edgar hit the first of her personal tally of 0-09. Molly Woulahan got in for the goal and by half time they were 1-09 to 0-05 to the good. That seven point lead was doubled during the second thirty minutes as they secured a place in Saturday’s final with a bit to spare.

 Dungiven hit three goals in the first half of their semi-final win over Castledawson in the semi-final of the Derry championship and looked set to romp home but they lost their way in the second period, but held on to set up a final meeting with Ballinderry.

In that final the Dungiven girls again appeared to be in trouble but star forward Aideen McGonigle dug them out with a personal tally of 3-06 and it is clear she is a special player.

In the Ulster semi-final against she surpassed that score, running up an incredible 3-10 and it is clear that Glenravel manager Chris Dornan and his backroom team will have to works out a plan to stem the danger she brings.

This promised to be a great occasion with the pristine sod of Portglenone the ideal surface for a provincial decider. Glenravel have the players to get over the line, but McGonigle will take a lot of watching.

Danske Bank Mageean Cup quarter-final:

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 3-20 St Mary’s CBGS Belfast 3-18 (A.E.T.)

Cross & Passion College booked a Danske Bank Mageean Cup semi-final meeting with St Louis in two weeks’ time when the edged out St Mary’s CBGS in Thursday’s quarter final at Quinn Park Ballymena. In a great game the Ballycastle school needed a late scoring burst from centre-forward Oisins McCallin to get them over the line in the second period of extra time.

The side ended level at the end of normal time, after a great equalising point from man of the match Sean Og McLaren as both teams matched each other score for score down the finishing straight. The Ballycastle school held a slender one point lead (3-17 to 3-16) at half time in extra time and it looked anyone’s game, but McCallin showed his class, despite not being in his best form, to nail four points and secure a semi-final meeting with St Louis Ballymena.

St Mary’s started the game really well and an early goal from Lewis Rafferty gave them a perfect start, but they missed a few golden chances to stretch their advantage as five shots were off target, all of them from very scoreable positions. CPC finally settled into the game and full forward Cadhan Crawford had them level when he found the net at the other end, but St Mary’s pushed on again with points from Reece McMorrow and Jay Gault and though Cahdan Crawford pulled a point back, two superb points from Sean Og McLaren saw them open up a three point gap by the end of the opening quarter.

CPC knuckled down and fired over four of the next five points, two of them from Logan McConville, to bring them level, before Cadhan Crawford grabbed his second goal of the game to open up a three point gap. At this stage it looked like the north Antrim side were getting on top but CPC hit back with points from Boyle, Rafferty and McLaren to tie things up again. A well judged pass by Paidi O’Kane set up McCallin for his team’s third goal, but once again the Belfast boys found an instant response and Rafferty grabbed his second goal to cut his team’s arrears to just two points at the short whistle. (3-08 to 2-07)

An early CPC point was followed by a goal by second half substitute Cormac McCann and the scores were tied again, and even though CPC were continuing to create chances they were denied on a couple of occasion by Eoghan Millar in the St Mary’s goal, though the CPC players may have been more production taking the simple points on offer.

The final eight minutes of the game saw an amazing shoot-out as the lead switched to and fro, each team hitting five apiece, and many of them right out of the top drawer. Charlie McAuley got two for CPC, Cadhan Crawford one and Oisin McCallin one, while Jay Gault and  Oisin McLaren got two apiece for St Mary’s. McAuley’s second point in injury time looked like it would get CPC over the line but Sean Og McClaren caught Eoghan Millar’s long poc-out and tied things up to take a brilliant game to extra-time.

When St Mary’s led at half time in extra time they must have felt it was going to be their day but McCallin’s scoring burst in the second ten minute period got the holders over the line.

CPC: R McShane, E Johnston, L Smyth, A Gillan, O Donnelly, D Kinney, L Connolly, L McConville 0-2, O Connolly, C Johnston 0-1, O McCallin capt 1-8 (0-7 fs), R McQuaid, P O’Kane 0-1, C Crawford 2-5 (0-2fs), E McKendry 0-1.

Subs used: C McAuley 0-2, C McCaughan

St Mary’s: E Millar, O McAuley, J Ward, E Kearney, G Maguire, C Wilson capt, D Jemfrey, D Delander, J Gault 0-5, S óg McLaren 0-6, B McMorrow 0-1, O Boyle 0-1, O McLaren 0-2 (1f), L Rafferty 2-1, F McKinney.

Subs used: C McCann 1-0, C Dempsey 0-1

TO SEE MORE PHOTS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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The headlines on Monday 20^th October 2025 and beyond have all highlighted the time lapse between St. John’s hurling teams’ accomplishment the previous day and the 52 year gap since the Volunteer Cup last ended up in Corrigan Park in 1973. But when St. John’s Golden Eagles came together last Thursday evening to celebrate with the 2025 champions there were no less than 3 members of the 1969 team on hand to congratulate them. Brothers Henry and Mickey Gallagher and Gerry McCann all recognised the euphoria that winning this prestigious cup brings to a club and were delighted to get holding the cup once again after all this time. Also on hand too, was John Gough who along with Mickey Gallagher had played on that 1973 team.

The Golden Eagles began the evening reliving the Antrim County Final match with Loughgeil on the big screen, which brought such rejoicing to the club. The whoops and gasps, the laughter and encouragement made for a wonderful evening’s entertainment, particularly as they knew the outcome beforehand! The magnificent team had carried out guest appearances at every single training session from fundamentals to senior in the previous ten days and this evening had been set aside to meet the most senior members who make up the Golden Eagles.

The team arrived with the cup held aloft as the rafters were lifted to the singing of The Johnnies Anthem….Whack-fol-the-diddle. The boys were more than happy to have their photographs taken and even let everyone get a hold of the cup! They circulated the group talking to each person and they were delighted to share their experience of the day with their senior counterparts. The manager Gerard Cunningham should be so proud of his team, not only for their accomplishments on the field but in their generosity of time and in the humble and respectful way each of them treated this group of elderly citizens of the club.

When conversations eventually drew to a close with the team, another St. John’s man Donal Gallagher proudly introduced his son Rory, who would provide the entertainment to conclude the evening. What a star! Young Rory Gallagher was amazing as a singer and guitarist. His varied programme met everyone’s taste in music and his Johnny Cash numbers had the toes tapping and the fingers drumming. The climax of the evening was Rory’s rendition of Whack-fol-the-diddle, no doubt learned from his granda Mickey when he was knee high, confirming that the celebrations are well and truly in full swing in Corrigan Park.

Maria Gough

TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GREAT NIGHT CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/FwqipCLrFWEDLe/?invite=a26315c4-20bd-47c2-87f3-e4f355d8e86f