Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship, Group 3 

Lámh Dhearg 4-18-1-09 All Saints, Ballymena 

Kevin Herron reports from Hightown 

Lámh Dhearg ensured they avoided the Championship relegation Play-Offs with a comfortable 4-18-1-09 win over All Saints at Hightown on Sunday afternoon. 

Both sides experienced defeats to St Galls and Creggan in their opening two fixtures, and whilst the top two battled it out for top spot in Dunsilly, there was plenty at stake in Hightown with the losers season extending for another couple of weeks in the dreaded Play-Offs to avoid the drop to Intermediate Championship in 2026. 

It was the Lámhs who made a rapid start- hitting the net within two minutes after Calum Fegan slipped a pass into Adam Murray who won a ball out in front and immediately ran towards goal before finding the unmarked Terry McCrudden to palm home at the back post. 

A converted two-pointed free followed from Calum Fegan and it took All Saints until the 10th minute to get off the mark through a Ciaran Campbell point. 

That gave the Saints a huge lift and by the 13th minute they had restored parity. Paddy McAleer conjured up an angled two-pointer and just over 60-seconds later repeated the trick. 

By the midway point in the half McAleer made it three from three attempts to open up a 0-7-1-2 lead, which was narrowed with Ryan Murray opening his account for the afternoon. 

Lámh Dhearg regained the lead when Murray swept home his side’s second goal of the half, but Ballymena struck back at the other end after Marc Jordan’s shot was blocked down and they quickly turned defence to attack with McAleer slotting beyond John Finucane’s reach to make it 1-7-2-2. 

Their advantage was doubled when Joe Rafferty swung over a point, but Lámh Dhearg ended the half strongly and got back on terms through a Mark Finnegan score and Declan Smyth shot that snuck inside the posts and was originally waved wide before the intervention of linesman Paul Burns to advise that Smyth’s effort went inside the post. 

A two-pointed Ryan Murray score had the Hannahstown men 2-7-1-8 to the good at the midway stage with all to play for in the second period. 

Lámh Dhearg replicated their start to the opening half and struck their third goal within a minute of the restart. 

Calum Fegan popped the ball off to Adam Murray and after Marc Jordan had ghosted past Kavan Keenan, he got onto the forward pass, burst towards goal and picked his spot past Ryan Stewart. 

A two-pointer followed from Declan Smyth and goalscorer Jordan added a point from play as his side moved 3-10-1-8 clear. 

A second two-pointed Ryan Murray score extended the lead, with Brendan McDonnell claiming his side’s only score of the second period in reply. 

Substitute Owen McKeown popped over his first of the afternoon and Mark Finnegan then landed the final two-pointed score of the contest midway through the second half. 

After playing a role in two of the goals, Calum Fegan capped off a fine showing with a point and Mark Finnegan added his second score of the half before departing. 

The Lámhs were simply relentless and Owen McKeown bagged his sides fourth of the afternoon. 

Again, Calum Fegan was involved in finding McKeown and he showed a burst of pace to evade the All Saints defence before firing low past Stewart to make it 4-17-1-9. 

McKeown would land a further point before the conclusion and try as they might, All Saints were unable initiate a consolation score as they suffered a third successive defeat and must try to pick themselves up for the relegation Play-Offs that begin in two weeks time. 

LÁMH DHEARG: J Finucane, Ross Murray, D Lynch, M McGarry, D Smyth (0-3, 1×0-2pt), P Mervyn, E Matassa, C Boyd, P Fitzsimons, C Fegan (0-3, 1×0-2ptf), R Murray (1-5, 2×0-2pt), M Jordan (1-1), M Finnegan (0-4, 1×0-2pt), A Murray, T McCrudden (1-0). Subs: O McKeown (1-2) for C Boyd (40), E Stanley for E Matassa (45), D Martin for M Finnegan (48), D Murray for T McCrudden (56), R Diamond for Ryan Murray (58). 

ALL SAINTS: R Stewart, M Downey, K Keenan, H Connon, J Rafferty (0-1), S O’Callaghan, J McDonnell, C Stewart, E KIllough, P Ferris, P McAleer (1-6, 3×0-2pt), B McDonnell (0-1), P McReynolds, S McVeigh, C Campbell (0-1). Subs: C O’Brien for S O’Callaghan (22), P McNicholl for E Killough (38), R Thom for P McReynolds (44), 

REFEREE: Darren McKeown (St Galls)

Senior Football Championship – Round 3 – At Erin’s Own Cargin

Glenravel 4-06  Rossa 1-17

Results from previous games in Group 2 had rendered this a winner takes all scenario where the victors remained in the Senior Football Championship and the vanquished bid farewell to the 2025 season. So all to play for in Toome but a combination of squally showers and the remnants of ex hurricane Erin made this a game where the team who minimised mistakes would prevail. Given recent results Rossa would enter the fray as favourites despite being beaten earlier in the league by the same opposition. However that game would have been played without County level talent meaning Rossa would have been without the imaginative prowess of Mick Byrne in goals, the aerial dominance of Gerard Walsh  lár na páirce  and the silky skills of Domenic McEnhill upfront, all of whom contributed significantly to the Belfast side’s win today. The game ebbed and flowed with either team enjoying leading position on the scoreboard over the hour but when referee Mark O’Neill called time on proceedings it was the Belfast men who led and now head into the knock out stages.

Playing with ex hurricane Erin assistance, which blew straight down the Cargin pitch into Trea Gardens in the first half, Glenravel would have been hoping to amass a good lead in the opening thirty minutes but their opponents took an early three point lead with points from Gerard Walsh and a 2-pointer from leading scorer, goalkeeper Mick Byrne. In the opening exchanges Glenravel struggled to get their hands on the ball until a rare attack resulted in a penalty which Eamon Fyfe blasted home to level the game. Both teams were really challenged to string together coherent passing as the football seemed more like a bar of soap with the men in green and white relinquishing possession unnecessarily in a game where possession was king. The game of cat and mouse inched inexorably towards half time with a couple of two pointers each coming from Ryan McQuillan and Domenic McEnhill  to level things at 1-02 to 0-05 as we entered the final minutes of the first half. In the final play of the half, Glenravel’s Eamon Ward rounded the imperious Rossa defence and when faced one-on-one with County keeper Byrne, the young Glenravel forward found the top corner of the net in what was be the best move of the game. On the kickout Mark O’Neill blew the half time whistle with Glenravel three points to the good on a 2-02 to 0-05 score line. But as Erin clenched her teeth – would that be a big enough lead?

Glenravel started the second half without talisman Ryan McQuillan through injury making their challenge all the greater. The rain drenched spectators might have been expecting a full throttle push from Rossa with a gale force wind to their backs but that thought was put on ice as Glenravel’s Shea O’Broin darted through the blue and yellow defence to goal after three minutes. At this stage Glenravel were starting to dominate across the pitch but a couple of points each from Eoghan McMenamin and Domenic McEnhill with responses from Sean McKay and Niall Swann. With a quarter of the game remaining, Glenravel led by four points and that lead stretched to seven when they goaled for the fourth time. As the ball was played in from a Glenravel attack, there were at least eight bodies in the locale, ten if you include umpires, and as a game of pinball emerged the size five football ended up in the net. After in depth consultation with his umpires, referee Mark O’Neill instructed them to raise a green flag. In post match conversations that goal was attributed to Sean McKay!! So now the underdogs led by seven on a scoreline of 4-04 to 0-09 and only fifteen minutes remaining. At this stage Glenravel looked to be in a good position and managed to hold possession well inviting their opponents to come and get it. They had a few chances to put the game to bed at this stage but their opponents had other ideas. Their inside forward line started to make hay from some wayward kickouts and that resulted in a Tommy Morgan goal giving hope to what looked like a defeated Rossa team. Suddenly a seven point gap was only four and the Belfast men smelt blood. Morgan would follow with a point followed by a Domenic McEnhill point before a 2-pointer from Morgan levelled the game as we entered added time. Rossa star Domenic McEnhill nudged his team ahead for the first time since the twenty sixth minute of the game but that was cancelled out by Glenravel’s Cathal Hynds making a welcome return after a long lay off. Deep into added time and STILL all to play for in this fascinating affair. Morgan (2-pointer) and McEnhill would stretch Rossa’s lead to three and a final last gap attempt by Glenravel’s Callum Higgins sailed over rather than under the bar to leave the final gap of two points in favour of the Belfast men.

This was a pulsating game played in the most difficult circumstances. Officially we are still in Summer but this game felt a lot more like early Winter so congratulations to both teams for serving up such an exciting game in the circumstances. Rossa will be glad to be still in the competition and Glenravel, given their ups and downs across the season will be glad to be still ploughing a furrow at the top table of Antrim football in 2026.

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SFC Group 4

St Paul’s 2-20 St Mary’s Ahoghill 3-03

Ciaran O’Dufaigh led the way as St Paul’s gained the verdict over St Mary’s Ahoghill with a dominant performance in Creggan on Saturday evening.

The Shaw’s road side dominated throughout the contest against a strangely subdued Ahoghill side and took an early lead through Ciaran O’ Dufaigh who was to lead the way for the city boys with a very positive ‘man of the match performance’.

The Cloney lads took time to open their account and the short blast was imminent before Danny’ O’ Neill raised their opening flag as he split the posts after 30 minutes but by such juncture St. Paul’s had built up a 1-10 to 0-01 lead.

Ahoghill had opened their championship account with a win away to Aghagallon but were never able to replicate anything like that performance even though Tom McGlone found the net following a Colla Mc Donald approach a few minutes into the second half.

St Paul’s with sharp shooter O’ Dufaigh leading the way in attack, despite facing a sharp breeze continued to dominate and they led 1-15 to 1-02 by the 40^th minute.

Despite a second goal as Noel Crossey despatched a 43^rd minute penalty to the back of the net the odds were firmly against the Cloney side and the Shaw’s Road outfit continued to call the shots.

More than a few observers felt that Ahoghill could build on an opening day win away to Aghagallon in the championship and gain a place in the quarter-finals but in truth they never looked like winning this one.

St Paul’s had not shown such positivity in attack in their championship games to date but they were obviously ready for this one and a couple of points in the opening minutes by Ciaran O’ Dufaigh saw them quickly away.

The city lads did have the favour of the breeze in the first half but in the event such assistance was not required and although Ahoghill created opportunities they were less than proficient in front of the posts with several attempts going a begging.

Niall Crossey just failed to open their account after his attempt found the woodwork and the resultant kick out saw corner forward Caomhin Duffy lob the ball over the advancing Aiden Graham and into the back of the net.

Ahoghill were struggling to find the posts as Lady Luck turned her back with a couple of attempts coming back off the wood work but St. Paul’s had no such difficulty as they replied with a trio of points through Conor Hughes and a couple more by Caomhin Duffy saw them 1-05 to 0-00 ahead after 20^th minutes.

Ahoghill really needed a score but the St. Paul’s defence in which Mark Munce stood tall were giving nothing away whilst at the other end points from Ciaran O’ Dufaigh (2), Shea Burns, and the hard grafting Niall Ward saw them 1-10 ahead before Danny O’ Neill opened the Cloney account in time added.

Ahoghill started the second half in need of scores and when Colla McDonnell placed Tom Mc Glone to finish to the net within a couple of minutes of the restart hope possibly prevailed.

In the event St Pauls were quick to extinguish that hope as Lorcan Philips added a two pointer before the prolific Ciaran O’ Dufaigh added another with Ronan Graham replying at the other end to make it 1-15 to 1-02.

The die was most certainly cast as the game proceeded into the last quarter and Niall McStravick and Ciaran O’ Dufaigh added points before Noel Crossey scored from the penalty spot for St. Mary’s following a foul Colla McDonnell.

A further point from Caomhin Duffy increased to growing St Paul’s advantage and when he added a goal a couple of minutes later the writing was on the wall with St. Pauls at 2-20 to 2-03 as the clock ticked down.

St Paul’s added further points through prolific corner man Ciaran O’ Dufaigh and he came close to adding a goal shortly after only to be thwarted by the Ahoghill net minder Aiden Graham who made an excellent save.

In the event it was the Cloney men who were to have the last say on proceedings with the busy Danny O’ Neill finding the net in time added with St Paul’s crossing the line full value for their 2-20 to 3-03 victory.

St Mary’s: Aiden Graham, Ryan Martin, Bobby Magee, Seamus Mc Keever, Shea Neeson, Diarmuid Graham, Fionnbar O’ Neill, Tom Mc Glone (1-00), Ronan Graham (0-01), Noel Crossey (1-01), Danny O’ Neill (1-01), Colla Mc Donnell, D Graham, Conor Crossey

St Paul’s: Jack McAulfield, Aodhan Kavanagh, Ewan Mc Greevey, Diaramuid O’ Sullivan, Michael Duffy, Mark Munce, Lorcan Philips (0-02), James Farrell, Conor Hughes(0-02), Niall Mc Stravick (0-02), Conal Duffy, Niall Ward (0-02), Caomhin Duffy (2-03), Shea Burns (0-03), Ciaran O’ Dufaigh (0-08*)

Referee: Patrick Tumelty (Lamh Dhearg)

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Brian Hamill reports from Glenavy

SFC Group 4

St. Brigid’s 1-25 Aghagallon 3-9

St Brigid’s delivered a commanding performance to defeat Aghagallon by 1-25 to 3-09 in a thrilling Northern Switchgear Co Antrim Senior Football Championship clash. Despite two late goals from Aghagallon, the Belfast side’s dominance, especially in the first half, proved decisive. 

St Brigids Take Control Early 

Wind advantage in the first half helped St Brigid’s surge ahead, led primarily by Paul Bradley, who contributed a goal and multiple points from frees and from play, James Smith, Patrick Finnegan, Shay Campbell and JJ Higgins also got their names on the scoreboard for St Brigid’s as their midfield pairing of Patrick Finnegan and Jack Dowling dictated the pace.

 Aghagallon’s Adam Loughran was able to dispatch a penalty and a point from play in the first half, but it was a dejected side that headed for the changing rooms with a 16-point deficit to overcome. 

Aghagallon’s Late Rally 

Aghagallon were able to gain momentum as the second half progressed, with Marc McAfee, Eunan Walsh, and Jonny Hannon chipping away at the deficit with points.

Reuben Careleton converted a long range free kick for St Brigid’s along with more points from Paul Bradley and James Smith. Aghagallon scored two late goals from Ruairi McCann and Conor Magill gave the scoreline a more respectable look.  

St Brigids’ blend of structure, scoring depth, and leadership has them looking like serious contenders in this year’s championship. Aghagallon, despite flashes of brilliance, will need to regroup ahead of their next outing. 

Aghagallon: 1. Thomas Mallon 2. Ciaran Maginnis 3. Stevie Devlin  

4. Kieran Hamill 23. Pat Branagan 6. Jamie Lamont 7. Poddy Gowdy  

8. Jack Lenehan 9. Eunan Walsh (0-4) 10. Enda McCartan  

11. Adam Loughran (1-1) 12. Jonny Hannon (0-2)  

17. Marc McAfee (0-2) 14. Ruairi McCann (1-0) 15. Michael McStravick 

Substitutes: 21. Pauric Maginnis 5. Conor Magill (1-0) 

St Brigids: 1. Declan Heery 2. John Kinney 3 Connor King  

4 John Morgan (0-1). 5 Shay Campbell (0-2). 6 Shea Downey  

7 Reuben Carleton (0-2) 8 Patrick Finnegan (0-1) 9 Jack Dowling,  

10 Ronan Boyle, 11 James Smith (0-5), 12 Paul Bradley (1-10),  

13 JJ Higgins (0-1). 14 Joseph Finnegan. 15 Niall Duffy. 

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Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship

Group 1 – Match Day 3

Cargin 1-21 Dunloy 2-13

Saturday 30 August

Brendan McTaggart reports from Portglenone

Cargin maintained their 100% record in the championship with a five point win over Dunloy on Saturday evening.  It was a titanic tussle between these sides with the Toome men just pulling away in stoppage time at the end of the hour with John McNabb starring for his side.

The Erin’s Own netminder finished the contest with eight points beside his name, hitting three two-pointers, two of those from open play while his kickouts were excellent throughout.

Conhuir Johnston also shone on the evening, finishing with 1-4 and was a major threat throughout.  His goal came in first half injury time and a key, pivotal moment in the game given the reigning champions were playing into the elements in the opening 30 minutes.

Gerard McCann’s dominance in the middle third gave Cargin a strong foothold in the game, especially in a second half where the Toome men looked to turn the screw and pressurise the Cuchullains kickouts.

Keelan Molloy was a constant threat for the Cuchullains, finishing with seven points beside his name and giving the Cargin defence plenty to think about over the hour.  While the organisation of the Cargin defence looked to stave the Cuchullains attack, Dunloy showed plenty of patience and precision to try and cut their way through.  Ryan McGarry, Eoin McFerran, Eoin O’Neill and Seaan Elliott were all constantly threatening.

It was the period of play mid-way through the second half were Cargin hemmed Dunloy into their own half with ‘Stork’ McCann lording the middle third and claiming first phase possession, his positioning and aerial ability exeptional.  Five points in four minutes that included two pointers from Tomás McCann and McNabb took Cargin two clear and while Seaan Elliott scored the Cuchullains second major with a little over 10 minutes of the hour remaining, a strong finish from Cargin ensured they controlled the game and took the honours.

Playing into the elements on the pristine surface of Kelly Park in front of a large attendance, Cargin looked to control the game.  Their ability to recycle possession and keep Dunloy at arms-length was the overriding factor of the opening quarter.  Tomás McCann and Conhuir Johnston split the posts in the fourth minute to give Cargin a two point lead early doors but there was already signs of the pressure the Toome men would put on the Dunloy restarts early doors.

The Cuchullains rallied to hit three points in as many minutes through a brace from Molloy (one free) and a fisted point from Eoin McFerran and while McNabb split the posts for his first of the game from placed ball, Dunloy had their best spell of the game. 

A two pointed free from Karl Fitzpatrick preceded a brace of scores from the Dunloy inside forward (one free) with a scores from Benen Kelly and Tomás McCann the response for Cargin to leave two between the sides with five minutes of the half remaining.  The scoreboard could and probably should have been sitting better in favour of the Cuchullains but Fitzpatrick’s instinctive effort went to the right hand side of the posts and wide when it looked like the goal was at his mercy.

McNabb’s first two pointer (free) of the contest brought parity to the sides only for Keelan Molloy to respond with a two pointer of his own as the clock ticked into first half injury time and Dunloy two ahead.

Cargin scored the opening goal of the tie with Tom Shivers on the end of a brilliant pass in the middle third and speeding through the heart of the Dunloy defence.  He found Conhuir Johnston in space and while the Dunloy defence scrambled, he rifled his effort to the top corner to give Chrissy McMahon little or no chance of stopping it.

Dunloy and Seaan Elliott had the final say of the half to leave the half time score 1-7 to 0-10.  There seemed to be a discrepancy in the score line with plenty in attendance having the Cuchullains ahead at half time but after a recheck, referee Darren McKeown confirmed the score with his officials upon the restart of the second half.

After the first half, it was very much advantage Cargin as they had the elements at their backs.  They made a strong start to the half and kept possession but the Cuchullains breathed fire into their challenge by scoring their opening goal of the half.  Playing with an element of patience and looking to probe the Cargin defence, Ryan McGarry broke the line and found substitute Luke McFerran in space.  The Cargin defence scramble and looked to have staved the threat but McFerran showed incredible composure to hammer the ball beyond McNabb in the Cargin goals.

Cargin’s response was typical of the inner confidence and belief within the side.  A brace of scores from Conhuir Johnston, the second of which could easily have been a major but his effort only just cleared the crossbar. 

Keelan Molloy split the uprights with his fifth and sixth points of the game to put three between the sides after the opening quarter.  Cargin took control in the middle third however with Gerard McCann instrumental.  They did hit a number of wides that threatened to derail their challenge but Tomás McCann and McNabb both split the posts with two pointers from open play with another McNabb point coming from a ’45 to leave the Cargin men two ahead.

Dunloy broke the Cargin momentum briefly when Seaan Elliott scored their second major.  Tom McFerran claiming the loose possession in the middle third before laying the ball into the path of Seaan Elliott.  The dual star sped through and while he had a wall of black. Cargin shirts in front of him, Elliott hammered the ball to the back of the Cargin net to put his side ahead again with 10 minutes of the hour remaining.

That was as good as it got for the Cuchullains however.  They missed chances for further scores either side of Tomás McCann’s second two pointer of the game before Conhuir Johnston took his tally to 1-4 to put two between the sides once again.

Keelan Molloy responded to leave the minimum between the sides once again with his third free and seventh point overall but Cargin controlled the time that remained.

Points from Tomás McCann, substitute Callum Gribbin and a brilliant two pointer from ‘Jinny’ McNabb with the outside of his left foot rounded off the scoring.

Five points felt like it was harsh on the Cuchullains but Cargin were well worthy of their win.  McNabb gave an exhibition while Gerard McCann’s second half influence was pivotal to the winning of the game.

Both sides progress to the quarter finals with Cargin now facing Aghagallon while Dunloy will have a rematch against St Brigid’s in what will be a repeat pairing of the same fixture from 12 months ago.

TEAMS

CARGIN: John McNabb; Ronan Gribbin, Kevin McShane, Jack O’Neill; Conan Johnston, Seán O’Neill, Benen Kelly; James Laverty, Gerard McCann; David Johnston, Michael McCann, Paul McCann; Conhuir Johnston, Tomás McCann, Tom Shivers

Subs: Eunan Quinn for P McCann (46); Callum Gribbin for R Gribbin (56)

Scorers: J McNabb 0-8 (2xTP, 1xTPF, 1xF, 1x’45); C Johnston 1-4; T McCann 0-7 (4xTP, 1xF); B Kelly 0-1; C Gribbin 0-1

DUNLOY: Chrissy McMahon; Reece Cunning, Aaron Crawford, James Scally; Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McGarry, Jack Martin; Eoin McFerran, Eoin O’Neill; Nigel Elliott, Tom McFerran, Seaan Elliott; Barry McCloskey, Keelan Molloy, Karl Fitzpatrick

Subs: Luke McFerran for K Fitzpatrick (30); Kevin McQuillan for B McCloskey (49); Paudie McGilligan for E McFerran (Inj)

Scorers: K Molloy 0-7 (1xTP, 3xF); K Fitzpatrick 0-4 (1xTPF, 1xF); S Elliott 1-1 (1xF); L McFerran 1-00; E McFerran 0-1

Referee: Darren McKeown (Naomh Gall)

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