Category / Ladies Football

by thesaffrongael

Derry Triumphs Over Antrim in All-Ireland JFC Clash

Antrim 1-12 Derry 2-17

LGFA

Antrim senior ladies suffered a heavy defeat to Derry in this second round robin game of the All Ireland JFC 

Derry were deserved winners on the day and certainly avenged their Ulster final defeat 3 weeks ago. The Saffrons never really got going and no matter what they tried, it just wasn’t working. 

Antrim were minus a number of regulars, mainly due to injuries but it was no excuse for this under power performance 

Playing against the strong wind in the first half Antrim went in at the break 5 down. They missed a catalogue of chances in the second half and that didn’t help their cause and Derry raised two second half green flags and that extinguished any hope Antrim had of getting back into the game.

In the end it must be the Saffrons they were beaten by a superior team on the day and the Antrim management will be keen to put this defeat behind them and hope that they will have some of their injured players back for their next game.

There were changes to the Antrim line-up, but take nothing away from the hosts, who took the game to them with some outstanding displays.

Sarah Heron was excellent at centre half-back, with Claudy pair Blaithin Donelly and Kate Hargan tireless at midfield.

Steelstown’s Orlagh McGeough came off the bench, while Anna Donnelly also performed well.

The Antrim management weren’t too critical of their side “This group give so much time and are so committed and will certainly be keen to get back on track and better performances will certainly come their way. They have had more good days than bad and there will certainly be no panic after one defeat” 

On a day when things didn’t quite work out for Antrim Alyssa Davison, Laura Agnew and Maeve Blaney were their best performers.

Derry seemed to take motivation from that earlier Ulster final defeat and performed admirably all over the field.

Manager Seamus Shivers said “There was no need either for extra motivation. We all felt that we had a point to prove in terms of our own performance regardless of how the result would go, but thankfully we were able to get both the performance and the result.”

Derry led 2-3 to 1-0 at half time with their goals coming from J Slevin and J Shivers with Ni Lochlainn adding the three points as they led 2-3 to 1-0 at the break, Maria O’Neill beating Thomasina Cassidy for Antrim’s only score.

Antrim did improve on the restart but were always chasing the visitors.

Bronagh Devlin, Aoibheann Monaghan and Aine Tubridy tagged on points, but Orla McGeough, Clodagh Moore and Ni Lochlainn kept the scoreboard moving for the home team.

Ni Lochlainne would finish the game with an impressive 0-11 as the Oak Leaf girls ran out fairly convincing winners in the end.

Scorers:

Derry: A Ni Lochlainne 0-11 (3tp); A Duffy 0-3; J Slevin & J Shivers 1-0; Orlagh McGeough 0-2; C Moore 0-1

Antrim: M O’Neill 1-1; A Monaghan 0-3; A Davidson 0-3; B Devlin 0-2; A Tubridy, A Taggart & L Agnew 0-1 each

TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE KELLY’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Diarmuid  Frazer Tournament


Lámh Dhearg hosted their annual and popular Diarmuid Frazer Tournament for under 14 LGFA teams.

The 16 participating teams served up many exciting and skilful games played in a very sporting atmosphere in a sun soaked Hannahstown.
Well done to all concerned in the successful organisation of the enjoyable tournament which was a great advert for underage LGFA.

Congratulations to the winners
Cup – Rossa
Shield –  St John’s
Plate – Glenavy

by thesaffrongael

Happy 9th birthday Saffron Gael

Nine years ago today, May 29th 2017 we covered our first game as the Saffron Gael. Since that first match in Armoy between Dunloy and Loughgiel in the final of the Under 21 Hurling Championship we have posted countless match reports, previews and interviews and upwards on 15,000 photographs. To all who have supported us, especially our sponsors who we simply could not do without, to those volunteers who have taken photos and written reports and clubs who have given us their support we truly thanks you.

This is a link to that first game that Monday evening in Armoy.

Cuchullains in cruise control

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Retain Junior Title

TG4 Ulster Junior LGFA Final

Antrim 3-18 Derry 2-6

Antrim retained their Ulster Junior title with a dominant display over Derry. Tight defending, a powerful midfield duo and sharp forwards helped the Saffrons to a 15 point victory.

Derry’s Aine Ni Lochlainn opened the scoring with a pointed free and Antrim then had a goal disallowed and were denied another by some brave goal keeping by Thomasina Cassidy. In the eleventh minute Ni Lochlainn doubled her tally with another free as the Derry girls made a bright start. 

Antrim took a while to turn territorial dominance into scores but they finally got off the mark with a 13th minute point from Maria O Neill and then hit another 2-4 without reply. O Neill hit the first goal in the 16th minute and then turned provider for Aoibheann Monaghan who found the bottom corner, soccer style. Midfielders Aine Tubridy and Omolara Dahunsi both pointed while O’Neill contributed another couple. Ni Lochlainn and Niamh Hannon cancelled two of the points however the last say of the half was from Theresa Mellon whose point helped the Saffron’s to a 2-6 to 0-4 interval lead. 

Antrim were quick out of the traps in the second half as Tubridy Monaghan and O Neill all pointed within the five minutes of the restart. Kate Hargan found the net for Derry with seven gone and then Jemma Shivers fired over. In the 12th minute Aine Tubridy’s shot ended up in the net via the crossbar and further points followed from Dahunsi, Mellon and wing back Laura Agnew. 

The final ten minutes was full of drama. Oak Leafer Ni Lochlainn netted from a close in free before Antrim’s Aoife Taggart saw yellow. Hannon and O Neill traded points but Antrim remained dominant and further points arrived courtesy of Mellon, Monaghan and captain, Bronagh Devlin. With just seven seconds left on the clock Dahunsi fired over from over 40 meters to finish a player of the match performance with a two pointer. Full time score Antrim 3-18 Derry 2-6. 

Antrim – A. Devlin, E. Kearns, M. Blayney, M. Mullholland, L. Agnew (0-1), C. Brown, D. Coleman, O. Dhaunsi (0-4), A. Tubridy 1-2, T. Mellon (0-3), M. O Neill (1-5), A. Davidson, E. Mc Areavey, B. Devlin (0-1) and A. Monaghan (1-2)

Subs Used – A. Taggart, L. Mc Nicholl and A. Mullholland

Derry – T. Cassidy, C. Dillon, L. Brewster, A. Mulligan, A. Donnelly, B. Donnelly, S. Heron, S. Duggan, C. Donnelly, K. Hannon (1-0), C. Moore, N. Hannon (0-2), R. Doherty, A. Ni Lochlainn (1-3) and J. Slevin.

Subs Used – S. Hargan, A. Crozier, A. Mc Allister and E. Dillon

Referee – S. McGoldrick (Fermanagh)

TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE KELLY’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Another leap forward for Casement’s girls

Coaching Team: Ciaran Doherty, Niamh Doherty, James Duffin, Paddy McLaughlin

 

Another Leap Forward

Last week, the girls put in a great performance against Wolfe Tones with a score of 8-13 to 1-1. The win moved them up to the middle of the league table and put wind in their sails.

Tonight’s match was played during a beautiful evening in Portglenone. And our girls made the most of the fine weather. Sunny, mild, and most importantly dry! Around a third of the panel had been playing camogie until 7:15pm. But everyone was changed, warmed up, and ready for throw-in shortly after 7:30.

Amanda Leahy from Moneyglass had the whistle.

Third League Game of 2026

Ard Eoin are a strong Belfast club with history behind them, and they came ready to play. But Roger Casements went straight for the jugular with two shots at the net inside the first few minutes. Both went wide. But the message was sent. After that, Niamh Smith, Maria O’Boyle, and Chloe Duffin kept the scores ticking. Aisling McGill and Evie Rose McErlean were a constant threat around goal. And Ciara McVeigh and Caiti Louise McGill held the shape at full forward, keeping their defense working hard.

Nessa McKenna and Tiarna McErlain put in a solid effort at the back. Tiarna blocked what looked like a certain goal and drew a well-earned roar of approval from the home crowd. When called upon Ílinn McLaughlin, Molly Watson, and Caoimhe Marron closed ranks on defense, plugging gaps and forming a sturdy wall against the opposition. Keeper, Emily Padgett maintained constant communication with her defense and fed the ball cleanly up to Rebecca Kennedy and Sarah Mary O’Boyle in midfield who in turn fought strong and played it to the attack. It was a well-oiled machine, requiring only minor adjustments here and there. Roger Casements hit half time with 3-3 to Ard Eoin’s 0-3.

 

Threat Incoming

A few changes, including Emily coming up to play the middle, and Áine McCormack coming on to harry their defense.

Ard Eoin came roaring back in the second half and planted several goals to make things interesting. But Roger Casements didn’t flinch. They tightened up and countered. Clodagh McDonnell got in on the scoring action. Aisling kept winning the ball. Maria applied pressure on their net from an angle. Our girls got good at opening a gap down the middle and Niamh took full advantage, moving up the pitch at speed for several more goals. Molly moved up and presented a constant threat, popping shots from their left. And Caoimhe closed the gap on their defense several times, making the sprint from mid-field look easy. Roger Casements rattled in 5 more goals and 2 more points to seal the win.

Final Score

Roger Casements Portglenone 8-5

Ciceam Ard Eoin 3-3

Two weeks ago, they sat at the bottom of the table. Tonight they sit third. If you aren’t watching this team, you should be.

It goes without saying that we coaches are proud of every single girl on the team, and we look forward to seeing where the next few games take them.