Ulster Intermediate LGFA Club Final

Glenavy (Antrim) v Steelstown (Derry)

Carrickmore 2-00pm Saturday

St. Joseph’s Glenavy travel to Carrickmore on Saturday where they take on Steelstown of Derry in the LGFA Ulster Intermediate final and they will have to be at their best for the full 60 plus minutes if they are to overcome the challenge of a strong Steelstown side.

The Derry champions have been knocking on the door of Ulster championship success for the last few years but to date the door has remained shut.

Its two years since Steelstown Ladies stood on a sodden Augher pitch watching Kinawley be crowned 2021 Ulster Intermediate champions. Brian Ogs’ hearts had been broken by an injury time Roisin O’Reilly point after a game they should have won.

A year later the Derry champions were expelled from the competition at the final stage in the most bizarre of circumstances when a late change of venue meant moving to a 3G surface. The city girls were already en route to the final without the necessary footwear and the surface switch meant they were unable to fulfil the fixture.

Steelstown have returned even stronger this year and their win over Glen Maghera in the Derry final where they ran out 2-11 to 0-3 winners to collect their fourth Derry title in a row shows they are in fine form.

They were sensational as they underlined, once again, their Oak Leaf dominance with a fourth straight Derry senior title; a fifth in seven years in what was their fifth successive senior county final.

Wins over a youthful Omagh St. Enda’s in the Ulster quarter-final and a resounding victory over Castleblaney in the semi-final where they ran out 3-13 to 1-9 winners will see them go into Saturdays final in Carrickmore as firm favourites.

St. Joseph’s Glenavy defeated neighbours, St. James Aldergrove in the Antrim final after losing to the same opposition in the group stages of the championship.

They really came to life in the knockout stages as they recorded a 4-12 to 1-5 win over the Crumlin girls in the final to send them through to the Ulster’s where they received a tricky away draw to Donegal champions, Naomh Muire.

The long trip to Donegal proved a successful one in the end for St. Joseph’s Glenavy but there were forced to endure a few anxious moments in the end as Naomh Muire hit 2-1 in the closing minutes to threaten the Glenavy party.

The Chapel Hill side held on for the win however to set them up for a quarter-final meeting with Down champions, Rostrevor where they received a home draw.

A late Ellen Morgan piece of magic swung this Ulster LGFA IFC clash the way of St Joseph’s Glenavy when they overcame the considerable challenge of a Niamh Rice inspired Rostrevor in the Ulster Intermediate Football Championship quarter final in wet conditions at Chapel Hill

The home side looked to be heading for a comfortable victory when they led by 2-3 to 0-1 after 19 minutes, their goals coming from Aoibheann Monaghan and Grainne McLaughlin but it was visitors Rostrevor who finished the half strongly.

Niamh Rice led the way for the Down champions and she would add 1-3 to Aislinn McGeough’s early point to close the gap to a goal by half time, the Glenavy cause not helped by a yellow card decision late in the half

Rostrevor started the second half as they had finished the first with Colleen Crios and Aoife Murphy pointing to close the gap to one after six minutes before Ellen Morgan edged the home side two in front with a point in the 11^th minute, their first score in over 20 minutes.

It seemed in vain as the Down girls came roaring back and when the impressive Niamh Rice rattled the Glenavy net in the 16^th minute, Rostrevor were ahead for the first time and looking the likelier winners.

Clara Mulvenna followed with a point to put the Down champions two ahead in the 18^th minute but it would be their final score of the game as Glenavy picked themselves of the canvas to finish strongly and earn a place in the semi-final.

Glenavy 4-12 Ballyhaise (Cavan) 3-9 semi-final

Injury time goals from corner forward Aoibheann Monaghan and full forward Ellen Morgan added a gloss to Glenavy’s victory over Ballyhaise of Cavan in the Ulster LGFA Intermediate semi-final at Chapel Hill, in a thrilling game of football. After leading by five points at half time (1-8 to 1-3) Glenavy saw their lead cut back to two early in the second half. They responded well and boosted by a Graine McLaughlin goal they pulled clear again. However the Ballyhaise girls fought their way back again and came within three as the game went into injury time.

There were still a few anxious moments for the home fans, but those worries were short lived as Monaghan and Morgan struck with two great goals in injury time to seal a place in the final against Derry champions Steelstown on Saturday.

Glenavy have been excellent this season but must eradicate their habit of switching off in games where they appeared to be in complete control as happened in all three of the Ulster championship games this year and they will need to keep their foot on the pedal against a very experienced Steelstown if they are to overcome the Derry champions

Steelstown’s bid for glory will once again be backboned by the likes of Aoife McGough, Ciara McGurk and 2017 All Ireland Junior Players’ Player of the Year, Emma Doherty, who led the Brian Ogs to Ulster Junior glory in 2015. That was a first provincial title for the city.

St. Joseph’s have their own star performers in county player, Grainne McLaughlin, Meabh Bradley, Mary McStravick, Bronagh Forester, Ana Mulholland, Aoibhean Monaghan and Ellen Morgan but are a well-balanced team unit.

The Antrim champions will go into Saturday’s final as outsiders but if they can produce their best for the full game and remain focused throughout then they can make it another bad day for Steelstown in Ulster deciders.

LGFA Ulster Intermediate Football Championship

Glenavy 4-7 Rostrevor 2-7

A late Ellen Morgan piece of magic swung this Ulster LGFA IFC clash the way of St Joseph’s Glenavy when they overcame the considerable challenge of a Niamh Rice inspired Rostrevor in the Ulster Intermediate Football Championship in wet conditions at Chapel Hill on Saturday.

The home side looked to be heading for a comfortable victory when they led by 2-3 to 0-1 after 19 minutes, their goals coming from Aoibheann Monaghan and Grainne McLaughlin but it was visitors Rostrevor who finished the half strongly.

Niamh Rice led the way for the Down champions and she would add 1-3 to Aislinn McGeough’s early point to close the gap to a goal by half time, the Glenavy cause not helped by a yellow card decision late in the half

Rostrevor started the second half as they had finished the first with Colleen Crios and Aoife Murphy pointing to close the gap to one after six minutes before Ellen Morgan edged the home side two in front with a point in the 11^th minute, their first score in over 20 minutes.

It seemed in vain as the Down girls came roaring back and when the impressive Niamh Rice rattled the Glenavy net in the 16^th minute, Rostrevor were ahead for the first time and looking the likelier winners.

Clara Mulvenna followed with a point to put the Down champions two ahead in the 18^th minute but it would be their final score of the game as Glenavy picked themselves of the canvas to finish strongly.

Megan McGarry replied with a point in the 21^st minute as the Down side lost a player to a yellow card before Grainne McLaughlin levelled matters from a 26^th minute free.

The Chapel Hill side pushed hard for a winner and Kerrianne Par in the Rostrevor goals pulled off as fine save to deny them and he game looked to be heading into extra time when Ellen Morgan produced her moment of magic with a goal, deep in injury time.

Rostrevor looked destraught and to rub salt in their wounds Natasha O’Neill followed immediately with another to send the Antrim champions through to the semi-finals where they will again enjoly home advantage when they face Grangemore.

Glenavy Scorers: Ellen Morgan 1-2, Grainne McLaughlin 1-2, Aoibheann Monaghan 1-0, Megan McGarry 0-2, Cara McGarry 0-1

Rostrevor Scorers: Niamh Rice 2-3, Aisling McGeough 0-1, Colleen Crios 0-1, Aoife Murphy 0-1, Clara Mulvenna 0-1

Ulster LGFA IFC Championship

Naomh Muire Iochtar Na Rosann  4-10 St. Joseph’s 5-9

The long trip to Donegal proved a successful one in the end for St. Joseph’s Glenavy but there were forced to endure a few anxious moments in the end as Naomh Muire hit 2-1 in the closing minutes to threaten the Glenavy party.

It was the Donegal girls who made the better start with Ailbhe O’Donnell hitting the Glenavy net in the opening minute though Megan McGarry restored parity with a goal at the other end in the second minute.

Ana Mulholland was having an increasing influence for the Chapel Hill girls and she took advantage of a turnover in the St. Mary’s defence to finish to the net and put her side three in front and they looked to be taking control.Within two minutes they had lost that lead however as Caroline Sharkey pointed for Naomh Muire before finishing to the net in the 16^th minute to restore her side’s lead.McLaughlin restored parity once more as her increasing influence began to tell with Ailbhe O’Donnell adding two for the Donegal side and Orlagh Mullan pulling off a great save to deny Sharkey as Naomh Muire threatened a third goal.

Grainne McLaughlin replied with three late points for the visitors to leave them one ahead at the short whistle but with the breeze to face in the second half there was all still to play for.McLaughlin was now causing havoc in the Glenavy attack and she rattled the Naomh Muire net within a minute of the restart and Aoibheann Monaghan added a point to move her side five in front after seven minutes and the visitors looked to be taking control.Erika Ni hAnnaid replied with a point for the host side but when Ellen Morgan palmed home St. Joseph’s fourth goal after a strong run and cross from Aoibheann Monaghan in the 9^th minute it looked as good as over.Grainne McLaughlin added a fifth with a sublime lob over keeper, Leah McGarvey and Ellen Morgan added a point to leave her side 11 ahead at the end of the third quarter but amazingly, it would be their last score of the game.

Naomh Muire replied with points from Caroline Sharkey and Erika Ni hAnnaidh before the game took a dramatic twist when the outstanding McLaughlin was shown Yellow, effectively ending her participation in the contest. At this stage the Chapel Hill side still looked in a comfortable position but they lost their way going down the home straight with O’Donnell getting in for a goal in the 26^th minute to give her side a glimmer of hope. Leah McGarvey in the Naomh Muire goals then pulled off a great save as Glenavy tried to respond but it was the Donegal side who now had the bit between their teeth as Ailbhe O’Donnell pointed at the other end.

With the game now well into injury time and the big travelling Glenavy support calling for the full-time whistle, the impressive Erika Ni hAnnaid got through for her side’s fourth goal to leave just two between the sides but that would be as close as they got.St. Joseph’s will now have home advantage as they host Rostrevor of Down in the quarter-final on the 28^th of October and their management will be pleased by much of Sunday’s performance but will be hoping to eradicate those closing stages lapses in Donegal.

Naom Muire Na Rossa: 22 Leah McGarvey, 3 Hannah Gallagher, 4 Casey McGarvey, 5 Caoimhe Boyle, 6 Annie Rose Quinn, 7 Amy Hannah, 8 Roisin Rogers, 9 Sarah Doherty, 10 Katie O’Donnell, 11 Ailbhe O’Donnell, 12 Tara O’Donnell, 13 Caroline Sharkey, 14 Hollie McDaid, 15 Ciara Kavanagh, 28 Erika Ni hAnnaid

Glenavy: 1 Orlagh Mullan, 2 Mary McStravick, 3 Meabh Bradley, 4 Aideen McCambridge, 5 Orla McLeod, 6 Bronagh Forester, 7 Natasha O’Neill, 8 Ana Mulholland, 9 Anna Rice, 10 Aoibheann Monaghan, 11 Grainne McLaughlin, 12 Megan McGarry, 13 Michelle Gregory, 14 Ellen Morgan, 15 Cathy Scannell

WS DENNYSON IFC Final

Glenavy 4-12 Aldergrove 1-5

St. Joseph’s Glenavy claimed the bragging rights and gained revenge for their one point defeat in the final game of the Group stages to the same opposition when they recorded a big win over last year’s Junior Champions, St. James Aldergrove at Hannastown at the weekend.

It was the Crumlin girls who were first on the score card as Bronagh McGuinness pointed them ahead in the third minute but a goal in response from Grainne McLaughlin gave the Chaple Hill side a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest.

Aldergrove replied with a point from Aoife Taggart but Megan McGarry struck with a second goal for Glenavy in the 7^th minute to put them in a very strong position.

Grainne McLaughlin 0-2 and Aoife Taggart 0-2 exchanged further points to keep the gap at four with 14 minutes gone and Bronagh McGuinness briefly closed it to three before Glenavy hit three on the bounce to move six clear by the 19^th minute.

Grainne McLaughlin, Ellen Morgan and Megan McGarry were the players on target and when McLaughlin followed with a goal in the 20^th minute the Chapel Hill side looked in control.

McLaughlin’s goal would prove to be the final score of the opening half and it put Glenavy in a strong position when they led 3-6 to 0-4 and it was going to take something special from St. James if they were to overturn that lead.

Last year’s Junior champions needed a good start to the second half if they were to get back into contention and Caitlin Taggart got them off the mark with a point in the second minute.

It failed to get the required response from her colleagues however and Glenavy were not going to let this one slip as they came back with a point of their own and a goal from Ellen Morgan as they took almost total control.

Wing half, Natasha O’Neill got forward for a point and the splendid Grainne McLaughlin hit three on the bounce to put the contest out of reach with nine minutes remaining.

Aldergrove were still fighting hard and were rewarded with a goal from their best forward, Aoife Taggart in the 25^th minute but it would prove to be their final score with player of the match, Grainne McLaughlin concluding the scoring with a late St. Joseph’s point.

A good win for the Chapel Hill side who put last week’s group defeat behind them to produce the goods when it mattered and in Grainne McLaughlin they had a real match winner.

When the disappointment of defeat starts to pass Aldergrove can take a lot of consolation from the fact that they reached this year’s decider after claiming the junior title last year and no doubt they will be back stronger next season.

WS DENNISON Intermediate Football Championship

Aldergrove 1-11 Glenavy 0-13

A goal from the excellent Caitlin Taggart in the 21^st minute proved the difference in the end as St. James Aldergrove defeated neighbours, St. Joseph’s Glenavy it terrible conditions in Crumlin on Sunday evening.

Taggart was in excellent form as her side claimed the bragging rights for now in an excellent game of football which was a credit to both sides despite the incessant rain that fell throughout.

It was visitors Glenavy who got off to the better start as Ana Mulholland, Megan McGarry, Grainne McLaughlin and Aoibheann Monaghan fired them into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 5^th minute.

In a game of changing fortunes it was St. James Aldergrove who responded positively as Aoife Taggart replied with three points for the home side and another from Nicole Jones had it all square by the 15^th minute.

The home side were dominating at this stage and Orlagh Mullin pulled off a smart save in to deny them when a goal looked on but it provided only temporary respite.

Taggart pointed the Crumlin side ahead for the first time from a free in the 20^th minute and a minute later she capitalised on a bad kick-out to send a dipping shot over the head of Orlagh Mullin to put her side four ahead.

The Aldergrove number 10 was running riot at this stage and she added a point from play and followed with another from a free to put her side six ahead and they were threatening to run away with it at this stage.

The Chapel Hill side picked themselves up of the floor however with Natasha O’Neill kicking their first score for 20 minutes and Grainne McLaughlin, Megan McGarry, McLaughlin again and Natasha O’Neill kicked unanswered points to leave just one between the sides as the half time whistle sounded.

Half Time: Aldergrove 1-7 Glenavy 0-9

Ther momentum was very much with the visitors as the opening half came to an end and when Grainne McLaughlin fired over the equaliser after 30 seconds of the new half it was St. Joseph’s who were looking the more likely winners.

Aldergrove were having none of it and spurred on by their talisman, Caitlin Taggart they fired over the next two points to restore their lead but as conditions deteriorated the scoring from both sides slowed down.

Natasha O’Neill closed the gap to the minimum once more with a point for Glenavy in the 16^th minute and Paula Masterson for St. James and the excellent Grainne McLaughlin for Glenavy exchanged further minors.

It still looked anybody’s game as it entered the final ten minutes but Caitlin Taggart converted a great free from out on the left to move the Crumlin side two in front.

Glenavy pressed hard in the closing stages but despite a brave effort from the visitors, an Ana Mulholland point with two minutes remaining was as close as they would get.

So for now the bragging rights belong to the Crumlin side but Glenavy can take consolation from the fact that these two sides will meet again in the Intermediate final and it offers them the opportunity to avenge tonight’s defeat.

St. James Aldergrove:  1 Anna McBride, 2 Bronach Mallon, 3 Anna Crossan, 4 Grace O’Neill, 5 Rebecca Marquess, 6 Aine Kelly, 7 Colleen McGuinness, 8 Caoimhe Bell, 9 Katierose Bell, 10 Caitlin Taggart, 11 Nicole Jones, 12 Bronagh McGuinness, 13 Emma McArt, 14 Aoife Taggart, 15 Paula Masterson

 St. Joseph’s Glenavy: 1 Orlagh Mullin, 2 Maire McStravick, 3 Meabh Bradley, 4 Aideen McCambridge, 5 Orla McLeod, 6 Bronagh Forester, 7 Natasha O’Neill, 8 Ana Mulholland, 9 Anna Rice, 10 Aoibheann Monaghan, 11 Grainne McLaughlin, 12 Megan McGarry, 13 Ellen Morgan, 14 Cathy Scannell, 15 Michelle Gregory.

Referee: Sean Toal