Category / Senior

by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass can claim first Ulster title

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Errigal Ciaran

Ulster LGFA SFC Final – Brewster Park – Sunday 3.00pm

Moneyglass captain, Niamh McIntosh speaks to the Saffron Gael

This Sunday St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass travel to Brewster Park Enniskillen where they face Errigal Ciaran in the Ulster LGFA Senior Club final

In the build up to Sundays Ulster LGFA Club final in Enniskillen, Moneyglass captain, Niamh McIntosh speaks to the Saffron Gael.

In the build up to Sunday’s final Paddy McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael spoke to St. Ergnat’s dynamic captain, Niamh McIntosh.

Niamh McIntosh the St. Ergnat’s captain

 Niamh as a player and now captain of Moneyglass you have experienced the highs and lows of Ulster Club Championship. Tell me about the teams you have faced over recent years and at what stage you were knocked out of the championship?

Niamh answered. In 2021 we won the Antrim Senior Championship and got to the Ulster semi-final after beating Armagh Harps in the quarter-final. That win over Armagh Harps should have proved a breakthrough for St. Ergnat’s but the Armagh champions would come back to gain revenge in 2023 and 2024.

This time it was Clann Eireann who carried the Armagh banner with the Orchard girls enjoying home advantage on both occasions.

The Moneyglass girls continued to knock at the door but found it slammed in their face as they beat McCartan’s Monaghan in 2022 after beating Bredagh in the quarter-finals but Donaghmoyne proved a bridge too far in the final.

Undeterred, St. Ergnats were back in Ulster action the following year after collecting another Antrim title and they gained revenge for the previous year’s defeat to Donaghmoyne with a quarter-final victory over the 2022 champions.

It would be the Armagh champions, Clann Eireann who would prove their downfall in 2023 and 2024 with St. Ergnat’s beating Bredagh and Donaghmoyne in respective quarter-finals but coming unstuck against the Orchard girls at the semi-final stages.

Maria O’Neill who has been in fine form for he Moneyglass side

Once again the draw seemed unkind to Moneyglass in 2025 when they were drawn away to the ‘Clann’ again in the semi-final after recording another quarter-final win over Bredagh at Cherryvale but their unfaltering  belief in their own ability saw them finally overcame the Armagh challenge.

I asked Niamh about their journey to this year’s Ulster decider.

She replied. We beat St. Gall’s in the Antrim semi-final before going on to defeat St. Paul’s in the final.

We went on to play Bredagh in the Ulster quarter final, then beat Clann Eireann away in the Ulster semi-final this year to get into this year’s decider. 

We had some really great battles throughout the Antrim championship this year, we were really tested and had to lift the standards with every game. In Ulster football you do feel the standards lifting again, coming up against really strong well organised opposition.

Hopefully we’ve learned a lot and gained experience from past campaigns as to how to manage games better and stay composed when it matters most. The younger girls coming through have also made a big impact. They’ve brought great energy and competition, which has pushed everyone on. 

I then asked the Moneyglass captain about what she knew about Sunday’s finalists, Errigal Ciaran of Tyrone and who she thought would be their stand out players.

Niamh answered, Errigal Ciaran are a really strong, well-organised side with a lot of pace and quality all over the pitch. They have some top-class players who’ve won an All-Ireland with Tyrone this year, the likes of Claire Canavan, Aoife Horisk, and Meabh Corrigan to name but a few, so we know it’ll be a big challenge. 

What about her own side and how their preparations have gone?

Preparations have been going well, training has been sharp and there’s a great buzz around the group. Everyone’s really been putting in the work but we’re just trying to keep things simple, enjoy the build-up, and be ready to give it everything on Sunday.

I posed the question. Who have been the Moneyglass players who have stood out for you during the present campaign?

Niamh replied. I could name 25 girls who have played their part at some stage during this year’s campaign because it really has been a team effort but the likes of Maria O’Neill and Bronagh Devlin have been excellent all year with the county and have continued that good form with their club and Cathy Carey can always be relied upon for a good performance. 

Sarah O’Neill and Emma Louise McAreavey have been strong in defence all year but this really has been an all-round team effort. 

I then asked Niamh about the Moneyglass management team of Charlie O’Kane and Maxi Curran and what they brought to the table.

Charlie O’Kane
Anne Marie McCormick and Marie Dobbin, part of the backroom staff
Maxi Curran

She replied. We’re very lucky to have Charlie and Maxi, they’ve brought great experience and knowledge to the group. Training’s is always well organised and challenging, but there’s good balance too, they know how to get the best out of us. They’ve a lot of belief in the players, and that gives everyone confidence going into big games like this. 

St. Ergnat’s take on Errigal Ciaran in Brewster Park on Sunday at 3.00pm. Confidence within the Moneyglass camp appears to be high and so it should be.

The Tyrone champions are certain to provide a stern test for the Antrim champions who have been knocking consistently at the Ulster door over the last five years but Niamh McIntosh and her colleagues should have the experience and knowhow to finally gain access to their first Ulster Senior title!

Dermot McAleese of Ballymena Engine Spares presents a cheque for £500-00 to Paddy McIlwaine who received it on behalf of the Saffron Gael
by thesaffrongael

Five star St. Ergnat’s advance to semi-final

Ulster LGFA Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final

Bredagh (Down) 2-5 St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass (Antrim) 5-10

Cathy Carey led the way as St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass overcame the challenge of Bredagh, the Down champions at Cherryvale on Saturday.

The St. Ergnat’s and Antrim star struck with two first half goals to send her side to a 3-6 to 1-3 half time lead, the Bredagh goal coming from Aoife Laverty and even at this stage it looked a long way back for the Down champions.

Moneyglass continued to dominate during the second half, kicking some excellent points and goals from Sarah O’Neill and Jo Jo Darragh ensured there would be no way back for the Bredagh despite a second goal from Eilish Ward.

The Antrim champions must now await the result of the quarter-final between a fancied Clann Eireann, Armagh and Derrygonley of Fermanagh after their game, as cheduled for Sunday was postponed owing to a waterlogged Derrygonnley pitch with that game rescheduled for Wednesday night.

by thesaffrongael

Carey to the fore as Moneyglass make it five in a row

LGFA SFC Final

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass 1-16 St. Paul’s 0-4

Reigning Antrim champions, St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass produced a power packed performance to overcome the challenge of old adversaries, St. Paul’s and claim their fifth Antrim Senior title on the trot at Glenavy on Saturday.

Driven by Cathy Carey at mid-field, the county stalwart kicked six of her sides seven first half points to leave St. Ergnat’s 0-7 to 0-2 ahead at the break with their other first half point coming from Maire O’Neill.

Their opponents only first half scores came from Niamh Richie after 8 minutes and Emilie Rogers Duffy with 10 minutes gone but it was going to take a much improved second half effort from the former champions if they were going to get back into the game in the second half.

That comeback never looked like materialising as Moneyglass hit two quick points on the restart and when Bronagh Devlin got in for a goal in the 4th minute it looked as good as over.

Eimer Rocks and Niamh Richie did add to St. Paul’s opening half total with two more second half point but it was St. Ergnat’s who continued to dominate with Cathy Carey bring her total for the evening to 0-10 and Bronagh Devlin, Maire O’Neill, Rebecca Bradley and Jo Jo Darragh all contributing to the Moneyglass total.

St. Ergnat’s will now turn their attentions to another tilt at Ulster where they are likely to face much stiffer opposition but on this form they will feel that they can give it a real go.

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

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by thesaffrongael

Slick moving Gorts too good for Glenavy

LGFA ACFL Division 1

Glenavy 2-9 Gort na Mona 4-14

A slick moving Gort na Mona proved too good for St. Joseph’s Glenavy in a good game of open football in the LGFA Division 1 on Monday evening.

The early exchanges were fairly even with Dembele Mills and Niamh Enright for the Gorts and Anna Mulholland and Megan Hannan for Glenavy exchanging points but when Ciaran Maguire edged Gort na Mona ahead in the 13th minute they began to take control.

Dembele Mills and Ciara Maguire added points and when Alyssa Davidson and Bronagh Crossin added two quick fire goals in the 21st and 24th minutes the girls from the Mona bye-pass were in complete control.

Blaithin Nic Cathail followed with her first point of the contest before Ellen Morgan gave the Chapel Hill girls some of hope when she finished to the net in the 28th minute.

That hope was soon dashed as Dembele Mills replied with a goal at the other end and Alyssa Davidson added a point to leave Gort na Mona 3-7 to 1-2 ahead at the break and good value for their lead.

Ellen Morgan briefly reduced the gap with a point for St. Joseph’s on the restart but Blaithin NicCathail replied for Gort na Mona and Broghan Crossin added a good goal to move the Gorts 14 points ahead with only five minutes of the new half gone.

Kella McAllister replied for the Chapel Hill side with a point but Niamh Enright and Blaithin NicCathail responded with points for the visitors before Eva Ramsey got through for Gleavy’s second goal in the 18th minute.

It gave St. Joseph’s a boost going down the home straight and they actually outscored their opponent during the final quarter while never looking like getting back into contention.

Ana Mulholland 0-2, Megan Hannan, Carla Scannell and Keela McAllister added points for the girls in orange while Blithin NicCathail from 3 long range frees and Ciara Maguire saw Gort na Mona home comfortably.

TO VIEW MORE OF BERT TROWLEN’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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by thesaffrongael

Jones hat-trick paves the way for St. James’ victory

Antrim LGFA Division 1

Glenavy 2-12 Aldergrove 6-15

A fine display of finishing by St. James’ Nicole Jones led her side to a comprehensive victory over neighbours Glenavy in division 1 of the LGFA All County League at Chapel Hill on Monday night.

The Aldergrove mid-fielder would finish with 3-3 as their side proved too good for their neighbours and deadly rivals to claim the early season bragging rights.

The visitors opened at a fast pace and were 2-3 to 0-0 up after 7 minutes with their goals coming from Meabh Rooney and Nicole Jones and Rooney, Jones and Caitlin Taggart their point scorers.

Helen Morgan finally got the home side off the mark from a pointed free and Lydia Grant added another but it provided only temporary respite as Nicole Jones pointed at the other end before firing home her side’s third goal in the 12th minute.

Megan McGarry for Glenavy and Orla Rooney for the Crumlin side exchanged further points before St. Josephs sent over three on the bounce through Helen Morgan, Bronagh Forester and Keela McAlister as the home side came more into the game.

Aoife Taggart replied from distance with 20 minutes on the clock but Glenavy were starting to grow in confidence and Helen Morgan 0-2 and Megan Hanna fired over points that sandwiched a goal from Keela McAlister.

The final point of the half fell the way of Orla Rooney for St. James who led 3-7 to 1-9 at the break but at this stage it still looked anybody’s game.

HT 3-7 TO 1-9

Orla Mullin in the Glenavy goals pulled off a fine fingertip save to deny the visitors on the restart and when Helen Morgan pointed a free in the second minute, the Aldergrove lead had been reduced to three points.

It would be as close as the Chapel Hill girls got however as St. James came back with a vengeance with Caitlin Taggart 0-2 and Aoife Taggart pointing before Katie McArt got on the end of a well-constructed build up to fire home her side’s fourth goal.

That was in the 11th minute and a minute later Nicole Jones put the game well and truly out of reach with her third major of the evening.

Aoife Taggart would add a sixth goal for the visitors in injury time and in between the team in Red would add to their ever increasing points tally with Caitlin Taggart, Aoife Taggart, Nicole Jones and Orla Rooney all to the fore.

Keela Taggart replied with a point and Glenavy’s best player, Helen Morgan converted a late penalty award but by that time the points had been secured by a slick moving St. James.

TO VIEW MORE OF BERT TROWLEN’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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