Category / Senior

by thesaffrongael

St.Paul’s prove too strong for St.Ergnat’s

Antrim Ladies Senior Football Championship semi-final

St.Paul’s 5.12 v 2.05 St.Ergnat’s

Report: Terry Cormican

Photographs: Bert Trowlen

Once again St.Paul’s outgunned their country cousins in the senior championship as they took another step towards retaining their trophy. The city side were the stronger team throughout the pitch and in the end had just too much firepower for the St. Ergnat’s ladies. Played at Glenavy the South West side never really got to grips with their opponents.

The game started at a blistering pace with both sides guilty of poor shooting or taking that extra pass when a score was on. St. Paul’s were first to get on the scoresheet with Aine Tubridy splitting the post to be quickly followed by an excellent goal from Niamh Enright. Orlaith Prenter pulled a point back for the side in blue & gold before Kirsty McGuinness got the first of her 2-08 from a placed ball from an acute angle. Moneyglass replied and Orlaith Prenter pulled  a point back from open play but it brought about another response from the Shaw’s Road ladies. After great approach work the ball found its way to the impressive Kirsty McGuinness and she gave keeper Anna McCann no chance when she finished to the net.

The Toomebridge side were finding it difficult to penetrate the opposition defence who were outstanding on the night. Orlaith Prenter did break through for a hard earned point but once again Laura O’Neill added to ever increasing tally with a well taken point. The Moneyglass girls never gave up and were rewarded before halftime with two Orlaith Prenter points to leave the halftime score St.Paul’s  2.03 Moneyglass 0.05.

After the break Kirsty McGuinness started where she had left off as she popped over a point from the throw-in. Moneyglass won the resulting kick out with an excellent Laura McCann catch and she quickly played the ball through to Cathy Carey who blasted to the back of the net to raise the St. Ergnat’s hopes, much  to the delight of their supporters. With only two points between the sides the game was in the melting pot. Could Moneyglass push on or would St. Paul’s respond?

The red and white hoops showed why they are reigning county champions when they steadied the ship with points from Kirsty McGuinness and Caitlin McGuinness. The lead went out to seven points when Lara Dahunsi, who was having an excellent game, played the ball through to Kirsty McGuinness who once again found the net.

The South West side never gave  up when following a swift move from defence Ainee McAtamney won the ball and gave Aisling Healey in St.Paul’s goal no chance with an excellent finish. This proved to be Moneyglass’s final score however as the champions controlled the closing twelve minutes, the City side scoring an impressive 2. 6 with Kirsty McGuinness 1.03, Caitlin McGuinness  1.1, Niamh Enright and Lara Dahunsi all getting scores. 

St.Paul’s: Aisling Enright; Rebekah Hemsworth; Emma Kelly; Caoimhe Stewart; Ciara Brown; Saoirse Tennyson; Maria Hanna; Stacy McCann; Aine Tubridy; Lara Dahunsi; Caitlin McGunness; Niamh Enright; Kirsty McGuinness (Kerry McConville); Naoishe Burns; Laura O’Neill. 

Panel  Danielle Doherty; Seana Moyes; Rebecca McGivern; Eithne Duffy; Niamh Ritchie.

 St.Ergnat’s: Anne McCann; Christine McCann; Niamh McIntosh; Saiirse McErlain; Terrie Duffin; Danielle Duffin; Rebecca Bradley; Deirdre O’Kane; Laura McCann; Cliona Griffin; Cathy Carey; Emma Louise McAreavey; Ainee McAtamney; Otlaith Prenter; Bronagh Devlin.

Panel: Katherine Bovill; Gerraldine Campbell; Enya Carey; Marie Dobbin; Eleanor Mallon; Sarah McCann; Mary McCormick; Katie Scullion; Aine Devlin; Molly Dixon; Beverley Graffin; Mollie Higgins; Niamh Martin; Anne Marie McCormack; Judie McCoy; Megan McGlinchy; Niamh McKeefry; Maria O’Neill; Orla Rooney; Callin Weir.

Referee Brendan Toland Lamh Dhearg.

St.Joseph’s club apologises to both clubs and supporters for not having the scoreboard working. This was due to a technical hitch.

by thesaffrongael

St Gall’s host Siobhan O’Hanlon tournament on Saturday

St Gall’s are hosting the Siobhan O’Hanlon Gaelic for Mothers & Others Gaelic Football tournament on Saturday at Milltown in conjunction with the West Belfast Feile.

Siobhan O’Hanlon was a mother and wife to club members Cormac and Pat Sheehan. She died of breast cancer in 2003, aged just 43. After being diagnosed Siobhan battled the disease every single day with the utmost courage, putting all her energy into becoming a breast cancer activist. Siobhan was a pivotal member of the Sinn Fein team involved in the peace process and subsequent Good Friday Agreement.

She also played a crucial role in making Féile an Phobail the success it is today and was one of the founding members of what has now become Ireland’s largest Community Festival, which is now in its 31st year. Féile has set the benchmark for community festivals and Siobhan O’Hanlon played a major part in it.

Overall fourteen teams will be taking part in Saturday tournament. Naomh Gall, Teconnaught, Eire Og, Aldergrove, Rossa, GNM, Carryduff, Bredagh, Saval, Glenavy, St Brigid’s, St Paul’s, Creggan, Clan na Banna.

Action gets underway on Saturday 10th at 2-30

by thesaffrongael

High scoring champions sail into semi-final

Antrim Ladies Senior Football Championship

St Paul’s 6-27 St James Aldergrove 0-5

By Damien McConville

County champions St. Paul’s took on St. James’s Aldergrove in the preliminary round of the Ladies Senior football championship on a pleasant evening at Pairc Lamh Dhearg, Hannahstown on Sunday evening and though they were short a few regulars they still had too much power for the Aldergorve girls.

 St. Paul’s took control of the game early on with scores from Lara Dahunsi and Caitlin McGuinness. The first goal came after 21 minutes when a well worked ball found Caitlin McGuinnes inside the 13 yard line. The remaining three goals of the first half came in quick succession through Naoishe Burns, a second from McGuinnes and the last coming from Mairead Cooper on 25 minutes to see the champions go in at half time leading by 4:14 to 0:04, the Taggart twins Aoife and Caitlin getting the Aldergove scores.

Naoishe Burns got the Shaws Road natives off the mark in the second half inside the first thirty seconds. With St James only adding an additional point to their tally in the second half St Paul’s continued to take their scores with Caitlin McGuinness scoring her third goal of the evening and Naoishe Burns handing off a nice ball to Kerry McConville who secured the final goal.

Next up for St. Paul’s in the semi-final is St Ergnats, Moneyglass.

by thesaffrongael

Antrim Ladies Football Championship 2019

The Antrim Ladies Football Championship was launched at Casement Park on Tuesday evening. The action gets underway on Sunday when holders St Pauls take on St James Aldergrove at 6-30 in a Senior Preliminary round at Lamh Dhearg.

Senior Championship

Sunday 4th August

Preliminary round

St James Aldergrove v St Paul’s @ Lamh Dhearg Throw-in 6.30pm

Friday 16th August

Semi-finals

Moneyglass v Prelim winner @Glenavy Throw-in 7.30pm

St Brigid’s v St Galls @ St Teresa’s Throw-in 7.30pm

Final to be played on 31st August- Venue TBC

Intermediate Championship

Sunday 18th August

Semi-finals

St Pauls v Moneyglass @ St Endas (Time TBC)

Con Magees v Glenavy @ Tir Na nOg (Time TBC)

Final to be played on 31st August- Venue TBC

Junior A Championship

Friday 2nd August

Preliminary round 1-

All Saints v St Brigids @Creggan. Throw-in 7.30pm

Preliminary round 3–

St Teresa’s v Oisins @ Aldergrove. Throw-in 7.30pm

Quarter-finals

Wednesday 14th August

A- Sarsfields v Prelim 3

Awaiting the outcome of the prelim 3 game

B – Creggan v St Endas @Cargin. Throw-in 7.30pm

C- St Galls v Prelim 1

Awaiting the outcome of the prelim 1 game

D- Gort na Mona v Rossa @St Galls. Throw-in 7.30pm

Semi-finals

Wednesday 21st August

C v D – Venue TBC

A v B @Rossa

Final played on 31st August

Junior B Championship

Sunday 18th August

Preliminary round

Laochra Loch Lao v Lamh Dhearg @ St Paul’s. Throw-in 6.30pm

Sunday 25th August

Semi-finals

Ardoyne v Con Magees – Venue TBC

St Comgalls v Prelim Venue TBC

Final- 31st August Venue TBC

by thesaffrongael

Depleted Saffrons edge Derry

TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship: Group B-  Round One

Derry 2-08-1-13 Antrim

From Kevin Herron at Lissan

Antrim ladies made a winning start to their TG4 All-Ireland junior campaign after a hard fought 1-13-2-08 victory over Derry in Lissan this afternoon.

Missing four-regulars from their Ulster Final win in Clones two weeks ago; the Saffrons anticipated a tough encounter and that’s just what they got.

Despite racing into four lead at the beginning of each half – the Oakleafers refused to throw in the towel and it wasn’t until a goal from substitute Mairiosa McGourty that the Ulster Champions began to pull clear.

Leading by eight-points it appeared as though the Saffrons were poised for victory but a late sting saw referee Paul Burke twice signal for a penalty – on each occasion Ciara Moore converted to set-up a grandstand finish.

The visitors lost Emma Kelly and Caitlin Taggart but were able to hang on and claim a crucial win which may just earn a semi-final spot next month.

Antrim came into the game off the back of a stunning comeback win against Fermanagh to clinch the Ulster title – but were without the services of captain Saoirse Tennyson, Aine Tubridy, Mairead Cooper and Niamh Enright- all starters in that win, as well as Magee sisters Emma and Michelle.

Played under the blistering sunshine in Lissan it was Antrim who forged ahead through a fine Caitlin Taggart point.

Cathy Carey converted a free and almost provided the opening goal of the game – slipping the ball into the path of Aoife Taggart whose shot was blocked down and Taggart instead elected to find sister Caitlin who claimed her second point of the afternoon.

An angled free from Lara Dahunsi had the visitors 0-04-0-00 ahead after ten minutes but Derry hit back.

Ciara Moore got her side off the mark with converted frees either side of the midway point and Nicole Nugent’s venture out of defence resulted in the hosts first score from play the make it a one-point game with 20 minutes gone (0-04-0-03).

Both sides were guilty of squandering a few opportunities in front of the posts – though Derry were very much in the ascendancy heading for the break and levelled through a fine point from midfielder Danielle Kivlehan.

But Antrim would regain their lead at the interval as Caitlin Taggart converted a free in front of posts to give her side a slender 0-05-0-04 lead.

Derry had the better of the opening exchanges at the beginning of the second-half and pulled level through an Aoife Laverty point from a tight angle.

Though just as the opening half – Antrim opened up a four point lead, with the all the scores arriving from a St James’ trio.

Despite Caitlin Taggart twice firing off target in the opening exchanges – sister Aoife edged the Saffrons ahead for the third time in proceedings.

Caitlin then atoned for her two earlier misses; converting a free and then producing a fabulous point from play.

In the blink of an eye it was 0-09-0-05 as Nicole Jones split the posts for her first point of the afternoon to join her club-mates on the score sheet.

Derry hit back and halved the deficit midway through the second-half – Ciara Moore played a one-two with the large post and registered her third point of the afternoon.

A second point then followed from Aoife Laverty as the hosts determination kept them firmly in contention.

Antrim manager Sean O’Kane decided to introduce Mairiosa McGourty from the bench and it wasn’t long before the St Galls forward made her presence felt.

Upon her introduction- McGourty seized a poor kick from Derry goalkeeper Kathryn Connery, Connery made herself big and looked to have done enough to pressure McGourty – but the 27-year old lofted the ball into the net to open up a five-point advantage with 12 minutes remaining (1-09-0-07).

Confidence was high amongst the Saffrons ranks in the aftermath as Cathy Carey tagged on successive points; a fine angled point and a converted free from range.

Aoife Taggart and Lara Dahunsi added further scores and with six-minutes remaining, it looked to be game over with the visitors holding a nine-point lead (1-13-0-07).

Derry were in urgent need of a goal – though their next score was a point courtesy of Clodagh Laverty.

However with two minutes remaining a goal chance arrived after referee Paul Burke adjudged there to have been a push in the back in the Antrim area and signalled for a penalty.

Ciara Moore twice missed a penalty in the sides last clash in the Ulster semi-final last month – but made no mistake on this occasion – powerfully firing past Anna McCann to make it 1-13-1-08.

Antrim still had five points to spare with four minutes of injury-time remaining – though they were rocked a minute into injury-time as referee Burke awarded Derry a second penalty for an alleged foot-block from Emma Kelly who was sin-binned as a result.

Moore stepped forward again and despite Anna McCann getting fingertips to the shot – the half forward’s shot found the net to set-up a grandstand finish.

With a numerical advantage and all the momentum – it was Derry who pressed for the winner and almost clinched it as a high ball into the edge of the square fell nicely for Danielle Kivlehan who went through one-on-one, but shot a matter of inches wide of the post.

Antrim played the possession game in the dying embers though were reduced to 13-players as Caitlin Taggart received a yellow-card, there was barely enough time for Derry to further capitalise as referee Burke blew his full-time whistle to the relief of the Saffron contingent.

With a two-week break coming up – manager Sean O’Kane will hope his squad will be close to full strength by the time they host familiar foes Fermanagh in clash that will no doubt determine the final standings in Group B.

Derry: K Connery, N Nugent (0-01), C Glass, N Browne, G Conway, O McEvoy, A Frizelle, D Kivlehan (0-01), A McGough, A Laverty (0-02), C Moore (2-03, 2-02f), C McGurk, C Laverty (0-01), D Donnelly, K Holly. Subs: A Crozier for O McEvoy (41 mins); C Lynn for D Donnelly (53 mins); L McIlroy for C Laverty (57 mins).

Antrim: A McCann, S Haughey, E Kelly, O Corr, N Webb, C Brown, K Farren, A McFarland, C Carey (0-03, 0-02f), C Taggart (0-05, 0-02f), M Hanna, N Jones (0-01), N Killen, L Dahunsi (0-02), A Taggart (0-02). Subs: J McNulty for O Corr (33 mins); M McGourty (1-00) for N Jones (48 mins).

Referee: Paul Burke (Louth)