The All Saints ladies travelled to Glenariff on Sunday night
looking for their first win in a while! The girls have been training hard but
too many re-fixes have led to very stop start season so far.
They had shown improvement in their last outing away to
league front runners St Galls before some late scores saw the Milltown girls
run out winners.
In a fantastic setting on a lovely sunny night the girls set
about their task with great enthusiasm from the start.
It wasn’t long until the scores started to come with Kallie
Little and Ciara Devine leading the line well backed up by a busy, hard-working
half forward line of Rachel Dorrity, Anna Kearney and Maria Goldring.
At midfield Sarah McLaughlin and Ailbhe McKeith were getting the upper hand against their
direct opponents and the halfback line of Laura McAleese, Molly Brady and
Sinead McGarry were supporting the attack at every opportunity, indeed McAleese
helped herself to 2 goals on an impressive return to the team.
Glenariff were still proving a threat and smart goalkeeping
by Sinead Devine kept them at bay with her full back line of Mollie O’Brien,
Niamh McMahon and Anna Hasson giving her great cover! Marnie Kelly was also
impressive, breaking up attacks and feeding quick accurate ball into the
forwards.
The second half began with Glenariff keen to close the gap
and they shot a few wides when scores were on as it took a few minutes for the
Saints girls to get going. They soon hit their stride again with Molly Brady
who gave a player of the match performance driving them on from Centre Half
Back, helping herself to 2 points.
The scores were coming think and fast with Little and Devine
adding to their tallies and Maria Goldring adding 1-1 on her return.
Laura McAleese then had to give way due to injury and Megan
O’Neill came on to take her place. A small reshuffle didn’t halt the Saints
momentum and a superb point from O’Neill led to great celebrations from her
delighted team mates.
All in all a good night’s work from the Saints Ladies who
now move into Championship mode with some hard work to do before an Aug 2nd
date with St Brigid’s.
POTM Sponsored by Connolly’s Spar Dunclug
Molly Brady, a dynamic display of hard running and attacking play fromCentre Half Back.
On Saturday 6th July the annual Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football 2019 Ulster Blitz was held at Páirc Chiceam at Kickhams GAC. There were over 100 players and many more supporters and coaches from all around Ulster. Everyone had a fantastic day playing games, catching up with friends and enjoying everything that is at core and ethos of playing G4M&O’s.
The perfect Photo Bomb as the Silverbridge team jump for joy after winning their opening game. Pic by Conor McCann
Officials Ciaran Murtagh the Ulster Ladies Development Officer and Gerry Doherty the Ulster Ladies Secretary travelled to watch on and help coordinate the matches and games.
Official referees Philip Conway, Chris Morgan and Eddie Cuthbert were the men in the middle throughout the day.
In attendance were 11 clubs from around Ulster including the host club Kickhams Creggan (Antrim), Saval (Down), Bredagh (Down), Ballinascreen (Derry), Carryduff (Down), St Mary’s Convoy (Donegal), Drumragh Sarsfields (Tyrone), Glennshego (Down/Armagh), Wolfe Tones Derrymacash (Armagh), Badoney (Tyrone), Omagh St Endas (Tyrone) and Silverbridge (Armagh).
The Warm-Up Pic by Conor McCann
After the large group warm-up for all the players instructed by Julie Gallagher and her four mascots, teams were split into two groups and all clubs played five games each on the day. After all the games had finished, all players and officials were treated to food from the host club before making their way home.
The organisation and planning of the entire blitz was commended by all clubs and officials. The hospitality shown and spirit that all games were played in made the day an absolute delight from start to finish.
Ciaran and the Ulster Ladies Executive congratulated Creggan and their G4M&O’s team. With a special mention in particular went to chief organiser Sinead Sargent who led the brilliant day. ’A fantastic club and great volunteers all round. From car park stewards to ball boy and girls and the girls in the kitchen. A credit to the LGFA and a great community spirit all round.’
Match Report – 30/06/2019 ( Match Report by Siobhan McQuillan)
Photographs: Eelco
Played at Dunsilly, St. Comgall’s Senior Ladies (Antrim) met
Laochra Loch Loa Senior Ladies (Belfast). From kick off, Laochra Loch Loa
quickly dominated and scored a point. However, it wasn’t long before St.
Comgall’s came out and scored an equaliser, courtesy of Niamh Callan sweeping
in and reading the match situation well.
In the end, Laochra Loch Loa were the victors, but St.
Comgall’s Ladies put their all into the game and fought every step of the way.
It was, by no means, and easy victory for Laochra Loch Loa (LLL). An
entertaining match to watch, vocal side line supporters came out and cheered
for both teams on the fine Sunday evening.
The first half ended 2-3 (St. Comgall’s) to 2-6 (Laochra
Loch Loa). Though LLL managed to score a goal, Mary Shannon came out strong and
kept St. Comgall’s Ladies in play with a well-timed goal. Amanda Leahy was
impressive in mid-field and helped the defenders move the ball up the pitch.
Her efforts were rewarded when another goal was scored by Anne McKee and two
more points by Niamh Callan and Eimear O’Hara. Niamh Callan’s point was the
result of a successful free. Great defensive manoeuvres by Sorcha Watt,
Catherine Skelly and Caitlin Ball made for a close and exciting first half.
The second half kicked off and was dominated by St. Comgall’s Ladies, who came out strong as Mary Shannon quickly scored a point. Emma McWhinney played a great game and her hard work paid off with a well-earned point. LLL rose to the challenge and, due to a free, scored a goal which kept them in the lead, despite St. Comgall’s Ladies almost closing the gap. Mary Shannon fought hard and scored another point, quickly followed by a final point from Niamh Callan for St. Comgall’s Ladies. Eimear O’Hara, due to a knee injury, switched to goals and made some impressive saves for St. Comgall’s. However, despite a great effort made by all the ladies of St. Comgall’s, Laochra Loch Loa managed to maintain their lead to the final whistle.
Official Spnonsors of Antrim Ladies Gaelic Football Saoirse Tennyson lifts the cup after her teams comeback win over Fermanagh
Antrim ladies got the better of Fermanagh at the fourth time
of asking after coming back from five-points behind at the break to defeat the
Erne ladies 0-18-2-09 at Clones in this afternoons TG4 Ulster Junior final.
There was a sense of déjà vu early on as Eimear Smyth rifled
home within the first quarter of a minute and the league champions hit their
second through captain Joanne Donnan after Antrim had closed the deficit and at
the break it was 2-06-0-07.
But Antrim battled back with Cathy Carey and Lara Dahunsi
leading the way in attack and Niamh Enright levelling affairs with a quarter of
the game remaining.
Mairead Cooper departed through injury at the end of the
opening period but upon her reintroduction gave her side the lead for the first
time and the Saffrons forged further ahead to finally get the better of
Fermanagh after three previous failings this season.
Three weeks to the day of the sides last meeting at the
Athletic Grounds; which Fermanagh comprehensively claimed 2-13-0-09 it was round
four at the scene of the sides last final back in May.
Antrims Aine Tubbirty
Fermanagh clinched promotion to division three on that day
thanks to an early goal from Eimear Smyth and the same script was in
circulation as Fermanagh turned over the throw-ball and Smyth took up the
reins, confidently burst forward and rifled past Anna McCann to make it
1-00-0-00 within fifteen seconds.
Cathy Carey pointed for Antrim in response but it was
Fermanagh who were in the ascendancy early on as Molly McGloin, Smyth (free) and Noelle Connolly extended their
sides lead to 1-03-0-01 after ten minutes of play.
Consecutive converted frees from Mairead Cooper and Cathy
Carey reduced the deficit to a goal at the midway point in the half – but Smyth
and Ernesiders captain Joanne Donnan responded with back to back points.
Antrim struck the woodwork twice the opening half – Mairead Cooper watched her high shot crash off the post and the St Pauls corner-forward saw her dipping shot scrambled to safety by Roisin Gleeson in the Fermanagh goal and agonisingly for the Saffrons Caitlin Taggart’s follow-up effort crashed off the crossbar.
Taggart would conjure up two magnificently angled points as
Antrim closed the gap to two for the second time (1-05-0-06 ), though Joanne
Donnan struck her second point of the afternoon and better was still to come
for the Fermanagh skipper.
Eimear Smyth’s free dropped short into the hands of Anna McCann and under pressure from Doonan – McCann spilled the ball and the number ten scrambled the ball into the empty net to make it 2-06-0-06 with just two minutes until the break.
Cathy Carey responded with a converted free for Antrim
before the break – but the Saffrons were dealt a blow as Mairead Cooper
departed through injury through impaired vision before the break and her side
trailed 2-06-0-07.
Lara Dahunsi battles with two Fermanagh opponents during the Ulster final win
Fermanagh increased their lead upon the resumption through
Danielle Maguire’s point – though it was to be her sides last score for ten
minutes as Antrim set upon the comeback trail.
Cathy Carey scored her fourth point of the afternoon and
first from play – the St Ergnat’s corner-forward then converted her fourth free
of the afternoon and further scores from Lara Dahunsi and Orla Corr closed the
gap to two-points with twenty minutes remaining (0-11-2-07).
Eimear Smyth converted her second free of the game – but
Antrim continued to enjoy a period of dominance in attack.
Lara Dahunsi shot over her second point of the half, Emma
Magee popped the ball off to Carey for her sixth score and the Saffrons
deservedly restored parity through Niamh Enright on the 45-minute to make it
0-14-2-08.
A titanic final quarter of saw a cat and mouse game between
the two foes – substitute Blaithin Bogue found space and gave her side the lead
for the second time in the game.
Cathy Carey who scored eight points in Antrims Ulster final win
But the determined Saffrons hit back through Lara Dahunsi’s
third point of the afternoon – with a little help from the crossbar.
Fermanagh missed the chance to restore their lead through
Eimear Smyth – the usually reliable full-forward got her angles wrong from a
free.
Smyth had the chance to atone for her miss, but her shot
dropped to Joanne Doonan at the back-post it looked as though Doonan was about
to slot home her second of the game – however the experienced Emma Kelly had
other ideas and scrambled the ball off the line.
Mairead Cooper declared herself fit to continue for a vital
ten minute period and upon her return to proceedings the St Pauls forward
conjured a vital score as her shot tailed to the right and over the bar to give
the Saffrons a 0-16-2-09 lead.
Antrim manager Sean O’Kane called for composure and his side
had the chance to double their lead through a free – Cathy Carey didn’t need a
second invitation and struck her seventh point of the afternoon through the
set-piece.
Game management was the name of the game and Antrim had the
chance to put three between the sides with little under two minutes until the
whistle. The ever reliable Carey converted her sixth free of game to make it
0-18-2-09.
Fermanagh pressed in desperation for a goal that would have
taken the game to extra-time but the Saffrons determination kept the Ernesiders
at bay and the final whistle brought scenes of joy as Antrim finally claimed a
win over Fermanagh at the fourth time of asking to claim their first Ulster
Junior title since 2016.
Saoirse Tennyson proudly accepted the trophy from Ulster
LGFA president Eileen Jones and raised it aloft to rapturous applause from the
Antrim support at St Tiernach’s Park.
The two sides will meet again for the fifth time in
All-Ireland series later in July and it would take a brave person to bet
against the familiar foes doing battle in GAA headquarters in September.
Antrim: A McCann, N Killen, M Hanna, O Corr (0-01), K
Farren, A McFarland, S Tennyson, E Kelly, L Dahunsi (0-03), C Taggart (0-02), A
Tubridy, S Haughey, M Cooper (0-02, 0-01f), N Enright (0-02), C Carey (0-08,
0-06f). Subs: E Magee for M Cooper (30 mins), M Cooper for C Taggart (50 mins).
Fermanagh: R Gleeson, A Maguire, E Murphy, M Flynn, M
McGloin (0-01), C Murphy, S McQuaid, R O’Reilly, A Flanaghan, J Doonan (1-02),
N Connolly (0-01), D Maguire (0-01), L Maguire, E Smyth (1-03, 0-02f), A
O’Brien. Subs: D McManus for A O’Brien (30 mins), A McGovern for M Flynn (38
mins), B Bogue (0-01) for L Maguire (43 mins), A Woods for D Maguire (47 mins),
S Courtney for N Connolly (58 mins).
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass attempt to collect a third girl’s
title in a row came to an end when they lost in the semi-final to a good
Carryduff side after extra time. They set off on Friday morning with a view to
try and bring home the Feile Cup for the 3rd year in a row. With a very young
team this year they knew they had a big task ahead of them. They overcame all
in sight in the division 2 group which produced a very good standard of
football very but the Marion hill girls stepped up to the mark and from the
oldest to the youngest players, they all did played their part. But today it
came to a nail biting end as they met Carryduff of Dowm in the Semi Final. In a
game that produced some great end to end football the teams couldn’t be separated
at full tim. The St. Ergnats’ girls gave it everything in time added on but
were a little unfortunate to lose by two points.
What a Feile journey St. Ergnat’s have had. A massive well
down to our Antrim Champions Moneyglass
for reaching the semi-final stage in
Divison 2 All Ireland Feile.
