Category / Ladies Football

by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass storm into semi-final

Ulster LGFA SFC quarter-final

Moneyglass 4-9 Bredagh 1-5

Moneyglass advanced to the semi-final of the Ulster LGFA Senior Football championship with a comprehensive win over Down champions, Bredagh as storm Ashley made conditions difficult at their new Loughbeg Road ground on Sunday evening.

A goal from Orlaith Prenter in the 11th minute saw St. Ergnat’s take brief respite from the elements as they headed to the dressing rooms leading 1-6 to 0-4 at the break but at this stage it was still very much in the balance.

After the break the Marian Hill side pushed on to add three further majors through Aoife Leahy, Cliona Griffin and Orlath Prenter to run out convincing winners in the end and set up a semi-final meeting with Ulster champions, Clann Eireann.

It was St. Ergnat’s who opened strongly at Loughbeg Road as Orlaith Prenter pointed them ahead from a free in the 3d minute but the visitors were then handed the opportunity to take the lead but Maebh Kelly had her penalty saved by Aine Devlin in the St. Ergnat’s goals.

Leah Stewart added a point for the home side and this was immediately followed by Orlaith Prenter’s opening goal in the 11th minute to move the home side five in front.

Bredagh had been under the cosh but Laoise Duffy opened their account with a point in the 15th minute with Prenter replying at the other end before Maire O’Neill and Eva Hicks for the visitors exchanged further points.

Hicks added her second of the evening to close the gap to four before Prenter from her second free of the afternoon and Eilish Ward exchanged further points to leave it 1-5 to 0-4 in favour of the home side at the break.

The Antrim champions put the game to bed in the third quarter as Aoife Leahy fired home their second goal in the 4th minute and points from Orlaith Prenter (f) and Maire O’Neill moved them nine ahead before Cliona Griffin hammered home her side’s third major of the game in the 10th minute.

The Down champions rang the changes but it would be 18 minutes before Claire Timmony opened their second half account from a free and Aislinn Keenan followed with another from play.

The home side were still very much in control as Laura McCann got her name on the score card with a good point but Bredagh were still fighting hard and were rewarded for their efforts when Eilish Ward finally breeched the home defence to find the net.

It would prove to be too little-too late as Orlaith Prenter responded with her second goal of the evening for St. Ergnat’s, deep into injury time and substitute Bronagh Devlin wrapped matters up with a point in the 35th minute.

The Moneyglass girls will not have long to celebrate and they face a much stiffer test when they travel to Lurgan in the semi-final to take on reigning Ulster champions, Clann Eireann in two weeks-time but in this form they will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

Moneyglass: 1 Aine Devlin, 2 Danielle Duffin, 3 Niamh McIntosh, 4 Niamh Neeson, 5 Aoife Leahy, 6 Sarah O’Neill, 7 Rebecca Bradley, 8 Aoife Kelly, 9 Laura McCann, 10 Annie Griffin, 11 Cathy Carey, 12 Cliona Griffin, 13 Maire O’Neill, 14 Orlaith Prenter, 15 Jo Jo Darragh,

Subs: 20 Leah Stewart, 19 Emma Louise McAreavey, 17 Bronagh Devlin

Bredagh: 1 Maeve Deery, 2 Orna Kelly, 4 Ciara McCreanor, 5 Aoife McCamphill, 6 Aislinn Keenan, 7 Orla Duffy, 8 Niamh Edgar, 9 Aoife Laverty, 10 Laoise Duffy, 11 Clare Timmoney, 12 Eilish Ward, 13 Maebh Kelly, 14 Vivienne McCormack, 15 Eva Hicks

Subs: 19 Muirin McCreanor, 20 Erin Watson, 21 Orlagfh Blaney

Referee: Dermot McColgan

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by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass retain their title

LGFA SFC Final

St. Ergnat’s 3-16 St. Brigid’s 1-7

The Moneyglass juggernaut rolls on with little sign of abating and on Sunday in Glenavy it was the turn of St. Brigid’s to feel the full force of this excellent St. Ergnat’s machine as they recorded their fourth Senior Championship success in a row.

St. Brigid’s are no slouches themselves and have established themselves as number 2 in the county following their semi-final win over former kingpins St. Paul’s and the Musgrave Park side made a bright start to Sunday’s decider.

Aoife Montague pointed them ahead in the opening minute but Orlaith Prenter replied from two frees to put the Marian Hill side ahead for the first time by the 5th minute.

That lead didn’t last long as Erin Boyle restored Naomh Brid’s lead with a goal from the penalty spot, much to the delight of the Musgrave Park support who had travelled to Chapel Hill.

That scored seemed to bring the reigning champions to life as the imperious Prenter hit three in as many minutes to edge her side ahead once more but Ellie Murphy replied with a point for St. Brigids to leave it all square with 13 minutes gone.

That would be as good as it got for the Musgrave Park girls as Prenter kicked her sixth and then seventh point of the evening with Maria O’Neill following with her side’s opening goal and Aoife Kelly adding a point to move St. Ergnat’s six ahead by the 21st minute.

Moneyglass full forward Prenter was on fire and she would add two further points before the break with Aoife Montague replying from two converted frees for St. Brigid’s who trailed by six as the teams headed to the dressing room.

Safe pair of hands! Orlaith Prenter gets her hands on the Senior Championship Cup

After the interval Charlie O’Kane’s side stepped it up another gear with Cathy Carey firing to the net in the opening minute and Orlaith Prenter adding a point before Aoife Montague replied for Naomh Brid with a point in the 6th minute.

It would be a further 21 minutes before the Musgrave girls would raise another flag as Moneyglass hit six points on the bounce through Prenter 0-3, Maria O’Neill, Rebecca Bradley and Cathy Carey and when Bronagh Devlin followed with a goal in the 26th minute it was all over.

To their credit St. Brigid’s continued to battle to the end and their best player, Aoife Montague pointed and another from Theresa Mellon sandwiched Moneyglass’ final point from Alica Boyd as the reigning champions ran out convincing winners.

It’s been another dominant season for the Marian Hill side as they have won with something to spare against all they have encountered but they face a step up in class when they entertain Bredagh of Down in two weeks-time.

Manager Charlie O’Kane and his assistants, Maxi Curran and Annemarie McCormick will have their side well prepared for the visit of the Down champions as they make another assault on Ulster and will be hoping that this could be their year.

Moneyglass: 1 Aine Devlin, 2 Danielle Duffin, 3 Niamh McIntosh, 4 Niamh Neeson, 5 Aoife Leahy, 6 Sarah O’Nrill, 7 Rebecca Bradley, 8 Aoife Kelly, 9 Laura McCann, 10 Annie Griffin, 11 Cathy Carey, 12 Cliona Griffin, 13 Maria O’Neill, 14 Orlaith Prenter, 15 Jo Jo Darragh

Naomh Brid: 1 Erin Boyle, 2 Enya Boyce, 3 Maeve Blaney, 4 Cora Leonard5 Caoimhe Hefferon, 6 Rebecca Barker, 7 Madeline Little, 8 Theresa Mellon, 9 Bronagh King, 10 Emma Farren, 11 Aileen McDonnell, 12 Ciara Austin, 13 Ellie Murphy, 14 Aoife Montague, 15 Hanna Donaghy,

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by thesaffrongael

St. Gall’s are Intermediate champions following strong second half performance

LGFA IFC Final

St. Gall’s 2-9 St. John’s 0-6

A strong second half performance from St. Gall’s with the elements in their favour saw them turn around a half time deficit to beat St. John’s comfortably in the end in this Intermediate Championship final at windy Glenavy on Saturday.

St. John’s more than held their own during an evenly balanced opening half but received a bad blow when Maebh Laverty had to leave the field following what looked a serious injury.

Play was held up for six minutes due to Laverty’s in jury with Orla Corr kicking the final point of the half to give the Whiterock girls a narrow 0-4 to 0-3 half time lead.

It was a different story after the break and with the elements now in their favour it was the Milltown Row side who took control with goals from Alexandra Burns in the 9th minute and another from Erin Stewart in injury time securing them a comfortable victory.

It was Hannah McGirr who gave St. Gall’s the lead with a point in the 2nd minute with Luisna Adams squaring maters with a similar score with five minutes gone.

Nicole Killen and Alexandra Burns moved St. Gall’s two in front by the 9th minute but Anna Adams replied from a free and Olivia Todd squared matters for the second time as she sent over in the 22nd minute.

St. John’s Meabh laverty is helped from the field following injury in the IFC Final against St. Gall’s

The last piece of action following a lengthy stoppage for Maebh Laverty’s injury saw Orla Corr on target for the Johnnies as they headed to the Glenavy dressing rooms carrying a slender one point lead.

St. Gall’s, aided by the elements made a bright start to the second half with an equalising point from Alexandra Burns and when the same player fired to the St. John’s net in the 9th minute they were in control.

Further points from Erin Stewart and Hannah McGirr moved St. Gall’s five in front as St. John’s found scores hard to come by against the wind but Luisna Adams finally got the off the mark with a point in the 15th minute.

They would add only one further score with Anna Adams replying to good Hannah McGirr point from play and Erin Stewart wrapped it up with a goal and a point for the Milltown side, her goal arriving deep in added time.

A good game of football with both sides playing their part but in the end St. Gall’s were comfortable winners.

A word of praise for the host club Glenavy who had their ground in excellent condition and ensured everything ran like clockwork and we at the Saffron Gael wish Maebh Laverty of St. John’s a speedy recovery following what looked a serious injury.

St. Gall’s: 1 Abbie Browning, 2 Fiona Johnston, 3 Claire Cosgrove, 4 Ciarra Culbert, 5 Erin Hughes, 6 Nicole McKeown, 7 Eimile McKeown, 8 Aoife Turley, 9 Roise Morris, 10 Megan Dowds, 11 Nicole Killen, 12 Hannah McGirr, 13 Erin Stewart, 14 Aine Sheehan, 15 Alexandra Burns

St. John’s: 1 Sinead McAleavey, 2 Ciar Nic Riocaird, 3 Aine Dudley, 4 Ceara Carelton, 5 Niamh McArdle, 6 Niamh Hamill, 7 Olivia Cardwell, 8 Orla Corr, 9 Olivia Todd, 10 Hannah McAllister, 11 Maebh Laverty, 12 Carla Hamill, 13 Anna Adams, 14 Debbie Boyd, 15 Luisna Adams

Referee: Barry Hotchkiss (Glenavy)

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by thesaffrongael

Lamh Dhearg claim Junior title

Antrim LGFA Junior Football Championship final

Lámh Dhearg 1-18 O’Donovan Rossa 0-3

Lamh Dhearg proved too strong for Rossa in this LGFA Junior Championship final in Glenavy on Saturday. The Shaw’s Road girls hung in during the opening half but the Hannastown side found another gear after the break to win comfortably.

Despite playing into the gale force wind in the opening half Lamh Dhearg led by a goal at the interval and even at this stage it was hard to visualise anything other than a win for the Red Hands.

The excellent Aoife Fitzsimmons was the architect in chief for a smooth moving Lamh Dhearg machine and would finish the game with 0-6 to her name as she gave an exhibition of scoring.

Playing into a strong wind, the Hannahstown side maintained possession and worked the ball patiently before taking their scores.

Robyn Murray got the Hannastown side off the mark before Rossa hit back immediately with Elmer Matthews splitting the posts, but they were hit on the counter in the sixth minute as Ráichéal Mullholland’s shot looked to be drifting wide but, Aoibhean Larkin was lurking unmarked and finished from close range.

 Sophie Ball blocked an Isla Annett effort as Lamh Dhearg threatened again and Rossa began to grow into it, yet the wind at their backs wasn’t a huge help at times with kick passes carrying well beyond their target.

They did have their chances as Meadhbh Gallagher intercepted an Orlaith Webb kick-out but shot straight at the Lámh Dhearg goalkeeper and late in the half, Aoife McKenna found herself one-on-one but again Webb was up to the task as her team took a 1-2 to 0-2 lead into the half.

With the wind now at their backs Lamh Dhearg began to exert control with Amelie Annett marking her arrival just two minutes after the break, scoring with her first touch.

The teenager would finish with seven in all as Aoife Fitzsimmons showed her class with half a dozen of her own, while Robyn Murray chipped in with another two and even midfielder Ráichéal Mulholland got in on the act with a well-taken score.

Rossa never gave up but came up against a side who were better all round on the day and a late pointed free by Aoife McKenna was all they had to show for their second-half efforts as Lámh Dhearg claimed the title in fine style.

LÁMH DHEARG: O Webb; C Hayes, S McCloskey, E McGarry; N Quinn, N Webb, T Fegan; R Mulholland (0-1), C Larkin; A Larkin (1-0), R Murray (0-4, 1f), I Annett; M Diamond, C Doherty, M Martin.

Subs: A Annett (0-7) for C Doherty (HT), A Fitzsimmons (0-6) for M Martin (HT), L Smyth for M Diamond (42), S Kennedy for T Fegan (55), M Megraw for E McGarry (57), D McAufield for S McCloskey (blood-sub, 60+2-FT).

ROSSA: E Rea; S Bell, S Erskine, S Armstrong; E Taylor, G Holbrook, E Rogan; E Doyle, K Ferran; A Copeland, E Matthews (0-1), R Tubridy; M Gallagher, A McKenna (0-2f), Roise Matthews.

Subs: Riona Matthews for M Gallagher (30+1), G Ward for E Rogan (45), B Rogan for S Bell (47), O Little for A Copeland (48), R McCourt for E Trainor (48), S Brown for Roise Matthews (48), E Early for G Holbrook (57), G White-Davey for R Tubridy (57).

REFEREE: Richie Leahy (Moneyglass)

by thesaffrongael

Five-star champions through to another final

LGFA Ladies SFC Semi-Final

St. Ergnat’s 5-14 Glenavy 0-6

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass advanced into another Antrim Senior Championship final as they recorded a runaway victory over St. Joseph’s Glenavy in a one sided semi-final on Sunday.

The Chapel Hill girls have enjoyed a good season themselves and the former Ulster Junior finalists gave it everything against their more accomplished opponents but the gap between the Marian Hill side and the rest of the pack shows little sign of closing.

Moneyglass raced into a 2-7 to 0-3 half time lead with goals from Katie McCloskey and Jo Jo Darragh and even at this stage it was hard to see St. Joseph’s staging a comeback.

The reigning Antrim champions would push on to add a further three majors in the second half with Katie McCloskey, Jo Jo Darragh and Leah Cassidy rattling the Glenavy net as they pushed on to win convincingly.

It was Glenavy who were first off the mark when Eva Ramsey pointed them ahead in the 4th minute but two converted frees from Cathy Carey had St. Ergnat’s ahead by the 7th minute.

St. Joseph’s were giving it everything and Anna Rice and Megan McGarry had them back on terms by the 10th minute but it would prove to be their final score of the half.

Katie McCloskey’s goal in the 15th minute saw the Marian Hill side find another gear as Sarah O’Neill, Annie Griffin, Jo Jo Darragh and Cathy Carey added points and by half time the game looked out of reach of the Chapel Hill side.

By that stage they had moved seven ahead thanks to a second goal from Jo Jo Darragh and things would not get any better for St. Joseph’s after the break.

They did manage another three points from frees with Ellen Morgan leading the way with two and the other coming from Anna McStravick but there would be no let up from the Marian Hill side with places in the final up for grabs.

Jo Jo Darragh kicked three early points before Katie McCloskey got through for her second goal and her sides third and Cathy Carey 0-2 and Maria O’Neill added further points with Cassidy and Darragh adding late goals to seal a comprehensive victory for the reigning champions.

They will meet St. Brigid’s in the final after they defeated St. Paul’s in the other semi-final at Musgrave Park in a real cracker that was in the balance until late in the game with St. Brigid’s emerging 1-11 to 1-10 winners in a great game of football.

Moneyglass: 1 Aine Devlin, 2 Niamh Neeson, 3 Niamh McIntosh, 4 Aoife Leahy, 5 Danielle Duffin, 6 Rebecca Bradley, 7 Danielle Connolly, 8 Sarah O’Neill, 9 Aoife Kelly, 10 Annie Griffin, 11 Maria O’Neill, 12 Cliona Griffin, 13 Cathy Carey, 14 KatieMcCloskey 15 Jo Jo Darragh, 21 Leah Cassidy

Glenavy: 1 Orlagh Mullin, 2 Aideen McCambridge, 3 Meabh Bradley, 4 Geraldine McCann, 5 Bronagh Forester, 6 Cathy Scannell, 7 Natasha O’Neill, 8 Eva Ramsey, 9 Anna Rice, 10 Anna McStravick, 11 Ellen Morgan, 12 Aoibhin Gormley, 13 Megan McGarry, 14 Aoibheann Monaghan, 15 Mary McStravick

Referee: Stephen Higgins (Tir na nOg)

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