Northern Property Division One

Kevin Herron reports from Hannahstown

A week after securing their first ever win in the Division One ranks, Lámh Dhearg senior ladies backed it up with a first win on home soil this term with a win over Con Magee’s Glenravel at Hannahstown on Monday evening.

Both sides registered within the first two minutes as Robyn Murray’s early free was cancelled out by an Aimee Traynor reply at the other end.

Ciara Larkin restored her sides lead after a patient move involving Maebh Martin and Niamh Webb in the build-up and they extended their lead with the opening goal on the 7^th minute.

The woodwork denied Ciara Doherty and Ciara Larkin but at the third time of asking Doherty thumped to the net.

Con Magee’s responded with Kirsty Laverty swinging a shot over, though the remainder of the half was largely one-way traffic.

Raichael Mulholland struck point either side of a nice Lauren Smyth score. Meabh Martin dropped over an angled score to make it four unanswered before Mulholland added her third of the half after Clodagh Hayes and Sinead McCloskey carried the ball from defence.

The visitors briefly ended the Lámhs momentum with Aimee Traynor doubling her personal tally and they almost found a goal within sixty-seconds- only for Clodagh Hayes to deny Lucia McQuillan on the line.

Lámh Dhearg tagged on two further scores before the break, the first coming after Robyn Murray picked out Meabh Diamond with a fine pass and Diamond clipped over and Meabh Martin would kick her second of the half to ensure her side were in control at the interval.

The Lámhs picked up where they left off at the break as Lauren popped over from play and Robyn Murray converted her second free of the evening.

A third successive point in the half-arrived courtesy of Ciara Larkin before substitute Aoife Fitzsimons claimed the first of many scores that she would conjure in the last twenty minutes.

Niamh Quinn would double her side’s goal tally on the 39^th minute with a blistering shot that was squirmed beneath the grasp of Con Magee’s keeper Caitlin McKeown.

A point followed from Maebh Martin before a quick-fire double sewed up the points at Hannahstown.

Substitute Aoife Fitzsimons added to her earlier point with a goal after making room for a shot and blasting low to the corner and within less than sixty-seconds Ciara Larkin added a fourth.

Fitzsimons added two further points, in between scores from Isla Annett and Maebh Martin before Niamh Donnelly converted a free at the other end for Con Magee’s.

Maebh Diamond added a fifth for the hosts after Fitzsimons found Robyn Murray and Murray unselfishly rolled the ball across to the back post for Diamond to apply the finish.

Late points from Murray and Raichael Mulholland arrived either side of a second Fitzsimons goal in the closing stages as Lámh Dhearg ladies claimed their first Division One win on home soil.

Allianz Cumann na mBunscoil South West girl’s 7’s

Moneynick Primary School are the South West Antrim Allianz Ireland 7-a-side winners for 2024 after navigating their way through an excellent days football in St Comgall’s. Having already secured the indoor title earlier in the school year the Moneynick girls were impressive all over the field to secure the double. Their teamwork and composure on the ball were among the highlights for those looking on.

9 schools arrived at the Antrim venue hoping to emerge victorious and unlike last week for the boy’s competition the weather played its part (for a change!).

Participating teams were St Brigid’s Ballymena, Creggan, St Mary’s Portglenone, Mount St Michael’s Randalstown, St Colmcille’s Ballymena, St Comgall’s Antrim, St Joseph’s Crumlin, Mary Queen of Peace and Moneynick.

The day began with two group’s played in a round robin basis, qualifying for the cup semi-finals were St Comgall’s, St Mary’s Portglenone, Mary Queen of Peace and Moneynick, with the remaining schools battling it out for the shield.

All semi-finals were nip and tuck in both competitions with Creggan and St Joseph’s Crumlin qualifying for the final in the shield. The final itself was tight and tense with some great scores taken and play flowing from end to end, eventually the Creggan girls came out on top and were awarded the shield, well done to them.

The final of the cup saw a strong, skilful and determined St Comgall’s side go up against Moneynick. The game ebbed and flowed and in keeping with the theme of the day was contested by two determined and outstanding teams. Moneynick, displaying their range of skills and abilities emerged victorious in an absorbing final. They progress to the county final carrying with them the best wishes of SW Antrim Cumann na mBunscoil.

A big well done not only to Moneynick and Creggan but to all the participating teams who yet again highlighted that LGFA is going from strength to strength in SW Antrim.

Glenavy 4-8 Clann na Gael 0-7

LGFA U16 Football League

A goal late in the opening half from Anna Rice and a second half hat-trick from Aiobheann Monaghan swung this entertaining LGFA U16 league encounter at Chapel Hill decisively in the direction of home side, St. Joseph’s Glenavy.

Up to this point combination side, Clann na Gael had given as good as they got and matched Glenavy all the way in an entertaining opening half but Rice’s strike after 28 minutes proved a turning point.

Prior to this the visitors had edged into a 0-5 to 0-4 lead with Aoife Rice striking three excellent scores and Lola Devlin and Grace Ferris on target.

Monaghan and Rice shared the Glenavy opening half points and Rice’s late strike would swing the momentum in the direction of the Chapel Hill side.

It still looked anyone’s game as the sides changed ends but Aiobheann Monaghan put the home side in the driving seat when she finished to the net 20 seconds into the second half and Jessica Hotchkiss added a 4^th minute point to move St. Josephs six ahead.

Erin McMullan replied with a point for Clann na Gael but a flowing move from deep in defence saw Monaghan fire home her second and her sides third goal in the 8^th minute to put St. Joseph’s in control.

The home side continued to carry the game to the opposition as Anna Rice, Jessica Hotchkiss and the impressive Aiobheann Monaghan added points with Clan na Gael’s only response coming from their top performer on the night, Aoife Rice.

Glenavy were awarded a penalty with time almost up and forward stepped Aiobheann Monaghan to complete her hat-trick from the spot and put a slightly flattering look on the final scoreline.

St Joseph’s: 1 Olivia Mulholland, 2 Aoife Mooney, 3 Meabh Culiton, 4 Katie Grant, 5 Jessica Morgan, 6 Caoimhe McCartan, 7 Katie Cassidy, 8 Anna Rice, 9 Aoibh Sloan, 10 Jessica Hotchkiss, 11 Aiobheann Monaghan, 12 Sian McNama, 13 Orla Nelson, 14 Emma Rice, 15 Erin McManus

Clann na Gael: 1 Lora McLorinan, 2 Emer Firth, 3 Roisin Quinn, 4 Jessica Mulholland, 5 Niamh George, 6 Emma Meenan, 7 Orlaih Boyle, 8 Katie Longley, 9 Grace Ferris, 10 Erin McMullan, 11 Aoife Rice, 13 Lola Devlin, 14 Beth McCormick, 15 Lauryn Gourley, 17 Clodha Holmes, 18 Ava McMullan, 19 Josslyn McCartney

Antrim Ladies Football Division 2.

Ciceams Ard Eoin 1-12 v St Endas 3-6

Ciceams Ard Eoin and St Endas played out a very competitive and entertaining draw on Sunday evening at Fennell Park in the first league game of the season.

Having missed three early frees in the first 5 minutes Ard Eoin took a four points to nil lead through scores from Kacey McLaughlin, Evie McAllister and two frees from Aideen McDonnell. St Endas recovered to bring the score to 0-4 to 0-3 before two further frees from the accurate Aideen McDonnell stretched the lead to three in her teams favour.

St Endas again fought back to bring the score to 0-6 to 0-5 before Ciceams responded with two excellent points from Evie McAllister and Cadhla Clover. The ever cool McDonnell added two more frees to bring her first half total to six from six giving her a 100% record.

With the half time break approaching and Ard Eoin leading by 0-10 to 0-4 St Endas slipped in for a late goal to close the gap to three points.

Half time score: Ard Eoin 0-10 v St Endas 1-4

On the re-start Anna McGarry raced through to add an excellent point before St Endas scored two fortuitous goals to lead 3-5 – 0-11.

It looked at this stage that it wasn’t going to be Ard Eoin’s day however with around seven minutes left to play the excellent Anna McGarry raced through from 70 meters to score a wonderful goal to bring the sides level. This was followed by what could have been the winning point from the tireless Ashling Anderson however St Endas equalised late on from a free.

Ciceams had 2 opportunities to clinch the win but both went wide to leave the final score Ciceams Ard Eoin 1-12 v St Endas 3-6.

Overall this was an excellent start to the campaign from a young and inexperienced Ard Eoin side with many excellent performances throughout the team. The effort and will to win from everyone was clearly there for all to see.

Special mention must go to Evie McAlister who covered every blade of grass from full forward, chipped in with two points, and won a number of frees with her pacey direct running.

On the down side there were a few injuries picked up by the excellent Orlaith Lynch, Grace McAllister and Amiee McAloran. Hopefully nothing too serious and we’ll see them back soon.

Ard Eoin team and scorers: Saorla Maguire, Niamh McAuley, Colleen McLaughlin, Orlaith Lynch, Ailisa Frame, Lauren Coleman, Grace McAllister, Ashling Anderson (0-1), Anna McGarry (1-1), Tiarna McAuley, Kacey McLaughlin (0-1), Aideen McDonnell (0-6 Frees), Cadhla Glover (0-1), Evie McAllister (0-2) Fiona McKenna. Subs: Aimee McAloran, Natasha Rooney, Erin Mailey, Derbhla Carmichael, Eve Morgan, Cliodhna Lynch.