Nine years ago today, May 29th 2017 we covered our first game as the Saffron Gael. Since that first match in Armoy between Dunloy and Loughgiel in the final of the Under 21 Hurling Championship we have posted countless match reports, previews and interviews and upwards on 15,000 photographs. To all who have supported us, especially our sponsors who we simply could not do without, to those volunteers who have taken photos and written reports and clubs who have given us their support we truly thanks you.
This is a link to that first game that Monday evening in Armoy.
Antrim retained their Ulster Junior title with a dominant display over Derry. Tight defending, a powerful midfield duo and sharp forwards helped the Saffrons to a 15 point victory.
Derry’s Aine Ni Lochlainn opened the scoring with a pointed free and Antrim then had a goal disallowed and were denied another by some brave goal keeping by Thomasina Cassidy. In the eleventh minute Ni Lochlainn doubled her tally with another free as the Derry girls made a bright start.
Antrim took a while to turn territorial dominance into scores but they finally got off the mark with a 13th minute point from Maria O Neill and then hit another 2-4 without reply. O Neill hit the first goal in the 16th minute and then turned provider for Aoibheann Monaghan who found the bottom corner, soccer style. Midfielders Aine Tubridy and Omolara Dahunsi both pointed while O’Neill contributed another couple. Ni Lochlainn and Niamh Hannon cancelled two of the points however the last say of the half was from Theresa Mellon whose point helped the Saffron’s to a 2-6 to 0-4 interval lead.
Antrim were quick out of the traps in the second half as Tubridy Monaghan and O Neill all pointed within the five minutes of the restart. Kate Hargan found the net for Derry with seven gone and then Jemma Shivers fired over. In the 12th minute Aine Tubridy’s shot ended up in the net via the crossbar and further points followed from Dahunsi, Mellon and wing back Laura Agnew.
The final ten minutes was full of drama. Oak Leafer Ni Lochlainn netted from a close in free before Antrim’s Aoife Taggart saw yellow. Hannon and O Neill traded points but Antrim remained dominant and further points arrived courtesy of Mellon, Monaghan and captain, Bronagh Devlin. With just seven seconds left on the clock Dahunsi fired over from over 40 meters to finish a player of the match performance with a two pointer. Full time score Antrim 3-18 Derry 2-6.
Antrim – A. Devlin, E. Kearns, M. Blayney, M. Mullholland, L. Agnew (0-1), C. Brown, D. Coleman, O. Dhaunsi (0-4), A. Tubridy 1-2, T. Mellon (0-3), M. O Neill (1-5), A. Davidson, E. Mc Areavey, B. Devlin (0-1) and A. Monaghan (1-2)
Subs Used – A. Taggart, L. Mc Nicholl and A. Mullholland
Derry – T. Cassidy, C. Dillon, L. Brewster, A. Mulligan, A. Donnelly, B. Donnelly, S. Heron, S. Duggan, C. Donnelly, K. Hannon (1-0), C. Moore, N. Hannon (0-2), R. Doherty, A. Ni Lochlainn (1-3) and J. Slevin.
Subs Used – S. Hargan, A. Crozier, A. Mc Allister and E. Dillon
Referee – S. McGoldrick (Fermanagh)
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Coaching Team: Ciaran Doherty, Niamh Doherty, James Duffin, Paddy McLaughlin
Another Leap Forward
Last week, the girls put in a great performance against Wolfe Tones with a score of 8-13 to 1-1. The win moved them up to the middle of the league table and put wind in their sails.
Tonight’s match was played during a beautiful evening in Portglenone. And our girls made the most of the fine weather. Sunny, mild, and most importantly dry! Around a third of the panel had been playing camogie until 7:15pm. But everyone was changed, warmed up, and ready for throw-in shortly after 7:30.
Amanda Leahy from Moneyglass had the whistle.
Third League Game of 2026
Ard Eoin are a strong Belfast club with history behind them, and they came ready to play. But Roger Casements went straight for the jugular with two shots at the net inside the first few minutes. Both went wide. But the message was sent. After that, Niamh Smith, Maria O’Boyle, and Chloe Duffin kept the scores ticking. Aisling McGill and Evie Rose McErlean were a constant threat around goal. And Ciara McVeigh and Caiti Louise McGill held the shape at full forward, keeping their defense working hard.
Nessa McKenna and Tiarna McErlain put in a solid effort at the back. Tiarna blocked what looked like a certain goal and drew a well-earned roar of approval from the home crowd. When called upon Ílinn McLaughlin, Molly Watson, and Caoimhe Marron closed ranks on defense, plugging gaps and forming a sturdy wall against the opposition. Keeper, Emily Padgett maintained constant communication with her defense and fed the ball cleanly up to Rebecca Kennedy and Sarah Mary O’Boyle in midfield who in turn fought strong and played it to the attack. It was a well-oiled machine, requiring only minor adjustments here and there. Roger Casements hit half time with 3-3 to Ard Eoin’s 0-3.
Threat Incoming
A few changes, including Emily coming up to play the middle, and Áine McCormack coming on to harry their defense.
Ard Eoin came roaring back in the second half and planted several goals to make things interesting. But Roger Casements didn’t flinch. They tightened up and countered. Clodagh McDonnell got in on the scoring action. Aisling kept winning the ball. Maria applied pressure on their net from an angle. Our girls got good at opening a gap down the middle and Niamh took full advantage, moving up the pitch at speed for several more goals. Molly moved up and presented a constant threat, popping shots from their left. And Caoimhe closed the gap on their defense several times, making the sprint from mid-field look easy. Roger Casements rattled in 5 more goals and 2 more points to seal the win.
Final Score
Roger Casements Portglenone 8-5
Ciceam Ard Eoin 3-3
Two weeks ago, they sat at the bottom of the table. Tonight they sit third. If you aren’t watching this team, you should be.
It goes without saying that we coaches are proud of every single girl on the team, and we look forward to seeing where the next few games take them.
A week later the girls in the area assembled at All Saints’ GAC on the Woodside Road in Ballymena for the LGFA event.
The number of schools taking part, the skill and fitness levels and the competitive nature of the games is a testament to how LGFA is growing as a sport in SW Antrim.
Once again the sun decided to shine, making sure all the girls had a great day.
Similar to the boy’s competition the games were played in a great spirit.
The cup competition saw the Ballymacrickett girls in no mood to be out done by their male counterparts, defeating Millquarter PS by the narrowest of margins.
In the shield St Brigid’s Ballymena enjoyed success for the second year in a row over, coming their neighbours St Colmcille’s.
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Antrim minors fell to a brace of late goals from group leaders Down in a seesaw encounter at Colaiste Feirste.
Down settled the better of the two teams and with Rice McHugh and Clodagh Shannon in good form raced to an early lead. The Saffrons to their credit kept working hard and as the game progressed they chipped away at the Mourne lead with scores from Jojo Darragh, Aoife Fitzsimons and Erin Stewart taking well worked points.
Down had goaled midway through the half but Antrim finished the better as an opportunist goal by Orlaith McCrory and a brace of points from Chloe Boyd-Munce gave the home team the halftime lead.
Antrim 1-7 Down 1-6
Down brought on All Ireland winning captain Isa McCarron at the break while Antrim introduced Aoibhean Monaghan and Evie McAllister.
The Mourne girls got the perfect start as they goaled from the first attack and looked to have taken control. To their credit Antrim stuck to their task and a clever finish by the irresistible skipper Leah Stewart gave her team the advantage again.
Down picked off a couple of points but were rocked when McAllister arrowed a brilliant finish to the net.
Erin Stewart then pointed from a free but some wasteful passing and good Down pressure meant this was the young Saffs final score.
Down hadn’t finished though and a fortunate third goal and then a sharp finish by the impressive McHugh saw them take the spoils. Antrim 3-8 Down 4-10
The home team were well served by McCavana Lynch and McGurk in defence while Lara Scullion battled gamely throughout.
Once again Antrim were depleted due to injury and illness but they never looked sorry for themselves. Down were good value for the win with the clinical finishing of McHugh always difficult to counter.
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