Category / Ladies Football

by thesaffrongael

Creggan secure LGFA Under 16C title

Northern Property Antrim LGFA Under 16C Championship Final  

Kickhams Creggan 5-7 St Mary’s Aghagallon 3-4  

By Tiernan Millar

Creggan secured the Ladies U16C Championship with a solid performance over Aghagallon on Tuesday night at Dunsilly, but despite the 9-point victory, they didn’t have it all their own way.  

Creggan only had two points to spare after their semi-final encounter with Clan na Gael, but Aghagallon broke the half-century mark as they brushed past Aldergrove a week ago. It was the girls from the north of the loughshore who had the brighter start with Clodagh Maguire registering the first point in the fading light before Aoibh McEldowney added a second, and when Annie Rankin chipped Caoimhe McStravick in the Aghagallon goal, Creggan looked to be cruising to victory.  

Aghagallon were penned in for large periods, never managing to get the ball past their own 65 for most of the first ten minutes, and on the rare occasion they did, Niamh Sargent was there to sweep it up. Cassie Doherty added another point for Kickhams to put them 6 points up.  

Martha Warwick was outstanding for Agahagallon, and helped her team to their first score as she went on a long run out of the backs before feeding Emma Mallon who slotted over the bar. Warwick could have further reduced the deficiet seconds later with a goal when she was through one-on-one with Shauneen Devlin, but she drilled her shot wide to the right.  

Creggan piled on the pressure at the other end when Aoibh McEldowney should have had a goal but misjudged her power at close range and fired over the bar and a second goal came as Clodagh Maguire found Erin Donaghy who danced around the ‘keeper to drive the ball into the back of the Aghagallon net. Maguire dropped a free over the blackspot from about 30 meters out to give Creggan a 10-point lead.  

Olivia Jordan grabbed a goal for Aghagallon to reduce the gap to seven and, at the other end, Anna Devlin thwarted Doherty’s attempt on goal to leave the score Creggan 2-5 to Aghagallon 1-1 at the break.  

The Aghagallon girls started the second half on a better footing as Chloe Geraghty registered a point from a free but the next period minutes would prove fatal for the south-west girls as Cassie Doherty hit two goals in five minutes to kill the game off as a contest.  

Agahgallon’s heads didn’t drop however, and to their credit they continued to battle on. Rose O’Hagan was brought down in front of the Creggan goal and Warwick obliged from the spot. Two minutes later, O’Hagan should have added another goal but blasted over the bar and Geraghty added another point from play for St Mary’s.  

Two quickfire Connie Daly goals for Creggan put a bit of shine on the scoreboard and substitute Cadhla McMinn got her name on the scoresheet with a point, but right at the death in a goalmouth scramble at the other end, Ciara Maginnis got herself a conselation goal as Creggan ran out winners with 9 to spare.  

by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass set up another final meeting with St. Paul’s

Northern Property SFC

Moneyglass 2-18 St. Brigid’s 1-4

Moneyglass completed their group programme unbeaten with a convincing victory over St. Brigid’s and, as was expected, will meet old rivals St. Paul’s in the final on the first of October.

Aine Devlin got the home side off to a great start with a goal in the 2nd minute and points from Cliona Griffin and a couple from Orla Prenter had them in a strong position by the 13th minute with Cliodhna Logan replying with a point for St. Brigid’s in the 7th minute.

St. Ergnat’s continued to extend their lead with points from Alicia Boyd, Ealeanor Mallon and Cathy Carey but a goal from Cliodhna Logan for the visitors in the 27th minute gave the Musgrave Park side a glimmer of hope.

Logan continued to carry the greatest threat for St. Brigid’s and she would add another point just before half time but the final score of the half fell to St. Ergnat’s Orla Prenter to leave her side 1-7 to 1-2 ahead at the break.

St. Brigid’s  added to their tally with a pointed free from Aileen McDonnell in the first minute to close the gap to four points but any hopes of a visitors comeback in the second half were soon dismissed and the Musgrave Park girls would add only one more score, a point from Theresa Mallon.

Moneyglass had been under power up to this point but they suddenly sprung into life and the scores came thick and fast with Orla Prenter again to the fore.

Aine Devlin got them on their way and Prenter followed with another before converting three frees on the bounce.

Sarah O’Neill added another in the 12th minute to put the reigning champions 10 ahead and even at this stage it was all over.

Cathy Carey got her name on the score-sheet before Annie Griffin fired home her sides second goal in the 51st minute and Leah Stewart and two more from Prenter in the final quarter put the contest out of sight.

St. Ergnat’s now play St. Paul’s in a final fixture that has become familiar for more than a decade and will start this one as firm favourites but St. Paul’s will not be too concerned about that and will hope to cause an upset against last year’s beaten Ulster club finalists.

Moneyglass: Anna Mccann, Cara McKeefry, Danielle Duffin, Niamh Neeson, Niamh McIntosh , Rebecca Bradley, Cliona Griffin, Sarah O’Neill , Laura McCann, Eleanor Mallon, Bronagh Devlin , Alica Boyd, Aine Devlin, Orlaith Prenter, Cathy Carey

Subs: Danielle Connolly for Alica Boyd, Leah Stewart for Bronagh Devlin, Annie Griffin for Eleanor Mallom, Megan McGlinchey for Aine Devlin, Mia McLarnon for Cara McKeefry

St. Brigid’s: 1 Julie Curran, 2 Danielle Hargan, 3 Maeve Blaney, 4 Enya Boyce, 5 Caoimhe Herron, 6 Emma Ferran, 7 Ciara Austin, 8 Molly McCarten, 9 Laura Agnew, 10 Aoife Monaghan, 11 Aileen McDonnell, 12 Mary Mitchell, 13 Ellie Murphy, 14 Cliodhna Logan, 15 Theresa Mellon.

Subs: 18 Emile Ni Ogartaigh, 19 Eileen Devlion, 20 Anne Brady

Referee: Fionnuala Murphy

by thesaffrongael

Taggart goal the difference as St. James claim the bragging rights

WS DENNISON Intermediate Football Championship

Aldergrove 1-11 Glenavy 0-13

A goal from the excellent Caitlin Taggart in the 21st minute proved the difference in the end as St. James Aldergrove defeated neighbours, St. Joseph’s Glenavy it terrible conditions in Crumlin on Sunday evening.

Taggart was in excellent form as her side claimed the bragging rights for now in an excellent game of football which was a credit to both sides despite the incessant rain that fell throughout.

It was visitors Glenavy who got off to the better start as Ana Mulholland, Megan McGarry, Grainne McLaughlin and Aoibheann Monaghan fired them into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 5th minute.

In a game of changing fortunes it was St. James Aldergrove who responded positively as Aoife Taggart replied with three points for the home side and another from Nicole Jones had it all square by the 15th minute.

The home side were dominating at this stage and Orlagh Mullin pulled off a smart save in to deny them when a goal looked on but it provided only temporary respite.

Taggart pointed the Crumlin side ahead for the first time from a free in the 20th minute and a minute later she capitalised on a bad kick-out to send a dipping shot over the head of Orlagh Mullin to put her side four ahead.

The Aldergrove number 10 was running riot at this stage and she added a point from play and followed with another from a free to put her side six ahead and they were threatening to run away with it at this stage.

The Chapel Hill side picked themselves up of the floor however with Natasha O’Neill kicking their first score for 20 minutes and Grainne McLaughlin, Megan McGarry, McLaughlin again and Natasha O’Neill kicked unanswered points to leave just one between the sides as the half time whistle sounded.

Half Time: Aldergrove 1-7 Glenavy 0-9

Ther momentum was very much with the visitors as the opening half came to an end and when Grainne McLaughlin fired over the equaliser after 30 seconds of the new half it was St. Joseph’s who were looking the more likely winners.

Aldergrove were having none of it and spurred on by their talisman, Caitlin Taggart they fired over the next two points to restore their lead but as conditions deteriorated the scoring from both sides slowed down.

Natasha O’Neill closed the gap to the minimum once more with a point for Glenavy in the 16th minute and Paula Masterson for St. James and the excellent Grainne McLaughlin for Glenavy exchanged further minors.

It still looked anybody’s game as it entered the final ten minutes but Caitlin Taggart converted a great free from out on the left to move the Crumlin side two in front.

Glenavy pressed hard in the closing stages but despite a brave effort from the visitors, an Ana Mulholland point with two minutes remaining was as close as they would get.

So for now the bragging rights belong to the Crumlin side but Glenavy can take consolation from the fact that these two sides will meet again in the Intermediate final and it offers them the opportunity to avenge tonight’s defeat.

St. James Aldergrove:  1 Anna McBride, 2 Bronach Mallon, 3 Anna Crossan, 4 Grace O’Neill, 5 Rebecca Marquess, 6 Aine Kelly, 7 Colleen McGuinness, 8 Caoimhe Bell, 9 Katierose Bell, 10 Caitlin Taggart, 11 Nicole Jones, 12 Bronagh McGuinness, 13 Emma McArt, 14 Aoife Taggart, 15 Paula Masterson

 St. Joseph’s Glenavy: 1 Orlagh Mullin, 2 Maire McStravick, 3 Meabh Bradley, 4 Aideen McCambridge, 5 Orla McLeod, 6 Bronagh Forester, 7 Natasha O’Neill, 8 Ana Mulholland, 9 Anna Rice, 10 Aoibheann Monaghan, 11 Grainne McLaughlin, 12 Megan McGarry, 13 Ellen Morgan, 14 Cathy Scannell, 15 Michelle Gregory.

Referee: Sean Toal

by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass advance to another final

LGFA Ladies U16A Championship

Moneyglass v St. Gall’s

Holders Moneyglass look odds on favourites to retain their trophy following this resounding win over St. Gall’s at Marian Hill on Tuesday night.

The home side were relentless right from throw in as they hit eight points in the opening 18 minutes with Josephine Darragh 0-4, Katie McCloskey 0-2 Rubvy 0-1 and Annie Griffin 0-1 the players on target.

St. Gall’s were giving it everything they had but had only a pointed free from Shauneen Stewart to show for their efforts.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly dismissed however as Katie McCloskey rattled the St. Gall’s net in the 22nd and 24th minutes and Annie Griffin and Josephine Darragh added points before Shauneen Stewart converted her second free of the half for the visitors as the game edged into time added on.

HT Moneyglass 2-10 St. Gall’s 0-2

Any thoughts that St. Ergnat’s would ease up in the second half were soon dismissed as Josephine Darragh, Leah Stewart, Annie Griffin and Mia McLarnon added points by the 13th minute with Aoife Garland raising St. Gall’s only point from play.

The home side continued to dominate in every department despite the best efforts of their opponents and the excellent Katie McCloskey finished to the net for her third and fourth goals at the end of the third quarter.

Josephine Darragh, Katie McCloskey 0-2, Josephine Darragh and Leah Cassidy added points before Ruby McErlain got through for St. Ergnat’s 5th goal with five minutes remaining.

The reigning champions finished as they started with Leah Stewart 0-2 and Annie Griffin adding points and they will now meet Clann hEireann Cargin, who defeated Gort na Mona 3-10 to 0-12 in the other semi-final, next Tuesday, 19th September in the decider.

by thesaffrongael

Dahunsi powers St. Paul’s to victory

Northern Property LGFA SFC

St. Paul’s 2-15 St. Brigid’s 2-8

St. Paul’s and St. Brigid’s served up an entertaining game of football in the LGFA Northern Property Senior Football Championship at Shaw’s Road on Sunday.

The home side always held the upper hand and led by 0-10 to 0-5 at the break and a goal from Emilie Duffy midway through the second half put them in a strong position.

Emma McFerran replied with a goal for the Musgrave Park side in the 52nd minute to give them hope but a second St. Paul’s goal from Lara Dahunsi from the penalty spot put the home side in control.

St. Brigid’s fought right to the end and were rewarded for their efforts when Ciara Austin got through for a goal in injury time but it proved too little-too late.

It was St. Paul’s who got off to the better start with Lara Dahunsi pointing them ahead after 25 seconds and the same player added another by the second minute.

Laura Agnew replied with St. Brigid’s opening point but Dahunsi was presenting problems on the ’40’ and she came back with two more to bring her personal tally to four with only 6 minutes gone.

St. Brigid’s were giving it everything to get their own game going and Hanna D saw her effort come back off a post and it was Lara Dahunsi who would continue to torment the visitors defence.

The Musgrave Park girls found their shooting boots during the second quarter with Cliodhna Logan and Laura Agnew bringing their total to five by the half way stage but Lara Dahunsi and Emilie Duffy kept the score board ticking for St. Paul’s to leave them five ahead at the break.

Half time score: St Brigids 0-5(5) St Paul’s 0-10(10)

St. Paul’s continued to edge the exchanges on the restart as they added four further points by the 5th minute with St. Brigid’s only response coming from a Laura Agnew free.

Lara Dahunsi replied with another point for St. Paul’s before Elilie Duffy fired home the game’s opening goal in the 14th minute.

Both sides exchanged points and a goal from Emma Ferran in the 22nd minute gave St. Birigid’s a glimmer of hope but four minutes later Lara Dahunsi fired home from the penalty spot to put the contest out of reach.

To their credit St. Brigid’s continued to fight and a goal from Ciara Austin as the game crept into injury time closed the gap to seven but only served to put a better reflection on the score-line.

Lara Dahunsi was superb for the Shaw’s Road side and finished the game with 1-6 while Emilie Duffy and Ciara Brown were also prominent and contributed 1-2 for a good all round St. Paul’s side.

Laura Agnew carried the greatest threat for St. Brigid’s and finished with 0-3 to her credit while Emma Ferran and Ciara Autin were the St. Brigid’s goal scorers.

St. Paul’s:1 Shauna Murphy, 2 Caoimhe Stewart, 3 Aoife Sullivan, 4 Cliona  Phillips, 5 Gemma McGroarty, 6 Stacy McCann, 7 Enya Daye, 8 Aine Lynch, 9 Seana Moyes, 10 Niamh Ritchie,11 Lara Dahunsi, 12 Aisling Hyndman, 13 Aoife Mervyn, 14 Emilie Duffy,15 Ciara Brown

St Brigids:1 – Julie Colgan, 2 – Caoimhe, 3 – Aoife Murnaghan, 4 – Cora,  5 – Cliodhna McG,  6 – Emma Ferran, 7 Theresa Mellon, 8 – Maeve 9  Laura Agnew, 10 – Ciara Austin, 11 – Aileen, 12 – Mary Mitchell, 13 – Hanna D,14 – Cliodhna Logan, 15 – Ellie Murphy

Referee: Piarais McCaffery