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.
TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE GIRLS BLITZ CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
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.
TO VIEW MORE PICS FROM THE ANTRIM V DOWN GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Antrim senior ladies gained promotion to Division two of the national league following their two point victory over Down on Sunday.
This win secures back to back promotions for Antrim, something this group can be really proud of.
Indeed with only seconds remaining Antrim were down by 2 but a long ball into the square from Theresa Mellon found its way to Laura Agnew who somehow managed to finish to the Down net.
Antrim played against a very strong wind in the opening half but were probably unlucky to go in at half time 3 points down.
Even against the wind Antrim were dominant but just couldn’t convert all their chances into scores.
The second half started well for Antrim when they hit two points and reduced the lead to the bear minimum.
But Down hit them with a sucker punch of a goal and Antrim had to regroup again…
But this team just never gives up and they chipped away at Down’s lead to again leave the bare minimum in it with time running out.
The Saffrons pushed hard and with virtually the last kick of the game Laura Agnew found the net to send the Antrim supporters wild and confirm promotion for the team.
This game lived up to its billing of a shootout with promotion the prize for the winners and the result was in doubt right up to the final seconds.
Antrim management said after the game:
This is a remarkable achievement for these girls.
They work so hard and give up so much of their time to play county football.
Every player in our group played in the league this year so credit to them all as each and every one of them have helped Antrim reach division two.
They now look forward to the national league final on Sunday April 12th against Louth. Venue to be confirmed later!
Antrim Scorers …
Maria O Neill 0-3
Ciara Brown 1-0
Laura Agnew 1-0
Theresa Mellon 0-2
Lara Dahunsi 0-1
Alyssa Davison 0-1
Aine Lynch 0-1
TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE KELLY’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Antrim ladies overcome the challenge of Laois on Sunday by a winning margin of two points in what was a battle from start to finish.
It was a physical contest throughout with both sides giving it everything.
From the very start of this game these Antrim girls showed they wouldn’t be out muscled and were absolutely relishing the type of game that they were involved in.
Both teams traded early scores but a fantastic move from back to front from the saffrons ended with Maria Oneill scoring a screamer of a goal .
Antrim were playing against a strong breeze in the opening half and were happy to go in at the short whistle all square.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with both teams giving their all and exchanging score for score .
In the final 20 minutes Antrim got reduced to 13 players but such is the resilience and character of this team and their never say die attitude they worked so hard for each other and kept the ball really well.
With the game entering additional time and the teams level up stepped Aiobheann Monaghan and Maria O Neill to slot o er a point each and give the saffrons victory.
Antrim now play Down next week in which has become a shoot out as the winner will get promoted and also reach the national league final
AntrimScorers:
Maria O Neill 1-3
Bronagh Devlin 1-1
Lara Dahunsi 0-1
Theresa Mellon 0-1
Aiobheann Monaghan 0-1
Cliodhna Logan 0-1
TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Friday 13th March –Report and photos from Michael Corcoran at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan
It was the most anticipated annual event celebrating club campaigns through Ulster from the season of 2025. In a packed ballroom with upwards of five hundred guests, the evening’s MC, Connor Phillips, kept proceedings to a tight schedule either side of an excellent three course meal.
Antrim players were successful in taking to the stage, appearing across the three of the four codes and picking up further accolades for individual awards. Here’s a rundown of the awards picked up by Antrim players and managers on the night.
Ladies managers of the year – Maxi Curran and Charlie O’Kane (Moneyglass)
Camogie manager of the year – Johnny Campbell (Loughgiel)
Dual player – Maeve Mulholland (Brídíní Oga/Con Magees)
Hall of Fame – Gregory O’Kane (Dunloy)
Ladies Footballer of the Year – Maria O’Neill (Moneyglass)
Camogie Player of year – Clare McKillop (Loughgiel)
Ladies Football All Stars – Aine Devlin, Niamh McIntosh, Caitlin Graffin, Sarah O’Neill, Maria O’Neill and Cathy Carey from Moneyglass.
Hurling All Stars – Domhnall Nugent and Oisin McManus from St. John’s
