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
Antrim minors got their Ulster campaign off to a great start with an impressive performance against a hardworking and resilient Erne side.
Antrim got off to a flying start when Evie McAllister scored a well taken goal to begin the game. After a number of missed opportunities the young Saffs took control through the ever reliable Erin Stewart from both open play and dead balls. While Fermanagh moved the ball well to a dangerous full forward line the defensive work of Aine McCavana, Sally Scullion, Aoife Mitchell and keeper Mia Carlin restricted them to some long range frees.
A second goal for Antrim by wing back Lila McCann and solid midfield work from Amelie Annett, Laura Scullion, Brooke Largey and Aideen McDonnell kept Antrim in control and moving forward. The work rate and dangerous running of Aoife Fitzsimon, Anna Adams and Chloe Boyd Munce marshalled by captain Leah Stewart insured that the Glens girls had a healthy 3-8 to 1-4 lead at the break.
The second half saw Antrim introduce the experienced group of Jojo Darragh, Ruby McErlain, Aoife Leahy, Siobhan McGurk and keeper Zoey Kerr and the game followed a similar pattern with Antrim dominating possession and working relentlessly in defence.
Antrim completely changed their team allowing all players an opportunity and with the constant scoring threat of Darragh, McErlain and debutant Orlaith McCrory always had control of the game. The Antrim backs continued to move the ball forward quickly and were comfortable in possession.
By this stage Antrim were being driven forward with clever passing from Aoife Garland and Grace Ferris and the strong running of Cara Lynch, Lacey Saunders and Jess Hotchkiss. The Naomh Eanna pair of Tara Rodgers and Maria Mallon were now in the thick of the action and Seana Bradley replaced the injured Siobhan McGurk. After a brave piece of play Antrim were unlucky to concede a penalty that was saved by the reliable Zoey Kerr.
A pleasing start for Antrim and an impressive spread of scores put Antrim in good spirits for the challenge of Tyrone in a fortnight’s time.
Antrim Scorers
E Stewart 1-4
R McErlain 1-4
J Darragh 1-2
E McAllister 1-1
L McCann 1-0
L Stewart 0-3
A Fitzsimons 0-1
A Adams 0-1
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In the build up to Saturday’s All Ireland LGFA Club Final between Moneyglass of Antrim and Kilkerrin-Clonberne of Galway, the Saffron Gael speaks to Maxi Curran, the St. Ergnat’s joint manager.
Maxi Curran took Donegal ladies to two All Ireland semi-finals and a National league final during his stint with the Tir Connell team
We began, “Maxi, you were involved with your native Donegal Ladies for a number of years and enjoyed success with the Tir Conaill girls, tell me how it came about that you got involved with St. Ergnat’s”?
Maxi answered. “I got a call in March 2023 telling me the St. Ergnat’s girls were holding a training weekend in Downings and I was asked to come and take a session. So after doing that one, the girls mentioned coming up to Moneyglass to do another one in September, closer to Championship, and having witnessed the genuineness and honesty of the group first hand in Downings, it was an easy decision, and I’ve been involved ever since”
We then posed the question to the Donegal man. “Tell us about the development and steady improvement of St. Ergnat’s over the last number of years from reaching an Ulster final to winning their first with a win over Errigal Ciaran this year. What do you put it down to”?
He answered. “Along with a large degree of talent, the Moneyglass girls are a tremendously honest and hard-working group of girls and if you persist at anything long enough, putting as much into it as they do, you tend to get the breaks at some point, and I think our time just came this year”.
“You would probably have gone into a number of games this year as underdogs including you All Ireland semi-final against Kilmacud Crokes but your girls have overcome the challenge on each occasion. What has brought about this great belief” we asked?
He answered. “Belief is one thing, but you need a slice of luck sometimes too, and I think we got breaks at times this year that we didn’t get in previous years. And then when that helps you get over the line on a big day, you get a serious bounce for subsequent games and you just kind of get on a roll”.
“Both Errigal Ciaran in the Ulster final and Kilmacud Crokes in the All Ireland semi-final looked like big hurdles which Moneyglass were able to overcome. Kilkerrin-Clonberne are going for five in a row and will obviously start as favourites. What do you know about the Galway side and what can you do to overcome that challenge”? we asked
“ I don’t think I’ve heard of any team, in any sport in recent times being on a 5 year winning streak of 52 games unbeaten, so that tells you all you need to know about them really. They are serial winners, blessed with buckets of talent and we will need 13/14 of our girls having the game of their lives to stand any chance. But David did slay Goliath before, so if we give our best, who knows” he concluded.
All roads lead to Croke Park this Saturday where St. Ergnat’s are aiming to be the first club from Antrim to win a Senior LGFA All Ireland title. The task facing them is immense but the Moneyglass girls have overcome what appeared to be insurmountable odds all season and, if they are at their best then they can cause a major upset.
We at the Saffron Gael wish your side every success and we will be there to capture the action!
St. Ergnat’s St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Kilkerrin-Clonberne
All Ireland LGFA Senior Club Final
This Saturday St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass travel to Croke Park where they take on Galway giants, Kilkerrin-Clonberne in the All Ireland LGFA club final.
The Galway girls are aiming for a fifth All Ireland title in a row as they take on Antrim and Ulster champions, St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass who will be competing in their first All Ireland final following a maiden Ulster win this year.
In the build up to Sunday’s final Paddy McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael spoke to one of St. Ergnat’s greatest servants, Cathy Carey to gain her thoughts on the task that lies ahead.
I said to Cathy, you have been part of the Moneyglass setup for as long as I can recall and have served your club and county with distinction over many years.
Cathy answered:It’s probably too many to admit now! Hopefully there’s a few more years in me yet.
I put the question to one of St. Ergnat’s most consistent performers, “It’s been a long journey for you and your colleagues to reach Saturday’s decider. Tell me about the heartaches you have suffered over recent years. Firstly on your club journey where St. Paul’s dominated for a long time and then on your Ulster campaign where you suffered a number of setbacks before claiming your first title this year”?
Cathy answered “The heartaches are a big part of what has driven the team on, particularly the older cohort, over the years. The first year we won senior was a massive breakthrough and the next target was to get an Ulster title. Getting to the final in 2022 provided that bit of experience that helped when we were preparing for this year, sometimes it takes a loss to get that win”.
Our conversation continued. “Cathy you have represented and captained Antrim with distinction and have led them to victory in Croke Park so perhaps your experience of playing in Croke Park and at the highest level will be something that will be of benefit to you and something you can pass onto your colleagues”?
Cathy replied. “There are quite a few of us who have played in Croke before, and I’m glad we are able to pass onto others what to expect. The thought of it can be more daunting than what it actually is, so it’s trying to get across that it’s still just another pitch with goalposts at either end”.
I suggested. “The draw for venues during this year’s Ulster and All Ireland semi-final success hasn’t done you any favours but you and your side have shown great resilience and a never-say-die spirit to get to Saturday’s final. What has been different from previous years”?
She replied. “We have been building for a while now and although the venue draws haven’t been great, sometimes time on the road creates that extra bit of a bond. We’ve shown a great focus this year and that’s credit to the team and management for sticking to the plan for each game”.
I then put the question. “Saturday’s opponents, Kilkerrin-Clonberne are aiming for a fifth All Ireland title in a row and will start as firm favourites on Saturday. What do you know about them and can the underdogs tag be a motivating factor as you aim for a first All Ireland success”?
Cathy Answered.“Any team that has won 4 All Irelands in a row have a lot of quality and Kilkerrin-Clonberne have that experience of the big occasion, so I expected nothing less than going into the final as big underdogs”
Moneyglass forward, Cathy Carey hoping for success with her side in Saturday’s All Ireland Final against Kilkerrin-Clonberne of Galway in Croke Park
“What about St. Ergnat’s and how have your preparations gone since your Ulster and All Ireland semi-final success” I asked the St. Ergnat’s forward?
She Answered. “Preparationshave been going well, we’ve had plenty to work on after each game so have kept the intensity up. The whole club and community have got behind us so it’s been an enjoyable few months”.
I then posed the question. “You probably don’t want to talk about individual players but could I press you on the players who have pulled you through tight games when the chips were down?
Cathy replied.“We’ve got plenty of leaders but the likes of Aine Devlin keeping things tight and organised at the back, Emma McAreavey and Cliona Griffin’s driving runs, Leah Stewart popping up everywhere to win ball and Maria O’Neill has been in great form. I could go on though as everyone has a massive role to play”.
“Tell me about the Moneyglass management of Charlie O’Kane and Maxi Curran and the difference they have made to St. Ergnat’s since taking over” I asked
Cathy Answered: “Charlie has been with us the past 3 years and has been telling us all along how much potential we had – he puts so much confidence in the team! Maxi came in at the end of 2023, so just over 2 years. He has brought a level of professionalism and driven standards – never a stone left unturned. Hopefully we can do them proud on Saturday”.
I finished by bringing Cathy’s attention to the fact that their game will now not go out live on TG4: “I have just read that TG4 will not be broadcasting the final live now but will carry a deferred broadcast at 8.10pm because of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. What a load of hypocrisy”!
Very disappointing – I couldn’t believe it when I heard it” she responded!
It is of course being shown on TG4 You Tube chanel and the Moneyglass club will have a link to it on their Facebook pages. Those unable to attend, that cant view the game online, will be hoping to tune in and hopefully celebrate the moneyglass success. We at the Saffron Gael will of course have your very own, Elaine Kelly there and we will carry a report on your game. We wish you and your side every success.
Tomorrow we will take a look Kikerrin-Clonberne in the build up to Saturday’s final.
Lámh Dhearg hosted their annual Appreciation Day for players ranging from Fundamentals to under 10. The busy and popular day was divided into three sessions to facilitate such large numbers clearly illustrating the strength of numbers of the club juvenile section which augurs well for the club’s future.
Club PRO Buchanan warmly welcomed parent’s, players, and mentors. Paul paid tribute to the parents for their valuable support and encouraged the children to continue and strengthen their interest in playing for the club. Paul also acknowledged the commitment and work of the dedicated coaches during the year.
Two PowerPoint presentations were shown. Lámhs on tour 2025 and a Pictorial Review of the Year. The presentations generated great excitement and a jovial atmosphere.
All players were presented with a medal as a token of appreciation for their sterling efforts during the year in which has seen much enjoyment, games and sessions and more importantly positive development and progress and friendships built.
The sessions concluded with a Mini disco for the FUNdamentals/U6’S while the other two sessions thoroughly enjoyed competitively participating in the fun interactive Kahoot Quiz with some impromptu Karaoke.
