Category / Ladies Football

by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass are LGFA U16A Champions after local derby success

NORTHERN PROPERTY U16A Championship final

St. Ergtnat’s 6-12 Erin’s Own 2-6

St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass are the LGFA U16A Football champions after overcoming the challenge of neighbours, Erin’s Own Cargin in an entertaining final in Ahoghill.

Goals from Leah Stewart and Leah Cassidy in the first half saw the Marian Hill girls lead by 2-9 to 0-4 at the half way stage and even at this early juncture it was difficult to see their neighbours making a come-back in the second half.

The girls in Blue & Amber pushed on in the second period to hit four further majors with Katie McCloskey, Leah Stewart, Jo Jo Darragh with two from the penalty spot rattling the Cargin net.

The Toome side never gave up, despite fighting against impossible odds and were rewarded for their never say die attitude with two late goals from Roisin Quinn.

St. Ergnat’s raced into an early four point lead with Leah Stewart, Jo Jo Darragh, Annie Griffin and Katie McCloskey on target before Orlath Johnston opened the Cargin account with a point in the 6th minute.

The same player had the opportunity to level the contest when her side was awarded a penalty, two minutes later but fired over from the spot to close the gap to two points.

Moneyglass would push on to lead by 11 at the break with Katie McCloskey 0-2, Josephine Darragh and Ruby McErlaine adding points and Stewart and Cassidy finding the net and Laura Scullion and Orlath Johnston replying with points for the Toome girls.

St. Ergnats put matters well out of reach of their opponents with those four second half goals that all came between the 10th and the 22nd minutes with Katie McCloskey and Leah Stewart completing their doubles and Jo Jo Darragh converting two penalties.

Cargin battled to the final whistle and got some consolation with Roisin Quinn raising a couple of Green flags and their points coming from Laura Scullion and Cliodhna McKeever and while they will be disappointed with the final result they can be well satisfied with their first season at this level.

Moneyglass scorers: Leah Stewart 2-1, Leah Cassidy 1-0, Jo Jo Darrtagh 2-2, Katie McCloskey 1-3, Annie Griffin 0-2, Ruby McErlain 0-1

Cargin Scorers: Roisin Quinn 2-0, Orlath Johnston 0-4, Laura Scullion 0-1, Cliodhna McKeever 0-1

by thesaffrongael

Lámhs have too much for Oisins in U-16 B decider

Northern Property U-16 B Championship Final 

Lámh Dhearg 4-10-0-07 Oisins 

Kevin Herron reports from Slemish Park 

Goals were the difference at Slemish Park on Saturday afternoon as Lámh Dhearg U-16s clinched the Northern Property U-16 B title with a 4-10-0-07 win over Oisins. 

First half goals from Lauren Smyth and Aoife Fitzsimons had their side 2-03-0-03 ahead at the break, and further strikes from Fitzsimons and Lauren Mullan inside the opening quarter of the second period ensured that the trophy would be heading to Hannahstown at the games conclusion. 

Erin McNaughton converted a fourth minute free to give Oisin’s the early advantage, but Aoife Fitzsimons would level at the other end after Amelie Annett released Lauren Smyth with a quickly taken free. 

Cara Lynch and Kayla Stanley were providing an attacking threat from deep with Laoise Stone providing an outlet to the Lámhs attacking third. 

The Hannahstown side found the opening goal of the game on the 13th minute. Kayla Stanley won possession and offloaded to Aoife Fitzsimons- who showed a burst of pace before the slipping the ball to Lauren Smyth to fire home.

Smyth added successive points, the first following a neat exchange between Lila McCann and Fitzsimons before linking up with Ameile Annett to give her side a 1-03-0-01 lead. 

A converted Dervla McMullan free temporarily closed the deficit for Oisin’s, but Lámh Dhearg doubled their goal tally a minute before the break. 

Aoife Fitzsimons played a crucial part in her sides opener and added to her early point with an angled effort that found the corner of the net, following a fine move involving Rhea Hanna and Aoibhinn Clenaghan in the build-up. 

A fine Kiera McLaughlin point finished the scoring for the opening half with Smyth and Fitzsimons goal the difference, ensuring the Lámhs held a 2-03-0-03 advantage. 

Oisin’s began the second period on the front foot with Sarah Black swinging over a fine point and Erin McNaughton kicking her second free of the afternoon. 

Although their momentum was quashed when Lámh Dhearg found the net for the third time. 

Charlotte Coleman tried to work the angle for a shot that skewed off target and into the path of Lauren Mullan- who rifled high to the net to make it 3-03-0-05. 

Points were traded in the aftermath between Erinmae Mitchell and Ameile Annett (free) before Lámh Dhearg further asserted their grip on proceedings. 

Charlotte Coleman popped over and just before the midway point in the half, Aoife Fitzsimons bore down on goal and squeezed a low shot inside near post to give her side a 4-05-0-06 lead. 

Attacking defensive duo Cara Lynch and Caitriona Doran got in on the act with back-to-back points as the Lámhs had chalked up 1-04 without reply, 

Glenariff’s final score of proceedings came courtesy of a Dervla McMullan free, although they may have found a goal in the aftermath, only for Lámhs goalkeeper Breena Armstrong to turn Erinmae Mitchell’s effort around the post. 

Jodie Peoples and Holly Black worked tirelessly along with their defensive colleagues in order to maintain their shut-out late on. 

Three further points late on would complete the job for Lámh Dhearg. Lauren Smyth provided two of those and Lila McCann dropped over the other to ensure that they ran out 4-10-0-07 winners at the conclusion and collected the U-16 B title.  

Lámh Dhearg: B Armstrong, C Lynch (0-01), J Peoples, H Black, C Doran (0-01), L Stone, K Stanley, L McCann (0-01), A Annett (0-01f), C Coleman (0-01), A Fitzsimons (2-01), L Smyth (1-04), R Hanna, L Mullan (1-00), A Clenaghan. Subs: C Clenaghan for A Clenaghan (39), F Baker for L Mullan (39), A McGreevy for R Hanna (46), E Kelly for K Stanley (52), K McKenna for C Coleman (52). 

Oisins: M McNaughton, B Mulholland, M McLaughlin, M Black, M Magee, R Black, R McAuley, D McMullan (0-02f), E McNaughton (0-02f), K McLaughlin (0-01), S Black (0-01), S Kerr-McKillop, E Emerson, E Mitchell (0-01), M Graham. Subs: E Grant for B Mulholland (25), K McGregor for M Black (56), N McNaughton for M Graham (56). 

Referee: Gerard Dougan (Creggan) 

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