Category / Ladies Football

by thesaffrongael

A second promotion in a row for super Saffrons

LIDL LGFA National League Division 3

Antrim senior ladies 2-8 

Down senior ladies 1-9…

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

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim overcome Laois challenge

LGFA Lidl NFL Division 3

Antrim 2-8 Laois 0-12

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 

Antrim Scorers: 

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

https://myalbum.com/album/3XWcHbHxAsfyZW

by thesaffrongael

Galactic Gaelic Life Awards for Antrim Players and Managers

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

Camogie All Stars – Emma McAllister Loughgiel, Jaime Woulahan Brídíní Óga, Clare McKillop Loughgiel, Bronagh Laverty Brídíní Óga, Amy Boyle Loughgiel, Róisín McCormick Loughgiel, Molly Woulahan Brídíní Óga and Annie Lynn Loughgiel

You can see photos from Friday evenings awards here…

https://myalbum.com/album/mqYcyoBRhE54pf/?invite=fecf06fe-c67d-464e-8510-48f674f65bf9

by thesaffrongael

Antrim off to a winning start

LGFA Ulster Minor Football League

Fermanagh 2-8 Antrim 5-16

Photographs: Niall Mitchell

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

TO VIEW MORE OF NIALL MITCHELL’S PHOTOGRAPHS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

https://myalbum.com/album/VxazVmQcNnw9Xv

by thesaffrongael

Moneygalss coach Maxi Curran speaks to the Saffron Gael

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!