LGFA U16A Final

Cargin 5-7 Gort na Mona 0-6

The conclusion of the U16A LGFA season took place on a wet Thursday evening at Whitehill with Gort na Móna and Erins Own Cargin battling it out to see who would take home the crown. The grounds of Tír na nÓg were in superb order despite the rain, and the contest between two of the emerging club sides in Antrim entertained thoroughly the good crowd which had gathered in Randalstown that evening. The ‘Gorts’ have been building solidly in recent years, with no shortage of hard work evident and a pipeline of consistent talent coming through at all juvenile grades. On a parallel course following their first entry into the u16 grade 2 years ago, Clann na hEireann have been making steady inroads and inevitably the two sides would cross in one of the underage finals. League positions would suggest the Gorts would start as heavy favourites but both sides had saved their best for the Championship meaning a highly anticipated contest was anticipated and duly delivered.

Gort na Móna came out of the traps well, settling quickly into their rhythm and formation with their midfield and forward line linking well. An early point nudged the Belfast girls ahead with Cliodhna McKeever replying in kind. A combination of excellent covering by their sweeper system and direct ball into the full forward line meant the Cargin defenders needed to be consistently on their toes and last ditch saves by Aimee Graham, Molly MacLeod and Holly McErlean ensured the girls in Green weren’t blown away.
The Gorts excellent coaching was full display at this stage with the single and double sweeper utilised when required, a strong running midfield and speedy attack meant a frustrated Cargin side were at times forced to shoot under pressure or from distance with numerous turnovers occurring.

While conditions were not conducive to high fielding, the game began to open up after 15 minutes and both sides had chances. The Cargin girls were starting to make inroads with their movement up front but on the scoreboard the Gorts began to find more regularity and opened up a 0-5 to 0-2 lead following a purple patch of accuracy with Niamh McAleese raising a flag in return. While never in complete control, the Belfast girls were certainly dangerous and it would take some decisive moments from the Cargin Cailiní to turn that around. Two of those moments were duly delivered by Cliodhna McKeever. Her first goal followed a flowing move up the pitch and her first shot came off the upright but straight back to her on the 21 yard line where she instantly pulled the trigger with a stunning shot into the far bottom corner to the keeper’s right. Just ahead of half time a loose ball followed a good save by the Gorts keeper and McKeever was first to pounce soccer-styling the ball home into the net before the defence could recover.

It meant that despite a very even half of football the Cargin girls had found themselves 3 up with the scoreboard reading 2-2 to 0-5 when referee Ray Matthews blew the short whistle.

Both teams appeared to make positional changes at the half time break and Cargin were now the team on the front foot as Gemma McAuley and Emily Scullion began to establish a base in the central areas. The half back line of Aoife Neeson. Niamh McAleese and Erin Neeson were consistently driving forward while Niamh Martin was winning ball in corner forward. Their defence was getting on top as well with Caoimhe McErlain excellent in full back and Dearbhla McCaffrey, Molly MacLeod and Holly McErlean now dominant. Aimee Graham’s kickout were always on the money despite the ever worsening weather.

The rain had now became a haze, and whoever could adapt best would hold the advantage. Gemma McAuley appeared to be involved in every move now, Annie Convery’s surging runs a feature of the game. Eva McCann’s feet simply glided over grass, and Caoimhe Doherty seems to have been born for the intensity of championship football with an excellent hour.

Cargin came out a different team in this 2nd half and now it was their time to turn the screw. A well taken score by Niamh Martin set the scene, followed by mature finishes from Niamh McAleese, Caoimhe Doherty and Eva McCann meant the gap was starting to grow to an uncomfortable level for the Gorts Girls. Emma Diver was seemingly involved in every attack at this point. Mid way though the 2nd half the pivotal moment arrived which appeared to decide the tie. From the half back line Cargin worked it up the field to find Cliodhna McKeever in space in the top right corner. With a glance over her shoulder she delivered a 30 yard pass into the chest of Eva McCann who had made a late run to the penalty spot. McCann then executed a splendid ‘Toe Tap Dummy’ to evade the keeper and blast it high into the net. It was the score of the day and befitting any championship final. It also meant the gap between the sides had now risen to 10 points as the Gorts were struggling to create chances at the other end with Caoimhe McErlain marshalling her full back line well. Maisie Kelly, Cara Neeson, Aoibhe O’Donnell and Sophia McCann came on to provide fresh legs in the defence, limiting the Gorts attack to a single score in the 2nd half. Adele McCann entered the fray to lead the full forward line.

The girls in green continued to press and it began to tell as the rain lifted with Cliodhna McKeever lobbing the goalie for another major, accompanying it with a well taken point and Cargin were starting to manage the game out. In the final minute Erin’s Own were awarded a straightforward penalty decision as Adele McCann and Eva McCann were pulled down as they tried to find a way to the net. Niamh McAleese stepped forward to confidently roll the ball into the corner of the net and Ray Matthews decided that was it for the evening’s play. Final Score 5-7 to 0-6 and Caoimhe McErlain stepped forward to lift the cup amidst much jubilation in the Cargin camp.

An excellent 2nd half performance from the Cargin Cailiní ultimately decided this match for their 1st u16A title, but the Gort na Móna girls should be very proud of their efforts, never giving up and some of their running play was a delight to behold. Unfortunately it was not to be for them in Randalstown but this team are not far away from bringing home silverware. They are consistently strong at all underage levels with their sportsmanship, honest endeavour and a credit to themselves, their club and their coaches.

For Cargin, it represented a remarkable year taking home the U14A, Antrim Feile A and U16A titles for this fledgling LGFA club. A bright future ahead indeed.

For the LGFA in Antrim, the 2025 competitions at juvenile level have been hugely positive. In recent years a number of clubs have consolidated their positions with excellent coaching and participation numbers. It has meant a departure from the traditional bases which appeared a closed shop and has meant a drastic improvement in competition across all grades. While Gort na Móna and Cargin will rightly get the plaudits for reaching this final, recognition also must go the likes of St Enda’s, Cloughmills, St Galls and Ardoyne who are rising rapidly. Davitts, Creggan and Rossa are on an upwards trajectory as well meaning the prizes will be keenly fought over the coming seasons which can only be good for Saffron football.

Antrim LGFA U16C Final

St. Brigid’s Cloughmills 4-6 Naomh Eanna 3-7

Erins Own Cargin was the setting for the Antrim LGFA U16 C championship between Naomh Éanna and Naomh Bríd Cloughmills on Thursday night. The teams had previously met in the league in July with Cloughmills the victors by the slimmest of margins.

It was a sign of the seasons as the floodlights were turned on for the 6.30pm throw-in, with Richard Leahy the man in the middle. Cloughmills started straight out of the gate with a series of pressing attacks, notching up an early few points. Naomh Éanna settled into their game and turned over a number of balls to test the Biddies’ defence.

With Captain Caela Casey dropping deep from midfield in a sweeping role, it proved difficult for the Enda’s to get the ball in to their forwards. Cloughmills were 2-02 to the good before Naomh Éanna got their half of the scoreboard started and they very nearly closed the gap within a few minutes with full forward Meabh McMenamin rattling the crossbar and Muireann McCloy dragging a shot just wide before Meabh McMenamin made certain with a major.

The sides went in at half time with a gap of 5 separating them and the mizzle descended on the Toome venue.

The second half was all to play for and the two sets of travelling supporters were treated to some sensational end to end football, trading scores, turnovers and near misses. A second and third goal from Naomh Éanna’s Aoife Quinn and Méabh McMenamin were met with 2 of equal quality by Cloughmills forwards. The Hightown ladies closed the gap to 2 with some fine attacking football, but the ribbons on the trophy were to be orange and black as Cloughmills dug deep to see themselves over the line with the same 2 to spare at the long whistle.

LGFA U14A Final

 Cargin 5-4 St. Enda’s 4-3

An eagerly awaited County final was staged at Dunsilly on Thursday evening with two evenly matched sides battling it out for the title of U14A Champions of Antrim.

Undoubtedly these two sides deserved their place in the showpiece with Naomh Éanna having dispatched Tír na nÓg and early season favourites Gort na Móna in the earlier rounds while Clann na hÉireann accounted for St Ergnat’s and Kickham’s en route to Dunsilly. With neither club appearing to have prioritised the league, their focus on the championship was well merited. The South West Antrim girls were seeking a 2nd U14A title in a row, while the City ladies were intent on establishing themselves as the top juvenile LGFA club, not just in the Big Smoke but also the county. All to play for as it were, and both were confident on winning.

With a strong wind blowing across the pitch presenting both sides with challenging conditions, the game began at a frenetic pace.  Cargin seemingly settled early with scores from Eva McCann and Emma Diver nudging the girls in green into an early lead but that evaporated as an attacking blitzkrieg rocketed the Hilltown girls towards a perhaps unassailable lead.  Utilising the chaos caused by the wind, the Ella McAlea hoisted a high ball into the box and through the mass of bodies a Glengormley fist got to it which ended up bobbling into the Cargin net.  Just minutes later, having won a free kick, the same tactic was used however referee Fionnula Murphy spotted a defensive infringement somewhere in the maelstrom and awarded a penalty to much protestations from the Cargin Cailiní.   A confidently and well executed kick from Úna McCavana high to the keeper’s left ensured the momentum was with the girls in black and amber. Ella McAlea was now a constant thorn in Cargin’s side with her running from deep and willingness to foray deep into the opposition half.

Erin’s Own reasserted themselves and attacked with intent but were then caught on the break.  Úna McCavana was now the source of all their problems when she collected the ball, broke through a series of tackles accepting the referee’s advantage rule, and blasted an unstoppable shot into the top corner past net minder Aimee Graham to leave the score at 3-1 to 0-2 in favour of Naomh Éanna.  Abbie McAuley, Caitlin Donnelly and Effie Walsh were linking well with McCavana. In the central areas Caoimhe Murphy, Aoife Conwell and Saffron Murphy were set and established themselves in the match.   The industry shown by Eimhear Walsh, Eimear Campbell and Molly McGivern was a shield in front of the safe hands of the reliable Sofia Reilly. Niamh McGilloway made important interceptions as key stages and both Tierna Keenan and Maeve McMenamin worked tirelessly in their roles.  Sophia Grew gave a tidy display while Rosario McCracken was a rock at the centre of defence displaying great handling and tenacious tackling. A feature of this time was the relentless attacking of Clodagh Kearney and Ella McAlea which was causing the Toome girls problems.

At this juncture there looked like no way back for the Cargin Cailiní, and they could choose to wilt under this pressure and accept their fate or come out all guns blazing. They chose the latter.

One thing Cargin have always had within their armoury is a refusal to submit and these Cailiní are no different.  Having retained 6 starters from last year’s winning side they were able to draw on this experience and at no stage did panic set in, moreover the setbacks appeared to spur them on further.  At this point their ‘old hands’ really stood up and refused to wilt.  Aimee Graham was brave with her kicking game and handling was always secure.  Maisie Kelly marshalled the defensive wall superbly; Emily Scullion was both covering back and driving forward with menace.  Caoimhe Doherty importantly won the pressure outballs from defence, providing much needed respite for the defence.    The Cargin full back line readjusted itself well to deal with the ever-present threat of Úna McCavana with Shannon McFall, Mya Annett and Cara Liddy each intelligently taking turns to cut off options to this remarkable forward peril, picking their time to challenge and directing her to the line. In addition to this, Cate McCann came out to midfield and relished the battle, helping to reassert Clann na hEireann’s position there.  In the windy conditions, the power solos of Adele McCann from midfield were critical while Sienna Conway and Sophia McCann swept, covered, and interlinked superbly with ever-scheming and unmarkable forwards of Eva McCann and Emma Diver who consistently took the game to the opposition while creating bedlam.   Annie Scullion was using the space up top to keep the full back line occupied and at the top of this spine was the exceptional Niamh McAleese who is surely the most dangerous forward in Antrim on this evidence, displaying an array of attacking weapons with pace, strength, soloing, handling and accurate kicking off either foot as well as covering defensive duties when called for.   

Niamh McAleese was in no mood for relinquishing her title and guided a lovely shot into the bottom corner of the Naomh Éanna net.  Annie Scullion was then quickest to react to a loose ball to force another goal a few minutes later and it was game on.  Ella was now dropped back to assist Rosario McCracken cover Niamh McAleese.  St Enda’s weren’t finished, and their full forward line was always dangerous, so it was unsurprising they launched yet another superb counterattack and subsequent finish by Úna McCavana which left them 3 points up and again in the driving seat just before the short whistle.  This would set us up for yet a further piece of drama with the last kick of the first half.  A pivotal moment of the game had arrived when last ditch Cargin defending produced 3 blocks in as many minutes from Shannon McFall and Emily Scullion. The ensuing attack worked its way to Niamh McAleese who was fouled when through on goal producing a free kick.  While Niamh McAleese may have been perhaps too young at the time to remember her coach Tomás McCann’s famous 21-yard free kick in the Men’s championship of 2018 v St Galls, she invoked the spirit of such anyhow in an almost identical position by unleashing an absolute rocket of a shot into the top of the net past a maze of black and amber shirts.  The half time whistle blew immediately after and remarkably Cargin were level at with scores at 3-4 to 4-1.

The wind seemingly became ever blusterier as the 2nd half started and with the floodlights on, the game had that Dunsilly championship feel about it with both sides all to play for.   It was however more of an attritional affair with neither side giving an inch and the defences carefully watching the dangerwomen of Úna McCavana and Niamh McAleese. St Enda’s got a point for the first score of the half, but the game was now cagey and both defences were on top. Cargin adjusted their set up with Nicole McFall impressive in the half back line.  Unfortunately, there can only be one winner, and when a team need to ‘grind’ out that win there few clubs better at it than Cargin.    Niamh McAleese received the ball 30 yards out and went for the gap. Despite numerous defenders attempting to thwart her progress she burst through and blasted into the top corner only to be called back to be awarded a penalty instead.  With the pressure on to deliver she sent the keeper the wrong way, stroking the ball into the other corner to send Erin’s Own into a 2-point advantage and in such a tight game that could prove pivotal. 

While the play went back and forth, with 5 minutes to go the girls in green conjured up yet another opportunity for McAleese who again made no mistake from 15 yards by burying the ball into the net with a deadly finish.  Jane McCann was released from the bench to become a well working fulcrum, linking attack and defence. An excellent save from net minder Sofia Reilly after a brilliant solo run from the lively Bella Scullion kept Naomh Éanna alive and the Hilltown girls did not give up, forcing yet another point to leave 4 between the sides going into injury time.   The Cargin Cailiní were in lockdown mode at this stage with Cara McPeake coming on to solidify the defence. The Erin’s Own girls were forcing attackers into the corners and away from threatening positions but all the while counterattacking in numbers and with pace, forcing St Enda’s to regroup and start from the back again.  Sofia Reilly made further saves to ensure Naomh Éanna retained slim hopes, but Cargin did as Cargin do and the managed the period with no further drama to realise ‘Back-to-Back’ u14A Championship wins, a remarkable feat for a club relatively new to the LGFA scene.  The final scoreline was Cargin 5-4, St Enda’s 4-3.

Naomh Éanna have shown they are now a force within the Antrim LGFA scene and their B Team won the u14C Championship final earlier in the evening against a battling St Patricks Lisburn, highlighting they have numbers and quality in depth for a sustained run at future glory.  The mentors of Ciaran McCavana, Gerard McAlea, Stephen McGilloway, Mark Mooney, Francis Moss, Niall Murphy and Jenni Reilly will have immense pride in seeing the development of this squad of girls. The future looks very bright.

The Cargin management team of Tomás McCann, Maura McCann,  Mary McAuley, Maria O’Neill and Sarah O’Neill will be delighted with their charges and particularly how they problem solved throughout this final.  Fully deserving of their historic win it will be interesting to see how far this group of girls can go and it can only be good for Antrim LGFA to see the talent pervading through both these squads and viewing the greater number of clubs now challenging for Juvenile trophies.