Saturday is another milestone in Lámh Dhearg’s proud and distinguished history as they come together to celebrate 20 years of LGFA in the club. Orla Megraw an established player and member of the organising subcommittee is very excited about the anniversary celebrations as she fondly reflects.

“It’s brilliant that it’s come so far from what it was like at the start”

“We were training at Hannahstown Hall with the Seniors and U-12s together in 2005 and wearing one of the old mens kits that looked like it was from the 80’s.

“We’ve come so far now to having two senior LGFA teams- one of the few clubs in Antrim to have that, along with the juvenile teams, Gaelic for Mothers and Others.

“It’s a really great testament to all the work my Dad [Kieran Megraw] started and continued along with all the subsequent  dedicated and committed coaches for sticking with us, especially over those first few years when it looked like we were never going to win a match”.

“It’s really positive to have juveniles coming through and some of the original senior players now coaching them.”

“At the start we didn’t really have that and now girls can play with their own age group the whole way up- which is great for their development and getting to know their team-mates.

“Then, from starting out at FUNdamentals the whole way up through their age groups with the coaches selflessly giving up their time, it is amazing and much appreciated.

“It gives everybody the opportunity to get some game time at their own age group and hopefully it will be very positive whenever they come out as senior players”.

Orla and members of her family came together with others to suggest the idea of an event to celebrate the occassion and is looking forward to meeting with past team-mates and coaches.

“Over the last couple of years we realised that it would be important to recognise it as most of us can’t believe it has been 20-years”

“A few of the girls that have been there from the start, My Dad, my sister Caoimhe and I had met up over the summer and thought it would be nice to plan something”.

“Obviously there have been so many different girls over the last 20-years, some that have gone onto play for Gaelic for Mothers and Others, some who’ve maybe retired and some who would have played for us before their home team had an LGFA team and they have since gone back to their own club.

“We just thought it would be a great opportunity to meet up with everybody and celebrate how far we have developed and progressed and involve the juvenile, seniors and Gaelic for Mothers and Others teams”.

“I’m really looking forward to celebrating all our achievements and then catching up with people that we haven’t seen for years and years”

“It would be great to see all of those girls who aren’t playing anymore or who have gone back to their home clubs, all of our mentors over the years and coaches- we wouldn’t see them every week anymore, it would be nice to catch up with them as well and they will be warmly welcomed.

“We’d love to encourage anybody who has been involved with LGFA in the club at any age to come up and have a good chat about all the memories and enjoy the craic”.

Saturday promises to be an eventful day to mark the 20^th anniversary with a busy programme of activities.

Programme

3pm Under 7/8 Blitz

4.45 Group photo

5.30 Buffet

6.00 Bingo for children and adults

6.30 Question & Answer session with some of the key former and current personalities of LGFA in the club

 8pm Craic agus Ceol

No doubt many will attend the celebrations. It clearly bodes well for a healthy future of LGFA in the club and a credit to all concerned in its 20 years existence.

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.