Category / Ladies Football

by thesaffrongael

Monaghan’s magic strike swings it Antrim’s way

Lidl National Football League Division 4 final

Antrim 2-07

Fermanagh 011


A superb goal from Glenavys’ Aoibhinn Monaghan swung this Lidl LGFA division 4 final Antrim’s way and they went on to claim the title and secure their return to division 3 next season.

Trailing by two points in the 52nd minute, Monaghan got on the end of a well-constructed build-up to fire past Haren in the Fermanagh goal to give her side the lead.

In a very competitive final where both sides gave it everything, Antrim ended the game with 14 players while Fermanagh finished up with 13.

It was Fermanagh who were first out of the start traps and Joanne Doonan fired over their opening point. Lara Dahunsi levelled for Antrim before a Bronagh Devlin free edged the Saffrons ahead.

Antrim’s Lisa Dahunsi in action agains Fermanagh

Antrim were beginning to find their rhythm and Maria O’Neill found the back of the net in the ninth minute to put four points between the sides.

Fermanagh responded and the excellent Eimear Smyth brought them back on level terms by the17th minute. It was end to end at this stage and Devlin fired over another free in the 19th minute before a Smyth free drew the side’s level for the third time.

In the final five minutes of the half Smyth kicked over two points while Doonan got her second of the game to give the Ernesiders a 0-9 to 1-3 lead going in at the break.

Fermanagh extended their lead to four on the restart with a point from Lisa Maguire and at this stage Antrim were struggling to turn opportunities into scores.

Indeed it was Fermanagh who were looking the more dangerous and Aine Devlin in the Saffron’s goals pulled off a fine double save to keep the opposition at bay.

It took Antrim 13 minutes to register their first score of the second half when Devlin fired over a free; their first score for 24 minutes but Fermanagh’s replied and Smyth pointed a free to keep her side ahead.

The same player added her seventh point of the game in the 49th minute to put a goal between the sides and at this stage the Ernesiders looked on their way to the title.

Things swung in favour of Antrim however when Fermanagh full-back Ciara Clarke was sin-binned in the 52nd minute and a minute later Aoibheann Monaghan produced a brilliant finish to put her side a point ahead.

In a feisty closing four minutes Antrim were reduced to 14 in the 56th minute when Aine Tubridy received a yellow card and Fermanagh then suffered a similar fate when Doonan was sin-binned to leave them with 13 players.

It was still in the balance but Maria O’Neill sealed the win for Antrim with a point in the 59th minute to bring the biggest cheer of the day from the Antrim support and herald scenes of wild celebration.

Scorers – Antrim: M O’Neill 1-1, B Devlin 0-4 (4f), A Monaghan 1-0, L Dahunsi, L Agnew 0-1 each.

Fermanagh: E Smyth 0-7 (1’45, 4f), L Maguire, J Doonan 0-2 each.

Antrim celebrate after defeating Fermanagh in the Lidl division 4 league final

Antrim: A Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O’Neill, C Brown, D Coleman; A Mulholland, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, L Dahunsi, A Kelly; B Devlin, N Jones, M O’Neill.  Subs: L Agnew for Jones (35), A Monaghan for Kelly (36), C McKenna for Coleman (47).

Fermanagh: A Haren; S McQuaide, C Clarke, E Keenan; A O’Brien, C Murphy, C Bogue; N McManus, M McGloin; S Barrett , C Martin, L Maguire; J Doonan, E Smyth, A McCabe. Subs: S McCarville for O’Brien (47), E Murphy for Keenan (54), S Barrett for Boyle (55), B Smyth for McCabe (57).

Referee: Eoghan O’Neill (Kildare).

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by thesaffrongael

Antrim take control

LGFA Ulster Minor League

Antrim 2-9 Armagh 2-6

Antrim minor ladies took control of the Ulster league group with a determined and disciplined win against Armagh. In doing so Antrim guaranteed their place in the Ulster Platinum final at the beginning of May. 

Antrim started brightly with an early score from Hanna Donaghy but pretty soon it was obvious that this was a game that would require all the resilience that these young Saffs have become noted for. 

Armagh with dangerous forwards and dogged defending took control for a time and although pegged back by an excellent Erin Stewart goal the Orchard girls stretched their lead to 1-1 to 0-6 with minutes remaining in the first half.  A well taken penalty for Armagh and much needed points from Stewart 2 and the dynamic Aoife Fitzsimons kept Antrim in touch at the half. 

Antrim 1-4 Armagh 1-6. 

Antrim began the second half with greater urgency and focus and within 10 minutes they had captured the lead through a Stewart free and a well worked 45 play that encapsulated control, patience and an outstanding finish from Fitzsimons. Then Hanna Donaghy scored an individual captains goal with what seemed to be half a dozen Armagh defenders hanging on her to give Antrim the lead. 

Donaghy pointed again soon afterwards and then another Stewart point seemed to end the game.  However Armagh after 28 minutes of resolute Antrim defending grabbed a goal to set up a pulsating period of 5 minutes extra time. Antrim nerves were settled when a combination between second half substitutes Mills and McAllister put Fitzsimons in for the final point of the game. 

Antrim scorers

Erin Stewart 1-4

Hanna Donaghy 1-2

Aoife Fitzsimons 0-3

With Down and Monaghan drawing their group game Antrim clinched top spot with a game to go.

by thesaffrongael

Announcement from Antrim LGFA

The County Chairperson received yesterday (3 April) the resignation of the County Secretary, County Assistant Secretary and Chairperson of the Fixtures Committee.

We wish to put on record our thanks and appreciation to Debbie Murray and Seamus McKenna for their work in developing and promoting Ladies Gaelic Football in County Antrim during their tenures and hope that they will still have much to contribute to the county in the coming years.

In accordance with Rule 26 of The Official Guide, clubs are invited to nominate for the following positions:

  • Antrim County Secretary
  • Antrim County Assistant Secretary

Nominations for the above positions should be made to the Chairperson, Ursula Lynch via email to chairperson.antrim@lgfa.ie by Monday 7 April 2025 at 5 p.m.

The Chairperson of the Fixtures Committee shall be nominated by the Fixtures Committee and ratified by the County Board.

A meeting of the County Board shall be arranged in due course to elect a new secretary.

Is mise le meas

Ursula Uí Loingsigh
Cathaoirleach

by thesaffrongael

St. Louis ruled Ulster in 2006

In 2006 I covered an Ulster LGFA Final in Dungannon involving St. Louis Ballymena which the Ballymena College won. I cant remember the opposition college’s name but it may have been St. Catherine’s (Someone will undoubtedly let me know)

The celebration photographs from the game popped up on my Facebook memories today and I thought you might like to see them again.

Proud father, Tony mcNicholl with his daughter Liz
The main man! Team manager, Adrian Quinn with his proud parents, Arthur and Sally
by thesaffrongael

Antrim remain unbeaten despite slow start

LGFA NFL Division 4

Antrim 4-14 Derry 2-6

Antrim retained their unbeaten run in division 4 when they travelled to Owenbeg on Sunday to take on Derry in their final league game and came away with a resounding victory on a final scoreline of 4-14 to 2-6.

Antrim started off so slowly and just weren’t playing with their usual fluency and it took them ten minutes to raise a flag when captain, Bronagh Devlin opened the scoring with a point.

Orla Corr then took a great point from distance and on  15 minutes Ciara Brown fisted over the bar after carrying the ball all of 60 meters. 

The visitors appeared to have taken their foot of the pedal at this stage and conceded 2-3 in a ten minute period to see them move ahead. 

Rocked by the Derry onslaught the Saffron fouind a response and Nicole Jones fired over two points and Bronagh Devlin raised another white flag just before the break to send Antrim in at the interval trailing by three. 

The Antrim management team rung the changes at the break and it seemed to have the desired effect as Luisne Adams scored a great individual point to open their second half account and then some brilliant interchanging of passes between Aoife Kelly and Maria O Neill saw the latter plant the ball in the bottom corner of the Derry net.

This score completely changed the complexion of the game and Antrim went on a scoring spree as the impressive Lara Dahunsi scored goal number two and the equally impressive Aine Lynch slotted over two points in quick succession. 

Laura Agnew then sent Ana Mulholland through with a pin point pass and she fisted the ball over the bar as the Antrim challenge continued to gain momentum.

The Saffron girls continued to press and Blaithin ni Cahill scored two points in quick succession and then unselfishly laid off a pass to Dahunsi who again found the Derry net. 

The visitor’s pressure continued and Theresa Mellon, who was causing Derry endless problems with her direct running set up two points for Lara Dahunsi and Marie O’Neill and as the game move into injury time, O’Neill got her second goal after showing great bravery to palm the ball to the Derry net. 

The Antrim management team said after the game “We gave all the squad good game time today and now look forward to our league semi-final against Leitrim who are the current all Ireland intermediate champions. A big performance will be required if Antrim are to reach the league final”

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