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.
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”
TO VIEW ELAINE’S PICS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Rathmore Senior Girl Footballers won the Ulster U20 C Shield at the Garvaghey Centre of Excellence, Ballygawley on Friday 28th February.
The girls defeated Virginia Community College Cavan 4-08 to 2-07 in a hard fought game that was nip and tuck throughout.
Captain Clíodhna Logan lifted the trophy on behalf of the team and also was awarded the Player of the Match.
The scorers were:
Goals: Aoife Kavanagh, Hanna Donaghy, Anna Adams (2)
Points: Catherine Thompson (1) Anna Adams (6), Hanna Donaghy (1)
Big congratulations especially to the four Upper 6 girls who played their final game for their school today – Hannah McAteer, Hanna Donaghy, Clíodhna Logan and Lauren Prior.
All the players in the squad have been a credit to themselves, their families, their clubs and the school! Well done to everyone concerned.
Imreorií:
Clíodhna Conlon, Jessica Morgan, Emer Kilmartin, Hannah McAteer, Beth Cartland, Lila McCann, Jessica McCartan, Sophie Bell, Catherine Thompson, Aoife McKavanagh, Clíodhna Logan, Hanna Donaghy, Anna Adams, Róise Matthews, Lauren Prior, Ella McArdle, Maria McLorinan, Lauren Gourley, Mia Molly, Orlagh Scannell, Kieran McLorinan, Róisín Quinn, Ella Rose Watson, Azelia Robinson, Eirinn Wall, Anna Newnham, Aoife McArdle
Bainisteoirí: Peter McClenaghan, Holly Bone
LGFA NFL Division 4
Antrim 7-6 Wicklow 1-7
Antrim made it six on the bounce when they proved too strong for Wicklow at davitt’s Park on Sunday.
Antrim started this game in whirlwind fashion and with only 7 minutes on the clock they had the ball in the back of the Wicklow net three times.
Maria O Neill found the bottom corner after only two minutes and two minutes later Lara Dahunsi fired high to the net after a great interchanging of passes between Mellon and McKenna with the latter finding Dahunsi with an astute through ball.
Two minutes later Dahunsi was at it again when she got her second goal and her team’s third when her low shot rested in the bottom corner of the Wicklow net.
Antrim were in complete control at this stage and when Wicklow did break they found the Antrim defence in no mood to give much away with Niamh Mc Intosh and Ciara Brown in complete control at the back.
Luisne Adams then got the ball out on the right hand side and after beating two defenders she scored a great point from 35 meters as the Saffrons continued to dominate.
A long kickout from Aine Devlin then found Dahunsi and she took on the defender and laid the perfect pass of to Ana Mulholland who had run 60 metres in support and she made no mistake from the edge of the box.
The relentless Antrim pressure continued and Bronagh Devlin was next to rattle the Wicklow net after being found in space by Maria O Neill and she finished from close range.
Maria O Neill added Antrims final score of the half when she coolly slotted over the bar from 20 metres out.
Wicklow hit 3 points from frees in the first half and one from play and
they broke through near the end of the half but the impressive Aine Kelly made a timely interception for the Antrim girls.
The second half was similar to the first with Antrim in control despite the management team making 7 changes at the break but this didn’t disrupt the team whatsoever.
Nicole Jones, who was causing Wicklow endless problems banged in two goals, one on 35 minutes and the other on the 40 minute mark.
Lara Dahunsi chipped in with a point and then came the best individual score of the day.
Eimily Kearns got the ball out on the right hand side and beat two defenders and from what looked an impossible angle she hit a spectacular point from all of 40 metres to raise the biggest cheer of the day.
Lara Dahunsi had the final say of the day with two well taken points in the last five minute.
All in all an excellent performance from the Antrim girls which gaurentees top spot and a home draw in the semi-final.
Antrim were afforded the luxury of giving all their panel a run out and the Antrim management complemented their effort and dedication this season.
“We gave all our girls game time today. Every player in this group works so hard and deserves a run out. They all push each other so hard at training and encourage each other all the time.
We were really happy with the fast start and a few of our girls got their first start today and certainly didn’t disappoint but it’s one game at a time and it’s off to Derry next week so we will prepare for that game this incoming week said the Antrim management team”
TO VIEW MORE OF ELAINE KELLY’S PHOTOS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Gaelfast Antrim Cup Year 9 LGFA final
St Dominic’s Grammar School v St Killian’s College
St Dominic’s Grammar School won the Year 9 LGFA Gaelfast Cup when they proved too strong for St Killian’s in Wednesday evening’s final at Dunsilly. The Falls Road school put together a highly impressive performance and though St Killian’s battled hard throughout they just could not match the over strength of the winners.
St Killians won the throw in and worked the ball well into a scoring position but couldn’t capitalise to take an early lead. St Dominics opened the scoring with a point from full forward Mia Scullion followed by a goal by Niamh Keenan. St Dominic’s continued to impress throughout the first half with their excellent team play all over the field and prolific scoring. St Killians had nice phases of play too with slick hand passing and kick passing but a strong St Dominic’s defensive display kept the north Antrim school scoreless.
St Killians did manage a well-deserved point via a free kick by their star midfielder Georgie Twigg, after a dominant 5 minutes for the ladies from Garron Tower. St Dominic’s replied with another goal and finished the first half the stronger side going in at half time with a comfortable lead.
St Killian’s came out in the second half with fire in their bellies and put in a very strong second half performance scoring 3.6. Although the ‘Tower’ girls impressed in the second half, St Dominic’s maintained their lead and saw out the remaining of the match to become winners of the Year 9 LGFA Antrim Cup 2025.
Stand out performances for St Dominic’s were corner forward Katie Clarke for outstanding ball carrying, Caragh Flynn in midfield for pin point kick passing, full forward Mia Scullion for prolific goal and point scoring, Cara McAuley at wing half forward for her link-up play and Lucia Murphy for being solid at centre half back.
St Killians midfield pairing of Eimear Black and Georgie Twigg gave battling performances in midfield showing a desire to drive forward in possession and workrate to win the ball back. Georgie had an outstanding game doing the majority of the teams scoring.
Congratulations again to St Dominic’s on a real team performance and becoming Champions of the Year 9 LGFA Antrim Cup 2025.
To see more of Bert’s pics click on the link below
https://myalbum.com/album/9ASJoVDCXAJAmA/?invite=f2c3f4b8-5c19-4dc6-9694-8d1670aba621