Antrim’s Joseph McLaughlin in action during Tuesday evening’s win over Meath in Dundalk
Antrim overcome a shaky start to beat Meath convincingly in Tuesday evening’s Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship final round-robin game at St Brigid’s Park, Dundalk. The Saffrons had three points on the board in the opening minute but were rocked back on their heels when Meath hit back with two quick goals. However Antrim soon settled into their stride and with the diagonal breeze in their favour they got on top and went on to lead by 1-13 to 2-02 at half time. When the Royal county side turned to play with the wind in their favour they started with three quick points to cut their deficit to five after six minutes. There were a few anxious looks among the Antrim followers for a minute or two but they need not have worried as the Ulster champions got going again with a Orann Donnelly point, and when Jack McCloskey took a clever pass from Fiontan Bradley to fire home his team’s second goal the pendulum swung back in the Saffrons’ favour and they pushed on for a win that takes them through to a Tier 1 meeting with Dublin next Wednesday evening.
Jack McCloskey fires in Antrim’s second goal
Joseph McLaughlin got Antrim off to a lightening start inside 15 seconds when he pointed from play and when McLaughlin grabbed his second and Calum McIlwaine got a third the signs were promising for the Saffron fans. However in their first attack Meath corner forward Darren Higgins cut through the Antrim defence to fire in a sensational goal. Sean McKay came back with a point for Antrim but right away Higgins repeated his early heroics with goal number two, a carbon copy of the first.
It looked like Antrim had a real fight on their hands, but with corner forward Fiontan Bradley leading the line up front they drew level by the 15th minute, Bradley accounting for two of the points and Jack McCloskey the other. Meath went back ahead when midfielder George Douglas sent over a sensational point from a sideline cut, but Antrim upped the pace and dominated the rest of the opening period, Bradley adding five points while Aodhan McGarry and Liam Glackin got the other two to move 0-13 to 2-02 ahead going into first half injury time. They appeared to be in a strong position but things got even better when Bradley went for goal from a twenty metre free and left the Meath net rattling after a well struck shot.
Antrim centre back Liam Glackin breaks out of defence
The half time debate among the Antrim fans was would their 8 point advantage be enough and when Meath made a great start to the new half with quick points from Gallagher, Ennis and Leavy that half time confidence started to waver a little. The Saffrons needed a score to settle the nerves and Orann Donnelly provided it, the big full forward racing out to the wing to win a ball before sending it between the Meath posts. Two minutes later came the score that really started the victory march when great work by Bradley put Jack McCloskey clear and the Loughgiel man fired home.
Donnelly hit another beauty as the Antrim boys began to show what they were capable off and when Thomas McLaughlin set up his brother Joseph for his team’s third goal there was no way back for the Meath men. Bradley and Sean McKay added points before Douglas broke the sequence with a top class score at the other end. Goalkeeper Eoin Richmond was called upon to make a fine save to deny Meath substitute Luke O’Halloran but by this stage the size of the winning margin was the only thing to be decided, and they finished with a flourish with points from Luke McFerran, Jack McCloskey and Orrin O’Connor to wrap it all up.
Antrim’s starting team was –
Eoghan Richmond, Mal McGibbon, Liam Glackin, Dara Patterson, Ben McGarry, Sean McKay, Ben O’Kane, Joe McLoughlin, Callum McIlwaine, Aodhan McGarry, Cormac McKeown, Thomas McLoughlin, Fiontain Bradley, Orann Donnelly, Jack McCloskey
Antrim wing back Ben O’Kane in action against Meath in Dundalk
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Glenravel gained a positive return when they visited Cloney in round two, just shading the verdict over Ahoghill which sandwiched defeats to the visiting St Gall’s and away to St Brigids.
They will return to home base for this one where they will play hosts to Hugh Mc Gettigan’s Rossa who await a second win following defeats to St Gall’s and Cargin.
Rossa gave the visiting Cargin a run for their money last time out and if all hands are on board they are more than capable of returning with at least a point secured from their travels.
Lamh Dhearg v St Paul’s
St Paul’s collected a point from their latest game when they entertained Tir na nOg at Shaw’s Road and they did well to hold their visitors to a draw.
St. Paul’s with a youthful side at their disposal have earned respect after winning a couple of minor titles recently and will hope to build on that result as they make the trip to Hannastown.
Lamh Dearg will be keen to impress home support in this one having lost out to Cargin and Aldergrove in respective visits to the South West.
They gave the Toome men a run for their money in a high scoring game and ran St. James’ close.
Lamh Dhearg will start this one as clear favourites and although St Paul’s will not lack in ambition a home win does look likely.
St John’s v St Gall’s
St John’s have started poorly this season and the Corrigan side have yet to record a win.
They did hint at improvement last time when they lost narrowly to the in-form St Brigid’s by the minimum, 2-10 to 1-12 and they will entertain St Gall’s seeking to build on that performance.
St. Galls have started the season very much in the positive and they remain undefeated to date.
They have gained the verdict over Rossa, Glenravel, and Aghagallon and will be aiming for another win in this trip to Corrigan.
The Milltown side will travel down to Corrigan in confidence but the Johnnies hinted at improvement last time and will give them a run for their money and a home win is possible.
Kickham’s Creggan v St Brigid’s
Having started the season in style with back to back wins at St Paul’s and at home to All Saints the Kickham’s lost to Dunloy last time out at Pearse Park.
Joe Cassidy’s men have home advantage in this 4th round fixture against last year’s league winners, St. Brigid’s who have started this season well.
The visitors were pushed all the way by St. John’s last time out and had to dig deep to gain the points on a 2-10 to 1-12 verdict.
This one could go either way with home advantage possibly swinging it Creggan’s way.
Casement’s Portglenone v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
Casement’s have not started the present league campaign well with only one win to date.
John Mc Keever’s charges collected the points over the visiting St Paul’s but lost away to All Saint’s and Aldergrove in rounds two and three.
Home advantage and need for points could swing this one in favour of Portglenone but they will face a Dunloy side who recorded a good win over St. John’s at Corrigan Park after losing to Aghagallon in their opening fixture.
Tir na nOg v All Saint’s Ballymena
Tir na nOg have started the present season slowly with just one point after securing a draw at St. Paul’s as they welcome All Saints to Whitehill.
Tir na nOg had a good 2024 season and are capable of much better than they have shown to date and will be aiming to get their first win as neighbours, All Saints visit Randalstown.
The Ballymena side have recorded wins over St. John’s and Portglenone this term but lost heavily to Creggan and games between these two have been tight in the past.
There is likely to be little between them again on this occasion with home advantage possibly swaying it in favour of Tir na nOg but a share of the spoils cannot be ruled out.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Mary’s Ahoghill
Aghagallon started their league campaign with a good win away to Dunloy but have suffered back to back defeats against St Brigid’s at home and away to St Galls.
Eamon Brady’s Ahoghill side have struggled this season and are pointless to date though they ran Glenravel might close last day out..
Aghagallon will start this one as firm favourites but although the home side may well gain the day it would be foolish to underestimate the Cloney men.
Erin’s Own Cargin v St James Aldergrove
St James Aldergrove are flying high at the moment and the Crumlin side are unbeaten to date.
They opened with a win at Randalstown and continuing with a home victory over Portglenone before a positive return over the visiting Lamh Dhearg on day 3.
This looks like their toughest challenge to date as they travel to Toome to meet Cargin who have a similar unbeaten record and continue to look like the side to beat.
St. James will take great confidence from their results to date but this looks like a step up in class for the Crumlin side and Cargin should maintain their unbeaten run.
Division Two (all games at 6.30 pm)
Michael Davitt’s v Gort na Mona
Gort na Momna have lost both of their opening games, away to St. Teresa’s and at home to Moneyglass but went close in both games while Davitt’s drew with Glenavy at Davitt’s Park before suffering defeat last day out to Naomh Comhghall at Dunsilly.
Another close game in prospect with ground advantage possibly tipping the balance in favour of Davitts.
St Enda’s v St Comgall’s
St. Enda’s lost their opening game by a point to St. Patrick’s Lisburn at Hightown and suffered a similar defeat when they visited Glenavy in round two.
The Glengormley men will hope to open their account in round three when they play hosts to St Comgall’s and they will start this one as slight favourites but Barry Burn’s Naomh Comhghall have shown good form since their promotion from Division 3 last year and could make life difficult.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v St Mary’s Rasharkin
Having endured the drop at the end of last season, Moneyglass have started life in division 2 on a positive note with a home win over St Comgall’s before another positive return in round two at Gort na Mona.
St Ergnat’s play hosts to St Mary’s Rasharkin in this one and they will start as firm favourites to add another two points against a St Mary’s side who have lost their opening games.
Sarsfield’s v St Teresa’s
Sarsfield’s made it two from two with a first round win over Rasharkin before coming away from Lisburn with a second victory over St Patricks and they will travel to St Teresa’s in search of another win.
St Teresa’s have a similar record as they welcome a Sarsfield side that they defeated in the Intermediate Championship semi-final last season and this one is likely to be close with ground advantage possibly swinging it Sarsfield’s way.
St Patrick’s Lisburn v St Joseph’s Glenavy
Lisburn based St Patrick’s recorded an opening day win at Hightown but lost to Sarsfields on day two.
St Joseph’s Glenavy have three points from their opening two games from a draw at Davitts in round one and victory over St Enda’s at Chapel Hill on day 2.
This one could be mighty close but Glenavy are awarded the vote.
Division Three (all games at 6.30pm
Eire Og v Wolfe Tones
Eire og will be favourites to gain the points in this one having impressed in their opening day win over Laochra Loch Lao.
Wolfe Tones have lost both their games to date and will need to show improvement if they are to take anything from this one.
Cardinal O’ Donnell’s v Laochra Loch Lao
O’Donnell’s lost their second game to the visiting St. Agnes after recording a victory over Pearses first day out and are fancied to take the points again as Laochra Loch Lao visit MacRory Park.
St Agnes v St Malachy’s
The Aggies have impressed in their opening games with big wins over Wolfe Tones and O’ Donnell’s respectively and they may well continue on the winning trail as St Malachy’s visit Woodlands.
Patrick Pearse’s v Kickham’s Ardoyne
Kickham’s Ardoyne have started 2025 positively with back to back victories and may well add another couple of points from this local derby as Pearses travel the short distance to Fennell Park.
St. John’s join neighbours Rossa at the top of the ACHL Division 1 after 2 rounds of games and after a good win over Cushendall on day one, they travelled to Hightown to face St. Enda’s on Sunday.
Donal Carson’s first half goal proved the difference between the sides at half time with Shea Shannon’s accuracy from the placed ball contributing to the majority of the St. John’s points.
The game was still in the balance at the halfway stage with the visitors leading 1-8 to 0-8 at the turnover with Ruairi Donaghy in fine form for the home side and contributing 0-5 of his side’s first half total.
In the end goals would prove the difference as a slick ‘Johnnies’ added two more with Daragh McGuinness on target and Carson getting his second of the afternoon.
Donaghy would continue to lead the St. Enda’s charge with four second half points to bring his total for the afternoon to nine points but the Johnnies always had enough to keep their noses in front.
Its early days yet but St. John’s will be pleased with their start to the season and will hope to keep it going as the league progresses. They take on a Ballycastle side that had a good win over Loughgiel at Corrigan on Saturday and can extended their winning run to three though the McQuillan’s may have other ideas.
St. Enda’s have lost their two opening games but competed well for long periods in this one and face a difficult away trip to Poertaferry at the weekend.
Creggan made it two wins out of two when they travelled to Cushendun on Sunday and beat the Emmet’s by a single point in Division 2 of the Antrim Hurling League. Two goals by Morgan Nelson in the 11th and 14th minutes of the first half were the key scores that decided the game and though they were always in contention they were always playing catch-up.
The home side started with a Dominic McQuillan point but two points from former county star Conor McCann had Creggan ahead by the seventh minute and when Nelson got the first of his two goals four minutes later, the visitors were in the driving seat. Matthew McCartin came back with a point for Cushendun but when Nelson grabbed his second goal on 14 minutes the Emmet’s had a mountain to climb.
Five points without reply from Conrad McDonnell, Dominic McQuillan, Eoin Magee, Matthew McCartin and Donal O’Hara cut their deficit to just one, but Creggan outscored the home side by 4 point to 3 in the run in to half time to lead by 2-06 to 0-10.
In a low scoring second half Creggan got off to a good start when Conor McCann and Jake McAteer stretched their team’s lead to 4 inside 3 minutes, but despite scoring just two more points in the following 27 minutes they were able to hold off a shot-shy Cushendun forward line. The Emmet’s did manage to close the gap to just 2 by the midway stage of the second half as Dominic McQuillan pointed a free and Calum Kilgore added one from play. However that was to be their only score from play in that second period, their final 3 points all coming from McQuillan frees, while two more by Morgan Nelson gave the Kickhams victory.
In the other games in Division 2 Glenariffe beat St Gall’s by 1-22 to 0-14 in Waterfoot, Carryduff had a home win over Cloughmills, Bredagh impressed in their 3-18 to 0-17 win over Sarsfields, Cloney Gaels beat St Paul’s by 2-17 to 2-16 in the game of the day at Ahoghill while Tir na nÓg had seven point to spare over Glenarm at Feystown, that game ending 0-10 to 0-17.
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Geraldine’s Portglenone claimed the Division 1 Féile County title in impressive fashion on Saturday, April 12th, at their home grounds in Portglenone. The hosts put on a show of determination, teamwork, and skill to cap off a memorable day for the club and its supporters.
In the semi-finals, Cushendall overcame Dunloy in a closely contested encounter, while Geraldine’s booked their place in the final with a hard fought win over Loughgiel. The final saw Geraldine’s face Cushendall, where the home side rose to the occasion, delivering a commanding performance to secure the title.
This latest success builds on an incredible run by the Geraldines squad, who also captured both the U14 Division 1 League and A Championship titles last season. Their consistency and hunger for silverware have made them one of the standout underage teams in the county.
Central to their triumph was their outstanding team play. Throughout the tournament, Geraldine’s displayed excellent movement off the ball, tight defensive cohesion, and a sharp attacking edge. Their ability to play as a unit — supporting each other, working tirelessly, and showing composure under pressure — set them apart.
The win not only highlights the talent within the squad but also reflects the hard work of the players, coaches, and wider club community. With their league and Championship titles and now a Féile crown added to their growing list of honours, the future is bright for Geraldine’s Portglenone.
With the county title now secured, attention turns to the next exciting chapter as Geraldine’s Portglenone prepare to travel to Co. Wexford to represent Antrim in the National Féile Finals. It promises to be another proud moment for the club as they compete on the national stage and showcase the strength of camogie in their community.
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