St. Genevieve’s won the Year 10 Gaelfast Camogie Shield on Wednesday when they beat Rathomre in the final at Woodlands in a well contested game.
St Genevieve’s got off to a flying start setting the tone early with a well-taken goal from Ella Cavanagh. A crucial defensive block from Sophie Rea helped maintain their momentum, followed by another important stop from Erin Grego. Rathmore responded with a point from their Lila McCavanagh but St. Genevieve’s Ella Cavanagh struck again, netting another goal to extend their lead to 2-0 to 0-1.
As the first half progressed, St. Genevieve’s No. 8 made a key interception, but Rathmore’s Lila McCavanagh showed her accuracy from a free, narrowing the gap to 2-0 to 0-2. McCavanagh then broke through for a goal, bringing the game back to a single point. However, she missed a crucial free shortly after, and the sides went into halftime with everything still to play for.
Straight from the throw-in at the start of the second half, St. Genevieve’s right-half forward Sophie O’Hanlon found the net, pushing the lead to 3-0 to 1-2. A powerful shot from Erin Cunningham was initially saved by the Rathmore keeper Aisling McKeown but O’Hanlon was quick to react, finishing the rebound to the net to put St. Genevieve’s even further ahead at 4-0 to 1-2. Rathmore managed to respond with a point but St. Genevieve’s Ella Cavanagh soon added another fine score, making it 4-2 to 1-3.
Rathmore’s No. 9 kept her side in the game with another point, but St. Genevieve’s keeper came up big with a crucial save, leading to a ‘65’. As the final whistle blew, St. Genevieve’s walked away as deserved winners, having dominated key moments throughout the match.
TO SEE MORE OF BERT’S PICS FROM THIS GAME CLICK IN THE LINK BELOW
O’ Cahan Cup – South West Antrim Senior Football Championship (Semi final)
Cargin 4 16 Moneyglass 0-11
Cargin advanced to the final of the O’ Cahan cup and a decider against Casement’s when they gained the verdict over near neighbours Moneyglass in a competitive semi final under the Toome lights on a cold Wednesday evening.
The visitors proved competitive in the opening period but the home side were on top in the middle sector where Kevin McShane and Gerard McCann took control.
Moneyglass were strong in defence with their excellent net minder
Daniel McErlain making a number of excellent saves.
The keeper was called upon to make a number of saves over the hour, the first in the opening minutes when he stood tall to deny Tomas McCann.
The visitors made the first mark in the opening minute as Conor Boyd raised white but Cargin replied at the other end as Tome Shivers raised white followed by another from Michael McCann.
Mc Cann looked to have added a goal a few minutes later only to be denied by the alert McErlain and the same player was then denied by a square ball decision as the home side continued to press.
The Toome men soon nipped further ahead as Tomas McCann, and Pat Shivers (2) raised whites.
Moneyglass did find the target in the 46th minute as Dermot Mc Erlain despatched between the posts and the visitors seemed to be getting to grips with a slick Cargin attack in the second quarter with the Moneyglass net minder McErlain making a couple of excellent stops.
Cargin got on top in the latter stages of the period with Pat Shivers, Tomas McCann, and John McNabb on target but the visitors were to have the last say as Tyler Cassidy raised a 39th minute white.
Erin’s Own looked in a strong position at the break when they went to the shelter of the changing rooms with a 0-09 to 0-03 advantage.
An early Pat Shivers point in the opening minute increased the home side’s lead with Tyler Cassidy and Jamie Gribbin exchanging further points before Benen Kelly and Tomas Mc Cann combined to send Michael McCann through to add a goal to put Cargin 1-11 to 0-04 ahead.
Points apiece from Paul Duffin and Tyler Cassidy saw the visitors hint at revival but Cargin replied through Benen Kelly, David Johnston (2), and James Laverty to extend the Toome men’s advantage.
The die looked cast as the end approached as Tomas Mc Cann’s delivery opened the way for Tom Shivers to find the net with both the contestants adding replacements as the home side extended their lead through Kevin McShane and Pat Shivers.
Sean Boyd and Seanan O’ Boyle added points in the Moneyglass cause in the closing minutes before Michael McCann despatched a penalty to the back of the net and replacement David Johnston added a spectacular fourth with Michael McCann adding a point in time added.
Cargin were comfortable winners in the end and look ready for league action but the visitors did provide a strong challenge to their hosts with net minder Daniel McErlain, and corner man Tyler Cassidy impressive.
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-01), Sean Og Quinn, Kevin O’ Boyle, Conan Johnston, Jack Harney, James Laverty (0-01), Gerard Mc Cann, Kevin Mc Shane (0-01), Benen Kelly (0-01), Tom Shivers(1-03), Jamie Gribbin (0-01), Tomas Mc Cann (0-02 *), Michael Mc Cann (2-02), Pat Shivers (0-06)
Subs:
David Johnston (1-02)
Charlie Mc Cann
Jack O’ Neill
Ben Mc Larnon
Moneyglass: Daniel Mc Erlain, Paul Duffin (0-02, Francis Duffin, Seamus Mc Cormick, Seanachin Duffin, Enda Duffin, Niall Boyd, Kevin Mc Cann(0-02), Damien Duffin (0-01, Oisin Hamill, Mark Duffin (0-02), Sean Boyd, Callum Murray, Charlie Mc Cluskey (0-01), Aiden McErlain, Tyler Cassidy (0-05)
Antrim take on Sligo this Sunday in Corrigan Park in a game that looks like a ‘must win’ for both sides. Games between the two are usually close and Sunday’s is likely to be the same.
The Saffrons travelled to Markievicz Park in February 2024 with Sligo winning comfortably in the end and today the Saffron Gael looks back at the report from that game
Allianz NFL Division 3
Sligo 1-20 Antrim 1-13
Following a winning start to the season, an inexperienced Antrim suffered their second successive defeat when they travelled to Markievicz Park on Sunday and lost to a good Sligo side, led by their captain, Niall Murphy.
The Sligo number 15 scored eight points as the men in black put in their best performance of 2024 to run out seven point’s winners against a Saffron side who had performed well in the opening half.
Inspired by their own sharp shooter, Paddy McBride, the visitors led 1-9 to 1-8 at the short whistle and might well have been further ahead but were hit by a goal on the break from Cian Lally in the 26th minute.
Antrim came back from this setback to hit 0-6 on the bounce with McBride leading the way and Ruairi McCann, Dominic McEnhill and keeper Mick Byrne moving them two in front as half time approached.
An injury time point from Daragh Cummins for the Yates County left the home side trailing 1-9 to 1-8 to the break but Antrim must have felt fairly comfortable despite facing the breeze in the second half.
Antrim rattled the home side with a scrambled goal in the seventh minute when Ronan Boyle got the final touch after a Ruairi McCann delivery – a point attempt from a mark – dropped short.
A couple of minutes earlier Sligo keeper Aidan Devaney came smartly off his line to deny Marc Jordan with his legs as the big wing half back looked certain to find the net.
Sligo, though, gradually improved and they moved a point ahead, 0-5 to 1-1, with 23 minutes played following scores from Niall Murphy, Darragh Cummins and Sean Carrabine.
Good points from Dermot McAleese and Patrick McBride put Antrim back in front, 1-3 to 0-5 before Sligo replied with a goal from Lally in the 26th minute and followed with a point from Niall Murphy that looked to have put the Connacht County in control.
Antrim responded positively as they scored six points without reply, including four from the impressive Patrick McBride, who was landing some beautiful scores, to lead 1-09 to 1-08 in first-half stoppage time.
Sligo produced a much improved second half performance to secure their third win of the campaign with Murphy leading by example as they struck through Paul Kilcoyne and Sean Carabine to take the lead in the opening minute before Paddy McBride briefly levelled the contest with his sixth of the evening.
The visitors would only add two further points however through Colm McLarnon and Niall Burns as Sligo took control and slowly began to turn the screw.
The home side grew in confidence and stature with Niall Murphy leading the way and the Sligo captain would finish the contest with 0-8 to his credit as they out-scored their opponents 0-12 to 0-3 in a dominant second half display
The hosts and the visitors had identical records coming into this fixture – two wins and one loss apiece, with Sligo victorious over Limerick in the previous round and Antrim losing to promotion favourites Down.
These sides contested successive Allianz Football League finals back in 2009 and 2010, with Sligo winning those Division Four and Division Three deciders.
Recent meetings have been close encounters – a one-point win for Sligo in 2020 and a minimum margin victory for Antrim three years ago.
Murphy, substitute Luke Towey, Eddie McGuinness and Brian Cox impressed in a strong Sligo side and this win looks to have secured their place in division 3 for another campaign.
Antrim, for whom Patrick McBride was outstanding, finished with 14 players because of a late black card for Marc Jordan and will hope to get something from next week’s visit of Westmeath as they look anxiously over their shoulders at the chasing pack.
Sligo: Aidan Devaney, Paul McNamara, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons, Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins (0-3), Nathan Mullen, Patrick O’Connor (0-3), Paul Kilcoyne, Alan McLoughlin, Donal Conlon, Cian Lally (1-0), Pat Spillane (0-1), Sean Carrabine (0-2, 1f), Niall Murphy (c) (0-8, 4f, 2 ‘mark’)
Subs used: Lee Deignan (0-1) for Pat Spillane, h-t; Luke Towey (0-2) for Donal Conlon, 46; Eoghan Smith for Alan McLoughlin, 62; Mikey Gordon for Sean Carrabine, 68; David Quinn for Cian Lally, 68
Antrim: Michael Byrne (0-1, 1f), Ronan Boyle, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, Marc Jordan, Joseph Finnegan, Dermot McAleese (c) (0-1), Colm McLarnon (0-1), Patrick McAleer, Cormac McGettigan, Patrick McBride (0-6), Ruairi McCann (0-2, 1 ‘mark’, 1f), Declan Lynch (0-1), Niall Burns (0-1, 1f), Dominic McEnhill
Subs used: Eoghan McCabe for Kavan Keenan, 39; Eoin Hynes for Cormac McGettigan, 45; Conor Hand for Dominic McEnhill, 53; Ryan McQuillan for Patrick McAleer, 63; Jack Dowling for Colm McLarnon, 63
Antrim v Down Very National League Div 1b Saturday 15th March 2025 in Ahoghill at 2pm
The Very National League game between Antrim and Down takes a run out to Ahoghill, where Antrim turned out against Wexford and came off the field with a one-point win to start their league efforts.
Saturday’s weather forecast suggests sunny intervals and very light winds. This has been the case for most of this week, so Ahoghill’s turf should prove to be sound for this important game for both teams.
Scoring from placed play will be paramount on Saturday, who will Antrim select for the role?
Antrim currently sit second to Clare on the table only by virtue of points and a win on a home venue will be paramount given how the league fixtures for round five stand, with an away game against Clare on the 22nd of March and Down go up against a solid Wexford squad.
Antrim’s Katie Lynn raising her game against Westmeath; will need that again against Down on Saturday
Antrim’s recent game against Westmeath in Ballycastle was an opportunity to flex the bench and was seen to be part of the McCormick/Coulter development strategy, but history will dictate that Saturday’s game specifically against Down won’t allow management the latitude to sway from a winning plan. Down will turn up with expectations and this will be a test for Antrim’s form, so far three wins from three games. A fourth win would probably place them in a league final and that could be a back-to-back experience with Clare. What panel will start on Saturday, and can they make it four from four? Grab a ticket and answers will be available from 2pm.
Antrim come out for the second half against Down in last year’s league game in the beautiful setting of Attical
All Saints got their division 1 campaign off to a winning start when they proved too good for St. John’s in an entertaining, high scoring thriller at Quinn Park on Wednesday night.
Both sides were missing key players for this, the opening game of the Antrim leagues with the Whiterock men the worst affected but perhaps All Saints involvement in the recent Ulster club league gave them the edge under the new rules which were being implemented for the first time in club football within the county.
The Ballymena side survived an early scare before taking the lead through the excellent Benny McDonnell with a goal in the third minute and Sean McVeigh followed with a point before Paddy McAleer followed with a second major with only seven minutes gone.
Odhran Quinn, who had an excellent game for St. Johns moves clear of Michael Read, All Saints
The home side were moving the ball at speed with Ciaran Campbell directing matters around mid-field and their strong running was causing major problems for the opposition who opened their account through the excellent Odhran Quinn with a point in the 9th minute.
Quinn’s point briefly interrupted the All Saints onslaught but they made an immediate response with Sean O’Callaghan finishing another defence splitting move to the net for goal number three.
The visitors looked in trouble but they slowly began to get their game together with Conal McGlade firing over a two pointer off the ground and Odhran Quinn adding a point from play before McGlade raised his second Orange flag of the evening.
The All Saints goals had dried up at this stage but they continued to rack up points with Sean O’Callaghan and Michael McCarry 0-3 (2 frees) bringing their total to 3-6 at the break and an improving St. John’s increasing their total to 0-7 with McGlade and Quinn leading the way.
McCarry increased the All Saints lead to 10 in the opening 8 minutes of the second half but St. John’s were beginning to enjoy a wee bit of success with Ronan Quinn and a couple from Odhran Quinn closing the gap to six by the 13th minute.
Quinn struck another excellent effort to leave just five between the sides and the Ballymena men looked in a bit of bother for the first time but they responded through Benny McDonnell and ‘Gooch’ McCarry before a long delivery from the lively McDonnell travelled all the way to the Johnnies net with 8 minutes remaining.
Michael McCarry fires over an All Saints point
Those scores settled the issue with McCarry and Connell Lemon 0-2 concluding the All Saints scoring and the superb Quinn and Odhran McAuley replying with consolation scores for the visitors.
Early days but Baker Bradley and his management team should be well pleased with their side’s performance and those earlier Ulster league outings certainly seemed to have helped their preparations for the new rules.
For an under strength St. John’s it was a case of learning on the job and they certainly improved as the game progressed and they will be happy with the performances of a number of their youngsters with Odhran Quinn one to watch in the season ahead.
Finally a word on referee, Colm McDonnell who did an excellent job in implementing the new rules and the St. Gall’s official took time to explain decisions when questions were asked.
All Saints: Conor Brennan, Michael Read, Cal O’Brien, James Gillan, Charlie Metrustry, Sean McDermott, Rian Tom, Peter McReynolds, Peter McNicholl, Connell Lemon, Michael McCarry, Brendan McDonnell, Ciaran Campbell, Sean McVeigh, Paddy McAleer.
Subs: Sean McDermott for Sean O’Callaghan HT, Harry Connon for Brendan McDonnell
St. John’s: Rua Lambert, Michael Darragh, Ronan Quinn, Odhran McAuley, Ross Hannigan, Luke Peden, Daire King, Ronan Donnelly, Ryan McNulty, Conor McEvoy, Conal McGlade, Daragh McGuinness, Conall Quinn, Aaron Bradley, Odhran Quinn
