by thesaffrongael

Aggies create history and clinch first Junior Football title 

Graham Tarmac Antrim Junior Football Championship Final 

St Agnes’ 1-14-0-09 Pearses 

Kevin Herron reports from Davitt Park 

ST AGNES’ clinched the Antrim Junior Football Championship for the first time in the club’s history with a 1-14-0-09 win over Pearses in the decider at Davitt Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Ahead 0-8-0-5 at the interval, an early second half goal from David McGaharan gave his side the platform to kick on for victory after the disappointment of losing last year’s decider to St Comgall’s. 

The Division Three league winners went into the decider as favourites over a Pearses side who returned to the final for the first time since winning it back in 2022. 

After a slow, nervy start it was Aggies hit the front when Caoimhin Floyd squeezed a shot inside the posts after seven minutes and then doubled their lead after Dan Turley popped the ball to Ronan Gilligan to kick a close range point. 

Just before the midway point in the half Pearses hit back, a two-man infringement was spotted and Liam Deegan converted the resulting free. 

St Agnes’ two-point advantage was restored almost immediately when Patrick Mulgrew offloaded to Cormac McBride to swing over. 

The first goal almost arrived after 20-minutes as Turley released Gilligan whose near-post shot was turned behind by Eamonn McKenna in the Pearses goal. 

The 45’ was worked out and Dan Turley sent over a two-pointed score that had his side 0-5-0-1 to the good. 

Pearses second score arrived courtesy of a second Deegan free and they settled into things with two further scores to cut the deficit to the bare minimum. 

Thomas McFarlane combined with Aidan Bannon to clip over and a further Deegan free followed in the aftermath. 

St Agnes’ ended the North Belfast side’s momentum when Conall Turley converted his first free of the afternoon and he added a point from play to make it 0-7-0-4. 

The sides traded scores in added time with Cormac Gillespie’s score responded to by a Ronan Gilligan point that had his side three ahead at the interval. 

The opening goal came two minutes after the restart and was decisive as it came for the Aggies. 

Conall Turley laid the ball off to David McGaharan and he powered a low shot into the corner past Eamonn McKenna to make it 1-8-0-5. 

A converted Deegan free opened Pearses’ account for the second period, but James Campbell capped a flowing move with a point. 

Pearses almost pulled a goal back after Philip Murray’s snapshot crashed off the underside of the bar, but Cormac McBride dropped a high shot over midway through the half and after a scoreless 10-minute lull he fisted over when a goal chance was on. 

Substitute Mark Caldwell fisted over a further point and a David McGaharan high shot dropped over to move their side 1-13-0-6 to the good. 

Liam Deegan kicked his fifth free of the afternoon and then added a two-pointed effort in added time. 

It was the Champions who would have the final say however when Conall Turley’s free concluded the afternoon’s scoring and the celebrations could begin in ernest for the Aggies history makers- who will turn their attention to an Ulster Club campaign in the weeks ahead. 

ST AGNES’: C Carroll, P Carroll, C Flannery, K McCormack, R Gilligan (0-2), R Reilly, C Floyd (0-1), D Turley (1×0-2pt), P Mulgrew, C Clarke, C Turley (0-3, 0-2f), J Campbell (0-1), D McGaharan (1-1), S Madden, C McBride (0-3). SUBS: M Caldwell (0-1) for R Reilly (54), M Boyle for P Mulgrew (56), C Gregory for C McBride (57), D Quigley for C Floyd (60), D McLarnon for S Madden (60+3). 

PEARSES: E McKenna, D O’Neill, C O’Neill, A McCavana, C Gillespie (0-1), A Bannon (0-1), L Giannetto, T McFarlane, R Bannon, F Grew, P Donaghy, J Smyth, S Moreland, L Deegan (0-5f, 1×0-2ptf), P Murray. SUBS: D Magee for J Smyth (38), S Fitzsimons for L Giannetto (54), P Johnston for A McCavana (57), M McAllister for S Moreland (60+2). 
REFEREE: Martin Quinn (Naomh Eanna)

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by thesaffrongael

Gould stars as Brídíní Óga win their second Intermediate crown

Doherty Woodshavings Antrim Intermediate final – Saturday 11th October at Ahoghill

Brídíní Óga Glenravel 1-12 Loughgiel II 0-10

Brídíní Óga Glenravel won their second ever Doherty Woodshavings Antrim intermediate title in perfect playing conditions in Ahoghill on Saturday afternoon, taking the lead with a point from Kirsty Laverty in the 6th minute and holding that lead until the final whistle.

However Loughgiel clipped away at their heels right through the game and the Glenravel girls could only breathe a little easier when just two minutes of added time were signalled as captain Torie Edgar prepared to take a free at the end of the game. Had the Shamrocks been that little more accurate in their shooting that gap might have been closer.

But overall Glenravel were the stronger team. They were very aggressive in the tackle and chased players down all over the pitch. They too could have had a better return from their shooting.

Anna Smyth opened the scoring with a point in the first minute. But Glenravel’s minor midfielder Orlaith Gould, who would go on to pick up the Player of the Match award, fired over Brídíní Óga’s first score. A fine interchange of passes involving Erin Coulter and Sarah Fyfe released Kirsty Laverty for a second point and Fyfe took advantage of a misplaced poc out to record the third – all inside six minutes.

Coulter added another point when she broke down a clearance in the 11th minute. But Therese McKinley, Anna McKillop and Carlina Scullion hit back for the Shamrocks with just a Torie Edgar free in response.

In the final five minutes of the half, Gould and Edgar (free) scored for the winners while Anna Smyth, having a fine game for Loughgiel, replied and the teams left for the break at 0-7 to 0-5.

Torie Edgar pointed a free on the re-start, but the next score was a decisive one. Leona Gillan won the sliotar in a ruck at midfield and released Erin Coulter whose shot at the end of a strong solo run was short. Molly Woulahan though was first on to the break ball and she kicked to the net. 1-8 to 0-5 with 37 minutes gone.

Although Loughgiel hit back with three lovely points over the next ten minutes, from Smyth, Shanna Deery and Ciara Laverty, Coulter fed Kirsty Laverty to keep the gap at four points. Edgar then hit the target twice only for Deery and Laverty to respond for the Shamrocks.

However the Brídíní Óga defence held tight with Orlaith Gould dropping back to sweep and the held out for victory.

This performance was in sharp contrast to the semi-final effort a fortnight earlier when they needed an injury time goal and a point from frees to pull a result out of the bag. It was their defence that kept them in that game and once more the defence was on top in Ahoghill.

They had enough possession to win more comfortably and will look for improvement up front ahead of the Ulster semi-final in a fortnight against the Down champions.

Brídíní Óga: Orla Donnelly, Maeve Mulholland, Jaime Woulahan, Danielle Scally, Emer McCann, Brónagh Laverty, Erin Coulter 0-1, Leona Gillan, Orlaith Gould 0-2, Sarah Fyfe 0-1, Kirsty Laverty 0-2, Shauna McDonnell, Aimee Traynor, Torie Edgar 0-6 frees, Molly Woulahan 1-0.

Subs: Eimhear McAleenan for A Traynor (56).

Loughgiel: Shauna McKillop, Ciara Connolly, Aoibheann Gillan, Sarah Flavin, Ciara Dobbin, Maeve Shannon, Zoe Cassley, Louise McKillop capt, Shanna Deery 0-2, Anna Smyth 0-3, Therese McKinley 0-1, Ciara Laverty 0-2, Caela Dobbin, Anna McKillop 0-1, Calina Sullivan 0-1.

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)

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by thesaffrongael

Brilliant Bradley leads Ruairis to minor title

Antrim Minor Hurling Final

Ruairi Og Cushendall 1-20 Glenariffe-Glenravel

A virtuosi display by full forward Fiontan Bradley steered Ruairi Og Cushendall to the Antrim Minor title as they beat the holders Glenariffe-Glenravel by six points in perfect conditions at Cushendun on Saturday afternoon. Bradley was unstoppable, scoring an incredible 1-14 of his team’s total of 1-20, 0-07 in the first half and 1-07 in the second. Last week the teenager had excelled for the Cushendall seniors in their extra time defeat by St John’s but there was no stopping him this time around, his accuracy from placed balls and from play unerring.

The game itself started slowly, both sets of players apparently struck down by nerves, but not surprisingly it was Bradley who was first to raise a flag, though it took 13 minutes to come. He added another a minute later but Glenariffe-Glenravel came back with two inside a minute through Canice McIntosh and Joe McKay to tie things ups on fifteen minutes. The sides were tied again on 24 minutes when Bradley and Oisin Gillan exchanged points but Cushendall finished the half strong and another Bradley point and one each from substitute Charlie McAlister and corner forward Cahir McCambridge put them 0-07 to 0-04 ahead going in at the break.

Glenariffe-Glenravel made a great start to the second half and after Canice McIntosh sent over from a free they hit the front when Oisin Gillan fired and angled shot from the left of the goals, high into the Cushendall net,

however they didn’t get long to enjoy their lead as Bradley sent over from a free at the other end a minute later to tie things up. Thomas McLaughlin put the Ruairis back in front on 34 minutes, Shane McQuillan pushed it out to two after a little pop-pass from Bradley before the man himself stretched the advantage to three by the 37th minute.

Points from Caden Graham and Canice McIntosh brought Glenariffe-Glenravel back to within two again and for the next fifteen minutes the lead fluctuated between two and four as scores from Bradley (2) and Nicholas McLaughlin were answered by Colla Ward, Oisin Gillan and Canice McIntosh. The score that really settled the game in Cushendall’s favour came down the home stretch, Bradley holding off three defenders as he threw the ball up in the air and batted it home with a stroke reminiscent of a Roger Federer serve.

Three more points followed as they winners stretched their lead to nine, but to their credit Glenariffe-Glenravel kept battling away and Cadhan Graham pulled a goal back in injury time. Cushendall were worthy winners however as they captured the club’s first minor title in twelve years.

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by thesaffrongael

South Antrim complete U-14 Hurling Championships at the close of September 

By Kevin Herron 

South Antrim completed the Stout McDonald U-14 hurling championships over recent weeks with St Paul’s, St Galls and Lámh Dhearg all claiming success in their respective deciders. 

Stout McDonald A Final 

Rossa 0-2-2-11 St Pauls 

Last year’s Stout McDonald finalists returned to the decider, but this time it was a rather more one sided encounter as St Pauls retained the trophy with a 2-11-0-2 victory at neighbours Rossa. 

St Pauls were first off the mark through a converted Daire Gault free after 7-minutes and Gault doubled the lead from play following Bradley McDonnell’s pop off. 

They extended their lead after Odhran O’Carroll’s shot dropped over with Gault then converting his second free. 

The opening goal arrived just past the midway point in the half after Gault’s free dropped and Bradley McDonnell’s low shot found the net to make it 1-4-0-0. 

Further scores from Ben Gamble and Lewis Hardy before the break saw their side in control at the interval and on course for retaining the Stout McDonald trophy. 

The visitors picked up where they left off with Daire Gault notching his third converted free, but Rossa finally replied when Sé Whittaker kicked the loose sliother over. 

A converted free from Cormac Carabine followed through Odhran O’Carroll sent over his second point of the afternoon. 

Talisman Daire Gault brought his personal tally for five and four from frees with another conversion and his side then added a second goal shortly afterwards. 

Lewis Hardy floated a high ball in and Fionntan Burns was able to guide the ball home to make it 2-09-0-2. 

Late points from O’Carroll and Burns completed a straight forward victory for St Pauls as they retained the Stout McDonald. 

Stout McDonald B Final 

St Galls 2-13-1-4 St Endas 

St Galls response to having their advantage cut to a point in the aftermath of Dillon Foy’s goal was to power home two goals of their own through Lorcan O’Rawe and Lewis McNeill as the Milltown outfit claimed the Stout McDonald B Championship with a 2-13-1-4 win over St Enda’s at Hannahstown. 

St Enda’s began brightly with Dillon Foy and Odhran McAllister slinging over early points, and Conn Culbert halving the deficit with a converted free to get St Galls up and running. 

Culbert tied things up temporarily though Odhran McAllister hit back from the same scenario to ensure his side kept themselves out in front. 

The free-takers traded further placed balls and Eoin Rodgers then landed a 65’ to ensure the sides were level at 0-4 apiece. 

St Galls would hit the front for the first time when Rodgers picked out Culbert to pop over their first from play of the afternoon. 

They would double their lead before the half was out, Rogers placed ball dropped and Lewis McNeill was able to scoop up and fire over to give his side a 0-6-0-4 lead at the interval. 

The Miltown outfit extended their lead upon the games resumption with Conn Culbert landing his fourth free of proceedings and then Oliver Crossan conjured a fine score to double their half time advantage. 

The opening goal of the game was a much needed St Enda’s score as Dillon Foy steered the ball beyond the reach of Aodhan Mullan to make it a one-point game (0-8-1-4). 

St Galls responded at the other end and restored their four-point lead with a goal of their own. 

Rodgers dropped in a free and Lorcan O’Rawe gathered and flashed a shot high into the top corner past Lorcan Smyth. 

They then found a second goal a few minutes later, despite the best efforts of Lorcan Smyth to keep the ball out in a congested six-yard line, Lewis McNeill did enough to steer the ball over the line and make it 2-8-1-4. 

Their side were in control in the aftermath as Oliver Crossan doubled his personal account from play and Conn Culbert sent over a further free shortly after. 

Culbert landed his first from play and a converted 65’ from captain Eoin Rodgers followed with Lewis McNeill sending over a further free before the game was out to wrap up a 2-13-1-4 win at the final whistle.

Stout McDonald C Final 

A strong Lámh Dhearg side romped to the victory in the Stout McDonald C decider over a youthful but determined Gort na Mona outfit. 

Early goals from Oran Agnew and Caiden McKay set the tone for the Hannahstown side with Ryan and Oran Hughes chipping in with points between Connolly Boyd netting a reply for Gort and Oisin Rea adding a point. 

After an entertaining start the Lámhs seized complete control with Dylan Quinn helping himself to 4-5 unanswered scores and a further point followed after Rory Mulholland got himself on the scoresheet. 

Gort na Mona would finish the first period strongly as Oisin Rea and Michael Campbell both found the net either side of Patrick Glennon and Dylan Quinn points- though it was the Hannahstown side that were firmly in control at the break. 

The sides traded early second half points through Caiden McKay and Connelly Boyd. Dylan Quinn added his fifth goal of the afternoon with Boyd replying from a free. 

The goals continued to flow with Caiden McKay and Ryan Hughes getting in on the act with Oisin Rea and Connolly Boyd carrying the fight for a Gort na Mona side that continued to battle on, however at the conclusion it was Lámh Dhearg who ran out convincing winners. 

by thesaffrongael

“Light up our future” – Dunloy GAC’s Quid Game Fundraiser Gathers Momentum

Dunloy Cúchullains hosted a lively and energetic meet-up night on Friday for the contestants of their upcoming fundraising event, the “Quid Game,” scheduled for December 27th, 2025. The evening, held at the club rooms, brought together the brave individuals who have put their names forward to support the club’s ambitious “Light up our future” development campaign.
The primary goal of the fundraiser is to raise club funds towards the installation of new floodlights and the upgrading of club facilities.


The contestant meet-up provided an opportunity for the participants to get to know each other, share fundraising strategies, and get a taste of the unique challenges that await them in the main event, with a few practice runs of the games creating a great buzz of excitement and friendly competition!
In a wonderful display of community spirit, the contestants are not only fundraising for the club. They are also competing for a share of a £10,000 prize pot which will be donated to their own chosen charities and community groups, spreading the benefit of the fundraiser far and wide.
The club has already seen a fantastic response from the community, with fundraising efforts well underway. Anyone wishing to support a contestant can do so by visiting the official fundraising page at

Dunloy Cuchullains GAC

A special word of thanks is extended to the Saffron Gael for their support and for capturing the spirit of the evening. The club encourages everyone to get behind the contestants as they continue their fundraising journey towards the main event in December.