by thesaffrongael

St Brigid’s finish strong to see off Aghagallon

Antrim U21A FC Semi-final       Sunday 09-11-2025

Aghagallon 0-10  St Brigid’s 1-09

Venue: Pairc Na nGael, Aghagallon

Photographs and Report: Brian Hamill

St Brigid’s produced a powerful second-half display to claim victory over Aghagallon in this keenly contested encounter, pulling away in the closing stages after the sides ended the first half level, with 3 points each.

The first thirty minutes were a cagey affair with both teams trading scores and defences on top. Aghagallon struck first through a fine effort from their centre back Enda McCartan, after six minutes, but St Brigid’s responded with half forward Isaac Robinson taking a point from play and two frees from their corner forward Rory McErlean to leave the sides deadlocked at 0-3 apiece at the break.

The game burst into life immediately after the restart when St Brigid’s centre forward Niall Duffy found the net on 33 minutes, with a long-range effort that eluded the Aghagallon keeper Gabhan Baine. They pushed further ahead with points from the right corner forward Joseph Logan, stretching the lead to four by the 36th minute.

Aghagallon, to their credit, rallied strongly. Their right corner forward EJ Loughran hit a purple patch, landing three points from play between the 43rd and 50th minutes, to give the home side some hope. However, St Brigid’s showed composure in the closing stages. The right corner forward Joseph Logan added four more points, while substitute Dara Quinn chipped in with a score to seal the win.

St Brigid’s discipline was notable, conceding no frees in the opening half, while Aghagallon gave away two scorable frees that were punished. In the end, the goal proved decisive as St Brigid’s finished strongly to take the points.

The Musgrave Park side will now meet holders, St. Gall’s in the final after the Milltown side defeated visitors Creggan in the other semi-final at Milltown today.

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by thesaffrongael

Fast start paves way for St. Gall’s victory

U21A Championship
Semi-Final
St Gall’s 3-14
Kickham’s Creggan 2-12

St. Gall’s got off to a flying start at Milltown on Sunday to sow the seeds of victory over visitors Kickham’s Creggan in this excellent U21A semi-final.

Niall Fallon was the man who did the early damage as he rattled the Creggan net twice as he used his pace to break through the Creggan defence before firing his shot into the far corner after Padraig Og Murray had opened the scoring with a St. Gall’s point.

From the Creggan kick-out the home side won possession and Callum Walsh linked well with Daniel Quinn to place Fallon who rose to punch home goal number two and the visitors looked in serious trouble.

The Staffordstown Road side slowly began to get it together however and Liam McClernon and Anton Martin both struck great points after driving through the heart of the St Gall’s defensive line twice in quick succession.

 Daniel Quinn was impressing for the Milltown side and he fired over a 2 pointer to increase the St. Gall’s lead to seven again with less than five minutes remaining to the break.

It was point for point after this as the Kickham’s fought to overturn a hefty deficit and their persistence paid off when they struck with a quick fire double of their own.

Ronan McGuckian began the comeback as he fired to the roof of the home net as the travelling support roared their approval and when Anton Martin added a second Creggan goal, the St. Gall’s lead had been reduced to the minimum.

The momentum had swung the way of the South West side and the question now was could they sustain it.

Conor Johnston’s first point of the afternoon levelled proceedings but the visitors failed to build on their period of success and St Gall’s would regain the initiative when Daniel Quinn replied with two points in as many minutes to restore the one-point lead.

Substitute Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain made an immediate impact as he split the posts to restore the St. Gall’s advantage and Daniel Quinn followed with a brace as the Milltown Blues resumed control.

The momentum was now with the home side and Niall Fallon burst through the Creggan defence on a mazy run but his effort was blocked with the ball breaking favourably into the path of Callum Walsh who made no mistake from close range.

The kickham’s looked in serious trouble again but fought back strongly with Shea McCann punishing a number of indiscretions as they clawed their way back into the St. Gall’s lead but the holders were always able to respond.

Callum Walsh and Dubhaltach MacCrabhagain were both on target as the hosts moved five ahead with five remaining in this compelling contest which was still very much in the melting pot.

The travelling side were in desperate need of a goal however but Conor Johnston’s effort was brilliantly blocked by Ethan Walsh at the death to deny them any chance of a comeback.

Niall Fallon put it out of the visitors reach as he fisted over at the other end to put a bit more daylight between the sides and conclude the scoring for the afternoon.

St Gall’s are now on course to retain the trophy they claimed last year and will face St Brigid’s in the final after the Musgrave Park side defeated St. Mary’s Aghagallon in the other semi-final.

ST GALL’S: C Óg Mullan; C Hale, G Adams, F McCullagh; S Adams, L Lynn, E Walsh; O Maskey, M Crossan; A Mackel, D Quinn 0-8 (1x2P, 0-3f), C Walsh 1-1; J Rafferty 0-1, N Fallon 2-1, P Óg Murray 0-1

Subs: D MacCrabhanna 0-2, P Austin

CREGGAN KICKHAMS: C Loughran; P McGuckian, C McLarnon, F Kelly; F Close 0-2 (0-2f), C McEldowney, L McLernon 0-1; A McIlwee, T McCann; A Martin 1-1, R McGuckian 1-0, S Daly; C Johnston 0-3, E Johnston, S McCann 0-5 (0-4f)

Subs: S Devlin, D McCann

Referee: Fiontann McCotter (Sarsfields)

by thesaffrongael

Rossa get over the fence in U21B win over Sarsfields

Featured Image: Corey Walsh, who had an outstanding game for Rossa in their win over sarsfields

U21B Football Championship semi-final

Rossa 0-13 Sarsfields 0-9

Only a fence separates these neighbouring clubs and there wasn’t all that much between them in this U21B Football Championship semi-final on the Shaw’s Road but hosts, Rossa always held the upper hand in a competitive encounter on Sunday afternoon.

It was O’Donovan Rossa who made the brighter start against Sarsfield’s in this U21B semi-final at Rossa Park with Diarmaid Rogan pointing them ahead in the 3d minute and James Aughey making it 2-0 as he punished a breech by the opposition.

Corey Walsh struck an excellent point to put Rossa 0-3 to 0-0 up after 5 minutes as they enjoyed the aid of a crisp breeze before Jack McLaughlin finally got the visitors off the mark with a good point after a measured build up.

Sarsfield’s Brian Healey comes under severe pressure

Two minutes later Corey Walsh set up Diarmaid Rogan to restore Rossa’s three point advantage and James Aughey and Rogan again added further points to move their side 0-6 to 0-1 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.

The home side were playing with a lot of confidence as keeper, Ruairi McDonagh came forward to send a 40 meter free between the uprights but Sarsfields served notice that they were still there when Daniel Smyth finished a fine move with a point in the 25th minute.

This score seemed to give the men from the Bear Pit some encouragement and Declan Barr steered a fine left footed effort just inside the posts to leave his side trailing by five at the break but with the wind to favour them in the second half.

Sarsfields needed a good start to the second half if they were to close the gap on their neighbours but instead it was Rossa who began the half as they did the first with Liam McEnhill collecting a Ruairi McDonagh free that dropped short to fire over.

The impressive Diarmaid Rogan added another to move the home side 0-10 to 0-3 in front by the 6th minute before a well contained, Brian Healey pointed a 10th minute free to get his side up and running.

The men in green were now enjoying a lot more possession but were having difficulty breaking down a well organised Rossa defence where Setanta McDonald, Conall Short and Joseph Mulholland were outstanding.

Diarmaid Rogan impressed in the Rossa attack

The scores dried up at either end for a time but Rossa were handed the opportunity to put the game out of sight when they were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute but Sean Clarke got down to save Corey Walsh’s spot kick.

A well struck 2 point free by Brian Healey with five minutes of normal time remaining to close the gap to four should have breathed new life into the ‘Paddies’ but it failed to inspire his side.

Instead it was Diarmaid Rogan who replied from a similar effort at the other end to restore his side’s six point advantage but Sarsfields did battle to the end with some success.

Jake Ward and Healey with another 2 pointer had it back to three as the game edged into time added on but that would be as good as it got with Diarmaid Rogan converting a late free to see Rossa safely over the line.

Rossa will now meet Gort na Mona, who defeated Tir na nOg in the other semi-final and it promises to be an exciting decider with both A and B Championships set to go to the city this year.

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by thesaffrongael

McKinney leads Burt to final as Con Magees fightback runs out of steam

AIB Ulster Junior Hurling Championship semi-final.

Burt (Donegal) 1-15 Con Magee’s (Antrim) 1-9

Con Magees Glenravel came up short on Sunday against Donegal champions Burt at Celtic Park in Derry, losing out by six in the end as their opponents booked their place in in next Saturday’s final against Derry representatives Lavey, back at the same venue.

During a dominant first half it was mainly one way traffic, but the Antrim side were thrown a lifeline when full forward Declan Traynor scored a great individual goal after 20 minutes, and at half time they were just five adrift. With wind advantage in the second period Glenravel came storming back, holding Burt scoreless during the third quarter while hitting six of their own without reply, to take a one point advantage. However that was a good as it got for the men in green and Burt found a way back in the last ten minutes to secure their place in next week’s final

Declan Traynor’s goal offered Con Magees a lifeline

With the fresh breeze behind them in the opening half Burt were in control from the start and with corner forward Liam Og McKinney firing over points from all angles they soon opened a five point lead, Dara Grant and Eoin McDaid joining McKinney on the scoreboard. The Con Magees men could not get to grips with a much sharper Burt side and it was fifteen minutes before Cormac McKeown got his team’s opening score. Conor Gartland came back right away for the Donegal men and the excellent McKinney added another to put six between the sides but Declan Traynor won a breaking ball in the right corner before racing in and firing left-sided past Paul Burns in the Burt goal to cut their arrears to just three.

Once again Burt hit back right away and even though Glenravel grabbed another point through McKeown, three from McKinney had them 0-10 to 1-02 ahead at the interval.   

Things looked a lot more promising for Glenravel when they got the opening score of the second half through Cormac McKeown, and when Conleth O’Loan grabbed two more the confidence began to grow. They had to rely on a couple of excellent defensive tackles and some great saves from goalkeeper Chrissy Quinn during that time to keep the Donegal men at bay, but when Sean McKay, Callum Higgins and O’Loan sent over points they led for the first time.

The Glenravel fans were in full cry as a highly unlikely turnaround suddenly looked possible, but the scoring dried up as Burt began to regain their composure. Man of the match McKinney turned the game back in his side’s favour when his fired in a superb goal from a narrow angle and when he added a point a minute later the lead was out to three.

Glenravel battled hard to get back into the game but hard though they tried the scores just would not come and Burt ended with three more to seal the win by a six point margin.

Burt: P Burns, J McDonaghy, C Bradley, K Curran, O Kelly, D Grant 0-1, A McKinney, S Gillespie, K McColgan, E McDaid 0-1 Ciaran Porter, C Gartland 0-1, C McDermott, R McDermott 0-1, L Óg McKinney 1-11 (0-5fs)

Subs: F Gill for E McDaid (17), C per is for J Donaghy (41), K Brady for K McColgan (41), K McColgan for C Porter (56), Callum porter for S Gillespie (60 +2)

Con Magee’s: C Quinn, E McCusker, J Duffin, B O’Neill, M McDonnell, C Lennon, R Lennon, D McAuley, F Donaghy, L Loughlin, S McKay 0-1, C Higgins 0-1, C O’Loan 0-2 (1f), D Traynor 1-0, C McKeown 0-5

Subs: H Fyfe for E McCusker (41), C Duffin D Traynor (53)

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by thesaffrongael

Under-21 Football Championship semi-finals

Sunday 9th November

The semi-finals of the under-21A football championship scheduled for Sunday brings together teams from the South and South West as Kickham’s travel to Milltown to meet St Gall’s while Aghagallon play hosts to St Brigid’s at Pairc Na Gael.

St Gall’s v Kickham’s Creggan (12.00)

St Gall’s have impressed on their way to this semi-final with wins over St John’s in their opening game at Corrigan Park and last week’s win over St. Paul’s in the quarter-final. St. Gall’s had home advantage for the St. Paul’s game and recorded a very impressive 2-21 to 0-07 win over the Shaw’s Road side.

Paul Austin was prominent in that win, kicking nine points over the hour and with Manus Smith and Niall Fallon busy in front of the opposition posts Galls were good value for their 20 point victory and served notice they were ambitious of securing their title.

Kickham’s have also impressed in their way to Sunday’s semi-final with Shea McCann in top form and Conor Johnston, Fintan Close and Fintan Kelly all hoping to make their mark on proceedings.

Creggan travelled to All Saints in their opening game and were good value for their 3-7 to 0-7 win but were regarded as outsiders when they entertained Dunloy in the quarter-finals on Monday night.

St Gall’s with ground advantage, will start this one as firm favourites but Kickham’s have shown great fighting spirit and a lot of ability in their two games to date.

Despite a slow start against Dunloy where they trailed for much of the opening half despite having the brisk breeze behind them, they struck with two late goals to lead at the break.

A couple of early points seemed to have put Dunloy back in control but Creggan were not to lose heart with Conor Johnston and Shea McCann leading the way and it was the latter’s late point which saw them run out winners by five points.

The Kickham’s will travel as outsiders but Fintan Close, Shea McCann and Fintan Kelly have the ability to swing it in favour of the South West side but St. Gall’s look favourites to progress.

St Mary’s Aghagallon v St Brigid’s

St Brigid’s enjoyed a clear path to the quarter final stage as Moneyglass withdrew from the competition due to their Ulster Intermediate game against Glenullin.

The South Antrim side faced a difficult draw in the quarter-finals when they were drawn away to Erins Own Cargin and looked in trouble when they trailed 3-05 to 0-04 at the short whistle, despite playing with the wind in the first half.

They came strong in the second half however as the home side failed to replicate their excellent first period performance to run out impressive 4-9 to 3-8 and this win will give them a lot of confidence as they make the trip to Aghagallon.

Niall Duffy with a couple of goals and another from Ruairi McErlean saw them nip ahead and as the home side struggled to regain confidence a penalty conversion by Issac Robinson in the last minute proved decisive.

St Mary’s did not enjoy a great 2025 season at senior level but the performance of their under-21 team at Kelly Park and Hightown suggests better times ahead.

They recorded an excellent 5-21 to 0-0-16 win over Casement’s and followed that up with win over a lively St Enda’s side to earn their place in the last four of the competition.

Aghagallon face what looks like3 their stiffest test to as St Brigid’s visit Pairc na Gael but it is a test they look capable of overcoming and although St Brigid’s will start this one as favourites the St Mary’s side may well gain the day.

U21B Semi-Finals

In the U21B semi-finals Tir na nOg travel to Enright Park to take on Gort na Mona while Rossa entertain neighbours Sarsfields.

The Gorts had a good win over Glenavy in their quarter-final at Sunday’s venue while Tir na nOg recorded a facile victory over visitors Ardoyne.

This one could be much closer but home advantage could swing it Gort na Mona’s way.

Sarsfield’s defeated St. Mary’s Rasharkin in Dreen in an entertaining quarter-final while Rossa recorded a ‘walk-over’ against Lamh Dhearg so they are an unknown quantity.

That run out last week at Dreen will have benefited Sarsfields and they get a tentative nod to advance to the final.