by thesaffrongael

Lámhs romp to victory and condemn Saints to Championship Play-Offs

Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship, Group 3 

Lámh Dhearg 4-18-1-09 All Saints, Ballymena 

Kevin Herron reports from Hightown 

Lámh Dhearg ensured they avoided the Championship relegation Play-Offs with a comfortable 4-18-1-09 win over All Saints at Hightown on Sunday afternoon. 

Both sides experienced defeats to St Galls and Creggan in their opening two fixtures, and whilst the top two battled it out for top spot in Dunsilly, there was plenty at stake in Hightown with the losers season extending for another couple of weeks in the dreaded Play-Offs to avoid the drop to Intermediate Championship in 2026. 

It was the Lámhs who made a rapid start- hitting the net within two minutes after Calum Fegan slipped a pass into Adam Murray who won a ball out in front and immediately ran towards goal before finding the unmarked Terry McCrudden to palm home at the back post. 

A converted two-pointed free followed from Calum Fegan and it took All Saints until the 10th minute to get off the mark through a Ciaran Campbell point. 

That gave the Saints a huge lift and by the 13th minute they had restored parity. Paddy McAleer conjured up an angled two-pointer and just over 60-seconds later repeated the trick. 

By the midway point in the half McAleer made it three from three attempts to open up a 0-7-1-2 lead, which was narrowed with Ryan Murray opening his account for the afternoon. 

Lámh Dhearg regained the lead when Murray swept home his side’s second goal of the half, but Ballymena struck back at the other end after Marc Jordan’s shot was blocked down and they quickly turned defence to attack with McAleer slotting beyond John Finucane’s reach to make it 1-7-2-2. 

Paddy McAleer who scored 1-6 for All Saints in their defeat to Lamh Dhearg

Their advantage was doubled when Joe Rafferty swung over a point, but Lámh Dhearg ended the half strongly and got back on terms through a Mark Finnegan score and Declan Smyth shot that snuck inside the posts and was originally waved wide before the intervention of linesman Paul Burns to advise that Smyth’s effort went inside the post. 

A two-pointed Ryan Murray score had the Hannahstown men 2-7-1-8 to the good at the midway stage with all to play for in the second period. 

Lámh Dhearg replicated their start to the opening half and struck their third goal within a minute of the restart. 

Calum Fegan popped the ball off to Adam Murray and after Marc Jordan had ghosted past Kavan Keenan, he got onto the forward pass, burst towards goal and picked his spot past Ryan Stewart. 

A two-pointer followed from Declan Smyth and goalscorer Jordan added a point from play as his side moved 3-10-1-8 clear. 

A second two-pointed Ryan Murray score extended the lead, with Brendan McDonnell claiming his side’s only score of the second period in reply. 

Substitute Owen McKeown popped over his first of the afternoon and Mark Finnegan then landed the final two-pointed score of the contest midway through the second half. 

After playing a role in two of the goals, Calum Fegan capped off a fine showing with a point and Mark Finnegan added his second score of the half before departing. 

The Lámhs were simply relentless and Owen McKeown bagged his sides fourth of the afternoon. 

Again, Calum Fegan was involved in finding McKeown and he showed a burst of pace to evade the All Saints defence before firing low past Stewart to make it 4-17-1-9. 

McKeown would land a further point before the conclusion and try as they might, All Saints were unable initiate a consolation score as they suffered a third successive defeat and must try to pick themselves up for the relegation Play-Offs that begin in two weeks time. 

LÁMH DHEARG: J Finucane, Ross Murray, D Lynch, M McGarry, D Smyth (0-3, 1×0-2pt), P Mervyn, E Matassa, C Boyd, P Fitzsimons, C Fegan (0-3, 1×0-2ptf), R Murray (1-5, 2×0-2pt), M Jordan (1-1), M Finnegan (0-4, 1×0-2pt), A Murray, T McCrudden (1-0). Subs: O McKeown (1-2) for C Boyd (40), E Stanley for E Matassa (45), D Martin for M Finnegan (48), D Murray for T McCrudden (56), R Diamond for Ryan Murray (58). 

ALL SAINTS: R Stewart, M Downey, K Keenan, H Connon, J Rafferty (0-1), S O’Callaghan, J McDonnell, C Stewart, E KIllough, P Ferris, P McAleer (1-6, 3×0-2pt), B McDonnell (0-1), P McReynolds, S McVeigh, C Campbell (0-1). Subs: C O’Brien for S O’Callaghan (22), P McNicholl for E Killough (38), R Thom for P McReynolds (44), 

REFEREE: Darren McKeown (St Galls)

by thesaffrongael

McCann goal sends St. Teresa’s to victory at windy Davitt’s Park

IFC Group 2

Davitt’s 0-12 St. Teresa’s 1-13

St. Teresa’s took a step closer to a place in the IFC play-offs when a goal from Niall McCann after 13 minutes of the second half would prove the difference against Michael Davitt’s at windy Davitt’s Park on Sunday.

The gale that blew down the West Belfast venue would prove to be a major contributor to the Glen Road side’s first half dominance as they led by 0-8 in a first half where they were nearly always on top.

Davitt’s failed to raise a flag during that period and while they became more proficient in front of the posts after the break, it was St. Teresa’s ability to keep the score board moving that would prove the difference in the end.

Niall McCann got the Glen Road side of the mark from a free in the 6th minute and John Mallon converted a second after Aaron Slane in the Davitt’s goals was penalised for taking too long from his kick-out.

The early momentum for St. Teresa’s continued as Eoghan Hamill pointed then added another great 2 pointer from out on the left but they had to be thankful to their keeper, Mark Small who made a smart save as the home side briefly threatened.

Conor Mallon, Anton Taylor and John Mallon from a free moved St. Teresa’s 0-8 to 0-0 ahead at the break but given the strength of the driving wind they were to face in the second half, would 8 be enough?

HT 0-0 TO 0-8

Anthony Rowntree finally got the home side going with a point in the 4th minute and followed with another 2 pointer from distance and when keeper, Aaron Slane raised another orange flag in the 6th minute the deficit was down to three and the visitors looked in trouble.

They rallied however and their ability to keep possession and work their scores saw Conor Mallon split the posts and John Mallon added another from a disputed free before Niall McCann got in for the game’s only goal in the 13th minute.

Suddenly that 3 point lead had been increased to 8 and the visitors could rest a little bit easier as Philip Maguire replied to a Niall McParland point for Davitt’s.

Davitt’s were still battling hard as Conor John Sullivan struck a fine 2 pointer which again brought a response from Matthew Mallon with a point at the other end.

A sustained period of pressure going down the home straight saw Aaron Slane, Paul McLaughlin and Padraig McParland from a free close the gap to a goal by the 29th minute but again the visitors found a response.

Conor Mallon pointed as the game moved into injury time to move his side 4 in front and then Aodhan Dougan made an excellent block on his own line as Davitt’s launched one last ditch attempt to save the contest.

This win moves St. Teresa’s into second place in Group 2 with all their games played and one foot in the semi-finals though they could be caught by Naomh Comhghall who travel to Glenavy in their final game.

The Antrim town men would have to record a big win at Chapel Hill however and while Barry Burn’s side are capable of victory, the margin needed looks too great.

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by thesaffrongael

Strong Rossa finish earns them quarter final spot

Senior Football Championship – Round 3 – At Erin’s Own Cargin

Glenravel 4-06  Rossa 1-17

Results from previous games in Group 2 had rendered this a winner takes all scenario where the victors remained in the Senior Football Championship and the vanquished bid farewell to the 2025 season. So all to play for in Toome but a combination of squally showers and the remnants of ex hurricane Erin made this a game where the team who minimised mistakes would prevail. Given recent results Rossa would enter the fray as favourites despite being beaten earlier in the league by the same opposition. However that game would have been played without County level talent meaning Rossa would have been without the imaginative prowess of Mick Byrne in goals, the aerial dominance of Gerard Walsh  lár na páirce  and the silky skills of Domenic McEnhill upfront, all of whom contributed significantly to the Belfast side’s win today. The game ebbed and flowed with either team enjoying leading position on the scoreboard over the hour but when referee Mark O’Neill called time on proceedings it was the Belfast men who led and now head into the knock out stages.

Playing with ex hurricane Erin assistance, which blew straight down the Cargin pitch into Trea Gardens in the first half, Glenravel would have been hoping to amass a good lead in the opening thirty minutes but their opponents took an early three point lead with points from Gerard Walsh and a 2-pointer from leading scorer, goalkeeper Mick Byrne. In the opening exchanges Glenravel struggled to get their hands on the ball until a rare attack resulted in a penalty which Eamon Fyfe blasted home to level the game. Both teams were really challenged to string together coherent passing as the football seemed more like a bar of soap with the men in green and white relinquishing possession unnecessarily in a game where possession was king. The game of cat and mouse inched inexorably towards half time with a couple of two pointers each coming from Ryan McQuillan and Domenic McEnhill  to level things at 1-02 to 0-05 as we entered the final minutes of the first half. In the final play of the half, Glenravel’s Eamon Ward rounded the imperious Rossa defence and when faced one-on-one with County keeper Byrne, the young Glenravel forward found the top corner of the net in what was be the best move of the game. On the kickout Mark O’Neill blew the half time whistle with Glenravel three points to the good on a 2-02 to 0-05 score line. But as Erin clenched her teeth – would that be a big enough lead?

Glenravel started the second half without talisman Ryan McQuillan through injury making their challenge all the greater. The rain drenched spectators might have been expecting a full throttle push from Rossa with a gale force wind to their backs but that thought was put on ice as Glenravel’s Shea O’Broin darted through the blue and yellow defence to goal after three minutes. At this stage Glenravel were starting to dominate across the pitch but a couple of points each from Eoghan McMenamin and Domenic McEnhill with responses from Sean McKay and Niall Swann. With a quarter of the game remaining, Glenravel led by four points and that lead stretched to seven when they goaled for the fourth time. As the ball was played in from a Glenravel attack, there were at least eight bodies in the locale, ten if you include umpires, and as a game of pinball emerged the size five football ended up in the net. After in depth consultation with his umpires, referee Mark O’Neill instructed them to raise a green flag. In post match conversations that goal was attributed to Sean McKay!! So now the underdogs led by seven on a scoreline of 4-04 to 0-09 and only fifteen minutes remaining. At this stage Glenravel looked to be in a good position and managed to hold possession well inviting their opponents to come and get it. They had a few chances to put the game to bed at this stage but their opponents had other ideas. Their inside forward line started to make hay from some wayward kickouts and that resulted in a Tommy Morgan goal giving hope to what looked like a defeated Rossa team. Suddenly a seven point gap was only four and the Belfast men smelt blood. Morgan would follow with a point followed by a Domenic McEnhill point before a 2-pointer from Morgan levelled the game as we entered added time. Rossa star Domenic McEnhill nudged his team ahead for the first time since the twenty sixth minute of the game but that was cancelled out by Glenravel’s Cathal Hynds making a welcome return after a long lay off. Deep into added time and STILL all to play for in this fascinating affair. Morgan (2-pointer) and McEnhill would stretch Rossa’s lead to three and a final last gap attempt by Glenravel’s Callum Higgins sailed over rather than under the bar to leave the final gap of two points in favour of the Belfast men.

This was a pulsating game played in the most difficult circumstances. Officially we are still in Summer but this game felt a lot more like early Winter so congratulations to both teams for serving up such an exciting game in the circumstances. Rossa will be glad to be still in the competition and Glenravel, given their ups and downs across the season will be glad to be still ploughing a furrow at the top table of Antrim football in 2026.

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by thesaffrongael

Creggan’s late-late show leaves St Gall’s stunned

Senior Football Championship – Round 3 at Dunsilly

Creggan 0-16 St Gall’s 1-11

It was one of those things that had to be seen to be believed. With 57 minutes on the clock St Gall’s led Creggan by 1-11 to 0-08 after putting on a dominant display. Some of the Creggan fans were heading down the under the railway tunnel at Dunsilly, and a few of the St Gall’s followers were also slipping away to beat the traffic, their thoughts no doubt turned towards their team’s meeting with Rossa in the quarter final. St Gall’s appeared to have it all wrapped up and the size of the winning margin was the only thing in question when suddenly they ground to an absolute halt. In fairness they had had lost a man to a black card three minutes earlier and they had emptied their bench to give their subs a run out.

Then it was if the whole St Gall’s team had gone home and Creggan were left to play the game on their own. Jamie McCann started the fightback with a pointed free on 57 minutes and he added a second a minute later. Most people probably felt it was token resistance, but when substitute Joe McAteer added a 2pointer the feeling changed dramatically. Joe then set up Conor Small for another 2pointer and the centre forward added another soon afterwards to bring his side level.

Substitute Conor Johnston put the Loughshore men ahead four minutes into injury time when he cut in from the right and fisted over before super-sub Joe McAteer added the last one to seal a two point win.

For most of the game St Gall’s were the dominant team. Creggan appeared to be content to keep the score down playing against the breeze. They led in the early stages when Conor Small and Jamie McCann replied to a Niall Burns free to lead 0-02 to 0-01 in the 11th minute. However they only scored one more point in the 19 minutes plus injury time as St Gall’s took over, their good run started with a Brendan Bradly goal in the 16th. Niall Burns, who was superb all day, and definitely didn’t deserve to be on the losing team, five points from frees and corner forward Conn Doherty hit one from play to go in at the break with a 1-06 to 0-03 advantage.

Most pundits felt that Creggan would soon reel their opponents in when they turned to play with the strengthening breeze at their backs, and even though Burns increased the lead to seven early in the new half, points from Jamie McCann and Conor Small hit back soon afterwards to cut the deficit to five. However three quick points in a row from Callum Welsh, Conn Doherty and Niall Burns pushed the gap out to eight. An exchange of points between Creggan’s Matthew Rodgers and St Gall’s Niall Burns strengthened the belief that St Gall’s were home and hosed, and when they were still six to the good with just two minutes of normal time left to play a quarter final meeting with Rossa seemed certain.

What followed will be talked about for long and many a day. What triggered the Creggan revival is hard to asses, maybe it was the St Gall’s black card, or maybe St Gall’s had just taken their foot off the pedal, thinking it was all over. Whatever it was Creggan somehow found a spark and three great catches during that run-in from the hitherto invisible Ruairi McCann were a perfect example, and the strong running and score taking of substitute Joe McAteer. Whatever it was it worked and St Gall’s were left to rue a chance wasted. However the men from the Bog Meadows are still alive and kicking and that late lesson could still work to their advantage in the coming weeks.

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by thesaffrongael

Naomh Una survive O’D’s second half rally to top Group 1

Graham Tarmac JFC Group 1

O’Donnell’s 1-13 Naomh Una 1-21

St. Agnes cemented their place at the top of Group 1 of the GRAHAM TARMAC JFC when they recorded a hard earned win over an O’Donnell’s side who were battling for third place in the group and a place in the quarter-finals.

Naomh Una showed why they were top of Group 1 as they controlled the opening half despite being without a few regulars and with the wind in their favour they raced into a 1-9 to 0-3 half time lead.

After the break their hosts, O’Donnell’s stepped up their game considerably and a goal from Conor Walsh had it back to five with 8 minutes remaining but the ‘Aggies’ reacted with three quick points to ease the danger.

Despite a sustained effort by the O’D’s this was as close as the Whiterock Road side got with St. Agnes pushing on to win by 8 in the end and secure their place in the semi-finals.

Visitors to MacRory Park, St. Agnes raced into a 4 point lead by the 10th minute with Cormac McBride, Conall Turley 0-2 and Shay Madden the men on target as O’Donnell’s struggled to turn good possession into scores against the swirling breeze.

Fionnbar McKernan got them off the mark from a free in the 16th minute after the Aggies had breached the 3-up rule and Pearse Rice added another following a pull down offence.

It looked like the home side were finally getting to grip but St. Agnes raced up the field from the resulting kick-out and Shay Madden placed Conall Turley who fired to the net.

A couple of pointed frees from David McGaharan and points from Turley and James Campbell in response to one from a Fionnbar McKernan free for O’Donnell’s had the visitors 1-9 to 0-3 ahead at the short whistle and they looked in total control.

It was a much more motivated O’D’s who emerged for the second half and Gearoid McKernan pointed after 20 seconds but St. Agnes restored their nine point advantage through Cormac McBride with 4 minutes of the new half gone.

There was a greater urgency about the men in Maroon & Yellow however as Matthew Sloan kicked a good point and McKernan added another from a free with Shay Madden replying for Naomh Una with 9 minutes on the clock.

Joe Wilson for O’Donnell’s and the excellent Caoimhin O’Maoltuile for the Aggies exchanged further scores but O’Donnell’s were beginning to enjoy a bit of success and McKernan kicked three frees on the bounce to cut the deficit to five at the end of the third quarter.

St. Agnes looked under a bit of pressure for the first time in the game as the home support sensed a famous comeback but Conall Turley replied from a well struck free from distance into the wind and David McGaharan added another from play.

The momentum was still with O’Donnell’s however and Conor Walsh fielded a high dropping delivery and somehow squeezed his shot home in the 21st minute.

It was at this stage the ‘Aggies’ showed just why they were division 4 league champions this season as they responded with points from Cormac McBride 0-2 and James Campbell to ease the pressure.

Back came the MacRory Park side and Ciaran McKissock hit a great 2 pointer and it was down to five again but that would be as close as they got.

St. Agnes finished as they had started with the impressive Turley pointing from an acute angle and Shay Madden, David McGaharan and Dan Turley pointed with O’D’s sole reply coming from Fionnbar McKernan.

This win earns Naomh Una an automatic semi-final place and Ardoyne are through to the quarter-finals in second place but confusion reigns over the battle for third spot which also qualifies for a place in the quarter-finals.

O’Donnell’s only point to date came in a draw with St. Malachy’s who themselves have a single point but failed to field against St. Agnes on the 17th August so the matter will most likely have to be dealt with at committee level.

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