Two goals inside a minute by Gort na Móna’s left-half forward Caoimhan Beck, ten minutes into the second half, set his team up for victory in Wednesday evening’s Reserve Football Shield semi-final against Dunloy at Pearse Park.
The Turf Lodge men appeared to be up against it when they went in at half time trailing by two points, having played with the breeze. However a goal just after the restart by full forward David McKeown put them ahead and Beck’s double put then in a strong position. Dunloy hit back with points from Barry McCloskey, a 2pointer from Oisin McCamphill and a single point from the same player to get within four of the visitors but Gorts never panicked and four points in a row from Padraig Courane (2), Tiarnan Morton and David McKeown pulled them clear of the danger. Karl Fitzpatrick pointed a late 45 for the home side but Matthew McConnell had the final say for the Gorts with goal number four to set up a final meeting with Glenavy in two weeks’ time.
Dunloy started the game well and after an early exchange of points between the sides the Cuchullains pushed on with a point from full back Barry McCloskey and two excellent efforts from corner forward Barry McCloskey. Gort na Móna took a while to settle but once they got going two points from David McKeown, one from Padraig Courane and an excellent 2pointer by corner forward Jack Ireland put them 0-06 to 0-04 ahead by the 22nd minute. However Dunloy finished the half strongly and a point from centre back Callum Scullion and a goal from Karl Fitzpatrick just before the break sent them in at half-time with a two point advantage. (1-05 to 0-06)
Coming out at the start of the second half the smart money would have been on the home side, but goals win games and Gort na Móna hit four of them to book a place in the final.
Adrian Scullion who played his last game for Dunloy on Wednesday evening after a staggering 31 years service, is seen here with his son Callum who lined out at centre back the same team
DUNLOY
Peter McQuillan, Adrian Scullion, Sean Og Blaney, Michael Traynor, Anton McGrath, Calum Scullion, Cathair McCloskey, Ciaran McQuillan, Padraig McQuillan, Ben O’Kane, Kevin McQuillan, Charlie Cunning, Barry McCloskey, Karl Fitzpatrick, Oisin McCamphill.
GORT NA MÓNA
Jude Reilly, Darren Cahill, Barry Chambers, Brendan Burns, Conchuir Clarke, Conor McCabe, Padraig Cournane, Caoimhin Magee, Tiarnan Morgan, Matthew McConnell, Jack Thompson, Caoimhin Beck, Jack Ireland, David McKeown, Michael Brady.
Referee – Martin Quinn
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Northern Properties Antrim Camogie Senior Championship Round 3 Dunloy 1-13 v Loughgiel 3-21 2nd September 2025
Match report and photos from Michael Corcoran in Pearse Park, Dunloy
Tuesday’s round three senior championship game between Dunloy and Loughgiel had all the hallmarks of a championship encounter, with pacing mentors, an excited crowd and top table camogie. Dunloy looked the part for the first twenty minutes, being the first to raise a green flag but it only took six more minutes for Loughgiel to go equal in points before their own goal would catapult them ahead and soon five points the difference going into the break. Dunloy’s Katie Molloy proved a first half threat with her goal and three points but couldn’t reignite that fire in the second half. Equally seven minutes later, Loughgiel’s Katie McKillop set about raising Loughgiel’s green flag at the road end of the pitch and although didn’t revisit the scoreboard, was a constant threat in the second half, feeding the likes of Caitrin Dobbin and Roísín McCormick.
The second half entertained the Loughgiel supporters with two more goals and a haul of points to drift well ahead of their hosts, fourteen points the difference at the long whistle. Dunloy’s Eobha McAllister brought out the best in Loughgiel’s goalkeeper with rasping low sliotars needing diffused to the side and Dunloy’s Dearbhail Elliott maintained a presence needing all of the attention from marker Emma McFadden but the productive mix of Loughgiel’s McCormick, McKillop, Dobbin and McKendry was too much up front for the Cuchullain’s to tame. This was an engaging game to watch and just the recipe of distraction from the evening’s biting gnats.
It took almost the full two minutes from Owen Elliot’s throw-in before Pearce Park’s neon light scoreboard moved to register Dunloy’s Eobha McAllister’s point from a dropped in pass from Caoimhe Molloy. Dunloy would keep the charge flowing with a fine point from Dearbhail Elliott before her centre half forward counter part, Roísín McCormick, would make a free from a throw ball. Dunloy’s Katie Molloy and Elliott again, would improve the Cuchullain’s point status as the Shamrock’s drifted a few wides but once Loughgiel’s Amy Boyle got traction, two successive passes to Anna Connolly and Caitrin Dobbin had the Shamrock’s starting their way up the board and that would continue as McCormick clipped two frees over the bar, one for a foot on the sliotar, the other as Katie McKillop made a goal run but referee Elliot spotted an infringement.
Dunloy’s Katie Molloy raised green in the first half but couldn’t repeat her performance on the restart
Nineteen minutes had now elapsed and Loughgiel’s goalkeeper, Emma McAllister had a dilema on her hands, either to stay on the line and watch Dunloy advance to within striking range or come out and it was the latter, leaving the line empty, the gamble paid off as Katie Molloy opted to point. But Molloy hadn’t finished, with a taste for close encounters, Molloy got in behind Loughgiel’s defence and on the twentieth minute struck home for a goal and looped back around shortly after the puck out for her point.
Loughgiel responded almost instantly from the puc out as Caitrin Dobbin offered the sliotar to Kirsty McKendry for her point. Although McKendry wouldn’t get within scoring range again, that was largely due to driving assists – bridging clearances into forward opportunities.
Dunloy’s powerhouse, Katie Laverty, tracked by Kirsty McKendry who impressed with her ability to bridge between defence and attacking opportunities
Signs of what was to come was in the making by twenty three on the clock. McCormick dropped in a free and a 45 with a long haul pass from the half way line to Orlagh Laverty and suddenly Loughgiel were level in the game, Dunloy 1-06 Loughgiel 0-09. This was Loughgiel’s purple patch as Dobbin found Katie McKillop for the Shamrock’s first goal, then McCormick aided Dobbin for the point and a fouled goal run from Dobbin witnessed McCormick drill that sliotar over the bar to end the first half, Dunloy 1-06 Loughgiel 1-11.
Loughgiel’s Roísín McCormick top scored with an impressive 12 points on the night
On commencement of the second half, Loughgiel picked up where they left off, with a McCormick, McKillop, Dobbin combo that was well saved by Dunloy’s goalkeeper, Clodagh O’Kane. Four minutes later, Dunloy’s Nicole McAtamney struck at the heart of Loughgiel’s catch net before the Shamrock’s young full forward, Marie Laverty, proved her worth with a superbly placed low drilled ball into the back of the Cuchullain’s net.
Loughgiel kept the pressure applied and a jersey pull on Dobbin as she advanced into the goal scoring region resulted in a yellow carded free that McCormick tucked away. And a minute later McKillop to McCormick to Amy Boyle had the player with a head for numbers improve those with a fine point down the middle of the uprights. McCormick would take her own point from play after a tidy pass from Orlagh Laverty but Dunloy would make a dent in those as Cassie McArthur managed to turn inside Loughgiel’s Finvola McIntyre but could only manage the point.
Both sides would now trade four points amidst another yellow carded foul on a Dobbin goal run, whilst both Dearbhail Elliott and Eobha McAllister tested Loughgiel’s Emma McAllister, forcing two magnificent saves. But it would be Dobbin’s tenacity that would be Dunloy’s downfall at the twenty seventh minute as the Shamrock persevered to strike hard into the back of Dunloy’s net and a point straight after.
As the clock ticked into injury time, Loughgiel’s substitute, Annie Lynn picked up a pass from Lucia McNaughton and wasted no time in offering the sliotar to McCormick for her point before Katie Molloy won a great ground ball and finished over the bar by Dearbhail Elliott. Annie Lynn would have the honour of closing the scoreboard with her own point and the long whistle secured three more points for Loughgiel in their unbeaten run to date, currently residing at the top of the table.
RUAIRI OG CUSHENDALL 1-18 BALLYCASTLE McQUILLAN’S 1-08
In the other game in the Senior Championship Cushendall had a ten point win over Ballycastle at Pairc Mhuir. Eva McNeill led the line for the home side, hitting 1-07 over the hour, while Cara O’Boyle contributed 0-04, Orlaith Alister 0-02 and Siobhan McKillop 0-01.
Janey McIntosh was lead scorer for Ballycastle with 1-01, her sister Ellen got 0-02 with Fionnuala Kelly landing 0-1.
The result means Cushendall move up to second place in the league table on 6 points, but Dunloy’s defeat to Loughgiel means they are still on 3 points, so it will all be very interesting when the two sides meet next Tuesday evening.
The last time these two clubs met was in a first round league encounter in March when St James ran riot, winning by twelve points in a one sided contest at the Grove. Fast forward a few months to championship action and those tables were ruthlessly turned, Casements impressive from the start, demonstrating their obvious wellbeing in the process.
A welcome sight for Casements fans as Niall McKeever returns to the fold. Pic by Colleen Webb
Despite having little of any consequence to play for, their championship aspirations already nullified, Aldergrove did turn up in competitive mode, and to their credit started brightly when Ronan Hanna opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Although Casements did respond with early points from Michael Hagan and Dermot McAleese, little separated the sides during the opening quarter. At this point the contest turned in the blink of an eye, three quickfire goals in the space of as many minutes, from Caolan Tierney Aidan McAleese and Oisin Doherty… and all of a sudden the gap was ten.
Grove didn’t go away though, marksman Seamus McGarry (who was well contained throughout by Conor McGhee) was forced to forage deep to win his own ball. On one such occasion he did manage to break free and set up lively Glen Durham who blasted to the net, Seamus following this up with an excellent long range free.
Casements were ruthless in their reply, Michael Hagan and Paddy Kelly twice splitting the posts to maintain a double digit lead for Casements. With the half time whistle approaching, Dermot McAleese fielded highest, laid off to marauding Niall Delargy who slipped the ball to the waiting hands of Niall McKeever who made no mistake in placing the ball into the corner of the Aldergrove nets for the loudest cheer of the day. It was Big Niall’s first game of football for almost a year and the Portglenone support showed their appreciation.
Ronan Hanna started the first half scoring, and the big full forward finished it too with an excellent point from a free out on the wing after Eoin Gough was judged to have been fouled, seconds before Cathal McDermott blew his whistle for the short break.
As a contest the outcome was already long decided, and to their credit Aldergrove never at any point threw in the towel. Impressive Ronan Hanna raised several more white flags and Eoin Gough continued to enjoy plentiful possession, a player who wouldn’t look out of place in any team. The dependable Seamus McGarry knocked over a majestic long range two pointer, but those were intermittent highlights in red of a second half which saw Casements largely dominate proceedings, perfecting some training ground routines and go to town on the scoreboard.
Gough, Dunham, McGarry and Hanna all worked their socks off for St James for the full hour despite the disparity on the scoreboard. Casements were just a cut above though, a nudge to timing your run, whilst demonstrating the obvious difference between league and championship.
John McKeever introduced five subs who all made a worthwhile contribution. Ciaran Mc Aleese finished with a goal and two points to show for his twelve minute cameo, and Fergal OKane showed plenty enough to suggest he should have a much more prominent role going forward.
Up front Michael Hagan Aidan McAleese and Oisin Doherty are moving well and linking up nicely. Paddy Kelly Niall Delargy and Dermot McAleese still pull the strings in the middle third, where Niall McKeever showed glimpses of his old self. In a solid defence Kevin OKane continues to impress, as did Conor McGhee and Caolan Tierney.
Casements look like a team that’s moving nicely, and with a different style to previous years which is demonstrating much greater efficiency. 13 goals across their three round robin matches, and a plus 61 point group differential is testimony to ongoing work on the training ground.
John McKeever and his well assembled backroom team will know that much harder tasks await though, starting with an intriguing quarter final against a rejuvenated St Galls, as this year’s championship suddenly bursts into life.
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),
