by thesaffrongael

Brídíní Óga book their place in the Ulster final

Armagh City Hotel Ulster Junior semi-finals: Saturday 25th October at 1pm

Brídíní Óga (Antrim) 1-19 Ballyholland (Down) 1-5

Brídíní Óga opened this Armagh City Hotel Ulster Junior semi-final in Glenravel against Ballyholland with points each from Kirsty Laverty, Sarah Fyfe and Torie Edgar inside four minutes and it was clear even at this early stage that the Down champions would struggle to stay in touch with the home side.

A point from Niamh Burns however seemed to slow them up and it was a further ten minutes before Molly Woulahan eventually found the net after Torie Edgar’s effort came off the post and Aimee Traynor’s follow up went across the goals.

Although Sarah Fyfe’s second score of the afternoon opened a gap of six points, the Newry side hit the next three points, two for Emma McIvor-Murtagh and one from veteran Karen Maginn.

However the winners then stepped up a gear with five of the next six points to leave it 1-9 to 0-5 at the short whistle. Edgar started the run and Sarah Fyfe and Kirsty Laverty added a point each with two Edgar frees finishing the first half scoring.

As in the first half, Brídíní Óga were quick out of the blocks with three points inside three minutes, one from each of the three full-forwards. Then there was a break before Shauna McDonnell fired over when a goal was a possibility.

When Edgar landed a 45 midway through the half, Glenravel led by 1-14 to 0-5. Karen Maginn then turned and fired low to the net, but it proved to be her side’s only score of the final 30 minutes.

The home team hit five points over the final 12 minutes, three of them from Edgar frees and one each from Erin Coulter and Kirsty Laverty while Danielle McCourt pulled off a couple of excellent stops from Edgar and substitute Niamh McKay.

In the other semi-final Cavan champions Lacken stifled favourites Dungiven to take the game to extra time, but, as they had done a week earlier in the Derry final, Dungiven hit the net to pull away and win comfortably with 12 points to spare.

The final will be in a fortnight at a neutral venue

Brídíní Óga: Orla Donnelly, Maeve Mulholland, Jaime Woulahan, Danielle Scally, Emer McCann, Brónagh Laverty, Erin Coulter 0-1, Leona Gillan, Orlaith Gould, Sarah Fyfe 0-3, Kirsty Laverty 0-3, Shauna McDonnell 0-1, Aimee Traynor 0-1, Torie Edgar 0-9, 6 frees, Molly Woulahan 1-1.

Subs: Eimhear McAleenan for S Fyfe (36), Niamh McKay for M Woulahan (44), Emily Sharpe for E McCann (49), Úna McAleenan for M Mulholland (53), Caoimhe Duffin for A Traynor (56).

Ballyholland: Ballyholland: Danielle McCourt, Brenna McAloon, Aimee O’Hanlon, Áine McParlan, Eve Mullen, Sarah Gorman, Sinéad Quinn, Méabh O’Hare, Aoibheann Quinn, Aoife Murtagh, Katie O’Brien, Niamh Burns 0-1, Darcy Rushe, Karen Maginn 1-2, 0-2 frees, Emma McIvor-Murtagh 0-2.

Subs: E Casey for McIvor-Murtagh (39), S Murphy-Rea for A Quinn (45)

Referee: Chris Hickson (Ballinascreen)

Pics by Sean Paul McKillop

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by thesaffrongael

St John’s beat Dunloy in Under 14 football final

While last weekend saw the rebirth of hurling for St John’s in Ballycastle it may not be the only code heading for a comeback. On Friday evening at Woodlands the club’s young footballers showed promising signs that the good times may not be too far away for the big ball game either as they turned on the style to beat South West champions Dunloy with a polished display.

With the breeze at their back in the opening half the young Johnnies flew from the traps and three unanswered points were followed by a goal from Seanan Wright and a well taken point from Jack Rafferty to move seven clear. Dunloy hit back with a goal from a penalty by corner forward Caden Doherty, but that was to be their only score of the half as the Johnnies hit nine more on the trot, four of them from the sweet left foot of Odhran O’Prey.

Dunloy fared a lot better in the second half and created a lot of chances, but the lacked the finishing power of their opponents. Little corner forward Caden Doherty caught the eye as showed a range of skills, but St John’s had the power and two more goals came from Wright and Rafferty to seal an emphatic win

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by thesaffrongael

Cathair Bhéal Feirste beat St Colman’s in Rannafast Cup

Venue: Tullylish GAC

Date: 15th October 2025

Cathair Bhéal Feirste 3-5 (14) – 0-10 (10) St Colman’s Newry

Cathair Bhéal Feirste produced a spirited and determined performance to claim a well-earned victory over a previously unbeaten St Colman’s Newry side in a thrilling encounter at Tullylish GAC last week.

Coming into the game with two narrow defeats behind them, the Belfast side were under pressure to deliver – and deliver they did. From the outset, Cathair Bhéal Feirste showed intent, matching St Colman’s intensity and refusing to be overawed by their opponents’ unbeaten record.

The game was a tight affair throughout, with both sides trading scores in a fiercely contested first half. However, it was the clinical finishing of Cathair Bhéal Feirste that proved decisive. Goals from Rory Conway, Liam Carson, and Ronan Niblock gave them the edge, each strike coming at crucial moments to halt St Colman’s momentum.

In the points department, Aodhán O’Hanlon was in fine form, contributing four points – three of which came from placed balls – while Faolán McKee added a vital point to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

The strength of Cathair Bhéal Feirste’s panel was evident, with substitutes making a notable impact and helping to see out the game in the closing stages. Their all-round team performance, marked by resilience and sharp attacking play, was a testament to their character and preparation.

St Colman’s, who had enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign with two wins, found themselves frustrated by a well-organised and disciplined Cathair Bhéal Feirste defence. Despite their best efforts and a flurry of late points, they were unable to breach the goal and overturn the deficit.

This result breathes new life into Cathair Bhéal Feirste’s season and sets up an exciting clash with St Patrick’s Maghera in the next round.

Cathair Bhéal Feirste Team sheet

  1. Aaron Hartley 
  2. Daniel Mervyn 
  3. Odhrán Phillips
  4. Oisin McKenna 
  5. Nathan Smyth 
  6. Cormac Mallon 
  7. Faolán McKee 
  8. Liam Carson 
  9. Layden O’Neill 
  10. Zak Kerr Woodrow 
  11. Daniel Doran 
  12. Nathan Burns
  13. Ronan Niblock 
  14. Aodhán O’Hanlon 
  15. Rory Conway

Subs used: Harry Feeney, Patrick McAteer,  Eoghan Maguire, Rory Magee, Ethan Connolly. 

by thesaffrongael

Bradley shines as All Saints win the Laverty Shield

South West Antrim Laverty Shield Final

All Saints 2-10 Dunloy 0-12

Wednesday 22 October

Brendan McTaggart reports from Ballymena

A strong second half performance from All Saints proved to be the decisive factor as they overturned a three point half time deficit to win the Laverty Shield.  Dunloy were well worthy of their three point half time lead and probably should have been further ahead.  They were denied on numerous occasions by All Saints ‘keeper Alex Crawford.  The Ballymena side regrouped at the interval and made the Cuchullains pay for passing up on those chances.

Fiontan Bradley’s stock in the GAA world continues to soar as he put in an excellent performance for the All Saints.  He finished with 1-5 and had a hand in the second goal also – that coming from Eddie Smyth and came at a time when Dunloy were gathering some momentum at the other end of the pitch.

Robert Crooks, All Saints races clear of Donnach Laverty, Dunloy

Donnach Laverty had an excellent game for Dunloy, causing the All Saints defence plenty of problems with his movement and direct play while Emmett McKendry and Jay McAlonan were always a threat.  McKendry moving further out the field in the second half proving to be a massive factor as Dunloy looked to turn the tide and momentum the Ballymena men had gathered.

Anthony Hampson was Dunloy’s major threat, back playing for the first time since being in a major car accident early this year, Hampson landed two points and was a creative force for the Cuchullains.

The home side were excellent throughout the second half however and could have had further goals.  The Cuchullains produced a number of last gasp blocks, namely Paudraig McColgan denying Eddie Smyth while Matthew McCamphill put on a goal keeping clinic.

Dunloy were denied majors in the second half with Donnach Laverty’s long range free coming back off the crossbar while Anthony Hampson’s effort was partially blocked before Crawford dived at full length to deny him.

As well as Bradley and Smyth, Sean O’Brien also shone while Conan McKeown and Matthew Watt were excellent.  Their ability to break lines and pick passes to runners from deep was telling in the second half.

Dunloy looked for majors at the end of the game Hampson going close in injury time but All Saints held them out to run out four point winners.

South West Chairman, Stephen Graham presents the Laverty Shield to All Saints captain, Patrick Murphy

TEAMS
ALL SAINTS: Alex Crawford; Leo Wright, Finn Connon, Seamus Anderson; Callum King, Robert Crooks, Matthew Watt; Sean O’Brien, Patrick Murphy; Jacub Kaczmarek, Jack Patterson, Shane McQuillan; Conan McKeown, Eddie Smyth, Fiontan Bradley

Subs: Conall Boyd for S McQuillan (47)

Scorers: F Bradley 1-5 (3f); E Smyth 1-1; C McKeown 0-2; J Kaczmarek 0-1; S O’Brien 0-1

DUNLOY: Matthew McCamphill; Michael Johnston, Joseph Doherty, Paudraig McColgan; Joel Dillon, Ryan McClements, Ruairi Blaney; Aaron Doherty, Damian Kinsella; Ronan Black, Donnach Laverty, Seamus McMullan; Emmett McKendry, Anthony Hampson, Jay McAlonan

Subs: James McGarry for R Black (40); John McQuillan for R Blaney (43); John Ferguson for S McMullan (43)

Scorers: D Laverty 0-4 (3f); A Hampson 0-2; J McQuillan 0-2; J McAlonan 0-1; E McKendry 0-1; D Kinsella 0-1; J Dillon 0-1

Referee: Ronan Rocks (Bellaghy)

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by thesaffrongael

Ulster Schools Camogie All Stars

NO fewer than half the 24 players announced in this season’s EOS IT Solutions Ulster Schools’ Camogie All-stars panel last week at the Ulster University Sports Arena are from Antrim clubs – and seven of those named in the team collected All-Ireland Minor A Shield medals when the Saffrons hit 1-27 in the final against Laois in UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny.

Two of those players, Marie Laverty and Mary McArthur, were involved in last week’s epic Antrim senior camogie final between Dunloy and Loughgiel. Laverty scored three points for winners while McArthur hit a rasper in the final seconds that went just over the Loughgiel crossbar.

St Killian’s and Cushendall forwards Eva McNeill and Amy McAlister also get a call up for the second year in succession.

Two more Dunloy players from Sunday’s final, Éobha McAllister, who hit two points, and defender Casey Crawford also gain recognition as do Sleacht Néill pair Aoibh Mulholland and Lucy McKaigue who will face Loughgiel in the Ulster semi-final the weekend after next.

The top schools with four All-stars each are St Patrick’s Maghera and St Louis Ballymena while Cross & Passion Ballycastle have three in the mix and there are two each for St Killian’s Garron Tower and St Dominic’s Belfast.

The St Louis quartet are Casey Crawford, Cara Burns, Eimhear McCloskey and Carragh Boyle, while Lámh Dhearg’s Aoife Fitzsimons and Maeve Devlin from St Paul’s are contributing to a resurgence in St Dominic’s.

There are half a dozen Derry under-age players – four at school in St Patrick’s Maghera, Niamh Nig Uiginn from Gaelcholáiste Dhoire and Brónagh Bradley from St Mary’s Magherafelt.

The panel of 24 is completed by two each from Tyrone (Catherine Moohan and Hollie Croucher), Armagh (Eimear McGeary and Maeve Hayes) and Down (Caileigh McConnell and Katie Quinn).

At this point in time, the schools’ inter-provincial competition is very much in doubt due to the compressed nature of the schools’ and inter-county programme. It hasn’t run since Ulster won the competition six years ago.

Nevertheless the 2025-26 team will receive their All-star awards and commemorative jersey at a gala dinner in the Elk Restaurant outside Toome early in 2026.

EOS IT Solutions Ulster Schools’ Camogie All-stars 2025-2026

Aoibh Mulholland, Brannagh Brolly, Ellie Griffin, Lucy McKaigue (St Patrick’s, Maghera)

Casey Crawford, Cara Burns, Eimhear McCloskey, Carragh Boyle (St Louis Ballymena)

Éobha McAllister, Mary McArthur, Marie Laverty (Cross and Passion, Ballycastle)

Eva McNeill, Amy McAlister (St Killian’s, Garron Tower)

Maeve Devlin, Aoife Fitzsimons (St Dominic’s Belfast)

Eimear McGeary (St Patrick’s Keady)

Catherine Moohan (St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon)

JoJo Darragh (St Conor’s Clady/Kilrea)

Caileigh McConnell (Assumption, Ballynahinch)

Niamh Nig Uiginn (Gaelcholáiste Dhoire)

Maeve Hayes (St Catherine’s Armagh)

Katie Quinn (Our Lady & St Patrick’s Knock)

Hollie Croucher (St Joseph’s Donaghmore)

Brónagh Bradley (St Mary’s Magherafelt)