by thesaffrongael

Brilliant Dunloy are crowned kings of the ‘Big Ball’ game in Antrim

Northern Switchgear Senior Football Championship Final

Dunloy 3-12 Cargin 2-7

Sunday 12 October

Brendan McTaggart reports from Corrigan Park, Belfast

It was always going to take something special to derail the Green Machine, on Sunday afternoon at Corrigan Park, but Dunloy did just that.  Eight points the difference by the time Darren McKeown blew his whistle for full time after 60 plus minutes of a match that saw the Cuchullains outplay and outmanoeuvre Cargin.

This was a brilliant performance from the Cuchullains who were well worthy of their winning margin, on another day, they could have had more goals and they threatened to kick away any momentum they had in the first half with a series of bad wides but they were relentless.  Even when Cargin looked to build pressure towards the end of the hour, Dunloy always found a way to break with pace, precision and power.

Captain Seaan Elliott took the man of the match accolade, it’s hard to argue given he scored 1-8 with 1-6 of that coming in the second half but he had plenty of support.  Reece Cunning playing in his first year at senior was outstanding while Conor Kinsella, James Scally and Aaron Crawford all formed part of a tenacious defence.

Michael McCann lead the scoring charts for the Toome men with 1-3, his major coming from a penalty and while Conhuir Johnston finished with 1-2, the Dunloy defence had him well shackled for long periods of this game.

The first half saw Cargin have the lions share of possession for long periods but making little in-roads in a well organised Dunloy defence.  The Cuchullains have been notorious for hitting two pointers this championship campaign and they landed two sucker punches to the Cargin challenge with Keelan Molloy and Seaan Elliott raising the orange flag in the opening 10 minutes.

Cargin’s opening score came from a Tomás McCann free in the 13th minute while Dunloy could have been further ahead by that point but a series of wides from the Cuchullains kept Cargin within touching distance.

The Toome men were gifted a golden opportunity when Tom Shivers was fouled inside the square and they were awarded a penalty.  Tomás McCann was entrusted with the spot kick but he sent it to the left and wide as Cargin searched for some fluency.

Ryan McGarry and Michael McCann swapped scored before Luke McFerran scored the opening goal of the game in the 22nd minute.  Reece Cunning with the break from the Dunloy defence and sending the ball into the path of Aodhan McGarry with a brilliant pass.  McGarry found Luke McFerran and he made no mistake despite the best efforts of Cargin ‘keeper John McNabb.

That would be Dunloy’s last score of the half however as more missed chances gave Cargin the chance to reel in their six point advantage.  Conhuir Johnston landed his first score of the final before a piece of brilliance brought about his goal on the stroke of half time.  Gathering the ball from a deflection in the middle third, Conhuir Johnston stretched his legs to try and evade the Dunloy tackles.  His shot was partially blocked by Aaron Crawford but the deflection looped over Chrissy McMahon in the Dunloy goals to leave the half time score 2-5 to 1-3.

When Conhuir Johnston opened the scoring after the restart to leave the minimum between the sides, it looked like the stage was set for Cargin to push home but they wouldn’t register another score for almost 20 minutes as Dunloy took control.

They scored their second goal after just two minutes of the second half, the Elliott brothers combining with Nigel applying the finish while Seaan split the uprights moments later to stretch the Dunloy lead to five points.

With the Cuchullains in the ascendancy, they created another goal chance with Luke McFerran putting Molloy through on goal but McNabb denied the Dunloy man from close range.

Seaan Elliott split the uprights with a free before Dunloy would score their third major in the 42nd minute.  Nigel Elliott fouled inside the square with Seaan Elliott finding the back of the net and putting nine points between the sides.  He would convert a huge free moments later to raise the orange flag and put 11 between the sides going into the final quarter.

Cargin went in search of goals and were awarded a penalty for a foul on substitute Pat Shivers.  Michael McCann took the responsibility and made no mistake.  The Dunloy response was match winning with Seaan Elliott landing another huge two point free, staving any thoughts of a Cargin comeback in the closing stages.

McCann brothers Michael and Tomás combined to land three points, Michael’s a two point effort, either side of a Tom McFerran point but Cargin never looked like reeling in the Dunloy lead.

When you consider that 14 of the Dunloy starting 15 were involved with the hurling squad defeated seven days ago in the semi final, to have the psychological strength and capacity to comeback from that is a testament to this group of players.  To switch their focus to try and defeat a Cargin team who hadn’t tasted defeat within Antrim since the semi final of the 2021 championship, it adds to the Cinderella story of it all.  They bridge an 89 year gap with the MacNamee Cup residing in The Village for 2025.

TEAMS

DUNLOY: Chrissy McMahon; Reece Cunning, Aaron Crawford, James Scally; Aodhan McGarry, Ryan McGarry, Conor Kinsella; Eoin McFerran, Deaglan Smith; Eoin O’Neill, Seaan Elliott, Tom McFerran; Luke McFerran, Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott

Subs: Conal Cunning for L McFerran (37); Kevin McQuillan for N Elliott (60+4); Barry McCloskey for S Smith (60+4)

Scorers: S Elliott 1-8 (1-00 pen, 2xTPF, 1xTP, 1F); L McFerran 1-00; N Elliott 1-00; K Molloy 0-2 (1xTP); T McFerran 0-1; R McGarry 0-1

CARGIN: John McNabb; Benen Kelly, Ronan Gribbin, Conan Johnston; James Laverty, Kevin McShane, Sean O’Neill; John Carron, Kevin O’Boyle; David Johnston, Conhuir Johnston, Paul McCann; Michael McCann, Tom Shivers, Tomás McCann

Subs: Jack O’Neill for R Gribbin (HT); Pat Shivers for T Shivers (40); Eunan Quinn for J Carron (45)

Scorers: M McCann 1-3 (1-00pen, 1xTP); C Johnston 1-2; T McCann 0-2 (1F)

Referee: Darren McKeown (Naomh Gall)

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by thesaffrongael

Moneyglass march to Intermediate Crown

OB Construction Intermediate Football Championship Final

Saturday 11th October

Report by Niall Kelly from Dunsilly

Naomh Eargnait, Muine Glás 0-14        Pádraig Sáirseil CLG 0-08

Moneyglass are the Antrim Intermediate Football Champions for 2025 courtesy of a six-point victory in the latest instalment of their rivalry with familiar foes, Sarsfields. As finals so often can be, this one was somewhat a war of attrition with both tactically deployed to stifle the other. The difference in the end was the battle in the middle third and it was the men in blue and yellow who dominated under both kickouts as their triumph was well and truly forged in their engine room with Ferghal Duffin, Seanchan Duffin and Kevin McCann winning countless possession and breaks to provide the fulcrum for attacks. With frees proving the source of half the Moneyglass tally and five from eight of the Sarsfields total, scores were hard-earned in this one and again further illustrates the combative nature of the game.

In the opening quarter, there wasn’t much to separate the sides. Both showed glimpses of their best offensively, but the final touch was often eluding them. It was Moneyglass who drew first blood and established a three-point lead after ten minutes as their captain and talisman Colum Duffin notched all three thanks to two from the placed ball followed by a curling effort from play.

Sarsfields had been huffing and puffing but were finding it hard to make their efforts count on the scoreboard. Towering midfielder Cormac Murray remedied this with a fantastic two pointer from beyond the arc to cut the gap to the minimum on the twelfth minute before Garry Lennon tapped over a free from close range to square things up.

The Paddies’ tails were up now but they struggled in maintaining possession with Moneyglass so prolific under both kickouts. One such high field in the middle third on the twentieth minute enabled Tiernan McCormick to embark on one of his trademark bustling runs. The young number five evaded tackles all around before angling over to retake the lead.

The Stewartstown Road men were inches from an emphatic reply as Sé Ferris catapulted Brian Healy through on goal. The Sarsfields ace opted to take his shot at goal early as it agonisingly dragged just wide of Jamie McLaughlin’s left post. Moments later, the South-West Antrim side pounced again as Seanchan Duffin negotiated just enough space to fire over from close range.

With the game approaching the interval, momentum was very much in Moneyglass’ favour as they endeavoured to keep their opponents camped in their own half. Their ability under the high ball in midfield was coming up trumps again, providing the source for a further two frees to be won which Aidan McErlain made no mistake in converting.

With Paul Burn’s short whistle imminent, Sarsfields sought to make a dent in the deficit. Again, it was Brian Healy causing problems with his direct running. After being brought down in a promising position, he took on the responsibility of tapping over the resulting free before the teams retreated under the stone tunnel with Moneyglass 0-07 to 0-04 to the good at the break.

The Belfast side knew they needed to be a bit more potent in front of the posts to have any chance of opening the door for a comeback. They started the second half with a real spring in their step as Healy assumed free-taking duties again to arrow over before Daniel Smyth put the finishing touches on a flowing move involving Tomas Skillen and Caolan McKernan.

With the gap back to the minimum, all signs appeared that an intriguing battle was in proposition for the final twenty minutes. However, this failed to materialise as that really was as good as it would get from a Sarsfields perspective. Their opponents would dominate the next fifteen minutes and again it was their ability to constantly emerge with the ball under the kickout which really was the winning of the game and in this case, trophy.

Centre forward, Aidan McErlain found his bearings for the second period with a perfectly flighted free before Sean Boyd blasted over from close range. The young number ten though could easily have seen the net ripple but just got too much elevation on his effort. The signs were ominous though for the men in green and black as Moneyglass began to purr. The Loughbeg side would hit the next five scores in succession as the game entered the final five minutes.

Frees from Duffin and McErlain further extended the lead before the former embraced his captain’s role by grabbing two fine scores from play. A feature of Moneyglass’ season has certainly been the devastating pace at which they attack, Tiernan McCormick showcased this string to their bow once again with a surging run from deep before fisting over to surely seal victory with his side now eight up with four minutes remaining.

Sarsfields now had to respond with haste and desperately needed to find a goal from somewhere. The dismissal of Matthew Mullan for the men in blue gave them a little more impetus going forward but not enough. Healy pointed from a close range free to cut the gap to seven before he called Jamie McLaughlin into action. A slaloming run forward paved an opening for a shot at goal but the Moneyglass number one thwarted the Sarsfields dangerman with a superb fingertip save. There was just enough time on the clock for Healy to convert once again from a free before the final whistle.

Congratulations to Moneyglass on their achievement. With Sarsfields pipping them to the Division Two title, this one was always going to have a real edge to it. Both sides were imperious throughout their respective league and championship campaigns, and it seemed fitting that they would meet again for the decider. Both will ply their trade at the top table of Antrim Football next year and a new chapter in their conflict awaits in Division One.

Teams:

Moneyglass:

J McLaughlin; M Mullan, Z McCaughan, J McCormick; T McCormick (0-02,) P Duffin, C McCann; K McCann, S Duffin (0-01;) S Boyd (0-01,) A McErlain (0-04,) F Duffin; C O’Kane, C Duffin (0-06,) T Cassidy

Sarsfields:

M Brady; M McPolin, J McNally, C McDonnell; P McPeake, L Mitchell, C Loughran; C Murray (0-02 – 1 t.p,) C McKernan; T Skillen, D Smyth (0-01,) S Ferris; G Lennon (0-01,) C Glenholmes, B Healey (0-04)

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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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