Kickham’s Creggan climbed above All Saints into second place in the table following this win over neighbours Tir na nOg and the Ballymena side’s defeat to Rossa in Belfast.
In a match lacking urgency, Kickham’s stormed out of the blocks, racing into a 0-12 to no score lead after 21minutes. Points from Jamie McCann and 2 points from young Connor Johnston got the home side on their way and an excellent 2 pointer from Connor Small who followed that up with another point got them on their way.
Connor’s younger brother Kevin then kicked a superb 2 pointer of his own in the 13th minute as the one way traffic towards the visitors’ goal continued.
With Mathew Rodgers again winning a lot of ball he took his point and set Connor Small up for his 4th of the evening.
The excellent Fintan Close finished a great individual run with a nicely taken point in the 21st minute and at this stage it wasn’t looking good for the Whitehill side who hadn’t registered a score.
Tir na nOg’s finally came to life however and Josh Smith got them on heir way with a well taken goal and they followed with a point each for Aaron McNeilly and Darragh Fagan.
McNeilly concluded the first half scoring in the 29th minute with a 2 pointer. To leave Kickhams leading by 0-12 to 1-04 at halftime.
Inspired by their strong finish to the opening half it was Tir na nOg who opened the second on the front foot and Darragh Fagan got them on their way with a point in the 7th minute.
Kickhams responded with 3 points on the bounce from Jamie McCann and one each from Conor and Kevin Small. Oliver McAtamney replied with the visitor’s second point of the half in the 14th minute but it brought another response from the Staffordstown Road side.
Sean Duffin split the posts and Conor Small added 2 more and another Jamie McCann point had them back in total control by the 25th minute.
Tir na nOg hadn’t finished however and after Oisin Kerr pulled off his second great save of the night they hit 2 excellent 2pointers, one from Ciaran O’Neill and one from Darragh Fagan followed by points from Aaron McNeilly and Darragh Fagan to close the gap to four.
It would be their final score of the night however and Sean Duffin kicked the game’s final point to leave Kickham’s with a 5 point victory and a step closer to the end of season play-offs.
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An injury time point from top scorer Cahir McGrath gave Loughgiel victory over Armoy in Tuesday evening’s McCaughan Cup final at the Brustin Braes in Larne. It looked like the Glen Rovers men had had earned themselves extra time when Thomas Burns and Conor Christie landed two late points to tie the scores as the clock ticked into injury time, bu McGrath, who had shown great accuracy all through the game, landed a late point to secure the victory.
The sides were level at the end of close fought opening quarter, Cahir McGrath hitting all of the Shamrocks five points while the Armoy scores were shared by Charlie Douthart, Emmet O’Hara and Arthur Devlin who hit one apiece with the other two coming from Conor Christie.
Loughgiel forged back ahead Aodhan McFadden, Cahir McGrath, Mark McFadden and Odhran McMullan, in reply to jst one from Armoy centre forward Emmet O’Hara, but Armoy put in a strong finish to the opening half to close within a point by the short whistle.
The second half continued in a similar vein with PJ McBride and Conor Christie getting scores to edge Armoy ahead but one by Patrick Bradley and two more from McGrath got the Shamrocks back ahead. Conor Christie was keeping Armoy in touch with a series of excellent scores, but McGrath always had an answer. With the Shamrock leading by three two quick points by Emmet O’Hara and Thomas Burns cut the deficit back to a single point but Eddie McCloskey came back with one for the men in red to put them two ahead, but Burns and Christie squared things up entering injury time, before Cahir McGrath sealed the win.
A great game of hurling, played in a great spirit and Armoy will count themselves unlucky to get nothing out of the game.
Five of the Loughgiel team who won All Ireland Senior Club medals in Croke Park thirteen years ago when the Shamrocks beat Offaly champions Coolderry in the final added McCaughan Cup medals to their roll of honour at the Brustin Braes in Larne on Tuesday evening. Two venues and two occassions which are worlds apart, but the joy getting out there and playing the game is still there.
The beauty of sport
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Pearce Smyth of Portaferry won Tuesday evening’s Ulster Poc Fada at Gowkstown Hill, Glenarm when he edged out Antrim’s Sean Og McLaren of St Paul’s by one shot in a great contest, the Down man setting a new record of 23 pocs into the bargain. Smth and McLaren both go through to the All Ireland finals in the Cooley Mountains on August 4th.
Ellen Leech of Ruairi Og Cushendall who won the Senior Ladies Poc Fada at Gowkstown Hill, Feystown on Tuesday evening. Ellen will represent Ulster in the All Ireland finals in August. Pic by John McIlwaine
Ellen Leech of Ruairi Og Cushendall won the Senior Ladies event while her club mate Eimear Ward made it a club double when she won the Girls Under 16 section. The Under 16 Boys section was won Donnacha Collins of Derry, the Lavey clubman edging out Cadhán Graham of Oisins and Antrim.
After the contest, everyone went back to Shane O’Neill’s GAC clubrooms at Forsythe Park where wall were treated to tea and sandwiches before the presentations by Declan Woods of Ulster GAA and Ulster Camogie Chairperson Karen McCormick.
A word of praise for the host club Shane O’Neill’s for another excellently organised event. The only down side was the midges, but Terence Mulvenna says he will have that sorted for next year.
Ulster Camogie Chairperson Karen McCormick presents the Under 16 Girls award to Eimear Ward of Ruairi Og Cushendall. Pic by John McIlwaineDeclan Woods of Ulster GAA presents the Under 16 Boys award to Donnacha Collins of Lavey and Derry. Pic by John McIlwaineEllen Leech receives her award from Karen McCormick Declan Woods of Ulster GAA presents the Senior Runner-Up award to Sean Og McLarnon of St Paul’s and Antrim. Sean Og goes through to the All Ireland finals on August 4th. Pic by John McIlwaineDeclan Woods of Ulster GAA presents the Senior winner award to Pearce Smyth of Portaferry and Down at Declan Woods of Ulstger GAA presents the winners trophy to Senior Men’s winner Pearsce Smyth at Tuesday’s Ulster Poc Fada at Feystown,Glenarm. Pic by John McIlwaineUlster Poc Fada winners L-R, Eimear Ward of Ruairi Og (U16 Girls), Sean Og McLarnon of St Paul’s Belfast (runner-up), Donnacha Collins of Lavey and Derry), Pearce Smyth of Portaferry and Down and Ellen Leech of Ruairi Og and Antrim at Tuesday evening’s Ulster Poc Fada at Feystown, Glenarfm.Ruiri Og double winners Eimear Ward and Ellen Leech.
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As the football league approaches the end of the first phase another full round of fixtures has been arranged for the mid-week setting on Wednesday evening in all of the divisions.
Division One (all games at 7.15pm)
Kickham’s Creggan v Tir na nOg
Tir na nOg make the short journey to meet neighbours Kickham’s Creggan in a fixture which is likely to draw a good crown to the Staffordstown Road.
The home side remain in touch at the top of the table and are currently holding a healthy return of 18 points to date and very much involved in the race for the league title, only four points behind the pace setters and will aim for the win to ensure they remain in touch.
The Og’s will also travel with positive intentions but for different reason as with just six points banked to date they need the points to retain league status.
Creggan will start as firm favourites and although their visitors will be giving their all in search of points it is difficult to see anything other than a home win to ensure the home side remain in the chase for league honours.
Casement’s Portglenone v Erin’s Own Cargin
County champions Cargin suffered their first league defeat of the season when St. Brigid’s visited Toome in their last game. That one saw the reigning league holders win by 0-16 to 0-11 to end the home side’s unbeaten run.
Cargin will be keen to put that defeat behind them as they travel to meet a Portglenone side they have already beaten this year in the O’Cahan Cup final.
Casement’s are still in the running for a top 4 finish that would give them a place in the league play-offs while, barring accidents Cargin have already ensured their place in the semi-finals.
The Portglenone men’s greater need could inspire them to another victory but I would expect Cargin to get back to winning ways but a draw is not to be ruled out.
O’ Donovan Rossa v All Saint’s Ballymena
Rossa have really struggled to get it together this term and the Shaw’s road residents currently sit at the bottom of the table with only 2 wins.
The home side have really struggled to get it together though they did record a good win over Aldergrove recently but look in serious bother as the end of the league draws ever closer.
A trip to Dunloy and a home game against St. Brigid’s completes their programme following the visit of All Saints on Wednesday night and Hugh McGettigan’s side will need at least two wins from those games to have any chance of survival
All Saint’s sit in second place at present and will travel to Belfast intent on keeping their play-off place intact but Rossa will not give up their division 1 status without a fight and All Saints will need to be at their best if they are to claim the points.
St Mary’s Aghagallon v St James Aldergrove
St Mary’s have struggled this season with only seven points to date but another win would guarantee their safety and they will see this one as an opportunity to secure their division 1 status.
Aldergrove have enjoyed a good season with seven victories to date and sit in a safe mid-table berth with division 1 football guaranteed for another year.
Aghagallon have been poor this season but with their county players back on board they may well have enough to get the win they so badly need
Con Magee’s Glenravel v St Paul’s
Con Magees have enjoyed a good 2025 as their place in the top ten strongly suggests and they will look to make further addition in this one as St Pauls visit Fr. Maginn Park.
It took Shaw’s road side a time to get their bearings back in the top grade but a recent win over the inform St Galls would suggest that they are on the road back.
This may well be a close one but the Glensmen will start as favourites on their own sod and they may well make addition to their points haul.
St John’s v Lamh Dhearg
The Johnnies have really struggled this season and at present the Corrigan men have only six points from two wins and two draws and sit second bottom in the ratings.
Lamh Dhearg have 14 points and occupy a snug spot in the table and they will travel to Corrigan in search of further points.
This may well be a close one and although the home side have struggled, they can never be discounted and this one may well end up honours even with a draw possible.
St Gall’s v St Brigid’s
St Galls and their visitors in this one St Brigid’s have enjoyed good seasons to date and both reside in the top six at present with St Brigid’s 2 places higher than the Milltown men in fourth spot.
This could be a close one but St Brigid’s have been in good form recently and defeated cargin last time out and they should have enough to take the points.
St Mary’s Ahoghill v Cuchullian’s Dunloy
St Mary’s Ahoghill sit too close to the bottom for comfort but Eamon Brady’s charges can never be written off and were unfortunate not to take something from their visit to All Saints last time out. They dominated the second half of that one at Slemish Park but missed too many chances and paid the price.
Cuchullian’s have eight points in the league to date and although they will travel in search of further addition Eamon Brady’s charges may get the win they so badly need.
Division Two A (all games at 7.15pm)
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass v Patrick Sarsfield’s
Moneyglass and Sarsfields are level on points at the top of the table, both having gained 21 points with St Ergnat’s ahead on score difference.
This one is certain to attract a good audience to the Marian Hill venue and there will be little between them at the end but home advantage may well prove the decisive factor.
St Joseph’s Glenavy v St Patrick’s Lisburn
Little separates this duo to date but the Lisburn side lead the way on points, having banked 12 with the St Joseph’s men three in arrears on 9.
This may well prove to be a close one but ground advantage may well prove the difference with Glenavy hoping to avenge an away defeat to the Lisburn side and they may well claim both points.
St Comgall’s Antrim v St Enda’s
St Comgall’s have ground advantage in this one as they play host to St Enda’s at Dunsilly where first meet second in division 2B.
The home side have performed well in their first season back in division 2 and will give this one a real lash but St Enda’s have been showing good form recently and they may well pick up a full return of points.
Michael Davitt’s v St Mary’s Rasharkin
Both Michael Davitt’s and their visitors in this one, St Mary’s Rasharkin have found the going somewhat tough this term.
Rasharkin gained promotion in 2024 but have been decimated by injury this term and they will do well to get anything from their visit to Davitt’s Park.
Division Three (all games at 7.15 pm)
Wolfe Tones v Cardinal O’ Donnell’s
Wolfe Tones enjoy ground advantage but they have struggled this term with just one win and O’Donnell’s should have enough to gain another brace of points.
Eire Og v St Agnes
St Agnes have enjoyed a grand season to date with only one defeat as they retain leadership of the division on 18 points.
Eire Og have struggled this term and they look likely to suffer another defeat at the hands of the league leaders.
St Malachy’s v Pearse’s
St. Malachy’s have banked 11 points to date to ensure a snug position in the ratings as they play hosts to Pearses.
Pearses remain a few points behind their hosts and they will have to be at their best if they are to improve their position in the table.
Kickham’s Ardoyne v Laochra Loch Lao
Kickham’s Ardoyne sit third in the table at present and recorded a good win over unbeaten St. Agnes recently and a win here would see them climb above their visitors, Laochra Loch Lao.
Laochra Loch Lao have enjoyed a good campaign to date and have fifteen points and trail St. Agnes by three at the top.
This one will be fiercely contested but ground advantage may well edge it in favour of the Kickham’s with a draw not to be ruled out.
A slick moving Gort na Mona proved too good for St. Joseph’s Glenavy in a good game of open football in the LGFA Division 1 on Monday evening.
The early exchanges were fairly even with Dembele Mills and Niamh Enright for the Gorts and Anna Mulholland and Megan Hannan for Glenavy exchanging points but when Ciaran Maguire edged Gort na Mona ahead in the 13th minute they began to take control.
Dembele Mills and Ciara Maguire added points and when Alyssa Davidson and Bronagh Crossin added two quick fire goals in the 21st and 24th minutes the girls from the Mona bye-pass were in complete control.
Blaithin Nic Cathail followed with her first point of the contest before Ellen Morgan gave the Chapel Hill girls some of hope when she finished to the net in the 28th minute.
That hope was soon dashed as Dembele Mills replied with a goal at the other end and Alyssa Davidson added a point to leave Gort na Mona 3-7 to 1-2 ahead at the break and good value for their lead.
Ellen Morgan briefly reduced the gap with a point for St. Joseph’s on the restart but Blaithin NicCathail replied for Gort na Mona and Broghan Crossin added a good goal to move the Gorts 14 points ahead with only five minutes of the new half gone.
Kella McAllister replied for the Chapel Hill side with a point but Niamh Enright and Blaithin NicCathail responded with points for the visitors before Eva Ramsey got through for Gleavy’s second goal in the 18th minute.
It gave St. Joseph’s a boost going down the home straight and they actually outscored their opponent during the final quarter while never looking like getting back into contention.
Ana Mulholland 0-2, Megan Hannan, Carla Scannell and Keela McAllister added points for the girls in orange while Blithin NicCathail from 3 long range frees and Ciara Maguire saw Gort na Mona home comfortably.
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