FOR the third successive Ulster senior schools’ camogie final, the line-up is St Patrick’s Maghera v St Killian’s Garron Tower with the Antrim side still in search of their first ever Corn Uan Uladh and Maghera aiming to stretch their record haul to 20 titles.
The schools have also met in the junior final for Corn Eimhear for the past two seasons and therefore are becoming very familiar with each other.
Nevertheless it is quite an achievement for St Killian’s to reach this level of competition, given that they have one of the smallest panels of players in senior camogie and rely heavily on the Ruairí óg Club in Cushendall. Eleven from the current Antrim minor champions started the semi-final against St Louis Ballymena with two more coming in as second half substitutes.
Just four of the Tower girls played in last year’s final against Maghera – Laura and Tamara Black and Eva and Kady McNeill while eight started the junior decider in November.
By contrast St Patrick’s have ten from last year’s starting team available including Cáit Conway who broke her collar bone in that final and missed most of the first half of 2024. She then picked up a second long-term injury at the end of the summer and missed Swatragh’s run to the provincial senior club final. However Conway came into the semi-final with Cross & Passion a week before Christmas as a substitute and should be available for the decider.
Younger sister Eimear put in a fine performance in that semi-final as did Swatragh team-mates Aoife McWilliams, Eimear Murray, Mary-Therese McCullagh and Emma Quinn. Indeed the Maghera attack is very strong with last year’s QUB GAA Player of the Match Grace Kelly, Bellaghy ace Caoimhe Chambers and Aoibh Mulholland who was one of the finds of the season for Slaughtneil seniors.
There is a lot of experience in the Maghera team overall and St Killian’s will need to have a lot of ball running for them in the final if they are to break through their glass ceiling.
Nevertheless Laura Black and Méabh McAlister in defence, the McNeills in midfield and Amy McAlister up front are all skilful hurlers and will challenge the Derry side.
Incidentally St Killian’s have beaten Maghera in the group stages over each of the past three seasons, but so far have come up short in the show-piece final. Can they make it third time lucky?
The more likely outcome however is that Maghera will continue their dominance of the competition and move on to challenge for what the Derry school really craves – a breakthrough All-Ireland success.
The Corn Uan Uladh final between holders St Pat’s Maghera and v St Killian’s Garron Tower, which was scheduled for Saturday morning at 11am at the Dub Arena has been put back until Sunday as the bitterly cold weather has taken its toll. The game will now be played on Sunday at 1pm at the same venue
As 2024 fades into the distance and the 2025 season ready to kick into action before the end of the month we take a look back at events in 2024. As always there were winners and losers with Cargin retaining their Senior Football Championship title with a victory over an excellent Portglenone to complete the league and championship double.
Cargin captain James Laverty and his son Daniel lift the Cup after the win over Portgleonoe Cargin players and young fans celebrate with the trophy after their win over Portglenone in Sunday’s Antrim Senior Football final at Corrigan Park, Belfast. Pic by John McIlwaine
At Intermediate level and an All Saints side, who had been handed promotion to Division 1 owing to the restructuring of the football leagues, finally got over the line with a convincing win over St. Teresa’s in their first Intermediate championship win since 2011 and confounded the critics with a top four finish in Division 1. Their Ulster opener was one of the best game of the season with Baker Bradley’s side hitting 6-12 in Toome but still suffering defeat after extra time and a penalty shoot-out against
The Ballymena side were seven ahead in the second half of normal time and led by two with only minutes remaining in extra time with Derrylaugan kicking a late equaliser.
All Saints Ballymena who won the Intermediate Football Championship
At Junior level St. Comgall’s Antrim returned to the top of the pile with a convincing bang, under the management of former St. Paul’s player Barry Burns, with an unbeaten run to a league and championship double. In the Junior final the Antrim men were totally dominant in the first half, but St Agnes staged a late fightback, but came up short in the end.
St Comgall’s had a great season winning the Junior Football Championship and Division 3 of the Antrim Football League St Gall’s captured the Under 21 Football title when they beat Con Magees in the final
St Gall’s captured the Under 21 Football title when they beat Con Magees in the final in The Minor Football league title went to St. Paul’s who pipped St. Brigid’s by a point in a tight league race with the Musgrave Park side gaining revenge in the championship with a win over the Shaw’s Road side in the championship final.
At U16 level an excellent Gort na Mona collected the league title with an emerging Casement’s Portglenone in second place with the Bannsider’s producing a great finish in the championship final to pip St. Brigid’s in an exciting final at Dunsilly.
Gort na Mona won the Under 16 Football LeaguePortglenone win the Under 16 Football title
HURLING
Ruairi Og Cushendall mirrored the performance of Erin’s Own in the football when they edged Shamrock’s Loughgiel on score difference to take the league title before going on to defeat Dunloy in a gale force wind in the championship final in Ballycastle.
Cushendall celebrate their win over Dunloy in the Antrim Senior Hurling final in Ballycastle. Pic by John McIlwaine
Carey Faughs emerged as the hurling team of 2024 in Antrim with an ACH league division 2 and Intermediate Championship double. The Ballyvoy side were pushed all the way in the league by Shane O’Neill’s, Glenarm but added to their league success with a good win over a fancied Oisin Glenariffe in the Intermediate hurling final. In a year of high emotion where the club was devestated by the tragic death of Wee Joe Heggarty, the Faughs went on to add the Ulster title as well, beat Carrickmore of Tyrone in the quarter final, Castleblaney of Monaghan in the semis, before holding out for a one point victory over Derry champions Swatragh in thrilling final in Loughgiel.
Carey held out in a hard fought second half to beat Swatragh in the Ulster final in LoughgielCarey midfielder Caolan McCaughan makes a brilliant block to deny Seatragh’s Dominic Bradley in injury time of Saturday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship final at Healy Park, Loughgiel.Pic by Dylan McIlwaineCarey Faughs celebrate their win over Cushendun in the final league game of the season, a victory that sealed the Division 2 title. Pic by John McIlwaine
In Division 3 Bredagh edged out St. Brigid’s Cloughmills to claim the league title while St. Mary’s Rasharkin produced a great final performance to beat Glen Rovers Armoy in the Junior Hurling final.
St Mary’s Rasharkin celebrate their win over Armoy in the Antrim JHC final before a big crowd in Loughgiel
Gort na Mona topped the ACHL Division 4 to make a quick return to division 3 with an improving Davitt’s in second place. The Davitt’s would miss out on promotion to division 3 after losing narrowly to Na Magha for the second promotion spot.
Glenariffe-Glenravel were the team that set the pace at Minor level and the combination side would go on to add an Ulster title to add to their Antrim success with a win over Lavey in the final in Balinascreen.
Glenariffe-Glenravel who beat Dunloy in the MHC final in ArmoyOrrin O’Connor who scored 3-7 in the minor final win over DunloyGlenariffe/Glenravel celebrate their win over Lavey in the Laedon Timber Frame Ulster Minor Hurling final in Ballinascreen. Pic by John McIlwaine
In Under 16 Hurling Dunloy won the Championship and looked like the strongest team for most of the year, but Loughgiel caused a bit of an upset when they beat the Cuchullains in the McMullan Cup final at Feis na nGleann in Glenarife.
CAMOGIE
Cuchullian’s Dunloy collected a rare Division 1 league title when they edged Shamrock’s Loughgiel for the title, their 3-23 to 4-11 win over Cushendall in the final game sealing the league crown. However there was no stopping the Shamrocks in the championship, the Loughgiel girls making it 11 in a row when they recorded a 3-11 to 2-9 win over Dunloy in a terrific final in Cushendall. The went on to add another Ulster title by beating Swatragh convincingly in final before coming within a poc of a ball against All Ireland champions Sarsfields of Galway in the All Ireland semi-final at Breffni Park.
The Shamrocks came oh so close in the All Ireland semi-final against Sarsfields of GalwayLoughgiel celebrate their win over Derry champions Swatragh in Saturday’s Ulster Senior Club Camogie final at Berragh. Pic by Michael CorcoranAntrim Camogie chairman Brian Kearney presents the Senior Camogie Championship Cup to Loughgiel captain Christine McCloskey after her team’s win over Dunloy in the final at Cushendall. Pic by Michael CorcoranAhoghill won the Intermediate Camogie before losing to Granemore in the Ulter final
Dunloy took the division 2 title while the division 3 title going to Ruairi Og while Naomh Muire Ahoghill claimed the Intermediate Championship and last year’s beaten finalists, St. Paul’s claimed the Junior Championship with victory over Ballycastle in the final.
LADIES FOOTBALL
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass continued to dominate the scene in ladies senior football as they added to their ever increasing league and championship doubles and there is little sign that a serious challenger is about to emerge though St. Paul’s and St. Brigid’s look their likelier challengers.
St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass second string also topped Division 2 with Rossa in second place and All Saints in third while their Minors made it four in a row in Antrim before going on to contest an Ulster final where they lost to Clann Eireann in Ulster.
St Gall’s were winners of the Intermediate Championship when they defeated St. John’s in the final but fell heavily to a strong Mullahoran of Cavan in the Ulster Championship.
An emerging Lamh Dhearg set the pace in division 3 and they defeated Rossa in a one sided Junior Championship decider with Clann Erin collecting the Junior B title and were unlucky to lose to Warrenpoint of Down in Ulster by a single point
It was a mild but misty morning but that did not deter a huge gathering of Rossa players, family members and friends from running/walking on Divis Mountain on St Stephens Day.
A great way to walk off the turkey and roasties but also to raise funds for a great cause, The Paediatrician Care Initiative will bring injured children from Gaza for emergency treatment in Ireland.
FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament at St Pauls
O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt 0-09-1-08 Four Masters
Kevin Herron reports from Pairc Naomh Pol
DARRAGH Griffin’s palmed goal at the beginning of the second half ensured that Four Masters retained the Jimmy McConville Cup after a fantastic spectacle saw the holders run out 1-08-0-09 winners over Magherafelt at the Shaws Road venue on New Year’s Day.
The sides cancelled each other out in the opening half with Griffin’s goal giving his side the advantage for the first time and it was one they didn’t relinquish as they became the first team since Glen to successfully defend their crown and followed in the footsteps of fellow Donegal side Killybegs- who won back-to-back honours in the 1980s.
Holly Donnelly and her dad Aidan present the Anne Marie Donnelly Player of the Match awards to Four Masters Kevin Muldoon after his team’s win over Magherafelt
Both sides made a late change as Darragh Griffin replaced Thomas Lenehan for Four Masters and Michael McKenna came in for Caolan Higgins for Magherafelt.
Magherafelt were ahead inside of a minute when Conall Higgins guided a pass low into the path of Cahair Spiers and he laid off to Jude Beattie to pop over.
Spiers swung over a free to extend his sides lead and their third score came from an advanced mark after Lorcan Higgins chipped a ball into Kian Maynes- who claimed the mark- and converted.
It took until the 13th minute for the holders to get off and running on the scoreboard. Oisin Doherty slipped a ball into the path of Tiarnan McBride, under pressure McBride popped the ball out to Conor Gallagher McCahill to drop over an angled score.
A converted 45’ from Magherafelt keeper Karl Campbell restored his sides three-point advantage, but Four Masters got to grips with things as the half progressed.
Conor Gallagher McCahill swung over a close-range free and a Tómas Carr kicked a magnificent 45’ against the wind on the 23rd minute.
They had the chance to claim the opening goal when Kevin Muldoon burst forward and laid off to Tómas Carr, he in turn found McCahill to send a low attempt across the face of goal and wide.
Just before the break Four Masters restored parity, Carr popped the ball into the path of Callum McCrea and his quick lay-off allowed Oisin Doherty to blast over and make it 0-04 apiece at the interval.
The opening score arrived four minutes into the second period, and it would prove decisive at the conclusion.
Tómas Carr kicked a ball into the forward line that Tiarnan McBride got a flick to and the outstretched palm of Darragh Griffin guided the ball beyond the reach of Karl Campbell and into the net to make it 1-04-0-04.
Magherafelt’s Kian Maynes sends over an early free
A super point followed from Conor Gallagher McCahill but Lorcan Higgins weaved his way forward and landed a fantastic reply to lift Magherafelt.
Two scores inside a minute before the midway point in the half strengthened Four Masters grip, Turlough Carr fed brother Tómas to clip over and after McCahill was hauled down- Oisin Doherty converted the free.
Points were exchanged between Rory Small and Turlough Carr as the gap remained at five with less than 10-minutes remaining.
Magherafelt rallied with Conall Higgins swinging a shot over following a move involving Rory Small and Cahair Spiers and he then kicked a magnificent angled free to leave a goal in things with four minutes left.
The Derry side sensed a chance of an equaliser after Lorcan Higgins intercepted a wayward pass by Theo Colhoun and played a one-two with Ronan Ferris before a heavy hit from Eoghan O’Neill brought the chance to a conclusion, with Conall Higgins converting the free and reducing arrears in the process.
The much-needed goal that Magherafelt sought wouldn’t arrive in the closing stages and both sides lost men in added time.
Theo Colhoun rose highest to claim goalkeeper Lewis McCaughan’s kick-out and he slipped a pass to Kevin Muldoon- who was taken out by substitute Michael Lavery, and he received a black card for his troubles.
The subsequent free clipped the large post from McCahill’s effort and Turlough Carr was then black-carded for a pull-down as Magherafelt attempted to break-out of defence.
There was still enough time for Magherafelt to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat, but Kian Maynes late shot was deflected over and referee Colm McDonald’s final whistle brought proceedings to an end as Four Masters celebrated back-to-back triumphs in the competition
St Paul’s chairperson Caroline McLaughlin and Sean Walsh of tournament sponsors fonaCAB presents the cup to joint captains of Four Masters Terence McGovern (19) and Callum McCrea after the game
O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt: K Campbell (0-1 45’), T Cartin, Z Gavigan, R Conway, M McKenna, R Small (0-1), C Kerr, J Beattie (0-1), C Spiers (0-1), C Leacock, E Spiers, L Higgins (0-1), K Maynes (0-1m), C Higgins (0-3, 0-2f), M Higgins. Subs: M Lavery for M Higgins (28), R Ferris for E Spiers (51).
Four Masters: L McCaughan, K Muldoon, D McGinty, E O’Neill. C Gavigan, C McCrea, A Quinn, Tómas Carr (0-2,0-1 45’), T Colhoun, P McGonagle, Turlough Carr (0-1), D Griffin (1-0), C Gallagher McCahill (0-3, 0-1f), T McBride, O Doherty (0-2, 0-1f). Subs: A McHugh for D Griffin (52).
Referee: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)
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