ANOTHER blockbuster weekend of Gaelic Football action took place in Antrim as the club season ramped up its pursuit of the knockout stages with the crucial penultimate games being played in the Antrim Senior Football Championship.
Belfast welcomed a 'Super Sunday' with belfastmedia.com offering extensive live coverage of every score that went in across the games in Ireland's second city.
The Johnnies prevailed as group winners after their three-point win over Ballymena at Corrigan Park, meanwhile hope prevailed for Rossa, Lámh Dhearg and St Brigid's when they recorded massive home victories in match-day two.
Dunloy continued to impress and Cargin and Creggan both got much-needed away wins in their ties, whilst Portglenone put the Paddies to the sword on the final game of the round at the Bearpit.
Northern Switchgear SFC Group One
Tír na nÓg Randalstown 1-16
Dunloy 2-27
At Whitehill
Reigning champions Dunloy made it two wins from two with a 14-point victory over a spirited Tír na nÓg side at Whitehill. In an entertaining shootout, both teams registered 12 two-point scores, with Dunloy holding the edge.
Keelan Molloy was outstanding for the Cuchullains, finishing with 1-12, including a first-half penalty and five two-pointers. Luke McFerran added Dunloy’s second goal late on.
Tír na nÓg started brightly, with Ciarán O’Neill, Seán Duffin and Darragh Fagan among their scorers. Fagan also struck their first-half goal after O’Neill’s effort rebounded off the post. Dunloy led 1-11 to 1-8 at half-time.
The decisive moment came when Ciarán McGrellis received a black card early in the second half. Dunloy capitalised, stretching their lead to nine points during his absence and controlling the remainder. Dunloy now face Con Magees, while Tír na nÓg meet Rossa.
Rossa 5-13
Con Magees Glenravel 3-14
At Rossa Park
Thomas Morgan and Diarmaid Rogan both hit fantastic braces to match Dominic McEnhill’s sensational net-buster as Rossa managed to clinch a much-needed victory over Con Magees on the Shaws Road on Sunday afternoon.
The opening period saw the away side dominate without much fight-back from the hosts but at the end of the first half the Jeremiahs sprang into life and found three goals inside eight minutes to take control.
From there Rossa never looked back, and despite the late flurry from Glenravel the hosts scored twice in the second half with Rogan and Morgan both netting a goal apiece before Colla Ward added a late consolation goal.
The result sets up a blockbuster final group game with both sides needing a win or bust, as Rossa face Tír na nÓg whilst Glenravel face table-toppers Dunloy.
Northern Switchgear SFC Group Two
St John’s 2-17
Ballymena All Saints 2-14
At Corrigan Park
The Johnnies topped their first championship group of the decade after they secured a massive three-point victory over Ballymena thanks to goals from Conor Hand and Simon McDonagh’s first half strike.
The hosts never had it all their own way however, as Ballymena fought back and despite Kavan Keenan’s black card, the away side managed to threaten, with Connell Lemon blasting a terrific goal to bring the sides within one-point at the whistle.
A huge second-half wonder strike from Conor Hand just minutes after the restart set the tone and gave the Johnnies the edge as they ramped it up a notch with terrific scores from Ryan McNulty, Conchur Adams and Paddy McBride who led the charge.
A penalty strike from James McDonnell did not deter the hosts from prevailing as Paddy McBride struck a fantastic score as the game tailed.
The game threatened to boil over at the final whistle but St John's have confirmed their status as group winners with a game to spare, helping their dual aspirations.
St Paul’s 1-11
Creggan Kickhams 3-15
At Páirc Naomh Pól
Creggan revived their hopes of progressing from the group with a 3-15 to 1-11 victory over St Pauls at Shaws Road on Saturday evening. Both sides entered the contest needing a win after opening round defeats.
The away side made a fast start with Kevin Small opening the scoring before brother Conor added a free. Kevin then finished a well-worked move involving Ethan Carey Small and Shea McCann for the game’s opening goal.
St Paul's responded through Ciaran O’Dufaigh and Conal Duffy, but Creggan dominated the remainder of the half. Goals from Kevin Small and a deflected Jamie McCann effort helped them lead 2-9 to 0-7 at the interval.
St Paul's reduced the deficit with a goal from substitute Shea Burns and further scores from O’Dufaigh, but Creggan remained in control.
Conor Johnston’s 51st-minute goal proved decisive, creating breathing space before further scores sealed a convincing win. Creggan now face All Saints, while St Paul's meet St John's.
Northern Switchgear SFC Group Three
St Brigid’s 1-21
St Gall’s 1-10
At Musgrave Park
The hosts got themselves up and running in the 2026 championship with a resounding win over fellow city dwellers St Gall’s after a fantastic opening half which saw the Biddies left with a seven-point lead at Musgrave Park.
A huge crowd witnessed a stand-out performance from the Biddies, and particularly John Morgan, but when Pádraig Óg Murray found the net inside a minute for St Gall’s, the hosts looked to be staring down the barrel of a shock group exit.
A rallied performance followed, and the hosts kicked it up a notch and St Gall’s could not live with the pressure and constant threat provided by the forward line of JJ Higgin’s, James Smyth and Ronan McGrady.
McGrady found the net in the first half and continued to strike multiple scores in the second period as St Brigid’s put daylight between themselves and St Gall’s by the time the final whistle was blown.
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 0-15
Erin’s own Cargin 3-18
Cargin all-but booked their place in the Northern Switchgear SFC knockout stages with a 12-point victory over St Ergnat’s at Moneyglass on Saturday.
The Toome side made the stronger start, with Benen Kelly and Jack McCann both finding the net following turnovers forced by an aggressive Cargin press. However, St Ergnat’s responded impressively, with Aidan McErlain hitting three two-point scores to briefly put the hosts ahead.
Thomas Morgan scores a vital goal for Rossa
Cargin restored control before half-time and led 2-9 to 0-11 at the interval.
The game boiled over early in the second half, with Fergal Duffin, Pat Shivers and Mick McCann all receiving red cards after a brawl had ensued.
Cargin adapted best, with goalkeeper John McNabb scoring from distance before Jack O’Neill raced through to fire home their third goal.
The visitors managed the remainder of the contest effectively, while McNabb produced an important save to deny Caolan Boyd.
The result ends St Ergnat’s championship hopes but offers encouragement for their young side who will still hope to cause an upset to avoid the relegation play-off.
Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Group Four
Lámh Dhearg 1-15
Aghagallon 2-10
A dramatic Conor Murray strike in the final seconds secured a massive victory for the Lámhs as they prevented what looked like a certain exit of the 2026 championship only for Murray’s net-busting effort.
The hosts trailed by nine points after Adam Loughran’s second goal put Aghagallon 2-9 to 0-6 ahead in the 47th minute. However, Ryan Murray’s frees sparked a remarkable comeback, with Mark Finnegan and Marc Jordan helping Lámh Dhearg draw level deep into added time.
Aghagallon briefly regained the lead through Eunan Walsh, but the final twist came with virtually the last kick. Paddy Cunningham’s high ball found Pearse Fitzsimons, who laid off to Conor Murray, and he smashed home the winning goal.
The result keeps Lámh Dhearg’s knockout hopes alive, while Aghagallon now face Portglenone.
Sarsfields 1-11
Portglenone 4-25
Portglenone secured their spot in the knockout phase after a thumping victory at the Bear-pit which rounded off the action on Sunday evening across the Saffron County.
Aidan McAleese and Odhran Doherty both combined for ten first-half points as they cruised to a monumental victory over the Paddies with Conor McAleese and Michael Hagan adding goals to their first half tally.
The Bannsiders continued their pressure despite the home advantage encouraging Jay Maguire to strike multiple scores for Sarsfields but the fight-back was too little too late and Conor McAleese added a fourth goal to the victor's tally in the final net-burster of the game.
