ANOTHER weekend has come and gone with the club GAA seasons on the cusp of wrapping up as the season hits its final few weeks of Ulster championship action.
Sadly for Antrim clubs the weekend was not one of fond memory, with four sides involved in their respective competitions falling to exits across the hurling, football and ladies football championships.
However, there was some much-needed positivity with Dunloy earning themselves their first camogie Ulster title in two decades when they overcame Clonduff, and after a harsh fixture rescheduling Cushendun were finally crowned Antrim Intermediate champions after an extra-time battle with Carey Faugh's.
McKeever Hotels Intermediate Hurling Final
Cushendun 3-25
Carey Faughs 3-21
(after extra-time) At Ballycastle
Cushendun ended a 19-year wait for the Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship title on Saturday, overcoming a determined Carey Faughs side after an enthralling battle that required extra-time to separate the teams at Páirc Mac Uílín, Ballycastle.
The Emmet’s secured their fourth title in the competition’s history, but they were made to work for every inch of their victory by a Carey side who pushed them to the limit throughout a pulsating contest.
Carey made a blistering start, with both sides finding the net inside the opening four minutes. Pearse McKeegan opened Cushendun’s goal account before Fiachra McVeigh responded almost immediately, intercepting a pass and firing past John V Morgan.
McVeigh proved a constant threat and doubled his tally in the 16th minute after Callum Kane delivered into the danger area, giving Carey a five-point advantage.
However, Cushendun refused to panic. Calum Kilgore drove through the Carey defence before Fiontan McQuillan forced the sliotar over the line to bring the Emmet’s back into contention.
McVeigh completed his hat-trick following Conlith McKinley’s delivery, but Cushendun had another response. Harry Kilgore reacted quickest when Sean McKay’s effort dropped short to restore parity with their third goal.
Further points from Caolan McCaughan, Calum Kilgore and Conor McHugh left the sides level at 3-8 apiece at the interval.
Neither side showed any sign of easing off after the restart. Patrick Butler and Patrick Gillan edged Carey forward, but McKay and McHugh helped bring the Emmet’s back into the contest.
As the second half progressed, McKay began to exert greater influence, helping Cushendun establish a three-point advantage heading into the closing stages.
Carey were not finished, though. Shea Hunter struck twice before Gillan landed his tenth point of the afternoon with the final puck of normal time to force extra-time at 3-21 apiece.
Cushendun will return to the Senior Championship next season
Cushendun made the stronger start to the additional period, with McHugh finding the target on either side of a McVeigh point. Gillan and the Carey attack responded, but the Emmet’s maintained a two-point advantage at the interval.
Gillan converted two frees after the restart to bring the sides level once more, but Carey could not find another score during the remaining eight minutes.
McHugh took responsibility from placed balls, landing two crucial frees, while Harry Kilgore added another point to put Cushendun back in control.
The Emmet’s held firm during the closing stages to secure a memorable four-point victory and bring the intermediate championship back to Cushendun for the first time in almost two decades.
Sean McKay was named Player of the Match following an outstanding contribution, while McHugh, the Kilgore brothers and the wider Cushendun team all played their part in a victory built on resilience and determination.
For Carey, the disappointment will be considerable after such a courageous effort, but Cushendun can now turn their attention to the Ulster Intermediate Championship semi-final against Keady.
Ulster Senior Football Championship Final
Donaghmoyne 1-11 Moneyglass St Ergnat's 1-3
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass saw their reign as Ulster champions come to an end on Sunday as they suffered a five-point defeat to Monaghan powerhouse Donaghmoyne in the provincial final.
The Antrim champions entered the decider hoping to retain the title following last season’s remarkable journey to the All-Ireland final, but they struggled to find their usual attacking rhythm against an experienced Donaghmoyne outfit who showed their quality when it mattered.
Moneyglass made the brighter start and looked capable of dictating proceedings. However, the contest was disrupted early on when Donaghmoyne suffered a significant blow with the loss of Amy Garland through injury.
The defending champions eventually broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with an excellent team goal. Cliona Griffin drove forward down the right before drawing the Donaghmoyne defence and picking out Leah Stewart, who finished confidently into the bottom corner.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically five minutes later when Sarah O’Neill was sent to the sin bin. Donaghmoyne made full use of their numerical advantage, with Cathriona Murnaghan exchanging scores with Maria O’Neill before the Monaghan side took control.
Rosie Courtney found the net during a devastating spell in which Donaghmoyne registered 1-3 without reply to leave Moneyglass trailing by three at the interval.
St Ergnat’s needed a positive response after the break but were immediately frustrated by a missed goal opportunity. Ruby McErlain responded to a Lauren Garland point to keep the Antrim side in touch, but the scores proved difficult to come by.
Even when Donaghmoyne found themselves in disciplinary trouble, Moneyglass struggled to take advantage. Sharon Courtney received a yellow card in the 35th minute, but rather than capitalising on the situation, St Ergnat’s conceded two frees converted by Murnaghan.
The task became even more difficult when Maeve Smyth received a straight red card in the 43rd minute, leaving Donaghmoyne with just 13 players. However, their defensive organisation and experience proved crucial as they continued to frustrate the Moneyglass attack.
Orlaith Prenter and Garland exchanged points during the closing stages, but the reigning champions were running out of time.
A late penalty award offered Moneyglass one final opportunity to force their way back into contention, but Prenter’s low effort drifted agonisingly wide of the post.
It proved to be the decisive moment as Donaghmoyne held on to claim the Ulster crown and bring Moneyglass’ impressive provincial reign to an end.
While disappointment will undoubtedly follow, St Ergnat’s can take enormous pride in what has been a remarkable period for the club.
Their journey to the All-Ireland final last season and their continued presence at the top table of club football underline the strength of the Moneyglass set-up, and they will be determined to return stronger next year.
Ulster Senior Camogie Championship Final
Dunloy 1-10 Clonduff 0-11
Dunloy ended a 23-year wait to reclaim the AIB Ulster Senior Club Camogie Championship title on Saturday, overcoming Down champions Clonduff in a fiercely contested final at Stewartstown.
The Antrim champions secured their third provincial crown following a physical encounter in which both defences were to the fore. With little separating the sides for much of the contest, it ultimately took a decisive second-half goal from Eobha McAllister to settle matters and send Dunloy through to the next stage of the All-Ireland series.
The opening half was a tight affair, with Katie Molloy and Áine Magill getting Dunloy off the mark before Clonduff responded through the accuracy of Sara Louise Graffin and Paula O’Hagan.
McAllister and Caoimhe Molloy added further scores for the Antrim side, but Clonduff finished the half strongly. O’Hagan and Graffin found the target before Claire McGilligan produced an excellent score to give the Down champions a slender 0-5 to 0-4 advantage at the interval.
Remarkably, those three points from play would prove to be Clonduff’s only scores from open play throughout the entire contest, with their remaining contribution coming from placed balls.
Dunloy responded positively after the restart, with McAllister converting two frees to edge the Antrim champions back in front. O’Hagan continued to keep Clonduff in contention with her impressive accuracy from distance, but Dunloy were beginning to carry a greater attacking threat.
The decisive moment arrived in the 43rd minute. Katie Molloy made an influential contribution from the middle third, using her strength to create an opening for Caitlin Crawford.
Clonduff managed to scramble and prevent the initial goal opportunity, but McAllister was ideally positioned to collect the loose ball before firing into the net from a tight angle.
The goal gave Dunloy breathing space and saw them establish a five-point advantage, leaving Clonduff with a significant challenge in the closing stages.
To their credit, the Down champions refused to surrender. O’Hagan continued to lead the fightback, landing three outstanding long-range frees to reduce the deficit and keep the outcome in doubt.
However, Dunloy showed the composure and experience required to see out the closing stages, with their defensive resilience proving just as important as their attacking contributions.
Eimear Johnston was outstanding throughout and thoroughly deserved her Player of the Match award, producing an influential display around the middle third with her relentless work rate and ability to break from rucks.
The celebrations can now begin for the Antrim champions, who will turn their attention to a meeting with the Leinster champions at the end of November as they continue their pursuit of All-Ireland honours.
