LAST weekend saw the beginning and resumption of Ulster Championship campaigns for many clubs across different codes who will represent the Saffron county in the 2026 provincial competitions.
From Sarsfields to Moneyglass, the Antrim representatives saw multiple success across the weekend and they are now setting up to once again restore Antrim's club game back to the fore of Ulster GAA.
The weekend began with the hurling champions Sarsfields in action against the Cavan senior champions before the unusual situation with Cushendun facing Lavey despite having to still face their big final next Saturday.
Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final
Cushendun 1-15 Lavey 0-13
Cushendun produced a superb display of grit and determination to book their place in the Ulster Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-finals, overcoming Derry champions Lavey despite finishing with just 13 men.
The Emmet’s were outstanding throughout, with Archie and Mark McSparran impressive in defence, while Donal O’Hara led by example. Harry Kilgore, Sean McKay, Conor McHugh and Thomas Scally were also influential as Cushendun delivered their strongest performance of the campaign.
Cushendun started brightly, with Kilgore and McKay firing early points before Connlaoth McNeill added another. Lavey responded to level matters, but the Antrim side regained control through Calum Kilgore, McNeill and Fiontan McQuillan.
Conor Bannon’s red card in the 24th minute was an early setback, but Cushendun maintained their composure to lead by four points at half-time.
Lavey threatened after the restart, cutting the deficit to two, but Sean McKay struck the game’s only goal in the 37th minute after excellent work from McHugh. Jack McKay added a point before John Morgan produced another important save to deny Lavey.
Connlaoth McNeill was subsequently denied a penalty goal by Dan Mulholland, but Cushendun continued to hold the upper hand.
McNeill’s dismissal in the 47th minute left the Emmet’s with 13 men for the closing stages. However, they defended superbly under pressure, with McHugh taking over free-taking duties as Cushendun saw out a deserved victory.
The Emmet’s now face either Newry Shamrocks or Keady in the semi-finals, but first comes Saturday’s Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship final against Carey Faughs.
Ulster Hurling Football Championship Quarter-Final
Sarsfields 4-19 Cootehill Celtic 1-17
Sarsfields booked their place in the Ulster Junior Hurling Championship semi-finals after overcoming a stern challenge from Cootehill Celtic at Breffni Park on Saturday.
The Antrim champions made a positive start, with Kevin McKernan and Caolan McKernan finding their range before Nick O’Mullane’s goal put the Belfast side in front.
Kevin McKernan kept Sarsfields in contention with a brace of frees before Darren Delander found the net to swing momentum back towards the Stewartstown Road men.
Delander and McKernan added further points, but Cootehill stayed in touch through Connor Delaney, Mark Moffett and Diarmaid Carney to leave Sarsfields leading 2-7 to 0-9 at half-time.
Moffett opened the second-half scoring, but points from Cormac Mulligan and Caolan McKernan restored Sarsfields’ advantage. Fionn Jemfrey and Daniel Smyth also contributed as the Belfast side looked to take control.
Jemfrey then struck a crucial goal to strengthen Sarsfields’ position, while Cootehill’s Philip McCabe was dismissed in the 40th minute.
Despite Kevin McKernan adding another free, Cootehill refused to surrender and hit three successive points to keep the contest alive.
However, Sarsfields found another gear in the closing stages, landing four unanswered scores before adding further points to create breathing space.
Cootehill finished strongly, with Dylan McKeever finding the net and adding a point, but Jemfrey struck his second goal late on to seal a hard-earned victory for the Belfast side.
Although Sarsfields will know they must improve their shooting efficiency and discipline around frees, their ability to find scores at crucial moments proved decisive as they advanced to the last four.
Loughgiel unfortunately bowed out of the Ulster Championship
Ulster Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Rasharkin 2-12 Drumhowan 4-14
Antrim league and championship winners St Mary’s Rasharkin saw their Ulster campaign come to an end at Clones on Sunday as Monaghan champions Drumhowan proved too strong, despite a spirited second-half fightback from the Dreen men.
Rasharkin were immediately under pressure as Drumhowan raced into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead, with Aodhan Brennan finding the net and Daragh McElearney contributing two points.
James Higgins opened Rasharkin’s account before Eamonn McNeill’s goal offered hope. Further points from Tom Doherty and McNeill kept the Antrim champions in touch, but Drumhowan struck three more goals through Jason Clarke, Eanna Curran and Doherty to take firm control.
Doherty added two late points to leave the Monaghan champions comfortably ahead at at half-time.
Daragh McElearney extended the lead after the restart, but Rasharkin responded through Fearghal Kennedy and McNeill. Despite Thomas Hasson receiving a black card, the visitors continued to battle, with McNeill and Kennedy adding further scores.
A two-pointer from Cormac McMullan and Daniel Doherty’s goal in the 23rd minute of the second half gave Rasharkin renewed hope, but Drumhowan steadied themselves to see out the contest.
Ultimately, Rasharkin were left to rue the concession of four first-half goals, though their second-half performance provided encouragement.
It has been a positive season for Cathal McMullan and Paddy Kelly’s side, who will compete in Division Two and the Intermediate Championship next year. With several young players gaining valuable Ulster experience, Rasharkin can look forward to the new campaign with optimism.
Ulster Senior Ladies Football Championship
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass 6-20 Steelstown 1-5
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass booked their place in the Ulster LGFA Senior Club Championship final with a comprehensive victory over Derry champions Steelstown, setting up a meeting with Monaghan’s Donnaghmoyne.
The reigning Antrim and Ulster champions took control early and led 4-9 to 1-4 at half-time after a dominant opening period.
Cathy Carey opened the goal account after five minutes, with further majors from Sarah O’Neill, Maria O’Neill and Leah Stewart putting Moneyglass firmly in command.
Orlaith Prenter and Maria O’Neill contributed three points apiece in the first half, while Ruby McErlain added two and Cliona Griffin also found the target.
Moneyglass showed no signs of easing off after the break, with McErlain striking twice in the 14th and 16th minutes to put the outcome beyond doubt.
Prenter continued her impressive afternoon in front of the posts, adding four more points to finish with a personal tally of 0-7. McErlain, Laura McCann and Carey contributed two points each, while Leah Cassidy and Maria O’Neill also registered scores.
Dara McKeever was Steelstown’s outstanding performer, finishing with three first-half points and their only score after the break. Midfield partner Orla McGeough battled bravely throughout, contributing 1-1.
Moneyglass will now face former Ulster champions Donnaghmoyne in the decider after the Monaghan side overcame Cavan’s Knockbride in the other semi-final.
Ulster Junior A Camogie Championship
Loughgiel II 0-08 Crosserlough 2-12
Loughgiel’s Ulster campaign came to an end as Crosserlough proved too strong in their semi-final clash, running out 2-12 to 0-8 winners despite a determined effort from the Antrim champions.
The Shamrocks faced a difficult build-up, with injuries, scheduling clashes and an unfortunate red card adding to their challenge against the Cavan side, who made the long journey north count.
Loughgiel opened the scoring through Rose McMullan, but Crosserlough responded through the impressive Cara Reilly, who would finish with a personal tally of 1-7. McMullan added another before Reilly and her team-mates began to take control.
Points from Carla Sullivan and Eimear McCarthy kept Loughgiel in contention, but Crosserlough finished the first half strongly, with scores from Hannah Boylan, Ciara Finnegan and Reilly leaving them ahead by five ahead at the break.
Loughgiel hoped to make the wind count after the restart, but Crosserlough continued to dominate physically and create opportunities. Substitute Niamh Reilly struck their first goal before Cara Reilly added a second major to put the result beyond doubt.
The Shamrocks battled until the end, with Anna McKillop finishing the scoring with a well-taken point after good work from Therese Hill.
Despite the disappointment, Loughgiel can take encouragement from the performances of McMullan, Anna Smyth and their team-mates, who continued to fight against difficult circumstances.
Ulster Bridie McMenamin Shield
St John's 3-9 Clontribet 0-9
Naomh Eoin booked their place in the Ulster semi-finals with a composed performance against their quarter-final opponents in Clontibret, as two first-half goals from Eimhear Costello laid the foundations for victory.
The Whiterock Road side made the most of their opportunities, with Costelloe proving decisive when she struck twice inside a two-minute spell to give the Belfast outfit a crucial advantage.
Those goals helped the Johnnies establish control of the contest, although their opponents continued to battle and kept the scoreboard ticking over. The Belfast side went into the interval holding a 2-4 to 0-5 lead, leaving them well placed to push on after the restart.
The Corrigan Park side wasted little time in strengthening their position in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart, Ellie Sweeney found the net for a third goal, stretching the lead to 3-5 to 0-6 and putting further distance between the sides.
With their defensive foundations holding firm and their forwards making the most of the chances that came their way, Naomh Eoin had done enough to put themselves in a commanding position.
The Whiterock Road side saw out the remainder of the contest to secure their passage into the last four, where a challenging semi-final against Omagh awaits this Sunday.
Costello's double proved the defining moment of the quarter-final, while Sweeney's early second-half strike ensured there would be no late comeback.
St John's will now turn their attention to Omagh, knowing another strong performance will be required to keep their Ulster ambitions alive. Their clinical finishing in Clontibret has given them a valuable platform as they prepare for the next challenge.
