ANOTHER busy blockbuster weekend took place at Antrim's Junior level as the final games in each group took place beginning on Friday evening with Pearse's battling it out for a spot in the quarter-finals.
And on Saturday games in both groups would define who would win the group and clinch that precious semi-final berth with Rasharkin facing Laochra Loch Lao, whilst a battle between North and West wrapped up the other group clash.
Pearses 2-20-1-12 St Malachy’s
At Fennell Park
2025 Junior Championship runners-up Pearses secured their place in the 2026 Antrim Junior Football Championship knockout stages with a convincing 2-20 to 1-12 victory over St Malachy’s at Fennell Park.
With both sides winless from their opening two games, the contest was effectively a play-off for a place in the quarter-finals. St Malachy’s started brightly through Peter Laverty, but Pearses quickly responded as Tom McFarlane fired home their opening goal. Sean Moreland and Phil Murray added points as Pearses took control, although a strong spell from St Malachy’s saw Jack McGivern and Ciaran Vernon reduce the deficit.
Pearses finished the half strongly, with Moreland, Fionn Grew and Aidan Bannon contributing scores before Vernon’s injury-time goal gave St Malachy’s hope. Pearses led 1-09 to 1-06 at the interval.
The second half proved decisive. Pearses exploded out of the blocks with 1-06 without reply, including goals from Oisin Grew and Barry Harper, to move 12 points clear. St Malachy’s battled on, with McGivern and Laverty among the scorers, but Pearses maintained their advantage.
Oran Sweeney and Moreland added further scores late on as Pearses comfortably secured the final quarter-final place.
Rasharkin 1-18 Laochra Loch Lao 1-6
At Dreen
Rasharkin secured a convincing victory over Laochra Loch Lao to book their place in the JFC Group One championship semi-finals following a strong all-round performance.
Laochra Loch Lao made the brighter start, with Tomás Ó Tuathaláin opening the scoring, but Rasharkin quickly responded through Ferghal Kennedy. Brian Óg O’Neill then took control of the scoreboard, firing over four points in succession as Rasharkin began to dominate. James Higgins and Oran McMullan also added scores, leaving Rasharkin 0-09 to 0-02 ahead at half-time.
Rasharkin continued their dominance after the restart when Killian O’Boyle calmly converted a penalty three minutes into the second half. Laochra Loch Lao showed tremendous resilience, responding with points from Mac Gafraidh and Ó Nullain to keep themselves in contention.
However, Andrew Hasson’s superb two-pointer on 50 minutes and another crucial two-pointer late on effectively ended Laochra’s hopes. Oisín MacCrabhagain converted a late penalty for Laochra, but it was too little too late.
Rasharkin’s strength in depth ultimately proved decisive as they progressed to the semi-finals. Following the game, Joe Edwards presented the Division 3 Cup to Rasharkin amid celebrations from their supporters.
Rasharkin prevailed in Dreen to finish top of the pops
Ardoyne 2-11 Éire Og 0-13
At Cliftonville Playing Fields
Ardoyne edged out Éire Óg by 2-12 to 2-13 in a thrilling Junior Football Championship encounter at The Cricky with both sides enjoying spells of dominance in an entertaining contest.
Éire Óg started brightly, with Conall Smyth and Conor Dixon finding the target, but Ardoyne gradually took control. A superb save from Ardoyne goalkeeper Tiernan Hughes denied Éire Óg a goal before Aidan McNeill struck twice for Ardoyne, including a powerful volley following excellent work from Joseph Gibson. McNeill’s second goal arrived just before half-time as Ardoyne went into the break seven points clear at 2-06 to 0-05.
Éire Óg responded impressively after the restart. Smyth and Dixon led the fightback, with a series of excellent scores reducing the deficit to just a point. Ardoyne steadied themselves through Brendan Hamilton and Cormac Mullan, who played a key role in the closing stages.
Despite another Dixon free keeping Éire Óg within touching distance, Ardoyne finished strongly. Mullan and McNeill added crucial scores before Mullan’s late point sealed a hard-fought victory and secured Ardoyne’s place in the semi-finals.
St Brigids Cloughmills 1-06 O’Donnells 3-11
At Cloughmills
O’Donnell's produced a clinical attacking display to defeat St Brigid’s Cloughmills by 3-11 to 1-06 in the Antrim Junior Football Championship at Cloughmills.
The Belfast side made a blistering start, racing into a 2-04 to 0-01 lead inside the opening 14 minutes. Fionnbar McKernan opened the scoring with a goal on five minutes before Pearse Rice added a second seven minutes later. Cailean Walsh was also influential, contributing several excellent scores, including a superb two-pointer.
Cloughmills responded when Dara Watterson found the net on 17 minutes, while Anthony Doran kept the home side competitive with a series of points. Doran’s scores helped Cloughmills reduce the deficit before half-time, with O’Donnells leading 2-07 to 1-03 at the break.
The second half was more closely contested, but O’Donnells remained in control. Substitute Ciaran McKissock made an immediate impact by scoring their third goal on 46 minutes, effectively ending Cloughmills’ hopes of a comeback.
Doran continued to battle and finished with six points, but O’Donnells’ greater attacking threat proved decisive. Rice added late scores to complete the victory and secure O’Donnells’ progression in the championship.
