TG4 Championship action continues this weekend with 5 teams from the province in action.
SATURDAY
Donegal v Mayo – 1pm Glenfin
Tyrone v Meath – 1pm Healy Park
Armagh v Waterford – 3pm BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
SUNDAY
Antrim v Longford – 2pm Randalstown
Derry v Kilkenny – 2pm Celtic Park
Donegal are the first winners of the Karen Jackson Cup, after they defeated Tyrone in Donagh on Friday night last. Tara Rose Mc Mahon collected the U20 cup from Karen’s mother and brother while Karen’s father presented the player of the match award to Lucy Ward.
Its another busy weekend of TG4 Championship action with six teams in action, including two Ulster derbies
SATURDAY
Cork v Armagh – Pairc UiRinn 3-15pm
SUNDAY
Derry v Antrim – Celtic Park 2pm
Down v Cavan – Pairc Esler 2pm
Fermanagh v Leitrim – Ederney 2pm
There was mixed success for the provinces U14’s in their respective All Ireland finals at the weekend with Antrim and Derry winning titles and Armagh, Donegal, Caban and Down losing.
All-Ireland U14 Platinum final
Cork 4-8
Armagh 2-11
Goals proved crucial for Cork as they retained their All-Ireland U14 Platinum football title at St Brigid’s, Kiltoom in Roscommon at the expense of Armagh. Three came in the first half and it set them on their way to victory but they were made to battle all the way to the finish by Armagh.
All-Ireland U-14 Gold final
Kerry 1-8
Down 1-5
Kerry were crowned All-Ireland U14 Gold champions making up for last year’s loss and were deserving winners after a magnificent game of football. Down for their part can’t be faulted for their efforts and gave it their all, led by the likes of Mollie Morgan, Dacey Carr and Tierna Rogan.
All-Ireland U14 Silver final
Derry 3-7
Donegal 1-10
The old adage goals win games rang through in Emyvale as Derry were crowned All-Ireland U14 Silver championship winners with victory over a spirited Donegal side. The game ebbed and flowed and in the 47th minute Derry took the lead for the first time; Cora Deighan made a run before passing to Mitchell for her second goal of the game. It was a lead that Derry did not relinquish.
All-Ireland U14 Bronze final
Antrim 2-9
Cavan 2-7
(After extra-time)
Two late points from Iona Maguire saw Antrim come from behind to claim the All-Ireland U14 Bronze championship title after extra-time in Emyvale.
Its a busy weekend for our counties with the All Ireland U14 Festival of Football finals scheduled and the start of the TG4 Junior and Intermediate championships.
SATURDAY 3OTH MAY
TG4 Junior Championship
Antrim v Offaly – Randalstown 2pm
U14 Festival of Football Finals
Platinum – Armagh v Cork – Kiltoom 4pm
Gold – Down v Kerry – Kiltoom 2pm
Silver – Derry v Donegal – Emyvale 3pm
Bronze – Antrim v Cavan – Emyvale 1pm
SUNDAY 31ST MAY
TG4 Intermediate Championship
Westmeath v Monaghan – Mullingar 2pm
On Sunday last ULGFA honoured the Tyrone teams of 200- and 2001.
2000
The 2000 team led by Sean O Kane, Aidan Connolly and Barry Grimes were the winners of the first ever Ulster senior decider. The first Ulster senior final was played in Clones on Sunday 30th July 2000 between Monaghan and Tyrone. On the day Tyrone shell shocked favourites Monaghan to win by three points. Many will remember this day forever and they will remember in particular the magnificent 1-07 scored by Eilis Gormley and the fine contributions from newcomers Dolores Hughes and Martina Doyle amongst others. Highlight of the day was captain Lisa McGirr’s magnificent goal which capped a great display from her and was perhaps one of the best individual strikes Clones has ever seen.
Claire Mc Garvey, Lynda Donnelly, Lynette Hughes and Eilish Gormley were named on the 2000 All Star team and Arlene Mc Closkey received a replacement All Star.
2000 Squad
Hayley Boyle, Arlene Mc Closkey, Maura Kelly, Martina Doyle, Claire Mc Garvey, Siobhan Mc Garvey, Lynda Donnelly, Ciara Strain, Lisa Mc Girr, Dolores Hughes, Lynette Hughes, Shauna Mc Girr, Caroline Kelly, Eilis Gormley, Connie Fox, Eileen Mc Elroy, Katriona Murphy, Maeve Mc Gurk, Ciara Maxwell, Caroline Mc Grath, Tina Donnelly, Nuala Mc Garvey, Claire Mc Cann, Aisling Hagan, Michaela Doherty and Claire Nugent
2001
Sean O Kane had stepped away after the 2000 win however Aidan Connolly and Barry Grimes remained at the helm.
Tyrone reached the 2001 final courtesy of a 1-12 to 0-9 semi-final victory over Down. The game was poor, but the performances of Lynette Hughes (0-9) and Michaela Downey (0-8) were noteworthy. The win set up a second consecutive final with neighbours Monaghan.
The final was played in Clones on 12th August. A perfect combination of youth and experience and strong team spirit tipped the balance in Tyrone’s favour leaving Monaghan more than a little shocked for the second year in a row. The sides were level with four minutes remaining when Tyrone were awarded free. The resulting kick found its way to Shauna Mc Girr who sent over and break Monaghan hearts. Full time score Tyrone 1-7 Monaghan 0-9.
In 2001 there were replacement All Stars for Lisa Mc Girr, Siobhan Mc Garvey and Clare Mc Garvey. Lynette Hughes was named Ulster GAA Writers player of the Year.
2001 Squad
Martina Glackin, Aisling Hagan, Siobhan Mc Garvey, Martina Doyle, Claire Mc Garvey, Connie Fox, Nuala Mc Cartan, Arlene Mc Closkey, Lisa Mc Girr, Cathy Mc Cullagh, Dolores Hughes, Ciara Maxwell, Nuala Mc Garvey, Lynette Hughes, Shauna Mc Girr, Hayley Boyle, Anne Donnelly, Mairead Mc Cann, Jane-Marie Tierney, Lucy Meehan, Sinead Mc Laughlin, Natasha Rushe, Julie Conroy, Tina Donnelly, Una Mc Kay and Geraldine O Neill
TG4 ULSTER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Derry Centre of Excellence, Owenbeg,
Armagh 2-13 Tyrone 1-15
Armagh claimed their third consecutive TG4 Ulster senior title with just a point to spare over Tyrone in a pulsating final played at sunny Owenbeg. Tyrone had the better start and led by two points after as many minutes. Three points on the trot from Armagh edged them in front and in the 20th minute Aoife Mc Coy netted the first goal of the game. Lauren Mc Convile drove at the Red Hand defense, offloaded to Caroline of Hanlon who in turn set up Mc Coy who palmed calmly to the net.
Tyrone to their credit did not panic and with the next attack the excellent Slaine Mc Carroll finished a solo run from the halfway line with a low drive which quickly canceled Mc Coys goal. Tyrone hit the next four points to regain the lead. Now it was time for calm Armagh heads and that’s what we got. Armagh scored the next three points including a two-pointer from Aimee Mackin. In the dying minutes of the half both sides traded points but it was Armagh who went in ahead 1-9 to 1-8.
Scores were exchanged early in the second half and then Armagh struck their second goal in the 15th minute. Blathin Mackin who was just on the pitch produced a wonderful high catch in the middle of the field and set up Caoimhe Mc Nally who made no mistake from close range.
In the final quarter Armagh introduced a number of subs including Kelly Mallon who fired over three times. Cassie Henderson in her first championship final, was sin binned with six left on the clock and four between them. Tyrone pushed hard and narrowed the score to a single point but ultimately time ran out and Armagh were crowned champions for the third year in a row.
Orchard manager Gregory Mc Gonigle was both delighted and relieved after the final whistle. Asked to sum the game up, he said, “It’s unbelievable – any time you beat a Tyrone team it’s a brilliant day”. Corner back Cait Towe was equally satisfied with the win. She admitted “we were slow to start but finished strong. I’m absolutely knackered now but our hard work throughout the sixty minutes paid off”.
Scorers – Armagh: B Mackin 0-6 (1ft 2p), A McCoy 1-2, K Mallon 0-3 (2f), C McNally 1-0, C O Hanlon and E Druse 0-1each
Tyrone: N O’Neill 0-5 (4f), A Horisk 0-4 (3f), S McCarroll 1-1, C Mccaffrey 0-3 and S Gormley 0-1
ARMAGH: B Mathers; M Ferguson, C McCambridge, C Towe, E Druse, L McConville, G Ferguson, C Reilly, A Donnelly, C Marley, A McCoy, C Mc Nally, A Mackin, C O’Hanlon, L Marsden
Subs: B Mackin for A Donnelly, K Mallon for C Marley, C Henderson for C Reilly, E Melanophy for M Ferguson and M Lennon for C McNally
TYRONE: L Kane; J Hearty, G McKenna, E Quinn, C Canavan, M Corrigan, C Campbell, M Mallon, A. McHugh, S McCarroll, C McCarroll, C McCarroll, C McCaffrey, E Canny, N O’Neill, S Gormley, A Horisk.
Subs: K Ross for Canavan
Referee: Siobhan Kelly (Donegal).
TG4 ULSTER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Armagh (holders) v Tyrone
The 2026 senior final sees neighbours Armagh and Tyrone do battle for the O Harte Cup.
Armagh operate in Division 1 of the league and will be aiming for a third Ulster title on the trot. Their league campaign was a mixed bag however wins over Kildare and Kerry and draws with Dublin and Meath ensured that they retained their premier league status.
In their first championship game they made home advantage count against Donegal winning 0-10 to 1-4. Blaithin Mackin was on fire that day scoring 4 first half points before injury forced her to retire. The Orchard girls minus Lauren Mc Conville and Kelly Mallon eased to victory.
Tyrone is the reigning All Ireland intermediate champions and played in Division 2 of the National league. They had a reasonable campaign drawing with Mayo and beating Monaghan, Westmeath and Tipperary.
Like Armagh they had to face Donegal in a round robin game. Played in Lifford, the Red Hands girls were on top from the start and went on to win 4-10 to 2-7. Chloe Mc Caffrey was the hero on the day scoring 3-1. Sorcha Gormley and Australia bound Aoife Horisk were also on target in their fine win.
With Armagh and Tyrone both winning their opening games, it meant their meeting was irrelevant as both had already qualified for today’s final. Both played understrength sides with Tyrone going on to win 1-10 to 0-8, Maeve Maxwell scoring their goal. For the second game in a row Lauren Mc Conville was absent from the Orchard side however underage sensation Cassie Henderson made her debut.
So who will win?
This has all the makings of a classic. Tyrone the reigning intermediate champions will have no fear playing the vastly experienced Armagh. Like last week’s intermediate final between Cavan and Monaghan, it will be close – don’t be surprised if it takes extra time to separate them.
This weekend we have our TG4 Ulster Senior Final and our 2 U20 semi finals
Saturday U20 semi finals
Donegal v Monaghan – 2pm Red Hughs GAA
Cavan v Tyrone – 2pm Redhills GAA
Sunday TG4 Senior Final
Armagh v Tyrone – 2pm Owenbeg
TG4 ULSTER JUNIOR FINAL
Antrim 3-18 Derry 2-6
Antrim retained their Ulster Junior title with a dominant display over Derry. Tight defending, a powerful midfield duo and sharp forwards helped the Saffrons to a 15 point victory.
Derry’s Aine Ni Lochlainn opened the scoring with a pointed free. Antrim then had a goal disallowed and were denied another by some brave goal keeping by Thomasina Cassidy. In the eleventh minute Ni Lochlainn doubled her tally with another free.
Antrim got off the mark with a 13th minute point from Maria O Neill and then hit another 2-4 without reply. O Neill hit the first goal in the 16th minute and then turned provider for Aoibheann Monaghan who found the bottom corner, soccer style. Midfielders Aine Tubridy and Omolara Dahunsi both pointed while O’Neill contributed another couple. Ni Lochlainn and Niamh Hannon cancelled two of the points however the last say of the half was from Theresa Mellon whose point helped the Saffron’s to a 2-6 to 0-4 interval lead.
Antrim were quick out of the traps in the second half. Tubridy, Monaghan and O Neill all pointed within the five minutes of the restart. Kate Hargan found the net for Derry with seven gone and then Jemma Shivers fired over. In the 12th minute Aine Tubridy’s shot ended up in the net via the crossbar and further points followed from Dahunsi, Mellon and wing back Laura Agnew.
The final ten minutes was full of drama. Oak Leafer Ni Lochlainn netted from a close in free before Antrim’s Aoife Taggart saw yellow. Hannon and O Neill traded points. Antrim remained dominant and further points arrived courtesy of Mellon, Monaghan and captain Bronagh Devlin. With just seven seconds left on the clock Dahunsi fired over from over 40m to finish a player of the match performance with a two pointer. Full time score Antrim 3-18 Derry 2-6.
Antrim – A. Devlin, E. Kearns, M. Blayney, M. Mullholland, L. Agnew (0-1), C. Brown, D. Coleman, O. Dhaunsi (0-4), A. Tubridy 1-2, T. Mellon (0-3), M. O Neill (1-5), A. Davidson, E. Mc Areavey, B. Devlin (0-1) and A. Monaghan (1-2)
Subs Used – A. Taggart, L. Mc Nicholl and A. Mullholland
Derry – T. Cassidy, C. Dillon, L. Brewster, A. Mulligan, A. Donnelly, B. Donnelly, S. Heron, S. Duggan, C. Donnelly, K. Hannon (1-0), C. Moore, N. Hannon (0-2), R. Doherty, A. Ni Lochlainn (1-3) and J. Slevin.
Subs Used – S. Hargan, A. Crozier, A. Mc Allister and E. Dillon
Referee – S. McGoldrick (Fermanagh)
